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Tuesday, February 18, 2003 |
Today in History
February 18, 1918
The International Association of Fire Fighters was founded, in part to protect the health and safety of its members. Fire fighting remains the most dangerous occupation in the United States.
Thanks to Workday Minnesota
2:28:15 PM
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Report #22 - Marching in Baghdad. Saturday was the day of massive worldwide demonstrations. It happened here in Baghdad too, but of a rather different nature. Apart from the usual pro-government rallies here - replete with weapons, IPT along with several other organizations formed a march of internationals starting from our hotel. Joining with us was the Italian anti-sanctions group, Bridges to Baghdad, the self-professed Human Shields (who have their own t-shirts), another British group with a name denoting something about truth and justice (my mind is foggy right now), and a group from Okinawa, Japan, called Music Not Weapons (the Japanese translates poorly.). There was a preliminary press conference before things got under way. IPT's intention was to have a silent march, but that's never possible when Italians are around. The Japanese, in colorful kung-fu style outfits (yeah, I'm being sensitive), also had drums and other traditional instruments to accompany their chanting music. We set off, with each group proceeding in a row. Unfortunately, we seemed to have only scattered amounts of press with us, as most US press seemed focused on the government-backed rallies elsewhere. Guns are always a draw to journalists. Yet one would think that 150 internationals marching in a foreign nation about to be bombed might draw some attention. Nevertheless, many locals came out to show support. Two Imam's even joined in the march, walking and giving interviews along the way. Shop owners, construction workers and even soldiers we passed by gave us thumbs' up and clapped. I began photographing and fell back away from IPTs march to see the others. Naturally, the Japanese drew the most attention, especially as they at times paused to dance in syncopated moves to their music. It certainly delighted many of the locals, and boys came streaming down streets to watch. The Italians also became a little boisterous and passed their peace flags around to onlookers - to whom the press quickly surrounded for photographing. As we passed one of the military buildings (I'm not sure really what goes on in there) an old Italian man jumped into the row of soldiers standing with rifles to wave his flag. Lovely photos, really. >From the windows in the distance, high-ranking officers leaned out and gave peace signs. I didn't expect it, but certainly at times I felt awash with a bit of pride to be part of the whole endeavor. As we walked down towards Al Rasheed St. to climb Shuhada (Martyr) Bridge, young boys approached clamoring to hold on to something. Several waved a large peace flag in front of the President's portrait. I should note that I also took the opportunity to snap some shots of the portraits all around - mainly because I just cannot find any trading cards. The march ended on the top of the bridge. I noticed that at this point we were escorted by leather-jacket clad party officials in sunglasses. They didn't stand in the way at all - most notably they let people photograph all over the bridge, which is usually a major no-no. It was a unique event, perhaps in world history even - but it really did get minimal attention outside of the region. Iraqi TV loved it though, and all evening hotel workers and the people at the internet café told me they saw me on TV. Stardom is fleeting though. [MidEastLog]
2:10:44 PM
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enmity: Dictionary.com Word of the Day. enmity [Dictionary.com Word of the Day]
Word of the Day for Sunday February 16, 2003
enmity EN-mih-tee, noun:
Hatred; ill will; hostile or unfriendly disposition.
I learned, of course, . . . that the flames of infatuation can quickly become ashes of enmity and contempt.
--Kathleen Norris, The Virgin of Bennington
In the course of our conversation he reverted to yesterday's aphorism about it being our joint task to guide our two peoples out of their old enmity into new amity.
--Charles Kessler (editor and translator), Berlin in Lights: The Diaries of Count Harry Kessler
There were also always those I rubbed the wrong way (sometimes to the point of outright enmity) by being too brash or too arrogant or too ambitious or too precociously successful -- or by not being inhibited or tactful enough to refrain from writing about my career.
--Norman Podhoretz, Ex-Friends
Enmity derives from Old French enemistié, ultimately from Latin inimicus, "an enemy," from in-, "not" + amicus, "friend," from amare, "to love."
Synonyms: animosity, antipathy, hostility, rancor. Find more at Thesaurus.com. |
1:41:30 PM
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