Commentary

Hope Amid the Rubble: A Young Woman’s Voice from Gaza

Mark A. Ashwill Commentary , , , , , ,

This image was generated by ChatGPT based on the author's message. It is not a photo of her. Below is a transcript of an inspirational audio recording by Samah Nazmi Al-jaraba’a that she made last year. I previously published her essay Shadows Over Sunrises: A Young Woman’s Fight for Tomorrow in Gaza (17.7.25) in this space. … Continue reading Hope Amid the Rubble: A Young Woman’s Voice from Gaza

From Gaza: “This is Not a Cry for Help – It Is the Final Warning”

Mark A. Ashwill Commentary , , , , , ,

This is a repost of a LinkedIn post by Avishan Chanini, Independent Consultant, Humanitarian and Development Sectors, in which she shares urgent information from the Palestine Red Crescent Society. If you’re sharing information about the humanitarian catastrophe resulting from the ongoing genocide in Gaza, center Palestinian-led organizations.They are the ones refusing to dilute or distort … Continue reading From Gaza: “This is Not a Cry for Help – It Is the Final Warning”

Video Message from Gaza

Mark A. Ashwill Commentary , , , , , , ,

Noor Saad's LinkedIn photo Below is a video message recorded a week ago by Ms. Noor Saad, an English instructor, translator, writer, and digital marketing specialist in Gaza. (The transcript, which I created from the video with the help of TurboScribe, is lightly edited.) Reposted with permission. Please donate to Ms. Noor's Help Fund Gaza … Continue reading Video Message from Gaza

The Bravest People on Earth

Mark A. Ashwill Commentary, Songs , , , , , , , , , ,

I created a spoken word song inspired by this LinkedIn post by Miral Askar, who lives in Cairo, Egypt . Mohammed Abu Taha, the man who took the video Miral writes about, was shot by an IOF sniper while on his way to get food. (Let that sink in for a moment.) He died while … Continue reading The Bravest People on Earth

They Haven’t Won…

Mark A. Ashwill Commentary , , , , , , , , ,

A recent update from Hani Almadhoun, Senior Director of Philanthropy at UNRWA USA, who is in daily contact with family, friends, and colleagues in Gaza. For 21 months, we’ve been marinating in Israeli-induced pain, while their politicians remain proudly genocidal. And yet, this Palestinian child in Gaza—this very morning—refused to let go of that smile. A … Continue reading They Haven’t Won…

The Grandfather of Surgeons Murdered by Israel

Mark A. Ashwill Commentary , , , , ,

I'm reposting this from Mahmoud Alsalehi's LinkedIn account. Dr. Alsalehi is a pediatric cardiologist and assistant professor of pediatrics in Canada. Israel doing what it does best - murder and mayhem. The Israeli Occupation Forces killed the most experienced Consultant of General Surgery in Gaza Strip, Dr Ahmed Qandil, in a drone attack that targeted … Continue reading The Grandfather of Surgeons Murdered by Israel

ChatGPT Comes Clean: Part I

Mark A. Ashwill Commentary , , , ,

A milquetoast image created by...drum roll...ChatGPT. How To Avoid Detection of Social Media Accounts I occasionally have heart-to-heart conversations with everyone's digital friend and servant, ChatGPT, about a variety of burning issues. This one was about the "enhanced vetting" of US student visas. My initial question was, How to avoid detection of social media accounts … Continue reading ChatGPT Comes Clean: Part I

“Two photos. One father. One war. A policy of starvation.”

Mark A. Ashwill Commentary , , , , , ,

This post originally appeared on Ali Abdal Wahab's LinkedIn account. Reposted with permission. Ali is a data analyst, MEAL specialist, and political economy researcher based in Cairo. "Two photos. One father. One war. A policy of starvation."On the right: my father, in Al-Maghazi camp before October 7, 2023: (calm, proud, present)On the left: the same … Continue reading “Two photos. One father. One war. A policy of starvation.”

The Grifter’s Reign

Mark A. Ashwill Commentary, Songs , , , ,

Image created by ChatGPT based on the lyrics. I created this song about Dear Leader (the USA, not North Korea). Turn it up and resist! https://youtu.be/xCMPIWQJeQY?si=-kVjf5HXzzIMet4M [Verse 1] He came down golden stairs like a godless king. Preached to the fearful, promised everything. Sold a dream wrapped in fear and blame, but behind the mask, … Continue reading The Grifter’s Reign

Israel is Starving Gaza

Mark A. Ashwill Commentary , , , , , , , ,

Gaza has passed the breaking point. A deliberate, systematic starvation campaign is underway, and the medical consequences are devastating. -Doctors Against Genocide Israel's genocide of the Palestinian people is unprecedented in its lack of secrecy, in its length, in the overt dismissal of Palestinian humanity on Israel's part. The egregiousness of all these is such … Continue reading Israel is Starving Gaza