Essay 159

Heard it through the grapevine online…

“In a way it was sport…One day [another sergeant] shows up and tells a [prisoner] to grab a pole. He told him to bend over and broke the guy’s leg with a mini-Louisville Slugger, a metal bat…As long as no [prisoners] came up dead, it happened…We kept it to broken arms and legs.”
>>A soldier who served in Iraq, reporting new allegations of torture and abuse at prisoner camps. The Army has launched an investigation.

“There’s no question in my mind that if we had a draft we would not be at war in Iraq, because affluent families would not want to put their kids at risk…[The Army is] targeting poor White, Black and Hispanic high-schoolers in urban and rural areas with these ads.”
>>Representative Charles B. Rangel, a New York Democrat, responding to the Army’s marketing tactics.

…Last summer I was slapped for lieing to him and we made up but I asked for a divorce and he pinned me down and continued to hit me yelling “don't you leave me. Why are you leaving me.” He says I’m sorry I not a wife beatter my hand was open. It not like I did it for no reason...you made me do it. I’m now fearful of him and I want to get away safe & be happy. No I never called the police. I thought it would get better.
>>Text from petition filed by Andrea Kelly, wife of recording artist R. Kelly. Mrs. Kelly later agreed to drop the order of protection.

“As New Orleans rebuilds, let us also ensure that reconstruction does not result in further victimization. Let us support the efforts of those people in the Delta who have stated that they will not go quietly into the night, scattering across this country to become homeless shadows in countless other cities while federal relief funds are funneled into rebuilding casinos, hotels and chemical plants. Let us ensure that those victimized by this tragedy will be empowered to actively participate in the reclaiming, rebuilding and improvement of their communities.”
>>Harry Belafonte, speaking during a benefit concert at New York’s Lincoln Center.