Japanese writer Natsuki Ikezawa, together with photographer Seiichi Motohashi, has published a small book about his trip to Iraq last Fall, entitled “On a Small Bridge in Iraq.” An English version of the book is available online for free, in .pdf format (requires Adobe Acrobat), here. (It can also be purchased in print form for less than a 1,000 yen.) It struck me as a fair, balanced portrait of Iraq from an admitted tourist, which is a lot closer than most of us will get or be exposed to by the establishment media.
In Bagdad, in Mosul, in small towns whose names I didn’t even catch, I saw how the people lived. I ate their food, I talked with them, I watched as they cuddled their babies. I saw kids running around shouting. And I couldn’t think of a single reason why those children should be killed by American bombs.
(via Ken Loo’s World)
In a related vein, Baghdad Snapshot Action is a group of artists and activists in New York City who have been postering that city with images of ordinary Iraqi citizens, taken by American Paul Chan. The images are online in both color and black and white versions (.pdf files), which can then be printed out and postered in your town, should you choose to do so.
(via wood s lot)
…think of a single reason why those children should be killed by American bombs…
Back here in the U.S. there are millions of us that can think of reasons – none that you would agree with I’m sure.
It will happen.
Matt-
thanks for commenting. Your use of “back here in the U.S….” implies to me that you think that because I’m in Japan, that influences my opinions on this matter. While it may be true that because of my location, and my access to various media reporting that isn’t being done in the West, I do view North Korea as infinitely more of a threat than Iraq will ever be, I can assure you that were I still living in the US, I would feel just as strongly against this possible attack on Iraq as I do now, perhaps even more so.
First off, you have a classy site. I enjoy it.
I didn’t mean anything by “back here in the U.S.” other than I’m not in Japan. Also, It’s good to hear that your opinion on this matter is not based on location.
My point is, crazy as it may seem, that there are lots of people who have a “get them before they get us” mentality. I feel that way. Those women will produce babies that have a high probability of being raised to hate hate Jews. I don’t like that. A peaceful solution would be best, I think it’s been tried.
The world is an ugly place.