The Secret Oil Deal That Helped Sink the Shah of Iran

Showdown at Doha: The Secret Oil Deal That Helped Sink the Shah of Iran
Article from Middle East Institute – Middle East Journal
Author: Andrew Scott Cooper
MEI:
“What led to the calamitous drop in Iran’s oil revenues in January 1977? Politics, religion, culture, and economics have been identified as factors contributing to the collapse of Iran’s monarchy in 1979. But, until now scholars have been unable to access documents that shed light on the inner workings of the relationship between senior US officials and the Shah of Iran, who Henry Kissinger lauded as “that rarest of leaders, an unconditional ally, and one whose understanding of the world enhanced our own.”1 The declassification of the papers of Brent Scowcroft, who worked in the Nixon and Ford Administration, marks a significant milestone in our understanding of the origin of the Iranian Revolution. They reveal that in 1976 the US and Saudi Arabia colluded to force down oil prices, inadvertently triggering a financial crisis that destabilized Iran’s economy and weakened the Shah’s hold on power.”
Cooper discussed this article on the MEI Podcast: here

Okay, I guess, since the oil prices are high enough; we can now take our country back!

Also covered on radio on KPCC.ORG – AirTalk hosted by Larry Mantel, Monday Oct. 20, 2008:
A New Look At The Fall Of The Shah Of Iran:
“In a New Report based on previously classified documents, scholar Andrew Scott Cooper suggests that Nixon and Ford administrations undermined the position of the Shah of Iran in the late 1970s and contributed to the country’s Islamic Revolution. The report published Friday on the fall issue of the Middle East Journal, examines the role of the White House policymakers who, trying to roll back oil prices and curb the Shah’s ambitions weakened his position, thus precipitating the takeover of Iran by Islamic radicals. Andrew Scott Cooper joins Larry to discuss his research.”
Link to AirTalk

P.O.V. on PBS: Soldiers of Conscience

Conscientious objector
When is it right to kill? In the midst of war, is it right to refuse? Eight U.S. soldiers, some of whom have killed and some of whom said no, reveal their inner moral dilemmas in Soldiers of Conscience. Made with official permission of the U.S. Army, the film transcends politics to explore the tension between spiritual values and military orders

Desertions
The conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq have been the occasion for a growing number of desertions — defined by the military as soldiers absent without leave for more than 30 days. In 2006, the Army reported 3,196 desertions, a sharp increase from two years earlier, which saw 2,357 desertions.

POST-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
"Although the symptoms and syndrome of PTSD have been observed in veterans for hundreds of years, PTSD was not formally recognized as a mental disorder until 1980..."

Watching Soldiers of Conscience
Soldiers of Conscience takes a powerful look at a central drama of our time — how a soldier decides to kill or not, and the life-changing consequences that come with either choice. We asked military chaplains, human rights activists and veterans groups to comment on the film.

About the Film:
Soldiers of Consceince

Mehregan 2008 - Orange County Southern California

October 11-12, Sat & Sunday
Mehregan 2008 Orange County, CA

The Grand Inquisitor's Manual: A History of Terror in the Name of God

I was listening to Air Talk on NPR (also on KPCC.ORG) today and Larry Mantle was discussing author Jonathan Kirsh’s latest book, “The Grand Inquisitor’s Manual”, with him today. A very interesting discussion, subject, and book. Go figure!

The point emphasized in this book is to show how power and blind faith can turn human beings into vicious animals and terrorist against others under the guise of righteousness. Sounds familiar?

The Grand Inquisitor’s Manual
A History of Terror in the Name of God
By Jonathan Kirsch

"The inquisitorial apparatus that was first invented in the Middle Ages remained in operation for the next six-hundred years, and it has never been wholly dismantled. As we shall see, an unbroken thread links the friar-inquisitors who set up the rack and the pyre in southern France in the early thirteenth century to the torturers and executioners of Nazi Germany and Stalinist Russia in the mid-twentieth century. Nor does the thread stop at Auschwitz or the Gulag; it can be traced through the Salem witch trials in the Massachusetts Bay Colony, the internment of Japanese-Americans during World War II, the Hollywood blacklists of the McCarthy era, and even the interrogation cells at Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo."


Here is more information from the publisher, Harper Collins:

The twelfth century birthed a new and sinister brand of sanctioned terror, an international network of secret police and courts, an army of inquisitors whose sworn duty was to seek out anyone regarded as an enemy, and a casualty list numbering in the tens of thousands. The original agents of the Inquisition—priests and monks, scribes and notaries, attorneys and accountants, torturers and executioners—were deputized by the Church and their worst excesses were excused as the pardonable sins of soldiers engaged in a holy war against heresy that became the obsession of Christendom. Yet the first rumblings of Western civilization's great engine of persecution provided no indication of the ultimate scope and influence of the inquisitorial toolkit and how the crimes of the first inquisitors were perpetrated again and again into the twentieth century and beyond. Despite the importance of this legacy, the history of the Inquisition remains a subject that has largely been overlooked by general historians.
With The Grand Inquisitor's Manual, national bestselling author Jonathan Kirsch delivers a sweeping and provocative history that explores how the Inquisition was honed to perfection and brought to bear on an ever-widening circle of victims by authoritarians in both church and state for over six hundred years. Ranging from the Knights Templar to the first Protestants, from Joan of Arc to Galileo; from the torture and murder of hundreds of thousands of innocent women during the Witch Craze to its greatest power in Spain after 1492, when the secret tribunals and torture chambers were directed for the first time against Jews and Muslims to the modern war on terror—Kirsch shows us how the Inquisition stands as a universal and ineradicable symbol of the terror that results when absolute power works its corruptions.
The history of the Inquisition is draped in myth and mystery, a favorite theme of both artists and propagandists throughout the six hundred years of its active operations. Yet when we pull aside the veil, what we see are the original blueprints for the machinery of persecution that was invented in the High Middle Ages and applied to human flesh ever since. The Grand Inquisitor's Manual exposes the dangerous circular logic of the Inquisition so that we do not perpetuate its brand of terror.

A Religion IPO

A new beginning. Let's ask God to come up with a new religion that we can all agree on. In a way an Initial Public Offering for a new religion we can all worship and believe in. An IPO open to everyone!


I like to ask God to please come up with a new religion. Forget about all past deeds and promises. Let’s start with a clean slate and a new religion so we can all share and stop fighting each other.

Let's ponder on that for a while and let me know what you all think. I warn you to keep an open mind and no insults allowed. Imagine that!

Six Under 18 Memes

I have been tagged by Foreve Under Construction (Homeyra) to list Six Things One Should Do Before 18. Here are the rules of the game:
1. Post these rules before presenting your list.
2. List 6 actions or achievements you think every person should accomplish before turning 18.
3. There are no conditions on what can be included on the list.
4. At the end of your blog, choose 6, or less, people to get tagged and list their names.
5. People who are tagged write their own blog entry with their 6 suggestions.
6. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged.

So far, I have tagged From Berkeley ,Refusenik (Foulla), TopSpot9 (Nyx), Chakameh on the Web,
Mystery, and
Dreamtree.
I didn't tell them they’re under no obligation to follow up on this tagging round.

Here are my 6+ memes:

1. Expand your horizons/mind. You should spend less time watching TV or playing games (computer or game machines, etc.) and dedicate some time to reading. Try to read a few of the classics, Persian or other, but a mixture is better.


2. Try to learn a musical instrument and even learn to read music. It’ll be much harder if you wait till you’re grow up. It’ll be a great pastime.


3. Become active in sports. I’ve over done this myself.


4. Learn some outdoor activities. Try camping, fishing, hiking, anything that brings you closer to the nature (I’m not sure about hunting!)


5. Definitely learn a second language.


6. Make sure you have a hobby, something you’re passionate about. Something other than reading or already includes in the above list.


7. Last but not least, do some star gazing. Look at the heavens.

Chinese Executions and 2008 Olympics

Chinese Executions!

Some days, life feels like such a struggle. I’m very moved and saddened when I’m reminded of these sort of news when we all just got done celebrating Xmas, the New Year and all other happy occasions. Life goes on, but I’m afraid not for everyone.

When it comes to capital punishment, I’m sort of an agnostic.

China shows caution on executions; Facing pressure before the Olympics, Beijing's policy is to 'kill fewer, kill carefully.' Activists urge more legal reforms.

I’m not picking on China. Many countries are guilty of this and still practice Capital Punishment.
I just want to say something. How about all those whose punishment should not be death? Once they’re gone there is nothing anyone can do.

Monika Jalili

Monika Jalili
Monika Jalili: NoorSaaz brings to life the rich history of Iranian culture through its music and poetry. This entrancing selection of songs spans time and place; traditional Persian folk favorites stand alongside love songs from the 1950s, 60s and 70s, a time of great cultural change in Iran. Using traditional and non-traditional instruments, as well as lyrics in Persian, English and French, the artists of NoorSaaz combine their influences to present original interpretations of this music. In this spirit of exploration, NoorSaaz aspires to create understanding through an appreciation of the beauty of Iranian culture.
Vocalist:
Monika Jalili is a classically trained vocalist born in New York City with a degree in Vocal Performance from The Manhattan School of Music and in French Literature from Columbia University. Monika has been a performer on stage and film since the age of 12 and was a student of the late Beverley Peck Johnson. Her performances have taken her to Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, Symphony Space, The Producers Club, The Tchaikovsky Concert Hall in Moscow, The Moscow Conservatory of Music, The Starlight Roof at the Waldorf Astoria, The Wortham Center (Houston), Wolf Trap (Virginia), The Shubert Theatre (New Haven) and venues throughout Europe, and around the US. She has performed on and been interviewed on many international television and radio programs worldwide. Monika's great love of Persian music and culture led her to create NoorSaaz with Megan Weeder.
Rest of the bios:Monika Jalili Noorsaz

Listen to here beautiful voice here. These are some great songs:
Solatneh Ghalba-ha
Janeh Maryam
Daryacheye Noor & Gole Gandom

Benazir Bhutto

Benazir Bhutto
I’m so sorry. I’m speech less. I don’t know what to say. This is a very very sad day for all of us. What is it with these people? Which God can condone this kind of act? What a bunch of savages! Like father like daughter.

I Lost That Recipe!

I can't remember my oatmeal recipe! Was it, 1 part water, 1 part milk, 1 part oats, a dash of salt, little cinnamon, and some honey, in a pot on low heat slowly warmed and stirred until ready?



This reminds me of this song:

Mac Arthur Park by Donna Summer

This same song, Mac Arthur Park also performed by Richard Harris.

So, is it Checkers or Chinese Checkters or does it matter?

How sad that the new generation, perhaps, only remembers him by his most current roles in Harry Potter as Albus Dumbledore!

Camelot:


With Vanessa Redgrave:

As Professor Dumbledore:


On a totally unrelated subject but somehow a ubiquitous nagging in my head to include it here, I present to you:



Who Moved My Cheese? a “Self-Improvement” book that has nothing to do with cheese, but a lot with your mind that I was once asked to read to help learn to cope and resolve challenges arising from working with and managing people.

A Tale of Two Cities

A tale of two cities; a tale of two lovers, what an irony!

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times; it was the age of understanding, it was the age of innocence; it was the period of belief, it was the time of disbelief; it was the season of happiness, it was the season of misery; it was the spring of confidence, it was the winter of agony; we had everything before us, we had nothing before us; we were all going direct to paradise, we were all going the other way.

Another chapter in my life.

Desiderata - An Inspirational Piece!

See and listen to Desiderata – A Very Inspirational Piece. (No Comments!)
Well, maybe just one comment, I can’t help it. Is this another inspirational BS fluff, am I being just cynical, or just more sentimental? Who knows?


By Max Ehrmann, 1924
Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

Max Ehrmann, 1924
VERY INSPIRATIONAL PIECE...

(and Our own very 'Inspiration Point' at Yosemite National Park a must see place in California. Checkout California's Yosemite National Park for more info. Here is a picure of Ahwahnee Hotel at Inpiration Point)



The Confused History... (goes with the CONFUSED BLOG)

The Confused History of "Desiderata:"
The author is Max Ehrmann, a poet and lawyer from Terre Haute, Indiana, who lived from 1872 to 1945. It has been reported that Desiderata was inspired by an urge that Ehrmann wrote about in his diary:

"I should like, if I could, to leave a humble gift -- a bit of chaste prose that had caught up some noble moods."

Around 1959, the Rev. Frederick Kates, the rector of St. Paul's Church in Baltimore, Maryland, used the poem in a collection of devotional materials he compiled for his congregation. (Some years earlier he had come across a copy of Desiderata.) At the top of the handout was the notation, "Old St. Paul's Church, Baltimore A.C. 1692." The church was founded in 1692. [1]

As the material was handed from one friend to another, the authorship became clouded. Copies with the "Old St. Paul's Church" notation were printed and distributed liberally in the years that followed. It is perhaps understandable that a later publisher would interpret this notation as meaning that the poem itself was found in Old St. Paul's Church, dated 1692. This notation no doubt added to the charm and historic appeal of the poem, despite the fact that the actual language in the poem suggests a more modern origin. The poem was popular prose for the "make peace, not war" movement of the 1960s.

When Adlai Stevenson died in 1965, a guest in his home found a copy of Desiderata near his bedside and discovered that Stevenson had planned to use it in his Christmas cards. The publicity that followed gave widespread fame to the poem as well as the mistaken relationship to St. Paul's Church. [1]

As of 1977, the rector of St. Paul's Church was not amused by the confusion. Having dealt with the confusion "40 times a week for 15 years," he was sick of it. [1]

This misinterpretation has only added to the confusion concerning whether or not the poem is in the public domain.

By the way, Desiderata is Latin for "Things to be Desired."

Max Ehrmann, Desiderata, Copyright 1952.

Q: Bijan, thou art such A hypocrite! A: Why, can’t one be benevolent and like Lamborghinis too?

Oh Lord! Save me from myself! Can I count on you? Are you Just? Is this true?

Gerard Manley Hopkins
Wiki's own note: It has been claimed that some or all of this article or section is incoherent and not understandable, and should possibly be reworded if the intended meaning can be determined.

Gerard Manley Hopkins (1844–89). Poems. 1918.

50. ‘Thou art indeed just, Lord, if I contend’

Justus quidem tu es, Domine, si disputem tecum: verumtamen justa loquar ad te: Quare via impiorum prosperatur? &c.

THOU art indeed just, Lord, if I contend
With thee; but, sir, so what I plead is just.
Why do sinners’ ways prosper? and why must
Disappointment all I endeavour end?

Wert thou my enemy, O thou my friend,
How wouldst thou worse, I wonder, than thou dost
Defeat, thwart me? Oh, the sots and thralls of lust
Do in spare hours more thrive than I that spend,
Sir, life upon thy cause. See, banks and brakes
Now leavèd how thick! lacèd they are again
With fretty chervil, look, and fresh wind shakes
Them; birds build—but not I build; no, but strain,
Time’s eunuch, and not breed one work that wakes.
Mine, O thou lord of life, send my roots rain

Narcissism

XLIII. How do I love thee? Let me count the ways..."
by Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806-1861)

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.
I love thee to the level of everyday's
Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love thee with a passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints, --- I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life! --- and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.

About Narcissism:


I picked up that line on this movie, Scoop, one of Woody Allen’s latest movies (the movie (hint: In a party, as he is talking to bunch of new people and he is exif not the last, but I don’t know that for sure and who cares!) with Scarlet Johansson:):);) See if you can pick up that line in plaining describing himself…)



And don’t get me started on her cause I’ll start to moan and groan! Now there is a woman, and I might add a very beautiful, sexy, and young woman after my heart (Not!)




A big lie!

Well ever since I broke up with Heidi, a have been seeing a lot of Scarlet, as much as my schedule and trips allows me. And, I have made it very clear to her to not to lose herself over me, because I’m not into serious relationships. I have my reasons, but that’s for me to know and you to find out;)

And, Scarlet, my dear love, if you happen to read this, please don’t get all upset and pick the phone and ask me to explain, because I know I have made myself very clear. Besides you’re too young for me and I’m not into starting a family all over again. So, sweetheart, I’m sorry to break your heart all over again (if you happen to read this on location), but you should have listened to me. Anyhow, no more about us, since this was mostly about Moi!

You wish!
"Aarezo bar javanan aeib neest", There is no shame to aiming high or you can’t fault young & playful wishes, or something like that!

Old Flame:

Military Attack on Iran - An email from a friend

email from mjshahidiusa@aol.com

EXTREMELY IMPORTANT:I am sorry to send you this ominous message. And, I beg you to forward it to others.
A U.S. military attack on Iran is about to take place. The U.S. armed forces are waiting for President Bush's "Execute Command" order. Some reporters as well as former intelligence and military official are saying so.

Even though the majority of the American people are against it, a small but powerful lobby is pushing for it.

Please contact your political and community leaders and explain to them that a military attack on Iran will bring retaliation against Israel and U.S. personnel in the area and cause worldwide economic depression. Iran has the capability to do severe damage to U.S. allies in the region. The entire Middle East will be thrown into chaos and bloodshed for decades. Such action, now, would be madness.
There is still time for diplomacy. Let the U.N. and other negotiating groups do their work.

I will explain this issue on Twin Cities Public Television, Ch. 17 or 13, at 10:30 p.m. tonight.

Top 10 Cancer Fighting Foods (& more!)

Top 10 Cancer Fighting Foods & there is more to this blog than the title may suggest!

Is this really true? I like to challenge everyone to share their thoughts and beliefs on this subject. You don’t need to limit your comments to just these ten items. I’m even interested in the Oldwives’ tales as well! Are you into Organic Food? What does that mean? What really constitute organic?


Isn’t it, after all, all made out of similar Chemical Compounds? Is Caw shit fertilizer superior to other chemical fertilizers or are all pesticides that harmful? What do you think about companies like ADM, the super market to the world? What about genetically engineered foods? What is the tradeoff here?

Are you into recycling and saving the planet? I am, but my belief is that for anyone of like me, there is one who drives gas guzzlers and pullouts just enough to ruin my efforts. That’s okay too! I assume we cancel each other out and at the end it all balances itself. We can’t all be perfect! Just as there is one war monger amongst us, there is one who does Amnesty International and other peaceful efforts (i.e., Greenpeace organization) to make up for the damages cost for the other. I like what Bono is doing and I admire people like my friend Jay Shahidi who is involved as dedicates time and effort as much he can afford. When I grow up, I like to be just like them! I’m not too sure about Michael Moore though! Well, how about Al Gore?


Last but not least, solar energy and conservation!

Hearst Castle - First Mini Vacation In July

(Correction after a blogger comment!) + another link to H.C.

Neuschwanstein in Germany (a comment by a blogger pointed out my error?)

Hearst Castle - The Pool:

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First Mini Vacation this (last) summer in July! Sorry! I’ve been busy! Better late than never! Too many exclamations! Well, I just let the pictures to speak for themselves ;) Hearst Castle in San Simian. A MUST SEE PLACE! (Oomret be fanahe ageh ino nabini!)


First Mini Vacation this (last) summer in July! Sorry! I’ve been busy! Better late than never! Too many exclamations! Well, I just let the pictures to speak for themselves ;)

It’s way back there! These are the binoculars you can use to see it way way back there!



The entry to the onsite store (souvenirs and all kind of neat stuff!)



The life size statutes are awesome. You’ve got to see the indoor/outdoor pool!


FYI: Program & Tour Information:

Hearst Castle



I really can not do this justice. Not to mention, we couldn’t get any tickets that day, on site. You MUST have reservations way in advance. I have been there before, but you never see enough! Just google it and read about it. It really is one of those WORLD MARVELS that you must see. I did take many pictures of the surrounding areas, then again you must see it for yourself to appreciate the magnificence of it.

Salvador Dali's Original Lithographs

Salvador Dali (1904-1989) on Wiki. For more info. check out Dali Museum.
Other links: Salvador Dali Art Gallery"

The (my) Two Paintings


Salvador Dali's Original Lithographs

They finally arrived over a week ago and I couldn’t wait to tell you ALL about it!

My two Salvador Dali’s Original Lithographs: Surrender of Breda, Salvador Dali’s Interpretation of Diego Vealzquez's original painting and The Black Devil. Here is some excerpts on Diego Velazquez:

VELÁZQUEZ, Diego Rodriguez de Silva y (b. 1599, Sevilla, d. 1660, Madrid)
The Surrender of Breda (Las Lanzas)
before 1635
Oil on canvas, 307 x 367 cm
Museo del Prado, Madrid
It was in 1625, ten years before this picture was painted, that Justin von Nassau, the commanding officer of Breda, surrendered the city to the Genoese Ambrosio Spinola, commander of the Spanish forces. Breda was one of the border fortresses of the Netherlands, a military base which had long been a bone of contention, alternately seized by the Spaniards or returned to the Princes of Orange. After a long siege Spinola learned from an intercepted letter that the defendants were in desperate straits, short of both equipment and food, and he therefore proposed that von Nassau should freely surrender rather than continue the bloodshed. The proposal was accepted and the army withdrew in good order, keeping their goods and some of their arms. The citizens did not suffer any harm at all. This victory was one of the last triumphs achieved by Spain in the period when she was accounted a great world power, and it was also one of the fine instances when humanism prevailed even in times of war.
The main problem of a history painting featuring a large number of figures is the question of how to handle the crowd scenes. Velázquez initially tackles this difficulty by dividing the picture plane into two levels - a higher area of action on which the main event is acted out as on a stage, and an area below it in which we see the city and harbour of Breda and the sea. The stage-like situation is further emphasized by various foreground elements. The two military leaders - the defeated commandant of Breda handing over the keys of the fortress to the Spanish commander Spinola - are immediately recognizable as the protagonists because the view opens up behind them towards the otherwise hidden background, whereas to the right and left the respective military entourage is grouped like stage extras. Yet Velázquez does not portray them as anonymous soldiers. Amongst the group of Spanish victors brandishing their lances, we can make out just as many individual expressions of exhaustion as we can amongst the resigned group of defeated Dutch soldiers.
It is thought that the composition of the picture derives from a contemporary book-illustration of the Bible; this is certainly true of the two central figures of the commanders. In its colouring - the brown masses of the horses, the blue and red garments of the soldiers - we see the influence of Venetian painting, particularly that of Tintoretto.

And last but not least my other lithograph, The Black Devil:


My own pictures:




See the Details