The People’s Republic of Iran Under Siege
June 28, 2009
By Padmini Arhant
It’s been well over two weeks since the fraudulent election in the Iranian Republic and subsequently the nation is under siege by the hard line clerics exerting authoritarian rule – vowing to crush its’ own people for their dissent against corruption and totalitarianism.
The threats from the puppet nominee Mahmoud Ahmadinejad echoed by the theocracy subjecting sacred Islam to disgrace through oppression of the peaceful demonstrators is nothing but a group of enraged power hungry dictators in self denial of the verdict – their end, the demise of tyranny once and for all.
The despots, the brutal theocrats and their henchmen (Basij militiamen and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard) might have temporarily succeeded in quelling the dissent on the streets in Tehran and elsewhere, the reality known otherwise.
Realistically, the entire offenders daring blasphemy of the Holy Quran, the Holy Prophet Mohammad (Peace be upon him) and the Almighty God, Allah are,
Obviously frustrated within, due to their inability to fight the brewing battle in their mind overwhelmed with fear, anxiety and disintegrating resolve triggering aggression and violence against anyone in their path to enslave the pious and peaceful people of Iran.
The recent assertion and rhetorical remarks from the illegitimate leader Mahmoud Ahmadinejad directed at the United States Presidency is an open self-invitation for isolation from the international community through various stringent measures that would effectively paralyze the regime leading to the ousting of the undemocratic rulers from power.
Therefore, the present regime must exercise caution and reasoning in their speech and action towards the nations aimed at as traditional rivals besides reigning terror against the non-violent people of Iran desperate and destined to be set free.
Ironically, the Iranian authorities are providing the alleged ‘lawlessness’ as the reason for the hard line approach that includes the raiding of people’s residences by militiamen Basij wreaking havoc in the unarmed civilian lives.
What the incumbent rulers fail to understand is, for every innocent life hurt in Tehran and other parts of Iran, they are hurting one of their own family members both closely and remotely related individuals as described in the Islamic law. The Holy Quran warns the sinners against any harm on their Muslim and non-Muslim brothers and sisters particularly the non-combatants in the privacy of their homes.
Perhaps, it’s time for G8 and other nations around the world to take action against the regime through formal withdrawal of diplomatic relationships, denial of travel visas to not only the figureheads and their representatives but also their family members traveling and living abroad for business, education and tourism. When the world condemnation translated from statements into action, the seriousness of the crime committed by the authoritarian rulers will sink in their ignorant aptly arrogant mind.
These simple prickly measures against the dictatorial regime should send a strong message about the repulsive action towards their nationals apart from the urgency in conceding to ‘truth’ represented by the people of Iran.
Any further deterioration in the unruly conduct of the unlawful government would be detrimental to the survival of the institution behind the anarchy.
Given the status quo in Iran, the reformist movement and the opposition with the republic support should maintain the peaceful and non-violent approach in achieving the democratic goals for the people of Iran.
It would be in the best interest of the future of Iran for the momentum to continue in freeing the nation from the shackles of theocracy binding irreligious morals with personal philosophy diametrically opposed to Islamic law.
Reiterating the earlier message on Peace – A beautiful delicate flower with a sweet fragrance permeating the surrounding bringing natural joy upon sensual contact, yet resilient and a formidable force against violence.
Nations that sought peace towards their freedom guaranteed political, social and economic stability due to the inherent determination of the people to prevail against the odds – the violence that produces only bloodshed and immense loss of life.
The green reformist movement has tremendous potential to conquer the debilitating characteristics of the totalitarian government using violent and undemocratic strategies against the citizens for whom they are politically responsible.
Victory is within reach of those who tread on the trails of peace, will and optimism.
The people of Iran courageously display these qualities in the on-going political crisis.
Good luck and fortune waits in abundance for the enduring population of Iran. Your sacrifice will not be futile.
One should never quit without tasting the flavor of success in life.
Persian , Independence, … الله أكبر (Allahu Akbar )
(Arabic , … Allāhu Akbar (الله أكبر) : "God is the Greatest." …)
Thank you.
Padmini Arhant
Warning: Some visuals displayed in the ‘Featured Video’ may not be suitable for all.
Iranian Crisis – Blasphemy of Sacred Islam and The Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him)
June 24, 2009
By Padmini Arhant
The categorical defiance by the theocratic ruler Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the puppet nominee Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the clerics, the Guardian Coucil, The Iranian Revolutionary Guard, the Basij and the entire regimen behind the ruthless authoritarian regime is blasphemous of the sacred religion – Islam, they falsely represent in the Iranian Republic.
Although, the dictatorial regime’s ruthless conduct in the past twenty-four hours involving civilian killings and arrests with a clampdown on the press and media coverage gained momentary leverage over the peaceful dissent, the truth and justice to be delivered by the all powerful Almighty God, Allah will never be conquered by the slaves of treachery and debauchery.
In fact, the autocratic dictators are not challenging the will of the innocent people of Iran, but engaged in cataclysmic battle against the supreme authority, the Almighty God, Allah determined to prevail being the ultimate universal force. The crumbling resolve within the secretive,totalitarian conspirators concealed with excessive violence inflicted upon the non-combative, non-violent truth seekers representing the valiant Almighty God, Allah.
If the present authority resigned to brutality, remain undeterred by the Prophetic warnings of the Almighty God, Allah demanding the conflict to end in the people’s favor through willful surrender of all those implicated in the horrific humanitarian crime led by the clerics’ leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei,
The assassins will be subject to the wrath of the creator to justify the means.
Any slightness of the Almighty God, Allah’s message by the corrupt unelected clerics and officials would be a recipe for self-destruction and disaster. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard and Basij judged accordingly for volunteering in the slaughter of truth represented by the brave and unarmed civilians enduring injustice brought upon them by the sinners representing the theocracy.
The military role as national guardians to ensure every citizen’s safety and security in the nation currently in violation of the defense and humanitarian code unequivocally on the path of genocide will also be brought to justice.
Reiterating the earlier message titled “Iranian Dissent – Armageddon,” it’s against the Islamic law and the holy Prophet Muhammad’s teachings to cause any physical pain and damage to individuals revolting against delusional perpetrators in denial of the Almighty God, Allah. The escalating violence in curbing the freedom of expression against the fraudulent election is a strong indication of the theocracy’s power quest while posing to be a spiritual figurehead – a clear indignation of the Holy Quran and the Almighty God, Allah.
The current stranglehold on the movement as the voice for freedom and democracy is a deceptive victory for the deceitful demagoguery led by the autocrat, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the loyalists committed to blasphemy of the Holy Quran, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and the Almighty God, Allah, the ultimate judiciary power. Each heinous criminal act will be punishable in the highest order according to the moral and ethical code specified in the Holy Quran.
Evidently, the present confrontation is the battle between illusion v. reality and the outcome declared in the immediate future yielding victory to the pious and the truthful demonstrators with the supreme force, the Almighty God, Allah’s blessing.
Unfortunately for the offenders, the message directed by the Almighty God, Allah dismissed as the United States and other foreign governments’ ominous disguised operation confirm the self-proclaimed spiritual authority’s inability to discern and recognize the call from the Almighty God, Allah, the savior and protector of the universe.
Therefore, their self-indulgence in senseless violence and horrific violation of human rights will lead them towards their choice of destination i.e. demolition and downfall of the much-anticipated dictatorial regime and their disappearance into oblivion in resemblance to the fate of all those historic characters in the past and the contemporary era.
Any attempt to exacerbate the suffering of the population through excessive mistreatment and exploitation of the temporary power would prove detrimental to those in action.
Time is running out for the despots and the desolate crew following the leadership doomed to fail and fall from grace for ignoring the commandment of the all powerful, Almighty God, Allah. This is not a threat, instead a concern and a conciliatory final word from the eternal source prioritizing reconciliation in the reform and resolution of the political crisis affecting the humanity at large in Iran.
Meanwhile, the reformist movement and the opposition should continue their peaceful and non-violent approach and not dissuaded from liberating the culturally enriched Poetic Persian Land and the Iranian Republic presently under siege by the tyrannical rule of law.
The bold and audacious demonstrators’ sacrifice will not be in vain this time and victory is on the side of the truth and justice, regardless of the ruthless resilience from the agitating tumultuous terror nearing end in accordance to the apocalypse.
Freedom is not a cupcake offered through invitation at a birthday party.
History is testimony that every free nation on earth had to struggle and strive for their liberty and that of others commonly from the grip of adamant self-righteous rule possessed with dangerous emotional and conventional arsenal likely to engulf in their pyromania.
Peace is gentle, delicate and healing with a formidable characteristic to win against violence generally smothered in terror, aggression and illusionary tactics bound towards defeat as witnessed by the world since time immemorial.
Yawm ad-Din "the Day of Judgment" (Arabic: يوم الدين) is God’s final assessment of humanity.
Thank you.
Padmini Arhant
,
Iranian Dissent – Armageddon
June 22, 2009
By Padmini Arhant
The peaceful protest by the oppressed Iranian population continues in Tehran for the second week since the June 12, election results declaring the President Nominee Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the winner by the theocratic ruler Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Uprising and revolution generally prompted by severe repression leading the population to the breaking point, particularly in the economic aspect depriving the youth, women and the minorities from realizing their hopes and dreams in life. The socio-economic environment throughout the Middle East until date is due for an exposure and analysis.
There have been numerous publications, reports and articles on the subject revealing the status quo on women’s’ rights, press and media censorship, voting irregularities, selective political nominations…summarizing democracy under siege in the totalitarian regimes throughout the region.
Interestingly, the autocracies have embraced the contemporary lifestyle for themselves and the close circuit loyalists while subjecting the rest of the population to the medieval rule of law such as public flogging, execution, and customary gender discrimination.
The severity lies in the economic disparity, visible in the wealth amassment by the privileged few against the majority struggling to make ends meet at all times. It’s a contentious issue especially for the nations enriched with abundant oil and other natural resources in their lack of concern to share the political freedom, economic prosperity and social environment with their nationals.
Oil reserves in Iran
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oil_reserves_in_Iran
“Oil reserves in Iran, according to its government, rank third largest in the world at approximately 136 billion barrels (21.6×109 m3) as of 2007, although it ranks second if Canadian reserves of non-conventional oil are excluded. This is roughly 10% of the world’s total proven petroleum reserves.
Iran is the world’s fourth largest oil producer and is OPEC’s second-largest producer after Saudi Arabia. As of 2006 it was producing an estimated 3.8 million barrels per day (600×103 m3/d) of crude oil, equal to 5% of global production.[1] At 2006 rates of production, Iran’s oil reserves would last 98 years if no new oil was found.”
Not surprisingly, the persisting sub-human conditions into the twenty first century contributed to the birth of terrorist organizations such as Al Qaida and various networks deceptively pledged to jihad directed at western democracies and emerging economic powers in retaliation for the conciliatory relationships with the autocratic governments in the region.
Middle East nations have overwhelmingly adopted the western concept in infrastructure and modern conveniences but failed to adapt to the twenty first century democracy and human rights now. In the regimes’ inability to resist technology and travel, the Middle East population familiar with the new millennium technological and commercial trend desperately seeking similar opportunities in political, economic and social progress.
Regarding social progress, the draconian laws impair women, minorities and other groups like gay community comparatively classified as social outcasts in many instances. The deliberate, conscientious mistreatment and segregation of certain members under the guise of traditions is a misnomer and diametrically opposed to Islamic religion or ‘democracy’ for that matter.
With no resemblance to a functional democracy elsewhere, the Middle East regimes have consistently defended the authoritarian rule of law as democracy only to serve colloquially and not operatively. Further, the governments remain successful in reigning terror against their own citizens, due to tolerance by the international community.
The global community in their defense might attribute their vulnerability to economic factors like oil dependency and financial credit from Saudi Arabia other than trade and commerce. Despite the required balancing act, it is obligatory on the international community to condemn violence and human rights violation supported by effective measures irrespective of the perpetrator’s stature.
It is worth remembering that the global economic era has created interdependency among nations as trading partners imposing versatility, a prerequisite for survival and sustenance in the aggressively competitive world economy.
Therefore, any drastic action against ruthless dictatorships is potent at present time by striking their personal monetary gains in terms of financial holdings usually held overseas like Swiss banks and tax haven destinations. As stated earlier, economic sanctions directly affect the victims and exacerbate the plight of the suffering population.
The ideal strategy would be to target the responsible figureheads and their representatives by denying diplomatic ties, travel and freezing personal bank accounts. Since most dictators pre-occupied in bankrupting their own economy, the overseas investments by them are a common source for wealth accumulation.
To shed light on the historic crisis in Iran, the theocracy is in grave danger for the reported killings and deaths of its own citizens in cold blood, carried out in the name of religion. In addition, more disturbing is the report suggesting the self-proclaimed clerics’ leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei engaging Hamas and Hezbollah as mercenaries to shoot the peaceful protesters because of the state police and paramilitary’s emotional reluctance to carry out the shooting order.
The state authority’s diabolical conduct is reprehensible and genocidal in the humanitarian and Islamic law. It is worthy of condemnation in moral, ethical and spiritual sense with unequivocal judgment on the aggressors by the supreme force not excluding trials in the International court of Justice, Haig as the end justifies the means.
As for the Iranian Revolutionary Guard and Basij, the paramilitary volunteer troops are concerned, their primary duty is to defend the citizens of the nation. The soldiers’ integrity and true valor lies in the loyalty towards the innocent civilians representing the nation and not the brutal dictators authorizing the merciless killings of God’s children. The military forces guarding the nation are obliged to protect the citizens against any harm from internal or external attacks.
Disobedience by the national guardians in honoring the defense and humanitarian code would be similarly consequential.
The message is synonymous to all those individuals, groups (Hamas and Hezbollah) and authorities affiliated to the theocracy in the persecution and murder of non-violent demonstrators challenging the dictatorial leadership on behalf of the Almighty God, the supreme authority and significant force to reckon with.
It would be in the best interest of the theocratic leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the clerics and the puppet government to willfully resign and surrender to the mass seeking democracy with freedom of expression as the fundamental right of every citizen in the democratic society. The clerics’ must immediately end the press and media censorship by allowing domestic and international press coverage of the events to avoid regrettable repercussions.
Directives from the Holy Qur’an:
Objectives of warfare
According to verses [Qur’an 8:39], the Qur’an implies two objectives:[16]
1. Uproot fitnah (فتنة) or persecution
Against persecution
Directives for action against persecution:
And fight them on until there is no more tumult or oppression, and there prevail justice and faith in Allah altogether and everywhere; but if they cease, verily Allah doth see all that they do.
—Qur’an, [Qur’an 8:39]
Also: —Qur’an, [Qur’an 4:75]
And what has come over you that you fight not in the cause of Allah, and for those weak, ill-treated and oppressed among men, women, and children, whose cry is: ‘Our Lord! Rescue us from this town whose people are oppressors, and raise for us from You one who will protect, and raise for us from You one who will help.
It’s an eternal directive and believe that all types of oppression should be considered under this directive.[16][95]
Similarly, if a group of Muslims commit unwarranted aggression against some of their brothers and does not desist from it even after all attempts of reconciliation, such a group according to the Qur’an should be fought with:
[From] now, God has lightened your [task] for He knows that there is now weakness amongst you: But [ever so], if there are a hundred of you, patient and persevering, they will subdue two hundred, and if a thousand, they will subdue two thousand, with the leave of God: for God is with those who patiently persevere.
—Qur’an, [Qur’an 8:66]
Directive of the Holy Qua’ran for the Iranian Revolutionary Guard:
Islam expressly prohibits the killing of non-combatants.
Harming civilian areas and pillaging residential areas is also forbidden,[34] as is the destruction of trees, crops, livestock and farmlands.[26][35]
The Muslim forces may not loot travellers, as doing so is contrary to the spirit of jihad.[36] Nor do they have the right to use the local facilities of the native people without their consent. If such a consent is obtained,
The Muslim army is still under the obligation to compensate the people financially for the use of such facilities.
Elaborated in a number of sayings attributed to the Holiness Prophet Muhammad –
But there are also sayings that put strict limits on the duty of obedience. Two dicta attributed to the Prophet and universally accepted as authentic are indicative.
One says, "there is no obedience in sin"; in other words,
“If the ruler orders something contrary to the divine law, not only is there no duty of obedience, but there is a duty of disobedience.”
Accountability of rulers
“…And they (the sinners on qiyama) will say, ‘Our Lord! We obeyed our leaders and our chiefs, and they misled us from the right path. Our Lord! Give them (the leaders) double the punishment you give us and curse them with a very great curse’…”[33:67–68]
Islamic law states that when the rulers refuse to step down via successful impeachment through the Majlis, becoming dictators through the support of a corrupt army, if the majority agree they have the option to launch a revolution against them.
Finally:
It is stated in the Holy Qur’an:
[From] now, God has lightened your [task] for He knows that there is now weakness amongst you: But [ever so], if there are a hundred of you, patient and persevering, they will subdue two hundred, and if a thousand, they will subdue two thousand, with the leave of God: for God is with those who patiently persevere. —Qur’an, [Qur’an 8:66
Indeed those who are opposing Allah and His Messenger are bound to be humiliated. The Almighty has ordained: ‘‘I and My Messengers shall always prevail’’. Indeed Allah is Mighty and Powerful.— Qur’an, [Qur’an 58:20]
Those who wish to disobey the commandment of the Almighty God Allah may do so at their own peril.
Persian , Independence, … الله أكبر (Allahu Akbar )
(Arabic , … Allāhu Akbar (الله أكبر) : "God is the Greatest." …)
Thank you.
Padmini Arhant
Iranian Uprising – 21st Century
June 20, 2009
Apocalyptic New Era
By Padmini Arhant
The Presidential election results were out in the Islamic Republic of Iran and predictably, the theocratic rule through flawed electoral process declared the incumbent President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad the winner, with a landslide victory against the reformist leader Mir Hossein Mousavi of the Islamic Iran Participation Front, recognized as the largest reformist party.
Iranian youth, women and everyone oppressed by the existing regime mourning seeing no hope in the horizon for Iran aligning to the twenty first century nation governance. The re-nomination of the President Ahmadinejad by the un-elected and self-proclaimed clerics under the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei indicates the iron-fist authoritarianism executed as the guardian of the sacred Islamic religion.
The theocratic power claiming to be the representative of peaceful and respectful Islam effectively shackled the Islamic vows – equality, freedom, justice and compassion shared among all, with sheer denial of the humanitarian rights granted by the holy Islam.
Ironically, the election is anything but democratic with the election results not conforming to the actual data in more than one account. According to reliable sources, the higher voter turnout was encouraging and huge enthusiasm among the majority confirmed the readiness for the change that’s long overdue in the Islamic Republic and the entire Middle East. Upon opposition’s refusal to concede to the false ceremonial victory by the current President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the streets in Tehran and the holy city Qom reverberated with chants against the undemocratic verdict.
Any ballot recount in selective areas to satisfy the republic with an insatiable appetite for emancipation is equivalent to an illusionist’s performance in charming the tense audience. Tragically, the religious order’s deception of the Islamic faith dedicated to truth, equality and justice for all vilified in the endorsement of killings and violence against peaceful protesters by the paramilitary under the top hierarchy’s direct command, reminiscent of the Tiananmen Square event.
The recent incidents in Tehran and other parts of the nation is a reminder that permanence is not in the laws of nature and change is the natural course of action to prove it. Despite resistance to positive reform, a priority beginning with the free and fair elections, the theocracy in Iran struggling to maintain credibility as the religious force inculcating bias in the contradictory version of democracy dominated by religion over the independent state rule.
Whenever any puppet government controlled by the ultimate religious authority or dynasty challenged to demonstrate democratic values towards the nationals, defiance is inevitable. Therefore, the victims subject to hard line approach viz. muzzling the voice of democracy in the technology-oriented age. Evidently, the Iranian republic determined to free themselves from the prolonged tyrannical rule of law under the guise of Islam – conflicting to the egalitarian religious philosophy.
The current events in Iran is a test for the theocracy led by the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the clerics’ respect for the holiness, Prophet Mohammed’s teachings to value humanitarian rights and disavow violence, deceit, disorder in any form or shape. Importantly, the involvement of religion in the state affairs and the Supreme Leader as the head of the state is a gross violation of Islam juxtaposed to Islamic law prohibiting spiritual leaders from aspiring political power, materialistic gains and supremacy.
Autocracy implemented through theocracy is sacrilegious in the highest order.
It is imperative for the Islamic Republic of Iran to honor the will of the people towards democracy with an absolute guarantee of equal rights for all citizens of different faith and ethnicity in the historic Persian land. The reference particularly applies to the persecution and systemic abuse of the Baha’i population along with disregard for the faith until date.
Since the election outcome debunked with reprehensible practices such as vote rigging and unscrupulous means by the state in producing unrealistic victory for their choice of representative effectively disposes the results null and void. Henceforth, the reformist candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi aptly qualifies in requesting the Iranian electorate to recall the nominee, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and the Guardian Council responsible for the protocol reportedly swayed to the theocratic preference has created a self-dispensable status in the so-called democratic election.
With the overwhelming international support and solidarity for the Iranian moderates in the ongoing political upheaval, the camouflaged autocratic leadership in Iran is on the verge of collapse serving testimony to the apocalyptic new era pledged to deliverance around the world.
The concurrent election results throughout the Middle East, with Iraq rejecting the Iranian supported political and terror faction, Lebanese sidelining the once popular and terror sponsor Hezbollah backed by the troubled Iranian theocracy, Palestine more eager to attain the dream of freedom empowering FATAH over HAMAS is a confirmation of the apocalypse.
Although, credit for changes in the Middle East attributed to the previous and present United States Presidency, the real agent behind the democratic transitioning is the long brewing unprecedented will of the population with technological know-how rising to the occasion comprising free speech and human rights.
Similar scenario witnessed in Egypt initiated by the anti-government centrists and pro-democratic aspirants including the Muslim Brotherhood – the Hosni Mubarak government’s traditional rival. In this instance the moderates in Egypt were disappointed with the omission of Egyptian government’s prolonged human rights violation in President Obama’s Cairo address, even though the objective for detour appears to rest on the potential Egyptian influence on the Arab world in the recognition of Israel and resolving the two-state solutions crisis.
Many outspoken pro-democracy groups operating within and outside of Egypt shared their anguish over a missed historic moment by the United States Presidency to curtail excessive oppression in the Pharaoh land.
Back to Iranian political uprising contributing tremor across the Middle East – it’s no coincidence and remains an affirmation to pervasive democratic movement brought upon not by Super Power aggression instead, through peaceful and powerful populace demand, yet another desirable path in accordance to the apocalypse.
The contemporary political unrest in Iran is likely to subdue the theocracy limiting and possibly eliminating the intervention of religion in the state rule to promote real democracy. As for the reformist leader Mir Hossein Mousavi’s parallel political stance with the opponent President nominee Mahmoud Ahmedinijad regarding Iranian nuclear program and Israel…
The notion between the Israeli Knesset and the White House ambivalence to the controversial re-nomination of the President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad implies – “It’s better to deal with the devil you know rather than the Saint you don’t.”
This posturing by Washington and Jerusalem is disturbing considering the pivotal role by both nations as part of the military industrial complex in the lucrative and prolific nuclear and arms weaponry exhibited by the United States in Iraq and currently in Afghanistan. Likewise, by Israel in the aggression against Palestinians in Gaza in December 2008 accompanied by repeated retaliatory threats to strike Iran’s nuclear site with or without the United States alliance warrants a great deal of concern.
Israel’s selection of President Nominee Ahmadinejad over reformist candidate Mousavi suggests Israel accepting Ahmadinejad’s provocative gesture as an opportunity for military action. Such political maneuvering by Israel could prove immensely detrimental to its own national security other than raising a credibility issue as a viable peace partner in the Middle East.
An oil enriched and Shiite dominant Iran’s strong emergence in the Arab world posed a huge challenge to other oil-abundant nation like Saudi Arabia and others fearing identical fate with the impending overthrow of the political dynasty contrasting political theocracy in Iran, while both kingdoms sharing abandonment of democracy in the legislative rule.
Meanwhile, the massive rally and protests on behalf of the reformist party candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi justified when,
The reformist leader commits Iran towards modern democracy in every aspect of governance,
A nuclear free zone as the concept of nuclear energy program to generate electricity does not fit in with Iran being the third richest nation in oil reserves,
Oil reserves in Iran
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oil_reserves_in_Iran
“Oil reserves in Iran, according to its government, rank third largest in the world at approximately 136 billion barrels (21.6×109 m3) as of 2007, although it ranks second if Canadian reserves of non-conventional oil are excluded. This is roughly 10% of the world’s total proven petroleum reserves.
Iran is the world’s fourth largest oil producer and is OPEC’s second-largest producer after Saudi Arabia. As of 2006 it was producing an estimated 3.8 million barrels per day (600×103 m3/d) of crude oil, equal to 5% of global production.[1] At 2006 rates of production, Iran’s oil reserves would last 98 years if no new oil was found.”
Further, recognize and embrace Israel as a sovereign state,
Last but not the least; relinquish terror sponsorship in Iraq, Palestine and Lebanon including conciliatory partnership via arms supply to belligerent North Korea.
Otherwise, Iran reflecting true reform in alienating from the ideological, theocratic principles and doctrine prevailing over the fundamental democratic values desperately required by the deserving Iranian population.
The imminent victory for peace against violence will testify the strength of populace power in the declining theocratic regime systematically misrepresenting the sacred and peaceful Islam.
The Iranian electorates’ perseverance towards democratic goals will be a trailblazer for other nations to follow suit in the Middle East.
Persian, … šāʾ Allāh (ar | ما شاء الله), which means, "God has willed it". …-
Insha’Allah (إن شاء الله) – Allah Willing.
Thank you.
Padmini Arhant
International Politics – India’s General Election Results
May 16, 2009
By Padmini Arhant
Heartfelt Congratulations! to DR. Manmohan Singh and Mrs. Sonia Gandhi on the impressive victory and re-election of the Congress Party to lead the world’s largest democracy towards further progress and prosperity.
India is at the crossroads in the peace process particularly with the nuclear neighbor Pakistan, currently dealing with challenges threatening the national and international security. There is an opportunity for the nuclear nations to develop peaceful bilateral relationship and revive mutual trust as the foundation to promote trade, economic and cultural exchanges beneficial for the entire sub-continent.
Now is the time to lay the historic discord to rest and begin a new chapter by guiding the younger generations on both sides to coexist in harmony. The best strategy for prolonged peace in the region and global security is nuclear disarmament. Perhaps, it could begin in the Indian sub-continent leading other nuclear nations to follow suit. Such unprecedented move would be symbolic for the nation set free by the renowned pioneer of peace and non-violence, Mahatma Gandhi.
Indian leadership desperately required in the peaceful resolution of the Sri Lankan crisis. The escalating violence and the recent death toll among the minority Tamil civilian population are unacceptable. Again, there is no justification whatsoever in the ongoing military action by the Sri Lankan government focused on the minority Tamils’ displacement and replacing them with the Sinhalese settlement.
It’s incumbent on India to refrain from aiding the Sri Lankan government anyhow in the hostility and persecution of the minority Tamils. Sri Lanka well armed with ammunitions supplied by nations prioritizing profit over people needs no further assistance in the crime against humanity. History is testimony that when all things fail in securing equality and justice, uprising by marginalized population is a natural course of action against oppressive power.
However, violent means by the minority representatives are worthy of condemnation and India could play a decisive role in the peaceful negotiations between the two sides. Indian involvement would be legitimate considering the significant representation of Tamils in the southern Indian state of Tamilnadu.
It’s equally important for India to remain vigilant on the recent developments in the northern side of the border concerning Nepal and China’s unnecessary influence. In the other international matter, India should renounce any ties with the repressive regime, Burma. India’s continuous trade relationship with the nation in defiance of humanitarian laws and suppression of democracy raises credibility issue and potentially controversial for the world largest democracy.
Finally, the Congress government should expand attention to the poorest groups apart from the farmers in the society. Again, it’s imperative to provide housing, education, jobs and health care to those at the bottom of the socio-economic strata. India’s progress will truly be reflected when prosperity shared among all rather than the privileged few.
Best Wishes to DR. Manmohan Singh, Mrs. Sonia Gandhi and the Congress Party in all endeavors.
Padmini Arhant
‘Talibanization’ of Afghanistan and Pakistan
May 13, 2009
By Padmini Arhant
The Taliban insurgency in Afghanistan and the northwestern regions of Pakistan, particularly the swat valley have proven deadlier for the ruling powers in Afghanistan, Pakistan and the United Sates due to the inevitable civilian casualties and displacement arising from the incessant shelling supposedly targeting the Taliban militants.
According to the Pakistani government, the military operation has been effective thus far in the attack against the militants, without any confirmation or denial on the humanitarian catastrophe.
Meanwhile, the Taliban’s pervasive retaliation to the military force is evident from the clashes in other districts, Buner and Dir with the Taliban expected to be within 60 miles of the Capital city, Islamabad. Incidentally, the Taliban’s eyes are set on Karachi, the commercial capital and an epicenter for various terror networks readily available to forge alliance with the ideological militant group.
The North -Western Frontier Province appears to be under siege. The heavy bombing has elevated the humanitarian crisis with the internal refugees toll reaching a phenomenal 1.3 million and still rising including the earlier 550,000 from the tribal warfare.
It’s intriguing for those familiar with the Taliban’s rise and fall and their sudden emergence with well-equipped weaponry to challenge the U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan, and the Pakistani artillery predominantly supplied by the United States and China. Most recently, the Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari reportedly blamed the United States i.e. CIA for creating the Taliban and implied that such creation consequently led to the present quagmire.
Origin of Taliban as ‘Mujahideens’ (The Arabic meaning “strugglers” )
As per Wikipedia – The Free Encyclopedia – Thanks
“The best-known mujahideen, various loosely-aligned Afghan opposition groups, initially fought against the incumbent pro-Soviet Afghan government during the late 1970s.
The mujahideen were significantly financed and armed (and are alleged to have been trained) by the United States Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) during the Carter[5] and Reagan administrations and the governments of Saudi Arabia, the People’s Republic of China, several Western European countries, Iran, and Zia-ul-Haq’s military regime in Pakistan.
The Pakistani Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) was the interagent used in the majority of these activities to disguise the sources of support for the resistance. Under Reagan, U.S. support for the mujahideen evolved into an official U.S. foreign policy, known as the Reagan Doctrine, which included U.S. support for anti-Soviet resistance movements in Afghanistan, Angola, Nicaragua, and elsewhere.”
Reality Check:
Although, the facts support the origin of Taliban (historically the orphans of the former Soviet oppression) as the ‘Mujahideens’ previously funded and trained by the nations vigorously involved in the lucrative arms race up until now,
The contemporary rise of Taliban and their empowerment attributed to the covert support by the Pakistani military and prominently the ISI (Inter-Services Intelligence) implicated in various terrorist activities around the world notably the September 11, 2001 and notwithstanding the Mumbai terror attack in November 2008.
The dynamic duo also presumably associated with other national and international conspiracies…
Fostering acrimony between India and Pakistan on the Kashmir dispute,
Coordinating with China and Israel in the arms supply to the island nation Sri Lanka in the ethnic cleansing of the Tamils,
Assassination attempts on the Afghan President Hamid Karzai,
The Indian embassy bombing in Kabul, and
Last but not the least, the possible link in the assassination of the former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto are few of the many contentious issues related to both institutions.
The above information might be controversial and inflammatory however, in Pakistan’s political reality democracy never allowed to blossom by the all-powerful Pakistani military force and the Intelligence Services apparently controlling the nuclear site. The successful coups in the past right down to the former Military Commander and President Pervez Musharraf are testimony to the fact that democracy proven oxy-moron by the ISI and the Pakistan armed forces.
Ironically, the waging of war against Taliban by the Zardari-Gilani administration succeeding a Military regime with a puppet figurehead after having given refuge and diplomatic immunity to the ousted Taliban forces post 9/11 is analogous to a raging forest fire set by the rangers entrusted with safeguarding the habitat’s interest.
It’s noteworthy that the former President Musharraf’s government was the only nation and the Islamic power to extend an open invitation to the Talibans following the U.S. troops led war against Afghanistan in 2001, while simultaneously posing as an important ally to the former U.S. administration under President George W. Bush.
Talibans are the by-product of the historic multinational blunder and botched up conventional stockpiles sale by the military industrial complex in Afghanistan under the guise of prototype for democracy in the lawless region of the world.
How does the scenario play out in Pakistan’s neck of the woods and for the rest of the world?
Taliban and Al-Qaida are formidable in their ideology to destabilize the democratic (more appropriately ‘dynasty’) rule in Pakistan perceived as the “American appointees” with the political cohesion of the Pakistani ISI and the Military hierarchy.
The Congress under Bush administration approved and granted $10 billion U.S. taxpayers aid to the Military power represented by the ex-President Musharraf for FATA (Federally Administered Tribal Areas) in an effort to fight the global war on terror. In return, the Pakistani Military misappropriated the funds(?) and diverted all attention towards the long time rival India in anticipation of a major confrontation on Kashmir by instigating the local militant groups alongside the Kashmiri border.
Evidently, failure on FATA combined with the conciliatory actions by the Pakistani ISI and the Military contributed to a myriad of terror networks within Pakistani soil. Furthermore, the lack of oversight and accountability on the U.S. taxpayers’ aid to the Pakistan Military rather than the people enabled the precipitous decline of law and order.
As a result of the unconditional foreign aid to the institutions with flawed track record, today Waziristan is a safe haven for the Al-Qaida leader Osama Bin Laden and the North-Western Frontier Province now under Taliban control, thereby comprising a strategic victory for the terror and militant groups.
Interestingly, the Pakistan military has incorporated the incumbent U.S. President Obama’s “Change” philosophy in their traditional political agenda, i.e. toppling the government elected through a muddled electoral process in Pakistan. The difference being the conspicuous departure from the overt military coup launched against the prior democratic governments in the state.
Nothing more potent in fomenting anti-government and anti-American sentiments than a political turmoil from the homegrown insurgency forcing the ruling government to stage air and ground assaults yielding immense civilian casualties and ultimately the refugee status for a sizeable population in the homeland, again the humanitarian disaster unfolding with the blessings of the United States behind the scenes.
The anger and disappointment is visibly widespread among the victims and the families, they are demanding that the international community hold the United States and Zardari government accountable for the greatest human tragedy.
In this particular instance, the Pakistani ISI and the Military score the highest points for being the smooth operators.
Not surprisingly, the moderate, peaceful and pro-democracy population in Karachi and different parts of Pakistan is terrified of the Taliban rule and the Sharia law. The domestic and the international news agencies along with the human rights organizations have released several reports with graphic visuals on the civilian deaths and the exodus of at least 1,000,000 refugees and probably more are fleeing the main town, Mingora in Swat Valley and other war zones.
Accordingly, the Pakistani Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani seeking international aid to relieve the millions and the President Zardari’s visit to the U.S. requesting Congress for at least $83 billion U.S aid to rescue his nation from tyranny might be justified.
Howsoever, the United States taxpayers and other nations should not fall into the booby trap of funneling funds to the state, since the ordinary citizens in Pakistan and Afghanistan never ever receive a dime and invariably the funds are channeled to the nefarious sources lacking in ethics and defiant of national or international law. Please refer to the alternative recommendations detailed in the ‘remedy’ section of the article.
With respect to Afghanistan, the United States Special Forces’ recent aggression against the Talibans and other terror networks producing the huge civilian casualties is unacceptable. The medical reports from the international aid organizations suggest the use of White Phosphorous bombs in the raid, claiming to be legal in the international wars despite the use of such chemical arsenal considered a humanitarian crime on all accounts.
These are the reasons why war is a terrible choice as there is no winner except for the deaths and destruction of innocent civilians apart from the truth being the other casualty. An independent, international committee should conduct any investigation and not the parties accused of the crime to reflect seriousness and credibility in the matter.
International Crisis Remedy
Civil unrest and internal violence anywhere is a matter of concern. Nevertheless, the situation in Pakistan is precarious not just for the ‘nuclear’ factor and the potential ramifications in the Indian sub-continent, but also the imminent danger of radical elements in control of a highly volatile nation complex in demographic, political and socio-economic structure. In addition, Taliban and Al-Qaida together constitute a tremendous threat to the international security.
Effective immediately, any financial assistance from the United States and other nations must be conditional with a requirement for complete overhauling of the Pakistani ISI and the top Military officials to assure the international community the legitimacy of democratic power in the state.
Under no circumstances, cash payments made directly to the government agents in both countries i.e. Afghanistan and Pakistan in the light of embezzlement and bribery scandals involving the political figures. The economic aid to the people delivered by the credible non-profit humanitarian organizations is appropriate to realize the real gains and progress in the nations affected by corrupt bureaucracy.
Investments in cash and kind must be subject to accountability by an oversight committee of the respective nations.
Given the magnitude of the humanitarian plight in Afghanistan and Pakistan, the United States and NATO should engage more in the relief effort by providing logistic support to the people of these two nations desperately in need of efficient services from evacuation to settlement in peaceful manner.
Henceforth, the United States and allies must shift gear from the offensive military operation towards the relentless Peace Corps projects and rebuild civilizations in Afghanistan, Pakistan and war zones around the world. Such unprecedented action called for image reparation and trust revival lost in the imperialistic desire to invade and occupy nations vulnerable to new age weapons experiment.
The escalating violence and tension in these two countries has generated a severe loss of confidence in the local and foreign governments by the victims caught in the crossfire between the tribal warlords in cahoots with the fundamentalist forces and, the military might of the economic powers in the world.
Therefore, it’s essential for Afghanistan, Pakistan, United States and NATO to prioritize civilian protection and welfare before, during and after the combat period. It would greatly improve relationship with the local civilian population important to prevail in the indomitable task of defeating terror around the world.
In the twentieth and twenty first century, the rich and affluent nations imposing economic sanctions against the economically weak offenders has been the common and popular course of action, regardless of the real victims being the people and not the government authorities in power.
Now is the time to abandon the military action, economic sanctions and concepts that are obsolete, redundant and counterproductive. Instead, useful and meaningful methods guided by moral principles are the best replacement to deal with any and all crises.
International consensus and action is paramount in the permanent arms embargo to relieve poor/ impoverished nations and developing/developed nations alike from the persisting outbreak of civil wars constantly witnessed in Africa, Latin, Central and South America, and relevantly in Sri Lanka with Pakistan and Afghanistan leading the world trend.
The existing conditions in Afghanistan and Pakistan are not a regional issue but a global calamity. Similarly, it’s no longer the United States’ unilateral battle and the cooperation from the world over at all levels viz. troops involvement, financial assistance and logistic provision instrumental in maintaining international peace and order.
Finally, the game is over for the military industrial complex raking profits at the expense of innocent blood in the worldwide promotion of senseless carnage and chaos among humanity.
For the world at large, it’s worth remembering that,
“Peace within you helps spreading peace around you.”
Thank you.
Padmini Arhant
International Politics – India’s General Elections
May 7, 2009
The world’s largest democracy goes to the polls to elect a Parliamentary government that would govern the nation regarded as the other emerging economic power in Asia. India being the multilingual, multi-ethnic and diverse society is complex in political nature because of the multi-political factions representing a wide range of social, economic, political and environmental issues.
Further, such complexity diminishes the prospects for any major party to form a government. In the absence of absolute majority, the winning party often forced to forge alliance with their enemy’s enemy and earn the title Coalition government resembling the democratic outcome in Israel, Germany and Australia to name a few around the world.
Indian election like any other electoral process is not devoid of controversies and the highly decorated stage performances by political figures. In addition, the involvement of celebrities as surrogates is all too familiar for political enthusiasts. The interesting feature of the Indian election is the massive participation of the rural and the impoverished segment of the population prominently left behind in the rising economic prosperity prevalent among the society’s middle class. Obviously, the widening gap between the haves and the have-nots is the topic for many contenders to deal with during any political debates and public appearances.
Do the electorate buy what the political candidates and the representatives offer while seeking their votes?
Even though, the literacy rate among the rural and the poor electorate may not meet the international standard, one should never underestimate the political knowledge of the struggling class in the society. Unfortunately, the plight of this populace also exploited for political reasons by many aspiring rookie and experienced political rivals alike, in concurrence with the regular politics found anywhere.
India has come a long way and dealt with great many challenges since independence. In the past decade, the tremendous economic and social progress is transparent in the lower income and middle class population. The achievements in science and technology has been instrumental in the impressive economic growth despite the politics related to outsourcing and the growing , well educated youth population form a valuable asset in strengthening the present and future economic security.
The country is experiencing revolutionary demographic shifts among the rural and urban population creating opportunities for continuous productivity. Nevertheless, prosperity accompanied by problems is a common phenomenon for developing nations in a competitive global economy. With the steady economic growth, the inflationary rate requires constant monitoring in correlation with the free market demand and supply factor. Besides, the sustainable population growth strategy would ease the burden on urban development, industrial expansion and ultimately the environmental goals.
The rural population has been disadvantaged in the globalization trend directly affecting the farming community and served a platform for the ruling party to win the previous election. Most states prioritized commercial sector over agriculture and abandoned the farmers forcing many to commit suicide, while others moved to industrial towns and urban areas in search of jobs.
Meanwhile, the aggressive promotion of chemical fertilizers and pesticides by the multinational corporations proved harmful to the crops apart from being an environmental hazard. Organic food producers are in strife due to produce grown with chemical fertilizers arriving from the Chinese border and sold in the Indian fruit and vegetable markets at an unbeatable price. Above that, the global warming has taken toll with extreme weather conditions varying from severe drought to flooding caused by monsoon rain damaging the crops and vegetation.
Social and economic disparities are visibly widespread among the poorest in both rural and urban parts of the country. It is important for the new government to address abject poverty, disease, lack of education, medical facilities and provide better living conditions starting with the supply of pure drinking water and decent dwellings.
There is an urgent requirement for investments in infrastructure and environmental friendly energy programs that would minimize oil dependency while promoting efficient transportation. It would be beneficial to the overall economy.
In the geopolitical sphere, India is grappling with tensions all around the borders particularly with the nuclear neighbor Pakistan and the rising instability within that nation from Taliban insurgency and other terror networks. The Indian side of Kashmir is relatively calm and reflected in the recent democratic state election.
On the northern side, the political turmoil in Nepal is a matter of concern due to the successful influence of China on the existing power, The Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist). Moreover, China’s illegal invasion and occupation of Tibet has led to the fleeing of Tibetan refugees to India. India has responded well to the humanitarian call in accepting and providing asylum to the Tibetan population.
Across the Indian Ocean, the escalating ethnic cleansing by Sri Lankan government is a contentious issue for the people in TamilNadu, South India.
Amidst the election excitement, the political candidates capitalized on the Mumbai terror attack and were extravagant in the divisive politics with some of them exclusively targeting the Muslim population in the society, regardless of India being the second largest Muslim nation in the world.
If the fundamentalists in BJP and other political parties indulge in polarization, it would be detrimental for national security upon their election. Likewise, the incumbent Congress Party must refrain from aiding Sri Lankan government in their hostility and persecution of the ethnic Tamil population to settle past political scores. Such action could similarly lead to the disintegration of the society with a significant representation of Tamils in the southern Indian state of Tamilnadu.
Indian politics deserve a breath of fresh air with young intellectuals in leadership role to guide the nation utilizing modern and innovative concepts in all aspects. Perhaps, it’s time for the Indian society to renounce dynasty, nepotism and seniority based politics.
India sought freedom on the premise of non-violence and relentless peace process initiated by the founding father and leader Mahatma Gandhi. Any effort by the political factions to dismantle the unity and peace foundation would be disastrous for the country with enormous potential. India is a secular nation and remains so now and in the future.
Every vote counts and matter in a democracy. The citizens of democratic nations privileged with the power to elect a government of the people, for the people and by the people should never discard the exclusive right.
On that note, I wish the world’s largest democracy everlasting peace, progress and prosperity.
Thank you.
Padmini Arhant
Armageddon – Israel Attack against Gaza
January 8, 2009
By Padmini Arhant
The on-going conflict between Israel and Palestine is not necessarily the news of the day for some mainstream media preoccupied with the discussion of mundane topics to fill the airtime.
Why should it be important?
Even, if the casualties from the bloodbath in Gaza happened to be children.
Ironically, sensitivity to atrocities is limited and varies among individuals.
Some react only when tragedy hits home, while others choose to remain silent and oblivious regardless of the horrific nature of events particularly the political figures with authority.
One has to wonder about the reason behind such conduct.
Does politics impact individuals to be complacent to violence?
Or, is it characteristic of individuals running for public office?
Often, moderate voices suppressed by the amplified endorsements of war producing death and destruction are the general trend in the Western democracies.
Fortunately, sanity and reasoning power still exists in the world as exhibited in the articles by various caring, compassionate and knowledgeable authors, who are aptly qualified to be the heads of the government or counsel on foreign relations in challenging the tradition.
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Courtesy: http://onlinejournal.com/artman/publish/article_4192.shtml – Thank you.
Israel and the Palestinian Territories
By Howard Lisnoff
Online Journal Contributing Writer
Jan 5, 2009, 00:32 Email this article
As a Jew, I am shocked by Israel’s attack against the Gaza Strip! As of this writing over 430 Palestinians have died in the massive military operation, while four Israelis perished as a result of rocket fire by Hamas.
Well over 90 percent of Palestinians killed have been civilians, a number in keeping with the death toll of contemporary warfare and its lethal effects on innocent civilian populations. Among the over 430 Palestinians killed by Israeli bombs were five sisters in one bombing and two sisters in another.
It can be assumed that the unleashing of this massive military power was accomplished with a wink and a nod from the Bush administration that has sought to remake the Middle East in its own image.
The incoming Obama administration, on vacation, was conveniently absent and issuing platitudes about Hamas, as did the national media.
This is how Gideon Levy of the Israeli newspaper Haaretz related the attacks and counterattacks on Democracy Now (December 29): “Yes, I think that Israel had this legitimacy to protect its citizens in the southern part of Israel, and it had legitimacy to do something, as the Israelis all expect the government to do, but this doing something does not mean this brutal and violent operation.
The diplomatic efforts were just in the beginning, and I believe we could have got to a new truce without this bloodshed.”
Israel’s attack against a militarily weak Gaza Strip violated the Geneva Conventions, the Nuremberg Principles, the Charter of the United Nations, and the moral imperative against attacks on civilian populations, or what were called the rules of war in a saner time. Its actions prior to this past weekend’s attack violated international law that bans collective retribution against a civilian population (specifically article 33 of the Fourth Geneva Convention).
The hostilities of this past week ended the truce between Hamas and Israel that had been in effect for several months, and was marked by the firing of rockets into southern Israel by Hamas and the economic blockade of Israel against Gaza. At the onset of current hostilities, huge bunker-buster bombs supplied by the U.S. were used on the Gaza Strip, and the Islamic University was among the targets of the Israeli Defense Forces.
So, where is the indignation? The Talmud, the quintessential commentary on the Old Testament states unequivocally: “What is hateful to you, do not to your fellow man. This is the law: all the rest is commentary.” (Shabbat 31a).
“What is hateful to you” has been universally ignored when planning military actions against others by the sole superpower and its proxies across the globe.
War against civilian populations has been turned into the norm. The world cannot remake or take back the horrors such as the Holocaust and past conduct in military matters.
But, what can be done is adherence to the rule of international law in dealing with violent conflicts and the use of diplomacy that seeks to redress the horrors that have been foisted on civilian populations.
Religious fundamentalists support all of Israel’s incursions against Palestinians.
They believe thatArmageddon will begin in the Middle East and lead to their (fundamentalists’) collective salvation. They have ‘enjoyed” nearly 30 years of support from successive administrations in Washington, D.C.
Howard Lisnoff is a freelance writer.
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Another massacre in the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict
By Rodrigue Tremblay
Online Journal Guest Writer
Jan 1, 2009, 01:18 Email this article
“The liberty we prize is not America’s gift to the world, it is God’s gift to humanity.” –George W. Bush, State of the Union speech, January 28, 2003 (N.B.: Bush’s primary speechwriter at the time was a theologian: Michael Gerson.)
“When it comes to the Israeli-Arab conflict, the terms of debate are so influenced by organized Jewish groups like AIPAC that to be critical of Israel is to deny oneself the ability to succeed in American politics.” –Henry Siegman, former head of the American Jewish Congress
“I don’t think there is such a thing as an independent Israel doing anything, because I think no matter what they do it’s our [American] money, it’s our weapons, and they’re not going to do it without us approving it and if they get into trouble we’re going to bail them out, so there is no separation between the two.” –Congressman Ron Paul (R-TX), Dec. 28, 2008
“The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing.” –Albert Einstein (1879-1955) Physicist and Professor, Nobel Prize 1921
The year 2008 was not a very good year by any account, either financially or politically. Chaos and immorality have prevailed.
The Israeli attacks that began on Saturday December 27, 2008, are most reminiscent of what the government of Israel did to Lebanon during the summer of 2006. Both are examples of disproportionate retaliation to thoughtless provocations.
Indeed, the use by the government of Israel of sophisticated American-made F-16 jets, AH-64 Apache helicopters and devastating US-supplied GBU-39 smart bombs to target numerous dwellings in Gaza Strip cites — with civilians making up an overwhelming majority of the more than 300 victims — is an immoral act. Bombing a city can only create a humanitarian catastrophe and it should not be allowed in any circumstance.
With these planned-in-advance Christmas-New Year period attacks, when the world’s political attention is the weakest, Israel is punishing the entire population of the Gaza Strip (1.5 million people) for the irresponsible behavior of a small group of Hamas leaders.
But, no matter how this is phrased, nothing justifies collective punishment, an illegal doctrine used by the Israeli government time and again against the Palestinians while the world stands still.
We understand the rationale: Such attacks are designed to coerce the Hamas government, (which seized power in Gaza less than two years ago, replacing the Fatah government of the Palestinian Authority), to stop firing rockets in the direction of Israeli border cities and refrain from launching suicide attacks inside Israel.
Since Hamas doesn’t have one percent of the military capability that Israel has, its attacks on Israeli cities would appear to be most foolish and irresponsible.
Indeed, there is no doubt that bombing Israeli cities is a terrorist act. But sadly, in this action-reaction drama, one has to keep in mind that Hamas’ attacks on Israeli cities came after an Israeli military cross-border raid in Gaza in early November and after years of an illegal blockade of Gaza by Israel. That is the reason why both sides pretend they are attacking the other side in self-defense in this ongoing drama.
Nevertheless, even though the Hamas government seems to be run by defiant leaders who have launched rocket attacks against Israeli cities and targeted Israeli civilians, this does not excuse the Israeli government’s disproportionate reaction in indiscriminately bombing a heavily populated territory with warplanes and attack helicopters.
All this demonstrates how the world is lacking a moral compass and institutions capable of implementing rules of law and justice. Meanwhile, the law of the jungle continues to reign.
The neocon-controlled U.S. government of George W. Bush, contrary to most other governments, has refused to ask for an immediate stop to the Israeli attacks. It is therefore an active accomplice in the carnage and it cannot escape its responsibility and involvement.
As a matter of fact, anybody who remains silent while these barbarian acts are being committed becomes ipso facto an accomplice. This applies to most everyone at different degrees, the most responsible being those in authority.
Rodrigue Tremblay lives in Montreal and can be reached at rodrigue.tremblay@yahoo.com. He is the author of the book “‘The New American Empire.” His new book, “The Code for Global Ethics,” will be published in 2008. Visit his blog site at thenewamericanempire.com/blog.
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The American puppet state
By Paul Craig Roberts
Online Journal Contributing Writer
Jan 6, 2009, 00:26 Email this article
President George W. Bush was in his stand-up comedian role when he declared that he wanted to be remembered as a fighter for human rights.
Seldom has a fighter for human rights amassed Bush’s death toll. According to Information Clearing House,
Bush’s invasion and occupation of Iraq has resulted in 1,297,997 dead Iraqis. Millions more have been wounded, and millions are displaced. Bush’s legions have taken out weddings, funerals, kids’ soccer games, hospitals, and mosques.
And that’s before we come to Afghanistan.
In Afghanistan “we don’t do body counts,“ declared a commander of Bush’s imperial legions.
But the thousands of dead civilians and schoolchildren have rallied Afghans to the Taliban, whose lightly armed fighters have retaken most of the country from the Unipower.
Bush’s January 2, 2009, radio address is one grand lie that would win the World’s Biggest Liar contest in Cumbria. Israel is turning Gaza into Auschwitz, and the idiot puppet in the White House is blaming the Gazans.
The president of the United States is a sick joke. He has falsified history.
Americans should be ashamed that their president is a puppet of a small, but ruthless, state in the Middle East that lives off American largess.
Nothing has changed with the election of Obama, whose first act was to put Israel in charge of the White House. For the first time in its history, the Americans have a dual citizen, an Israeli who served in the Israeli military, as chief of staff of the White House.
My friends in the Israeli peace movement are despondent that America, “the light of the world,” is overcome by evil and serves wickedness.
America has entered its decline. America has exported its manufacturing so that CEOs and Wall Street crooks could claim large bonuses while the working class declined.
The American financial industry is discredited and in chaos, having resorted to stealing one trillion dollars from American taxpayers, while putting the rest of the world into financial crisis, including the destruction of Iceland’s currency.
Most of the world now has reasons to hate and to distrust the United States.
American unemployment is high and rising despite the massive printing of money and budget deficits that are too large to be financed, except by the printing of more money.
The damage done to the American people in the first decade of the 21st century by their own government is comparable in some ways to the damage American hubris and self-righteousness have inflicted on the civilian populations of Iraq, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Gaza, and South Ossetia.
Instead of losing their homes to bombs, more than one million Americans have lost their homes to the subprime mortgage fraud. We are spied upon without warrants or cause. Our civil liberties are endangered.
Does anyone believe that George Bush, who assaulted his own country’s civil liberty, will be remembered as a “fighter for human rights”?
Paul Craig Roberts [email him] was Assistant Secretary of the Treasury during President Reagan’s first term. He was Associate Editor of the Wall Street Journal. He has held numerous academic appointments, including the William E. Simon Chair, Center for Strategic and International Studies, Georgetown University, and Senior Research Fellow, Hoover Institution, Stanford University. He was awarded the Legion of Honor by French President Francois Mitterrand. He is the author of Supply-Side Revolution : An Insider’s Account of Policymaking in Washington; Alienation and the Soviet Economy and Meltdown: Inside the Soviet Economy, and is the co-author with Lawrence M. Stratton of The Tyranny of Good Intentions : How Prosecutors and Bureaucrats Are Trampling the Constitution in the Name of Justice. Click here for Peter Brimelow’s Forbes Magazine interview with Roberts about the recent epidemic of prosecutorial misconduct.
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Also transcripts from http://www.democracynow.org – Thank you..
January 05, 2009
Israeli Professor Under Hamas Rocket Fire, Neve Gordon Condemns Israeli Invasion of Gaza
Earlier this morning, three Qassam rockets exploded in open areas in the western Negev in Israel. We go to the region to speak with Neve Gordon, chair of the Department of Politics and Government, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel, and the author of Israel’s Occupation. [includes rush transcript]
Guest:
Neve Gordon, chair of the Department of Politics and Government, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel, and the author of Israel’s Occupation. His latest article for The Guardian newspaper is titled ‘The Dire Cost of Domestic Rivalries’
AMY GOODMAN: I wanted to go to Beersheba right now in Israel to Neve Gordon, chair of the Department of Politics and Government at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Israel. He’s author of the book Israel’s Occupation.
We just heard a description of the rockets going as far as the Negev. Can you talk about the effects of what is happening right now in Israel proper and what your thoughts are on this movement that Phyllis Bennis is describing around boycott, around divestment?
NEVE GORDON: Well, we just had a rocket about an hour ago not far from our house. My two children have been sleeping in a bomb shelter for the past week. And yet, I think what Israel is doing is outrageous, as opposed to what Meagan said before. We have here a situation where actually Israel did leave the Gaza Strip three years ago, but it maintains sovereignty in any political science sense of the term. We’ve controlled all the borders. We’ve basically had an economic boycott on the Gaza Strip. And the people there have been living in what one should probably call as a prison. And they’ve been reacting with rockets, because probably that’s the only way that they can react.
And I think what Israel has been doing now has little to do with stopping the rockets, but actually it’s an election move inside Israel. It’s a move to build the reputation of the Israeli military after its humiliation in 2006. And what they’re actually doing is bombing from the air and massacring people, and we have to say no to this from here.
I’m not sure an international boycott on Israel is currently the way to go, because I think what we need is pressure from below, pressure from within Israel. As an Israeli citizen, I still believe in the importance of democracy and in the importance of the Israeli people also making a decision. This should be done through pressure. I agree with Phyllis on that. I think international pressure has to come. I think a divestment of the Occupied Territories and everything made in the Occupied Territories should be the first stage.
I think that Obama has a major role to play. He has been silent. And I think he can pressure the Israeli government into reaching agreement with the Palestinian people. I think today and for the past years,
Israel has been the obstacle to peace in the Middle East, because it’s not willing to compromise on the three major issues, which is a return to the 1967 borders, it’s the division of Jerusalem, and it’s a recognition of the right of return of the Palestinians with a stipulation that only a small amount can return back to Israel.
AMY GOODMAN: And do you see the Obama administration, as he’s now constituted it, going in this direction? Do you see any signs of this, Professor Gordon?
NEVE GORDON: I see—I hear silence. Now, I think I’ve written that Obama has an opportunity, because what it needs to bring peace in the Middle East is—or between Israel and the Palestinians is now known. We’ve had the Geneva Accords. We’ve had the Sari Nuseibeh and Ayalon. We’ve had the Arab Initiative. What needs to be done is clear. What is also clear is that regardless of the elections in Israel, the government that will be chosen will not go in the direction of peace.
Now, the third facet is that a majority of Israelis will probably vote for a two-state solution. My suggestion to Obama is to take—to write up an Obama plan, which I say I think is clear what needs to be done, and to go over the Israeli government and to bring it to a referendum to the Israeli people, and ask them, “Do you want a two-state solution?” We have a constellation, a configuration in the Israeli government, that a large minority will control any government and not allow it to make peace, regardless of what happens in the elections. And so, what we need is some kind of intervention from outside to go directly to the people. I think the people of Israel, if the American president will come and say, “Listen, you take it, and if not, you’ll be penalized, too. You take the two-state solution, and if not, you’ll be penalized.” And I think that is probably the way to go for Obama. I don’t know whether he’ll do it or not.
AMY GOODMAN: Neve Gordon, as you said, your kids are in a bomb shelter now. You’re in the Negev. We have seen many images of the rockets, the effect of the rockets hitting Sderot. But we’ve heard little voice from Israelis like you. And I’m wondering, is that an effect of the US media or the Israeli media? Or are those voices not that loud? In Sderot, for example, there is an alternative group that is called Alternative Voices, who actually, despite the rockets there, are calling for an end to the blockade and are calling for a ceasefire, calling for an end to the attack on Gaza. And this is over 1,800 people of Sderot.
NEVE GORDON: There is an alternative movement. This past Saturday—you mentioned protests around the world—I participated in a protest with my children in Tel Aviv. There were about between 5,000 and 10,000 people, which, proportional to the population, is not a small protest. The vast majority—let us not delude ourselves, because the vast majority of the people in Israel do support.
There are plenty of voices against. If you read Ha’aretz, the Israeli newspaper, people like Gideon Levy and Amira Hass, you’ll see that there are voices that are against.
The problem is that most Israelis say what Meagan said before.
They say, “Israel left the Gaza Strip three years ago, and Hamas is still shooting rockets at us.”
They forget the details. The details is that Israel maintains sovereignty. The details is that the Palestinians live in a cage.
The details is that they don’t get basic foodstuff, that they don’t get electricity, that they don’t get water, and so forth.
And when you forget those kinds of details, and all you say is, “Here, we left them. Why are they still shooting at us?” and that’s what the media here has been pumping them with, then you think this war is rational.
If you look at what’s been going on in the Gaza Strip in the past three years and you see what Israel has been doing to the Palestinians, you would think that the Palestinian resistance is rational.
And that’s what’s missing in the mainstream media here. And so, although there are voices of resistance in Israel and although there was a quite big protest on—actually, two big protests on Saturday, one in Sakhnin and one in Tel Aviv, it is still a really small minority.
AMY GOODMAN: Neve Gordon, I want to thank you for being with us, chair of the Department of Politics and Government, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, speaking to us from Beersheba. His book is called Israel’s Occupation. Phyllis Bennis, thank you for being with us, fellow at the Institute for Policy Studies in Washington, D.C. When we come back, we go back to Gaza.”
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Summary: Armageddon
It is evident from the concerned voices that the ongoing reign of terror by Israel particularly against innocent civilians in Gaza through invasion, occupation , blockade and now direct confrontation is a heinous crime against humanity.
As indicated by Israeli citizen, Professor Neve Gordon, ideal candidate to be the head of the state of Israel,
The murder and massacre is carried out for political reasons by the incumbent Israeli administration and the eternally belligerent counsel Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu with a commanding support by U.S. administration and Congress members.
On the other hand, the hideous Hamas masquerading as the benefactors of the Palestinian population in Gaza has in fact led the situation to deteriorate from survival to peril by forcing Palestinian children obliterated through suicide bombing and Israeli shelling as well as Israeli children sleeping in bomb shelters for days and nights.
As suggested earlier in the blog post titled Israeli Palestinian Conflict on December 30,2008,
It is a rude awakening for both Israeli and Palestinian civilians being the real victims and casualties of the ongoing conflict orchestrated by war mongering authorities and aggressors in the United States, Israel and provocative Hamas.
Hence, fundamental political transformation in Israel and Palestine is the only saving grace for the people of these two states.
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Peace Proposal:
Israel and Hamas must ceasefire or deal with the wrath of natural phenomenon.
Now is the time for Israeli citizens to reflect upon the pros and cons of peace over war .
It is unequivocally important for Israeli government to make unconditional withdrawal of troops and settlements from all Palestinian territories backtracking to 1967 i.e. Gaza, West Bank and Golan Heights.
In addition, recognize the truth that peace rests in their hands by letting their Palestinian neighbors live with respect and dignity required for complete status as a sovereign nation, which means no blockades and check posts barring Palestinians from normal existence.
Israel cannot and must not hold any Palestinian area for settlement or occupation along the borders under the pretext of their national security.
With four weeks, left for the general election Israelis must elect a government represented by views like Professor Neve Gordon for long lasting peace and security of Israel and the entire Middle East region.
Palestinians, all those remaining after the barrage of Israeli missile attacks and bombings combined with Hamas’ tactics to use Gaza as launching pads for rocket attacks, must come in terms with reality…
That electing an ideological group like Hamas, committed towards their own agenda of terror has yielded carnage and chaos costing tens and thousands of lives and their future.
Therefore, Palestinians must make a concerted coalition of moderate and peace loving visionaries pledging support for the people and their future to represent the independent Palestinian state.
Palestinians must vow to themselves and their children not to seek the path of revenge paved with hatred, rage and terror against Israel.
Palestine and all other Arab nations must recognize Israel as a sovereign nation and acknowledge its democratic system.
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Myth clarification:
The hegemony in the United States and Israel responsible for fueling this inhumane onslaught in Gaza with inevitable cyclical violence in Middle East and around the world is due for clarification on Armageddon.
Reference also applicable to Hamas and all other terrorists groups imposing death penalty as jihad on citizens through suicide bombings and rocket attacks.
Armageddon is not for the salvation of demagogs engaged in the exhaustion of weaponry and deadly arsenal through unjustified wars to replenish new stock.
Armageddon is for deliverance of the oppressed, persecuted , tortured and tormented population on earth.
Non-acceptance of the stated peace proposal will lead to dire consequences for perpetrators on both sides.
Finally, leadership lacking in courage to defend truth, justice and innocent lives is doomed for failure.
Thank you.
Padmini Arhant
Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
December 30, 2008
Cause and Effect:
The half a century old battle between two neighbors has evolved into an eternal volcano erupting periodically with sparks flying across the Middle East and in all Islamic nations around the world.
Israeli-Palestinian crisis also created a new war in the twentieth century and that is terrorism.
Unfortunately, it is now the epidemic around the world.
Amazingly, in the wake of unresolved intolerance between the two neighbors,
Peace and Diplomacy never had a chance instead,
Both sides relegated to techniques like suicide bombing, aerial bombardment through rockets and missiles with children and women as the so-called collateral damage in this senseless violence.
Negotiations between both parties rejected due to incessant obsession to deprive one another of peaceful existence.
Ironically, neither of them is a winner confirming the fact –
Nobody ever wins a war. Every one is a loser.
As stated earlier, there is cause and effect behind every event.
All this bloodshed is because of the Israeli controlled and illegal occupation of Palestinian territories for nearly five decades and the bitter truth of the matter is,
In the twenty first century, the people of Palestine are still suffering and struggling, as they do not have a place they could call home.
Israel might claim that it endured numerous suicide bombings and constantly threatened by the neighbors instigated by Iran.
Therefore, it reserves the right to defend itself by any means.
While this is true, Israel must ask itself, who is responsible for the unnecessary unmitigated violence that has emboldened terrorists, proliferated widespread fundamentalism and relevantly encouraged nations like Iran to seek nuclear weapons for wiping Israel of the map?
Undeniably, radicalism exists around the world particularly in the Middle East region.
Again, reiterating the fact nothing happens without a cause.
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Fact Check:
The criticism against Israel as the coveted ally of the United States is an absolute truth predominantly from the active lobbying and representation of Israeli interests in Washington.
Every Presidential candidate treads over a fine line not to jeopardize the Jewish votes and actively vows to protect Israeli welfare by religiously attending the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) conference during the Presidential campaign.
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AIPAC according to http://www.realjewnews.com/?p=235
Author – Br Nathanael Kapner
What’s Behind The AIPAC Curtain?
“CONTROL” IS WHAT THE AIPAC ZIONIST JEWS are all about. Is it then any surprise that the June 2-4 2008 AIPAC Policy Conference with 7,000 attendees including 300 from Congress was a media blackout ?
How could it be that with Condoleezza Rice, all 3 Presidential hopefuls, and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert in attendance, the media coverage was nill? Well – since Jews stick together, (I grew up as a Jew), the Jewish owned mainstream media apparently agreed to “stonewall it.”
The business of wielding influence is what American Jewry is all about. And American Jewry prefers not to have this made public. This was brought home to the American Conservative Magazine journalist, Phillip Weiss. At his very first AIPAC Conference this year, Weiss was demanded by AIPAC officials while writing down his report to show his credentials.
Weiss, who made the observation regarding the Conference that AIPAC was serving their tribal interests , reported: “At the outset AIPAC performed a ‘roll call.’ The names of all the politicians in attendance were read off by three barkers in auctioneer fashion. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi won the day before her peers by shedding tears when mentioning the Israeli soldiers captured by Hezbollah.”
Indeed – all with political ambitions to remain in power came to the Conference to be accounted for before the influence-wielding Jews of AIPAC.
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AIPAC’S CONTROL OF AMERICA’S POLITICAL SYSTEM
In his Rense.com article, AIPAC Vs America , Rense political analyst Ted Lang observes that AIPAC controls American foreign policy in the Middle East. Lang also says that attempts to terminate the slaughter of innocent Iraqi citizens and to stop the AIPAC-ordered invasion of Iran will invoke the smear of ‘Anti-Semitism.’
And with the mass murders of Iraqi civilians and women with their children in Palestine, Ted Lang asks the most important question of our day: —
“Are the world’s greatest atrocities now attributable to Jews?” — Here .
If this question is not answered soon, groups like AIPAC will make our entire political system one great Zionist atrocity!
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Analysis:
First and Foremost, Palestinians are not responsible for the horrific holocaust in the twentieth century.
Illegal occupation of the Palestinian territories by Israel since 1967 is the root cause of all evil that followed the trail of violence up until now.
Despite being the holocaust victims, it is fathomless that Israeli oppression of Palestinian population is upheld as the national defense and security act.
Israel always is in the forefront to rescue Jewish citizens in crisis around the world whether it is Ethiopian Jews or the five Jewish victims in the recent Mumbai terror attacks.
In fact, Israel volunteered to send its own commandos to rescue the five Jewish captives held hostage at Nariman Center in Mumbai, India.
Why can’t Israel expand its obligation towards humanity rather than being selective in the safeguard and rescue of Jewish people alone?
Isn’t this planet inhabited by humans of other faith and denomination as well?
Shouldn’t their life matter?
Why is Israel not forthcoming with its possession of Nuclear arsenal and Washington including United States media and news organizations relentlessly defend Israel of every offensive act against Palestinian population?
If only Washington played an unbiased role in the mediation of peace process between Israel and Palestinian people, by demanding Israel to an unconditional withdrawal of troops and settlements from Gaza, West Bank and Golan Heights and,
Granting Independence to Palestinians by allowing them to call these territories provinces of Palestine, there can be an eternal peace in the entire region including the security of Israel and United States.
Further, the Palestinian population need not rely on radical elements like Hamas and it would negate the reasons available to threaten Israel by Hezbollah and their mastermind Iran.
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Recent Assault:
The escalated violence in the past three days from December 27, 2008 through up until now resulting in major civilian casualties on the Palestinian side estimated over 360 victims with children being the majority is a callous demonstration of Israeli might against weak and fragile Palestinian population.
Israel’s sophisticated airstrikes and missile attacks (Thanks to United States supply of weaponry and multibillion dollars aid) on civilian targets in retaliation to Hamas’s outdated rockets is a crime against humanity worthy of condemnation.
There is no justification whatsoever in the mass murder of civilians carried out in the pretext of national security.
It is not to glorify Hamas’ terrorist action proclaimed as “jihad” towards Israeli population either.
An eye for an eye will make the world go blind.
In the quagmire, the civilians on both sides are the targets and the action by the political factions representing the people of Gaza and Israel is belligerent and must be halted instantaneously.
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Ceasefire:
Israel must refrain from further attacks for the safety and security of its own existence now and in the future.
Hamas on the other hand must realize that their reign of terror against Palestinians through exploitation and abuse of Power by encouraging young, vulnerable citizens as suicide bombers against Israeli civilians is not the kind of representation the Palestinians deserve at present and beyond.
In light of the current carnage and destruction brought upon particularly the innocent civilians in Gaza and those hurt in Israel it is evident that fundamental transformation is required in the political process on both sides.
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Face the Truth:
Time’s up for conservative politics in Israel and Washington lobbying responsible for the plight of Palestinians through unlawful settlements and occupation of their homeland.
It is incumbent on Israel effective immediately to start preparing for the unconditional withdrawal from territories backtracking to 1967 i.e. Gaza, West Bank and Golan Heights to enable Palestinians their entitlement to a homeland.
Hamas in turn will wind up all of its insidious activities and ploy at the behest of Iran against Israeli population or else deal with regrettable consequences.
Similar destiny will be shared by all those elements whether it is Hezbollah or any Islamic anarchists, theocracy like Iran involved in systematic destabilization of peace and progress in the Middle East region particularly Palestine, Israel and Iraq.
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Message Alert:
Information is being delivered according to the earlier warning of an imminent Armageddon through divine intervention to end sufferings of all human beings on this planet and restore peace, progress and prosperity for all.
Solutions on confrontations between nuclear neighbors India and Pakistan, Oppression of Tibet by emerging economic power China, Persecution of Burmese population by the Burmese Junta and ultimatum to Military regimes in Africa and the Americas with a promise to liberate the people of all these regions is in order.
Failure to adhere to suggested strategies and proposals will lead to unrequested and unprecedented disaster.
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Special Request:
The readers of the blog posts and visitors to the website www.padminiarhant.com are advised that any delay in response to national and international events are not to be treated as lack of interest or concern by the entity.
While being mindful of the adverse impact such as loss of lives from conflicts like war, every article is presented after meticulous research and fact check for authenticity of the information.
Therefore, your understanding and patience is appreciated at all times.
Thank you.
Padmini Arhant
Middle East Conflict
September 26, 2008
Vadim said…
I feel the same way about Obama. You neglected to mention his shifting stance towards Israel (perhaps it’s not your issue). He used to meet with Edward Said and do activism in the Palestinian community here in Chicago. Now he says he’s been “pro-Israel” from the start.
FISA was the last straw for me. I’m going to vote third party unless he revokes his support for the bill: http://tinyurl.com/5w9w9v
I’m in Illinois so it likely won’t make a difference but I’m too disillusioned with Obama at this point to do otherwise.
August 14, 2008 1:44 PM
Hi Vadim,
Thank you for your comment.
“Palestinian” issue is a humanitarian issue.
I have raised my concerns recently in public regarding human rights violation and the challenges faced by “Palestinian” population for more than half a century now.
I see no difference between a Palestinian Mother and an Israeli Mother’s grief stricken images resulting from this ongoing conflict that could be resolved only if everyone involved could reach out to one another as human beings first and then anything next.
As a Mother, I can’t imagine the courage and emotional strength required for any mother to bury her own child or children before her time.
Giving birth to “life” is the most arduous and joyous journey for a mother. The aspiration to raise a child in a free and secure world and provide basic to affordable comforts is a common dream of any parents.
Only if the “sources” responsible for this conflict could realize that they have been gifted with “life” by a “mother” who is rewarded with a second chance to life during childbirth despite modern medicine and technology.
Every “life” is precious and should matter.
When I see a child in Palestine, Tibet, Burma or Darfur suffering and yearning for freedom, I see beyond their ethnicity. I see the human pain and agony. The hopelessness in their eyes that “darkness” will never be expelled from their “dreams” and yet forcing
a smile for the “international press” coverage on the carnage and destruction of their lives.
I have mentioned on numerous occasions in my blogs throughout the “Democratic Primary Election” on my.barackobama.com about the “Palestinian Plight” and the importance for international support and action to restore human rights and dignity for the “Palestinian People” and others mentioned above.
My website www.padminiarhant.com to be uploaded and active from August 19th, 2008 has a “Humanitarian” header dedicated to human rights issues concerning all human beings on earth.
I am also in the process of publishing my very first book titled “Words Matter”,
The Mind of a Blogger, subtitled “How Democracy is Hijacked during War and Election”?
I have sincere and genuine concern for people deprived of basic human rights and liberty to think and express as well as those struggling to establish a place they could call “Home” like in the case of “Palestinians.”
Once again, your thoughts are much appreciated.
Sincerely,
Padmini Arhant
August 15, 2008 5:57 PM
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