Barackface

Saturday, June 20, 2009

Dumb White People (DWPs) And Iran

At some level it makes me very happy to see what is happening in Iran. At another level, it makes my blood boil with anger at the waste I fear I might end up seeing by the time the storm is over. Because I witnessed the waste when the people in Burma similarly poured out into the streets. They were let down. For all their blood, toil and tears, they were let down. It is very hard to create a political storm like this one, but once it dies down without result, it does not come back for a long, long time.

What's white people got to do with it? You might ask. Many of them seem to be alert and on the right side of history. Many of them are tweeting on behalf of the people in the Tehran streets. Many have turned their Twitter avatars green in solidarity. How is that dumb? How is that white? How is that something to get angry about?

Image via Wikipedia

I am angry about Burma, I am angry about Benazir.

Out Of The Box Thinking On Burma: Total Engagement?
Bush Meeting Dalai Lama: Is That All You Can Do For Burma?
Burma: 400, 000 Members, 400,000 Dollars
Burma: Time For Nonviolent Guerilla Warfare
Burma: Time For Hyper Action
The World Is Failing Burma
Burma: Than Shwe Is Going To The Hague
Britain Is Betraying Burma
Burma: Time For All Out Sanctions By All Powers
Burma: Momentum Is Key To Victory
Shame On The Top Politicians Of The World: Burma Asks For More
Burma: Shame On China, Russia

Benazir, One Whose Looks Have No Parallel

Image by 200MoreMontrealStencils via Flickr

Benazir, Last Month
Benazir, Benazir
Benazir Bhutto: No American Stooge
Benazir Should Address Many Mass Rallies, Hold No Street Events, Keep Tight Security Around Her House, Office
Benazir And Islamofascism

I am for nonviolence, but as I watched the Burma protests die down in 2007, one thought that I started having was what if the world were to bomb the dictator's artificial city deep in the woods where all his minions live and work? Would that boost the morale of the street protesters to hold on and keep lunging along?

After Benazir died, I asked, why did she not have a security apparatus befitting a head of state? The world never got Bin Laden, but Bin Laden got Benazir. What a shame. They wore her death like a trophy.

You have to feel sorry for the dumbness of the white people and their governments, and their media, and their NGOs, and their social media, and their masses. In a democracy the people are directly and indirectly responsible for all of them.

Dumb white people will think nothing about pouring a trillion dollars into a dumb war,

trillions into a housing bubble even if that might bring them a mega recession, but when it comes down to pouring 10 million into a nonviolent movement for democracy somewhere, they will be like, oh no, we can't be interfering in other countries' internal matters.

A nonviolent movement like the one that is underway in Iran is science, it is not alchemy. It does not happen randomly and equally randomly go away. It can be brought about at will. It can be actively helped to reach a grand conclusion. Or it can be watched to death, all the street efforts in vain.

This is precisely the time for the governments of the world to speak up. Governments that talked down daily a country's regime that it suspected of having nuclear weapon ambitions are silent today. Whispers count for silence.

Powers that think nothing of giving 10 billion dollars to the Pakistani army to create three million refugees in a matter of weeks will not pour a billion into a mass movement that just might succeed in establishing a full-fledged democracy in the heart of the Arab world in a way that will make the dictators in Egypt and Saudi Arabia wet in their pants.

An election from scratch has been the starting demand, the minimal demand. But now the demand has to shift. The movement has to ask for the installation of an interim government that will hold elections to a constituent assembly within a year of taking power to give Iran a new constitution.

Everyone who is tweeting for Iran needs to chime in a dollar. Movements need money. They need money to pay for the medical costs of those injured in the streets. They need money to organize better. They need money to launch brand new political parties. You can create a large, national political party in a matter of months.

What Iran has to ask for is an interim government and a new constitution.

Revolution
Spread Democracy

Why should white people be concerned about the fate of democracy in Iran? Because a total spread of democracy in the Arab world is the only way to conclude the War On Terror. There is no other way. And street protests are the best way to do it, the only way actually.

IRAN: A Nation Of Bloggers from ayrakus on Vimeo.

The Fraud In Iran

Iran Election Crisis: 10 Incredible YouTube Videos Mashable

The fraud in Iran is and has been that an elected president answers to an unelected mullah. That is what these street protests are about. That is what this movement is about. And it needs to spread from country to country. I wish a movement upon every Arab country there is. Street power!

This movement is not just about wanting a new president, this is about wanting a new constitution altogether.

Iran: This Is What I Am Talking About

In The News

Iran police, militiamen clash with protesters Los Angeles Times

Bomber killed at Khomeini shrine - Iran media Reuters

Police force Iran protest off streets guardian.co.uk
Gauging Whether Obama Is Creating Openings in Iran New York Times

Obama urges Iran stop 'violent and unjust actions' Reuters

Obama to Iran's leaders: Stop 'unjust' actions The Associated Press

Obama resists pressure to speak out more forcefully on Iran Christian Science Monitor
Twitter on the Barricades in Iran: Six Lessons Learned New York Times

Extend a Hand to the People of Iran Washington Post

Web support pours out for Iran protesters The Associated Press

IRAN: Gates and Mullen talk Twittering, texting, the modern ... Los Angeles Times
IRAN: A familiar fear migrates to the US Los Angeles Times

US has limited inroads to understanding Iran The Associated Press

Analysts See Demonstrations Bringing Fundamental Changes to Iran Voice of America

From Acts of Defiance, Democracy May Grow in Iran New York Times

Hundreds gather in Westwood to protest Iran election Los Angeles Times

Thousands Rally Across Globe for Iranian Protesters Voice of America

Iran's Gaurdian Council meets to review election fraud claims ... New York Daily News

Why now in Iran? AMERICAblog
Watchdog boss: Iran wants nuclear weapon technology CNN International

UN Atomic Energy Chief Says Iran Wants Bomb Technology New York Times

Legacy-building IAEA chief goes public with closed-door remarks Reuters

UN Nuclear Chief: Iran Wants Nuclear Weapons Technology Voice of America

On Iran, Mr. President, You're Doing Just Fine Huffington Post

Obama's Three-Part Case on Iran TIME

What Obama says to Iran matters OCRegister

Why is anyone listening to the GOP suggestions on Iran? Daily Kos
Amid turmoil in Iran, Google and Facebook speed up Farsi-language ... San Jose Mercury News

IRAN: Facebook launching in Persian Los Angeles Times

Amid Iran Turmoil, Google Adds Persian To Translation Service New York Times

BBC enlisting new satellites to broadcast in Iran The Associated Press
Iran council ready to recount 10 pct of votes - TV Reuters

Iran body ready to recount up to 10 pct of ballot boxes AFP

Iran to recount 10 percent of ballot boxes: Report Sify

Statement By Iranian-Americans On The Elections And Current Situation: Huffington Post
FACTBOX-How Iran's ruling bodies work Reuters

Protesters in Iran are chanting 'Death to Khameni' Examiner.com

My Feelings About Iran's Supreme Leader TPMCafé

US Can't Act or Speak Alone On Faith

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Iran: This Is What I Am Talking About

Iran Is A Major Country

Iran is not a full-fledged democracy, it is a semi-theocracy of unelected mullahs holding supreme power. But at least it holds elections. Saudi Arabia does not. Egypt does not. Iran has much stronger democratic credentials than Saudi Arabia or Egypt.

I Wish Iran's People Power In The Streets Upon Every Arab Country

Mass movements are science, they are not alchemy. They can be brought about. They are the best way to topple authoritarian regimes. They are super cheap. It is so much cheaper to drop 1,000 laptops than a humvee.

We need mass protests in Egypt and Saudi Arabia, and every Arab country that does not have elected leadership. That is the only sane way to conclude the War On Terror.

Iran Should Shoot For Complete Democracy

I fear these mass protests might go to waste like those in Burma for lack of a clear articulation of the ultimate goal and the tactics and strategies to get there. This is not just about one rigged election. This is about total democracy.

In The News

Joe Klein: What I Saw at the Revolution TIME It was as if someone had opened a door and an entire country had spilled out. ...... the working-class Ahmadinejad supporters and the wealthier, better-educated backers of Mousavi ...... put the internal rivalries at the highest levels of the Iranian government on public display for the first time, and in the most embarrassing fashion. ......... much of the cheese-buying public — the working class, the elderly, the women in chadors — seemed to adore Ahmadinejad. One of the favorite slogans of his supporters was "Ahmadinejad is love." ........... The lines at the central mosque were every bit as long as they were at the voting stations in sophisticated north Tehran. There was a smattering of Mousavi supporters, but the Ahmadinejad worship was palpable. ........ as concerned with Ahmadinejad's crude populist style as with his crude populist economics. ....... He also criticized Ahmadinejad's incendiary rhetoric on international issues like Israel and the Holocaust ........ "My mother supports Mousavi, and my father supports Ahmadinejad," he said. "I was uncertain until I saw them debate. Ahmadinejad seemed stronger. I don't think I would want Mousavi negotiating with other governments." ....... the reformers I spoke with seemed as unyielding as Ahmadinejad, if more politely so, when it came to discussing what Iran would be willing to concede in negotiations with the U.S. They were adamant on Iran's nuclear enrichment program ..... "It's natural that the first step should be taken by the Americans," said Karroubi, the most progressive of the four presidential candidates. "We didn't stage a coup against your elected government," he said, referring to the CIA's participation in the 1953 overthrow of the Mohammed Mossadegh government. "We have not frozen your assets. We don't have sanctions against you." ....... "Only the skin color has changed" from George W. Bush, he said. ....... "Look, for the past 30 years, the Supreme Leader — first Khomeini, now Khamenei — has blamed all our problems on the Great Satan," a prominent conservative told me. "If you take away the Great Satan and we still have problems, how does he explain it? Almost everyone here is in favor of ending this war with America. But no one has less incentive to make peace than the Supreme Leader." .......... It seems likely that no matter how many people flood the streets in protest, the Supreme Leader will continue to back Ahmadinejad.
Iran: Four Ways the Crisis May Resolve the unique combination of discord on the streets and infighting in the corridors of power currently under way in Tehran. .......... President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Supreme Leader Ayatullah Ali Khamenei appear to have been taken aback by the surge in support for the pragmatic conservative candidate Mir-Hossein Mousavi. .......... there are still millions of Iranians strongly backing Ahmadinejad. ...... it's unlikely that the opposition will be in a position to destroy the government. ....... "adjust" the result so that no candidate has a clear majority, forcing a runoff election between Ahmadinejad and Mousavi. ....... at his first press conference following the announcement of his victory, Ahmadinejad reportedly asked his opponents to submit lists of candidates for membership in his Cabinet. ............ (Mugabe's opponents settled for the deal only when they had been so pummeled that they could see no hope of unseating him.)

Obama Lays Out 'Sweeping Overhaul' of Financial Rules Bloomberg the most sweeping overhaul of the U.S. financial regulatory system in 75 years, seeking to correct a “cascade of mistakes” that toppled major securities firms, froze credit markets and destroyed $26.4 trillion in stock market value around the world. ......... adding an additional layer of regulation for the biggest firms. It would create an agency for monitoring consumer financial products, make the Federal Reserve the overseer of companies deemed too big to fail, and bring hedge and private equity funds under federal scrutiny. ......... “An absence of oversight engendered systematic, and systemic, abuse.” ......... has called the “sweeping overhaul” of regulations one of his top domestic priorities, said he wants to sign legislation by the end of the year. ....... “For community banks that had nothing to do with this crisis, this will be massive regulation that will burden them with new costs” ......... the proposal simply adds to the layering of the system without addressing the underlying and fundamental problems ......... The new Consumer Financial Protection Agency would oversee products from mortgages to credit cards. It would have authority to ban “unfair terms and practices,” punish companies for violations with fines and penalties and write rules to set higher standards for banks and non-bank companies. ........ The central bank would get responsibility to oversee all systemically risky financial firms, a move that aims to eliminate gaps in oversight that contributed to the collapse of Bear Stearns .......... higher capital requirements and stronger regulatory scrutiny “our proposals would compel these firms to internalize the costs they could impose on society in the event of failure. ........ Geithner said he sees “no plausible alternative” to having the Fed oversee institutions that pose system-wide risk. “We’re redrawing the boundaries of authority”
Iran Upheaval Highlights Internal Political Fissures Voice of America The turmoil has boosted the stature of some of Iran's leaders. It has also diminished the stature of others - particularly the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. ....... another struggle, perhaps a more significant one, taking place in the corridors of power in Tehran ........ 2005 ..... Then, the relatively unknown mayor of Tehran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad ........ the Iranian government seems stunned by the reaction and unsure what to do. ...... Rafsanjani's public silence. .... he is fiercely working behind the scenes. ........ Rafsanjani can use his chairmanship of the body as leverage with the Supreme Leader to undercut the president. ........... the protests as Iran's biggest crisis since the 1979 Islamic Revolution ......... we'll have to watch to see if the demonstrations continue, if the government continues to backpedal ....... The Guardian Council is apparently only going to scrutinize electoral results from selected districts. But Mir Hossein Mousavi has called for a fresh election.

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Sunday, June 14, 2009

Going To A DL21C Event

I have decided to go to the DL21C event tomorrow. I have no interest in Bill Thompson. I have no interest in the mayoral race, period. But I gave my shout out to Bloomberg back in December. Better - way better - Gillibrand (Kirsten Gillibrand Is A Good Choice) than Thompson, but oh well. I guess I want to play my small part in rapprochement. Peace out.

Wikipedia: Kirsten Gillibrand On May 15, 2008, Gillibrand gave birth to her second child, Henry Nelson Gillibrand, making her the sixth woman to have a child while serving as a member of Congress. Her House colleagues gave her a standing ovation for working until the day she gave birth.

This country has a long way to go in terms of making the workplace gender friendly.

That last event invite from DL21C, (An Event Invite From DL21C: This Can't Be Real) I t

Image via Wikipedia

hought through the technical ramifications. It came from Caputo. It also came from someone who knows I like women politicians.

If it were not for my immigration status glitch, the Caputo saga last year would have had another ending altogether. I myself was completely surprised on June 4.

I mean, I am on record at this blog having come out strong for Hillary 2008. That was until Barack said he might run. (Switching To Obama) Obama 2008 was the therapy I had been looking for all my life. I needed it. For me.

The go to event for me in town is the New York Tech MeetUp. But I think I like the idea of showing up for random DL21C events. I am as political as ever. I am open to the idea. You don't make peace with friends. Here's my contribution to peace in the Middle East. I am going to a DL21C event.

Mideast: Permanent Peace Is Possible
Mideast Peace: Tech Industry Style

It is just that an organization that calls itself 21st century is not as digital as it can be.

But I am going to first reply to that Caputo Facebook mail. I am coming, if DL21C does not want me to, an email back would be much appreciated. Just to be on the safe side of not having to go through a show-him-the-door experience.

Bloomberg has been a remarkable Mayor, one for the history books. I think he deserves another term if only as a reward for the good work he has already done. It also does not escape me that he happens to be Jewish. After Spitzer so flamed out, I like the idea of at least one high flying Jewish person still around. (Larry Ellison) There are black guy Mayors all over America, two in DC. This guy is the only Jewish Mayor. Right now I have no plans to, but later in Fall I

Image via Wikipedia

might even show up for a few events. So it might not hurt to study the opponent who completely turned around on me the first (and last so far) Thompson event I went to. A few weeks later I endorsed Bloomberg. (Independent For Bloomberg)

I don't give a flying fuck about Charlie Rangel. By extension I don't give a flying fuck about Bill Thompson. Proof? I have not bothered to google him up. I don't know anything about him, and that is just so fine with me. Rangel endorsed him, didn't he?

I seem to be so blase about the local races. I got my startup. That is all the rush I need.

2009 has been a Twitter and a Netizen year for me, not a Facebook and Barackface year.

Okay, so here's an email to Cordelia Persen. Just checking to make sure.

Image via Wikipedia

Friday, June 12, 2009

Sotamayor's Nomination As Historic As Barack's Election, Maybe More So

Image via Wikipedia

And why Newt Gingrich is a racist and a sexist.

Sotamayor is a Minority Female. That is like being Dalit in India.

Old white men like Newt Gingrich have always occupied the White House until now. They have always been the only people on the Supreme Court until recently. The Supreme Court has never had a Minority Female. The old white men still overwhelmingly dominate the Congress. What's wrong in the picture? Until recently there was no bathroom for women on Capitol Hill.

There have been times when I have admired Newt Gingrich. He comes up with ideas. I am a big fan of market solutions to long standing problems. Where I differ is when he thinks market solutions are the only solutions.

But on social issues Newt is a dinosaur.

As late as 2005, late into 2006, the Dems looked so irrelevant. So I am one of those to think the Republicans are going to have a comeback down the line. That is how democracy works. But such pendulum swings are not automatic. The Republicans are going to have to stop being the party of old white men if they are to have any shot at reoccupying the vital center of American politics.

In The News

The Typecast Party Newsweek The Republicans are a party in search of an identity, and the incendiary language surrounding the nomination of Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court has shown just how far off track they've gone. Sotomayor is better qualified in terms of her legal credentials than anybody currently on the court. .......... the over-the-top remarks from Newt Gingrich and Tom Tancredo created a backlash that Senate Republicans are still trying to dig their way out of with Hispanic voters and women without offending the party's Southern-white-male base. ......... A USA Today/Gallup poll this week found a third of Republicans have an unfavorable opinion of their own party. ........ "She's boring," says a liberal activist. ......... She hasn't had to address guns, gay rights, abortion. ..... Sotomayor can't be stopped, and that could embolden Obama to be even more aggressive with his next appointment. ..... The expectation is that if Ginsburg steps down, her replacement would almost certainly be a woman ....... "Free this nation from this Obama oppression," Voight intoned at the GOP dinner. ...... If only Obama could hand down affordable access for all to health care on a stone tablet.
GOP risks loss of respect if it goes after Sotomayor, poll finds MiamiHerald.com

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

Bush Sr: Stop the name-calling on Sotomayor Seattle Post Intelligencer
Bush defends Sotomayor nomination United Press International
George HW Bush condemns right-wing attacks on Sotomayor: Those ... Think Progress
Bush defends Sotomayor nomination Legal News Line
Candace Gingrich speaks out on brother Newt Sovo.com, GA
The Case for Getting off Base Wall Street Journal
Newt Takes Palin in Smackdown on Party Night: Margaret Carlson Bloomberg
Political Expert Newt Gingrich: Obama officially a Failure. Daily Kos
Am I a Moderate Republican, Rush? RushLimbaugh.com
Obama on healthcare bill: Flexibility on details, not results Boston Globe, United States
Of White Men And “Wise” Latinas 411mania.com, TX

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

Newt Gingrich on Twitter: Sonia Sotomayor 'Racist', Should Withdraw ABC News
Newt Gingrich is Wrong--Sotomayor's No Racist, She's Sam Alito of ... U.S. News & World Report
Newt Gingrich: Sonia Sotomayor a 'racist' Politico
Sotomayor a racist? Newt Gingrich takes it back Los Angeles Times, CA
Gingrich Walks Back Calling Sotomayor A Racist -- Not TPMDC
Newt Gingrich Backs Away From Calling Sotomayor a Racist ChattahBox
Could Sotomayor Be Right About White Men? TPMCafé, NY"I would hope that a wise Latina woman with the richness of her experiences would more often than not reach a better conclusion [as a judge] than a white male who hasn't lived that life." ....... everybody from Newt Gingrich to Joe Lieberman to Lindsey Graham seems to be hell bent on proving her right. These guys, believe it or not, are just like the folks who run BET - both groups seem to be committed to pimping a distorted view of dysfunctional male misogyny......... Has Gingrich just totally lost it? ....... That metaphorical "wise Latina" is looking smarter already.......... Lindsay Graham and Joe Lieberman are as angry as two spoiled little three year old toddlers who have been forced to share the toys their daycare provides with all the other kids. These two clowns have decided that they are just going to take their ball and go home...no, wait, they are going to SHUT DOWN THE SENATE. Brilliant. Just brilliant. ...... At the rate these guys are going, the "wise Latina" doesn't even have to be wise - just experienced. ..... What gets me hot under the collar about these buffoons is the same thing that gets my blood pressure up when I see some of the ridiculous images of black people BET keeps showing over and over - their total disregard for reality. ....... What I'm really trying to say here is that when you take the preening and the posturing and the politicking away, white men are just like any other men. Its the charlatans and fakers who insist on acting out, the way kids do when they aren't getting enough attention, who are currently giving the rest of America's white men a bad name.

US expresses concerns over Nepal's peace process Xinhua
Nitish opens 140 bridges in Bihar on a single day Times of India
Obama battles campaign against Canadian-style health care Canada.com
Nepal's first woman deputy PM Shailaja dies Hindu
Washington. Hillary Clinton to make official visit to Canada Canada.com
McAuliffe defeat is another blow to Clinton legacy The Associated Press
Obama on healthcare reform: Mr. Flexible Christian Science Monitor
Congress looks to step up revival plan in Bihar Times of India
BJP core group wants to cash in on Bihar 'model' Times of India
India to pull back Kashmir troops Financial Times
India issues guidelines for Indian students in Australia Economic Times
Schwarzenegger: A bad time to sell state assets San Jose Mercury News
Google Gets Going on Enterprise Apps Reuters
Globe, Smart in race for Wimax roll-out Manila Bulletin
Google reaches toward the enterprise FierceCIO
Google says it loves competition ZDNet
As US gov't circles the wagons, Google's brass stays cool Christian Science Monitor
Is it going to be an 'All Bachchan' show at IIFA! Times of India
Dell tweets $3m in revenues Register
Baxter: Swine flu vaccine due in July Chicago Tribune
Dell reported to be thinking acquisition Bizjournals.com
GOP should favor health overhaul Atlanta Journal Constitution
Why Dell Can't Buy Palm New York Times
Palin Continues Her Feud With Letterman FOXNews

Thursday, June 04, 2009

Assurance Vie

Il s'agit de trois entreprises françaises.

Pour cure thalasso bretagne. Thalasso thérapie repose sur les propriétés thérapeutiques éprouvées de l'eau de mer. L'eau de mer, du climat, de la marine, boues marines, les algues et le sable sont connus depuis longtemps pour leurs vertus curatives. Ils sont utilisés par cette installation pour la thérapie, ainsi que le bien-être.

P rix vin: Pour les prix des vins, visitez ce site. Il est bien prévu que le site répond à de nombreux vendeurs de vin. La liste de fournisseurs et de marques de vin est assez long et complet.

Assurance Vie est un fournisseur d'assurance-vie, l'un des plus haut sur le marché français. L'entreprise fournit l'assurance-vie pour les expatriés, il est ouvert à fournir l'assurance-vie sans examen médical. Il fournit l'assurance-vie pour le non français en ligne. Les bénéficiaires peuvent choisir entre une somme lum de paiement ou d'un paiement annuel.

Pages

Saturday, June 20, 2009

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Friday, June 12, 2009

Thursday, June 04, 2009