Drone Victims Tell Empty US House Their Story; Is America Listening?

[marmar]

Drone Victims Tell Empty US House Their Story; Is America Listening?

Friday, 01 November 2013 10:41
By Rania Khalek, Truthout | News Analysis

"We do not kill our cattle the way the US is killing humans in Waziristan with drones." - Rafiq ur Rehman

"I no longer love blue skies. In fact, I now prefer grey skies. The drones do not fly when the skies are grey." - Zubair Rehman, 13

"Now, I am always scared." - Nabila Rehman, 9

Pakistani school teacher Rafiq ur Rehman traveled over 7,000 miles with his children - 13-year-old Zubair and 9-year-old Nabila - from a small, remote village in North Waziristan to tell lawmakers about the US drone strike that killed his 67-year-old mother, Mamana Bibi. It was a harrowing tale that brought many in the room to tears, including Rep. Alan Grayson (D-Fla.), who was responsible for inviting the family to Capitol Hill for the briefing.

In the end, only five members of the US House of Representatives bothered to attend. Grayson was joined by Reps. Jan Schakowsky (D- Ill.), Rush Holt (D-NJ), John Conyers (D-Mich.) and Rick Nolan (D-Minn.).

Meanwhile, President Obama, according to his October 29 schedule, was meeting with the CEOs of Lockheed Martin and Northrup Grumman, both of which manufacture drones. More importantly, Lockheed Martin manufactures hellfire missiles, the very weapon fired from the drone that killed Mamana Bibi.

Though Obama did not publicly acknowledge the briefing, his actions the next day suggest he was either unmoved or did not tune in.

Just one day after the Rehman family addressed Congress, a US drone strike killed three people and injured at least three more in North Waziristan. The identities of the dead have yet to be confirmed, but Pakistani intelligence officials say they were suspected militants, the same claim made in the aftermath of Mamana Bibi's death. ................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://truth-out.org/news/item/19751-drone-strike-victims-tell-their-story-but-is-america-listening

[marmar]

1. Is DU listening?

[Laughing Mirror]

2. about as much as Congress

it would seem.

[polichick]

3. This is so sad. Alex Wagner interviewed them and it was heartbreaking...

both because of what has been done in our name and because officials aren't listening.

Rafiq ur Rehman said that the American people are good.

[polly7]

4. Thanks for those congressmen who chose to attend.

What a horrible showing of concern by the rest of them.