Month: August 2010

Obama’s “secret war”

In Latin America El Salvadorian death squads were known for targeting clergy members, doctors, and others, similar to what is being said about Iraq. Scandal continues to develop for the Obama administration because of the Iraq war. Eva Golinger says that the Obama administration has increased funding for what many call Obama’s “secret war”.

My cancer is arbitrary. Congo’s atrocities are very deliberate.

The atrocities committed against the people of Congo are not arbitrary, like my cancer. They are systematic, strategic and intentional. At the root is a madly greedy world economy, desperate for more minerals robbed from the indigenous Congolese. Sourcing this insatiable hunger are multinational corporations who benefit from these minerals and are willing to turn their backs on the players committing femicide and genocide, as long as their financial needs are met. I am lucky. I have been blessed with a positive prognosis that has made me hyper-aware of what keeps a person alive. How does one survive cancer? Of course – good doctors, good insurance, good luck. But the real healing comes from not being forgotten. From attention, from care, from love, from being surrounded by a community of those who demand information on your behalf, who advocate and stand up for you when you are in a weakened state, who sleep by your side, who refuse to let you give up, who bring you meals, who see you not as a patient or victim but as a precious human being, who create metaphors where you can imagine your survival. This is my medicine, and nothing less will suffice for the people, for the women, for the children of Congo. Full article.

Yediot reports on damage to settlement industry caused by targeted boycott

The decision made on Monday by the Norwegian oil fund to divest from Africa Israel and Danya Cebus on the grounds that they are involved in illegal construction in the territories, is only the latest in a long series of decisions by governmental and private companies in Europe to boycott Israeli companies for political reasons. In most cases, the argument is that the products were manufactured over the Green Line, and are therefore in the “occupied territories.” At times, this refers to a political protest against Israel’s policy towards the Palestinians, for example, in response to the flotilla events. One thing is not in question: In recent months, there has been an escalation in the boycott of Israeli brands for political reasons. Full article.

Man Held in Anti-Muslim Stabbing of Cabby in New York

The man charged with the anti-Muslim slashing and stabbing of a cabdriver was arraigned Wednesday afternoon in Manhattan Criminal Court on charges of second-degree attempted murder as a hate crime, first-degree assault as a hate crime and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon.

An emergency medical technician said that had the cut been any deeper or longer, the driver would have died, prosecutors said.

Judge ShawnDya L. Simpson ordered the man, Michael Enright, 21, held without bail.

James Zaleta, an assistant district attorney, said in court that Mr. Enright hailed a taxi near 24th Street and Second Avenue on Tuesday evening. Mr. Enright asked the taxi driver, who was from Bangladesh, whether he was Muslim, Mr. Zaleta said.

After the driver said he was, Mr. Enright responded with the Arabic greeting, “Assalamu alaikum,” according to the criminal court complaint.

Then Mr. Enright said, “Consider this a checkpoint,” before pulling out a Leatherman utility knife and slashing the taxi driver’s throat, Mr. Zaleta said. The driver turned and Mr. Enright slashed him in his face and forearms, Mr. Zaleta said. Full article.

HOW AND WHERE TO DONATE FOR FLOOD RELIEF IN PAKISTAN

many of my friends have asked me how and where to donate for flood relief. here r some options. in all instances, pls specify that the money is to be used for flood relief in pakistan.

EDHI FOUNDATION:

i support the edhi foundation – pakistan’s largest private welfare organization.

In Newsweek International’s Special Edition Oct-Dec 2003, Ron Moreau praised the Edhi Foundation to the skies for adopting the destitutes in Pakistan and thus filling the gap left by the government’s failure on this front. He goes on to list the achievements of the Edhi Foundation under the patronage of Abdul Sattar Edhi and his wife Bilquis Edhi: “The Edhi Foundation operates the world’s largest volunteer ambulance service. In addition, Edhi’s staff runs a missing-persons hot line and more than a dozen homes for orphans, the homeless, battered women, the mentally ill and drug addicts. He has set up literacy-training courses for all ages, free medical clinics and a soup kitchen that serves 1,000 free meals a day.”

edhi foundation
4511 national st
corona, ny 11368
ph: 718-639-5120

PAKISTAN FLOODS: HOW TO HELP (from The Guardian):

List of organizations accepting donations here.

UNICEF:

UNICEF’s Pakistan Disaster Relief Operations in Jeopardy Due to Funding Shortage – contact:

Dawne Basinski
Deputy Director, NGO
U.S. Fund For UNICEF
125 Maiden Lane
New York, NY 10038
www.unicefusa.org

WATER PURIFICATION PLANTS:

More than 100 medical doctors in the Louisville area’s Pakistani American community supported EDGE OUTREACH’s Haiti disaster response. And now, we have the privilege of helping this community respond to the humanitarian crisis caused by the unprecedented flooding in Pakistan.

The second week of August, Pakistan-born doctors Muhammad Babar and Shahid Qamar came to EDGE OUTREACH (a US based non-profit) seeking ways to help flood victims. The request was simple: can EDGE OUTREACH prepare them to train others on water systems to help those in dire need of safe water? The answer was a resounding ‘YES’ as this is EDGE’s core mission.

To date 25 plants have been sent and we are planning to send another 25 plants next week. Each one of these can supply clean drinkable water for up to 10,000 people on a continual basis. Dr. Babar Cheema in Louisville, KY is spearheading this effort. You could watch a video about the functioning of these plants at www.edgeoutreach.com. You can also make a donation online – a receipt for tax purposes will be automatically generated here.

Politics of aid

Few events expose the moral bankruptcy of capitalism more starkly than the response of our leaders to “natural disasters”. This summer the people of Pakistan have suffered floods that have destroyed whole villages and towns, leaving millions of the world’s poorest prey to hunger and disease. But even as the scale of the disaster became clear, governments across the world failed to act quickly. When they did, they offered a pitiful amount of humanitarian aid. Full article.

review: la double vie de veronique by krzysztof kieslowski

“la double vie de veronique” is an exquisite film by polish director and screenwriter krzysztof kieslowski. it’s a delicate blend of metaphysical poetry, visual rhyming, translucent shots filled with the magic of fireflies, nostalgic music that seems to lead the film rather than underline it, and the sublime irene jacob.

she plays two identical-looking women (one in poland, one in france) whose parallel lives hardly ever intersect, yet they seem to share an eerie connection. perhaps it’s a meditation on the inchoate nature of the human soul and its yearning for completion, for perfect symmetry. could it be that life is like a kirigami snowflake, carefully folded and cut out to produce a delightful mirror image? what kind of unique patterns does human life produce?

and what role does chance or destiny play in these continuously shifting patterns? as usual, i am reminded of milan kundera. in his article “compassion for the ephemeral” (the guardian, march 17, 2007), craig raine explains:

Anna Karenina, Kundera argues, has a troubled relationship with Vronsky, but the efficient cause of her suicide is aesthetic. Surrounded by ugliness of every sort, she is reminded of the first time she met Vronsky – when a railway worker fell to his death under the train wheels. She can “give her love story a finished, beautiful shape” by ending her life in the same way. She succumbs to symmetry.

this incitement to symmetry, this unconscious human desire to shape life with the measured rhythm of a poem, is expressed in the film through recurring images and symbols. slawomir idziak’s cinematography is captivating. the concept of “reflection” is translated visually trough the use of mirrors, haunting patterns of light and shadow, compositions collaged together from multiple layers of gossamer images, and the distorting effects of a lens or magnifying glass.

time sequences involve flash forwards – another hint that chance’s random twists and turns might be predetermined? repeating motifs occur throughout the film – bits of string twisted around a finger, the earthy comfort of wood, recurring colors, art and music. zbigniew preisner’s musical score is attributed to van den budenmayer, a fictitious eighteenth-century composer who’s supposed to have lived in holland some two hundred years ago and who is credited with all the music in kie?lowski’s films. here his score is divine – pure and tender, mysterious, nostalgic.

there is a hauntingly beautiful scene in “double vie” where a puppeteer’s masterful hands gently sculpt a story, much like a director, much like god.

although there is a love story in the film, it’s certainly not its focus. it’s a component of veronique’s life but it gives her clues about herself, rather than define her. it’s not hollywood’s all-consuming passion that leaves no room for an alternative ending. it’s more of an exploration in the much bigger theme of perpetual yearning – the need for something that’s familiar yet out of reach, something that’s real but also ethereal.

all these lovely coincidences and overlaps, parallel worlds and symmetrical destinies, mysterious longings and nostalgia reminded me of wislawa szymborska’s poetry. here is “love at first sight.”

Love at First Sight by Wislawa Szymborska

They’re both convinced
that a sudden passion joined them.
Such certainty is beautiful,
but uncertainty is more beautiful still.

Since they’d never met before, they’re sure
that there’d been nothing between them.
But what’s the word from the streets, staircases, hallways —
perhaps they’ve passed each other a million times?

I want to ask them
if they don’t remember —
a moment face to face
in some revolving door?
perhaps a “sorry” muttered in a crowd?
a curt “wrong number” caught in the receiver?
but I know the answer.
No, they don’t remember
They’d be amazed to hear
that Chance has been toying with them
now for years.

Not quite ready yet
to become their Destiny,
it pushed them close, drove them apart,
it barred their path,
stifling a laugh,
and then leaped aside.

There were signs and signals,
even if they couldn’t read them yet.
Perhaps three years ago
or just last Tuesday
a certain leaf fluttered
from one shoulder to another?
Something was dropped and then picked up.
Who knows, maybe the ball that vanished
into childhood’s thicket?

There were doorknobs and doorbells
where one touch had covered another
beforehand.
Suitcases checked and standing side by side.
One night, perhaps, the same dream,
grown hazy by morning.

Every beginning
is only a sequel, after all,
and the book of events
is always open halfway through.

(Translated by Stanislaw Baranczak and Clare Cavanagh)

UNICEF’s Pakistan Disaster Relief Operations in Jeopardy Due to Funding Shortage – how u can help

Dear Mara,

As you know, this disaster is the worst in Pakistan’s history and as this horrific situation continues to deteriorate, UNICEF is not receiving the incredible response as we have in emergencies past. With any emergency, children are the most at risk and UNICEF is on the ground taking action to save the lives of these kids. Please feel free to circulate this information as you see appropriate and to contact me with any questions.

The monsoon rains and flooding have left over 3.5 million children highly susceptible to water-borne diseases and malnutrition. These children are traumatized and in desperate need of water, food, shelter and medicine. Countless children have been orphaned and require special protection and care. If we don’t get donations for this emergency – our response will be diminished – when in reality it needs to be dramatically scaled up to meet the expanding demand and severity of this unprecedented disaster.

Summary of Immediate Needs:

Without adequate water, cholera, diarrhea, dysentery will spread and begin killing affected populations

Acute respiratory infections, skin diseases, malnutrition are top concerns, in addition to deadly water borne diseases

Children are especially vulnerable to death from such disease as many are weakened from malnutrition

UNICEF urgently needs $30 million USD to meet the immediate needs of children

Examples of UNICEF’s efforts to date:

Health kits, midwifery kits (to provide emergency medical care)

Tarps (for emergency shelter)

Clean drinking water for 1.3 million people every day

Oral rehydration salts and zinc tablets distributed to help 5 million people at risk of diarrhea and disease

Vaccinations for measles and polio initiated in the more populated districts impacted by flooding

High energy biscuits, dry rations and powdered milk distributed to women and children

Soap and hygiene kits distributed to more than 30,000 families.

I look forward to speaking with you again soon.
All my best,
Dawne

UNICEF’s Pakistan Disaster Relief Operations in Jeopardy Due to Funding Shortage
6 Million Children in Desperate Need – Deadly water-borne diseases threaten child survival

NEW YORK/ISLAMABAD (Tuesday, August 17, 2010) — UNICEF warned today that serious funding shortfalls are jeopardizing its humanitarian operation in Pakistan . UNICEF is extremely concerned at the lack of funds for its water and sanitation operation, with millions of children at risk from water-borne diseases.

“Providing clean water and adequate sanitation is key to the survival of millions of flood affected people in Pakistan . In terms of numbers of people needing life-saving assistance, this emergency is bigger than the Tsunami, Haiti , and the last Pakistan earthquake put together,” said UNICEF Representative in Pakistan , Martin Mogwanja.

“UNICEF is currently providing enough clean water for 1.3 million people every day, but millions more need the same services. We urgently need to scale up the distribution of water. If we are not able to do so because of lack of funding, water-borne diseases such as cholera, diarrhea and dysentery will spread and begin killing affected populations, especially children, already weak and vulnerable to disease and malnutrition”, added Mogwanja.

The Government of Pakistan estimates 20 million people overall have been hit by the flood crises, and according to the United Nations at least 15 million people have been seriously affected, half of whom are children.

“It is unbearable to think that six million kids in immediate danger may not get clean water, nutrition and shelter because of a funding shortage,” said President and CEO of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF Caryl Stern . “UNICEF is completely dependent on voluntary donations, if we don’t raise funds, we can’t respond to this emergency. Please help us get word out, and please donate whatever you can to help us meet the need. Even a dollar will be put to good use and help save lives.”

UNICEF is concerned that the floods have hit “the poorest of the poor”, those least able to survive the present harsh conditions. The top concerns are water-borne diseases, acute respiratory infections, skin diseases and malnutrition rates, already dangerously high in many flood-affected regions of Pakistan .

Polio is endemic and measles still a threat, says UNICEF, which, together with WHO and Government, is carrying out polio and measles vaccinations at relief centers. UNICEF is also supplying oral rehydration solution, a home based treatment for diarrhea, but notes that this treatment is also in short supply due to funding constraints.

U.S. Fund For UNICEF
125 Maiden Lane
New York, NY 10038
www.unicef.org

PAKISTAN: Minister tasked with saving US airbase at the cost of the displacement of thousands

this is too disgusting!

It has been reported earlier that the US Air Force has denied the relief agencies use of the Shahbaz airbase for the distribution of aid and assistance. Soldiers of the Pakistan army, a federal minister and the administration of Sindh province are blamed for the incident involving Shahbaz Airbase at Jacobabad district in Sindh province in which it has been reported that flood waters were diverted in order to save the airbase. The diversion of the floodwaters is blamed for inundating hundreds of houses and the displacement of 800,000 people. Full report from the Asian Human Rights Commission.

William Powers: Declare Independence from Stuff

Declare independence from the corporate global economy, Jackie seemed to say. Doing so has two synergetic positive effects. First, by simplifying her life and working less, she creates less garbage on the planet. Second, the time and space she liberates nourishes her. We exchange something very precious for money: our life energy. Do we want to spend our time and energy earning money and contributing to a carbon-intensive economy, or fostering creative pursuits, the arts, and strengthening our relationships and community? Full article.