Beware of NC?

It dawned on me today that there are a number of nuclear power plants in North Carolina, and I’m worried because we’re almost certainly on Bush’s radar (even though he hasn’t actually mentioned us yet). These power plants have been online for a good many years now, which means that in terms of nuclear technology we’re well ahead of Iran.

In all likelihood, Bush doesn’t have to worry too much about North Carolina though, since it supported him solidly in the last two presidential elections and is pretty Red as states go. But it might be wise for him to keep an eye on several other states with nuclear technology — among them Vermont, Massachusetts, New York and Michigan, each also well ahead of Iran in that department, each a more plausible threat than that Middle Eastern country.

So here’s my point. While Iran no doubt mistrusts us, probably even sees us as a threat (heaven knows it has good reason too), it’s entirely possible that it wants nuclear technology so it can construct nuclear power plants. I’m sure they’re aware that the world will run out of oil eventually, even if Bush doesn’t think so. Of course, I’d rather they pursue solar and wind technology, just as I want the rest of the world to do.

But I wouldn’t beat the war drums just because Iran wants what North Carolina has. And I really don’t think George Bush will add the Blue states to his Axis of Evil… probably because it hasn’t occurred to him.

Let’s try something new with Iran

What most Americans remember about US/Iranian history — at least those who remember anything — is the revolutionary takeover of the American Embassy in Tehran in 1979. This, most believe, is the single sin in the relationship between the two nations. Iran, therefore, is the villain.

Granted much of the full history is not within the memories of most living people, but it’s recorded in history books everywhere. And while it’s certainly not a requisite for citizenship to be well informed about things like this, it sure doesn’t hurt. Knowledge tends to keep people from drawing inaccurate conclusions.

So, a very brief review of history is in order, issues the Iranians certainly might remember but which the West chooses to forget. They’re the kind of things that would make people angry, and that anger would be passed down through generations — sorta like Remember the Alamo or Remember Pearl Harbor.

Back in the 1920s, the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company, now British Petroleum, agreed to share its profits (85% British-15% Iran), but as time went by the company withheld their financial records from the Iranian government. Because of this duplicity, in 1952 popularly elected Iranian Prime Minister Mohammed Mossadeq moved to nationalize its holding of what was at the time the British Empire’s largest company, and the Iranian Parliament agreed unanimously. Following this, the US and Britain attempted to instigate a coup against Mossadeq and re-install the Shah. The coup failed, and the Shah fled into exile.

However, a later coup succeeded, which brought the Shah back. His reign descended into a dictatorship, which eventually led to the Iranian Revolution and the seizure of our embassy. In the decade following, we took Iraq’s — and Saddam’s — side in its war with Iran. So is it any wonder that the Iranians are embittered against us and the West?

What I would recommend is that at least one courageous presidential candidate remind Americans of this history and propose that rather than posturing and threatening Iran we apologize for our past mistakes and perhaps promise never to meddle in their politics again. I certainly wouldn’t expect the current administration to do this, but if the world saw there was at least some sanity here, our credibility might improve a bit.