Five Sentenced to Death in Iran for Post Election Protests

A reminder that well our attention may be diverted, the autocratic regime in Iran is not letting up.

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) – Iran has sentenced five people to death over the unrest that followed the country’s disputed June presidential election, state television reported Tuesday.

At least three others caught up in the turmoil have received death sentences previously.

Iran began a mass trial in August of prominent opposition figures and activists, accusing them of a range of charges from rioting to spying and plotting what authorities have called a “soft revolution” to topple the country’s Islamic rulers.

The opposition led massive street protests and clashed with security forces in the weeks following the disputed June 12 presidential election. The opposition claimed fraud after election authorities declared President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad the winner of a second term and their anger unleashed the most serious internal unrest in Iran in the 30 years since the Islamic Revolution.

A Justice Department statement said the five sentenced to death were members of “terrorist and armed opposition groups,” state television reported. The statement said the courts have sentenced a total of 89 defendants since the process began and 81 of them got prison terms ranging from six months up to 15 years.

“So far, 89 of defendants were tried and based on their cases, death sentences were issued for five of them,” the statement said.

It said the 81 people sentenced to prison terms were charged with a range of offenses from security violations, agitating against the Islamic Republic, violating law and order, damaging public and private property, and assaulting civilians and security forces.

Exhibit A In How Passion Can Cloud Logic

It is almost common knowledge that when tea partiers and the more nativist elements of the less intellectual talk radio world of conservatives talk about illegal immigration, it predominately refers to those migrating from Mexico.

But one prankster at a recent rally in Minnesota this weekend, actually tricked the tea partiers into railing against European immigration, for their ethnic cleansing, genocide, and economic injustices against Native Americans. All something they only belatedly realized.

A speaker at an anti-immigration rally in St. Paul, Minnesota, this past weekend got the crowd to support more than just the deportation of all illegal immigrants — he got them cheering for the eviction of all European-descended immigrants to America who “stole this land through genocide and ethnic cleansing.”

A crowd of some 40 people showed up to the steps of the Minnesota State Capitol on Saturday to protest proposed reform of US immigration law. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said Friday that the Obama administration was pushing for immigration reform that would create a pathway for the legalization of undocumented immigrants.

Napolitano said she would like to see a “tough, fair” plan that would allow illegal migrants to gain legal status if they pay a fine, pass a criminal background check, pay all back taxes and learn English.

That idea brought 40 anti-immigration protesters to Saturday’s protest, as well as 30 pro-immigration reform counter-protesters, according to FightBackNews in Minneapolis.

One of those protesters, going by the alias “Robert Erickson,” got a speaking spot at the rally and used it to argue for the eviction of all descendants of European immigrants — in other words, that contingent of white Americans who these days see themselves as “real” Americans.

Exhibit A In How Passion Can Cloud Logic

It is almost common knowledge that when tea partiers and the more nativist elements of the less intellectual talk radio world of conservatives talk about illegal immigration, it predominately refers to those migrating from Mexico.

But one prankster at a recent rally in Minnesota this weekend, actually tricked the tea partiers into railing against European immigration, for their ethnic cleansing, genocide, and economic injustices against Native Americans. All something they only belatedly realized.

A speaker at an anti-immigration rally in St. Paul, Minnesota, this past weekend got the crowd to support more than just the deportation of all illegal immigrants — he got them cheering for the eviction of all European-descended immigrants to America who “stole this land through genocide and ethnic cleansing.”

A crowd of some 40 people showed up to the steps of the Minnesota State Capitol on Saturday to protest proposed reform of US immigration law. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said Friday that the Obama administration was pushing for immigration reform that would create a pathway for the legalization of undocumented immigrants.

Napolitano said she would like to see a “tough, fair” plan that would allow illegal migrants to gain legal status if they pay a fine, pass a criminal background check, pay all back taxes and learn English.

That idea brought 40 anti-immigration protesters to Saturday’s protest, as well as 30 pro-immigration reform counter-protesters, according to FightBackNews in Minneapolis.

One of those protesters, going by the alias “Robert Erickson,” got a speaking spot at the rally and used it to argue for the eviction of all descendants of European immigrants — in other words, that contingent of white Americans who these days see themselves as “real” Americans.

Dennis Hopper Has Prostate Cancer

Dennis Hopper recites Beatnik Poetry in a 1964 episode of Petticoat Junction.

Actor/ Director Dennis Hopper best known for his Role as Billy in the classic 1969 film Easy Rider (which he also directed), Rebel Without a Cause (1956), and his role as King Koppa in the Super Mario Brothers Movie, has been diagnosed with Prostate Cancer. He is currently receiving treatment for the disease.

According to reports the 73 year old actor and 1960s counterculture figure was also hospitalized last month, exhibiting symptoms resembling those of the Flu. It is not known if that incident was cancer related.
Lets hope this storied character actor recovers.

Dennis Hopper Has Prostate Cancer

Dennis Hopper recites Beatnik Poetry in a 1964 episode of Petticoat Junction.

Actor/ Director Dennis Hopper best known for his Role as Billy in the classic 1969 film Easy Rider (which he also directed), Rebel Without a Cause (1956), and his role as King Koppa in the Super Mario Brothers Movie, has been diagnosed with Prostate Cancer. He is currently receiving treatment for the disease.

According to reports the 73 year old actor and 1960s counterculture figure was also hospitalized last month, exhibiting symptoms resembling those of the Flu. It is not known if that incident was cancer related.
Lets hope this storied character actor recovers.

Bardwell, Defends His Refusal to Perform Marriage Ceremony for Interracial Couple

Watch CBS News Videos Online

Not been blogging much lately, as I have been sick with a mean sinus infection complicated by my asthma and a possible cold and as of this posting still am.

Anyway there have been more developments in the case of Keith Bardwell, the Justice of the Peace in Louisiana who refused to perform a marriage ceremony for a mixed race couple because he was convinced that it would be harmful for the children. That there parents’ mixed racial and ethnic heritage would open them up to rejection (likely from people who would have you know prevented them from being born in wed lock if you get my drift).

Anyway, a credit to both Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA) and Gov. Bobby Jindal (R-LA) have both come out and called for Bardwell to resign his position over the radical notion that somehow the function of a public official invested with the power and responsibility is to enforce the law.

Bardwell, however insists he does not have the power to deny anyone a marriage license, just to perform the ceremony and that he told them where they could have such a ceremony performed.

He also insists in the interview on the CBS Early Show posted above, that everyone hates him now, and that he didn’t mean to offend the couple, and he was just trying to do them and any children they may possibly have in the future a favor by refusing to perform such a ceremony. He also says that because he informed the couple of where they could get married, this whole issue should now go away.

Now if this sanctimonious, preachy bumpkin wants to hold that segregationist mindset that is primitive, disgusting, and evidence that some are now able to keep up with the changing standards of decency and tolerance in society that is fine. Deplorable and I would be both offended and humiliated to have him represent my parish at any level, but those are his personal “beliefs” and those can’t and shouldn’t be forcefully changed. Despite that, he can be demanded and should to enforce the law as required or resign. And if he doesn’t do either, he should be forced from office.

When did that somehow become a radical notion?

Update: In other angry white man news, the anger and xenophobia of white bread conservatives like Pat Buchannan does not seem to be abating. In his latest screed the columnist, MSNBC analyst, and three time far right third party paleoconservative goes on to bemoan the demise of prayer in schools and rail against 1960s radicals who started riots, and struck on campus; (this from a guy who was part of the Nixon administration who sought to efface entire parts of the constitution, recklessly extended the Vietnam war into Cambodia and Laos, overthrew a democratically albeit socialist government in Chile to install one of the 20th century’s most despotic mad men, and dragged the office of the president of the United States down to the level of a two bit burglar).

He also goes on with his rhetoric with a zeal that is more George Wallace then George Washington, fulminating that Americas racial, ethnic, religious, and cultural make-up are evolving with age. Pat as always keepin it classy. I would say that this sort of nonsense would be deposited with once his generation dies off to put it bluntly, but much of these racist mindsets were thought to have expired long ago. But Bardwell, Buchannan, and a collection of others who have recently surfaced show that the death of racism has been greatly exaggerated.

Bardwell, Defends His Refusal to Perform Marriage Ceremony for Interracial Couple

Watch CBS News Videos Online

Not been blogging much lately, as I have been sick with a mean sinus infection complicated by my asthma and a possible cold and as of this posting still am.

Anyway there have been more developments in the case of Keith Bardwell, the Justice of the Peace in Louisiana who refused to perform a marriage ceremony for a mixed race couple because he was convinced that it would be harmful for the children. That there parents’ mixed racial and ethnic heritage would open them up to rejection (likely from people who would have you know prevented them from being born in wed lock if you get my drift).

Anyway, a credit to both Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA) and Gov. Bobby Jindal (R-LA) have both come out and called for Bardwell to resign his position over the radical notion that somehow the function of a public official invested with the power and responsibility is to enforce the law.

Bardwell, however insists he does not have the power to deny anyone a marriage license, just to perform the ceremony and that he told them where they could have such a ceremony performed.

He also insists in the interview on the CBS Early Show posted above, that everyone hates him now, and that he didn’t mean to offend the couple, and he was just trying to do them and any children they may possibly have in the future a favor by refusing to perform such a ceremony. He also says that because he informed the couple of where they could get married, this whole issue should now go away.

Now if this sanctimonious, preachy bumpkin wants to hold that segregationist mindset that is primitive, disgusting, and evidence that some are now able to keep up with the changing standards of decency and tolerance in society that is fine. Deplorable and I would be both offended and humiliated to have him represent my parish at any level, but those are his personal “beliefs” and those can’t and shouldn’t be forcefully changed. Despite that, he can be demanded and should to enforce the law as required or resign. And if he doesn’t do either, he should be forced from office.

When did that somehow become a radical notion?

Update: In other angry white man news, the anger and xenophobia of white bread conservatives like Pat Buchannan does not seem to be abating. In his latest screed the columnist, MSNBC analyst, and three time far right third party paleoconservative goes on to bemoan the demise of prayer in schools and rail against 1960s radicals who started riots, and struck on campus; (this from a guy who was part of the Nixon administration who sought to efface entire parts of the constitution, recklessly extended the Vietnam war into Cambodia and Laos, overthrew a democratically albeit socialist government in Chile to install one of the 20th century’s most despotic mad men, and dragged the office of the president of the United States down to the level of a two bit burglar).

He also goes on with his rhetoric with a zeal that is more George Wallace then George Washington, fulminating that Americas racial, ethnic, religious, and cultural make-up are evolving with age. Pat as always keepin it classy. I would say that this sort of nonsense would be deposited with once his generation dies off to put it bluntly, but much of these racist mindsets were thought to have expired long ago. But Bardwell, Buchannan, and a collection of others who have recently surfaced show that the death of racism has been greatly exaggerated.

Taking Justice and Peace Out of ‘Justice of the Peace’

If anyone began to somehow doubt that a reservoir of bigotry and stupidity still exists, Louisiana Justice of the Peace Keith Bardwell proves that it is alive and well.

The Justice of the Peace (who obviously hasn’t received the 42 year old memo on the Supreme Court ruling of Loving Vs. the state of Virginia that ruled states must recognize interracial marriage) is refusing to give a marriage license to a black and white couple, saying he is concerned about any future children that the couple might have and their well being. Actually judging from Bardwell’s belief, if he is a father I would be much more concerned about his children.

Bardwell, and here’s a kicker emphatically states he is not racist, saying he issues licenses to black couples and white couples all the time, just thinks that interracial marriages just don’t work out.

A Louisiana justice of the peace said he refused to issue a marriage license to an interracial couple out of concern for any children the couple might have. Keith Bardwell, justice of the peace in Tangipahoa Parish, says it is his experience that most interracial marriages do not last long.

Neither Bardwell nor the couple immediately returned phone calls from The Associated Press. But Bardwell told the Daily Star of Hammond that he was not a racist.

“I do ceremonies for black couples right here in my house,” Bardwell said. “My main concern is for the children.”

Bardwell said he has discussed the topic with blacks and whites, along with witnessing some interracial marriages. He came to the conclusion that most of black society does not readily accept offspring of such relationships, and neither does white society, he said.

“I don’t do interracial marriages because I don’t want to put children in a situation they didn’t bring on themselves,” Bardwell said. “In my heart, I feel the children will later suffer.”

Someone needs to inform this racist boorish idiot that this is the 21st century and that Dixie died a long time ago. Then they need to fire him. Its amazing that people would admit to this outdated ideology that has no place in a modern civilized society, and given that he is no doubt breaking the law it is even more disgraceful that any state, county, parish, or community in America would have such a man as a public servant.

Meanwhile the couple in question is consulting with the U.S Justice Department Civil Rights division to see what they can do.

Illinois Teacher Uses term “Black Fags” says he didn’t mean to offend anyone.

In other racist and homophobia related news,Illinois High School teacher Dave Burke was teaching a economics related class when according to one openly gay High School Senior in the class Burke posed a question to the class.

“How would you feel about your tax dollars going to pay some black fag in New York to take pictures of other black fags?”

As glaring in its homophobia and racism as this statement is, Burke’s attorney wanted to make it clear, that if by some off chance anyone was offended that it was not his intention to offend anybody.

Hunter said during a lecture on tax dollars on Oct. 5, Geneva High consumer education teacher Dave Burk started talking about the National Endowment for the Arts, asking his students, “‘How would you feel about your tax dollars going to pay some black fag in New York to take pictures of other black fags?’”

Burk’s attorney, D.J. Tegeler, said Monday he was not personally aware of the terms Burk used to his classes, but that Burk apologizes for any offense.

“Mr. Burk is cooperating fully with both the principal, the dean of students and the School Board,” Tegeler said. “Mr. Burk’s biggest problem is he does not want to intentionally offend anybody and if he did, he apologizes.”

No Mr Burk, the biggest problem is that you have a poorly developed mind and a pre-civil war mentality at least in your statements. Burke was later issued a warning by the school.That’s accountability for you.

As one person later said, a bigger waste of the people’s tax dollars then the National Endowment for the Arts is this guys salary.

Taking Justice and Peace Out of ‘Justice of the Peace’

If anyone began to somehow doubt that a reservoir of bigotry and stupidity still exists, Louisiana Justice of the Peace Keith Bardwell proves that it is alive and well.

The Justice of the Peace (who obviously hasn’t received the 42 year old memo on the Supreme Court ruling of Loving Vs. the state of Virginia that ruled states must recognize interracial marriage) is refusing to give a marriage license to a black and white couple, saying he is concerned about any future children that the couple might have and their well being. Actually judging from Bardwell’s belief, if he is a father I would be much more concerned about his children.

Bardwell, and here’s a kicker emphatically states he is not racist, saying he issues licenses to black couples and white couples all the time, just thinks that interracial marriages just don’t work out.

A Louisiana justice of the peace said he refused to issue a marriage license to an interracial couple out of concern for any children the couple might have. Keith Bardwell, justice of the peace in Tangipahoa Parish, says it is his experience that most interracial marriages do not last long.

Neither Bardwell nor the couple immediately returned phone calls from The Associated Press. But Bardwell told the Daily Star of Hammond that he was not a racist.

“I do ceremonies for black couples right here in my house,” Bardwell said. “My main concern is for the children.”

Bardwell said he has discussed the topic with blacks and whites, along with witnessing some interracial marriages. He came to the conclusion that most of black society does not readily accept offspring of such relationships, and neither does white society, he said.

“I don’t do interracial marriages because I don’t want to put children in a situation they didn’t bring on themselves,” Bardwell said. “In my heart, I feel the children will later suffer.”

Someone needs to inform this racist boorish idiot that this is the 21st century and that Dixie died a long time ago. Then they need to fire him. Its amazing that people would admit to this outdated ideology that has no place in a modern civilized society, and given that he is no doubt breaking the law it is even more disgraceful that any state, county, parish, or community in America would have such a man as a public servant.

Meanwhile the couple in question is consulting with the U.S Justice Department Civil Rights division to see what they can do.

Illinois Teacher Uses term “Black Fags” says he didn’t mean to offend anyone.

In other racist and homophobia related news,Illinois High School teacher Dave Burke was teaching a economics related class when according to one openly gay High School Senior in the class Burke posed a question to the class.

“How would you feel about your tax dollars going to pay some black fag in New York to take pictures of other black fags?”

As glaring in its homophobia and racism as this statement is, Burke’s attorney wanted to make it clear, that if by some off chance anyone was offended that it was not his intention to offend anybody.

Hunter said during a lecture on tax dollars on Oct. 5, Geneva High consumer education teacher Dave Burk started talking about the National Endowment for the Arts, asking his students, “‘How would you feel about your tax dollars going to pay some black fag in New York to take pictures of other black fags?’”

Burk’s attorney, D.J. Tegeler, said Monday he was not personally aware of the terms Burk used to his classes, but that Burk apologizes for any offense.

“Mr. Burk is cooperating fully with both the principal, the dean of students and the School Board,” Tegeler said. “Mr. Burk’s biggest problem is he does not want to intentionally offend anybody and if he did, he apologizes.”

No Mr Burk, the biggest problem is that you have a poorly developed mind and a pre-civil war mentality at least in your statements. Burke was later issued a warning by the school.That’s accountability for you.

As one person later said, a bigger waste of the people’s tax dollars then the National Endowment for the Arts is this guys salary.

Boehner headed Response

House Minority leader John Boehner (R-OH)has voiced opposition to legislation that would broaden hate crimes laws that would make crimes committed based on a victim’s sexual orientation a federal offense. Boehner though says he supports current hate crimes laws that do just that for crimes motivated by a victim’s ethnicity, race, or religion.

An aide in the Minority leader’s office, said in an e-mail to CBS that this is because race, ethnicity, and religion are what he classifies as “immutable characteristics” or something that a person can’t change, while sexual orientation by his estimate is.

First off, it would be interesting to know that if sexual orientation is a conscious choice that can be made and changed, at what point did Boehner sit down and consciously decide to be straight, and also people can’t change their religion? Really? So all those Muslims, Jews, or atheists, who convert to Christianity or Catholicism just didn’t get the memo in Boehner world that they can’t really convert? So what about all those people who Pat Robertson and his 700 Club who end up up finding religion in times of hardship are what delusional? Making it all up? You may want to tell Newt Gingrich and others that. Evidently they didn’t get the memo.

Boehner headed Response

House Minority leader John Boehner (R-OH)has voiced opposition to legislation that would broaden hate crimes laws that would make crimes committed based on a victim’s sexual orientation a federal offense. Boehner though says he supports current hate crimes laws that do just that for crimes motivated by a victim’s ethnicity, race, or religion.

An aide in the Minority leader’s office, said in an e-mail to CBS that this is because race, ethnicity, and religion are what he classifies as “immutable characteristics” or something that a person can’t change, while sexual orientation by his estimate is.

First off, it would be interesting to know that if sexual orientation is a conscious choice that can be made and changed, at what point did Boehner sit down and consciously decide to be straight, and also people can’t change their religion? Really? So all those Muslims, Jews, or atheists, who convert to Christianity or Catholicism just didn’t get the memo in Boehner world that they can’t really convert? So what about all those people who Pat Robertson and his 700 Club who end up up finding religion in times of hardship are what delusional? Making it all up? You may want to tell Newt Gingrich and others that. Evidently they didn’t get the memo.

Why is McCain Such a Credible Voice on Afganistan?

What I find interesting is that someone who voted for and has spoken fervently in support of the Iraq War which diverted resources from the war in Afghanistan and said in the long run we can just “muddle through” the war in Afghanistan; is taken seriously in this latest debate on possibly escalating troop levels there.

Don’t get me wrong, I am not one of those who thinks we should retreat from there immediately. After all Afghanistan is the war where there was a threat and where elements of Al-Queda have received aid and we should continue to battle to defeat or mollify such elements, though as we have seen in Iraq nation building is something that only bogs us down. People should remember that just because you throw money and soldiers at a problem does not automatically solve a problem, unless they have a solid strategy to guide them.