Musings of a former chicken

Fuel sanctions

If sanctions on fuel are imposed, then it stands to reason this will exacerbate fuel shortages. With fuel more scarce, it is logical to assume the IRI will ensure that the needs of the IRGC, Basijis, and other regime loyalists are given priority over those of average Iranians who don't have such connections. What happens to the middle and lower classes who are put into this squeeze? Will they rise up and revolt against the regime? 

Punish Iran’s Rulers, Not

//www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2009/12/14/punish_irans_rulers_not_its_people

Reply to vildemose

Yeah, I agree with your observations. And no, I was NOT suggesting that you are a sanctions supporter; I've read enough of your posts to know that you're not. My personal opinion is that, if sanctions could bring about the downfall of the regime in a relatively short period of time (i.e. a few years), then perhaps I might support them. However, I fear that they won't be able to achieve that. Instead, they will augment the existing misery of living under the IRI and not achieve the regime change that I and many others desire.

amir jan: I'm merely

amir jan: I'm merely reporting related news. It doesn't mean I agree or disagree with them. I have explained my stance on sanctions and war before and I think bothr are counterproductive for Iran's nascent democratic movement. However, it might not be counterproductive to US and Israel who don't care about such " petty" issues...lol

  Baisrat, a website

Baisrat, a website belonging to the representative of Iran's Supreme Leader in the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, has warned of five emerging fault lines now threatening the Iranian government. Two such fault lines have directly resulted from the recent presidential election. One is the "rift between clerics and velayat-e-faqih," the position of Supreme Leader, and the other is a "rift between the people and the State." IRGC's website has expressed concerns for media platforms used by or provided to opposition clerics. Such warnings are consistent with what some high ranking clerics like Ayatollah Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani have predicted, that "people are turning away from clerics and showing more signs of accepting students and academics as their points of reference."

//www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/tehranbureau/2009/12/every-which-way-but-lose.html

To Vildemose

In order to be "airtight" (or quasi-airtight), US sanctions alone won't suffice. After all, the US has had varying degrees of sanctions in place since 1979. At the very least, it would require the participation of Russia and China. Whether or not they will go along remains to be seen. Ultimately, each government will weigh its perceived interests. Needless to say, morality will not play much of a part in their calculations. However, the Iranian people will likely be caught in the middle. The consequences in terms of potential hardships and efficacy (or lack thereof) of sanctions remains to be seen.

Fred: I think you will get

Fred: I think you will get your wish in early 2010:

//thecable.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2009/12/11/exclusive_state_department_letter_to_kerry_outlines_serious_substantive_concerns_wi

I am with little tweet, isn't enough we get all the bull$hit

from AIPAC that is funneled thru Fred, do we need his "oh mommy they are picking on me" crying foul as well?

You know he is not going to engage with any one regarding content if you disagree with it, many have tried and failed.

Mehrdad

AMIR1973

Why are you picking on Fred dude. You'll make him cry again and he'll write about half a dozen blogs about being a victim. kerm nareez torokhoda:))

Fred

Who said I want to "have any effect on the content" of your blog? Not me.

Your "random thoughts" II

You say your comments are not Anti-American, fine.

You say blogs are open forums and irrelevant random thoughts of commenters are prudent and appropriate, fine.

You disagree with some or all my opinions, fine.

Just to let you know, no number of loaded questions, irrelevant arguments, random thoughts or concern about who reads or does not read this blog and … will have any effect on the content.

Since I’ve already given you a limited power of attorney on the Anti-American stuff, consider the POA amended to cover whatever it is that you want me to agree or disagree with, the exception being what I actually think and care about.

Response to Fred

Fred, the blogs on Iranian.com are an open forum. They are not like essay assignments from a university professor in which one  is compelled to stick to whatever subject you, the author, desire. One can respond with whatever comments one pleases. On a number of occasions I've noticed that you have responded to articles by authors like Ardeshir or Eleanor Ommani or other such IRI propagandists NOT by addressing the subject of their articles but rather by drawing attention to the questionable credibility of the author (such as with Islamist/anti-semites and their likeminded lefty allies, it runs in the family--or something along those lines). Bottom line: one can respond to Iranian.com blogs with whatever observations one wishes (as long as no profanity is used; no ad hominem attacks, etc).

As far as the term "anti-American", it strikes me as a term of propaganda meant to delegitimize criticisms of US government policies. I think the term is used much too indiscriminately. I consider myself pro-American people. I don't favor airtight sanctions against the US. I've never accused you of being "anti-Iranian" despite our differences of opinion, but you accuse me of being "anti-American". Okay.

Your "random thoughts"

No I’m not just venting as you intimate that you and many others who write or leave a comment on this site do.

No, I do not know who or what entity reads or does not read this blog or for that matter any content on this site, any other sites or written material in general. And I do not believe anyone; including you has the definitive data on the matter.

Lastly, I leave what “attendant actions” means or does not to whoever is interested to know.

Ps. Of all your posts in this blog, very rarely you address the content of the blog. It is mostly an Anti-American comment circa 70s or picking on one of my descriptions of the western world. It is fine with me, but don’t you think “your random thoughts” are exercises in futility in this setting? Take care 

Dear Fred

Dear Fred, nearly all your blogs end with an exhortation to the sane world to impose airtight sanctions and provide moral and material support to the Iranian people. Unless I'm mistaken, I don't believe that the White House, State Department, Pentagon or other branches of the U.S. government are reading your blog (this is not meant as a sarcastic quip, just a garden variety observation of which you may already be well aware). In other words, you are exhorting people and institutions that are not hearing your exhortations (at least the ones contained in your Iranian.com blogs). Since the people who are actually reading your blogs are overwhelmingly Iranian (probably a large majority of whom are Iranian-Americans), I'm left wondering what, if anything, you would like to achieve by blogging. (I am NOT for one second contesting your right to blog and express your opinions; your freedom of expression is a fundamental human right that no one should seek to deny). Are you just getting some things off your chest? That's perfectly fine--I suppose most IC visitors, myself included, are doing just that. But in large measure, your blogs are addressing an entity (i.e the US government) that is not likely to hear your appeals.

Are you attempting to persuade readers of your viewpoint? Is it persuasion for its own sake? It strikes me that persuasion without any attendant actions is little more than an intellectual exercise (useful as that sometimes might be). Anyway, I guess these are just my random thoughts. I'd be interested to hear back.