US families of dead raise 600,000 dollars for Fallujah refuge

[wicket]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1506&e=10&u=/afp/20041223/ts_alt_afp/usiraqrefugees.041223173737

Families of US troops killed in the offensive on the Iraqi city of Fallujah are to travel to Jordan next week with 600,000 dollars worth of humanitarian aid for refugees of the attack.

The November assault on Fallujah left 71 US military dead, according to the families, and the Iraqi government said more than 2,000 Iraqis were killed.

"This delegation is a way for me to express my sympathy and support for the Iraqi people," said Rosa Suarez of Escondido in California.

"The Iraq (news - web sites) war took away my son's life, and it has taken away the lives of so many innocent Iraqis. It is time to stop the killing and to help the children of Iraq," she added in a statement released by the families.

[Tinoire]

1. Woo hoo! Now THAT makes me proud to be an American!!

"The Iraq war took away my son's life, and it has taken away the lives of so many innocent Iraqis. It is time to stop the killing and to help the children of Iraq," she added in a statement released by the families.



The families said with peace groups, physicians' organisations and relatives of the September 11, 2001 attacks victims, they raised 100,000 dollars in an internet appeal. Humanitarian groups such as Middle East Children's Alliance and Operation USA contributed 500,000 dollars worth of medical supplies.



Bless you Madame! $600,000 to fund peace & good will. What a rare concept in this day and age!

[Theres-a]

13. Here are some people *should give a medal to!

What a beautiful thing.Imagine how this might give others the idea they could reach out.What happens to all the money from those god-forsaken yellow ribbons on cars?Anyone?I've been seeing them forever now,they must've sold a TON of them...

[jmcgowanjm]

23. Good. n/t

[burrowowl]

2. I'm impressed with this lady!

and the families.

[JI7]

3. that's impressive

[babylonsister]

4. Sorry. Skepticism here.

Who is Yahoo affiliated with? If your son died recently, how anxious would you be to give aid? Give aid to the innocent lives in IrAQ? How about gettin' the hell out of there? Us, the US, the sooner, the better? I realize there are reasons to stay, but I'm just damn angry we are there to begin with. Peace and bon soir.

[Garbo 2004]

9. Yahoo isn't a news svs, it carries reports from other news sources. This

particular story is from the Agence France-Presse news service.

[koopie57]

16. I'm sad your skeptical about this

I understand why, but I think it is a very true story. We see so much ugliness from the people in power that maybe we forget that in all actuality many people are very kind and caring. I think it is a wonderful way to come to terms with what is going on in Iraq. You do what you can to help.

[mistertrickster]

27. That's what I'm thinking too . . . there's time for forgiveness after you

get the SOB that sent the troops in out of office.

Should have given the money to MoveOn.org so that they could use it to continue to put the screws to the right-wing invasion machine.

[clem_c_rock]

32. MoveOn? Excuse me?

In their little pathetic, M Moore, we were beat fair and square bullshit, while the Greens have to carry all the weight on the recount, I think MoveOn only functions to help the Right-wing nazis.

Sorry-I know I'm getting off subject, but I think actions such as these warrent more praise and respect than, "roll over and die" MoveOn

[clem_c_rock]

30. I'm sad to hear anyone say this

As this is one of the first things that has happened w/in my memory to not make me ashamed to be an American.

You know - many people who lose their kids in war blame the other side and perpetuate hate. These people had their children sacrificed by these sick f***s in power right now and tried to reach out to the people directly.

Lose all faith in government but, never lose faith in humanity-it's really the only thing we have to feel good about.

Thank you for your part in getting out of Iraq. Never could agree w/ anyone more on that.

[CatWoman]

39. well said!!!

[CatWoman]

38. Damn

somebody must have gotten a lump of coal in her stocking.

[Pacific John]

44. No need...

... the story was sloppily written, but the Swarez's are real. Their son was killed early in the invasion, and Mr. Swarez has been a professional anti-war activist ever since. See my post here

[radar]

5. Damn...

...I'm shocked & surprised - in a good way.

If this story, others like it, and people agreeing with it alongside the mainstream media covering those acting & congressmen/women showing interest in expecting accountability....

Making the Iraqis more than just faceless masses that need our help to be free.

Maybe this f'd up war will end soon.

[jayctravis]

6. I'm picturing this scene with Bush/Cartman over it yelling

"STOP ABETTING THE TERRAH-RISTS!"

[sandnsea]

7. We need ALOT more of this

I don't think I could have a better Christmas present. Give the people power over their own lives, that's the fastest way out. These families seem to get it, I sure hope so.

[Maat]

8. I used to think that there was nothing out there that would help..

a parent get over the death of their beloved child - especially as a result of an unnecessary, unjust, illegal and immoral war.

But I think that taking this kind of action just might be a tremendous healer.

Blessings, comfort, healing, and prosperity to them!

[neweurope]

10. My deepest respect. Now that is the kind of action

that reminds the world that there is "an other" America.

It could just be that the Iraqis tell these brave folks to "stuff it". It would not surprise me. Hate runs deep meanwhile. Should this happen I hope these families can keep up their "sympathy and support". Nonetheless it is a reaching out. The world needs it.

:thumbsup:

[BrotherBuzz]

11. I'm proud of these people.....

Now tell me, just how much money have the republicans raised for the Bush Bash Inaugural ball? With priorites such as they are, I am reminded of what Barbara Bush said on ABC's "Good Morning America" on March 18, 2003 "Why should we hear about body bags and deaths,". "Oh, I mean, it's not relevant. So why should I waste my beautiful mind on something like that?"

And people tell me I need to stop grinding my teeth!

[mediaman007]

12. Right now, Donald Rumsfeld is using his beautiful mind on

body bags and death. I think its great that the American people are trying to provide for the Iraquis innocents. I am also hopeful that Rumsfeld has a McNamarra experience. Maybe he will cool his rhetoric and get something positive accomplished for this country.

[0007]

14. Action like this makes for a healthy heart and goodwill toward man

"There is no flag large enough to cover the shame of killing innocent people for a purpose which is unattainable."
U.S. historian Howard Zinn, 1993

Send George W. Bush to the Hague

[NNN0LHI]

15. I will be very curious to see the video of them delivering the aid n/t

[JNelson6563]

17. Oh yeah, it'll be all over American Pravda

Tough call for corporate media actually. Families of those who "died protecting our freedoms" out there continuing the fight to "spread democracy" by helping those we are saving (from themselves apparently). Good propaganda for them to use when framed their way. If only it didn't show the horrible conditions we have created for the Iraqis.

Hmmm. Tough call.

Julie

[Catchawave]

18. A lovely gesture, but....

I'd rather see them take care of their own....the families of deceased and seriously wounded US troops.

The millions being raised now for King George's Coronation, would go far in helping alot of victims of this war. :::snort:::

[Theres-a]

20. amen

[Jacobin]

19. Rated it a 5. would like to rate it a 10

Re-humanazing Iraqis, over time, could turn the tide in this country and make people stop and ask themselves: "exactly what the fuck are we trying to accomplish over there, and exactly what the fuck are we doing to accomplish it"

[acmavm]

21. THIS is the true spirit of Christmas.

.

[sundancekid]

22. another important snippet from the same yahoo story

~snip
The families said with peace groups, physicians' organisations and relatives of the September 11, 2001 attacks victims, they raised 100,000 dollars in an internet appeal. Humanitarian groups such as Middle East Children's Alliance and Operation USA contributed 500,000 dollars worth of medical supplies.
~snip

Blessings of the Season to all people of goodwill!

[Tsiyu]

24. The mission of humanity

The barbarism of this administration - the fixation Repukes have with murder and death and torture and destruction - is no mandate or mission of humanity.

We are living in the year 2004. Bush, Rumsfield and all who support this bloodlust prove their inhumanity, prove their lack of belief or reliance on any loving divine entity, and prove that they are of extremely low human character.

War is a last resort, yet this administration - and Republicans overall - have used warmongering as a business plan.

As a mother of a vet, I say, THANK YOU to all those who feel as I do - the Iraqis didn't deserve this war, our soldiers didn't deserve this war, and may all of those who continue to support this unjust killing have their murderous rage turned back on themselves.

Many DO understand the sins will follow America for generations to come. I am glad they care.

[JohnyCanuck]

25. What's this, providing aid and comfort

to the afflicted and destitute without expecting material rewards in return? Why that sounds like something that even Jesus might agree with.

Anyone claiming to be a follower of Jesus Christ has a very high standard to live up to. Christians are supposed to love everyone, their enemies included, without exception. That means loving Iraqis. It means speaking up when “our troops” kill and maim them. Christians are supposed to be truthful and avoid even the appearance of evil. That means Christians shouldn’t lie about the existence of weapons of mass destruction. It of course follows that Christians shouldn’t give the Medal of Freedom to the creators of those lies.

Jesus said that it isn’t possible to serve two masters. That means rejecting Bush hush money, also known as the Faith Based Initiative. Like most offers of help it comes with a non-disparagement clause. You can’t bite the hand that feeds you.

Christians believe that everyone in need is their sister or brother. That means they must protest when Alberto Gonzales, the architect of torture at Guantanamo and Abu Ghraib, is nominated to serve as Attorney General.

Christians love to say that they are superior to non-Christians. They generally don’t say those words, but going on endlessly about being different from people who are “in the world” has the smell of superiority. Curiously, the same people who use their religious belief to constantly proclaim their moral superiority suddenly lose all powers of speech when the powerful run afoul of God’s laws.

www.blackcommentator.com/119/119_freedom_rider_christ_pf.html

[leftchick]

26. now that is a Christmas story!

I love when the good peeks out now and then during all of the madness.

[babydollhead]

28. hope

for the first time, I feel hope. I'm crying, my heart is breaking for those families of soldiers killed in this so very wrong war. All the while,I'm feeling the thrill of something being done...to really bring it all home. our one planet. our one life. each one of us.

[clem_c_rock]

29. Finally - something to not be ashamed by

These families deserve our highest respect we could ever give to anyone.

Of course their will be no medals given to these families by Bush even though they sacrificed more than anything and are the few Americans that are doing the right thing for once.

Anybody have any information on how to help?

[IHeart1993]

31. True Americans n/t

[Dem2theMax]

33. What a wonderful story. Bless those people.

And did the local San Diego news cover this story? "Rosa Suarez of ESCONDIDO," in San Diego County. Why of course they didn't cover it. Guess it's time for some LTTE.

Also, found this link with more info on the group, including contact numbers and email addys in case anyone wants to write to them. What a wonderful group of people. So glad to see things like this happening.

http://www.commondreams.org/news2004/1222-02.htm

CONTACTS FOR DELEGATION MEMBERS:

Adele Welty:
718.461.8837 c / [e-mail]

Amalia Avila:
831.406.9141 c / 831.722.7648 h

Nadia McCaffrey:
209.814.7182 c / [e-mail]

Fernando and Rosa Suarez del Solar:
858.774.0172 c / [e-mail]

Medea Benjamin, Founding Director of the human rights group Global
Exchange and the co-founder of the women's peace group Code Pink:
415.235.6517 c / [e-mail]

Jodie Evans, cofounder of the women's peace group Code Pink:
310.621.5635 c / [e-mail]

Hany Khalil, Organizing Coordinator for United for Peace and Justice:
718.637.7351 c / [e-mail]

[Sara Beverley]

34. I want to see Nightline, Countdown, and FOX do stories about this!!

I bet it won't make the headlines in the Murdoch papers.

[BernieBear]

MRS. SUAREZ YOU ARE A TRUE HERO

Dear Mrs. Suarez:

If you read DU then I would like you to know that you are a true hero for having the ability to give so fully of yourself in this way. I am so very sorry for the loss of your son. My prayers are with you and my thanks go to you as well for the kindness, caring and most immense sacrifice you and your family have made. To be able to give sympathy and support at this time, when I know you need so much to receive support for your tragic loss, is an inspiration and a miracle. With much respect, BernieBear

[BernieBear]

35. MRS. SUAREZ YOU ARE A TRUE HERO

Dear Mrs. Suarez:

If you read DU then I would like you to know that you are a true hero for having the ability to give so fully of yourself in this way. I am so very sorry for the loss of your son. My prayers are with you and my thanks go to you as well for the kindness, caring and most immense sacrifice you and your family have made. To be able to give sympathy and support at this time, when I know you need so much to receive support for your tragic loss, is an inspiration and a miracle. With much respect, BernieBear

[ashmanonar]

36. good good goood good

indeed, this is heartening news for those of us who are losing "faith" in democracy...if the government isn't working, democracy is the freedom of the individual to do what they feel is right...

now if the right would match or double their contributions, then i'd have a little more faith in humanity

[CatWoman]

37. please nominate this story for the front page

This woman has help to restore my faith in my neighbors.

[gorbal]

40. Medea Benjamin and Global Exchange helped out

You can read the segmant on Democracy Now's transcript (or watch)

http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=04/12/23/1541239

That whole show that day was really good if you have time to watch it. Today is was great too....Bill Moyers.

[flygal]

41. That is one incredible human being!

I can't even put myself in her shoes - how utterly selfless of her.

[Chipper Chat]

42. She needs to be prepared for a fundie-backlash.

The "christians" who are for the war are brazen and will let her know their disgust at her "aiding the enemy." Nasty phone calls, faxes, & emails will be in her future. Powell & Rumsfeld may even intervene. I am proud of this woman, but I am not proud of our warmongering government and the american crusaders who support it.

[Javaman]

43. Were they this kind hearted prior to their children being killed???

[Clarkie1]

45. This is wonderful and inspiring for Christmas day

[BrklynLiberal]

46. Another, smaller thread on the same subject

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x2865081

[hraka]

47. Hey bush!! Get a clue!!!!

I don't know that I'd be able to do what these families have done for the Iraqis if I lost someone in Iraq. They're bigger people than most of us, myself included. Dictator bush should sit up and listen.