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The Forum > Article Comments > The Iranian elections and public diplomacy 2.0: a tale of untapped potential > Comments

The Iranian elections and public diplomacy 2.0: a tale of untapped potential : Comments

By Helle Dale, published 24/6/2009

The potential of a tech-savvy approach to public diplomacy in Iran is not being realised by the US Government.

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Surely the author is not advocating the new US administration be involved in facilitating "regime change" is it? Wasn't that one of the big problems the US public (51%) had with President George W. Bush?

Perhaps President Obama's administration knows very well that replacing the current "leader" of Iran is in name only and that the country is really run behind the scenes buy the religious order of mullahs and their ilk.

The President of Iran is a figurehead,if you replace one, so what? The current "opposition" leader is still keen on Nuclear Power and presumably weapons, though he is pitching an emotional line for women's right to be freed up, it will not happen whilst the mullahs are in charge.

The author wants action, NOW! With a list of recommendations on what the US administration should do, that should make everyone very happy. Most US citizens, (51%) want the US out of world politics, which is why they voted for President Obama isn't it, he's going to fix the USA not the world.

This undertone is of course that the USA is becoming more insular and is withdrawing from running the planet to go back to being isolationist. Well it's what candidate Obama said he would do, and he's doing it, so his loyal voters must be happy. Who cares what the rest of the world wants?
Posted by rpg, Wednesday, 24 June 2009 9:55:46 AM
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Reckon the best thing Obama can do for Iran and not against is not to threaten but to more gently show that he is concerned.

That seems to be Obama's true political ability which personally was one of the first questions us aged students were asked by our tutor in political studies, how have you and your marriage partners got on?

Bit personal, I guess, but when proven, it was all about proving that successful marriage partners often make the best political leaders.

As my wife sometimes said when arguing in front of the kids.

How about us sharing the blame for a change, which goes right back to the Sermon on the Mount.

Certainly America should have much to say how much she tried to possess Iran, even to lower the Stars and Stripes to admit it.
Posted by bushbred, Wednesday, 24 June 2009 5:11:24 PM
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i rebut that us/media has a hands off approach

from
http://republicbroadcasting.org/?p=2720

Welcome to Destabilization 2.0,..the latest version of a program that the western powers have..been running..for decades in order to overthrow foreign,..democratically elected governments..that don’t yield to the whims of western governments..and multinational corporations.

On June 13th,..30000..“tweets”..begin to flood Twitter with live updates from Iran,..mainly using the same id pictures

YouTube is providing a..“Breaking News”..link at the top of every page..linking to the latest footage of the Iranian protests..

Ironically,..Iran was also the birthplace of the original CIA program for destabilizing a foreign government.:..It’s 1953 and democratically-elected Iranian leader..Mohammed Mossadegh..is following through on his election promises/to nationalize industry for the Iranian people,..including the oil industry,which was then controlled by the Anglo-Iranian Oil/co.

The CIA is sent into the country..to bring an end to Mossadegh’s government...They begin a campaign of terror,staging bombings and attacks on Muslim targets..in order to blame them on nationalist,secular Mossadegh.

They foster/fund..an anti-Mossadegh campaign amongst the radical Islamist elements...Finally,..the revolution that brings their favoured puppet,..the Shah,into power...

Within months..they had removed a democratically elected leader..who threatened to build up an independent,..secular Persian nation/and replaced him with a repressive tyrant..whose secret police would brutally suppress all opposition.

The campaign was a success and the lead CIA agent wrote an after-action report..describing...The pattern as was to be repeated time and time again..in country after country..(in Guatemala in 1954,in Afghanistan in the 1980s,..in Serbia in the 1990s),..but these operations leave the agency open to exposure.

What was..needed..was a different plan,..one where the western political/financial interests..puppeteering the revolution would be more difficult..to implicate in the overthrow.

Enter Destabilization..1.1...This version of the destabilization program is less messy,.offering plausible deniability..for the western powers/overthrowing a foreign government's...

It starts when the IMF moves in..to offer a bribe..to a tinpot dictator/in a third world country...to privatise/indebit

He gets 10%..in exchange for taking out an exorbitant loan..for an infrastructure project..that the country can’t afford...When the country inevitably defaults on the loan payments,..the IMF begins to take over..[continued at link]
Posted by one under god, Wednesday, 24 June 2009 11:35:10 PM
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One Under God, thanks for the real historical exposure on us Western hypo' democratico's, mate.

Of course, Democratic Hypocrisy is the real term - and certainly one who has studied as much as Obama, must also know all about it.

Really, must say the whole truth makes one so ashamed, the Sermon on the Mount having brought out the real truth of the matter.

In fact, sometimes I wonder whether the wise men who influenced the young Jesus were Hellenistic teachers from the Great Library of Alexander while the lad was in Egypt with his mother.

And indeed, as a historical philosopher, if the above about the Young Jesus is just a story, let's believe it was the greatest story ever written.

Best Regards, BB, Buntine, WA.
Posted by bushbred, Thursday, 25 June 2009 5:27:15 PM
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sadly bb thats only scratching the surface..three decades ago Mir-Hossein Mousavi was waging a terrorist war..on the United States that included bloody attacks on the U.S.embassy and Marine Corps barracks in Beirut
http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/spytalk/2009/06/mousavi-celebrated-in-iranian.html
http://www.prisonplanet.com/neo-cons-are-cheerleading-for-a-terrorist-who-helped-kill-hundreds-of-us-marines.html
http://www.opednews.com/articles/Ignorance-is-Strength-by-Paul-Craig-Roberts-090623-723.html
http://www.daily.pk/politics/politicalnews/10321-is-us-trying-to-save-agent-mehsud.html
http://www.reason.com/news/show/122023.html

early cia planning
http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=viewArticle&code=20090624&articleId=14082
http://www.prisonplanet.com/iranian-interior-minister-western-intelligence-behind-riots-and-unrest.html

that poor womans death was news but this womans wasnt newsworthy[double standards]
http://uruknet.com/?p=m55411&hd=&size=1&l=e
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/world-news/footage-of-iranian-womans-death-lsquoheartbreakingrsquo-14356409.html?r=RSS
http://www.blackagendareport.com/?q=content/freedom-rider-selective-sympathy-iran
http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/06/24/iran.neda.death/index.html

recall when bush stole an election and the media was silent[why irsn now for weeks?]
http://pakalert.wordpress.com/2009/06/22/special-report-iran-falls-to-us-psyops/

former sha asks israel for support
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=98844&sectionid=351020101
result
http://dandelionsalad.wordpress.com/2009/06/23/netanyahu-75-of-the-iranians-want-regime-change/
http://thomaspainescorner.wordpress.com/2009/06/24/pentagon-rebrands-protest-as-%e2%80%9clow-level-terrorism%e2%80%9d/
http://desertpeace.wordpress.com/2009/06/24/the-western-media-having-a-heyday-with-iran/
lol
http://news.antiwar.com/2009/06/23/israeli-protesters-block-humanitarian-aid-to-gaza/
http://desertpeace.wordpress.com/2009/06/24/stolen-palestinian-properties-being-sold-by-american-companies/

some histry
http://www.huppi.com/kangaroo/CIAtimeline.html
http://www.forward.com/articles/8807/
http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=47347
http://revolutionarypolitics.com/?p=1338
http://revolutionarypolitics.com/?p=1330

argentina's coup's[same/same]
http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article10615.shtml
http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1P3-1570611041.html
http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/NSAEBB/NSAEBB4/index.html
iran post the cia coup[last time]
http://uwmpost.com/article/52/12/2767-Avoiding-catastrophe-with-Iran
Posted by one under god, Thursday, 25 June 2009 8:59:20 PM
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One Under God, at least scratching the surface can be the base of something more powerful and peaceful, mate.

Certainly you have published examples of how more
peaceful ways are unsuccessful.

Alternatively, then, it seems the world still needs to be policed.

But in what way, and by whom, that is the question?

As Immanuel Kant gave point to after his disappointment when Napoleon changed from an Enlightenment general to tyrant.

The concept of Liberty cannot be conceived by one personage alone but by honest Reasoning through Public Communion
Posted by bushbred, Friday, 26 June 2009 11:42:02 AM
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you make good points bb.but the thing that really needs policing is our leaders...its funny how we go bomb whole populations back to the stoneage..when the real problem is only the bad governance

look at sadman insane..how hard would it have been to tak him[or that other dictator..take your pick..idi amin..pollpot..pinachue..hitler..etc 'out'..and leave the people alone

[the people are allready overpoliced]...its really all about an excuse to kill the little people..[all this global policing]..its basic policy to call some leader..to not account..by murder of his oppressed people and their infastructure..[see how blockades/wars only hurt the little guy's

the rememberance is that of the time..when kings ruled the world..[all interelated..[where one king would invade the other kings troublesome peoples..to silence the debate...there was a certain advantage to both sides..but allways in favour of the elites..running their own fiefdom..[thats still the game]

lets at least be honest..that its about controling the people..or the peoples resources..[not the leaders]
Posted by one under god, Friday, 26 June 2009 12:41:12 PM
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Thanks, One Under God, as an historical philosopher going on 89 and only trained in his retirement from farming, I still
note that yourself and I possibly share the same reasoning.

Shown so much in your reasoning that in today's world we do not need so much as Churchills, but maybe Shakespeares who as writers can ponder on both sides of the problem.

Certainly Kissinger has been both, but failed by being possibly too attached to his Jewish faith.

For example, as Minister of State, he gave warnings to Nixon about allowing Israel to go militarily nuclear, saying it could upset any chance for peace in the Middle East in the future.

Best Regards, BB, WA
Posted by bushbred, Friday, 26 June 2009 7:04:48 PM
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To One Under God, based on article in Friday's West Australian newspaper.

Strong future for a more democratic Iran?

With its near 70 million people with its strong non-Muslim roots as a premier Persian power, Iran according to Robert Kaplan, could be the Islamic nation's universal joint.

Iran's governance, though somewhat illiberal, is still stronger than any in the Islamic world.

It is to be remembered that when the Shah was toppled back in the 1970's, anarchy did not ensue, the holding of the American Embassy for over a year being somewhat praised by certain Western democracies

Certainly there is still the problem for Iran to line up more with Western democracies, but as an Iranian female judge stated two years ago that Iran was quite capable of fashioning its own style of democracy without American help.

There is also the problem of Iran as a Shia nation being a traditional adversary of the Sunnis.

But could say that maybe the biggest problem would be with Israel, not so much the Israeli people themselves but the cursed fact of Israel ever being allowed to become strongly militarily atomic.

To be sure Obama must have worries over little Israel having so much strike power, but the problem may be solved with Obama's target to render impotent all the world's nuclear artillery while he is in power.

Let us all pray or sincerely hope that Obama can achieve it

Extracts taken from Friday's West Australian newspaper based on article by Robert Kaplan.
.
Posted by bushbred, Saturday, 27 June 2009 2:56:26 PM
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bb..the issue has been delberatly confounded, the media spruiks as if all arabs=muslim=islam-=sunni/whabi/shites/kurds etc but its much more complicated than that..[as i recall they were basiclly tribes pre white/anglo xtian forming them into countries...

places like saudi/kuwait even afganistaan.palistein.iran/iraq are not natural constructs..[but the result of our interefering mainly to get oil..its a complicated mess..but it worked long before our meddeling[and will as we buttout..but not till every last drop of oil has been bled from their sands[regretably]..some where in that mix is the intrests of the banking cartel/israel..with their nukes and disinfo

kissengers loyalty is beyond disputing[ie zionist]as is the weedling of such divisors as berzzonski[who cancocted the whole left right divi-zion and the creation of bin larden[saudi]..hamas and even fatah[and no doudt an endless list of other groups all set up to either divide loyalties or create ongoing division

allowing the playing off of both sides against the middle[setting up people like sadman[insane]hussane,kuait/saudi/egypt siria,the potential list gets rather egsausting..its a big game that seems to need an end game..[either the hollowcause..[appocolypse,or the invasion of china/russia...

either way its not likely..we discussing it..can achange much about it..[its up to all semites[arabs]..or the people of the messenger[may peace be upon them all]..to realise division is by deliberated policyby those loving the war,loving hate division...

ie not serving the lifegiver,..god of grace and mercyfull..[and insist peace/is their-our only hope..to unite as one with the people of the xtian messenger..and them together proving the those who would call themselves gods own that their messiah came near 2000 years ago...

thus the plan to rerun armogeddon/ap-pox-o-lips..again IS TOTALLY FLAWED...none/but one..living/loving god..gave all life..our lives to live..[not to die for a lie
Posted by one under god, Saturday, 27 June 2009 3:56:13 PM
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It does seem that most of the debate on this topic misses the point to some extent. I see from my perspective and limited involement that what is suggested is to provide an avenue for 'people power' in Iran to express itself and be heard, to feel that they have an outlet. For example out of the blue, a young Iranian Engineer has been sending me emails and seeking me to help spread the news about the plight of the Iranian people oppressed by thuggery.

"Dear John,
I didn't in touch with you because of being busy to help protesters in view of broadcasting not censored news and informing freedom-lovers for announcements as you know the Iranian government has blocked all communication channels for freedom-lovers and means of email is the only way to coordinate and informing except landlines.
Unfortunately Islamic groups in Iran supported by Islamic government do brutal acts against freedom-lovers even kill them as you can see through news channels such as CNN that a member of Basij (a semi-military Islamic group supported by the supreme leader of Iran) kills some innocent people like Neda who was filmed at the time of her death.
The Islamic government forces rushed to universities and scientific centers. They are real vandals.
The recent incidents began when the government made fraud in the election result and didn't noticed to the complain. It is not strange about the Islamic government of Iran to do in this way that I personally am sure that they support terrorist in other countries.
I hope the international societies decide to make some effective decisions related to this.
I am sending some pictures of what the Islamic government has been doing against freedom-lovers in Iran in another email.

Thanks and regards,"
Posted by Bagsy, Monday, 29 June 2009 11:44:43 AM
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Bagsy, yes, we do well agree with you.

However, surely you do not want another war over it.

In fact we believe it would take atomic artillery to achieve it.

Because please remember in the 1980s aided by America, Saddam's Iraq invaded Iran, but after eight deadly years, Iraq had to pack it in.

The Iranian protestors must find another way than relying on American military power, Bugsy.

That is way we must try and have faith in Obama, over it.

Reckon if all the rest of the Western world backed him, it could be achieved simply through wisdom and understanding without military conflict.

Regards, BB, WA.
Posted by bushbred, Monday, 29 June 2009 2:25:46 PM
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hi bagsy i was suss on your post [so checked you out]..5 posts since 2005...BUT you seem sincere..they all seem to be anti-war...and about different wars...but i note they are one off posts[so you dont get into any debates..or seem to come back after you post

i fear that you might have been targeted in a campain[see my previous posts]...this makes me suss on the origon of the email you quote..[i suspect someone is using one of your previous post's.. against war..at some other site.. to build suport to attack iran

do you have any idea which forum the email came from...i suspect this is a deliberated attempt to get the anti/war mob involved to excuse the next war...i would investicate the email carefully..if your really antiwar...

dont get me wrong..we need more antiwar posters here..

never the less i suspect some war monger..is using you...to set up another war...when..your previous 4 posts are all clearly against war
Posted by one under god, Monday, 29 June 2009 2:49:48 PM
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Hi BB and 1UG - yes I am back again. For heavens sake I do not understand how I am suspected as a warmonger on the basis of what I wrote. Gee, 1UG, do you keep a running sheet on all participants, I did not even know myself that I had only offered an opinion 5 times since 2005? Thanks. No I am not under orders from some campaign, I stand on my own soapbox. I usually read a few articles, but seldom enter into the debates. Without intending any offense, I tend to find that many of the same names with predictable opinions haggle with each other day after day. Anyway I am not looking for an argument. As it happens I am stuck in quarantine in Shanghai on a H1N1 scare, so I am possibly spending more time than I usually do in browsing.
I am opposed in principle to war and also tyranny, I have had a lot to with refugees in my life from all forms of tyranny. I admire people like Aung San Suu Kyi, Nelson Mandela and I believe that the ability to spread ideas is an anathema to bullies and dictators of whatever ilk. I have this contact in Iran, he has sent me photos and comments showing the steps the bullies are taking to squash dissent. I just believe that we should speak out loud and often in support of such brave people. I hardly think that is promoting war.
Posted by Bagsy, Monday, 29 June 2009 3:30:16 PM
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This post(Part 1) offers a Baha'i perspective on Iran's present crisis. The present crisis in iran will be resolved neither by blind imitation of an obviously defective Western culture and its plethora of democratic, materialistic and often media-driven public issues; nor by retreat into medieval ignorance which often seems to be the direction taken by religious and political elites in Iran. The answer to the dilemma faced by Iran was enunciated on the very threshold of the crisis of modernity in the late 19th century, in the clearest and most compelling language, by a distinguished Son of Iran Who is today honoured in every continent of the world, but sadly not in the land of His birth--except by a religious minority now referred to by Iranian political and religious authorities as heretical.

Persia's poetic genius captures the irony of the position of this religious minority: "I searched the wide world over for my Beloved, while my Beloved was waiting for me in my own home." The world's appreciation of Bahá'u'lláh, the Founder of the Baha'i Faith, came perhaps most explicitly into focus on 29 May 1992, the centenary of His death, when the Brazilian Chamber of Deputies met in solemn session to pay tribute to Him, to His teachings and to the services rendered to humanity by the community He founded. On that occasion, the Speaker of the Chamber and spokespersons from every party rose, successively, to express their profound admiration of One who was described in their addresses as the Author of "the most colossal religious work written by the pen of a single Man", a message that "reaches out to humanity as a whole, without petty differences of nationality, race, limits or belief".
Posted by Bahaichap, Monday, 29 June 2009 6:13:59 PM
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This post is a continuation of Part 1....One of the most appalling afflictions, in terms of its tragic consequences, has been the slander of Bahá'u'lláh's Cause perpetrated by that privileged caste to whom Persia's masses had been taught to look for guidance in spiritual matters. For over 150 years, every medium of public information-- pulpit, press, radio, television and even scholarly publication--has been perverted to create an image of the Bahá'í community and its beliefs that is grossly false and whose sole aim is to arouse popular contempt and antagonism. No calumny has been too vile; no lie too outrageous. At no point during those long years were the Baha'is, the victims of this vilification, given an opportunity, however slight, to defend themselves and or to provide the facts that would have exposed such calculated poisoning of the public mind.

Ruling elites can make no more serious error than to imagine that the power they have managed to arrogate to themselves provides an enduring bulwark against the relentless tides of historical change. Today, in Iran, as everywhere throughout the world, these tides roll in with insistent urgency and tumultuous force. They are not merely at the door of the house, but they rise up irresistibly through its floors. They cannot be diverted. They will not be denied, perhaps not today but tomorrow---for tomorrow is another day.-Ron Price, Tasmania
Posted by Bahaichap, Monday, 29 June 2009 6:16:18 PM
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In a recent policy paper/Brookings Institute,..the authors propose almost anything..to guarantee dominance of Persia by the new world order,..including bribery,lying,cheating and mass murdering by an all-out military assault of Iran.

The paper..‘Which path to Persia:Options for a New American Strategy toward Iran’..is an/example of the firm intent of the globalists to engage Iran militarily..and/acquire its natural resources in the same effort.

..‘how to deal with Iran’..in the cold bureaucratic language..that poses as scientific..but is really nothing more than the intelligent musings of a calculating psychopath...

,..‘Toppling Tehran’..the warmongering increases..as the writers contemplate both covert..and/overt military/civil action's against the Islamic republic of Iran.

In the fourth section,..‘Deterring Tehran’..the option of..‘containment’..is elaborated upon...The proposed final strategy..predictably..involves roughly the same order of appearance.

To ensure the cooperation of surrounding countries,the authors propose bribery as an effective tool.

After the authors assert that..‘it may be necessary to cut some deals in order to secure Moscow’s support..for a tougher Iran policy’,the authors continue with their ‘brainstorming’,..advising a widespread bribery/disinfo campaign..in order to ensure international/national cooperation in regards to Iran:

‘Other countries also will want payoffs from the United States in return for their assistance on Iran.[like egypt/jorden/saudie/dubia..Such deals may be distasteful,but many will be unavoidable if the Persuasion approach is to have a reasonable chance of succeeding.’..

And further on:..‘To be successful,..a Persuasion approach would invariably require..unpleasant compromises..with third-party countries to secure their cooperation..against Iran.’

This means the US/big business..will have to cut all kinds of deals with dictators,bloodthirsty local tyrants and other corrupt kings of Arabia-..even facilitating them with weapons.

Besides rallying the..‘international community’..around the Anglo-American establishment with the help of these..‘unpleasant compromises’,..

the paper stresses it will also be necessary..to persuade the Iranians themselves..to topple their government(page 39):

‘Inciting regime change..in Iran would be greatly assisted by convincing the Iranian people...lol...[see previous links]..that their government is so ideologically blinkered..hat it refuses to do what is best for the people..and instead clings to a policy that could only bring ruin on the country.’..by using bloggers?..

But the authors..underline the necessity of creating a favourable climate..for the transnationalists..in which to operate....lol..continued at link

http://www.infowars.com/brookings-publication-mentions-possibility-of-%e2%80%98horrific-provocation%e2%80%99-to-trigger-iran-invasion/
Posted by one under god, Tuesday, 30 June 2009 9:43:19 AM
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The world needs people like you, Bugsy, similar to those like Mandela.

Where does Gandhi come in here?

Who is the real initiator, and where are these kinds of characters the Middle East needs - or even today's world needs so much?

Further, what is your opinion about sharing the blame to avoid further conflict, Bugsy, as is talked about in social academia, and in fact, by the Young Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount?

Regards, BB, WA.
Posted by bushbred, Tuesday, 30 June 2009 10:55:18 AM
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Hi BB, thank you for the compliment. My efforts are only small time.
Yes I agree that Ghandhi was a wonderful example of a non violent approach to change.
I am a Christian and do take take seriously the Sermon on the Mount.
I suppose my gripe with some of the posters on OLO more relates to the intensity and from my perspective often unbalanced views on Christianity, they focus on the failures of those who do not uphold their beliefs, and all of us fail through human weakness from time to time. Christ's demands, although clear and unequivocal means often going against self. I seem to remember Christ had a few strong words about hypocrisy. Also what was it that Chesterton said?

I have friends of all persuasions including atheist, men and women of good will. I look for a world where the Human Rights spelt out in the UN Declaration on Universal Human Rights is adhered to by all governments and peoples, I think that says about it all for all people of all beliefs to respect each other.
Posted by Bagsy, Tuesday, 30 June 2009 5:16:15 PM
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Thanks, Bagsy, must say that from some of our OLO declared Christian believers, they say that the Sermon on the Mount is out of phase with our earthly progress.

Certainly any 19th century British colonialist would believe that.

Which unfortunately still means we could believe that there are areas of low-life in this world which must be eradicated, just as Hitler at one time had most of Germany believe?
Posted by bushbred, Wednesday, 1 July 2009 10:44:05 AM
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Hullo, BahaiChap, met some of your people here in Mandurah, quite a few years ago where my wife and I retired from farmlife over thirty years ago.

Around twenty years ago, a Uni' of the Third Age was set up here in Mandurah in which the Bahia people became interested.

Having gained a Post-Grad in my retirement they had me taking groups in generalised study, a former Iranian family also becoming very interested.

Also I myself made them very welcome because my philosophical learning, re the Sermon on the Mount in particular made me feel they were on the right philosophical track.

But their suggestions did not suit some of our Old Stagers who had a lot to say - and as I was only a sort of a voluntary tutor without authority, I had to stick to what the majority of the U3A group agreed with.

Unfortunately, most of the U3A groups have finished up just as friendly societies, the duty to all being as in the military, with us yours is not to reason why, jus
Posted by bushbred, Wednesday, 1 July 2009 7:36:47 PM
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