Democracy's Sirens

One of the first articles I wrote - first published by Payvand* in 2005.  Amateurish, but accurate.  It is just as applicable today.

One can easily change "Iran" with all the other countries the US is destroying under the banner of 'democracy' and 'human rights' (here I have Venezuela in mind).   And it continues as we have become keyboard warriors instead of  protestors.  How well they have managed to silence our voices by having it confined to cyberspace!  And we share the guilt.


Democracy’s Sirens



In Greek mythology, the SIRENS had maidens' features, but from the thighs down they had the forms of birds. One of them played the lyre, another sang, and another played the flute. By these means, and by clever, knavish, and deceitful words, they persuaded passing mariners to linger, thus causing their destruction.   The SIRENS are thought to be three, but the names given are more: Aglaope, Leucosia 2, Parthenope 3, Pisinoe 1, Thelxiepia.



Our ‘Sirens’, bearing the maiden features of Lady Liberty, seduce potential victims with sweet whispers of democracy, human rights, etc.. So much so that war drums are tuned out in the songs, coups are disguised as lyrics.  seduce potential victims with the sweet words of ‘democracy’ even though the lyrics and songs are taken to the intended victims in tune with war drums, their space intruded upon. Whispers and words so seductive that the intended victims don’t see the claws of the bird of prey, nor do they smell the stench of death of over a million dead in Iraq, untold number of Afghanis killed.  They are deaf to the wailing of the Palestinians –they don’t remember that it was ‘Siren’ that brought dictatorship to Iran at the cost of democracy – devouring those in Iran who sought freedom and autonomy.   



Once again, our  ‘democracy’ seeks to commit genocide in Iran while the Siren deceptively whispers  ‘democracy and human rights’.   It demands $75 million dollars to promote ‘democracy’ and ‘human rights’ in Iran, yet it stops humanitarian aid to the victims of one of the worst earthquakes in recent history  - the beautiful and historic city of Bam with a reported death toll of 70,000 – 80,000 people.   The World Bank, caught up in the Bush administration's campaign against Iran, has had to suspend  $5.4 million in payments for four projects involving earthquake relief, water and sanitation, environment management and urban housing for earthquake relief, sanitation and other projects in Iran in response to new American sanctions on leading Iranian banks[i].  



As America continues its strangulation of Iranians, it chides China and Russia for their reluctance to further punish Iran for  having the audacity to exercise its right under the NPT[ii].   Yet the United States, home to the Siren, to independence, forgets that she lost her credibility long ago – when in 1971 Congress voted to flout UN sanctions and import key minerals from Indonesia.   



“[T]he imposition of economic sanctions against the state of Rhodesia by the U.S. and other countries at the instigation of the United Nations constituted nothing less than bare-faced aggression, unprovoked and unjustified by a single legal or moral principle.”[iii]



Following the above speech made by Dean Acheson in 1968, the Byrd Amendment of 1971 allowed the U.S. to purchase high-grade chrome from Rhodesia. 



Today, America forgets her past and wants only to rule, ruthlessly.  

* I no longer post for Payvand.   I spoke out against the 2009 failed color revolution in Iran which by all indications, they fully supported.

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[i] http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/11/04/africa/sanctions.php

[ii] http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20071102/wl_mideast_afp/usiransanctionsrussiachina_071102195359

[iii] http://www.frontline.org.za/articles/remembering_rhodesia.htm

IRI at 40 - Feminists Still Asleep

So some are claiming Iranian women are "oppressed". Seems to these misinformed people (put as politely as I could), I have to say this:

Iranian women are free from shackles, free to pursue their dreams and hopes. Look at this country and remember that laws were passed in the US to end discrimination. It was a law many did not like, but it was a law that benefitted the nation. In America the law forbids discrimination based on color, race, religion, etc. This opened doors for the less privileged. Blacks, white, and brown - and all in between could pursue education and careers not previously possible. In Iran, the imposition of hijab (which comes in many ways depending on your preference - a thin scarf covering hair -- which by the way, Europeans wore/wear -- to long black chador or not black chador, is akin to non-discrimination. In the old days, as I explain in my article, your religious and social belief reflected by hijab was an impediment to progress. No longer. If you want to look at the issue historically world-over, the veil/hijab was always worn by the affluent, the peasants and the prostitutes wore loose clothing. The peasants because they needed to dress freely to carry on with manual labor, and the other workers to attract clients. Then the West decided to reverse things. And this was really pushed and promoted by Hollywood and media. Half-way naked women were 'modern', 'emancipated' (even as they sold their nakedness for money) and the elite of society, and those who cover up are the opposite. We may all have our preferences as to which we prefer, but we do not have the right to impose our values on anyone.

So if you think hijab is oppression, I suggest you get educated. I do not defend hijab, just the truth and facts.

Odd that after 40 years, the misinformed and the propagandists are still going after women's headscarves in Iran. 

Discovering Iran