Irshad Manji, Amy Ray in Curve Magazine

The current print issue of Curve features two of my heroes: Muslim reform activist Irshad Manji, and Amy Ray of the Indigo Girls.

Malinda Lo's interview with Irshad Manji (p. 30 of the August 2005 print issue) introduces the Toronto lesbian, who lives with her partner Michelle Douglas, and stresses Manji's contention that "unlike most religions in which fundamentalism is relatively marginal, in Islam, literalism is mainstream and challenging it is forbidden." The solution Manji proposes is a return to the Islamic tradition of ijtihad, or critical thinking. Speaking of the reactions of young Muslim women to her revolutionary message, she says: "They're the ones who've said to me, 'We know that we have the least to lose and the most to gain by being leaders of our communities now, so thank you,' and they tell me, 'tell us where we can sign up to do more." She hopes to found an institute where Muslims can engage in open dialog about the issues of the day. "You don't need to choose between one or the other, Muslim or thinker ... you can, in fact, be both." It's great that Curve is giving Irshad the press she deserves.

Amy Ray's new solo album, "Prom", deals with "the dance between gender and sexuality, man and woman, youth and adulthood, authority and rebellion," as Margaret Coble quotes the Indigo Girls singer. The cover art, featuring a double exposure of Ray, should clue you in to that. Amy Ray (who looks much better without the mustache) talks in the interview about her first crush - "I couldn't see anything but this woman; it was all-consuming ..." and about herself: "I have a very strong male energy ... but I don't feel a stranger to my female side, or estranged from my female body." This helps us understand Amy's enlightened attitude toward transgender people, which I posted about here.

Amy Ray is also very perceptive about understanding different kinds of repression/oppression. In one of the MWMF interviews, she says, "It's not really male privilege if it's somebody who has been treated like a freak for their whole life" - meaning that feminists should not assume that every male-to-female TG person has had it easy living as a man. In the Curve interview, she talks about learning how femme lesbians also experience discrimination within the lesbian community, because they "aren't seen in [their] queerness all the time".

A former girlfriend of mine - also a high femme - made a similar comment about the gay scene during the 1970s and 80s. She said that for gay men, hypermasculinity was the rule - "they all looked like the Village People" - while for women, butch was cool and femme was not. It was as if femininity, either in women or in men, was seen as a liability.

Amy Ray's comment about "queerness" might seem a little strange, because, Don't gay people want to be accepted by society? The answer is yes, but nobody wants to have to choose between being themselves and being accepted. And nobody wants to have to choose between being accepted by the (nonminority) society, and being accpeted by their own (minority) in-group. This is the importance of individual liberty - including, most fundamentally, the freedom of self-identification and -expression. (In fact, I would argue that an enlightened understanding of gender is essential for any future vision of feminism that seeks to move away from the victimhood mentality ... but I'm getting ahead of myself. That's a subject for another post.)

Curve has, once again, given its readers a lot to think about: this time with the views of two women who reject religious dogma, political correctness, and victimology.

Let's Blogroll - London Roundup

Where they can put those bombs. It's not a blog, but the London News Review writes:

What the fuck do you think you're doing?
This is London. We've dealt with your sort before. You don't try and pull this on us.

Do you have any idea how many times our city has been attacked? Whatever you're trying to do, it's not going to work.

All you've done is end some of our lives, and ruin some more. How is that going to help you? You don't get rewarded for this kind of crap.

And if, as your MO indicates, you're an al-Qaeda group, then you're out of your tiny minds.

Because if this is a message to Tony Blair, we've got news for you. We don't much like our government ourselves, or what they do in our name. But, listen very clearly. We'll deal with that ourselves. We're London, and we've got our own way of doing things, and it doesn't involve tossing bombs around where innocent people are going about their lives.

And that's because we're better than you. Everyone is better than you. Our city works. We rather like it. And we're going to go about our lives. We're going to take care of the lives you ruined. And then we're going to work. And we're going down the pub.

So you can pack up your bombs, put them in your arseholes, and get the fuck out of our city.

Hat tip: the incomprarable Sully.

"It" happens. Here's Hitch:

... It will be easy in the short term for Blair to rally national and international support, as always happens in moments such as this, but over time these gestural moments lose their force and become subject to diminishing returns. If, as one must suspect, these bombs are only the first, then Britain will start to undergo the same tensions—between a retreat to insularity and clannishness of the sort recently seen in France and Holland, and the self-segregation of the Muslim minority in both those countries—that will start to infect other European countries as well. It is ludicrous to try and reduce this to Iraq. Europe is steadily becoming a part of the civil war that is roiling the Islamic world, and it will require all our cultural ingenuity to ensure that the criminals who shattered London's peace at rush hour this morning are not the ones who dictate the pace and rhythm of events from now on.

"Where did the explosion happen?" "Everywhere." In a poignant and eloquent piece, Johann Hari explodes some myths about islamist terrorism:

Anybody who tells you these bombers are fighting for the rights of Muslims in Iraq, occupied Palestine or Chechnya should look at the places they chose to bomb. Aldgate? The poorest and most Muslim part of the country. Edgware Road? The centre of Muslim and Arab life in London and, arguably, Europe. Does anybody need greater evidence that these Islamic fundamentalists despise Muslims who choose to live in free societies, and they would enslave Muslims everywhere if they were given the opportunity? ... But in the end London – the most vibrant, liberal, cosmopolitan city on earth – will not be defeated by a few bomb-throwing thugs, however vicious. This city was attacked by fascists before, and it will be attacked by fascists again. We will bury the dead and choose to not to live in fear.

Baldilocks: no such thing as a chickenhawk. Baldilocks writes: 'To the Islamist, all are targets, "infidel" and Muslim alike (there are plenty of Muslims in London, no doubt). From Sudan to Iraq, this is quite obvious. I submit that, in the War on Terror, there is no such thing as a “chickenhawk.”' Watch her post for updates, and read Tim Worstall's post about what the terrorists just don't quite get.

Beth at My VRWC wears her heart on her sleeve.

DCat unsheaths her Razor Sharp Claws: 'You have no scruples and you will never win! All of the people saying this is like Vietnam haven’t got a clue what real terrorists are like! They don’t care that you are calling this war like Vietnam! They don’t even care about you period! Ok people it is time to wake up now and stop spewing off garbage and disagreeing with what is really going on here! This is not the time to be proud of your liberal choice. You won’t have that choice if AQ had their way!'

Ocean Guy is reminded of scenes in Israel, but worries that 'in the long term, they will soon forget, just as so many have forgotten September 11, 2001.'

And finally, Michelle Malkin has the best ongoing roundup of London news. So why are you still here?

London's Mayor Ken Livingstone on Terror Attacks

Ken Livingstone made the following statement on the terrorist attacks against his city:

Mr Livingston criticised the blast as an "indiscriminate attempt at mass murder" and had strong words for those who committed the act.

"This was not a terrorist attack against the mighty and the powerful; it is not aimed at presidents or prime ministers; it was aimed at ordinary working class Londoners, black and white, Muslim and Christians, Hindu and Jew, young and old, indiscriminate attempt at slaughter irrespective of any considerations, of age, of class, of religion, whatever, that isn't an ideology, it isn't even a perverted faith, it's just indiscriminate attempt at mass murder, and we know what the objective is, they seek to divide London. They seek to turn Londoners against each other and Londoners will not be divided by this cowardly attack," said Mr Livingston.

He then had a message for the terrorists who had organised the explosions.

"I wish to speak through you directly, to those who came to London to claim lives, nothing you do, how many of us you kill will stop that flight to our cities where freedom is strong and where people can live in harmony with one another, whatever you do, how many you kill, you will fail."

Hat tip, again, to Gay Patriot.

Blair on London Attacks

British Prime Minister Tony Blair released this statement:

This has been a most terrible and tragic atrocity that has cost many innocent lives. I have just attended a meeting of the government's Emergency Committee, received a full report from the Ministers and the officials responsible. There will be announcements made in respect of the various services, in particular we hope the Underground, insofar as is possible, and rail and bus services are up and running as swiftly as possible.

I would like again to express my profound condolences to the families of the victims, and to those who are casualties of this terrorist act. I would also like to thank the emergency services that have been magnificent today in every respect. There will of course now be the most intense police and security service action to make sure that we bring those responsible to justice. I would also pay tribute to the stoicism and resilience of the people of London, who have responded in a way typical of them.

In addition I welcome the statement that has been put out by the Muslim Council of Great Britain. We know that these people act in the name of Islam, but we also know that the vast and overwhelming majority of Muslims, here and abroad, are decent and law-abiding people who abhor this act of terrorism every bit as much as we do.

It is through terrorism that the people that have committed this terrible act express their values, and it is right at this moment that we demonstrate ours. I think we all know what they are trying to do - they are trying to use the slaughter of innocent people to cower us, to frighten us out of doing the things that we want to do, of trying to stop us going about our business as normal, as we are entitled to do, and they should not, and they must not, succeed.

When they try to intimidate us, we will not be intimidated. When they seek to change our country or our way of life by these methods, we will not be changed. When they try to divide our people or weaken our resolve, we will not be divided and our resolve will hold firm. We will show, by our spirit and dignity, and by our quiet but true strength that there is in the British people, that our values will long outlast theirs. The purpose of terrorism is just that, it is to terrorise people, and we will not be terrorised.

I would like once again to express my sympathy and my sorrow to those families who will be grieving, so unexpectedly and tragically, tonight. This is a very sad day for the British people, but we will hold true to the British way of life.

Thank you.

Dreams Into Lightning salutes the heroic people of London and extends the deepest sympathy to all who lost their lives in this most foul murder.

President Bush on the London Attacks

The Chief spoke briefly but eloquently at the G-8 summit in Scotland on the terrorist attacks on London:

I spent some time recently with the Prime Minister, Tony Blair, and had an opportunity to express our heartfelt condolences to the people of London, people who lost lives. I appreciate Prime Minister Blair's steadfast determination and his strength. He's on his way now to London here from the G8 to speak directly to the people of London. He'll carry a message of solidarity with him.


This morning I have been in contact with our Homeland Security folks. I instructed them to be in touch with local and state officials about the facts of what took place here and in London, and to be extra vigilant, as our folks start heading to work.

The contrast between what we've seen on the TV screens here, what's taken place in London and what's taking place here is incredibly vivid to me. On the one hand, we have people here who are working to alleviate poverty, to help rid the world of the pandemic of AIDS, working on ways to have a clean environment. And on the other hand, you've got people killing innocent people. And the contrast couldn't be clearer between the intentions and the hearts of those of us who care deeply about human rights and human liberty, and those who kill — those who have got such evil in their heart that they will take the lives of innocent folks.

The war on terror goes on. I was most impressed by the resolve of all the leaders in the room. Their resolve is as strong as my resolve. And that is we will not yield to these people, will not yield to the terrorists. We will find them, we will bring them to justice, and at the same time, we will spread an ideology of hope and compassion that will overwhelm their ideology of hate.

Thank you very much.

Thank you, Mr. President. Source: The Corner; hat tip: Gay Patriot.

Morning Report: July 7, 2005

Terrorist bombs strike London. At least seven coordinated explosions struck the transport system in London, England. An unknown number of people have been killed; current estimates put the toll at at lest 45. BBC: 'At least two people have been killed and scores injured after three blasts on the Underground network and another on a double-decker bus in London. UK Prime Minister Tony Blair said it was "reasonably clear" there had been a series of terrorist attacks. He said it was "particularly barbaric" that it was timed to coincide with the G8 summit. He is returning to London. An Islamist website has posted a statement - purportedly from al-Qaeda - claiming it was behind the attacks. Home Secretary Charles Clarke said blasts occurred between Aldgate East and Liverpool Street tube stations; between Russell Square and King's Cross tube stations; at Edgware Road tube station; and on a bus at Tavistock Square. The Queen said she was "deeply shocked" and sent her sympathy to those affected.' BBC radio currently cites eyewitness accounts of at least ten fatalities. Debka: 'According to unofficial estimates, at least 45 died in the terrorist bombings of London trains and buses and 150 were seriously injured out of a total of 1000 wounded. Red alert declared in France, Italy, Germany and Spain. New York places transport system on high security status. DEBKAfile’s counter-terror experts confirm that on the morning of Thursday, July 7, London came under a large-scale al Qaeda assault exceeding in scale the March 2004 rail attacks in Madrid. A least seven coordinated bomb blasts hit metro stations and trains in central London close to the City financial district as well as buses. The London underground service was shut down and central London bus lines suspended. Because the trains and buses were crowded, the number of casualties is massive, taxing London hospitals to their limit. At only one of the tube stations attacked, Aldgate East, 90 casualties are reported. The bomb blitz was timed for the first day of the G8 summit in Gleneagles, Scotland. Its message: al Qaeda will dictate the world’s agenda – not the leaders of the world’s industrialized nations, especially US president George Bush.' Norm Geras has updates. Current information at Command Post GWOT and Command Post Global Recon. (various)

Desert Storm veteran, activist Michael Donnelly remembered. Michael Donnelly, a native of South Windsor, Connecticut and former Air Force pilot who retired with the rank of Major, died on June 30 from the effects of ALS. Donnelly maintained, despite initial denials from the US Government, that his degenerative illness was service-related; in 1998 he published a book, "Falcon's Cry", which detailed the problems of veterans suffering from the various illnesses collectively known as Gulf War Syndrome. Candace Taylor of the Journal Inquirer reports: 'He began a 15-year military career that included stints as an F-16 pilot and instructor. He received four Air Medals and other honors during his service. Donnelly was an Air Force fighter pilot during the Persian Gulf War in 1991. In 1996, at age 36, he was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS -- commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease -- while on active duty. ALS is a progressive degenerative disease that attacks nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord, eventually causing the loss of all muscle function. After his diagnosis, Donnelly became a champion for Persian Gulf War veterans battling ALS and other diseases that he believed to be war-related. In his 1998 memoir, "Falcon's Cry," he described tens of thousands of veterans suffering from illnesses related to the war and their struggle for recognition. The government initially denied a link between Gulf War service and ALS. But Donnelly spent six years campaigning in Washington, D.C., at the Pentagon and the Department of Veteran Affairs. Finally, in 2001, Veterans' Affairs Secretary Anthony Principi acknowledged scientific data that showed Persian Gulf War veterans are more than twice as likely as other veterans to develop ALS. Principi acknowledged Donnelly's efforts in the cause and announced that the Veterans Administration would grant full benefits to all Gulf War veterans with ALS.' The local paper's tribute says: 'Maj. Michael W. Donnelly had charisma. He had courage. And even though he knew he was dying, he never lost his sense of humor. "Even when he was dying, he was making jokes," his sister, Denise Donnelly, said Friday. Maj. Donnelly, a retired Air Force pilot and Gulf War veteran, died of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, on Thursday at Manchester Memorial Hospital surrounded by his friends and family. He was 46. "He had a presence that filled the room," Denise said. As the ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, progressed, Donnelly was no longer able to speak or move. But even when his only means of communication was blinking his eyes, Denise said Donnelly's vivid personality was always there. "His whole person was present in his eyes," she said. After being stricken with ALS while serving in the Gulf War, Donnelly became a champion for veterans who battled illnesses linked to military service. ...' Donnelly left this letter for the people of South Windsor: 'An open letter to the Journal Inquirer and the people of South Windsor: I would like to thank the staff of the Journal Inquirer for the years of tireless and impassioned support you have provided in getting the word out about the high rate of ALS among Desert Storm veterans. It was in large part due to your unstinting coverage of this issue that we were able to achieve recognition of the connection between ALS and service in the Gulf War. In December 2001 the Veterans' Administration acknowledged this connection and opened the way for scores of Gulf War veterans to receive the benefits they earned and also to millions of dollars of federal research money. Thank you. I also want to thank the town of South Windsor for your abiding support. ... In his farewell to baseball speech Lou Gehrig said he considered himself to be the luckiest man on the face of this earth. Only now do I understand what he meant. - Major Michael W. Donnelly, USAF (retired)". A friend of the Donnelly family who attended the funeral reports that Donelley's father gave a stoical, moving, and uplifting eulogy: with the smile never leaving his face, he described how the angels might sound as they took the role of "air traffic control" and guided Michael's soul on its final ascent into heaven. (Journal Inquirer, personal telephone conversation)

Music Notes: Stuck on The Epoxies

1990 never happened for The Epoxies, Portland's wonderful synth-punk quintet. Frontwoman Roxy Epoxy and synth player FM Static lead the band and Viz Spectrum (guitar), Shock Diode (bass), and Ray Cathode (drums) round it out. They play 1980s style rock and the play it GOOD! If you like Blondie and The Cars, you will love The Epoxies.

I haven't seen them live yet but I'm hooked on their music. A few weeks ago I bought a sampler of new local music which contained an Epoxies track. That did it. My neighbors thought I'd finally lost it because I was wandering around in a daze mumbling something about a "bathroom stall". I ran out and bought the Epoxies' two full-length CDs, "The Epoxies" and "Stop the Future".

Let me tell you what's really great about this band: they are incredible songwriters, and they turn out consistently great songs. Not just a couple of cool numbers in amongst a bunch of lame tracks. These guys have more hooks than a square mile of Velcro. They are catchy - not just catchy, but "massively catchy. We're talking can't-get-a-song-out-of-your-head-for-three-weeks-straight, serotonin-re-uptake-inhibiting, brain-aneurysm-inducing catchy" as Bill Bullock of Three Imaginary Girls puts it.

Impeccably retro, the Epoxies seem to feel right at home in their Eighties milieu. They deal with Cold War themes ("Need More Time" and "We're So Small"), alienation ("Stop Looking at Me" and "Synthesized"), and television ("Struggle Like No Other" and the splendid "Everything Looks Beautiful on Video"). But the 80's shtick, like the electronic sound itself, embraces a deeply passionate, romantic core.

Even among a ton of great tracks, "Toys" is in a class by itself. "A bonafide jaw-dropper" says Three Imaginary Girls, " an irresistible melody and a strong vocal performance", says PlaybackSTL; "simply a beautiful song", says Punk News. Go listen to it, says I, and find out what they're raving about.

Oh, and speaking of the eighties, happy birthday to Debbie Harry of Blondie, who just turned 60 (yes, sixty) and is on tour.

Let's blogroll!

Credit where due. Some of us of a neoconservative bent may have become accustomed to saying less than flattering things about, er, certain countries. Wizbang takes a look at the important role of the much-maligned French government in the war on terror. And Power Line says of Saudi Arabia: "While the Saudis have rightly been blamed for their financial support of Wahabbism, which has largely spawned the world-wide terrorist movement, they also deserve credit for the effectiveness of their internal anti-terrorist campaign." The latest victory - the killing of Younis Mohammed Ibrahim al-Hayari - is one example.

Don't look now, but Kesher Talk is getting a new home. Watch Judith's current site for details, and prepare to adjust browsers.

Thoughts on the Chief's speech from Nadz.

"What kind of world do we want for our children to live in?" That's the question an American soldier asks in an e-mail posted at Captain's Quarters. Go read the whole thing. Meanwhile, Wintermelonsoup has her reactions to the President's speech and wrestles with morale issues ... that "don't tell" business gets old quick.

LaShawn Barber likes a good sci-fi movie (or even a so-so one if the SFX are good). She doesn't like Communist invaders or artificially inflated TTLB statistics (even if they work in her favor). Read all about it here, and extra points if you can answer LaShawn's trivia question. (Well, don't look at me. I haven't a clue.)

Caesar Rodney? Yup, a real person, and a real important one too. Read Sherri to find out why Caesar Rodney matters. Have a festive and safe Independence Day.

New in the Dreams Into Lightning Universe: Iridescence

It's a fabulously beautiful day in Portland, and I ought to have my head examined for spending it inside in front of a computer. Nevertheless, I want to share a couple of new developments with you.

I've posted new material from my father's World War II memoir at Pacific Memories. My father (Ken McLintock, 1920-2000) served in the Army's 37th Infantry Division. We're now about halfway into Chapter 6 and he's discovering Fiji. Still to come: the meaning of the mysterious word "Bula!" Stay tuned.

Also newly posted: some wonderful poetry by my sister (Stephanie McLintock, 1964-1992) on Wilderness Vision. And in the interests of style, I'm splitting off Stephanie's poetry and her prose into separate sites. I've created a new blog for Stephanie's fiction, titled Iridescence. The story "Iridescence", which I originally posted on Wilderness Vision, is now on the site that shares its title.

As a reminder and for those just joining us, none of the material in "Urban Renewal", "Pacific Memories", "Wilderness Vision", and "Iridescence" is my work. Urban Renewal and Pacific Memories consist of my father's writing, with the exception of the collection "Pacific Driftwood / Jottings", which appears on both sites and is an anthology of writing by his Army buddies. (I believe it may be my father's first work as an editor!) Wilderness Vision and the newly-created Iridescence are devoted to my sister's writing, which at the time of her death included award-winning poetry, fiction, and prose, as well as a number of works she never made generally available. One newly posted piece, "A Story About Drugs", was written with explicit instructions that it should not be seen by our parents. Other gems like "Stay" never got included in her numerous submissions to the Scholastic Writing Awards (where she garnered Gold Key Awards by the fistful) and sat in our family's basement for years until our mother's death in 2003. It gives me great pleasure to share Stephanie's extraordinary work with you.

The blog you're reading now is my "home base", but not all of my original writing fits in with Dreams Into Lightning and I maintain a number of sites on Blogger. In some cases, "maintain" is stretching it a bit as I haven't posted to some of these for more than a year. I have various schemes in my head for what I want to post and where I want to post it, but so far the pace of external events - both in the world at large and in my personal life - has held me back. I'm hoping this won't be the case for too much longer. Meanwhile, you are invited to browse the various DiL affiliates, which I've posted together below.

THE DREAMS INTO LIGHTNING UNIVERSE

Dreams Into Lightning: Missing an Opportunity to Keep Quiet

Morning Report Archives

The Light of Freedom

The Iraqi Holocaust

Iraqi Holocaust Files

Asher Abrams Portfolio

The Ocean Names of Night

Urban Renewal: writing by Ken McLintock

Pacific Memories: WWII memoir by Ken McLintock

Wilderness Vision: poetry by Stephanie McLintock

Iridescence: fiction by Stephanie McLintock

PS - For nostalgic Morning Report fans, I've also posted January's MR entries - including a special "post" from 1945 - at Morning Report Archives.

Let's blogroll!

Friends of the enemy. Read this post at Neo-Neocon for a little Vietnam-era history (as always), and to find out who the terrorist/fascist sympathizers consider their most important resource in the years to come. (Hint: There are 435 of them.) Also on Vietnam, Jayhorn is none too pleased about President Bush's make-nice with the Communist dictators of that country, especially when so many Americans must still be remembered with those bracelets. And while you're at it, read this post and reflect, once again, on the importance of that certain 435-member organization.

Do you ever wonder whether you're doing enough? Sadly, every time I wonder about it, the answer is always "No." So here's a big thank-you to The Redhunter for keeping this organization on our radar.

Some people think the solution to political kidnappings is to pay off the kidnappers. Swedish ex-hostage Ulf Hjertstrom, apparently succumbing to reverse Stockholm syndrome, has a more practical idea:

"I have now put some people to work to find these bastards," he told the Ten Network today.

"I invested about $50,000 so far and we will get them one by one."

Meanwhile, fellow hostage Douglas Woods forgot his manners and referred to his tormentors as "a**holes", a remark which offended the delicate Australian sensibilities of Melbourne Age editor Andrew Jaspan. Tim Blair doesn't mince words: "Andrew Jaspan is a moral vacuum who should be fired." At best. Read Tim's post to find out what else he suggests. The moral of the story: Don't let this happen to you! Michael J. Totten suggests some ways you can avoid ending up like Andrew Jaspan.

The Iraq war's staggering cost ...

... for the enemy. Mohammed at Iraq the Model offers a glimpse of the quagmire the fascists are facing in Iraq:

-1st regiment/2nd commandoes brigade arrested 43 suspects in Al-Doura district while the 2nd regiment/1st brigade arrested 2 terrorists in Shu'la district.

-The interior ministry announced the beginning of operation lightning-1 in Babil province which is going to be a joint effort between the Army and the local police forces. The 1st wave of raids resulted in arresting 43 suspects and confiscating 10 vehicles used in terror attacks against Iraqi civilians and security forces.

-A force from the Iraqi army backed by Polish troops raided terrorists hides in the areas of Jibla and Rashad in the same province and arrested 8 terrorists and confiscated their Ak-47's.
...
-In Tal-afar near Mosul, Iraqi and American troops killed 15 terrorists in clashes that took place yesterday.

...
Iraqi TV announced Khalid Sulaiman Darwis (aka Abu Al-Ghadia Al-Soori) was killed during a raid as part of Operation Spear in Anbar province.
The Syrian terrorist is one of the leaders of al-Qaeda in Iraq.

Read the rest at the link - it's worth scrolling down. As Mohammed says, The future is ours, there's no doubt about that and we shall win.

Iran Report

Message on Iran. The following is excerpted from an e-mail I received this morning:

be naameh Iran-zameen
( In the name of Iran )


Many Iranian families have suffered losses after 1979.

The Iranian opposition may discuss the dynamics of street protests, in order to create larger street protests with greater impact. The following message centers around three issues:
Increasing size of street protests has lead to previous regime-changes in different countries.
The dynamics of increasing the size of street protests can be examined objectively.
When pro-democracy street protests erupt in Tehran, they are usually immediately (within 1-2 hours) reported by exile satellite television stations.

Outline:
We cannot assume
Size of street protests
Summer time
Protest timing
A taste for adventure
Diminishing the risk to protesters
Road-blockades during protests
Map of Tehran
If you like the roadblock concept...

________________________

We cannot assume

Hopefully the mullahs will be out of power soon, however, one cannot assume that regime-change in Iran is imminent in the next few years. You are aware that many view opposition groups as somewhat weak. Although the mullahs are unpopular, the Islamic Republic may remain in power for many more years:
Oil is currently about $60 per barrel. Europeans have been buying Iranian oil below market values for many years (estimates of 35% below market value). With increasing oil demand, it is expected that Europeans will take further steps to secure their inexpensive oil suppliers, such as the Islamic Republic of Iran.

I realize that there are many differences between today's Iran and other countries in the past, however, some comparisons may be made. The communist regime in Russia was generally viewed as unpopular by the masses. Communists ruled Russia for over 70 years. You are aware of other examples...
The Islamic Republic of Iran may exist for many more years, despite the rhetoric of exile opposition groups. Something about the opposition must change.
_______________________

Size of street protests

One measure of success (among others) used to gage the impact of the opposition (including exile media) is the size of street protests in Iran. Although there were many factors involved in the downfall of the late Shah, the increasing size of street protests lead to the eventual collapse of the Iranian regime in 1979. This trend (protests becoming larger during the revolution) implied a impending doom for those in power. This is a world-wide phenomenon.

Some say: If pro-democracy street protests do not become larger in Iran, the opposition has not made tangible progress.

Following the original Tir 18th, members of the regime's security forces acknowledged that if the pro-democracy protests would have become wide-spread, the situation may have become uncontrollable.

The recent protests in Tehran were smaller than Tir 18th protests some years ago. Again, if we simply use the size of street protests as a gage, things are not really progressing.

Dynamics of increasing the size of street protests may be examined objectively.

___________________________

Summer time

As you know, Iran becomes hot during the summer season. In countries with political unrest, there are more incidents when the weather is hot. Please keep in mind that Tir 18th is in the middle of summer.

The hot season provides unique opportunities...
___________________________

Protest Timing

Iranian satellite television is very effective in broad-casting breaking news stories, within 1-2 hours of their onset.

A few years ago, in anticipation of Tir 18th, protests erupted in Tehran and other major Iranian cities. In the days prior to Tir 18, the protests were larger than the original Tir 18 street protests. When these un-scheduled protests erupted, they were immediately (within 1-2 hours) picked-up by Los Angeles satellite TV stations. That year, on Tir 18th, nothing really happened since Martial Law was in full-effect.

A specific date may be chosen by the opposition, however, the actual Protest Combustion Day is likely to occur around the anticipated chosen date.

Everyone will know that on a specific previously chosen date by the opposition, martial law will be in effect and the situation can be controlled by the authorities. People will not risk getting arrested.

We also know that martial law cannot be enforced during the entire summer season. Security forces in Iran know and have acknowledged this fact.

It does make sense to pick a protest day in advance, however, any protests and sparks should be fully supported, which may occur at any time. When the wheels are set into motion, given the adequate (summer) climate, things will hopefully happen and opposition groups should not get too picky about an exact dates.
Imagine what would have happened if another wave of protests was accompanied by simultaneous road-blockades. Most of the city may be affected. The protests would certainly become larger.
Iranian satellite TV has some short-comings, however, the stations are very effective in broad-casting breaking stories almost instantaneously. Within 1-2 hours, the population in Iran will be informed of any protests.

The opposition should be ready to fully utilize the potential of upcoming protests, that may erupt on any day. ...

Roadblocks during protests

City-wide road closures will bring the (otherwise ordinary) pro-democracy protests to a new level.

By using simple tactics, segments of the population in Iran will feel more energized and empowered during upcoming protests. Cultivating simple ideas, before any protests, can help to create an atmosphere of empowerment within segments of the Iranian population, when a protest happens.

Iran to dominate Schoreder/Bush talks. Via Free Iran:

June 26, 2005
Deutsche Presse
Monsters and Critics.com

http://news.monstersandcritics.com/northamerica/article_1022653.php/Iran_to_dominate_Schroeder_Bush_talks_

Berlin/Washington -- Hardliner Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's surprise win in the Iranian presidential election and the situation in Iraq have been pushed to the top of the agenda of Monday's talks in Washington between Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and U.S. President George W. Bush.

German officials said Sunday Ahmadinejad's victory had raised concerns in both Washington and Berlin about Teheran's nuclear programme, which has been the subject of long-running talks between the European Union (E.U.) and Iran.

The E.U. so-called big three - France, Germany and Britain - have been holding talks with Teheran in a bid to force Iran to wind back its nuclear programme. Washington has not ruled out military action if the negotiations fail.

Berlin's bid for a seat on a reformed United Nations' Security Council as well the build-up to September elections in Afghanistan and high oil prices are also expected to be raised during Schroeder's three-hour talks in Washington. ...

Debka on Ahmadinejad. Latest report from Debka on new Iranian head fascist:

virtual nobody on Iran’s national scene, Tehran mayor Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, 49, was picked by Iran’s radical Islamic leaders and swung ahead of the presidential race to deal “the heaviest psychological blow to Iran’s enemies.” Those words were uttered by the new president in his first post-election statement Saturday, June 25. They attested to the fact that Iran had chosen him as its tool for getting back at the Bush administration for seeking to bring regime change and democracy to the Middle East and Iran in particular.
Everyone but the radical wire-pullers in Tehran was surprised by the victory of a candidate whom most of the Iranian electorate had never heard of. He beat the familiar former president Hashemi Rafsanjani by a resounding 62%: 35%. But nothing had been left to chance. Ahmadinejad was thrust into the presidency by careful engineering, organization and the deployment of every single cog the powerful machine of the heavily centralized government could muster. The Revolutionary Guards in which the candidate once served as an officer was brought into play. With the help too of massive vote-rigging, the ruling clique could cynically claim to have achieved regime change through the ballot box - only it turned out to be more Islamic, more militant, and more Iranian than before. ...

Freedom activists respond to "psychological blow". AFP via Yahoo News reports:

Exiled Iranian opposition leaders hailed hardliner Mahmood Ahmadinejad's victory in Iran's presidential election, saying it would bring Tehran's Islamic regime a step closer to collapse.

While the election of the conservative Islamist might bring tough times for Iranians in the short term, they said, it will ultimately fuel internal opposition, put external pressure on the government and expose cracks within the regime.

Several Iranians in California, home to the most of the 400,000 to 600,000 US-based Persians, said they were shocked but thrilled at the victory of the Tehran mayor, even though his social and political values and beliefs are diametrically opposed to their own.

"We are really excited, this is a very good thing for the opposition to the Islamic republic," said Roozbeh Farhanipour, an activist of the secular Marzepor Gohar political group and a former Iranian student leader who fled to the United States in 2000. ...