Left In Lowell

My latest piece on BOP News (where I should post more frequently…) where I talk about Big Oil, and the things you can learn when you read a good book.

(Pssst! Pick up Greg Palast’s Armed Madhouse!)

It’s been a long time since the mood struck me to write poetry. But as I was walking back to the studio from having lunch downtown, where the preparations for this weekend were underway, and I was thinking about Lowell’s history, the environment, and the Festival, it was hard to resist the twitch.

It’s barely edited, probably crap (I can’t tell if a poem is crap until I’ve been away from it a while) but in light of this weekend, which is about music, art, culture and the world, I thought I might share. Have a good weekend, and for our out-of-town visitors, welcome to Lowell.

——

Festival Town

Barriers up,
white plastic pavilions on street corners
like doves.
The damp air waiting
for its flock of tinted harmonies;
thousands of revelers converge tonight.

My walk back carries me
along canals
dredged by men from stubborn earth.
Abandoned sores which, with a shift of sight,
become dark, rippled, wildflower-rimmed jewels.

Smokestacks in the hazy sun, now silent.
Invisible breath, gives life, gives death,
we made you.

Beneath a willow I reach up,
its trailing leaves slide down my arm
pockmarked by some new tiny pinching horror
that has crept up from more southern climes.

Behind me, a city prepares to honor
art and song and manufacture.

Synthesis: our curse, our ruin.
Our only antidote.

At dusk,
we will dance.

This mother’s post made it to the DailyKos recommended list. I am reposting it in its entirety here, because she is talking to you.

_____

Some thoughts from the Mother of a soldier.

Distracted, damn right I am!

When I returned home from my trip to Washington DC. Where I met with various Senators, Representatives and the Speaker of the House as part of Military Families Speak Out Operation House Call, I received a notice of pending termination of my employment on Aug. 31st. It seems I have been distracted.

My priorities in life have changed since the war began. It has become my passion, my mission to be part of the frontline of peace.

How can I not be? On a personal level my son is still suffering from his participation in this war. He has killed men, women and children. Yes let us not pretend that our soldiers are not killing innocents. My son lives with it everyday. “We thought the little boy had a bomb.” My son weeps as he sits in the bottom of the shower and I recently found out he is experiencing combat flashbacks. No wonder my son drove his car over an embankment. No wonder he feels there is nothing left of his spirit at 22. Alive but dead inside.

On a global level…I deeply feel the pain of others. I listen to Gold Star Mothers cry and beg God to bring back their child just one more time. I relate to the Mother’s whose soldiers cam back and killed themselves. I still wonder when I am going to get that phone call. I hear the similarities of stories like my son’s. I think about the wives whose husbands return and vent their frustrations on them. I work in human services and have started to see the Iraq vet’s here. They are in so much pain, bleeding all over the place with invisible blood. And then there are the Iraqi people. Forgive us! My heart breaks again.

Most nights I don’t sleep well. I keep thinking is there more I can do? We do not have another second, not another child to spare! My job has become so unimportant. And I can’t stop being distracted.

I have been to DC twice this year already. Telling my story, telling other’s stories. “Bring them home now, Take care of them when they get here and never put our loved ones in harms way again for a lie.”

I remember looking in Dennis Hastert’s blue eyes and thinking about PFC. Steven Sirko’s blue eyes that will never open again. The Congressman comparing Iraq to a football game and me touching his arm and saying “Congressman our children don’t die in football games.” “We don’t have another child to give you.”

Begging Senator Obama help us. “We are looking to you for great things.” Save our children.

I can not express in words the urgency I feel. So I may lose my job. I may lose my home. I may not eat on a regular basis. Since I started on this mission of peace I have been evicted (some landlords don’t like when you post the number of dead) I have had an IRS audit. I have had people look at me with so much hate at times it was unnerving. So What? There our people dying as I write this and another Mother cries.

I am driven; my spirit will not let me rest. I will still stay in the frontlines. I will engage in acts of civil disobedience if necessary, I will not let a politician say they can not see me. And I will always be of peace. I have hugged the recruiter in my town and we have shed tears together. I have hugged the Speaker of the house. I must always show that I am of true peace. I shake the hand or hug every soldier I see. And the soldiers that have made it home, if I come into contact with them I tell them if they ever need help I am here. If there is a soldier who wants out , I will find you refuge.

Martin Luther King Jr. said “There comes a time when silence is betrayal.” I have embraced that thought 100%. I do not pretend to have political savvy or be well versed on foreign affairs. I am just the mother of a soldier.

I beseech the people of America step out of your comfort zones; get out of those easy chairs. Pour out into the streets and demand an end to this war. Many of us are out here in the frontlines are waiting, wondering “Where is America?” Our children are dying, again.

Georgia Stillwell

Member of Military Families Speak Out

A must-read book this summer if you are so inclined is Greg Palast’s Armed Madhouse. I’m only 83 pages (less than a quarter in) and I’ve learned more here then in five years of mainstream media consumption.

Palast illuminations with astounding clarity and levity, through his investigative reporting over the years, the origins of the current Iraq war and the motives of the people who perpetrated it. It was indeed not a war for oil. No, in fact, Palast tells us right in the front cover, there were two wars for oil - two competing war plans, one from the State Department which favored oil companies, and the other created by the neo-conservatives in the Pentagon. The State Department planned a quick toppling of Saddam and return to the status quo afterwards; the neo-cons wanted to topple Saddam, privatize everything in the new US-occupied Iraq, especially the oil and oil infrastructure, and break the back of OPEC by increasing production beyond the OPEC quota.

Oh, then after the irreversible laws were made and everything Iraqi was sold to non-Iraqis, you could allow elections, whatever. Afterthought. It was never about supporting democracy in the Middle East.

The reason this is all very important to understand is that the neo-cons partly won - everything was privatized. However, oil companies blocked the sale of Iraqi oil fields because they favor OPEC quotas - which keep prices high and profits rolling in.

The neo-cons aren’t interested in stopping there, however. They want to eliminate the growing influence of Iran in the region, break the Saudi oil-garchy, and have a free market free-for-all.

Keep in mind, the majority ethnicity in Iraq who is now largely in charge (and whose militias are committing atrocities against Sunnis) is the same ethnicity (Shi’ia) as Hezbollah. And Iran.

The US seemed to have taken a lackadaisical view of this new Israeli incursion into Lebanon. It took two weeks to send Condi to the region at all. In fact, there’s evidence that secretly, US and Israeli officials agreed to this bombing beforehand, Israel acting, as it often does, as the United State’s proxy in the Middle East. We’re speeding up delivery of bombs to Israel to that effort. We all know, the neo-cons included, that precision bombing is worthless against an enemy that slips into the hills or villages of its home terrain when confronted. (Ask our GIs still stuck in Iraq about that.) Neo-cons in the media are calling for attacks on Syria and even Iran “to deal with Hezbollah.” Is it really about Hezbollah, though?

Now, what could we have done to be more effective against Hezbollah for all these years they’ve been rearming under all our noses? If, just as a thought experiment, we truly wanted stability in the Middle East? We could have, say, supported the fledgling democracy in Lebanon…give them the resources they needed to strengthen the state’s army in South Lebanon. The main reason Hezbollah has not been disarmed is that the Lebanese politicians do not have the political capital to do what it appears many of them want to do - break the back of the terrorists in South Lebanon. If we helped out the Lebanese economy, and their position as politicians became stronger as a result (and they had the money to increase the loyal segments of their army)…maybe Hezbollah wouldn’t have had the chance to bring in rockets and missiles through the ports and airports.

Just like 9/11 was cynically and wrongly used to justify a war of choice in Iraq, the kidnapped Israeli soldiers were used to invade South Lebanon. It will have as much success as it ever has - that is, none. Hezbollah is only strengthened as civilians suffer and die under bombardment. Even the Lebanese government reluctantly admitted it might have to join Hezbollah against Israel if they didn’t stop raining destruction on their country.

But Lebanon could well be used as an excuse to attack Damascus and maybe even parts of Iran. All because the neo-cons have this idea that they can transform the Middle East with military might. Never mind the lessons of history; Russians in Afghanistan, Great Britain in Iraq; or even our recent disastrous occupation of the same country. As Juan Cole says:

Because of their fetish for states, the Neoconservatives of the Bush administration are unable to see that the Levant and points east are now the province of militia-parties that dominate localities and wield asymmetrical paramilitary force in such a way as to stymie states, whether local host states, local adversaries, or imperial Powers.
…
By its assault on Middle Eastern states, whether it takes the form of military confrontation or of “pressure” to “democratize, Neoconservatism in Washington and Tel Aviv has increased the power and saliency of militia rule throughout the region. The transition under American auspices of Iraq from a strong if odious central state to equally odious militia rule and chaotic violence is only the most obvious example of this process.

Given our history of meddling in the Levant, South and Central America, and many other places, against those peoples’ will, I don’t see how we’re ever going to learn the lesson which is being given every day in the violent streets of Iraq, Palestine, or south Lebanon.

When it comes to the Middle East, I find it difficult to get accurate and complete information from the United States mainstream media. The problem began quite a few years ago when newspapers and tv networks cut back and eliminated their foreign desks.

But with the Internet, one no longer needs to rely on local or national newspapers to get the story. Forget the tv networks and cable stations. It really aggravates me when they have discussion which feature politicians and talking-heads who have never set foot in the region.

There are two English-language newspapers published in the Middle East that have excellent web sites. I would strongly recommend those of you interested to review them.

One is Haaretz published in Tel-Aviv and the other is Daily Star published in Beirut. Unlike the web sites of our own national newspapers, L.A. Times, New York Times and Washington Post, you do not need to sign up to have access to their site nor do you have to pay if you want to see an archived article.

Furthermore, the correspondents of those two publications speak the local language, are familiar with the political and social culture and most important know history. Granted there is some bias but that is up to you to separate facts from spin.

I also recommend Juan Cole’s blog. He is a Professor of Middle Eastern History at U. Michigan/Ann Arbor. In his blog today he tries to explain why the U.S.-backed Iraqi Prime Minister, Nuri al-Maliki, will not condemn Hizbullah; he is member of the Dawa Party and they helped to form it in 1982-83.

My last recommendation is the writing of Robert Fisk. He is the Middle East correspondent for the U.K. newspaper, the Independent. He has reported from Lebanon where he makes his home for close to 30 years. “Farewell to Beirut” is a good example of his writing style and his strong political views.

I am suggesting both Fisk and Cole not because they are both controversial within academic and media circles (some accuse them of being pro-Arab) but because their opinions and analysis are not easily available in the mainstream media in this country. I do not always agree with them but I appreciate a different point of view.

Does anyone have any other sites or news outlets they suggest we check out?

Because only that could allow them to come up with this seriously super lame and unreasonable explanation to reject same sex marriage. TakeMassAction reports:

In the court’s decision they stated that gays and lesbians are not discriminated against because they are allowed to marry. The catch is that they are allowed to marry members of the opposite sex only.

Yeah, gays have such a choice to not be gay. You know what? Wake me when the nightmare is over.

Look for gay marriage bashing to redouble here in Massachusetts because of this.

As usual, all writing of City Councilor comments are paraphasing. Commentary is typed in order they took up issues (I think - they go all over the place on the agenda). My comments or explanation in brackets [ ].

We’re finally done with standing O’s by Cox supporters in City Council meetings, I am happy to say. Of course, the speechmaking by certain Councilors made the meeting way too long. I was planning on going back to my studio to get some work done and that looks less possible now. *sighs*

Anyway, besides the bloviating, it was a fairly uneventful night except there is definitely still some tension (some? Rita Mercier hasn’t gotten over it, that’s for sure). I wonder if certain members of the city council will be giving new CM Lynch a hard time? I certainly hope they conduct themselves with a little more dignity then that.

More after the clicky: (more…)

As of next week, the City of Lowell will be under new management. What becomes the question now is, how much will things change?

To that end, I’d like to see the city boards - the Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, especially - examined by new City Manager Lynch. And I know the firestorm that waits for me for saying this. Or for Lynch, if he decides a changing of the guard is necessary.

Many people in this city have found these boards wanting in the area of common public protection. It is well-known that there are conflicts of interest among some of the appointed members of these boards, frequent enough that some are forced to step aside for far too many disputes. And how does it, exactly, make these boards effective as places residents can go to appeal abutting developments and protect their neighborhoods, if these boards are stocked with prominent developers with ties to one another? It’s like the proverbial fox watching the henhouse.

Our Boards are places where our citizens can go to challenge development projects, mitigate damage to their property values and neighborhoods, and to make sure all developments are carried out in the best possible way. It’s already very expensive to fight developers, but the ZBA and PB are supposed to, above all, be a check on big business to be sure they comply with zoning laws, permitting processes, and common decency. For too long, some developers in this city have been getting away with several violations of the public trust, and we the city have been stuck with the result.

No one is against good development. The city is ever-changing, and in the best of times, growing. There have been some great developers from inside and outside the city who have contributed to the common good. I am sitting in one such project right now (Western Ave Studios). However, smart growth isn’t something that happens naturally. We need a strong citizen’s voice in the Planning and Zoning Board of Appeals. It’s time for more balance in our approach to the city’s growing future.

And while we’re at it by the way, we should reexamine the long-term plans in the city, and how to keep the city both affordable (unless you want to admit that we’d prefer to price the poor, immigrant, and artist out of the city), and strong at the same time. It can be done, but I find the lack of imagination in some of our leadership to be disturbing. We should pass the CPA (Community Preservation Act), increase our affordable housing allotment (I don’t care if we already have more affordable housing stock than Chelmsford, we need to follow up on our promises *coughJulianSteelecough*), and let current, less moneyed residents of the city know they will still be welcome in that bright elusive future we all want for our city.

The Sun continues its “coverage” of the reaction to Lowell School Committee woman Jackie Doherty’s public comments regarding a story which appeared in the newspaper on June 13th. This week Sunday Column lead paragraph discusses the vote taken this week by the School Committee to thank the State Delegation for “bringing home the bacon.”

According to the Column, School Committewoman Regina Faticanti, the maker of the “thank-you motion” is SC Doherty’s “nemesis.” So was the motion made to show up SC Doherty? Is the traditional for the School Committee to thank the State Delegation? How about the City Council and more importantly, the tax payers? And why is the Sun questioning Doherty’s “yes” vote. Imagine the outcry if she had voted “No?”

This has been forgotten in the political spin that followed her questioning the two State Reps, Tom Golden and Dave Nangle, the only two quoted in the article. You can get a copy of the article from the Sun’s archives for $2.95 and check out for yourself who started the discussion.

I think Stephen Colbert refers to the type of comments directed at SC Doherty as truthiness. Unlike most of her colleagues, ex-School Committeman and former City Council candidate, Joe Mendoca, during an appearance on the local morning radio show did reiterate that Doherty was reacting to the statements made by Nangle and Golden. He reminded the listeners that one of the responsibilities of the School Committee is to make sure that all the necessary funding for the schools are made available.

I did not know that you are not suppose to criticize State Reps by name; “…Doherty named names on the radio and therefore personalized the attack.” Just be friendly to all and if you need to take a stand on any issue be as vague as possible.

The Column questioned if State Rep. Kevin Murphy as Chairman of the House committee on higher education may be scrutinizing pollster, political operative, U. Mass-Lowell staff member, Lou DiNatale work at the University because the two were in opposite political camps decades ago. I doubt it. But I believe that there last statement, “Could that be some of the reason for the bad blood (apart from DiNatale’s sweetheart, taxpayer-funded gig)?” is the real reason why. It is sure nice to be political connected, isn’t it? By the way, if this guy was so good why did he leave U-Mass/Boston?

In reading about State Rep. David Nangle fund raiser, I learned that Governor candidate Chris Gabrieli was at Long Meadow shaking hands. I still do not understand why Nangle switch support from Tom Reilly to him. I know that the Rep stated that he was upset with Reilley’s public comments regarding the pension sweetheart deal a former legislator got from the General Court but it does not make sense. Nangle is a self-proclaimed conservative; Grabieli is for gay marriage; pro-choice, against the dead penalty. (more…)

At ThinkProgress, they dredged up a little item which just…floors me. I bet this gets barely any coverage at all:

NASA quietly had its mission statement changed last February by the White House, who deleted the phrase “to understand and protect our home planet.” NASA scientists were surprised to learn of the change. “Without it, these scientists say, there will be far less incentive to pursue projects to improve understanding of terrestrial problems like climate change caused by greenhouse gas emissions.”

Disgusting, absolutely disgusting.