Candlelight Vigil No. 116 - "Absence of leadership creates chaos," said the Iraqi American man...

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Reflections from Candlelight Vigils ~ Candlelight Vigil No. 116, 4/9/08

note:The Candlelight Vigils are typically held Wednesdays from 6 pm to 7 pm in Torrance, CA. Please join me by lighting a candle each Wednesday evening for an hour, wherever you are, such as in the privacy of your home or office. If you do, you will find that candle's glow is magic as it brings these people into your heart, and it helps you to feel a sense of humanity. It may even touch your soul.

"Absence of leadership creates chaos," said the Iraqi American man who has added his insight into some of the previous vigils. "There is no true leadership in Iraq."

"Leadership," he remarked last night, as his 14-year-old son also listened, "Is not only vision but a sense of direction, how to move to that vision. The leadership in Iraq does not have a vision that is inclusive. It's fragmented and not representative of the Iraqi people.

"It's representative," he continued, "Of gangs of thugs. The educated class leaves - a migration of minds. The less capable people stay. You see it in inner cities. When gangs come in, the educated people leave

"We started off with 'shock and awe.' What did 'shock and awe' teach the children of Iraq? It wasn't wisdom, it was brutality. We wanted to scare people into submission.

"There is an Arabic saying, 'Beware of the person who bows to you out of fear because they are coiling to spring at your throat.' "

"During the daytime, the U.S. gives out food and water," he added. He then pointed out " Al Capone used to give out turkeys and sponsored soup kitchens . John Gatti did the same . But that doesn't change the hearts and minds of the people.

"You've dealt with every Iraqi as if they were Saddam Hussein," he said as his voice rose. "You've attempted to crush their spirit and you've created deep resentment. You made the country into what you wanted.

"If you go to a gangster in Los Angeles, he has the big screen TV, all the bling bling. But his neighborhood is . He doesn't care. the American collaborators, the Halliburtons and the Iraqi criminal organizations, it's money.

"They're selling influence as to what oil deals will occur in the future. What U.S. companies will they buy cars and agricultural supplies in the future.

"The Iraqi system is thuggery. If I don't like the way you voted in Parliament, I kidnap your brother. I might launch a rocket on you. I might seize your TV station."

This man also spoke of the U.S.'s lack of "empathy" for Iraqis as he described U.S. sanctions against Saddam Hussein from 1991 to 2003. Because of those sanctions food and medicine were often in short supply and as many as a 500,000 children may have died.

"Empathy," he concluded, "Is when you can put yourself in the other person's position and feel for him."

Later in the vigil, two ladies in their 70's waved heartily at me from their car. "My husband was in Korea," said one of the ladies. "In the Army." Then she added, "We think a lot about the soldiers in Iraq and the people of Iraq."

"You can understand their feelings," I said. And both simultaneously replied, "We can," as they nodded their heads in agreement. As the signal turned green, the ladies and I wished each other well, and they drove-off.

In the far right lane closest to me, in a black Lexus was a large heavy set man in his early 60's who occasionally comes by to criticize the vigils. He blocked the lane and backed up traffic.

"You're still at it," he declared. "Of course," I replied. "You're undermining our men in Iraq," he hollered. "You're undermining our war effort!"

He angrily stared at me and yelled, "You're against the war. You're a fraud and a phony."

"Have a nice evening" I said with a smile. He responded by stomping on his gas pedal and racing off.

Just then I noticed standing near me a 60 ish man who often comes by during the vigil. "Do you think your vigils are making a difference," he asked.

"Absolutely," I replied. Tonight there was a heavy response of horn honks and waves of support but we can never know all the affect our actions have on others. During the vigil the sign's message reached many people." And dear reader, that was my objective.

Dick


(posted with permission) - http://saneramblings.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=249&sid=5f3336a033e8b9892f705eb5e4f7146e

[No DUplicitous DUpe]

1. "The Iraqi system is thuggery. If I don't like the way you voted in Parliament, I kidnap your ...

...brother"

Funny, I don't hear that version of Iraq on the MSM news?
:shrug:

[No DUplicitous DUpe]

2. Morning Kick! nt