About 60% of eligible men escaped military service during the Vietnam era

About 60% of eligible men escaped military service during the Vietnam era
Upper class liberal Christians such as myself were proud draft dodgers.

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Letter to the blog

"Greetings From the Dr. Bob Jones Institute Think Tank."

"As national director of BJI, it is my duty to inform you and/or your organization that a detailed analysis of your positions regarding the Bible, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and in particular your political positions are not compatible with our own. The Dr. Bob Jones Institute stands for strict morality and a totally Christian Theocratic federal government. These of course are the wishes of Jesus."

"Since you or your organization have been tried and found wanting, we must insist that you disband your website immediately and no longer espouse the none sense "we have found there. Since the election of George W. Bush as our 43rd and BORN AGAIN president, and since as you know Mr. Bush did speak at the Bob Jones University and is close friends with Dr. Bob Jones III, BJI hopes you will agree it would be wise for you to obey God's will and to do so promptly."

Sincerely,

Michael C. Kelley

Our Kind

Our Kind
We are the educated elite. We are secular humanists.
WASP > JEW

"Toto, I've got a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore"

"God has no religion" - Gandhi

The One

The One

Dr. Mr. Liberal Christian WASP, the smartest man in the world.

Dr. Mr. Liberal Christian WASP, the smartest man in the world.
I will be your pastor today.

Dr. Mr. Liberal Christian WASP

Dr. Mr. Liberal Christian WASP
Proud Vietnam Draft Dodger

Can I be a Chickenhawk Too?

Can I Be a Chickenhawk Too? You sure can! If you never served in the military, but you go around mouthing off, supporting the war, beating the drum, and advocating that we send Democratic kids off to kill Iraqi kids so that Republican kids can become billionaires, you're a junior chickenhawk!

Brave New World

Brave New World
Only I, Dr. Mr. Liberal Christian WASP can guide you to happiness. Throw off your Jesus shackles and follow me, for only I can lead you to happiness. Tut tut, my good man.

Dr. Mr. Liberal Christian WASP has an Rx for you.

"Under the wise leadership of president Obama, two thousand pharmacologists and bio-chemists were subsidized. Six years later it was being produced commercially. The perfect drug. Euphoric, narcotic, pleasantly hallucinant. All the advantages of Christianity and alcohol; none of their defects. Take a holiday from reality whenever you like, and come back without so much as a headache or a mythology. Stability was practically assured."
ALDOUS HUXLEY ( Brave New World )

"Who lives longer? the man who takes heroin for two years and dies, or a man who lives on roast beef, water and potatoes 'till 95? One passes his 24 months in eternity. All the years of the beefeater are lived only in time."
Aldous Huxley

Dr. Mr. Liberal Christian WASP says,

Drawing life to a close with a transcendentally orgasmic bang, and not a pathetic and god-forsaken whimper, can turn dying into the culmination of one's existence rather than its present messy and protracted anti-climax.

There is another good reason to finish life on a high note. In a predominantly secular society, adopting a hedonisticdeath-style is much more responsible from an ethical utilitarian perspective. For it promises to spare friends and relations the miseries of vicarious suffering and distress they are liable to undergo at present as they witness one's decline.

A few generations hence, the elimination of primitive evolutionary holdovers such as the ageing process andsuffering will make the hedonistic death advocated here redundant. In the meanwhile, one is conceived in pleasure and may reasonably hope to die in it.

Liberal Christians


Also sometimes referred to as secular, modern, or humanistic. This is an umbrella term for Protestant denominations, or churches within denominations, that view the Bible as the witness of God rather than the word of God, to be interpreted in its historical context through critical analysis. Examples include some churches within Anglican/Episcopalian, Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian, and United Church of Christ. There are more than 2,000 Protestant denominations offering a wide range of beliefs from extremely liberal to mainline to ultra-conservative and those that include characteristics on both ends.

Belief in Deity
Trinity of the Father (God), the Son (Christ), and the Holy Spirit that comprises one God Almighty. Many believe God is incorporeal.

Incarnations
Beliefs vary from the literal to the symbolic belief in Jesus Christ as God's incarnation. Some believe we are all sons and daughters of God and that Christ was exemplary, but not God.

Origin of Universe and Life
The Bible's account is symbolic. God created and controls the processes that account for the universe and life (e.g. evolution), as continually revealed by modern science.

After Death
Goodness will somehow be rewarded and evil punished after death, but what is most important is how you show your faith and conduct your life on earth.

Why Evil?
Most do not believe that humanity inherited original sin from Adam and Eve or that Satan actually exists. Most believe that God is good and made people inherently good, but also with free will and imperfect nature, which leads some to immoral behavior.

Salvation
Various beliefs: Some believe all will go to heaven, as God is loving and forgiving. Others believe salvation lies in doing good works and no harm to others, regardless of faith. Some believe baptism is important. Some believe the concept of salvation after death is symbolic or nonexistent.

Undeserved Suffering
Most Liberal Christians do not believe that Satan causes suffering. Some believe suffering is part of God's plan, will, or design, even if we don't immediately understand it. Some don't believe in any spiritual reasons for suffering, and most take a humanistic approach to helping those in need.

Contemporary Issues
Most churches teach that abortion is morally wrong, but many ultimately support a woman's right to choose, usually accompanied by policies to provide counseling on alternatives. Many are accepting of homosexuality and gay rights.



Saturday, September 15, 2007

Proxy war could soon turn to direct conflict, analysts warn

US strikes on Iran predicted as tension rises over arms smuggling and nuclear fears

Julian Borger and Ian Black
Saturday September 15, 2007

Guardian

The growing US focus on confronting Iran in a proxy war inside Iraq risks triggering a direct conflict in the next few months, regional analysts are warning.

US-Iranian tensions have mounted significantly in the past few days, with heightened rhetoric on both sides and the US decision to establish a military base in Iraq less than five miles from the Iranian border to block the smuggling of Iranian arms to Shia militias.

The involvement of a few hundred British troops in the anti-smuggling operation also raises the risk of their involvement in a cross-border clash.

US officers have alleged that an advanced Iranian-made missile had been fired at an American base from a Shia area, which if confirmed would be a significant escalation in the "proxy war" referred to this week by General David Petraeus, the US commander in Iraq.

"The proxy war that has been going on in Iraq may now cross the border. This is a very dangerous period," Patrick Cronin, the director of studies at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, said.

Iran's leaders have so far shown every sign of relishing the confrontation. The supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, declared yesterday that American policies had failed in the Middle East and warned: "I am certain that one day Bush and senior American officials will be tried in an international court for the tragedies they have created in Iraq."

In such circumstances, last week's Israeli air strike against a mystery site in northern Syria has triggered speculation over its motives. Israel has been silent about the attack. Syria complained to the UN security council but gave few details. Some say the target was Iranian weapons on their way to Hizbullah in Lebanon, or that the sortie was a dry run for a US-Israeli attack on Syria and Iran. There is even speculation that the Israelis took out a nuclear facility funded by Iran and supplied by North Korea

The situation is particularly volatile because the struggle for influence threatens to exacerbate a confrontation over Tehran's nuclear ambitions.

The US has called a meeting of major powers in Washington next Friday to discuss Iran's defiance of UN resolutions calling for its suspension of uranium enrichment. It comes amid signs that the Bush administration is running out of patience with diplomatic efforts to curb the nuclear programme. Hawks led by the vice-president, Dick Cheney, are intensifying their push for military action, with support from Israel and privately from some Sunni Gulf states.

"Washington is seriously reviewing plans to bomb not just nuclear sites, but oil sites, military sites and even leadership targets. The talk is of multiple targets," said Mr Cronin. "In Washington there is very serious discussion that this is a window that has to be looked at seriously because there is only six months to 'do something about Iran' before it will be looked at as a purely political issue."

US presidential elections are due in November 2008, and military action at the height of the campaign is usually seen by voters as politically motivated.

Vincent Cannistraro, a former CIA counter-terrorism chief who is now a security analyst, said: "The decision to attack was made some time ago. It will be in two stages. If a smoking gun is found in terms of Iranian interference in Iraq, the US will retaliate on a tactical level, and they will strike against military targets. The second part of this is: Bush has made the decision to launch a strategic attack against Iranian nuclear facilities, although not before next year. He has been lining up some Sunni countries for tacit support for his actions."

US and British officials have complained to Iran about the use by Shia militias in Iraq of what they say are Iranian-made weapons. The main concern is the proliferation of roadside bombs that fire a bolt of molten metal through any thickness of armour, which the officials say must have been made in Iran.

A US military spokesman in Baghdad, Major General Kevin Bergner, raised the stakes when he said the 240mm rocket that hit the US military headquarters outside Baghdad this week, killing an American soldier and wounding 11, had been supplied to Shia militants by Iran.

Gen Bergner used to work in the White House, where he was aligned with administration hawks, and his dispatch to Baghdad was seen by some as a move to increase pressure on Iran.

"There are an awful lot of lower level officers who are very angry about the deaths from explosively formed projectiles said to come from Iran. There is a certain amount of military pressure to do something about this," said Patrick Clawson, the deputy director for research at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. "That said, it is very difficult for us to do anything without much better evidence. In that respect, border control is a sensible solution."

Any US decision to attack Iran would force Gordon Brown to choose between creating a serious rift in the transatlantic alliance and participating in or endorsing American actions. British officials insist that Washington has given no sign it is ready to abandon diplomacy and argue that UN sanctions are showing signs of working. They point to the resurgence in Iran of Hashemi Rafsanjani, seen as a pragmatic counterweight to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Hopes that a new war could still be avoided have also been boosted by Gen Petraeus's claim that Iran's covert Quds force alleged to be supporting Shia attacks on coalition forces had been pulled out of Iraq. If true, it could be that in the stand-off between the US and Iran, Iran has blinked first.

Guardian Unlimited © Guardian News and Media Limited 2007

Fat and Happy




Members of the "Fat and Cool" dance group, dressed as penguins, rehearse in Nanjing, in east China's Jiangsu province, on Sept. 14, 2007. The group is made up of seven female members, aged from 17 to 24 and weighing around 105kg to 130kg (231 lbs to 286 lbs), who give performances in local communities.

When Man, Beast Speak the Same Language

East African Business Week (Kampala)
OPINION
10 September 2007
Posted to the web 10 September 2007

By Dean Harrison

The lion just wouldn't get off me. His right elbow was pressed into my shoulder, pinning it firm to the ground. I had maneuvered my chest just enough to his right so that I could still breathe.

If he was a little further forward on me, breathing would have been a thing of the past - and maybe me too. I couldn't believe I allowed myself to be in this position; I played right into his paws.

As I think back as to how this came about, my error was obvious. My wife, Prayeri and I had just finished the Lion Safari Show at Out of Africa Wildlife Park, when two young couples approached me to go back in with Java, the big black mane Cape Lion. I told them once we leave the 'lions after a show, we don't go in with them again as we have found that additional contact with them right after the show is riskier and it serves no purpose.

However, one of them said they were at the park a couple weeks ago and were so excited at what they had seen, that they had brought some friends to see it too. He explained they had driven an hour and a half and really wanted to see us in with Java - and they had promised their friends.

Again I explained to him the risk and said "no." A little later on they found me again and persisted their request. By now I was feeling guilty about not satisfying their pleadings - so I relented and said "okay, just briefly."

But at that time there was an additional reason for not pushing my luck with Java. Two weeks before, I had moved him out of his favorite habitat because we needed to do some upgrading where Java was living. I told Java he could come back by the end of the day. But the work was not finished as expected. In fact we found more time would be needed. So I went to Java to tell him. He indicated to me that it was all right; he would return later.

The next day, the work continued, but it was still unfinished by day's end. I explained to Java and he seemed to accept the delay. By the third day the work was still not complete and I was embarrassed to tell Java.

So I said nothing. A week later we still weren't finished and I apologized and told him we were almost done. But more complications arose. By now it was quite apparent that Java was annoyed with the project and my excuses and wanted to go back. Another week went by and still we were not finished.

Now it was Sunday and I knew Java was harboring ill feelings toward me. He had not expressed them during the show because he was distracted, but it was plain to me that Java was unhappy with the insensitive way I treated him. I too felt our relationship strained, but didn't know what to do about it.

When I said okay to the persistent visitor, I knew I was walking into an irritated lion. As I entered the habitat that Java was residing in, I felt a particular uneasiness. It felt like a trap. Java was resting up-right in typical cat-like fashion. His neck was erect, but his head was slightly downward.

This posture is typical of what Java does when he wants to pretend he is not going to jump me. While his head was downward, his eyes were looking up - at me. I felt the possibility of a jump coming and took appropriate action to test my feelings. Walking back and forth in a zig-zag pattern. while approaching the big lion, I was looking to see if he would turn his head as I approached. But he did not. This confirmed my suspicions, but by now I was committed and the four visitors were so happy, I just couldn't disappoint them.

By now many other visitors had gathered. As I stepped into Java's space, he remained perfectly still, never moving even an eyelid. I placed my left foot to his right, just next to his head so I would avoid the full force of a frontal assault.

I carefully picked-up my right foot and was planning to place it in a stable, defensive position to secure my stance if Java did attack.

I was surprised that as yet he had done nothing. He certainly had the chance. Then all of a sudden he was in the air. My right foot had not yet even touched the ground. He was two feet above my head and coming down. I can't remember hitting the ground but, I was on it - flat on my back with my head and chest under Java's chest and my legs pointing away from him.

As he hit me, I heard his words in my head "Do what you say." His mouth never opened and I was completely unharmed. He was standing directly over head - his head over mine about three and a half feet up. He made no attempt to do me harm, but I felt I should leave now. I wiggled my body backward on the ground like a snake in reverse.

Java stepped forward, still standing and still looking up. It seemed as if he was waiting for instructions as to what to do with me.

I knew his intent was not to hurt me for if he had intended it he already would have done it. His head would have been down and he would have been biting me.

He was exercising complete control over his captive. His behavior was not rash or harsh, it was not without meaning or purpose, but he was completely composed and without irritation or feelings.

I wiggled forward again. He stepped forward and laid down on me. As he settled, I shifted to be able to breathe. I asked him to get off me, but he remained unaffected. All those at the park, who work with animals wear microphones for constant communication for show purposes and for reasons such as the situation I was now involved. I reached into my pocket and turned on my Mic. "Prayeri, could you come to habitat six quickly" But she didn't hear.

I didn't want to alarm park visitors, after all, I wasn't dying, I was just under a giant lion. Several staff animal people arrived and made distracting noises and behaviors at the fence. They could not come in since Java does not allow anyone but Prayeri and me in because we are part of his pride.

Anyone else would be attacked. But Gerry Happ, who was in charge of what we call "core group" (those who work with the big cats) ran to the meat room and got a big piece of meat. As he approached the habitat fence, Java saw him, Gerry tossed the meat over and Java pushed off of me and headed for the food. I jumped to my feet and ran out.

The two couples who insisted I go back in with Java were visibly shaken and greatly relieved that I was unhurt. I assured them I was fine, but glad to be out. When the park opened again, I made sure the work on Java's habitat was continued. In fact it was completed by noon. I went back in with Java and called him to tell him the good news. He and his wives, Shanta and Sahara came running and investigated all that had been done. From that day on, I do what I say - especially with Java.

Interspecies communication has long been a subject of debate. Today many people have discovered its existence and have experienced it to various degrees. One only needs to visit Out of Africa Wildlife Park to see the results.

The writer is President of Out of Africa

Iran leader: Bush will be tried

By NASSER KARIMI, Associated Press WriterFri Sep 14, 7:22 AM ET

President Bush will one day be tried in court just like deposed Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein for his involvement in the Iraq tragedy, Iran's supreme leader said Friday.

Speaking to thousands of worshippers during the first Friday prayer of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said that Bush will be called to account for the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq.

"A day will come that the current U.S. president and officials will be tried in an international supreme court for the catastrophes they caused in Iraq," he said.

"Americans will have to answer for why they don't end occupation of Iraq and why waves of terrorism and insurgency have overwhelmed the country," he added. "It will not be like this forever and some day they will be stopped as happened to Hitler, Saddam and certain other European leaders."

Khamenei mocked the U.S., describing the recent congressional testimony of the top U.S. officials in Iraq as a sign of weakness and the failure of American policy in the war torn country.

"More than four years have passed since the occupation of Iraq and today everyone knows that America has failed and is frantically looking for a way out," he said.

In their testimony Gen. David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker raised allegations — denied by Iran — of Iranian meddling in Iraq by financial and military support of militias and insurgent groups. They warned that the U.S. was already embroiled in a proxy war with the Islamic republic.

Despite U.N. sanctions and efforts to isolate Iran internationally, the country is flourishing, maintained Khamenei.

"Today we are in a better political position compared to four to five years ago," he said. "We have moved forward economically and the spiritual preparedness and happiness of our nation has improved."

"A nation like ours, without an atomic bomb and not as wealthy as these other powerful governments, has foiled a whole series of their conspiracies and forced them to give up and withdraw," he added.

The U.S. accuses Iran of secretly trying to develop nuclear weapons and has called for further international sanctions against the country. Iran denies the charge.

Iran and the U.S. have not had diplomatic relations since Washington cut its ties with Tehran after Iranian students stormed the U.S. embassy there in 1979.

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Bomb Iran Now - Let's Roll

George W. Bush is such a pansy, passive-aggressive little worm. Instead of lying about WMD's in Iraq he should have simply told the truth. Do something right for a change George, bomb Iran and then take out Bin Laden in Pakistan. You know precisely where Bin Laden is located, take him out. Let's get on with it. Do it and stop being such a little lying wimp.

Iran : Speech by Mrs. Maryam Rajavi in Paris Gathering of 50,000

Tuesday, 03 July 2007
TEXT OF SPEECH BY MRS. MARYAM RAJAVI,
President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran

Paris – Nord, Villepinte – June 30, 2007

Towards Victory



Hail to the great nation of Iran that has arisen to bring down the ruling religious dictatorship;

Hail to the Iranian people and their admirable uprising in recent days;

Hail to the enraged youths who used the petrol crisis in recent days to ignite the flames of a popular uprising;

Greetings from here to Tehran, Yassouj, Ahwaz, Tabriz, Shiraz, Ilam, Gorgan, and to all of Iran. We salute all those who have risen up.

Hail to the steadfast city of Ashraf, the embodiment of the Iranian nation’s resolve for liberty;

Hail to every Iranian who yearns for freedom and popular sovereignty in the land of Iran;

And, hail to each and every one of you who has gathered here from all over the world to demonstrate the determination of the Iranian nation to overthrow the clerical regime.

We have gathered here to echo the cry of 80 million Iranians to the world: The era of the mullahs has come to an end, and a free and democratic Iran is on the horizon.

On behalf of my compatriots, I extend our gratitude to all members of parliament and political personalities, as well as advocates of peace and human rights, who have joined us to express solidarity with the Iranian people.


The True Voice of Iran

The mullahs' tumult to develop nuclear bombs, the ominous sounds of their ruthless bombings in Iraq and their ratcheting to repress and terrorize the people at home are not the voice of Iran.

The voice of Iran is the chant of "down with Ahmadinejad" cried out by Mojahed and courageous youths during the uprising against the imposition of fuel rationing;

The voice of Iran is the cry of brave women whose blood-stained faces from confrontation with the regime’s suppressive forces, have unnerved world public opinion in recent months;

The voice of Iran is in the voice of 10-year-old Elham, who spoke to a gathering of protesting teachers about her imprisoned father, prompting thousands of teachers to cry;

The voice of Iran is that of Iranian workers who on May Day, proclaimed, "We don't want nuclear bombs, we want jobs and livelihood," and that "future livelihood is our inalienable right";

The voice of Iran is in the nervous heartbeats of 71 minors who are on death row;

The voice of Iran is the weeping of ethnic Kurdish, Baluchi and Arab mothers, mourning their sons who were hanged recently in Sanandaj, Zahedan and Ahwaz;

The voice of Iran is the chants of students at Tehran's Polytechnic University and on campuses nationwide, who said "death to dictatorship";

The voice of Iran is the painful cries coming from the mullahs' torture chambers: "The echoes of I am still alive, the cry of I am not dead, breaking the silence in [Evin Prison's notorious ward] 209";

And, the voice of Iran is the thunder of the Mojahedin in Ashraf City, who call on Iranians to rise up for freedom.

And today, in unison with the arisen people of Iran, we declare that the velayat-e faqih (absolute rule of the clerics) regime must be replaced with freedom and popular sovereignty.

Indeed, this is the voice of Iran.


A Nation on the Rise

The nationwide June 25th and 26th uprising, which was ignited after the fuel crisis, represents the true picture of a discontented society on the verge of eruption. This uprising was a vivid testimony of the burning desire of the Iranian people; the desire to topple the clerical regime.

The echoes of "death to Ahmadinejad" heard immediately from the streets of Tehran, the protestors’ fearless attacks on government centers, and the regime's profound fear, made it abundantly clear to all that the crisis goes beyond economic discontent. This crisis represents the final stage and the era of demise for the regime.

The clerical regime responded to this uprising by imposing martial law, arresting hundreds, and killing and wounding a number of youths. The mullahs’ Supreme Leader ordered the authorities to teach the protestors a lesson and show no mercy. However, the only lesson learnt, evident through the popular uprising, was the defeat of the ruling mullahs and their allies.

In the span of an hour, the two-year demagogy about distributing the oil wealth to every household [in Iran] was dashed. All the regime’s claims about the nuclear program and its chants of “nuclear energy is our inalienable right” evaporated. All the propaganda disseminated by appeasers about the mullahs' stability and prowess were rendered hollow. And, the terror tag they placed on the Resistance movement for liberty burned amid the flames of the uprising.

And now, it is the Iranian people who are asking [the regime]:
“What happened to all the propaganda you disseminated about scientific progress in order to justify the nuclear program? Why have you not been able to build a single refinery during the past three decades? Why did you squander all that wealth in order to build nuclear weapons, instead of investing it in oil refineries? Why did you impose fuel rationing, overnight destroying the livelihood of a large portion of the population? Why did you cause an abrupt wave of unemployment and privation among millions of Iranians?”

The mullahs, of course, have no answers to these questions because they have reached the end of the road. They are unable to do anything except to continue to suppress the people and export terrorism and fundamentalism abroad. They are at an impasse.


The Failure of Appeasement

It is for this reason that everything the appeasing governments had surmised about the mullahs' regime during the past two years turned out to be false.

They claimed that by offering the mullahs incentives, they would cause them to change their behavior. But, instead of changing their behavior, the mullahs plunged Iraq into a bloodbath, destroyed and wreaked havoc in Lebanon, partitioned Palestine, and restored terrorism and carnage in Afghanistan.

These [appeasing] governments said they would entice the mullahs to suspend their nuclear program through dialogue and bargaining. The mullahs, however, expanded their activities for developing a nuclear bomb and spurned three United Nations Security Council resolutions.

[The regime's apologists] claimed that international sanctions would rally the people around the mullahs. Now, they must open their eyes and see this popular uprising. It has occurred at a time when the main opposition has been labeled as terrorist, thus allowing the mullahs to contain the impact of the sanctions. One could only imagine what would happen once the spell of the terrorist [label] is broken.

Indeed, the reality is that all policies with respect to dealing with the Iranian crisis have failed. There is only one solution for Iran, for the region and for Iraq: democratic change by the Iranian people and their Resistance.

The Iranian people have chosen freedom and democracy;
This was what Sattar Khan rose up for;
This was what [the late Prime Minister Mohammad] Mossadeq wished for;
And, this is the goal of the resistance [movement] founded by Massoud [Rajavi];
And, we shall not rest until that goal has been realized.


The Unlawful Terror List

As was expected, two days ago, the European Union, after seven months of deception and concealment, finally ignored the ruling of the European Court of Justice and in an unlawful decision maintained the PMOI on the EU terror list, much to the benefit of the godfather of terrorism.

Due to the unequivocal nature of the Court ruling, the Council of Ministers delayed publishing its list for 13 months. They were at a crossroad, having to choose between removing the PMOI's name from the list, which would have resulted in the deterioration of relations with the mullahs' regime, or defying the Court's verdict and colluding with the mullahs' regime, and thus bearing the consequent disgrace and disrepute. They, of course, chose dishonor.

But they must realize that colluding with those who execute minors, collaborating with those who are responsible for the carnage in Iraq and who are the enemies of peace in the region, and assisting the central banker of terrorism constitute an immense disgrace that will tarnish Europe's history.

I call on all dignified men and women in Europe, regardless of the position they hold, to distance themselves from such disgrace and compel the Council to abide by the ruling of the Court and the rule of law. In similar vein, the Iranian Resistance will use all legitimate political and legal means and resources to force the Council to accept the Court ruling and remove the PMOI from the list.

After the [European Court of First Instance’s] ruling [in December 2006], the Council of Ministers could have requested an appeal. Instead, it chose to defy the ruling. It then resorted to trickery and deception in order to conceal its breach of the law. On January 30th, the Council proclaimed its intention to maintain the PMOI on the list. At the same time, it gave the PMOI a one-month deadline to provide its reasons against the label. The decision to maintain the PMOI on the list was a violation of the law, and the request for counter-arguments was a blatant act of deception.

The Council had already made a decision to circumvent the Court's ruling. In a document provided to the PMOI’s counsel recently, [the Council] admitted to a meeting held on December 18th - just six days after the Court’s verdict - in which "steps necessary to maintain the PMOI on the list," were discussed.

Is this what the Council of Ministers calls a democratic approach?

Instead of conducting reviews and investigations, they hold meetings to discuss deceptive maneuvers for maintaining the PMOI on the list.

Whereas the Council claimed in numerous letters not to have taken a final decision on the matter, former British Prime Minister Blair admitted that the decision had already been made in January 2007 - before the one-month deadline for the Iranian Resistance to offer its evidence. In a contradictory admission, the German Chancellor's office said that the decision had been made in February.

Therefore, setting the one-month deadline was downright deceitful.

They [the Council of Ministers] claimed that the ruling pertained to procedural improvements. They also claimed that the verdict had only annulled the 2005 EU decision and did not pertain to the decision taken the following year.

But, as Lord Slynn's important legal opinion demonstrated, these claims are disingenuous. The Council has accepted the annulment of its 2005 decision, and moreover, during the court hearing, it also acknowledged that according to the articles of the European Treaty, it must also annul any decision that replaced the existing decision.

Thus, the Council has manifestly trampled upon its obligations to the European Treaty. What is more, the EU’s treatment of the PMOI constitutes a violation of fundamental rights and this goes far beyond procedural and formal aspects of the decision.

Therefore, the rights of the Iranian people have been violated.

“Crime” of Opposing an International Pariah

Indeed, the crux of the matter is that through its decision the Council has handed over the rights of the Iranian people to the mullahs' regime on a silver platter. But allow me to emphasize that we and our people will reclaim all these usurped rights from the mullahs’ regime.

Subsequent to repeated requests from the PMOI counsel, the Council of Ministers was left with no other option but to present the [PMOI counsel] with its documents pertaining to the terrorism allegation.

The Council has probably spent a great deal of money and time in compiling this evidence. Finally, the mountain labored and gave birth to a mouse. In place of credible legal documents, a bunch of discredited papers was presented. Some of them lack any credible references and it is unclear where they have originated from. Some lack dates. Several make no reference whatsoever to the PMOI and some have been downloaded from dubious websites no longer in existence.

Are these really legal evidence and documentation or discredited material?
Would it not have been better for the EU to simply admit their lack of evidence?

A case in point: One of the documents states that the British Home Secretary proscribed the PMOI in 2001 and therefore, it follows that the PMOI is a terrorist organization. That's the classical example of the fox pointing to its tail as its witness. Interestingly enough, the Secretary twice last year explicitly stated that he had proscribed the PMOI at the behest of the mullahs.

In another document, the Council claims that the PMOI has no [social] support in Iran. What does this have to do with the terrorist label? Evidently appeasing the mullahs has not only harmed the Ministers’ common sense, but has also made them blind.
So, gentlemen! Please open your eyes and witness the base of support for this Resistance. Do you not see the recent storms of protest caused by the Mojahed and brave youths in Iran?

Pay attention to another interesting document purportedly supporting the terrorist charge against the Resistance.

The document states that eight years ago, during a parliamentary debate at the House of Commons in Britain, the government representative rejected the views of the Iranian Resistance and said the election of Mohammad Khatami has strengthened our optimism about the future of Iran and the expansion of ties between Iran and Britain.

Gentlemen, what has your optimism about Khatami and the progress of so-called reforms in Iran got to do with the PMOI being a terrorist organization? Furthermore, now that instead of reforms the most fanatical faction of the regime has assumed power and plunged the world into bloodshed and crisis, judge for yourselves: Was your assessment optimistic or utter foolhardiness?

Another document states that in 1981 the PMOI went into exile in Iraq, where it has a standing army of several thousand fighters and is protected by the Iraqi regime.

But, gentlemen, the Iraqi government was toppled four years ago and it no longer exists. And, you seem to have forgotten that the PMOI has been unarmed since four years ago.

Who are you trying to deceive?

Another interesting document: The Council of Ministers presented an article published ten years ago in the media to “prove” the PMOI is a terrorist organization. The article states that the Resistance movement "continues to remain the strongest opposition to a regime that is an international outlaw. "
So, let it be clear to all of you here that your crime is being the strongest opposition to an international pariah.

Another crime, according to the Council of Ministers, is that "NCRI leaders state that when the appropriate time comes, this resistance will rise to support popular uprisings against Iran's fundamentalist regime. They say that we aim to unite this resistance with the growing social unrest in order to sweep away the mullahs."

Therefore, you are also accused of motivating and supporting your people's protests and uprisings.

Allow me to inform you gentlemen of the EU Council of Ministers:

We will never abandon our struggle for freedom. We will never refrain from fanning the flames of the uprisings by the students, workers, and teachers. And this struggle will continue until it is victorious.

According to the latter document, the Mojahedin were planning to topple the mullahs' regime by relying on a popular uprising.

You see? At one point they claim that the PMOI is terrorist because it has no social base. Elsewhere, they accuse the PMOI of being terrorist because it is relying on a popular uprising. Which one are we to believe?
Neither of them, of course!


Trampling on the Rule of Law

What one has to believe is that the major Western powers have suppressed the solution which they themselves admit relies on a popular uprising. Therefore, this document by the Council of Ministers is evidence of the appeasers' guilt.

Indeed, you are the guilty ones, gentlemen.

You are guilty because you have labeled the resistance against religious fascism as terrorist.

You are guilty because you want to have the world believe that there is no solution in dealing with the Iran crisis.

Doubtless, you will only shame yourselves before the peoples of Europe.

I am pleased to say that the pieces of paper bearing discredited allegations, contradictory remarks and deceptions, and legal violations, have no legitimacy in today's Europe.

After the ruling of the European Court of Justice, more than 1,000 parliamentarians across Europe rejected the Council of Ministers' defiance of the court ruling.

A large number of European institutions, including the parliaments of Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Holland, Denmark, Poland and the Czech Republic, have issued resolutions, statements, and formal letters, to voice their protest over the position of the Council of Ministers. Here, we must repeat the question posed by the European Parliament’s Vice President Dr. Alejo Vidal-Quadras: "Is there anyone who would think that 1,000 MPs from democratic countries are all mistaken? "

We also ask, when you trample upon the resolutions and legal ratifications of the EU’s most important institutions, and when you defy the verdict of the Court of Justice, what could then remain of democracy?

And when you make your decisions in secret and unilaterally without consulting the people’s elected representatives, what could then remain of democracy?

Is democracy not identified with accountability, listening to the views of the opposition, accepting the rule of law, and transparency?
So, what is this secret center at the heart of the European Union, which decides on the terrorism allegations? A mysterious, dark-colored glass mansion named the Clearing House, whose location, members and meeting schedules are unknown. Is this a European institution with democratic standards or a ghost house?

Let me say to those in charge of such dark houses that even if you conceal the rights of the Iranian nation in the belly of a dragon, we will drag it out of there.


Iranian Resistance: Solution to the Iran Crisis

When on June 17, 2003, Jacques Chirac's government sent an astounding army to attack the offices of the NCRI in order to dismantle it, it extended the boundaries of appeasement to inconceivable limits. By directly colluding with the mullahs in the suppression of the Iranian people, it relegated itself to an apparatchik of the policies of Iran’s religious despotism.

The government persisted so far along this path that it opened the gates for the agents of the mullahs' intelligence services to try to murder and stab Iranian dissidents right here in Paris, and set the stage for terrorist attacks.

European governments, led by France, who were in truth after lucrative business deals, pretended that they were seeking to moderate the mullahs.
But, what was the result?

Instead of moderation, the mullahs propelled Ahmadinejad to power and rushed toward getting the A-bomb and devouring Iraq.

But the important reality, which major Western powers have chosen to ignore so far, is that the Iranian Resistance is the most important and effective answer to developments in Iran and the region.

Twenty-seven years ago, Khomeini said the main enemy is not the US or the Soviet Union; it is the PMOI. Today, Khamenei is following his footsteps, making it clear that neither the US aircraft carriers in the Persian Gulf, nor international pressures, pose much of a threat to his regime.

Instead, he considers the PMOI, Ashraf City and the Iranian Resistance – the inspiration for (or catalyst of) the explosive uprisings and protests in Iranian society – as the existential threat to his regime.

The mullahs are trembling for fear of such a threat. They are after the A-bomb to keep their fragile regime in power. But the strong yearning of the Iranian people, especially women and youth, will sweep them and their machinery of suppression aside.

Earlier this month, the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) sent a reply to an appeal by the MPs who support the Iranian Resistance's campaign against the terror label. This reply demonstrated the great importance both the mullahs and the governments who appease them place on the role of this Resistance in Iranian developments.

The FCO underscored that the Iranian regime's ministers and officials have discussed the Mojahedin with their counterparts in the UK and the EU countless times.

Yes, countless times and countless deals against the PMOI.

The FCO admits that these discussions with the Iranian regime have continued for several years and that it had always been prepared to exchange information with the Iranian regime on the activities of the PMOI in the UK, and Iraq.
Yes, exchange of information and conspiring against the PMOI.

In his letter, the Foreign Office official warned that any attempt to remove the PMOI from the list would destabilize the regime.

Indeed, this is the crux of the matter. Removing the PMOI from the list shakes the mullah regime’s foundations because they view this resistance as an existential threat.

In its letter to the relevant commission, the FCO revealed that six months before the 2003 attack on Iraq, the Iranian regime had for the first time insisted to know how a possible military attack on Iraq would affect the PMOI. British officials assured their Iranian counterparts that they would take the issue of the PMOI in Iraq “seriously”.

Seriously, indeed! They bombed PMOI bases, including Ashraf, which was bombed 120 times during a single day alone. They bombed and disarmed a force that was the guarantor of security in the region. What was the outcome?

The mullahs and their Revolutionary Guards marched into Iraq and plunged the oppressed and suffering people of Iraq into a bloodbath.

The costly mistake by major Western powers is that they have shackled the Iranian Resistance movement.

Their big mistake is their collusion with the mullahs in the suppression of the Resistance.

Thus, we call on you gentlemen of the Council of the EU to change this disastrous policy. We urge you to leave the ranks of the velayat-e faqih regime and abide by the verdict of the European Court of Justice. This would be to your own benefit and, of course, a decisive step in abandoning the policy of appeasement.
Inevitable Victory

As far as this Resistance and its supporters are concerned, this is a struggle which will inevitably end in a triumph.

The resolve emanating from the sacrifice, faith and relentless efforts of the members of the Resistance and the Iranian nation has shattered the terrorist label and will advance until ultimate victory. And the coming of this victory is not in doubt.

We also call on the French government to end the policy adopted during Jacques Chirac's era, which relegated it to the role of the main ally of the religious fascism ruling Iran.

The June 17th dossier is the most disgraceful legacy of the previous government. It began and has continued to exist simply to enchain the Iranian Resistance movement for the benefit of the ruling mullahs.

Legally speaking, this dossier is without basis. Politically speaking, it is a conspiracy. And historically speaking, it is unprecedented in France's judicial history since the Second World War. It is indeed so empty and hollow that those in charge resorted to employing the services of the mullahs' intelligence service agents as witnesses.

This dossier was at an impasse from the outset. After the landmark ruling of the European Court of Justice, it had disintegrated as far as its substance was concerned.

During the presidential elections in France, the new President repeatedly spoke about a new France and promised change. I must emphasize that as far as the issue of Iran is concerned, this change has no meaning other than ending the failed policy of appeasement.

The page must be turned on the June 17th dossier which represents a dark chapter in France’s relations with the Iranian people. This is the litmus test for change. The Iranian people will judge the new France based on its actions and policies.

Indeed, listen to the people of France, who in all these years reached new heights in voicing their solidarity with the Iranian Resistance. Hail to the dignified French citizens who rebelled against the policy of appeasement. Let me extend my gratitude to all of them.


The Fate of Iraq: Two Alternatives

The painful and blood-soaked plight of the Iraqi people gives evermore urgency to a prudent and realistic solution. At least a hundred people die in Iraq everyday. Each day at dawn, 400 children are orphaned. Defenseless women and girls are assaulted and harassed, and thousands of people are left homeless on a daily basis.

The decisions leading to these horrific crimes are made in a centre in Tehran under the direct supervision of [the mullahs' Supreme Leader Ali] Khamenei. If the mullahs' ominous plan to dominate Iraq were to fail, the mullahs would not be able to preserve their rule in Tehran.

Four years ago, I warned that the danger of the mullahs' meddling in Iraq is hundreds of times more dangerous than their nuclear projects. During the past four years, the Iranian regime resorted to a covert occupation of Iraq and has now become the main occupier.

In his message to the Solidarity Congress for Peace and Freedom [in Iraq in Ashraf City], Massoud Rajavi emphasized,

"In the current circumstances, the principal problem in Iraq involves the confrontation between two major alternatives in Iraqi territory: the showdown between the alternative represented by the mullahs ruling Iran and an Iraqi alternative. A showdown between the alternative backed by the fascist regime ruling Iran with all its networks, agents and supporters and the anti-fascist Iraqi alternative with all the democratic and patriotic forces, groups, parties and personalities and their supporters on the Arab and international scene."

Accordingly, in their statement in June 2006, some 5.2 million Iraqis stressed, the solution "is to expel the Iranian regime from Iraq and to recognize the status of the People's Mojahedin, which is the counterbalance to the mullahs' meddling in Iraq."

Today, the Iranian regime views the People's Mojahedin as a bulwark against its meddling in Iraq to the extent that contrary to all international conventions and laws, it cannot tolerate even their unarmed and restricted presence in Iraq. As Massoud Rajavi said, this is that incurable weakness of the beast, and the hallmark for democratic change in Iran by the Iranian people and the Resistance.

Two weeks ago, a gathering of 10,000 Iraqis in Ashraf City unveiled a statement by 450,000 residents of Iraq’s Diyala Province, including 21 political parties, associations and groups, declaring that all national and democratic forces in Diyala Province, from every class, social stratum, ethnicity or religious orientation, are standing with the Mojahedin in Ashraf City, and consider any attack, or dissemination of accusations and lies against the PMOI as an act against the interests of the Iraqi people. From the bottom of my heart, I salute the residents of Diyala Province and all dignified Iraqis.

Allow me here to speak about a matter concerning the tragic plight of Iraqi children.

Ten days ago, international television networks broadcasted horrific scenes from an orphanage housing Iraqi children. These innocent children are being tortured, denied food and even raped.

Yes, Iran’s ruling mullahs plunder Iraqi oil revenues by the billions, while orphaned Iraqi children are being kept under such horrendous conditions.

Therefore, we announce our readiness to the United Nations to use every means at our disposal to look after a number of Iraqi orphans. Specifically, I announce that the Iranian Resistance is prepared to take care of 1,000 Iraqi orphans and pay for all their expenses in Ashraf City under the supervision of UNICEF and in accordance with its guidelines.

This proposal is made purely on humanitarian grounds and is devoid of any political or public relations considerations. We will inform the Iraqi embassy in Paris and expect that the current Iraqi government would agree to such a humanitarian initiative. For the sake of 1,000 innocent Iraqi children, we hope that the Iraqi government would not be fearful of the mullahs and any hostility from them.


Democracy within the PMOI

Amid the onslaught of the religious dictatorship, which seeks to intimidate all through unmatched brutality, the perseverance of this Resistance and the Mojahedin foretells a bright future and rekindles hope in an oppressed society; so much so that the mullahs have been compelled to produce television series to confront the Iranian youths’ sympathy with the Resistance.

They lack the courage to admit the failure of all their previous campaigns claiming that the PMOI had been finished. And, they are afraid to admit that misinformation campaigns and assorted allegations against the Resistance have proven to be futile.
Consequently, they have now resorted to a hysteric propaganda campaign.
But, even if you (the mullahs) cry out against the Resistance 24 hours a day in your radio, television or newspapers, you cannot avert the fall of the velayat-e faqih regime.

Everyone knows that since four years ago this movement has been on the receiving end of the greatest political and military blows, much like a tsunami, from being bombed and disarmed (in Iraq) to the June 17th [2003] coup d’etat [against it in France].

So colossal were these blows that if one-tenth of them, I repeat, that if only one-tenth, had been directed against the mullahs' regime, it would undoubtedly have lost everything. But, this movement emerged from these complicated circumstances even more powerful, and posed a greater threat for the clerical regime.

What is the secret to such resilience of the Resistance movement and the Mojahedin? Where does this perseverance stem from? How have they succeeded to revive themselves from flames and sufferings, much like a phoenix from the ashes?

At a time when the most powerful political parties around the world suffer from internal schism and chaos, how have the Mojahedin managed to sustain their internal unity and dynamism?

In addition to sacrifice, honesty, and enjoying a qualified leadership, the secret is in the progressive democratic relations within the PMOI, which relies on the free and conscious choices of each and every member of this movement. Freedom of choice forms the foundation of sincerity and unity within the ranks of this movement, and has unleashed creativity, a sense of responsibility, and extraordinary human qualities within it.

For this reason, this movement heralds free choice for all the Iranian people. Since day one, Massoud Rajavi has said that the PMOI have come to sacrifice itself for the Iranian people’s ability to choose freely.

The secret also lies in the PMOI’s profound belief in victory. Yet they were not motivated by victory, and they have not spent their lives experiencing victory and easily traversable paths. Otherwise, they would have never been able to rise up against the monster of [mullahs’ Islamic] fundamentalism.

Indeed, the Mojahedin are full of hope, and are dedicated and patient individuals, who resist hardships and difficulties. They have faith in the shining sun behind the dark clouds, and have thus conquered new heights in human capabilities.

Through immense fortitude, and an astounding sense of responsibility and compassion, they have made possible that which appears to be impossible.

So, as Dolores Ibárruri Gómez (la Pasionaria) once said, "Tell your children about those who traversed the seas and the mountains and the boundaries protected by spears. Tell them while hungry dogs were after them to tear them apart, they sacrificed everything: Their love, country, home, possessions, fathers, mothers, spouses, brothers, sisters and children… so that they could tell us we are here, for our ideal, the ideal of all progressive mankind."

Indeed, there is an ideal, which emanates from the most unblemished, genuine, and rightful desires of the Iranian nation. A nation which has to date offered 120,000 of Iran's most courageous children, including heroines such as my beloved sisters Neda Hassani and Sedigheh Mojaveri, whose memory we shall cherish in our hearts for all time.



Toward Victory and a New Era

Whether the apologists and appeasers like it or not, the era of the mullahs' regime has come to an end. We shall turn the page on the era of oppression and injustice.

We shall build a new Iran;
A free society and an advanced country;
We shall end the era of execution and torture;
The death penalty will be abolished;
We shall dissolve reactionary courts and do away with medieval punishments;

We shall bring to an end the era of discrimination against beliefs, compulsory veiling, and state meddling in the private affairs of the citizenry;

We shall end the era of tragic subjugation and oppression of Iranian women, who must achieve equality with men in all spheres of law and liberties, and attain equal share with men in our nation's political leadership;

Never again will Iran’s youth be subjected to humiliation, or their energy and creative potentials squandered. The free Iran is a country whose youth actively participate in determining its destiny;

We shall form a government based on the separation of religion and state so that the all the followers of various religions and beliefs could live side by side and enjoy equal rights;

With so much talent and creative potentials, the Iranian people shall never again suffer from poverty, hunger, unemployment, and privation;

The conditions for investment and healthy economic competition in society must be created and favoritism and plunder must be brought to an end;

The devastated agriculture industry and other industries must be revived. The educational and healthcare systems must be transformed into modern and accountable systems;

And, our nation should attain sustainable and lasting development, which is worthy of Iran, and would promote freedom, democracy and social justice in society.

On a sky-blue day,
A bright night,
Looking out the window of light,
The moon shall be my guest
To shine on corn-poppy and to sing in the plain
To the moon I shall say
Shine, shine, shine.

Indeed, we will shatter the oppressors' injustices.
A new Iran we shall build
A nation thriving on freedom, tolerance, and equality.

So, to you, the sincere supporters of the Resistance, I say:
You have everything you need to achieve victory;
You have defeated fundamentalism in your country;
All those comprising the Iranian nation agree on the establishment of a republic, based on the separation of religion and state;
You enjoy the support and affection of a people that has arisen;
You have before you a just and legitimate ideal;
You have a great resistance movement with four decades of unrelenting struggle that possesses a unified and powerful organizational structure;
And, you enjoy the leadership of Massoud Rajavi;
Indeed, you have everything for victory.

So, rise up,
Hoist the flag of Sattar Khan and Mossadeq (historic leaders of nationalist movement for democracy in Iran);
Revive in yourselves Hanifnejad, Mohsen, Badizadegan, Jazani, Ahmadzadehs, Pouyan, Paknejad, Ashraf [Rajavi] and [Moussa] Khiabani, [the fallen heroes of our nation's resistance] (founders of the PMOI and symbols of struggle for freedom and democracy in Iran);

Set alight the flames of resistance in all places;
Victory will be yours, victory will be yours;
Indeed, you shall overcome.