Author Archives: RagBlog

Have you ever wondered? The answer is quite straightforward and rather gruesome. IRAQ: Minorities living tormented days under sectarian violence© Afif Sarhan/IRIN BAGHDAD, 4 Jan 2007 (IRIN) – Like other minority members in Iraq, Mardon Matrood, a 44-year-old Assyrian shopkeeper … Continue reading →

Gardeners shed blood to beautify BaghdadBy Hannah AllamMcClatchy Newspapers BAGHDAD — The flowers appear overnight, and in the unlikeliest of places: carnations near a checkpoint, roses behind razor wire, and gardenias in a square known for suicide bombings. Sometimes, U.S. … Continue reading →

Iraq’s Woes Are Adding Major Risks To Childbirth: Violence, Curfews Curtailing ServicesBy Nancy TrejosWashington Post Staff WriterThursday, January 4, 2007; Page A01 BAGHDAD — Noor Ibrahim lay shivering underneath two blankets on a bed at al-Jarrah Hospital. Steps away was … Continue reading →

We posted about impeachment recently and Pearl, a friend of Kate Braun’s, had something to say that we think is worth sharing. Interesting. There are plenty of grounds. Is the country ready? Not yet. But events like these may help. … Continue reading →

Yes, alright, I did it; I said we needed some sports talk for The Rag Blog, and Charlie Loving responded, janey forgive me, with American college post-season football. If I need to gain 20 pounds, I can think of no … Continue reading →

Diary of Saad Eskander, Director of the Iraq National Library and Archive Please find below links to the Diary of Dr Saad Eskander, Director of the Iraq National Library and Archive. Dr Eskander’s journal, which appears with his kind permission, … Continue reading →

THE TRIAL OF EHREN WATADA This week, Lt. Ehren Watada faces a court martial for his refusal to serve in Iraq. But the trial of Lt. Watada is one in which We The People will be judged. Following World War … Continue reading →

Ancho Ribs, Red Beans and Rice (4 June 2001) This is delicious and a fairly easy meal to prepare, especially considering the recipe for Chichilo just above. The ribs are fashioned after a style of meat prepared in Veracruz. Ancho … Continue reading →

This is the first of a three part series from a man who spent years working in Cuba. The story is fascinating and speaks to a life of which we could only quietly dream here in the newly minted police … Continue reading →

Big Brother sugars the surveillance pillVictor KeeganThursday January 4, 2007The Guardian Something funny has been happening to the CCTV cameras in our neighbourhood. They have started growing ears. Not real ones – at least not yet – but audio functions … Continue reading →

Bush says feds can open mail without warrantBy James Gordon MeekNew York Daily News WASHINGTON — President Bush quietly has claimed sweeping new powers to open Americans’ mail without a judge’s warrant. Bush asserted the new authority Dec. 20 after … Continue reading →

Terror’s Trivial When It’s Not MuslimsMadrid Airport bombing receives scant attentionPaul Joseph WatsonPrison PlanetThursday, January 4, 2007 How many people who aren’t news junkies know that Madrid Airport was bombed on Saturday? Relatively few I would venture, and that’s because … Continue reading →