Hip On Iran

The Well-Armed Hippie

If you ask most of the people who know me to describe me in one word, they would probably say, “Hippie“. And I’d have to agree with them that I fit that description. Even though I own an AK47 and enough ammunition to hold out here for awhile. Even though I also own a couple of shotguns and a long range rifle with scope. Even though I regularly plan, discuss and practice tactics and strategy in war simulations (games) online. Yes, “hippie” fits me just fine.

They call me a hippie not because of my hair or the hundreds of acid trips I must have taken (look at the hair! Must be a druggie!), but because of the rest of my life. I’m a fairly peaceful chap who, for nearly all my life, has just been interested in understanding everything. That is, after all, one of the primary tenets of being a hippie: to be hip. Hip isn’t cool, unless it’s cool to be hip. Being hip means traveling a path in life that is always exploring the limits of what we know both individually and as a society. In other words, becoming truly well-armed through understanding.

So, in my hippie quest to understand everything, I’d like to address some thoughts toward the Bushie folks and all this talk about Iran. As it turns out, even a superficial look into it is very revealing about the guys running our show. In literally less than 30 minutes of researching, their farce is exposed. Remember the build-up to the Iraq invasion? Remember the lies we were fed? Remember the last time?

Those Crazy Persians

There’s much ado in the news about Iran. We’ve been listening to the Bushies and their damning of Iran since right after we invaded Iraq. We’ve been told so many times in the past 4 years that they’re developing nukes that some of you are probably starting to believe it. I don’t believe it for a minute. And neither do the Bushies. The National Intelligence Estimate from this past winter concluded that Iran had most likely halted its nuclear weapons program in 2003.

For sure, they were planning to develop nuclear weapons. After all, it’s common knowledge that at least one of their neighbors already has a nuclear stockpile. But I don’t think they are quite that ignorant of the rest of the world. Their 4000 year history indicates a trend toward survival as a nation, not suicide. And as sure as the sun is shining somewhere, developing nuclear weapons would be as certain as suicide for the Iranian people. Nearly all of them live in just 8 cities. If anyone really believed that the “crazy Iranians” were capable of launching a nuclear attack, all the Iranians would be toast.

Image via WikipediaTruth is, the “crazy Iranians” don’t exist. Their ways may not be the same as ours, but that doesn’t make them crazy or dangerous. And they aren’t so backwards either, like much of American media would have you believe. Tehran is a world class city, with pretty much everything you’d expect. And yes, they have truly ancient customs and beliefs. As a member of a supposedly educated democratic republic, I respect that. Our ways say that their ways can be different from our ways and still be okay. Isn’t that true?

Enter: Staged Right

Yeah, well, if they aren’t the scary beast of hell then why are they so intent on developing nuclear technology?

Because they know that there’s a limited supply of oil and the climate is being destroyed.

Well, if all they wanted were nuclear power plants, both the US and Russia have said they would basically supply all the stuff Iran needs to develop nuclear power. If they aren’t planning to build weapons, why don’t they take us up on that offer?

Because then they would be forever unable to control their own energy demands. Iran owns one of the largest supplies of oil in the world. They are an energy superpower. What the Bushies are asking them to do is to forever give up that position, and in addition to give up being an energy producer completely. The Bushies are asking them to take our place in the future energy hierarchy, and let us take theirs. What. A. Deal.

But if the Iranians aren’t planning to build and use nukes, why wont they comply with that UN resolution that says they have to stop enriching their own uranium, Mr Smarty Pants?

Because the Iranians know, just as we do, just as the rest of the UN knows, that the resolution in question is completely illegal. That resolution violates the provisions of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, which both the US and Iran have signed and ratified. UN resolutions do not have the effect of binding law on member nations. Treaties do, in fact, have that effect of becoming a part of a nation’s laws.

Always go to the source if you can. Here it is (emphasis added):

Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons

Article IV

1. Nothing in this Treaty shall be interpreted as affecting the inalienable right of all the Parties to the Treaty to develop research, production and use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes without discrimination and in conformity with Articles I and II of this Treaty.

2. All the Parties to the Treaty undertake to facilitate, and have the right to participate in, the fullest possible exchange of equipment, materials and scientific and technological information for the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. Parties to the Treaty in a position to do so shall also co-operate in contributing alone or together with other States or international organizations to the further development of the applications of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, especially in the territories of non-nuclear-weapon States Party to the Treaty, with due consideration for the needs of the developing areas of the world.

Up In Smoke

Gee, that treaty must be so unclear to the Bushies. For some reason, they think that we are supposed to do whatever we can to stop countries from doing exactly what the treaty says they have the “inalienable right” to do. And not only that, but we’re supposed to be helping them develop their nuclear power plants! Who woulda thunk it?

Interestingly enough, Iran’s neighbor, Pakistan and its neighbor, India, neither of which have signed the treaty, have both detonated nuclear devices with little response from the American government. Israel, another country which refused to sign the treaty, is also believed to have a nuclear arsenal. The US remains mute on these points.

I know I’m expecting too much from the Bushie guys. They’re a bunch of (soon to be ex) oil flunkies who see the source of their fortunes literally going up in smoke every day. Their daddies and their grand-daddies told them it would be around forever, told them that they would always be on top, always in power. Poor little rich bastards. What were they smokin?

I’m certain this won’t be the last time I write about the Iranian threat. In my mind, as crazy and just plain stupid as they have already shown themselves to be, I guess there’s a 100% chance that the Bushies will keep trying to antagonize Iran. And I expect the hard sell for a strike against Iran to get more airplay in the mainstream media. Hopefully, we won’t fall for it this time.

I am Jon, the well-armed hippie.

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For more insight on US policy as it relates to Iran, I recommend Pen and Sword, a blog by retired Naval Commander Jeff Huber.