CIVILIANISM PODCAST

Colin Powell’s credible presentation of fake intelligence at the UN in 2003 was the primary justification for the invasion of Iraq. The American public quickly got behind war with a country that had done nothing to us mainly because of their fear of the terrifying things Powell claimed Saddam had and would use on us. During his presentation and for a time in February, 2003, a giant drapery was hung over a copy of the famous anti-war painting “Guernica” by Pablo Picasso, in the halls of the UN. Could no one bear that this famous anti-war painting would be looked upon by warmongers and Neocons as they lurked in the shadows throughout the building?

A bit of the painting is pictured here. (I think the lightbulb in the upper right represents interrogation and probably torture.) Powell is now calling for an end to the torture and imprisonment without charges, of hundreds of men languishing at Guantanamo Bay prison. At least Powell has now called for an end to this illegal prison, military tribunals, and the suspension of habeas corpus — “this afternoon”. It’s easy for him to say now, given the luxury of four years and the forgiveness of time. Yet I can’t help but remember how he so forcefully presented his case for pre-emptive war inside the institution where peace is made possible, while the most famous anti-war painting in the world hung covered in the dark. Guernica was “. . . the kind of atrocity the United Nations was created to stop.” See “The Lessons of Guernica” for more on Guernica the town and the painting.

“Laurie Brereton, an Australian Labour MP and U.N. delegation member, reflected on the draped-over Picasso after Powell’s Wednesday speech. “There is a profound symbolism in pulling a shroud over this great work of art,” she said.

“For throughout the debate on Iraq … there has been a remarkable degree of obfuscation, evasion and denial, and never more so than when it comes to the grim realities of military action. We may well live in the age of the so-called `smart bomb,’ but the horror on the ground will be just the same as that visited upon the villagers of Guernica ….

“Innocent Iraqis — men, women and children — will pay a terrible price. And it won’t be possible to pull a curtain over that.”

Said in February 2003, and how right she was. Thanks in part to Colin Powell’s presentation. Listen here for the highlights of Colin Powell on Meet the Press on Sunday.

[tags]Colin Powell, war in iraq, Guernica, Picasso, WWII, UN, peacemakers, Meet the press[/tags]

Who is this guy? Who cares, he’ll never be elected president in a million years. He’s a Warmongerâ„¢ — the new official breed of Republican, who’s motto is “Nothing, and we mean nothing, is off the table.” They are an obsolete model of politician, but they continue to be in love with the thought of nuclear war. The Republicans debated on Tuesday night, June 5th, and my advice is that you listen to them and possibly arm yourself with a missile defense shield of some type. These perpetual war lovers seem determined to wipe out most life on the planet, and they may be coming after you next.

You can listen to their “debate” here from these links in the forum. Knowledge is power, and it’s more evident now than ever that we have to make sure none of these people ever hold positions of power again.

[tags]Republican debate, warmongers, iraq war, duncan, hunter, civilianism blog[/tags]