caravia/war

I am now reading about the life and work of the Austrian conscience objector Franz Jäggerstätter, exectuted by the Nazis for his opposition to the war. I wish many more people today should have the brave heart to oppose all wars and pay with jail or life their convictions.

"Franz Jägerstätter (May 20, 1907 -- August 9, 1943; born as Franz Huber) was an Austrian conscientious objector during World War II and has been declared Blessed by the Roman Catholic Church. As in most countries at the time, refusal to serve mandatory military service in war time was a criminal offense in Germany, and Jägerstätter was sentenced to death and executed. When German troops moved into Austria in 1938, Jägerstätter was the only person in the village to vote against the Anschluss. Although he was not involved with any political organization, and did undergo one brief period of military training, he remained openly anti-Nazi, and publicly declared he would not fight in the war. After many delays, Jägerstätter was called to active duty in February, 1943. By this time, he had three daughters with his wife, the eldest not quite six. He maintained his position against fighting for the Third Reich, and was imprisoned, first at Linz, then at Berlin. After a military trial, he was beheaded on August 9, 1943, aged 36."

He was made a saint by the Catholic Church, "In June 2007 Pope Benedict XVI authorised the Congregation for the Causes of Saints to publish a decree that declares Jägerstätter a martyr. With its publication the process of beatification was completed. The beatification ceremony took place on October 26, 2007 in Linz.The ceremony was attended by his 94 year old widow, Franziska, and his four daughters.

The Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, Cardinal José Saraiva Martins, said in the beatification sermon that Jägerstätter served as a model for Christians today who sometimes are confronted with "conditioning and manipulation of consciences and minds, sometimes through deceitful means."

Thanks to Alejandro Volpe who shared it with me. It's the remnants of the only battle of the Second World War which took place in the Rio de la Plata. A German ship, the Graf Spee, was downed by the English warships. The Graf Spee is still under water.

A sadly development. Women fighting men's wars.

"Monday's triple suicide attack against Shia pilgrims in Baghdad highlighted what seems to be a growing phenomenon - the use by Sunni-based radical Islamist insurgents of women to carry out suicide attacks.

Police said all three of the attackers in the bombings, which claimed the lives of about 25 pilgrims, were women.

Eyewitnesses in the city of Kirkuk - where at least 22 people were reported to have been killed by a suicide bomb attack on a crowd of protesting Kurds - said the attacker there was also a woman.

American military figures indicate that there have been at least 27 suicide bombings carried out by women in Iraq this year, a sharp jump from only eight in 2007."

Mot a "safe war".

"Afghanistan was supposed to be the 'good war', but barely a day goes by without more bad news from the front. As someone who first reported from the country when the Russians were there in 1987, the saddest thing is that it did not have to be this way. In stark contrast to Iraq, when the Royal Marines arrived in Kabul in December 2001 they were welcomed. After years of civil war, most Afghans were desperate for peace and saw foreign troops as the only answer.

Today that support is lost. More US troops are now dying in Afghanistan than in Iraq. Last month, British forces lost more than one soldier a day. And, according to Nato figures, more than 900 Afghans have been killed this year, making this the bloodiest since the fall of the Taliban in 2001."

Excellent archive with free documentaries in a wide range of topics. A great tool for people wanting unbiased media.

From Web Urbanist: "Dedicated to those who made the ultimate sacrifice to help build the foundation for a peaceful Japan, the Yasukuni Shrine was founded in 1869 and contains in the Book of Souls more than 2.5 million spirits (maki). It's always been a controversy subject because more than one thousand people enshrined have been found guilty for war crimes while 14 of them were convicted as Class-A war criminals. Nevertheless the Yasukuni Shrine has a deep relationship with the Japanese imperial family which attends twice a year, during spring and autumn, major rituals where offerings from His Majesty the Emperor are dedicated to the "spirits". Just next to the Shrine there's a museum commemorating Japan's wars, which shouldn't be missed if you stop by."

Mausoleum for the Heroes from Marasesti
(1916-1919) - Vrancea County


The Mausoleum for the Heroes from the National Unity War is situated at km. 201.6 on the national motorway that connects the cities of Focsani and Adjud, in the place where, during the summer of 1916, the glorious battle of Marasesti took place. The mausoleum, the most imposing in the country and one of the most majestic in Europe, was raised on the 8th of June 1919. Made after the plans of architects George Cristinel and Constantin Pomponiu between 1923-1938, the mausoleum was officially inaugurated on the 18th of September 1938.

Lebanon try to heal the wounds of the latest war. Many streets show still the destruction caused by the heavy Israeli bombs. Beyruth needs years to be full recovered, the architects say.