Displaying 11,461 To 11,490 Of 11,789 Comments Andrew Sullivan Officially Leaving the Right I’m still bemused that a self-described socialist was invited as a Hoover Institute fellow. A list he would have to make like Sullivan’s though is going back on his foreign policy worldview in the Middle East. » Posted By Khirad On December 3, 2009 @ 2:20 pm Indeed. We calibrate regionally. There’s truth to the line that we don’t need a GOP. The Dems are diverse enough alone. » Posted By Khirad On December 3, 2009 @ 2:17 pm I always found it odd. Being a Tory from the UK makes him more of a fiscally conservative Democrat. I’ve liked him too, and of the conservative voices I can stomach, always seemed the one most out of place. He got really sloppy at times, but I did appreciate his fervor on Iran. » Posted By Khirad On December 3, 2009 @ 1:23 pm DAMNED IF HE DOES…. DAMNED IF HE DOESN’T I will admit the key problem I see with Pakistan is its continued denial that OBL is there. They also once said he was dead (I’m agnostic on that). Maybe they’re being cute. In any case, it is problematic in light that they’re asking for more “clarity” on the mission. » Posted By Khirad On December 3, 2009 @ 2:25 pm My point was it’s a valid concern, but the refrain about Islamabad falling and a failed state often neglect geography and safeguards in place. If there is any silver lining to the horrible attacks on governmental installations by TTP and other Talibani groups, it is that the populace in Punjab and Sindh are concerned too and the Army no longer amused with former allies (not to say it still doesn’t have relationships with other Talibanis in regard to furthering their interests against India in Kashmir and Afghanistan, and that there might be rogue elements within the army still), but an unstable government would revert likely back to yet another military coup or Nawaz Sharif. Don’t know if this was it, but this was good: http://www.salon.com/news/opinion/feature/2009/12/01/afghanistan_surge/index.html » Posted By Khirad On December 3, 2009 @ 2:14 pm So, maybe they don’t like their token German too much after all… even though I do. 😉 » Posted By Khirad On December 3, 2009 @ 1:28 pm Yup, we will disagree. I take Juan Cole over Biden on this one. http://motherjones.com/politics/2009/07/armageddon-top-world-not » Posted By Khirad On December 3, 2009 @ 1:26 pm Did you ever get the scrubbing thing sorted out? » Posted By Khirad On December 3, 2009 @ 1:14 pm I still don’t see what nukes in Pakistan has to do with anything. Except, that we helped set up their nukes’ security and have a fairly good relationship with their army (it’s love/hate), who actually runs the show when things come down to brass tacks. – And looking at Zardari, that may come. » Posted By Khirad On December 3, 2009 @ 1:10 pm btw, I think forpeace said she’d be by tomorrow, and ConservativeHippie has said he’s lurked. The link was being dropped and I was doing my best to concur and invite people. If we have enough planetarians on a thread this can be effective, I imagine, having a handful respond to a post – before it gets raptured – and vouching for it. After all, this is where all the cool cat’s retire or vacation after the stress of HP, and my goal is to see many of our anonfriends join us. For those that can’t quit, it would be fun to develop strategy here and other devious plans against the trolls. » Posted By Khirad On December 3, 2009 @ 10:23 pm I know I’m probably supposed to posture, and be all insouciant and cool, but the fanning thing is kind of validating. Mind you, I never whore for them. I make a point to “earn” it – though I imagine a great deal is after they realize I’m part of the “clique” – though I’d like not to think of myself like that, who am I kidding. It does come in handy though for easily spotting troll socks, one time hit and run provocateurs (often of the race baiting stripe), and trolls in general – apart from the king and queen of trolldom types (you know who). I never lord mine over anyone, or think I’m better, some low numbers – usually around 20-30s have the most intelligent posts. But if any anonymous person wants to challenge my progressive cred in some far flung thread, – well that doesn’t happen so much anymore. And I’m not talking about sincere challenges, either. Trolls can come from the far left, as well (and to think most my life I though of myself as far left, maybe just not woo-woo left). » Posted By Khirad On December 3, 2009 @ 10:11 pm To make it more authentic: whataduckingfrag! » Posted By Khirad On December 3, 2009 @ 10:02 pm Pathetic. It’s like he actually believes it’s a conspiracy. As if I didn’t realize that one was looney already. Go Cats! » Posted By Khirad On December 3, 2009 @ 8:09 am I was gonna post the same story, and tell people to seriously look it up if they didn’t know about it already. » Posted By Khirad On December 3, 2009 @ 8:07 am Thanks again. I wish I were more knowledgeable of Soviet political history – I was only really alive maybe 11-12 years before their fall (which is no excuse not to read a book – my knowledge is pretty much limited to Trotsky’s writings and the History Channel). A comparative look would be very interesting, and you’re not the first whom has suggested the intriguing similarities (People’s Republic of China is another interesting comparison). Fareed Zakaria has made similar comments. » Posted By Khirad On December 3, 2009 @ 8:00 am Yup. More from the AP: » Posted By Khirad On December 3, 2009 @ 6:08 am I’m goin’ to bed. Early, I know. If there’s a question, comment, criticism, go ahead. I’ll get to it. » Posted By Khirad On December 2, 2009 @ 6:24 pm Accident. Started out with an obsession with India and Parsis, developed into an appreciation of the poetry, film and food, started following events now and then, but when this happened in June, I started really hitting the books. I started battling trolls on HP, and well, it sorta became my thing. I don’t try to pretend to be something I’m not, but it can all come in handy. » Posted By Khirad On December 2, 2009 @ 6:22 pm Isn’t the chart fun?! Like chutes and ladders? An overabundance of checks and balances, all of which mean diddly-squat, ’cause they all lead back to one person! Completely oppressed, no. Has a wind been taken out of their sail, yeah. Options seem few now. But, the regime still has to tread on eggshells. All it would need is another spark. My problem is the lack of news, and that I’m not a Farsi speaker. I pick up as much as I can I know basic phrases, but can’t read a blog or newspaper. Those, though, are also not as widespread, though mowjcamp is still up, as are others from within Iran I read occasionally. » Posted By Khirad On December 2, 2009 @ 6:16 pm That’s not really the way it happened. That’s more like the Republican version of history. Although, I watched Greta’s special on FOX, and it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. Still left out a lot of stuff though, purposefully methinks. We had actually relied on Savak for our information within the country, so we didn’t see it coming. By the time we did, there wasn’t a thing we could have done. We even sent a guy over there in case, Huyser, but no. Besides, all were wary of repeating 1953. Carter doesn’t get any credit for actually calling on the shah to improve human rights. Of course, these things were often perfunctory and we looked the other way much of the time. And though some cast doubt on this, an Iranian (who was it Bazargan? aargh! tired!) has said Reagan had people negotiating with the Iranians as a candidate. Funny thing is that once Khomeini and gang had thrown out Carter (thus getting payback for Mossadegh), they all of a sudden realized — hmm — Reagan… what do we do now? Like children and instant gratification they are. » Posted By Khirad On December 2, 2009 @ 6:09 pm No on both. I’m trying to understand it too. (don’t tell anyone though 😉 ) Tucson. I was up in Tempe a couple weeks back though. » Posted By Khirad On December 2, 2009 @ 5:58 pm What kind of a guy seriously thinks through having sex with a chicken, rules that it would not be permissible to eat it, or for your neighbors to eat it, but two doors down, now THAT’S fine?!! He was also furious with the rights the shah gave to women in family court, in being judges, and there’s some controversy to this, but I think the evidence bears out, at least in the earlier years, that a move for suffrage was purely cynical. At least a woman can theoretically run for president before being disqualified by the Guardian Council, limited to men, right? That man was a piece of work. More complex and more shrewd than most people would suspect, but that stern stoicism and brutal literalism in harsh black and white terms. Total Khomeini. » Posted By Khirad On December 2, 2009 @ 5:55 pm If only the world would give him a synchronized eyeroll. Ahmadi is just like an HP troll. Thrives off the attention. The Pasdaran is a fraction of the Army, a separate entity. Plus, the regular army has all the “big boys” toys. I had the percentage somewhere once, but it is a very small clique command level consolidating power. The way they bolster their numbers is by claiming Basij reserves: meaning every boy in the city a town or village with a Basiji mosque (i.e. everywhere). I don’t really count these. It’s been described as a sort of nepotistic Freemasonric deal (which would be insulting to them, since they thought the shah’s people were in league with the Freemasons – I love needling them every chance I get), with vets getting all the good pensions, housing, business deals, etc. How many support them? That’s a tougher call. All those who voted for Ahmadinejad – and those I believe there to have been massive fraud, he still would have picked up at the least a 1/3 of the population. Incredibly rough guesstimate though. I think many people still respect them as veterans with the war with Iraq and defending the borders against drug smugglers, but many would also rather have nothing to do with them. It’s a bit tricky generalizing the organization. It is up top where the “juntization” is occurring. But for the nepotism I described, and the corruption and embezzlement from charities, there a tad bit of resentment. Of course, the true believers would never believe a bit of my accusations – and I might put on a good British accent just to get them really paranoid! On your last questions. Same answer I gave javaz, I’m working that out and reassessing it myself right now. » Posted By Khirad On December 2, 2009 @ 5:43 pm You really need to rent this: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0808417/ It covers everything you said. I went to grab a book off the shelf in response to you guys bringing up the Persian vs. Iranian thing, but I forgot that Hooman Majd Spent five pages on it! It gets complicated. Bottom line. Iran has always been ‘Iran’ in Iran. It largely comes down the negative associations with the name in the West now. This sums it up:
» Posted By Khirad On December 2, 2009 @ 5:20 pm I’m a bit tired, so I’ll do the best that I can by breaking this up. Q: From what I do know about Iran from PBS shows, is that the younger generation does not want religious rule. A: It is first of all important to know that Ahmadinejad does have a very real base. And many people really do revere Khomeini (for a myriad of reasons). This gets to the trouble. We’re dealing often with anecdotal information, but I’d say it’s safe to say that there’s generally no love lost for the mollahs. Many younger clerics have learned to carry their turbans and robes in a bag so as to hail a cab. ‘Religious rule’ is the key. Many voted for an Islamic Republic, but had no idea this is what they would get. Q: during the reign of the Shah » Posted By Khirad On December 2, 2009 @ 5:07 pm 30,000 Reasons to Leave Afghanistan LOL. At first I didn’t get the comment, but now I do! I thought it odd. Was trying to remember if it’d always been like that. » Posted By Khirad On December 1, 2009 @ 10:06 pm I agree with you. I think the people with the simple answers either way are full of shit. If we leave, that takes us out of it, but still leaves India, Pakistan and Iran to fight over hegemony. I know Americans don’t much care about this sort of thing (which ostensibly doesn’t affect us directly), but I find that situation underreported and the consequences of which could themselves escalate to encompass a whole new set of problems in our vacuum. » Posted By Khirad On December 1, 2009 @ 9:55 pm http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-atif19-2009nov19,0,3839166.story Have them throw in any Afghan music they listen to, if they do. I’m desperate for suggestions. 😉 » Posted By Khirad On December 1, 2009 @ 9:42 pm This from a group of people that think tay-her-ran is the capital of a Flock of Seagulls song. I’ll admit, David Sedaris once bit a bit on a professor who got all ridiculous pronouncing Nicaragua. But, given that so many anglo news anchors are visibly pleased with themselves at pronouncing simple Spanish names, I do still take pride that our president can pronounce simple vowels correctly, matter-of-factly, while they cling to their ignorance. It is curious though that he fudges the pronunciation of Afghanistan a little though. » Posted By Khirad On December 1, 2009 @ 9:38 pm Tin Drum was okay. There’s another one along the lines of it, that is better, IMHO. Fran » Posted By Khirad On December 1, 2009 @ 2:30 amComments Posted By Khirad
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Forensic tests showed that the doctor died of “poisoning by drugs” that matched doses of propranolol found in a salad that was delivered to him, Dowlatabadi [the prosecutor] said Tuesday. “A large number of these pills must be used for a person to pass away from them,” he said.
Is that true or is that too simplistic?
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