The war on Iraq has officially started. As the United States fires missiles at “strategic targets,” I think Senator Robert Byrd said it best in his address to the Senate chamber on March 19, “Today I wept for my country. No more is the image of America one of strong, yet benevolent peacekeeper…. We flaunt our superpower status with arrogance. Around the globe, our friends mistrust us, our word is disputed,[and] our intentions are questioned.”
As we sit here pondering whether this war is act of defend against a grave danger, or the whim of a mad man, we must remember there are millions of people just like you and I in Baghdad. I found a website where a citizen of Baghdad keeps a semi-daily blog of what’s been going on. Go to dear_raed.blogspot.com and check out what the war is like facing the missiles. Now onto other fascinating news.
(San Francisco, CA) Tens of thousands of people flooded the streets of San Francisco, which started from pre-dawn and continues well into dusk in a protest of war. Stopping traffic and preventing people from getting to work as they roam from one end of downtown to the other.
These demonstrators also threw rocks, broke windows and tossed newspaper racks into the streets and at police officers. More than 1400 people have been arrested. According to Mayor Willie Brown, it will cause more than half a million dollars each day for police overtime to maintain the peace. That’s half a million dollars a day that could go to other needy programs.
In an interview with KTVU, protester Quinn Miller said, “I hope people realize that political murder merits action that inconveniences them.” What the hell are you talking about? Apparently, Miller consider the other 99% of people who just want to go to work to earn a living “murderers?” Someone explain to me how in the world does protest like this stop war? I am challenging anyone who can give me a valid explanation how counterproductive protests such as this can possible stop the war. Email The Skyline View, enlighten us. [KTVU]
(Wellington, New Zealand) Two New Zealand CEOs of competing telecoms decided to dispute their difference not in costly court battles, but in a best of three bouts arm-wrestling matches. David Ware of Teamtalk challenged Allan Cosford of MCS to an arm-wrestling match nine months after being unable to resolve their disagreement. In case you are wondering, Cosford won. Now if only Bush and Hussein would give this a try, then maybe we would save loads of money and lives. [CNN]
(Winsted, CT) Paul West has apparently taken the Homeland Security alert very seriously. West covered his house from top to bottom with 3,500 square feet of plastic sheeting. Not only does West not have to worry about biological weapons, but he doesn’t have to worry about his kids crayoning the walls. [USA Today]
(Struthers, OH) Kevin Long, a 6-year-old first-grader was suspended for 10 days and face possible expulsion. What did Long do to deserves such punishment? He took a plastic knife from the school cafeteria because he wanted to show his mother he learned how to butter his toast. Apparently the school officials are exercising the zero tolerance policy on weapons. Give me a break, the school provided this “weapon” to the students… where’s the policy of equipping our minors with weapons? Who’s going to arrest the cafeteria lady? [Youngstown Vindicator]