Raed Jarrar's blog ... shameless plug

Yeah, I'm plugging Raed Jarrar's blog. Find it here at
Raed in the Middle, a title which is sorta a triple entendre. Raed is a thoughtful young man in the Middle East (Iraq), in the middle of a shit storm, and philosophically somewhere between the extremes raging around him. Read his testimony, his simple description of his experiences. Contrast that testimony with the empty words of the gray men, Bush in particular ...

Raed's writing brings a personal perspective to current events that smacks one right in the face. We owe it to the Raed's of Iraq to make this work out well somehow ... a mighty challenge given the mess Bush has created. Imperialism is certainly not the answer.

We cannot stop atrocity by perpetrating our own. We cannot act against mass murderers while filling stadiums with the bodies of Iraqi citizens. Is there nothing we can do? Is there no way we can encourage the world community to monitor the human rights situation in Iraq? Is there no power that can restrain American power deprived of its senses and morals?

I am angry and shamed and even after 30 minutes of pounding my fists and feet against an 80 lbs punching bag, I feel agitated and restless. What would Jesus do? What would Ghandi or King? This is really tearing me a new asshole as I sit in my comfy suburban Atlanta home. I've donated money. I've worked for compaigns. It all seems inadequate.

I'm ready to take a beating to oppose this. I am ready to bleed. Non-violent protest is the only method I can see by which we can sanely and effectively oppose this. Anyone else have a better idea?

Pardon my rambling.

The Raed in DearRaed (and Where is Raed)?

I only recently became acquainted with his blog, thanks to another DU poster.

http://dear_raed.blogspot.com/

(bad timing, he's just announced a hiatus)

and Salam's other pal, Riverbend:

http://riverbendblog.blogspot.com/

Thank him for making the words a little bigger as it was so hard to read. I read alot of those blogs as I think you get a better view as it is not through the GOP as they said the news has all been filled by party people in Iraq now. I love the women but she does not get out on the street like Read does. She does tell you what people tell her but I guess women are not safe out of their homes.Her Riverbend is so good on women and children and when she adds what someone tells her. She also writes so well. You can feel the children in the room with her.