"Iran on 26 Gallons a Month" by Scott Horton (Harper's Magazine)
...
A little more than a month ago, I was out in Orange County, California and had a pleasant dinner meeting with some of the nation’s leading Iran analysts. They were all angry about the White House’s highly provocative stance with respect to Iran. What, exactly, is the matter with it? “The Iranian populace is the most pro-American bloc in the region. They’re our prime asset. Any policy that starts with shattering our prime asset – that goodwill – is criminally stupid. A smart policy towards Iran would begin by understanding the inherent weaknesses of the mullahs and the Ahmadinejad government and would exploit them effectively. In the end, America doesn’t have to bring them down – the Iranian people will be delighted to do it. And it will be a hell of a lot cheaper and more predictable than launching an air war on Iran. And the long-term prospects are much better.”
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Read more at: "Iran on 26 Gallons a Month" by Scott Horton (Harper's Magazine)

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Lecture in G.R.
You are invited to attend a presentation by Dave Apol on the subject  Morality and Public Life. This will be held in the Meeter Lecture Hall in the Heckman Library of Calvin College on March 23. (check www:calvin.edu to find campus map) The meeting will begin at 7 PM, with a social hour at 6 PM to provide an opportunity to meet and talk with Mr. Apol. Three subjects will be included in his presentation.



A friend of mine invited me along to this event and would like you all to know about it and attend if you would like and are able to.
x-posted to MI Progressives and personal LJ.

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Demonstration Friday in GR
I don't know how anyone in this group feels about the Iraq War but I thought I'd repost this info from the Kent County D.F.A. (Democracy for America) meet-up group, which was e-mailed to me this morning.  EDIT: Apparently, this is a re-post of a post...the event is sponsored by the West Michigan Justice and Peace Coalition in conjunction with the Michigan Emergency Committee Against War & Injustice.  Whew.  Just trying to keep it all accurate...per Media Mouse.



Current Mood: awake

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Its sad, that no one is posting to this!
If anything is ever to change in this country, Meaning the overreaching power and lack of caring most people in government or even in this state, or may I even think Grand Rapids, us younger and more centralest minded people need to get involved and truly try to change this crazy system. Why is there a law saying no one can be a senator till age 40? Why is there no one under 30 in most city counsels? If half of us would just stop forgetting that this system works and we need to get our game up to change it for the betterment of all. We are the voice, the working hand, and the most effected by what happens every day in Government. Thank you for reading this. Michael Miller

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Into the fray!

Well, I'm the new kid and I've got a question for you newtwork of informers.
I'm starting a project of making blankets out of my old clothing for the homeless population in GR. The catch is, I'm not delivering them- I'm going to send them to the mayor and city officials to deliver themselves (hopefully raising concern among "the powers-that-be").
I have been researching the issue, but mostly have come up with charities as being the main source of aliviation for those in need. That makes me think civic involvement would be a good way to go. It seems like even though the cities resources might be limited right now, their information isn't and that could go a long way in examining more solutions to the problem.
Most of what I know, I know first hand. I work at the library which quazi-functions as sort of a day-shelter/child care facility as well as a public resource. Knowing this, it seems that tax dollars ARE going towards a city program for the homeless, it's just not called that or managed responsibly in light of that. I'm hoping that the blanket project will be a sort of impetus for diologue on the subject at the civic level.
Anyways, I was wondering what you guys thought of this idea and if anyone knew of city efforts/programs/stuff like that to help the homeless. I know Heartwell had a lot of involvement in that community and it's something he believe in, which is encouraging.
I'd be happy for any feedback I can get!

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female roommate needed
I am looking for a female roommate for my 2 bed apartment on Porter st, right by 28th & burlingame. Rent is $245 and $50 (half of) cable/internet bill. It is a 12 month lease and I need someone by Oct 14th hopefully, but earlier is ok your room is ready anytime. You would have your own room, and access to kitchen, living room, bathroom, parking, and trash pick up, and laundry facility! It is close to both malls! 13 minutes away from GRCC. I have a ferret (he doesn’t bite or smell) and I smoke but I will smoke outside only if you would like. Please call my cell: 616-617-8238 or email me at FerretJ8@aol.com. Thanks so much for reading this!

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Does this upset anybody else?
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2005/02/22/MNGIJBF3LP1.DTL

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DEATH IGLOOS IN CANADA
The death camps are in Canada!!

Don’t you liberals know that the death camps
Are in Canada?

Bet you didn’t know that oral sex
Was considered sodomy
And therefore illegal
Until the Supreme Court legalized
Sodomy last year

And that’s why 22% of the electorate
Showed up

Because they don’t want their daughters
To be sodomized by

Metro sexual atheist liberal pussyasses
Who want to flee to Canada
Every time their party loses
an election

But there is a surprise for you

The death camps are in Canada

In the Arctic Circle

Where THEY( George Bush, The Military Industrial Complex, Wal-Mart, Starbucks, your mother, whoever, ect)

Shall force you to build your own igloo

And in this igloo shall be placed
A Gideon’s Bible

Because the Gideon’s know
That you look at porno

And before we can have
Peace, equality, economic stability
They must take away the porno
Because society will fall apart
If we do not have sexual conformity
You shall never ever have an outlet
When your wife or girlfriend is frigid

Death igloos in Canada for you!

It was all just a plot to get you there

You thought you’d enjoy low crime,
Loose women, and free health care

Well, here’s your free health care

GAS CHAMBERS!!!!!

Oh, you cheap, lazy, impotent bastards

Death igloos in Canada for you.

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Yay, first post!
So now that Bush has won his second four years, I think it's definately time to start working on building a movement that will help us win in '08 and possibly deter some of the more radical Presidential edicts heading our way. I don't know about you, but I'd rather not wake up one morning to find one of my bedroom walls covered by a giant TV monitor.

So, I have no idea where to start, but this Green Party thing looks interesting. Here's the info, directly from People's Alliance.

3. Building a Progressive Grassroots Political Movement - Nov. 13
Saturday, November 13, 2004
9:00am to 1:00pm
The Dominican Center at Marywood 2025 E. Fulton St., Grand Rapids. Please join us in creating a compelling Kent County agenda to activate a more effective progressive grassroots political movement that does not depend on elections. We intend, through a focused workshop that will incorporate everyone’s interests, to develop a specific action plan. We welcome all interested – you do not have to be a Green Party member or anything else – all you need is the desire to participate in helping to shape a movement for progressive change!

RSVP no later than Thursday, November 4, 2004

Email: greenparty@comcast.net
Phone: 616-459-0829.
Postal mail: GPKC, P. O. Box 6471, Grand Rapids, MI, 49516-6471

Anyone else going? Anyone else got any other ideas?

Current Mood: determined

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