HUMAN first, then a proud IRANIAN

This blog represents the way I see some of the most significant events impacting the world and its citizens. This blog also represents how I react to the events as a member of humanity with a voice, a determined voice that insists to be heard. The voice of an Iranian who loves his country but his priority is humanity; humanity without border. I will say what I want to say, when I want to say it, and how I want to say it, but I will never lie. I will also listen; I promise.

April 30, 2004

What they don't want Americans to see

A simple simple report reminding the Americans of the US casualties during the ongoing criminal invasion of Iraq has made many warmongers in the US very upset.

Never mind the 15000 Iraqis you have killed as it is clear that they are not considered as human beings by the criminals in the White House, at least let the Americans see the domestic cost of this war.

Also, see the Action Alert from "Fairness & Accuracy In Reporting" (FAIR).

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April 29, 2004

Who is the new US ambassador to Iraq!

One of the biggest supporters and organizers of the death squads in Latin America with a dirty past, is John Negroponte who was also the US envoy in the UN when trying to deceive the world in order to get all countries along with the Anglo/American invasion of Iraq.

Negroponte is known to whoever is not blind as a professional criminal during whose dirty existence thousands of innocent people were abused and perished in Latin America in the hands of the death squads with complete backing of the Negroponte on behalf of the US government in the early 1980s."

Well this is not new, but it is interesting that a man with a murderous past such as Negroponte is not even challenged by the democrats and "Negroponte was never questioned about supporting widespread campaigns of terror and human rights abuses as ambassador to Honduras.

"As ambassador to Honduras, Negroponte played a key role in coordinating US covert aid to the Contra death squads in Nicaragua and shoring up a CIA-backed death squad in Honduras". "A former official who served under Negroponte says he was ordered to remove all mention of torture and executions from the draft of his 1982 report on the human rights situation in Honduras."

Democracy Now speaks to a priest and a nun who lived in Latin America in the early 1980s as well as a human rights activist who disrupted Negroponte at the Senate hearing."

Additionally, Negroponte's appointment to Iraq can worsen the already dark track record of the US forces in Iraq.

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April 27, 2004

Un-Iraqi decision for Iraq!

Is this colonialism at its worst or what? "Iraq's US-appointed Governing Council has approved a new national flag for Iraq." Who the f... is that Governing Council to "Approve" such a thing? Is it elected by the people of Iraq? Does it have any mandate from the Iraqis? Or Is it just another US stupidity that once again fails to understand the mentality of the people in middle-east in general and Iraq in particular! Even if changing Iraq's flag is a good idea, still who gives the GC the right to make such a decision on behalf of Iraqis? Once again, who the f... are they to make such decision? Is it in continuation of another un-democratic and criminal/colonial decision of making 200 of Iraq's State-owned Industries available for sale with unlimited foreign ownership? Yes, UNLIMITED FOREIGN OWNERSHIP!

It is just becoming too much.

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April 26, 2004

Just watch their excitement of killing. Do they deserve to be honored?

I was disappointed to see how blind patriotism can drag even good people down to the level that they start "honoring" and "saluting" their troops for "defending not only our (American - Faramin) freedom but to procure the freedom of the oppressed throughout the world." and "being ready to die for it". I read this in a blog where I respect the writer for her usually straight to the point and valuable commentaries. I wonder if those troops would be seen the same if they were Russians in Afghanistan in the 80s or the "honor" is automatically assigned to them just for being American. After all, the level of destruction the US soldiers have caused in Iraq in such a short time, is much greater than that of the Soviets in Afghanistan, and yet, Soviet soldiers were executed when trapped by the Afghan Mojahedeen who were fed by the American military equipments.

After reading the commentary in the same blog, I remembered a piece of the "honor" that these "honorable" troops have practiced in order "to bring freedom to the oppressed".
Just watch their excitement when they kill an un-armed wounded Iraqi. They kill him and then they cheer the killing. How could they cheer after killing, period? Perhaps they even expect a medal for that or may be not; may be they are just floating in the mentality of a violent video game and don't realize that the one they kill with such cold blood is a REAL human being, with a life, family, children and/or parents and perhaps a world of hopes and dreams that now has to end so the "honorable" soldiers can add another day of joyful crime against humanity to their record.

Having said this, I would like to think that I can have some respect for those American soldiers who regret being in Iraq right now and are hoping for the opportunity to get themselves out of the current murderous mission in Iraq.

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April 25, 2004

Lost hopes of a Palestinian

In his April 25th post, Nema at Iranian Truth has posted a short letter to the editor of The Guardian from a Palestinian-Australian in which the writer expresses why he has lost hope for peace between Palestinians and the Israelis. You may wish to check it out.

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Civilians as human shields?

When Israeli butchers kill Palestinian civilians, they always justify their killings by blaming them on Palestinians militants by accusing them of using civilians as human shields and hiding behind them when fighting Israelis. How true this is, is a different subject, but it is now Israelis that are accused of using a 13 year old Palestinian boy as a human shield to stop Palestinians from throwing stones during a protest against Israel's West Bank barrier.

Rabbis for Human Rights (a Jewish rights organization) say that the boy was beaten by Israeli police before being arrested. They say that 13 year old Mohammed Badwan was tied by police to a jeep during a recent demonstration in the West Bank village of Bidou.

It is also interesting to know that Israel's Supreme Court banned the use of human shields only recently in 2002. That means that using civilians as human shields by the Israelis wasn't even illegal before 2002. That also means there must have been lots of resistance and disputes in the different levels of Israeli "justice" system that the matter wasn't resolved before reaching the Supreme court. So much for the "only democracy" of the middle-east.

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April 24, 2004

It's time some people started thinking; for once

Even after all the exposed lies by the US administration, 82% of the Americans still believe Saddam was providing substantial support to Al-Qaeda. Most respondents to the poll were not even aware of David Key and Richard Clarke's testimonies. About 60% didn't even know that the world opinion was against the war and ........ . But ask them about Football and Baseball or such and such movie and actors and actresses in those movies, then you will notice a world of "knowledge".

It is now understandable how frustrated the informed Americans can get by witnessing how naively the uninformed ones look at the critical world events and even the events of their own backyard. I don't really know what to call this and how to look at these statistics and what these numbers really tell us about the general public of the most powerful country on earth, but looks like there is nothing that can be said but, It is a tragedy on its own.

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April 23, 2004

Meet Christian "Talibans"

We have all read and heard about the infamous Islamic madrassas that produce "holy warriors" for the Bin Laden types. Well, here is a madrassah of a different type; one that produces "holy warriors" of a different type.

Meet Mrs. Ashcroft and her College that produces bible-thumping "Christian Talibans".

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Reality photo upsets Pentagon

Pentagon didn't like people see the above photo and as a result the woman who took the picture (and her husband) were both fired, although she claims her intention was not critical of the US policies.

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April 21, 2004

History? We won't know, we will all be dead!

"History?
We won't know. We will all be dead", George Bush responding to the question as "how history will judge him on his Iraq war!"

Read Kevin's post on the interview with the author Bob Woodward (Also watch the clips he provides the links to).

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Bravo Toronto firefighters!

Toronto is the favorite city for many American movie producers for the movie productions. Its many common features with the American cities as well as the lower cost of production including lower taxes, has resulted in many American movies being shot in Toronto.

This time however an already planned movie to be shot in Toronto is cancelled due to lack of cooperation from Toronto firefighters in response to the request from their colleagues in Worcester, Massachusetts.

The movie, based on a book about the death of six firefighters in a 1999 blaze in Worcester, Mass., had attracted fierce condemnation from the dead men's families and firefighters' unions.

The families charged that the writer and the film company were making money from their loved ones' deaths.

"We just didn't want our children exposed to the film," said Michelle Lucey from her home in Massachusetts yesterday. Lucey is a widow of one of the firefighters who was killed in the blaze on Dec. 3, 1999.

Firefighters' unions added their objections, claiming parts of the book account were inaccurate.

Toronto union president Scott Marks said local firefighters refused to provide vital co-operation with the filming of 3000 Degrees because of a call for a boycott from firefighters in Worcester.

I understand that the cancellation of the movie, 3000 Degrees will result in lost business and some jobs in Toronto that could otherwise be created, but on the other hand, seeing that these greedy corporations use every opportunity, including the death of people, to make money is sure upsetting. Additionally, it is important to respect the wishes of the families of the victims of 1999 blaze and their colleagues as not to make a movie that would bring back that horrifying memory to the families, especially the children of the victims.

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April 20, 2004

Israel's "democracy" doesn't let Vanunu speak of Israel's REAL WMDs (unlike Iraq's)

"Mordechai Vanunu, who is due to be released on Wednesday after serving 18 years in prison for revealing Israeli nuclear secrets, believes Israel's nuclear reactor near Dimona should be destroyed, according to newspaper reports.

Mr Vanunu also vowed to fight against Israeli curbs on his freedom after he is released, which include barring him from leaving the country, tapping his telephone and restricting his access to the media and foreigners.

Mr Vanunu was jailed as a traitor in 1986 after providing photographs and descriptions of the reactor where he worked to Britain's Sunday Times. He was lured by a female Mossad agent from London to Rome, where he was kidnapped back to Israel. He spent 11 of his 18-year prison term in solitary confinement." Read the rest here.

Also Haaretz reports that Venunu went on to slam the state. "There is no need for a Jewish state," he says, adding that a Palestinian state should be established instead where the Jews can also live.

And this is BBC's take on the issue.

Hey, Mr. Bush, You are looking for WMD? Right there, in Israel. Why not invade Israel?

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April 19, 2004

American marine "ashamed" of Iraq experience

Ever since his return home last April, U.S. Marine Jimmy Massey has had a hard time sleeping, feeling "ashamed" of involvement in killing no less than 30 Iraqi civilians during his one-month mission.
Massey quit on April 18, 2003 – nine days after U.S.-led occupation forces rolled into Baghdad, after a 12-year service in the army.
He could not forget impassioned pleas of one Baghdad resident after he and his colleagues manning a checkpoint killed three other passengers in his car.
"Why did you kill my brother. We did not do any thing," Massy remembered the man screaming despite his injuries.
Read the rest here.

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Continued Special relations between the two dynasties; Bush II and Saudis

After it was pointed out that in part of this post discussing the documentary called Conspiracy Theories where it is revealed the long history of special relationship between Saudi dynasty and Bush "dynasty", it appears now that this "friendship" is continuing to the point that Saudis are coming to the rescue the Bush II regime by promising to cut the oil price before US vote, the way that would make the economy appear stronger and as a result attempting to affect the outcome of the November presidential elections in the US.

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April 18, 2004

"The Killer" gives a green light to "the killer"

Sharon goes to Washington to visit George Bush and push him for his backing on his agendas. He is just back in Israel, and Israel assassinates Hamas leader, Rantisi.

At least they could have been smarter to let some time pass from Sharon's return. The hatred towards American policies will be paid by not the US leaders who even have bodyguards in their bedrooms, but by the American people as this, amongst other policies, will just create more hatred towards the American people throughout the world.

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April 17, 2004

Laugh and think

I came across this comment at Wanda's blog.

Then I was taken to Oldcatman blog where there was lots of humor expressing many truths such as this image:

Of course, there was some disagreement from Wanda and Houston with the content of the image, but the disagreement was about who the puppeteer is and one thing that wasn't disputed, was the fact that George Bush is a puppet.

And when I put all these together with this Israeli newspaper, Haaretz article that tells us about powerful Zionist elements in the US administration, it all becomes a dangerous combination.

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April 16, 2004

Worth repeating: Real people with real pain. Warning: Graphic pictures

Originally posted on Aug 29, 03

I wish I could have something pleasant to share with you. But I don't have any to offer, at least not yet.

These pictures are graphic and hard to watch, but imagine if we have difficulty just watching them, how those victims felt when they were going through it. See what has happened to them, then evaluate your level of humanity. How would you feel if one of your loved ones were amongst them?

There are twenty pages with tens of pictures on each, and these are perhaps just parts of the human tragedy which happened in front of the cameras. Who knows how many happened hiden and will never be revealed.

Also note, in the list of sources for those pictures, you don't find CNN or Fox.

There are many many other photo links presented here as well. Also, see Weapons of Mass Destruction (democratic ones).

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US is biased? No!!!!

After George Bush allowed himself to act as god in Israeli/Palestinian conflict to determine who should have what and who shouldn't, Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qurie accused the United States of total bias against the Palestinians in a phone call with Secretary of State Colin Powell, Qurie's office said on Thursday. Congratulations Mr. Qurie, on your latest discovery! Where have you been Mr. Qurie?

Meanwhile, many activists arrested outside White House Protesting Bush-Sharon Meeting
Under Sharon's plan, 7,500 Israeli settlers would be withdrawn from the occupied Gaza Strip with the settlements handed over to the Palestinians. However, the plan envisions annexing portions of the West Bank, which under international law, belong to the Palestinians.

"Any plan presented by Sharon is futile and against God," said Rabbi Dovib Weiss, who came from New York to attend the protest.

"Meanwhile, inside the White House, Bush welcomed Sharon's initiative, saying it holds "great promise for the Palestinian people". Yeah, great promise of chopping their lives. The man is shooting himself in the foot everyday more than the day before. Everyday, he reveals a bit more of his bas...rd nature. And I am sure, this time it is for big part to attract the Jewish vote for his re-election, something that has made him act towards becoming one of the most murderous presidents of the US at whose term the level of hatred towards the US peaked throughout the world.

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April 15, 2004

Hands bloody for supporting Iraq war

"It amazes me how many Americans still support war - specifically, the war in Iraq. I am through blaming the government for our country's murderous involvement all over the world. I am through taking shots at an evil president.
We as a nation are responsible for these wars. The blood is on our hands. It's time to take responsibility for our actions and end war. Let's bring peace to the Earth. We have a wonderful God-given opportunity to change the world for the better.
I still think the majority of us hates war and murder, so why not stand up against it? I think it's time to crowd the streets and stand up to fear."

Read the letter here.

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April 14, 2004

US is bigger threat than terror

Globalisation and the US pose a more serious threat to the world than war and terrorism, according to a BBC poll.

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Changing the world!

In his first prime time news conference in more than 13 months, George Bush defended his Iraq policy and said, "We're changing the world."

The idiot who can't change his pants without the help from his daddy and his other care-givers, wants to change the world.

Bush began his news conference by reading (of course, only reading! Reading what others wrote for the puppet to read) a statement that was more of a speech.

Oh bad Iraqis, "They want to run us out of Iraq (their country - Faramin)" said Bush, calling the fighting a "power grab". Power grab! He, the invader, is talking of power grab.

In the nearly 13 months since the invasion 678 U.S. troops have died. On the Iraqi side, an estimated 16,000 soldiers and civilians have been killed.

Also, Bush rebuffed repeated attempts by reporters to get him to admit to some responsibility for the Sept. 11 attacks: "I feel incredibly grieved," said Bush, stopping short of accepting any blame.

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April 13, 2004

Israel trains US assassination squads in Iraq

"US forces in Iraq's Sunni triangle have already begun to use tactics that echo Israeli operations in the occupied territories, sealing off centres of resistance with razor wire and razing buildings from where attacks have been launched against US troops." Read it here.

To the American leaders: We know you are brothers in crimes, but don't be stupid. Don't buy hatred for yourself more than you have already bought. Where did the Israelis get with their criminal tactics? Were they not kicked out of Lebanon? Are they not struggling in the occupied territories? Don't take the already failed method.

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Two letters to the editor

The follwing two letters to Toronto Star's editor caught my attention today. I thought to share them with you.

Image from Iraq just like Vietnam, by Trong-Bich Ho, Toronto:
The image of an American soldier fleeing a burning tank as his comrade lay wounded, is ghastly. It reminds me of my native country, Vietnam, and the massive destruction power of the American war machine. You cannot drop bombs on a hapless populace, prop up a puppet government, set up some chains of fast-food restaurants and cinemas, call it democracy and ram it down other people's throat.
What a tragedy and injustice for the Americans whose sons and daughters had to die by the very bullets supplied to Saddam Hussein's regime by the United States. Those Donald Rumsfeld nows calls Iraqi armed thugs, had been called freedom fighters not long ago when he went to Baghdad to shake the hand of his former buddy, Saddam.


Rice sold her soul to support Bush, by Tom Rominger, Toronto:
"I was appalled to see the word ``warrior" attributed to Condoleezza Rice, blazoned across the front page of your paper. As a liberal, fair-minded United States citizen, I have other words to describe Rice. Last year she sold her African-American soul to the Republican party, the day she publicly voiced her support of George W. Bush's platform to weaken affirmative action programs. Not only does Bush's plan reduce advancement opportunities for African-Americans, it also promotes racial segregation in American schools. From a person who would so easily sell out her own people and experience to support the president, why should we believe any of what she has to say now?"

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April 12, 2004

US Military report of casualties in Fallujah vs Hospital report

"....The military reported about 70 coalition troops and 700 Iraqi “insurgents” killed so far this month....". "A hospital official said over 600 Iraqis were killed in Fallujah alone — mostly women, children and the elderly." Read it here.

That's what Bush and his gang have done to the Iraqis. Watch this Flash Presentation showing the horror and reality of U.S. occupation of Iraq a year after its illegal invasion.

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Just shut up

"Just shut up. That's the new foreign policy line of our masters. When Senator Edward Kennedy dubbed Iraq "George Bush's Vietnam", US Secretary of State Colin Powell told him to be "a little more restrained and careful" in his comments. I recall that when the US commenced its bombing of Afghanistan, the White House spokesman claimed that some journalists were "asking questions that the American people wouldn't want asked". Back in the early 1980s, when I reported on the Iranian soldiers on a troop train to Tehran who were coughing Saddam's mustard gas out of their lungs in blood and mucus, a Foreign Office official told my then editor on The Times that my dispatch was "not helpful". In other words, stop criticising our ally, Saddam."

Robert Fisk writes about the subservience of many members of the press who gave the US administration an easy time in hiding their true agendas from the American people.

Thanks to Information Clearing House for providing the complete version of the article.

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April 11, 2004

Questions NOT asked Rice

Today's Boston Globe carries an article by Craig Unger, author of the book, "House of Bush, House of Saud: The Secret Relationship Between the World's Two Most Powerful Dynasties".

In the piece, Unger wonders why no one on the commission has asked about the "evacuation of approximately 140 Saudis just two days after 9/11." He discloses that this group of Saudi evacuees included 24 members of the Bin Laden family.

The writer goes on to speculate, "Is it possible that the long relationship between President Bush's family and the House of Saud led Bush to turn a blind eye to the Saudi role in Islamic fundamentalist terrorism? Rather than aggressively seeking justice for the victims of 9/11, did the president instead authorize the departure of rich Saudi royals without even subjecting them to interrogation?"

However, one more question the 9/11 Commission did not ask Condi Rice, and is not raised by Craig Unger either, is this: Why didn't US Air Force fighter jets take off once it was clear four jetliners had been hijacked?

Also another simple yet legitimate question asked by a Toronto Star reader asks: ...why, given the heightened threats and warnings of the spring and summer of 2001, didn't they move heaven and earth to find out the time, place and manner of attack? "

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April 10, 2004

Tariq Ali on Iraq occupation

Read the interview with Tariq Ali about US-occupation of Iraq.

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April 09, 2004

Worth repeating: Just "conspiracy theory" or much more?

After recent reluctant public testimony by Condoleeza Rice, this post which was first poted on October 29, 03 might be worth repeating.

Tonight, I watched the season premier of "the Fifth Estate", a CBC documentary.

To those Americans who truly and sincerely believe their president have been acting with good faith, I would seriously recommend not to miss this documentary. Again my suggestion to these Americans is that if they have unlimited faith on their government and their president, not to waste their time looking at this documentary, because no matter how many facts are examined in this documentary and no matter how credible they are, they will continue having their blind-acting eyes to the truth. But if they really care about their country, their people, and perhaps a bit for other people of the world including at least 13000 Iraqis who have been victimized by the aggression of the American and British leaders, watch or read this documentary.

September 11 was a devastating enough a day for the Americans and for the humanity to warrant spending a couple of hours looking at the events leading to and after September 11 with critical eyes.

I will try to provide a link to online version of this documentary if available as the text provided with this link might not be sufficient enough however, complete transcripts or video for this documentary can be purchased by calling 1-800-363 1281.

This documentary examines the (long before, during and after September 11) relationship between the Bush family from father to son with Saudi officials especially Bin Laden family and how they interdepended on each other and the level of huge cover ups from the White House, including overnight classifying some critical documents which were promised to be presented to the US Senate committee the next day (obviously never happened). This was only one of many things that would be seriously disturbing to those Americans who can look at the truth with open eyes and minds.

As far as the Bush family is concerened, the least you can get from this documentary is to realize how corrupt the Bush family; Sr. and Jr., have been in financial issues and how easily they used their public positions for personal benefit. Read the timeline of the relationship between the Bush and Bin Laden families.

At best, it shows that there are many good reasons why this "conspiracy theory" might not just be a "theory" and again at best you can see a negligence by the US high officials; a criminal negligence causing about 3000 deaths, and you can also see the possibility that the dear sworn president of the United States was a mass murderer against his own people or at least knowing about the attacks before they happened and decided to ignore it . The documentary does not conclude anything as it correctly mentions that there are not concrete evidence proving this, but it also leaves the decision to the audience as what they really think happened.

Did you know that 3 months after September 11, in one of his speeches George Bush said that he saw on TV when first plane hit the building? In fact he did not see anything at the time of the collision, and he was just told about not the first plane but the second plane while he was in that school with some children playing. If you think this might be significant, wait to watch the whole documentary.

Update:
You can now watch parts of the documentary Conspiracy Theories.

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April 08, 2004

Humor; well, not quite

In case you didn't know, Hu Jintao recently took over as the leader of China.
(We take you now to the Oval Office. A conversation between Condoleeza Rice and George Bush.)

George: Condi! Nice to see you. What's happening?
Condi: Sir, I have the report here about the new leader of China.
George: Great. Lay it on me.
Condi: Hu is the new leader of China.
George: That's what I want to know.
Condi: That's what I'm telling you.
George: That's what I'm asking you. Who is the new leader of China?
Condi: Yes.
George: I mean the fellow's name.
Condi: Hu.
George: The guy in China.
Condi: Hu.
George: The new leader of China.
Condi: Hu.
George: The Chinaman!
Condi: Hu is leading China.
George: Now whaddya' asking me for?
Condi: I'm telling you Hu is leading China.
George: Well, I'm asking you. Who is leading China?
Condi: That's the man's name.
George: That's who's name?
Condi: Yes.
George: Will you or will you not tell me the name of the new leader of China?
Condi: Yes, sir.
George: Yassir? Yassir Arafat is in China? I thought he was in the
Middle East.
Condi: That's correct.
George: Then who is in China?
Condi: Yes, sir.
George: Yassir is in China?
Condi: No, sir.
George: Then who is?
Condi: Yes, sir.
George: Yassir?
Condi: No, sir.
George: Look, Condi. I need to know the name of the new leader of
China. Get me the Secretary General of the U.N. on the phone.
Condi: Kofi?
George: No, thanks.
Condi: You want Kofi?
George: No.
Condi: You don't want Kofi.
George: No. But now that you mention it, I could use a glass of milk. And then get me the U.N.
Condi: Yes, sir.
George: Not Yassir! The guy at the U.N.
Condi: Kofi?
George: Milk! Will you please make the call?
Condi: And call who?
George: Who is the guy at the U.N?
Condi: Hu is the guy in China.
George: Will you stay out of China?!
Condi: Yes, sir.
George: And stay out of the Middle East! Just get me the guy at the
U.N.
Condi: Kofi.
George: All right! With cream and two sugars. Now get on the phone.
Condi: (Condi picks up the phone.) Rice, here.
George: Rice? Good idea. And a couple of egg rolls, too. Maybe we
should send some to the guy in China. And the Middle East. Can you get Chinese food in the Middle East?

Courtesy of Kevin's Take Down The Wall

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Ex-FBI worker challenges 9/11 `lie'

Ex-FBI worker claims U.S. had warnings of airplane attacks.
White House adviser's statements `not accurate'. Read it here.

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April 07, 2004

Yes! God bless the US of A (the heaven for the corporations)

More than 60 percent of U.S. corporations didn't pay any federal taxes for 1996 through 2000, years when the economy boomed and corporate profits soared, the investigative arm of Congress reported." Read the rest here.

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April 06, 2004

Iraq is further sinking in anarchy

Last week, there was a report on CBC radio that was pointing out to some scary developments in Iraqi city of Basra: The religious vigilanties are increasingly gaining power and influence in the city. They are so-called guiding people not to do the "bad" things, such as not to play music, not to dance, and they are asking women to wear head-scarf. Their influence is so significant that, many local musicians who used to play at local tea shops and restaurants, are scared of continuation of playing music. This is how it started in Iran. First they were "asking" people, then as soon as they got more power, they started forcing people to do so.

On the other hand, shias who used to be considered as allies of the occupiers, are increasingly influenced by hardline clerics in Baghdad and other central regions of Iraq. Moghtada al-Sadr, 31 year old son of a revered Shiite cleric who (along his two other sons) was assassinated in 1999 by Saddam's hit men, is one of the clerics that is urging the Shias to fight for their religion. He is also a the nephew of the famous cleric, Imam Mosa al-Sadr, who was also silenced by Saddam in 1980. He is officially talking about forcing women to wear head-scarf. He is officially talking about punishing those who drink alcoholic beverages. He is officially talking about creation of an Islamic Republic, similar to Iran, and the worst things is that many people buy what he sells.

The current situation in Iraq has also had a negative impact on issues related to Iran. Although I would've never agreed with any attack and attempts to invade Iran by the US or any other foreign forces, I believe as long there was a threat of attacking Iraq by the US existed, and before the actual attack took place, there was a fear in the ruling regime in Tehran, however, that fear now is increasingly changing to joy by that regime and that fear doesn't exist anymore. In fact, Iran (regime) sees itself as the winner of the current situation as they have a significant influence on flipping pages of Iraq events today. Also, they are sure now that with such quagmire in Iraq, US would never dare to attack Iran. and they allow themselves to continue to do whatever the hell they wish; business as usual and that is a bad news for the people of Iran. This is perhaps another negative "Bush" effect on its war "for freedom" and "against terror".

Without questioning the 1979 revolution in Iran as an event to be proud of, the years following that great milestone of Iranian history, when the hardline clerics stole the revolution from the people of Iran, and consolidated their power, partially thanks to US-backed Saddam Hussein's attack on Iran, gives me enough reason to believe history is somehow being repeated in Iraq.

This might be even a very simplistic interpretation of the current events in Iraq. Even the possibility of worse than this to happen in Iraq, is significant. Iraq can be well in the path of civil war. Sonnies, many of whom may still want Saddam back have lost influence, Shias and on the top, the hardline clerics who have always wanted something similar to Iran model and always hated Saddam's sonni- dominated regime, are gaining influence. This is a recipe for upcoming confrontations between them that can lead to very scary results, On the other hand Kurds, are increasingly shouting their desire for independence and the oil-rich city of Kerkuk as their capital. This can create aggressive reactions from the other fractions of the Iraqi society. In short, things do not look good.

On the other hand, the US occupation forces are increasingly under attack by the Sunnies and recently by the shias and no body really knows "bring'm on" bullshit can last for how long!

What I see the growing influence of the hardline clerics, especially on Iraqi youth, I feel nothing but fear for bad times ahead. I cannot believe so much destruction, so much uncertainty, so much killings, because of some greedy pirate bast...ds who where and are too stupid to learn from history, to learn from Vietnam, that occupation will eventually fail, but what comes after it, is a very risky unknown.

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April 05, 2004

Oliver Stone's COMANDANTE (with Fidel Castro)

If the massive US media don't let the Americans see it and judge it for themselves, if they are so corrupt that do not want anything that is not approved by the corporations and their puppets; the US leaders, be seen, if they are sworn enemies of peoples' true rights of being informed, if.... . No worries. Thanks to Canadian CBC's Passionate Eye and thanks to Information Clearing House, there is opportunities to watch and judge anything good or bad about Fidel Castro. Also, don't miss this interview.

When I learned (but was not surprised) that Castro writes his own notes for his long speeches that he doesn't even usually need to use them, I automatically thought of George Bush and his "capabilities". To those whose hero is ...hah... Bush: Get a life.

As stated in the ICH, Due to bandwidth costs this video will only be available online 04/05/04 through 04/12/04.

Enjoy the freedom of knowing.

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April 04, 2004

Bas...rd hypocrite

Part of George Bush's State of the Union speech in January 2003:
"Today, on the continent of Africa, nearly 30 million people have the AIDS virus -- including 3 million children under the age 15. There are whole countries in Africa where more than one-third of the adult population carries the infection. More than 4 million require immediate drug treatment. Yet across that continent, only 50,000 AIDS victims -- only 50,000 -- are receiving the medicine they need.
Because the AIDS diagnosis is considered a death sentence, many do not seek treatment. Almost all who do are turned away. A doctor in rural South Africa describes his frustration. He says, "We have no medicines. Many hospitals tell people, you've got AIDS, we can't help you. Go home and die." In an age of miraculous medicines, no person should have to hear those words. (Applause.)
AIDS can be prevented. Anti-retroviral drugs can extend life for many years. And the cost of those drugs has dropped from $12,000 a year to under $300 a year -- which places a tremendous possibility within our grasp. Ladies and gentlemen, seldom has history offered a greater opportunity to do so much for so many."


And here is excerpt of the latest development; US may bar poor nations from cheap AIDS drug:
"The US government is threatening to obstruct low-income countries from accessing generic HIV/AIDS drugs approved by the World Health Organization, a human rights group charged on Friday.
The US, it said, is convening a conference in Botswana on Monday that may challenge WHO's approval of generic copies of patented AIDS drugs."


"The United States stands alone in opposing these safe, inexpensive and WHO-certified generic medicines," said said Joanne Csete, director of the HIV/AIDS Programme at Human Rights Watch."

The guy has watched too many Hollywood movies where the heroes are heroes only in the movies. How could he lie so easily? How could he live with himself?

Thanks to Stageleft for pointing to this hypocrisy.

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April 03, 2004

US leaders, grade A students in Goering's lectures

"....Of course the people don't want war. But after all, it's the leaders of the country who determine the policy, and it's always a simple matter to drag the people along whether it's a democracy, a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism, and exposing the country to greater danger."

Herman Goering, of Germany's Nazi party at the Nuremberg trials. The source

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April 02, 2004

My site-meter's changing ad

The following fact on the changing ad board of my Site Meter drew my attention today:

"Would you fill your child's prescription or his empty stomach?
1 in 5 kids in America faces hunger because of decisions like this....."


But yet, there is money to produce more weaponaries. There is money to invade a country. There is money to be sent to the Israelis to kill even more....... . Sick leaders.

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April 01, 2004

My honest confessions

It takes lot of courage to admit what I am going to admit now; After many ups and downs and struggles with myself about my position regarding some world issues; Iraq war, Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the government of Iran and many similar issues, I have now reached a point where I don't see any reason to continue speaking up, I have reached a point where I don't see any reason not to completely live for myself and the immediate people around me without being involved with issues outside my personal concerns, I have reached a point where I see a good possibility may be I have been badly mistaking about the US administration and its policies, I have reached a point where I see good possibility that Israeli government wants real peace and only Palestinians don't want it, I have reached a point where I see good possibilities that invasion of Iraq has been great for the Iraqis. Even in issues related to Iran, I have reached a point where I see good possibility that the people in charge of ruling my country really do have good intentions. In short, I have reached a point that when I look at the calendar, it tells me that it is the first day of the forth month and in Iran it is "Seezdah be-dar", haha.

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Two photos

Yet another Israeli crime: Rachel Corrie just before being crushed by the Israeli army Bulldozer


Beautiful Photo: Palestinian children mark the first anniversary of the death of their great American friend, Rachel Corrie

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Top iran blogs award

HUMAN first, then a proud IRANIAN

Top iran blogs