-----Original Message-----
From:
NewPacifica@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:NewPacifica@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of
Kevin White
Sent: Sunday, May 28, 2006 1:41 PM
To:
NewPacifica@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: RE: [NewPacifica] FW: [LAAMN]
Neither U.S. Aggression Nor Theocratic Repression
Talk about
a waste of time....
Richard,
I can't say I don't have a certain affection for you, but one thing you
need to learn is an expert is a person who's stopped learning. Lorraine is a
primary source for this subject. Most of us learned the rest of it from the
Beatles.
This is convoluted and
I'm not going to break it down. Maybe you could simply have written
you prefer Loraine's take on things without throwing in the other
stuff? What you smoking? :)
I learned something really interesting in this discussion. I learned from
Camilla that any study of Western history leads toward either a mistrust of
religion or out and out atheism. Islam has always been a religion of scholars
and authors while Christianity has been dominated by the ignorant and the book
burners.
It's been known for long
before you and I were born that secular history is anti-religious as
it's based on reason, not faith. That doesn't rule out having a knowledge
of history and keeping ones faith also....faith from
within whichever religion.
I see. Islam is the
good religion and Christianity the bad one. Isn't that your polarizing
view?
Did you know that convicted rapest and drug addict Jim Bakker is back in
the TV evangilism business?
No, and who in hell
cares?
Thank you, Camilla. I'm happy to see you on the list.
Seems Kevin's taking
my Dear Loraine jest seriously or is it only that he wants to.
/R
Kevin bin Troy ibn Mohammed
Richard
<rsierra7@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
For
a number of reasons I'm not getting into here....I wanna get off this
damn
comp.
But, for a third time, here's a link: http://www.nysun.com/article/22712
Dear
Loraine, my life would be much simpler if you just accepted everything
I
say. :) /R
-----Original Message-----
From:
NewPacifica@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:NewPacifica@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]On
Behalf
Of L. Mirza
Sent: Sunday, May 28, 2006 6:47 AM
To:
NewPacifica@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: RE: [NewPacifica] FW: [LAAMN] Neither
U.S. Aggression Nor
Theocratic Repression
Richard,
Just how
do you get the impression, the elected
government of Iraq is allied with
the US? Since I
follow Ayatollah Seestani and also speak daily with
a
lot of folks I have known for years in Iraq I
understand the strategy
of the coalition.
That strategy is to take measures to get the
Americans
out of Iraq ASAP. The sooner the coalition forms a
stable
government, the sooner the Americans will have
no further excuse to
continue the occupation. The
so-called insurgency on the other hand is
committing
its acts of violence in attempts to ferment
sectarian
divisions, create instability, prevent rebuilding
of
infastructure and prolong US occupation.
It is the US trying to
create its version of a free
market economy, which only really means, how
much oil
they can exploit before they are given the boot.
---
Richard <rsierra7@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> The short of it is I
don't support any gov allied
> with the present US gov
> and
currently that's reality as I see it. Free
> market democracy is not
for
> me.
>
> No, I wasn't in Iraq and Iran as the war was
on and
> there was no way I could
> obtain a visa in Jordan or
elsewhere. /R
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From:
NewPacifica@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>
[mailto:NewPacifica@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]On
> Behalf Of L. Mirza
>
Sent: Saturday, May 27, 2006 7:52 PM
> To:
NewPacifica@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: RE: [NewPacifica] FW: [LAAMN]
Neither U.S.
> Aggression Nor
> Theocratic
Repression
>
>
> Why do you reject the current Iraq
government
> Richard?
> It was elected. The winners were a
coalition of
> mostly
> Shia, but some Kurdish and Sunnis, oh and
I
> understand
> there is a Christian party in it as
well.
>
> The first election was boycotted by most or at
least
> many Sunnis, so if they refused to stand up and be
>
counted how in the hell can they complain when not
> in
> the
count!!!!
>
> However, in the most recent and second
election,
> Sunnis did join in as both candidates and more voted
>
than in the first elections.
>
> The coalition that won the
majority of votes is
> certainly entitled to the government. This was
not
> an
> installed government but one that was elected.
Not
> that it matters who you support Richard, since you
>
are
> not an Iraqi and can not vote there. However, uncle
> sam is
doing its best to keep the pot boiling so it
> can maintain the
occupation.
>
> I don't recall hearing you had ever been to Iraq.
I
> have and the Shias were completely oppressed, the
>
only
> slums in Baghdad were where the Shias lived, and
>
while
> all of the Central and Northern Iraq were well
>
developed, had good water supplies and very good
> roads, that changes
drastically once you drive south
> in Iraq. You could tell exactly where
the southern
> Iraqi dividing line was by the way the super four
>
lane
> each way highway, suddenly turned into a one lane
> dusty,
pot-holed road. In the south all the cities
> were crumbling, streets
were in poor shape and
> services such as water and electricity were
minimal.
> Unlike central Iraq where everything was rebuilt
>
from
> the Gulf war, just 9 months earlier, nothing in the
> south
had been rebuilt since 1988 when the Iran Iraq
> war ended, let alone
the the 1991 Gulf war.
>
> Are you saying Richard, that an
oppressed majority
> can
> not now be allowed to rule as a
majority in their
> own
> country?
>
> --- Richard
<rsierra7@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
> > You last paragraph may
turn out to be accurate but
> > for the present Bush and
> >
his admin are hand in hand with Chalabi and I can
> > only assume
that's their
> > intent for the future. With the current
>
arrangement
> > I have to reject the
> > Iraqi gov and hope
things change for the better.
> /R
> >
> >
-----Original Message-----
> > From:
NewPacifica@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> >
[mailto:NewPacifica@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]On
> > Behalf Of L. Mirza
>
> Sent: Saturday, May 27, 2006 6:26 PM
> > To:
NewPacifica@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > Subject: RE: [NewPacifica] FW:
[LAAMN] Neither
> U.S.
> > Aggression Nor
> >
Theocratic Repression
> >
> >
> > Chalabi is
actually in no one's graces. He tied
> his
> > wagon to the
coalition only because he figured
> with
> > Ayatollah
Sistani's blessings, it would win the
> > popular vote. Had there
been a chance for the US
> > backed candidate or another, he'd have
hitched to
> > that wagon.
> >
> > Right now
the coalition has no policy to bar
> anyone
> > who wanted to
join in, and getting into any kind
> of
> > battle trying to
bar some would only divert them
> > from
> > what already is
a difficult situation. As I would
> > guess from experience in other
countries where
> > numerous parties have joined together to
defeat
> one
> > party or another, and the most recent aliance
of
> > past
> > avowed enemies, Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz
Sharif to
> > defeat Parwaiz Musharaf, is an example
expediency
> > for
> > a temporary period in order to gain
political
> > advantage. In Bhutto's father's time, 9 parties
>
> lined
> > up in a coalition in an attempt to defeat him.
>
>
> > In Iran five so-called "moderate" parties joined
>
up
> > to
> > attempt to gain in the elections. However,
before
> > the
> > elections took place none of the five was
willing
> to
> > bow out and support just one candidate. That
led
> to
> > the election of Dr. Ahmedijad
> >
>
> Today's allies will no doubt fall out and be
> > tomorrow's
rivals in Iraq as well.
> >
> > --- Richard
<rsierra7@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> >
> > > No Bushy
wasn't but now empowered Chalabi, back
> in
> > > US graces,
and his
> > > friends are the prime nexus btw him and the
>
Iraqi
> > > gov and they have control
> > > of the
oil, defense, and finance ministries.
> One
> > > can look
at the gov one
> > > way or another but to me that, along
with
> > > Shia/Sharia domination of the
> > >
judiciary in the background, constitutes prime
> > > power. I see
an imperial
> > > alliance and on that ground I object to
the
> Iraqi
> > > government.
> > >
> >
> This is an anti-imperialist POLITICAL position
> re
> >
> the particular matters of
> > > the two involved states and
not an attack on the
> > > islamic Faith in general.
> >
>
> > > May Allah's will prevail. /R
> >
>
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From:
NewPacifica@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > >
[mailto:NewPacifica@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]On
> > > Behalf Of L.
Mirza
> > > Sent: Saturday, May 27, 2006 5:45 AM
> > >
To: NewPacifica@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > > Subject: RE: [NewPacifica]
FW: [LAAMN] Neither
> > U.S.
> > > Aggression Nor
>
> > Theocratic Repression
> > >
> > >
>
> > bush is not at all happy with the results of the
> > >
results of the elections in Iraq. He's just been
> > > forced to
live with the results. Have you
> > forgotten,
> > > the
US state department backed another party
> > > altogether? Now
they have to learn to "live"
> with
> > > the
> >
> coalition party and try to make the best by
> > >
attempting
> > > some manipulation. Thus, I am convinced that
the
> > US
> > > is
> > > behind much of the
sectarian violence which of
> > > course
> > > gives
the USA more time to keep the occupation
> > > going.
> >
>
> > > If peace really breaks out in Iraq uncle sam
>
will
> > > have
> > > to pack and leave.
> >
>
> > > --- Richard <rsierra7@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
> >
> > > > Come on, your first sentence is
nonfactual
> > > > spin....the new left is based on the
fem
> > principle
> > > > not the male.
You're
> > > > turning truth on its head.
> > >
>
> > > > Hey, all it boils down to is some support
one
> > set
> > > of
> > > > beliefs and
others others; all tend to
> encourage
> > > > spread
and
> > > > empowerment of their own ideas and povs.
But
> > then
> > > > there's the matter of
imperialism,
> specifically
> > > that
> > >
> of the US.
> > > >
> > > > I'm sorry,
Altaf, but it's, like,
> anti-imperial
> > > left
>
> > > vs the imperial US gov and its allied govs and
> >
> mvts.
> > > > That's the
> > > > bottom
line and it doesn't just happen Bush is
> > pro
> > >
> the present Iraqi gov anymore than it used to
> be
> >
> pro
> > > > Shah. The new
> > > > left
works against the beast's interests not
> for
> > > >
them.
> > > >
> > > > I might say it's
interesting seeing if
> Venezuela
> > > can
> >
> > create an oil alliance contra the US, one
> > >
including
> > > > Iran and other
> > > >
nations. /R
> > > >
> > > >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > > > From:
NewPacifica@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > > >
[mailto:NewPacifica@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf
> Of
> > >
> Altaf Bhimji
> > > > Sent: Friday, May 26, 2006 1:27
PM
> > > > To: NewPacifica@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > >
> Subject: RE: [NewPacifica] FW: [LAAMN] Neither
> > >
U.S.
> > > > Aggression Nor Theocratic Repression
> >
> >
> > > >
> > > > this so-called "new
left" however does wish
> for
> > > > regime changes in
areas of the world that it
> > knows
> > > > nothing
about - and
> > > > as such is reactionary, imperialist,
and
> > > > patriarchical (sure... it does not advocate
>
> > military
> > > > intervention, but it ends
>
> > > up feeding the beast that it supposedly
> opposes
>
> )
> > > > ... because it does not believe in
> >
> > self-determination --- or the
> > > > notion that
people may decide to live in ways
> > > other
> > >
> than the "new-left" ideology. And if a people
> do
> >
> > chose a form of
> > > > govt other than "new-left",
the new-left will
> > > > attribute that to "theocratic
repression" or
> > just
> > > > plain backwardness
of
> > > > people (who then need to be "educated" on
the
> > > > virtues of the "new left").
> > >
>
> > > > Altaf
> > > >
> > >
>
> > > >
> > > > -----Original
Message-----
> > > > From: Richard
> >
> > Sent: May 26, 2006 1:13 PM
> > >
> To: NewPacifica@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > >
> Subject: RE: [NewPacifica] FW: [LAAMN]
>
Neither
> > > > U.S. Aggression Nor Theocratic
Repression
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> The new left opposes Bush (christian
> > >
conservative)
> > > > and the aligned Iraqi gov
(islamic
> conservative)
> > > and
> > > >
they don't
> > > > adhere to the Pres's form of
imperial
> democracy
> > > nor
> > > > do
they support christian Law (Old Testament)
> > and,
> > >
> finally, they
> > > > don't approve of islamic Sharia.
State legal
> > > systems
> > > > and movements
based on the Law and Sharia are
> > > > traditional and
>
> > > patriarchal. The new left everywhere and
> >
whatever
> > > > its form is anti-patriarchalism and its
many
> > > > manifestations.
> > > >
>
> > > The new Iraqi Constitution, if I recall
>
> > correctly
> > > > via Article 2....as well as
elsewhere,
> > establishes
> > > > islamic Law
>
> > > (Sharia) as the high FOUNDATION and supreme
> >
source
> > > > of national law.
> > > >
>
> > > Since the renaissance a secular left has
>
> existed
> > > > throughout history having in our age
spread
> over
> > > the
> > > > face of
the
> > > > earth. Then too, at times, deep calls
to
> deep.
> > > >
> > > > So
it is in heaven, on earth, and in the
> sea.
> > >
/R
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> -----Original Message-----
> > > >
From: NewPacifica@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > > >
[mailto:NewPacifica@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]On
> > > >
Behalf Of L. Mirza
> > > > Sent: Friday, May 26,
2006 10:31 AM
> > > > To:
NewPacifica@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > > > Subject: RE:
[NewPacifica] FW: [LAAMN]
> Neither
> > > > U.S.
Aggression Nor
> > > > Theocratic
Repression
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> Well then the secular left should stop being
> >
so
> > > > arragent and trying to impose
their
> philosophy
> > > on
> > >
> others. What is the difference between them
> >
and
> > > > bush's
> > > > regime
change policy? They want secular
> then
> > >
they
> > > > live
> > > > here and
work on the areas needed of change
> > and
> > >
> correction here and not call for "regime"
> >
change
> > > > in
> > > > countries
they do not live or vote in or try
> > to
> > >
> interfer in those countries. Iran, BTW, IS a
> >
> > DEMOCRACY! They have had elections
> > >
> since the Islamic revolution, including two,
> >
not
> > > > just
> > > > one vote,
on the type of government they
> > wanted;
> > >
a
> > > > secular or religious. They have term
limits
> as
> > > > well
> > >
> for the President, who can only serve for
> two
>
> > > terms,
> > > > then has to wait it
out two terms before
> > running
> > > >
again. Even their constitution was put to a
> > > >
referendom
> > > > before being finally adopted.
I've been in
> > Iran
> > > > during
> > >
> the Iran and Iraq war when people dodged
> >
misiles
> > > > being
> > > >
dropped on them in order to get to the poles
> > and
> >
> > votes. 83% of qualified voters turned out
> >
during
> > > > the
> > > > elections
during the Iraq imposed and U.S.
> > > > sponsored
> >
> > war. That was more than impressive, but
> >
amazing,
> > > > when
> > > > we see
here, hardly 25-30% registered
> voters,
> > > not
>
> > > just
> > > > qualified voters,
turn-out in many
> elections.
> > > >
> > >
> It is indeed NOT thercratic oppression when
> >
the
> > > > popular votes decide the form of
government
> is
> > > to
> > > > be
>
> > > from a religious perspective.
> > >
>
> > > > --- Richard <rsierra7@xxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
> > > >
> > > > > Regrets
to those objecting to the LAAMN
> > post's
> > >
> > content but there was never
> > >
> > any possibility of an American secular new
> >
> left
> > > > > supporting religious
>
> > > > governments whether christian, jewish,
i
> > > slamic
> > > > or
> > >
> > whatnot. The separation
> > >
> > of church/temple/mosque and state
>
principle
> > > > > forestalls any such
support. /R
> > > > >
> > >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > >
> > From: NewPacifica@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > >
> > [mailto:NewPacifica@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]On
> > >
> > Behalf Of Altaf Bhimji
> > >
> > Sent: Thursday, May 25, 2006 1:11 PM
> > >
> > To: NewPacifica@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > >
> > Subject: Re: [NewPacifica] FW: [LAAMN]
> >
Neither
> > > > U.S.
> > > > >
Aggression Nor
> > > > > Theocratic
Repression
> > > > >
> > >
> >
> > > > >
> >
> > > Yes, I agree totally with Loraine. I got
>
the
> > > > same
> > > > >
impression --- this is the
> > > > > same as the
neo-con... you wish for
> > > "elections"
> > > >
but
> > > > > if people elect someone
>
> > > > you don't like... well then you go
about
> > > wishing
> > > > for
> > >
> > "regime change" --- How
> > >
> > is that really , when it comes down to it,
> >
any
> > > > > different than the neo-con
>
> > > > imperialists? Well the left better
start
> get
> > > > used to
> > >
> > seeing this happen all
> > >
> > over the mid-east... or, remain totally
> >
> > irrelevant
> > > > > other than
Saturday
> > > > > afternoon marches...
>
> > > >
> > > >
>
> > > > > -----Original
Message-----
> > > > > >From: "L. Mirza"
<haq4u@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> > > > > >Sent:
May 25, 2006 11:31 AM
> > > > > >To:
NewPacifica@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > > > >
>Subject: Re: [NewPacifica] FW: [LAAMN]
> > > Neither
>
> > > U.S.
> > > > > Aggression
Nor
> > > > > Theocratic Repression
> >
> > > >
> > > > >
>This is bullshit, big time. How dare
> others
> > >
who
> > > > do
> > > > >
not
> > > > > >live in Iran tell the Iranis
what form of
> > > > > government
> >
> > > >they should have.
> > >
> > >
> > > > > >I
applaud the majority of the Irani
> working
> > > >
class,
> > > > > and
> > >
> > >working poor for their good judgement in
>
> > > chosing
> > > > > the
>
> > > > >government. I wonder how many on
that
> list
> > of
> > > > >
>signatories has actually been in Iran,
> has
> > > >
actually
> > > > > >met thousands of those
"theocrats" label
> > > them.
> > > >
> >
> > > > > >Sure like the priviliged
classes in Cuba
> > and
> > > > >
>Venueseula, the wealthy Iranians don't
> > > support
>
> > > the
> > > > > >Islamic
government. But the working class
> > and
> > > >
the
> > > > > poor
> > >
> > >know exactly what they want! In the
> >
> elections
> > > > > before
> >
> > > >this one they tried a so-called
moderate
> > > > (Khatamie)
> > > >
> >and after being neglected, burned and
> > >
watching
> > > > > their
> > >
> > >society turn into greedy western style
> >
> > consumerism,
> > > > > >70% of the
people of Iran came out and
> > voted,
> > > >
and
> > > > > the
> > >
> > >majority voted for the most religious of
>
> the
> > > > > >candidates.
> >
> > > >
> > > > >
>You know the left/progressive
> intelligencia
> > >
is
> > > > not
> > > > >
so
> > > > > >superior as they claim. They
just as
> > ignorant
> > > > and
> > >
> > >prejudice and the neo-cons.
> > >
> > >
> > > > > >---
Richard <rsierra7@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> > > >
> >
> > > > > >>
> > >
> > >> -----Original Message-----
> > >
> > >> From: laamn@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > >
> > >> [mailto:laamn@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf
>
> Of
> > > > > >> Ed Pearl
> >
> > > >> Sent: Thursday, May 25, 2006 6:03
AM
> > > > > >> To: Ed Pearl
> >
> > > >> Subject: [LAAMN] Neither U.S.
>
Aggression
> > > Nor
> > > > >
>> Theocratic Repression
> > > > >
>>
> > > > > >>
> > >
> > >>
> > > > >
>> Iran: Neither U.S. Aggression Nor
> > >
Theocratic
> > > > > >> Repression
>
> > > > >> - A call for a new, democratic
U.S.
> > foreign
> > > > >
policy
> > > > > >> in
> > >
> > >> the Middle East
> > >
> > >>
> > > > >
>> Dear Friend,
> > > > > >>
>
> > > > >> As the Administration escalates
its
> > threats
> > > > >
against
> > > > > >> Iran, we are writing
to invite you to
> > sign
> > > > the
> >
> > > >> Campaign
> > >
> > >> for Peace and Democracy statement
>
"Iran:
> > > > Neither
> > > > >
>> U.S.
> > > > > >> Aggression Nor
Theocratic Repression -
> A
> > > call
> > >
> for
> > > > > a
> > >
> > >> new, democratic U.S. foreign policy in
>
> the
> > > > Middle
> > > > >
>> East." The text is below. If you would
> > like
> >
> > to
> > > > > add
> > >
> > >> your
> > > > >
>> name or donate to publicize the
> > statement,
> >
> > please
> > > > > go
> > >
> > >> to
> > > > >
>> our website www.cpdweb.org (if for any
> > >
reason
> > > > you
> > > > >
>> have
> > > > > >> difficulty at
the website, just send us
> > an
> > > > email
>
> > > > at
> > > > >
>> cpd@xxxxxxx)
> > > > > >>
>
> > > > >> Please join Michael Albert,
Tom
> Ammiano,
> > > > Stanley
> > >
> > >> Aronowitz, Rosalyn Baxandall, Eileen
>
> Boris,
> > > > > Jeremy
> > >
> > >> Brecher, Noam Chomsky, Ariel Dorfman,
>
> > Martin
> > > > > >>
Duberman,
> > > > > >> Rusti Eisenberg,
Carlos R. Espinosa,
> > Samuel
> > > >
> Farber,
> > > > > >> Mansour Farhang,
Barbara Garson, Larry
> > > Gross,
> > >
> > Mina
> > > > > >>
Hamilton, Thomas Harrison, Howie
> Hawkins,
> > > >
Adam
> > > > > >> Hochschild, Nancy
Holmstrom, Doug
> > Ireland,
> > > > Joy
> >
> > > >> Kallio,
> > > >
> >> Larry Kramer, Joanne Landy, Jesse
> > Lemisch,
>
> > > John
> > > > > >> Leonard,
Sue Leonard, Rabbi Michael
> > Lerner,
> > >
> > Nelson
> > > > > >>
Lichtenstein, Norman MacAfee, Marvin &
> > > Betty
>
> > > > >> Mandell,
> > >
> > >> David McReynolds, David Oakford,
>
Barbara
> > > > Watson
> > > > >
>> Pillsbury, Henry Pillsbury, Frances Fox
> > > >
Piven,
> > > > > Nancy
> > >
> > >> Romer, Ruth Rosen, Peter Rothberg,
> >
Matthew
> > > > > >> Rothschild,
>
> > > > >> Jennifer Scarlott, Jay
Schaffner,
> Sydney
> > > > >
Schanberg,
> > > > > >> Stephen R. Shalom,
Wallace Shawn,
> > Meredith
> > > > Tax,
> >
> > > >> Cornel
> > > >
> >> West, Cora Weiss, Peter Weiss, Edmund
> > >
White,
> > > > > >> Reginald
> >
> > > >> Wilson, and Howard Zinn in signing
this
> > > > > statement.
> > >
> > >>
> > > > >
>> Signers names and affiliations (for
> > >
> > identification
> > > > >
>> only) will be listed on the Campaign
> for
> > >
> Peace
> > > > > and
> > >
> > >> Democracy website and in other public
>
> > venues.
> > > > > >>
>
> > > > >> In peace and solidarity,
> >
> > > >>
> > > > >
>> Joanne L andy, Thomas Harrison, and
> > >
Jennifer
> > > > > Scarlott
> > >
> > >> Co-Directors, Campaign for Peace and
>
> > > Democracy
> > > > > >>
Please
> > > > > >> go to the CPD website
at www.cpdweb.org
> > to
> > > > sign,
> >
> > > >> donate, or see the full list of
>
signers.
> > > > > >>
> > >
> > >> IRAN: NEITHER U.S. AGGRESSION NOR
> >
> THEOCRATIC
> > > > > >>
REPRESSION
> > > > > >>
> > >
> > >> Just as it did before its invasion of
>
> Iraq,
> > > > the
> > > > >
Bush
> > > > > >> administration is
manufacturing a
> climate
> > > of
> > > >
fear
> > > > > in
> > >
> > >> order to prepare public opinion for
>
> another
> > > > act
> > > >
> of
> > > > > >> aggression -- this
time against Iran.
> > Three
> > > > years
>
> > > > >> ago
> > >
> > >> it was the specter of Saddam Hussein's
>
> > > alleged
> > > > > >>
weapons
> > > > > >> of mass destruction;
today it's the
> > threat
> > > of
> > > >
a
> > > > > >> possible Iranian nuclear
bomb.
> > Washington's
> > > > >
>> immediate
> > > > > >> goal is to
get the U.N. Security
> Council
> > to
> > >
> > impose
> > > > > >>
sanctions on Iran and, in all
> > probability,
> > >
to
> > > > > >> justify a
> >
> > > >> military attack on Tehran's
nuclear
> > > > facilities --
> > >
> > a
> > > > > >>
job
> > > > > >> that may be outsourced to
Israel. The
> > White
> > > > House
> > >
> > >> even
> > > > >
>> insists on keeping the catastrophic
> > >
"nuclear
> > > > > option"
> > >
> > >> on
> > > > >
>> the table -- that is, using tactical
> > >
nuclear
> > > > > weapons
> > >
> > >> to
> > > > >
>> strike Iranian nuclear facilities, many
> > of
> >
> > which
> > > > > are
> > >
> > >> located in or near civilian population
>
> > > centers.
> > > > > >>
Although a full-scale invasion of Iran
> is
> > > >
highly
> > > > > >> unlikely at the
moment, there can be
> > little
> > > > doubt
>
> > > > >> that
> > >
> > >> the neoconservatives in the Bush
> >
> > administration
> > > > > have
>
> > > > >> a
> > > >
> >> grand strategy that includes,
> eventually,
> >
> > "regime
> > > > > >> change" in
Tehran as a way of further
> > > > enlarging
> > >
> > U.S.
> > > > > >>
imperial power.
> > > > > >>
> >
> > > >> We strongly oppose the U.S.
occupation
> of
> > > > Iraq:
> > >
> > it
> > > > > >>
has
> > > > > >> brought appalling
suffering to the
> Iraqi
> > > > people
> > >
> > with
> > > > > >>
fatalities in the tens of thousands,
> > > descent
> >
> > into
> > > > > >> civil
>
> > > > >> war and the strengthening of the
most
> > > > > authoritarian
> > >
> > >> elements in Iraqi society -- as well as
>
> > more
> > > > than
> > > >
> >> 2,400
> > > > > >> U.S.
soldiers dead and thousands more
> > > > wounded.
> >
> > > >> Likewise, the U.S. government's
>
attempts
> > to
> > > > bully
> > >
> > >> Iran
> > > > >
>> are succeeding mainly in terrorizing
> the
> > >
> Iranian
> > > > > >> people
>
> > > > >> and weakening internal opposition
to
> the
> > > > mullahs.
> > >
> > >> The
> > > > >
>> Bush administration's claim that it is
> > > >
promoting
> > > > > >> democracy in these
two countries is the
> > > > grossest
> > >
> > >> hypocrisy; its only interest is power
>
and
> > > > control
> > > > >
of
> > > > > >> oil resources. We, on the
other hand,
> > care
> > > > very
> > >
> > much
> > > > > >>
about the ability of the Iraqi and
> > Iranian
> > > >
people
> > > > > to
> > >
> > >> control their own societies, about
>
civil
> > > > > liberties
> > >
> > >> and
> > > > >
>> the rights of women, gays, workers, and
> > > >
ethnic
> > > > > >> minorities there. That
is why we raise
> > our
> > > > voices
> >
> > > >> against the current threats to Iran
and
> > > call
> > > > for
> > >
> > >> immediate withdrawal of all U.S. forces
>
> > from
> > > > > Iraq.
> > >
> > >>
> > > > >
>> We too would like to see a regime
> change
> >
in
> > > > > Tehran,
> > >
> > >> but
> > > > >
>> one brought about by the Iranian people
> > >
> > themselves,
> > > > >
>> not
> > > > > >> by Washington.
For 26 years Iran has
> been
> > > > ruled
> >
> > > by a
> > > > >
>> repressive theocracy. Behind the formal
> > > >
trappings
> > > > > of
> > >
> > >> democracy, real power is held by an
>
> > > un-elected
> > > > > >>
oligarchy of clerics; all electoral
> > > > candidates
>
> > > > must
> > > > >
>> receive their approval, and their
> > authority
> >
> > is
> > > > > >> enforced
>
> > > > >> by gangs of religious thugs.
President
> > > > > Ahmadinejad
> >
> > > >> is a
> > > >
> >> Holocaust denier who has called for the
> > >
> > elimination
> > > > >
>> of
> > > > > >> Israel.
>
> > > > >>
> > > >
> >> Iranian women lack some of the most
> basic
> >
> > human
> > > > > >>
rights.
> > > > > >> They cannot dress,
work, travel or
> choose
> > > > spouses
> >
> > > >> freely. "Honor killing" is legal,
and
> by
> > > law
> > > > >
women
> > > > > >> can
> > >
> > >> be hanged or stoned to death for
> >
"unchaste
> > > > > >> behavior."
>
> > > > >> Millions of Iranian women find ways
to
> at
> > > > least
> > > >
> >> partly
> > > > > >>
circumvent these restrictions, and
> > > relatively
> >
> > few
> > > > > >> suffer the most
extreme penalties.
> Women
> > > vote
> > > >
and
> > > > > >> sit
> > >
> > >> in parliament, and there are
>
significant
> > > > numbers
> > > >
> of
> > > > > >> women both in
university and at the
> > > > workplace.But
> > >
> > >> the
> > > > >
>> fact remains that there are few
> countries
> > >
in
> > > > the
> > > > > >>
world
> > > > > >> where women face legal
handicaps as
> > severe
> > > as
> > >
> > those
> > > > > >>
in
> > > > > >> Iran.
> > >
> > >>
> > > > >
>> Workers who try to strike or form
> > >
independent
> > > > > trade
> > >
> > >> unions are often violently put down.
>
> Large
> > > > > numbers
> > >
> > >> of
> > > > >
>> workers have not been paid for months
> and
> > >
in
> > > > some
> > > > >
>> cases
> > > > > >> for years.
Attempts to organize are
> > > > frequently
> > >
> > >> attacked
> > > >
> >> by club- and knife-wielding
> mercenaries,
> >
> > security
> > > > > >> forces and
the military. Despite this
> > > > repression,
> >
> > > >> workers are continuing to
organize,
> > > however,
> > > > and
> >
> > > >> independent unions are gaining a
>
> foothold.
> > > > > >>
> >
> > > >> As in many countries, homosexuality
is
> > > > outlawed,
> > > > >
but
> > > > > >> Tehran has go ne further
than most by
> > > making
> > > > >
>> homosexual
> > > > > >> conduct
by men or women punishable by
> > death
> > > >
and
> > > > > >> unleashing a vicious
pogrom against
> > Iranian
> > > > gays,
> >
> > > >> many
> > > >
> >> of whom have been tortured, beaten, and
> > > >
publicly
> > > > > >> executed. The
government is carrying on
> a
> > > > massive
>
> > > > >> campaign of entrapment through
the
> > > Internet;
> > > > >
victims
> > > > > >> are subjected to
constant surveillance,
> > > loss
> > > >
of
> > > > > >> employment, arrest, and
violent
> blackmail
> > > > that
> > >
> > >> forces
> > > > >
>> them to reveal the names of other
> > > >
homosexuals.
> > > > > >> Torture
>
> > > > >> is used to make gay people confess
to
> > > crimes
> > > > they
> > >
> > >> never
> > > > >
>> committed. The basiji and other
> religious
> > >
> > parapolice
> > > > >
>> forces kidnap gay people, who are
> > >
sequestered
> > > > and
> > > > >
>> tortured until they name names. Gays on
> > the
> >
> > > >> government's lists are forbidden
to
> leave
> > > the
> > > > >
>> country.
> > > > > >> And now
Iran has exported its violent
> > > > anti-gay
> >
> > > >> crusade
> > > >
> >> to Iraq.
> > > > >
>>
> > > > > >> In recent years
there has been growing
> > > > resistance
> > >
> > >> within Iranian society, particularly
>
from
> > > > workers
> > > > >
>> fighting privatization and unemployment
> > and
> >
> > young
> > > > > >> people
chafing against social and
> > political
> > >
> > >> repression.
> > > >
> >> This resistance holds the promise of
> > >
bringing
> > > > > >> grassroots
democratic change to Iran.
> The
> > > > threat
>
> > > > of
> > > > >
>> military action or broader and harsher
> > > >
sanctions
> > > > > >> from
> >
> > > >> outside -- and especially the
>
horrifying
> > > > menace
> > > >
> of
> > > > > >> nuclear strikes
--only serve to rally
> > > people
> > >
> > around
> > > > > >>
the
> > > > > >> regime and to give it
another excuse to
> > > clamp
> > > >
> down
> > > > > >> on
> >
> > > >> dissent, inhibiting a potentially
>
> > > revolutionary
> > > > > &g
t;> process
> > > > > >> and
strengthening the right-wing
> clerics.
> > > >
U.S.
> > > > > >> threats
> >
> > > >> have already served to legitimize
>
nuclear
> > > > weapons
> > > > >
to
> > > > > >> the Iranian
people.
> > > > > >>
> > >
> > >> Under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation
>
> Treaty,
> > > > Iran
> > > >
> has
> > > > > >> the right to develop
civilian nuclear
> > > power,
> > > >
> though
> > > > > >> the
> >
> > > >> Bush administration has tried to
>
obscure
> > > this
> > > > >
fact.
> > > > > >> Many of us oppose the
use of nuclear
> > power
> > > by
> > > >
any
> > > > > >> country, both for
environmental reasons
> > and
> > > > >
because
> > > > > >> of
> > >
> > >> its link to nuclear weapons -- but that
>
> is
> > > > not
> > > > >
the
> > > > > >> issue in the present
U.S.-Iran
> > > confrontation.
> > > >
> While
> > > > > >> there is reason to
doubt Tehran's
> > > assurances
> > > >
that
> > > > > it
> > >
> > >> only wants to develop civilian nuclear
>
> > > energy,
> > > > > Iran
>
> > > > >> is
> > > >
> >> probably still several years away from
> > >
being
> > > > able
> > > > >
to
> > > > > >> produce nuclear weapons.
And if Tehran
> > > > acquires
> > >
> > the
> > > > > >>
bomb, it is unlikely that the
> ayatollahs,
> > >
who
> > > > > hold
> > >
> > >> decisive power, would use it since it
>
> would
> > > > be
> > > > >
>> suicidal
> > > > > >> to do so.
Israel alone has between 200
> > and
> > > >
300
> > > > > >> nuclear
> > >
> > >> warheads capable of striking Iran, and
>
> this
> > > > is
> > > > >
not
> > > > > >> counting the thousands of
warheads the
> > U.S.
> > > > can
> > >
> > >> launch
> > > > >
>> at Iran. Nevertheless, there is no
> > >
guarantee
> > > > that
> > > > >
>> Iran,
> > > > > >> or any other
state armed with nuclear
> > > > weapons,
> > >
> > won't
> > > > > >>
use them or make them available to
> > others.
> > >
As
> > > > > long
> > >
> > >> as
> > > > >
>> these barbaric weapons exist, they can
> be
> > >
> used,
> > > > > and
> > >
> > >> the
> > > > >
>> more countries that possess them the
> more
> > >
> likely
> > > > > it
> > >
> > >> is
> > > > >
>> over time that they will be used.
> > > >
> >>
> > > > > >> We therefore
strongly oppose any effort
> > by
> > > >
Tehran
> > > > > to
> > >
> > >> acquire nuclear weapons. But as long as
>
a
> > > > handful
> > > > >
of
> > > > > >> nations arrogate to
themselves the
> > > exclusive
> > > >
> right
> > > > > >> to
> >
> > > >> possess nuclear weapons, the
have-nots
> > will
> > > > >
always
> > > > > >> be
> > >
> > >> able to point to the threat posed by
>
the
> > > > nuclear
> > > > >
>> powers
> > > > > >> and will
constantly seek to acquire
> such
> > > > weapons
>
> > > > for
> > > > >
>> themselves -- as North Korea has
> already
> > >
> done,
> > > > > >> withdrawing from
the Non-Proliferation
> > > Treaty
> > >
> > >> regime.
> > > > >
>> Likewise, Iran, which has been menaced
> by
> > >
the
> > > > > U.S.
> > >
> > >> for
> > > > >
>> more than two decades and was a charter
> > > > member
of
> > > > > >> Bush's "axis of evil," may
opt out of
> the
> > > > NPT.
> > >
> > >>
> > > > >
>> An end to Washington's belligerence is
> a
> > >
> crucial
> > > > > >> step
>
> > > > >> in preventing Tehran from joining
the
> > > nuclear
> > > > > >>
"club."
> > > > > >> Beyond that, the only
way to stop
> > > > proliferation
> > >
> > is
> > > > > >>
for
> > > > > >> those countries that have
nuclear
> weapons
> > > to
> > >
> > begin
> > > > > >>
disarming -- something the Bush
> > > > administration
>
> > > > and
> > > > >
>> previous administrations of both
> parties
> > >
have
> > > > > >> refused
> >
> > > >> to do, despite the fact that the
U.S.
> is
> > a
> > > > >
signatory
> > > > > >> to
> >
> > > >> the Non-Proliferation Treaty which
>
> commits
> > > it
> > > > to
> > >
> > >> "pursue negotiations in good faith on
>
> > > effective
> > > > > >>
measures relating to cessation of the
> > > nuclear
> >
> > > arms
> > > > >
>> race
> > > > > >> at an early
date and to nuclear
> > > disarmament."
> > > >
At
> > > > > the
> > >
> > >> same time the nuclear powers must work
>
> > toward
> > > > > >>
nuclear-
> > > > > >> free zones around
the world, but
> > especially
> > > > in
> >
> > > the
> > > > >
>> ; Middle East, a particularly volatile
> > and
> >
> > > dangerous
> > > > >
>> region.
> > > > > >>
> >
> > > >> We call for a new democratic U.S.
>
foreign
> > > > policy
> > > > >
>> that
> > > > > >> would deal with
the threat posed to all
> > of
> > > us
> > >
> by
> > > > > >> terrorist networks,
and by weapons of
> > mass
> > > > >
>> destruction,
> > > > > >> and
promote real democracy in the
> Middle
> > > East
>
> > > and
> > > > > >> elsewhere,
by:
> > > > > >>
> > >
> > >> Renouncing the use of military
> >
intervention
> > > > to
> > > > >
>> extend
> > > > > >> and
consolidate U.S. imperial power,
> and
> > >
> > withdrawing
> > > > >
>> U.S. troops and bases from the Middle
> > East.
> >
> > > >>
> > > > >
>> Ending U.S. support for authoritarian
> and
> > >
> corrupt
> > > > > >> regimes, e.g.
Saudi Arabia, the Gulf
> > states
> > > > and
>
> > > > >> Egypt.
> > >
> > >>
> > > > >
>> Opposing all forms of terrorism
> worldwide
> > >
--
> > > > by
> > > > >
Al
> > > > > >> Qaeda, Iraqi death squads,
and
> > Palestinian
> > > > >
suicide
> > > > > >> bombers, and by
U.S.-backed forces like
> > the
> > > >
> >> Colombian
> > > > > >>
paramilitaries and the Israeli military
> > in
> > > >
the
> > > > > >> Occupied
> >
> > > >> Territories -- as well as the
brutality
> > and
> > > > > >>
humiliation
> > > > > >> inflicted on
Iraqis every day by U.S.
> > > > occupation
> > >
> > >> forces
> > > > >
>> and Washington's ominous threats
> against
> > >
> Iran.
> > > > > >>
> > >
> > >> Supporting the right of national
> >
> > > self-determination
> > >
> > >> for
> > > > >
>> all peoples in the Middle East,
> including
> > >
the
> > > > > Kurds,
> > >
> > >> Palestinians and Israeli Jews. Ending
>
> > support
> > > > for
> > >
> > >> Israeli occupation of the West Bank and
>
> > > > oppression
> > > >
> >> of
> > > > > >> the
Palestinian people.
> > > > > >>
>
> > > > >> Taking unilateral steps
toward
> renouncing
> > > > weapons
> > >
> > of
> > > > > >> mass
destruction, including nuclear
> > > weapons,
> > >
> and
> > > > > >> vigorously promoti
ng international
> > > > disarmament
> > >
> > >> treaties, instead of obstructing even
>
> > minimal
> > > > > >>
efforts
> > > > > >> to end the arms
race.
> > > > > >>
> > >
> > >> Abandoning the effort to impose,
>
through
> > > the
> > > > > >>
IMF/World
> > > > > >> Bank or
unilaterally, neoliberal
> economic
> > > >
> policies
> > > > > >> of
> >
> > > >> privatization and austerity that
bring
> > mass
> > > > > misery
>
> > > > >> to
> > > >
> >> people in large parts of the world.
> > > >
Initiating a
> > > > > >> major
>
> > > > >> foreign aid program directed at
popular
> > > > rather
> > > > >
than
> > > > > >> corporate needs.
>
> > > > >>
> > > >
> >> The majority of people in this country
> > now
>
> > > > believe
> > > >
> >> that
> > > > > >> the
invasion of Iraq was disastrously
> > wrong
> > > >
and
> > > > > that
> > >
> > >> they were systematically lied to by the
>
> > Bush
> > > > > >> Administration
about the reasons for
> > going
> > > to
> >
> > > war,
> > > > >
>> and
> > > > > >> they are wary of
new U.S. military
> > > > intervention
> > >
> > in
> > > > > >>
the
> > > > > >> Middle East. At the same
time, the
> > > > > administration's
>
> > > > >> scare tactics may succeed in
generating
> > > > popular
> > > >
> >> support
> > > > > >> for
aerial attacks on Iran. It is
> > therefore
> > >
> > >> imperative
> > > >
> >> to speak out now against Washington's
> > > >
threats, to
> > > > > >> educate public
opinion, and to build
> > > > organized
> > >
> > >> opposition to aggression against Iran,
>
as
> > > > well as
> > > > >
>> support for immediate, complete
> > withdrawal
> >
> > from
> > > > > >> Iraq.
>
> > > > >> It is time to demand a new
democratic
> > U.S.
> > > > >
foreign
> > > > > >> policy that genuinely
expresses
> > solidarity
> > > > with
> >
> > > the
> > > > >
>> aspirations of people for liberty
> > >
everywhere,
> > > > > >> renounces
>
> > > > >> once and for all imperial
intervention,
> > and
> > > > is
> > >
> > >> committed to real disarmament.
> >
> > > >>
> > > > >
>> [CPD's previo us statements, including
> > "We
> >
> > Oppose
> > > > > >> Both
>
> > > > >> Saddam Hussein and The War
Against
> Iraq:
> > A
> > > > call
> >
> > > for
> > > > >
>> a
> > > > > >> new, democratic
U.S. foreign policy,"
> > have
> > > >
> appeared
> > > > > >> in
> >
> > > >> The New York Times, The Nation, and
The
> > > > > Progressive,
> > >
> > >> as
> > > > >
>> well as on many websites and listserves
> > in
> >
> > this
> > > > > >>
country
> > > > > >> and abroad. Your tax
deductible
> donation
> > > will
> > >
> > enable
> > > > > >>
us
> > > > > >> to publicize this
declaration of
> > opposition
> > > > to
> >
> > > war
> > > > >
>> and
> > > > > >> repression in
these dangerous times.]
> > > > >
>>
> > > > >
> > >
>
> > > >
> > >
>
>
>
>>_______________________________________________________
>
> > > > >> portside (the left side in
nautical
> > > parlance)
> > > > is
> >
> > > a
> > > > > >>
news,
> > > > > >> discussion and debate
service of the
> > > > Committees
> > >
> > of
> > > > > >>
Correspondence for Democracy and
> > Socialism.
> > >
> It
> > > > > aims
> > >
> > >> to
> > > > >
>> provide varied material of interest to
> > >
people
> > > > on
> > > > >
the
> > > > > >> left.
> > >
> > >>
> > > > >
>> To subscribe:
> > > > >
>>
> > > > >
> > >
>
> > >
> >
> http://lists.portside.org/mailman/listinfo/portside
>
> > > > >
> > > > >
>Read "Internment Camps of Bangladesh," by
> > > >
Loraine
> > > > > Mirza
> > >
> > >Published by Crescent International
> >
> Newspapers,
> > > > > Inc.
> >
> > > >300 Steelcase Road West, Unit 8,
Markham,
> > > > Ontario,
> > > >
> Canada L3R 2W2
> > > > > >"The story of
a long-suffering people
> told
> > > with
> > >
> > compassion and sensitivity.
> > >
> > All who care for justice must read this
> >
book.
> > > > > Loraine Mirza, an
American
> > > > > Muslim print and broadcast
journalist, has
> > > > written
> > >
> > this remarkable account
> > >
> > of the 'Stranded Pakistanis,' trapped in
> >
> > internment
> > > > > camps in
Bangladesh
> > > > > since 1972." (Zafar
Bangash, Director of
> > > > Institute
> > >
> > of Contem porary Islamic
> > >
> > Thought.)
> > > > >
>For more information:
> > > > >
>e-mail: haq_for_u@xxxxxxxxxxx
> > > >
> >
info@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > > > >
>
crescent@xxxxxxxxxxxx
> > > > >
>
crescent.uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > > > > >Visit
web sites:
> > > > >
www.statelesspeopleinbangladesh.net
> > > > >
>
> > www.strandedpakistanis.com
> > >
> >
>
www.OBATHelpers.org
> > > > >
>
www.muslimedia.com
> > > > >
>
www.ihrc.org
> > > > >
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