No War

Stuff and more stuff

We periodically find web sites or articles that might be of interest to people. Some are specifically related to the current war in Iraq, others are more generically related to peace and peace activism. We might include a short “rant” here also.

We saw an article in our local newspaper which had incredible photographs of old Baghdad taken by Ali Hossaini. Ali has a great web site at www.pantar.com. We’ve reprinted the article and show one photograph, but really recommend that people go to Ali’s web site and look at First Light (this is a large file and takes a while to load, it is well-worth the wait).

We also found an article by James Meek on the web that was, to us, an example of good war reportage.

The report entitled Collateral Damage produced by MedAct was prepared in November 2002. It discusses the health and environmental effects of the 1991 Gulf War and presents potential effects of a new war. It is extensive and is almost entirely devoted to what occurs after a conflict is over.

Finally, a short rant from George —

News and events are presented to us in this country as if there were no past. As if each new event is divorced from history and precedent. So, as we watched (or heard about) events in Iraq this week we have no idea of similar, previous episodes. We aren’t aware of our nation’s euphoria as we toppled democratically elected governments in Guatemala and Iran in the 1950’s. We can only look back years later and wonder, what was our government thinking?

I apply a rule of 25. As events take place now, I wonder how we will be viewing their results 25 years from now. I offer the picture below and its original caption from a 1950 National Geographic magazine article as a telling example.

“Communism No; Colonialism, Never!” Cry the Slogan-conscious People of Da Phuc

Vietnam’s ancient banners flew up front, France’s Tricolor in the rear. The author counted 49 stars in homemade American flags waved by the children. Other slogans said: “Welcome Truman’s Point 4” and “We beg immediate and direct aid.” World events impress the Annamites.

From National Geographic, vol. 98, no 4, (October 1950) — photo on page 503 for article entitled: “Strife-torn Indochina” by W. Robert Moore. Da Phuc is near Hanoi.

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