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Will it in fact happen?
The Tsunami is in full force. I was at a FedEx Office location talking to an old friend of mine. He was telling me about how things had truly changed. He told me that he walked into the office this morning and did not even have a single FedEx Ground box. As I was talking to him, the shipments ready to be processed were basically non-existent. This is When people cut back, they stop shipping. Why is this signifcant? It is signifcant simply because it shows how truly terrible things are.
When I see the retail numbers tanking and the markets imploding, I am not sure where the bottom will hit. I also am concerned when I see the front page of the New York Times for Friday noting that the Auto Industry Bailout Plan seems to be a non-starter. Furthermore, the fact that the economic stimulus package President Elect Obama talked about at his first news conference is also running into trouble concerns me greatly. Whatever monies paid out by the U.S. Treasury's TARP program has apparently been hoarded by the banks and used to buy up rivals, pay dividends and rewards management. There is nothing for Main Street, yet. I wonder if the hotshots in Washington know that Main Street is in fact suffering when Citi annouced a 10,000 job cut and Sun Microsystems annouced a job cut of 6,000 workers. I don't think they really do. I sure know the Republicans don't
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Who are they trying to fool?
Iran's Government continues to implode. Yesterday, the fraudster who was confirmed as Iran's Interior Minister was impeached by Iran's Parliament and removed from office because of his fake Oxford degree. So far, 10 of the idiot Ahmadinejad's ministers have been replaced. This will potentially trigger a vote in confidence in the Government itself. I hope that Larijani, the Speaker of the Parliament, will make his move. With a 30 percent inflation rate, unemployment rising and the people in dire straits, I am just waiting for the other shoe to drop!!!
As we have had to contend with stress in the banking system, it is becoming even worst in Iran. I could not believe when I read how people could borrow money, and then put it back in a CD-Type account and make more money. Things are not going well. Yet, the Supreme Leader of Iran, Khameini came out to admonish those who dared to criticize the Government. His role is to be the arbiter of "god's law" on earth. As the Velayat-Fagihe, he final word is the word in Iran. The Parliament can do whatever it wants. But, this latest intervention by Khameini shows the support by the Government. He told the audience, the country and the world that "God" will not look too kindly on such criticism. I am amazed as to the arrogance that someone claims to speak for "God" and admonishes others. Khameini , for sure, has his head in the sand.
It seems to me that somehow the Iranian people will at least speak up to make a change in six months time when they go to the polls. Some may see why Iran? Iran is the lynchpin of the Middle East. It has 70 Million people. It continues to have one of the largest oil and gas reserves. It has other mineral deposits. It has one of the best and most under-utilized educated human capital in the world. It has a rich 5000 year history. Not withstanding the idiots and fools who are the current elite, I am hopeful about Iran. That is why it is so crucial to educate the world about Iran and about the possiblities. Iran has survived and will survive. I have no doubt. It will overcome this current perfect storm!!!
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The case against Netanyahau
The Israeli Foreign Minister and Kadima Leader, Tipzi Livni, has gone to Shimon Peres, the President noting that she has failed to form a Government and has recommended early elections. I was sorry to see her fail. Despite some of the disagreements at hand, she had the vision and the committment to reach peace with the Palestinians. Ehud Olmert even understood that some sort of co-existence must be somehow agreed to. The man waiting in the wings, the former Prime Minister Netanyahau, thinks otherwise. I think that Israelis are wiser than this. They understand that the world has changed since Netanyahau wasted the world's time and basically began the process of the destruction of the Oslo Accord. The world is wiser to buy his message. It will be fascinating to watch. The policy implications will be horrendous.
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How The man Thinks he's a legend
When you're a legend in your own brain, there is not much that can be done to talk some sense into you. Ahmadinejad, the so-called Iranian President, is exactly that kind of man. What is funny is that there was a report in the Islamic Republic News Agency noting that Ahmadinejad is the subject of an immense propaganda campaign by the United States. The remarks were attributed to someone who worked in the Nixon Adminstration. Well, they are right--to an extent. Ahmadinejad has been the object of scorn by the U.S. Rightwing. The U.S. Rightwing needs someone to attack. But, the man is a joke and a fool. Thankfully, some truly understand that the man is not the ultimate authority in Iran.
The reality is that the Iranian economy is in dire straits. It apparently has the Regime Worried--and rightly so. Although Iran has budgeted its' receipts based on about $ 45 a barrel I believe. With the drop in Oil Prices, the government appears to be worried. The Oil Minister wants to push for a production cut to help stabilize and increase prices. But, this again shows the total banrkupcy of the vision of this so-called Revolutionary Government that is running Iran right now. Iran needs to realize that the world is moving on. But, Iran seems to be stuck in the past, anyway. Maybe I am expecting too much. Iran has a government where the Interior Minister got a bogus Doctorate, taught at a University for thirty years and in fact all he had was a High School Level Education. So, the world should discount and disregard the idiot.
At least, it seems, the clerical supremos seem to have a bit more sense. Khameini, the Supreme Leader, has some pretty decent advisors around him. I have to clarify what I mean by "decent". As an example, Khameini's Chief Foreign Policy Advisor is Ali Akbar Velayati. He was one of the world's longest serving Foreign Ministers and has continued his leading role after leaving office. Kharazi, the Foreign Minster under Khatami, is continuing his role. The Supreme National Security Council has a number of representatives from the Supreme Leader. Khameini has the final say on all matters of state. For now, he continues to back the idiot. For how long remains the question. That's why it is crucial to somehow establish relationships with all levels of power within Iran. In my view, the road to normalization does not go through Ahmadinejad. It will be quite shocking if he is re-elected.
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A useless idiot wasting everyone's time!!!
The outgoing head of Iran's Central Bank blasted Iranian Government Policy. He made his last speech as Governor as the new head of the Central Bank was taking over. The world needs to realize the immense struggle going on within the Iranian Political Hierachy. It is a Government that is broken, that has too many competing authorities and has no credibility with the population. So, when Ahmadinejad the idiot speaks, the world should simply ignore him.
The idiot can sugar coat the record of his government all he wants. The idiot tried to tell the country about how "great" his government policies were during a television interview a few days ago. The average Iranian knows what he has done. Khameini seems to still like the idiot. While this struggle goes on, the average Iranian has to contend with 25% inflation rate and increasing unemployment. By the way, many in Iran refer to him as Ahmaghinejad. Ahmagh in persian means a fool and an idiot. That should give all some idea of what the common man thinks about him
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She deserves a lot better than this.....
The Iranian Supreme Leader, Ali Khameini, has given a ringing endorsement to the President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. He has praised his government's work and has told them to plan on another five years. Ahmadinjead noted that this endorsement is a medal that the government will wear with a badge of honor that won't be changed with any "worldly" things. All of this has been going on during what is referred to as Hafteh Dowlat (or Government Week). The whole cabinet was there meeting with Khameini.
Do the Iranian People deserve better?
This basically means that Khameini has basically endorsed the idiot again to run for reelection. There are moves by the various players within the current Iranian political elite to take him on. The problem is that with this ringing endorsement, they might as well stop wasting their time. Khameini has basically thrown out the Constitution and basically destroyed the institutions of state. The notion of Democracy in Iran is a joke. There is no regard for the rule of law. If the Supreme Leader wakes up tomorrow and does not like somthing, it can be changed. Are they checks on his power? The short answer is yes. The Council of Guardians (Majlis Khobregan Rahbari) can technically remove the leader. It is currently headed by Hashemi Rafsanjani, a former President and critique of the idiot
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What is the Iranian Governmetn Afraid of?
What is the Government Afraid of?
Golsifteh Faranhani was prevented from leaving Iran to work in Hollywood. She has landed a starring role opposite Di Caprio and Russell Crow. I am sure that she saw to it that her work was a credit to Iran and Islam. It seems to me that this development should be one of pride. Yet, the Government once again showed that the outlook it has is from the 15th Century. It shows the emptiness and paranoia of the Government.
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Another mischaracterization of Islam
Iran just celebrated the birth of the 12th Imam. It was on this day that Iran also told the world that it was a space power when it launched the Safir Omid. Now, the deep belief held by the ordinary Iranians is apparently being taken advantage of. The apparent charlatans who have arisen who claim to have some sort of contact have alarmed the clerical leadership in Iran. It got to a stage that Iran's Supreme Leader, Ali Khameini, talked about it in his speech calling them liars. The whole notion of the 12th Imam and his reappearance has to do with justice and equality. The very notion of personality cults, though, seems to be so against the very nature of Islam. Justice and Equality is the responsibility of governments. I view the Iranian Government's record as simply abysmal. The question is whether the Iranian People will be allowed to truly express their will when the elections come up next year.
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Iran's Development Continues...
Iran launched a missile that has a capability to deliver a satellite to Orbit. It is a bit of a worrisome development because it further raises the stake in the region. Iranian leaders don't seem to have their priorities straight, though. Rolling blackouts are happening throughout the country. The country's inflation is officially at 26%. Unemployment is stubbornly high. Yet, resources are being spent on matters that are long on rhetoric and short on a practical payback for the people right now. It changes the realities on the ground yet again.
Worrisome!!!
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A Hopeful Face for the Middle East.....
King Abdullah has gone to Iraq. This is important because he's the first Arab leader to have gone since the war. Al Jazeera is reporting that he got a nice gift: cheaper oil. Jordan has hosted quite a bit of Iraqi refugees. But, it has also benefited greatly. From the reports I have seen, they are enjoying quite a property boom. So, His Majesty will do what he has to do to maintain the economic and political stability of a country that is 70% Palestinian.
I have found him to be quite interesting and vibrant. I have periodically visited the Jordanian Monarchy Website. It seems that the people seem to genuinely hold the King in high esteem. But, Jordan is one of those countries that does practice "managed democracy", just like countries like Morocco. Al Jazeera was fined in Morocco not too long ago. So, this notion of Al Jazeera somehow being anti-american (the line that the Bush Adminstration tried to sell to the rest of us) is just nonesense. King Abdullah has his eye on
Mike Pouraryan
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