Five Sentenced to Death in Iran for Post Election Protests

A reminder that well our attention may be diverted, the autocratic regime in Iran is not letting up.

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) - Iran has sentenced five people to death over the unrest that followed the country's disputed June presidential election, state television reported Tuesday.

At least three others caught up in the turmoil have received death sentences previously.

Iran began a mass trial in August of prominent opposition figures and activists, accusing them of a range of charges from rioting to spying and plotting what authorities have called a "soft revolution" to topple the country's Islamic rulers.

The opposition led massive street protests and clashed with security forces in the weeks following the disputed June 12 presidential election. The opposition claimed fraud after election authorities declared President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad the winner of a second term and their anger unleashed the most serious internal unrest in Iran in the 30 years since the Islamic Revolution.

A Justice Department statement said the five sentenced to death were members of "terrorist and armed opposition groups," state television reported. The statement said the courts have sentenced a total of 89 defendants since the process began and 81 of them got prison terms ranging from six months up to 15 years.

"So far, 89 of defendants were tried and based on their cases, death sentences were issued for five of them," the statement said.

It said the 81 people sentenced to prison terms were charged with a range of offenses from security violations, agitating against the Islamic Republic, violating law and order, damaging public and private property, and assaulting civilians and security forces.

Exhibit A In How Passion Can Cloud Logic

It is almost common knowledge that when tea partiers and the more nativist elements of the less intellectual talk radio world of conservatives talk about illegal immigration, it predominately refers to those migrating from Mexico.

But one prankster at a recent rally in Minnesota this weekend, actually tricked the tea partiers into railing against European immigration, for their ethnic cleansing, genocide, and economic injustices against Native Americans. All something they only belatedly realized.

A speaker at an anti-immigration rally in St. Paul, Minnesota, this past weekend got the crowd to support more than just the deportation of all illegal immigrants -- he got them cheering for the eviction of all European-descended immigrants to America who "stole this land through genocide and ethnic cleansing."

A crowd of some 40 people showed up to the steps of the Minnesota State Capitol on Saturday to protest proposed reform of US immigration law. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said Friday that the Obama administration was pushing for immigration reform that would create a pathway for the legalization of undocumented immigrants.

Napolitano said she would like to see a "tough, fair" plan that would allow illegal migrants to gain legal status if they pay a fine, pass a criminal background check, pay all back taxes and learn English.

That idea brought 40 anti-immigration protesters to Saturday's protest, as well as 30 pro-immigration reform counter-protesters, according to FightBackNews in Minneapolis.

One of those protesters, going by the alias "Robert Erickson," got a speaking spot at the rally and used it to argue for the eviction of all descendants of European immigrants -- in other words, that contingent of white Americans who these days see themselves as "real" Americans.

Dennis Hopper Has Prostate Cancer

Dennis Hopper recites Beatnik Poetry in a 1964 episode of Petticoat Junction.

Actor/ Director Dennis Hopper best known for his Role as Billy in the classic 1969 film Easy Rider (which he also directed), Rebel Without a Cause (1956), and his role as King Koppa in the Super Mario Brothers Movie, has been diagnosed with Prostate Cancer. He is currently receiving treatment for the disease.

According to reports the 73 year old actor and 1960s counterculture figure was also hospitalized last month, exhibiting symptoms resembling those of the Flu. It is not known if that incident was cancer related.
Lets hope this storied character actor recovers.

Bardwell, Defends His Refusal to Perform Marriage Ceremony for Interracial Couple

Watch CBS News Videos Online

Not been blogging much lately, as I have been sick with a mean sinus infection complicated by my asthma and a possible cold and as of this posting still am.

Anyway there have been more developments in the case of Keith Bardwell, the Justice of the Peace in Louisiana who refused to perform a marriage ceremony for a mixed race couple because he was convinced that it would be harmful for the children. That there parents' mixed racial and ethnic heritage would open them up to rejection (likely from people who would have you know prevented them from being born in wed lock if you get my drift).

Anyway, a credit to both Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA) and Gov. Bobby Jindal (R-LA) have both come out and called for Bardwell to resign his position over the radical notion that somehow the function of a public official invested with the power and responsibility is to enforce the law.

Bardwell, however insists he does not have the power to deny anyone a marriage license, just to perform the ceremony and that he told them where they could have such a ceremony performed.

He also insists in the interview on the CBS Early Show posted above, that everyone hates him now, and that he didn't mean to offend the couple, and he was just trying to do them and any children they may possibly have in the future a favor by refusing to perform such a ceremony. He also says that because he informed the couple of where they could get married, this whole issue should now go away.

Now if this sanctimonious, preachy bumpkin wants to hold that segregationist mindset that is primitive, disgusting, and evidence that some are now able to keep up with the changing standards of decency and tolerance in society that is fine. Deplorable and I would be both offended and humiliated to have him represent my parish at any level, but those are his personal "beliefs" and those can't and shouldn't be forcefully changed. Despite that, he can be demanded and should to enforce the law as required or resign. And if he doesn't do either, he should be forced from office.

When did that somehow become a radical notion?

Update: In other angry white man news, the anger and xenophobia of white bread conservatives like Pat Buchannan does not seem to be abating. In his latest screed the columnist, MSNBC analyst, and three time far right third party paleoconservative goes on to bemoan the demise of prayer in schools and rail against 1960s radicals who started riots, and struck on campus; (this from a guy who was part of the Nixon administration who sought to efface entire parts of the constitution, recklessly extended the Vietnam war into Cambodia and Laos, overthrew a democratically albeit socialist government in Chile to install one of the 20th century's most despotic mad men, and dragged the office of the president of the United States down to the level of a two bit burglar).

He also goes on with his rhetoric with a zeal that is more George Wallace then George Washington, fulminating that Americas racial, ethnic, religious, and cultural make-up are evolving with age. Pat as always keepin it classy. I would say that this sort of nonsense would be deposited with once his generation dies off to put it bluntly, but much of these racist mindsets were thought to have expired long ago. But Bardwell, Buchannan, and a collection of others who have recently surfaced show that the death of racism has been greatly exaggerated.

Taking Justice and Peace Out of 'Justice of the Peace'

If anyone began to somehow doubt that a reservoir of bigotry and stupidity still exists, Louisiana Justice of the Peace Keith Bardwell proves that it is alive and well.

The Justice of the Peace (who obviously hasn't received the 42 year old memo on the Supreme Court ruling of Loving Vs. the state of Virginia that ruled states must recognize interracial marriage) is refusing to give a marriage license to a black and white couple, saying he is concerned about any future children that the couple might have and their well being. Actually judging from Bardwell's belief, if he is a father I would be much more concerned about his children.

Bardwell, and here's a kicker emphatically states he is not racist, saying he issues licenses to black couples and white couples all the time, just thinks that interracial marriages just don't work out.

A Louisiana justice of the peace said he refused to issue a marriage license to an interracial couple out of concern for any children the couple might have. Keith Bardwell, justice of the peace in Tangipahoa Parish, says it is his experience that most interracial marriages do not last long.

Neither Bardwell nor the couple immediately returned phone calls from The Associated Press. But Bardwell told the Daily Star of Hammond that he was not a racist.

"I do ceremonies for black couples right here in my house," Bardwell said. "My main concern is for the children."

Bardwell said he has discussed the topic with blacks and whites, along with witnessing some interracial marriages. He came to the conclusion that most of black society does not readily accept offspring of such relationships, and neither does white society, he said.

"I don't do interracial marriages because I don't want to put children in a situation they didn't bring on themselves," Bardwell said. "In my heart, I feel the children will later suffer."

Someone needs to inform this racist boorish idiot that this is the 21st century and that Dixie died a long time ago. Then they need to fire him. Its amazing that people would admit to this outdated ideology that has no place in a modern civilized society, and given that he is no doubt breaking the law it is even more disgraceful that any state, county, parish, or community in America would have such a man as a public servant.

Meanwhile the couple in question is consulting with the U.S Justice Department Civil Rights division to see what they can do.

Illinois Teacher Uses term "Black Fags" says he didn't mean to offend anyone.

In other racist and homophobia related news,Illinois High School teacher Dave Burke was teaching a economics related class when according to one openly gay High School Senior in the class Burke posed a question to the class.

"How would you feel about your tax dollars going to pay some black fag in New York to take pictures of other black fags?"

As glaring in its homophobia and racism as this statement is, Burke's attorney wanted to make it clear, that if by some off chance anyone was offended that it was not his intention to offend anybody.

Hunter said during a lecture on tax dollars on Oct. 5, Geneva High consumer education teacher Dave Burk started talking about the National Endowment for the Arts, asking his students, "'How would you feel about your tax dollars going to pay some black fag in New York to take pictures of other black fags?'"

Burk's attorney, D.J. Tegeler, said Monday he was not personally aware of the terms Burk used to his classes, but that Burk apologizes for any offense.

"Mr. Burk is cooperating fully with both the principal, the dean of students and the School Board," Tegeler said. "Mr. Burk's biggest problem is he does not want to intentionally offend anybody and if he did, he apologizes."

No Mr Burk, the biggest problem is that you have a poorly developed mind and a pre-civil war mentality at least in your statements. Burke was later issued a warning by the school.That's accountability for you.

As one person later said, a bigger waste of the people's tax dollars then the National Endowment for the Arts is this guys salary.

Boehner headed Response

House Minority leader John Boehner (R-OH)has voiced opposition to legislation that would broaden hate crimes laws that would make crimes committed based on a victim's sexual orientation a federal offense. Boehner though says he supports current hate crimes laws that do just that for crimes motivated by a victim's ethnicity, race, or religion.

An aide in the Minority leader's office, said in an e-mail to CBS that this is because race, ethnicity, and religion are what he classifies as "immutable characteristics" or something that a person can't change, while sexual orientation by his estimate is.

First off, it would be interesting to know that if sexual orientation is a conscious choice that can be made and changed, at what point did Boehner sit down and consciously decide to be straight, and also people can't change their religion? Really? So all those Muslims, Jews, or atheists, who convert to Christianity or Catholicism just didn't get the memo in Boehner world that they can't really convert? So what about all those people who Pat Robertson and his 700 Club who end up up finding religion in times of hardship are what delusional? Making it all up? You may want to tell Newt Gingrich and others that. Evidently they didn't get the memo.

Why is McCain Such a Credible Voice on Afganistan?

What I find interesting is that someone who voted for and has spoken fervently in support of the Iraq War which diverted resources from the war in Afghanistan and said in the long run we can just "muddle through" the war in Afghanistan; is taken seriously in this latest debate on possibly escalating troop levels there.


Don't get me wrong, I am not one of those who thinks we should retreat from there immediately. After all Afghanistan is the war where there was a threat and where elements of Al-Queda have received aid and we should continue to battle to defeat or mollify such elements, though as we have seen in Iraq nation building is something that only bogs us down. People should remember that just because you throw money and soldiers at a problem does not automatically solve a problem, unless they have a solid strategy to guide them.

The Neocons will Love this, Another Millitary Attack

We are fighting a war in Iraq, a war in Afghanistan, and are several trillion dollars in debt, and we are bombing the mood. According to Dick Cheney, yes there are weapons of mass destruction and that Marvin the Martian does have ties to Al-Queda.

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ-TV) -- The moon. It has captured the imagination of mankind since the beginning of time. So, come Friday morning... we're going to bomb it.

NASA's "L-CROSS" mission involves an un-manned rocket that will be followed by a separate satellite. That satellite will transmit live TV images and scientific data back to Earth.

At 7:30 a.m. (EST), the rocket will slam into a crater on the moon. Scientists hope this will cause a plume of rocks and dust and possibly ice to come flying off the moon.

Shortly after, the satellite will fly through the same plume and collect information and send it back to NASA scientists. It's a mission that's caught the eye of Marshall's Physics Department Chair Nico Orsini.

"We want to find out is there water, and how much of it," Orsini said. "So, this is all very exciting "

But there are some who are weary of the mission. Whether it's the billions of dollars being spent, or just the actual bombing of the moon itself. But members of the scientific community say it is worth it.

This Date in History

LSD Becomes Illegal in the United States in 1966.

Iranian People Would Be Willing to Get Rid of Nuclear Weapons Making Capacity

Image: World Public Opinion.org


Next time a neoconservative tries to persuade you that an invasion or 'military strike' is beneficial to the United States and is necessary; one may want to examine this data from a new world public opinion survey (H/T Washington Independent). Considering this is a nation's whose regime and titular 'president' have such an authoritarian approach towards dealing with those in power, it amazes me that Iranians would be brave enough to voice such an opinion.

A new WorldPublicOpinion.org poll finds that two-thirds of Iranians would favor their government precluding the development of nuclear weapons in exchange for the lifting of international sanctions against Iran.

Only one-third would be ready to halt enrichment in exchange for lifting sanctions. However, another third, while insisting on continuing enrichment, would agree to grant international inspectors unrestricted access to nuclear facilities to ensure that that there are no bomb-making activities.

The WPO poll also finds that six in 10 Iranians believe that economic sanctions, imposed by the United States and the United Nations over fears that Iran's nuclear program might produce an atomic weapon, are having a negative impact. Seven in 10 say they believe sanctions will be tightened if Iran continues its current nuclear program.

As the Washington Independent points out, Iran is far from a democracy and doesn't necessarily appraise the wishes of public opinion. Having said that, the citizens of Iran polled say that their desire to compromise and conclude this standoff in a course of action that does not involve the use of force is congruent with ours.

Sanctions, the bedlam that was a product of the June Iranian elections, and the continued bellicosity of Ahmadinejad and intransigence of the Ayatollahs place the governing structure of the Islamic Republic in a vulnerable and precarious position.

Comparatively, while Iranian opinion in the streets seems to be in favor of negotiating away the ability to construct nuclear weapons, the U.S Public seems to be in favor of using military force to thwart Iranian attempts at developing a nuclear weapons program, at least according to one poll (although a vast bi-partisan majority still back direct talks with Iran).

But right now a military strike would be a victory short-lived, only cause the government to enhance its efforts to reconstitute a nuclear program, drive them to even greater extremes, further destabilize neighboring countries where U.S and International forces are stationed and weak regimes are installed in power, and despite the actions of the Iranian regime over the past months, solidify the Iranian populace around their "leader" in a show of nationalism and deflate the dissident movement at a juncture when the U.S and other countries should be exploiting schisms in the Iranian state.

And quite simply laid out for those who have little doubt, if you disapproved of the government and then a foreign government came and launched an attack on your country would you be more likely to coalesce around your country (via 9/11) or run into the arms of the foreign land that authorized the strike?

What Do You Call an Iranian Leader Who was Born Jewish, but Now denies tyhe Holocaust?

White Supremacist (Dave Chapelle) - watch more funny videos

The blind Black Klansman from the Dave Chapelle Show Suddenly Comes To Mind

I don't know how reliable this is, but evidently you call him Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Yup, that's right the Iranian leader who has called for Israel to be "wiped off the map" and has time and again denied the holocaust, may in fact have been born a Jew. Maybe his parents forgot to mention it.

This knowledge was obtained from a 2008 photograph of Ahmadinejad displaying his ID card in a photograph. According to the article in the London Telegraph, Ahmadinejad's real last name was Sabourjian, which translated is an old Jewish way of say 'cloth weaver'. The family converted to the Islamic faith and moved to Tehran sometime after Mahmoud's birth in 1956. The altering of ones name when they change faith is customary in Iran. Nonetheless it is said that his billingsgates against the Israeli state, the Jewish faith, and the atrocity of the holocaust could be his way of trying to conceal his roots.

According to his wiki (which is always a source that has to be taken with a grain of salt though) one biographer dispells the leader's alleged Jewish origins and that his last name was 'Sabaghian', which means 'dye masters' in Persian .

If this is true this is awkward to say the least. If many of his most ardent conservative supporters were not aware of this I wonder how they feel? Though this is not unheard of among forces hostile towards Jews. Hitler himself was believed to have Jewish blood in him, some say his Paternal grandfather was Jewish.

Oh and Happy Birthday Ghandi

Today is the birthday of Mohandas Gandhi.This is a scene from the 1982 Academy Award winning movie Gandhi.

Buntastic

Angela Bunt, of Buntology; created a recent documentary of the Wormtown 2009 Festy in Greenfield, MA I too was there (only for a day due to the fact I had to work the next day)on the weekend of September 18-20. Really heady stuff, cool jams, and an altogether vibrant scene.

Anyway she made this short documentary capturing the atmosphere and hot performances there from such bands as 'Playin Dead' and even has some chat time with the 'Rubble Bucket Orchestra' (both performances I was present at). The below video is just a five minute sample of the thirty-four minute documentary.


Watch wormtown 2009 final copy.wmv in Music  |  View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com

Another Reason to End the Iraq War

General Ray Odierno:

"I'm not sure we will ever see anyone declare victory in Iraq, because first off, I'm not sure we'll know for 10 years or five years," Army Gen. Ray Odierno told reporters at the Pentagon.

Odierno is in charge of military operations in Iraq. According to Odierno a load of Iranian weapons was supposedly discovered in Iraq. He goes on to say that what the U.S is doing now is laying the foundation for a "long term strategic partner of the United States" as well as function as a stabilizing force of sorts in the often volatile Middle East.

Given the past six years of often bungled strategy and the hardships we now face in Afghanistan, a stabilizing force may be the best we can hope for. But given all the sacrifice made in this invasion, it hardly seems worth it since Iraq, although headed by a barbarous dictator before was not in as precarious of a state as it is now, that all scarcely seems worth it, and the presence of Iraq being a functional stabilizing force is not exactly a given either. And the idea that we can stay forever occupying a land but never win makes this endeavor all the more senseless.