And the news from Iran the past couple days has me concerned.First off, World news | The Guardian:
"From the moment Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's name appeared on the programme for a major UN conference against racism, it was guaranteed to be a controversial performance. Yesterday, the Iranian president lived up to expectations, questioning the history of the Holocaust and accusing Israel of racism and genocide in a speech which triggering a coordinated walk out by Britain and other European countries.So, it's an anti-racism conference, and they have Fuzzy Hitler scream about the Jews as the keynote speaker? Why not invite Richard Harwood to debate Elie Wiesel at the opening of the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center, in Skokie on Sunday?
Ahmadinejad caused uproar at the Geneva meeting by delivering a long, rambling polemic against Zionism, which he equated with racism, and blamed for the war in Iraq. He said Zionists had 'penetrated into the political and economic structure including their legislation, mass media, companies, financial systems, and their security and intelligence agencies'.
'They have imposed their domination to the extent that nothing can be done against their will,' the Iranian president told delegates from around the world in Geneva's historic Palais des Nations, birthplace of the League of Nations.
The speech not only overshadowed the conference intended to review international progress against racism and discrimination around the world, it seemed to rule out any rapprochement between Iran and the west. continued
When is the West going to start taking Fuzzy Hitler seriously?
Before or after mushroom clouds rise?
We need to take his threats seriously, and allowing this particular idiot the power of atomic weapons is especially scary.
But wait, there's more Iranian news...
I'm extremely upset by this story, Iran sentences Roxana Saberi to 8 yearsSure, Americans take their freedom of speech, our freedom of the press, and the RULE OF LAW...
...for granted. Roxana, Mrs. North Dakota, a Northwestern graduate and [important] a US Citizen is playing the role of Kafka fairly well right now.
She's being used as pawn for the ruling Mullahs and Mahmoud to play around with in their power play, and as a bonus, is there to piss off the West.
Saberi, 31, moved to Iran six years ago and worked as a freelance journalist for National Public Radio and the BBC. Her press credentials were taken away in 2006, but she kept on reporting - which meant, of course, that she was spying. Her initial arrest was for - buying a bottle of wine.
The "Trial" was behind closed doors. Her appeal was requested by Judiciary Chief Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi. He has ordered a “fair appeal,” according to the Tehran Times.
Her, what we would call 'public defender' wasn't even in the room when she was convicted. No evidence was even given.
I seriously hope that the world will come together to stop this performance of Kafka now.
Free Roxana Saberi
What You Can Do?
Write to:
His Excellency Ambassador Mohammad Khazaee,
Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran
622 Third Ave.
New York, NY 1007
e-mail: iran@un.int
She's being used as pawn for the ruling Mullahs and Mahmoud to play around with in their power play, and as a bonus, is there to piss off the West.
A classic, contrived crisis by Iran and Ahmadinejad, in particular, who is using this designed crisis to maneuver his pieces against his political opposition. It's a tragity that he's using a human being, Roxana, an American Citizen, in his twisted game.
Saberi, 31, moved to Iran six years ago and worked as a freelance journalist for National Public Radio and the BBC. Her press credentials were taken away in 2006, but she kept on reporting - which meant, of course, that she was spying. Her initial arrest was for - buying a bottle of wine.
The "Trial" was behind closed doors. Her appeal was requested by Judiciary Chief Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi. He has ordered a “fair appeal,” according to the Tehran Times.
Her, what we would call 'public defender' wasn't even in the room when she was convicted. No evidence was even given.
I seriously hope that the world will come together to stop this performance of Kafka now.
Free Roxana Saberi
What You Can Do?
Write to:
His Excellency Ambassador Mohammad Khazaee,
Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran
622 Third Ave.
New York, NY 1007
e-mail: iran@un.int
it a mistake for Obama and America to read more into this than an early attempt by hard-liners in Iran (Ahmadinejad, clerics and the military) to gain a negotiating advantage in continuing talks.
ReplyDeleteThe Persians are nothing if not horse traders par excellence.
Meanwhile, it is common knowledge Ahmadinejad has his staunch opposition. How he plays this affair may very well help end his administration.
Ahmadinejad is a wannabe populist allied with the military and Islamic religious fundamentalists. In this respect, he reminds many of the Bush coalition of fringe, hard-right groups which drove his policy.
Interestingly, both Ahmadinejad and Bush2 were opposed to equal public access for all groups to the airwaves, opposed free speech for the opposition (Bush2 preferring "demonstration zones" for protestors), and repeatedly abused citizen rights under the law.
Bush is out, and Ahmadinejad may be next. That Ahmadinejad would choose a theatrical ploy imposing needless risk on his regime shows how desperate he has become for public support.
He is not likely to get it over the case of journalist Roxana Saberi. Most of Iran is young, with an estimated 60 percent under 25-- and are fast-losing patience for a leader without leadership. A large percentage of Iran's young demographic may even entertain sympathy for Ms. Saberi.
The same wave of change which elected Obama promises to unseat old actors in Iran, as well. America can afford to wait patiently, even if poor Ms. Saberi cannot.