Another NewsNight at the Movies

The Bigots are alive and well at CNN. Aaron is not writing his e-mail nor making pre-program announcements. That is true for the week to date.

Ms. Bigot von Zwieten must be feeling some remose for the self-ish thoughts regarding promoting CHRISTIAN PALESTINIANS for the occupation of Jerusalem as it was okay last night during Morning Papers to diss the Israeli settlers. The 'slam' came after the mention of headlines of "New York Daily News" where the title stated "Kicking and Screaming."

Now I realize those outside 'the faith' don't necessarily understand the settlements and all the painful moving out of them but I would expect a Jew to put his out of line Executive Producer in her place instead of joining in stating "Yeah, when push comes to shove."

Besides being insensitive that is just plain wrong. The settlers have a right to resist and the reporting by CNN the day after the lousy comment clearly shows an understanding by the settlers that they never even expected this to be carried out. Better. Much Better. Even the e-page from The New York Daily News is more compassionate now.

See, it's like an illness. 'Gossiip' and 'Attitude' in a social environment when irreverant to difference (And yes I am a pickey Jew. A very pickey Jew. Probably the pickest of all Jews. Too bad.) of others who suffer gives permission for more of the same only it escalates into violence. I don't think anyone here wants that now do they?

Reflection on the danger of hatred

There is a sentiment that surrounds the peace movement today by some families of dead soldiers that if Bush would just fight the war right somehow it would still all be worth it. While that does not align with what Ms. Sheehan states as she is moving "Camp Casey" from a mile stone's throw of Bush's estate; there is reasons for the difference.

I think I can point them out.

We entered into Iraq illegally. On that point alone Ms. Sheehan is absolutely correct. I don't buy it that intelligence was the issue. Every member of the Bush Executive Branch except he perhaps was at the agencies harassing agents for 'tilts' that would 'get them what they wanted.' Like Tony Blair the policies weren't issued from the intelligence. The intelligence was designed to fit the policies.

A rock solid example came to my attention as I was glancing through some old e-mails from NewsNight. It was in regard to Najaf. It is hard to believe it was just one year ago that Bush was about to kill over 300 innocent people threatening to do much more.

The paragraph from the e-mail that illustrates 'the times' :

"We'll lead with the frustration building in Florida in the aftermath of Hurricane Charley. Power is still out for many thousands of people; police, because of safety concerns, are still keeping hundreds away from their homes, or what's left of their homes. There have been some nasty confrontations. Frustration. Also, John Zarella on a National Guard unit just back from Iraq which now finds itself knee deep in the recovery operation. In Iraq the focus remains on the standoff in Najaf and the National Conference in Baghdad. They are not unrelated. A group of respected Iraqis went to Najaf today to see if they could end the standoff. We'll update that. We'll also talk with Scott Baldauf who witnessed one of a number of firefights in the area. Scott writes for the Christian Science Monitor. John Burns joins us as well to talk about the big picture in what is turning out to be a very crucial and very dangerous period in a very fragile country right now. "

To focus:

"...In Iraq the focus remains on the standoff in Najaf and the National Conference in Baghdad. They are not unrelated. A group of respected Iraqis went to Najaf today to see if they could end the standoff. We'll update that. We'll also talk with Scott Baldauf who witnessed one of a number of firefights in the area. Scott writes for the Christian Science Monitor. John Burns joins us as well to talk about the big picture in what is turning out to be a very crucial and very dangerous period in a very fragile country right now."

The invasion into Iraq was not only illegal it tried to place 'European' heads on modestly educated Iraqi civilians. Both Blair and Bush believed the Iraqis would be so glad to see the USA and rid themselves of Saddam that it would be "Victory of WWII" all over again.

As a result of the failure of the Iraqis to comply with that understanding of their expected behavior when violence resulted they were considered 'insurgents.' Rather than realizing the 'story book' scenario post invasion was completely unrealistic and more than hearts and minds these people just didn't understand what was expected of them. They set loose prisoners from every place they could find them tearing down prison walls indescriminately without a thought for their own safety should those criminals actually be dangerous. They only knew they were oppressed and they now had a chance to be out from that and would take it on their own to secure their hamlets. Americans that would come to again invade not just their country but now their towns were more an enemy intent on killing those the villagers considered innocent and trustworthy. The Americans weren't trustworthy. They were a lot of trouble that no one seemed to be able to contain and they were afraid of these 'caucasian' folks with intent to kill.

What resulted out of the anarchy were hamlets of ethnic communities that found arms in the Iraqi desert once secured by UN seals and inspectors. The confusion of the intent of the Americans as deprivation of jobs, food, water and electricity spoke loud than anything Paul Bremer could say or provide turned people to their Holy Men. It worked. The communities began to take on some degree of order and security although very much in the rough, but, they had never done this before. Their Holy Men were at least as learned as the Quran's teachings and Mohammad was very much a survivalist. So the Quran was a guidebook to a structure the Iraqis in their hamlets could abide by all too willingly and did with great reverence.

What happened in Najaf was a travesty of trust. It was a plot against a Cleric who was mostly young to his practice, lost his father and grandfather to Saddam Hussein's inhumanity and killed form their opposition. Bush's focus is always to invade what he does not understand and hence the above 'meanderings' of the media into something they didn't understand. That entry is familiar to me as is the program which only proved to me to be insightful to validate everything I already believed was happening behind the walls of the fortess of Najaf. This was before Bush turned his forces loose on Najaf.

Bush and Blair had laid a clear plot against the young Cleric Sadr. They managed to convince a kindly Ayatollah to care for his heart in London. Ayatollah al Sistani was no sooner off the ground in a plane to London when Bush started his threats into Najaf. The threats became a struggle that persisted and found three hundred innocent Iraqis dead.

At the time I was making peace accolades on the New York Times Message Boards as it was my only hope to somehow in someway reach those that could make a difference and save lives. I knew the people of Najaf were not horrible people and I also knew their only salvation lay in London recovering from a heart procedure. It was grossly obvious not long after this program aired that Bush relished the 'blood bath' to the tune laid out by people like Beth Nissan and her praise to the movie "Alamo." It became the battle cry of the Neocons. The Aman Ali Mosque was transformed into the Alamo and all was to be sacrificed and destroyed to kill those now labeled as insurgents. The orders as stated by the USA military were, "To capture or kill al Sadr." I knew it was wrong and I could not let my country destroy the one survivor of a resistance movement against Saddam that was right. Iraq needed that movement to secure it's autonomous identity and I knew al Sadr would be loyal to that end. He was devout. He is the son of two esteemed martyrs.

I remember hearing the words that Bush was taking Najaf. If it was my pleadings of the Grand Ayatollah al Sistani then I am humbled by the fact my cries were heard. If the news of impending devastation reached him as well then he is truly the man of the people. Either way al Sistani left his hospital bed to fly to Kuwait and return by armored caravan back to Najaf. He ordered all his following, some 10,000 strong to march from Kufah to Najaf. The USA miltiary was thwarted along with Bush's grand plans. Within five days of his return a peace agreement reaching all of al Sadr's demands was realized at the insistance of the Grand Ayatollah.

The strength of Iraq does not lie in the precense of the USA, it lies in the people themselves.

The point is that Ms. Sheehan is right. Although other familes may find solice in identifying with the peace movement calling on an end to this by fighting the war right; it isn't likely to happen. The ability of Bush and Blair in securing that country has never been proven from the beginning and to think just because some families are demanding a stronger fight it will all resolve is unrealistic. So in reflection of the years past, Iraq's peace is not realized by USA bombs and bullets but with the faithful of Islam and THEIR need to have 'social order' as they understand it and need it.

Our government's demands are foolish and our expectations of the outcome of all this even more so.

This entry is made here because the plot agaisnt al Sadr was nothing but pure hatred.

Very premeditated.

Scary to realize our military and primarily our president is capable of plotting such a scenario.

Very scary.

August 16, 2002. Dresden, Germany under water.

August 16, 2002. The affected area in Europe.

The European Floods of 2002

Floods could cost $7bn plus

LONDON, England -- The flooding across central Europe has cost dozens of lives, made tens of thousands homeless and damaged historic buildings in the heart of several cities. (Full story)

And while European insurance companies could face resulting claims of close to 1 billion euros ($989 million), the losses from industries like tourism could be several times higher.


Dresden evacuated as waters rise

DRESDEN, Germany (CNN) -- Central Dresden was being evacuated late Thursday amid fears that a wave might wash over the city after a dam break downstream.

All efforts to save the historic buildings in the city were abandoned, said officials, who expect flooding to reach a peak by 1 a.m. Friday (7 p.m. EDT).

The level of the swollen River Elbe is already well above the predicted peak, and although the dam that broke is downstream of the city, officials expect a rebounding wave to sweep into Dresden. The river has reached heights not seen since 1845.


Prague cleans up as threat continues

PRAGUE, Czech Republic -- Flood waters are continuing to retreat from record levels in some parts of the Czech capital Prague, allowing the clean-up operation to begin and residents to return to their homes.

But the good news on Friday was tempered by spiralling estimates for the economic cost of the calamity. Meanwhile, areas north of the city were braced for more high waters where the Vltava and Elbe rivers meet on their way into southeastern Germany.


Huge cost of Czech floods

PRAGUE, Czech Republic (CNN) -- Floods across the Czech republic will cause billions of dollars of damage to the country's historic monuments and devastate tourism, officials say.

As experts wait for the waters in Prague to recede to assess what architectural treasures have been wrecked, officials warn the sitation in the medieval town of Cesky Krumlov is even worse.

"The town is completely under water," said Zuzana Bluh, spokesman for the Czech embassy in London. "It is doubtful if many of the medieval buildings can withstand the damage."

August 16, 2002. Mr. Boulden at River Elbe.

Dear God do we ever talk about Israel without equal time of some kind of Christian something?

BUT NEVER EVER THE OTHER WAY AROUND !!

The Christian Science Monitor - In true NewsNight flair the entire program was caucasian including every commercial. Thank God Israelis are pale otherwise we won't have made it either.

The Washington Post
The Guardian
Stars and Stripes
Daily News
Rocky Mountain News

Tonight was the height of nerve beyond any other I ever witnessed before. After a three minute segment well done by Aaron regarding Israel was a a five minute segment about a man who would see his role in life to conquer the world and bring it to Catholicism.

Another fanatic like Bush.

The Domino's King, Tom Monahan, profitted from the people of this country with plans to change their lives forver making religion monolithic and Catholic. He is going to do this from COMMAND CENTRAL, "Ave Maria" somewhere in the continental USA. At the center of this community of 11 thousand homes will be a 'chapel' designed very similarly to The Air Force Academy chapel. No military interest by Mr. Monahan of course, but, only a peaceful God fearing community where by a man could see his lover during lunch, go to 24 hour confession afterwards and be pure of spirit in time for dinner with his spouse.

The community is to have all the freedom they like except freedom of expression outside what 'the chapel of all chapels' councils as appropriate Catholic behavior regardless of what the Pope might say. No freedom of speech as one might say something not of Catholicism. Absolutely no freedom of theater as "Vagina Monologues" is censored and banned.

So, somewhere in the continental USA, Tom Monahan will build a monolithic society where merchants have to pass snuff while the residents live lives of deprivation, sacrifice and reflection 24 hours a day contemplating how and when they will conquer the world with funding provided by Faith Based Dollars knowing more about Catholicism and what is good for Catholics more than the Pope does. Do I detect another Jim Baker?

The definition of "Anchor" never included so much journalism. Aaron now does at least one segment if not two or more of the segments of the news hour. BESIDES, organizing the program with pertinent other segments. What a strategy to make Aaron exclusive to Ms. von Zwieten estranging him from any personal life. Do I dare say 'concentation camp' hostile working environment?

Why not?

The date was September 16, 2002.

HOST: Good evening again, I'm Aaron Brown. Well, can you believe it, it's been 25 years since Elvis died. OK. Full disclosure. In our control room right now, the entire staff is shrieking in pain that I actually said those words. They have been saying it all week with eyes rolling and sarcasm dripping. This has been Elvis week not just at CNN, but all over the place. Elvis impersonators. Elvis drag queens. The Elvis is really alive, folks, including the doctor, I love this guy, who claims to have been treating Elvis for the past five years -- and we wonder was Medicare being billed on this. So we at NEWSNGHIT, in our typical fashion, declared this program to be a vast Elvis-free zone. Nothing against Elvis, of course. We sort of like the guy. We just hate hype. And maybe that's why we have been thinking this week about those famous curmudgeons over at CBS News who back on August 16, 1977 faced one of the toughest editorial decisions we could ever imagine. Lead the broadcast that day with Elvis dying, or Panama Canal treaty negotiations. You got Elvis on one side; you got the Panama Canal negotiations on the other. They chose the Panama Canal; six minutes worth, according to one account. The other guys led with Elvis. Now, in their defense, there was a lot going on with the Panama Canal negotiations. Can you believe, after all, it has been 25 years since the Panama treaty negotiations. Oh, by the way, CBS is still in third place. We would not make that mistake. We begin the whip with baseball. OK, it's not the most important thing, but it's the best story of the day. Keith Olestra has it. Keith, a headline, please.

KEITH OLBERMANN, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: Two weeks from now, Major League Baseball will either be fresh from a near miss, amazed that the players union set a strike deadline but didn't actually go out on strike, or it will be in day one of the ninth seasonal interruption in the last 30 years. The ball players declare their strike date; it will be August 30, Ted Williams' birthday, Aaron.

BROWN: I wouldn't touch that at all. On to CNN's Jim Boulden. When last we spoke, he was in Prague, with a rising river in the background. He's in Dresden, in Germany tonight, and we need a headline, Jim.

JIM BOULDEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Aaron, 33,000 residents of Dresden are in shelters early this morning. And the airport is a makeshift hospital. And thousands of volunteers are still fanning out throughout the city with sandbags. They try to keep the Elbe River from rising even further, but I'm sorry to say, it is continuing to rise, Aaron.

BROWN: And back with you at the top of the program tonight. Also, we have baseball and floods and lots of other things as well. In moments like this, aside is the game. The game of baseball still touches us in the way it once did. We'll talk tonight with filmmaker Ken Burns, a fan of the game, who's made a bit of a living making movies about things he loves. The Bush administration talking tough on Iraq and the president did again today. We'll hear from some other voices talking caution, including a key adviser to the last Bush administration, and other members of the president's current party, the Republicans. He didn't have a past party, did he? And we'll close out the week with a smile. Love and marriage Indian style all in one television program. All for real and all for keeps. That and Elvis as only NEWSNIGHT could possibly remember the king, in the hour ahead. I know it's coming. We begin it all in Germany. The flooding in Dresden and something a 75-year-old woman there said to a reporter today. She said we pulled so many bricks out of the ruins, so that we could reuse them, so we could rebuild the city. She was talking about 1945. And now she says it feels like '45 all over again. We go back to CNN's Jim Boulden.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BOULDEN (voice-over): More and more sandbags to try and hold back the ever rising Elbe River. Pumps to remove what water has already flooded in. Thousands of volunteers and emergency personnel race through Dresden to fight against the historic surge of the river.

MIRIAM BATOW, STUDENT: It's my town. It's so, so many -- how you say? Important buildings and very nice buildings, and so we just need to protect it, you know.

BOULDEN: Hospitals and homes evacuated. Some 33,000 people needing to find shelter. The city's old square and baroque buildings were largely destroyed in World War II bombings raids; many only restored in the past 20 years after being neglected through most of the communist area. Dresden's mayor says $100 million will be needed to rebuild again. But that's only a fraction of the $1 billion estimate to repair other areas of the Saxony region. The German government says international aid will be needed, as the high water continues its relentless move northward through Germany.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BOULDEN: Now, German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder has said that there will be a mini summit on Sunday. He's going to meet with the leaders of Slovakia and the Czech Republic, where much of that water has come earlier this week. They're going to get together with the European Union and start talking money. Obviously, a lot of these buildings are going to have to be restored again after spending all that money, and they are going to be looking for international loans. They are going to be looking for money from the European Union, and even before they start the clean-up, they are going to start talking about the money, Aaron.

BROWN: Well, always so. This is in the part of Germany that was East Germany. It's not a particularly rich part of the country. Is there money in the country to be had for the work?

BOULDEN: Well, of course, a lot of these areas are dependent on tourism. Some people call this the Venice of the east. You can look along the river; you see some beautiful buildings that have been restored in the last 20 years. Next to it is a very ugly communist- era building. So it's sort of the Venice of the east, but it is getting tourism into this area, but of course it's a desperate situation for them, because this is the last thing they need to get some money in here. But of course, there's election next month here in Germany, and Gerhard Schroeder has said he will give $400 million for that. I suspect he might have to give a bit more if he wants to win the election.

BROWN: Jim, thank you for your work. Jim Boulden in Dresden. Difficult place. We move on to baseball.