Susan Brannon
5 December 2012
It has been brought to my attention recently that there has, been "reported" and non reported incidents of the NATO bombing of children in Afghanistan. Robert Dreyfuss The Nation writer and blogger reported on 16th of October 2012, that three children ages 12, 10 and 8 were blown into pieces by NATO while picking up dung for fuel.
A similar incident was reported by the NY Times, as "The…case of three children allegedly killed" (note allegedly) picking up dung. Later, the incident was investigated and Maj. Adam Wojack a spokesperson for the international forces reported, "“I.S.A.F. did conduct a precision airstrike on three insurgents in Nawa district, and the strike killed all three insurgents." and added, "None of our reporting stated that any children were killed during the strike."
NATO watched explosive devices being planted in the area and then targeted the insurgents planting them stated the Marja governor “As a result two I.E.D. planters were killed and the shrapnel killed the three children who were wandering nearby,” he said.
In the end, we have different reports: One says that no children were killed while witnesses saw the mangled children who were all from the same family.
It is normal to pick up dung as fuel for fire in these regions, how else can they light fires to cook their food? NATO needs to provide some regional cultural training. Our war heros are so hot to find "insurgents and terrorists" that they are able to misinterpret picking up dung for planting explosive devices. Imagine three young boys performing their family duties, playing in the fields and laughing as brothers normally do and only to find that their lives are quickly destroyed. Who was looking through the viewers that they look through to find "enemies" and how could they not see that they were three young boys? I believe that they do so because the men need some action and need to report some progress that they actually see what it is that they want to see and not the reality.
The boys names were Borjan, 12; Sardar Wali, 10; and Khan Bibi, 8. These deaths need to be brought to life, they need to be recognized not as terrorists but as children and civilian deaths by those who are too quick to pull the trigger.
There may have been men who dug holes in the area as reported by a local witness, he saw some holes but he did not see any bodies of me. He said that he only saw sacks of dung with the children's blood splattered all over them.
A different article was written in the Military Times on 8th of December 2012 as a direct response to the the reported and "alleged" deaths. The response was a justification of the soldiers actions and to supply counter explanations to the readers that children too can be terrorists and insurgents and therefore, it is okay to shoot them. These military ideologies turn the plate over to the reporter and project him/her as ignorant and use the new term, "media propaganda" terrorist. The unsaid projection of media propaganda reporter/terrorist therefore denies any credibility to the reporting and eye witnesses. It minimizes the deaths of three young children and the broken heart of the mother. It dehumanizes the realities of war and their consequences all in the name of patriotism and its just cause.
The Military Times article explains, "Before calling for the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System mission in mid-October, Marines observed the children digging a hole in a dirt road in Nawa district, the official said, and the Taliban may have recruited the children to carry out the mission...The use of children by the Taliban — through recruitment and as human shields — complicates coalition forces’ efforts to eliminate enemy fighters from the battlefield without angering civilians."
The report continues to state: "“It kind of opens our aperture,” said Army Lt. Col. Marion “Ced” Carrington, whose unit, 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, was assisting the Afghan police. “In addition to looking for military-age males, it’s looking for children with potential hostile intent.”
This last sentence clearly states that the US military looks for children and gives the approval to shoot if the soldiers feel that they have "hostile intent". Intent is defined as, "the state of a person's mind that directs his or her actions towards a specific object." The U.S. military can understand a person's intention from the viewer while watching another's actions. I wonder if an 8 year old can really have the intent to damage NATO.
The reality is that we continue to fight in a war that is not ours to fight and we continue to justify the unjustifiable killings of innocent civilians in the region.
Showing posts with label children. Show all posts
Showing posts with label children. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 05, 2012
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Should You Vaccine Your Children?
"To vaccinate or not? The Greater Good sheds light on the ever debatable topic of vaccines. What I particularly love about this film, apart from it’s fantastic production value and equitable conversation on both sides, is the way in which I was drawn into the heart-wrenching personal stories woven throughout the film. This film is a must watch for all of us - parents considering vaccinations, young women contemplating the HPV vaccine and even those of us still considering the annual flu shot! This is a contentious issue and one that needs a lot more attention, moving towards an egalitarian system where we have the right to decide what is best for us and our family." – James Colquhoun, Producer /
Director "Food Matters" and "Hungry For Change" If You Think You Know Everything About Vaccines... Think Again. THE GREATER GOOD is a multiple award winning documentary that goes beyond the fear, hype and politics that have polarized the vaccine debate. This compelling film looks at BOTH sides of the vaccine controversy and re-frames this emotionally charged issue. It offers, for the first time, the opportunity for a rational and scientific discussion on how to create a safer and more effective vaccine program. American children are now the most vaccinated population on the planet. One would think they would also be the healthiest, but consider these alarming statistics: according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in 6 children has a learning disability or behavioral problem, 1 in 9 children is asthmatic, 1 in 110 children suffers from autism, and 1 in 450 is diabetic. Back in the 1980s, children were asked to get 23 doses of 7 different vaccines.
By 2010, parents are being asked to give their children 69 doses of 16 vaccines. That’s triple the dose of those recommended in the 1980s. The Greater Good explores this pressing question and sheds light on an issue that is already on the minds of expecting mothers and fathers, grandparents, doctors and healthcare professionals across the country. The film offers parents, doctors and policy-makers a safe space to actively listen to and learn more about vaccine choices.
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN:
- The differing views on vaccine safety from Doctors, Scientists, Activists and Policy Makers.
- The link between vaccines and chronic illnesses such as asthma, allergies, learning disabilities, behavioural problems, autism, unexplained infant death as well as autoimmune diseases such as diabetes, lupus, multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis.
- The connection between gut, immune and neurological issues seen in vaccine injuries.
- How vaccines are researched, reviewed and regulated and what your rights are.
- Ingredients in vaccinations that are a cause for concern about vaccine safety.
- First hand stories of three families dealing with the devastating effects of vaccines.
Related Posts:
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
What is Happening To Us? Chinese toddler crushed by traffic.flv
I posted this to help generate Global Awareness to this tragedy.
You will see people passing by the child laying in the middle of the street, going around the child and shop keepers continuing their work.
Is our society so bad that so many people cannot stop for a second to offer assistance to someone in need?
This little girl is now in critical condition, and will most likely be brain dead.
I pray for a complete recovery.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
