The families of 168 children killed in the U.S. bombing of a school in Minab, Iran have written a letter to Pope Leo XIV.
Here is the full translated letter:
“In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
“His Excellency Pope Leo XIV, the Respected Leader of the Catholics of the World
“We write this letter to you with trembling hands and a heart full of pain, from amidst the ashes and ruins of the schools of the city of ‘Minab’ in southern Iran. We are the fathers and mothers of 168 children who, these days, instead of embracing the warm bodies of our children, press their burned bags and bloody notebooks to our chests; innocent children whose only crime was smiling in the classroom, but this crime, through the instigation and support of illogical warmongers, crashed down upon the heads of our innocent children.
“Your Holiness
“In the dark days when the terrifying sound of explosions had closed the ears of the world to our wails, the echo of your peace-seeking words became a balm for our endless wounds. When you courageously asked the world powers to ‘reduce the level of violence and bombings,’ we saw in every single one of your words the effort to save our children; those same defenseless humans whose lives you tried to protect by emphasizing the ‘necessity of protecting civilians and respecting international and humanitarian laws.’
“You, with an aching heart and a divine perspective, warned the awakened consciences of the world that ‘hate is increasing, violence is worsening, and many have lost their lives.’ Today, the empty chairs of the classrooms in Minab are bitter testaments to this very truth; a truth brought about by the making of American bombs directed by illogical warmongers. We thank you that amidst the tumult of war, you became the voice of righteousness and reminded everyone that lasting peace and tranquility are achieved ‘not through force and weapons, but through the path of dialogue and the genuine search for a solution for all.’
“Our children will never return home again to build a better tomorrow, but the prayer of us bereaved fathers and mothers is that your message to ‘lay down weapons’ is heard. Especially when America and the Israeli regime, with their excessive demands, fuel the fire of these crimes. We ask you to continue to be the voice of the voiceless children and strive to reopen ‘all paths of dialogue’, so that no more weapons are built, and no father or mother anywhere on this earthly sphere is forced to whisper a nighttime lullaby over the cold tombstone of their child.
“With endless sorrow and deep respect,
“A group of bereaved fathers and mothers of 168 martyred students of the city of Minab, Hormozgan Province - Iran”
For me, it is far better to grasp the Universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring.
~ Carl Sagan
The deadline imposed by the War Powers Act expires on May the first. Some could argue that the deadline might be extended due to the ceasefire, but there is nothing in the law that says anything about a ceasefire, although that point could be argued. Here is the main issue: if Trump ignores the deadline, then in my opinion he has committed an impeachable act. It would have to go to the House, and then to the Senate, and they would determine whether it rises to the level of removal. This would be a legitimate impeachment, even though there is no criminal penalty attached as far as I know.
He has an additional 30 days for withdrawal. Could he call it a fighting withdrawal, continue the fighting for another thirty days, and then pull out during the last couple of days? Those are all legal questions. I presume the military would not have a problem carrying out whatever withdrawal plan is ordered.
Soon, I’ll post my farewell message. The end is starting to get close. There are many misconceptions about me, and before I go, to live with my ancestors on the steppes, I want to set the record straight.
The same day Johnson preached about the “just war doctrine,” the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops issued a statement clarifying the theory and warned that the pope was not merely offering theological opinions when he spoke.
“A constant tenet of that thousand-year tradition is a nation can only legitimately take up the sword ‘in self-defense, once all peace efforts have failed,’” they said in a statement. “That is, to be a just war it must be a defense against another who actively wages war, which is what the Holy Father actually said: ‘He does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war.’”
And let's not forget Couch-Shagger Vance advised the Pope to be "careful" when discussing matters of theology. Bet Leo will consider his religious ideas with greater care from now on - in case Fras. Johnson and/or Vance are forced to correct him.
by a deadly insurgency.
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Aunt May, may I ask what is supposed to be wrong with healthy adult heterosexual couch‑shagging, especially if one’s partner is a gorgeous blonde or redhead? You had no problem when it was Bill Clinton in the Oval Office. You were young once, were you not, or were you born old and crotchety?
Soon, I’ll post my farewell message. The end is starting to get close. There are many misconceptions about me, and before I go, to live with my ancestors on the steppes, I want to set the record straight.
