Stranded
By all accounts, today has provided little more than drivel in terms of inspiration for a journal entry. I stripped my bed of linens this morning in anticipation of doing a load of laundry. I realized at 10:00 PM that I had not yet done the laundry. Hence, I've been sitting here for the better part of two hours waiting for the washer and dryer to finish so I can go to bed. Thus, I am "stranded" in the land of the waking, yet I desire to sleep!
Perhaps the most emotional part of my day was the world news (big surprise). As the multiple investigations into civilian murders in Iraq intensifies and expands, there have been nightly images of blood-streaked walls and bodies wrapped in colorful cloth. Tonight, a very poignant image of a dead girl -- no more than 5 years old -- splayed out on her living room floor left me near tears. When a war drags on for years without any measurable sign of progress, it is inevitable for atrocities and massacres to occur. You can almost palpate the troops' frustration and disillusionment as their casualty rate rises while their mission continues to spiral into deeper chaos. Each day brings a larger number of bombs and explosions than the previous day. Now even the newly-established Iraqi government has become angered by the blatant disregard for civilian life displayed by the American soldiers.
Throughout the embarrassment of this week and all of its revelations of conspiracy and massacre, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has been peppered with questions from the media (kinda like how Dick Cheney peppered some dude's face). This is a man who cannot handle criticism and certainly cannot take the blame for ANYTHING! Yesterday evening, they showed a clip of a very agitated Rumsfeld exploding at a reporter who asked him "for the 15th time" to comment on the civilian massacre. Tonight, he was again caught rolling his eyes (literally) when questioned about the investigation and he responded sarcastically about how there is nothing more that he can say other than that "an investigation is underway." Watching this exchange made me livid! Can this loser be any more of a scumbag? A competent and half-decent human being (examples: JFK, Bill Clinton) would immediately schedule a news conference and sternly proclaim something to the effect of: "I want to make this point extremely clear. The United States does not and will not tolerate the killing of innocent civilians under any circumstance. To do so is not only immoral but also illegal. Any soldier found to have murdered innocent civilians will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. I will personally travel to Iraq to remind our troops of their duties and responsibilities -- as well as their limitations -- as we work to bring peace and democracy to the people of Iraq." Where is Rumsfeld? For that matter, where is George Bush? These people are our leaders, and situations like this require solid and decisive leadership. Too many times, we have witnessed tragedy followed by several days of silence from the White House (examples: the Indonesian tsunami [at least 4 days without an official response from Bush], Hurricane Katrina [missed that boat by at least 2 days], etc.). Makes you wonder what the hell is going on in Washington... In the words of my father: "Yoohoo!! Girls!! The customers are over here!" This incompetency must end!
JLo: Free day to explore the city and surrounds. Most of the inner city sights are located on and just off the main thoroughfare, Nevsky Prospekt, that stretches for around 4 km from near the Winter Palace Embankment to Alexander Nevsky Monastery, so St. Pete’s is good for walkers! Tonight -- an included transfer to the rail station for overnight train to Moscow.
Music of the Moment: "Certain Tragedy" by Saves the Day
Perhaps the most emotional part of my day was the world news (big surprise). As the multiple investigations into civilian murders in Iraq intensifies and expands, there have been nightly images of blood-streaked walls and bodies wrapped in colorful cloth. Tonight, a very poignant image of a dead girl -- no more than 5 years old -- splayed out on her living room floor left me near tears. When a war drags on for years without any measurable sign of progress, it is inevitable for atrocities and massacres to occur. You can almost palpate the troops' frustration and disillusionment as their casualty rate rises while their mission continues to spiral into deeper chaos. Each day brings a larger number of bombs and explosions than the previous day. Now even the newly-established Iraqi government has become angered by the blatant disregard for civilian life displayed by the American soldiers.
Throughout the embarrassment of this week and all of its revelations of conspiracy and massacre, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has been peppered with questions from the media (kinda like how Dick Cheney peppered some dude's face). This is a man who cannot handle criticism and certainly cannot take the blame for ANYTHING! Yesterday evening, they showed a clip of a very agitated Rumsfeld exploding at a reporter who asked him "for the 15th time" to comment on the civilian massacre. Tonight, he was again caught rolling his eyes (literally) when questioned about the investigation and he responded sarcastically about how there is nothing more that he can say other than that "an investigation is underway." Watching this exchange made me livid! Can this loser be any more of a scumbag? A competent and half-decent human being (examples: JFK, Bill Clinton) would immediately schedule a news conference and sternly proclaim something to the effect of: "I want to make this point extremely clear. The United States does not and will not tolerate the killing of innocent civilians under any circumstance. To do so is not only immoral but also illegal. Any soldier found to have murdered innocent civilians will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. I will personally travel to Iraq to remind our troops of their duties and responsibilities -- as well as their limitations -- as we work to bring peace and democracy to the people of Iraq." Where is Rumsfeld? For that matter, where is George Bush? These people are our leaders, and situations like this require solid and decisive leadership. Too many times, we have witnessed tragedy followed by several days of silence from the White House (examples: the Indonesian tsunami [at least 4 days without an official response from Bush], Hurricane Katrina [missed that boat by at least 2 days], etc.). Makes you wonder what the hell is going on in Washington... In the words of my father: "Yoohoo!! Girls!! The customers are over here!" This incompetency must end!
JLo: Free day to explore the city and surrounds. Most of the inner city sights are located on and just off the main thoroughfare, Nevsky Prospekt, that stretches for around 4 km from near the Winter Palace Embankment to Alexander Nevsky Monastery, so St. Pete’s is good for walkers! Tonight -- an included transfer to the rail station for overnight train to Moscow.
Music of the Moment: "Certain Tragedy" by Saves the Day
posted by Yours Truly at 10:07 PM
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