Powder Keg

Uh oh.

As I've been following the situation in Iran, I'm slowly starting to get a picture for what's happening at home. Not good, deffinately not good...

The Obama Administration has taken what I feel is a somewhat-correct approach and, while encouraging and supporting the Iranian people in their efforts for election - and ultimately national - reform, they're not taking direct action. Military action from the US is most certainly not necessary at this time, but I'm not ruling out that it may be necessary should the situation in Iran collapse, which it easily could.

But there are some here at home who think that a forceful response is, in fact, warranted. Why they think we should be the world's military nanny is beyond me. We're already up to our necks in Iraq and Afghanistan, not to mention potential troubles from North Korea.

The GOP has been critical of the Administration's response to the situation in Iran, and given their status as a party fighting for its very political life, it could create a serious problem. You see, Iran is an Islamic Republic. The Republican Party's remaining base is still predominantly Evangelical Christian. These are two religions that DO NOT get along. If the Republican Party can whip up the Christian Right into an anti-islamic frenzy by saying this is our chance to overthrow yet another Islamic regime (Hussein's Iraq doesn't really count as one) and install Democracy, there could be quite a push for military deployment.

In the name of God.

You have to remember that, no matter what the Christian Right thinks, there are still a few facts they can't ignore:

1) While the protestors in Iran are denying the current regime, they are not turning away from their Islamic beliefs. They will remain followers of Islam no matter what happens.

2) This is NOT a Christian Nation. Sorry. We have Muslims, Jews, Taoists, Bhuddists, Hari Krishnas, Atheists, Catholics - all kinds of flavors of religion or lack thereof. You do NOT make the decisions for all of us, majority or not.

But will they heed that? Will they instead follow the party line and push for military action?

The results are too scary to think about. Believe me, you don't want to see the pictures rolling through my head.

Meanwhile, those of us with our heads screwed on are taking a different approach, which alot of us feel is the correct one. Americans left and right are not only supporting Iran in word, but also in deed. Posting on Twitter, disseminating video and pictures, making sure the Iranian people - suffering from a state-ordered media blackout and blockage - have an outlet that will ensure that their voices are heard.

What I'm doing is one tiny, nearly insignificant part. But all these tiny parts add up to a very significant whole. I don't think we should militarize and meddle in Iran's burgeoning revolution, but I don't think we should sit idly by and watch without acting, either. You have to find a middle ground, and then walk it.

But you can't stop looking over your shoulder, either. Because you never know what homeward forces could be plotting to take advantage of the situation for their own gain.

Nobody light a match, alright?

That We Could Be So Close, Like Brothers

Kosovo, 2008. The ethnic-Albanian portion of the former Yugoslavia. Site of mass genocide in the 90s under Milosevic. Afterwards, a part of Serbia. And now, they want to go it alone.

I say go for it. The Lost Prophyt Blog officially recognizes the sovereign Republic of Kosovo. Suck it, Serbs.

Why? Because if they want to, they can, its their right. If they want to govern themselves, let them. Now, settle down and let them do their thing already.

And hey, while we're at it, Kosovo might not be the only ones striking out on their own. This might sound very strange, but it's also very possible. The United States of America might have a new neighbor: The sovereign nation of... Montana?!?

Yes, it could happen. Here's a Reason Article (FT) detailing why a negative ruling by the Supreme Court could violate the terms under which the Montana State Constitution was ratified and accepted by the Feds in 1889. If that happens, Montana could very well - and more importantly, very legally - break away and become a republic of its own.

Why do I suddenly have the urge to move there?

Our world, and this time, is an interesting one to be a part of. And at the heart of it all is the Internet, bringing it to us all in real time, as things happen. It's a period in human history unlike any other, and I'm thrilled to be in the middle of it.

(And god damn, isn't it neat to watch an encyclopedia evolve? Instead of easily-outdated dead tree editions, Wikipedia is a flowing marvel of information. I highly encourage you all to keep an eye on Kosovo's entry , linked above.)

The First Salvo

It was a battle that shaped the course of World War II, and most of us have never heard of it. I myself had never heard of it at all until about 20 minutes ago. All I can say is, read the article, troll the Fark Thread, and if you want, check out the Wikipedia Article on this, one of the most important, but least-known battles of the Second Great World War...