Letters to the Editor
Bill Owen
Published Letters: 477 Editor's Choice: 5
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Fly naked
[Read the article: Is Star Simpson's "fake bomb" just an art jacket?]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]It's been suggested before, but I will go so far as to predict it.
All people entering an airport will strip naked and don government issued paper clothing. No carry-on allowed. All luggage will be shipped by pilotless drone aircraft.
Happy now? Feel safe? This kind of nonsense is the logical consequence of freaking out over blinking bread boards and play-doh.
There is an actual reason for the utterly nonsensical, pointless, yet dangerous actions of the TSB and the police (coming close to shooting a young girl at a crowded airport whom they think might have a bomb) It is to inculcate "learned helplessness" in the collective mind of america. For a dictatorship to succeed it is important for the slave population to believe that there is no hope, and nothing can be done. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Learned_helplessness
Far far worse than this is coming, inter alia, quite possibly an attack on Iran followed by the declaration of martial law in the ensuing "national emergency". And when it does come, thanks to the efforts of the cheney/bush junta and their brilliant social engineers, most americans won't say a word, except perhaps to post anonymously on Salon how it is wrong not to obey orders, and how those who disagree with "orders are "stupid" or "attention seeking" at best, "enemies", and "traitors" at worst. Then like good defenders of die heimat, sorry, the Homeland, they will dutifully report them to the proper authorities.
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Itis About Oil
[Read the article: Turning Ahmadinejad into public enemy No. 1]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Always has been.
Those who hate Ahmadinejad are simply victims of propaganda or rightists advocating on behalf of their masters. Ahmadinejad is a piece of work for sure, I would think that even Prof. Cole would allow that Ahmadinejad is perhaps his own worst enemy. He did not say what they say, but neither has he made clear, unambiguous statements to the effect that: there was holocaust of the Jews, and Israel has a right to exist (although one would hope that existence is predicated on a fair and just solution to the Palestinian question). Until he does that; those who want the oil and/or hegemony in the middle east - will always have the rhetorical upper hand.
Chris C., as for the chants of "death to America", this is a fact on the ground in that region. Are you surprised? Look at the history of the region and especially of Iran. America supported and armed Saddam (who was everything we say Ahmadinejad is) in his attack on Iran, resulting in the death of millions. This happened quite recently, and although we cannot accept this POV, we must understand it and work toward an equitable world despite the hatred, valid or otherwise - on both sides. In the past few days, I have seen a lot of speech coming from Americans that is very much in the "death to Iran" mode. Norman Podhoertz and Michael Ledeen make no secret of their dreams and plans for a giant radioactive pan of melted glass where Iran used to be, yet I hear no protests when they speak.
One of the big differences between the putative Iranian position and the American one, is that America could accomplish this goal in 10 minutes with thermonuclear weapons, and in about 2 weeks from the air. So my real concern is not what Ahmadinejad would perhaps like to do, but what America and Israel actually plan on doing.
Iran is a small barking dog, tied to a shed (full of oil), do not get too close, but do not worry about him too much either. And yes, that includes a armed with nuclear weapons they dare not use. Mutual assured destruction is always operative - Ahmadinejad knows that very well. And like that little dog, you will do better with some kind words and a bone than with a stick.
I look forward to seeing the "translation" of what Dr. Ahmadinejad says today at Columbia. Looks like Dr. Cole will be busy with his Persian/English dictionary and vast knowledge of the region.
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Links to AgitProp
[Read the article: Turning Ahmadinejad into public enemy No. 1]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I have difficulty addressing a serious response to someone called "orbitboy", but here goes.
You have posted a number of links to news articles reporting that Iran is doing this or that.
If it was necessary, and it should not be, as most Salon readers have functioning memories, I could post a raft of links to news articles by Judith Miller and her loathsome ilk, written prior the crusade to rid Iraq of WMD, all of which "proved" that Saddam was about to destroy Israel, perhaps the world, and that he was the mastermind behind 9/11, (40% of FOX viewers still believe this!).
How many times are you going to buy that land in Florida?
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You criticized the King's policies Conservativeslayer
[Read the article: Turning Ahmadinejad into public enemy No. 1]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]So, in rightwingworld,ipso facto, you criticized the king! If you do that you automatically become a "moonbat", "conspiracy nut" etc. It's true I saw it on FOX.
Please just accept what you are told, don't argue with the authorities and stay out of airports with any kind of LED or play-doh and you'll be fine.