Taliban Heckles U.S. On 23rd Anniversary Of Soviet Pullout: Notes From Candlelight Vigils, 2/16/12

Dear Reader, 2/15/12 marked the 23rd anniversary of the Soviet pullout of Afghanistan, after the Soviet war had killed, wounded or orphaned many thousands of men, women and children and helped to leave the Soviet economy in financial ruin.. According to Reuters, the Taliban is predicting much the same for the U.S. and NATO http://news.nationalpost.com/2012/02/15/talban-taunts-u-s-on-anniversary-of-soviet-pullout-from-afghanistan/

Code to show "Read more ..." Link (Begin) --> Read more ...

A Powerful Lesson Learned: Notes From Candlelight Vigils, 2/9/12

Dear Reader, one of the powerful lessons I learned in conducting the 303 vigils held over 6 years, is that when I stood close to the traffic and smiled, while establishing eye contact, the vigil touched many people without a word being spoken between us.

Code to show "Read more ..." Link (Begin) --> Read more ...

Restoring The Life Of A Severely Injured U.S. Soldier: Notes From Candlelight Vigils, 2/2/12

In 2007, Army Specialist Joey Paulk, then 22 years old, was on his first deployment to Afghanistan when a bomb exploded, setting him ablaze and nearly killing him. Among the damage done to him was the destruction of his face, the loss of his fingers and psychological impact of which no-one can measure. Joey has endured over 30 surgeries with more to come.

Code to show "Read more ..." Link (Begin) --> Read more ...

A Woman Dies In Baghdad

Yesterday, as a funeral procession passed through a busy intersection, a suicide bomber triggered an explosion that killed 32 men, women and children and injured  65 more. Among those who were killed was a woman, no-one special to the world, just a street vendor selling fish from a cart, to make money to help feed her family in a disastrous economy. If she was a wife and mother, her husband and children, like other members of her family were devastated. How does one tell a child her mother is dead? How does one tell a mother her daughter is dead?

Code to show "Read more ..." Link (Begin) --> Read more ...

For Iraqis, Is This Justice? Notes From Candlelight Vigils, 1/26/12

Dear Reader, On November 19, 2005 in Haditha, a 70,000 person community about 100 miles north of Baghdad, a U.S. military convoy was hit by a roadside bomb, killing one Marine and injuring two more. About 100 meters from that explosion was a housing complex. Furious and scared, several of the Marines followed Staff Sgt. Frank Wuterich's direction to "shoot first and ask questions later" as he killed five men next to a car and they "cleared" the housing complex, kicking in doors and in hails of gunfire, massacring 19 of the occupants.

Code to show "Read more ..." Link (Begin) --> Read more ...

Fundamentalist Islam Rocks Libya: Notes From Candlelight Vigils, 1/19/12

Under the NATO banner, the U.S., Britain, France and several other nations supported Libya's rebels and over several months, bombed the former dictatorship out of existence, killing thousands of Libyan men, women and children in the process.

Code to show "Read more ..." Link (Begin) --> Read more ...

U.S. intelligence report on Afghanistan sees stalemate: Notes From Candlelight Vigils, 1/12/12

The Los Angeles Times this morning published a front page story entitled, "U.S. intelligence report on Afghanistan sees stalemate: The sobering judgments in a classified National Intelligence Estimate appear at odds with recent optimistic statements about the war by Pentagon officials." http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-intel-afghan-20120112,0,6949277,full.story This comes as no surprise to those of us who closely follow the disastrous Afghanistan War and hope for its end. The good news is this top level intelligence report, now in public hands, will put pressure on President Obama to finally end this 10 year debacle.

Code to show "Read more ..." Link (Begin) --> Read more ...

Candlelight Vigil No. 303, 1/4/12

"A candle for you guys," said a 30 ish man, a passenger in a car that pulled up in front of the vigil and despite the heavy traffic, inched by so John Fortier and I could see the bright flaming wick within his hand, cupped by his other hand.

It was a wonderful gesture he made in mirroring a vigil candle that for 6 years, has burned in remembrance of those killed or seriously wounded in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and the pain and loss felt by their families.

Code to show "Read more ..." Link (Begin) --> Read more ...

Candlelight Vigil No. 302, 12/28/11

Last night's vigil hosted by John Fortier and me drew numerous horn honks and waves of support, some of the best response the vigil has received in its nearly six years. It was joined by the 50 ish couple who often join, usually for a few minutes. I told them and told John that the inner voice within me is saying it is time to end this vigil.

Code to show "Read more ..." Link (Begin) --> Read more ...

Candlelight Vigil No. 301, 12/21/11

"That is so nice of you to do that," said a 30 ish woman, her eyes wide open in almost disbelief as she looked at the vigil from her SUV and spoke to John Fortier and me. "Thank you for remembering the soldiers, especially this time of year."

Code to show "Read more ..." Link (Begin) --> Read more ...