A U.S. Office In Iran? Not Yet.

Folks, This is off topic, but with all the fears about things in general, about American politics, the Middle East, energy and others expressed at these sites, many of which I share, I thought I would share this presentation by Paul Stamets:

http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/paul_stamets_on_6_ways_mushrooms_can_save_the_world.html

It was sent to me. I almost did not listen to it because it is 17 minutes long. It is not silly or kooky. It is an interesting and uplifting presentation about one aspect of the web of life I knew nothing about. Surely there is more for us to learn about many things.

I believe most who invest the time, will be glad they did. To the rest of you.... :-)

Bad behavior is the Bush administration talking about BAD BEHAVIOR?? Now that's the pot calling the kettle. I am NOT in love with Iran by any mean but sheeesh... a useless Iraq war and who has bad behavior????

SharedThought, the problem is that the Iranian government could NOT protect the people at the diplomatic office then because the government was being totally overthrown,, by the MAJORITY of the people of Iran.
Also, the main reason why those people were taken hostage: to keep the United States ***-stained nose out of the ass of the Iranian people while they were overthrowing their government.

The United States had diplomatic relations with the Soviet Union during the Cold War. And, doesn't the United States today have a diplomatic office with Vietnam? On the other hand, one of the most basic things about embassies is that the host country's government is supposed to protect the diplomatic personnel staying there, and in 1979 the Iranian government failed to protect the American embassy personnel from being taken hostage. When such a fundamental matter relating to embassies is not respected, it's appropriate to send a message by not casually resuming such relations. But for how long? It's been about 30 years now.

The running joke is that Iran's interests are the same as the US, we both just hate each other too much to realize it. Settling the Palestine issue allows Iran to focus on it's own internal interests and abandon it's bogglingly expensive and diplomatically damaging nuclear weapons program. Eliminating the Taliban ensures Iran a peaceful neighbor. A strong and balanced Iraq with a Sunni and Shia mix provides Iran a gateway to peace with Sunni nations. The only reason Iran doesn't practice diplomacy with us is because we have 200,000 troops on it's border and Israel can bomb them just as easily as it does Gaza. Hopefully Obama will signal a change in relations and allow Iran to take off it's hairshirt.

It's far too late for Bush to act like he is holding the Olive branch. Bush and the Republican base are too out of step on world affairs. Stop touching things, you break them too easily. Iran will change their tune about violence soon enough. It takes more than the U.S. to work in the world and Obama realizes that. A coalition needs to be strong among the countries of Earth. Once the strength is confirmed, then the work that must be done will be done, but this whole attitude of the United States of America going it alone is garbage. True leadership is measured by what is accomplished and nothing has been accomplished under the current administration.

Self-deception "Islam is peace" the historic lie for the past 8 years. 1400 years of conquering is translated as a peace... How delusional have we become?

How long will it take all of us to learn the lesson of history: You can not negotiate with terrorist

"...one favor too many towards the incoming Obama team." It's reassuring to know that decisions that affect our country's foreign policy are made with the logic of a 1st grader, although after 8 years of it I really am struggling to figure out why I'm surprised...

For people who want a real story about this issue try this one.

http://www.alternet.org/audits/116855/america%27s_hidden_role_in_hamas%27s_rise_to_power/

More horse and bull stories to end the year and welcome the new year.