“One of the saddest presumptions is that war is necessary, as if Ali’s brother needed to lose his life for Afghan or U.S. or my security. Dehumanized and devalued by both ‘terrorists and anti-terrorists’ alike,Continue reading
What will Baghdad face in 2017?
January 2, 2017 Being stuck in traffic is a daily fare in Baghdad. While checkpoints have been dramatically reduced in recent times, and the number of concrete walls appear markedly decreased, traffic jams still defyContinue reading
Portraits from Kabul
December 28, 2016 Ghulam Reza often plays at the Borderfree Centre. He’s 5 years, 3 mos. On Saturday he was filling an empty chips bag with water, tying off the top, and pushing it along,Continue reading
Christmas in Karbala
Dec. 25, 2016 Karbala, Iraq–It is Christmas day, and I am in Karbala with dear friends. We awoke to a second day of rain, and pictures of flooding, especially in Baghdad, are being shown onContinue reading
Appreciation for Buddy Bell
Laughter, songs, tears and heartfelt appreciation marked a farewell party for Buddy Bell who will move to Pasadena, CA at the end of December. In the colorful lower level of the Wellington Avenue United Church ofContinue reading
Syrian mother interviewed by Sallie Latch
Photo of a Syrian mother refugee hugging her crying baby after arriving on a raft on the Greek island of Lesbos, October 27, 2015. Photo Credit: Giorgos Moutafis / Reuters
Human Rights Day, A Call to Care
December 10, 2016 December 10th marks the U.N. Human Rights Day, celebrating and upholding the indispensable and crucial declaration of universal human rights.On the eve of this event, I visited a refugee camp housing 700 families inContinue reading
See How We Live
December 8, 2016 Here in Kabul, I’m generally an early riser at the home of the Afghan Peace Volunteers, but I’m seldom alone. Facing exams, my young friends awaken early and then stay up lateContinue reading
Obama Must Bring Us a Waterfall of Pardons
The U.S. will soon be governed by a president who banked his campaign on vilifying Muslims and undocumented immigrants and on promising to maintain the devalued legal status of Black lives. The next twoContinue reading
A Visit to Russia for “Life Extension” of the Planet
On October 9, I was in the Nevada desert with Catholic Workers from around the world for an action of prayer and nonviolent resistance at what is now called the Nevada National Security Site, theContinue reading