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May 14, 2004
Good News From Abu Ghraib
As perfect justice, the story in fact begins in Abu Ghraib prison, in 1995. With Iraq's economy in a tailspin, Saddam arrested nine Iraqi businessmen to scapegoat them as dollar traders. They got a 30-minute "trial," and were sentenced, after a year's imprisonment, to have their right hands surgically cut off at Abu Ghraib prison.
The amputations were performed, over two days, by a Baghdad anesthesiologist, a surgeon and medical staff. We know this because Saddam had a videotape made of each procedure. He had the hands brought to him in formalin and then returned to Abu Ghraib. Oh, one more thing: The surgeon carved an X of shame into the forehead of each man. And the authorities charged the men $50.
Last year, after we liberated Iraq, a veteran TV news producer named Don North--who has worked for major U.S. broadcasters--was in Baghdad with the U.S. to restore TV service. Iraqi contacts there brought him a tape of the men's amputations. Mr. North says dismemberment was common in Saddam's Iraq and that if one walks down a crowded Baghdad street one may see a half-dozen people missing an ear, eye, limb or tongue. He decided to seek out the men whose stubbed arms represented the civilized world's lowest act--the perversion of medicine.
He found seven. Mr. North determined to make a documentary of their story and get medical help for them. How he found that help, if one may still use this phrase, is an all-American story.
- Cassandra
May 14, 2004 at 07:42 AM | Permalink
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Comments
This is an article that makes me proud to be American. Thanks, Cass.
It also makes me wonder if this documentary maker has contacted FOX about showing it. I am going to write to Tony Snow and Brit Hume, and ask them to try to get it shown on FOX. I mean, we could lose John Gibson or Nameandtown, Nameandtown, Nameandtown for one little evening, couldn't we?
We'll get to see Fahrenheit 911 fer sure, though...
Posted by: MathMom at May 14, 2004 9:03:50 AM
Cassandra,
I'd like to give you a big hand for linking that story to your site.
Seriously, this sort of thing happened all too frequently under Saddam. But the story will continue to be what the major media wants it to be, "Get Bush!"
Posted by: Don Brouhaha at May 14, 2004 9:06:57 AM
I can't believe the Reagan movie showing Showtime isn't all over this one.
Actually, I am surprised the HBO, which is certainly liberal overall, wouldn't show it. It shows lots of stuff like this, with both adgendas at times.
Posted by: KJ at May 14, 2004 9:48:30 AM
Ah...a human interest story, my favorite kind :)
And a very good one too.
Posted by: joatmoaf at May 14, 2004 11:39:39 AM
QUICK! someone send this story to documentarist extraordinaire, Michael Moore. I'm sure he'd like to do something with it.........
like surgically remove the truth from it.
Ya think PBS would touch it? (I am the hopeless optimist)
AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME story. I will soitanly talk about it through my little sphere of airwave influence!
Posted by: CKC at May 14, 2004 11:40:32 AM
I will only watch it if Michael Moore produces it and writes the script. Only he can give us the spin..uh PERSPECTIVE necessary to understand why it was all the fault of the American prison guards.
Cass, you KNOW the world hates the truth.
Michael Moo-ron is living proof of that.
Posted by: Cricket at May 14, 2004 1:31:04 PM
Say it ain't so Cricket, say it ain't so!
Posted by: The Truth at May 14, 2004 2:40:33 PM
I'm sure the former Iraqi prinsoners under Saddam would be willing to give Michael Moore a hand on the film.
Posted by: Too Embarassed to Admit Identity at May 14, 2004 3:18:46 PM
does M. Moore have a blog?
bloviatingblob-blog.com?
Posted by: CKC at May 14, 2004 3:37:00 PM
Oh, thats bad. Would they also lend an ear, and not keep their tongues to themselves?
Posted by: Pile On® at May 14, 2004 3:37:46 PM
At least these people are more dependable than Moore in keeping an eye out for the truth!
Posted by: Another too embarrassed to admit at May 14, 2004 3:43:48 PM
uh boy! I make ONE comment about Michael Moore and along come several sick puppies! I suppose it's time to call Animal Control. Those pups need to be quarantined---at least.
Posted by: CKCat at May 14, 2004 3:47:15 PM
I at least own up to my sick puppy post. Cat your plausible deniability doesn't fly with me.
Fess up sick kitty.
Posted by: Pile On® at May 14, 2004 4:25:42 PM
Glad you liked it joat - I hoped you might :)
Posted by: Cass at May 14, 2004 4:40:30 PM
"Then Don North and Joe Agris will fly with the men back to Iraq, to survey the rest of Saddam's dismembered population. "The practice of prosthetics is very archaic," Mr. North says,"for a country where this is such an affliction." Dr. Agris hopes to survey the hospitals and bring in some modern equipment and supplies. "If they let me, I'll do some of the kids," he says. "Let's show the good side of what we can do."
These men are doing God's work!
Posted by: Purple Raider at May 14, 2004 4:52:41 PM
Cass,
Maybe becuase of the "season" we're in now as far as world matters, the war, political CARP, et al, but this story is such a needed morale booster, much needed breath of fresh air, hope builder, et al., It's just plain encouraging and life giving. I used in on air (twice already), am sending it to many, and will use it on air some more!!
Thanks for linking that thing! It certainly chased away some heavy hanging clouds!
Pile On,
WHAT are you rambling about?.......(to me)
AMEN Purple! God's Work. When asking WWJD..THIS is WJWD! (~;)
Posted by: CKCat at May 14, 2004 10:21:43 PM
I don't ramble, I am concise, and I don't give lessons in simple english. If anyone has a specific question I will answer it.
Posted by: Pile On® at May 14, 2004 10:59:37 PM
Pile On:
Why?
Just wondering.
Posted by: Don Brouhaha at May 14, 2004 11:09:20 PM
I did say specific didn't I?
Posted by: Pile On® at May 14, 2004 11:21:01 PM
Was the communist hottie a Trotskyite or more of a Marxist-Lenninist? Vicarious minds want to know. Please exagerate.
Posted by: Don Brouhaha at May 14, 2004 11:31:55 PM
Maoist who appreciates a slow Chinese style transition to capitalism and democracy.
Am I on the right thread?
Posted by: Pile On® at May 14, 2004 11:41:37 PM
In the future, there will only be one thread, and we will all hang from it.
The Proletariat has spoken.
Posted by: Don Brouhaha at May 14, 2004 11:47:47 PM
唐，感谢您您持续的兴趣在堆上，您有问题与题目有关吗?
Posted by: Pile On® at May 14, 2004 11:57:15 PM
Okay, I give up.
What the {bleep} is that?
Posted by: Don Brouhaha at May 14, 2004 11:59:37 PM
Don, it`s how Windows interprets Asian writing.
Posted by: joatmoaf at May 15, 2004 12:20:43 AM