19
May
Next Month in Teheran?
IS IRAN NEXT?
WHO APPOINTED CPB’s TOMLINSON
PALAST GIVES NEWSWEEK A PRIZE
A while back, the former UN weapons-inspector-turned-anti-war activist Scott Ritter predicted that war with Iran is coming this June. Then the subject was dropped, with the barest of follow-up until I came across this story with no independent way to evaluate it other than to say that sometimes stories like this are part of a psychological warfare strategy to rattle adversaries, get them paranoid, force them to make mistakes or create incidents, etc.
The subject is too important to ignore, although personally I have doubts about it, given recent U.S. setbacks in Iraq and all the tumult and divisions in Israel. I hope the report is wrong, but here it is:
Uzi Mahnaimi reports in The Times of London:
“Israel has drawn up secret plans for a combined air and ground attack on targets in Iran if diplomacy fails to halt the Iranian nuclear program The inner cabinet of Ariel Sharon, the Israeli prime minister, gave ‘initial authorisation’ for an attack at a private meeting last month on his ranch in the Negev desert.
“Israeli forces have used a mock-up of Iran’s Natanz uranium enrichment plant in the desert to practise destroying it. Their tactics include raids by Israel’s elite Shaldag (Kingfisher) commando unit and airstrikes by F-15 jets from 69 Squadron, using bunker-busting bombs to penetrate underground facilities.
“The plans have been discussed with American officials who are said to have indicated provisionally that they would not stand in Israel’s way if all international efforts to halt Iranian nuclear projects failed.”
OIL WARS?
What’s behind this threat to Iran? Could oil be lurking in the background of some of the calculations? Michael Klare thinks so. Oil is a commodity that is rarely discussed in the news outside of the business page:
“From Washington to New Delhi, Caracas to Moscow and Beijing, national leaders and corporate executives are stepping up their efforts to gain control over major sources of oil and natural gas as the global struggle for energy intensifies. Never has the competitive pursuit of untapped oil and gas reserves been so acute, and never has so much money as well as diplomatic and military muscle been deployed in the contest to win control over major foreign stockpiles of energy. To an unprecedented degree, a government’s success or failure in these endeavors is being treated as headline news, and provoking public outcry when a rival power is seen as benefiting unfairly from a particular transaction. With the officials of numerous governments coming under mounting pressure to satisfy the needs of their individual countries — at whatever cost — the battle for energy can only become more inflamed in the years ahead.
“This struggle is being driven by one great inescapable fact: the global supply of energy is not growing fast enough to keep up with skyrocketing demand, especially from the United States and the developing nations of Asia. According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DoE), global energy consumption will grow by more than 50% during the first quarter of the 21st century — from an estimated 404 to 623 quadrillion British thermal units (BTUs) per year. Oil and natural gas will be in particular demand.
“By 2025, global oil consumption is projected to rise 57%, from 157 to 245 quadrillion BTUs, while gas consumption is projected to have a 68% growth rate, from 93 to 157 quads. It appears increasingly unlikely, however, that the world’s energy firms will actually be able to deliver such quantities of oil and gas in the coming decades, whether for political, economic, or geological reasons. With prices rising all over the world and serious shortages in the offing, every major consuming nation is coming under increasing pressure to maximize its relative share of the available energy supply. Inevitably, these pressures will pit one state against another in the competitive pursuit of oil and natural gas…”
OIL POLITICS
Foreign Gas Companies in Bolivia Face Sharply Higher Taxes
“LA PAZ, Bolivia, May 17 — President Carlos Mesa’s government allowed passage of a bill on Tuesday that will sharply raise taxes on foreign energy companies, a move officials hope will defuse mounting protests from groups that want Bolivia to squeeze the big multinationals that have flocked to this poor country.
“Bolivian miners blocked a road on Tuesday to demand nationalization of energy companies. Years of protest have eroded foreign investment.”
NUKING ‘EM
There is another war underway in the US of A — a political war over the use of the “nuclear option.” No, not the big bomb, but the GOP attempt to kill the filibuster so that a slew of rightist judges nominated by President Bush can be seated. CNN reported last night:
“WASHINGTON (CNN) — The showdown over President Bush’s judicial nominees took center stage Wednesday in the U.S. Senate, with Majority Leader Bill Frist calling on the body to move toward an up-or-down vote on one of the most controversial picks.”
Ira Chernus assesses what this is all about in Tom Englehardt’s Tomgram:
“The ‘nuclear option’ has entered our vocabulary — with, even in headlines, those little quote marks encircling it like a radioactive halo of disbelief. They seem to ask: Can we really be here? Can this be the image of choice for politics in the U.S. Senate? And yet on Wednesday, Bill Frist, Senate majority leader, will reportedly bring the names of state Supreme Court justices Priscilla R. Owen of Texas and Janice Rogers Brown of California up for confirmation to the federal appeals court; and so, barring a surprise, we will be launched on the ‘nuclear option’ — the attempt to blow the filibuster, that political weapon of any minority party, out of the political waters for all time.
“As a matter of fact, our papers are now filled with headlines and articles whose catchwords and phrases seemed to come directly out of the Cold War era of nuclear confrontation: not just the usual ’showdowns’ galore, but in the case of a Washington Post piece, for instance, that classic word of the Cold War (and Vietnam) years, ‘escalation’
(In the Senate, the Escalation of Rhetoric).
“Or how about, from columnist Morton Kondracke, ‘Senators must reach nuclear “stand-down”‘? And with nuclear war as the image of choice, ‘fallout’ — well salted into many articles — could hardly be far behind.
“To extend the metaphor a bit, it seems that we Americans are all about to become ‘downwinders.’ (People who were downwind of the aboveground nuclear tests of the 1950s and early 60s received an extra dose of fallout.) For the nuclear option and its attendant imagery is, as Ira Chernus explains below, a more than apt metaphor for the moment — not least because of the nature of the Senate grab for power by so-called conservatives. (By the way, isn’t there some sort of expiration date on the use of the term ‘conservative,’ especially when what’s being considered is radical indeed — getting rid of a traditional political instrument whose history extends back to the early 1800s?) The wiping out of the filibuster could, in fact, represent the sort of great leap downhill (no slippery slide here) in the direction of a one-party state that many fear. After all, the accruing of unprecedented power to a majority party in the Senate will in reasonably short order lead to unprecedented control over the nation’s judiciary. Just remind me, what’s actually left after that?”
HOW THE ISSUE WAS COVERED
Mark Crispin Miller sends along an e-mail message from media critic Susan Douglas on ABC News’ coverage of this issue:
“Mark — I’ve just watched ABC’s coverage of the filibuster showdown which was totally one-sided. The reporter covered the story from Georgia and the perspective of the religious right re: ‘activist judges’ without any countervailing coverage of how others (e.g., the MAJORITY of Americans) see this issue. Have a look at the transcript, but we should bombard ABC with emails.”
CHRISTIAN COLLEGE NIXES BORN-AGAIN PRESIDENT
Bradblog reports:
“According to the Grand Rapids Press, nearly 1,000 students and professors from the conservative Calvin College in Grand Rapids, MI, are taking out a full-page ad to protest George W. Bush’s commencement address appearance this Saturday.
“Despite a pro-Bush professor’s claim in the paper that this is ‘not a political event,’ NEWSWEEK is reporting this week that Bush’s top political advisor Karl Rove informed a College employee at a ‘Presidential’ event back in March that ‘Bush was hoping to deliver a graduation speech in Michigan this year and asked if Calvin College, a small Christian school in Grand Rapids, might be a willing venue.’”
http://www.bradblog.com/archives/00001401.htm
IRAQ: NEW UN STUDY SAYS CURRENT SITUATION WORSE THAN UNDER SADDAM
Chris Shumway reports for the New Standard:
“May 18 — Responses to a detailed survey conducted by a United Nations agency and the Iraqi government indicate that everyday conditions for Iraqis in the aftermath of the 2003 U.S.-led invasion have deteriorated at an alarming rate, with huge numbers of people lacking adequate access to basic services and resources such as clean water, food, health care, electricity, jobs and sanitation.
“‘This survey shows a rather tragic situation of the quality of life in Iraq,’ Barham Salih, Iraq’s minister of planning, said in statement, adding: ‘If you compare this to the situation in the 1980s, you will see a major deterioration.’”
hi danny , I go back to boston with you, 70’s . not for pub but maybe you could pass to s. ritter to check on . tankers to mid-east? always the best As an old gunny of mine said”If they ain’t shootin live rounds, it ain’t that fuckin serious”. Rich
May 19th, 2005 at 7:52 amDear Mr. Shechter- Good luck from the Patel family in Portland USA. We saw your film and it was helpful. We hear you are away for 2 weeks into a rehibilitation facility for emotional or physcial recovery. Our prayers are with you. Namaste.
May 22nd, 2005 at 8:38 amThank you Chaundra for the well wishes… I’d like to point out though that neither Danny nor Dave Chapelle are in rehab. Danny actually is quite busy traveling; I’m sure we’ll hear all about when he returns at the end of the month.
Cheers,
May 23rd, 2005 at 4:46 pmD
Danny sends us this note:
I am rehabilitating alright in the beauty of the most beautiful park in China, reconnecting with nature and discovering the “backwoods” of an amazing country. As Chairman Mao said: “no investigation, no right to speak.”
Your prayers are welcome, your worries not needed.
May 23rd, 2005 at 8:05 pmThank you, Mr. Schechter for this discourse. We are happy you are well and you can afford the expensive trip to China with all your financail worries. My mother chuckles at your reference to the Chairman. My mother remembers Mrs. Mao and her concerns over the Chairmans’ mighty girth, his lack of masculine prowness and his secret infatuation with young men. The Patel family again wsihes you good luck.
May 24th, 2005 at 8:08 amSCOTT RITTER WAS USED AS A STICK TO SCARE THE HATED MULLAHS IN IRAN INTO COOPERATION IN IRAQ! OTHERWISE WHERE IS HIS PREDICTION OF THE ATTACK ON IRAN. IT IS JUNE SCOTT. Thanks to you, Now a Billionaire American Mullah is going to steal the election from reformists. IN IRAQ Mullah’s IRANIAN trained and financed Badre Death Squads are busy targetting Sunni civilians to establish another reactionary Islamic Republic in Iraq.
IRANIAN ELECTION: AMERICAN ULLAH TO BECOME PRESIDENT
Do you know that per capita income of Iranian has gone down, it has gone down 7 per cent in actual 1979 dollars. Do you know that inflation is 25 per cent a year in Iran. That means the economic policy that Rafsanjani initiated and would continue to implement is counterproductive. Printing money and spending on consumer goods abroad actually make a country more dependant. Capital Flight from Iran, that is money earned from profit or sales of national resources in Iran that is being siphoned out by Mullahs and invested in Foreign corporations, is a minimum of 3 billion dollars yearly. Do you know that Iran actually is an importer of oil and pays $2 billion dollars in hard currency for that ? Do you know that the Iranian Rial that is the sweat and blood money that people get from their hard work , has decreased in value 120 per cent. This system has helped the foreigners and dollar holders and not the average honest bread winners in Iran.
Do you know that unemployment is about 30 percent in Iran and simply the economy has not produced enough jobs and actually is actively engaged to purchase factories abroad and invest abroad. The Government which was installed in Iran under the deceptive name of Islamic Republic has succeeded in its mission which was the “theft of Iran’s Economy” and all has been achieved under the Rafsanjani’s design.
Do you know that shah had plans to un-peg Iran from the US dollars and sell Iran oil in an open market and under the Rafsanjani’s scheme Iranian Oil is being sold below its value of ten or fifteen years ago? Do you know that from every gallon of oil actually less than .30 cents go to Iran.
Rafsanjani ‘s fingerprint is all over the blue print of Dictatorship of Terrorist Mullahs who hi jacked the mere social discontent with their nationalistic benevolent dictatorship, to an ultra a malevolent reactionary anti-nationalist regime. He has operated this system from the beginning for his American and British handlers. He is not the come back mullah, he directed this miserable scenario for Iran
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It is true SHAH was installed, supported, sustained and promoted by American. His army and his Security operation was trained by the US and the CIA. Yet, he promoted and relied on nationalism. He promoted Iranian culture, education and religion and above all he established public economic institutions for sort of re-distribution of wealth, he was a benevolent dictator. He had an Iranian Identity. Mullahs suppressed the Iranian cultural identity and imposed their perverted concept of Islam on Iranian via massacre and terrorist tactics. That is why millions escaped terror by becoming refugees in foreign lands. Mullahs attempted to create an alien and immoral culture which produced this generation of alienated youth. Rafsanjani should be put on trial not only for murder of innocents, but for destruction of Iranian Culture and morality. He is the personification of a “Corrupt on Earth.”
Moreover, RAFSANJANI is the most trusted agent of the US imperialism in Iran and has been heftily rewarded for his collaboration. He never left the Iranian scene. He always was operating behind the scene while the discredited Mullah Khatemi become president. He was always taking care of his business Empire. Every time Uncle Sam wants something done in the region he can count on Rafsanjnai. While Latin American countries, France and Netherlands democracies are questioning the sham which is being imposed on the world as “Free Market” economy, Rafsanjnai has promised to put Iran in auction block further in order to suck capital out of Iran and has no plans to un-peg Iranian oil from US dollars.
The damage that he and his un-Islamic gangs have done to Iran is irreparable. Comparing Shah’s economic and moral damage to this menace is similar to the comparison of kids “CharshanbehSurry “to Forest Fire. Iran is burning in an arson and the arsonist who is devoid of any national feeling for Iran and Iranians is going to steal the presidency. This man has is an arsonist with no regard for Iran and Iranians. He has damaged Iran environmentally, culturally, economically, morally and religiously. Our environment and water has been polluted beyond repair. Tehran has become an immoral city of prostitutes and call girls that Iran now on the watch list of the United Nation for human trafficking. Four millions of drug addicts roam Iran and where their get their supplies from the Rafsanjani’s gangsters who control every smuggler’s route in Iran. Every Public company has been privatized and sold to Rafsanjani’s Gangs, there is nothing to privatize, except the water and oil. Kish Free Port is his Free Prot in which his private planes import anything without any control. The rampant inflation means the poor and the oppressed are getting more oppressed under Rafsanjani’s so-called Free Market economy. It is a travesty that the government of the oppressed has inflicted more oppression on its supporters than any body else.
TIME Magazine is sensationalizing the depressive news written by Americans with Iranian names so the atrocities of this Evil creature on Iran is minimized. Yet, the devastating effects of the bastardized version of Islam, which has destroyed Iranian sense of community and has produced a generation of selfish hedonistic and individuated youths in the suburbs are ignored. The alienated generation have produced thousands of prostitutes that time magazine has pictured campaigning for Rafsnajani and 4 millions of drug addicts, who depend on Rafsanjani’s trafficking gangs for their dependency. They are alienated from 64 millions Iranians whose national wealth has been LOOTED by the Mullahs and their collaborators.
RAFSANJANI and his gangsters might be able to steal this election and Time magazine might sensationalize about Fast Times in Iran, with their sleazy reporters, but the regime is sitting on top of the volcano of dissatisfaction and boiling anger of the majority of 65 million Iranians, ready for eruption . The demise of the benevolent concept of an Islamic regime is no reason to celebrate. But sometimes it takes a disaster to produce change and Iranians should be ready for that. There is still hope that some of the reformists Mullahs would encourage reform of the system to prevent another bloodshed in Iran. Social revolution might be the only way left out of the present situation but with thousands of CIA agents and Hyphenated-Americans in our midst it is a pity that they might hi-jack the Iranian’s cravings for social change.
The USA National Endowment for Democracy has become an expert in recruitment of indigenous students in making CIA Revolutions in developing countries Iranian students should be mindful of anybody who would give them financial support with strings attached. BE WATCHFUL FOR ANYBODY WHO supports “Free Market Economy”, “privatization”, WANTS TO SELL OIL IN US DOLLARS and do not believe in investing in Iran to make it self sufficient. They might take Iran to another detoured abyss.
June 12th, 2005 at 4:47 am