RE: [NewPacifica] FW: [LAAMN] Neither U.S. Aggression Nor Theocratic Repression

["L. Mirza" <haq4u@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Actually chalabi is an embarrassment to the US since
the administration is ignorant on who the players in
Iraq are, they at first picked a real loser and then
when caught in their own ignorance had no choice but
concede chalabi is a creep.

My sources in Iraq among close followeres of Ayatollah
Seestani/Sistani (pick your prefered spelling as in
english I see it both ways. In Arabic $ Farsi there is
no such problem.)all hold chalabi in distain, dispite
him hooking up to the Coalition/Allience endorsed by
Ayatollah Seetani. The Ayatollah, BTW, is a citizen of
Iran, so despite living almost his entire life in
Najaf Iraq, cannot vote or directly participate.

 

--- Richard <rsierra7@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> He's more than that, he's "our" man in Baghdad.  /R
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: NewPacifica@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> [mailto:NewPacifica@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]On
> Behalf Of L. Mirza
> Sent: Sunday, May 28, 2006 4:47 PM
> To: NewPacifica@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: RE: [NewPacifica] FW: [LAAMN] Neither U.S.
> Aggression Nor
> Theocratic Repression
> 
> 
> Chalabi is only pro-himself.
> 
> --- Richard <rsierra7@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> 
> > Chalabi and other govermental pro Americans?  Ok,
> as
> > always it's a
> > possibility but I don't see any action in that
> > direction other than that
> > indicated in this secular link:
> > http://www.uuiraq.org/
> > 
> > I see the Chalabi folks as a trojan horse withinin
> > the Shia gov....a horse
> > with it's own race to run, yet, one the gov allows
> > room to run.
> > 
> > To only withdraw the US forces in and of itself
> will
> > change nothing. /R
> > 
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: NewPacifica@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > [mailto:NewPacifica@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]On
> > Behalf Of L. Mirza
> > Sent: Sunday, May 28, 2006 6:48 AM
> > To: NewPacifica@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > Subject: RE: [NewPacifica] FW: [LAAMN] Neither
> U.S.
> > Aggression Nor
> > Theocratic Repression
> > 
> > 
> > Chalabi will be out as soon as the Americans are.
> > 
> > --- Richard <rsierra7@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> > 
> > > The imperial connection runs from Bush/Cheney to
> > > Chalabi and his powerful
> > > ministerial friends.
> > >
> > > Loraine, ask yourself why the Pres supports this
> > > gov.  Why would he do that?
> > > Natural resources, oil?  Chalabi and his pals
> > > control the oil ministry as
> > > well as defence and finance.  As a whole the
> Iraqi
> > > people are going to be
> > > exploited.  /R
> > >
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: NewPacifica@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > > [mailto:NewPacifica@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]On
> > > Behalf Of L. Mirza
> > > Sent: Saturday, May 27, 2006 7:56 PM
> > > To: NewPacifica@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > > Subject: RE: [NewPacifica] FW: [LAAMN] Neither
> > U.S.
> > > Aggression Nor
> > > Theocratic Repression
> > >
> > >
> > > Richard,
> > > And just how are the current coalition party in
> > Iraq
> > > an endorsement of imperialism?
> > >
> > > 1. They are an indiginous party
> > >
> > > 2. They were elected
> > >
> > > 3. The US did not want this coalition to rule
> > >
> > > --- Richard <rsierra7@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> > >
> > > > Richard doesn't support imperialism, that's
> the
> > > crux
> > > > of the matter.  /R
> > > >
> > > > -----Original Message-----
> > > > From: NewPacifica@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > > > [mailto:NewPacifica@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]On
> > > > Behalf Of L. Mirza
> > > > Sent: Saturday, May 27, 2006 6:40 PM
> > > > To: NewPacifica@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > > > Subject: RE: [NewPacifica] FW: [LAAMN] Neither
> > > U.S.
> > > > Aggression Nor
> > > > Theocratic Repression
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Yes, Kevin and while I don't expect everyone
> to
> > > > follow
> > > > my system of belief, it would be more in
> keeping
> > > and
> > > > compatable with the Pacifica Mission to
> respect
> > > the
> > > > rights of others in doing things differently.
> > > >
> > > > --- Kevin White <cuitlacoche1@xxxxxxxxx>
> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > > I'm sorry, Richard, but everything cannot be
> > > > broken
> > > > > down into Cartesian Dualism. (+/-)
> > > > >
> > > > >   Lorraine and company are not spinning,
> they
> > > are
> > > > > trying to share with you that political
> waters
> > > > > sometimes run deep.
> > > > >
> > > > >   K
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > 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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Loraine
= = = = = = = = = = = 
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 Contemporary 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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