Is the Iraqi War Really Over?

President Barack Obama praises troops and announces end of Iraq War (Davis Turner/Getty Images)

Is the Iraqi War Really Over?

By: Pam Taylor

 

I truly understand Pyrrhic victory, and I get that war is complicated—even, and perhaps especially, for the ‘victors.’  Fascinated by mythical conquests such as the Trojan War, for example, it is the very real and modern wars including Viet Nam, Afghanistan and Iraq that leave me with the sense that “war is not the answer.”

I certainly join President Obama and all those who salute the brave men and women who go to war for their countries, their beliefs, and for sure—freedom and justice.  But in the case of Iraq and to quote the President are we really leaving behind a “sovereign, stable and self-reliant Iraq.” 

In fact, if this war was about ensuring that Iraqis are fed, clothed, healthy, and secure, hundreds of thousands are still in serious jeopardy. If this war was about bringing democracy to the Iraqi people, we haven't even begun that project. If it was about removing Iraq's weapons of mass destruction, we never found any. If it was about reducing the threat of terrorism, we arguably have made things worse. If it was about stabilizing the region, well—you get my drift. 

Clearly there were strategic interests in toppling Hussein, but I'm not convinced that those interests outweighed the costs to this nation. Nearly 4,500 Americans died in the Iraq war; countless more are injured and maimed. And the cost in dollars—estimates range from hundreds of billions to at least a trillion dollars. 

Yes, I do understand the meaning of Pyrrhic victory.

Human Rights: We Still Have A Ways To Go

We Still Have A Ways To Go

By: Shannon Mouton

At the birth of a nation, over 235 years ago, Thomas Jefferson penned these famous words in response to the tyranny of British Empire.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.

The General Congress of the United State of America signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.

After the Second World War, 172 years later, the Commission on Human Rights presented international bill of human rights to the UN for approval.

Preamble: Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world…

Article 1. All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.

Article 2. Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status…

Article 3. Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.

Article 4. No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms.

Article 5. No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

Article 6. Everyone has the right to recognition everywhere as a person before the law.

The United Nations General Assembly formally adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on December 10, 1948.

As a country founded on “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” and had a leading role in the “recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights” of all people, are we practicing what we preach?

To learn more about International Human Rights Day visit: http://www.celebratehumanrights.org/

To The Left (Social Justice): Know History... Know Labor!

Know History... Know Labor!

On this Labor Day, as some people assault the American worker’s right to organize, protest and collectively bargain, it is appropriate to take a few minutes to remember -- and learn -- on whose shoulders we toil.

Workers fighting for their rights is as American as apple pie. Strikes, protests and walk-outs have been part of this country from its earliest beginnings.

●    First recorded prosecution against strikers occurs in New York City (1677)

●    Artisans and laborers in the Sons of Liberty protest against oppressive British taxes (1765)

●    Philadelphia printers conduct first successful strike for increased wages (1786)

●    Philadelphia carpenters strike for and win a 10-hour work day (1791)

Many lost their lives in service to their fellow workers.

●    Ten Molly Maguires, Irish coal miners, were hanged in Pennsylvania (1877)

●    Triangle Shirtwaist factory fire in New York kills nearly 150 workers (1911)

●    Ludlow Massacre of 13 women and children and seven men in Colorado coal miners’ strike (1914)

The strides made garnered by tradesmen and laborers have not only helped them, they have helped us all.

●    Department of Labor is created (1912)

●    Fair Labor Standards Act established the first minimum wage and 40-hour work week (1938)

●    César Chavez formed AFL-CIO United Farm Workers Organizing Committee (1965)

●    Occupational Safety and Health Act passed (1970)

Submitted by Shannon Mouton

Fiction Isn't Fact...It's Fiction

Fiction Isn't Fact...It's Fiction

While The Help has garnered rave reviews and made money at the box office, there has been an undercurrent of mumbling and grumbling about the movie. Some, like the Association of Black Women Historians, have denounced the movie because of its historical inaccuracies in the depiction of life as a Black domestic in the Jim Crow south.

The film is based on the novel of the same name, which by definition is a work fiction. The Help isn't a memoir, biography or autobiography. The story is based on someone's real life; however, by calling it a novel, the author acknowledges sufficient embellishments and divergence from facts for it to be fictional. This is nothing new, during the early nineties, there was much ado over Oliver Stone's JFK. Historians denounced the film because Stone told the story from his point of view and used creative license in telling the story of the 35th president, his tenure and his death.

Guess what? It's all fiction...it's all make believe. These are not documentaries or exposes. These are movies and novels; they represent one person's creative expression. 

The good news, people are talking about day work (as my Mother calls it). They are asking questions, researching and learning about an aspect of Black women's history that has mostly been glossed over for the last half century. And discourse and discussion are always good.

Do You Know Your History?

Can you name this U.S. President and why he's important? Most of the nation's 4th graders could not.

Do You Know Your History?

The majority of students today don’t have a solid grasp on U.S. history.

From a CNN article yesterday:

"The Nation's Report Card: U.S. History 2010," the tests results report by the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics, showed 20% of fourth graders, 17% of eighth graders and 12% of 12th graders showed "solid academic performance" on the tests.

Though the stats may not shock many, they are cause for some serious concern when thinking about what a role history plays in many current issues – wars, social disparities, budget downturns, etc.

As Congress continues to debate our current economic catastrophes, it couldn’t hurt to take a moment to look at what we’re teaching our kids, and what influences we’re projecting for their growth as knowledgeable social participants, ready to improve our communities.

Need more proof? Check out this video from CBS last month: