Five Years, and Counting
AlterNet: War on Iraq - 19 Mar 2008
The unmitigated disaster is working.

Half a Decade of War: Five Years After Iraq Invasion, Soldiers Testify at Winter Soldier Hearings
Democracy Now - 19 Mar 2008
Five years ago tonight, on March 19, 2003, the US launched the invasion of Iraq. Half a decade later, as the occupation continues with no end in sight, some of the most powerful voices against the war have been the men and women who have fought in it. For four days this past weekend, soldiers convened at the National Labor College in Silver Spring, Maryland for Winter Soldier, an eyewitness account of the war and occupations in Iraq and Afghanistan. We broadcast their voices. [includes rush transcript – partial]

Headlines for March 19, 2008
Democracy Now - 19 Mar 2008
Anti-War Events Nationwide Mark 5th Anniversary of Iraq Invasion, 6 Civilians Killed in Afghanistan, In Gaffe, McCain Says Iran Backing al-Qaeda, Obama Criticizes Ex-Pastor?s Political Comments, Murtha Backs Clinton Ahead of Pennsylvania Primary, Dalai Lama Threatens Resigntation as Chinese Crackdown Continues, British Court Overturns Venezuela Asset Freeze, UN Calls for Investigation into Colombia Deaths, Foreign Workers Sue U.S. Oil Firm for Exploitation, Fraud, Science Fiction Author Arthur C. Clarke Dies at 90, Justices Appear to Favor Overturning DC Handgun Ban

Crossing the Line interviews daughter of Sami Al-Arian
Electronic Intifada - 19 Mar 2008
rr r r rr r rr r rr r rr r rr rrr rThis week on Crossing The Line: As the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip continues, the world listens with a deaf ear as Israel continues its siege and incursions into the coastal territory. Host Naji Ali speaks with physician and human rights activist, Dr. Laila Al Marayati, about the physical and emotional effects of occupation.

In prison, who knows why?
Electronic Intifada - 19 Mar 2008
rr r r rr r rr r rr r rr r rr rrr rGAZA CITY, 19 March (IPS) – You would think the baby boy named Yousef has his life ahead of him. But who knows, with a child born to Palestinian parents from Gaza. What’s more, Yousef was born in an Israeli prison. He is the only one of Fatima al-Zeq’s nine children who is with her for that reason—she was arrested nine months ago. But these days the baby is not with her.

Futile Surges and Bailouts
Campaign Against Sanctions and Military Intervention in Iran (CASMII) - 19 Mar 2008
Summary: There is a lot of talk in Washington these days about “containment.” Foreign policy pundits insist that the U.S. must contain Iran, whose rise as a political-military power poses a threat to Western strategic and economic interests in the Persian Gulf region. source: AntiWar.com read more

Five Years After Invasion of Iraq: Why Did We Do It?
AlterNet: War on Iraq - 19 Mar 2008
The official reasons haven’t held up.

Sisters killed in Gaza “reborn” through cousins
Electronic Intifada - 19 Mar 2008
rr r r rr r rr r rr r rr r rr rrr rThree young Palestinian sisters; Shahd Okal, eight months old, Maria Okal, five years old and Somaia Okal, 15 years old, and their mother were killed when an Israeli rocket hit their house on 26 July 2006 while they were swinging inside their house. But on 18 March 2008, Shahd, Maria and Somaia were born in the same Izbet Abed Rabbu neighborhood of Jabaliya town in the northern Gaza Strip. Sami Abu Salem writes from the occupied Gaza Strip.

Far from Palestine’s sea
Electronic Intifada - 19 Mar 2008
rr r r rr r rr r rr r rr r rr rrr rAs a lawyer for the Palestinian peace negotiating team, I met presidents, prime ministers, Nobel laureates, secretaries of state and other important figures. But none of these individuals hit me with the same emotional wallop as a young woman named Majda. Diana Buttu writes from occupied Ramallah.

How Could So Many People Buy into Bush’s “Patriotism Sweepstakes” War?
AlterNet: War on Iraq - 19 Mar 2008
The Iraq War represents a systemic failure of American political and journalistic institutions.