Wolfowitz: Iraq war was about oil – Guardian Unlimited Jun 4 2003 10:57AM ET [Top News Composite]

There was an interesting exchange at the White House press briefing today between the always-evasive Ari Fleischer (Bush’s press secretary) and Helen Thomas (elder reporter known for her occasionally strange questions).

Thomas asked Fleischer if the U.S. was obeying the Geneva Prisoner of War conventions in Iraq (which the U.S. claims Iraq is not doing). Fleischer answered that we were. Thomas then asked, “And also in Guantanamo?” Fleischer hedged — “Our prisoners are treated humanely.” Thomas: “Are we following the Geneva accords in Guantanamo?” Again, Fleischer hedged, saying only that they’re being treated humanely.

As far as White House press briefings go, the press secretary usually hedges like this when he doesn’t want to answer a question because he knows the answer is not good PR. In other words, he may believe that the U.S. is not following the Geneva accords.

Disclaimer: no transcript has been published, so this exchange is reported from memory.

In recent days, various footage has surfaced that has not been shown on American networks. Some, such as the Iraqi video of American POWs, has been widely discussed in the United States. Others, such as pictures of Iraqi civilian injuries, have barely been discussed at all in the US.

People might remember that photos of the war in VietNam were a key element of turning the tide of public opinion against that war. A similar thing happened with the now-infamous incident on Somalia more recently. Because of this, I wonder whether the mainstream American media is acting this way in an effort to avoid altering public opinion against a profitable ratings-grab for them.

I think that Americans should be able to see important footage of the war that our government has instigated. Moreover, I believe that the idea of hiding these photos from Americans because an American audience can’t take it goes directly against all the “strong and mighty” talk the government is spreading, and is, in fact, wrong. Americans can process these images just like the rest of the world can. And, fundamentally, anyone, anywhere, looking at these images cannot help but conclude that war is a terrible thing. I personally see these as even more reasons why the Bush administration should not have rushed into this.

Watching the video makes me think Rumsfeld’s claims that the Iraqis are violating the Geneva POW accords are shaky at best. That assertion rests on the Iraqis humiliating the prisoners, and from my view, it looks like the prisoners are humiliating the Iraqis.

In any case, below are links to what people are seeing everywhere in the world except the United States. I link to these resources so that Americans can get a glimpse of what people all across the globe are seeing. I want everyone reading this to understand that I am absolutely against poor treatement of POWs and civilians.

Please beware that these images are graphic and people, especially children, easily disturbed by this content should exercise due discretion.

The Arab television network Al-Jazeera has been widely running these photos of Iraqi war victims. One of them shows a child with half its head missing. NPR has reported that particular image running all over the Arab world, and solidifying public opinion against the war there.

The Iraqis recently released a video of interrogation of American POWs. This video has been seen by US military officials, networks, and others, but has not been released to the public. Several people on the Internet made recordings of this. There are several copies, apparently from a Dutch TV network. You can find them here and here.

The Village Voice has a good article listing some media sources on the Internet that provide better, more in-depth Iraq coverage than American media does. Why should you care? The article lists a few recent questions posed to Dick Cheney and Don Rumsfeld by Tim Russert: “How’s your health?” and “Do you prefer French fries or freedom fries?”

Along with those sites, make sure to check out the Iraqi blog.

Iraqi Blog – This blog from Baghdad is must-read for two reasons. First, it will tell you more about what the coming war feels like than 24 hours of network babble. Second, it is a vivid example of why blogging matters. (Thanks to Kathy Quirk for the link.)… [David Weinberger]

Those who wage war in pursuit of the name of peace themselves cause the failure of their professed goal.

After listening to Mr. Bush rightly claim that the Iraqi placement of human sheilds in military installations is an atrocity, then assert that we will spare no agression, I can but wonder how one can justify the slaughter of innocent lives as “peacemaking”.

One wonders about the Iraqis, too. If Hussein truly cared about the well-being of his country, he did have ample opportunity to leave the country and at least hinder American plans to attack.

We must also remember that many people in the Iraqi military do not want to be there (just like many people in the American military in VietNam did not want to be there), and would rather not kill. Military casualties are innocent too.

My final thought for tonight: several countries proposed a compromise resolution in the UN spelling out specific conditions the Iraqis must meet in 30 days. Why was 30 days too long for Bush?

My thoughts and prayers extend to all victims of the aggression in the Middle East — Americans, Iraqis, Saudis, Israelites, Arabs; men, women, and children; those in uniform and those merely trying to survive this chaos; those with whom I agree and those with whom I disagree.

In the end, we are all human, and our compassion should not be limited to our friends and peers. Until we can learn from our mistakes and value the lives and rights of everyone, we will not achieve real progress.

According to a recent Register article, judges in two separate cases detected FBI perjury on sworn affidavits used in support of warrants. This happened to be a case Ashcroft took a personal interest in. Yikes.

David Weinberger highlights a Danial Berninger armageddon essay. Interesting read. Concludes with “Peace will remain eulsive as long as we accept the suffering of others as the price of American democracy.”