An American journalist Roxana Saberi, 31, has been convicted of spying and sentenced to eight years in prison after a closed door trial.
Saberi was arrested late January and accused of working without press credentials. It was later kicked up to spying and the trial closed to witnesses. She received a one-day trial in yet another example of arbitrary Iranian justice. Of course, after the Bush Administration, we have little credibility in contesting closed trials or special tribunals in other countries.
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She appeared before an Iranian court behind closed doors on Monday in an unusually swift one-day trial. The Fargo, North Dakota native had been living in Iran for six years and had worked as a freelance reporter for several news organizations including National Public Radio and the British Broadcasting Corp.
“Saberi has been sentenced to eight years in jail. I’ll definitely appeal the verdict,” lawyer Abdolsamad Khorramshahi told The Associated Press. It was not immediately known when she was convicted.
Turley must have defended her.
“Of course, after the Bush Administration, we have little credibility in contesting closed trials or special tribunals in other countries.”
OH GOD I JUST LOVE IT! you haters just can’t let it go can you?
Hey turley, here is what lou dobbs thinks of your MSNBC BUDDS:
http://www.olbermannwatch.com/archives/2009/04/lou_dobbs_rips.php
Off topic but this was a great article in Vanity Fair:
JAMES WOLCOTT
What’s Wrong with Washington?
After making overtures of friendship to Iran and speaking publicly of direct talks and normalizing relations, Tehran has responding by convicting American journalist Roxana Saberi of espionage and sentencing her to eight years in prison.
The US state department described the charge of spying as baseless and called for her release, and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has demanded her release.
Well, that certainly worked.
Barack Obama’s sunny “we’re all just folks” approach to Iran has obviously not impressed the mullahs that run the radical Islamist nation.
Please contact your Congressmen and Senators and demand they do everything they can to protect an American citizen. It is not unheard of for political prisoners to mysteriously “commit suicide” in Iranian prison. Private citizens should not be used as bargaining chips for international politicking.
It’s outrageous. Capturing a citizen of a foreign country and subjecting them to a show trial with lax evidentiary standards and the presumption of guilt. Thank God we don’t live in such a country. Oh, wait…
I don’t mean to make a joke out of such a serious matter. It’s just that, as a nation, we’ve lost the moral authority to condemn such a show trial. Yet another example of collateral damage of GWB’s War on Terror.
Imagine when it’s revealed that the “evidence” was procured after she was waterboarded: Do you think Iran’s counterpart to Michael Hayden will write an op-ed claiming that “the techniques themselves were used selectively against only a small number of hard-core prisoners who successfully resisted other forms of interrogation, and then only with the explicit authorization of the director of [Iran's equivalent to] the CIA?”
Maybe, when Obama condemns this conviction and sentence today, he’ll regret that his authority has been compromised, remembering the footnote to the memo Steven Bradbury (then head of the OLC) wrote in May of 2005:
“We recognize that as a matter of diplomacy the US may for various reasons in various circumstances call another nation to account for practices that may in some respects resemble conduct in which the United States might in some circumstances engage, covertly or otherwise. Diplomatic relations with regard to foreign countries are not reliable evidence of United States executive practice and thus may be of only limited relevance here.” (link at sig)
Leann,
Did someone piss in your Oatmeal this morning, Did you forget to take your happy pills, did you confuse your various medications the nightime from the Daytime?
If you live in the Continental US then it is by all accounts Daytime.
Please keep your inflamatory insults to your family, or have you alienated them as well?
David,
The evidence is lack luster is it not. What did Lincoln say “To Thine Own Self Be True.”
anonymously yours this one is for you:
After making overtures of friendship to Iran and speaking publicly of direct talks and normalizing relations, Tehran has responding by convicting American journalist Roxana Saberi of espionage and sentencing her to eight years in prison.
The US state department described the charge of spying as baseless and called for her release, and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has demanded her release.
Well, that certainly worked.
Barack Obama’s sunny “we’re all just folks” approach to Iran has obviously not impressed the mullahs that run the radical Islamist nation.
leann,
It is so sad that you are so bloated with the Bush/Cheney Kool-Aid that you are unable to understand the thrust of this story. If Bush/Cheney hadn’t spent their time not even talking to Iran, but maintaining some diplomatic channels then perhaps a deal could be worked out, as we used to do with the USSR and China during the Cold War. You supported people too macho, or too stupid to have understood this, but then that makes sense that they were this way, because look at their supporters.
The main thing the Bushies accomplished in the ME was to turn a secular nation, into a tool of Iran, thus increasing Iran’s power in the region. You don’t have to listen to me though, I’m only making sense and telling the real story. You are much more comfortable listening to Rush, Bill, Sean and Glenn give you your dose of propaganda and marching orders. Life is so much more easy for you, isn’t it, since you don’t have to think anymore and can get you opinions from other idiots with loud voices. By the way how’s the weather in Stepford today?
Leann apparently has no understanding of how long it’s going to take to repair the enormous damage done by Bush/Cheney to America’s international reputation or the depths of hatred for the US they spawned throughout the world.
The Iranians will likely pardon and expel Ms Saberi using her case to advance their own goals. They may well present her release as an overture toward Mr Obama for his less bellicose, more intelligent approach to Iran and the rest of the world. I would be surprised if this is this story’s last chapter.
Leann,
“After making overtures of friendship to Iran and speaking publicly of direct talks and normalizing relations, Tehran has responding by convicting American journalist Roxana Saberi of espionage and sentencing her to eight years in prison.”
Were you alive during the late 70’s. Do you remember how Ted Koppel got his start? Here is a hint, Jimmie Carter, google that name.
I bet you think Gary Powers got lost on his airplane ride? I suppose you probably were not aware, we trade one Russian Spy for One Powers.
OMG, do not tell me another educational opportunity has been missed.
This story illustrates why it is so critical that Professor Turley and all of us continue to keep the pressure on Obama and his administration to do the right thing in prosecuting Bush et al.
rc,
I was thinking almost exactly that myself. “Here’s your ’spy’ back. Don’t we look civilized?”
Does anyone here belive that Israel would do this without the prior blessing of the US? I can’t agree with you rcampbell that our policy towards Iran is intelligent, anymore that I believe our policy in Afganistan and Pakistan where we have now killed over 500 civilians by predator drone under Obama, is in any way either intelligent or moral:
“Israel Stands Ready to Bomb Iran’s Nuclear Sites
by Sheera Frenkel
JERUSALEM – The Israeli military is preparing itself to launch a massive aerial assault on Iran’s nuclear facilities within days of being given the go-ahead by its new government.
[A satellite image of Iran's Bushehr nuclear facility. He added that it was unlikely that Israel would carry out the attack without receiving at least tacit approval from America, which has struck a more reconciliatory tone in dealing with Iran under its new administration. (File image/Times of London)]A satellite image of Iran’s Bushehr nuclear facility. He added that it was unlikely that Israel would carry out the attack without receiving at least tacit approval from America, which has struck a more reconciliatory tone in dealing with Iran under its new administration. (File image/Times of London)
Among the steps taken to ready Israeli forces for what would be a risky raid requiring pinpoint aerial strikes are the acquisition of three Airborne Warning and Control (AWAC) aircraft and regional missions to simulate the attack.
Two nationwide civil defence drills will help to prepare the public for the retaliation that Israel could face.
“Israel wants to know that if its forces were given the green light they could strike at Iran in a matter of days, even hours. They are making preparations on every level for this eventuality. The message to Iran is that the threat is not just words,” one senior defence official told The Times.”
http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2009/04/18-5
Jill,
That’s the question, isn’t it? However, it’s kind of a moot point. The current Israeli govt., as discussed on several other occasions, is headed by one of the most hawkish thugs to ever walk the Earth. Would he actually wait for our approval? I kinda doubt it now that we’ve supplied them with the means. You can’t give someone a weapon and reasonably expect them to not only use it, but possibly misuse it. All it would take is Benjamin feeling testy enough. Part of the problem is neighboring states don’t just dislike Israel, they distrust the innate destructive capacity that we have given them. I cannot say I disagree completely with those concerns given the current Israeli administration. Whereas most people would feel moral restraint in using not only conventional but (worst case) nuclear weapons, I think BN has little if any moral restraint whatsoever when it comes to violence.
Other than referencing Iran isn’t this somewhat off topic? Secondly, it is speculation, not fact. BN is a thug as I’ve said myself on many occasions here. I’m not so sure though that he would do this for real, or is just making a threat display. Anonymously sourced stories aren’t fact.
Buddha,
The problem is both govts. because Isreal can’t really accomplish the mission on their own, even with the weapons we gave them. There are too many sites as Iran has spread out its plants, and they are underground. Most security analysts believe it would ultimately take a joint effort to accomplish this aim. We might be the “not so secret” partner, but we would still have to be the partner. I agree with your insights, with just this difference.
Jill
I do think our current approach to international relations, including toward Iran, is more intelligent because, at the very least, it’s more intelligent to be willing to engage than to to be arrogant and not talk at all. It’s also less bellicose as the issue of bombing Iran appears to be off the table.
As for Afghanistan and Pakistan, the battles continue, but so is an increase in humanitarian efferts, nation building (hospitals, roads, schools (especially for girls), etc.
http://www.drudgereport.com/
Obama and and new best buddy the EVIL CLOWN Hugo Chaves make friends as Chavez gives book to Obama that condemns America.
unfriggin unbelievable. WHY DON’T WE JUST RUN THE WHITE FLAGS UP NOW.
LeAnn,
How many pairs of white panties of your’s have been taken off of the flag pole, given back to you, just to have you go home.
Little girl, you Mommie is calling you.
Have your parents ever taught you it is not nice to play on line or talk to strangers? Would you give us your telephone number so we can call and complain to them about your conduct.
If your mommie is not home and if you don’t know your number, just pick up the phone, make sure you have a dial tone. That is the thing that kinda makes a whining sound in your ear. Which you are all to familiar with. Dial 9-1-1 and make sure it rings 3 times before you hangup.
If anyone answers hang up and if your phone rings do not answer under any circumstances, remember that this is a stranger as well. Please, DO NOT answer the door if anyone comes knocking. I don’t care how loud they knock. Just start screaming DON’T EVER TOUCH ME AGAIN and LEAVE ME ALONE.
Ok, hon, just remember that the people in white uniforms are there to help you.
Ok, do it.
To all:
I am curious as to why you think we can talk to the Mulahs? Their stated goal is the destruction of the US and Israel. We frustrate their goals for a greater Caliphate and our society is repugnent to them, which allows them to rationalize our destruction as the will/desire of Allah.
When confronted with irrational men, force is not only warranted it is necessary. They are immune to logic and rationality, they are truly willing to die for their cause because of their belief in paradise. You cannot deal with people like this. The reason we kept the back channels open during the Cold War was that Russians are not buck ass crazy and there was much to lose for both sides.
The Iranians are ruled by religious fanatics that believe the after life is the real life. They have nothing to loose.
A secret trial tainted by political bias with religious overtones: Why does that sound familiar?
Oh, yeah, it’s a political and legal situation like the one the Bush administration wanted for the United States (including the treatment of foreign journalists, such as Sami al-Hajj). And of course Bush did so much to promote good relations with Iran.
But I also believe that Saberi will end up as a political hostage for which the U.S. will be asked to pay a price. Yes, I remember Gary Powers and Jimmy Carter/Ted Koppel. But I also remember Ronald Reagan, Iran-Contra and “guns for hostages.”
Leann,
I share some of your views and would urge you to take heart. There seems to be some sort of hazing that conservatives must go through before they are treated civilly on the blog.
Bron,
A country, like an individual, must first try to talk in any potential confrontation or in cases of conflict from vast cultural differences. If talks fail, then you can state factually that you tried all of the honorable methods at your disposal to avoid problems. If you did not try, then you will forever be second-guessing your actions to retaliate when diplomacy might have spared many lives and infrastructure on all sides. The Iraq War is the greatest and latest example to which I could reference.
If talks fail, a country or individual is first stricken, and without provocation, then the aggrieved county or individual must end their enemies’ transgressions decisively, swiftly, and definitively while ensuring the annihilation of the correct foe.
john galt,
I appreciate your post. I guess I get a little sensitive when in all sincerity we, whether conservative, liberal or whatever have to go through diabolic diatribes then I take offense.
I did not vote for Obama nor McCain. If John Edwards had been running I would have voted for him regardless of his running mate. I almost voted for McCain until he picked the neophyte Palin.
I have said before that I vote for Ralph Nader. I do support Obama now that he is the Commander in Chief. He has a lot of relations to improve upon. So what if he has attempted to make peace with Chavez. They historically account for more than 22.5 percent of the oil imports.
At the time the gas prices were rising dramatically Bush was causing conflict with Chavez. You tell me the justification for that? We became more dependent upon Saudi oil again to whose gain? Cheney. You tell me was Cheneys stock really in a blind trust? KBR, you tell me.
I am personally aware that Johnson had the same issue during Vietnam. Plus stick in Mattel, which by the way made the stock for the M-16. Another stock held in Blind Trust. Hum.
I will state that since Obama has a job ahead of him to correct all of the wrongs created by the war mongering Cheney I have to support him. I think Cheney still equates war with Profit. Or because he has made so much money since he was Cheney in Chief he presumes that he is the new Profit.
David stated:
“It’s just that, as a nation, we’ve lost the moral authority to condemn such a show trial. Yet another example of collateral damage of GWB’s War on Terror.”
“Maybe, when Obama condemns this conviction and sentence today, he’ll regret that his authority has been compromised, remembering the footnote to the memo Steven Bradbury (then head of the OLC) wrote in May of 2005:”
________________
That is the crux of the problem, isn’t it? Mr. Obama could change all of that simply by reversing his stance on the war crimes issue.
Yet, the deepest truths are best read between the lines, and, for the most part, refuse to be written. Amos Bronson Alcott – Concord Days. June. Goethe.
there is alot more to this story then pointing fingers at bush or obama
liberateroxanasaberi.blogspot.com
and i plan on adding to that website in a few days
Jill,
I have to disagree vis a vis unilateral action by Israel. They’d prefer our backing, most certainly, but I don’t think they’d hesitate to go it alone either with their current administration if they felt it was in their best interests. If they felt it was a strong enough interest and we said “no”, I don’t think we could stop them until it was too late. They seem to follow the maxim “It’s better to ask forgiveness than permission.”
Buddha,
Heard this the other day. Better to give a resentment than have one. I guess this goes hand in hand.
BTW, I got scolded by FFLEO for being mean to LeAnn. But the again, her name could be Eileen and work at IHOP.
Oh well.
If she confessed of being a spy…well that is serious..but if they were made her to do so .. poor her… i think she will left alone there ..
Brom98:
“Their stated goal is the destruction of the US and Israel…. …When confronted with irrational men, force is not only warranted it is necessary. They are immune to logic and rationality, they are truly willing to die for their cause because of their belief in paradise. You cannot deal with people like this.”
*************
If we’ve learned anything over the past eight years of the Bush-ocracy, it’s that punishment and wars are premised on actions not mere words nor things we think might happen.
I don’t agree with anyone here. Bush and his disgrace of a Justice Department are at fault for dragging due process through the mud and tarnishing our image abroad. But that doesn’t mean Obama’s foreign policy isn’t oozing naivete. He’s supplicating to human rights violators and hoping that concessions will somehow shoo away the phobia these dudes have for us. He’s showing weakness.
People are so fucking partisan here they can’t bifurcate issues and engage in an open debate without distortions and specious arguments. Enjoy!
Butters:
“He’s supplicating to human rights violators and hoping that concessions will somehow shoo away the phobia these dudes have for us. He’s showing weakness.”
****************
Fundamentally our choices are conversation or preparations for war. Which is your pick?
Mespo, honestly? We have a right to make reasonable demands of countries who threaten us. A country bent on regional hegemony that also seeks nukes and funds terrorism needs to be dealt with seriously. If an apologetic tone will get us out of this mess, go for it. But if it doesn’t, are you averse to using force? Why the fuck not, if I may be blunt?
Obama Embarrasses Himself, and Us, Again
Posted from a blog:
I thought Barack Obama couldn’t sink lower than he did in his apology tour of Europe. I was wrong.
Now it’s Latin America, where Obama is attending the Summit of the Americas. While he doesn’t seem to have actually bowed to anyone in Trinidad, he has adopted a submissive posture at every opportunity, telling Latin America’s leaders that he “has a lot to learn.” I’m afraid that’s truer than Obama knows.
One can only speculate as to what was running through Hugo Chavez’s mind when Obama humiliated himself by posing with Chavez.
We know, though, how Chavez responded to Obama’s plaintive confession that he “has a lot to learn”–he contributed to Obama’s education by pressing upon him, before the cameras, a book by a Uruguyan leftist named Eduardo Galeano:
The book’s title translates as The Open Veins of Latin America; the subtitle is Five Centuries of the Pillage of a Continent. Here is how Wikipedia describes it:
In this book, he analyzes the history of Latin America as a whole from the time period of European contact with the New World to contemporary Latin America arguing against what he views as European and later U.S. economic exploitation and political dominance over the region. … It is a classic among the left of Latin America.
You can get a sense of Galeano’s mindless anti-Americanism in this interview.
So, how did Obama react to Chavez’s insult–an insult, we should note, both to Obama himself and to the nation of which he is, for better or worse, President? With his usual cluelessness:
When a reporter asked Obama what he thought of the book, the president replied: “I thought it was one of Chavez’s books. I was going to give him one of mine.” White House advisers said they didn’t know if Obama would read it or not. [Ed.: Not likely, since it's in Spanish.]
When asked what he thought of Obama, Chavez replied:
“I think it was a good moment,” Chavez said about their initial encounter. “I think President Obama is an intelligent man, compared to the previous U.S. president.”
Obama soaks up this kind of back-handed “compliment,” which is intended as an insult to the United States and is understood as such by everyone other than, apparently, our President, like a sponge.
The next Latin American lefty to treat our President like a hey-boy was Danny Ortega. After receiving Obama’s homage, Ortega:
…delivered a blistering 50-minute speech that denounced capitalism and U.S. imperialism as the root of much hemispheric mischief. The address even recalled the 1961 Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba, though Ortega said the new U.S. president could not be held to account for that.
Once again, Obama assumed the position:
“I’m grateful that President Ortega did not blame me for things that happened when I was three months old,” Obama said, to laughter and applause from the other leaders.
Yes, like trying–albeit not hard enough–to liberate Cuba from Communist dictatorship. Does Obama really not understand that hostile foreign leaders are making a fool of him and of the country he purports to lead? Apparently not. I don’t think Barack Obama is a stupid man, but he is in so far over his head that every time he ventures onto the international stage he not only embarrasses himself–and us–he damages, if ever so slightly, our national security.
PAUL adds: President Obama should feel quite comfortable with the writings of Eduardo Galeano and the ranting of Danny Ortega. He heard this sort of anti-American rubbish from his spiritual mentor Jeremiah Wright for 20 years. It didn’t bother him then and it doesn’t seem to bother him now..
mespo & butters,
I have to say you are both wrong to varying degrees from a foreign policy standpoint.
One must talk and be prepared for battle.
It’s not an either/or operation.
The dictates of diplomacy (seek peaceful resolutions until there are no other options) and the realities of the costs and risks of warfare (lives and materials) make this the only cogent path. It costs almost nothing to talk whereas violence always has an associated cost – usually high. Talking is not a sign of weakness, but a sign of seeking the easiest and most cost effective solution before escalation. Quite simply and in terms even a fascist should understand, it’s good business. If you want to know a true sign of weakness, the perfect example is not kicking the crap out of someone who attacks you openly, e.g. Bush’s ass kissing treatment of Saudi Arabia after it was established where the 9/11 attackers and their financing originated. Bush was weak, bad business (for the country, not for himself and Dick), corrupt and traitorous truth be known. Obama, while it remains to be seen what kind of stones he has in re addressing our actual enemies and not doing Bush Co. Fiasco Clean-up, at least has the sense to approach the problem in the most sensible cost effective manner instead of acting like Dick. Excuse me, there should have been an article and a lower case “d” in that last sentence.
Obama’s mishandling of the restoration of the Rule of Law and the Constitution are another matter all together, but on the foreign policy front, the tactics so far are sound. I’ll stipulate that it’s possibly futile at this point, but he’s dealing with a situation not of his making. You play the cards you’re dealt. Unfortunately, Obama is somewhat limited on the ready for battle front by the logistical nightmare Bush created in Iraq. He has to rely more heavily on talk for the time being as a practical matter. Our forces are spread too thin to be conventionally aggressive on every front. And no matter how much I’d like to see a SEAL commando’s boot on that obstructionist theocratic fascist pig King Abdullah’s throat, Bush tied up our men and machines protecting his and Unca Dick’s theft and business partners. A theft I have no doubt was encouraged and possibly planned by the House of Saud.
While we’re at it, let’s be realistic about Iran. They’ve just gotten “uppity” over the last eight years of dealing with morons more intent on making personal blood money than running a country and they are trying to get into the big boys club because of Bush’s weakness not just with them, but the entire region. Their game is brinkmanships because the hard fact is that if they screw up badly enough, we can and likely would wipe them out of existence and they know this. We are the only country to ever use nuclear weapons in war, albeit in a totally different set of circumstances. But our track record is proven. It’s not supposition. I’ve been to Hiroshima. It’s not just like a big conventional bomb when you use a nuke. It’s truly a horror from Hell. The scale is hard to imagine unless you’ve see it in person. It’s sometimes hard to imagine having seen it. Iran is run by bullies and thugs, but I don’t think they are suicidal. They may like us to think so at times as a psychological ploy, but being a bully doesn’t equate to a death wish. And how does one deal with a bully? You try to talk them down and/or outsmart them. If that fails, you knock them down so hard they either don’t want to or can’t get back up depending upon THEIR level of aggression. Proportionate response is critical. The worst Iran could realistically do is nuke a city and they couldn’t use traditional delivery methods (ICBM/long range bombers) to get one here, but they could try to sneak one in or go for a radiological weapon vs. a nuclear weapon. Either way, a national death sentence for Iran. They’d probably have to settle with attacking Israel – also a way to ensure nuclear retaliation if not from us, from them. But the U.S.? We can literally make their entire country vanish into a cloud of ionized gas and gamma rays from border to border many many times over.
That’s just the reality of the situation.
Everyone should hope the talking works. The alternatives get real bad real quick. Make no mistake. We can do a lot more damage than they can as a mathematical fact. They may have their faults, but Iran’s leadership cannot be ignorant of that math.
Geez Buddha, you are a real geopolitical nitwit.
Korn,
Isn’t that how you spell the hard-shelled Toasted Kernel? Or is it that Heavy Metal rock bad that hurts my ears?
korn,
Spoken like someone who’s never had a poli sci class or traveled more than 60 ft. from mom’s basement. Or maybe you’re just coming undone.
Butters & Buddha:
I read both your comments but I fail to see how the fundamental choice doesn’t still boil down to talk or tanks when the other doesn’t immediately and voluntarily bend to your will?
mespo,
My contention is that one must be ready for both. I had only a little problem with your statement and that was the use of the word “or” as an operand. “And” seems more appropriate, but that could be because I’ve spent too much time with programming and computers. I tend to focus on details like that.
Budha:
oops, I thought I couched it as a choice. You are undoubtedly correct that both are required.
Diplomacy has always been about establishing relationships with other countries be they friend or foe. The Bush years redefined this into the American Psyche as “knuckle under to
our will or we won’t talk to you, but reserve the right to attack you.” People who’ve never been in either war, or fights see this as acting strong, when in reality it is acting dumb and weak. The US defense budget is twice the size of all other countries put together. We have nothing to fear from anyone and yet we have acted as if the sky is about to fall whenever some country has defied our will. The US foreign policy establishment, primarily run by people with hidden economic agendas and unacknowledged desires to be seen as tough guys, has fostered this for years. When other countries respond to us with disdain and distrust we are “shocked” by their behavior and their “recklessness” of not kowtowing to our demands.
Some here talk of the weakness of accepting Mr. Chavez’ book offering, which is a critique of the US policy towards Latin America. Ignored is the fact that the US policy there has always been one of economic imperialism, with specific tendencies to protect the interest of exploitative American
companies, like United Fruit and Standard Oil. Up to recently Venezuela was known as the Rockefeller Ranch. The Rockefeller’s owned the most land in the country and of course controlled its’ oil. US troops, or the threat of same were used to minimize protests. The CIA rigged elections and assassinated dissidents. National independence was discouraged. Chavez seems over the top in his desire for a lifetime position, but we created the situation that makes him look so appealing to his countrymen.
The same history is true of Cuba. Despite claims to the contrary the US/Mafia supported Trujillo was a vile man and was righteously overthrown despite CIA and Mafia intervention. Such intervention ran through Cuba’s history whenever a protest of the country’s exploitation arose. Castro, obviously is no democrat and no one should run any country for more than fifty years. However, he’s been a damn sight better for his people than Trujillo. Everywhere you look in the Caribbean, Central, or South America there has been a history of US intervention on the side of dictators favorable to US business interests and supportive of imperialistic US policies.
This is also true around the world, first during the supposed “Cold War” where the US built up the USSR as a viable opponent in order to justify economic imperialism and massive transfers of wealth to defense contractors. This has also been true after the fall of the USSR and can be seen in policies around the world. What was different under Bush was the lack of subtlety with which these policies were carried out.
The message this new administration is trying to give is that we no longer wish to run roughshod over you and demand your obedience and your expedience in bowing to our imperial needs. This is not weakness this is intelligence. How is it okay for Britain,France, Russia, China, Pakistan, India, Israel etc. to have nuclear weaponry, but it is not okay for Iran and North Korea to? Some would argue that it is because these are unstable regimes, but seriously after clowns like
Bush/Cheney are we that stable. Is Russia, China, Pakistan and India? The answer to nuclear proliferation is the elimination and interdiction of ALL nuclear devices, followed by the dis assembly of nuclear plants and replacements with safer, more viable energy sources. Otherwise the argument turns on “me good….you bad.”
The Neocon stupidity was the envisioning of the US in all of its’ potential hegemonic, imperial glory. Stupid model, that was developed by people too ignorant to realize that it was based on their “tough guy” fantasies and hidden desires and not on a realistic road towards world peace and international cooperation.
Mike S., that was an excellent synopsis of our historical relationship with Central and South America. The negative reactions to Pres. Obama’s recent statements to foreign heads of state bespeak real fear. George Bush successfully convinced many people that his conduct of foreign affairs was in furtherance of the will of God. The shock and anger some of the posters here have demonstrated over the fact that people in other countries might harbor nationalistic sentiments is truly astounding. It is as though their religion were being challenged. The president’s real sin in the eyes of the korns and leanns of the world is blasphemy.
Ahmadinejad has personally intervened on Ms. Saberi’s behalf. He has ordered that she be able to reassert her defense during a full appeals process which will be, according to him, fair. This is very good news.
MikeS:
I think you mean Fulgencio Batista.
Posted from a blog: (Powerline) LOL
I thought Barack Obama couldn’t sink lower than he did in his apology tour of Europe. I was wrong.
“Obama and and new best buddy the EVIL CLOWN Hugo Chaves make friends as Chavez gives book to Obama that condemns America.
unfriggin unbelievable. WHY DON’T WE JUST RUN THE WHITE FLAGS UP NOW”
Powerline? Drudge Report? And you guys wonder why no one takes you seriously. It’s not hazing, it’s the ridicule you so richly deserve. Apology tour…
from what i understand…President Obama doesn’t read spanish and his books to read list is very long
MatthewN:
“Ahmadinejad has personally intervened on Ms. Saberi’s behalf. He has ordered that she be able to reassert her defense during a full appeals process which will be, according to him, fair. This is very good news.”
I believe the Soviet Union did this with Francis Gary Powers, they are called show trials. Did you know they have executed a young women around 16 for some rediculous crime. Iran is a totalatarian country and anything they do on an international level is for show. They are playing the west and using this women as a pawn.
We the fair Iranian people, blah, blah. Our country is a model of democratic ideals, blah, blah blah. This trial is an example of our belief in the rule of law, blah, blah, blah.
I think you cannot talk to these people, they are irrational, they only understand force or violence. Talking to them is like talking to a mugger, you have three choices-run, fight or give them your money.
getplaning,
Just saw virtually the same comment posted on the Bio thread under another name. Question? When you get the E Mail giving you the content to use do you stand and salute the screen shouting “Zieg Heil” even though you’re alone and it’s only an E Mail? I ask this because in your comments which are merely thoughtless quotes from Powerline and Drudge you show a need to bend your will to the authoritarian. I’ll bet pictures of Dick Cheney get you hot.
MikeS:
Not everyone on the right gets hot over pictures of Dick.
According to the latest news, Ms. Saberi and her legal team will be able to appeal to a higher court within the next three weeks. Shirin Ebadi, the 2003 Nobel Laureate will join the legal team of the case. There is an interview with Ms. Saberi’s attorney at http://www.huffingtonpost.com/omid-memarian/my-interview-with-roxana_b_189088.html. In it he restates his optimism that she will be set free upon appeal.
In response to Bron: I agree that Ahmadinejad’s gesturing is mostly likely for show. It is obvious that Ms. Saberi is being used as a pawn in a political game and I am hopeful that this is a way for Iran to save face to the Western world and still present itself in a positive light to its own people. I have always been optimistic that Iran is capable of moderation and I still believe that their anti-Western, anti-Israel rhetoric is largely politicking to keep the hardliners in power, but this feeling has been on the wane. In the end, only time will tell.
MatthewN:
I hope so, I used to know many Iranian students at UM (MIZZOU) and they were, for the most part, very decent people. they deserved better than the Mullahs.
As you say time will tell. But the Mullahs will have to go before any moderation or modernization is possible. By modernization I mean liberalization of their society.
For one she was caught trying to be sneaky in a country that does not tolerate rats or moles~! Therefore, when your spying on the holy land of the koran, make sure your panties are dry!
Maybe in america you can be free being a queer, but in iran they will hang you like a monkey from a tree.
the idea that sex isn’t going on in Iran is ridiculous…there is a moderate section of iran who stayed after the 1979 revolution…they are pretty westernized…
iran has to find itself….as does America in respect to girls and woman…
as “system” says it would all be roxana’s fault and somehow her panties got wet without the help of someone else…
beside the fact that there is blackmail rings going on inthe islamic countries to turn the girls into prostitution
so, do me a favor…DO NOT THINK STUPID IS WROTE ON MY FOREHEAD!!!
rcambell:
You nailed this 4/18/2009, bravo!
Saberi arrived home today.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/05/22/roxana-saberi-returns-hom_n_206642.html?view=print