Bill Online Easily, Fast & Free with PayPal. No Software Needed. Sign Up Now!

With the media focus on the atrocities occurring in Lebanon, I surfed over to Baghdad Burning for a first hand report of the debacle in Iraq. What I encountered is not what I was expecting, however, as usual, it is compelling reading.

Sunday, July 30, 2006

Qana Massacre…
Although the sun is blinding this time of year in our part of the world, the Middle East is seeing some of its darkest days…

I woke up this morning to scenes of carnage and destruction on the television and for the briefest of moments, I thought it was footage of Iraq. It took me a few seconds to realize it was actually Qana in Lebanon. The latest village to see Israeli air strikes. The images were beyond gruesome- body parts and corpses being hauled out from under tons of debris. Wailing relatives and friends, searching for loved ones… So far, according to humanitarian organizations, 34 were children. They killed them while they were sleeping inside their bomb shelters- much like the Amriya Shelter massacre in 1991.

We saw the corpses of the children on television, lifeless and twisted grotesquely, what remained of their faces frozen in expressions of pain and shock. I just sat there and cried in front of the television. I didn’t know I could still feel that sort of sorrow towards what has become a daily reality for Iraqis. It’s not Iraq but it might as well be: It’s civilians under lethal attack; it’s a country fighting occupation.

I’m so frustrated I can’t think straight. I’m full of rage against Israel, the US, Britain, Iran and most of Europe. The world is going to go to hell for standing by and allowing the massacre of innocents. For God’s sake, 34 children??? The UN is beyond useless. They’ve gone from a union of nations working for the good of the world (if they ever were even that), to a bunch of gravediggers. They’re only good for digging mangled bodies out of the ruins of buildings and helping to identify and put them into mass graves. They won’t stop a massacre- they won’t even speak out against it- they’ll just come by and help clean up the mess. Are the lives of Arabs worth so little? If this had happened in the US or UK or France or China, somebody would already have dropped a nuclear bomb… How is this happening?

Where is the Security Council??? Why haven’t they stopped Israel? Ehud Olmert recently told Condi that he needs 10 to 14 more days of bloodshed- and nothing is being done about it! Where are the useless Arab leaders? Can’t the pro-American, spineless emirs crawl out of their gold palaces long enough to condemn this taking of lives? Our presidents/leaders are only as influential as their oil barrels are deep.

And the world wonders how ‘terrorists’ are created! A 15-year-old Lebanese girl lost five of her siblings and her parents and home in the Qana bombing… Ehud Olmert might as well kill her now because if he thinks she’s going to grow up with anything but hate in her heart towards him and everything he represents, then he’s delusional.

Is this whole debacle the fine line between terrorism and protecting ones nation? If it’s a militia, insurgent or military resistance- then it’s terrorism (unless of course the militia, insurgent(s) and/or resistance are being funded exclusively by the CIA). If it’s the Israeli, American or British army, then it’s a pre-emptive strike, or a ‘war on terror’. No matter the loss of hundreds of innocent lives. No matter the children who died last night- they’re only Arabs, after all, right?

Netflix Delivers DVDs to your home. NO LATE FEES. Try for FREE!

New York State, in all its benevolence, has waived the admission fee to all State Parks for today, Wednesday, August 2, 2006. This includes Beaver Island, Evangola and Darien Lake State Parks, all of which have beaches. State Parks with pools, such as Letchworth, are also good places to cool off.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
August 8, 2006

GOVERNOR WAIVES FEES AT STATE PARKS AND DEC FACILITIES STATEWIDE State Parks Beaches, Pools and DEC Day Facilities Open for Free Across New York

Governor George E. Pataki today announced that the State will waive admissions fees for Wednesday, August 2 to all State Parks and Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) day use facilities with swimming beaches and pools for patrons across New York to provide relief from the heat. The measure is part of the comprehensive efforts to help New Yorkers beat the heat and reduce energy consumption in the wake of the extreme temperatures throughout the State.

“I encourage all New Yorkers to visit the cool, refreshing waters of our many lake shore and riverfront beaches, pools, ponds, creeks and oceanside swimming beaches for free,” Governor Pataki said. “The Empire State has an abundance of water-based recreation for patrons to enjoy and seek relief from the extreme temperatures we are experiencing. So gather your family and friends and hit the beaches and the pools for a break from this summer heat. Help us reduce the demand on electricity — you can conserve energy and experience the great outdoors at the same time.”

During the hot weather, the Governor also reminded New Yorkers that extreme heat can be very dangerous, especially for the elderly. Tips to remember include checking on an elderly family member or neighbor, making sure kids playing outside drink plenty of water and providing all household pets proper shelter.

State Parks Commissioner Bernadette Castro said, “From the Great Lakes to the Bronx, our state park beaches and pools offer New Yorkers a break from the heat and we appreciate the Governor’s commitment to making these swimming facilities even more accessible for patrons during this unseasonably warm weather.”