Jane Fonda needs to rethink Django

Jane Fonda is a great actress (two Academy Awards, countless nominations).  She's also done some great things in her life.  Far too many to list here.  But she's raised a child of color, she's worked (and continues working with) girls of all colors on the issue of identity and respect to help lower the rates of teen pregnancy.

Which is why Betty and I were so bothered by Jane's blog post today.  There's Curiosity news today and Betty blogs about the Mars land rover so I told her I'd grab the Jane topic.  Jane's writing about the fun she's had at various parties of late.  Great.  Good for her.

She writes about things I disagree about (such as the 'great' Jodie Foster coming out of the closet -- at 50, when the career is over, as Marcia noted in "What a load of crap" it's not only cowardly, it's too late to impact at risk teens) and that's fine.  People can disagree.  Maybe that's not alright.  I'm sorry, Marcia is a lesbian.  Obviously, it's a serious issue so don't let me just sweep this under the rug.  Jodie could have made a difference in 1992 or at any time after.  (That's when protesters were calling for her to come out of the closet.)  I'm glad Demi Moore is doing well but pretend I'm not, okay?  So we disagree on Demi.  And that's fine, people can disagree.

But Jane is a White woman.  That's not a curse.  She's certainly used her position to help many over the years -- Native Americans, Black Panthers, Latinos, LGBTs, etc.

But what it does mean is that maybe you're not the best expert on slavery -- at least not from a slave or a slave descendent's point of view.  This is the paragraph that bothers Betty and me:



There’s a scene in “Django” where Kerry Washington is lashed with a whip. I told Quentin that it was the first such scene that I actually believed. I could feel every lash. Kerry seemed to be receiving each lash on behalf of her ancestors, all those who had experienced that, all the ghosts of the slaves on the actual plantation where they filmed. Kerry really got to me and I cried. I asked if it was a hard scene to shoot and he said that the one where Jamie Foxx has to get down on his knees before a white man and beg him not to whip his wife was perhaps even harder. “I filmed that myself with a hand held camera,” he said. “I was crying and my tears filled the camera lens and it fogged over and I couldn’t even see exactly what I was filming. I just pointed the camera in what I thought was the right direction.” “Did you actually use that footage you shot yourself?” I asked. “Yes,” he answered, “That’s the footage in the film.” It’s an important film, as is “Lincoln.” I have read about and heard people say after coming out of “Django,” that they’d never realized before what slavery was really like.


Quentin Tarantino has made yet another exploitation film.  It's not art.  It may be stylized but it's a cheap piece of scholck.  Yes, I saw it.  I like Kerry Washington and was hoping for the best.  But I didn't see even good on the screen.  I believe the N-word was used over 100 times. 

I felt degraded and abused from watching that film.

Jane can enjoy the film for many reasons.  But don't pretend that it's explaining slavery.  Don't pretend that it's Roots or anywhere near that.

That's where we draw the line, Betty and I.  A White man who portrays our people as crooks (drug dealers, killers, etc.) decided to make a 70s exploitation film and I'm not going to pretend that it told the story of slavery.  I'm not going to pretend that it was uplifting.  It struck me as a film that was degrading to African-Americans and that played up to Whites.  There's a message in that film, intentional or not, that basically wants to argue if we'd all just fought a little harder . . .  In other words, it's our fault -- the film does make this argument in the subtext -- that we were slaves.

I'm sorry.  If Jane had written that she enjoyed the film, I would've just rolled my eyes and thought, "Well, it's a cultural difference."  But when she wants to include that some people learn about slavery from this film?  No, ma'am, they do not. 

I am insulted that anyone would suggest that.

I thought C.I. had the most wonderful comment a few weeks back.  Stan had written "Ron's White Panic" which was an amazing post.  And a White man savaged him for it because heaven forbid us Black folk ever gett 'uppity' and start thinking we can comment about how White people portray us.  C.I. called out the idiot attackin Stan, "White Ron may think it's funny when every Tarentino film uses the n-word, but White Ron isn't an African-American sitting in the theater hearing all the Whites laugh hilariously every time that word comes up.  Stan is completely right that he has every right to criticize or call out someone using the n-word.  That Ron's devotion to Quentin is so great that he can't grasp that an African-American could respond differently to what he finds hilarious goes to the limitations of Ron."  Before the next White person rushes in to reassure that all is fine with Tarantino's Django, I wish they would stop for a moment and imagine what it's like to be African-American and watching that garbage.  It's not as entertaining.




This is C.I.'s "Iraq snapshot:"

Tuesday, January 15, 2013.  Chaos and violence continue, a Sunni politicians is assassinated by a suicide bomber, Nouri al-Maliki tries to distort the details of the death of his political rival, whispers in Iraq move to Iran as the chatter is that the United States intends to split Iraq into three sections, and more.    Today Bob Somerby writes yet another dumb and sexist attack on Maureen Dowd.  In order to go to town on her, he has to quote someone he was not all that long ago cautioning others about citing.  But if you play Bash the Bitch, Bob will come.   Maureen Dowd is many things -- some good, some bad -- but she's rarely as boring as Bob.  Dowd  wrote about a White House photo that's been getting a great deal of press attention of late.  You can see it at Third in "The real War on Women" and Ava and I covered the photo in "TV: Screw Little Mika."  Idiot Bob quotes David Gregory from Sunday's Meet The Press.  Ava and I had to quote that broadcast in our piece -- that we wrote two days ago -- but we didn't go with David Gregory, we went with Andrea Mitchell explaining the photo to the Meet The Press panel.   Andrea Mitchell:  Let me just say that was a White House photo. That picture was taken by the president's photographer, and that indicated who was around him when he was dealing with the fiscal cliff negotiations. That's what that picture represented. At the highest levels of the White House and in the cabinet you have men and they are white men. Now, the numbers, we can play the numbers game, but as another Democratic president said during a transition in 1992, "You bean counters, you women's groups who are, you know, counting heads, I'm going to fill these jobs." But they were at lower levels. The fact is that men help elect the president. Women voted for the president in the greatest numbers, but the men on his team were the predominant people. You have two women who are the White House deputy chiefs of staff --- Nancy -- Ann DeParle is leaving this week -- but two women, and neither of them are being mentioned in any of these trial balloons to replace Jack Lew. And that's why women, including the women in the White House, I've got to tell you, I wrote a story about this this week, and I did not get one complaint. I get lots of complaints from the White House about things that I say and do. And, you know, sometimes it's correct, sometimes I have to correct something, but not one person, and I have talked to several people inside the White House, women, and they said, "No, we didn't have any problem with what you wrote about this week." The women are not happy.      Somerby doesn't quote Andrea.  Quoting her would expose the fallacy of his column.  The picture is about who's in the room when the decisions are made.  Andrea Mitchell, Soledad O'Brien, Ruth Marcus and many others have managed to explain the point that  escapes Somerby.   It's interesting because they all made points about diversity -- they all made points about all women and they also made points about men of color.  Somerby ignores the men of color aspect.   We're opening with this to make two main points.   First, I don't give a damn what you did four years ago if you think that excuses what you do today.  It doesn't.    You ought to be thankful for the little things But little things are all you seem to give You're always putting off what we could do today Soap opera says you've got One Life To Live Who's right? Who's wrong? What have you done for me lately? "What Have You Done for Me Lately," written by James Harris III, Terry Leiws and Janet Jackson, first appears on Janet's Control   You need to do better than you did four years ago or you need to retire.  I don't care what your business is, what your profession is.  You strive for better or you walk away.  If your the President of the United States, you damn well better do better than you did before.  So this idea that we can excuse today's choices because of something (minor) that was done four years ago?  It doesn't cut it.  On Sunday's Meet The Press, Cory Booker said people should wait and see what unfolds.  That's a valid viewpoint.  But it's not one that's going to change anything, but it is a viewpoint.  You want to ensure women get on the Cabinet this year?  You call out the lack of women right now while it can put some pressuer on Barack Obama and influence his selections.  NOW has an online letter you can add your name to.    Somerby attacks Dowd  because Dowd objected to Susan Rice for Secretary of State.  So what?   I'm sorry, is there only one woman that can be nominated?  What world does an idiot like Bob Somerby live in?  Here are three names: Zoe Baird, Kima Wood and Janet Reno.    Those three women are? Bill Clinton's nominees for Attorney General.  Baird and Wood would both withdraw their names for the post.  The third choices was Janet Reno who was confirmed.   Because one woman is not the choice for a post does not mean that no woman is a choice.  Bob Somerby seems to think women were being done a favor with Susan Rice and, having not been sufficiently dutiful, we now get nothing.  No, that's not how it works unless you're a sick, twisted, sexist pig like Bob Somerby.  Can you imagine if the same 'logic' were applied to male nominees?  Brett McGurk's failure as Barack's 2012 nominee for US Ambassador to Iraq did not prevent Barack from coming up with the name of yet another man (Robert Beecroft).    Can you imagine that?  If a male nominee not going through or being 'Borked" meant that no other man was nominated?  No, I can't imagine that either because it just doesn't happen.  Dowd can oppose any woman she wants and she can still object to the lack of women being nominated.  it's all apparently too complicated for Bob Somerby.     Got a chip upon your shoulder, I just knocked it off Show me what you're gonna do, I ain't 'bout to run You have just run out of ammunition, Shootin' blanks now, you son of a gun -- "Son of a Gun," written by James Harris III, Terry Lewis, Janet Jackson and Carly Simon, performed by Janet Jackson, featuring Missy Elliott with Carly Simon, first appears on Janet's  All For You     While we're on the Sunday chat and chews, Iraq was briefly mentioned on Face The Nation (CBS News) when host Bob Schieffer spoke with Senator John McCain -- here for video, here for transcript.   SCHIEFFER: And, good morning, again. And we're going to begin with the senior Republican on the Armed Services Committee, Senator John McCain. Senator, thanks for being with us this morning. Well, the president made it pretty clear on Friday, we're leaving Afghanistan, and perhaps sooner than some expected. And every report you hear from behind the scenes is, we're going to keep very, very few people there. What do you make of this? What's your take on all of this?     SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R-AZ), ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE: Well, it's a one of a series of decisions the president has made basically overruling his military advisers. So whether it be in Iraq, which is now unraveling very significantly, or whether it be the decisions about a surge and how many and how soon they leave. There's a series of decisions, all of which the president and the vice president have overruled our military leaders and their advice and counsel, which is the president's right to do. But each time I believe that it has ensured the risk of failure. I think there's a very, very great risk now that with the president's announcement that they are basically going to be out, that the Afghans will not be able to effectively counter what still remains a significant Taliban and significantly discordant situation in both Afghanistan and across the border in Pakistan. So I think you are probably going to see an unraveling gradually. I think you're going to be -- there's only one Iraq -- Afghan brigade that is capable of acting independently. These forces need air support, intelligence, all of the kinds of logistics and other support that is necessary to be effective. Fighting forces, they're not going to have that, and so I am much less than optimistic about this eventual outcome. But when you look at the Middle East, look at what has happened at Iraq, look at what has happened in Syria, the United States no longer leading from behind, waiting from behind. And then you look at the decisions concerning Afghanistan, you can understand why people throughout the region believe the United States is withdrawing, and that is not good for the region.     Iraq is falling apart.  Making a list of predictions for the year last week, Kevin Coyne (Policy Mic) placed Iraq on top of his list of "The Doomed" countries -- at the top:   1) Iraq: Better known to most Americans these days as "NotOurProblemAnymoreistan," Iraq is in for one rough year – which is really saying something. The federal system set up following the U.S. invasion is splitting apart at the country's regional and sectarian seams, and upcoming provincial elections in the spring will only exacerbate tensions. In recent weeks, a national protest movement against the ineffective Shia Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has spread, but frustration with the status quo is about the only unifying element among the Sunni, Shia, and Kurdish elements taking part. In 2013, expect the rift between the cash-strapped government in Baghdad and the oil-rich autonomous Kurdish region in the North to reach a breaking point. Also, while much is said of the Sunni-Shia divide, keep an eye on rifts within the Shia majority, which may not only cast out Maliki, but also topple the regime and send everyone back to the streets to "re-negotiate" the political order…     As Iraq falls apart the White House -- out of guilt or stupidity -- doesn't even try to take part in the conversation.  That's great.  They'll allow John McCain to define the terms of the discussion.  And they'll allow various other interested parties to define the terms.   One terms Iraqis are being exposed to these days is "division."  That the US government wants (again wants) to divide Iraq into three parts.  Saturday, the Ahlul Bayt News Agency reported:   According to this source, who spoke in condition of anonymity, the objective of the meetings was fulfillment of some Iraqi political figures, namely the declaration of a Sunny Autonomous Region in Iraq. "Topics of the meeting between Iraqi political figures and US officials were declaration of independence in Al-Anbar, Mosul, Saladin, and Diyala provinces," he added.   Today the Iraq Times reports that the US wants to divide Iraq into three parts and sees that as the best answer to the country's ongoing crises.   Those aren't the only articles covering this rumor.  Many articles note Vice President Joe Biden once proposed a federation (three independent parts making up Iraq).  You'd think someone at the White House would be in charge of following what's being said in the media and that they'd have some sort of response to it.  You'd think that, maybe hope for it.  But they just don't care.     Through Sunday, January 13th, Iraq Body Count counts 116 people killed in Iraq by violence for the month so far.   That comes to almost nine deaths every day.  The violence the Iraq War brought to the country continues.  Alsumaria notes an attack on a Mosul polling station which left 1 security guard dead and another injured, the corpse of a 17-year-old girl was found tossed in the streets in Mosul, and a Mosul car bombing injured one member of the Dawa Party (Nouri al-Maliki's political party).  In addition, they report a Mosul roadside bombing left one Iraqi soldier injured, a funeral 20 kilometers south of Tikrit was targeted with a bombing that left five people injured,  a Mosul armed attack left 1 person shot dead and a Baquba car bombing left 3 people dead and four more injured.    In addition, CNN's Mohammed Tawfeeq Tweeted this incident of violence:   8h Mohammed Tawfeeq ‏@mtawfeeqCNN 3 roadside bombs exploded in #Kadhimiya Shiite district in #Baghdad #Iraq and killed a bystander. Nine other people were wounded. Expand Reply Retweet Favorite   That's 7 dead and twenty injured and we're not done with today's violence.   Alsumaria also reports that Iraqiya MP Aifan al-Issawi was killed by a suicide bomber in Falluja. A year ago, Aifan al-Issawi was describing the situation in Iraq to Sam Dagher (Wall St. Journal, January 16, 2012) as, "We are preoccupied with how we can finish each other off."  Today he is dead.  Along with being an MP for Iraqiya, al-Issawi was also a tribal chief and one of the founding members of the Sahwa.  The Sahwa are Iraqis (largely Sunni -- but not just Sunni according to then-Gen David Petraeus' testimony to Congress in April 2008) who were paid to stop attacking the US military and their equipment.  April 8, 2008, Senator Barbara Boxer noted they were being paid $182 million a year by US tax payers.  All Iraq News notes the attack took place today on 40th Street in central Falluja. Kamal Maama (Independent Online) adds, "Posing as a worker, the attacker hugged Efan al-Esawi before detonating an explosive vest to kill the politician, who once campaigned against al Qaeda after the 2003 U.S.-led invasion, police and local officials said."      It would appear the Ministry of Defense is attempting to distort the death.  Nayla Razzouk and Kadhim Ajrash (Bloomberg News) notes the Ministry of Defense is stating the attack came "during an opposition demonstration."  Everyone else reports that  al-Essawi was on his way to a demonstration.  It matters.    The Ministry of Defense has no minister.  Nouri al-Maliki has never nominated anyone for the post.  He's saying someone's an 'acting minister.'  The Constitution recognizes no such position. To be a minister, you have to be nominated by the prime minister and you have to be confirmed by the Parliament.  Once confirmed, to be removed, the Parliament has to vote you out.  Nouri has tried to removed a deputy prime minister and a vice president in his second term.  He had no luck getting the votes needed in Parliament.  Creating 'acting' positions allows him to control ministries the Constitution does not put him in charge of.  If you are 'acting minister,' you are someone Nouri gave the job to -- it would be interesting to find out what acting ministers are being paid since they have not been confirmed by Parliament.  Nouri gave you the job and, the second you disagree with him, he can pull you from the job.  You have no protection you have no power.  Nouri was supposed to name a full Cabinet -- as the Constitution requires -- to move from prime minister-designate (November 2010) to prime minister (December 2010).  However, the Erbil Agreement (a US government brokered contract) gave him a second term.  The voters didn't, the Constiution didn't.  So he wasn't apparently required to obey the Constitution and come up with a full Cabinet.  Back in July, Mohammed Tawfeeq (CNN) observed, "Shiite Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki has struggled to forge a lasting power-sharing agreement and has yet to fill key Cabinet positions, including the ministers of defense, interior and national security, while his backers have also shown signs of wobbling support."   Those positions still haven't been filled.  So Nouri is the Minister of Interior currently.    Which is why, if the Ministry of Interior is attempting to say that the attack took place today at a demonstration, we need to stop a minute and ask what's going on?  What may be going on is that Nouri may be attempting to use this attack to stop the protests, to declare them dangerous (he's called them that since the start) and to try to outlaw them as a result.  This is not minor.  Bloomberg News should have noted in their report that no one else is saying that the attack took place at a demonstration.  Again, Nouri is repeatedly claiming that the protests are dangerous or that they will be the object of danger in his attempt to shut them down.  For example,  Abdulrahman al-Rashed (Al Arabiya) points out: "The government [of Iraq] has obtained high-level intelligence information about plans to carry out terrorist attacks against protestors." You have to be ignorant about geopolitics to believe the story of this alleged intelligence, made public by an anonymous government source to justify the closure of the border crossing with Jordan and the subsequent damage inflicted upon the residents of al-Anbar. Had the Maliki government enjoyed any credibility, we would have never doubted its reasons for closing the vital crossing to Jordan, for terrorism is a painful reality that still threatens Iraq. But Maliki's government has decided to punish the people of al-Anbar, the province raging with anger against him and leading the popular opposition movement in Iraq.     MWC notes he was inspecting a new road being constructed in southern Falluja and quotes his chief of staff Sohaib Haqi stating, "The moment he stepped out of the car to check out this road between Fallujah and Amriyah, at this moment, there was a man.  He came to him, hugged him, said Allahu Akbar, and blew himself up."  Mohammed Tawfeeq (CNN) reports, "Lawmaker Ayfan Sadoon al-Essawi was visiting a construction site on a commercial street in central Falluja on Tuesday when the bomber, disguised as a laborer, approached him, authorities said." Qassim Abdul-Zahra (AP) reports, "According to police, the lawmaker was inspecting a roadwork project when his attacker, dressed as one of the construction workers, approached and pretended that he was trying to shake hands before blowing himself up."   Again, why the (headless) Ministry of Defense is allowed to speak on this issue is beyond me.  It's also true that al-Issawi and Nouri were political rivals and that he had criticized Nouri's decision (last week) to shut down the road and port connecting Iraq with Jordan and Syria.    Al Arabiya notes, "Before his death, Saadoun said that Maliki's closing of the Terabeel crossing to Jordan was wrong and can be described as an act of war against Anbar and the Sunni people in thie country."  They quote him stating, "The closure of Teraibeel crossing is disastrous for us, and this is like impsoing sanctions against the people of Anbar.  This is a declaration of war against the Sunnis and the province of Anbar.  I urged the parliament to form an emergency session to discuss security and the closure of the crossing which I believe is a big mistake and shouldn't be happening."    All Iraq News also notes 2 bodyguards were killed in the attack, 2 bystanders were killed and five more bystanders were injured.  IANS states three bodyguards were killed in the attack.  AFP explains, "The killing of Ayfan Saadun Al Essawi comes just two days after the finance minister, Rafa Al Essawi, a fellow Sunni and a member of the same tribe and political bloc, escaped an apparent assassination attempt as his convoy passed near where yesterday's attack took place."  The United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq issued the following statement:   Baghdad, 15 January 2013 - The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General in Iraq (SRSG), Martin Kobler, condemns in the strongest terms possible the heinous killing of Anbar Member of Parliament, 'Ifan Al-Issawi, in a terrorist attack in the middle of a demonstration in Fallujah, causing the death and injury of a number of other persons.  The SRSG reiterates that it is equally vital to peacefully demonstrate and to protect protestors from infiltration of terrorists. "I call again on all political forces to foil any attempt at instigating strife and to demonstrate utmost restraint," the SRSG said, adding that political dialogue must be resumed without further delay to exit from the current situation. The SRSG extends his sincere condolences to the families of Mr. Al-Issawi and of the other victims, and wishes a speedy recovery to the wounded.   In addition, APA reports, "Turkey strongly condemned a bombing attack that targeted and killed a Sunni lawmaker in western Iraq on Tuesday amidst the festering tension in the politically fragile country as protests against the central government in Baghdad still continue in various cities."  And Mohammed Tawfeeq (CNN) Tweets:   7h Mohammed Tawfeeq ‏@mtawfeeqCNN The #U.S. Embassy in #Baghdad Strongly Condemns the Murder of #Iraqi Parliament Member Ifan Saadoun Al-Issawi in #Anbar Province.  Collapse Reply Retweet Favorite 8:54 AM - 15 Jan 13 · Details       All Iraq News reports that the head of the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq Ammar Hakim is calling for dialogue to address the continued crisis.  Alsumaria adds that Anbar Provincial Council is selecting a delegation to send to speak with cleric and movement leader Moqtada al-Sadr about ways to resolve the current crisis or crises.  Al Mada notes that there is a call for a national conference.  You may remember that Iraqi President Jalal Talabani and Speaker of Parliament Osama al-Nujaifi have been calling for one since December 21st -- December 21st of 2011.  Yes, the crisis has been going on that long.   On the topic of Jalal Talabani (currently in Germany following his December stroke), Hurriyet Daily News reports: Iraq has been left much like a fatherless orphan because it has been deprived of a president capable of listening to problems and conducting mediation, one of the country's top Shiite leaders said yesterday. "If the problem of the presidency is not resolved, the dictatorship will spread to the presidency from the prime ministry, and this would make the situation worse and more problematic. Iraq is like a son without a father because it does not have its president who deals with problems and mediates," influential Shiite figure Muqtada al-Sadr said in reference to the absence of President Jalal Talabani, who suffered a stroke last month and was flown to Germany for treatment. His ailing health has raised concerns about his political future while also tipping off a new crisis in Iraq. The crisis has been worsened by weeks of demonstrations against Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's rule in mostly-Sunni areas, with protesters alleging that the premier has misused anti-terror laws to wrongfully detain members of their community.   Press TV adds:   An Iranian lawmaker says the return of ailing Iraqi President Jalal Talabani to the country's political stage will foil seditionist schemes in Iraq's northern Kurdish region. "The return of Jalal Talabani to Iraq's political arena can render ineffective the attempts made by the seditionist countries in the region and the Western enemies of an independent Iraq in order to drag the country into unrest," Mohammad-Saleh Jokar said on Tuesday.       Seditionist countries?  Mohammad-Saleh Jokar is among those repeating that the US government is planning to split Iraq into three parts.  Again, a functioning White House would be aware of what was being said in the Iraqi media and have a response before Iranian officials started spreading the rumors even futher.    Yesterday's snapshot noted that the press observed a few dozen prisoners and detainees released.  Leave it to the New York Times to run with a 300 figure as fact and not a claim by the Iraqi government, leave it to the paper of record to run with that and with nothing to back it up.  Only four women were released, however many people have been.  And women were the element that outraged so many.  Equally true, yesterday's 'big release' only released people who had already completed their sentencing or who were nerver charged.  Aswat al-Iraq reports today, "Women State Minister Ibtihal al-Zaidi stressed today the necessity to finalize the cases of the detained women as soon as possible, as well as better condition in women prisons to meet their humanistic needs [and . . .] urged the legal system to finalize all cases, particularly un-convicted ones."  Mushreq Abbas (Al-Monitor) explores the Iraqi 'justice' system in an essay which includes:   Returning to the root of the term justice, Iraqi law was somewhat confused with how to deal with the legal definition which could solve this conceptual crisis. Even at present, Iraqis do not know whether using weapons against U.S. forces between 2003 and 2012 was a criminal offense or not. The American administration did not invest much effort in this matter because of the volatile nature and general lack of law and order which accompanied this troubled occupation. As a result of such a legal negligence, it became easy to try those accused of violence against U.S. forces and treat them as criminals, and acquit other defendants facing the same charges and treat them as heroes. It is no coincidence that Sunni leaders residing in Turkey and sentenced to death in absentia on charges of murder, such as Hashemi, have prompted the Iraqi government to declare Ankara's provision of sanctuary an international crime, whereas other persons with ties to the sectarian war, such as Abu Deraa, have resided in Tehran for years without causing any diplomatic strife with Iran. Exploring this argument will not lead to a clear conclusion, for it was never intended to distinguish those who took part in the civil war from those who abstained. If this were the case, it would be difficult to find one Iraqi politician who had not participated in one form or another. Moreover, this categorization overlooks the victims of the civil war and of the violence in Iraq from different denominational backgrounds.   On the protests, we'll close with this from Workers World:     Following are excerpts from a Jan. 12 release from the International Anti-Occupation Network on recent developments in Iraq against the regime that was put in power by the nine-year-long U.S. invasion and occupation. The full release is at brussellstribunal.org.Massive protests have taken place every day in Ramadi since Dec. 25, when more than 200,000 people demonstrated. These protests have expanded further to cities all over the country, in which hundreds of thousands have participated. … A key element of the current protests has been the slogan for national unity and an end to sectarianism, as well as the denunciation of the [Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri] al-Maliki regime's inability to meet these popular demands. Change is inevitable! The protests are supported nationwide. Several Iraqi cities have sent delegations to join the demonstrators in Ramadi. Shiite religious leaders have encouraged the faithful to support the protests and there is a strong presence of Kurdish delegations in Mosul, Tikrit and Anbar. Symbols of political parties are avoided as much as possible to reinforce the spirit of national unity. … The withdrawal of U.S. combat troops from Iraq did not signify an end to occupation. The U.S. footprint is still heavy. Accordingly, the Iraqi anti-occupation movements are opposed to what they call "the second face of the occupation." This implies continued resistance against all structures imposed by the U.S. … Despite the violent repression of the security forces and the militias of the sectarian political parties, the Iraqi people have now gone beyond the frontier of fear. There is no turning back. The International Occupation Network warns the international community, including the United Nations and the European Union, that there are serious indications that the regime is planning on attacking Anbar [Province]. …The risk of major bloodshed is imminent, a situation for which al-Maliki and the U.S. occupiers have been warned that they will bear full responsibility if the demonstrators are harmed. In this situation it is … of vital importance that all peace-loving forces support what is taking place on the streets of Iraq. The protesters are justly demanding: 1. The immediate release of detained protesters and dissident prisoners. 2 . A stop to the death penalty. 3. The approval of an amnesty law for innocent detainees. 4. The abolition of anti-terrorism laws (especially Clause 4 used to target them). 5. The repeal of unfair rulings against dissidents. 6. Fair opportunities for work based on professionalism. 7.The end of the use of all military command based on geographic areas. 8. The provision of essential services to all areas in Iraq neglected by the state. 9. The holding of all … governmental officials, army or security units who have committed crimes against dissidents accountable, especially those who have violated the honor of women in prisons. 10. A U.N.-sponsored population count. 11. An end to marginalization, a stop to agitating divisions between ethnic and religious groups, and a stop to the house raids without legal warrant based on the information of secret informers. 12. A stop to financial, administrative and legal corruption. 13. The combating of sectarianism in all its forms by returning religious buildings and all religious properties to their rightful owners, and the abolishment of law No. 19 of 2005. The International Occupation Network (IAON) welcomes the spread of these non-sectarian protests and supports the efforts of the Iraqi people to regain their full independence and national sovereignty. Ten years of foreign occupation is enough! Ten years of massive human rights violations is enough! Ten years of corruption and depriving the whole population of basic services is enough! — The International Anti-Occupation Network / IAON Articles copyright 1995-2013 Workers World. Verbatim copying and distribution is permitted in any medium without royalty provided this notice is preserved.           iraq cbs news face the nation bob schieffer afp bloomberg news nayla razzouk kadhim ajrash the wall street journal sam dagher cnn mohammed tawfeeq the associated press qassim abdul-zahra alsumaria all iraq news al mada the wall street journal sam dagher al arabiya news abdulrahman al-rashad hurriyet daily news workers world

What happened to Natalie Wood?

1963

Natalie Wood was a beautiful woman who started out a child star (Miracle on 34th Street), became a teen star (Rebel Without A Cause with James Dean) and one of the biggest stars of the 60s (Gypsy, West Side Story, Love With The Proper Stranger, Sex and the Single Girl, and Bob, Carol, Ted and Alice -- among others).  She then wanted to raise a family and worked less in the 70s.  She was eager to do more movies in the 80s and also to perform onstage.  But she died while filming Brain Storm.  She supposedly drowned.  (Photo from Wikipedia, by the way.)

Tracie Egan Morrissey (Jezebel) reports:

A year after the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department reopened the 1981 drowning case of Natalie Wood, the L.A. County Coroner's Office will release a new autopsy report that "raises questions about every major finding" that led investigators to originally conclude that the actress' death was an accident.

The CBS report is here (text and video).  Alan Duke and Tom Watkins (CNN) add:

Homicide investigators decided to take a new look at one of Hollywood's most enduring mysteries in November 2011 after they were contacted by people who said they had additional information about the actress's death, the sheriff's department said last summer.

The announcement persuaded tipsters to come forward with additional "intriguing" information, sheriff's spokesman Whitmore told CNN last January.

Investigators did not comment directly on statements made in news reports in November by Dennis Davern, the captain of a yacht owned by Wood and her husband.

It's past time for the truth to come out. 

I have no idea what that will be.

If it turns out Christopher Walkin knew something, he better have told the investigators.  If it turns out he knew something and didn't come forward?  He can rot in hell.


This is C.I.'s "Iraq snapshot:"

Monday, January 14, 2013.  Chaos and violence continue, protests continue, Nouri uses the Iraqi military to demonstrate in support of him, a tribal leader and protest organizer is shot dead in his home,  a for-show 'release' fails to generate the spin Nouri wanted, a man Barack's Justice Department demonized took his own life, and more.       A bit of news was supposed to reassure the international community that Nouri al-Maliki was the thug the world suspected and cause them to say "Look what he's done!" instead.  However, that bit of Happy Talk just got overshadowed by reality.    First for the wave of Happy Talk.   Adam Schreck Qassim Abdul-Zahra and Sameer N. Yacoub (AP) report that some 'prisoners' were 'freed' today with some ("dozens') at a ceremony presided over by "one of the prime minister's most trusted political allies" Deputy Prime Minister Hussain al-Shahristani who distributed candy and Korans.  Having a hard time seeing Nouri okaying candy for Sunnis?  You're not alone.  Though they're trying to spin this as prisoners being released to meet the protesters demands, they won't give details about the prisoners (including whether they are Sunni or not).  Schreck notes that some of those 'freed' had already completed their sentences.  That's really not 'freed,' that's sentence was completed and they were released.  Suadad al-Salhy, Patrick Markey and Angus MacSwan (Reuters) also note the 'release' aspect, "Officials said a ministerial committee had freed 335 detainees whose jail terms had ended or whose cases had been dismissed for lack of evidence."  In other words, people who should have never been held got released.   And how many are women?   The western outlets -- except for AFP -- have ignored that aspect.  Women are said to have been raped and tortured in the prisons.  The protesters have demanded the women prisoners be released, it's not a minor point.  The Arabic press grasps that.  Alsumaria leads with the claim that 335 prisoners have been released over the last days and only four of these were women.  Four.  Alsumaria notes the mass demonstrations that have been taking place and that the demands have included demands about women prisoners.  Via the BRussells Tribunal, let's note the basic demands of the protesters: In this situation it is of utmost importance that the international community exposes the true nature of the al Maliki dictatorship and stands with this broad movement for human dignity and against repression and violations of human rights. It is therefore of vital importance that all peace-loving forces support what is taking place on the streets of Iraq. The protesters are justly demanding: 1 – the immediate release of detained protesters and dissident prisoners. 2 – a stop to the death penalty. 3 – the approval of an amnesty law for innocent detainees. 4 – the abolition of anti-terrorism laws (especially Clause 4 used to target them). 5 – the repeal of unfair rulings against dissidents. 6 – fair opportunities for work based on professionalism. 7 – the end of the use of all military command based on geographic areas. 8 – the provision of essential services to all areas in Iraq neglected by the state. 9 – the holding of all members of governmental official, army or security units who have committed crimes against dissidents accountable, especially those who have violated the honour of women in prisons. 10 – a UN sponsored population count. 11 – an end to marginalization, and a stop to agitating divisions between ethnic and religious groups, and a stop the house raids without legal warrant based on the information of secret informers. 12 – a stop to financial, administrative and legal corruption. 13 – the combating of sectarianism in all its forms by returning Religious buildings and all religion properties to their rightful owners and the abolishment of law No. 19 of 2005. The International Anti-Occupation Network (IAON) welcomes the spread of these non-sectarian protests and supports the efforts of the Iraqi people to regain their full independence and national sovereignty. 10 years of foreign occupation is enough! 10 years of massive human rights violations is enough! 10 years of corruption and depriving the whole population of basic services is enough!     Now for the news that punctured Nouri's claims that things were improving, Alsumaria reports that Mohammed Taher al-Rabbo Jubouri was shot dead in his Mosul home today.  The tribal leader, part of the Jabour tribe, was one of the leaders of the protests.  Unknown assailants carrying machine guns stormed his home today and shot him dead.  Let's all pretend this has nothing to do with Nouri.  And let's pretend to that it doesn't appear that the US government hasn't recently labeled the protesters terrorists.  Throughout Iraq, things are happening.  There's a label for the actions taken against the protesters: counter-terrroism measures.  The US military remains in Iraq and the Memorandum of Understanding For Defense Cooperation Between the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Iraq and the Department of Defense of the United States of America (signed December 6th. -- see the  December 10th and December 11th snapshots) allows US troops to participate in counter-terrorism operations.  Someone needs to ask the White House and the State Dept (a) who is targeting Iraqi protesters and (b) is the US military being used to suppress a peaceful and popular uprising in Iraq?     The US-backed Nouri is tearing Iraq apart.   At Policy Mic, Kevin Coyne offers his predictions for 2013 which include "The Doomed" countries headed for deep trouble in 2013.  Topping the list? 1) Iraq: Better known to most Americans these days as "NotOurProblemAnymoreistan," Iraq is in for one rough year – which is really saying something. The federal system set up following the U.S. invasion is splitting apart at the country's regional and sectarian seams, and upcoming provincial elections in the spring will only exacerbate tensions. In recent weeks, a national protest movement against the ineffective Shia Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has spread, but frustration with the status quo is about the only unifying element among the Sunni, Shia, and Kurdish elements taking part. In 2013, expect the rift between the cash-strapped government in Baghdad and the oil-rich autonomous Kurdish region in the North to reach a breaking point. Also, while much is said of the Sunni-Shia divide, keep an eye on rifts within the Shia majority, which may not only cast out Maliki, but also topple the regime and send everyone back to the streets to "re-negotiate" the political order…   Yesterday, Reuters noted that Minister of Finance Rafai al-Issawi was targeted with a bombing today which left two of his guards injured.  Kitabat notes that al-Issawi's convoy had left Falluja and was headed for Abu Ghraib when the bomb went off.  Al Mada explains he was in Falluja meeting with tribal leaders to discuss the demonstrations.   World Bulletin reminds, "The Sunni Muslim minister is caught up in a crisis that has triggered protests in Sunni regions and is straining Shi'ite Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's power-sharing government."    AFP notes protests began following "the December 20 arrest of at least nine of Essawi's guards. Essawi is a leading member of the Iraqiya bloc, which, while a member of Maliki's unity government, has called for him to quit."  Al Jazeera adds, "Sunnis have also decried alleged misuse of anti-terror laws to hold members of the minority community, and claim Sunnis are being targeted. Former vice-president Tareq al-Hashemi, a Sunni, was handed down a death sentence in absentia on charges of running a death squad, a charge he denounced."  Alsumaria notes that Iraqiya has condemned the attack on al-Issawi and has called on Nouri to ensures the protection and safety of Iraqi citizens.   Nouri might not have targeted the Minister of Finance is the Iraqi President had been in the country.  Late on the evening of December 17th (see the December 18th snapshot), President Jalal Talibani had a stroke and was admitted to Baghdad's Medical Center Hospital.    Thursday, December 20th, he was moved to Germany's Charite University Hospital.  He remains in Germany currently.  Al Mada reported last week that Fuad Masum of the Kurdistan Alliance states he visited with Jalal yesterday and that he is "steadily improving" that Jalal was able to shake hands, that he listened and spoke -- and spoke to those in the room in Kurdish, Arabic and English.   Along with being president of Iraq, Jalal Talabani is also the head of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (political party) which notes that US President Barack Obama sent a message inquiring on Talabani's health and "described President Jalal Talabani as a great friend of the United States for many years and a vital leader of the new democratic Iraq.  I extend to you my best wishes for full and speedy recovery, President Obama added."  The PUK also notes, "The Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, phoned Dr. Barham Ahmed Salih the Second Deputy Secretary General of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan to ask about the health of President Mam Jalal, where he expressed his happiness about the improvement in His Excellency's health."      All Iraq News notes that Moqtada al-Sadr issued a statement today calling on Nouri to listen to the protesters demands and also noting the need to resolve the issue of the presidency.  Jatlal Talabani is seen as someone who is able to smooth things over and with him out of the country there's no one to fill that role.  In addition, there is the role proper of president and concerns about how long Iraq can go without an acting president.   Alsumaria adds that al-Sadr fears a dictatorship if the issue of the presidency isn't resolved soon.  (President Jalal Talabani is in Germany recovering from a stroke.) Hurriyet quotes Moqtada stating, "If the problem of the presidency is not resolved, the dictatorship will spread to the presidency from the prime ministry, and this would make the situation worse and more problematic. Iraq is like a son without a father because it does not have its president who deals with problems and mediates."  There's criticism from Parliament as well.  Reuters notes, "Osama Al Nujaifi, parliament speaker and the most senior elected Sunni figure, said Al Maliki should pass a draft amnesty law to free detainees jailed on terrorism charges and modify laws that many Sunnis say are used to target them unfairly. Protesters also want to end a campaign against members of Saddam Hussain's outlawed Ba'ath party that Sunnis fear is used to harass their leaders and sideline them from politics."   Sharif Nashashibi (Al Arabiya) takes issue with some in the media protraying the protests as sectarian: However, events have developed in a way that has crossed the sectarian divide, although this has not been picked up by the media, which continues to irresponsibly and inaccurately portray the situation in purely sectarian terms. Powerful Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr has come out in support of the mainly Sunni demonstrations. While he has predicted an "Iraqi Spring," there have been references in the media to a "Sunni Spring" - similar to its much-loved but overused term "Shiite Crescent" - as if Iraqis, and Arabs in general, define themselves by sect above nationality. Three days later, just before midday Friday prayers, Sadr visited one of Baghdad's most prominent Sunni mosques, and reiterated his backing for the protesters: "We support the demands of the people, but I urge them to safeguard Iraq's unity." Maliki's former ally was reportedly greeted by chants of "the unifier of Sunnis and Shiites" and "the patriot," while women ululated and showered him with candy. Ayad Allawi, the Shiite former prime minister whose secular al-Iraqiyya coalition of Sunnis and Shiites defeated Maliki in the last parliamentary elections, has called for the prime minister's resignation. The Majlis al-A'yan (council of tribal sheikhs) in the predominantly Shiite province of Basra has also expressed solidarity with the protests. Demonstrators, too, have chanted "no to sectarianism," and carried banners warning the government "not to draw the country into sectarian conflict." Leaders of the protest movement have made clear that they are not on the streets because Maliki is Shiite, or just because of policies they deem sectarian. Alsumaria reports that Nouri has sent Iraqi forces into Samarra with the intent of stopping or 'stopping' the protest there -- 34 military vehicles arrived in Baghdad late Sunday night. Political blocs are meeting to discuss the government's problems.   Aswat al-Iraq reports, "Chairmen of National Alliance and Iraqiya Parliamentary Bloc stressed necessity to have a new political initiative to preserve Iraqi unity, calling to implement Iraqi protestors' demands and to expel all tensions between the parliament and the government.  Ibraheem Jaffari of the National Alliance and Salman al-Jumaaily of Iraqiya bloc discussed Iraqi political scene and the demonstrations witnessed by Iraqi provinces." Even Nouri's sometime friend Ammar al-Hakim, leader of the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq, is getting in on it.  All Iraq News notes that al-Hakim called a meeting with the National Coalition and they agreed that the crises in Iraq needed to be resolved, that they should entertain proposals from Ahmed Chalabi's National Congress Party and they praised Moqtada al-Sadr while demanding Nouri's government start implementing the laws Parliament is passing. On the topic of laws and bills,  Aswat al-Iraq reports, Press Freedom Defence Association announced completing the first amendment to Journalists' Rights Law."  Nouri's State of Law continues to throw up roadblocks.  Alsumaria notes that they demanded the vote on the Federal Court Act be postponed today.  All Iraq News notes that Speaker of Parliament Osama al-Nujaifi has decided that Minister of Youth and Sports Jassim Mohammed Jaafar will be questioned in absentia if he cannot appear before the Parliament in one week  after he refused last week to attend a hearing.  There are rumors of vast corruption in the Ministry.  Jaafar was an MP State of Law named following the March 2010 elections.   Today, the bill on the presidencies (limiting all to two terms -- not just the President of Iraq but also the Prime Minister and Speaker of Parliament) was to be read again. In other news of Parliament, Kitabat reported yesterday on new rumors that Nouri was planning to dissolve the Parliament.  Supposedly, State of Law has addressed this plan with several Shi'ite blocs in the National Alliance but not Moqtada al-Sadr's bloc.    Al Mada today reports on the Sadr bloc's response to these rumors: Nouri would not dare dissolve Parliament.  Supposedly, the rumors go, Nouri's decided he can seize the presidency if he dissolves the Parliament.  It's not clear -- depending on which rumor is being covered -- how but there are two arguments being put forward.  In one, Nouri dissolves the Parliament and oversees everything claiming he is the only legitimate figure.  In the other, Nouri dissolves the Parliament with the intent of new elections; however, when elections do take place, Nouri now holds the position of Prime Minister and President, he consolidates the two.  There's nothing in the Constitution that gives him the right to grab the position.  But that's never stopped him before.  Dar Addustour notes a third scenario.  Some background first.  During Nouri's first term, Jalal was President.  Iraq had two Vice Presidents then, Tareq al-Hashemi and Adil Abdul al-Mahdi.  In November 2010, the two would start their second terms.  In the spring of 2011, Adil Abdul al-Mahdi would resign in disgust over the corruption.  Tareq was targeted by Nouri and now lives in Turkey -- he does remain Vice President.  Nouri has been uanble to get the votes needed to kick Tareq out of office. A few weeks before al-Mahdi stepped down, Khodair al-Khozaei was named a third vice president.  He is Dawa.  He is tight with Nouri.  Dar Addustour reports that Nouri wants to use Talabani being out of the country to elevate al-Khozaei to the presidency -- for longer than the 30 days the Constitution would allow -- and to then dissolve the Parliament.  President Khozaei would then name Nouri prime minister-designate.    Should Nouri go forward with the questionable scenarios, one thing to keep in mind is: What happens if the Parliament dissolved?  What happens is what Nouri's always wanted to happen -- his political rivals who are currently MPs lose their immunity and can be tossed in prisons.         The Sadr bloc may be sure Nouri wouldn't do such a thing, but, based on his past record, who's to say?  Fakhri Karim (Al Mada) notes there appears to be no detterent to prevent Nouri from his latest attempt to monopolize power and ignoring the Constitution and the Parliament.   Al Mada reports that the Kurdistan Alliance and Iraqiya are stating they no longer trust Nouri and are asking that the United Nations sit in on any political dialogue.       Saturday, Nouri and his followers staged fake protests in Baghdad.  AP explains that "about 2,000" Iraqis paraded through the city streets. More realistic, Prashant Rao (AFP) reported for AFP that "hundreds" were in Baghdad.  He also noted banners including "I am Iraqi, I love Maliki." Xinhua also notes "hundreds."  The Iraq Times notes that they carried signs calling for Parliament to be dissolved.  CNN's Mohammed Tawfeeq Tweeted about the protest.     12 Jan Mohammed Tawfeeq ‏@mtawfeeqCNN " We are the #Shiite of #Iraq, We are the majority in Iraq ,we will never accept a division of Iraq" a protester shouted in a loudspeakre Collapse Reply Retweet Favorite 2 Retweets 2 Favorites 3:08 AM - 12 Jan 13 · Details 12 Jan Mohammed Tawfeeq ‏@mtawfeeqCNN Pro-#Maliki demonstrators called it "Anti-sectarianism demos" but they have used Sectarian slogans to express their demands. #Iraq Expand Looking at pictures of the protests, it does appear to be hundreds.    And it does appear to be just men present, confession their love for Nouri ("I am Iraqi, I love Maliki").  I guess we get now why these same thugs pictured are the ones who target gays and lesbians in Iraq.  They love Nouri, they sexually desire him.  They deride gays and lesbians, mock them.  But here they are, "Nouri's Puppies." To get those hundreds, Nouri had his lovers bussed in from Basra, Dhi Qar, Maysana, Karbala, Wasit and Babil.  Approximately 40% present were said to have been paid and some of those included Baghdad's homeless.  All Iraq News notes Nouri issued a statement praising his loyalists -- specifically praising their throats. Al Mada notes that Nouri's supporters are attempting to insist that -- despite payment and bussing the people in -- the protest was spontaneous -- just an outburst of love.  Alsumaria reports MP Baha Araji, with Moqtada al-Sadr's bloc, held a press conference today in Baghdad noting that the participants were paid and refuting the claim that the protest was spontaneous. In related news, Kitabat reports today that Dawa Party officers and soldiers in the Iraqi military are being forced   Since there was no crackdown on the protest, maybe no one should refute that it was 'spontaneous'?  After all, isn't Nouri claiming the genuine protests are illegal?  So here's a faux-test by the Wives of Nouri al-Maliki, one Nouri's government insists was spontaneous, but there were no arrests, no atttempted arrests, no objections and Nouri even praised them. Nouri's against 'unpermitted' protests?  Doesn't sound like it.  Sounds like he's just against people speaking out against him.  Alsumaria notes Nineveh Province Governor Atheel al-Nujaifi has pointed out that there was no permit for Nouri supporters.  al-Nujaifi notes that he doesn't oppose any group of peaceful protesters but that there are different standards for those who oppose Nouri.  He also notes he saw military soldiers and officers among those protesting on behalf of Nouri. Prashant Rao (AFP) reports that the real protests continued today "in Samarra, Tikrit, Baiji and Mosul" and that the highway between Baghdad and Jordan and Syria was again blocked.  He also informs that Anbar Province tribal leaders are calling for Nouri to tender his resignation and quotes Imam Abdulrahman al-Samarraie stating, "Maliki should leave, we have him many chances but he did not do anything.  He made many promises . . . but he did not fulfil these promises.  He should leave."  KUNA adds, "Iraq said on Saturday it was set to close two border crossings with Syria a few days after closing the Traibeel border crossing with Jordan." Wael Grace (Al Mada) explains Iraiqya (political slate that came in first in the 2010 parliamentary elections) states the border closing are an attempt to punish the provinces.   Alsumaria reports that today also saw cleric and movement leader Moqtada al-Sadr issue a statement calling on people to take part in Friday's demonstrations in Iraq to show solidarity with the "innocent in Quetta, Pakistan."  (January 10th, the Pakistan city was targeted with bombings.)     Finally, in the US, Aaron Swartz has passed away.  John Halle (Corrente) explains:   Aaron Swartz, who committed suicide on Friday, was by all accounts a remarkable person. But he was by no means a radical. In his brief role as an organizer with the Progressive Change Campaign Committee, he was among those who were convinced that with sufficient pressure from its activist base, the Obama administration would eventually reveal its deeply obscured roots in traditional New Deal/Great Society liberalism. It hardly needs to be said that those of us who argued against him at the time, as I did, take no pleasure in having been proven right in the years since. The most tragic indication came two years ago when the Obama justice department charged Swartz himself with a 12 count violation of the 1986 Computer Fraud and Abuse Act for his attempt to acquire, via the MIT server, the JSTOR scholarly archive and make it available to the general public. [. . .] Those of us who only know of Swartz's work in passing shouldn't feel any compunction about doing so, and there is plenty of blame to go around. Most conspicuously, there is the Obama administration, and its deep pocket contributors in the high tech, publishing and entertainment industries who have attempted to make what they call the "theft" and what Swartz regarded as the liberation of intellectual property a crime meriting the most severe punishment. A ridiculously disproportionate 35 year sentence was being aggressively pursued by Massachusetts Federal Attorney, Carmen Ortiz who likely viewed the prosecution as an opportunity to raise her profile within the party. The strategy seemed to be working: Massachusetts Governor and close friend of Obama Deval Patrick mentioned her as a likely successor.     iraq the associated press qassim abdul-zahra sameer n. yacoub adam schreck all iraq news alsumaria al mada wael grace the iraq times reuters suadad al-salhy  patrick markey al-monitor al-hayat mashreq abbas john halle cnn mohammed tawfeeq