Guest Blogger

Our Guest Blogger today is the President of Iran

The President of Iran, Mahmood Ahmadinejad, has a new blog. This despite the fact that Iran has tried to prevent its own citizens from blogging made the offense punishable by a jail term. You can see the site here, and click on the little US/Canadian flag at the top right for a translation.

The poor man doesn't yet "get ot" since his first post is a lengthy diatribe and personal history.

At least he offers a poll asking, "Do you think that the US and Israeli intention and goal by attacking Lebanon is pulling the trigger for another word war?"

Today the results reveal Yes 55%  and No 44%  by the quarter-million votes cast so far. Assuming that a majority of his readers are Islamists, that gives a modicum of hope.

Here's his first post written in Farsi but translated into English;

In the Name of God, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate

Oh Almighty God, please, we beg you to send us our Guardian- who You have promised us- soon and appoint us as His close companions.

During the era that nobility was a prestige and living in a city was perfection, I was born in a poor family in a remote village of Garmsar-approximately 90 kilometer east of Tehran. I was born fifteen years after Iran was invaded by foreign forces- in August of 1940- and the time that another puppet, named mohammad Reza – the son of Reza Mirpange- was set as a monarch in Iran. Since the extinct shah -Mohammad Reza- was supposed to take and enter Iran into western civilization slavishly, so many schemes were implemented that Iran becomes another market for the western ceremonial goods without any progress in the scientific field. Our Islamic culture would not allow such an infestation, and this was an impediment in front of shah and his foreign masters’ way. Thus, they decided to make this noble and tenacious culture weak gradually that Iran be attached strongly to the west as far as its economy, politics, and culture was concern. After the implementation of this policy and the unreal and outward of upswing, the villagers began to rush to the cities. Upon the enforcement of the land reform, the status of the villages became worst than the past and villagers for earning some breadcrumbs, they were deceived by the dazzling look and the misleading features of the cities and became suburban and lived in ghettos.
My family was also suffered in the village as others. After my birth -the fourth one in the family- my family was under more pressures. My father had finished 6 grade of elementary school. He was a hard-bitten toiler blacksmith, a pious man who regularly participated in different religious programs. Even though never the dazzling look of the world was appealing to him, but the pressure of the life caused that he decided to migrate to Tehran when I was one year old. We chose to live in south central part of Tehran where is called Pamenar.
* * *

My father used to buy newspaper all the time. I remember one day, when I was in first grade, by looking through a newspaper – with the help of the adults in our house- I read the news of the capitulation passage by the shah’s so called “parliament.” Even though I did not understand the meaning of that issue at that time, but due to the protests and the objections of the religious schools of thoughts with the leadership of Imam Khomeini -Almighty God bless his soul- and the relentless reaction of the extinct shah, I realized that Mohammad Reza attempted to add another page to his vicious case history which was the humiliation and indignity of the Iranian people versus Americans. That was the year that the extinct shah slaughtered many followers of Imam Khomeini.
Imam Khomeini was released from prison. I never forget Imam Khomeini’s speeches during those years which was very persuasive and appealing. You would hear the strong faith to Almighty God in his orations. He invited the people to pure Islam. His message was invitation to the belief of monotheism- Unity and Oneness of God- and also justice, elimination of oppression, injustice and sedition in the world. He was courageous and had a valiant heart. He spoke firmly and securely. His orations were simple and honest. The people accepted his guidance sincerely. Due to these characteristics, he was a beloved leader for every individuals-young or elderly. Of course he was a disgrace for shah’s regime and his Americans masters. Notably, even among his enemies, he was respected with a special honor.
* * *

Eventually, the existence of Imam Khomeini was unbearable for the extinct shah and he could not tolerate him any more. Since they knew if they kill him-as they did a great number of his followers- the bloody uprising can not be controlled. Consequently they decided to exile him in order to separate the leader from his followers and to restrain the revolution which was occurring. They send him into exile overnight and his exile lasted 14 years.
While Imam Khomeini was in exile, I became more familiar with his ideas, thoughts and philosophy through his companions and disciples in different classes and meetings. The more I became familiar with his thoughts and philosophy, the more affection I had for that divine leader and his separation and absence was intolerable for me. Although the enemies of the Iranian Muslims separated their leader from them, but always he was in people’s hearts and was more close to them than ever.
* * *

When I used to go to high school, shah celebrated the 2500 years of monarchy of Iran. Those years, poverty among the oppressed people of Iran was escalated and doubled. The imposition of the cost and the expenditure of these festivals and ceremonies and also the crapulence of shah’s debauched clan and their foreign companies, broke the people’s back. All necessary materials and supplies of these illegitimate functions were brought to Iran from Europe by the exclusive and specific airplanes. Probably one can claim that the disgraceful festivals of the 2500 years of kingdom in Iran -which was arranged by the traitorous shah- were the most expensive festivals in the history of the civilized human.
Anyway, in this situation, my father’s sledgehammer and anvil could not cover my family’s necessary expenses. Thus, I had to start working in a shop- that made certain parts for cooling system of buildings- to make some money to cover a portion of my family’s expenses and also my educational costs. Even though I was very playful those days, but was aware of my school & education. I was a distinguished student. From that time, I was interested and attached to teaching. I used to teach my friends and others in their houses. The last year of my high school, I prepared myself for university admission test-conquer. And later on that year, I took the test. Although I had nose bleeding during the test, but I became 132nd student among over 400 thousand participants. I was admitted for civil engineering major in one of the technical universities in Tehran. That was three years before the revolution. Even though the revolution was taking place and I was involved in certain activities against the illegitimate regime of the monarch in Iran-the mercenary & puppet of U.S. & Britain- but I was aware of my education and did not give it up.
* * *

In order to stop the university students from joining the revolution, the traitorous shah and his clan tried to abolish Islamic belief and revolutionary motives among students, by propagating immorality, promiscuity, and perversion in universities in Iran. Although a small number of students fell into their traps, but in general, university converted to a base for demonstration against shah’s regime. The people’s faith and devotion to Islam was the main reason that they became ready to face bloodthirsty shah with his brutal and savage torture and encounter his death squad.
* * *

Imam Khomeini after being in exile in Iraq and elsewhere- came back to Iran. The manner is which Imam Khomeini was warmly welcomed on his return after fifteen years of exile by Iranian nation will always be remembered in the records of history. Whole Iran poured out in the streets to welcome Imam. The eyes of those watching Iran from the outside world were dazzled to see this great event and they were helpless to understand and come up with an explanation for what they saw.

The Islamic Revolution of the nation of Iran achieved victory after several years of severe hardships, brave perseverance and sacrifices of thousands of martyrs to the unbelievable astonishment of political analysts of East and West and right in front of the watchful eyes of Intelligence apparatuses of the great World powers at that time. Our Revolution was unique in its own kind. The whole Iranian nation with empty hands and only relying on the divine weapon of faith and under the leadership of an 80 years old man, was able to give a crushing defeat to the mercenary of USA, the Shah (King) of Iran and disclose the real disgraceful face of his powerful supporters to the countries of the region and the whole world.

* * *
Although, right at the beginning of the movement of Imam Khomeini, the type of Government Imam was seeking to establish was known to everybody, however, Imam repeatedly laid great emphasis that everyone’s opinion should be taken into consideration (by holding a referendum)  for the establishment of the type of new government in Iran. This he did so as to show right at the outset that it is with the wishes of the nation as well as in accordance with the principles of Islam, that an Islamic Government is established.  Although, there was absolutely no need of a referendum, but Imam with his wise foresight, proved his point of view to everyone and left no place for those who wished to seek alternatives. This action of Imam and vehement participation and positive reply to the establishment of Islamic Republic by the Iranian nation, caused disappointment of some of the political groups that were affiliated to great world powers. These terrorist groups with the support and directions from arrogant powers, the leader of them being USA at that time, started massacring innocent people as well as the leading figures of the Islamic Revolution. They, like their supporting masters, thought that they can undermine and collapse the new government right in its beginning.  But, the nation of Iran was not ready to give this precious and great Revolution from their hands so easily. They stood firmly and with great difficulties, remained loyal to Revolution and protected it at all costs. They were ultimately able to force these terrorist groups out of their own country.  Although these terrorist groups are still under the protection and shameful support of Great Satan USA, however, the slap that these groups have received from the brave nation of Iran will never be forgotten by them.
The global arrogance had determined to defeat the Islamic Revolution of Iran at all costs. The reason was that they were afraid that this revolution will become a model and ideal path for other nations in the region and in the world. On the other they also wished to get back their lost prestige. Thus, they, in addition to supporting daily terrorist activities inside Iran, they also supported regime of Saddam to attack Iran and start the imposed war. The analysis of corrupt politicians at that time was that Iranian revolution was in its beginning and the government was not fully established and was not powerful enough to survive. The security apparatus of state, they thought, was not fully functional and was weak and didn’t have enough weaponry and experience. And, on the other side was Saddam, whatever he wanted, they provided him, and they thought that he will win the war on Iran. Saddam, intoxicated with power and while receiving all the economic, military and intelligence support that USA and other Western countries provided him, proudly announced that he will capture Tehran within 3 days. The war that was imposed on Iran, continued for more than 8 years instead of 3 days and ultimately in the end, not even an inch of Iranian land reach the hands of Saddam and his supporters.

During these 8 years, Saddam fought with us and also with his own people. He bombarded our cities with chemical weapons provided by the Western powers and also Iraqi villages and towns. During the whole period of war, while Saddam was bombarding our cities, Islamic Republic of Iran, obeying the laws of Islam and humanitarian principles, never attacked cities and limited the war with the army of Iraq in the battlefield. It is sad, that even this humane attitude of Islamic Republic didn’t impress those who at world stage watched the war at that time.
* * *
At the beginning of war, I was 25 years of age. My mother and wife and all the mothers and wives of the Iranian nation, whose youths and their wives participated in war and defended their country, patiently trained and educated the next generation, which is brave, resisting and faithful. Today’s brave and strong youths are the fruits of hardships and untiring efforts of the days of past.

The sacred defense in the universities was related to teaching human values. Side by side, the experience of life and death during war made this life like a heaven on earth and hereafter, such that what was said and heard about it and carried out at that time, was truly godly.

Brotherhood, faithfulness, seriousness and loving hard work, spirituality and worship, eagerness and happiness to do good, sacrifice and bravery, all these values have proved to us time and again that this world and hereafter are not opposite to each other, rather they both are completely in harmony with each other. At that time, martyrdom was the only wish of our defending fighters.

In the year 1988, one year before the demise of Imam Khomeini, may peace of God be upon him, the United Nations Security Council passed the resolution to stop the war and Imam unwillingly accepted it and announced that this acceptance on his part is like drinking poison. The war ended and in a situation when all the international organizations strived very hard to distort and hide the facts that Saddam was the aggressor and that the arrogant powers had fully supported him. For those who were not aware of the close working of these international organizations and arrogant powers of the world, this indifference to and distortion and hiding of the facts was a very shocking experience.
* * *
I will continue this topic later on as it took long in the beginning. From now onwards, I will try to make it shorter and simpler.

With hope in God, I intend to wholeheartedly complete my talk in future with allotted fifteen minutes.  

Read the original here, and comment below. 

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Ice cream, you scream ...

... we all scream for ice cream
For Ben & Jerry's, that is

In our endless quest to bring you "Cape Cod 24/7" news, we ran into a former summer worker who still writes about her experiences almost twenty years later.

This is from this weekend's Winona MN Daily News; 

By Sherry Nelson / Community columnist

When I was eighteen, I spent my first of many summers working on Cape Cod in Massachusetts. It was the summer of 1988 that I fell in love for the first time. One of the girls I worked with introduced me to two fabulous guys named Ben and Jerry. If you haven’t met these fine gentlemen yet, I urge you to go to the nearest grocery or convenience store and check out the frozen foods section. Ben & Jerry’s premium ice cream is sold primarily in pints, although occasionally one can find vanilla sold in a quart size. For me, it was love at first bite.

My first flavor was Chunky Monkey. Try to imagine banana ice cream loaded with chucks of rich chocolate and huge bits of walnut. Oh, my. It didn’t take long for the formerly called flavor Mint Oreo to become my all-time favorite. Now it goes by the name of Mint Chocolate Cookie. Other mentionable flavors include Chubby Hubby, one of Tony’s favorites; Chocolate Fudge Brownie; and Oatmeal Cookie Chunk. At one time, I aspired to be a Ben & Jerry’s quality control agent in Burlington, Vt. I’m telling you: I am a die-hard ice cream freak.

I even went so far as to read “The Inside Scoop” by Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield... 

Read the rest of Sherry Nelson's column here, and comment below. 

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Cape Cod: Where White People Come to Die

3 comments »