Another Canary Martyred

Lt. Gen. James N. Mattis's comments during a speech in San Diego, remarking that "it's fun to shoot some people," in reference to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, are appalling. At a time when the United States military is trying to win hearts and minds in both countries, and when Iraqis think that American forces are trigger-happy, his words are counterproductive. For our troops who are dying every day, making war sound like a sport is beyond distasteful.
— Marla Ruzicka, February 5, 2005



Marla Ruzicka, 28, a great activist for the people,
died in a car bomb blast in Baghdad two
days ago.


My tears and broken heart go out to Canary sister Marla Ruzicka, founder of the Campaign for Innocent Victims of Conflict (CIVIC). At great personal risk, she had spent the last years of her life conducting surveys of civilian casualties in Iraq and Afghanistan (known as "collateral damage" in military terms).

As reported on National Public Radio, Marla used her own personal savings to finance her first trip overseas, where she would go door-to-door to assess civilian losses. Her work inspired Congress to appropriate $10 million in aid to victims in Iraq. In Afghanistan, she worked with the human rights organization Global Exchange, where she helped pressure the U.S. government to provide funds for Afghan war victims. Prior to these projects, she worked for USAID.

I guess what really touches is me is that while most Americans are watching TV and stuffing their faces with Big Macs, Marla gave her life to help others, probably knowing that she was in great personal danger. She had courage, and she wasn't just talk — she did incredible things in her short life.

I wonder if I have the courage of Marla in me. I wonder if I would risk my life to help others like she did. Few people would. I think about all the overweight, sloppy lazy, judgmental people in my country. Tonight they are waiting for the peas to sizzle in their TV dinners and they aren't even thinking about Marla. They don't even care — they are more upset about gas prices going up and the red wine stain on their carpet.

To Marla: you dedicated yourself to help others and ease the suffering of your fellow humans. While providing aid and easing the suffering of innocent civilians, you died a most horrible and violent death. Thanks, Marla, for setting an example for all of us. Thank you for showing courage.

Okay, America, get back to your ham sandwich, Mountain Dew, and Sex in the City reruns. Sorry to interrupt your evening with my little outburst of sorrow.