Video: Iranian-American filmmaker sues Rumsfeld

David Edwards
Published: Friday November 17, 2006

In this video clip, CNN interviews Cyrus Kar, an Iranian-American filmmaker, who is suing U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld for wrongful imprisonment and the violation of his Constitutional rights.

In Iraq to film a historical documentary, Kar was charged with being a terrorist and placed in the notorious prison at Abu Ghraib. He was held for 55 days, most of them in solitary confinement. After 49 days, he was finally given a hearing and eventually freed.

Rumsfeld has filed motions to have the suit dismissed. A hearing in January will determine if Kar's lawsuit can go forward.

Here's a link to the video: http://www.rawstory.com/news/2006/ Video_IranianAmerican_filmmaker_sues_Donald_Rumsfeld_1117.html

After learning about Jill Severn's letter to The Daily Olympian I went to their website to see what was being said on the Haloscan. I went in expecting the worst and wasn't planning on adding my two cents. I've lately grown tired of the automatic shit-storm that follows any attempt at discussion there.

I wasn't surprised to see that the blustering and name-calling was as strong as ever. What nearly floored me was reading a well-written response, one I quite agreed with, posted by someone whose views on another subject I found ridiculous and reprehensible.

It wasn't the first time something like that has happened. Either I'll be in total agreement with somebody I abhor based on other issues, or I'll be dismayed at someone I otherwise admire making an ass of themselves. It reinforced the notion that people are people, that we're made of different layers. (My own example would show me to be splattered all over the political spectrum.) It also emphasized why it's more fun being part of the Olyblog community instead of the Haloscan melee.

The main difference is respect. There is none among the Olympian commenters. Your view, no matter which side of the spectrum it's from, automatically earns you a derisive label and makes you subject for uncalled for ridicule. Sometimes it happens on Olyblog but my experience shows that we do a good job of keeping each other in check.

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If you’re getting ready to make out your holiday gift list, consider doing something a little different this year. Consider giving the gift of experience. How about treating someone you know to a dinner out or an evening at a live theater performance? Give tickets, memberships, or gift certificates for "experiences," like concerts, plays, gym memberships, restaurants, massages or other services. Most people don't think about doing something special for themselves this time of year, but you can do it for them.

Thurston County is participating in the regional Waste Free Holidays program, which rewards the public for reducing waste and supports local businesses. Here's how the program works: Each participating business offers an experience or service gift at a discount of 15-50 percent. Purchases at the discounted price can be made from Nov. 15 to Dec. 31, 2006, by contacting the partners directly. We now have over 50 local businesses and organizations participating, and more calling to sign up. Details on all the offers can be found at www.wastefreeholidays.com.

Time to end the boycott at Ralph's

While shopping at Ralph's Thriftway recently, I learned that the boycott of the store is doing significant financial damage to this locally owned, community-minded business.

Ralph's and Bayview, which is also owned by the Stormans family, are being boycotted because of the owners' refusal to allow the Plan B contraceptive to be sold by their pharmacy. Local pro-choice organizations began this boycott last summer.

I supported the boycott initially because I share the belief that women and their doctors -- not pharmacists -- should choose what medications we take. But I believe it is long past time for the boycott to end. The point has been made, and the policy decision has moved to the State Pharmacy Board (and possibly to the Legislature).

So there is simply no longer a good reason to harm Ralph's, which is a neighborhood treasure, or to punish a pillar of our community for his willingness to take a stand on an issue which he feels just as deeply about as we do.

Jill Severn, Olympia

A band with an Olympia address. Very cool video on Google. Go check it out.