Tehran Times
Iran, Indonesia sign deal on $5b refinery
JAKARTA (AFX) – PT Elnusa has stated that it expects to soon secure the participation of investors needed to complete a $5 billion oil refinery project it plans to build jointly with a subsidiary of the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC).
Elnusa's advisor, Global Union Energy Ventures Ltd, will be scouting for investors until June 30, Elnusa announced in a presentation paper.
It said Global Union will invite Middle East crude producers, as well as fuel buyers in the Southeast Asian region, Japan, South Korea, and China to join the project.
On Wednesday, Elnusa and the National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Company (NIORDC) signed a memorandum of understanding to build the refinery. The deal came as Iran’s President Mahmud Ahmadinejad was in Indonesia on a five-day trip.
http://www.tehrantimes.com/Description.asp?Da=5/11/2006&Cat=9&Num=018
5+1 plus one
By Parviz Esmaeili
Before the foreign ministers of the UN Security Council's five permanent members plus Germany met on Monday, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice had expressed hope that her guests would be flexible on a U.S.-backed resolution against Iran under Chapter 7 of the UN Charter.
French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy announced after the meeting that the EU 3 (Britain, Germany, and France) would draw up a new proposal, including incentive and punitive mechanisms, to convince Iran to halt its uranium enrichment.
Although Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov expressed strong opposition to dealing with the dispute over Iran’s nuclear program under Chapter 7 of the UN Charter, he said of the outcome of the meeting that the 5+1 group intends to enter into direct talks with Tehran over its nuclear dossier, and this includes the United States, too.
http://www.tehrantimes.com/Description.asp?Da=5/11/2006&Cat=14&Num=001
Iran's nuclear program: The way out
By Hassan Rowhani
A nuclear weaponized Iran destabilizes the region, prompts a regional arms race, and wastes the scarce resources in the region. And taking account of U.S. nuclear arsenal and its policy of ensuring a strategic edge for Israel, an Iranian bomb will accord Iran no security dividends. There are also some Islamic and developmental reasons why Iran as an Islamic and developing state must not develop and use weapons of mass destruction.
Three years of robust inspection of Iranian nuclear and non-nuclear facilities by the IAEA inspectors led Dr. ElBaradei to conclude and certify that to date there are no indications of any diversion of nuclear material and activities toward making a bomb. At the same time, ElBaradei has pointed out that the IAEA cannot certify that Iran's program is exclusively peaceful. But the fact is that few among many states with a nuclear program have received such a clean bill of health from the IAEA. Such certification by the IAEA does and should take time and effort. Iran is prepared and willing to invest the time and effort necessary to receive the IAEA clean bill of health. The IAEA is also ready to pursue its investigation of Iran's nuclear activities. So should the states that have concern about it.
http://www.tehrantimes.com/Description.asp?Da=5/11/2006&Cat=2&Num=015
New York warned to prepare for hurricanes
NEW YORK (Reuters) -- A hurricane with only moderate intensity could wreak havoc in New York City because it has been years since the nation's financial center faced severe weather, government forecasters warned.
"The first time we get hit here with a Category 2, it's going to be disastrous," said meteorologist Michael Wyllie of the National Weather Service, referring to the scale used to rate hurricane strength. Wyllie said powerful storms have missed New York in recent years, unlike parts of the Gulf Coast, where periodic storms "thin out the trees and the buildings."
Gloria, the last big storm to hit the New York area, caused about $900 million in economic losses along the East Coast in 1985, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. "It's not like we can all run down to Home Depot and pick up these two-by-fours to board up windows," said John Koch, lead forecaster at the NWS forecast office in New York. "What we want people to do is know what they are going to do with their family and their pets."
http://www.tehrantimes.com/Description.asp?Da=5/11/2006&Cat=7&Num=012
The Jakarta Post
Booming pulp mills pose threat to tropical forests
BANGKOK (AP): A shortage of wood to fuel growing demand from pulp and paper mills worldwide is forcing some companies to tap illegal sources while others are clear-cutting tropical forests, a leading conservation group charged Thursday.
In an eight-year study, the Indonesia-based Center for International Forestry Research, or CIFOR, also found that international investors have sunk US$40 billion worldwide into "financially risky and environmentally destructive" projects with little concern for their sustainability.
"Financial institutions have shown a surprising lack of interest in understanding how the pulp companies requesting loans are going to get all this cheap wood," said David Kaimowitz, director general of CIFOR.
http://www.thejakartapost.com/detaillgen.asp?fileid=20060511164544&irec=0
Democracy too precious a gift to sacrifice
Dwi Atmanta, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
April 30 was a Sunday but it was not a day of relaxation for the people of Tuban -- and the rest of the nation might feel the same.
Tension gripped Tuban, situated on the northern coast of East Java, the day after a mob burned down the regional elections commission office and property owned by Regent Haeny Relawati, who should have been celebrating her successful reelection bid.
Police announced the arsonists were upset by Haeny's victory over their preferred candidates, Noor Nahar Hussein and his running mate Go Tjong Ping, in an election they claimed was unfair.
http://www.thejakartapost.com/detailheadlines.asp?fileid=20060511.A01&irec=0
Soeharto case 'to be dropped'
M. Taufiqurrahman and Tony Hotland, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Plans to prosecute former president Sohaerto for corruption "will be dropped", State Secretary Yusril Ihza Mahendra said following a meeting late Wednesday at the Presidential office.
With doctors at the Pertamina Hospital reporting Soeharto's health was improving, a meeting took place between President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Vice President Jusuf Kalla with People's Consultative Assembly Hidayat Nur Wahid, House of Representatives Speaker Agung Laksono, Regional Representative Council head Ginanjar Kartasasmita, Supreme Court Chief Justice Bagir Manan, Supreme Audit Agency chairman Anwar Nasution, Attorney General Abdul Rahman Saleh, Indonesian Military Commander Air Chief Marshal Djoko Suyanto, National Police chief Gen. Sutanto and several Cabinet members.
Speaking shortly before midnight, Yusril said the options regarding Soeharto included granting amnesty and halting all investigations into corruption charges.
http://www.thejakartapost.com/detailheadlines.asp?fileid=20060511.@01&irec=1
Activists hail RI's inclusion on rights body
Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Activists in Jakarta welcomed Indonesia's election to the newly established United Nations Human Rights Council on Wednesday and called for the government to further improve rights protection in the country.
Calling the election a success, noted human rights campaigner Todung Mulya Lubis said Indonesia's election showed the international community appreciated the country's commitment to improving human rights.
"(However) the government must take concrete action (on human rights) otherwise it will lose credibility," he told The Jakarta Post here Wednesday.
At a Tuesday session, the UN General Assembly elected Indonesia along with 46 other nations to the council, which replaces the old UN Human Rights Commission.
http://www.thejakartapost.com/detailheadlines.asp?fileid=20060511.B01&irec=2
Iranian president courts Indonesian support
Tony Hotland and Rendi Akhmad Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Wednesday sought Indonesian support for his country's controversial nuclear program, saying Western opposition would not dissuade Iran from pursuing its right to nuclear technology.
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who leads the country with the world's largest Muslim population and which recently renewed full military ties with the United States, used the meeting to propose a new forum to revive stalled talks over Iran's nuclear program.
President Yudhoyono said, "Indonesia believes that Iran's peaceful use of nuclear technology and other related issues can be resolved through diplomatic negotiations by involving more parties at the international level."
http://www.thejakartapost.com/detailheadlines.asp?fileid=20060511.@02&irec=4
Porn bill protesters get second wind
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Some 5,000 people under the banner of The Nationalist Network will take to the streets Thursday in another protest against the pornography bill.
They will start marching from the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle in Central Jakarta, passing through Semanggi flyover toward the House of Representatives in South Jakarta.
While the porn bill is still being deliberated at the House of Representatives, with some revisions made, many groups -- particularly artists and people interested in the study of culture -- are still trying to convince the House to drop the bill, saying it would deny the people freedom of expression.
http://www.thejakartapost.com/detailheadlines.asp?fileid=20060511.A04&irec=7
The San Francisco Chronicle
Goodbye! Six old series are in their final days. We say a fond farewell to some, and tell the others to let the door hit them on the way out.
Rarely do television series retire before they're supposed to -- there are no accurate sell-by dates in this business. And that makes saying goodbye to them often more bitter than sweet, at least for critics.
A hit show is such a rarity on television when you think about the numbers (at least an 80 percent failure rate, historically, for new series, and most series struggle to make it past Season 3 with decent ratings). But once a series is in the stratosphere, loved by all or most, emotions become more complicated. What normally happens is a hit show leaves one or two (or five) seasons after it should have, creatively. But networks and, in turn, producers and stars, have a hard time giving up the perch and the perks. A network doesn't like to walk away from a former hit series unless the ratings are in a steep decline.
By the time the much-hyped farewell episode rolls around -- the series finale instead of the season finale -- the show itself often seems like a distant cousin overstaying a welcome. It's difficult, in that moment, to recall all the reasons you loved it in the first place.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/05/10/DDGL1INV451.DTL
Governor's plan gives $5.7 billion to schools
Increase would settle suit brought by teachers union
Sacramento -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, looking to reach detente with the education lobby that helped sink his special election agenda last year, will propose spending $5.7 billion more on schools to settle a lawsuit that accused him of shortchanging schools in the past.
The substantial increase in school funding also comes from a surge of unexpected tax revenue that rolled into state coffers this year.
When the final budget is signed this year, schools would get an immediate infusion of $2 billion under the agreement. Another $2.9 billion would be paid out over seven years to improve academic performance in lower-performing schools, according to educators briefed on the governor's plans and high-ranking Schwarzenegger administration officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
Schwarzenegger will release his revised budget plan for the 2006-07 fiscal year Friday.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/05/11/SCHOOLS.TMP
BERKELEY
Troubles on Telegraph
Closure of Cody's is only one of signs of 'The Ave's' decline
The closure of Cody's Books on Berkeley's Telegraph Avenue is the latest, and perhaps sharpest, blow to a famed but increasingly troubled area renowned for its intense pedestrian traffic, youth-oriented businesses, colorful street vendors and vagrants.
Business owners, city leaders and UC Berkeley officials say things have hit a disturbing low on "The Ave,'' where the commercial vacancy rate is approaching 15 percent and last year's sales tax receipts were 30 percent below what they were in 1990 when adjusted for inflation - the sharpest decline of any business district in the city.
"Sales are horrible right now," said Al Geyer, founder of Annapurna, an eclectic store that's been on Telegraph since 1968 and offers an array of goods ranging from pipes to spiritual music to sex toys. "I don't think anybody is making any money."
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/05/11/TELEGRAPH.TMP
Internet Agency Rejects Xxx Domain Name
Faced with opposition from conservative groups and some pornography Web sites, the Internet's key oversight agency voted Wednesday to reject a proposal to create a red-light district on the Internet.
The decision from the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers reverses its preliminary approval last June to create a ".xxx" domain name for voluntary use by the adult entertainment industry.
Paul Twomey, ICANN'S chief executive, said the decision largely came down to whether by creating an "xxx" domain ICANN might be put in a position of having to enforce all of the world's laws governing pornography.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2006/05/10/financial/f173401D38.DTL&type=tech
A 3rd President Bush? First 2 All for It
Could there be a third President Bush? The current chief said Wednesday that younger brother Jeb would make a great one, too, and has asked him about making a run. The first President Bush likes the idea as well.
Jeb Bush, the Republican governor of Florida, has one asset that his presidential brother doesn't right now — approval from most of his constituents. While George W. Bush's approval ratings are in the low 30s, some 55 percent of Florida voters surveyed last month by Quinnipiac University said Jeb was doing a good job.
The governor has repeatedly said he won't be a candidate for president in 2008, but that doesn't stop his family from encouraging him to go for it some day.
"I would like to see Jeb run at some point in time, but I have no idea if that's his intention or not," the president said in an interview with Florida reporters, according to an account on the St. Petersburg Times Web site.
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2006/05/10/national/w125735D27.DTL
Bring On The $6 Gallon Of Gas
It would revolutionize America. It would make us all better humans. But could you handle it?
No wait, not six. To hell with that. Make it 10. Ten bucks a gallon, no matter what the going rate for a barrel of light sweet crude. That would so completely, violently, brilliantly do it. Revolutionize the country. Firebomb our pungent stasis. Change everything. Don't you agree?
Here's what we could do: Give gas discounts to cab drivers (at least initially) and metro transit systems and low-income folks, those who have to drive their busted-up '78 Honda Civics to their jobs scrubbing restaurant toilets and flipping burgers and vacuuming the residual cocaine from the seat cushions of numb SUV owners. Everyone else, 10 bucks a gallon, across the board. Eleven for premium.
It would take some finessing. Maybe also give a price break to some truckers and trucking companies (so vital to the overall economy), but not so much to global delivery companies (FedEx, DSL et al.), because not doing so would force them to raise shipping rates and force you (and me) to reconsider buying everything online and hence will encourage you to shop locally once again, thus reviving a stagnant local economy.
http://www.sfgate.com/columnists/morford/
SAN FRANCISCO
Lawyer calls BALCO leaks a moot issue
National security not involved and case is over, she says
Unlike a New York Times reporter who was jailed for refusing to disclose a confidential source, two Chronicle reporters who have been ordered to identify the source of leaked grand jury testimony aren't involved in a national security case. In fact, their lawyer says they're not involved in an ongoing case at all.
"The government's interest is learning who the whistle-blower is in a case that's over," said Eve Burton, general counsel for the Hearst Corp., as she prepared her opposition to subpoenas issued by federal prosecutors last Friday to the Hearst-owned newspaper and reporters Lance Williams and Mark Fainaru-Wada.
She was referring to the now-completed prosecution of Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative officials and others who admitted supplying illicit performance-enhancing drugs to top athletes. Williams and Fainaru-Wada used leaked testimony from the BALCO grand jury to write articles about Jason Giambi, Barry Bonds and other athletes.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/05/10/BAG1OIOPUI1.DTL
EDITORIAL
Stop the cycle of violence
OUTRAGE HAS rightly surfaced over last week's brutal murder of 22-year-old Terrell Rollins, who was a homicide witness under city protection. But what about the circumstances that put him there?
Let's review the case for which Rollins was standing witness: Last September, Rollins watched his friend, 20-year-old Arkelylius Collins, go down in a hail of more than 30 rounds. The murder happened at 1:30 in the afternoon. The defendants were allegedly armed with rifles when they stepped out of their car and allegedly opened fire.
A 20-year-old was killed. More than 30 rounds were fired. It happened in public and in broad daylight.
What are we missing here? Where is the outrage over the Collins case, for which Rollins probably gave his life? Is this what the public has come to expect from the Bayview?
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2006/05/10/EDGDOIJKE51.DTL
'Perfect pick' for Bush
IT MAKES perfect sense for President Bush to nominate Gen. Michael V. Hayden as CIA director, no matter what the critics, including a surprising number of normally house-broken Republicans, have to say.
True, Hayden was in charge of the National Security Agency during the run-up to Sept.11, a massive terrorist attack which intelligence agencies are built to prevent. But remaining unflappably confident while getting it all wrong is a vital credential for the head of the CIA under this administration.
Recall that former CIA Director George Tenet was honored by Bush with the Medal of Freedom for dutifully pretending that the case for WMDs in Iraq was a "slam-dunk'' and politely taking the hit on Bush's infamous "16 word'' State of the Union lie about that African uranium.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2006/05/10/EDGQHIOURG1.DTL
EDITORIAL
Credit-card security
ONE OF the guiding principles of preventing identity theft is: Less is more. The less of your personal information that is floating around, the more security you enjoy.
For that reason, consumers should welcome legislation by state Sen. Debra Bowen, D-Marina del Rey, that would prohibit retailers and banks from including credit-card numbers on the receipts they keep after a transaction.
Many Californians may have noticed that the credit-card numbers have -- by law -- already been truncated or eliminated on the receipts they get at an ATM machine or gas station. Bowen's SB1699 would extend that law to the merchants' copies of receipts.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2006/05/10/EDGDOIJKE31.DTL
OPEN FORUM
No fear
A community can and must protect witnesses from attacks and intimidation
LAST THURSDAY, a courageous young man was murdered in San Francisco's Bayview neighborhood. Terrell Rollins was only 22 years old. Taking a stand against the violence in his community, he bravely came forward and testified about a murder he witnessed last year. He was relocated by my office as part of the Witness Protection Program. Tragically, he was assassinated by three masked men after leaving protection and returning to his neighborhood.
The death of this courageous young man is a profound loss to his family, his friends and our city. Our first priority is to hold accountable the masked men who committed this terrible crime. But we must also not allow their brazen act to intimidate other eyewitnesses from coming forward.
What is at stake is the basic right to live in a community free from violence. In a city as compassionate and creative as San Francisco, we cannot accept that zones of lethality exist in our city, and we cannot accept that victims and witnesses are being silenced. Over the long term, we must commit to the best crime prevention approach -- genuine economic opportunity in our most underserved neighborhoods.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2006/05/10/EDGDOIJKDN1.DTL
OPEN FORUM
Protect the bay -- and a neighborhood
THE REGIONAL Water Quality Control Board is scheduled to vote today on whether to accept the recommendation of its staff and approve a permit that would allow Mirant Corp. to continue operating its Potrero power plant in San Francisco out of compliance with environmental standards until June 30, 2011. The board should reject the permit.
Under its permit, Mirant's Potrero plant uses a "once-through" cooling system that every day sucks some 226 million gallons of water from San Francisco Bay, runs it through super-heated plant facilities, then returns it into the bay as scalding, polluted discharge. The adverse impact to the regional environment isn't limited to the fish and other organisms essential to the bay's ecosystem that are sucked into the plant, cooked alive, then spewed back. Mounting evidence additionally demonstrates that the Potrero plant's massive output in shallow water represents a significant environmental threat, too, stirring up polluted sediments laced with harmful levels of copper, dioxins, mercury, PCBs and other toxins, and dispersing them throughout the bay.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2006/05/10/EDG7RIOFF91.DTL
THE FEAR FACTOR
A tussle is playing out today in the streets and capitols of the United States, much like in 1964, with the fate of minorities perceived as outsiders hanging in the balance
Milwaukee is known as one of the more progressive cities in America. According to the Bay Area Center for Voting Research, it's a more liberal metropolis than Austin, Denver, Honolulu or Santa Rosa, but on April 1, 1964, Milwaukee was the place to be if you opposed greater economic and social mobility for black Americans. That night at Milwaukee's Serb Memorial Hall, a large crowd of whites -- mainly Eastern European immigrants and their offspring -- listened intently as Alabama Gov. George Wallace railed against "racial quotas" and other potential federal legislation he said would hurt the audience's job prospects and the social fabric of their neighborhoods. Wallace was campaigning for the Democrats' presidential nomination.
"A vote for this little governor will let the people in Washington know that we want them to leave our homes, schools, jobs, business and farms alone," Wallace told his audience, which burst out in sustained applause.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2006/05/07/INGRFILBL11.DTL
Hells Angels' road gets rougher
The outlaw gang is leaving a trail of deaths and busts
It has been a hell of year for the Hells Angels -- and it is not likely to get any better for the Bay Area members of the world's most famous outlaw motorcycle gang.
Oh, right. It's not a gang. Just a bunch of motorcycle enthusiasts.
"The club is a motorcycle club, it is not an organized gang, it is not a criminal enterprise," says Jim Bustamante. He's the lawyer representing "Joey" Wilson, the president of the bikers' Frisco chapter who was busted two weeks ago -- along with his sergeant at arms and 10 associates -- on methamphetamine and cocaine charges. All the accused deny the charges.
"I know a lot of members," said Bustamante. "They're great guys."
Just how great are they? The Hells Angels form one the most elite clubs in the world -- it can take more than two years of careful screening before you are judged worthy enough to wear the famed Death Head patch on your back.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2006/05/07/INGK8IKG6T1.DTL
Sympathy for the devil: The 'big smear' against Big Oil
With the recent increase in gasoline prices, politicians and pundits are once again condemning oil companies for their high profits. Much of these profits are an undeserved windfall, they claim, which should be given back to society via a proposed multibillion-dollar tax. As Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio, and others say, they seek "to tax only excess profits, leaving ... reasonable profits unaffected." Such taxation is justified because the recent low supply and high demand that led to higher profits, says economist Dean Baker, "is kind of (the oil companies') good luck. They didn't do anything to earn it."
But America's oil companies have earned every penny of their profits. To characterize any portion of them as an unearned windfall -- like manna dropped from heaven -- is a vicious smear. It is to evade what is truly responsible for their profits this and every quarter: the great value they create and the tremendous thought, effort and risk-taking that goes into creating it.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2006/05/07/INGRFIKRJO1.DTL
Iran's uneasy hero
First Muslim woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize says Iran and the U.S. should try direct negotiations
It's been almost three years since the Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded its peace prize to Shirin Ebadi, a petite lawyer and activist from Tehran. The honor created a stir around the world -- Ebadi was both the first Iranian and the first Muslim woman to win the accolade, which goes to the person who has done "the most or the best work for fraternity between the nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses."
In Tehran, tens of thousands of people -- many of whom carried signs featuring Ebadi's image -- crowded the streets to welcome her home from Paris, where she'd been when the award was announced.
[Podcast: Listen to Shirin Ebadi's interview with Insight's Jonathan Curiel.]
Ebadi was a hero. She still is to many Iranians, but in her new book, "Iran Awakening: A Memoir of Revolution and Hope," and in a phone interview last week with Insight, Ebadi emphasized her displeasure at hero-worshiping. She doesn't want people to think of her as a savior who will single-handedly bring about more women's rights in Iran, or broker peace between Iran and the United States.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2006/05/07/INGRFIKURE1.DTL
Michael Moore Today
"Am I gonna lose the f------ leg?"
http://www.michaelmoore.com/
'Life and death every day' for Iraq medics
By Cal Perry / CNN
BAGHDAD, Iraq -- "Don't let me die! Please, don't let me die," the U.S. soldier said repeatedly as medics carried him to the trauma room.
His glazed eyes focused on an Army chaplain kneeling over him. There was blood everywhere.
A roadside bomb that exploded next to his patrol vehicle sent shards of metal into his body and catapulted him from the vehicle.
He, like so many of the gravely wounded soldiers in Iraq, was rushed to the 10th Combat Support Hospital, where minutes or seconds can mean life or death.
"Am I going to live?" he asked, in a pleading, rhythmic voice.
"Hell, yes, you are," replied Capt. David Steinbruner, one of the doctors.
Moments earlier, the soldier asked the medics to keep his leg from falling off the gurney as they hurried him into the emergency room. The blast tore the flesh from the bone. His left hand was just as bad -- a "near amputation," according to one of the doctors.
http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/latestnews/index.php?id=6800
Will I re-enlist? Hell no.
From: Joel Bottem
Sent: Saturday, September 17, 2005 5:41 AM
To: soldiers@michaelmoore.com
Subject:
Dear Honorable Moore,
After several years out of the military, and many months of hearing the media reporting how bad the National Guard and Reserves needed people, I signed up for 1 year. It is an option the National Guard offers to Prior Service personnel. It took me a year-and-a-half after 9/11 to convince my wife I was needed, and that I had more to give to the service of our country.
I joined for the 1 year, singing up as a mechanic with the 951st Maintenance Company out of Camp Murray, Tacoma, Washington. With just 3 months remaining on my contract, my unit gets activated, and I am put on a "stop-loss." My executive officer laughingly told me President Bush has turned my "try-one enlistment" into a "try-two-and-a-half." I am now attached to the 152nd Maintenance Company, from Maine, serving in Baghdad, Iraq.
To add insult to injury, when our maintenance company arrived into Kuwait, we were informed that the unit we were to be attached to in Iraq no longer needed mechanics, so we would be doing "force protection." So we have an entire maintenance company of approximately 240 soldiers, aside from maybe 20 personnel, pulling guard duty, while KBR mechanics make $140K and up to do the work we were brought over to do.
I just turned 40 in July, my birthday was spent pulling guard duty on an ammo holding area very near Baghdad. Will I re-enlist? Hell no.
Thanks for all you do!
Joel Bottem
Currently in Iraq, not Seattle where I should be
http://www.michaelmoore.com/books-films/willtheyevertrustusagain/index.php?id=37
I Personally think the Freeway Banner Protest is a great idea, especially with gas prices the way they are. It makes a huge statement. Just think about the amount of fuel the Iraq Invasion uses daily that is driving the price through the roof. Then realize the Iraqi Oil Glut is controlled by Halliburton which is receiving record profits compliments of it's former CEO, Dick Cheney. Now, add to that those profits as well as the American Public hardship with higher gas prices are paid for by the deaths of American Military. There is something grossly "W"rong with this picture.
http://www.freewayblogger.com/impeachment_project2.htm
Be It Resolved: You Can Impeach the President
http://www.michaelmoore.com/mustread/index.php?id=622
May 11th to 14th: Empty Boots Will March to Washington
Eyes Wide Open, AFSC’s widely acclaimed exhibit of boots and shoes commemorating the casualties of the Iraq war is returning to the National Mall in Washington, D.C. after a tour of more than 70 cities.
This year, the exhibit anchors a larger four-day event (schedule below), Silence of the Dead – Voices of the Living: A Witness To End the War in Iraq, co-sponsored with organizations of veterans, military families, and others.
http://www.afsc.org/eyes/
Mother's Day with Code Pink
http://www.codepinkalert.org/article.php?id=894
Fla. House Speaker Won't Challenge Harris
By David Royse / Associated Press
Gov. Jeb Bush's choice of Republicans to run for U.S. Senate this fall announced Wednesday that he was declining the opportunity and won't challenge U.S. Rep. Katherine Harris for the party's nomination.
Allan Bense, the state House speaker, had been urged by several top party members to get into the primary against Harris, whose poll numbers have dwindled.
Bush had personally asked Bense to run and earlier this week went so far as to say Harris cannot beat the Democratic incumbent, Sen. Bill Nelson.
http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/the06fix/index.php?id=33
Santa Cruz joins fight against property-rights Republican Pombo
By Genevieve Bookwalter / Santa Cruz Sentinel
SANTA CRUZ — It may not be a local race, but some in Santa Cruz are lining up to support congressional hopeful Pete McCloskey, the Republican primary challenger to Rep. Richard Pombo, R-Tracy.
Pombo, who has proposed bills to sell 15 national parks, abolish protection for 150 million acres of wilderness and weaken the Endangered Species Act, has irked the national environmental community to the point that it is rallying for his Republican opponent, even here in Santa Cruz.
Pombo is "not a desirable congressman," said Democrat and Santa Cruz resident Eleanor Wasson, 98. Wasson is hosting a fundraiser for McCloskey on Saturday and expects many in the county to turn out.
McCloskey is accepting individual donations up to $2,100 per person, and had raised about $205,000 at the end of the first quarter, which finished in March. Pombo, on the other hand, has raised $1.4 million.
http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/the06fix/index.php?id=31
Bush Faces Tricky Political Situation in Florida
By Jim Rutenberg / New York Times
SUN CITY CENTER, Fla., May 9 — President Bush and his brother continued their awkward dance today with Representative Katherine Harris of Florida, whose run for the Republican Senate nomination this year they have met with chilliness.
Ms. Harris was on hand this morning to meet President Bush as he stopped in Tampa en route to a Medicare event in this nearby, senior-rich town — just one day after Governor Jeb Bush said publicly that he did not believe Ms. Harris could win against the Democratic incumbent Senator here, Bill Nelson.
Jeb Bush was there, too, as Ms. Harris waited for the president to walk off Air Force One in Tampa, and the two seemed friendly as they chatted in the receiving line on the tarmac, according to a pool report.
http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/the06fix/index.php?id=30
If George Won't Read it, Maybe You Will
Iran President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's letter to George
Mr George Bush,
President of the United States of America,
For sometime now I have been thinking, how one can justify the undeniable contradictions that exist in the international arena -- which are being constantly debated, especially in political forums and amongst university students. Many questions remain unanswered. These have prompted me to discuss some of the contradictions and questions, in the hope that it might bring about an opportunity to redress them.
Can one be a follower of Jesus Christ (PBUH), the great Messenger of God, feel obliged to respect human rights, present liberalism as a civilization model, announce one’s opposition to the proliferation of nuclear weapons and WMDs, make “War on Terror” his slogan, and finally, work towards the establishment of a unified international community – a community which Christ and the virtuous of the Earth will one day govern, but at the same time, have countries attacked. The lives, reputations and possessions of people destroyed and on the slight chance of the presence of a few criminals in a village, city, or convoy for example, the entire village, city or convoy (are) set ablaze.
Or because of the possibility of the existence of WMDs in one country, it is occupied, around one hundred thousand people killed, its water sources, agriculture and industry destroyed, close to 180,000 foreign troops put on the ground, sanctity of private homes of citizens broken, and the country pushed back perhaps fifty years. At what price? Hundreds of billions of dollars spent from the treasury of one country and certain other countries and tens of thousands of young men and women – as occupation troops – put in harms way, taken away from family and loved ones, their hands stained with the blood of others, subjected to so much psychological pressure that everyday some commit suicide and those returning home suffer depression, become sickly and grapple with all sorts of ailments; while some are killed and their bodies handed to their families.
On the pretext of the existence of WMDs, this great tragedy came to engulf both the peoples of the occupied and the occupying country. Later it was revealed that no WMDs existed to begin with.
Of course Saddam was a murderous dictator. But the war was not waged to topple him, the announced goal of the war was to find and destroy weapons of mass destruction. He was toppled along the way towards another goal; nevertheless the people of the region are happy about it. I point out that throughout the many years of the imposed war on Iran Saddam was supported by the West.
Mr. President,
You might know that I am a teacher. My students ask me how can these actions be reconciled with the values outlined at the beginning of this letter and duty to the tradition of Jesus Christ (PBUH), the Messenger of peace and forgiveness?
There are prisoners in Guantanamo Bay that have not been tried, have no legal representation, their families cannot see them and are obviously kept in a strange land outside their own country. There is no international monitoring of their conditions and fate. No one knows whether they are prisoners, POWs, accused or criminals.
European investigators have confirmed the existence of secret prisons in Europe too. I could not correlate the abduction of a person, and him or her being kept in secret prisons, with the provisions of any judicial system. For that matter, I fail to understand how such actions correspond to the values outlined in the beginning of this letter, i.e. the teachings of Jesus Christ (PBUH), human rights and liberal values.
Young people, university students, and ordinary people have many questions about the phenomenon of Israel. I am sure you are familiar with some of them.
Throughout history many countries have been occupied, but I think the establishment of a new country with a new people, is a new phenomenon that is exclusive to our times.
Students are saying that sixty years ago such a country did not exist. They show old documents and globes and say try as we have, we have not been able to find a country named Israel.
I tell them to study the history of WWI and II. One of my students told me that during WWII, which more than tens of millions of people perished in, news about the war, was quickly disseminated by the warring parties. Each touted their victories and the most recent battlefront defeat of the other party. After the war they claimed that six million Jews had been killed. Six million people that were surely related to at least two million families.
Again let us assume that these events are true. Does that logically translate into the establishment of the state of Israel in the Middle East or support for such a state? How can this phenomenon be rationalized or explained?
Mr. President,
I am sure you know how – and at what cost – Israel was established:
-Many thousands were killed in the process.
-Millions of indigenous people were made refugees.
-Hundreds of thousands of hectares of farmland, olive plantations, towns and villages were destroyed.
This tragedy is not exclusive to the time of establishment; unfortunately it has been ongoing for sixty years now.
A regime has been established which does not show mercy even to kids, destroys houses while the occupants are still in them, announces beforehand its list and plans to assassinate Palestinian figures, and keeps thousands of Palestinians in prison. Such a phenomenon is unique – or at the very least extremely rare – in recent memory.
Another big question asked by the people is “why is this regime being supported?”
Is support for this regime in line with the teachings of Jesus Christ (PBUH) or Moses (PBUH) or liberal values?
Or are we to understand that allowing the original inhabitants of these lands – inside and outside Palestine -- whether they are Christian, Moslem or Jew, to determine their fate, runs contrary to principles of democracy, human rights and the teachings of prophets? If not, why is there so much opposition to a referendum?
The newly elected Palestinian administration recently took office. All independent observers have confirmed that this government represents the electorate. Unbelievingly, they have put the elected government under pressure and have advised it to recognize the Israeli regime, abandon the struggle and follow the programs of the previous government.
If the current Palestinian government had run on the above platform, would the Palestinian people have voted for it? Again, can such position taken in opposition to the Palestinian government be reconciled with the values outlined earlier? The people are also asking “Why are all UNSC resolutions in condemnation of Israel vetoed?”
Mr. President,
As you are well aware, I live amongst the people and am in constant contact with them -- many people from around the Middle East manage to contact me as well. They do not have faith in these dubious policies either. There is evidence that the people of the region are becoming increasingly angry with such policies.
It is not my intention to pose too many questions, but I need to refer to other points as well.
Why is it that any technological and scientific achievement reached in the Middle East region is translated into and portrayed as a threat to the Zionist regime? Is not scientific R&D [Research & Development] one of the basic rights of nations?
You are familiar with history. Aside from the Middle Ages, in what other point in history has scientific and technical progress been a crime? Can the possibility of scientific achievements being utilized for military purposes be reason enough to oppose science and technology altogether? If such a supposition is true, then all scientific disciplines, including physics, chemistry, mathematics, medicine, engineering, etc. must be opposed.
Lies were told in the Iraqi matter. What was the result? I have no doubt that telling lies is reprehensible in any culture, and you do not like to be lied to.
Mr. President,
Don’t Latin Americans have the right to ask why their elected governments are being opposed and coup leaders supported? Or, Why must they constantly be threatened and live in fear?
The people of Africa are hardworking, creative and talented. They can play an important and valuable role in providing for the needs of humanity and contribute to its material and spiritual progress. Poverty and hardship in large parts of Africa are preventing this from happening. Don’t they have the right to ask why their enormous wealth – including minerals – is being looted, despite the fact that they need it more than others?
Again, do such actions correspond to the teachings of Christ and the tenets of human rights?
The brave and faithful people of Iran too have many questions and grievances, including: the coup d’etat of 1953 and the subsequent toppling of the legal government of the day, opposition to the Islamic revolution, transformation of an Embassy into a headquarters supporting the activities of those opposing the Islamic Republic (many thousands of pages of documents corroborate this claim), support for Saddam in the war waged against Iran, the shooting down of the Iranian passenger plane, freezing the assets of the Iranian nation, increasing threats, anger and displeasure vis-à-vis the scientific and nuclear progress of the Iranian nation (just when all Iranians are jubilant and celebrating their country’s progress), and many other grievances that I will not refer to in this letter.
Mr. President,
September Eleven was a horrendous incident. The killing of innocents is deplorable and appalling in any part of the world. Our government immediately declared its disgust with the perpetrators and offered its condolences to the bereaved and expressed its sympathies.
All governments have a duty to protect the lives, property and good standing of their citizens. Reportedly your government employs extensive security, protection and intelligence systems – and even hunts its opponents abroad. September eleven was not a simple operation. Could it be planned and executed without coordination with intelligence and security services – or their extensive infiltration? Of course this is just an educated guess. Why have the various aspects of the attacks been kept secret? Why are we not told who botched their responsibilities? And, why aren’t those responsible and the guilty parties identified and put on trial?
All governments have a duty to provide security and peace of mind for their citizens. For some years now, the people of your country and neighbors of world trouble spots do not have peace of mind. After 9.11, instead of healing and tending to the emotional wounds of the survivors and the American people -- who had been immensely traumatized by the attacks -- some Western media only intensified the climate of fear and insecurity – some constantly talked about the possibility of new terror attacks and kept the people in fear. Is that service to the American people? Is it possible to calculate the damages incurred from fear and panic?
American citizens lived in constant fear of fresh attacks that could come at any moment and in any place. They felt insecure in the streets, in their place of work and at home. Who would be happy with this situation? Why was the media, instead of conveying a feeling of security and providing peace of mind, giving rise to a feeling of insecurity?
Some believe that the hype paved the way -- and was the justification --for an attack on Afghanistan. Again I need to refer to the role of media.
In media charters, correct dissemination of information and honest reporting of a story are established tenets. I express my deep regret about the disregard shown by certain Western media for these principles. The main pretext for an attack on Iraq was the existence of WMDs. This was repeated incessantly -- for the public to finally believe -- and the ground set for an attack on Iraq.
Will the truth not be lost in a contrived and deceptive climate?
Again, if the truth is allowed to be lost, how can that be reconciled with the earlier mentioned values? Is the truth known to the Almighty lost as well?
Mr. President,
In countries around the world, citizens provide for the expenses of governments so that their governments in turn are able to serve them.
The question here is “what has the hundreds of billions of dollars, spent every year to pay for the Iraqi campaign, produced for the citizens?”
As Your Excellency is aware, in some states of your country, people are living in poverty. Many thousands are homeless and unemployment is a huge problem. Of course these problems exist – to a larger or lesser extent -- in other countries as well. With these conditions in mind, can the gargantuan expenses of the campaign – paid from the public treasury – be explained and be consistent with the aforementioned principles?
What has been said, are some of the grievances of the people around the world, in our region and in your country. But my main contention – which I am hoping you will agree to some of it – is:
Those in power have a specific time in office and do not rule indefinitely, but their names will be recorded in history and will be constantly judged in the immediate and distant futures.
The people will scrutinize our presidencies.
Did we mange to bring peace, security and prosperity for the people or insecurity and unemployment?
Did we intend to establish justice or just supported especial interest groups, and by forcing many people to live in poverty and hardship, made a few people rich and powerful -- thus trading the approval of the people and the Almighty with theirs’?
Did we defend the rights of the underprivileged or ignore them?
Did we defend the rights of all people around the world or imposed wars on them, interfered illegally in their affairs, established hellish prisons and incarcerated some of them?
Did we bring the world peace and security or raised the specter of intimidation and threats?
Did we tell the truth to our nation and others around the world or presented an inverted version of it?
Were we on the side of people or the occupiers and oppressors?
Did our administrations set out to promote rational behavior, logic, ethics, peace, fulfilling obligations, justice, service to the people, prosperity, progress and respect for human dignity or the force of guns, intimidation, insecurity, disregard for the people, delaying the progress and excellence of other nations, and trample on people’s rights?
And finally, they will judge us on whether we remained true to our oath of office – to serve the people, which is our main task, and the traditions of the prophets -- or not?
Mr. President,
How much longer can the world tolerate this situation?
Where will this trend lead the world to?
How long must the people of the world pay for the incorrect decisions of some rulers?
How much longer will the specter of insecurity – raised from the stockpiles of weapons of mass destruction -- hunt the people of the world?
How much longer will the blood of the innocent men, women and children be spilled on the streets, and people’s houses destroyed over their heads?
Are you pleased with the current condition of the world?
Do you think present policies can continue?
If billions of dollars spent on security, military campaigns and troop movement were instead spent on investment and assistance for poor countries, promotion of health, combating different diseases, education and improvement of mental and physical fitness, assistance to the victims of natural disasters, creation of employment opportunities and production, development projects and poverty alleviation, establishment of peace, mediation between disputing states, and extinguishing the flames of racial, ethnic and other conflicts, were would the world be today? Would not your government and people be justifiably proud?
Would not your administration’s political and economic standing have been stronger?
And I am most sorry to say, would there have been an ever increasing global hatred of the American government?
Mr. President, it is not my intention to distress anyone.
If Prophet Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Ishmael, Joseph, or Jesus Christ (PBUH) were with us today, how would they have judged such behavior? Will we be given a role to play in the promised world, where justice will become universal and Jesus Christ (PBUH) will be present? Will they even accept us?
My basic question is this: Is there no better way to interact with the rest of the world? Today there are hundreds of millions of Christians, hundreds of millions of Muslims and millions of people who follow the teachings of Moses (PBUH). All divine religions share and respect one word and that is “monotheism” or belief in a single God and no other in the world.
The Holy Koran stresses this common word and calls on all followers of divine religions and says: [3.64] Say: O followers of the Book! Come to an equitable proposition between us and you that we shall not serve any but Allah and (that) we shall not associate aught with Him, and (that) some of us shall not take others for lords besides Allah; but if they turn back, then say: Bear witness that we are Muslims. (The Family of Imran)
Mr. President,
According to divine verses, we have all been called upon to worship one God and follow the teachings of divine Prophets.
“To worship a God which is above all powers in the world and can do all He pleases.” “The Lord which knows that which is hidden and visible, the past and the future, knows what goes on in the Hearts of His servants and records their deeds.”
“The Lord who is the possessor of the heavens and the earth and all universe is His court” “planning for the universe is done by His hands, and gives His servants the glad tidings of mercy and forgiveness of sins” “He is the companion of the oppressed and the enemy of oppressors” “He is the Compassionate, the Merciful” “He is the recourse of the faithful and guides them towards the light from darkness” “He is witness to the actions of His servants” “He calls on servants to be faithful and do good deeds, and asks them to stay on the path of righteousness and remain steadfast” “Calls on servants to heed His prophets and He is a witness to their deeds” “A bad ending belongs only to those who have chosen the life of this world and disobey Him and oppress His servants” and “A good end and eternal paradise belong to those servants who fear His majesty and do not follow their lascivious selves.”
We believe a return to the teachings of the divine prophets is the only road leading to salvation. I have been told that Your Excellency follows the teachings of Jesus (PBUH) and believes in the divine promise of the rule of the righteous on Earth.
We also believe that Jesus Christ (PBUH) was one of the great prophets of the Almighty. He has been repeatedly praised in the Koran. Jesus (PBUH) has been quoted in Koran as well: [19.36] And surely Allah is my Lord and your Lord, therefore serve Him; this is the right path. Marium
Service to and obedience of the Almighty is the credo of all divine messengers.
The God of all people in Europe, Asia, Africa, America, the Pacific and the rest of the world is one. He is the Almighty who wants to guide and give dignity to all His servants. He has given greatness to Humans.
We again read in the Holy Book: “The Almighty God sent His prophets with miracles and clear signs to guide the people and show them divine signs and purify them from sins and pollutions. And He sent the Book and the balance so that the people display justice and avoid the rebellious”.
All of the above verses can be seen, one way or the other, in the Good Book as well.
Divine prophets have promised:
The day will come when all humans will congregate before the court of the Almighty, so that their deeds are examined. The good will be directed towards Haven and evildoers will meet divine retribution. I trust both of us believe in such a day, but it will not be easy to calculate the actions of rulers, because we must be answerable to our nations and all others whose lives have been directly or indirectly affected by our actions.
All prophets, speak of peace and tranquility for man -- based on monotheism, justice and respect for human dignity.
Do you not think that if all of us come to believe in and abide by these principles, that is, monotheism, worship of God, justice, respect for the dignity of man, belief in the Last Day, we can overcome the present problems of the world -- that are the result of disobedience to the Almighty and the teachings of prophets – and improve our performance?
Do you not think that belief in these principles promotes and guarantees peace, friendship and justice?
Do you not think that the aforementioned written or unwritten principles are universally respected?
Will you not accept this invitation? That is, a genuine return to the teachings of prophets, to monotheism and justice, to preserve human dignity and obedience to the Almighty and His prophets?
Mr. President,
History tells us that repressive and cruel governments do not survive. God has entrusted the fate of men to them. The Almighty has not left the universe and humanity to their own devices.
Many things have happened contrary to the wishes and plans of governments. These tell us that there is a higher power at work and all events are determined by Him.
Can one deny the signs of change in the world today?
Is the situation of the world today comparable to that of ten years ago? Changes happen fast and come at a furious pace.
The people of the world are not happy with the status quo and pay little heed to the promises and comments made by a number of influential world leaders. Many people around the world feel insecure and oppose the spreading of insecurity and war and do not approve of and accept dubious policies.
The people are protesting the increasing gap between the haves and the have-nots and the rich and poor countries.
The people are disgusted with increasing corruption.
The people of many countries are angry about the attacks on their cultural foundations and the disintegration of families. They are equally dismayed with the fading of care and compassion. The people of the world have no faith in international organizations, because their rights are not advocated by these organizations.
Liberalism and Western style democracy have not been able to help realize the ideals of humanity. Today these two concepts have failed. Those with insight can already hear the sounds of the shattering and fall of the ideology and thoughts of the Liberal democratic systems.
We increasingly see that people around the world are flocking towards a main focal point -- that is the Almighty God. Undoubtedly through faith in God and the teachings of the prophets, the people will conquer their problems. My question for you is: “Do you not want to join them?”
Mr. President,
Whether we like it or not, the world is gravitating towards faith in the
Almighty and justice and the will of God will prevail over all things.
Vasalam Ala Man Ataba’al hoda
Mahmood Ahmadi-Nejad
President of the Islamic Republic of Iran
http://www.michaelmoore.com/mustread/index.php?id=643
PDF
http://hosted.ap.org/specials/interactives/_documents/ahmadinejad0509.pdf
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