Women in Iran, Before and After the Shah

A question was posted on Chicago indymedia.

Under shah women had all the rights.
When Islam radicals took over they lost them.
How is that US imperialism?

Women4Peace.org had a very insighful answer: Women’s Rights in Iran If you don't have time to read it (although it is rather short) it ends with a very STRONG statement.

This is what Imperialism does. It supports the fundamentalist rule in Saudi Arabia, builds and arms the Taliban to overthrow a government friendly to the Soviet Union, arms and helps Saddam Hussein against the Iranian people for 8 years, supports the Turkish military massacre of the Kurdish people, assassinates democratically elected leaders in Latin America, and on and on. That is why US Imperialism has been and is the main impediment of peace and justice for people all over the world.

Gung-ho American's should really think about that.

Terror Is as Terror Does

Bruce Schneier lays out the proper perspective on "Terror". His piece is a must read.

It's nice to see deep comprehension put so well. And I will go a step further. Imagine, if you will, the day after 9/11, rather than rush to weak conclusions and hasty actions, we just went about our business, acting as if nothing significant had transpired other than an unfortuate "accident" that now had to be cleaned up. I know I'm stretching things to the extreme here, but I want to make a point. If we had acted like this, what would the "terrorists" have achieved? Right. Absolutely Nothing. Yes, they managed to kill a number of people and knock down a few buildings, but that's just a tactic, not their strategy. Their strategy is to instill fear and foolish, costly behavior. Sadly, we have allowed them to achieve their goals.

But knowing is half the battle! At least now we can set a new course: "Courage, gentlemen."

Defeating Terror: The Word is Mightier than the Sword

The fundamentalist Islamic riots against Danish and Norwergian embassies over political cartoons should a loud wake up call to the West. The riots clearly demonstrate a fundamental lack of understanding of the liberal democratic virtues of freedom of speech and the paramount importance of the separation of church and state. Without that right and that seperation, the beliefs of some will inevitably weigh heavy aginst the beliefs of others. But with the right and separation intact, a peaceful balance is maintained --and all for the reasonable price of a stiff upper lip against some things that we might find offensive. Isn't that the sacrifice asked of us in a liberal democracy?

And so I put the case to you that the "War on Terror" is really a war on ignorance. The only true way to bring the war to an end is through education. Despite how furiously some may wish to deny it, secular education was the very bread and butter of our Forebearers --of you, my dear Gentlemen. And as you certainly know, indeed since the time of Socrates himself we have known, that without such an eduction of the populace a democracy simply can not stand.

Secluar education is not wide spread in the Middle East. Instead theocratic schools dominate their cirriculum with the teachings of a single ideology.

From this basis then, I offer a long-term plan for true democratic liberation, and from it our own ensured secruity. It will take about 40 years to take deep effects on the region, at about which time the process will begin to snowball, and grow on its own.

Roughly spaking, this how it would work.

First we need to simplify security requirements in the region. There is an acient remedy for this need: city walls. Simple and effective. Afghanistan is the appropriate place to begin. Start with Kabul and work our way out to other towns. Within these walled "safe zones" establish secular education facilitates for all age levels. Enroll people living in the city but also bring volunteers in from outlying areas. Children can go to school full time, while parents attend part-time yet remaining gainfully employed. Train of these students to be teachers themselves, so they can eventually return to their home towns and carry on the important progress of modern education.

Let us not forget that this education is NOT against Islam. It was the Middle East peoples themesleves that preserved the cannon of this knowledge during the Wests own dark ages. It is their knowledge as much as it is ours. They have simple lost sight of it in a fashion much like we had, and now it is our task to return it. Islam will still remain, it is simply that the mid-east peoples will now find a purer, liberal Islam under the hard exterior of todays radical Islam. And it is this occurance alone that can save us all.

Change of Tender

I've decided to take a new tact torward the entires I make to this blog. In the past I have generally made critisisms, or pointed out important, ususally troubling, events, but with little constructive advice. Instead of exclusively commenting on problems, for now on I will begin to offer solutions with explination as to why they are better than, or at least along the better lines, than other possibilities.

Our nation and our world needs help. I hope by giving my ideas this venue, they might have some tangible effect.

A Real Assbamador

It's official, John Bolton is the new U.S. Assbamador to the United Nations. If if wasn't clear to us that the U.S. has notched it's way up to a Monarchy over the years, King George Jr. has put our doubts to rest by completely side stepping Senate approval. "But", I hear you say, "the Consititution allows for such recess appointments!". May I remind you, Gentlemen, that in the late 1700s, when the Constitution was written, Congress met barely one month a year. Recess was the norm. So such a Constitutional allowance was understandable at the time. Times have changed. Congress now meets almost year round. (That's the nature of Big Government, there's always more bullshit to do!) While they can cite the letter of the law, they are well aware the Spirit has gone straight to Hell.

Well, now at least Bolton can get down to work, further corupting the only liberal world organization around. Sorry, Iran, I think your bowling time is up.

The Politics of Joe's Deployment

Have your heard the talk of scaling down in Iraq in spring/summer 2006? Consider the continuing news, are you wondering why? Let me explain. It's very simply. 2006 is a congressional election year! Yes, they'll bring home a few thousand troops, push the success stories endlessly as insurgent attacks ease up a bit and then, following the Republican run on the Senate, we'll go right back to the same old dismal situation (expect a upscaled replay in 2008).

Don't be fooled. Simply follow the money and power. It's just like water, but in reverse. They always run up.

Need Energy? Burn Money!

The faux energy bill is finally set pass --the continuing signs of the U.S. downfall. Here's a summary of what it does.

1. Gives billions of dollars in tax breaks and useless grants to oil companies.


2. Erodes environmental laws, further reducing pollution safeguards.


3. Deregulates the utilities sector to allow large utility mergers.

It isn't enough that the oil companies are already bulging with record profits. We have to give them more.

So What should an energy big contain?

1. Provide grants for renewables research and subsidies for solar home upgrades.


2. Increase pollution safeguards, giving tax relief to corporations for early compliance.


3. Raise gasoline tax to encourage consumers to invest in fuel efficient vehicles.

This is a no-brainer and the fact that our government comes no where close to doing the right thing is a clear sign that corporations have hijacked the government and the people are powerless to effect change. It is an absolute shame. Americans should think very carefully about what ultimately brought down the Soviet Union, and then consider how those same principles are hard at work in the good old U.S. of A.