To My Caregivers
Everyone -
I know this is the end of the semester and a few of you are graduating and going on to new jobs, lives and places. Two people gave me a short notice that they were going away. You all know the rules. I am not going to get involved with finding someone to cover you when you cannot be here. The website is one of communicating with one another. This morning I received an Instant Message and was asked about having someone in training put my to bed unsupervised. This is unacceptable for a new person to be that in that situation so soon. I was pulled into the situation when I should not have been, which is a very uncomfortable position for me. Furthermore, notification on the day off an absence is not allowed, unless it is an emergency.

Democracy in Iraq
Eric Herschthal
Princetonian Staff Writer

A successful Iraqi democracy will in large part depend on which Islamic Shi'ite leader garners the most support in the coming months, said the eminent Islamic scholar Roy Mottahedeh in a lecture last night.

Comprising nearly 60 percent of the Iraqi population, the Shi'ite community is not unified in support of any religious cleric.

In southern Iraq, where the Shi'ite community is most concentrated, Ayatollah Ali Sistani seems to have the most support among the more liberal, educated, and middle-class Shi'ites. However, in the densely populated suburbs of Baghdad, where the mostly poor and extremist Shiites live, Ayatollah Moqtada Sadr holds sway, Mottahedeh said.

Sadr, though much less trained in Islamic law than Sistani, has gained a large following mainly because of "the system of astrictive status" among Iraqi Shi'ites in which certain clerical families have "great importance," Mottahedeh said.

Sadr is the grandson of the most famous Iraqi cleric Mohammed Bakir Sadr, who founded a Shi'ite school in Iraq in the 1960's where Sistani was once a student, Mottahedeh said.

Moqtada Sadr has roused the passions of many destitute Iraqi Shi'ites because of his largely inflammatory sermons which are broadcast throughout the Muslim world. Advocating a strong form of Islamic government in the new Iraq, the United States has strongly opposed Sadr and his brand of political Islam, Mottahedeh said.

Mottahedeh, a Harvard professor who is considered one of the foremost scholars today in Islamic history, said that in the political battle between Sadr and Sistani, the latter may ultimately win because of the strong financial support he receives from middle-class Shi'ites.

Sistani is a more moderate leader who advocates a future Iraqi government with Islamic values, but one that is democratic and respects basic human rights. While also accepting the assistance of foreign powers to bring about a democratic Islamic state, Sistani stresses that aid must come from the United Nations, not solely the United States.

Sistani arose as a dominant political rival to Sadr during the 1990s, when Saddam Hussein led a violent campaign against Iraq's Shi'ite community. The Shi'ites revolted against him during the first Persian Gulf War, and were verbally supported by the United States but received no physical aid.

The revolt and its subsequent suppression was not the first time Hussein had tried to annihilate Iraq's Shi'ite population, however. Hussein, a Sunni Muslim, had long seen Shiites as a problematic faction because of their inherent religious differences with Sunni Muslims and because of ethnic connections tying them to Iran's religious regime, which is predominantly Shi'ite.

"The hysteria of the Iranian domination of the South [today] however is really just hysteria," Mottahedeh stressed. Because of the tribal nature of Iraqi society and Iraqi nationalism, Mottahedeh claims Iraqi Shiites pledge greater allegiance to their state version of Shia Islam rather than pan-Islamic Shiism.

But, Mottahedeh said, "The capture of Saddam Hussein is an essential prerequisite for any kind of stability in Iraq."

Democracy in Iraq
Eric Herschthal
Princetonian Staff Writer

A successful Iraqi democracy will in large part depend on which Islamic Shi'ite leader garners the most support in the coming months, said the eminent Islamic scholar Roy Mottahedeh in a lecture last night.

Comprising nearly 60 percent of the Iraqi population, the Shi'ite community is not unified in support of any religious cleric.

In southern Iraq, where the Shi'ite community is most concentrated, Ayatollah Ali Sistani seems to have the most support among the more liberal, educated, and middle-class Shi'ites. However, in the densely populated suburbs of Baghdad, where the mostly poor and extremist Shiites live, Ayatollah Moqtada Sadr holds sway, Mottahedeh said.

Sadr, though much less trained in Islamic law than Sistani, has gained a large following mainly because of "the system of astrictive status" among Iraqi Shi'ites in which certain clerical families have "great importance," Mottahedeh said.

Sadr is the grandson of the most famous Iraqi cleric Mohammed Bakir Sadr, who founded a Shi'ite school in Iraq in the 1960's where Sistani was once a student, Mottahedeh said.

Moqtada Sadr has roused the passions of many destitute Iraqi Shi'ites because of his largely inflammatory sermons which are broadcast throughout the Muslim world. Advocating a strong form of Islamic government in the new Iraq, the United States has strongly opposed Sadr and his brand of political Islam, Mottahedeh said.

Mottahedeh, a Harvard professor who is considered one of the foremost scholars today in Islamic history, said that in the political battle between Sadr and Sistani, the latter may ultimately win because of the strong financial support he receives from middle-class Shi'ites.

Sistani is a more moderate leader who advocates a future Iraqi government with Islamic values, but one that is democratic and respects basic human rights. While also accepting the assistance of foreign powers to bring about a democratic Islamic state, Sistani stresses that aid must come from the United Nations, not solely the United States.

Sistani arose as a dominant political rival to Sadr during the 1990s, when Saddam Hussein led a violent campaign against Iraq's Shi'ite community. The Shi'ites revolted against him during the first Persian Gulf War, and were verbally supported by the United States but received no physical aid.

The revolt and its subsequent suppression was not the first time Hussein had tried to annihilate Iraq's Shi'ite population, however. Hussein, a Sunni Muslim, had long seen Shiites as a problematic faction because of their inherent religious differences with Sunni Muslims and because of ethnic connections tying them to Iran's religious regime, which is predominantly Shi'ite.

"The hysteria of the Iranian domination of the South [today] however is really just hysteria," Mottahedeh stressed. Because of the tribal nature of Iraqi society and Iraqi nationalism, Mottahedeh claims Iraqi Shiites pledge greater allegiance to their state version of Shia Islam rather than pan-Islamic Shiism.

But, Mottahedeh said, "The capture of Saddam Hussein is an essential prerequisite for any kind of stability in Iraq."
----------------

People of Iraq, if you want democracy in in your country, you will have to fight for it. It will not be easy. You have forces pulling you down. Freedom has its benifets and consequences. Your people will prosper and flourish!

Carolyn V. Wojcik

Democracy in Iraq
Eric Herschthal
Princetonian Staff Writer

A successful Iraqi democracy will in large part depend on which Islamic Shi'ite leader garners the most support in the coming months, said the eminent Islamic scholar Roy Mottahedeh in a lecture last night.

Comprising nearly 60 percent of the Iraqi population, the Shi'ite community is not unified in support of any religious cleric.

In southern Iraq, where the Shi'ite community is most concentrated, Ayatollah Ali Sistani seems to have the most support among the more liberal, educated, and middle-class Shi'ites. However, in the densely populated suburbs of Baghdad, where the mostly poor and extremist Shiites live, Ayatollah Moqtada Sadr holds sway, Mottahedeh said.

Sadr, though much less trained in Islamic law than Sistani, has gained a large following mainly because of "the system of astrictive status" among Iraqi Shi'ites in which certain clerical families have "great importance," Mottahedeh said.

Sadr is the grandson of the most famous Iraqi cleric Mohammed Bakir Sadr, who founded a Shi'ite school in Iraq in the 1960's where Sistani was once a student, Mottahedeh said.

Moqtada Sadr has roused the passions of many destitute Iraqi Shi'ites because of his largely inflammatory sermons which are broadcast throughout the Muslim world. Advocating a strong form of Islamic government in the new Iraq, the United States has strongly opposed Sadr and his brand of political Islam, Mottahedeh said.

Mottahedeh, a Harvard professor who is considered one of the foremost scholars today in Islamic history, said that in the political battle between Sadr and Sistani, the latter may ultimately win because of the strong financial support he receives from middle-class Shi'ites.

Sistani is a more moderate leader who advocates a future Iraqi government with Islamic values, but one that is democratic and respects basic human rights. While also accepting the assistance of foreign powers to bring about a democratic Islamic state, Sistani stresses that aid must come from the United Nations, not solely the United States.

Sistani arose as a dominant political rival to Sadr during the 1990s, when Saddam Hussein led a violent campaign against Iraq's Shi'ite community. The Shi'ites revolted against him during the first Persian Gulf War, and were verbally supported by the United States but received no physical aid.

The revolt and its subsequent suppression was not the first time Hussein had tried to annihilate Iraq's Shi'ite population, however. Hussein, a Sunni Muslim, had long seen Shiites as a problematic faction because of their inherent religious differences with Sunni Muslims and because of ethnic connections tying them to Iran's religious regime, which is predominantly Shi'ite.

"The hysteria of the Iranian domination of the South [today] however is really just hysteria," Mottahedeh stressed. Because of the tribal nature of Iraqi society and Iraqi nationalism, Mottahedeh claims Iraqi Shiites pledge greater allegiance to their state version of Shia Islam rather than pan-Islamic Shiism.

But, Mottahedeh said, "The capture of Saddam Hussein is an essential prerequisite for any kind of stability in Iraq."


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People of Iraq, stand up for yourselves! Democracy in your country will only come when you fight for it! Freedom has its benifets and consequences. With it you will prosper and flourish!


Carolyn V. Wojcik

Red Sox Update
Mood:  a-ok
"I told David before he went to home plate, 'Finish this, man. We don't get paid overtime.' And he did it."
-Manny Ramirez on David Ortiz's game-winning 2-run HR in the 13th inning on Sunday v. the Toronto Blue Jays.

Let's not discuss overtime. After working 60 hours at NESN last week, I finally have time to update everyone on the progress of the Boston Red Sox. After losing the season opener in a frigid Camden Yards to the Orioles, the Sox went on to win to 2 more in Baltimore. Thye just finished up a 3-game series with the Blue Jays. Sunday, with Curt Schilling on the mound, they came from behind, 4-1, to win 6-4 in 13th innings. David Ortiz sent the Jays packing with a sweet 2-run bomb into the seats above the Green Monster.

Tonight, the Sox were set to face the Orioles again, but the game has been postponed due to rain. After playing 2 extra innings games in a week, the team could surely use a night off...I know I'm going to enjoy a night off.

PS - The Boston Bruins have a 2 games to 1 lead over the Montreal Canadiens. They play tonight again in Montreal. Good luck to the B's!

Peace Out!
Courtney.

Iraq
Mood:  don't ask
We are in Iraq for reasons only Pres. Bush and his administration know. Our soldiers are getting killed; however, we must stay in Iraq (for our own interest). I know that I questioned whether Iraq was another Viet Nam. The deaths of our soldiers are preventable. Our soldier's deaths resemble those of suicide bombers and explosive vehicles. In addition, civilians who go there to help are getting kidnapped and it will not accomplish anything, just like Daniel Pearl. The intelligence should know this and should pass on this information to the commanders of their units and their military. But our intelligence is not working. We cannot make Iraq a democracy like the United States. It has to be in their own system. Fundamentalism in any religion creates hate towards people different than you are, therefore, fundamentalism has to be eradicated. However, this is not going to be an easy thing to eradicate in our world as it is now. Religious wars are an age old problem.

Another Man Lost
Mood:  sad
I am one of Carolyn's caregivers- Sarah Pennell. A childhood friend lost her husband, a National Guardsman, in a tractor-trailer explosion last week in Iraq. This is the first time a loss of this war has hit so close to home. I want to share his obituary with you. What the obituary doesn't tell you is that he had only been married for a short time and he had a small baby. He had only been in Iraq for a week.
____________________________________________________

DOVER, N.H. -- The New Hampshire National Guardsman killed in Iraq last week was remembered Wednesday morning as a hero who protected the ideals of freedom and democracy.

Spc. Jeremiah Holmes of North Berwick, Maine, was a member of the 744th Transportation Company. He died when an explosion rocked the tractor-trailer in which he was riding.

At Holmes' funeral Wednesday morning in Dover, N.H., Army National Guard Chaplain William Paige said Holmes was a hero to his family long before he was sent overseas, and now he is a hero to everyone.

About 450 friends and family and about 75 Air and Army National Guard members jammed into the church, where Holmes' flag-draped coffin rested in front of the altar.

During service, Holmes' tearful wife, Kimberly, read a poem. A sister sang as her husband played the piano.

Gov. John Baldacci has directed that the State of Maine fly the federal and state flags at half-staff statewide from 10 a.m. until sunset Wednesday in honor of Holmes.


Associated Press

Previous Entries


Fallujah
Pres. Bush, in all wars we put our soldiers in harms way. Each soldier does not know whether or not they will see their families again. What happened in Fallujah should not have happen! The BUCK stops with you! April 6th was the most brutal day as of yet in Fallujah. On September 11, 2001, we were attacked on our own soil. When we went into Afghanistan, the public knew the exact reasons for that invasion. In Iraq, we really do not know why we are there, except for your excuse of weapons of mass destruction. In Fallujah, they declared war on our people. Why can we not strike immediately? I do not like us to be indecisive.

My Father, in WW2, was a marine who went to Iwo Jima, and survived that brutal battle! He was only 17 years old! He did it so you could be born!


Health Care
For all Presidents, and Politicians in the present and future, Health Care is a necessity for all, not just an option for the priviledged. When people are healthy, they are able to work and fuel the economy.

For persons with disabilities and the elderly, it is necessary to keep them in their own homes, for living in nursing homes and state institutions is more costly to taxpayers.


The Division of Medical Assistance in Massachusetts!
Gov. Romney, Restore the Health Care funding for the most needed persons in Massachusetts! The Division of Medical Assistance is not doing its job! Whether it be from the lack of funding or the lack of employees, the services are not being delivered to the persons on Medicaid! This includes transportation, medicines, and access to healthcare.


Social Services
Do you know why these budgets are cut first? They are not profitable for the Federal and State Governments!


The War in Iraq
Iraq is a breeding ground for the Al Qaeda! Saddam was a Tyrant! There is no room in the world for Tyrants, however, there are other Tyrants in the world. Why only pick on him? You said that we went into Iraq to destroy the Weapons of Mass Destruction. President Bush, you got us in Iraq, not for Al Qaeda, but to repair your Father's image and for the oil. I know that you do not need the oil, but you did know that a few countries were making deals with Saddam. Those countries were getting rich while the people of Iraq were going without medicine and food. Tell us the truth! Do you have an Exit plan? Do not make this another Vietnam!


Afghanistan
"If you give a man a fish, he will eat for a day. If you teach a man to fish, he will eat for a lifetime." (Chinese Proverb)

President Bush, I know we have the military in Afghanistan, however, it appears to me like we abandoned the people of Afghanistan. In America, we are not being informed of the current situation in that country. Why is this so? The people of Afghanistan are going back to their old ways of living off the poppy industry instead of learning how to be self sufficient.