Adventures in Islamic Cyberspace
The somewhat rhetorical question posed by an online muslim:
It has been a long time since I discussed this issue, but I always like my views challenged! I still hold onto the view that the Caliphate is a matter that is know by necessity in Islam sort of like Hajj and Salah. I also hold that there is consensus among the companions and the scholars of Islam on this.
Do you think this is the case or do you think that the evidence in support is vague at best?
The answer:
There are two things which separated: Caliphate and Imamate.
Imamate is Divine Right. Caliphate is merely the legislative body of any Islamic state and can be demonstrated in a Monarchy or a Democracy or even a Marxist regime. It only represents a legislative body or group of leaders or even a dictator under which one is either forced or agrees to be led due to matters of citizenship within a state. The "Caliphate" was taken immediately after the death of the prophet by those who did not possess Divine Right and hence, it turned sour on each "monarch" one after the other in succession during the "physical" and "non occulted" tenure of the twelve Imams/Ahl Bayt.
Imamate is a whole other ball park and for the Shia (the actual surviving members of the Ahl Bayt like Sayyed Nasrallah or Khameini or any other black hatted Shia figure), they assume possession of it and it cannot be assumed by any other. It is the case that all Shia know that even if others do not believe it is in their possession, it still does and if the actual Caliphate (which ideally would embody both things, legislative and spiritual guidance) could or should exist in the future they will remain claiming it until the Mahdi arrives and settles the situation. In that case (as it is reflected in the Iranian constitution) all laws, democracies, dictatorships would immediately dissolve/disappear and each and every muslim would have to know who their Imam was so that they could be counted the way they hoped to be previously. If a person is following an Imam who was in error then it is a problem for both the follower and the leader. The onus is not merely on the believer who may have suffered oppression and social pressure to conform to leaders not of their choosing but also and to a much more major extent, the actual Imam who insisted others ought to follow them (sometimes even in fear of their life if they didn't follow a "caliph" which is not an "Imam"). Although there are Shia Imams who are living, they are fallible to various degrees. A Marja is an living "Imam" who is as close as it comes to being free from error and worthy of being "emulated". When one refers to an actual Imam of the sort which is a claimant to Imamate, we are talking about the twelve Imams whom I am sure you all are familiar with and because the actual Khalifate is disintegrated into two things (caliphate and Imamate), a claimant will remain a claimant until such a time as justice is reestablished (the justice which was either purposely or inadvertently usurped at the event horizon of the prophet's death).
The origin of this problem is with the Ottoman, Abbasid, and Omayyed empires in which several if not all the Caliphs forced the citizens to "pledge allegiance" or suffer the death penalty or other forms of marginalization if they didn't "tow" the political line of any given Caliph. This continues to this day in many Arab states even if it is in a more subtle form. Saudi Arabia being the best model for discussion about that sort of thing.
In Iran and in all of Shia Islamic practice, a person is never coerced to "pledge allegiance" to anyone. A person selects a marja to follow if they feel they need one (they aren't even compelled to have one if they feel they can answer their own legal questions to their own satisfaction). An Iranian for instance may "pledge allegiance" to the spiritual guidance of a non Iranian scholar like Sistani in Iraq or heck, if I was a man and a marja, an American Scholar (although this is a seriously unlikely event). The point is, the allegiance is to a school of thought and legal jurisprudence which may be liberal to conservative rather than an allegiance to a person's "country" or nationality. Literally, it is an allegiance to the best form of truth per your own judgement.
Your question however i.e. it is an 'article' of faith to "know" your local caliphate and caliph...well not necessarily. What you need to know is who your Imam is and in the case of a Shia, the Imams are all dead (except for the occulted Mahdi) and the Marja's are simply legal scholars "for the times" who answer questions based both on their knowledge of "what the actual twelve Imams said" and what they can gather from a very long history of having studied exhaustively the texts surrounding the precedents in Islam and Islamic history.
The Shia view of the Mahdi is divided into two camps basically. Those who believe the Mahdi is present in all our affairs and is witness to events and those who believe the Mahdi is "somewhere else" and not in contact in any way, shape or form. Those who possess other knowledges (the highest ranking Shia scholars) may or may not make people privy to that information. That is an unknown and I'm sure, a much debated part of the argument. A consensus on that issue however is not required. The only consensus that any muslim be they Sunni or Shia need in that regard is to know that there is a Mahdi who is returning to establish justice.
Your other question, whether or not there is a consensus...well sure there is. There is a Shia consensus that is cohesive and does not vary within the Shia group and there are multiple consensi in the Sunni groups which number anywhere from four to six at this time. Those consensi are not in agreement and therefore you will find the answer to those questions depending on what it is you actually hope to know or want to know or insist on knowing or as is usually the case with those who don't like to know things, what you already BELIEVE or have been taught by your family, society and "sect" members. In other words, if you already suffer a bias it is usually the case that you will continue on with whatever it is you have now.
And (another poster, redacted), I think you are partially right and partially wrong. There is a unified theory of Sunni Islam and that is the denial of any of this and hence they are "non Shia" and cohesiveness thus far has been generated from that particular stance rather than an actual stance on the Who's Who of Islamic history.
(Yet another poster, a non muslim, redacted to protect the innocent who asked whether the Khalifate was established during the time of the revelation or after the revelation of the Quran), the Khalifa was established in the Quran because the line of prophethood ended with Mohamed and therefore, previous prophets who were Hanifas (Abraham, SA) were both Imams and Khalifas as well as prophets in their own right. It appears to me that a new class of things was instituted by Allah because Allah never leaves his religion untended but of course, the Khalifas are not prophets and of course, Allah would not be sending any more "prophets" which are clearly defined as having a text, a pedigree, access to future events (prophecy) and a clear relationship to Allah which is more or less, direct. In other words, a Khalifa cannot exist to change anything that happened previously but only exists to support what has already been revealed by the last prophet. It can be said that the Twelve Imams did have access to hidden knowledges but not as a result of a direct hotline to Allah via the angel Gibril. The cited Hanifa (Abraham, SA) was both as he was a messenger (had an actual law with its associated abrogations of past laws and texts) AND he was an Imam (scholar, teacher, locuter and in possession of certain types of hidden information) for his generation. Both Imams and Messengers must have genetic linkages to the entire line of prophethood. It is literally a "pedigree" and as such there are weak pedigrees and strong ones. The strongest pedigree is that of the Ahl Bayt. To understand the importance of the "household" of a prophet and the associated "priesthoods" you can compare the Ahl Bayt of Isa (SA, Jesus Christ) which was exactly ONE person IF ANY: Miriam (pbuh). His priesthood was composed of the twelve apostles but I have little doubt his companions were several more. The issue of his household and the household of the prophets was literally taken away from the Hebrew priesthood and their prophets which were remaining. In the Quran there are only three that I know of at that time and that would be Zakariya (the father of Yehye i.e. St. John the Baptist, pbuh, who was subsequently murdered) and Yehye himself (pbuh) who was also murdered by the Hebrews (rabbis, et.al.) and Miriam's (the Virgin Mary that is) father Imran, pbuh (unknown destiny but if anyone knows about this they could enlighten me about it). It is logical then to read the Bible stories in which the authors ascribe a "father" to Isa as being Yusef (pbuh) as completely a fabrication because Isa (SA) was created like Adam (SA) from "no sperm" and hence, unless he fathered any children (not mentioned in any text anywhere) his Ahl Bayt was concluded right there and then and the Hebrews were incensed to be excluded. In most Bibles they authored a pedigree in which Isa, SA is a descendent of Dawood and he isn't one unless you consider the maternal line. And in my opinion that is why Jews do exactly this in terms of establishing "citizenship" in Israel i.e. based on their matrilineal descent from the Hebrews. It's all they were left with in terms of being included until such a time as the Quran was revealed and they were openly advited to reestablish their covenant with Allah but many of them refused. Many of them didn't too. They became muslims you know. We had to come from somewhere!
I'll tell you what is interesting...this same sort of "Imamate" actually was established in the time of Musa and Harun (pbut). If you refer to an Old Testament, you will discover something very interesting about the "priesthood" of Aaron (Harun). It is dealt with in great detail including the fact that the editors of the Old Testament in later times accused Harun of forcing the Israelites to worship the Golden Calf whereas the Quran clarifies his position in that another person suggested the foul idolatry and Harun feared splitting the Israelites into two "camps" or if you will, "sects" and "went along with it" until the reappearance of Musa (from the mount) but was against the action in his heart much like Ali ibn Abi Taleb (pbuh) "went along" with this usurped Caliphate physically but not in his heart where he remained a vocal advocate of the travesty of justice until the day he was assassinated by one of his own men who started doubting his advocacy of the truth due to the need to once again "acquiesce" to the power of an oppressor (Muaw'wiya). It is literally a repeat of the same old story between the Sunnis and the Shia and hence confirms one reported hadith in which a questioner asked the prophet if the muslims would suffer all the same catastrophes as the Israelites did and he answered "yes".
Furthermore, you should question those here who claim they are actually Sunni to define what they mean when they use the interchangable but split words Caliphate and Imamate. Hopefully they can provide clear answers for you.
Secondly, when it comes to Imamship and Marjas...the notion of being an Imam is based on the fact that there is a consensus between all Shia Imams regarding Imamate and hence, all Shia sholars "should" be basing all modern decisions on modern laws using their knowledge of the original infallible twelve Imams with their true pedigrees (which are also unanimously agreed upon). So, to make a long explanation even longer, an Imam is a stand in for the time being (in its modern usage) and there ought be NO claim to infallibility by a marja (and they don't claim such things). Their claim is only "as close as you can get" to things which have disappeared. As well, the Marjas that are followed are followed by huge segments of the Shia population for the most part and only vary in the sense that some of them are more liberal (Fadhallah) and some are more conservative (Sistani and Khameini). A follower is not allowed to change marjas until the marja is dead and even then, if they remain in that fellowship then they must not ask further questions of their legal jurisprudence issues. They must be entirely satisfied because a dead Marja is no longer able to address modern principles of justice as they arise. It is understood that Marja's are legally and spiritually culpable for mistakes in their "reading" and "interpretions" as it applies to the law of practice. It is a serious position in Islam and not one that just any old fella will do. All Shia know this and abide by it if they are knowledgable and have been taught the proper hierarchy of belief and the necessary leadership that it entails in times post prophethood in which the prophet (Mohamed, SA) cannot be asked a single thing.
Furthermore, to comment on (redacted post of a Sunni-Sufi fellow) posting of a well meaning article called "Let's all be friends" well...I think that sort of thing is backed by good intentions but it is the same old bandaid. It doesn't cure anything but the symptoms and does not address the cause which in reality is leadership. And clearly, the wound is such a wound that it hemmorrhages now and then and until modern times so a bandaid just isn't going to be good enough in my opinion. Actual knowledge is needed by all muslims regarding leadership issues and post haste.
I do believe however that it is possible to love a Shia even if you aren't one and make that love the type that is honest and friendly. To listen and to learn. I listen and learn from Sunnis all the time....no one has a monopoly on historical information but the case is, leadership in Islam is a Divine thing and as a Divine thing it is given by the Divine Leader Allah. It cannot be changed or substituted for something else and it is clear to me if not to others just yet that the Shia leaders are flexing their muscle.
Ahmadinijad (and the Shia Imams which support his leadership in various ways because I have no idea whether or not Ahmadinijad is even a scholar let alone a Sayyed like Nasrallah or Sistani and hence he is an average Shia guy who knows alot and has his ducks in a row when it comes to the Who's Who of Islamic history) is the first muslim leader to address the United Nations general assembly. No one else has ever bothered to do that...I suppose fearing all sorts of things. It is exactly that steadfastness that wins wars without using guns and counters threats without being threatening but being inviting. It is directly related to the troops under Ali ibn Abi Taleb (pbuh) when they were faced with dying of thirst after being prevented from drinking at the Euphrates river on their way to battle Mu'awiya. Those troops were advised to go to the river and drink (it was their human right to quench their thirst prior to the ensuing battles which were scheduled in those days and followed a type of policy and procedure manual). They were told that if Mu'awiyah's forces prevented them from taking their human rights of drinking that they should SLAY them. It is also directly related to the Sura known as "The Necessities" which is a statement about human rights. It is exactly that right that Iran is addresssing now at the UN and that is the human right to clean nuclear energy, progress and scientific enquiry and access to the river of knowledge (Kawther). It is also true that Ali ibn Abi Taleb always 'invited' his oppressors and enemies like Mu'awiya back into the fold of Islam. It wasn't until they repeatedly refused that he went to war with them and only at the urging of the oppressed muslims. It is always under duress that true muslims fight wars for such things. Afterall, if a Shia leader knows they have the Divine Right on their side, there is no war to be fought for something they already know is in their possession. Fighting for a Caliphate however...well that is the question. Some might even say that is what is going on in Iraq..that it is more about politics than spiritual issues. I think if you read what Ahmadinijad said however, you will recognize that the Shia leaders believe that the times are changing and in a very big way. It is the time in which the waiting is coming to a close and justice (and hence, the Mahdi's return) is approaching. I personally feel that is very Good News and the kind of News that all people be they muslim or not, need right now. It is hopeful and it is optimistic and shouldn't be regarded as a means of achieving superiority over anyone.
People are always trying to find fault with things. Non muslims try to find fault with muslims and muslims try to find fault with each other. What is needed is actual analysis of the real issues and some honesty plus some serious leadership and steadfastness on the part of those with certainty as opposed to those with only "faith" in Islam.
29.9.07
28.9.07
The Last Letter
They thought I was a tire burning.
They thought I was a Marine barracks.
Z is compatible
with the dawn as it bleeds
over the pale and last star:
zoraster, zero, zen and zion.
Those diamonds are in vaults
where the eldest prisoners tortured
are rehabilitated and ready,
privy to the static
age old gnosis and not yet defeated.
Aftermath to etc., aftermath to was,
aftermath shall be - the vague carcass
of temptation a fancy term
for get thee behind me.
Mighty apocrypha tear down these walls.
Where are your villages, your birds?How many brothers walk?Fruit on the branch is willing and/or wicked.A door for entry, one for knocking.Cattle at the butcher, eyes full of angel dust.Carts of melon and spring.Collars creased to the napes of necks.Twisting ropes called spine.Nuclear disk melts the sea, a cold blanket covering entire nations.Wind and too many crops.Disasters happen once, myths twice.The Ages of Ignorance.Waves toss the work of towns into trees.Night vision and green sleepers.A general, at least one.The seventy-two pure ones.The weather is always bomb cloudy now.A simulation at Kufa and a ponderance: Hey mister, did the delightfully dead stone their women?
Looking back at that.
Memories fade, they fade.Survival is for the meek. Z is for lightning.Birds laugh in the morning, dogs all night long.
The thunder said, remember me?
They thought I was a tire burning.
They thought I was a Marine barracks.
Z is compatible
with the dawn as it bleeds
over the pale and last star:
zoraster, zero, zen and zion.
Those diamonds are in vaults
where the eldest prisoners tortured
are rehabilitated and ready,
privy to the static
age old gnosis and not yet defeated.
Aftermath to etc., aftermath to was,
aftermath shall be - the vague carcass
of temptation a fancy term
for get thee behind me.
Mighty apocrypha tear down these walls.
Where are your villages, your birds?How many brothers walk?Fruit on the branch is willing and/or wicked.A door for entry, one for knocking.Cattle at the butcher, eyes full of angel dust.Carts of melon and spring.Collars creased to the napes of necks.Twisting ropes called spine.Nuclear disk melts the sea, a cold blanket covering entire nations.Wind and too many crops.Disasters happen once, myths twice.The Ages of Ignorance.Waves toss the work of towns into trees.Night vision and green sleepers.A general, at least one.The seventy-two pure ones.The weather is always bomb cloudy now.A simulation at Kufa and a ponderance: Hey mister, did the delightfully dead stone their women?
Looking back at that.
Memories fade, they fade.Survival is for the meek. Z is for lightning.Birds laugh in the morning, dogs all night long.
The thunder said, remember me?
27.9.07
You Are Either With
Us or Against Us
President Ahmadinijad of Iran addresses the United Nations General Assembly:
SPEAKER: IRANIAN PRESIDENT MAHMOUD AHMADINEJAD
AHMADINEJAD (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): In the name of God, the compassionate and the merciful, oh, God, hasten the arrival of Imam al-Mahdi and grant him good health and victory and make us his followers and those who attest to his rightfulness.
Mr. President, excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, I am pleased and grateful to the almighty to have the opportunity once again to attend this important universal forum.
In the present tumultuous world and with the predominance of loud outcries, threats and tensions, and at a time when the big powers are unable to solve present problems, when mistrust in regional and international arenas is on the rise, when the psychological security of societies is being targeted by an onslaught of political and propaganda designs, and disappointment prevails over efficacy of policies and actions of the international organizations in the establishment of a durable peace and security, and the protection of human rights is being weakened, I plan to touch upon and explain the roots of and the ways out of these predicaments and some of the principal challenges facing our world.
I will also speak to you about the need for remedying the present situation, prospects for a brighter and more hopeful future, and about the appearance of the sublime and beauty, compassion and generosity, justice and blossoming of all the God-given human talents and the prominence of faith in God and realization of the promise of God.
I will then submit to your judgment the nuclear issue of Iran as a reality and testing ground for the measurement of honesty, efficacy, steadfastness and accomplishment.
In the closing part of my statement, I will offer my proposals.
AHMADINEJAD (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): Dear friends and colleagues, as you are all aware, mankind is currently facing important, numerous and diverse challenges and I will refer to some of them.
One, organized attempts to destroy the institution of family and to weaken the status of women. Family is the most sacred and valuable human institution that serves as the center of the purest mutual love and affection amongst mothers, fathers and children, and as a safe environment for the nurturing of human generations and a fertile ground for the blossoming of talents and compassion.
This institution has always been respected by all peoples, religions and cultures. Today, we are witnessing an organized invasion by the enemies of humanity and plunderers to destroy this noble institution that is targeted by promoting lewdness, violence and by breaking the boundaries of chastity and decency.
The precious existence of women, as the manifestation of divine beauty and as the peak of kindness, affection and purity has been the target of heavy exploitation in recent decades by the holders of power and the owners of media and wealth.
In some societies, this beloved human has been reduced to a mere instrument of publicity and all the boundaries and protective shields of chastity, purity and beauty have been trampled. This is a colossal betrayal of human society, of succeeding generations and an irreparable blow to the pillar of social coherence, the family.
Two, widespread violations of human rights, terrorism and occupation.
AHMADINEJAD (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): Unfortunately, human rights are being extensively violated by certain powers, especially by those who pretend to be their exclusive advocates.
Setting up secret prisons, abducting persons, trials and secret punishments, without any regard to due process, extensive tappings of telephone conversations, intercepting private mail, and frequent summons to police and security centers have become commonplace and prevalent.
AHMADINEJAD (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): They use various pretexts to occupy sovereign states and cause insecurity and division, and then use the prevailing situation as an excuse to continue their occupation.
For more than 60 years, Palestine, as compensation for the loss that they incurred during the war in Europe, has been under occupation of the illegal Zionist regime.
The Palestinian people have been displaced or are under heavy military pressure, economic siege, or are incarcerated under abhorrent conditions. The occupiers are protected and praised, while the innocent Palestinians are subjected to political, military, and propaganda onslaught.
The people of Palestine are deprived of water, electricity, and medicine for the sin of asking for freedom. And the government that was freely elected by the people is targeted.
AHMADINEJAD (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): Terrorists are being organized to attack the lives and property of the people with the blessings of the politicians and military officials of the big powers. The brutal Zionists carry out targeted assassinations of Palestinians in their homes and cities, and terrorists are decorated with medals of peace and receive support from the big powers.
On the other hand, they gather a number of Jews from different parts of the world through false propaganda and with the promise of providing them with welfare, jobs and food, and settle them in the occupied territories, exposing them to the harshest restrictions, psychological pressures and constant threats.
They prevent these people from returning to their homelands and by coercion and propaganda induce them to malevolence toward the indigenous Palestinian people.
Iraq was occupied under the pretext of overthrowing a dictator and the existence of weapons of mass destruction. The Iraqi dictator, who had been supported by the same occupiers, was disposed of, and no weapons of mass destruction were discovered. But the occupation continues under different excuses. No day passes without people being killed, wounded or displaced. And the occupiers not only refuse to be accountable and ashamed of their adventure, but speak in a report of a new market for their armaments as a result of their military adventure.
They even oppose the constitution the national assembly and the government established by the vote of the people while they do not even have the courage to declare their defeat and exit Iraq.
Unfortunately, we are witnessing the biter truth that some powers do not value any nation or human beings and the only things that matter to them are themselves, their political parties and their groups.
In their view, human rights are tantamount to profits for their companies and their friends. The rights and dignity of the American people are also being sacrificed for the selfish desires of those holding power.
Three, aggressions against indigenous cultures and national values.
Culture is the manifestation of identity and the key to the survival of nations and the foundation for their interaction with others. In an organized movement, indigenous cultures that are messengers of monotheism, love and fraternity are being subjected to broad and destructive aggressions. National customs and values are humiliated, and the self-esteem and character of nations are ridiculed and defamed.
AHMADINEJAD (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): The purpose is to promote blind emulations, consumerism, skepticism toward God and human values, and plundering other people's wealth by big powers.
Fourth: Poverty, illiteracy, health care issues, and the gap between the poor and rich. While a major part of the natural environment in Asia, Africa, and Latin American is being plundered by the political and economic domination of certain powers, the situation of poverty and depravation is very alarming.
Let me draw your attention to some data which was issued by the United Nations. Every day, close to 800 million people go to bed hungry, and about 980 million suffered from absolute poverty with less than $1 a day in purchasing power.
People of 31 countries, equivalent to 9 percent of the world's population, have an average life expectancy of 46 years, which is 32 years less than the average of developed countries.
The gap between the rich and the poor in some parts of the world has increased by 40 times, and many countries, the majority of the people are deprived of access to education and schooling.
In developing countries, the maternal mortality rate during pregnancy is 450 per 100,000. This ratio is seven in the richer nations and the ratio of mortality of new births is 59 for developing countries and six for the richer nations. One-third of the deaths in the world, or 50,000 people daily, result from poverty. I believe this data clearly demonstrates the tragic situation dominating economic interactions in the world.
AHMADINEJAD (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): Five: Ignoring noble values and the promotion of deception and lies. Some powers sacrifice all human values, including honesty, purity, and trust for the advancement of their goals.
They propagate skepticism and deception in their relations between states and peoples. They lie openly, level baseless charges against others, act contrary to legal norms and damage the climate of trust and friendship.
They openly abandon morality and noble values in their relations with others and substitute selfishness, supremacy, amnesty and imposition for justice, respect for others, love, affection and honesty. They sacrifice all the good things and the sublime in life for their own greed.
Six: Violations of rules of international law and disrespect of commitments. Some who were themselves the drafters of international law openly and easily violate it and apply discriminatory policies and double standards to others. They drafted disarmament regulations, but every day test and stock pile new generations of lethal weapons.
They frame the Charter of the United Nations, but show disrespect to the right of self-determination and independence of sovereign nations. They conveniently abrogate their (inaudible) and do not yield to laws concerning protection of the environment. Most of the violations of international obligations are committed by a few global powers.
Seven: Escalation of threats and the arms race.
AHMADINEJAD (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): Some powers, whenever their logic fails, simply use the language of threat. The huge arms race casts a shadow of threats over the globe. The nations of Europe were the victims of two world wars and a number of other devastating conflicts and were subjected to the consequences of the Cold War for many decades.
Today, they're living under the shadow of the threat and their interests, security and lands are endangered under the shadow of the arms race imposed by certain big powers. A bullying power allows itself the right to set up a missile system, makes the life of the people of the continent bitter and lays the ground for an arms race.
Some rulers, who superficially appear to be powerful, believe the tools they have at hand can be used at any time and for any purpose, and consequently, threaten others and cast a shadow of insecurity over nations and regions.
International organizations and mechanisms clearly lack the capacity to overcome problems and challenges to put in fair -- place fair and just relations of peace, fraternity and security. There is hardly any government or nation that places much hope in these mechanisms to secure its rights or defend its independence, territorial integrity and national interests.
Dear friends and colleagues, there are many more challenges than the ones I have enumerated and I know that one would have introduced more if one had wanted to touch upon them. But I chose to confine myself to the ones I have stated. Now the important and decisive question concerns the roots and causes of these challenges.
AHMADINEJAD (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): A scientific and careful analysis shows that the root of the present situation lies in two fundamental factors.
Without doubt, the first factor lies in the relations arising from the consequences of the Second World War. The victors of the war drew the road map for global domination and formulated their policies not on the basis of justice, but for ensuring the interests of the victors over the vanquished nations.
Therefore, mechanisms arising from this approach and related policies have not been capable of finding just solutions for global solutions since 60 years ago.
Some big powers still behave like the victors of the world war and regard other states and nations, even those that had nothing to do with the war, as the vanquished and humiliate other nations and demand extortion through condescending positions similar to that of the master-servant relationship of the Medieval ages.
They believe that they should have more rights than others and also are not accountable to any international organizations.
Mr. President, among all the ineffective bodies, unfortunately the U.N. Security Council ranks first. They have created circumstances in which some powers with exclusive and special right to veto in the Security Council act as prosecutor, judge and executioner, regardless of being a defendant or respondent.
It is natural for countries have been subjected to those powers' infringements of their rights have no hope in getting what they deserve from the council.
Unfortunately, humanity has witnessed in all long wars, like the Korean and Vietnam wars, the war of the Zionists against the Palestinians and against Lebanon, the war of Saddam against the people of Iran, and the ethnic wards of Europe and Africa, one of the members of the Security Council was one of the belligerents who supported one party against the other, usually the aggressor for the conflict itself.
AHMADINEJAD (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): Let's look at Iraq. They first occupied the country and then received authorization from the Security Council, the same council in which the same occupiers have the right to veto.
Who should the people of Iraq complain about? And where should they take their complaints with hopes of securing their rights?
We saw in Lebanon that some powers for a long 33 days prevented the Security Council from taking any action against the Zionist regime with the hope of giving them time to achieve victory.
However, when they became disappointed in seeing their hopes unfulfilled, they decided to cease the hostility by adopting a resolution. But the duty of the Security Council is to prevent the expansion of conflicts, to put in place cease-fires, and to promote peace and safety.
To whom and what organization should the people of Lebanon complain?
Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, the presence of some monopolistic powers has prevented the Security Council from performing its main duty which is the maintenance of international peace and security based on justice.
The credibility of the council has been tarnished and its efficacy in defending the rights of the U.N. member states has been undermined. Many nations have lost their confidence in the council.
Some other mechanisms, such as the monetary and banking mechanisms, are in the same undesirable situation and have been turned into tools for the imposition of the wishes of some powers on other nations.
It is evident that these mechanisms are not capable of responding to current needs and solving challenges and establishing fair and sustainable relations.
Dear colleagues, again, there is no doubt that the second and more important factor is some big powers' disregard of morals, divine values, the teachings of the prophets and the instructions by the almighty God, as well as the rule of the (inaudible).
How can the incompetents, who cannot even manage and control themselves, rule humanity and arrange its affairs?
AHMADINEJAD (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): Unfortunately, they have put themselves in the position of God. They were in servitude to their own whims and the desire to have everything for themselves.
For them, human dignity and the lives, properties, and territories of others are no longer respected. Humanity has had a deep wound on its tired body, caused by impious powers, for centuries.
Today, the problems that people around the world face are mainly rooted in the disregard of human values and ethics, and also in the rule of the selfish and incompetent.
Friends, ladies, and gentlemen, the only sustainable way to the betterment of mankind is the return to the teachings of the divine prophets, monotheism, respect for the dignity of humans, and the flow of love and affection in all relationships, ties, and regulations, and to reform the present structures on this basis.
To fulfill this objective, I invite everyone -- everybody to form a front of fraternity, amity, and sustainable peace, based on monotheism and justice, under the name of "Coalition for Peace," (ph) to prevent incursions and arrogance and to promote the culture of affection and justice.
I hereby announce that, with the help of all independent, justice-seeking and peace-loving nations, the Islamic Republic of Iran will be heading down this path.
Monotheism, justice, and compassion for humans should dominate all the pillars of the U.N. And this organization should be a forum for justice, and every member should enjoy equal spiritual and legal support.
The general assembly, as the representative of the international community, should be considered the most important pillar of the U.N., in order to, free from any pressure and threats by the powers, take required measures for the reforming of the U.N. structures, and especially change the present status of the Security Council and defined new structures, based on justice and democracy with the purpose of becoming responsive to the present requirements and to be able to settle existing challenges, heading to the establishment of an enduring stability and security.
Mr. President, Excellencies, the nuclear issue of Iran is a clear example of how such mechanisms perform and the prevailing thoughts behind them.
You are all aware that Iran is a member of the International Atomic Energy Agency and has always observed its rules and regulation, and has had the most extensive cooperation with this agency in all areas.
AHMADINEJAD (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): All our nuclear activities have been completely peaceful and transparent. According to the statute of the IAEA, any member has a number of rights and obligations. In fact, all members have to stay on a peaceful path and, under the supervision of the agency, assist other members. And they are entitled to be supported by the agency and have access to the fuel cycle with the help of the agency and its members.
Thus far, Iran has fulfilled all of its obligations but has been deprived of other members' technical assistance and, even at times, of the agency's support.
For about five years, some of the aforementioned powers have, by exerting heavy pressure on the IAEA, attempted to prevent the Iranian nation from exercising its rights. They have derailed Iran's nuclear issue from its legal tracks and have politicized the atmosphere to impose their wishes through taking advantage of all their potentials.
The government of Iran spared no effort to build confidence. But they were not satisfied with anything short of the complete halt of all activities, even those related to research and university fields. They were only after depriving the Iranian people of their inalienable rights, even to the extent that those centers not involved in the fuel cycle or not in need of supervision by the agency were closed.
After three years of negotiations and attempts to build confidence, the Iranian nation came to the firm belief that the main concern of these powers is not the possible deviation of Iran's nuclear activities, but is to prevent its scientific progress under this pretext.
AHMADINEJAD (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): And if this trend continues, there will be no possibility for Iran to enjoy its rights, not even in the next 20 years.
Therefore, Iran decided to pursue the issue through its appropriate, legal path, one that runs through the IAEA, and to disregard unlawful and political impositions by the arrogant powers.
In the last two years, abusing the Security Council, the arrogant powers have repeatedly accused Iran and even made military threats and imposed illegal sanctions against it.
However, by the grace of faith in God and national unity, Iran has moved forward step by step, and now our country is recognized as one with the capacity for industrial-scale fuel cycle production for peaceful purposes.
Unfortunately, the Security Council, in dealing with this obvious legal issue, was influenced by some bullying powers and failed to uphold justice and protect the rights of the Iranian people.
Fortunately, the IAEA has recently tried to regain its legal role as supporter of the rights of its members while supervising nuclear activities. We see this as a correct approach adopted by the agency.
Previously, they illegally insisted on politicizing the Iranian nation's nuclear case, but today, because of the resistance of the Iranian nation, the issue is back to the agency.
And I officially announce that in our opinion the nuclear issue of Iran is now closed and has turned into an ordinary agency matter.
Today, many important questions have been raised about the nuclear activities of certain powers within the IAEA which should be dealt with properly.
Of course, Iran has always been and will be prepared to have constructive talks with all parties. I would like to thank all the nations and countries that during this difficult period defended the legal rights of my nation and motherland. And I also want to appreciate the members of the Non-Aligned Movement, our friends in the Security Council and the IAEA's Board of Governors, the committed and law-abiding experts of the agency, and its director general, for their standing by the law.
AHMADINEJAD (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): I would also like to announce that, unlike the monopolistic powers, the Iranian nation is ready to offer to other members its experiences in the form of educational programs and based on its obligations under the agency's statue and under its supervision.
Now I would like to address those who have shown hostility toward the Iranian nation for about five years, offended and accused my people who have contributed to the history and civilization of the world. And I advise them to learn from history and their recent actions.
They badly mistreated the great Iranian nation, but they should be careful not to inflict the same on other members of international organizations and not to sacrifice the dignity of international organizations for the sake of their unlawful wishes.
Today, the nations of the world are wide awake and resistant. If you reform yourself, the world, the whole world will be reformed. Nations are inherently good and can coexist peacefully. Those powers should endeavor to serve their own people, others do not need them.
Is it not high time for these powers to return from the path of arrogance and obedience to Satan to the path of faith in God? Would they not like to be cleansed of the impurities, submit to the will of God and believe in him?
Faith in God means believing in honesty, purity, justice and compassion for others. They can be certain that they will benefit from purity, honesty, justice, and loving and respecting the human dignity.
They can also be certain that such values are more and more considered appropriate, valuable and beautiful by the nations of the world.
AHMADINEJAD (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): This is the invitation of all the divine prophets, from Adam to Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus Christ, and Mohammed, peace be upon up him. If they accept this invitation, they will be saved. And if they don't, the same calamities that befell the people of distant past will befall them, as well.
According to the Holy Koran, one who does not answer the divine call should not think that he has weakened God on earth. He has no companion but God and he is clearly engulfed by darkness. They have nothing of their own and cannot escape from the dominion of the rule of God and his will.
In this important gathering, I have to remind them of the following words of the almighty which has been mentioned in the Holy Koran. Do they not look at the powers and governments which came before them? If the people of the past had actually possessed something, they would have kept it and would not have let you possess it now.
God destroyed them because of their sins and nobody could protect them against the will of god. These powers have to know that the thoughts and methods based on oppression and injustice are doomed to failure. Do they not see the signs of vigilance and resistance based on monotheism, philanthropy and the justice-seeking spirit of the nations of the world? Do they not notice that we are nearing the sunset of the time of empires? I hope that this invitation will have a practical answer.
Excellencies, peoples and governments are not obliged to obey the injustice of certain powers. These powers, because of the reasons already mentioned, have lost the competence to lead the world. I officially declare that the age of relations arising from the second World War, as well as the era of materialistic thoughts based on arrogance and domination, is well over now.
AHMADINEJAD (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): Humanity has passed a perilous precipice, and the age of monotheism, purity, affinity, respecting others, justice and true peace-loving has commenced.
It is a divine promise that the truth will be victorious and the Earth will be inherited by the righteous. You who are free, believers and the people of the world, put your trust in God.
You who crave high values, wherever you are, try to prepare the grounds for the fulfillment of this great divine promise by serving the people and seeking justice.
The era of darkness will end. Prisoners will return home. The occupied lands will be freed. Palestine and Iraq will be liberated from the domination of the occupiers. And the people of America and Europe will be free of the pressures exerted by the Zionists.
The tenderhearted and humanity-loving governments will replace the aggressive and domineering ones. Human dignity will be regained.
The pleasing aroma of justice will permeate the world, and people will live together in a brotherly and affectionate manner.
Striving in this way to surrender rule to the righteous and perfect human, the promised one, is indeed the final cure for the wounds of humanity, the solution of all problems and the establishment of love, beauty, justice and a dignified life all over the world.
This belief and endeavor is the key to unity and the constructive interaction among nations, countries, the people of the world and all the true justice seekers.
Without any doubt, the promised one who is the ultimate savior, along with Jesus Christ and other holy saviors, will come. In the company of all believers, justice seekers and benefactors, he will establish a bright future and fill the world with justice and duty.
This is the promise of God, therefore it will be fulfilled.
Come, let's play a part in the fulfillment of all this glory and duty. I wish for a bright future for all human beings and the dawn of the liberation of and freedom for all humans, and the rule of love and affection all around the world, as well as the elimination of oppression, hatred, and violence, a wish which I expect will be realized in the near future.
Thank you very much.
Us or Against Us
President Ahmadinijad of Iran addresses the United Nations General Assembly:
SPEAKER: IRANIAN PRESIDENT MAHMOUD AHMADINEJAD
AHMADINEJAD (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): In the name of God, the compassionate and the merciful, oh, God, hasten the arrival of Imam al-Mahdi and grant him good health and victory and make us his followers and those who attest to his rightfulness.
Mr. President, excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, I am pleased and grateful to the almighty to have the opportunity once again to attend this important universal forum.
In the present tumultuous world and with the predominance of loud outcries, threats and tensions, and at a time when the big powers are unable to solve present problems, when mistrust in regional and international arenas is on the rise, when the psychological security of societies is being targeted by an onslaught of political and propaganda designs, and disappointment prevails over efficacy of policies and actions of the international organizations in the establishment of a durable peace and security, and the protection of human rights is being weakened, I plan to touch upon and explain the roots of and the ways out of these predicaments and some of the principal challenges facing our world.
I will also speak to you about the need for remedying the present situation, prospects for a brighter and more hopeful future, and about the appearance of the sublime and beauty, compassion and generosity, justice and blossoming of all the God-given human talents and the prominence of faith in God and realization of the promise of God.
I will then submit to your judgment the nuclear issue of Iran as a reality and testing ground for the measurement of honesty, efficacy, steadfastness and accomplishment.
In the closing part of my statement, I will offer my proposals.
AHMADINEJAD (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): Dear friends and colleagues, as you are all aware, mankind is currently facing important, numerous and diverse challenges and I will refer to some of them.
One, organized attempts to destroy the institution of family and to weaken the status of women. Family is the most sacred and valuable human institution that serves as the center of the purest mutual love and affection amongst mothers, fathers and children, and as a safe environment for the nurturing of human generations and a fertile ground for the blossoming of talents and compassion.
This institution has always been respected by all peoples, religions and cultures. Today, we are witnessing an organized invasion by the enemies of humanity and plunderers to destroy this noble institution that is targeted by promoting lewdness, violence and by breaking the boundaries of chastity and decency.
The precious existence of women, as the manifestation of divine beauty and as the peak of kindness, affection and purity has been the target of heavy exploitation in recent decades by the holders of power and the owners of media and wealth.
In some societies, this beloved human has been reduced to a mere instrument of publicity and all the boundaries and protective shields of chastity, purity and beauty have been trampled. This is a colossal betrayal of human society, of succeeding generations and an irreparable blow to the pillar of social coherence, the family.
Two, widespread violations of human rights, terrorism and occupation.
AHMADINEJAD (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): Unfortunately, human rights are being extensively violated by certain powers, especially by those who pretend to be their exclusive advocates.
Setting up secret prisons, abducting persons, trials and secret punishments, without any regard to due process, extensive tappings of telephone conversations, intercepting private mail, and frequent summons to police and security centers have become commonplace and prevalent.
AHMADINEJAD (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): They use various pretexts to occupy sovereign states and cause insecurity and division, and then use the prevailing situation as an excuse to continue their occupation.
For more than 60 years, Palestine, as compensation for the loss that they incurred during the war in Europe, has been under occupation of the illegal Zionist regime.
The Palestinian people have been displaced or are under heavy military pressure, economic siege, or are incarcerated under abhorrent conditions. The occupiers are protected and praised, while the innocent Palestinians are subjected to political, military, and propaganda onslaught.
The people of Palestine are deprived of water, electricity, and medicine for the sin of asking for freedom. And the government that was freely elected by the people is targeted.
AHMADINEJAD (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): Terrorists are being organized to attack the lives and property of the people with the blessings of the politicians and military officials of the big powers. The brutal Zionists carry out targeted assassinations of Palestinians in their homes and cities, and terrorists are decorated with medals of peace and receive support from the big powers.
On the other hand, they gather a number of Jews from different parts of the world through false propaganda and with the promise of providing them with welfare, jobs and food, and settle them in the occupied territories, exposing them to the harshest restrictions, psychological pressures and constant threats.
They prevent these people from returning to their homelands and by coercion and propaganda induce them to malevolence toward the indigenous Palestinian people.
Iraq was occupied under the pretext of overthrowing a dictator and the existence of weapons of mass destruction. The Iraqi dictator, who had been supported by the same occupiers, was disposed of, and no weapons of mass destruction were discovered. But the occupation continues under different excuses. No day passes without people being killed, wounded or displaced. And the occupiers not only refuse to be accountable and ashamed of their adventure, but speak in a report of a new market for their armaments as a result of their military adventure.
They even oppose the constitution the national assembly and the government established by the vote of the people while they do not even have the courage to declare their defeat and exit Iraq.
Unfortunately, we are witnessing the biter truth that some powers do not value any nation or human beings and the only things that matter to them are themselves, their political parties and their groups.
In their view, human rights are tantamount to profits for their companies and their friends. The rights and dignity of the American people are also being sacrificed for the selfish desires of those holding power.
Three, aggressions against indigenous cultures and national values.
Culture is the manifestation of identity and the key to the survival of nations and the foundation for their interaction with others. In an organized movement, indigenous cultures that are messengers of monotheism, love and fraternity are being subjected to broad and destructive aggressions. National customs and values are humiliated, and the self-esteem and character of nations are ridiculed and defamed.
AHMADINEJAD (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): The purpose is to promote blind emulations, consumerism, skepticism toward God and human values, and plundering other people's wealth by big powers.
Fourth: Poverty, illiteracy, health care issues, and the gap between the poor and rich. While a major part of the natural environment in Asia, Africa, and Latin American is being plundered by the political and economic domination of certain powers, the situation of poverty and depravation is very alarming.
Let me draw your attention to some data which was issued by the United Nations. Every day, close to 800 million people go to bed hungry, and about 980 million suffered from absolute poverty with less than $1 a day in purchasing power.
People of 31 countries, equivalent to 9 percent of the world's population, have an average life expectancy of 46 years, which is 32 years less than the average of developed countries.
The gap between the rich and the poor in some parts of the world has increased by 40 times, and many countries, the majority of the people are deprived of access to education and schooling.
In developing countries, the maternal mortality rate during pregnancy is 450 per 100,000. This ratio is seven in the richer nations and the ratio of mortality of new births is 59 for developing countries and six for the richer nations. One-third of the deaths in the world, or 50,000 people daily, result from poverty. I believe this data clearly demonstrates the tragic situation dominating economic interactions in the world.
AHMADINEJAD (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): Five: Ignoring noble values and the promotion of deception and lies. Some powers sacrifice all human values, including honesty, purity, and trust for the advancement of their goals.
They propagate skepticism and deception in their relations between states and peoples. They lie openly, level baseless charges against others, act contrary to legal norms and damage the climate of trust and friendship.
They openly abandon morality and noble values in their relations with others and substitute selfishness, supremacy, amnesty and imposition for justice, respect for others, love, affection and honesty. They sacrifice all the good things and the sublime in life for their own greed.
Six: Violations of rules of international law and disrespect of commitments. Some who were themselves the drafters of international law openly and easily violate it and apply discriminatory policies and double standards to others. They drafted disarmament regulations, but every day test and stock pile new generations of lethal weapons.
They frame the Charter of the United Nations, but show disrespect to the right of self-determination and independence of sovereign nations. They conveniently abrogate their (inaudible) and do not yield to laws concerning protection of the environment. Most of the violations of international obligations are committed by a few global powers.
Seven: Escalation of threats and the arms race.
AHMADINEJAD (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): Some powers, whenever their logic fails, simply use the language of threat. The huge arms race casts a shadow of threats over the globe. The nations of Europe were the victims of two world wars and a number of other devastating conflicts and were subjected to the consequences of the Cold War for many decades.
Today, they're living under the shadow of the threat and their interests, security and lands are endangered under the shadow of the arms race imposed by certain big powers. A bullying power allows itself the right to set up a missile system, makes the life of the people of the continent bitter and lays the ground for an arms race.
Some rulers, who superficially appear to be powerful, believe the tools they have at hand can be used at any time and for any purpose, and consequently, threaten others and cast a shadow of insecurity over nations and regions.
International organizations and mechanisms clearly lack the capacity to overcome problems and challenges to put in fair -- place fair and just relations of peace, fraternity and security. There is hardly any government or nation that places much hope in these mechanisms to secure its rights or defend its independence, territorial integrity and national interests.
Dear friends and colleagues, there are many more challenges than the ones I have enumerated and I know that one would have introduced more if one had wanted to touch upon them. But I chose to confine myself to the ones I have stated. Now the important and decisive question concerns the roots and causes of these challenges.
AHMADINEJAD (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): A scientific and careful analysis shows that the root of the present situation lies in two fundamental factors.
Without doubt, the first factor lies in the relations arising from the consequences of the Second World War. The victors of the war drew the road map for global domination and formulated their policies not on the basis of justice, but for ensuring the interests of the victors over the vanquished nations.
Therefore, mechanisms arising from this approach and related policies have not been capable of finding just solutions for global solutions since 60 years ago.
Some big powers still behave like the victors of the world war and regard other states and nations, even those that had nothing to do with the war, as the vanquished and humiliate other nations and demand extortion through condescending positions similar to that of the master-servant relationship of the Medieval ages.
They believe that they should have more rights than others and also are not accountable to any international organizations.
Mr. President, among all the ineffective bodies, unfortunately the U.N. Security Council ranks first. They have created circumstances in which some powers with exclusive and special right to veto in the Security Council act as prosecutor, judge and executioner, regardless of being a defendant or respondent.
It is natural for countries have been subjected to those powers' infringements of their rights have no hope in getting what they deserve from the council.
Unfortunately, humanity has witnessed in all long wars, like the Korean and Vietnam wars, the war of the Zionists against the Palestinians and against Lebanon, the war of Saddam against the people of Iran, and the ethnic wards of Europe and Africa, one of the members of the Security Council was one of the belligerents who supported one party against the other, usually the aggressor for the conflict itself.
AHMADINEJAD (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): Let's look at Iraq. They first occupied the country and then received authorization from the Security Council, the same council in which the same occupiers have the right to veto.
Who should the people of Iraq complain about? And where should they take their complaints with hopes of securing their rights?
We saw in Lebanon that some powers for a long 33 days prevented the Security Council from taking any action against the Zionist regime with the hope of giving them time to achieve victory.
However, when they became disappointed in seeing their hopes unfulfilled, they decided to cease the hostility by adopting a resolution. But the duty of the Security Council is to prevent the expansion of conflicts, to put in place cease-fires, and to promote peace and safety.
To whom and what organization should the people of Lebanon complain?
Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, the presence of some monopolistic powers has prevented the Security Council from performing its main duty which is the maintenance of international peace and security based on justice.
The credibility of the council has been tarnished and its efficacy in defending the rights of the U.N. member states has been undermined. Many nations have lost their confidence in the council.
Some other mechanisms, such as the monetary and banking mechanisms, are in the same undesirable situation and have been turned into tools for the imposition of the wishes of some powers on other nations.
It is evident that these mechanisms are not capable of responding to current needs and solving challenges and establishing fair and sustainable relations.
Dear colleagues, again, there is no doubt that the second and more important factor is some big powers' disregard of morals, divine values, the teachings of the prophets and the instructions by the almighty God, as well as the rule of the (inaudible).
How can the incompetents, who cannot even manage and control themselves, rule humanity and arrange its affairs?
AHMADINEJAD (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): Unfortunately, they have put themselves in the position of God. They were in servitude to their own whims and the desire to have everything for themselves.
For them, human dignity and the lives, properties, and territories of others are no longer respected. Humanity has had a deep wound on its tired body, caused by impious powers, for centuries.
Today, the problems that people around the world face are mainly rooted in the disregard of human values and ethics, and also in the rule of the selfish and incompetent.
Friends, ladies, and gentlemen, the only sustainable way to the betterment of mankind is the return to the teachings of the divine prophets, monotheism, respect for the dignity of humans, and the flow of love and affection in all relationships, ties, and regulations, and to reform the present structures on this basis.
To fulfill this objective, I invite everyone -- everybody to form a front of fraternity, amity, and sustainable peace, based on monotheism and justice, under the name of "Coalition for Peace," (ph) to prevent incursions and arrogance and to promote the culture of affection and justice.
I hereby announce that, with the help of all independent, justice-seeking and peace-loving nations, the Islamic Republic of Iran will be heading down this path.
Monotheism, justice, and compassion for humans should dominate all the pillars of the U.N. And this organization should be a forum for justice, and every member should enjoy equal spiritual and legal support.
The general assembly, as the representative of the international community, should be considered the most important pillar of the U.N., in order to, free from any pressure and threats by the powers, take required measures for the reforming of the U.N. structures, and especially change the present status of the Security Council and defined new structures, based on justice and democracy with the purpose of becoming responsive to the present requirements and to be able to settle existing challenges, heading to the establishment of an enduring stability and security.
Mr. President, Excellencies, the nuclear issue of Iran is a clear example of how such mechanisms perform and the prevailing thoughts behind them.
You are all aware that Iran is a member of the International Atomic Energy Agency and has always observed its rules and regulation, and has had the most extensive cooperation with this agency in all areas.
AHMADINEJAD (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): All our nuclear activities have been completely peaceful and transparent. According to the statute of the IAEA, any member has a number of rights and obligations. In fact, all members have to stay on a peaceful path and, under the supervision of the agency, assist other members. And they are entitled to be supported by the agency and have access to the fuel cycle with the help of the agency and its members.
Thus far, Iran has fulfilled all of its obligations but has been deprived of other members' technical assistance and, even at times, of the agency's support.
For about five years, some of the aforementioned powers have, by exerting heavy pressure on the IAEA, attempted to prevent the Iranian nation from exercising its rights. They have derailed Iran's nuclear issue from its legal tracks and have politicized the atmosphere to impose their wishes through taking advantage of all their potentials.
The government of Iran spared no effort to build confidence. But they were not satisfied with anything short of the complete halt of all activities, even those related to research and university fields. They were only after depriving the Iranian people of their inalienable rights, even to the extent that those centers not involved in the fuel cycle or not in need of supervision by the agency were closed.
After three years of negotiations and attempts to build confidence, the Iranian nation came to the firm belief that the main concern of these powers is not the possible deviation of Iran's nuclear activities, but is to prevent its scientific progress under this pretext.
AHMADINEJAD (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): And if this trend continues, there will be no possibility for Iran to enjoy its rights, not even in the next 20 years.
Therefore, Iran decided to pursue the issue through its appropriate, legal path, one that runs through the IAEA, and to disregard unlawful and political impositions by the arrogant powers.
In the last two years, abusing the Security Council, the arrogant powers have repeatedly accused Iran and even made military threats and imposed illegal sanctions against it.
However, by the grace of faith in God and national unity, Iran has moved forward step by step, and now our country is recognized as one with the capacity for industrial-scale fuel cycle production for peaceful purposes.
Unfortunately, the Security Council, in dealing with this obvious legal issue, was influenced by some bullying powers and failed to uphold justice and protect the rights of the Iranian people.
Fortunately, the IAEA has recently tried to regain its legal role as supporter of the rights of its members while supervising nuclear activities. We see this as a correct approach adopted by the agency.
Previously, they illegally insisted on politicizing the Iranian nation's nuclear case, but today, because of the resistance of the Iranian nation, the issue is back to the agency.
And I officially announce that in our opinion the nuclear issue of Iran is now closed and has turned into an ordinary agency matter.
Today, many important questions have been raised about the nuclear activities of certain powers within the IAEA which should be dealt with properly.
Of course, Iran has always been and will be prepared to have constructive talks with all parties. I would like to thank all the nations and countries that during this difficult period defended the legal rights of my nation and motherland. And I also want to appreciate the members of the Non-Aligned Movement, our friends in the Security Council and the IAEA's Board of Governors, the committed and law-abiding experts of the agency, and its director general, for their standing by the law.
AHMADINEJAD (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): I would also like to announce that, unlike the monopolistic powers, the Iranian nation is ready to offer to other members its experiences in the form of educational programs and based on its obligations under the agency's statue and under its supervision.
Now I would like to address those who have shown hostility toward the Iranian nation for about five years, offended and accused my people who have contributed to the history and civilization of the world. And I advise them to learn from history and their recent actions.
They badly mistreated the great Iranian nation, but they should be careful not to inflict the same on other members of international organizations and not to sacrifice the dignity of international organizations for the sake of their unlawful wishes.
Today, the nations of the world are wide awake and resistant. If you reform yourself, the world, the whole world will be reformed. Nations are inherently good and can coexist peacefully. Those powers should endeavor to serve their own people, others do not need them.
Is it not high time for these powers to return from the path of arrogance and obedience to Satan to the path of faith in God? Would they not like to be cleansed of the impurities, submit to the will of God and believe in him?
Faith in God means believing in honesty, purity, justice and compassion for others. They can be certain that they will benefit from purity, honesty, justice, and loving and respecting the human dignity.
They can also be certain that such values are more and more considered appropriate, valuable and beautiful by the nations of the world.
AHMADINEJAD (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): This is the invitation of all the divine prophets, from Adam to Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus Christ, and Mohammed, peace be upon up him. If they accept this invitation, they will be saved. And if they don't, the same calamities that befell the people of distant past will befall them, as well.
According to the Holy Koran, one who does not answer the divine call should not think that he has weakened God on earth. He has no companion but God and he is clearly engulfed by darkness. They have nothing of their own and cannot escape from the dominion of the rule of God and his will.
In this important gathering, I have to remind them of the following words of the almighty which has been mentioned in the Holy Koran. Do they not look at the powers and governments which came before them? If the people of the past had actually possessed something, they would have kept it and would not have let you possess it now.
God destroyed them because of their sins and nobody could protect them against the will of god. These powers have to know that the thoughts and methods based on oppression and injustice are doomed to failure. Do they not see the signs of vigilance and resistance based on monotheism, philanthropy and the justice-seeking spirit of the nations of the world? Do they not notice that we are nearing the sunset of the time of empires? I hope that this invitation will have a practical answer.
Excellencies, peoples and governments are not obliged to obey the injustice of certain powers. These powers, because of the reasons already mentioned, have lost the competence to lead the world. I officially declare that the age of relations arising from the second World War, as well as the era of materialistic thoughts based on arrogance and domination, is well over now.
AHMADINEJAD (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): Humanity has passed a perilous precipice, and the age of monotheism, purity, affinity, respecting others, justice and true peace-loving has commenced.
It is a divine promise that the truth will be victorious and the Earth will be inherited by the righteous. You who are free, believers and the people of the world, put your trust in God.
You who crave high values, wherever you are, try to prepare the grounds for the fulfillment of this great divine promise by serving the people and seeking justice.
The era of darkness will end. Prisoners will return home. The occupied lands will be freed. Palestine and Iraq will be liberated from the domination of the occupiers. And the people of America and Europe will be free of the pressures exerted by the Zionists.
The tenderhearted and humanity-loving governments will replace the aggressive and domineering ones. Human dignity will be regained.
The pleasing aroma of justice will permeate the world, and people will live together in a brotherly and affectionate manner.
Striving in this way to surrender rule to the righteous and perfect human, the promised one, is indeed the final cure for the wounds of humanity, the solution of all problems and the establishment of love, beauty, justice and a dignified life all over the world.
This belief and endeavor is the key to unity and the constructive interaction among nations, countries, the people of the world and all the true justice seekers.
Without any doubt, the promised one who is the ultimate savior, along with Jesus Christ and other holy saviors, will come. In the company of all believers, justice seekers and benefactors, he will establish a bright future and fill the world with justice and duty.
This is the promise of God, therefore it will be fulfilled.
Come, let's play a part in the fulfillment of all this glory and duty. I wish for a bright future for all human beings and the dawn of the liberation of and freedom for all humans, and the rule of love and affection all around the world, as well as the elimination of oppression, hatred, and violence, a wish which I expect will be realized in the near future.
Thank you very much.
24.9.07
Why do Americans hate other people so much? Is it because Israel has taught them that everyone except Israel is a bad guy?
The only bad thing we see is an illegal state that murders people day in and day out, destroys their life and their culture, villifies and starves them and never stops whining about poor little Israel.
"Well, you have to appreciate we don't need a nuclear bomb. We don't need that. What need do we have for a bomb?" Ahmadinejad said in the "60 Minutes" interview taped in Iran on Thursday. "In political relations right now, the nuclear bomb is of no use. If it was useful it would have prevented the downfall of the Soviet Union." That's Ahmadinijad for you...a straight shooter, a kind and educated man, a man of faith and a man who knows how he will be remembered.
The only bad thing we see is an illegal state that murders people day in and day out, destroys their life and their culture, villifies and starves them and never stops whining about poor little Israel.
"Well, you have to appreciate we don't need a nuclear bomb. We don't need that. What need do we have for a bomb?" Ahmadinejad said in the "60 Minutes" interview taped in Iran on Thursday. "In political relations right now, the nuclear bomb is of no use. If it was useful it would have prevented the downfall of the Soviet Union." That's Ahmadinijad for you...a straight shooter, a kind and educated man, a man of faith and a man who knows how he will be remembered.
23.9.07
Nuclear Inspection on Israel NOW. THAT is what American's should be demanding from their, ahem, politicians.
22.9.07
Supplication for a
Reading in March
Last night my Allah
you brought to me
Spring Ulmer and thank you
for that, for bringing
a voice from the prisons
and killing fields
I have not seen before.
Last night my Allah
you told me a secret
about all of us
while she was reading
and the windows were open
without screens to filter
the sounds of the merry
making below in Brewery
Gulch, the sounds
of the Harley Davidsons
speeding off and the squealing,
drunken women and men.
Last night my Allah
you kept the gnats
from biting my flesh
so that the windows
could remain open
and cool my mighty thirst
for words and the outdoors.
Last night my Allah
you crept in through
the lips of an athiest
and told me that
we are the successful
and I thank you for that.
Last night my Allah
you hinted that Mr. Ali
would come here
in March and I said,
as I hoped, in'sha'allah.
My Allah, please do not
take Mr. Ali from this world
before March, I implore you.
Please my Allah do not
take me either until
I hear Mr. Ali speak
and have made my Haj.
Last night my Allah
the windows were open
and those you created
from clay and water
made laughter and chaos
and it bled into the room,
where the night
had overtaken the day.
And you put off the chastisement
for another day or another
year, put off the victory
so we could enjoy the loss
and the way it sounds
to our shell shaped ears
for just a bit more.
But please Allah do not
take Mr. Ali before March
and he stands on the stage
in Arizona and knows that I am here.
I want Mr. Ali to know
that I am here and that he came
as if to see only me
and tell me that he
knows about all of this.
My Allah I know two
of your secrets, I know
that there are no accidents
and that you created
the Sun after you created
the shadow. So please
do not take me before
my Haj and do not
take Mr. Ali before
he comes to visit me here.
On Supplications
Reading in March
Last night my Allah
you brought to me
Spring Ulmer and thank you
for that, for bringing
a voice from the prisons
and killing fields
I have not seen before.
Last night my Allah
you told me a secret
about all of us
while she was reading
and the windows were open
without screens to filter
the sounds of the merry
making below in Brewery
Gulch, the sounds
of the Harley Davidsons
speeding off and the squealing,
drunken women and men.
Last night my Allah
you kept the gnats
from biting my flesh
so that the windows
could remain open
and cool my mighty thirst
for words and the outdoors.
Last night my Allah
you crept in through
the lips of an athiest
and told me that
we are the successful
and I thank you for that.
Last night my Allah
you hinted that Mr. Ali
would come here
in March and I said,
as I hoped, in'sha'allah.
My Allah, please do not
take Mr. Ali from this world
before March, I implore you.
Please my Allah do not
take me either until
I hear Mr. Ali speak
and have made my Haj.
Last night my Allah
the windows were open
and those you created
from clay and water
made laughter and chaos
and it bled into the room,
where the night
had overtaken the day.
And you put off the chastisement
for another day or another
year, put off the victory
so we could enjoy the loss
and the way it sounds
to our shell shaped ears
for just a bit more.
But please Allah do not
take Mr. Ali before March
and he stands on the stage
in Arizona and knows that I am here.
I want Mr. Ali to know
that I am here and that he came
as if to see only me
and tell me that he
knows about all of this.
My Allah I know two
of your secrets, I know
that there are no accidents
and that you created
the Sun after you created
the shadow. So please
do not take me before
my Haj and do not
take Mr. Ali before
he comes to visit me here.
On Supplications
Live Video From Baghdad
This is one of my all time favorites. It is about how America (and Saudi Arabia who funds Al Qaeda) gave the little Iraqi kids cancer. Heartwarming.
This is one of my all time favorites. It is about how America (and Saudi Arabia who funds Al Qaeda) gave the little Iraqi kids cancer. Heartwarming.
I must have been born to a band of gypsies and adopted by kindly gringos.
Israel's DEATH JUNKIES to squeeze the life out of Gaza one megawatt and baby at a time:
"This Thursday, the Israeli cabinet's decision to declare the 8-kilometer-wide, 23km-long, arid Gaza Strip a "hostile territory" has started to be translated by facts on the ground."
Meanwhile, back in the bat lair, an Israeli independent death squad squashes a Palestinian kid like a bug. Go team, go bees!
What is Zionism you ask? A fool's mission, that is what it is.
21.9.07
Is Bisbee Arizona really the center of the universe? Yes, yes..it is.
Spring Ulmer live Friday night September 21 at 7:30 at the Central School Project in old Bisbee. Admission is free although donations are suggested. Go here to see some truly fantastic images of Spring and by Spring. I'm so lucky you know. Why me? Why not me!
October 5, David Meltzer and Michael Rothenberg at CSP for the pious admission price of 6 bucks (which would be 48 bits). Which is about six shavesandahaircuts down here.
Spring Ulmer live Friday night September 21 at 7:30 at the Central School Project in old Bisbee. Admission is free although donations are suggested. Go here to see some truly fantastic images of Spring and by Spring. I'm so lucky you know. Why me? Why not me!
October 5, David Meltzer and Michael Rothenberg at CSP for the pious admission price of 6 bucks (which would be 48 bits). Which is about six shavesandahaircuts down here.
Sunday Sermon
"There are times of famine and poverty coming, for all the nation as well as for each one of us...for no matter what you say, it is upon the soul that the body depends. How then, without heeding it, can one expect to have everything go right?"(...)"The point is the time has come for us to save our native land; the point is that by now our country is perishing not because of any invasion by nations speaking twenty alien tongues, but because of our own selves; the point is that, outside of a legitimate government, another government has formed itself, far more powerful than any legitimate one."--Dead Souls
"There are times of famine and poverty coming, for all the nation as well as for each one of us...for no matter what you say, it is upon the soul that the body depends. How then, without heeding it, can one expect to have everything go right?"(...)"The point is the time has come for us to save our native land; the point is that by now our country is perishing not because of any invasion by nations speaking twenty alien tongues, but because of our own selves; the point is that, outside of a legitimate government, another government has formed itself, far more powerful than any legitimate one."--Dead Souls
19.9.07
Ho hum, another Anti Syrian "lawmaker" (or breaker as the case may be) is killed in Sin el Fiel, a rather middlingish suburb in the Christian side of town. Ho hum, the obvious is never obvious especially when you consider the release last year of the murderous Geagea who is a Phlangist that planted a bomb amongst his own people in a Church on a nice Sunday morn in the good old days when the Zionist backed Christians were rolling in dough and cigars.
Interesting to note that because Nasrallah refuses to join the moronic forces of Siniora that seems to make him Syria's ally. It is exactly the other way around you know...people HOPE to be Nasrallah's ally. Lots of people hope that including the Al Saud family (who personally invited the man to make Haj last year under their protection but he had to refuse due to everyone's security) and the Americans. The Americans however know this is a silly hope because Nasrallah never joins anyone let alone Syria. He is the one who is joined and only when he allows it. When Hariri wanted to meet with Nasrallah (something Nasrallah seldom agrees to easily), Nasrallah planned to visit Rafik in his home but Rafik Hariri refused. Hariri felt it was his duty to travel to Nasrallah out of respect for him and out of caution.
Interesting to note that because Nasrallah refuses to join the moronic forces of Siniora that seems to make him Syria's ally. It is exactly the other way around you know...people HOPE to be Nasrallah's ally. Lots of people hope that including the Al Saud family (who personally invited the man to make Haj last year under their protection but he had to refuse due to everyone's security) and the Americans. The Americans however know this is a silly hope because Nasrallah never joins anyone let alone Syria. He is the one who is joined and only when he allows it. When Hariri wanted to meet with Nasrallah (something Nasrallah seldom agrees to easily), Nasrallah planned to visit Rafik in his home but Rafik Hariri refused. Hariri felt it was his duty to travel to Nasrallah out of respect for him and out of caution.
Upright in the Jungle
Ahae! My heart is heavy with the things that I do not understand. - Kipling
from the area and began
the toil of the intrepid -
the nonsense in the eyes
of the skeletal coupled
with the beautiful
problems of the living
which seldom turn around.
cri cri go the special papers
cri cri go the flames
Our babies. We teach
our babies about
this bone box
where we find
only more flames and papers.
The names we learned
were good enough
when our name
was just Adam, only Eve
in the goodly shade
of no goodbye or goodnight
where the soil was full
of seed and the intense
thrill of whispers
from the crawler
to the walkers.
It's the same old invitation:
come to me. But which one!
Ahae! My heart is heavy with the things that I do not understand. - Kipling
Qul: Koonoo h'ijaaratan aw h'adeedaa! -Is'raa, The Glorious Quran
We took a token of ourselffrom the area and began
the toil of the intrepid -
the nonsense in the eyes
of the skeletal coupled
with the beautiful
problems of the living
which seldom turn around.
cri cri go the special papers
cri cri go the flames
Our babies. We teach
our babies about
this bone box
where we find
only more flames and papers.
The names we learned
were good enough
when our name
was just Adam, only Eve
in the goodly shade
of no goodbye or goodnight
where the soil was full
of seed and the intense
thrill of whispers
from the crawler
to the walkers.
It's the same old invitation:
come to me. But which one!
**I discovered an interesting thing while searching for the exact Sura. I discovered that the Yusef translation calls this Sura "The Night Journey" when in fact the Sura is known as Israel or Is'raa. What gives? Yes, the Sura is about the night journey but as some of us know, a Sura is always about way more than its title.
18.9.07
Who is Judge Mukasey?
...a 9/11 co-conspirator no less!
Meanwhile in other news, Geraldo Rivera pledges to die saving Israel!
What next, the plague?
..and how about that US backed Christian Crusade against muslims in Somalia, Ethiopia and Eritrea?
...a 9/11 co-conspirator no less!
Meanwhile in other news, Geraldo Rivera pledges to die saving Israel!
What next, the plague?
..and how about that US backed Christian Crusade against muslims in Somalia, Ethiopia and Eritrea?
16.9.07
The Brits know 9/11 is a lie, so why do Americans like Bill Maher keep insisting that anyone who questions the veracity of the attack needs psychological help?
The truth tells itself you know and the great thing about truth is that it is composed of 100% "itself". A lie on the other hand can be anywhere from 1 to 100% fiction.
The truth tells itself you know and the great thing about truth is that it is composed of 100% "itself". A lie on the other hand can be anywhere from 1 to 100% fiction.
15.9.07
The Execution of Ahmad Mohsen Al-Skafi
At about five in the afternoon of Tuesday, July 3, 2007, troops of Colonel Yehuda Fuchs assassinated Ahmad Mohsen Al-Sfaki and declared the area near their crime a military zone in to hinder the access of journalists. All this happened in Lossah, a part of Eissa, a suburb in the south-west of Hebron near Wadi Taffouh in area H1 under the Palestinian control. Ahmad had gone to a nearby supermarket to buy chocolate and some sweets for Isra’a, his younger sister of age 4. The soldiers watched Ahmad on his way to the supermarket, and when he got out they showered him with 30 bullets and a grenade, which exploded in his abdomen, blowing out his intestines. The soldiers then sent their dogs to eat part of the body.
The IDF spokesperson invented lies and spread rumors in his press release. He said that Ahmad was playing with a toy gun which looked like a real one when the IDF shot him … That he ran away when the IDF soldiers asked him to stop … That the military commander sent his apologies to Palestinian officials after the IDF troops found out that the boy was holding a toy gun and not a real one …
At about five in the afternoon of Tuesday, July 3, 2007, troops of Colonel Yehuda Fuchs assassinated Ahmad Mohsen Al-Sfaki and declared the area near their crime a military zone in to hinder the access of journalists. All this happened in Lossah, a part of Eissa, a suburb in the south-west of Hebron near Wadi Taffouh in area H1 under the Palestinian control. Ahmad had gone to a nearby supermarket to buy chocolate and some sweets for Isra’a, his younger sister of age 4. The soldiers watched Ahmad on his way to the supermarket, and when he got out they showered him with 30 bullets and a grenade, which exploded in his abdomen, blowing out his intestines. The soldiers then sent their dogs to eat part of the body.
The IDF spokesperson invented lies and spread rumors in his press release. He said that Ahmad was playing with a toy gun which looked like a real one when the IDF shot him … That he ran away when the IDF soldiers asked him to stop … That the military commander sent his apologies to Palestinian officials after the IDF troops found out that the boy was holding a toy gun and not a real one …
14.9.07
The Supreme Leader of Iran
(Chief Justice of the Supreme
Court of Iran) mocks the US
"Today we are in a better political position compared to four to five years ago," he said. "We have moved forward economically and the spiritual preparedness and happiness of our nation has improved."
"A nation like ours, without an atomic bomb and not as wealthy as these other powerful governments, has foiled a whole series of their conspiracies and forced them to give up and withdraw," he added.
(Chief Justice of the Supreme
Court of Iran) mocks the US
"Today we are in a better political position compared to four to five years ago," he said. "We have moved forward economically and the spiritual preparedness and happiness of our nation has improved."
"A nation like ours, without an atomic bomb and not as wealthy as these other powerful governments, has foiled a whole series of their conspiracies and forced them to give up and withdraw," he added.
The Syrian response to Israeli air strikes has not yet come.
Yet the talk, talk, talk goes on. Yak, yak, yak.
Yet the talk, talk, talk goes on. Yak, yak, yak.
13.9.07
The Talmud and Jesus Christ (Isa, SA)
"It is a very serious argument," said Schaefer, who emphasizes that the rabbis' stories about Jesus were never intended as an attempt at historically accurate narrative. Rather, in the classic Talmudic style, they encode legal and theological argumentation in the form of sometimes-imaginative storytelling."
(Redacted)
"It is a very serious argument," said Schaefer, who emphasizes that the rabbis' stories about Jesus were never intended as an attempt at historically accurate narrative. Rather, in the classic Talmudic style, they encode legal and theological argumentation in the form of sometimes-imaginative storytelling."
(Redacted)
Oo!prah and the Color Green
"Despite the innumerable exploitative workings of the capitalist pyramid scheme which enable the obscene opulence of Oprah and her miniscule number of peers (while concurrently damning billions of others to live in varying degrees of economic misery), she certainly has no qualms. In fact, she gushes about her unconscionable accumulation of treasures."
A partially true and partially false article about a partially okay (overrated) philanthropist. It makes some seriously good points about meritocracy and false charity including this:
In a world where 30,000 children die of starvation each day, Oprah has elected to build a posh, luxurious academy equipped to educate a mere 152 girls. Winfrey’s scheme was such an abuse of resources that the South African government withdrew its support of the project.
"Despite the innumerable exploitative workings of the capitalist pyramid scheme which enable the obscene opulence of Oprah and her miniscule number of peers (while concurrently damning billions of others to live in varying degrees of economic misery), she certainly has no qualms. In fact, she gushes about her unconscionable accumulation of treasures."
A partially true and partially false article about a partially okay (overrated) philanthropist. It makes some seriously good points about meritocracy and false charity including this:
In a world where 30,000 children die of starvation each day, Oprah has elected to build a posh, luxurious academy equipped to educate a mere 152 girls. Winfrey’s scheme was such an abuse of resources that the South African government withdrew its support of the project.
12.9.07
Al Moqawama
(The Resistance)
We have to embrace the idea that we are the leaders we are looking for. - Grace Lee Boggs
By Allah, if I see that on one side is the truth and on the other side all the rest of the people I, without caring and paying heed to those reproaching me, will fight all alone with my sword, on the way and path of the right, against them. - Emir Ali ibn Abi Taleb, pbuh.
War is not the time for poetry -
that is for the evenings
of old men in other lands
who ring the bells with the hope
to commute their sentence
and barter time
with the ancients in senate.
Dare I say that?
But we are steadfast
at heart and know
a warning has to find
the warned, has to abandon
the bles-sed for a while.
A warner has to call
the laggers to the front
one by one in order
to cut them down
or send them off.
We prayed on those nights
for ourselves. We prayed
for the ones who crawled
through the fields
on their bellies.
We watched the skies
and hoped the bombs
might be jubilations.
They weren't.
The tarmac and the dairy,
every single bridge gone.
The last long drive through
abandoned streets
- past stockpiles
of the rice and metal
left by on the other
side of the sea -
never really ends
once it begins.
The bitterness of translation
is the joy of understanding,
and vice versa.
There will be more of this.
(The Resistance)
We have to embrace the idea that we are the leaders we are looking for. - Grace Lee Boggs
By Allah, if I see that on one side is the truth and on the other side all the rest of the people I, without caring and paying heed to those reproaching me, will fight all alone with my sword, on the way and path of the right, against them. - Emir Ali ibn Abi Taleb, pbuh.
War is not the time for poetry -
that is for the evenings
of old men in other lands
who ring the bells with the hope
to commute their sentence
and barter time
with the ancients in senate.
Dare I say that?
But we are steadfast
at heart and know
a warning has to find
the warned, has to abandon
the bles-sed for a while.
A warner has to call
the laggers to the front
one by one in order
to cut them down
or send them off.
We prayed on those nights
for ourselves. We prayed
for the ones who crawled
through the fields
on their bellies.
We watched the skies
and hoped the bombs
might be jubilations.
They weren't.
The tarmac and the dairy,
every single bridge gone.
The last long drive through
abandoned streets
- past stockpiles
of the rice and metal
left by on the other
side of the sea -
never really ends
once it begins.
The bitterness of translation
is the joy of understanding,
and vice versa.
There will be more of this.
11.9.07
10.9.07
Fake Videos of the long
dead Osama bin Laden
(Heh...I'll never forget the time they hired the princess of Kuwait to play Nurse Ratchet and throw some babies out of incubators..that one was great!)
Dajjal (the king of the liars) will say to their followers, "If I kill this person and then revive him, you people will still doubt me?"
They will reply, "No."
He will then kill this person, (according to another narration he will split this person in two) and thereafter revive him. This person will say, "I am totally convinced more than ever before that you definitely are Dajjal."
Dajjal will attempt to kill this person again but his efforts will now be in vain.
(According to a hadith, after this incident, Dajjal will not be able to harm anyone.)
The Thermohaline Saline
Pump in the Quran
"The CSIRO team analyzed thousands of temperature and salinity data samples collected between 1950 and 2002 by research ships, robotic ocean monitors and satellites between 60 degrees south, just north of the Antarctic Circle, and the Equator.
“They identified linkages between these gyres to form a global-scale ’supergyre’ that transfers water to all three ocean basins,” the CSIRO said."
[25.53] And He it is Who has made two seas to flow freely, the one sweet that subdues thirst by its sweetness, and the other salt that burns by its saltness; and between the two He has made a barrier and inviolable obstruction.
[27.61] Or, Who made the earth a restingplace, and made in it rivers, and raised on it mountains and placed between the two seas a barrier. Is there a god with Allah? Nay! most of them do not know!
[81:6}When the oceans boil over with a swell;
[24;40}Or (the unbelievers’ state) is like the darkness in a deep sea. It is covered by waves, above which are waves, above which are clouds.Darknesses, one above another. If a man stretches out his hand, he
cannot see it....
Pump in the Quran
"The CSIRO team analyzed thousands of temperature and salinity data samples collected between 1950 and 2002 by research ships, robotic ocean monitors and satellites between 60 degrees south, just north of the Antarctic Circle, and the Equator.
“They identified linkages between these gyres to form a global-scale ’supergyre’ that transfers water to all three ocean basins,” the CSIRO said."
[25.53] And He it is Who has made two seas to flow freely, the one sweet that subdues thirst by its sweetness, and the other salt that burns by its saltness; and between the two He has made a barrier and inviolable obstruction.
[27.61] Or, Who made the earth a restingplace, and made in it rivers, and raised on it mountains and placed between the two seas a barrier. Is there a god with Allah? Nay! most of them do not know!
[81:6}When the oceans boil over with a swell;
[24;40}Or (the unbelievers’ state) is like the darkness in a deep sea. It is covered by waves, above which are waves, above which are clouds.Darknesses, one above another. If a man stretches out his hand, he
cannot see it....
"There are people who worship Allah to gain His Favors, this is the worship of traders; while there are some who worship Him to keep themselves free from His Wrath, this is the worship of slaves; a few who obey Him out' of their sense of gratitude and obligations, this is the worship of free and noble men." - Ali ibn Abi Taleb, pbuh the Gate and Lion of Islam.
9.9.07
Al-Moqawama
(The Resistance)
We have to embrace the idea that we are the leaders we are looking for. - Grace Lee Boggs
By Allah, if I see that on one side is the truth and on the other side all the rest of the people I, without caring and paying heed to those reproaching me, will fight all alone with my sword, on the way and path of the right, against them. - Emir Ali ibn Abi Taleb, pbuh.
War is not the time
for poetry -
that is for the evenings
of old men in other lands
who ring the bells
to commute their sentence,
those who barter time
with the ancients in senate.
Dare I say that?
But I am a fighter
at heart and know
a warning has to find
the warned, has to abandon
the bles-sed for a while.
A warner has to call
the laggers to the front
one by one in order
to cut them down
or lift them up.
We prayed on those nights
for ourselves. We prayed
for the ones who crawled
through the fields
on their bellies.
We watched the skies
and hoped the bombs
might be jubilations.
They weren't.
The tarmac and the dairy,
every single bridge gone.
The long drive through
abandoned streets
and the stockpile
of rice in the big
drama of flight.
The bitterness of translation
is the joy of understanding,
and vice versa.
There will be more of this.
8.9.07
A Series of Unfortunate Events:
The first chapter. The Second Chapter. The Third Chapter.
Why was William Cooper killed? I wasn't surprised really when he was killed only days after 9/11. Not at all...just take a look at the most important conspiracy theorist of our age. Reminds me of the "Al Qaeda" sponsored stabbing of this man in Tucson. Why? For unleashing the mathematical gematric proofs in the Quran of course. But why Don Bolles? His aunt Deedee was my aunt's neighbor. Nice Lady and nice monks.
What About Mars?
No more problems says the package
the cure came in, no more
warning labels and the price tag
no longer legible. It began
with flashy children and fast cars
then people started talking
about the leftover stuff
after the move out,
wondered what would happen
to the crystal ball and Japanese flag.
Where to put Mars now?
Whose house next?
The Catastrophes of Horses
I used to draw horses and thought
the worst thing that could ever happen
was one of them might fall down
while chasing down a tribe of Indians,
guns blazing, arrows flying.
No one taught me about the rest, the bad parts.
"They're just movies." They did
tell me that as I started to weep.
Next to Ginsberg
(in memory of Paul Johnson)
I sat next to Ginsberg in 1979,
saw King Fahed being ushered into the ER
wrapped in a pink blanket to disguise him,
he pee'd on my friend in the ICU.
Jack Nicholson ordered coffee from me once
at the Little America Truckstop in Flag,
a pack of cigarettes rolled up
in the sleeve of his black t-shirt
(then he started marrying waitresses).
I lived next door to a man that was
beheaded for building Apaches.
My husband ran into Gene Hackman at the Taj Majal
and Elvira let him encircle her for a picture
down in Atlanta at a convention.
Someone I know told me Goldie Hawn was real mean
in a five star hotel and Kurt was as handsome
as he was in The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes
(which I mistakenly called,
The Computer War Tennis Shoes)
and Steve Pearl told me the Dalai Lama would visit
the city park and I hoped to be able to pet him.
The first chapter. The Second Chapter. The Third Chapter.
Why was William Cooper killed? I wasn't surprised really when he was killed only days after 9/11. Not at all...just take a look at the most important conspiracy theorist of our age. Reminds me of the "Al Qaeda" sponsored stabbing of this man in Tucson. Why? For unleashing the mathematical gematric proofs in the Quran of course. But why Don Bolles? His aunt Deedee was my aunt's neighbor. Nice Lady and nice monks.
"In 1948 fifty two employees of Kemper Marley's Arizona liquor monopoly, UNITED LIQUOR, went to prison on federal liquor violations, including Jim Hensley, the father-in-law of Senator John McCain. Hensley was the General Manager of UNITED LIQUOR. On the basis of this, some people might feel UNITED LIQUOR could be described as organized crime. The slick attorney who kept Marley out of this trial and out of prison and sent McCain's father-in-law to prison in his place was William Rendquist ----currently the Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court."
What About Mars?
No more problems says the package
the cure came in, no more
warning labels and the price tag
no longer legible. It began
with flashy children and fast cars
then people started talking
about the leftover stuff
after the move out,
wondered what would happen
to the crystal ball and Japanese flag.
Where to put Mars now?
Whose house next?
The Catastrophes of Horses
I used to draw horses and thought
the worst thing that could ever happen
was one of them might fall down
while chasing down a tribe of Indians,
guns blazing, arrows flying.
No one taught me about the rest, the bad parts.
"They're just movies." They did
tell me that as I started to weep.
Next to Ginsberg
(in memory of Paul Johnson)
I sat next to Ginsberg in 1979,
saw King Fahed being ushered into the ER
wrapped in a pink blanket to disguise him,
he pee'd on my friend in the ICU.
Jack Nicholson ordered coffee from me once
at the Little America Truckstop in Flag,
a pack of cigarettes rolled up
in the sleeve of his black t-shirt
(then he started marrying waitresses).
I lived next door to a man that was
beheaded for building Apaches.
My husband ran into Gene Hackman at the Taj Majal
and Elvira let him encircle her for a picture
down in Atlanta at a convention.
Someone I know told me Goldie Hawn was real mean
in a five star hotel and Kurt was as handsome
as he was in The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes
(which I mistakenly called,
The Computer War Tennis Shoes)
and Steve Pearl told me the Dalai Lama would visit
the city park and I hoped to be able to pet him.
6.9.07
More Big Fat Lies About Israeli POWs versus Arab POWs
"There is also outright suppression. The current sharp escalation of violence began after the Hamas capture of Corporal Gilad Shalit on June 25, and the capture of two Israeli soldiers on the Israel-Lebanon border on July 12. Each case elicited enormous outrage in the US, and strong support for very harsh Israeli retaliation. On June 24, Israeli forces
kidnapped two Gaza civilians, the Muammar brothers, a far worse crime."
Noam Chomsky at Znet
"There is also outright suppression. The current sharp escalation of violence began after the Hamas capture of Corporal Gilad Shalit on June 25, and the capture of two Israeli soldiers on the Israel-Lebanon border on July 12. Each case elicited enormous outrage in the US, and strong support for very harsh Israeli retaliation. On June 24, Israeli forces
kidnapped two Gaza civilians, the Muammar brothers, a far worse crime."
Noam Chomsky at Znet
4.9.07
[14.42] And do not think Allah to be heedless of what the unjust do; He only respites them to a day on which the eyes shall be fixedly open,
This guy is so funny..."What's going on?"
He has disabled embedding...wants to sell the video I'm sure. Who could blame him!
[21.97] And the true promise shall draw nigh, then lo! the eyes of those who disbelieved shall be fixedly open: O woe to us! surely we were m a state of heedlessness as to this; nay, we were unjust.
This guy is so funny..."What's going on?"
He has disabled embedding...wants to sell the video I'm sure. Who could blame him!
[21.97] And the true promise shall draw nigh, then lo! the eyes of those who disbelieved shall be fixedly open: O woe to us! surely we were m a state of heedlessness as to this; nay, we were unjust.
The Conspiracy of Silence.
...and how about that lie called the cruciFICTION?
[4.171] O followers of the Book! do not exceed the limits in your religion, and do not speak (lies) against Allah, but (speak) the truth; the Messiah, Isa son of Marium is only an apostle of Allah and His Word which He communicated to Marium and a spirit from Him; believe therefore in Allah and His apostles, and say not, Three. Desist, it is better for you; Allah is only one God; far be It from His glory that He should have a son, whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth is His, and Allah is sufficient for a Protector.
...and how about that lie called the cruciFICTION?
[4.171] O followers of the Book! do not exceed the limits in your religion, and do not speak (lies) against Allah, but (speak) the truth; the Messiah, Isa son of Marium is only an apostle of Allah and His Word which He communicated to Marium and a spirit from Him; believe therefore in Allah and His apostles, and say not, Three. Desist, it is better for you; Allah is only one God; far be It from His glory that He should have a son, whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth is His, and Allah is sufficient for a Protector.
Warning to the Warned
"If you, the Zionists, are considering attacking Lebanon, I am reserving a surprise for you that will change the fate of the war and the region." - Sayyid Hassan Nasrallah, in a speech marking the end of last year`s war with “Israel”.
"We have to take Nasrallah seriously. He has never lied." - Benjamin Ben-Eliezer, infrastructure minister and member of “Israel’s” security cabinet, in reference to his speech.
A Jew laments over the criminal history of Ziofascism. because he read: This Book. A little too little a little too late though if you know what I mean. What is Zionism...yeah right. What morons.
"If you, the Zionists, are considering attacking Lebanon, I am reserving a surprise for you that will change the fate of the war and the region." - Sayyid Hassan Nasrallah, in a speech marking the end of last year`s war with “Israel”.
"We have to take Nasrallah seriously. He has never lied." - Benjamin Ben-Eliezer, infrastructure minister and member of “Israel’s” security cabinet, in reference to his speech.
A Jew laments over the criminal history of Ziofascism. because he read: This Book. A little too little a little too late though if you know what I mean. What is Zionism...yeah right. What morons.
Darwin is Dead.
Ben Stein in Expelled.
and
Dust comes to Life.
and
Truth comes to Fiction
plus
So far, 66% of those who responded to an online MSNBC poll believe that 9/11 hasn't been investigated properly. Of course...the real question that this poll should ask is, "Do you think it is a coverup?"
Ben Stein in Expelled.
and
Dust comes to Life.
and
Truth comes to Fiction
plus
So far, 66% of those who responded to an online MSNBC poll believe that 9/11 hasn't been investigated properly. Of course...the real question that this poll should ask is, "Do you think it is a coverup?"
3.9.07
Iranian intellectual imprisoned in Iran and charged with aiding and abetting the Republican Party in the US in their failing attempt to establish the New World Order in the third world is released, returns to US.
The end of the Siege at Cold River ....In'sha'allah.
As one Shi'i cleric interviewed by Christiane Amanpour stated: "We (the Shia) believe terrorists will burn in hell."
As one Shi'i cleric interviewed by Christiane Amanpour stated: "We (the Shia) believe terrorists will burn in hell."
Meghan O'Rourke on Ashbery,
MTV Poet Laureate
"Notice, too, that Ashbery frequently substitutes an unexpected word for a familiar one—"the bee's hymn," say, rather than "the bee's hum." Ashbery, who cut his teeth on the surrealists and the Dadaist poets—Tristan Tzara, Guillaume Apollinaire—as well as Elizabeth Bishop and Wallace Stevens, is trying to renovate a language that to him seems exhausted and cliché-riddled."
MTV Poet Laureate
"Notice, too, that Ashbery frequently substitutes an unexpected word for a familiar one—"the bee's hymn," say, rather than "the bee's hum." Ashbery, who cut his teeth on the surrealists and the Dadaist poets—Tristan Tzara, Guillaume Apollinaire—as well as Elizabeth Bishop and Wallace Stevens, is trying to renovate a language that to him seems exhausted and cliché-riddled."
TIT WEAR
Aha! It is true.
Babies learn how to dress from their parents. Imagine my surprise!
Fear and Loathing at Reed
No wonder muslim soldiers don't drink! But hey, just think of all the US poets we'll have in ten or twenty years committing suicide!
Aha! It is true.
Babies learn how to dress from their parents. Imagine my surprise!
Fear and Loathing at Reed
No wonder muslim soldiers don't drink! But hey, just think of all the US poets we'll have in ten or twenty years committing suicide!
1.9.07
Upcoming in 4am Poetry Review is Jude Goodwin who can be found at the Waters and was shortlisted in the Guardian's online poetry workshop for her poem Fishing Boats on the Beach at Saintes-Maries-De-La-Mer which utilizes the ever popular ekphrasis which is a means of using a poem to translate the visual arts into the spoken.
Ms. Goodwin has won several notices for her unusual style and not too dry but just dry enough wit. Here at the Crescent Moon Journal's poetry ezine, she takes first prize for the poem With Your Dry Lips which demonstrates her virtuoso use of the word tsunami.
I first noticed Ms. Goodwin at The Gazebo. It is hard not to notice her poetry really as she uses the personal to translate the universal. There is a little something Jude in every one of her poems as well as large swathes of the epic of life, the kind of thing that takes you from the simple to the grand in less than fifty lines which is much easier said than done.
You can find Jude in so many places but how about here at the local Squamish Writers Group blog? Any place called Squamish ought to have a writers group. As far as place names go I'd say Squamish is about as literary as it gets. Ms. Goodwin runs her own paper called What's On Squamish and freelances as an illustrator and webpage designer.
Ms. Goodwin has work upcoming in The Shit Creek Review, Pedestal, Lock Haven Review, Cider Press Review, Boxcar and The Burnside Review.
Here is a little poem in waiting I lifted from the Gazebo where Jude is often found deliberating her work:
Dammit!
Someone left the window open
and now the cushions are soaked.
It's last year's rain.
The interior light is on too.
No matter how she twists things
the evidence is on the ceiling.
Her face is wet and the battery will probably
run down. She'll forget as usual
and leave the house at the very last minute,
thumb marking its place in her monogrammed agenda,
Wednesday's wine rusting on her tongue.
She'll never suspect loss. That's what it's like.
A turn of the key and silence. No point
in trying again. But of course she does.
Morning opens its red throat
and clicks.
4am is published annually, 20-40 pages, digest-sized, perfect-bound, cardstock cover with photo, 200 press run. Previously published poems, no. Simultaneous submissions, yes, with notice. Submissions are read all year, response is given within 6 months of submission deadlines, time between acceptance and publication is up to a year, pays 2 contributor's copies, acquires first rights. I am also seeking submissions of photos or artwork for cover consideration - B&W, no people. email with inquiries.
Ms. Goodwin has won several notices for her unusual style and not too dry but just dry enough wit. Here at the Crescent Moon Journal's poetry ezine, she takes first prize for the poem With Your Dry Lips which demonstrates her virtuoso use of the word tsunami.
I first noticed Ms. Goodwin at The Gazebo. It is hard not to notice her poetry really as she uses the personal to translate the universal. There is a little something Jude in every one of her poems as well as large swathes of the epic of life, the kind of thing that takes you from the simple to the grand in less than fifty lines which is much easier said than done.
You can find Jude in so many places but how about here at the local Squamish Writers Group blog? Any place called Squamish ought to have a writers group. As far as place names go I'd say Squamish is about as literary as it gets. Ms. Goodwin runs her own paper called What's On Squamish and freelances as an illustrator and webpage designer.
Ms. Goodwin has work upcoming in The Shit Creek Review, Pedestal, Lock Haven Review, Cider Press Review, Boxcar and The Burnside Review.
Here is a little poem in waiting I lifted from the Gazebo where Jude is often found deliberating her work:
Dammit!
Someone left the window open
and now the cushions are soaked.
It's last year's rain.
The interior light is on too.
No matter how she twists things
the evidence is on the ceiling.
Her face is wet and the battery will probably
run down. She'll forget as usual
and leave the house at the very last minute,
thumb marking its place in her monogrammed agenda,
Wednesday's wine rusting on her tongue.
She'll never suspect loss. That's what it's like.
A turn of the key and silence. No point
in trying again. But of course she does.
Morning opens its red throat
and clicks.
...I'd say that is about right.
Viva La British Columbia!
4am is published annually, 20-40 pages, digest-sized, perfect-bound, cardstock cover with photo, 200 press run. Previously published poems, no. Simultaneous submissions, yes, with notice. Submissions are read all year, response is given within 6 months of submission deadlines, time between acceptance and publication is up to a year, pays 2 contributor's copies, acquires first rights. I am also seeking submissions of photos or artwork for cover consideration - B&W, no people. email with inquiries.
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