From the Dark Recesses ~

Had this week off, lots of things churning through my mind. I've been busy, scribbling, cooking and runnning/playing with Lynnie Lou. We went to York on Wed, it was SO lovely and interesting. Look for a story and pics later.

I've been in touch with employers and recruiters. Have two appts on the books and notice of ANOTHER unsuccessful application. *bah*

My son graduated from Marine boot camp this week. He's been great at writing, honestly. There's only been two letters, but written with detail and emotion. I know he's also got quite a list of people he's writing. I love that about my son.

I was able to view a video of his platoon online. Oh, I cried, I am that proud of my son! His big sister, my shared child, has rather unexpectedly found herself back in SD, able to attend his grad ceremony. We both had IM open and I was able to send details. *heart heart*

You know I wanted to magic myself there. I'd have cried more, covered him (and her) in kisses and probably hugged him till his head turned purple. But that's just me. No matter what age, I will always miss my children.

Let's see, what else? I made a couple batches of zucchini bread. Splitting each recipe into mini tins, I get lots of loaves the perfect size for sharing and snacking. Oooo, and we made a gorgeous roast dinner one night too.

The news has been awful lately. I've felt it so riveting that I worry Lynne's felt abandoned in all my reading. But I've found the Middle East situation to be so infuriating and am trying to understand. We and the world powers let this Lebanon/ Israel war go on for over a month. All this random bombing of innocent civilians .. and we call ourselves committed to human rights? Furthermore, how can we virtually ignore Palestine?

I've also been reading a slim little book called 'Precarious Life - The Powers of Mourning and Violence by Judith Butler. A harder read than I anticipated, it's a series of 5 academic style essays. In my words, she looks at our (US) national grief and grieving and the things we've allowed ourselves to do in response. Very political, she reflects on the people whose lives we give permission to value and those who are inconsiderable; those whose lost lives are never mourned.

One essay in particular has captured me, 'Indefinite Detention'. In this, she discusses the inherent sovereignty expressed in the creation and continuation of Guantanamo. Many points I already knew about the prison. Detainees are NOT considered Prisoners of war, therefore the US maintains they are NOT covered by the Geneva Conventions. They have no right to a trial, to legal counsel, no means of appeal or right of repatriation.

Things I didn't know; The military tribunals - detainees are not entitled to them but offered them AT THE WILL of executive power. The executive branch has assumed the power of the judiciary. No separation of powers AT ALL. Most 'foot soldier' types held in the prison won't be offered the tribunals at all. They'll just be held indefinitely.

In these tribunals, the evidentiary standards are very lax. They are prepared to admit hearsay and second hand reports as evidence, things that would be dismissed out of hand in a regular court. They will 'explicitly admit unsubstantiated claims and fairness & non-coercive character of interrogatory means has no bearing on admissability of information in the trial.' Evidence gained by torture is okay in these tribunals.

The military tribunal may acquit... but that decision is subject to mandatory executive review and the say of the Department of Defense. Acquittal will not necessarily end the detention. Because Gunatanamo is outside of US territory, there are no rights to appeal to US civil courts.

'May 24, 2003, Geoffrey Mills, commanding officer at Camp Delta (new base on Gitmo) explained that death chambers were being built there anticipating the death penalty being meeted out. '

Remember the Pledge of Allegiance? .. With Liberty and justice for all. I am ashamed of my nation and find it so incredibly hard to believe that we're doing this. I honestly believe these kinds of actions, combined with our commercial / economic unfair practices are creating situations more likely to enflame violent behaviour aimed at our country.

How dare we call ourselves any better than some of these 'dictatorships' we wish to see toppled? Throw people in a gulag for the rest of their life? Check. Torture? Check. Kill them based on flimsy evidence? Don't know if that's happened yet, but looks like we're prepared to. How has this happened?

Dick-tater W has done this, 'the executive branch working in tandem with an enhanced administrative wing of the military.'

There's a big rant on the return of sovereignty coming up. However, consider yourself spared for the moment. This post is way too long as it is AND Lynne just got up.. I must go kiss on her for a while ;)