Malu 'Aina

Attacking Iran?

A Disaster for the Whole Region and the World!

      “The Israeli attack seems imminent. Richard Silverstein circulates a leaked “shock and awe” strategy of Netanyahu Barak hard zionism to decapitate, paralyze Iran; and Alon Ben Meir (an expert on Middle East politics specializing in peace negotiations between Israel and Arab states) says Israel is not bluffing. Israel may prefer an attack with the USA (Romney? Obama after elections?), but may go alone…

     “An attack will trigger responses from the Russia China core. What Israel may gain in Saudi Sunni support they may lose in more important parts of the world, in diplomatic and economic relations. .. There is also the real danger of a world war… with nuclear powers divided…

      “Iranian devastating responses will come before decapitation… Israelis are clever at destructive work, but may also be underestimating their enemies.  On the other hand, they seem to have no qualms about plunging the region and the world into a holocaust far beyond what they suffered themselves.

      “Israel would be wise to consider an old Jewish proverb: “The best way to get rid of your enemies is to make them your friends.” Bombing Iran would win Israel no true friends, neither in Iran nor the rest of the world. It would only ignite Iran’s desire to develop nuclear weapons, with full understanding from most of the world.

      “Of course, the Iranians should prove themselves by opening their nuclear facilities to unimpeded inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency-IAEA. But the Israelis should do the same. The double standard, “We have a right to possess nuclear weapons, you don’t.” is untenable… Rather, a Middle East nuclear free zone that includes Iran and Israel. 64 percent of Israelis are in favor; like in Iran, provided Israel participates.  Negotiate an agreement of that type and there would be a sigh of relief all over!–and both countries would be embraced.

      “The background is a 1953 CIA MI6 (U.S./British) coup that ousted Iran’s democratically elected Prime Minister Dr. Mohammad Mossadegh and brought in a 25-year Shah dictatorship. Apologies might go far toward solving the “nuclear crisis,” which will get worse unless a miracle happens… The onus is mainly on the West and on Israel…

      “Israel can attain lasting security only through peace with its neighbors… Better than massive killings only to find no nuclear bomb program in Iran  disproven like the USA in Iraq and NATO in Afghanistan. “

Full article: http://www.transcend.org/tms/2012/09/attacking-iran-a-disaster-for-the-whole-region-and-the-world/

Johan Galtung, has been a visiting professor of peace studies at UH Manoa and is rector of the TRANSCEND Peace University-TPU. He is author of over 150 books.

Make Peace! Work for Justice!

Aloha Not Hate & War!

1. Mourn all victims of violence. 2. Reject war as a solution. 3. Defend civil liberties. 4. Oppose all discrimination, anti-Islamic, anti-Semitic, anti-Hawaiian, etc.
5. Seek peace through justice in Hawai`i and around the world.
Malu `Aina Center for Non-violent Education & Action P.O. Box AB Kurtistown, Hawai`i 96760.
Phone (808) 966-7622.  Emailja@malu-aina.org   http://www.malu-aina.org
Hilo Peace Vigil leaflet (Sept. 21, 2012 – 574th week) – Friday 3:30-5PM downtown Post Office

Notes of my 3 minutes testimony, Sept. 14, 2012 at the Federal Environmental Impact Statement on Hawaii’s energy future held at Hilo High School.  I didn’t get to say everything I wanted, but I basically made the following 6 points, more or less.

1.  I’ve lived off the electric grid for the past 32 years in Puna on small scale solar power.  One of the things I’ve learned is that putting money into efficiency, rather than into constantly expanding power production, is always  money well spent.

2. I would urge that the Counties and State of Hawaii, and the electric utilities, declare a moratorium on the massive boondoggle wind and geothermal cable schemes and any further request for proposals on geothermal development until this EIS process is completed with a balanced look at all options for Hawaii’s energy future.

3.  The Counties and State should require bonding for the damage that can be done  from geothermal.  An early report of 20-25 years ago said that a major earthquake could shear off the geothermal wells causing uncontrolled venting and a permanent evacuation zone of 8 miles diameter of the wells. The property value of such a zone is well over a billion dollars.  Puna Geothermal Venture’s liability policy today is $25 million.  Guess who will get stuck holding the empty bag to bail out this toxic industry much like the toxic assets of the Wall St. big banks.  You got it.  Us the taxpayers and ratepayers.

4.  President and CEO of Hawaiian Electric Industries (HEI), Constance Lau’s annual compensation for 2011 was $5,296,975 according to Bloomberg Businessweek.  In effect, ratepayers are modern day contract workers, slave labor, for the obscene income of HEI executives.  It seems that the so called utility regulators are no different that the Wall St. Bank regulators. Hawaii Island ratepayers have the highest cost per kilowatt hour in the entire U.S. and the utility’s CEO is paid millions.  There is something very wrong with that picture.

5.  There have been news reports that the U.S. military wants to acquire hundreds of thousands of acres of Hawaii agricultural lands to grow biofuels for its warships and bombers.  Can you believe it? Feed the war machine and starve the people.  Talk about misplaced priorities.  As a farmer for 32 years, I say not one square inch of Hawaii Ag land  should go for military biofuel.  I say starve and dismantle the war machine and feed the people!

6.  Finally, as a non Kanaka Maoli, I want to make a moral appeal to other non Kanaka Maoli to take seriously, and provide more than lip service support and respect for Native Hawaiian religion.  We all know that In Hawaiian religion, Pele is a deity.  It is desecration, and shows no respect, to drill into Pele.  When people make films that insult other peoples religion or drill into Native peoples deities,  nothing good will come of it.  I say it’s time to show respect.  Geothermal should be pau!  Respect Pele and Hawaii’s Native people.

Jim Albertini
ja@malu-aina.org

“Full Spectrum Dominance”

“Full Spectrum Dominance” is a phrase that defines U.S. military might on land, sea, in the air,  in space and cyberspace in the mission of securing oil and other resources for the U.S. global empire.  It’s mirror domestic image is the total societal control shown in the graphic below and the words of warning by former U.S. President and Five Star Army General, Dwight D. Eisenhower in his farewell address to the nation On Jan. 17, 1961.  In the 51 years since Eisenhower’s warning, the grip of “Full Spectrum Dominance” by the U.S. Military/Industrial Complex over every aspect of life has strengthened enormously, including the militarization of local police departments, and a new federal department called “Homeland Security.”

                                    
“… an immense military establishment and a large arms industry is new in the American experience. The total influence — economic, political, even spiritual — is felt in every city, every State house, every office of the Federal government… Yet we must not fail to comprehend its grave implications. Our toil, resources and livelihood are all involved; so is the very structure of our society.  In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military/industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist.  We must never let the weight of this combination endanger our liberties or democratic processes. We should take nothing for granted… “
                        President Dwight D. Eisenhower, Jan. 17, 1961

STAND UP FOR PEACE, JUSTICE & THE PLANET!
NO MORE LIES! NO MORE WARS!

1. Mourn all victims of violence. 2. Reject war as a solution. 3. Defend civil liberties. 4. Oppose all discrimination, anti-Islamic, anti-Semitic, anti-Hawaiian, etc.
5. Seek peace through justice in Hawai`i and around the world.
Malu `Aina Center for Non-violent Education & Action P.O. Box AB Kurtistown, Hawai`i 96760.
Phone (808) 966-7622.  Emailja@malu-aina.org   http://www.malu-aina.org
Hilo Peace Vigil leaflet (Sept. 14, 2012 – 573rd week) – Friday 3:30-5PM downtown Post Office

“Full Spectrum Dominance”

of Military Occupation

“… an immense military establishment and a large arms industry is new in the American experience. The total influence — economic, political, even spiritual — is felt in every city, every State house, every office of the Federal government… Yet we must not fail to comprehend its grave implications. Our toil, resources and livelihood are all involved; so is the very structure of our society.

In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military/industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist.

We must never let the weight of this combination endanger our liberties or democratic processes. We should take nothing for granted… “

President Dwight D. Eisenhower, Jan. 17, 1961 Farewell address to the nation

Contact: Malu ‘Aina Center For Non-violent Education & Action P.O. Box AB Ola’a (Kurtistown) Hawai’i 96760 Phone 808-966-7622 Email ja@malu-aina.org www.malu-aina.org