© the eyeranian

Saying Hello!

My hero of the moment

Hooray Free Press!!!

The tyrannical government of the Islamic Republic of Iran often closes newspapers and bans various publications based on the assertion that they fabricate stories, entice public unrest or act contrary to the national security principals. So is the nature of an undemocratic government that rules by force and the strength of its police forces rather than basic privileges of free speech and the right of individuals and groups to say and publish what they want, particularly if it is something contrary to the accepted party lines.

Although it will be a while before such principals take shape in Iran, one must be overjoyed that the military forces of world's greatest nation have been able to bring these noble ideas to the region by invading a neighboring country and allowing its 18 or 20 year old soldiers from Georgia, North Dakota and Idaho to go over and teach these backwards people of barbaric faiths what it means to have freedom of press and live in a democratic society. We all bow to the almighty Gods of the NeoCon universe for being so gracious towards our pitiful nations and for teaching us a different way.

Monday Morning Motivationals

Condi Logic

Let me see if I understand Condoleezza's logic here: she believes "nothing would be better ... than to be able to testify'' in front of the 9/11 commission but she can't because no sitting National Security Adviser has ever appeared in front of the Congress. But this isn't the Congress and as far as I can remember no group of terrorists have ever guided civilian jetliners into office towers, killing thousands as a result. So perhaps the highest ranking "security" official in the land should not look for precedents and find the circumstances extraordinary enough to answer questions under oat and in this bipartisan public forum. But I guess that is just too much to ask from people in this administration. C'mon Condi. I'm certain you have nothing to hide. Do you?

Staying in touch...

Spent the entire day looking at various neighborhoods to find a place to live yesterday. Most of what I saw was either really old and run-down or really new and fancy (meaning way out of my price range). I'll look again.

I am ignoring some very dear friends and that's not good. But with a new position I'm trying to accomplish what has been neglected for over several years while dealing with the persnal side of moving to a new area as well.

Oh, before I forget, had to listen to a bush-monger (my new term of the day) who went on for a long speech about how everything wonderful in the world is the result of mighty "W" being in the office. I only asked him "what about the palm trees?". He was confused, so I explained how I liked them and they must've all been created or transplanted here because of him.

He took me seriously for a bit and then started walking away in a daze. Saw him later, he was still trying to figure me out. Oh what fun!

Monday Evening Motivationals

Observations on L.A. and more

- I'm in Los Angeles.

- The same way conversations by people on the east coast or north seems to be overly impacted by the weather (nice day ha?, boy, is it ever cold!, we've got freezing rain coming eh!, etc.), in Los Angeles much of the discussions revolve around traffic (5 in that area is always congested, you don't want to be on 110 around downtown, take 101 to 134 and then 5 to avoid the mess, etc.). It's no wonder a 40 minute time-frame of being stuck in traffic is considered a good thing and people refer to living very 'close' to work; "only a 40 minute drive".

- Homelessness is an issue with most larger cities of U.S. and Canada, but in Los Angeles it is epidemic. We aren't talking 5, 50 or even hundreds of people living on the streets, it's thousands and thousands. Granted some of it has to do with migration of some street people to here for the cold season (who can blame them? would you rather spend the winter in the streets of Detroit, Buffalo and Cleveland or here?) but it is still heart wrenching to see so many people living in these conditions. Mental illness and substance addiction are obviously rampant, both being treatable conditions in need of an aggressive outreach by governments that would make such issues a priority. Where do we get one of those?

- For the first time in my life I responded to "Are you Persian?" question positively. What's wrong with me??? I need to get back here and write more to get back to myself again. Los Angeles is getting to me.

- Restricted access to the internet sucks. Please forgive me if your messages have been left unanswered. I'm working on fixin' the problem.

UPDATE - No spell-check sucks even more!

Norouz Greetings

No Big News!

khatami admitting he has failed is no big news. He is just barely admitting to something the entire universe already knew. What may be a topic of discussion howeverm is if his so called 'reform' were genuine and actually had any hope in hell of ever achieving anything substantial.

Never having joined the "reformer" camp and not ever believing Khatami or his buddies ever had any genuine interest in succeeding at what they were promising, I would not be the most unbiased person to answer this. However, millions who bought in to the argument will need a chance to review the events of the last 7 years and formulating their own conclusions.

Stuff

Finally managed to access the 'net. Work has restrictions, must find ways around it. Trying to adjust to life in transition still. How are YOU doin'?

Oh, yesterday was the 20th anniversary of my 18th birthday!

Laters.

Monday Morning Motivationals

It's Called Seven Days

So much for the visual appeal

I just realized with no posts updating this weblog regularly, the template will look really weird in a couple of days. All the right column items will fall below the few remaining posts, making me realize how those of you with strange resolutions and/or monitor sizes have been viewing this page all along. hmmm.

Back to packing.

Here I Go...

There are very few things I despise more than moving. The picture above is enough to make me squirm and start feeling very uncomfortable. Playing the armchair therapist, it probably has something to do with the whole immigrant experience and the deep desire to belong to a spot, an area, a home. Moving is disruption of all that.

But it's still part of life and sometimes can't be avoided. I currently am about to experience one of those times. Last week or so has been particularly hectic for me (as if less posts here was not a clue already), concluding in what will require moving to a different city to take a new position. I am not going far and will still be in Southern California, but it's far enough that I will not be able to commute back and forth. I won't be moving all at once either. My current place still needs to be taken care of while I'll be staying at a temporary arrangement in the new area.

I have mixed feelings about the whole thing. Part of me is both excited as well as nervous about the new challenge, but I suppose that's normal with any such moves. There are other emotions here at work too, for example I'm leaving my parents behind. They are still here, technically visiting me. Not knowing the area at all and with my father's ailing health, I can't stop from feeling guilty about leaving them here. Complicating things further, my sister is coming to spend the Iranian new year with us and I won't be here!

I know, the whole thing should've been organized much better but believe me, there wasn't much that could be done and no amount of negotiating was able to change that. So, here I am, moving on Monday!

As I am not taking all my stuff yet (including PC) and am not sure how much internet access I will have over the first few weeks, I can't be certain how often I will be able to update my weblog. I will certainly try my best, even if it means a few short lines, no graphics and only sporadically.

I hope you check often - and not insult one another too much in comments meanwhile - until I'm re-settled again. If you need to reach me, try this email address: pedram(at)writeme(dot)com.

A Reminder

Horrible Day

What happened in Madrid today is just a huge tragedy. Almost 200 dead and over 1,000 injured amongst innocent civilians minding their business and hurrying to work is just deplorable.

It isn't clear who was behind the bombing yet, but be it Basque separatists or Al-Qaeda, it demonstrates how terrorism is everybody's problem. If it is indeed by an Al-Qaeda related organization (who is also claiming they are 90% ready for another attack in U.S.), it also demonstrates the failure of the U.S. administration to deal properly with their threat.

Imagine if all the resources, personnel and billions spent on illegally invading Iraq was actually focused on exposure and neutralization of Wahabbi terrorists. Instead, it was decided to leave Afghanistan in shambles and provide the extremists with a new recruiting excuse by attacking a country that had nothing to do with 9-11, proving to many that the terrorist attacks on that date was nothing but an excuse for Neo-Conservatives to put their larger plans to work.

I hope this "90% attack" is nothing but empty posturing and further hope citizens of this country use the opportunity to send those with divided loyalties packing this fall.

Like This?

think we better dance now...

Cartoon

Conspiracies Everywhere!

My original post in brief: Some publication has offered numbers as to what they think a business traveler might spend while visiting Tehran, which I think is way off.

First comment: "...what the heck are you trying to tell us?"

Second comment: "I gather he is saying the organization that published that report is wrong on their estimates..."

Third comment: "thought he was saying he wants to go home."

Last comment: "...there is no conspiracy here, at least i don't think so. Unless of course he is trying to promote Jews to go to Tehran or something like that!!"

My reaction: See the image above!

Worth Repeating

International Women's Day

I can't imagine a better way to honor the International Women's Day than to write about the woman I admire the most.

My mother is the single individual I marvel at more than anyone else in the world without any doubt. What she has achieved, who she has become and how she has managed to get there is nothing short of a miracle and none of it would have been possible if it wasn't for her own insatiable drive to never be content with the status quo and always striving for more.

She came from a working class background, got married young and had children at an age where it wasn't possible for her to continue her education. Yet she never allowed any of that stop her from learning more, seeking out new ideas and not allowing what she encountered in a changing world to intimidate her. She is also the reason I consider myself to be a feminist, never allowing her children to forget about the prejudice faced by women but not allowing anyone to treat her as a second class citizen.

She is as stirring as a thundering river, as sturdy as any large mountain, as immeasurable as the sky, as soothing as the morning sun and as beautiful as dew covered petals of anthuriums, her favorite flower.

Talking about her today lets me remember how far we are from achieving justice and equality for women around the globe, making it vital for all of us - regardless of our gender - to do everything we can to get there. It also reminds me of women of Iran in particular who have shouldered much of the injustice carried out by the current authoritarian system. I revere and admire all of you.

UPDATE - womeniniran.org has a brief report (in Farsi only, unfortunately) about Tehran's peaceful gathering in honor of International Women's Day being turned into a violent confrontation by both uniformed and plain-clothed security forces earlier today. The violence reportedly started after a last minute cancellation of organizer's permit for the event. There are no estimates as to the numbers injured or possibly arrested so far.

UPDATE II - Pendar.net has some pictures of the gathering, primarily of guards blocking entrance to the park and one organizer holding their permit papers up in protest. Server is very slow and no pictures of the reported violence here.

UPDATE III - BBC has a report in English.

Monday Morning Motivationals

I truly liked him... a lot!

I have been flustered all day and can't think straight. Even meeting a friend I met through this blog and have been looking forward to connecting in person with for a while went with me being too distraught to take advantage of his company properly.

(Did that paragraph make any sense? I have no idea!)

Earlier, I called a friend I had not talked to in a while and found out a man I respected greatly has passed away. Mr. S. was more than a treasured friend, he was also someone to look up to and hang on to his every word.

When I started to write regularly for Persian publications I was rather insecure. Immigrating to the west when I was a teenager, I had very limited high school education in my mother tongue and wasn't sure if that was good enough to write respectable, serious stuff with. It was only after I discovered Mr. S. was a regular reader and fan of my arbitrary articles and short notes that I found enough confidence to continue. He was a political veteran, expert writer and an all out knowledgeable person with enough credentials to back him up. If he found my stuff acceptable, I figured they can't be that bad. I still write often with him on my mind.

Now he is gone and apparently it all happened so quickly, not only myself but many other friends and even relatives never got a chance to offer their last respects or words of support.

I will miss Mr. S. and hope to live to the day where I feel confident that I deserved his kind words, the confidence he instilled in me and credit he'd often offer for my work. I also promise to not let my dad go for his daily walk by himself tomorrow and spend as much time with him as possible.

For My Friend; A.

Machiavelli & Neo-Cons

I find it interesting that much discussion in intellectual circles trying to make sense of the clerical regime of Iran, as well as Neo-Conservatives running DC centers around a renaissance era philosopher; Niccolo Machiavelli.

I was going to write a long post about that Neo-Con connection, particularly Michael Ledeen's fondness of Niccolo, but while researching a couple of quotes I found a long essay by Katherine Yurica and Laurie Hall that is much more comprehensive than any attempt I could've mustered.

For the complete piece, including all the notes and links, visit here and here is a segment:

The Neo-Conservative Connection with Dominionists and Machiavelli

I suspect that most Americans have never heard of Machiavelli, nevertheless, it should be no surprise to us that Machiavelli has been accepted, praised, and followed by the Neo-Conservatives in the White House and his precepts are blindly adopted by the so-called "Christian" Dominionists.

Kevin Phillips tells us in his masterful book, American Dynasty that Karl Rove, political strategist for President George W. Bush, is a devotee of Machiavelli, just as Rove’s predecessor, Lee Atwater had been for the elder Bush.[26] In fact, there has been an incredible effort to dilute the immoral implications of Machiavelli’s teachings. Today’s best apologist for Machiavelli is one of the most influential voices in Washington with direct connections into the oval office.

Michael A. Ledeen was a Senior Fellow with the Center for Strategic and International Studies and a counselor to the National Security Council and special counselor to former Secretary of State, Alexander Haig in 1985. His relationship with Pat Robertson goes back at least to the early 1980’s.[27] Like Robertson, Ledeen was an advocate for military intervention in Nicaragua and for assistance to the Contras. (Ledeen was also involved in the Iran-Contra affair.)[28]

Today, in 2004, Michael Ledeen is a fellow at the conservative think tank, the American Enterprise Institute and according to William O. Beeman of the Pacific News Service, "Ledeen has become the driving philosophical force behind the neoconservative movement and the military actions it has spawned."[29]

Ledeen made a number of appearances on the 700 Club show during the 1980’s. Always presented as a distinguished guest, Robertson interviewed him on April 30, 1985 and asked him on this occasion: "What would you recommend if you were going to advise the President [Ronald Reagan] as to foreign policy?"

Ledeen responded: "The United States has to make clear to the world and above all to its own citizens, what our vital interests are. And then we must make it clear to everyone that we are prepared to fight and fight fiercely to defend those interests, so that people will not cross the lines that are likely to kick off a trip wire." (Emphasis added.)

If Ledeen’s advice sounds ruthless and Machiavellian—it may be because it is Machiavellian. (By definition his statement presupposes the existence of something or several things that are life threatening to the nation by the use of the word "vital."

Yet Ledeen asserts that which is life threatening must be made manifest or defined. If an interest must be defined, then it is not apparent; yet the nation will nevertheless ask its sons and daughters to fight and die for something that is not apparent. Therefore, whatever "interests" Ledeen wanted to be defined, cannot have been vital interests, which are apparent—so in reality he advised the President to call discretionary interests vital—which is a lie.)

Be aware that Ledeen is in complete accord with Machiavellian thinking. And so is Pat Robertson.[30] Robertson agreed to virtually every nuance Ledeen presented. In fact, it’s not clear which of the two first proposed invading Syria, Iran and Iraq back in the 1980’s,[31] a refrain that also echoed in the reports of the Project for the New American Century (PNAC), one of the major homes for neo-conservatives in 2000. Both Ledeen and Robertson targeted the same nations that PNAC lists as America’s greatest enemies in its paper, "Rebuilding America’s Defenses" (published in September 2000.)[32]

In 1999, Ledeen published his book, Machiavelli on Modern Leadership: Why Machiavelli’s Iron Rules Are as Timely and Important Today as Five Centuries Ago. (Truman Talley Books, St. Martin’s Griffin, N.Y. 1999.) Here is a sample of how Ledeen smoothes rough edges and presents a modern Machiavelli:

"In order to achieve the most noble accomplishments, the leader may have to ‘enter into evil.’ This is the chilling insight that has made Machiavelli so feared, admired, and challenging. It is why we are drawn to him still…" (p. 91)

Again, Ledeen writes:

"Just as the quest for peace at any price invites war and, worse than war, defeat and domination, so good acts sometimes advance the triumph of evil, as there are circumstances when only doing evil ensures the victory of a good cause." (p. 93)

Ledeen clearly believes "the end justifies the means," but not all the time. He writes "Lying is evil," but then contradictorily argues that it produced

"a magnificent result," and "is essential to the survival of nations and to the success of great enterprises." (p. 95)

Ledeen adds this tidbit:

"All’s fair in war . . . and in love. Practicing deceit to fulfill your heart’s desire might be not only legitimate, but delicious!" (p. 95)

William O. Beeman tells us about Michael Ledeen’s influence. Writing for the Pacific News Service he says: "Ledeen’s ideas are repeated daily by such figures as Richard Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld and Paul Wolfowitz…He basically believes that violence in the service of the spread of democracy is America’s manifest destiny. Consequently, he has become the philosophical legitimator of the American occupation of Iraq."[33]

In fact, Ledeen’s influence goes even further. The BBC, the Washington Post and Jim Lobe writing for the Asia Times report that Michael Ledeen is the only full-time international affairs analyst consulted by Karl Rove.[34] Ledeen has regular conversations with Rove. The Washington Post said, "More than once, Ledeen has seen his ideas faxed to Rove, become official policy or rhetoric."[35]

Cartoon

A Random Observation

There's this university professor in Canada (I'll try to be vague to protect his identity) who left Iran in the 1950's when he was pretty young. He married a classmate (whom he still adores), had children, now has many grandkids and is a very accomplished scholar. All around a success story without many regrets. So, you'd think.

When a friend asked him privately if he could change anything, what would that be, he was quick with no hesitation. His main wish was to spend the last years of his life in the place of his birth and to be buried there. He knew that was impossible now and wished he had married a fellow Iranian.

This was shocking to people around him as everyone was aware of the great love he had for his wife and vice versa. However, you couldn't argue with desires of a man in what he saw as final stages of his life.

When I first heard of this, it made me think a lot. At the time I was involved in a serious relationship with somebody of a different background and couldn't be somewhat troubled by the entire concept. However, I decided to not let this bother me or hurt that bond and stuck to that.

A couple of years later though, when the relationship was over (due to unrelated matters), it made me deliberate every time I'd meet someone new. His words have obviously stuck with me to this day for better or worst.

I'm not entirely sure why I thought of him today, just count it as a "random observation".

They're Scared of Kerry?

The mudslinging by the conservatives about Kerry's position on Iran has not stopped. What started earlier and was never confronted by the Kerry camp has continued in some circles. Here are some samples:

Robert Spencer believes: "Abu Sayyaf guerrillas in Mindanao are wearing Kerry buttons now — as are the Iranian mullahs." Barbara Stock suggests "Kerry’s plan reportedly brought great joy to the fundamentalist leaders in Iran." James Lileks' Kerry Doctrine includes a reference to "Olive branches for the Iranian mullahs".

My suggestion for Kerry campaign; organize a diverse group of prominent Iranian-American activists who clearly oppose the theocracy in Iran as well as W's pathetic war of words with his ideological equals there to endorse him publicly and act as volunteer spokespersons for a different approach to helping people of Iran on their struggle towards freedom.

A Good Laugh

Since we are supposed to have fun a bit more now, here is some help:

Jay Leno: "CNN predicted that Howard Dean won Vermont, even though he dropped out of the presidential race. That's his home state. Well, you understand why they wanted him to be president. The last thing they wanted was him screaming at them for the next four years."

Jay Leno: "But the Bush Administration said today they had nothing to do with the overthrow of Aristide. They said, 'Yes, we were right there with him. Yes, we participated. But no, we were not to blame for what happened.' This is being called the 'Justin Timberlake' defense."

Jay Leno: "And President Bush said we will not get directly involved in domestic and economic problems in Haiti. Of course not. Bush doesn't get involved in domestic problems here."

Jay Leno: "Do you know who the first Americans in Haiti were? Does anybody know? Halliburton. Halliburton. Yeah, down there rebuilding before it's even knocked down."

Jay Leno: "Iranian radio is reporting Osama bin Laden was already captured months ago. President Bush denied the rumors and he said, 'No, no, he's not even supposed to get caught until July 4th, you know that.'"

Jay Leno: "According to the New York papers, Hillary Clinton has been canceling meetings after having emergency dental surgery. Officials say she was swollen and groggy, which could save her marriage, because that's how Bill likes his women -- swollen and groggy."

Jay Leno: "A 76-year-old game show producer is suing Dick Clark for age discrimination. Among other things, he's claimed Dick Clark called him a dinosaur. Imagine having Dick Clark call you a dinosaur. That's like George Bush saying you didn't fulfill your National Guard duty."

Jay Leno: "It looks as if mouth to mouth resuscitation will be dropped from CPR training. They're not going to teach mouth to mouth anymore. Not that it's not effective. Apparently the Republican leaders feel it's too gay."

David Letterman: "You know, by the way, today is Super Tuesday and John Kerry is ahead. But Edwards will not concede until they count all the absentee ballots of honeymooning lesbians."

David Letterman: "The White House is trying to put the best possible spin on this. They're saying President Aristide was not thrown out. He was just voted off the island."

David Letterman: "Good news in Arkansas. They've opened the President Clinton, you know, presidential museum. And you can take your entire family on the Clinton tour for like $10. $10, you get the Clinton tour. For an extra $5, they'll give you a tour of Clinton."

Conan O'Brien: "Today was Super Tuesday, where ten states got to vote on who should be the Democratic nominee. Yeah. As expected, the winner in all ten states was 'The Lord of the Rings.'"

Conan O'Brien: "Speaking of Super Tuesday, while campaigning the last couple of days, John Edwards was repeating his key phrase, 'There are two Americas.' Unfortunately for Edwards, neither one voted for him."

Source

How We Think

Me: Mom, Martha was convicted.

Mom: Oh no! How much does she have to pay to buy her prison term now?

Importance of Smiley Faces

I am going to start posting random and occasional "smiley face" images here. A while back, I wrote there should be a big smiley face posted at every main square in Iran (can't find the link now), but I think it may also be most useful having them across the U.S.A. and particularly in spots where possibility of connecting with people of other cultures is high.

It seems that if anyone of a different race, culture or nationality dares to criticize the government that takes away a portion of his/her every paycheck in taxes, some residents of this land are highly offended. The message seems to be, you can participate but don't you dare express any dissent. In other words, the freedom to express an opinion is limited by your place of birth.

Over the past year of keeping this blog, I have watched this on daily bases. It can be something very mundane about the administration along the lines of things any Democrat would even say, or a more radical viewpoint on the state of race relations in this country, treatment of native communities, etc. as soon as it is published, the flood of angry comments as well as hateful emails (30 comments usually translates to about 60 emails) pours in. There seem to be no stomach for criticism. Particularly none from someone with a last name they can't pronounce.

This is one of the differences between most eyeranians and some americans (here the term refers to the people of the united states as opposed to residents of two continents of the Americas):

If we have a shady government, or if someone suggests we do, we don't take it personally. Particularly if we believe the speaker is clueless about the topic. You suggests Americans have a deceitful administration in charge and it's as if you have just revealed you have had sex with their entire family and close friends, including the family dog.

Now that could be looked at in two ways; It could be a result of a majority seeing their government not as a separate entity but part and parcel of their community and even each individual. Sort of like the way someone feels towards their child or aging parent. Overly protective and highly sensitive.

On the other hand, it could be viewed as just insecurity. Like the spouse that suspects a cheating partner and the last thing he/she needs is for the neighbor across the street to suggest closer scrutiny of the traffic in and out of their home. He/she loses control, lashes out at the neighbor and demonstrates the most irrational and hateful behavior possible, over nothing but a reasonable observation.

Whatever the actual motivation, it's very unbecoming in my most humble opinion. We all need to learn to tolerate opinions vastly opposed to ourselves more graciously. Particularly if we believe in possessing a superior morale ground and the righteousness of our convictions. Otherwise, there isn't much difference between "us" - regardless of our point of view - and the idiots who are so brainwashed, they feel crashing civilian airliners into office buildings proves their superior virtues.

Before you write your next comment or send an email to me, keep the image below in mind:

Peace and love to all, particularly those filled with so much hate.

Barbara & Farah

Not that I believe she'd have anything new or groundbreaking to say, but Farah Pahlavi will be interviewed by ABC's Barbara Walters on one of her last 2/20 shows on Friday. In case you want to watch.

Thanks A.

Attacking Iraqi Shiites

I'm sorry, but I just can't buy most of the arguments out there as to who was actually behind the recent coordinated bombings in Iraq that left numerous victims, mostly amongst Shiite pilgrims to some holy sites. Unlike similar attacks on Shiites in Pakistan, I don't see the Iraqi strikes as acts of revenge or sectarian violence.

What happened in Iraq, and what has been an ongoing wave of violence against the country's Shiite population, is aimed at bringing this composed (so far) majority into the ongoing struggle. Shiites have remained composed as they have time on their side. Holding a 60% majority in the country, while the other 40% are also of various ethnic and religious sects guarantees them broad control of the future government, regardless of the type of democracy that will take shape there. Ayatollah Sistani, the most prominent Shiite leader in Iraq is fully aware of this fact, perhaps more than any of the other players and has shown his impatience only at the timing of future elections on the way to securing control.

In order to discover the people behind these attacks, it is vital to see who benefits from the possible outcome. Shiite leadership has little to gain from further involvement, for reasons described above. They' much prefer to just wait and gain control with little blood-shed or international indignation. Sunni minority in Iraq or the Kurds can also be excluded from the list of possible suspects, as they have nothing to gain by inducing the Shiites to seek more control now.

Others accused of possible involvement include the Iranian government but I can't think of a good reason why they would be interested in furthering of unrest in Iraq either. It is no secret that Sistani's point of view on religious and political matters differ from those of the Iranian government. Any possible clash between the Shiites and occupying army (for example), would only strengthen the position of Sistani as the legitimate defender of the exploited and enemy of western oppressors. Those roles are already played by the leaders in Tehran and in fact it is the only effective tool they have in enforcing their control.

However, there are three other regional players who would benefit greatly from furthering of hostilities in Iraq and escalation of violence. Here are the three players I believe you will find the true culprits amongst, with their possible motives:

Al-Qaeda (and other like-minded extremists) : These guys thrive on the opportunity to expand their recruiting and propaganda possibilities if the circle of current conflict involves more attacks on (and therefore reactions by) the occupying army.

Neo Cons : More violence means an extended stay in Iraq, more money for Halliburton and other similar entities and conducting the election under the banner of keeping the war cabinet in charge or all hell will break lose.

Israel : Keep them fighting one another or the U.S. army and they won't bother us. Who is going to pay attention to our various violations of human rights or persistent ignoring of various U.N. resolutions? We love the big bad scary external threat anyways. It lets us do whatever we want within our borders and lands we occupy from others.

Take your pick.

Tehran Travels Anyone?

While looking at Business Travel News' annual corporate index (don't ask, I know I read way too much, even if its junk I don't need to read but get in the mail regularly), something caught my eye. In their Top 100 International Per Diems, Tehran ranks 82. In plain English, this is the list of what you can expect to spend per day as an international business traveler in various cities around the globe. If you were assigned overseas, this is what you use to charge your employer your "per diem" money. The data comes from an outfit out of Manhattan called Organization Resources Counselors Inc. and they have calculated their numbers based on a night's accommodation for "a standard room in upscale chain hotels flying such flags as Marriott, Sheraton, Hilton and Hyatt", three average meals (no alcohol), cost of two taxi rides, laundering of one shirt, plus a newspaper, a bottle of water and a magazine.

Monte Carlo is the most expensive at $737 per day, followed by expected usual spots Paris, Tokyo and London. Dubai ranks 10th at just over $500 and Toronto occupies the 47th spot. Tehran is one of the least expensive, only more expensive than places like Port-Au-Prince (you probably want to delay that trip), Havana, Guatemala City and Kuala Lumpur.

That did not surprise me until I looked closer at numbers. According to these guys, the per diem cost of items I described above in Tehran is over $288 USD. That can't be, can it? I asked myself. Even with the "official" exchange rate of 1,745 Rials to $1 USD they have used, 504,000 Rials a day sounds rather expensive. So I dig deeper...

According to these guys, the cost of the room is $138 in Tehran. I can buy that. Every hotel in Iran displays two very different price lists; one in English and a much more reasonable one in Persian. So I can see them trying to charge the unaware business traveler the high "rack rate" of $100+ a night, while the same room can be had for a fraction of that figure. What got me though, is their cost of food: $45 for dinner, $42 for lunch and ready for this? $38 for breakfast! In fact, Tehran shoots right up the chart, being the 23rd most expensive city for food out of 100. I don't know who is charging these guys $40 for breakfast in Tehran, but even the fanciest places will only need one of these travelers a day to carry all their overhead! At $124 USD a day for food in Tehran, it's probably much cheaper to buy your own restaurant!

Now imagine all these figures if instead of going to the bank or tourist offices to exchange your money, you'd just ask the hotel concierge or the cab driver taking you to your hotel and getting close to the real value of your foreign currency! Suddenly at 8,000+ Rials for your greenbacks, paying normal rates for the hotel and eating at places not run by the bandits, your per diem costs in Tehran will not come close to that $288.

So, if you want to pocket some dough, get an overseas assignment there for like a year (more, if possible), charge them according to "annual corporate index" and you can save enough to buy a small condo in Buffalo.

Now you know anybody hiring for that position?

Closed for the day!

Kerry, officially the target now!

Of course we all expected the mud-slinging aimed at John Kerry to start at any moment, what most of us including myself did not expect was the Iranian twist this was going to take. You read correctly, there's an Iranian connection - maybe two - to the effort to prevent Kerry from occupying the oval office and no, it does not involve a ravishing dark-eyed olive-skinned young Iranian intern.

However, over the last day or so other stories have emerged, trying to question some of Kerry's conduct and supporters. For example, you got to love a title like Kerry and the Ayatollahs. This opinion piece from lackluster paper "Washington Times" suggests Kerry's stand on Iran and his opinion on W's shortcoming in handling the Islamic Republic suitably "indicate a profound misunderstanding of reality" and backs up the argument by quoting yet another dubious organization; the Student Movement Coordination Committee for Democracy.

Similar sentiments are echoed by Kenneth Timmerman, a senior writer for Insight Magazine in his Kerry Will Abandon War on Terrorism article. His misleading and very inaccurate first paragraph is a good indication of the writer's point of view: "The Democratic Party's presidential front-runner, Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.), has pledged that if elected he will abandon the president's war on terror, begin a dialogue with terrorist regimes and apologize for three-and-one-half years of mistakes by the Bush administration."

Timmerman also offers another article, also in Insight, this time questioning some of Kerry's Iranian donors. Simply titled John Kerry's Iranian-American Fund-Raisers (as if that by itself should be incriminating enough) he puts in question - and specifically names - three of Kerry's large Iranian-American donors; Hassan Nemazee, Faraj Aalaei and Susan Akbarpour. He goes as far focusing on Akbarpour's immigration status and suggestions of her relationship with Faezeh Hashemi.

Now I don't know much about any of these three figures (if you do, please share publicly or in private) but I find the suggestion that their ethnic heritage is somehow a negative mark or distorting Kerry's views about Iran as his weakness towards this big evil monster nation - something contradictory to what Kerry has already declared - to be most offensive, prejudicial, bigoted and just plain unreasonable.

The political game is dirty enough without trying to muddy a nation and its people to score a few extra points.

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Suddenly, I feel like Forrest Gump!

Last week and for the first time, I decided to have some of my digital pictures printed professionally. I was pressed a bit by my parents too, as they felt their California pictures will be easier to show to friends and relatives later, if they are of the old fashioned paper variety. I couldn't disagree.

I used ShutterFly, as Googling for the various choices online led me to their ad for ordering a free batch to try them out. The pictures are back now and I am most pleased. I don't know why, but I somehow imagined even the higher quality shots would still look less than perfect. Perhaps my judgment was clouded by years of using really great home printers and still not getting "picture perfect" quality.

However, these guys did a fantastic job and even my low-res web quality shot looks tolerable. This opens a whole bunch of possibilities now and I can't wait to get some of my photoshop altered shots printed this way now as I know they will look completely real. Anyone interested in a picture of themselves shaking hands with JFK?

Monday Morning Motivationals

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