Can We Come Home Now?

I saw this essay on truthout.org. I found it moving.

By Charlie Anderson
t r u t h o u t | Perspective

Saturday 11 February 2006

My friend Doug Barber died on Martin Luther King Day. I hadn't known him long, but we had a lot in common. We both lived in the south, were both veterans of the Iraq War, both felt betrayed by our government for sending us to a war without purpose. Both of our marriages had been destroyed in the aftermath of the war, and finally, we were both struggling with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Read the rest here.

Charlie Anderson served as a Navy Hospital Corpsman with Marine Corps’ Second Tank Battalion during the invasion of Iraq. He is the Southeast Regional Coordinator of Iraq Veterans Against the War. He lives in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Opportunity Rocks Spring Break

From WaPo, earlier this week:

Even those who usually would hit South Padre wearing Oakleys are putting on old jeans and heading to the Gulf Coast this year to lend a hand to the Hurricane Katrina recovery effort, which in some places is still in the cleanup phase.


With tons of work to do, a diverse group is thankfully heeding the call. For one, there's "Katrina on the Ground," a far-flung effort organized by hip-hop artists, that's recruiting everyone from "community colleges ... to the Ivy Leagues."

U.S. Sen. John Edwards, meanwhile, is leading a group specifically to New Orleans called "Opportunity Rocks".

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The event is March 15-19th. It is being in done in conjunction with the New Orleans Habitat for Humanity. Opportunity Rocks and HFH are providing meals, showers, and warm tents for the students.

Good Night, and Good Luck

On Sunday, I saw the movie Good Night, and Good Luck. Of the best picture nominated films, in which I have viewed 4 of 5, I liked this one the most. Perhaps it is because the themes are universal and that history repeats itself about political ambitions that affect ordinary citizens. I was very impressed with David Strathairn's performance as the thoughtful orator, Edward R. Morrow. The language in the script alone is worth listening to (our public has become more crass), but yet, I felt a slight tension, which was good as well.

I will rent Crash though as I am very curious about it.

This year's movie crop was better. I'm not generally a movie goer, but this year has piqued my interest. The one that I thought was the best and got overlooked for Best Picture was Syrianna.

So to all, Good Night, and Good Luck.