How does a person deals with the burden of delivering devastating news to unsuspecting families? I am talking about the “casualty notification team”, the people assigned to notify families when their loved ones are wounded or killed in action.
This morning I was reading El Nuevo Dia "Mami, hay dos soldados en la puerta" cover story about the day that a casualty notification team broke the news to two families in Puerto Rico, best friends assigned to the same mission. Both men were killed January 2, 2011 by a roadside IED (improvised explosive device) while on patrol in Afghanistan.
It must be devastating to hear someone knocking, and see two officers standing at the other side of your door.
Last Friday, while on my lunch break, I was reading Former Secretary of State Colin Powell slamming U.S. intelligence officials over the handling of “Curveball”. If you are not familiar with this scumbag, "Curveball" real name is Rafid Ahmed Alwan al-Janabi. He is the Iraqi defector and whistleblower who claimed to have worked with Saddam Hussein as a chemical engineer. He recently admitted that his claims on weapons of mass destruction had been false. This past week, this lying piece of shit said and I quote, “I’m proud my WMD lies led to war. I had the chance to fabricate something to topple the regime of Saddam Hussein, I am proud of that”.
The disturbing part about his confession is that his testimony was used by the American government as key evidence to build a case for war in Iraq. Now Colin Powell is backtracking and placing blame, even though he played a big part in this charade, after he laid out the case for war at a United Nations speech in 2003. Colin Powell allowed this to happen, aided and abetted it. I personally believe that Colin Powell speech at the U. N. sealed the deal, and got everyone on board to attack Iraq.
Funny how so many who “served” in the Bush administration are now silent about these latest developments and admission of lying. Where is former CIA Director George Tenet?... or vice president Dick Cheney who until recently said, “Iraq invasion was fully justified”.
In the meantime, as of January 2011, 5,885 American soldiers have died in Iraq and Afghanistan. Among them 593 Latino members of the military, while over one million Iraqis died as a result of the conflict.
No wonder people in some European countries want to prosecute George Bush as a criminal of war. And yet, “Curveball” walks free while Julian Assange, founder of Wikileaks, fears for his life.
Some people believe that to be prepared for war is the most effectual means of preserving peace. And, to some extent, I understand the reaction of the American government although I believe that they are crazy to send troops to Iraq or Afghanistan! These young American soldiers are innocent victims manipulated by politicians. In my opinion, world leaders should make a determined effort to disarm. To me, the surest road to war is to be prepared for it. Great post, Kofla!
Publicado por: Anastasia | 02/22/2011 en 02:36 p.m.
Kofla. Solo un recordatorio. Esta la guerra y la excusa para crear la guerra. La guerra hispanoamerica nos ense/naron que fue provocada por la explosion del USS Maine en Guantanamo. En realidad, posiblemente fueron facciones de los mismos norteamericanos que quisieron justificar su guerra.
Las crueles guerras de Kosovo y Nigeria tienen fundamentos religiosos. Pero son meramente excusas.
Buen post.
Te dejo con esta, pero no por CSI.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LabxxEgMTjo
Publicado por: r beato | 02/22/2011 en 05:16 p.m.
Anastacia, only a few politicians have sent their children to war. What does that tells you? Thanks!
r beato, esa es la estrategia que han empleado los americanos a traves de la historia. Ellos mismos provocan los conflictos para beneficio de sus propios intereses. Gracias por el video!
Publicado por: Kofla Olivieri | 02/23/2011 en 11:20 a.m.
Wow this curveball is something else. It's ironic to know that that war was even hailed by some religious people as a "holy war". The only profit from that war was that of the corporations that have their contracts in Irak. The real reason behind that war was economical profit.
On the other hand it's equally disturbing when a police officer knocks on the door to notify some parents about the death of a son on the street.
Publicado por: Prometeo | 02/23/2011 en 08:20 p.m.
Prometeo, I agree with you. This particular war, as most of them are, was for economic reasons. Tons of people in the United States are making a "killing" because of it.
Publicado por: Kofla Olivieri | 02/25/2011 en 09:46 a.m.
Very brutal post. It sucks to be told your loved one passed away without having factors like these on top of that.
About curveball, I am not surprised at all! Wars are just a way for people to profit from a situation or to force their believes down others throats. I see no justification in any conflict.
I feel sorry and salute all those who have died as result of war, both soldiers and civilians.
Publicado por: Metal Former | 02/27/2011 en 04:01 a.m.
Hola Metal Former, telling people that a loved one passed away is not a job I would like to have. Thank you for stopping by!
Publicado por: Kofla Olivieri | 02/27/2011 en 06:45 a.m.