Merry Christmas (War isn't Over)

[Eki]

No matter what John Lennon said:

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,238480,00.html

Archbishop of Canterbury Condemns Iraq War Policy for Endangering Christians in the Middle East

Saturday, December 23, 2006

LONDON — Christians in the Middle East are being put at unprecedented risk by the England's “shortsighted” and “ignorant” policy in Iraq, The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williams, says today.

In an extraordinary attack, Dr. Williams accuses Tony Blair and the U.S. of endangering the lives and futures of many thousands of Christians in the Middle East, who are regarded by their countrymen as supporters of the “crusading West.”

He has been backed by bishops across the Church of England, who say that Christians in the Middle East are now paying the price for the “chaos” in Iraq after the British government failed to heed their warnings about the consequences of military action.

Dr. Williams, writing in today’s Times, says that one prediction that was systematically ignored was that Western military action would put the whole of the Middle East’s Christian population at risk.

Writing from Bethlehem, where the number of Christians has plummeted to a quarter of what they were, he condemns the government for failing to put in place a strategy to help Christians.

[race aficionado]

Yep, war sucks no matter what the religious beliefs are of the people suffering its consequences.

[Donney]

Exactly race the problem is religion is always strongly linked to war in a way or another.

[Eki]

Here's how the "liberated" Iraqi Christians spend Christmas 2006:

http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2006Dec25/0,4670,IraqCelebratingChristmas,00.html

According to the United Nations, more than a million Iraqis have fled since the U.S.-led invasion in 2003, with about 3,000 people now leaving daily. About 40 percent of those leaving are Christian, the U.N. says.

Umm Salam, who goes by her tribal name meaning "mother of Salam" out of fear she will be targeted if she reveals her Christian name, said Sunday she has no choice but to keep her religion a secret.

"We cannot show our happiness (about Christmas) to neighbors. But every single Iraqi has his own wounds, and life must go on," she said. "Happiness is for the children when they will awake tomorrow and find their gifts near the tree."

It wasn't always like this. Umm Salam's daughter, Um Mawj, recalls more peaceful times, when Christmas celebrations went on for days.

"We use to go to the clubs, and all the relatives and friends were there. Those years are unforgettable, but they have faded," the 38-year-old said.

Her brother used to own a liquor store in Baghdad, but converted it into a grocery store when other alcohol vendors were attacked by Islamic militiamen. He sells Christmas trees, Santa dolls and colored lights at this time of year, but business is not as good as it used to be, Wisam Wadie said.

"Violence has kidnapped our happiness and joy on this great occasion, and planted fears in our hearts," he said.

[Sandfly]

Christians attacked by Muslims - Happenening all over the world for the last 15 years - and that's America's fault??? Oh yeah, the UN is gonna take care of that problem.... riiight.