The Progressive Blog Alliance HQ

Since I only write one article a day, I thought I would do my own version of “Mike’s Blog Roundup” on Fridays. That and I pissed off Mike and John over at Crooks and Liars and won’t be cross-posted anymore (long story). So I guess I will start my own. I like my title better anyways. (snicker) Well it looks like the Israelis are at it again. This time killing 3 Palestinians.

BEIT LAHIYA, Gaza Strip (AP) -- Israel launched an air strike Friday in the northern Gaza Strip, and witnesses said three Palestinians were killed. The Israeli military said the attack on the town of Beit Lahiya targeted a group of militants. Israeli ground troops, backed by tanks and aircraft, entered the town on Thursday.

What I don’t understand is, if this Gaza Strip thing is so important to both sides, then why are they blowing it to hell? Isn’t this more like cutting off your nose to spite your face, rather than, defending your homeland? I understand that both sides feel the need to inhabit this patch of dirt, but come on people. Is anyone from either side paying attention to the devastation happening in this area?

Now that we have more than 2,700 dead American soldiers in operation Iraqi Freedom, I think it's time to focus on an issue that seems to have shriveled into thin air here at home, the tragedies of 9/11. The Administration no longer dangles the terrifying 3-digit carrot to evoke panic and fear. It's almost like they read the polls and the newspapers, not that they would admit to changing rhetoric to improve poll numbers. But honestly, when was the last time you heard the mention of the date in the MSM. Personally myself today was the first time in a long time. And my sorrowful reminder of one of the saddest events in American history was this headline, "State Agency Goes Ahead With 9/11 Memorial." The families of 9/11 victims are finally going to get their memorial. Will this be a beacon of closure signaling the suffering of these tortured souls has reached its end? Can a Nation now mourn in person, as we remember that fateful day? Well sort of.

I often wonder what "really" is happening on the ground in Iraq. I have wanted to talk to someone that lives in one of the larger cities. Someone like me that has to get up everyday traverse the traffic, show up at work on time, go to the groceries store, entertain myself and other daily grind events. Well I have found such a person. He is an anonymous blogger from Iraq giving us the "real" everyday life experience of an Iraqi citizen. I'm going to post one of his stories and following that I will have a link to his site. It's a very interesting read and recommended. So here it is folks, unfiltered for your pleasure.

These Days

These days are the most fearful days I have ever seen in Iraq, stories of kidnapping and killing have made me walk in the street and look around in fear some one might be chasing me or another might jump and drag me in a car or shoot me to death. I left the house mumbling with prayers begging God to take care of me and protect me of kidnappers and sectarians. I stood at the main street waiting for a taxi to jump in and runaway to work, waiting at the street for long under the heat of the sun is a great risk. I looked around, the street was full of cars waiting in line for fuel, but the smell was awful, it was a dead dog left at the side of the street, the only shady spot was near the dog so I have to choose between the heat and the bad smell. While I was trying to make a choice, I looked in front of me I saw a tall guy with black suit crossing the two main streets and heading towards me. “It is the end.” I told myself, he must be member of Mahdi army and will either kill me immediately or kidnap me for reasons I do not know, but I stunned in my place and did not know what to do, run home, still the distance is not short and he can capture me, shout, I felt my throat is so dry, contact the police, they will do nothing as usual. He was coming closer and closer, gazing at me, I tried to find one explanation for his focusing on me could not find, who is he? Could not figure. “ It is the end, no way to runaway but the problem I have not written my will and if he kidnapped me, it would be the end of the family.” I was nearly getting mad with different thoughts and ideas roaring in my head. Now, he is in front me so I have to face my fate, he looked at me and said “ Salam Aliakm”, I replied “ Salam.” “You do not know me?” “ No.” “ Iam the driver who took you to Amman last year.” He said. With this sentence, I took a deep breath and nearly to faint and said quickly “ Oh, really, Iam so sorry, Yes, I do remember you, you were great, I always remember that nice tripe and how great you were! What are you doing here? I came to apply for a work at the fire police here near your house and saw you from a distant and wanted to come and say hello to you. Thank you so much, I really appreciate that, it is good you still remember me, are you still working between Baghdad and Amman? No, I have stopped because of so many incidents of kidnapping and decapitating. I work between Baghdad and Basra, it is safer. Where do you live now? In Sader city.