Recently I read a speech (http://www.brusselsjournal.com/node/1126) which introduced me to a new word, or at least a new definitition of an existing word. Oikophobia. "Its symptoms are instantly recognized: namely, the disposition, in any conflict, to side with ‘them’ against ‘us’, and the felt need to denigrate the customs, culture and institutions that are identifiably ‘ours’" An expanded wikipedia definition not yet available - in progress - anyone care to help? Literally it means fear of home, and could also be written as eikophobia. I challenge all USA based crashers to make this one of summers hottest political words. Basically, it refers to a kind of self-loathing prevalent in many leftists and politically correct alleged progressives which leads them to despise their own culture and nation so much that they end up effectively siding with their own enemy. Sound familiar? It should. This word has a myriad of uses - and I challenge all crashers out there to introduce it into your next political conversation. Go on - you know you want to! By the end of the year I am hoping it will be listed as the most commonly uttered new word, or at least see an exponential jump in its usage. read more »
The US government has stated that it is likely that Iran will be referred to the UN Security Council for possible sanctions over its controversial nuclear program.
The United States, which has sought for more than a year to have Iran's case handled by the world body's top forum, said the threat of sanctions involved in such a referral could force Tehran to negotiate seriously over limiting its programs. Three top European Union powers were expected to formally call off moribund nuclear talks with Iran and advocate sending the dispute to the Security Council when they meet on Thursday, a diplomat from one of the EU trio said. Britain called on Wednesday for the U.N. Security Council to consider action against Iran. The foreign ministers of Germany, France and Britain, along with EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana, were due to meet at 3:30 p.m. (9:30 a.m. EST) in Berlin to discuss the crisis caused by Iran's move to reactivate a nuclear fuel program mothballed under a November 2004 deal with the European negotiators. "Everybody agrees the point of no return has been reached," the EU3 diplomat said, referring to what he said was an informal consensus reached among the bloc's 25 member states. "It is more likely than ever that Iran is headed to the Security Council concerning their failure to live up to their international obligations," U.S. State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said.
The United States, which has sought for more than a year to have Iran's case handled by the world body's top forum, said the threat of sanctions involved in such a referral could force Tehran to negotiate seriously over limiting its programs.
Three top European Union powers were expected to formally call off moribund nuclear talks with Iran and advocate sending the dispute to the Security Council when they meet on Thursday, a diplomat from one of the EU trio said. Britain called on Wednesday for the U.N. Security Council to consider action against Iran.
The foreign ministers of Germany, France and Britain, along with EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana, were due to meet at 3:30 p.m. (9:30 a.m. EST) in Berlin to discuss the crisis caused by Iran's move to reactivate a nuclear fuel program mothballed under a November 2004 deal with the European negotiators.
"Everybody agrees the point of no return has been reached," the EU3 diplomat said, referring to what he said was an informal consensus reached among the bloc's 25 member states.
"It is more likely than ever that Iran is headed to the Security Council concerning their failure to live up to their international obligations," U.S. State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said.
Let me enlighten those who don't know what happens when the UN passes sanctions against a nation. Nothing.
Sanctions and trade embargos will certainly hurt people in Iran, but not the ruling elite. They'll sit in thier palaces and nothing will happen. The people of Iran, however, will be a different story. When the UN passed sanctions against Iraq, it was the Iraqi people who were harmed. The economic consequences inpoverished many, but the Iraqi government was't accountable to the poor. Nor will the Iranian government be. People will be harmed. Thanks UN.
... participants are invited to bring open-carried, lawfully borne firearms, that they may peacefully celebrate those gun rights which New Hampshire enshrines but the UN seeks to destroy... read more »
