Timb's Blog

It's so hard to talk to people about things they're up in arms about that I usually don't try. And yes -- as bold and outspoken as I am -- I genuinely do avoid far more confrontation than I enter. Anyway -- I'd really like somebody to tell me what those pictures mean to them -- beyond transparency.

They won't prove anything about the higher ups -- unless a few of them happen to be in them -- which I doubt. And -- we already know torture and abuses went beyond Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo. We've certainly seen enough pictures -- and heard enough -- for those of us who object to these things to be sufficiently outraged.

Those pictures won't prove a case against the people who ordered that stuff. That would require documents and testimony.

So -- see every picture for what?

However -- I can think of good reasons to keep them classified -- and eventually destroyed.

I'm listing this one first because I'm less emotional about it -- so I can keep it short. Pictures do incite strong emotions -- and we're currently in the middle of trying to create some positive emotions. So -- what's to be gained from seeing those pictures that's worth the risk? And well -- my second and more emotional reason may touch on that. Maybe some of us are just not as sensitive to the potential impact than others.

Now -- the big one...

Even with my face blacked out -- I would not want the world gawking at my humiliation. Just think. They speculate that there may be some rape photos. So -- why would we want to "rape" these people all over again by publishing pictures of it??? There's also speculation that it may include children. Do they think these children or their parents want pictures of it shown to everybody in the world?

I can't stand running across the Abu Ghraib pictures that some people post constantly to "remind" us. We all know -- already. Why subject the people in those pictures to continued humiliation?

This is what I mean when I've shared my opinion that even many among the left in this country don't identify very well with brown folks. It seems to me they're treating these pictures like some ancient artifacts about people dead for 100's of years instead of pictures of people very much alive (most of them -- anyway). There would not be a movement to make a public exhibition of these kinds of pictures of their brothers, sisters and children. We would not be sitting around gawking at pictures of these people like they're injured animals at a zoo or something -- demanding to see them ALL -- insisting WE have a RIGHT to see them!

If this was about our relatives -- we'd be demanding justice -- alright. But we sure wouldn't be trying to use pictures of our relatives being tortured and abused as protest posters.

And just think. We're doing something we likely wouldn't want done to us to people who -- to our understanding -- are far more sensitive about these kinds of things than we are.

I wish they'd come up with some other idea for maintaining/increasing public support for justice for those victims -- and us -- and leave those pictures alone. I don't think anybody other than the victims' lawyers -- if their client says there are pictures and wants his lawyer to see them -- should have access. And then it would be up to them whether or not they want to use them in court.

I've started -- and deleted several attempts to write a diary at dkos asking folks to consider whether or not we do have a right to see those pictures -- and whether or not we should be upset with the Obama administration for not releasing them all. But -- some of those folks can get really crazy when you challenge their causes.

I think I keep deleting the attempts before I even finish the first sentence because I'm terrified of the responses I might get. I'll just be honest. I'm scared to death of posting it and having the majority response suggest most of them don't indentify with these people enough to care about how the victims might feel about publishing the pictures. It's been feeling pretty good to go places and have more people really treat me like I'm another person (not that I let it bother me when they don't). I'm not ready to have cold water splashed on that feeling.

Mind -- I don't mean that I would think anybody who disagrees is dehumanizing the victims. I'm talking about dismissive responses that trivialize the concern.

"I'd really like somebody to tell me what those pictures mean to them -- beyond transparency."

I'm not sure there is anything more than "transparency", for me. I can confess to an ulterior motive, but not one that denies the "transparency" aspect.

Short and sweet, I want Cheney prosecuted NO MATTER WHAT THE COST.

If the pictures keep what Cheney did in the minds of the American people an extra day, that would be a positive outcome.

"They won't prove anything about the higher ups..."

FWIW, I don't care whether or not any more pictures from Abu Graibh come out, or not. I want the American people to see the pictures from Bagram, Gitmo, and other places. I want even the "low information voters" to make the connection between Cheney/Rumsfeld's orders and prisoner abuse in multiple countries. I don't want anyone to be able to say "Lynndie England did time for her crime and that should be the end of it" without setting off a chain reaction of pointing and laughing at them for being so thick-headed.

I don't want a "unitary President" ordering trials. I want to see a slow trickle of reports coming out of congress about Cheney's role in torture until "the background noise" becomes a thunderous roar of "PROSECUTE HIM!"

Oh, and I don't buy the argument that it would add to the humiliation of the victims unless it DOESN'T lead to prosecution of the person(s) who ordered that humiliation. Then, I might, but only then. No successful criminal prosecution can leave out the facts about what happened to the victim(s).

I don't see an open mic - but was wondering if you had seen this:

http://www.edmontonsun.com/life/2009/06/01/9634286-sun.html

Perhaps this could help you sell more coffee - plus - "My House for Coffee" should be in really big letters on your sidebar.

:-)

Thanks, "squaette". ;->

Every thread is an open mic.

A bit about the coffee business. I have a full-time job, and lately it's been extremely busy. In addition, two kids got married this summer, so I've burned a lot of vacation time tending to that "business". So, I'm not actively promoting the business, at the moment. I have a few regular customers (one just stopped by a few minutes ago to pick up 3 pounds), and always welcome anyone new (I got an order from Alaska, a few weeks ago, and have no idea how he found me), but the business isn't going to make the house payment.

My idea, when I started, was to "learn how to run a coffee business" for when I retire, not to build it as quickly as possible so I could "quit that fucking job". In terms of meeting that particular goal I'd have to say it's been wildly successful. I know that any time I want to I can ramp it up and turn it into a full-time business, not work too hard, enjoy what I do, and make a significant amount of money.

One thing I know, for sure, is that selling coffee by the pound is no way to make money. Our plan has always been to open a "coffee shop" with afternoon/evening entertainment (folk music, mostly) and daytime art classes. My wife is a certified art teacher with some significant accomplishments on her resume. One of my favorities (although certainly not the greatest) is that she worked with a poet laureate to produce a piece of art that hangs in the entry of a school that provides alternative education to girls who get pregnant in high school. My own insignificant contribution was that I framed it for them. I, meanwhile, have picked up some used audio equipment over the years and could set up a sound system and all the instruments anyone would need to provide the background music. We'd sell the art supplies, and students could "hang" their work for sale in our coffee shop. It seems likely we'd do best in a "touristy" or "artsy-fartsy" area, so relocation is in the cards.

(Speaking of that sort of thing, I know you're into helping "oppressed women". Did you know that I was part of a 5 man crew that landscaped a "battered women's shelter" at no cost to them? For a "liberal", I'm not such an asshole, eh? ;-> )

Anyhoo, back to reality. The place where I work was purchased by one of the largest corporations in the world a little less than 2 years ago. There's now a rumor running wild at work that they're going to close the site where I work in September. Personally, I think this rumor is bullshit. What *I* think is that they'll close it in the next 2 to 5 years, but I can't narrow it down further than that. What I can say is that day will probably be a relief, for me. Things have really changed where I work, and I'd be hard-pressed to give you an example of a change for the better. Mostly it's just "be glad you still have a job and here's something more for you to do." We're not even back-filling when people leave, any more, so there's always more to do.

When (and if) they close the site I hope that congress has done something about health care, by then. I'm too old to go back into the sort of position I'm in, now. Too "set in my ways" and FAR more expensive than a recent college grad. Sure, I could find that "perfect" position, but it would take a long time and I'm no longer certain I'd be doing anything more than helping some other CEO make his big bonus. Fuck that, but at least I'm no longer living with the delusion that I've somehow made the world a better place.

So, barring national healthcare, I'll be in the same position so many of those entrepreneurs the politicians are so fond of pointing out "create most of the jobs" in America. I won't be able to afford to provide healthcare for my employees, or myself. I'll be one heart attack, stroke, cancer diagnosis away from losing everything I've worked my entirer life for. Not to mention my employees will be looking for work, again. That last would break my heart, but thankfully I wouldn't have much time to think about it as I look for a place to park my car and sleep for the night.

So, "making a lot of money" is no longer part of "the American dream". I think that's part of the reason why Icy (who your sister called "the bartender") got so thoughtful when, one of the times we spent some time together in NYC, I said "We're the new conservatives".

It's too bad the think tanks and politicians have gotten so good at pitting us against each other. If "we the people" could ever agree to work together we'd vote the lot of them out and start over with politicians who rewarded hard work, not "whoever gave us the most money in our last campaign".

Baby sister and I are watching the Tony Awards, with kleenex in hand - thinking how much our mother would love it.

Every year, she took each of us (a one-on-one trip) to a Broadway Play - we went by train. I always KNEW I'd grow up to be a Rockette! Little did I know that I'd stop growing at 5'2" - well - 5' 1-1/2" - but I could sure KICK!

I didn't know your wife is an art teacher - it must be very fulfilling for her. Artists are generally such gentle people - I admire their gift.

Speaking of art - my dad was the creative one in our family. In fact, one of his best friends was Laurance Sickman, who was with the The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art.

In the 60's, my dad actually had a "hand" in the Chinese Art Exhibit - with his name on a plague - which we're all very proud of. Not bad for an "Injun" from Kansas, eh.

Believe me, I understand your position with your job, retirement, health care, etc. I think we'll get national health care - something has to be done, and I sure as hell don't have a better idea. None of it is simple, that's for darn sure.

Obama has a lot on his plate - but every President does. There's only one past President that I have absolutely no love for - of course - Andrew Jackson. I wouldn't mind if they replaced his picture on the twenty with Obama's - lmao! (None of us carry twenty dollar bills in our billfolds - it's just a thang we got, and we're gonna keep a goin' with it)

I'm not surprised to here of your work the at battered women's shelter - you always were my favorite liberal. I've tried to reach across to other evil liberals (lol) - but I keep gettin' bitten in the ass - what is up with that?

I hope you can realize your dream of the coffee shop. We have an area on the Missouri side called the River Market - which has a couple of coffee shops like you envision - they seem to be doing well - they've been there for several years now.

I'm pretty sick of politicians - both sides. I can't name any one person who ruined it for me - but this is the first time in my life I'd vote ALL of them gone - which would probably mean throwing out some good guys - but at least I'd know the bums were gone for good. I'm not one who believes in "you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours" - to that I say screw your back - mine's just fine.

Oh, and I saw your pics - they were great - ya sure do have an ornery look - chuckle.

I just might buy me some of your coffee - I sent the link to a good friend of mine (the one who always loses bets to me) - she says she's gonna buy some - she's got lotsa money (I think she loses to me on purpose) - she's of Indian ancestry too - only she's a really mean one - lol - Huron - she can dress ya down faster than - well - I don't know what.

Take care.

I'm watching game 2 of the NBA finals. The only two players left from when I lived near LA are Kobe and Fischer, but it's fun being a Lakers fan on the East Coast. No limit on how many people will give you grief. ;->

I hope your sister is doing well.

"I've tried to reach across to other evil liberals (lol) - but I keep gettin' bitten in the ass..."

Do you have a luscious ass? That could explain it. ;->

We don't have to hate each other. Politicians like it when we do. It takes our minds off how much they're fuckin' up the world for our kids.

Seriously. I'd throw in with you on some things, and I think you'd do the same. Set aside our differences and make a difference on what we agree on.

We can beat the hell out of each other in other battles, later.

Doesn't that make more sense?

Oh yeah, thanks for sending the link along. I'll recognize you if you order something. Maybe I'll throw in a little "extra", just for the fun of it.

I have two new ones that I just picked up a couple of weeks ago:

Organic Ethiopian Djimmah Royal Select WP Decaf

Like sweet chocolate, this robust decaf is the perfect end to a nice evening meal. The aromas have excellent potency with floral and caramel overtones. Certified organic.

and

Organic Nicaraguan SHG Mancotal Fair Tade

Aroma is chocolaty and creamy caramel. Impressive flavors (cocoa, licorice, nut, dark chocolate with lemony undertones) come out from the fairly robust-tasting cup. Organic, Fair Trade, Bird Friendly certifications.

Send me your address (by email, not here) and I'll send you some samples the next time I roast (which is about once/week.)