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From the Onion: Iran Worried U.S. Might Be Building 8,500th Nuclear Weapon
From The Onion:
Iran Worried U.S. Might Be Building 8,500th Nuclear Weapon
TEHRAN—Amidst mounting geopolitical tensions, Iranian officials said Wednesday they were increasingly concerned about the United States of America’s uranium-enrichment program, fearing the Western nation may soon be capable of producing its 8,500th nuclear weapon. “Our intelligence estimates indicate that, if it is allowed to progress with its aggressive nuclear program, the United States may soon possess its 8,500th atomic weapon capable of reaching Iran,” said Iranian foreign minister Ali Akbar Salehi, adding that Americans have the fuel, the facilities, and ”everything they need” to manufacture even more weapons-grade fissile material. ”Obviously, the prospect of this happening is very distressing to Iran and all countries like Iran. After all, the United States is a volatile nation that’s proven it needs little provocation to attack anyone anywhere in the world whom it perceives to be a threat.” Iranian intelligence experts also warned of the very real, and very frightening, possibility of the U.S. providing weapons and resources to a rogue third-party state such as Israel.
http://www.theonion.com/articles/iran-worried-us-might-be-building-8500th-nuclear-w,27325/
Recent Russian Poll on Past Leaders
Recent Russian Poll on Past Leaders
(new-power.org)
The Russian state media conducted a poll looking at Russian attitudes toward past leaders. The results are interesting:
“Mikhail Gorbachev and Boris Yeltsin are Russia’s most unpopular leaders of the past century, according to a survey by Russia’s state-run VTsIOM pollster published on Thursday.
Only 14 percent of respondents named Soviet President Gorbachev and 17 percent mentioned his successor, first president of the Russian Federation Yeltsin, when asked whose policies in the past 100 years made Russia develop in the proper direction. Their results are largely similar to a VTsIOM survey held in 2007.
A total of 61 percent of Russians described Vladimir Putin’s policies during his two presidential terms in 2000-2008 as ‘generally positive’, down six percentage points from 2007. About 54 percent of respondents were positive about incumbent Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.
Russia’s last Tsar Nicholas II received a positive assessment from 31 percent of respondents.
Leonid Brezhnev, who presided over the ‘stagnation period’ with a ruling group characterized as a ‘gerontocracy,’ was the most popular Soviet leader with the support of 39 percent of respondents.
Best-known Communist Leaders, 1917 October Revolution architect Vladimir Lenin and Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin, gained 28 percent each. Nikita Khrushchev, who steered Soviet Union through the Cold War’s peak, the Cuban Missile Crisis, received the support of 24 percent of respondents.
The survey, involving 1,600 respondents, was held on October 29-30, 2011 in 46 Russian regions. The margin of error is below 3.4 percent.”
The poll undermines Western stereotypes about Russian history. The poll is one in a long series of polls that shows that Russians view their history much differently that Westerners view Russian history. Mikhail Gorbachev and Boris Yeltsin, who presided over the end of the Soviet Union, ranked the lowest in terms of the leadership, while people had a more favorable rating toward Lenin and Stalin. However, this poll should not be seen necessarily as an endorsement of socialism among Russians. The poll gave Vladimir Putin, Dmitry Medvedev, Leonid Brezhnev who was one of the leaders at the height of the Soviet imperialist period, Russia’s last Tsar Nicholas II, all more favorable ratings. The overall conclusion to draw from this poll is not that Russians are not longing for socialism per se. And they are not blaming Mikhail Gorbachev and Boris Yeltsin for its loss. The overall conclusion is that Russians are longing for a strong country, even an imperial country. And they blame Mikhail Gorbachev and Boris Yeltsin for the loss of the strong, imperial country.
This is the problem with polls about the past in Russia. Both socialists and some fascists champion the Soviet Union. However, they do so for different reasons.
Source
http://en.rian.ru/society/20120202/171088106.html
Hands off Syria!
Hands off Syria!
(new-power.org)
Syria is under attack by the imperialists and their agents. The Arab spring, which started out as a popular movement against comprador regimes that sell out to the imperialists, has been transformed and co-opted in many places by the imperialists themselves. The imperialists, especially the US and NATO, have sought to use the Arab spring to create color revolutions in places like Libya, Syria, and, eventually, Iran. At the same time, Gulf Arab states, like Saudi Arabia and Qatar, are seeking to spread their own hegemony in the region, often though the support and financing of Sunni Jihadi groups, in order to challenge Iran. The Zionists in Israel also seek to weaken Syria because to do so weakens Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Iranian regime. Turkey, a Western ally, also seeks to extend its influence. Here are points to consider.
1. Several forces are coming together to undermine the Assad regime in Syria. The Western imperialists seek to undermine the regime as part of its war against growing Iranian power in the region. The Assad regime is part of a regional alliance that includes the Islamic Republic of Iran and Hezbollah in Lebanon. When the United States pulls out of Iraq, pro-Iranian forces hope to fill the vacuum and seek to solidify the alliance with the Islamic Republic of Iran with Iraq. Thus Iranian influence will increase. At the moment, many are biding their time in Iraq.
2. The Gulf states, especially Saudi Arabia and Qatar, are financing the anti-Assad forces in Syria. The Sunni Gulf states fear the emerging power of Iran, which they seek to stop in Iraq. In addition, it would not be surprising if Qatar is putting boots on the ground against Assad as it did against Gaddafi in Libya. While they are close allies with the West, the Gulf states are willing and able to use the Sunni-Islamist forces that the West keeps at arms length.
3. The Assad regime is a secular one. However, many of the top officials of the regime come from the Alawi, a religious and cultural minority that has suffered terrible oppression in the past. The Alawi were some of the poorest and most discriminated in the region. One of the reasons that the Syrian regime has a greater degree of religious tolerance than other regimes in the region is due to the Alawi origins of the Assad family. Hafez al-Assad, after taking power, removed the provision of the Syrian constitution that only allowed Sunnis to occupy the office of President. The Alawi will not willingly give up their position in society to become lower caste again. This means they will fight tooth-and-nail to keep power. This means that those seeking to take power from them may end up resorting to ethnic terror. There is much potential for Syria to descend into a bloodbath.
4. The Zionists in Israel also seek to weaken Syria because to do so increases their hold on Palestine and increases their power in the region. In Palestine, Hamas, a Sunni organization, has maintained close ties with both the Iranian regime and Gulf states. Because of the ethnic and religious nature of the conflict in Syria, Hamas is in a tough spot. As of now, they have said the conflict in Syria is an internal matter to be resolved by Syrians, but have not come out publicly to back Assad. Hamas has backers in the Gulf states that are coming more and more into conflict with the Iranian state and Iranian-state-aligned forces. In addition, Hamas is religiously and culturally closer to those who oppose Assad. The conflict in Syria will undermine Hamas in Palestine. The West benefits greatly by placing Hamas in such a difficult situation. This is one reason that the Zionists in Israel are moving to destabilize Syria. In addition, a weakened Syria means a weakened Hezbollah in Lebanon. Also, Israel has an interest in isolating and toppling Iran.
5. The Russian state has a longstanding commitment to the Assad regime. The Assad regime had been an ally of the Soviet Union in its revisionist days. Unlike with Libya, at present, the Russian state is seeking to actively block the West from taking down the Assad regime. The Russian state is moving to impede Western efforts to undermine Syria diplomatically and in the UN. Also, the Russian state recently stated it would honor its arms deals with the Syrian regime. The Russian regime is pushing for a peaceful resolution that keeps Assad in power, rather than throwing the regime to the Western wolves. At the same time, if push comes to shove, or if the West cuts the Russian state a deal, it is very possible that the Russian state will cut its losses and abandon its ally. We should not expect the Russian state to go to war with the West over Syria. As broader efforts by the West unfold to isolate the Iranian state, the Iranian state will try to turn to the Russian state too.
6. Despite the left rhetoric or anti-imperialist Jihadi rhetoric of the anti-Assad forces, the reality is that, at this moment, such forces are playing into the hands of the West’s efforts to gain control of the region and the West’s aim of eventually toppling the Iranian regime. The Assad regime, for all its flaws, should be defended against Western intervention.
Hands off Syria! Hands off Iran! No war! No sanctions! No intervention of any kind against Syria and Iran! Uphold the Broad United Front! Hold the Red Flag High!
Orientation toward Occupy
Orientation toward Occupy
(new-power.org)
The Occupy protests continue to dwindle in the Unites States. This is expected. The weather has played a role. It is harder to organize in the winter. The police repression has played a role. The inability of the Democrats to fully co-opt Occupy has resulted in Occupiers losing their status as media darlings. The media has turned against them. Media coverage is much more hostile today than it was at the beginning of the movement. Also, people in the United States have short attention spans. They are easily bored. People lose interest. However, most importantly, Occupy is running up against the social forces of trying to sustain a movement for social change in the First World. The vast majority of First World peoples do not have an interest in radical, egalitarian social change. They simply benefit too much from the system. They are too comfortable. Occupy is not about Leading Light Communism, is not about a radical reorganization at the deepest levels to bring about a world without oppression. Occupy is dominated by social-democratic and populist rhetoric. Even though social-democratic reform is often in the interests of most people in the United States, most people are simply too comfortable to fight very hard for it. People are too a-politicized and comfortable to even stand up for their own bourgeois interests. This is not necessarily a bad thing. After all, increasing the living standard of First World peoples as a whole is almost always connected to impoverishing Third World peoples. Nonetheless, Occupy still lingers on.
Could Occupy get a second wind? It will pick up a bit in the spring, but probably not return to previous levels. If the economy goes downward, then we could see more people at Occupy in the spring. However, at the moment, it does not appear the economy is falling. Rather, the latest numbers indicate a slight improvement in the situation. Occupy may be able to get a boost of energy by combining its efforts with the May Day efforts of the migrants. Occupy may get some kind of traction out of combining its efforts with the NATO/G8 protests this year. The “full-moon factor” could also boost Occupy’s numbers. It is 2012. Many New Religious Movements believe that 2012 heralds the transformation of the world. This idea, based upon, often chauvinist, misappropriation and misinterpretation of the Maya calendar, is widespread in pop culture. Movies have been made about the supposed significance of 2012. Many tomes have been written on the topic. There is a long history of apocalyptic “Great Awakening”-type movements in the United States. There is a possibility that Occupy could get a second wind if its numbers are boosted by people thinking that Occupy is somehow connected to the end of the world. In a country where economic contradictions are not sharp, culture plays a more significant role in social motion.
The correct orientation toward Occupy is the same as before. Do not bother trying to lead directly. For those who can, create a Leading Light pole in the movement. Look for the most caring, the most daring, and the most intelligent. They are the ones who will be drawn toward the Leading Light. Educate. Recruit. If the economy does go downward, we need to have the organization ready to mobilize that minority who break left, toward internationalism. Discipline. Organization.
If you are not carrying your burden, you are making others lift more
If you are not carrying your burden, you are making others lift more
(new-power.org)
The capitalist system is a nightmare. It is time to wake up. It is time to really make a change.
If you are not carrying your weight, then what are you doing? You are shifting the burden onto others. It is easy to declare oneself a “communist,” it is another to act. Being a real revolutionary means upholding the most advanced, scientific line, the Leading Light line. It means educating and training yourself. It means getting serious. It means real unity, real discipline. It means making some sacrifice for the organization. We are on this long march. Some are doing the heavy lifting. Some are helping. Some are just watching, on the sidelines. There are lots of things to overcome. Individualism and ego are a big part of the First World way of life. Those who are on the sidelines need to begin sharing the burden.
Organization. Discipline. Sacrifice. Donation. Small steps will lead to great leaps. We are on our way, but it is your turn to help — even if it is a little. Helping, acting, donation is a regular part of revolutionary work. Stand up. Begin helping. Red Salute!
In the middle of a recession, Americans continue to spend
In the middle of a recession, Americans continue to spend
(new-power.org)
The holiday season is the biggest quarter for retail businesses. There were fears this season that sales would worsen due to the economic slump. The numbers are in. Even though the global economy, including the US economy, is in a slump, Americans still managed to spend substantially this Christmas. Amid fears and the economic downturn, there was a record-setting Black Friday. Retail sales were reported as “solid” over the holidays. Holiday spending was up 4.1 percent overall. Americans spending for the 2011 season reached 521 billion dollars, beating expectations. There are many store closings, but this is more a result of Americans going online than a result of Americans not spending at all. According to the Wall Street Journal, the last week of the holiday season ended on an up note. Online sales increased 16% this year from last year for the final week of the holiday season. Online spending over holidays was the highest ever with Americans purchasing 35.3 billion dollars online. According to the Federal Reserve, the US economy shows signs of continuing, but sluggish growth:
“‘Compared with prior summaries, the reports on balance suggest ongoing improvement in economic conditions in recent months, with most districts highlighting more favorable conditions than indentified in reports from the late spring through early fall,’ it said.
Consumer spending — a key driver of the economy — picked up in most districts and reflected ‘significant gains’ in holiday retail sales compared with last year’s season, the Fed said.
Travel and tourism expanded broadly and demand continued to strengthen for nonfinancial services, including professional and transportation services.
Manufacturing, the sector that led the recovery from the end of the recession in June 2009, continued to expand but at a slower pace in areas such as technology products.
Activity in the depressed housing market remained ‘sluggish,’ but there were a few signs of improvement in ‘somewhat soft overall’ commercial real-estate markets.
The Fed, whose dual mandate is price stability and maximum employment, said its latest summary of economic conditions showed ‘very limited’ upward price pressures and price increases.
Inflation remained subdued amid the tepid economic growth that has left producers reluctant to pass through rising wholesale costs.”
This drives home the difference between the First and Third Worlds. When a recession hits the Third World, people starve, as they now. The Third World is in a perpetual state of crisis. Radical progressive change is possible there because revolution is the hope of the hopeless. The recession this season in the United States barely affected spending habits. Some people on the margins suffer, but it is a big mistake to see the marginalized in the First World as a reliable, significant social base. They are not. Things have to get much worse in the First World before revolution can happen. Those in the First World have far more to lose than their chains.
For Chicken Little, the sky is always falling. The economy is always on the verge of collapse and fascism is always around the corner. The end of the world is always just around the corner. This kind of rhetoric is shared by the Occupy movement, the populist-fascists, and the First Worldist “left.” The reality is that the economy has been in crisis — although not bad enough to create anything like revolutionary conditions in the United States. It may continue to be in crisis, but it looks as though it may be stabilized or in recovery. The Occupy movement is a crossroads. Some of those roads lead to progressive, anti-imperialist, anti-militarist, green places. Some lead to Leading Light Communism. But most lead to First Worldist populism and fascism. Fascism is not simply something from on high, but also bubbles up from below. The crisis so far has brought a small number of people to anti-imperialism and Leading Light Communism, but it, no doubt, brought many more toward fascism and social fascism. If a greater economic crisis occurs or if the current recession deepens, we can expect the polarization to continue. Most people will swing toward fascism and social fascism, a smaller number will swing in progressive directions. We must build the organization so that we can be ready. But we need to do so with steady, clear heads. Always put Leading Light Communism, revolutionary science, front and center.
Sources
1. http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/12/2….E7BR0YN20111228
2. http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20111228-705301.html
3. http://247wallst.com/2011/12/28/2011-bri….commerce-sales/
4. http://www.nrf.com/modules.php?name=Pages&sp_id=1234
5. http://money.cnn.com/2011/11/29/pf/holiday_sales/index.htm
6. http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hVkxACi-dNis_YfB502qJqp6RfMA?docId=CNG.460043c1b742ef8b12033b19a574267a.331
7. http://techcrunch.com/2011/12/28/comscore-u-s-online-holiday-spending-up-15-to-record-35-3-billion/
8. http://gantdaily.com/2012/01/13/holiday-spending-up-4-1-percent/
9. http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/united-states/u-s-holiday-spending-strong-175521.html
Support the Blackout: Oppose SOPA and PIPA
Oppose SOPA and PIPA
(new-power.org)
The Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and PROTECT IP Act (PIPA) are dangerous threats to freedom of speech. All people who value civil liberties should speak up against these pieces of legislation. Although the language of the legislation aims to shut down violations of copyright, the language is overly broad. It creates a situation where the state can muscle almost any online service or webpage for any number of reasons. It creates a situation where the state can muscle internet services into censoring dissent. Several internet sites are “going black” in protest. New Power is joining the protest.
MLK, myth and reality
MLK, myth and reality
(new-power.org)
Today is MLK day. All across the US, people will hold marches and rallies. These will be sponsored by state and city governments, corporations, unions and non-profits. In these celebrations, the MLK that emerges is an MLK who is seen as safe to the establishment. MLK’s legacy, as re-imagined by the establishment, becomes not a tool of dissent, but a tool to quash dissent. Now, the real MLK was not a revolutionary. He was a target of criticism by the revolutionary camp of leaders like Robert F. Williams. Even so, MLK led many heroic struggles against injustice. He spoke out against the brutal racism inflicted against Black people in the US. He spoke out against the imperialist genocide against Vietnam. Mao honored him by issuing a statement after his assassination:
“Some days ago, Martin Luther King, the Afro-American clergyman, was suddenly assassinated by the U.S. imperialists. Martin Luther King was an exponent of nonviolence. Nevertheless, the U.S. imperialists did not on that account show any tolerance toward him, but used counter-revolutionary violence and killed him in cold blood. “
MLK was not seen as a friend by the those in power at the time. Today the US is waging wars all over the world, directly and through proxies: Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, Pakistan, Iran, Somalia, Sudan — to name a few. In this context, we should remember MLK at his best, when he criticized the violence of imperialism:
“But they asked — and rightly so — what about Vietnam? They asked if our own nation wasn’t using massive doses of violence to solve its problems, to bring about the changes it wanted. Their questions hit home, and I knew that I could never again raise my voice against the violence of the oppressed in the ghettos without having first spoken clearly to the greatest purveyor of violence in the world today — my own government. For the sake of those boys, for the sake of this government, for the sake of hundreds of thousands trembling under our violence, I cannot be silent.” — Martin Luther King Jr., 4 April, 1967 Speech delivered by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., on April 4, 1967, at a meeting of Clergy and Laity Concerned at Riverside Church in New York City
Let’s honor all those who have died in the struggle against imperialism and injustice.
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