Riders of the apocalypse live in US, not in Iran
November 25, 2007
One major concern post-election should be Australia's role in the Middle East.
Colin Rubenstein (18/11) would have us continue to play the role of dummy to the US Administration. His perspective seems that of an Israeli citizen living in fear of the Arab and Persian world, not of an Australian.
He argues that Iran's President is "not a man who should be in a position to influence the deployment of nuclear weaponry". Is Bush, with his record of dissembling to justify an illegal war, with the religious right supporting him and their belief in Armageddon, a man who should be in that position? Is Cheney?
Surely it is racist to focus our fear of "an apocalyptic event" solely on Iranian politicians? As for fears, Iranians would have heaps considering the CIA deposed their prime minister in 1953 and is supporting covert action in Iran today.
Perhaps the 1964 movie
Dr Strangelove, with Peter Sellers playing a mad US Air Force general whose fingers are on the nuclear button, should be compulsory viewing so we don't see the world in terms of the sane "us" and the mad "them". That film spoke to a generation aware of the horror the US was inflicting on the people of Vietnam.
Australia has a role in showing that you don't have to be caught up in others' perspectives, fears and frenzies. We could push for a nuclear weapon-free world and could more fully support the work of the IAEA.
Fear can lead to self-fulfilling prophecies.
SUSAN DAY, Viewbank
LinkHere
One major concern post-election should be Australia's role in the Middle East.
Colin Rubenstein (18/11) would have us continue to play the role of dummy to the US Administration. His perspective seems that of an Israeli citizen living in fear of the Arab and Persian world, not of an Australian.
He argues that Iran's President is "not a man who should be in a position to influence the deployment of nuclear weaponry". Is Bush, with his record of dissembling to justify an illegal war, with the religious right supporting him and their belief in Armageddon, a man who should be in that position? Is Cheney?
Surely it is racist to focus our fear of "an apocalyptic event" solely on Iranian politicians? As for fears, Iranians would have heaps considering the CIA deposed their prime minister in 1953 and is supporting covert action in Iran today.
Perhaps the 1964 movie
Dr Strangelove, with Peter Sellers playing a mad US Air Force general whose fingers are on the nuclear button, should be compulsory viewing so we don't see the world in terms of the sane "us" and the mad "them". That film spoke to a generation aware of the horror the US was inflicting on the people of Vietnam.
Australia has a role in showing that you don't have to be caught up in others' perspectives, fears and frenzies. We could push for a nuclear weapon-free world and could more fully support the work of the IAEA.
Fear can lead to self-fulfilling prophecies.
SUSAN DAY, Viewbank
LinkHere
posted by Kangaroo Brisbane Australia at 11:44 AM
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