Iran

by Linda Milazzo

I don't believe in god. I never have. I don't believe in religions. I study them, but I don't practice them. I try to understand them to be sensitive to the beliefs and traditions of others, and to attempt to appreciate the motivations behind religious thought and deed. But they are irrelevant to living my life.

Long ago as a freshman at CUNY's Queens College I was introduced to Taoism. Taoism began in ancient China as a religion, then morphed into a dogma free/deity free philosophy. Since my late teens I've tried hard to apply MY understanding of my Tao to my life. I have the freedom to choose my own path and not judge the paths of others. But since I have freedom of opinion, I fall prey to judge. I try not to. But I do.

Through the Tao, I'm both a peacemaker and a warrior since Taoism couples with the art of self-defense. I understand my right to protect myself when needed, and to protect the defenseless when they need me. Since I'm by nature protective, it suits my sensibilities to aid the weak, where I fancy myself absurdly as inordinately strong.

It may well be that in denouncing "Israel's" attack on Gaza one, in an important way, unwittingly does a disservice to the cause of holding the Bush Administration accountable for its crimes.

Is there any doubt that the Bush Administration approved this assault? Is there any doubt that it could not have taken place without the Bush Administration's approval?

Is there any doubt that it could not continue without the support of the Bush Administration and the protective umbrella of its veto at the UN Security Council? Is there any doubt that it will stop the very day that the Bush Administration says that it must?

If so, is it in the interest of humanity that we Americans engage in the charade that the Israeli government is an autonomous actor in this matter?

All these observations are true in general, but we have plenty of specific evidence in this case.

In response to mounting international pressure for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza and Israel, Secretary of State Rice is reportedly engaged in "furious telephone diplomacy with officials in the region, pressing them on the need for a 'durable and sustainable' cease-fire."

The Bush Administration is saying that they don't want an "immediate ceasefire," they want a ceasefire that has certain features, such as a permanent end to Hamas rocket attacks into Israel. This is also, of course, the Israeli position.

Meanwhile, Hamas also has issues with an "immediate ceasefire." They also want a ceasefire that has certain features, such as an end to the blockade of Gaza.

Israel, Hamas, and the Bush Administration all agree. They all want a ceasefire with certain conditions. They disagree on the conditions.

Alternative Christian Message | by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad | Channel4.com

Translation of the Alternative Christmas Message, delivered by the President of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad:

Upon the anniversary of the birth of Jesus, Son of Mary, the Word of God, the Messenger of mercy, I would like to congratulate the followers of Abrahamic faiths, especially the followers of Jesus Christ, and the people of Britain.

By Ann Wright, former U.S. diplomat

Travelling to Iran as a Citizen Diplomat for Peace

Just a month ago, while Israeli Prime Minister Olmert and U.S. President Bush met for the last time as heads of state in late November, 2008 in Washington and continued their relentless bellicose rhetoric toward Iran, I and three activists from the United States were in Iran as citizen diplomats talking with Iranians on their views of a new American presidential administration and their hopes for their country.

We went to Iran with no illusions. We knew well the history of United States involvement in Iran. We knew of Iranian support for organizations U.S. administrations have labeled as “terrorist” groups. And we were very familiar with international concerns about Iran’s nuclear enrichment program and human rights record.

President-elect Obama pledged he would engage with Iran without pre-conditions. As a recent "experts' statement" chaired by Ambassadors Pickering and Dobbins has argued, talking with Iran would lower tensions in the region; help stabilize Iraq; facilitate Iran's cooperation in helping to stabilize Afghanistan; and facilitate peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians and between Israel and Syria. The experts say direct, unconditional and comprehensive negotiations are most likely to succeed, and that we should adopt policies to facilitate contacts between scholars, professionals, religious leaders, lawmakers and ordinary citizens.

Listen to this interview I did with Shirin Ebadi, then read the following article by Medea Benjamin and sign the petition at the bottom. --DS

In our recent visit to Iran, we saw among the young university women what an important role model Shirin Ebadi is to them. As a female law student told us, "Shirin is our hero. That's why many of us decided to study law. We want to be like her and help the women of Iran gain equal status with men in areas such as marriage, divorce, custody of children, inheritance."

Shirin Ebadi received worldwide recognition when she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2005. The Iranian government has tried repeatedly to silence her, but to no avail. The latest government clampdown happened this weekend, when two human rights centers that she founded were illegally shut down without explanation or written justification.

JANUARY 6th, 2009
OPENING OF THE 111th CONGRESS
WASHINGTON, D.C.

THE MARCH OF THE DEAD WILL BE THERE

WE CARRY THE NAMES OF THOSE KILLED
DURING THE ILLEGAL U.S. INVASION AND OCCUPATION
OF IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN
AND WE WILL CARRY THE NAMES FROM THE
MOUNTING DEATH TOLL IN PALESTINE

TO DEMAND THAT THIS CONGRESS
END THE
TERROR OF WAR
GET OUT OF IRAQ
GET OUT OF AFGHANISTAN
STAY OUT OF IRAN, PAKISTAN, SYRIA...
AND CONDEMN THE BRUTAL DESTRUCTION
OF PALESTINE

WE NEED YOU TO TAKE PART IN
THE MARCH OF THE DEAD
MAKE IT A PRESENCE ON CAPITOL HILL THAT CAN'T BE IGNORED

Salaam!

There is a place in the heart that hears and understands the heart of
another. It knows no boundaries or borders for we are all members of the same human family.

With this knowledge we offer you the opportunity to see the Islamic Republic of Iran in all of her beauty and splendor as we play our part in promoting peace and friendship among the citizens of the world.

From the Zagros Mountains to the Caspian Sea, from the woodlands to the desert and all points in between - a varied and diverse climate and countryside await you in Iran.

The warmth and genuine hospitality of the people are equal to the rich history of this ancient land.

Walk the streets of the ancient poets Hafez, Sa’di, Khayyam and Ferdowsi. Smell the fragrance of the spices from the stalls that colorfully line the streets.

By David Swanson

Given the fates of the other two members of Bush's axis of evil, some would argue that the best defense Iran could have would be a nuclear bomb. They would, however, be wildly wrong. The best defense Iran could have would be awareness in the minds of Americans of who the Iranian people are, a people with great love and affection for the American people, great generosity toward others, and great commitment to peace. The best way I know that this defense could be created would be for Americans to give every other American they can a copy of Phil Wilayto's new book "In Defense of Iran: Notes from a U.S. Peace Delegation's Journey Through the Islamic Republic."

By Gareth Porter, Inter Press Service

TEHRAN, Dec 15 (IPS) - Would a negotiated agreement between Iran and the Barack Obama administration be feasible if Obama sent the right signals? The answer one gets from Iranian officials and think tank analysts is, "Yes, but..."

The Iranian national security establishment has long salivated over the prospect of an agreement with Washington. But there's a big difference between Iranian and U.S. ideas of what such an accord would look like.

By Rae Abileah

Our trip to Iran has come to an end--can you believe it's been over two weeks since I wrote you with a bon voyage note? We were awake about 20 hours a day in Iran with little time to reflect and blog, but I managed to write along the way, mostly without internet access. Upon my return to NYC, I've posted my blogs and photos for you to read and see to share in this incredible journey for peace and understanding:

Read my blog from the first week of travel in Iran here:
http://codepink4peace.org/blog/2008/12/a-week-in-iran-raes-diary/

Read the second blog here:
http://codepink4peace.org/blog/2008/12/week-two-in-iran-raes-diary/

Take the virtual tour by checking out our photos on Flickr here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/raeabileah/sets/72157610488783027/

See our Peace with Iran banner and group photos (as part of the slideshow former US travelers to Iran and dedicated activists Leslie and Jes created) here:

By Gareth Porter, Inter Press Service

TEHRAN, Dec 12 (IPS) - The main issue in Iran's June 2009 presidential election is certain to be the country's economic woes, but both candidates will be linking the economy to the issue of relations between Iran and the West, according to Iranian politicians and political analysts.

Based on the bitter internal Iranian politics of the past three years, both President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and whoever is chosen as his opponent are expected to try to pin responsibility for Western financial sanctions on each other. The challenger -- expected to emerge from the more moderate camp -- will charge that Ahmadinejad has exposed Iran to economic turmoil by mismanaging Iranian relations with Europe, while Ahmadinejad will accuse his foe of conspiring with the West to step up economic sanctions against Iran.

Hope to defy sanctions and build peaceful relations

WHAT: CODEPINK to lay out plans to invest in Iranian wind energy; "Let's talk!" campaign with Obama
WHEN: Friday, Dec. 12 to Sunday, Dec. 14
WHERE: United for Peace and Justice National Assembly, Wyndham O'Hare Hotel (near Chicago O'Hare Airport), 6810 North Mannheim Road, Rosemont, IL

CHICAGO -- To defy crippling U.S. sanctions on Iran and build peaceful bridges between the countries, CODEPINK Women for Peace will announce plans this weekend to launch a new company that will invest in an Iranian wind energy company, allowing Americans to show support for peace and sustainability in Iran.

By Gareth Porter, Inter Press Service

TEHRAN, Dec 11 (IPS) - In light of the Iranian presidential election coming in mid-2009 and the U.S. distaste for Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, President-elect Barack Obama is being advised to avoid any communication with Tehran until after Iranians vote next June.

But Iranian political analysts who are familiar with the thinking of both Ahmadinejad and Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, believe it would be a serious mistake for Obama to take no action until after the election.

The political editor of the conservative newspaper Resalat, Amir Mohebbian, and political analyst Saeed Laylaz, who has been a critic of government economic policy, both told IPS in interviews that Obama should communicate directly with Khamenei, who they say will make the ultimate decisions regarding relations with the United States.

By John Byrne, Raw Story

Clinton also seen backing 'nuclear umbrella'

President-elect Barack Obama intends to offer Israel a "nuclear umbrella" in the event of a nuclear strike by Iran, according to a defense source close to the administration quoted by an Israeli newspaper.

Under such an agreement, the United States would promise to use nuclear weapons against Iran should Israel be atomically attacked. Obama's secretary of State, Sen. Hillary Clinton, promised a similar "massive response" should Israel come under attack during the Democratic presidential debates.

"The source, who is close to the new administration, said the US will declare that an attack on Israel by Tehran would result in a devastating U.S. nuclear response against Iran," the paper Ha'aretz said Thursday.