November 2, 2002 (Melbourne)
Rumor has it that the Bali bombing which killed Australians was financed and backed by the Americans. What? Yeah. Since Tony Blair is slowly pulling support from the US campaign against Iraq, the US wants strategic allies and Australia is the biggest potential ally in the Pacific. Bomb Bali, kill Aussies and that will show this country that terrorism is a very real threat even for Aussies. Unbelieveable. Well, paranoia, hate and anger are real over here. Against who? Al Qaeda? Muslim Malaysians? The US? Yeah.
Sorry, I had to straighten somebody out. While it is true that I do not support any war effort of any kind, I think the Bali bombing theory is a rather vicious lie to spread. Until someone can prove that the CIA or any branch of the US government had anything to do with the Bali bombing, then that theory is all fiction, made up by very cynical minds. I do agree that the current US president is a laughable man. This sentiment is shared by millions of Americans. I do agree that certain US foreign policies are wrong. I do agree that waging war is wrong, but we are now in this mess. Dragged here by an attack on US soil. Surely, you will not begrudge the US people of wanting to hit back. Am I in support of war? No. But I am in support of my brother and brother in law who are in the US NAVY and of Mike, a good friend who is now somewhere camped in a foreign desert. For these men, I will show support and appreciation. They have chosen to pick up a weapon so I do not have to. Very least I can do is show my allegiance to them.
After that very sobering chat, I had to leave the hostel. Picked up my daypack and took the tram to St. Kilda Beach, only I did not reach the beach. I got as far as the south bank of the Yarra when I decided to walk and follow the water up river. Passed by nemerous shops, bistros and people from all walks of life enjoying a Saturday afternoon with not a care in the world. Little kids playing tag with a water fountain, older kids honing their skill with the skateboard, young people kissing and groping each other…
Found St. Patrick's Cathedral today. And just when I thought, I had forgotten the earlier conversation about war and terrorism, inside the church was a display of three art pieces by a certain artist named George Gittoes. Apparently, certain art houses refused his work but the church chose to support and save his art. Now the three-panel piece is on temporary display inside the church.
The first panel titled "WARONTERRA" is an obvious play on Dubya's "war on terror" Texan speech pattern. The second panel titled "The Yellow Room" speaks volumes about the horrific conditions in Afghanistan. It tells the story of Abdul whose emaciated body and very clear penetrating eyes, is a silent testament to the needless suffering due to war. Abdul and his brother were delivering wheat when their donkey stepped on an anti-tank mine. Before Abdul's eyes, he saw his brother blown into pieces and his own body crumpled with his guts spilling out on the ground. Abdul's spirit is floating just above his body, unable to draw away; suspended between two realities, he is between life and death.
The third panel titled "Pakistan Whats Left" tells the story of Ghuncha, 27, a mother of five. She was a rice farmer before stepping into a land mine. Now she is a double amputee, one arm paralized and one eye blind. Sadly, she must continue to live for the sake of her children. Soltan, her youngest daughter never leaves her mother's side. She is constantly circling Ghuncha, like the moon orbiting mother earth.
I am Mary Grace, an American praying for peace.