Winks Blog: May 2005

Monday, May 30, 2005

Memorial Day

Good Morning,

As Mr. Bush pays tribute to the war dead, another 30 Iraqi's have been killed in a duel martyr car bombing attack on a massive police demonstration in Baghdad. The 30 figure is likely to go up as it is always difficult to get an exact count shortly after this kind of bombing. Once body parts are re-assembled, they can get an accurate figure. It is estimated that another 100 people were injured.

In order to maximize the death toll, bombers staggered their self detonation, one minute after the other.

Mr. Bush praised the sacrifice of American "War Heros". In his statement today he said:

"The war on terror brought great causes," Bush said, noting conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. "Because of the brave sacrifice," He added, "two terrorist regimes are gone forever. Freedom is on the march and America is more secure."

Bush said America "has always been a reluctant warrior," but then noted the more than 400,000 who perished in World War II alone.

So, go ahead and feel more safe and secure OK? Good going George. He continues to amaze and astound me with this "War" of great cause. The reason for this "War" was to defend our Nation against Iraq's weapons of mass destruction.

To Bush, the US sacrifices are relatively few in comparison to WW II, which no doubt is serving as a benchmark .

Sunday, May 29, 2005

Sunday May 29th, 2005

Howdy all,

As US and Iraqi forces set up one of the largest "sweeps" and security circle around Baghdad, today another 30 Iraqis, including a Brittish soilder were killed by insurgents.

Hope you are having a nice Memorial Day weekend. How about we give pause for the non-military who have unwillingly sacrificed their lives?

Saturday, May 28, 2005

Keeping Up To Date

Criminy sakes.. I can't stop blogging for even a moment, thinking there might be a glimer of peace. OK, latest news is that in the last two (2) yes, you count them TWO days, another 45 Iraqi's have been killed. Oh yes, a GI was blown up and a Japanese contractor who was held hostage was shown on video tape, apparently shot to death.

They still don't have Al-Zarqawi, who is believed to be seriously injured and for now in a different country. Getting bullets out of lungs isn't an easy thing. Recovering is also a bit difficult I'd imagine. But in the meantime, there are folks ready to jump in his spot to lead his cause. Mind you, the "insurgency" has not skipped a beat without him at the helm. So far, aprox. 690 Iraqis' have been killed since the Countries new Shite government was announced on April 28, 2005. Rough estimates put Al-Zarqawi's people responsible for about 20% of the deaths.

OK.. back to this holiday weekend. Another beautiful day in California.

Tuesday, May 24, 2005

Summary to Date 5-24-05

Hello to all, good morning.

As you know, I don't post every day, so I thought I'd take this opportunity to sum up approximately how many people have been killed in Baghdad since April 28, 2005 when Prime Minister Ibraheim al-Jaafari announced his new Shite dominated government At least 620 people have been killed including 53 US troops.

This morning, in case you missed it, another car bomb went off by a junior high school for girls located in a Christian neighborhood. Someone called in to the police that there was a suspicious looking vehicle. As bomb disposal experts approached, the car exploded, killing six bystanders.

In addition, a woman Conservative Shiite Legislator Salamah al-Khafaji was in her convoy when it came under seige. Four of her body guards were critically injured, but she escaped unharmed. She has also survived assasination attempts in January 2005 and May 2004 (Which killed her 17 year old son). She was one of three women on the US appointed governing council until the transitional government took over. You may recall that one other woman lawmaker was killed in her home on April 27th. Her name was Lamia AbedKhadouri al-Sakri, a Shiite who belonged to former Prime Minister Ayad Allawi's Iraqi List party.

I'd also like to say a word about Mrs. Bush. I sincerely hope that she personally felt the ultmate anger and hatred people in the middle east have toward her, her husband and the United States. She glossed over the experience only acknowledging that "Emotions were high". She went on to say, that emotions were also high here in the US after planes were flown into the World Trade Center buildings. I am disgusted that this lady cannot seem to understand that there is NO connection between Iraq and 9/11 and that Iraq did not have weapons of mass destruction.. all of which were reasons Mr. Bush gave to attack that country. She just keeps trying to justify the incorrect actions of her husband, and guess what Laura, people around the world think you are as evil as your husband for buying into it and having the gall to set foot onto their sacred soil. The Bush's are fantastic at throwing themselves into the faces of people who hate them while twisting the knife in their backs.

Done for now, time to go on. No backflips.

Monday, May 23, 2005

Salami Sandwich

Good Morning,

This morning a car bomb blasted a popular local restaurant in Baghdad killing at least 20 people and injuring at least 82 others. This is a place where local police usually gather for lunch. A top national security official and his driver were also killed today (a day after another official, the Trade Ministry Auditing Office official was killed) . Five US troops also were killed by roadside bombs and a vehicle accident.

Just another day in Baghdad.

Tuesday, May 17, 2005

Royal Flush

Good morning,
You have probably heard by now that Newsweek's article alleging the US's flushing down the Quran (Muslam holy book) down the toilet has ignited violent Anti- US protests in Afghanistan. Fifteen people have died in these protests. The State Department is outraged and has blamed Newsweek for re-igniting anti-American feelings. The State Department also insisted that Newsweek immediately retract the article because it was based on false information. Gee... it seems to me that what is good for Newsweek is not good for the Bush Administration. Since the attack on Iraq was based on false information, the US should have retracted its troops a LONG time ago.

Have a nice day.
PS...
Think, it does a body good.

Sunday, May 15, 2005

Rice-A-Roni

Good morning,

This morning I woke up to the news that another 24 Iraqi citizens who have been bound and shot multiple times in the head have been discovered. About 13 in Sadyr City and 11 in a deserted chicken farm near Baghdad.

On another note, Ms. Rice made a surprise visit to Baghdad to thank the US troops and diplomats for taking risks in order to have democracy and peace in Iraq. I don't think she thanked the unenlisted Iraqi victims for the risks they have been taking by just trying to have a life there. Her visit was about a day after the US "Wrapped up" a major US offensive around the Syrian border. Coincidentally after the offensive stopped, gunmen freed the kidnapped governor of Iraq's western Anbar province. Someone please convince me that the US does not negotiate with terrorists and insurgents.

Still waiting for peace, and wishing that Rice would visit a chicken farm.

Thursday, May 12, 2005

Blasted

Good Morning,

The last few days have been brutal in Iraq. Over 60 Iraq citizens were killed yesterday and this morning over 21 in a car bomb at a local market. In the last two weeks more than 400 Iraqis have been murdered. Again, what if this were happening in California? Numbness factor is still there huh.

On another note, a student pilot and trainer flew their small plane over the no flly zone in Washington, DC. Thousands of people fled the government buildings into the streets. To a clever terrorist, this is great info. Just think. First smoke them out with a decoy and then hit them with a biological weapon.

OK, back to work. Backflips are still on hold.

Friday, May 06, 2005

Two Days Before Mother's Day

Good Morning,

No backflips this morning. It is another devistating day in Iraq with 12 slain bodies just discovered in a garbage dump, and another 24+ Iraqi citizens blown up by a martyr car bomber at a local Baghdad market. This brings the death toll since last Thursday to almost 270 people.

Today I'm thinking about Mothers Day. The Mom's and spouses of self enlisted sons, husbands and daughters who are left behind to celebrate their special day will undoubtly receive special attention from our nation.

I am asking everyone to please remember the thousands of Moms and spouses of the non-enlisted, non-deployed, victims in Iraq. I can barely imagine what it must be like to lose a spouse, or child to the American or indigenous insurgency.

Is there a Mother's Day in Iraq? Well.. if there isn't, then I am going to pronounce this day, May 6, 2005 as Iraq National Mothers Day. My thoughts are with each and every one of you who's beloved treasures have been obliterated. This morning's shower rains your tears, and I am not cleansed.

Thursday, May 05, 2005

Who Cares About Idol?

Hey there,
Good morning to all.
Once again I wake up to another 26+ Iraqi citizens being killed over night. Anyone angry yet? Does anyone feel it? A tingle perhaps?

Today people are waking up shaken by the sexplosive bomb by the 2003 ex-American Idol's Corey Clarke about Ms. Abdul. Last night about 24.5 million people focused on Idol's elmination round , and then flipped to ABC about a half hour later to watch Cory dish the dirt on Prime Time Live. Oh baby baby, the dude got lucky and Paula took him under her wing. Well honestly, I'm not sure who took who under what.. but whatever the case may be, someone went down and under. Yeah yeah, I know its all about unfair competition. We can all discuss the ethics around the watercooler, stress and strain, blame the judge.. etc. I'm not saying don't do that, I'm just saying, that today, I am going to save my stress and strain for the Baghdad victims.

On that note, I'm back to work. Who knows, perhaps I'll wake up to better news tomorrow. Believe me, if the news is good, I'll be doing backflips and sharing those with you too. Talk about stress and strain.

Wednesday, May 04, 2005

Today's Thoughts - Are we numbified?

Good morning to all!

This morning I woke up to what seems to be just another day of news of bloodshed in Iraq. Today at least 60 Iraqi citizens (most of whom were applying for the job of police officer) were bombed and another 100 or so wounded. So far since last Thursday there have been over 200 Iraqi's killed.

Contemplate this: If this bloodshed were happening in California (Which Iraq is always being compared to in terms of its size), would Americans not be completely outraged?

This leads me to the question. Have we become "Numbified"? I think so. Just another day, just another pool of blood. Have you noticed that Iraqi's are numbers, and not names? Keeping the personal accounting away adds to the sterilization of the news and when this happens, the bloodshed doesn't seem all that bad. Just another day in Baghdad.

Today I ask you to think of the people. The names behind the numbers. The lives that have been cut short, as a result of Mr. Bush's "Bad intelligence" . Yes, he has bad intelligence alright.

Let us feel, and strip away the numbness. Do you feel the tingling yet? I do.

Winks Blog