THE "JUST WAR"
By R. A. Pearson

In the recent War with Iraq, most Americans eventually came around to supporting the Bush administration's position that the regime of Saddam Hussein had to be ousted and replaced with a new government. Americans concluded that Saddam Hussein's regime was an imminent threat to the peace and stability of the region, a threat to its own people, and most of all, an eminent danger to the United States. However, recent revelations about the Bush administration's deliberate manipulation of intelligence reports and the failure of allied forces to find any serious evidence of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq have led many Americans to conclude that the rationale given to the American people in the President's State of the Union Address in January of 2003 and in the statement that accompanied the opening of hostilities in March were exaggerated and perhaps, even fabricated.

As the guerilla war in Iraq escalates and as more Americans die in the attempt to stabilize the country, it becomes more evident that the Bush administration failed to provide the necessary planning needed to adequately secure the Iraqi population at war's end. It also failed to provide the planning and means necessary to rebuild the infrastructure needed to implement a constitutional government and to rebuild the economy in the occupied nation. These revelations are causing many Americans to ask, "Was the war justified?" Perhaps the American people need to look a step beyond this question and ask, "What is a just war?"

The issues involving a "Just War" have long plagued humanity in the attempts to rationalize the violence of war with the interests and stability of civilization. While a tremendous amount of ink has been utilized defining a "Just War," most serious analysis of the issue eventually turn to the three criteria established by the medieval scholar, philosopher, and theologian, St. Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274). The criteria for a "Just War" was identified and discussed in his influential work Summa Theologioe (Summary of Theology) compiled during the last years of his life.

The three points of a "Just War" included the following. 1) The war had to be declared and controlled by a just authority in the state. 2) The war had to be fought for a just cause. Finally, 3) The war must be for good or against evil, that is law had to be restored as a result of the conflict. In later years the Roman Catholic Church added two other criteria to the list. These included the war had to be a last resort, and the war had to be fought proportionally killing as few people as necessary.

The first point is important in considering an American perspective on the 'Just War." In the Constitution drawn up by our founding fathers (founding persons to be politically correct) in 1787 the right to declare war was delegated to Congress in Article I. Congress declared war against Britain in 1812, against Mexico in 1846, and against Spain in 1898. Congress also issued a declaration of war at the opening hostilities during World War I and World War II.

However, the President, under the auspices of the Commander and Chief clause of Article II, has initiated several wars without a declaration of war. Congress eventually voted funds and approval of these actions. Between 1801 and 1805 Pres. Thomas Jefferson sent the US Navy and Marines to deal with a threat to US shipping from the Barbary States of North Africa. During the administration of Theodore Roosevelt, TR intervened in various conflicts in Latin America and even in Morocco using his "Big Stick," the US Navy. In 1916 Pres. Woodrow Wilson sent General John J. "Black Jack" Pershing into Mexico to chase Pancho Villa, a Mexican bandito who had raided areas along the US-Mexican border. The Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Granada invasion, and the two Gulf Wars were all "undeclared" by Congress and the result of administrative action under the "Commander and Chief clause." Has Congress abrogated its authority to declare war to the President? While the line is blurry on who can initiate a war in the United States, Americans must consider what our founding fathers meant by "war" and how we entered into war.

The second and third measurements can be considered as interrelated entities. The second yardstick as outlined by St. Thomas Aquinas indicated that a war should be fought for a just cause. For St. Thomas these reasons included protection of one's home and state and the prevention of a worse evil than the war itself. The American response to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, is a good example of this standard. St. Thomas also offered unacceptable rationales for war including greed, revenge, and pride. Was the war fought over Saddam Hussein's imminent threats or our desire for Iraqi oil? Americans need to consider this as they evaluate the recent war.

In consideration of the third criteria provided by Aquinas, the war must be for good against evil and good must be restored at the end of hostilities. Americans can look to World War II as a good example. The evils of Nazism and the Japanese Empire were destroyed, and democracies and vibrant economies were established in the defeated states. A good example of a failed peace was the Treaty of Versailles at the end of World War I. Here the Germans were punished by the victorious nations of Britain and France, and the harshness of the treaty led to the rise of Hitler and World War II. Most Americans agree that the world and Iraq is a better place without Saddam Hussein; however, many now question the type of state that will develop in post-Saddam Iraq.

The forth principal for a "Just War" indicates that war should be a last resort. Today the world has many forums to help settle disputes that rise between nations. The world's organizations can be a major help in keeping world peace; however, the deliberations and discussions between the states, both the adversaries and the mediators, must put aside prejudices, old alliances, and even greed and revenge to make world mediation practical. The United Nations created after World War II has been successful, at times, in preventing and stopping conflicts around the world. However, as the world's economy, alliances, and expectations change in the 21st Century, the UN must change and adapt to meet needs of stable first world powers, developing nations, and even help guide the nations where Kalashnikov cultures exist into a more stable and workable society. The nations of the world must learn to set aside long term cultural prejudices and animosities and move toward peaceful settlements of their internal and international disputes. By peace building, rather than peace keeping, the world can eventually eliminate the diverse cavern between the wealthy nations and the poorer nations of the world.

The final yardstick for the "Just War" contends that the war must be fought proportionally. This means that a nation should not use more force than is needed to fight a war and should not kill more civilians than necessary. While most Americans agree that our smart bombs and surgical strikes cause a minimum of collateral damage, there are still those citizens that feel the amount of civilian casualties in any conflict are elevated and steps need to be taken to curtail noncombatant causalities still further.

As the American public continues to analyze and evaluate the recent war (and perhaps all the wars and conflicts of the last half century) the criteria of a 'Just War' as outlined by St. Thomas Aquinas over eight centuries ago still proves appropriate and relevant. The questions posed at the beginning of this article can only be answered by each individual citizen as we began to survey our individual and collective consciences, as well as the political fields of the 2004 elections. Was the war a "Just War?" Were our goals in the war and the method in which we entered and fought the war appropriate?

What is a "Just War, and how do we know it is a "Just War?" Maybe a "Just War" is a lot like "shock and awe." To paraphrase Secretary of Defense Daniel Rumsfeld, "We'll recognize one when we see it."

EMTs… Who are these dedicated people who first respond to render medical help and aid to everyone? From air disasters to car wrecks, from fires to sporting events, from victims of crime to delivering babies, and everything in between, these brave men and women put their all on the line 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. They are the first responders and immediate caregivers who provide initial care that without a doubt saves lives that would not otherwise be saved. They are a special breed of people for a special type of job.

At one time or another, all most everyone of us knows someone, has had a family member or friend or perhaps our self, that has needed and benefited from the care and experience of the EMTs. We at the Clarion Issue salute you and thank you for being there!

Not all of us have what it takes to be an EMT, a paramedic, or a health care provider. However, most all of us can and are quite capable of giving the gift of life. (I will be the first to admit that I am an organ donor, but I do not donate blood regularly. That is going to change.) Giving blood is something that most people take for granted; that someone else does and it will be there. Stop and think for a moment, what if no one bothered to give the gift of life. Go ahead; think about it for a moment. You or your loved ones, your friends, or someone else's loved ones just might not be here.

Giving blood is fairly easy to do and relatively painless and takes so little time. There is no chance of getting a disease. Sure people will pull together in times of disasters to give blood and then go off and don't do it again after the disaster has passed. However, that does not put an end to the need. If you donate regularly, THANK YOU! If you don't, please start giving the "Gift of Life." You will help save lives! Perhaps a child's life or perhaps someone's mother, father, sibling or friend.

Now this part is even easier to do - Organ Donation. While some have a problem with it because of religious or other personal beliefs, Organ Donation is important. In most states now when you get your driver's license, you can opt to become an organ donor. Georgia offers a discount on the price of the license for doing it. You can check with your family healthcare provider for more information.

Currently there are over 80,000 men, women, young adults, and children on the list for organ transplants. The largest group waiting is from 18 - 49 years of age. Last year over 6,000 people died due to the lack of organs. That is sixteen people every day. Sixteen families are losing loved ones every day, not to mention the many friends these people had. Their lives could have been saved. Last year over 22,000 lives were saved by those who gave "The Ultimate Gift of Life." Think about that for a minute…go ahead and think about it. I will wait.

My coworker, the editor of the Clarion Issue, is an organ donor recipient. He was on dialysis 20 months and on the waiting list for 16 months. He received a kidney from a 16-year-old accident victim. While it is understandably hard for families at such a time to make such a decision, it is sometimes even harder to respect the wishes of their loved one's commitment. IT IS MOST IMPORTANT YOU talk this over with your families and those you care about. Let them know your wishes and that they can help save lives by your giving of yourself and perhaps themselves. There is no age limit to Organ Donors, just physical condition.

The doctors will work just as hard to save the life of a donor, and they will not deny any treatment to the donor. It is a separate team of doctors that will harvest the organs.

Please become an organ donor. Give the Ultimate Gift! Who knows how many lives you will help save or affect with such a gift and sacrifice?

John Landry 1955-2003

Thus I come to my Tribute to John Landry. Perhaps all of you are wondering, "Who is John Landry?" John was an EMT for 25 years in West Springfield, Massachusetts. He was one of the first EMT's to give medical treatment at Motocross in Southwick. John Landry had to leave the job he loved after a back injury. Please forgive my mixed using of "is and was" since John is still with those of whom that knew him.

John is a big time Parrothead (Jimmy Buffett fan) that I met on the Church of Buffett, Orthodox (CoB,O for short)Forum. John was well liked and loved by all those that knew him either from online or in real life. John was an Irish American and was proud of it!

John shared his love for music with everyone. Gayla, another member of the CoB,O group and from Alabama, started hosting an annual "Gayla Gras" event. John flew into Atlanta from Mass., and Gayla drove over two and a half-hours to meet him and drive him back to her house. Mind you she had never met John before except on the board and talked on the phone. To quote Gayla "I knew as soon as I saw him in the airport I would love him." This is the effect John has and had on people. There are so many people I want to thank here that space does not permit; however, I do want to thank Kat, Bob, Chris, Hi, 157, Garry, Gayla, CB, CS, Dave, Kait, Dan, LIPH, 2fla, Des, Celeste, Linda, and Tammy and all of the other Calaloonies and those from Buffet News and Parrot Key.

I want to thank John's mother and family and his ParrotHead Club and thank all of his other friends that I have not named that have shared in this short while John was allowed to walk paths with us.

John had been spending a lot of time in the hospital recently. John's heart, as big as it was, and how much he gave of it to everyone, was giving out. On the morning of 30 July 2003 around 5:30 a.m., John passed on to the Island paradise he always wanted. John was undergoing tests to see if he qualified for a heart transplant at the time of his passing. A heart transplant might have saved this terrific guy.

So John, keep the grill going, the coolers full, and the blenders ready for the rest of us. Fair winds and calm seas to you my Brud'dah! You are gone, but you will never be forgotten.

"It's been a lovely cruise!"

SLAINTE

SPORTS SHORTS By R. A. Pearson
"SAY IT AIN'T SO, SAMMY"

The sports and baseball world was shocked, dazed, and confused on Tuesday June 3, 2003, when Chicago Cubs superstar, Sammy Sosa, was ejected from a game against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays for using a corked bat during the first inning. The game occurred at the "friendly confines" of Chicago's Wrigley Field during interleague play.

Sosa's bat had broken when he hit a ground ball to second base scoring a runner on third. The cork embedded in the bat was discovered when umpire crew chief Tim McClelland looked at the broken bat. The run was erased from the scoreboard, the runner Mark Grundzielanek was sent back to third, and Sosa was called out and ejected from the game. The umpires took the bat into their clubhouse and baseball authorities confiscated all of Sosa's bats for inspection. The Cubs won the game 3-2.

In an interview after the game, Sosa apologized to his teammates, the fans, and baseball officials for the incident. He explained that he used the corked bat to entertain fans who show up to watch pre-game batting practice; the corked bat allowed him to hit more homeruns during the pre-game event. He explained that the corked bat was the one he used for batting practice, and he had inadvertently used it during his first at bat.

Many baseball players believe that a corked bat helps them hit the ball farther, and cork does make the bat lighter, which helps generate greater bat speed. Corked bats are against baseball rules.

On June 4th, the day after the broken bat incident, the baseball and sports world broke out with tremendous speculation over the corked bat issue. The TV early morning shows, the sports TV and radio talk shows, and major newspapers all over the nation covered, analyzed, and discussed the issue. CNBC, a major financial network, even had a guest who discussed the financial impact of the incident on Sammy Sosa and Cubs memorabilia. ESPN, the nations major sports network, featured a Florida sports memorabilia salesman who cut open Sammy Sosa's 498th homerun bat, valued at around $9,000, on live TV. The bat was solid.

Even the late night TV comedians got on the bandwagon. Jay Leno introduced the Sammy Sosa wine bottle. The wine was housed in a bat shaped bottle with a cork in the top. Dave Letterman countered with a "top ten" of Sammy Sosa explanations. My favorite was number six; "Hans Blix checked my bat for three months without finding any cork." Of course the number one explanation was, "Pete Rose bet me I wouldn't do it." Major League Baseball checked all 76 bats seized from Sosa and determined that there were no other corked bats in his arsenal. Collectors of baseball memorabilia and the baseball Hall of Fame also x-rayed Sosa's bats and found no cork.
The 2003 season has not been kind to Sosa. He had missed 17 games after surgery on his toe and had hit only six homeruns at the time of the corked bat incident. Sosa, perceived as one of the heroes of baseball, was catapulted to fame during the 1998 homerun race with Mark McGwire. While both men passed Roger Maris' homerun mark of 61, McGwire did it first and won the race hitting 70 homers to Sosa's 66. Sosa is a six time All-Star, and he has hit over 60 homeruns in three seasons from 1998 to 2001. On June 3, 2003 Sosa had hit 505 homeruns, making him 17th on the all time homerun list.

On June 6th' Major League Baseball authorities suspended Sosa for a few games for using a corked bat in a game. For people who believe in Sosa the incident is over. They believe it was a mistake like he indicated on the night of the broken bat. For the skeptics, doubters, and cynics, Sammy Sosa got caught cheating. For Sammy Sosa, all his records and accomplishments will be questioned from now on due to the corked bat incident. To all of us, the events of the early June are proof once again that all heroes and idols have clay feet. It may not be as bad as the "Black Sox" throwing a World Series, but "Say it ain't so, Sammy."

Editor's note: In a unique twist to the corked bat incident, the umpire that ejected Sosa from the game was Tim McClelland, the same umpire that took away Kansas City Royals' George Brett's homerun in the famous "pine tar bat" controversy in 1983. The "pine tar bat" incident involved the infamous New York Yankee manager Billy Martin and resulted in the replaying of several innings of the game later in the season. However, in this incident Cubs manager Dusty Baker did not kick dust on McClelland's shoes.

HUMOR US

The Lone Ranger and Tonto went camping in the desert. After they got their tent all set up, they fell sound asleep. Some hours later, the Lone Ranger wakes his faithful friend and says, "Tonto, look up at the sky and tell me what you see."

Tonto replies, "Me see millions of stars."

"What does that tell you?" asked The Lone Ranger.

Tonto ponders for a minute, then says, "Astronomically speaking, it tells me that there are millions of galaxies and potentially billions of planets. Astrologically, it tells me that Saturn is in Leo. Time wise, it appears to be approximately a quarter past three in the morning. Theologically, it's evident the Lord is all-powerful and we are small and insignificant. Meteorologically, it seems we will have a beautiful day tomorrow. What it tell you, Kemo Sabe"?

The Lone Ranger is silent for a moment, then says, "Tonto, you idiot, someone has stolen our tent."

TOP 10 THINGS NEVER TO SAY TO A COP

10. Gee officer! That's terrific. The last officer only gave me a warning too!
9. I was trying to keep up with the traffic. Yes I know there are no other cars
around. That's how far ahead of me they are.
8. You're not gonna check the trunk, are you?
7. When the officer says, "Gee son… you're eyes look red, have you been
drinking?" Don't say, "Gee officer your eyes look glazed. Have you been
eating donuts?"
6. Do you know why you pulled me over? Okay, just so long as one of us does.
5. Sorry officer, I didn't realize my radar wasn't plugged in.
4. Are you Andy or Barney?
3. Good job! You had to be going 125 mph to catch me.
2. Aren't you the guy from the Village People?
1. I can't reach my license unless you hold my beer.

DID HE REALLY SAY THAT?

"The California crunch really is the result of not enough power generating plants and then not enough power to power the power generating plants."

President George W. Bush

SPEAKIN' SOUTHERN
SOUTHERN PHRASES PART III

"He ran like his feet (or head) was on fire an' his butt was a catchin'."- He got out of
there fast!
"Uglier than a lard bucket full of armpits."- It is ugly.
"Uglier than homemade soap an' rough as a cob."- It is ugly and tough (or rough).
"Fell out of the ugly tree an' hit every branch on the way down."- It is ugly.
"He (or she) has been beat with an ugly stick."- He or she is ugly.

Usage:

Buford- "Hey Bubba. I here you and Charlene went to th' zoo. What did yall see?"
Bubba- "Well I liked the Zebras. They sorta look like horses in 'Cool Hand Luke' duds,
but Charlene liked them there oh-rang-a tangs (orangutans)."
Buford- "Really!"
Bubba- "Yea. Charlene said them oh-rang-a tangs was cuter than a sack full of puppies,
but I thought they was uglier than a lard bucket full of armpits."

Elmira: "Elvira, you shore you want 'a go out with Billy Ray?"
Elvira: "Sho' nuff sister. I think he's OK."
Elmira: "Lord girl! He's uglier than homemade soap an' rough as a cob."

Lulu: "Mama, that Goober asked me out to the barn dance on Saturday night, and I don't
want 'a go with him. Why he's so ugly he must 'a fell out 'a ugly tree and hit
every branch on the way down."
Mama: "Yea. Ol' Goober looks like somebody beat 'im with an ugly stick, bless his
heart."

Charlie Daniels: "I had 'em all out there a stepping and fetching-
Like their heads were on fire and their butts were a catching,
But I decided to split before the cops got there."
From "Uneasy Rider"

ANTIQUE STORE CELEBRATES STROM THURMOND'S DEMISE WITH SALE

Just one day after the legendary Senator from South Carolina, Strom Thurmond, left this vale of tears at the age of 100 a Michigan antiques dealer held a sale in the centurion's "honor." The sale, that began at "Decades" in Royal Oak, Michigan, on June 27, was billed as the "Strom Thurmond Is Finally Dead Sale."

The store owner, Bill Krout, indicated that the sale was, in part, a protest over the praise and laurels handed to Thurmond by members of the government at the time of his death, even though they had persecuted, hounded, and demoted Senate Republican Leader Trent Lott for his comments praising Thurmond at the late Senator's 100th birthday party.

Krout, a 43-year-old businessman, indicated that he did not hold Strom Thurmond in very high esteem saying that, "He was a hideous racist homophobe and a dreadful human being." But Krout also indicated that while the sale was his statement on Thurmond and politics, like any good American he would do "Anything to make a buck."

The Decades owner indicated that only one person had voiced any objection to the "Strom Thurmond Is Finally Dead Sale" and most people just laughed and made a purchase. Krout also indicated that there were individuals who did not even know who Strom Thurmond was. Evidently, there are not many "Dixiecrats" in the Wolverine State.

SUSAN SMITH, SOUTH CAROLINA CHILD KILLER, SEEKS PEN PALS FROM PRISON

Susan Smith, the 31-year-old South Carolina murderess who strapped her two small children into the backseat of a car and rolled it into a lake in 1994, has placed an ad in an online line publication seeking pen pals. The ad appeared in WriteAPrisoner.com, a Florida based on line cooperation and cost Smith $40. South Carolina's Corrections Director Jon Osmint confirmed that the ad was authentic; although, the ad's validity had been questioned by some of Smith's relatives. Smith has reportedly received more than 700 e-mails in response to the ad.

In the ad Smith indicated she was "Hoping to receive letters from those who are not judgmental and who are sincere." She went on to describe her interests as "rainbows, Mickey Mouse, the beach, mountains, and waterfalls," She also indicated that during her spare time she enjoys reading, working puzzles and writing. Her favorite color is navy blue. Smith's ad also indicated, "I consider myself to be sensitive, caring and kind-hearted. I'm currently serving a life sentence on the charge of murder." (The Clarion Issue is glad she clarified that point.)

Susan Smith was convicted of murdering her two children, Michael (3-years-old) and Alex (14 months) in 1994. After rolling her car into a lake she then told authorities and the news media that she had been car jacked by an African American man, causing major discontent in the community when the true facts about the case became known.

Smith is serving a life sentence without parole at Leath Correctional Institution in Greenwood, South Carolina, about 75 miles east of Columbia. Susan Smith is the highest profile prisoner in that institution according to prison authorities.

The on line site WriteAPrisoner.com has indicated that the extraordinary response to Smith's ad has caused major overload problems with their site and has offered her a refund if she pulled the ad. Prison officials at Leath Institution have reported an increase in Smith's snail mail.

STUCK INSIDE THE WINDSHIELD WITH THE … PART II: THE TRIAL

The trial of a Texas woman accused of hitting a homeless man and leaving him to die of shock and blood loss while stuck in the windshield began in Fort Worth, Texas, on June 23rd. The defendant, Chante Jawan Mallard, a 27-year-old former nurse's aid, admits that she smoked marijuana, drank heavily, and took the designer drug Ecstasy and proceeded to drive home in the early hours of October 26, 2001. It was on the drive home when she struck Gregory Biggs, a 37 year-old homeless man, and he became lodged in her windshield. Mallard then drove home, parked the cat in the garage, and left Biggs to die a slow death stuck in the windshield.

The trial took about three days. Two of Mallard's accomplices in the cover up of the crime, Clete Jackson and Herbert Cleveland, testified against Mallard after pleading guilty to tampering with evidence and receiving lesser sentences. The two men had helped Mallard remove and dispose of the body. Mallard did not testify in her own behalf during the trial. Forensic evidence in the case indicated that Biggs would have survived his initial injuries if he had been taken to the hospital immediately after the accident.

It took the jury less than an hour to deliver a guilty verdict in the case on Thursday June 26th. The penalty phase of the trial began later that same day.

During the penalty phase, a tearful and distraught Chante Mallard apologized to the Biggs family, while describing her life had become a life of drug and alcohol abuse since the mid-1990s. Several other family and church friends testified for Mallard during this phase of the trial.

The jury recommended that Mallard receive 50 years in prison for the murder of Biggs and another 10 years for tampering with evidence. The sentences will run concurrently.

2004 G-8 SUMMIT SET FOR SEA ISLAND, GA
BRUNSWICK, ARE YOU READY TO RUMBLE?

In a press release dated July 15, 2003, Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue (Rep.) announced that President George Bush would host the 2004 G-8 (Group of Eight) Summit on Sea Island, Ga. The press release indicated that the summit is expected to bring over $200 million to the economy of the area. The coastal area of Georgia is expected to be over run with journalist, petty governmental bureaucrats, and diplomats during the summit.
The Summit will be held at the Cloister Hotel on Sea Island. The Cloister is owned and operated by the Sea Island Co. and Bill Jones III is the company's CEO.
The nations in the G-8 include the US, Japan, Germany, France, Italy, Canada, Russia, and the UK.
The Governor's statement failed to mention the 38,000 projected G-8 Summit protestors from around the world expected to converge on the area to protest the stranglehold the major world's capitalist bankers and industrial elitists have on the global economy. The press release also failed to mention the violent protests and riots expected in the area reminiscent of the G-8 protests during the 2002 Summit in Seattle, Washington. The good merchants of the Brunswick, Ga. area may do better to make hurricane preparations rather than planning for increased business.
For Clarion Issue readers who are opposed to the world economy being dominated by G-8 capitalist leaders, NAFTA, the World Bank, NATO, genetically altered foods, or any other cause, keep an eye on our future issues. We intend to inform our readers of any protest training schools or camps in the area between now and the G-8 Summit of 2004. For those of you who wish to travel out of the area for training go to www.protest.net for links, lists and all your protest information and needs.
For a hardy meal after a hard day of protesting the establishment in the Golden Is. area, the Clarion Issue recommends Bennie's Red Barn at the north end of St. Simons Is. It ain't the Cloister, but here you can get a side order of Brunswick Stew with your steak, and you want be stared at for using the wrong fork. Reservations might be necessary after 7:00.
The Clarion Issue also pledges that our G-8 coverage will not conflict with our coverage of the 2004 World Summit on Toilets to be held in China.

WILD EYED AND WICKED PUT DOWN AFTER ATTACK

Two American Saddlebreds were euthanized on July 17th almost three weeks after an unknown assailant injected them in their legs with a caustic substance. The two horses, He's Prince Charming and five-gaited world champion, Wild Eyed and Wicked, were put down after they took a turn for the worse during the night of July 18th. Wild Eyed and Wicked won the saddlebred Triple Crown in 2000 and 2001. Another horse, Kiss Me, was euthanized the next day. Four of the five horses attacked in the incident were supposed to compete this week in the Lexington Junior League Horse Show at The Red Mile, an event in the breed's Triple Crown. The event was being held in Lexington, Kentucky. The injured horses were housed and being treated at the Double D, a ranch near Versailles, Kentucky.

The two remaining horses, Sassational and Cats Don't Dance, were responding well to treatment, and one has already returned to training. The horses were treated with novel tissue restoration treatments, systemic antibiotics, and hyperbaric oxygen chamber therapy.

Authorities, horse trainers, and breeders are baffled by the attack on the horses. While Bluegrass horse breeding and training is extremely competitive, the people involved in the sport are friends, and industry officials cannot even imagine the sabotaging an opponent's horses.

American saddlebreds are high-stepping, muscular horses with long, arched necks that are judged for their distinctive walking styles known as gaits.

The Nation           Back to Top

WHY POST OFFICE EMPLOYEES "GO POSTAL"

On June 20th, Postal employee Kenia Cooper of Kansas City, Missouri, was told "to go home and not to return" by Westport post office officials for delivering the mail in her mailbag. Inadvertently placed in her mailbag was a copy of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, scheduled to be delivered the next day, June 21st. Cooper delivered the package a day early, totally by mistake.

The long awaited fifth book in the Harry Potter series was delivered to the workplace of Connie Fifer, who realized that a mistake had occurred but opened the package anyway. She allowed a co-worked to begin reading the book, and the co-worker had read about two chapters when the postal officials realized their error, called Connie Fifer, and reclaimed the book. The package was marked do not deliver before June 21, but Cooper claimed she did not notice the delivery date and had missed all the hype over the books release.

So why was she fired for doing her job? As it turned out she was only suspended but that was after the story concerning the incident broke. We pay postal employees to deliver the mail, not to help produce the hype and sensationalism over a children's book about magic.

The real culprit here is the on line book store that mailed the copy early and the author and publishing company that demanded secrecy about the book. Our postal service is over worked, bombarded with junk mail (the predecessor of SPAM), and simply does not have time to deliver mail with do not deliver until… dates. The postal service, especially the supervisors of Kenia Cooper, were wrong to discipline her and should be disciplined themselves for participating in the Harry Potter hype and reprimanded for wasting time to retrieve the book after it was delivered.

We already have postal workers that hate Christmas due to the stress and overwork that they have during the holiday season. Now cooperate America is trying to add a Harry Potter release to their stressful periods. Gee, and we dare wonder why postal workers "go postal!"

EDITORS NOTE: All the Harry Potter hype was for naught as an entire semi-truck load of books was stolen in the UK two days before the official release date of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.

COMEDY TERRORIST CRASHES ROYAL BIRTHDAY BASH

A self-proclaimed comedy terrorist, Aaron Barschak, eased his way into Prince William's Windsor Palace 21st birthday party on June 21st and seized the microphone from the prince as he was speaking to the crowd of about 300 well wishers, including Prince Charles and Queen Elizabeth II, around 11:15 p.m. He shouted, "I am Osama!" several times before he was subdued, arrested, and removed by palace security and Scotland Yard police. He gave a "royal wave" to the crowd as he was driven away by authorities.

Aaron Barschak, a 36-year-old comedian, was dressed for the "Out of Africa" royal regalia as Osama Bin Laden in drag. Barschak was dressed in a white turban, sunglasses, a fake Osama beard and hair, accented by a formal length pink dress. The Clarion Issue's London and Paris style reporter, who was snubbed by the royals and not invited to the party, was unable to obtain information on the color Barschak's shoes or the color of the corsage he was wearing for the royal birthday bash. Some guests, and even Prince William, thought for a brief time that Barschak was part of the entertainment.

According to the investigating authorities Barschak's appearance at the party was a publicity stunt to promote his comedy act. Barschak had pulled a similar stunt at an anti-war (or pro-peace to be politically correct) rally taking a microphone from London's mayor Ken Livingstone earlier this year. In an interview with Fred Barschak, 72, the comedian's father indicated that his son liked the royal family and certainly meant them no harm. Of course, what comedian or tabloid newspaper does not like the royals?

The authorities and security seemed more concerned with how Barschak gained entry to the palace than the intruder himself. Barschak indicated he had mingled with the crowd outside the palace (royal watchers and paparazzi) and scaled the palace wall. He then bluffed his way past several security officers to gain entry to the party. Barschak dodged over 100 police and security personal and several surveillance cameras to gain entry to the party. Home Secretary David Blunkett and Prime Minister Tony Blair had a lot of explaining to do to Buckingham Palace.

Aaron Barschak got his wish. The incident catapulted him to immediate stardom on the British comedy circuit, at least for a while. Barschak will be a headliner at several clubs, such as the Cheeky Monkey Club in Birmingham, a true comedy "Mecca" (pardon the pun), before he appears in "Osama Likes It Hot" at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland later this year.

Prince William, whose 21st birthday party was crashed by the "comedy terrorist," is now attending college at St. Andrews, Scotland. He has stated that he would like to live in the United States for a while after he graduates. The prince has been offered a "place to crash" by Ozzy and Sharon Osborne in their Beverly Hills mansion while he lives in the "colonies." According to Ozzy, who was born in Birmingham, England, "My daughter would be thrilled. My wife would. I would. And the dogs would!" Spokespersons for Buckingham Palace have not commented on the offer, but considering the Prince's desire for a private life, the MTV cameras capturing all the action in the Osborne mansion might prove a little too much exposure for Prince William.

The Clarion Issue wishes to clarify that this Aaron Barschak, from the northern area of London, is a different person from Aaron Alexanda (sic) Barschak, the south London resident accused of defacing a painting by controversial Turner Prize nominees Jake and Dios Chapman. Aaron A. Barschak attacked the Chapman brother's painting, "The Rape of Creativity," felt by some to be a rip off of the Spanish artist Goya, then on display at the Modern Art Oxford Museum in early June. Aaron A. Barschak is accused of throwing red paint on the artwork. Other art "masterpieces" by the Chapmans include mutilated bodies in "Great Deeds Against the Dead," "Insult to Injury," and "Nazi soldiers molesting each other in the work Hell." After viewing a few of the Chapman brothers' "art works" the Clarion Issue feels that Aaron A. Barschak should not be punished but given more red paint and a ticket to all the Chapman brothers' art exhibits.

Since both Aaron Barschaks are 36 and from London, the Clarion Issue wanted to qualify this point for our news-hungry readers who keep up with important events such as these stories, the Calcutta, India, rat catchers strike, and the Christ Church, New Zealand, mayoral race.

ROLLING STONES APPEAR ON AUSTRIAN STAMP

The Rolling Stones, the self-proclaimed "Greatest Rock and Roll Band in the World," now have a place in the history of philately. On June 18, 2003, the Austrian postal service released a four set series of stamps commemorating the band. The release coincided with the Stones' Vienna concert.

Each stamp featured one of the current band members (Mick Jagger, Ron Wood, Keith Richards, and Charlie Watts) performing live and included their famous tongue logo in the corner.

The stamps sell for 0.55 Euros each and the Austrian post office expects to place a million stamps in circulation.

The Rolling Stones also played a massive concert in Toronto, Canada, a city only recently released from a World Health Organization (WHO) travel advisory due to concerns over the recent outbreak of SARS around the world. The event took place on July 30th in the docklands area of the city.

Toronto was hit hard during the SARS epidemic and had to cancel several high profile concerts including Elton John and Billy Joel.

JAPANESE REVISIONIST SEEK TO RENAME HISTORIC HENDERSON FIELD

A Japanese consultant group, hired by the government of the Solomon Islands, has recommended that the name of historic Henderson Field, the focal point of the World War II Battle of Guadalcanal, be renamed to make the site more palatable to Japanese tourists. The firm has recommended the field be renamed for the chrysanthemum, the national flower of Japan. The chrysanthemum ornamented every rifle issued to Japanese soldiers during World War II. The flower was often filed off the rifle before the Japanese soldiers surrendered it to allied forces.

The conquest of the airfield was a strategic step in securing the southern Solomon Islands and provided an important air base for American fighters and bombers operating in the Solomon Slot. The Battle of Guadalcanal, which lasted six months, represented the first American offensive action in the Pacific campaign and cost the lives of over 2,000 American service men. The airfield was named Henderson Field in honor of Major Lofton Henderson, the first Marine airman killed at the Battle of Midway.

The attempt to rename the field, now an international airport, has drawn fire from many American service men and women and veterans of World War II. Dr. Ervin Kaplan, veteran of the 2nd Marine Raider Battalion observed, "Anything that is changed after 60 years to promote commercial enterprise or false national pride is revisionist history. They lost the war. We turned them all the way back to Tokyo. They didn't win the war, and they shouldn't rename it after their national flower."

Concerned Americans have petitioned the government of the Solomon Islands, including its Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, to reconsider. The petition reads in part, "The idea that the airport's name would be changed would dishonor both the Allies who served there, and the Japanese who fought on the island, as it would strip the historical heritage of this important name for future generations of Solomon Islanders, and travelers who arrive and depart the country. The airfield is synonymous with sacrifice and was arguably one of the most pivotal airfields in the entire Pacific Campaign, and possibly all of WWII, as its fall would have compromised the shipping lanes to Australia and was vital as America's first offensive in the Pacific.

While the debate escalates, the government of the Solomon Islands continues to make improvements on the airport, and the Japanese continue to utilize the Islands as a major vacation site. The Clarion Issue is unaware of any official position the US government has taken on the attempt to rename Henderson Field.

In a Clarion Issue interview with a World War II veteran, the elder solider replied that the name of the airfield should remain Henderson Field saying, "That real-estate was bought and paid for with the blood of many a GI during the 'Big One, WWII.' If the Japanese tourists don't like the name they don't have to visit the airfield. As far as I'm concerned they can stay off the USS Arizona Memorial when they visit Hawaii too." When asked about the atomic bomb controversy he replied, "What controversy? The bomb saved many American and Japanese lives, and I personally feel like those people deserved every electron they got."

The Clarion Issue also wishes to remind its readers that the Japanese have never apologized for the sneak attack on Pearl Harbor, the Bataan Death March, the horrific treatment and enslavement of allied prisoners (60% of whom were starved or worked to death), the "Rape of Nanjing" in China, and other atrocities committed by the Japanese Empire during World War II.

IRAQI SIAMESE TWINS DIE AFTER SUGERY IN SINGAPORE

Two Iraqi Siamese twins, conjoined at the head died after separation surgery in a Singapore hospital on July 6, 2003. The twins, Laleh and Landan Bijani were 29 at the time of their death.

According to reports, the craniopagus twins were older than a successful operation to separate similarly conjoined twins that occurred in 1952 and therefore more difficult.

The operation took 28 surgeons and over 100 medical assistants at Raffles Hospital in Singapore more than two days to separate the twins. After the separation the twins died from a loss of blood.

According to French doctor Pierre Lasjaunias, a professor of neurology and radiology at Paris's Kremlin-Bicetre hospital and a member of the international team that preformed the operation, the surgeons hit an unexpected blood trap between the meninges (the protective lining of the brain, where we get the term meningitis) and the skull. The trap was "like pockets of blood, exceptionally large blood sacs, which had no known purpose but were not the cause of any disorder." Cutting into this "blood trap" caused the bleeding that could not be stopped after the actual separation.

The twins were buried at Lohrasb, their native village in Iraq on July 13th with thousands of mourners in attendance. The world community, which had followed the separation attempt with much interest and hope, also grieved for the young ladies but applauded their bravery for risking their lives in the risky surgery.

Clarion Issue Trivia

C.I. TRIVIA

What was the name of Confederate General John B. Gordon's original Civil War Unit?
A. the Raccoon Roughs
B. the Telfair Zouaves
C. the Fannin Co. Frontier Rifles
D. the Coweta Co. Artillery
E. the Eatonton Grays

Answer A John B. Gordon was a member of the Raccoon Roughs. He rose in the ranks to General and led the last charge at Appomattox in 1865. He later served as Governor of Ga. and later was a US Senator from the same state.

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