I would not call it militarization because of the hardware, but a mindset and not only of the police. It is a change of mindset in all branches of government and its sub branches. It is a change in private endeavors, as well as the culture itself. I call it “zionaization” or israelization. An under siege, garrison mentality with an unproportionally overbearing responses and a perverted joy and pride that goes with it coupled with no accountability. In the case of police, you are always considered and dealt with as a philistine unless proven otherwise.
His money was on Gingrich and fueled the smear campaign against Romney in the primaries. When Romney won the nomination he doubled down on Romney, trying to undo the damage he caused himself. A wise old lady once told me the secret of winning every hand in gambling, this gaming mogul will do well to heed.
This is why YouTube is banned. False flag is all the rage nowadays. These Turkish politicians are incomprehensible or this a byproduct of the translation? http://www.voltairenet.org/article183018.html
Iran’s revolution was on the premise of no dependency or alliances to east or west, Iran knows Russia even better then it knows the west and these guys are not known for gifting, only taking their pound of flesh or what clothes you have on your back, the west cannot stomach an independent Iran and wants regime change and Russia wants Iran’s oil off the market .how can we forget their animosity toward Iran. And this is just recent history. This little finger armed Saddam, this little finger provided political cover and satellite intelligence while egging him on, this little finger supplied chemical for weapons to be used on her and this little finger provided financing to dismember and bleed Iran. Iran at the moment is taking Russia to the world court for signing a contact and taking money to provide air defenses and failing to do so, sounds familiar? They can bribe china, pressure India, threaten Pakistan, coddle the family owned countries and adore the Zionist or even buy Russia with offering them the Ukraine, but they can’t leverage Iran or force her to do anything she is not willing to do and for that Iran can hold her head high while meeting and negotiating .
Well, someone should liberate all that oppressed oil, and as Mr. Get no respect said” fish should never be cooked in butter. Fish should be cooked in its natural oils - Texaco, Mobil, Exxon, and BP”
Aren’t the celebs some sixty years late? The Palestinian refuge need to go home and their rite of return is enshrined in international and moral law, yet Palestinian are refuge, blockaded and imprisoned in their own land and not peep, let alone a UN petition from the self serving publicity hogs.
It is either my moral compass or the moral poles has shifted.
Yes. This parliament can dismiss an incompetent prime minister easily (nationalist fleeing his own country is quite telling) but it’s helpless against warlords and run a mock dogcatchers a few miles away. If it could, it would probably dig up Gaddafi and ask him to be their bastard again. Democracy and freedom are never given (Especially by the imperialist), always earned. If your dictators (your bastard) are persona non grantee in the imperial court, fortunately you are half way there and with a little time and sacrifice and successively achievable goals, you will earn this democracy and freedom for your children with little to no bloodshed. It is unfortunate for you, if your dictator is a wholly owned imperial bastard as you will pay with blood and tears for decades on, as example to the others, just to have your own bastard first. Once achieving this goal, you will need to teach the successive generation to guard this hard earned democracy and freedom prudently or it will be lost as the psychotic mindset is strong with the forces of tyranny and greed, as we can see with the quality of the people’s representatives in the greatest democratic experience on earth.
Why would the neoconservatives come back? They never went anywhere nor did neoliberals. They just switch roles leading and enabling (starters and bench), one want this and the other, that and they get both at the end (loads of internal and external goals, banking, energy, health, Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Ukraine and Syria. etc). Their aim is not to conquer nor democracy nor human rights, just to create chaos and keep everyone occupied and off balance. Together with the complicit media they keep this three ring circus side show of criticizing and apologizing entertaining enough so the average automaton has to pick side and think it has an opinion or a choice. like Ginger or Maryann.
I beg to disagree; I don’t deny Syria’s problems and Assad’s regime shortcomings nor do I deny Arab spring in Syria and the regimes violent reaction to it. But what caused the blood bath in Syria was the way Arab spring was conducted in Libya. Personal distaste for its leader and its foreign policy toward the custodians of freedom and democracy. Little did they know that Syria will not be Libya act II. NATO air force did not show. Russia and China at UN stopped the legalization of aggression upon her. As men, money and weapons was poured in by the ideological gulfers, as they did in Libya, other actors got involved. No amount of whitewash is going to explain why Syria, Libya. Egypt, Bahrain and Tunisia turned out so different.
So I went and look at the video, my first look at Ms. Perry (yum) as I am more into (Scream, cry and laughter all at the same time) hard rock music. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KSOMA3QBU0
And the pendulum says (GMM) for (Maybach Music Group) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maybach_Music_Group
No God in any language, I think maybe a publicity stunt, but why the Young Turk and informed comments are on the band wagon?
“If it were not for the existance of the United States and Iran everyone would recognize the EU leadership for what it is,”
Please elaborate how Iran’s existence is putting blinders on the people of the world.
Iran of course would love to trade with all the worlds. But chooses not to be a domain of the central bankers and toady of some far off centers of power. Which has a price, she is paying dearly.
Iran has survived the Mongol, the Arabs, the Russians, British and the cultural juggernaut of Hollywood and is pretty wrinkled.
If your point is that Ukrainian should look out for itself, I agree. But if you are suggesting some perverted economic, political, military and cultural interdependence, please count us out.
With all due respect Mr. Baran, only those who teach and preach hatred to the next generation should be sorry. Truth be told you sound like a rational, open minded and clear hearted individual this Muslim from Iran strives to be.
Thank you for reinforcing my faith in the decency of the human beings.
People advocating 2 state solution are in fact advocating status quo and are not to be taken seriously. What kind of neighbor Israel will be to a Palestinian Bantustan but a military, political and an economic over lord. It is already too late for that.
Apparently god is many things to many people. Marriage broker, slave trader, dead merchant and real estate agent. the blind men and an elephant comes to mind.
The empire needs super villains to retard its own American spring and the Muslims proved willing.
That is why the empire feeds and funds them with one hand such as the Saudi mother hen and fights them with the other in places such as Afghanistan and Syria.
“The trouble though is that these are at best fair weather friends”
Looks like that is the only kind of weather prevalent in Egypt, fair weather revolution, fair weather democracy, fair weather believers, etc.
But I get your point, they would be a fair weather fools if they think any other country is going to underwrite their security and economy perpetually.
How so? Iran has been under sanctions and an enforced war instigated against her since 1979.
Before 1979 Iran was a kosher oil carrier for international (western colonist) hoards and all was lovey dovey.
A well written article, I would add that Samad Behrangi and the influence of his then banned “The Little Black Fish” on the revolution generation is worth a mention, thus the journey continues.
Your premise of foreign aid is misleading, why not call it what it is, corporate welfare. And it turns out that Americans are fine with it and with the colonization of west bank and the moon and the mars, etc.
The special Israelis at least know that much, exceptional American, not so much.
This war may cost 9 trillion or 9 cent, but it will produce a nuclear armed Iran instead of a nuclear capable Iran. No matter who is the leader or what it will cost.
You can thank cooperate and special interest owned media, including Hollywood and the empires prerogative for dumbing down of America which explains their ignorant world view and inconsistency of the electorate.
I am confused, how an imaginary “Iranian atomic bomb” and the very real danger of keystone XL connect. Are all the tens of thousands of none “Iranian atomic bomb” harmless then?
Is Iranian exercise of independence and sovereignty on par to the danger of the polluted and poisoned North America?
American political choice has always been the “Less of two evil”. And less evil cannot get much done because of lack of seniority. To Obama’s credit he has been a competent president and the empire is in much stronger and credible position. Bush, Palin, McCain would have been, bye bye empire and hello lion pit.
In a revolution all element of power are uprooted and planted a new. An uprising against Mubarak does not make a revolution. Hopefully the Egyptian military will tolerate intellectual opposition or create and forge them in the bowl of their jail as a safety valve for Egypt, for the day after the lamp posts and tree trunks have fulfilled their revolutionary duty.
Lacking unity is a given, but lack of courage to make political compromise toward clear, strategic national objective is inexcusable and the case of mayhem from Pakistan to Libya and beyond.
Speaking all elite again? And sending books with no pictures? You could have just said:
“fool me once, shame on — shame on you. Fool me — you can't get fooled again.”
I wonder if it wasn’t meant for Bandar bush, which has way more greasy money and a friend in need is a friend indeed.
Here is a rare find for me as I had the same book (4”x6” dime novel) as children’s book.
(Masnavi Mush-O-Gorbeh) by Ubayd Zakani https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJI4QjZY8ww
“Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel was in the Gulf on Friday at a conference of defense ministers from the region, including the Gulf Cooperation Council and Iran.”
This implies that defense minister from Iran was also present to hear The US defense secretary make the covert threat of use of force against the Islamic Republic and participated in an orgy of Iranophobia afterward.
Just another nail in the coffin of Syria which is already dead and partition of Syria and Iraq are on the horizon. A referendum here and there and a fence make good neighbors.
Mb has nothing to gain from attacks on places of worship; they should strongly condemn such an act and actively prevent it. Sectarianism only benefits the gulf Arab despots and their clown posse in rcc and makes their own mosque a target for the extremists.
What are these old geezers up to? Don’t care but would they stop and brief Tel Aviv? Brotherhood and military are old foes and the feud will continue in the near future. I am more interested in the opposition and their position of king maker in Egyptian politics. It would be ironic if brotherhood was declared terrorist and Sisi to win presidential election. The opposition should be more assertive now or be mere spectator come peace or war.
“What specifically would a peaceful exit to the crisis look like?”
Well, I think there is a solution, Al Sissi and Morsi should both resign in a deal that will end open season on brotherhood and the defense minister’s over rich. A firm date for parliamentary election and enough time and notice to opposition, get your people off the street and in to a voting booth before brotherhood and military sober up.
I beg your pardon, all those things and more are time tested, top vote getters. It is rather very simple and most everybody now does it instinctively, denigrate the Palestinian and place Zionist on a pedestal above reproach.
I don’t know what makes you think he will have you. The royals have this one figured out; my money is on some Playboying, and maybe some heroing, shooting peasants in third world countries. Would you want to deal with crusty old dinosaurs windup by aipac and Wall Street.
I only picked those bad attributes because no good deeds, indeed goes unpunished.
My point was that when a political party uses religion and declares a divine mission, then its Failure, if and when (religious or secular) plus open and closeted racism, corruption and hypocrisy (religious or secular) is reflected on the religion they used and if not jailed or killed, they are probably headed for hell, where as the secularist (anywhere) land a magnitude higher on socio economic ladder (proportional to their failure) and get to keep their faith, thus no burden.
I disagree, people of faith, be aware, your intolerance, ignorance and incompetence specially when acting under a heavenly banner, should and will reflect upon your faith. A Burden secularists don’t bear.
“Al-Biblawi explains that Egypt has returned to its original character that “considers the GCC countries as a political, economic, and security support.” Al-Biblawi points out that the previous regime– led by Dr Muhammad Mursi– when it came started to reduce the national Arab link “for the benefit of a wider one called the Islamic link,” and when that regime disappeared, the Arab countries returned to their character, and Egypt will go back to its character, and “I am very optimistic about this issue.””
Where do they find these guys, national Arab link vs. Islamic link and Egypt’s character vs. Larry, Curly and Moe? Obviously Egypt problems are wider and deeper than I thought possible. Contrarily to tribal beliefs the world does not end at the tribe’s anus.
“Mansour also announced the constitutional principles that will guide the transition”
Maybe if he adds that there will be no more overthrow of an elected government, specially a MB government and meet with Morsi and prevail upon him to resign, so he can be free to contest the next election.. No, he would not buy it; this is the military’s show, has been so since forever and not even Sisi can convince him of any difference, maybe Elbaradei can tell him, Shyster, you tried to steal the revolution and only came out of your hole, late in the game and said MB will not run for presidency, which you did and stack the parliament, rushed your constitution and were unwilling to compromise or cooperate up to even now and then precede to mummify him.
“The Salafi Nour Party (hard line fundamentalists), who had earlier been willing to entertain the idea of cooperating with the transitional government in the wake of the military coup/ popular uprising against Morsi, withdrew from the dialogue.”
These absent minded fundamentalists just don’t get anything right, would the president and the vice president please explain to them the function of the fig leaf once and for all.
“I would like to remind you and every body that four Egyptian Shiite Muslims were killed on Sunday 26/6/2013 after his inciting speech that was addressed to his fallow MB and their supporters; when they were attacked by a hostile mob in a village in Giza province near the capital.”
Does Egypt have any law against incitement to violence? Then why not charge him and fulfill the intent of law and enrich all Egyptians, in fact why not charge the army command for issuing ultimatum to the president and encouraging the protestors, why play the three card game of now you see the president and now you don’t. Rebel fashionista and opposition took the easy road and chose Morsi (MB) the deposed over Morsi (MB) the failed. They should declare solidarity with MB and petition the generals for his return and treat him like you would any dignified Egyptian, with respect and within law. Less they be next.
Morsi might be a fool, but those standing with the generals and asking for military to get involved are even bigger fools. In today’s Middle East, there is no integrity, everyone is busy using others to further their own narrow interest mindless of how they, themselves are being used. Egypt’s problem is in fact its army, no matter how many presidents they flip. The fact is the army is dependent on forging aid and mutated with politics and business when it should be on the field bettering the life of the poorest of Egyptians with a few hours of giving back, regardless of politics, ethnicity or religion, a shining example to future generation of Egyptians and would be presidents. Now the problems will continue only with multiple of magnitude.
The Syrian civil war spilled over onto Egypt!! and like in Lebanon. Impudent political leaders wipe up
Extremism, then condemn and denounce others and absolve themselves.
"That's not the way the world really works anymore,We're an empire now, and when we act, we create our own reality. And while you're studying that reality, judiciously, as you will, we'll act again, creating other new realities, which you can study too, and that's how things will sort out. We're history's actors…and you, all of you, will be left to just study what we do."
Pro consol McCain is a political opportunist and an APAC hack and his credibility matches those of his hosts. Did he talk to somebody in charge? Tell us about the failing of opposition leadership or are they just a reflection of opposition as a whole to ally with McCain and ally with al Qaeda and whoever promises sunny days and in the process they have alienated one and all, even their own base. Where is the foresight and integrity in that to build a nation upon? In fact from the few videos I have seen the young and the secular (beard and hygiene as indicator) are a danger to themselves with any weapon and it is the religious fanatics who are most active and effective.
I don’t think this is about the man. If Russia can get a believable perception on an equitable deal on missile defense and NATOs push east, or confronted with a higher price then she is willing to pay, Syria be damned.
“Israel is afraid that the missiles could fall into the hands of opposition forces such as the al-Qaeda-affiliated Nusras Front, and could be fired at civilian Israeli jets. They are likely also afraid that if the regime were on the verge of falling, they might be transferred to Hizbullah and so constrain Israeli freedom of movement in southern Lebanon.”
This does not make sense. As these big weapons systems are not man portable and require logistics, support and trained crew, these are worthless to the rebel s and insurgents. Israel should be worry about the 700 ton a week worth of portable anti aircraft and anti tank weapons the rebels need and ask for.
Could be they really don’t want Assad (Syria) to have them and shy as they are, they have you believe otherwise. Also Assad should be wise not to trust the Russian. I can even see Putin stop the shipment and sign on a UN no fly zone (for a price) if he was sure this would not give the rebels a NATO air force.
And here a leader of a small party in a small country shows leadership while the empires and the emirs and their alliance of convenience nibble at Syria and its heart to feed their own contorted appetite.
If Iraqi debacle raised the influence of Iran, the Syrian debacle is supposed to counter act by talibanization of Syria and Lebanon? But even the Taliban on their worst day have a better organization, chain of command and leadership with less support from their gulf state benefactors then the Syrian opposition will ever hope to achieve. With the help of Iran and Russia and after peaceful transfer of power in Syria, he can declare victory and smell like roses.
“lip service”
Verbal expression of agreement or allegiance, unsupported by real conviction or action; hypocritical respect: "Lip service continues to be paid to resolving regional conflicts, but there is no sense of urgency" (Henry A. Kissinger).
All this spilled ink? There is no war on hummer in Egypt and Jon Stewart is no satire jihadi,
President Morsi might be a SOB but for now an Egyptian one and for every Egyptian problem there exist an Egyptian Solution. However, the tweeter war is much preferred to the usual subversion, bribery, coercement, Sanctions and slaughter for mere laughs or a former plumber from Michigan is installed as president and medaling is no more.
Off topic and a detour to sanity or an expressway to insanity
At 34.50 Rumi meets Shams http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kJF9WC2Fbs
(If you want the cruelty to diminish, strive to intensify your love) Rumi
When competing for fund and scientific knowledge gained per every science dollar and in the age of drones a crewed mission (especially beyond low earth orbit) is indeed irrelevant, I am sure expensive telescopes and cheap beacons landed on the rocks will do more to protect earth and in case one is confirmed headed our way, then why only use one bomb a barrage of 200 wouldn’t even dent the stockpiles and you could put it on cable and recoup some of your investment as people pay to see stuff blowup.
Cultural and religious bigotry is a must have monkey wrench in the imperial tool chest and its violent and fundamentalist element are often created and nurtured by the empires or colonist purely for short term gains and often have unintended long term consequences. A little chaos to keep them relevant.
If you were to put aside the imperial hubris and were to consider the illegal wars, occupations and sanctions a as terrorism then you would need a new graph and every new born would need a state sanctioned live grenade at birth and thereafter on birthdays. especially those crafty Europeans.
Of course there is implying going on and that is why you need to read between the lines
For example, Freedom fighters, militants, revolutionaries, insurgents and terrorists
To each his own and suddenly even fox news becomes useful source of information.
New gas burning power plants (gas burning diesel, steam turbine Combination) are over 80 percent efficient and clean, can wind up quickly to pick up the slake or down when supplies from wind sun are plentiful. Small local plants are best and the only way wind or sun can be practically put to use.
If you really want to contribute personally, reduce or stop your intake of meat and collectively cut methane output by half and buy the planet and yourself another 10 or 20 years.
Just because Iran is not totally isolated and has limited relation with few immediate state through a strong cultural unity and religion which are also occupied and hapless does not make for influence. Influence comes from the barrel of gun, US treasury and access to Washington and London, neither of which Iran possess.
As a lawyer in choosing to argue on working vs. effective you do disservice to international law. The congressional sanctions maybe called some Iran act or the other but in fact prohibit and punish third parties and sovereign countries. Are laws of the unite sate global then? Sanctions at best are a double edged sword and at worst an act of self flagellation and we are getting there.
“Distasteful” is a time honored ritual for the politicians and quite fashionable throughout the land
A 100 mil here and a 50 there and ignorant hatred of all thing not Zionist is permanent now
Up is down and right is left and left is complicit when not in power and brutal when they are. Obama has probably preempted all ten of Romney’s and then some.
Suddenly unhinged and warp speed departure from civility seems to be modi operandi for most
But the hair trigger drive by name calling should not be yours.
Respectfully
Sorry Omar, I have to go with the elite on this, humanity probably went extinct the day Adam and Eve got kicked out of the heavens and all that is left is its collective sore behind.
آدمی در عالم خاکی نمیآید به دست / عالمی دیگر بباید ساخت و از نو آدمی
Hafez
It is also helpful to consider events in Khayyam’s life, Brilliant childhood friends, one a famous prime minister “Nizam-ul-mulk” and the other who plots and finally assassinate the Prime Minister “Hassan ibn Sabbah” on top of the ordinary every day grief a radical freethinker of his time must have endured.
دید موسی یک شبانی را به راه کوهمی گفت ای خدا وای اله
توکجایی تا شوم من چاکرت چارقت دوزم کنم شانه سرت
دستک بوسم بمالم پایکت وقت خواب آید بروبم جایکت
ای فدای توهمه بزهای من ای به یادت هی هی وهی های من
زین نمط بیهوده می گفت آن شبان گفت موسی با که هستت ای فلان
گفت با آن کس که مارا آفرید این زمین و چرخ ازاو آمد پدید
گفت موسی های خیره سرشدی خود مسلمان ناشده کافر شدی
این چه ژاژاست وچه کفراست و فشار پنبه ای اندر دهان خود فشار
گرنبندی زین سخن تو حلق را آتشی آید بسوزد خلق را
گفت ای موسی دهانم دوختی وزپشیمانی توجانم سوختی
جامه رابدرید و آهی کرد و تفت پافتاد اندر بیابان و برفت
وحی آمد سوی موسی از خدا بنده ی مارا زما کردی جدا
تو برای وصل کردن آمدی نی برای فصل کردن آمدی
در حق اومدح و درحق تو ذم در حق او شهد و در حق تو سم
مابری ازپاک و ناپاکی همه ازگران جانی و چالاکی همه
من نکردم خلق تاسودی کنم بلکه تا بربندگان جودی کنم
خون شهیدان راز آب اولی تراست این خطا ازصد ثواب اولی تراست
لعل راگر مهر نبود باک نیست عشق را دریای غم غمناک نیست
دردل موسی سخن ها ریختند دیدن وگفتن به هم آمیختند
چون که موسی این خطاب ازحق شنید دربیابن درپی چوپان دوید
عاقبت دیافت او را وُ بدید گفت مژده ده که دستوری رسید
هیچ آدابی وترتیبی مجوی هرچه می خواهد دل تنگت بگوی
Molana Jalal-e-Din Mohammad Molavi Rumi
Let make Syria the new Afghanistan (all broken up with warlords and sects, militias) and Iran the new Pakistan (economically and socially broken, maybe even armed with nuclear weapons) Iraq the new Sudan and so on. “A US-supplied war that spills over onto these countries is a nightmare for US policy” with so many countries in need of international community (Aka whitey) attentions, it will be a dream for security firms and arms merchants and big oil and the only way an empire can prosper and expand.
“"We're an empire now, and when we act, we create our own reality. And while you're studying that reality—judiciously, as you will—we'll act again, creating other new realities, which you can study too, and that's how things will sort out. We're history's actors…and you, all of you, will be left to just study what we do."”
“pot is a $12 billion a year industry, and a ten percent tax would yield $1.2 billion a year”
I doubt that legal pot would be as much of an industry (it is a weed we are talking about that hardly needs any processing or maintenance) it is the prison industry that is much bigger and the drug offenders are a big part of that, some might even argue why waste money on education, just jail more professors and grad students (say one strike law for people who should know better but absolutely no bankers or politician, that would be inhuman treatment of every one else)
“He prefaced his remarks by saying that the Gulf Cooperation Council countries (the Sunni oil monarchies) are seeking closer relations with the United States.”
Is it just me? Does anybody else take these family, franchise operations seriously? Money, madrece and armed mujahids, Drone attracting slime and not freedom is what you get. Is it for economic reasons that Turks would want an AfPak on their border? Are they prepared to use their armed forces on either side when they have had enough?
If Mubarak flees and elections held then you can compare this to 1979, but if protests are crushed then it can be comparable to June 3, 1963 (15 Khordad). No twitter or face book or cell phones back then but religion. The stakes are much higher now because as Mubarak goes so does the rest of the despots.
As for Egyptian Basije, well this will not happen again as they were bitten bloody rather quickly
A better analogy would be that this mountain climber’s name is Sam brother of Sisyphus, because Sam's stone is a sacred stone and he never even take his eyes off of it, he cannot see more than a few inches in front of him and has never planned a route and has never even cleared base camp and probably never will and the only thing that is changing is the depth of the trench he has dug halfway to china
Good advice or not the war is coming and Obama and his sanction regime have done more for war with Iran then Cheney shaking finger on an aircraft carrier in Persian Gulf (get ready America, economy takes off from a short runway in Middle East)
Nice speech President Obama might even give. But you see the ever voluminous hump of hypocrisy on his back, the empires back really. You see Rumsfeld in Bagdad, Kermit Roosevelt in Tehran and countless cuddling of dictators, Kings and military juntas not to mention a finger in every pie and the biggest sham of all, the UN to insure and implement the interests of the world powers and the coalition of willing. Mystical Poetry, That’s all.
Taliban just weren’t a cut off guard, embarrassed host to Al Qaeda, just two days before 9/11 an Al Qaeda suicide team assassinated Ahmad Shah Massoud, consolidating Taliban control of the country and were further dazzled by 9/11.
Also prior to 9/11 while in control of the much of the country, they attacked and destroyed a pair of unarmed historical statue, killed and maimed with ease such as righteous do as they did radicalizing and arming Afpak decades before, it is said
That the road to hell is paved with good intentions. The Empire and the Talibs are in fact fellow travelers, one a caricature of the other.
“If you’ve lost Rory Stewart, you’ve lost the war”
The war? Maybe lost, but mister Stewart is not, he wants an empire and far-off bases and compliant (legit) local government but not the cost! How British to latch on to the Americans. Who seems to have limitless resources. Men, time and money. Yes let him give advice, a prefect British Sancho Panza to Don Quixote Americana.
“In November 2009 and January 2010, Germany inspected shipments of equipment originating in Russia and bound for an Iranian nuclear-power plant. German customs agents seized the cargo—computer and nuclear-monitoring equipment, prosecutors say—on the grounds that EU law prohibits any Iran-bound nuclear-related equipment from being shipped across its territory.”
And at the same time asking for nuclear fuel swap deal? Much like other pie in the sky deals, even united State has more credibility then Russia, UK and the rest of Europe put together.
“Americans could learn a lot from the problems that beset the Persian-Arabian Gulf,”
How could they? If they and their history buffs and educators do not even know the name of the place! PB has big guns and uncles, owns politician by the dozens and is purely motivated by profits. The leak in the Yankee-Mexican gulf is just a sideshow, the real American Vaudeville is indeed in Washington.
And over throwing the afghan government did wonders for the afghans, its neighbors and US too.
I would not call it militarization because of the hardware, but a mindset and not only of the police. It is a change of mindset in all branches of government and its sub branches. It is a change in private endeavors, as well as the culture itself. I call it “zionaization” or israelization. An under siege, garrison mentality with an unproportionally overbearing responses and a perverted joy and pride that goes with it coupled with no accountability. In the case of police, you are always considered and dealt with as a philistine unless proven otherwise.
what is for certain is that US will side with US.
http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2014/04/can-saudis-adapt-obama-policies-20144394610462809.html
.
A well known fact in gambling is, if you are not a loser, you are considered a winner, so stay out of the game it was.
His money was on Gingrich and fueled the smear campaign against Romney in the primaries. When Romney won the nomination he doubled down on Romney, trying to undo the damage he caused himself. A wise old lady once told me the secret of winning every hand in gambling, this gaming mogul will do well to heed.
This is why YouTube is banned. False flag is all the rage nowadays. These Turkish politicians are incomprehensible or this a byproduct of the translation?
http://www.voltairenet.org/article183018.html
It's Alright Ma, I'm Only Bleeding.
Iran’s revolution was on the premise of no dependency or alliances to east or west, Iran knows Russia even better then it knows the west and these guys are not known for gifting, only taking their pound of flesh or what clothes you have on your back, the west cannot stomach an independent Iran and wants regime change and Russia wants Iran’s oil off the market .how can we forget their animosity toward Iran. And this is just recent history. This little finger armed Saddam, this little finger provided political cover and satellite intelligence while egging him on, this little finger supplied chemical for weapons to be used on her and this little finger provided financing to dismember and bleed Iran. Iran at the moment is taking Russia to the world court for signing a contact and taking money to provide air defenses and failing to do so, sounds familiar? They can bribe china, pressure India, threaten Pakistan, coddle the family owned countries and adore the Zionist or even buy Russia with offering them the Ukraine, but they can’t leverage Iran or force her to do anything she is not willing to do and for that Iran can hold her head high while meeting and negotiating .
Well, someone should liberate all that oppressed oil, and as Mr. Get no respect said” fish should never be cooked in butter. Fish should be cooked in its natural oils - Texaco, Mobil, Exxon, and BP”
Here Putin says some things about international law and he compares Crimea with unification of east and West Germany.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDLwu4E35us#t=39
Aren’t the celebs some sixty years late? The Palestinian refuge need to go home and their rite of return is enshrined in international and moral law, yet Palestinian are refuge, blockaded and imprisoned in their own land and not peep, let alone a UN petition from the self serving publicity hogs.
It is either my moral compass or the moral poles has shifted.
Yes. This parliament can dismiss an incompetent prime minister easily (nationalist fleeing his own country is quite telling) but it’s helpless against warlords and run a mock dogcatchers a few miles away. If it could, it would probably dig up Gaddafi and ask him to be their bastard again. Democracy and freedom are never given (Especially by the imperialist), always earned. If your dictators (your bastard) are persona non grantee in the imperial court, fortunately you are half way there and with a little time and sacrifice and successively achievable goals, you will earn this democracy and freedom for your children with little to no bloodshed. It is unfortunate for you, if your dictator is a wholly owned imperial bastard as you will pay with blood and tears for decades on, as example to the others, just to have your own bastard first. Once achieving this goal, you will need to teach the successive generation to guard this hard earned democracy and freedom prudently or it will be lost as the psychotic mindset is strong with the forces of tyranny and greed, as we can see with the quality of the people’s representatives in the greatest democratic experience on earth.
I want, no, I need more sword and sorcery please.
Why would the neoconservatives come back? They never went anywhere nor did neoliberals. They just switch roles leading and enabling (starters and bench), one want this and the other, that and they get both at the end (loads of internal and external goals, banking, energy, health, Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Ukraine and Syria. etc). Their aim is not to conquer nor democracy nor human rights, just to create chaos and keep everyone occupied and off balance. Together with the complicit media they keep this three ring circus side show of criticizing and apologizing entertaining enough so the average automaton has to pick side and think it has an opinion or a choice. like Ginger or Maryann.
I beg to disagree; I don’t deny Syria’s problems and Assad’s regime shortcomings nor do I deny Arab spring in Syria and the regimes violent reaction to it. But what caused the blood bath in Syria was the way Arab spring was conducted in Libya. Personal distaste for its leader and its foreign policy toward the custodians of freedom and democracy. Little did they know that Syria will not be Libya act II. NATO air force did not show. Russia and China at UN stopped the legalization of aggression upon her. As men, money and weapons was poured in by the ideological gulfers, as they did in Libya, other actors got involved. No amount of whitewash is going to explain why Syria, Libya. Egypt, Bahrain and Tunisia turned out so different.
So I went and look at the video, my first look at Ms. Perry (yum) as I am more into (Scream, cry and laughter all at the same time) hard rock music.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KSOMA3QBU0
And the pendulum says (GMM) for (Maybach Music Group)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maybach_Music_Group
No God in any language, I think maybe a publicity stunt, but why the Young Turk and informed comments are on the band wagon?
“If it were not for the existance of the United States and Iran everyone would recognize the EU leadership for what it is,”
Please elaborate how Iran’s existence is putting blinders on the people of the world.
Iran of course would love to trade with all the worlds. But chooses not to be a domain of the central bankers and toady of some far off centers of power. Which has a price, she is paying dearly.
Iran has survived the Mongol, the Arabs, the Russians, British and the cultural juggernaut of Hollywood and is pretty wrinkled.
If your point is that Ukrainian should look out for itself, I agree. But if you are suggesting some perverted economic, political, military and cultural interdependence, please count us out.
With all due respect Mr. Baran, only those who teach and preach hatred to the next generation should be sorry. Truth be told you sound like a rational, open minded and clear hearted individual this Muslim from Iran strives to be.
Thank you for reinforcing my faith in the decency of the human beings.
People advocating 2 state solution are in fact advocating status quo and are not to be taken seriously. What kind of neighbor Israel will be to a Palestinian Bantustan but a military, political and an economic over lord. It is already too late for that.
Where were Rasmussen, gulf Arab prince lings and Hillary? Or they just settled a personal score and left a nation holding the bag.
Apparently god is many things to many people. Marriage broker, slave trader, dead merchant and real estate agent. the blind men and an elephant comes to mind.
The empire needs super villains to retard its own American spring and the Muslims proved willing.
That is why the empire feeds and funds them with one hand such as the Saudi mother hen and fights them with the other in places such as Afghanistan and Syria.
“The trouble though is that these are at best fair weather friends”
Looks like that is the only kind of weather prevalent in Egypt, fair weather revolution, fair weather democracy, fair weather believers, etc.
But I get your point, they would be a fair weather fools if they think any other country is going to underwrite their security and economy perpetually.
How so? Iran has been under sanctions and an enforced war instigated against her since 1979.
Before 1979 Iran was a kosher oil carrier for international (western colonist) hoards and all was lovey dovey.
A well written article, I would add that Samad Behrangi and the influence of his then banned “The Little Black Fish” on the revolution generation is worth a mention, thus the journey continues.
Your premise of foreign aid is misleading, why not call it what it is, corporate welfare. And it turns out that Americans are fine with it and with the colonization of west bank and the moon and the mars, etc.
The special Israelis at least know that much, exceptional American, not so much.
This war may cost 9 trillion or 9 cent, but it will produce a nuclear armed Iran instead of a nuclear capable Iran. No matter who is the leader or what it will cost.
What if they ask (nicely) lady liberty to hand over her war criminals and crocked bankers and she agreed.
They would need a few dozen titanic.
You can thank cooperate and special interest owned media, including Hollywood and the empires prerogative for dumbing down of America which explains their ignorant world view and inconsistency of the electorate.
I am confused, how an imaginary “Iranian atomic bomb” and the very real danger of keystone XL connect. Are all the tens of thousands of none “Iranian atomic bomb” harmless then?
Is Iranian exercise of independence and sovereignty on par to the danger of the polluted and poisoned North America?
American political choice has always been the “Less of two evil”. And less evil cannot get much done because of lack of seniority. To Obama’s credit he has been a competent president and the empire is in much stronger and credible position. Bush, Palin, McCain would have been, bye bye empire and hello lion pit.
In a revolution all element of power are uprooted and planted a new. An uprising against Mubarak does not make a revolution. Hopefully the Egyptian military will tolerate intellectual opposition or create and forge them in the bowl of their jail as a safety valve for Egypt, for the day after the lamp posts and tree trunks have fulfilled their revolutionary duty.
Lacking unity is a given, but lack of courage to make political compromise toward clear, strategic national objective is inexcusable and the case of mayhem from Pakistan to Libya and beyond.
Speaking all elite again? And sending books with no pictures? You could have just said:
“fool me once, shame on — shame on you. Fool me — you can't get fooled again.”
I wonder if it wasn’t meant for Bandar bush, which has way more greasy money and a friend in need is a friend indeed.
Here is a rare find for me as I had the same book (4”x6” dime novel) as children’s book.
(Masnavi Mush-O-Gorbeh) by Ubayd Zakani
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJI4QjZY8ww
“Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel was in the Gulf on Friday at a conference of defense ministers from the region, including the Gulf Cooperation Council and Iran.”
This implies that defense minister from Iran was also present to hear The US defense secretary make the covert threat of use of force against the Islamic Republic and participated in an orgy of Iranophobia afterward.
“And those other bozos who temporarily seized power”
And to claim that it is just a few bad apples “generation after generation” is wishful thinking.
"Obama and company apparently plan to just lob a few missiles into Syria to send a message"
And the massage is for Iran,though bombing Syrian to send massage to Iran is absurd, it is what it is.
Just another nail in the coffin of Syria which is already dead and partition of Syria and Iraq are on the horizon. A referendum here and there and a fence make good neighbors.
You could say for the same end as when they acquiesced to their use.
http://news.google.com/news?ncl=d61Xa65lwnwY3SM3N_mSEbbF1xrkM&q=us+helped+saddam+gas&lr=English&hl=en
ElBaradei left Egypt for Vienna days after his resignation, and remains outside the country.
Mb has nothing to gain from attacks on places of worship; they should strongly condemn such an act and actively prevent it. Sectarianism only benefits the gulf Arab despots and their clown posse in rcc and makes their own mosque a target for the extremists.
So that is how Egypt came to be occupied by its own military, by the will of the people.
What are these old geezers up to? Don’t care but would they stop and brief Tel Aviv? Brotherhood and military are old foes and the feud will continue in the near future. I am more interested in the opposition and their position of king maker in Egyptian politics. It would be ironic if brotherhood was declared terrorist and Sisi to win presidential election. The opposition should be more assertive now or be mere spectator come peace or war.
“Sell your cleverness and buy bewilderment.” –Rumi
“35 years have passed and the Islamic establishment is running its own business”
And all along carrying, with dignity the 900lb gorilla on their back.
“What specifically would a peaceful exit to the crisis look like?”
Well, I think there is a solution, Al Sissi and Morsi should both resign in a deal that will end open season on brotherhood and the defense minister’s over rich. A firm date for parliamentary election and enough time and notice to opposition, get your people off the street and in to a voting booth before brotherhood and military sober up.
If the general is calling for mandate, the crowd is just minor technicality.
I beg your pardon, all those things and more are time tested, top vote getters. It is rather very simple and most everybody now does it instinctively, denigrate the Palestinian and place Zionist on a pedestal above reproach.
I don’t know what makes you think he will have you. The royals have this one figured out; my money is on some Playboying, and maybe some heroing, shooting peasants in third world countries. Would you want to deal with crusty old dinosaurs windup by aipac and Wall Street.
I only picked those bad attributes because no good deeds, indeed goes unpunished.
My point was that when a political party uses religion and declares a divine mission, then its Failure, if and when (religious or secular) plus open and closeted racism, corruption and hypocrisy (religious or secular) is reflected on the religion they used and if not jailed or killed, they are probably headed for hell, where as the secularist (anywhere) land a magnitude higher on socio economic ladder (proportional to their failure) and get to keep their faith, thus no burden.
I disagree, people of faith, be aware, your intolerance, ignorance and incompetence specially when acting under a heavenly banner, should and will reflect upon your faith. A Burden secularists don’t bear.
“Al-Biblawi explains that Egypt has returned to its original character that “considers the GCC countries as a political, economic, and security support.” Al-Biblawi points out that the previous regime– led by Dr Muhammad Mursi– when it came started to reduce the national Arab link “for the benefit of a wider one called the Islamic link,” and when that regime disappeared, the Arab countries returned to their character, and Egypt will go back to its character, and “I am very optimistic about this issue.””
Where do they find these guys, national Arab link vs. Islamic link and Egypt’s character vs. Larry, Curly and Moe? Obviously Egypt problems are wider and deeper than I thought possible. Contrarily to tribal beliefs the world does not end at the tribe’s anus.
“Mansour also announced the constitutional principles that will guide the transition”
Maybe if he adds that there will be no more overthrow of an elected government, specially a MB government and meet with Morsi and prevail upon him to resign, so he can be free to contest the next election.. No, he would not buy it; this is the military’s show, has been so since forever and not even Sisi can convince him of any difference, maybe Elbaradei can tell him, Shyster, you tried to steal the revolution and only came out of your hole, late in the game and said MB will not run for presidency, which you did and stack the parliament, rushed your constitution and were unwilling to compromise or cooperate up to even now and then precede to mummify him.
“The Salafi Nour Party (hard line fundamentalists), who had earlier been willing to entertain the idea of cooperating with the transitional government in the wake of the military coup/ popular uprising against Morsi, withdrew from the dialogue.”
These absent minded fundamentalists just don’t get anything right, would the president and the vice president please explain to them the function of the fig leaf once and for all.
“I would like to remind you and every body that four Egyptian Shiite Muslims were killed on Sunday 26/6/2013 after his inciting speech that was addressed to his fallow MB and their supporters; when they were attacked by a hostile mob in a village in Giza province near the capital.”
Does Egypt have any law against incitement to violence? Then why not charge him and fulfill the intent of law and enrich all Egyptians, in fact why not charge the army command for issuing ultimatum to the president and encouraging the protestors, why play the three card game of now you see the president and now you don’t. Rebel fashionista and opposition took the easy road and chose Morsi (MB) the deposed over Morsi (MB) the failed. They should declare solidarity with MB and petition the generals for his return and treat him like you would any dignified Egyptian, with respect and within law. Less they be next.
Morsi might be a fool, but those standing with the generals and asking for military to get involved are even bigger fools. In today’s Middle East, there is no integrity, everyone is busy using others to further their own narrow interest mindless of how they, themselves are being used. Egypt’s problem is in fact its army, no matter how many presidents they flip. The fact is the army is dependent on forging aid and mutated with politics and business when it should be on the field bettering the life of the poorest of Egyptians with a few hours of giving back, regardless of politics, ethnicity or religion, a shining example to future generation of Egyptians and would be presidents. Now the problems will continue only with multiple of magnitude.
The Syrian civil war spilled over onto Egypt!! and like in Lebanon. Impudent political leaders wipe up
Extremism, then condemn and denounce others and absolve themselves.
In 2001 they attacked and destroyed a pair of 1500 year old unarmed (didn’t have any arm) statues.
"That's not the way the world really works anymore,We're an empire now, and when we act, we create our own reality. And while you're studying that reality, judiciously, as you will, we'll act again, creating other new realities, which you can study too, and that's how things will sort out. We're history's actors…and you, all of you, will be left to just study what we do."
“Billboard that produces potable water from the air”
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=d6e_1370172487
Pro consol McCain is a political opportunist and an APAC hack and his credibility matches those of his hosts. Did he talk to somebody in charge? Tell us about the failing of opposition leadership or are they just a reflection of opposition as a whole to ally with McCain and ally with al Qaeda and whoever promises sunny days and in the process they have alienated one and all, even their own base. Where is the foresight and integrity in that to build a nation upon? In fact from the few videos I have seen the young and the secular (beard and hygiene as indicator) are a danger to themselves with any weapon and it is the religious fanatics who are most active and effective.
I don’t think this is about the man. If Russia can get a believable perception on an equitable deal on missile defense and NATOs push east, or confronted with a higher price then she is willing to pay, Syria be damned.
“Israel is afraid that the missiles could fall into the hands of opposition forces such as the al-Qaeda-affiliated Nusras Front, and could be fired at civilian Israeli jets. They are likely also afraid that if the regime were on the verge of falling, they might be transferred to Hizbullah and so constrain Israeli freedom of movement in southern Lebanon.”
This does not make sense. As these big weapons systems are not man portable and require logistics, support and trained crew, these are worthless to the rebel s and insurgents. Israel should be worry about the 700 ton a week worth of portable anti aircraft and anti tank weapons the rebels need and ask for.
Could be they really don’t want Assad (Syria) to have them and shy as they are, they have you believe otherwise. Also Assad should be wise not to trust the Russian. I can even see Putin stop the shipment and sign on a UN no fly zone (for a price) if he was sure this would not give the rebels a NATO air force.
And here a leader of a small party in a small country shows leadership while the empires and the emirs and their alliance of convenience nibble at Syria and its heart to feed their own contorted appetite.
If Iraqi debacle raised the influence of Iran, the Syrian debacle is supposed to counter act by talibanization of Syria and Lebanon? But even the Taliban on their worst day have a better organization, chain of command and leadership with less support from their gulf state benefactors then the Syrian opposition will ever hope to achieve. With the help of Iran and Russia and after peaceful transfer of power in Syria, he can declare victory and smell like roses.
“lip service”
Verbal expression of agreement or allegiance, unsupported by real conviction or action; hypocritical respect: "Lip service continues to be paid to resolving regional conflicts, but there is no sense of urgency" (Henry A. Kissinger).
All this spilled ink? There is no war on hummer in Egypt and Jon Stewart is no satire jihadi,
President Morsi might be a SOB but for now an Egyptian one and for every Egyptian problem there exist an Egyptian Solution. However, the tweeter war is much preferred to the usual subversion, bribery, coercement, Sanctions and slaughter for mere laughs or a former plumber from Michigan is installed as president and medaling is no more.
Iraq future was squandered way before American invasion, decades before when its leaders were played out like cheep accordion then discarded.
Off topic and a detour to sanity or an expressway to insanity
At 34.50 Rumi meets Shams
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kJF9WC2Fbs
(If you want the cruelty to diminish, strive to intensify your love) Rumi
When competing for fund and scientific knowledge gained per every science dollar and in the age of drones a crewed mission (especially beyond low earth orbit) is indeed irrelevant, I am sure expensive telescopes and cheap beacons landed on the rocks will do more to protect earth and in case one is confirmed headed our way, then why only use one bomb a barrage of 200 wouldn’t even dent the stockpiles and you could put it on cable and recoup some of your investment as people pay to see stuff blowup.
Cultural and religious bigotry is a must have monkey wrench in the imperial tool chest and its violent and fundamentalist element are often created and nurtured by the empires or colonist purely for short term gains and often have unintended long term consequences. A little chaos to keep them relevant.
I would have thought not choking on a pretzel was his most historic achievement.
If you were to put aside the imperial hubris and were to consider the illegal wars, occupations and sanctions a as terrorism then you would need a new graph and every new born would need a state sanctioned live grenade at birth and thereafter on birthdays. especially those crafty Europeans.
Of course there is implying going on and that is why you need to read between the lines
For example, Freedom fighters, militants, revolutionaries, insurgents and terrorists
To each his own and suddenly even fox news becomes useful source of information.
New gas burning power plants (gas burning diesel, steam turbine Combination) are over 80 percent efficient and clean, can wind up quickly to pick up the slake or down when supplies from wind sun are plentiful. Small local plants are best and the only way wind or sun can be practically put to use.
If you really want to contribute personally, reduce or stop your intake of meat and collectively cut methane output by half and buy the planet and yourself another 10 or 20 years.
Just because Iran is not totally isolated and has limited relation with few immediate state through a strong cultural unity and religion which are also occupied and hapless does not make for influence. Influence comes from the barrel of gun, US treasury and access to Washington and London, neither of which Iran possess.
That nasty little island sure knows how to rock.
As a lawyer in choosing to argue on working vs. effective you do disservice to international law. The congressional sanctions maybe called some Iran act or the other but in fact prohibit and punish third parties and sovereign countries. Are laws of the unite sate global then? Sanctions at best are a double edged sword and at worst an act of self flagellation and we are getting there.
At least this warmonger had the decency to deploy war machine to (Persian Gulf) and not the (oil gulf)
“Distasteful” is a time honored ritual for the politicians and quite fashionable throughout the land
A 100 mil here and a 50 there and ignorant hatred of all thing not Zionist is permanent now
Up is down and right is left and left is complicit when not in power and brutal when they are. Obama has probably preempted all ten of Romney’s and then some.
Suddenly unhinged and warp speed departure from civility seems to be modi operandi for most
But the hair trigger drive by name calling should not be yours.
Respectfully
Best flowchart ever!
http://9gag.com/gag/288744
Sorry Omar, I have to go with the elite on this, humanity probably went extinct the day Adam and Eve got kicked out of the heavens and all that is left is its collective sore behind.
آدمی در عالم خاکی نمیآید به دست / عالمی دیگر بباید ساخت و از نو آدمی
Hafez
It is also helpful to consider events in Khayyam’s life, Brilliant childhood friends, one a famous prime minister “Nizam-ul-mulk” and the other who plots and finally assassinate the Prime Minister “Hassan ibn Sabbah” on top of the ordinary every day grief a radical freethinker of his time must have endured.
دید موسی یک شبانی را به راه کوهمی گفت ای خدا وای اله
توکجایی تا شوم من چاکرت چارقت دوزم کنم شانه سرت
دستک بوسم بمالم پایکت وقت خواب آید بروبم جایکت
ای فدای توهمه بزهای من ای به یادت هی هی وهی های من
زین نمط بیهوده می گفت آن شبان گفت موسی با که هستت ای فلان
گفت با آن کس که مارا آفرید این زمین و چرخ ازاو آمد پدید
گفت موسی های خیره سرشدی خود مسلمان ناشده کافر شدی
این چه ژاژاست وچه کفراست و فشار پنبه ای اندر دهان خود فشار
گرنبندی زین سخن تو حلق را آتشی آید بسوزد خلق را
گفت ای موسی دهانم دوختی وزپشیمانی توجانم سوختی
جامه رابدرید و آهی کرد و تفت پافتاد اندر بیابان و برفت
وحی آمد سوی موسی از خدا بنده ی مارا زما کردی جدا
تو برای وصل کردن آمدی نی برای فصل کردن آمدی
در حق اومدح و درحق تو ذم در حق او شهد و در حق تو سم
مابری ازپاک و ناپاکی همه ازگران جانی و چالاکی همه
من نکردم خلق تاسودی کنم بلکه تا بربندگان جودی کنم
خون شهیدان راز آب اولی تراست این خطا ازصد ثواب اولی تراست
لعل راگر مهر نبود باک نیست عشق را دریای غم غمناک نیست
دردل موسی سخن ها ریختند دیدن وگفتن به هم آمیختند
چون که موسی این خطاب ازحق شنید دربیابن درپی چوپان دوید
عاقبت دیافت او را وُ بدید گفت مژده ده که دستوری رسید
هیچ آدابی وترتیبی مجوی هرچه می خواهد دل تنگت بگوی
Molana Jalal-e-Din Mohammad Molavi Rumi
With apologies for the lack of translation.
Let make Syria the new Afghanistan (all broken up with warlords and sects, militias) and Iran the new Pakistan (economically and socially broken, maybe even armed with nuclear weapons) Iraq the new Sudan and so on. “A US-supplied war that spills over onto these countries is a nightmare for US policy” with so many countries in need of international community (Aka whitey) attentions, it will be a dream for security firms and arms merchants and big oil and the only way an empire can prosper and expand.
“"We're an empire now, and when we act, we create our own reality. And while you're studying that reality—judiciously, as you will—we'll act again, creating other new realities, which you can study too, and that's how things will sort out. We're history's actors…and you, all of you, will be left to just study what we do."”
“pot is a $12 billion a year industry, and a ten percent tax would yield $1.2 billion a year”
I doubt that legal pot would be as much of an industry (it is a weed we are talking about that hardly needs any processing or maintenance) it is the prison industry that is much bigger and the drug offenders are a big part of that, some might even argue why waste money on education, just jail more professors and grad students (say one strike law for people who should know better but absolutely no bankers or politician, that would be inhuman treatment of every one else)
If only a drone could (poemetize), it would be much like this one and not “what must be said”
“He prefaced his remarks by saying that the Gulf Cooperation Council countries (the Sunni oil monarchies) are seeking closer relations with the United States.”
Is it just me? Does anybody else take these family, franchise operations seriously? Money, madrece and armed mujahids, Drone attracting slime and not freedom is what you get. Is it for economic reasons that Turks would want an AfPak on their border? Are they prepared to use their armed forces on either side when they have had enough?
http://rt.com/online-exclusive/galleries/cartoons/media-iran-hysteria-mainscream/
If Mubarak flees and elections held then you can compare this to 1979, but if protests are crushed then it can be comparable to June 3, 1963 (15 Khordad). No twitter or face book or cell phones back then but religion. The stakes are much higher now because as Mubarak goes so does the rest of the despots.
As for Egyptian Basije, well this will not happen again as they were bitten bloody rather quickly
A better analogy would be that this mountain climber’s name is Sam brother of Sisyphus, because Sam's stone is a sacred stone and he never even take his eyes off of it, he cannot see more than a few inches in front of him and has never planned a route and has never even cleared base camp and probably never will and the only thing that is changing is the depth of the trench he has dug halfway to china
Maybe America also is (Grown) too thick for democracy and tyranny as state of mind is more prevalent and accepted now.
Good advice or not the war is coming and Obama and his sanction regime have done more for war with Iran then Cheney shaking finger on an aircraft carrier in Persian Gulf (get ready America, economy takes off from a short runway in Middle East)
Nice speech President Obama might even give. But you see the ever voluminous hump of hypocrisy on his back, the empires back really. You see Rumsfeld in Bagdad, Kermit Roosevelt in Tehran and countless cuddling of dictators, Kings and military juntas not to mention a finger in every pie and the biggest sham of all, the UN to insure and implement the interests of the world powers and the coalition of willing. Mystical Poetry, That’s all.
Taliban just weren’t a cut off guard, embarrassed host to Al Qaeda, just two days before 9/11 an Al Qaeda suicide team assassinated Ahmad Shah Massoud, consolidating Taliban control of the country and were further dazzled by 9/11.
Also prior to 9/11 while in control of the much of the country, they attacked and destroyed a pair of unarmed historical statue, killed and maimed with ease such as righteous do as they did radicalizing and arming Afpak decades before, it is said
That the road to hell is paved with good intentions. The Empire and the Talibs are in fact fellow travelers, one a caricature of the other.
“If you’ve lost Rory Stewart, you’ve lost the war”
The war? Maybe lost, but mister Stewart is not, he wants an empire and far-off bases and compliant (legit) local government but not the cost! How British to latch on to the Americans. Who seems to have limitless resources. Men, time and money. Yes let him give advice, a prefect British Sancho Panza to Don Quixote Americana.
Of course it is not our fault. Just our turn, to be preyed on.
Bahhhh…
“In November 2009 and January 2010, Germany inspected shipments of equipment originating in Russia and bound for an Iranian nuclear-power plant. German customs agents seized the cargo—computer and nuclear-monitoring equipment, prosecutors say—on the grounds that EU law prohibits any Iran-bound nuclear-related equipment from being shipped across its territory.”
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703302604575294683713294168.html?mod=wsj_india_main
And at the same time asking for nuclear fuel swap deal? Much like other pie in the sky deals, even united State has more credibility then Russia, UK and the rest of Europe put together.
Top Kill Fails, Imperils Gulf;
"There are no Solar Spills"
“Americans could learn a lot from the problems that beset the Persian-Arabian Gulf,”
How could they? If they and their history buffs and educators do not even know the name of the place! PB has big guns and uncles, owns politician by the dozens and is purely motivated by profits. The leak in the Yankee-Mexican gulf is just a sideshow, the real American Vaudeville is indeed in Washington.