Khuzestan

[flexibeast]

Haven't heard of Khuzestan? Neither had i, until i read an article explaining its importance in global politics.
 

Comments

[xanthrant.livejournal.com]

It's really sad to see the state of politics in the regions and I as an American am more bothered by it when I see my government behave in a fascist imperialistic manner.

If you could do ONE favor for me?

Please tell as many of your countrymn that not all Americans voted for Bush, support Bush, and rally against Bush. The unfortunate ploy is that they know how to dupe the public and by time they realize what happened, it's too difficult to remove the person from office without the support of their elected officials.

I love my country and her people, but I despise my government and I agree with what Thomas Jefferson eluded to when he mentioned that the country needs series of revolutions every 20 years at least to keep government fresh and responsive to the populace.

Our last revolution was in 1972...we're overdue.

I think Jefferson was trying to say that we need re-evolutions to keep us fresh.

How are you all doing there? Good to read up on you guys when I get a chance!

XR, on a mission

[flexibeast.livejournal.com]

Well, we have a similar situation here in A ustralia . . . . not everybody in Australia voted for the Howard government. On the other hand, most people who are opposed to our respective current governments are captivated by the idea that if only the Democrats [in the US] or the ALP [in Australia] get into power, then things will be much better. History has shown time and time again that these parties only make a difference when there are mass social movements forcing them to adopt more progressive positions. The ALP supported the ban on same-sex marriage, for crying out loud!

Personally, i make a definite distinction between the principles the US was founded on, and the actions of the current administration. i think the Declaration of Independence is great, particularly:

We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.

That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the Consent of the Governed.

That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these Ends, it is in the Right of the People to alter or abolish it, and to institute a new Government, laying its Foundation on such Principles, and organizing its Powers in such Form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient Causes; and accordingly all Experience hath shewn, that Mankind are more disposed to suffer, while Evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the Forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long Train of Abuses and Usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object, evinces a Design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their Right, it is their Duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future Security.

which, if it was first published in the US today, would probably be considered seditious. Indeed, i believe the actions of the current administration - most recently including the domestic spying scandal - can be called "a long Train of Abuses and Usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object, evinces a Design to reduce them under absolute Despotism". Of course, the US Constitution provides a mechanism whereby a President can (presumably only with a supportive Supreme Court?) assume despotic power: Article II, Section 3 states that the Presideny "may, on extraordinary Occasions, convene both Houses, or either of them, and in Case of Disagreement between them, with Respect to the Time of Adjournment, he may adjourn them to such Time as he shall think proper". But from what i've observed, there is a strong, and still lively, tradition in the US of keeping a watchful eye on governments and calling them on their abuses. Unfortunately, it seems that those people have let the tradition of religious fundamentalism gain the upper hand. And sadly, this trend of acquiesence in the face of an imperialist, non-secular government is happening here in Australia too. So Australians can't cast the first stone. :-/

[omnifarious.livejournal.com]

That's an interesting set of speculations. It seems very reasonable on the face of it, and neatly explains Bush' determination to go to war in Iraq and Iran without any publicly stated justifications that hold water.

[flexibeast.livejournal.com]

Indeed . . . . it will be interesting to observe developments, and see how accurate this analysis actually is.

[jomaraubat.livejournal.com]

I read this post yesterday, but I struggled to find the words to describe how small and scared it made me feel.

I haven't heard of Mike Whitney before (assuming that he's not the well known former Aussie cricketer and dickhead TV star), but reading around a bit, he seems at first glance to be fairly credible. And the article rang true.

If the article is substantially correct, and the US Dollar is so fragile, then the US has put the world's economy, and therefore millions of lives, at enormous risk. To save it they have to put millions of someone elses lives at risk and cause untold misery into the bargain. What the fuck are people supposed to do about this?

[flexibeast.livejournal.com]

Good question . . . . i suspect that until the majority of people prioritise human rights over intolerance, religious fundamentalism, low interest rates, and good returns on investments, not much can be done. :-(

[tacomonkey.livejournal.com]

Hey! I'm Jess, not_in_denials partner. I was at the march (I'm so sorry you couldn't be there!) and Erin speaks very highly of you - would you mind if I added you?

[flexibeast.livejournal.com]

Hi Jess. :-)

Erin speaks very highly of you

Heh, well, obviously she doesn't know me well enough yet. :-)

would you mind if I added you?

Not at all - go ahead! And of course, i'll add you in return. :-)

[flexibeast.livejournal.com]

Oh my, i just realised, to my embarassment, that i may well have used the wrong pronoun with regards to Erin. *blush* :-( Sorry if that's the case - what are the correct pronouns?

[tacomonkey.livejournal.com]

*laughs* No problem! I usually use s/he-hir-hirs when typing, but when I'm talking I'll often use 'he' or 'she' - in the same sentance! It's really up to you, Erin can't decide! :)