Writing by persiancowboy on Sunday, 20 of July , 2008 at 10:46 am
Recent news makes it clear why it is more important than ever that we take to the streets on August 2. According to press reports, President Bush has given the Israeli military the go-ahead to prepare for an imminent attack on Iran .Israel is also using U.S. bases in Iraq to prepare for the attack.
The British Sunday Times of July 13, 2008 reported:
“Despite the opposition of his own generals and widespread skepticism that America is ready to risk the military, political and economic consequences of an airborne strike on Iran , the president has given an “amber light” to an Israeli plan to attack Iran ’s main nuclear sites with long-range bombing sorties, the official told The Sunday Times.
“Amber means get on with your preparations, stand by for immediate attack and tell us when you’re ready,” the official said.
The Jerusalem Post of July 13, 2008 reported:
“On Friday, sources in the Iraqi Defense Ministry told a local news network that IAF war planes were practicing in Iraqi airspace were landing on US airbases in the country as a preparation for a potential strike on Iran .”
Once again the most powerful forces of US corporate power – the military-industrial-petroleum complex -are using Israel as their proxy to threaten war on surrounding countries in the region.Israel is armed, financed, and politically and diplomatically supported by Washington . It can not act on its own or without explicit permission from Washington . U.S. tax dollars finance Israel wars against surrounding nations, and Israeli repression of the Palestinians, to keep the area “safe” for U.S. oil companies.
This is why it is vital to link the struggle against the war in Iraq and a potential war against Iran with the struggle of the Palestinian people for the right to return.
At the same time Washington is giving the Israeli military a go-ahead to bomb Iran , the U.S. Congress is moving ahead to escalate tensions in the region and possibly provoke an incident that would justify U.S. military action.House Resolution 362 and Senate Resolution 580 both require that the President begin blockade of Iran .
The House Resolution “demands” that the President impose “stringent inspection requirements on all persons, vehicles, ships, planes, trains, and cargo entering or departing Iran .”Enforcing this would require a U.S. Naval blockade of the Straits of Hormuz, which is an act of war according to international law.Approximately one-fourth of the world’s oil, including that from Iran , Iraq , Saudi Arabia , Kuwait , Qatar and Bahrain , pass through the Straits of Hormuz, which is 21 miles across at its narrowest point (the shipping channel is less than 2 miles wide).
These two resolutions have received widespread bipartisan support from members of both Houses, and are expected to pass without debate or vote.A staffer in House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s office said that once the Resolution hits the floor, it will “pass like a hot knife through butter.”Some have speculated that the bill will be put on the floor under suspension — meaning that it will pass without even a vote.
Both resolutions accuse Iran of developing nuclear weapons, despite the fact that Washington ’s National Intelligence Estimate report last December that made it clear that every major U.S. intelligence agency believes that Iran does not have a nuclear weapons program.
Nor do the resolutions refer to the real nuclear threat in the region – the U.S. , which is the only country that has used nuclear weapons and currently has a massive nuclear-armed naval armada in the region.It also does not mention the apartheid settler state of Israel , which is thought to have more than 200 nuclear weapons.
At the same time, two leading Senators announced on Tuesday, July 15, that they had reached a bipartisan agreement to expand economic sanctions targeting Iran .Sens. Christopher J. Dodd, D-Conn., chairman of the Senate Banking Committee and Richard Shelby, R-Ala., called Iran “a threat to U.S. interests.”Dodd, a former candidate for the Democratic nomination for President, said, “This bipartisan bill strengthens economic sanctions against Iran , and authorizes divestment from companies that do business with Iran ’s key oil sector.”
Meanwhile, the U.S. is involved in “covert operations” – acts of terrorism – inside Iran . In the July 7 New Yorker, Seymour Hersh revealed that Congress has approved $400 million to fund covert operations in Iran .These operations include: providing support to armed groups opposed to the Iranian government, kidnapping members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards and taking them across the border to Iraq for interrogation, the manipulation of Iran ’s currency, and other acts intended to destabilize the regime.Hersh reports that these types of operations have been ongoing at least since last year, but the recent Congressional appropriation signals a significant expansion of these actions.
It is clear that the Bush Administration is determined to push forward with its agenda of endless war to control the oil reserves of the Middle East . It is equally clear that members of Congress – both Democrats and Republicans – are collaborating with the Administration, just as they collaborated in authorizing and funding the invasion and occupation of Iraq .
It is imperative that progressive activists and organizations, particularly in the U.S. , mobilize to stop another brutal war, and to demand an end to the illegal sanctions and covert operations targeting Iran .
Stop War on Iran , an international grassroots campaign, issued an Emergency Call to for protests, marches, and other actions on the weekend of August 2.Response to the call has been enthusiastic, and local organizers are planning events in more than 50 cities, including Los Angeles, Tucson , San Diego, San Francisco, Denver, Atlanta, Chicago, Indianapolis, Baltimore, Boston, Detroit, Minneapolis, Jersey City, Albuquerque, Buffalo, New York City , Charlotte , Raleigh/Durham, Cleveland , Oklahoma City, Philadelphia , Houston, Salt Lake City , Virginia Beach, Washington DC , and more – an updated list is available at www.StopWarOnIran.org.
Now is the time to take to the streets, because only a massive grassroots mobilization can stop another bloody and illegal war.
In the next few days and weeks, we need to do everything we can to take to the streets to Stop a War on Iran. We have a real opportunity to help build a massive grassroots movement to oppose the warmongers in Washington.
If you haven’t done so, please consider organizing a local action on August 2 - or if there is already one in your area, contact local organizers to find out how you can help.
Also, please sign the online petition at http://stopwaroniran.org/petition.shtml and help us spread the word. Signing the petition will send messages to President Bush, Vice President Cheney, the Board of Directors of Halliburton, and the media.
In the next few days, we will be preparing placards and banners, printing leaflets and educational materials, and holding organizing meetings to prepare for the August 2 protests. Please consider making a donation at http://stopwaroniran.org/donate.shtml to help us with the enormous expenses of mobilizing a national response to Bush’s war threats.
Call the Congressional switchboard at 202-225-3121 and ask to speak with your member of Congress.
Feel free to use these talking points during your call:
1. H.Con.Res. 362 is a call for war. Section 3 calls on the President to prohibit “the export to Iran of all refined petroleum products and “demands” that the president impose “stringent inspection requirements on all persons, vehicles, ships, planes, trains, and cargo entering or departing Iran.” To do this, the United States would have to impose a naval blockade- which is universally recognized under international law as an act of war. Passage of this resolution would signal to the world that the US would rather resort to war than invest in diplomacy.
2. By blocking all traffic entering or departing Iran, Congress is targeting the people of Iran, not the government. Sanctioning Iran’s refined petroleum imports lets the Iranian government off the hook for its own corruption and economic mismanagement. Tehran maintains its costly gasoline subsidies because it feels the Iranian people would not tolerate higher prices. This resolution would give the government of Iran the window it needs to raise the price of gas and put the blame on the United States.
Writing by persiancowboy on Tuesday, 24 of June , 2008 at 9:02 pm
Antiwar.com Action Alert - Antiwar.com
Iran War Resolution May Be Passed Next Week
Introduced less than a month ago, Resolution 362, also known as the Iran War Resolution, could be passed by the House as early as next week. The bill is the chief legislative priority of AIPAC. On its Web site, AIPAC endorses the resolutions as a way to ”Stop Iran’s Nuclear Program” and tells readers to lobby Congress to pass the bill. In the Senate, a sister resolution, Resolution 580, has gained co-sponsors with similar speed. The Senate measure was introduced by Indiana Democrat Evan Bayh on June 2. It has since gained 19 co-sponsors.
The bill’s key section “demands that the president initiate an international effort to immediately and dramatically increase the economic, political, and diplomatic pressure on Iran to verifiably suspend its nuclear enrichment activities by, inter alia, prohibiting the export to Iran of all refined petroleum products; imposing stringent inspection requirements on all persons, vehicles, ships, planes, trains, and cargo entering or departing Iran; and prohibiting the international movement of all Iranian officials not involved in negotiating the suspension of Iran’s nuclear program.” “Imposing stringent inspection requirements on all persons, vehicles, ships, planes, trains, and cargo entering or departing Iran” can be read to mean that the president should initiate a naval blockade of Iran. A unilateral naval blockade without UN sanction is an act of war. Resolution 362 has already gained 170 co-sponsors, or nearly 40 percent of the House. It has been referred to the Foreign Affairs Committee, which has 49 members, 24 of whom, including the ranking Republican, are co-sponsors.
The Iran Nuclear Watch Web site writes, “According to the House leadership, this resolution is going to ‘pass like a hot knife through butter’ before the end of June on what is called suspension - meaning no amendments can be introduced during the 20-minute maximum debate. It also means it is assumed the bill will pass by a 2/3 majority and is non-controversial.” Our national legislators deem it non-controversial to recommend to a president known for his recklessness and bad judgment that he consider engaging in an act of war against Iran. Those of you who consider this issue controversial can go to the Just Foreign Policy Web site and tell your representative to oppose this resolution.
For more information about this action item, media requests, donations or other information, please contact Angela Keaton at 310-729-3760 or akeaton@antiwar.com
WASHINGTON, April 26: Alia Sabur, a 19-year old Iranian American, has been declared the world’s youngest professor in history by the Guinness Book of World Records.
Alia broke the 1717 record set by a student of physicist Isaac Newton, Colin Maclaurin.
She has been setting records and making history throughout her young career; starting with reading at 8 months. Her IQ was determined off the charts.
She went from 4th grade to college, earning a BS in Applied Mathematics summa cum laude from Stony Brook University, New York at age 14, the youngest female in American history.
She then earned an MS and PhD in Materials Science and Engineering from Drexel University, Philadelphia.
Alia is the youngest ever to receive fellowships and awards from the US Department of Defence, Nasa and the US National Science Foundation.
She was 18 when she was hired as a professor in the Department of Advanced Technology Fusion at Konkuk University in Seoul, Korea.
“It’s really a great honour to be in the company of such great scientists,” Alia said.
by Toby Armstrong
The youngest university professor is Alia Sabur (USA, b. 22 February 1989). She was appointed as a full-time faculty Professor at Konkuk University, Seoul, South Korea as Research Liaison with Stony Brook University (New York, USA) with effect from 19 February 2008, aged 18 years 362 days.
Writing by persiancowboy on Friday, 30 of May , 2008 at 12:49 pm
Tehran, May 25, IRNA - American filmmaker and author, Michael Moore held talks with the representative of Iran’s Documentary and Experimental Cinema Development Center at the 61st Cannes International Film Festival in southern France on Sunday.
In the meeting, Moore voiced his willingness to take part in the Second Iran International Documentary Film Festival slated for October 14-19 in Tehran.
Moore, a vocal critic who denounced Bush and the war in Iraq, further expressed regret for not participating in Iran’s first documentary film festival.
Writing by persiancowboy on Tuesday, 22 of April , 2008 at 10:51 am
Here is a press release I just got from the National Iranian American Council about Sen. Clinton’s war rhetoric.
Washington DC - The National Iranian American Council (NIAC) denounces Senator Hillary Clinton’s escalating war rhetoric on Iran. In an interview with Good Morning America, Senator Clinton promised Tuesday to “obliterate” Iran should Tehran develop a nuclear weapon and use it against Israel.
“I want the Iranians to know that if I’m the President, we will attack Iran,” Clinton said. “In the next 10 years, during which they might foolishly consider launching an attack on Israel, we would be able to totally obliterate them.”
NIAC regrets that at a time when America needs a new foreign policy - one centered on resolving regional and global conflict through diplomacy in cooperation with US allies - Senator Clinton has chosen a policy that would prolong conflict. Her rhetoric suggests that she would resort to Cold War tactics instead of recognizing the ability to resolve the US-Iran stalemate through diplomacy.
“Senator Clinton’s statement reflects a mindset of perpetual conflict that has guided our Iran policy for the last seven years,” Trita Parsi, NIAC President, said. “This is disastrous for US national interest, since we are in desperate need of a new and fresh Iran policy aimed at resolving the conflict rather than prolonging it.”
Senator Clinton’s remarks were made in the context of her proposal to provide a nuclear umbrella to Arab states in the Middle East against Iran. The New York Senator rejected on MSNBC Monday evening the idea that the government in Tehran cannot be deterred.
“Fixation on deterrence, sanctions and threats of war have all failed to advance US national interest and change Iran’s nuclear policy,” Parsi said. “What we need now is not nuclear deterrence, but nuclear diplomacy.”
Writing by persiancowboy on Friday, 21 of March , 2008 at 3:12 pm
Q Mr. President, let me thank you first on behalf of the Voice of America, on behalf of the Persian News Network for giving us your time. We really appreciate that, sir.
President Bush
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you. Q As you know, Mr. President, this is the eve of Nowruz, the Iranian New Year. What is your message to the Iranian people as they face tough economic circumstances and infringement on their freedoms?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, first, Nowruz a tan Mubarak. Secondly, that the people of the United States respects the people of Iran; that we respect the traditions of Iran, the great history of Iran. We have differences with the government, but we honor the people, and we want the people to live in a free society. We believe freedom is a right for all people and that the freer the world is, the more peaceful the world is. And so my message is, please don’t be discouraged by the slogans that say America doesn’t like you, because we do, and we respect you.
Q What do you say to the regime, sir — what would you say to the regime?
THE PRESIDENT: I’d say to the regime that they made decisions that have made it very difficult for the people of Iran. In other words, the Iranian leaders, in their desire to enrich uranium — in spite of the fact that the international community has asked them not to — has isolated a great country; and that there’s a way forward. I mean, the Iranian leaders know there’s a way forward, and that is verifiably suspend your enrichment and you can have new relationship with people in the U.N. Security Council, for example. It’s just sad that the leadership is in many ways very stubborn, because the Iraqi — the Iranian people are not realizing their true rights. And they’re confusing people in Iraq, as well, about their desires. It’s a tough period in history for the Iranian people, but it doesn’t have to be that way.
Q On the nuclear issue, sir, is there a solution to the problem that would both satisfy the United States’ concern and at the same time allow Iran to proceed with non-military nuclear energy research?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, part of the problem is that it’s very hard for people to trust the Iranian government because they haven’t told the full truth, and that’s why the people of Iran have got to understand there are great suspicions right now, not only in the United States, but around the world. But there is a better way forward. And I thought, for example, the Russians proposed an interesting way, that says — and I have said publicly, and the Iranian people need to know that I believe Iran has the right to have civilian nuclear power. I believe in civilian nuclear power. Iran is a sovereign country and they should have it. The problem is we just don’t trust the government because they haven’t been forthcoming about their enrichment of fuels to go into the reactor, and therefore Russia has offered to provide fuel on a contractual basis and provide fuel on a consistent basis. It would help solve the problem, and that is the Iranians wouldn’t need to enrich, it would have fuel for their reactor and the people would have cheaper electricity. And I support that idea.
President Bush (left) being interviewed by Setareh Derakhsheh of
VOA Persian Service
Q Sir, would you allow enrichment inside Iran if there are guarantees and international supervision? THE PRESIDENT: I would have to be convinced that any secret programs would be disclosed. In other words, I — once a nation hasn’t told the truth, it requires a lot of work to convince people that they’ll be telling the truth in the future. And my problem is, is that the Iranian government has not been forthcoming, has not fully disclosed their programs like the IAEA asked them to. So there’s a lot of distrust right now. And the better way forward is for there to be a contractual, solid obligation to provide fuel for a nuclear reactor and then the Iranians can have their civilian nuclear power.
Q At a time when Iranians are going through very difficult economic circumstances — there’s high employment — high unemployment, there are high prices, there are unfilled promises — the United Nations Security Council just passed a new set of sanctions against the regime. Is the United States concerned, sir, that the regime might exploit these circumstances to whip up anti-American sentiment, and also to use those and misuse them?
THE PRESIDENT: Sure. No, I appreciate that. Of course we are. We’re always concerned about the individual. I’m concerned about the mom trying to raise her child in a hopeful environment. I’m concerned about a child wanting to gain the knowledge so that he or she can realize her God-given talents. And of course we’re worried about the human condition. And any time a government is failing to meet the needs of people — or a lot of times, not “any time,” but a lot of times governments have failed to meet the needs of their people, particularly in relatively non-transparent, non-free societies they always look for somebody to blame. And I’m not surprised that the leaders would blame the United States for the problems they, themselves, have created. So, yes, this enters my mind. On the other hand, the people of Iran must understand that the conditions exist in large part because of either management by the government or isolation because of the government’s decisions on foreign policy matters — such as announcing they want to destroy countries with a nuclear weapon. It is irresponsible remarks like that which cause great credibility loss with the Iranian government, the actions of which are affecting the country.
Q Mr. President, if I may, I want to ask you about Iraq also. Today is the fifth anniversary of the start of the Iraq war and you had a speech on the war on terror. Are you satisfied with the political situation in Iraq, in view of the improving security situation? And also, has Iran played a role in this?
THE PRESIDENT: I am pleased, but not satisfied. I am pleased because there’s a modern constitution in Iraq. I am pleased because people have voted in Iraq. I am pleased because they’re heading toward provincial elections in Iraq. I’m pleased to see democracy moving. I’m not satisfied because there’s more work to be done. One of the problems we do have in Iraq is the — there’s been some negative Iranian influence, such as the exportation from Iran of certain weapons that have been used by extremists to murder and to kill people. And it’s been particularly unhelpful. Now, look, I understand Iraq and Iran are going to have relations; after all, they’ve got a long border. But from my perspective, Iran has not been helpful in terms of helping this young democracy survive. I would think it would be in Iran’s interests to have a peaceful neighbor. They had been at war at one time with Iraq. I would believe that a peaceful Iraq would be in the long-term interests of the Iranian people. And yet it’s hard to have a peaceful Iraq if there are elements inside the country that are trying to use violence and murder to continue to stir up sectarian doubts and raise concerns which will cause more violence.
Q There have been recent contacts between the United States and Iran over Iraq. Some dissidents inside Iran think that these might expand to other areas, and they feel that this will undercut their position and that would strengthen the regime’s hand. What are your thoughts on that, sir?
THE PRESIDENT: My thought is, is that the reformers inside Iran are brave people, they’ve got no better friend than George W. Bush, and I ask for God’s blessings on them on their very important work. And secondly, that I would do nothing to undermine their efforts. And thirdly, that the talks between Iran — between the U.S. and Iran about Iraq are solely about Iraq, and that the message to the Iranians is: Stop importing your weapons, your sophisticated IEDs, or there will be consequences inside of Iraq. And when we find people transporting weapons that are aimed to harm innocent people or to arm militias that are aiming to harm innocent people, then they will be brought to justice; that there’s a better way to deal inside of Iraq than the Iranians are now dealing. And so this message is nothing more than limited to Iraq.
Q Mr. President, thank you very much. And thanks for allowing me to do the interview, sir.
Writing by persiancowboy on Friday, 21 of March , 2008 at 3:10 pm
A traditional Haft Sin table celebrating Nowruz, the Persian New Year, is seen set Wednesday, March 19, 2008, in the State Dining Room of the White House. Nowruz is, in Persian and some other cultures, including Kurdish culture, a family-oriented holiday celebrating the New Year and the coming of spring. The Haft Sin table has seven items symbolizing new life, joy, love, beauty and health, sunrise, patience and garlic to ward off evil. White House photo by Chris Greenberg
Writing by persiancowboy on Friday, 21 of March , 2008 at 3:03 pm
Eid eh Shoma Mobarak. It is my distinct honor to bring you greetings on the occasion of Nowruz, Persian New Year. As Speaker of the House, and the Representative from California’s 8th Congressional District in San Francisco, I am proud to have a diverse constituency, including a vibrant Iranian-American community that represents the beauty and strength of our country.
Nowruz, meaning new day, is a celebration of the first day of spring. This day is celebrated by millions worldwide and symbolizes renewal, life and new beginnings. The 110th Congress is also about new beginnings and a steadfast commitment to a new direction. Just as Iranian-Americans set Haft Seen tables which symbolize health, happiness and prosperity this Congress has worked hard to pass legislation that espouses these very same values. We have passed legislation to reduce global warming and create energy security, increased the minimum wage and have passed an Innovation Agenda promoting 21st century jobs for a global economy. Over the course of our second session of congress we will continue to write a budget that highlights funding our priorities for a new direction and continue to question the administration’s stance on torture and the war in Iraq.
There is a unique bond that grows out of the fundamental values we share. Our nation’s growing Iranian-American population has not only contributed to our cultural diversity but has also strengthened our economy. Iranian-Americans continue to contribute to all aspects of our society from business to government to nonprofit and cultural organizations. That bond forms the foundation of our efforts for peace, democracy and human freedom.
Please accept my best wishes for good health and happiness together, surrounded by your friends and family, for many years to come. To contact me and learn about all of my positions on current issues, please visit my website, http://www.speaker.gov
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Tehran, May 25, IRNA - American filmmaker and author, Michael Moore held talks with the representative of Iran’s Documentary and Experimental Cinema Development Center at the 61st Cannes International Film Festival in southern France on Sunday.
