Topic: Middle East

Don’t be fooled by “troop withdrawal” agreement; we are still in for the long haul

By Christine Anne Piesyk | August 22, 2008 |

The Bush/Cheney team on the move(scene from I.O.U.S.A.)

Across the country today corporate media headlines screamed the news that “an agreement has been reached” that would pull troops out of Iraq’s major cities ten months from now, in June, 2009. Read the fine print. Scrutinize between the lines. If you think all our troops are destined to come home, think again.

Yes, the United States and Iraq have “tentatively” reached an agreement that would see American troops vacated Iraq’s major cities, but that leaves a lot of ground out of the pact. That’s when the terms “broader withdrawal” and the words “tentative” and “but” come into play.

Iraqi leaders have yet to put a final stamp of approval on the deal, and as for that 2011 withdrawal date, it’s “contigent” on the implementation of additional security and on the “political progress” achieved in Iraq. So, folks, don’t hold your breath. The door is still ajar and our soldiers will still be rotating in and out of Iraq. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Business, Events, Issues, News, Opinion, Politics | 3 Comments

Peace Coalition anti-war demonstration targets potential US action in Iran

July 31, 2008 |

Nashville activists gather for nationwide “day of action”

The Nashville Peace Coalition has issued the call for a demonstration in Nashville on Saturday, August 2nd to call for international diplomacy and peaceful dialogue instead of blockades and threats of bombing Iran. The demonstration is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. and to last one and a half hours. It will take place at the intersection of 5th & Broadway in downtown Nashville.

The Peace Coalition is taking part in a national day of action to stop the potential war on Iran, which includes a massive demonstration in New York City and dozens of similar actions across the country on that day.

Statement from the Nashville Peace Coalition on why we are demonstrating:

It is with grave concern that we observe the growing threat of a new U.S. war–this time against the people of Iran. The media is filled with reports of an alleged nuclear threat posed by Iran and the assumed need for the U.S. to take military action. These reports recall the “Weapons of Mass Destruction” stories issued in the months leading up to the war on Iraq. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: News | 2 Comments

The power of nightmares: The rise of the politics of fear

By Bill Larson | March 11, 2008 |

“The power of nightmares: The rise of the politics of fear” is an award winning documentary created by Adam Curtis for the BBC and was first broadcast in late 2004. The film explores the origins in the 1950’s of Islamic Fundamentalism in the Middle East, and Neoconservatism in America, it highlights the striking parallels that exist between both movements, and the effects they have on our world today.

“Both the Islamists and Neoconservatives] were idealists who were born out of the failure of the liberal dream to build a better world. And both had a very similar explanation for what caused that failure. These two groups have changed the world, but not in the way that either intended. Together, they created today’s nightmare vision of a secret, organized evil that threatens the world. A fantasy that politicians then found restored their power and authority in a disillusioned age. And those with the darkest fears became the most powerful. “

What’s especially interesting about this film is the theory they propose that the hype about the islamic threat in the from of al-Qaeda, is in fact a myth perpetrated by politicians, particularly American neo-conservatives in an attempt to unite and inspire their people following the failure of earlier, more utopian ideologies.

«Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Arts and Leisure | No Comments

‘Women Behind the Camera’ to screen at UUFC First Friday Film Series

By Debbie Boen | September 6, 2007 |

The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Clarksville (UUFC) shows a film concerning some aspect of Social Action on the First Friday of each month.

The film for this month is Women Behind the Camera, a documentary showing how women have shaped cinema both in the US and around the world. This film is not rated, but it may not hold the interest of children.

This global documentary, based on Alexis Krasilovsky’s book of the same name, explores the lives of camerawomen in Hollywood and Bollywood, Afghanistan, Australia, Canada, China, England, France, Germany, India, Iran, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Senegal, the U.S. and other countries in a way never seen before.

Admission is free; bring snacks to share if you wish. «Read the rest of this article»

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“Collective Punishment” Fuels Middle East Crisis

By Chris Lugo | August 1, 2006 |

In the light of recent events in the Middle East, policy makers in the United States must take a stand against state sponsored terrorism. We have a grave moral responsibility in this crisis to take a stand for peace and against retribution.

The people of the United States must acknowledge the role we play in the current crisis in Israel, Lebanon, Gaza and Iraq. Our responsibility lies in our support of the state sponsored agression by our government and the government of Israel against innocent women, children and other non-combatants. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Politics | No Comments