It has been over a year since the Iranian elections were held and a beautiful young woman was killed on that nation’s streets while protesting the election results. Since those public demonstrations, the same brutal Iranian regime remains in power. In recent weeks, another young Iranian woman has received international attention for her treatment by the government of Iran. Sakineh Mohammedie Ashtiani was sentenced to death by stoning for committing adultery, a sentence that was later halted. However, her execution could still take place, a tragic possibility that should remind people of the brutality of the current Iranian regime.  

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After learning of Ashtiani’s sentence, I re-watched the recent HBO documentary “For Neda” (which you can watch in the above clip) and was reminded that although it is not in the news that much anymore, we should not forget the plight of the people in Iran and their continued thirst for a better life for themselves.

Shohreh Aghdashloo (“The Stoning of Soraya M.”) narrated the film about the life of Neda Agha-Soltan, the young woman who was killed during an Iranian protest. “For Neda” begins with footage of Neda’s death. The devastating footage shows the young woman on the streets of Iran breathing her last after being shot. That footage earned the attention of millions who watched Neda’s last moments. Neda’s murder showed how cruel the Iranian regime could be and her death became a symbol of the fight for freedom in Iran. (more…)

Since our country’s having a heated conversation about torture, and especially since that conversation seems certain to devolve into a parade of politicized, self-flagellating show trials that will broadcast our divided weakness to the world, it’s time to get some perspective on what torture is and isn’t, and who does it and who doesn’t. 

Let me state for the record that I firmly believe America should not torture. But I’m at ease about that, because America does not torture. Do we use harsh interrogation techniques?  Of course we do, and why not? This is war – why should we treat captive enemy combatants to a rejuvenating stay at the Four Seasons? Some of these maniacs plotted the devastation of 9/11, all cheered it, and if given the chance, all would gleefully saw your head off and then post a video of it on the Internet as inspiration for others of their fanatical ilk. Many of them might have information that could prevent further mayhem here and abroad – information they’re not going to volunteer simply because we’re congenial hosts. (more…)