WSJ: Ambassador Marla

[question everything]

The Wall Street Journal

April 19, 2005

COMMENTARY

Ambassador Marla

By ROBERT L. POLLOCK
April 19, 2005; Page A20

Photos can be deceptive. But the smiling images of Marla Ruzicka that have been splashed across American TV screens and newspapers since the weekend are an accurate window on the soul of an aid worker -- the founder of the Campaign for Innocent Victims in Conflict -- who died in a Baghdad car bombing on Saturday.

(snip)

The Marla I knew was no fan of the Bush administration. But she didn't indulge in cynicism or moral equivalence. She was actually there -- it should never have to be said about an "aid" worker -- to help. A recent letter of hers to the New York Times captures her passionate-yet-scrupulous spirit. She took Marine Lt. Gen. James Mattis to task for his comment in a speech that "it's fun to shoot some people." But she didn't peddle the leftist cant (think of freed Italian hostage Giuliana Sgrena) that such comments reflect U.S. policy. "I have worked with many of our servicemen who have helped me assist innocent civilians injured accidentally by American forces," Marla wrote. "It is not fair that their acts of kindness and care are misrepresented by Gen. Mattis's undignified remarks."

By approaching the world -- including those in it with whom she disagreed -- so constructively, Marla was able to make a real difference in the lives of many Iraqis and Afghans who became collateral damage in war. America has lost a peerless and unique ambassador.

Mr. Pollock is a senior editorial page writer at the Journal.

URL for this article:
http://online.wsj.com/article/0,,SB111387345727710272,00.html

[MasonJar]

1. It makes me wonder why she was killed.

[question everything]

2. I doubt that she was personally selected

the nature of suicide bomber is that they go after an opportunity, not after specific people