September 24, 2009
Iraq’s UN-doing
I don’t know why the 2003 bombing that killed Sergio Vieira de Mello and 22 other U.N. personnel, and instantly spelled the end of the U.N. mission in Iraq, is so personal to me. Reminded of it, it seems I can almost taste dust in my mouth.
The holes in that flag — literally standing for the world’s body — feel like rips in the skin. Associations to BushCo. are unending, including the shredding of the U.N. weapons inspection process, the meager and token participation of countries under our flag in the so-called Gulf War “coalition,” and more than anything, the way Bush/Rove defended and justified the occupation and the so-called “War on Terror” (1, 2, 3 etc.) by endlessly wrapping themselves in the Stars and Stripes.
(image: Olivier Douliery-Pool/Getty Images. caption: U.S. President Barack Obama (L) stands with Ahmad Fawzi (2nd R), who was the UN spokesman in Baghdad and now director of news and media at the UN, and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in front of a flag from the bombed Canal Hotel in Baghdad, during a wreath laying ceremony for fallen United Nations staff members at U.N. headquarters September 23, 2009 in New York City.Obama is in New York to attend the 64th United Nations General Assembly.)
8 Comments Leave a comment
Books Alive said:
Thanks for the reminder. I have never seen this memorial display before, and I compliment Pres Obama and Sec of State Clinton for their laying of the wreath. At first glance, I took the flag to be a drape over something that was on the wall that was about to be dedicated. However, the ravages to the flag certainly stand in for the ravages of war. My regret then and now was that there was such feeble protection of a compound and a very talented and dedicated UN official.
g said:
I’m struck by all the echoes of blue in this shot. Clinton’s jacket, the guards’ shirts, the wreath. Although Clinton and Obama aren’t looking at the flag, the fact that their two gazes point toward the center of the frame focuses the viewer’s eye on it.
jtfromBC said:
Tell me why the USA forced the IAE weapons inspectors out of Iraq ?
What justified this pre-emptive war ?
Recall how the UN mission was bootlegged into Iraq and left unguarded.
‘Is Fallen In The Cause Of Peace’ an accurate epitaph ?
When they laid the wreath, did Obama recall he had said NO while Clinton has said GO ?
This Imperial Escapade was worse than a tragedy it was a Colossal Error !
Jason said:
To me it’s like “Hey, Hilliary wasn’t that the war you voted for?” and Hilliary’s like “Your weren’t there, you don’t know the pressure we we’re under!” and Obama’s like “Well, guess who get’s to clean up this S*** now?! and then he adds “Now roll up your sleeves and let’s get to work. And the guy in the middle is like “O.K. so next on our tour…
Evan Genest said:
Thanks for the amazing photo. To quote from Moby Dick:
“…these laws might be engraven on a Queen Anne’s farthing, or the barb of a harpoon, and worn round the neck, so small are they.
I. A Fast-Fish belongs to the party fast to it.
II. A Loose-Fish is fair game for anybody who can soonest catch it.
…But if the doctrine of Fast-Fish be pretty generally applicable, the kindred doctrine of Loose-Fish is still more widely so. That is internationally and universally applicable.
What was America in 1492 but a loose-fish, in which Columbus struck the Spanish standard by way of waifing it for his royal master and mistress? What was Poland to the Czar? What Greece to the Turk? What India to England? What at last will Mexico be to the United States? All Loose-Fish. “
lytom said:
I find your comment one sided and wishful thinking, blindly projecting Obama as “solve it all.”
What do you think Obama is doing to Afghanistan and Pakistan with his empire army? Bringing freedom?
Do you call Afghanistan war cleaning up? I call it destruction of people. It was done in Iraq, and now it is turn for Afghanistan. Vietnam all over.
crabby said:
The damage is manufactured.. it is a fake.
Jason said:
Lytom, Thanks for the feedback. Duely noted. I was stuck by the Presidents expression. I wouldn’t want my boss to look at me like that. I agree the situation is a mess. We’ll never fight our way to peace.