A Golden Future

Just what are we trying to acheive in Libya and the middle east?

We've been treated to the usual idiotic posturing by our politicians but, when all the bombing is over and all the oil fields grabbed (and not necessarily by the western powers), what's going to happen? Will these medieval countries suddenly adopt democratic ways, allowing women to throw off their burkas and both sexes will start going for a friendly pint down the pub on a friday night? Or will we see a United States of Al-Qaeda (USAL(L)?

We've already buggered up Iraq and Afghanistan so why on earth are we at it again. I know there's the old oil argument but the very real threat of creating a massive block of anti-western fundamentalist islamic states surely is not worth the risk.

And everyone is keeping stum about the Iranian position in all this. Remember them, nutty government led by Ahmadinejad, with nuclear stuff, oppressed people and plenty of gold.

'Market observers believe Tehran has been one of the biggest buyers of bullion over the past decade after China, Russia and India, and is among the 20 largest holders of gold reserves. They estimate it holds more than 300 tonnes of gold.'

Make no mistake, there is all to play for in the middle east and the outcome is by no means certain. One things for sure though, there will be no golden future for the middle east

Iran goes to the Dogs

I don't agree with invading other countries nor with trying to impose any other system or culture onto them that they don't want but I have just come across the exception to this rule.

Iran needs invading. Not because they are Muslim, not because they have (or are in the process of getting) nuclear weapons but because they have now declared a 'fatwah' on pets, and specifically dogs, calling them 'unclean'.

Dog owners are apparantly 'imitating the West' and devotion to pets will result in 'evil outcomes' because many people in the west love their dogs more than their wives or children.

Yet this is the regime whose people despise it, whom the regime shoot down if they dare to protest, and the regime that will carry out any terrible atrocity in order to consolidate it's authority. It's no wonder that the Iranian people are taking refuge in the wonderful world of dogs (and other pets).

Dogs don't declare fatwahs on innocent people, they are devoted to their family, they give unconditional love and, should Iran be ruled by dogs, it would be the best country in the world.

Keep up the good work Iranians. Keep your pets, and keep to your dream of a society without Ayatollahs . Totalitarian regimes can only survive if the populous allows itself to be bullied and you are doing a pretty good job of showing that you won't be.