Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) – Reuters reports that the Biden White House is upset with Saudi Arabia over the recent OPEC+ decision to cut the output of the 21 nations grouped in the bloc by 2 million barrels a day. President Biden told CNN’s Jake Tapper in an interview Tuesday, “there will be consequences” for […]
Iran: In Widening of Social Base of Protests, Oil Workers go on Strike in Support of Youth Demonstrators
Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) – The student protests continued in Iran on Monday, as youth rallied at the University of Shiraz and at several campuses in the capital of Shiraz. They pledged to multiply their movement every time another youth was killed. Nearly 200 people have died because of the repression of the protests according […]
Iran: Women Students Brand Regime Paramilitary “ISIL” as Protests Continue, with at least 185 Dead
Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) – Dubai’s Al-Arabiya reports that on Sunday evening angry nighttime demonstrations broke out in numerous Iranian cities, as the wave of protests entered its fourth week. Videos posted to social media showed nighttime protests in the capital, Tehran, the Kudish cities of Sandandaj and Mahabad, and Zanjan. Several of the videos […]
Iran’s Hijab Revolt: What does the Qur’an Really say about Women in Public?
Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) – The ayatollahs who rule Iran claim to do so in the name of Islam. Their interpretation of Islam, however, is often rooted in a medieval commentary tradition that added accretions to the central scripture, the Qur’an. The Qur’an was recited in Mecca and Medina by the Prophet Muhammad in the […]
Young Unveiled Iranian Women Protesters Keep Mysteriously falling off Buildings, According to Country’s Police
Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) – Like Russian officials and failed diplomats, who seem to fall off buildings at a dizzying rate, Iranian young women under the harsh, patriarchal rule of the ayatollahs have developed the same health condition. Or so it is alleged by the official Iranian press. Independent organizations such as Amnesty International beg […]
Dark Brandon Pardons Those Convicted of Pot Use, Righting a Historical Wrong: The ‘War on Drugs’ Targeted Minorities
Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) – President Joe Biden on Thursday announced a pardon for all federal convicts on the charge of marijuana possession. Mr. Biden further urged state governors to take a similar step regarding those convicted on state possession charges. Third, he asked Xavier Becerra, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and the […]
As Saudis stab Biden in the Back with OPEC+ Oil Cut, Only Electric Vehicles can Make US Independent
Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) – In a major blow to President Joe Biden, on Wednesday, OPEC+ took steps toward cutting the oil production of the members by 2 million barrels a day. Jackie Northam at NPR reports the views of analysts who believe that Saudi Arabia and Russia drove the decision in order to get […]
Ray of Hope: Florida’s Solar-Powered Babcock Ranch Handily survived Hurricane Ian
Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) – Babcock Ranch, Florida, in the southwest of the state, was planned in 2005 as a 17,000 acre community. It had as goals conservation and sustainability. The town was built to withstand the hurricanes that sweep over Florida with ever more frequency and fierceness. And, lo and behold, it was able […]
Iran: School and University Women Lead Rallies, Sit-ins Bareheaded, as Leader Khamenei Softens on Compulsory Veiling
Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) – On Monday in Iran, demonstrations, marches and rallies continued for the 17th day, spearheaded by high school and college students. Many universities entered a third day of class boycotts by students, who said they would not return to their studies until the government released imprisoned students. At some universities students […]