Experts in autocracies have pointed out that it is, unfortunately, easy to slip into normalizing the tyrant, hence it is important to hang on to outrage. These incidents which seem to call for the efforts of the Greek Furies (Erinyes) to come and deal with them will, I hope, help with that. As a reminder, though no one really knows how many there were supposed to be, the three names we have are Alecto, Megaera, and Tisiphone. These roughly translate as “unceasing,” “grudging,” and “vengeful destruction.”
This may be short today. I was out all day yesterday, got home a little after six, whipped through my emails, then went to look for what was new at the Daily Kos, and I saw this. Trigger warning: It brought memories up of a vary bad time for TomCat and for all of us. Same state. Same procedure. Same hospital. Not, this time, for the same reason … but really, even worse for that. At least TC didn’t have to attribute his loss to hate – this time (I know TC was physically injured by hate when he was younger and stronger, and survived it. And that was more than enough)
So many sickening acts of hatred are being perpetrated all over this nation (and we know exactly who to “thank” for that), and they are all so disgusting, that I never expected to be blindsided by a particular one as I was by this.
Mohammad Fawad Mohammadi is an Afghan immigrant. He is one of the interpreters who have saved so many American lives in Afghanistan (and in Iraq and elsewhere) at such great personal risk to himself and I might add to his family. We promised to take care of them. There are many whom we – read this regime – have left out to dry, and will not allow to enter the US. I think I may have written about these interpreters before. As much as anyone in the U’S. military, they have laid their lives on the line for our country, and IMNSHO our country owes them as much as we owe any veteran (not that our veterans are getting what they are owed either.)
It was the evening of March 6. Mohammadi, his wife, and their infant son were in the parking lot of Walgreens in Lincoln City when there was a little fender bender. Mohammadi and wife got out to inspect the damage and engage insurance information. The other driver did not get out, but put his car into reverse and backed toward them and their vehicle. Apparently at a pretty good clip. Mohammadi was able to push his wife to safety, but he was struck and pinned between the two cars. The assailant pulled forward and immediately backed again. This time Mohammadi was able to roll out of the way.
He yelled to his wife to grab the baby and run, which she did. But the car had been rammed three times with the baby inside. Mohammadi’s reaction was “I’m so lucky they are both OK.”
He suffered a crushed leg, broken hips, fractured spine and numerous facial injuries in the accident, and underwent surgery on Friday afternoon. A follow-up surgery took place Tuesday evening, but doctors couldn’t save his leg and were forced to amputate five inches below the knee, according to Laurie Boss, friend and supervisor at Palisades Market [where he is employed – and loved].
His colleagues at Palisades Market in Lake Oswego have set up a GoFundMe for him, and the heartwarming response has at least restored some of his their faith in humanity. I don’t want to spend a lot of time on the perp – he does not deserve the attention, and I’m not sure I could control my language. The Lincoln City police have him in custody. He was apparently DUI. The police are convinced the attack was intentional and have charged him with “attempted murder; assault in the first, second and third degree; reckless endangering; and failure to perform the duties of a driver.” Hopefully something of that will stick. He has a record in his home state of Washington.
Alecto, Megaera, Tisiphone – Please support the Oregon courts to make sure that these charges stick to this perpetrator. And – I know the physical healing of humans is not in your resume, even as Eumenides – but you might tell Apollo this is a case truly deserving of his assistance.
The Furies and I will be back.
Cross posted to Care2 HERE.
