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

["Richard" <rsierra7@xxxxxxxxx>]

-----Original Message-----
From: NewPacifica@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:NewPacifica@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]On
Behalf Of Richard
Sent: Monday, May 29, 2006 10:40 AM
To: NewPacifica@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: RE: [NewPacifica] FW: [LAAMN] Neither U.S. Aggression Nor
Theocratic Repression


I don't disagree with you....the US is in a bad spot....more later.  /R

-----Original Message-----
From: NewPacifica@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:NewPacifica@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]On
Behalf Of L. Mirza
Sent: Monday, May 29, 2006 7:41 AM
To: NewPacifica@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: RE: [NewPacifica] FW: [LAAMN] Neither U.S. Aggression Nor
Theocratic Repression


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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