The Murder of Saddam Hussein

One really must wonder whether Saddam Hussein's real head was on his body when it was handed over to his Sunni brothers and sisters? Or was a fake head attached? If so, where is the real head? This is only a half serious question. But as ugly as the thought may be, it is likely that the real head is mounted in George W. Bush's private study off the Oval office next to the pistol that was confiscated from Hussein and given to the President to hang on his wall. The pistol, according to the New York Times, is really mounted and hanging there; Bush is a sick man. Can you picture Bush and Vice President Chaney standing staring at the head and pistol and Bush saying to Chaney, 'Dick you tried to get a trial lawyer but I bagged this one.' Imagine his silly grin. That America accepts this behavior is a sign of its social insanity.

While touting its democratic values, America illegally invaded a country under false pretenses. During its invasion, the American military used depleted uranium shells, "bunker buster" bombs and internationally outlawed phosphorous weapons. The invasion unleashed violence that has resulted in the deaths of over 600,000 Iraqi citizens. The occupation also included the ugly, brutal tortures of Iraqis at Abu Ghraib prison by American soldiers with approval of government officials at the highest levels.

For Saddam Hussein, America's former ally, a Kangaroo court was held and not surprisingly ended in his conviction followed by a quick and unceremonious trip to the gallows where he died with the dignity that neither Bush nor Chaney could possibly muster under such circumstances. Back in the day, Hussein was America's son-of-a-bitch in the Middle East, especially when he was at war with Iran. America sold Hussein the components for the chemical weapons with which he poured on the Iranians and the Kurds, acts for which he was branded a mass murderer - but he was America's mass murderer, white folks' boy. If Hussein's trials would have continued, America's role would have been exposed. (See picture of former U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Henry Rumsfeld and Saddam Hussein meeting to conspire.)

I am no supporter of Saddam Hussein, but I believe everyone has the right to a fair trial. I would like to say that America's involvement in a rigged trial comes as a huge surprise and represents an aberration in this country's character, but, sadly, this is all too consistent with the America that I, as an African American, has come to know.

Where are the howls of protests? Who will speak up and denounce the crimes committed in Iraq in our names? The media and their White House masters have tried to spin the murder of Hussein as an Iraqi affairs, but everyone - especially those in the Middle East - know that the Bush White House was really calling the shots. Only white folks in America believe otherwise. African Americans certainly aren't going for it.

It would be too much to ask the media to step forward and perform its democratic duty. Speak up and say that Hussein, no matter what his crimes where, did not receive a fair trial. Report that human rights groups said that Hussein's rights were violated. Show the picture of Saddam Hussein and Donald Rumsfelt all buddied up. Are the media too blinded by the hunger for money to speak the truth. There track record certainly indicates no history of courage. American media have never spoken against racism and class oppress in this country, so why should they do it abroad?

I am, of course, not surprised by the silence of White Americans. They are too concerned about the privilege that they derive from their skin color to pretend like they have an ounce of humanity left. Their heads are filled with dreams of consumption and more consumption and the narratives that go along with the false need to consume.

The nation cannot continue on this course.

Music for your thoughts:
http://www.zshare.net/download/02-this-is-not-america-m4p.html

http://www.zshare.net/download/04-we-the-people-who-are-darker-than-blue-m4p.html

Where do we go from here?

This is perhaps the most pressing question facing African Americans today. It is not an abstract question, especailly during this period of great crisis in the American political and economic body politics. The path taken by African Americans will determine the general direction of politics in this country. Our movement made possible the gains of women and gays, opened the door for other people of color and pushed this nation's democratic project forward. The United State's future and the future direction of humanity will turn on the sucess or failure of African American politics. But at this moment in history, the black movement is in a state of crisis. Those who have been labeled leaders by the media have no clear vision of where we go from here. One reason is that that Civil Rights Movement has not met the expectation of the black masses. One reason is that African Americas have not really benefitted from these gains of that period in our struggle. Those African Americans who have been elected to political office have no ideological connections to the radical tradition of the African American struggle for justice and peace. Instead of challenging the status quo, they have joined the established order and now serve as defenders of this oppressive system. Rather than turn up the temperature through agitation, organization and education, most only serve to help let off some of the social and political pressure that has been building for decades. Just look across the major urban areas and the faiure of black electoral politics is clear. In Atlanta, a small group of middle class African Americans and European American business owners have benefitted from years of African American control of city governments. The same could be said of Philadelphia with Mayors W. Wilson Goode and John F. Street. Detroit, despite the pro-labor work of Mayor Coleman Young, has enriched a few African Americans, but the masses still suffer.


More African Americans are in jail or on lock down through probations and other means of state control.
African American children continue to live in poverty and attend failing schools.
Wealth in the African American community remains at low levels.


So, the question is, which way forward. Should African Americans completely abandon electorial politics, or is is there still a useful path to push for broader political space to further the struggle for self-determination?


What can be done to force current African American mayoral candidates in Philadelphia to address the issues of racism, poverty and inequality?

Music for your thoughts:
http://www.zshare.net/audio/agua-de-beber-mp3.html