Protests in Iran over fuel rationing

[Banquo's Ghost]

This is why (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/6243644.stm) an invasion of Iran is simply not necessary. Ahmadinejad is increasingly unpopular and this decision has made things worse for him.

Judicious use of sanctions whilst reducing the threat level so people turn to the moderates (as we all know, if a people feel threatened they will always embrace the demagogues rather than the rational voices) will save a great deal of grief in the long run.

Ahmadinejad is on shaky ground and pretty much the only thing keeping him in power is the external threat from the US. This regime is so far away from being able to produce a nuclear weapon, it's not even funny.

[KukriKhan]

I truly hope you're right - about all of that.

[CrossLOPER]

Are you kidding? He is weak! Attack NOW!!!!!

[drone]

Are you kidding? He is weak! Attack NOW!!!!!
:laugh4:

Seems a little short-sighted to be able to sell oil at high prices, but not be able to take advantage because you have to buy it back at even higher prices since you can't refine it yourself. ~:doh: Good to know we aren't the only ones the oil companies are screwing over. :2thumbsup:

[macsen rufus]

I followed through to one of the side-stories that piqued my interest:

Iran's proud but discreet Jews (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/5367892.stm) which may shatter a few more preconceptions about Iran :bow:

[KafirChobee]

Banquo, is right of course. In addition were the Bushys to tone down their war rhetoric it would allow the Iranians (especially the youth and middle-class) to rectify the situation there - revolution or at the polls; instead of reinforcing their nationalism with threats of invasion that forces those that oppose the regime to stay in line.

In more than a few summarys by political experts of the region it has been proposed that had we not included Iran in the "axis of evil" and subsequently begun a rhetorical discourse of threats - that Iran's present form of governing would very well have collapsed from its own ineptitude and dictatorial methods. Instead, we reinforced Iranian nationalism and bonded even those that oppose the regime into a solid wall against America.

Protesting against gas prices? Gee, why are Americans so complaicant about ours? Ours doubled in just 5 years, dropped dramatically just before the 2006 elections - and returned to +$3.00 a gallon soon after (nothing had changed in either case to cause the drop or create the rise, except ... politics). What it demonstrates is that Iranians will use any excuse to protest against their present regime; where as, Americans have become fatalistic drones. Given enough rope the Iran despots would collapse of their own accord, but our present policies interfere with that process by reinforcing their nationalist furvor.

Cease the rhetoric, and become devious enough to allow the Persians to come back to the western ideals on their own - we don't win, they do and we may regain them as atleast a supporter for region stability. Versus continuing to be a destabilizing force there.

[Hosakawa Tito]

One would think developing refinery production capacity would be far cheaper, easier,with no negative international baggage; not to mention a priority before nuclear technology.


It is a dangerous move for any elected government, especially in an oil-rich country like Iran, where people think cheap fuel is their birthright and public transport is very limited, she says.

I also found this quite ironic too. Their attitude toward fossil fuel energy usage is more like the US than they probably care to admit. Gas at 11 cents a litre does no one good if the pumps are dry. A car with no fuel is just a big lawn ornament and a target for the birds to do their do do business. Nice to know we're not the only ones stepping on their ****s.

[Xiahou]

One would think developing refinery production capacity would be far cheaper, easier,with no negative international baggage; not to mention a priority before nuclear technology.I made this argument before- that they could better spend resources on fixing domestic problems instead of building nukes to scare everyone with. However, it was explained to me that Iranian nukes are absolutely necessary to their defense and they're justified wasting resources on a nuclear program instead of creating a sustainable economy or building infrastructure. :shrug:


I also found this quite ironic too. Their attitude toward fossil fuel energy usage is more like the US than they probably care to admit. Gas at 11 cents a litre does no one good if the pumps are dry. A car with no fuel is just a big lawn ornament and a target for the birds to do their do do business. Nice to know we're not the only ones stepping on their ****s.
There's a solid argument against price controls. :yes:

[AntiochusIII]

I made this argument before- that they could better spend resources on fixing domestic problems instead of building nukes to scare everyone with. However, it was explained to me that Iranian nukes are absolutely necessary to their defense and they're justified wasting resources on a nuclear program instead of creating a sustainable economy or building infrastructure. :shrug: Well, they are afraid of the Big Bad Great Satan spanking them. That it's absolutely unlikely we'd be that stupid (okay, may be we might be...mobs are fickle and generally dumb) is irrelevant to a sufficiently paranoid megalomaniac like Ahmadijenad (sp?) or the fanatics that make up Iran's true ruling class.

Doesn't make the nuclear arms race any prettier, or that the money couldn't be used better, but we could understand the why of Iran's motivation on going nuclear. On one side it's fear and another it's the promise of power.

The USA itself isn't that far away if we consider what percentage of our GDP went into the military and what the Military-Industrial Complex actually gives back to the economy in general...

The way the government handled this curfew is totally stupid by the way. Talk about creating free outrage.

[Shaka_Khan]

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[Fragony]

Silly beard, build refineries instead of nuclear plants. Funny that one of the world biggest oilski's has to import 40% of their fuel.

ps, I am quite enjoying this.

[Husar]

These people still know what a proper revolt has to look like.:2thumbsup:

[lars573]

Silly beard, build refineries instead of nuclear plants. Funny that one of the world biggest oilski's has to import 40% of their fuel.

ps, I am quite enjoying this.
But that's how the oilski game works. Crude oil is far far far too valuble to simple refine and sell domestically. You'll find that any oil producing nation sell their crude and imports refined stuff.

[Papewaio]

:wall: Australia is not much better its just one open mine pit with a couple of decent gas (as in LPG not gasoline) wells. But with virtually no value added refineries or smelters before export... some, and some large ones but we export so much raw product.

[Geoffrey S]

Ahmadinejad is on shaky ground and pretty much the only thing keeping him in power is the external threat from the US.
Sad thing is, something similar could be said for the Bush administration.

Seems a little short-sighted to be able to sell oil at high prices, but not be able to take advantage because you have to buy it back at even higher prices since you can't refine it yourself. ~:doh:
Hellooo entire third-world...