I’ve been really much too angry to talk about many of recent events both here in the US and overseas. Since the bombing of the Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctor Without Borders) hospital by the US military in Kunduz, Afghanistan to Friday’s mass shooting at a Planned Parenthood clinic in Colorado Springs, trying to remain objective has been pretty damned difficult.
The US military continues to insist that the deliberate bombing of the only trauma center in Afghanistan was a mistake, now blaming a series “human error” and “equipment failure.” MSF and Human Rights watch aren’t buying the military’s report and are still calling for an independent nonmilitary investigation.
“The U.S. version of events presented today leaves M.S.F. with more questions than answers,” said Christopher Stokes, the organization’s general director. “The frightening catalog of errors outlined today illustrates gross negligence on the part of U.S. forces and violations of the rules of war.”
Human Rights Watch reiterated its call for a criminal investigation. “The Kunduz strike still warrants a criminal investigation into possible war crimes, but the Pentagon did not clarify whether recommendations made to senior commanders include possible criminal investigations,” said John Sifton, the Asia policy director for Human Rights Watch. “We are deeply concerned that any decision making about any possible criminal charges, if they are made, remains within the chain of command responsible for military operations in Afghanistan.”
This is tantamount to letting the murderer investigate his own crime.
In the wake of the terror attack in Paris, France, the French government declared a state of emergency that gave the government that was only to last for three days. This gives the authorities extraordinary powers to set curfews, limit the movement of people and forbid mass gatherings, establish secure zones where people can be monitored and close public spaces such as theatres, bars, museums and other meeting places. Those measures were extended for three months by French parliament by President François Hollande. Now under those powers, demonstrations and gatherings to protest the climate talks, which start tomorrow in Paris, have been banned and climate activists are under house arrest.
So much for liberté.
In Chicago, it has been revealed that the police, the state prosecutor and the mayor’s office has been covering up the murder of a black 17 year old Laquan McDonald by a white police officer, Jason Van Dyke. for 14 months. In a chilling video from the police car dash cam, which is for unknown reasons is devoid of sound, you can see Van Dyke shoot the young man 16 times, emptying his clip. The officer was on the scene for less than 30 seconds before opening fire on the teen who was only carrying a 3 inch pocket knife and was walking away from the police. It took the state’s attorney over a year to finally indict Van Dyke for 1st degree murder.
The cover-up of this murder by cop would have continued if it were not for the tenacity of two independent journalists and a lawyer. The police have also been accused of erasing surveillance video from a nearby Burger King that would have shed further light on the shooting. There are now calls for the resignations of Chicago Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy, Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez and Mayor Rahm Emanuel. Actually, they should all be indicted for obstruction of justice and some police officers for aiding and abetting.
On Friday while the demonstrations were taking place on Chicago’s “Magnificent Mile,” In Colorado Springs, Colorado, a lone gunman shot his way into a Planned Parenthood clinic and held off police for over 5 hours. The white male suspect, Robert Lewis dear, a loner originally from South Carlina, killed a police officer and two civilians, wounding nine others. According to authorities, Dear said “no more baby parts” after his arrest. Never mind the obvious, that Dear was more than likely influenced by the hateful rhetoric used by anti-abortion activists, some who call for the killing of abortion doctors and clinic workers, the right wingers are in full denial. The mainstream media has to start calling these extremists exactly what they are terrorists, whose actions are fueled by the hateful rhetoric of anti-abortion extremists.
The U.S. Code of Federal Regulations defines terrorism as “the unlawful use of force and violence against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives” (28 C.F.R. Section 0.85).
The argument by the Republican and right wing that both sides do it, is not just a false equivalency, it’s a blatant lie. When has anyone from the pro-choice movement bombed or killed anyone from the anti-choicers side? Or ever threatened it? They are wrong when they say the hate filled doesn’t fuel these acts. It does and it’s well documented. Not that this was right or, for that mater, even legal, nor am I advocating it, but the Obama administration has already assassinated an American citizen, who was Muslim cleric, for allegedly inciting terrorism, but then, he wasn’t a Christian.
From the generals covering up their war crimes, the French destroying their constitution to the officials and politicians making excuses for terrorist acts and covering up for murderous police, they all have blood on their hands. I will probably be very angry for a very long time but I am managing.