25 Year Anniversary

I turned on the evening news and heard Brian Williams reporting that today, January 20, 2005 is the 25 year anniversary of Iran’s release of Americans released on the same day that Ronald Reagan was sworn in as President.

But after giving the public half the truth for whatever reason or excuse he gave the public the half that was a lie when he claimed that Iran released the hostages on this day to insure that President Carter didn’t get credit for the release of the hostages. Reality is that prior to his election let alone coronation the Ronald Reagan bravado of not “dealing with terrorist” was exposed as a lie when in fact he made a deal with the fundamentalists in Iran exchanging weapons for hostages. Ironically the weapons were to be used by Iran in their war with Iraq.

Williams failed in his roll as informing the public by keeping the public ignorant of a reality that will visit us in the future – today’s Iranian leadership is made of those who held the hostages – and today’s American government is made up of the same type of leadership – Iran’s leader is a religious zealot. America’s leader is influenced by religious zealots of right wing Christian fundamentalists pursuing the self fulfilling prophecy of “end times”. Indeed there are other similarities but really all one needs to know is that at bottom either one of these men is capable of destruction while they praise creation with slogans like “right to life”.

The bottom line is that whether or not we are ready for it reality will confront us. Reality is that throughout the recorded history of man violence has only resulted in more violence. The violence our country exported to Iraq will most certainly have unpleasant consequences. Are we ready to accept the consequences of our actions knowing that those who acted in our name will not have to pay as much if anything as most in this lifetime.

I was outraged. I looked on MSNBC, found the article addressing the issue of this dubious anniversary which led me to a blog by Andrea Mitchell – a real media whore – and I mean absolutely no disrespect for those who have to work for a living at whatever occupation by necessity in order to survive. Brian Williams was a media whore tonight – Andrea Mitchell is just more experienced, more co-opted by a system that pays her well to push the party line – the one that wages wars based on deceit and deception sent the following:

I saw Brian Williams report this on the evening news and he actually stated the hostages were released on inauguration day to prevent president carter from taking credit for their release. Andréa’s post was nothing more than another denial of reality. Isn’t the press supposed to "inform" the public? Wasn’t the release of the hostages on Reagan’s inauguration day more a result of a promise by Reagan to "terrorists" before he was even elected in return for weapons? Have neither Andréa nor Brian any shame in perpetuating another lie???

Turns out this 25 year anniversary wasn't something that should have been celebrated but it does demand that we reassess the social contract between the people and their governments or else "let the end times roll".