Here is the photo Colin Powell was referring to on Meet the Press

Those two words alone completely sum up that photograph. Just like the Afghan girl with the green eyes on the cover of National Geographic, this photo will probably stick with me for the rest of my life. At least I hope it does.

:eyes:

And, as usual, it will go clear over the GOP's "patriotic" little heads.

as I listened to his description. This picture is so heart-rending.

Thank you Kareem Rashad Sultan Khan.

In memory of, and gratitude for your service.

Looks like he was an animal person.

Dear GOD - the devastation, sorrow, waste.

This young man gave his all to his country - our country.

This makes me cry. It's EVERY mother's loss.

I was going to add some snide comment about Republicans but not now - she deserves better.

:cry:

humility, reflection and unity.

let's make this guy's memory more important than "joe the plumber"

amen

to know somebody who can make this picture more important than Joe the f-in Fake Plumber.

This is a REAL American hero.

A real hero who can no longer pay taxes, own a business, have a license to do anything, or own a home.

Let's remember him and all the others who lost their lives in this obscene war...and all the others still fighting.

and she still writes poems to her beloved son on his memorial page.
(prepare to have your heart broken)
http://obits.cleveland.com/WASHINGTONPOST/GB/GuestBookView.aspx?PersonID=92405617

great poetry

edit to add:

I'm so sad as I read that guest book knowing the lies that brought us this war.

And to top it off many within the GOP could care less about Muslim Americans.

So many folks have signed Kareem's guest book since Powell's comments in the past 24 hours.

This is AWESOME!!! :patriot:

RIP


Salute!

:cry:

Thanks for posting the picture.

and his camp on the implications of that unAmerican logic, so what if someone is a Muslim?

on Iraq.

To think they raised an American hero, supported his decision to join the military and only to outlive their precious boy. There are no words to describe the cruel hypocrisy of the GOP. To attack Muslim and Arab-Americans (sadly, some don't realize the two aren't mutually exclusive) through Obama, to show how 'different' he is, shows an anti-American spirit that courses through the Republican Party.

I'm around Cpl. Khan's age and it tears me up inside that we are sending soldiers even YOUNGER to go and die in the Middle East. When will this stop? When will we have to stop telling mothers and fathers that they have to bury their children?

from the 68 Olympics.

Sigh.

they fought the Germans and were fantastic only to come home to Jim Crow!

The black athletes in 68 did suffer also.

He and I were born the same year. He would have been 21 this year just as I am turning 21 today. :-(

As I type this McCain is on TV ranting and raving about Joe the Plumber.

It is a documentary about the section where those that were part of us passed in Iraq and Afghanistan.
It is heartbreaking, and I wish Bush could be set up like Malcolm MacDowell to watch it.

Here's more information on "Section 60" for anyone who is interested.

http://www.hbo.com/docs/programs/section60/index.html

WOW just WOW!!!!

and so beautiful

Rest in Peace Kareem. You will always be an American Patriot.

Words do it no justice.

This needs to be posted in Freeperville

It started an instant flow of waterworks.

Day is done,
Gone the sun,
From the hills,
from the lake,
From the skies.
All is well,
safely rest,
God is nigh.

Go to sleep,
peaceful sleep,
May the soldier
or sailor,
God keep.
On the land
or the deep,
Safe in sleep.

Love, good night,
Must thou go,
When the day,
And the night
Need thee so?
All is well.
Speedeth all
To their rest.

Fades the light;
And afar
Goeth day,
And the stars
Shineth bright,
Fare thee well;
Day has gone,
Night is on.

Thanks and praise,
For our days,
'Neath the sun,
'Neath the stars,
'Neath the sky,
As we go,
This we know,
God is nigh.

:cry: :patriot:

Cruel people that they are.

Not those idiots at that Mccain rallies.

and grief, tragedy and tears.

:(

Thanks so much for sharing this poignant picture.

A tragic but beautiful picture

:-(




:patriot:

Kareem, we hardly knew ye.:cry:

my boy in Bosnia. God bless that family.

I am firmly convinced that we were put there to love one another, help one another, forgive one another and tolerate and understand one another. I believe in forgiveness and redemption. The rest is between you and your god at the time of your passing. I am so very sorry for the hurting people in these pictures but I know they are now safe and well in the Summerland. God bless and forgive us all.

Birth: Feb. 12, 1987
Death: Aug. 6, 2007, Iraq

Spc. Kareem R. Khan of Manahawkin, N.J. enlisted July 21, 2005 right after graduating from Southern Regional High School. As a freshman at Southern Regional High School, Khan enrolled in the district's Air Force Junior ROTC program. During his one year in the program, he proved himself to be solid student and citizen. He wanted to show that not every Muslim was a fanatic and that some would risk their lives for America. Though his father "spoiled him rotten," Kareem was always a polite teenager, who respected his elders. His father's favorite memory is when Kareem used to wake up at 5 a.m. on weekends to accompany his dad at work at a local marina. He loved to watch football with his dad, cheering on the Dallas Cowboys during Sunday afternoon or Monday night games, while munching on popcorn. He also used to challenge his little stepsister to video games. The two would spend hours sprawled out on the living room floor and sometimes Kareem would try to show her how to do certain moves, and ended up taking over the controller. Aliya looked up to her stepbrother and she was proud when he came with her to school and talked to her class at Southern Regional Intermediate School during his leave. Later, he came with her to the school book fair. The family used to send two large bags of Starbursts in his care packages, because Kareem would pick out all the orange ones and leave the rest for his Army buddies. He was also a big fan of Disneyworld, as was the entire family. The family would take at least one trip to Disneyworld every year, and the living room and dining room of the family's split-level home is filled with souvenirs from those trips, like a wall hanging of Cinderella, figurines of Mickey Mouse and Disney-themed snow globes. Kareem was so crazy about Disneyworld that when he had a two-day leave following his graduation from Fort Benning, Ga., he had a backpack full of clothes stashed in the bush, so the family could immediately drive to Florida. Khan was sent to Iraq in July 2006, after spending a year at Fort Lewis near Tacoma, Wash. He came home for two weeks in September 2006 and was supposed to be home permanently last month, but his tour was extended through the end of September 2007. At the end of his tour, Kareem was considering re-enlisting or going to medical school. He worked with a medic unit when he first got to Iraq. When he came home to visit, he was happy to stay at home, even asking his mother, who lives in Maryland, to come up to New Jersey to visit. He had been awarded the Purple Heart for injuries from previous combat. His awards and decorations include the Purple Heart and Army Commendation Medal. His family received a purple heart, a bronze star, and a good conduct medal he received during his tour of duty. He died in Baqubah, Iraq, of wounds suffered from an improvised explosive device at age 20.

Army
1st Battalion
23rd Infantry Regiment
3rd Brigade
2nd Infantry Division
Stryker Brigade Combat Team
Fort Lewis, Wash.

Burial:
Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington
Arlington County
Virginia, USA

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=Khan&GScid=49269&GRid=20854848



Sounds like a typical good American young man and family.

They sound like wonderful people and I hope his story will reach many more Americans.

My favorite quote: "He wanted to show that not every Muslim was a fanatic and that some would risk their lives for America"


This story must be told to more Americans so we can prevent the demonization of Muslims.

I hadn't seen this until I happened upon it on Stumbleupon....and that led me here. This young man was born exactly one year before my youngest, who because of my counsel and his self education, upon his 18th birthday, did what he could to register as a conscientious objector (http://www.objector.org/). My friend Carlos, lost his son, Alexander, about the same age as Kareem was when his mother lost him. When I met Carlos he was sitting at a memorial to Alex after the Sept 2005 march in DC. I sat on the grass with him and we cried. That came flooding back when I saw the picture of Kareem's mother at his grave. I have also lost a child, and the tears come so easily, and I don't understand those who did not try to stop this invasion before it happened. If Obama does win, we must hold him to his promises, and more, and never let this happen again.

:cry:

justice at the Hague.

in his eyes. Thanks for the post.

So glad to hear a Republican say that being Muslim should not be a slur and that a Muslim can be a great American or even president someday.

were it would not make any difference because of our Constitution.

:cry: :patriot:

My heart breaks for his mom.

I can hear Slanthead and Druggie right now.

and I guess it will be me. Are we forgetting Colin Powell's part in this? Are we forgetting that he helped give credence to the war on Iraq? I may be flamed for posting this, but these pictures and the grief that goes with them brings to mind the testimony he made knowing his statements were not iron clad. He had a role in this woman's grief - and that of thousands of others. He endorsed Obama, but does that breathe life back into one soldier that he helped send to his/her death?

I don't know how that SOB sleeps at night and I do not understand why anyone gives him any credibility.

NT!

Ok, someone has to say it
Posted by MissDeeds

No. actually they did not ..... and in my opinion it was most distasteful.

This was a tribute to Cpl. Kahn .... this was to give his mother peace and the knowledge that many Americans thank her for his gallant contribution. You only injected hate ....I know Gen Powell has regretted his choices of the past and carries that burden with him. All he can do is try to make good judgments during his remaining time. I forgive him and hope he can answer and help with many of the difficult problems our new president will be facing.

No one mentioned or insinuated hate - except you. My post addressed accountability, nothing more. You have tried to twist my words and are way out of line.

I must say I was very glad to hear Colin Powell this morning say exactly what i've been thinking every time I hear someone defend Barack Obama from being a muslim. I understand it has to be done BUT when defending this, you, they and everyone that responds need to ask why being a muslim in america is now wrong. Diversity and freedom of religon is what this country is based on. It should not take a picture like this to remind us of that.

We watched Section 60 last night, cried so so much. God Bless these families.

edit for spelling

That's a line from "American Beauty," and it's how I felt when I saw this picture. It's beautiful and devastating and painful - but it's something else, too. This picture never should've been taken. Kareem never should've died in the war. Bush and his cronies never should've lied about WMDs and taken us to a war built upon deceit. Bush never should've assumed office based upon a corrupt voting system. Kareem is dead because he was the last in a long line of tragic dominos, set one after another by a corrupt, evil administration.

God - what a beautiful, and heartbreaking picture.

I was not able to watch Meet the Press today, I do not know what Colin Powells comment was about the photo. Could someone please share. Thank you so much. This photo, my goodness, just tears falling, so wanting to reach out to this Mother.

""Is there something wrong with being a Muslim in this country? The
answer is no. That's not America. Is there something wrong with a
seven-year-old Muslim-American kid believing he or she could be
president? Yet I have heard senior members of my own party drop the
suggestion that he is a Muslim and might have an association with
terrorists. This is not the way we should be doing it in America.

I feel particularly strong about this because of a picture I saw in
a magazine. It was a photo essay about troops who were serving in Iraq
and Afghanistan. And one picture at the tail end of this photo essay,
was of a mother at Arlington Cemetery and she had her head on the
headstone of her son's grave. And as the picture focused in, you could
see the writing on the headstone, and it gave his awards - Purple
Heart, Bronze Star - showed that he died in Iraq, gave his date of
birth, date of death, he was 20 years old. And then at the very top of
the head stone, it didn't have a Christian cross. It didn't have a Star
of David. It has a crescent and star of the Islamic faith.
And his name was Kareem Rashad Sultan Khan. And he was an American.
He was born in New Jersey. He was fourteen years old at the time of
9/11, and he waited until he could serve his country and he gave his
life."

Thanks.

I'm in tears.... thank you Kareem Rashad Sultan Khan....

Haunting image.

Oh, and fuck that criminal powell.

There are a LOT of people who were duped by this corrupt administration into supporting this war, people who now sorely regret it. From Hillary Clinton to John Edwards to, yes, even Colin Powell.

It is the mark of an mature adult when one can recognize their mistakes, do what they can to atone for them, and work towards a future where they will not be repeated, by themselves or by others. It is the mark of an immature child to constantly harp on the past mistakes of others, with not recognition of how they may have advanced since then.

You, buddy boy, are most certainly the latter.

It isn't even remotely possible that he didn't know the sketches of the "wmd" he showed the UN weren't fucking bogus.


:grr:

:grr:

Now he's using their memory to jockey for another job. War criminal AND class act.

At least that's what the Fulbright Scholars at those McCain/Palin rallies keep telling us.

Thanks for sharing that with us.

by the media of images or stories about our soldiers is that their parallel agenda has been easy to achieve.

While their agenda of hate baiting continued to be fostered .... they were successful in getting and maintaining blackouts on pictures and stories of the dead that did include young Americans of Mexican*, Middle East, and Black American heritage.

While operatives continued to generate, build, and grow hatred for Mexicans* and Muslims fed by the reverends and the Limbaugh units ..... Black Americans have been targeted by White House policies ... Katrina, housing scams, ending of education programs, school loans.

Without images you can cover up the truth. Whether planned or not, Cheney, the Pentagon, the White House won. We haven't seen photos of these young people except in local papers of small towns where it is difficult to cover up loss in a small community.

* For some people in this country, 'Mexicans' means anyone from south of the border = knowledge of geography is scrambled and it is easy to claim that all illegals are Mexicans. The hate target is focused by using one term for all, even when inaccurate.

RIP, Cpl Khan.

Sorry for the all-caps, but the whole time I've been listening to this "oooo he's a MUSLIM!" shit I've been thinking the same thing Powell said:

a) he's not but the BIGGER ANSWER IS

b) SO WHAT IF HE WAS???????

I mean what the hell, people? Muslims live and work and are born here in the US all the time. There are mosques all over this country, if we were in such horrible danger from Muslims, well, we'd be screwn, wouldn't we?

During the primaries of 2004, I helped another Democrat pass out some voting literature outside of a mosque. He taught me how to say Īd mubārak or ‘Īd sa‘īd. It was a great experience.

Oh and if anyone needs any ammo for the right wing loonies, here's BUSH'S greetings for Ramadan in ***2002*** from the White House website:

President's Greeting for Ramadan

I send greetings to Muslims in the United States and around the world as you observe the holy month of Ramadan.

Islam is a peace-loving faith that is practiced by more than one billion people, including millions of American Muslims. These proud citizens contribute to the diversity that makes our country strong, and the United States is grateful for the friendship and support of many Muslim Nations that are vital partners in the global coalition to fight against terrorism.

The Qur'an teaches that Ramadan is a time for fasting, prayer, worship, and contemplation. Muslims observe this month by renewing their dedication to caring for those in need, doing good deeds, and strengthening family and community ties. These actions reflect many of the values that Muslims share with people of other faiths across our Nation and around the world, including courage, compassion, and service.

America remains committed to freedom, justice, and opportunity for all people. During this season of reverence and examination, we continue to work together for a future of peace, tolerance, and understanding.

Laura joins me in sending our best wishes for a blessed time. May you be well during Ramadan and throughout the coming year.

GEORGE W. BUSH



What the hell, people? Of course he's a huge hypocrite, because he was giving those greetings and at the same time stoking fear in this country over Muslims, so crap on him for that. But it's SOP for a president to give greetings like this and I'd think if Muslims were all so scary scary that they wouldn't do that.

Worth chain-emailing to Republicans with the subject line "Obama's Ramadan Message" and replace "Laura" with "My wife".

Ask if they'd vote for the person who said that.

Then tell them it was actually Dubya.

Thank you, General Powell, for bringing this to national attention.

:thumbsup:

for that poor woman, now with nothing but a cold stone to embrace, instead of her son.

That young man is a hero. May he rest in peace. :cry: :patriot:

I'm an old broad, but not too old to learn. I learned from this picture and what CP said about it, that I have been a bit of a bigget as for as Muslim's are concerned. I will change that in myself right now. This brought me to tears. As a child I was a bigget with blacks, I was taught to be. I changed that years ago. We are never too old to learn and reconize where we are wrong. GO OBAMA

And very emotional.

I thought of this young man. :(

The Grave by Don McLean (from my high school album)

The grave that they dug him had flowers
Gathered from the hillsides in bright summer colors
And the brown earth bleached white
At the edge of his gravestone
He’s gone

When the wars of our nation did beckon
The man, barely twenty, did answer the calling
Proud of the trust
That he placed in our nation
He’s gone

But eternity knows him
And it knows what we’ve done ...

Thanks for posting the photograph, BUT, where is the copyright information for the photographer?
t