Full transcript of the Yanis Varoufakis | Noam Chomsky NYPL discussion

Insightful and enlightening commentary on the real workings of the EU from the visionary economist Yanis Varoufakis, former Finance Minister of Greece.

Yanis Varoufakis

The full transcript of my discussion with Noam Chomsky at the New York Public Library (26th April 2016) was just sent to me by Kelly Patrick Gerling. I thank him profusely. Here it is, just below the video window

April 26, 2016, LIVE from the New York Public Library, http://ift.tt/29kqLJUCeleste Bartos Forum

YANIS VAROUFAKIS: Good evening, we don't have anyone to introduce us, so I've been asked to kick off by saying firstly that isn't this wonderful that we are all here just to subvert the notion that nothing good can come out of the public sector? (laughter) Noam.

NOAM CHOMSKY: Well, the fact that I'm here, barely, actually has a relationship to that comment. I came from Boston, my wife and I came from Boston, it took seven hours, and any society that hasn't been smashed by neoliberal policies of the kind you describe, it would have taken maybe an hour…

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Average Weekend in #Mauritania

No Political Prisoners
Yesterday, I read (and shared) an interview with Mauritania's Aziz, in which he boasted that there are no political prisoners in Mauritania – he was only able to do that because of the very recent release of the political activist and abolitionist  Biram Dah Obeid, of course.

No Terror Protection Payola
He also denied reports from Pakistan, where it is claimed they discovered documents outlining a deal with AQ, and said Mauritania had not handed over any money in exchange for protection from terrorist attacks. He also said he'd asked the US, and the US denied all knowledge. Further, he said all terrorism actors were in jail, sentenced to death, and none had been released, except those who repented after serving their sentence. (Quite how a person can repent after serving a death sentence was not explained.) However, some of us recall that a small group of suspected terrorist sympathisers repented, were released, and each given a large cash payment, using money from the US government.

No Daylight Robbery
Today, there are reports of the first attempted "armed robbery" on a bank in Mauritania.  We're being told the motive was ideological, because the perpetrators claimed the National Bank of Mauritania  (BNM) was guilty of usury, and the leader of the 4-man group had a beard. Their "attack" involved arrived at closing time saying they had money they wanted to deposit. At some point, knives and a gun were produced, and a warning shot fired into the air. They were apparently foiled by the bank's unarmed security with the help of plucky bystanders, and then arrested by the police. I will not be surprised if this is subsequently used as evidence of a resurgence of terrorism.

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Refuge Without Respite

Even here at the Western tip of the Sahara, there are refugees from Syria. At least, this is their claim when they knock at the door with sorrowful faces. Most often they are older women, their black garb streaked with white desert dust. Piercing dark eyes, once and forever their best feature, plead with you for charity.
They almost sing their tale of murdered husband, lost child – so often told it has become their signature tune in this "land of a million poets."
I grab a small note, anxiety rising in my throat, and thrust it into the tiny outstreched hand with a sypathetic squeeze. I want them to go quickly. Before they suspect that I'm British. Before they can sense my humiliation and anguish over my country's action and inaction. Before the sorrow can change its tune.

Photo: @YaronGlazer

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Why Can’t Individuals Aid Refugees?

Ever wonder why we, as individual citizens or families, aren't able to invite individual refugees or families to come and live in (relative) safety with us if we wish?

There might be many reasons but here's my list for starters:

1. Population control. Even as statisticians bemoan our plummeting birthrate, governments are geared to prevent any unplanned increase in population. Especially adult population,  because more adults means more demand for public services and jobs.

2. In some regions of the world, refugees are treated like a natural resource which, crammed into filthy, inadequate camps like so much livestock, provide a source of income from NGOs and political prestige for corrupt governments.

3. Refugee camps are frequently cited in articles being used to hide and/or recruit operatives for false flag ops, and as places to store weapons and supplies. Government agents posing as aid workers reportedly use refugee camps as listening posts and meeting points.

These reasons alone are sufficient to prevent an agency such as UNHCR from creating a global matching service to connect those who want to help with those who need it. You might think perhaps Google or Facebook could do it. But I doubt they'd be allowed to.

See also
Is shunning refugees the answer to terror? – CNN.com

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News from Iran – Week 25 – 2014

Prisoners’ News

A-Transfers

• Hamed Ahmadi, Kurdish Sunni activist, transferred to Ghezel Hesar.
• Dr. Asadollah Asadi transferred to Evin 290 solitary because of his dry hunger strike.
• Jahangir and Jamshid Dehghani, Kurdish Sunni activists, transferred to Ghezel Hesar.
• Mehdi Farahi-Shandiz, political activist, transferred to Rejaei Shahr.
• Saeed Matinpour is back in Evin 350.
• Kamal Molaei, Kurdish Sunni activist, transferred to Ghezel Hesar.
• Seyyed Hossein Ronaghi-Maleki transferred to Hashemizadeh hospital then back to Evin without treatment.

 

B-Arrests-Detentions

• Danial Babayani, Azeri cyber activist, arrested to serve his sentence of 23 months.
• Habibollah Beigzadeh, Azeri cyber activist, arrested to serve his sentence of 23 months.
• Abdolhossein Harati, who recently came back to Iran, arrested.
• Nematollah Kami, Azeri cyber activist, arrested to serve his sentence of 23 months.
• Mehdi Khazali arrested for the 7th time; he launches a hunger strike.
• Mehdi Tadini reports to Evin to begin serving his 2 years sentence.
• 2 arrests at Neda Agha-Soltan grave during her 5th year memorial.

 

C-Liberations

• Adel Fanaian, Baha’i, freed on parole.
• Rahman Ghahremanpour-Bonab, freed at the end of his sentence.
• Masoumeh Gholizadeh released on 100 million toman bail from Tabriz prison.
• Hossein Nouraninejad was released on 200 million toman bail.
• Abbas Samadian, political activist, released on 150 million toman bail.
• Ali Shariati, political activist, released on 150 million toman bail.

 

D-Other News

• Mohsen Ghashghaeizadeh is on hunger strike to protest disappearance of his mother.
• 80 political prisoners in Rejaei Shahr are on hunger strike to support 4 death row prisoners transferred to Ghezel Hesar.

 

News of injustice in Iran

• Ghasem Ebrahimpour, Kurdish political activist, sentenced by Appeals to 2 years in prison.
• Ali-Asghar Honarmand, founder of Narenji Website, sentenced to 11 years in prison.
• Jamal Mina-Shiri, Kurdish political activist, sentenced by Appeals to 3.5 years in prison.
• Ebrahim Mostafapour, Kurdish political activist, sentenced by Appeals to 2 years in prison.
• Hossein Nozari, working with Nqrenji Website, sentenced to 7 years in prison.
• Ehsan Paknejad, technical editor of Narenji Website, sentenced to 5 years in prison
• Hadi Tavanmand, Kurdish political activist, sentenced by Appeals to 3.5 years in prison.
• Abbas Vahedi, editor of Narenji Website, sentenced to 2.5 years in prison
• 10 hangings in Urmiah prison on Wednesday, 2 others pardoned by victims.
• 3 hangings in Yazd prison.

 

University – Culture

• 1000 foreign movies participate in Tehran Short Film-festival.
• Mohammad-Reza Shajarian will receive next week medal of ‘Chevalier des Arts et Lettres’.
• Neday e Enghelab, Website affiliated with the guards shuts itself.

 

Protests

• Tehran Tires factory workers protest again.
• A group of women protest in front of volleyball federation against their banning from entering the stadium.
• Iran Air staff on strike at Mehrabad airport.

 

Iran abroad

• 1st Vice President Eshagh Jahangiri meets with Bolivian President Evo Morales in Santa Cruz.
• Zarif meets South Sfrican Foreign Minister in Tehran.
• Members of Algerian-Iranian parliamentary friendship meet Parliament Speaker Larijani in Tehran.
• Kurdistan PM in Tehran to discuss Iraq situation.
• British FM says “circumstances are right to reopen our embassy in Tehran”.
• UN General Assembly’s Legal Committee elects Iranian envoy as vice-chairman.

 

Iran Economics

• Oil minister cancels contracts signed under Ahmadinejad.

 

Iran Politics

• MPs demand stronger veil enforcement.
• Rouhani orders investigation of possibilities of women presence in stadium.
• Rafsanjani asks supreme leader to release Mousavi et Karroubi.

 

Miscellaneous

• Zabol shrouded in darkness by sandstorm.
• Use of music in public places including taxis buses and trains banned in Varamin.
• Iran wins over Italy 19-8 in volleyball.

 

As usual, list of political prisoners in Iran: http://ift.tt/OE4jhL

Please help us to keep it updated

Related articles

• News from Iran – Week 23 – 2014
• News from Iran – Week 24 – 2014
• News from Iran – Week 22 – 2014

Filed under: Activism, Human Rights, Iran Weekly News, Updates Tagged: Human Rights, Iran

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Des Nouvelles d’Iran – Semaine 25-2014

Nouvelles des Prisonniers

A-Transferts

• Hamed Ahmadi, militant kurde sunnite, transféré à Ghezel Hessar.
• Le Docteur Assadollah Assadi a été transféré à l’isolement à la section 290 d’Evine suite à sa grève de la faim et de la soif.
• Djahangir et Djamshid Dehghani, militants kurdes sunnites, transférés à Ghezel Hessar.
• Mehdi Farahi-Shandiz, militant politique, transféré à la prison de Redjaï Shahr.
• Saeed Matinpour est de retour à la section 350 d’Evine.
• Kamal Molaï, militant kurde sunnite, transféré à Ghezel Hessar.
• Seyyed Hossein Ronaghi-Maleki transféré à l’hôpital Hashemizadeh puis de retour à Evine sans traitement.

 

B-Arrestations-Incarcérations

• Danial Babayani, cyber-activiste azéri, arrêté pour purger sa peine de 23 mois de prison.
• Habibollah Beigzadeh, cyber-activiste azéri, arrêté pour purger sa peine de 23 mois de prison.
• Abdolhossein Harati, récemment rentré en Iran, arrêté.
• Nematollah Kami, cyber-activiste azéri, arrêté pour purger sa peine de 23 mois de prison.
• Mehdi Khazali a été arrêté pour la septième fois, il lance une grève de la faim.
• Mehdi Tadini se rend à Evine pour commencer à purger ses 2 ans de prison.
• 2 arrestations sur la tombe de Neda Agha-Soltan lors de la commémoration du 5ème anniversaire de sa mort.

 

C-Libérations

• Adel Fanaian, bahaï, en liberté conditionnelle.
• Rahman Ghahremanpour-Bonab libéré à la fin de sa peine.
• Massoumeh Gholizadeh libérée sous une caution de 100 million de tomans de la prison de Tabriz.
• Hossein Nouraninejad a été libéré sous une caution de 200 million de tomans.
• Abbas Samadian, militant politique, libéré sous une caution de 150 million de tomans.
• Ali Shariati, militant politique, libéré sous une caution de 150 million de tomans.

 

D-Autres Nouvelles

• Mohsen Ghashghaeizadeh est en grève de la faim pour protester contre la disparition de sa mère.
• 80 prisonniers politiques de Redjaï Shahr sont en grève de la faim pour soutenir 4 condamnés à mort transférés à Ghezel Hessar.

 

Nouvelles de l’injustice en Iran

• Ghassem Ebrahimpour, militant politique kurde, condamné en appel à 2 ans de prison.
• Ali-Asghar Honarmand, fondateur du site Web Narendji, condamné à 11 ans de prison.
• Djamal Mina-Shiri, militant politique kurde, condamné en appel à 3.5 ans de prison.
• Ebrahim Mostafapour, militant politique kurde, condamné en appel à 2 ans de prison.
• Hossein Nozari, travaillant avec le site Web Narendji, condamné à 7 ans de prison.
• Ehsan Paknejad, rédacteur technique du site Web Narendji, condamné à 5 ans de prison
• Hadi Tavanmand, militant politique kurde, condamné en appel à 3.5 ans de prison.
• Abbas Vahedi, rédacteur du site Web Narendji, condamné à 2.5 ans de prison.
• 10 pendaisons à la prison d’Oroumieh mercredi, 2 autres pardonnés par les familles des victimes.
• 3 pendaisons à la prison de Yazd.

 

L’université – la Culture

• 1.000 films étrangers participent au festival du court-métrage de Téhéran.
• Mohammad-Reza Shajarian sera fait la semaine prochaine Chevalier des Arts et Lettres.
• Neda ye Enghelab, site web affilié aux Gardiens de la Révolution, se ferme.

 

Manifestations

• Les salariés de Téhéran Tires manifestent de nouveau.
• Un groupe de femmes manifestent contre leur interdiction d’entrer dans le stade devant la fédération de volleyball.
• Le personnel d’Iran Air en grève à l’aéroport de Mehrabad.

 

L’Iran à l’étranger

• Le premier Vice-Président Eshagh Jahangiri rencontre le président bolivien Evo Morales à Santa Cruz.
• Zarif rencontre le ministre des affaires étrangères sud-africain à Téhéran.
• Les membres de l’amitié parlementaire algéro-iranienne rencontre le président du parlement Laridjani à Téhéran.
• Le premier ministre du Kurdistan est à Téhéran pour discuter de la situation en Irak.
• Le premier ministre britannique déclare « les circonstances sont bonnes pour rouvrir notre ambassade à Téhéran ».
• Le comité légal de l’assemblée générale de l’ONU élit un Iranien au poste de vice-président.

 

L’économie en Iran

• Le ministre du pétrole annule les contrats signés sous Ahmadinejad.

 

Politique en Iran

• Les députés demandent un durcissement de l’application de la loi sur le voile.
• Rouhani ordonne une enquête pour étudier la possibilité pour les femmes d’entrer dans les stades.
• Rafsandjani demande au guide suprême la libération de Moussavi et Karroubi.

 

Nouvelles en vrac

• Zabol dans le noir à cause d’une tempête de sable.
• La musique est interdite dans tous les lieux publics de Varamine y compris les taxis, les bus et les trains.
• L’Iran l’emporte sur l’Italie 19 à 8 en volleyball.

 

Et toujours, la liste des prisonniers politiques en Iran (en Anglais) : http://ift.tt/OE4jhL

Aidez-nous à la tenir à jour

 

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News from Iran – Week 24 – 2014

Prisoners’ News

A-Transfers

• Behzad Arabgol, political activist, transferred from Evin to Rejaei Shahr.
• Abed Bampouri, Baloch political activist sentenced to death, transferred to solitary in Zahedan prison.
• Abdolghani Gangouzeh, Baloch political activist sentenced to death, transferred to solitary in Zahedan prison.
• Pastor Behnam Irani moved from Rejaei Shahr to an unknown location.
• Mamousta Ali Karami transferred from Rejaei Shahr to Sanandaj.

 

B-Arrests-Detentions

• Nima Abbaspour arrested during a protest for Lake Urmiah.
• Akbar Abolzadeh arrested during a protest for Lake Urmiah.
• Afshin Esmailzadeh arrested during a protest for Lake Urmiah.
• Soheil Ghaderi arrested during a protest for Lake Urmiah.
• Mahnaz Ghaem-Mohammadi, wife of Jafar Panahi, begins serving her 5 years sentence in Evin.
• Mir-Yasin Hosseini, student in Tabriz, arrested during a protest for Lake Urmiah.
• Sajad Khalilnejad, member of participation front, arrested at home.
• Jalal Mohammadloo, member of participation front, arrested at home.
• Vahid Valizadeh arrested during a protest for Lake Urmiah.
• Arman Zaker arrested during a protest for Lake Urmiah.

 

C-Liberations

• Majid Dori, student activist, freed at the end of his sentence.
• Arash Mohammadi, leftist student, freed at the end of his sentence.

Majid Dori reunited with his mother after 5 years

News of injustice in Iran

• Peyman Aref sentenced to one extra year in prison.
• Ali Chabishat, Ahvazi activist, was executed.
• Seyed Khaled Moussavi, Ahvazi activist, was executed.
• One hanging in Rejaei Shahr on Monday.
• One hanging in Zahedan on Monday.
• One hanging in Ghazvin on Tuesday.
• 3 hangings in Rejaei Shahr on Wednesday.
• 3 hangings in Bandar Abbas on Thursday.

 

University – Culture

• Female musicians banned from stage in Isfahan.
• Theatre performance of “Hot Egg Tango” banned in Tehran.
• Workshop with Kelly James Clark banned in Iran.

 

Protests

• Over 100 bakers in Sanandaj protest after their wages remain frozen for the third year in a row.
• 23 days of strike of 5,000 workers of Bafog Iron Ore Company.
• Hardliners and reformists fight during Aref speech at Shiraz University

 

Iran abroad

• About 230 Iranian MPs in a statement congratulated Assad for his victory.
• Zarif and Singapore parliament speaker meet in Tehran.
• Rouhani visits Turkey to discuss Syria and sign contracts.
• Two battalions of Quds Forces entered Iraq and fighting alongside Iraqi forces.
• New Iranian ambassador to Switzerland: Gholam Ali Khoshroo, Deputy FM under Khatami.

 

Iran Economics

• Closure of Mahabad Vaccines Manufacture: 120 workers lose their job.
• Theatre performance of “Hot Egg Tango” banned in Tehran.

 

Iran Politics

• Ayatollah Sanaei regretted arrest of journalist Sirajedin MirDamadi.
• Iran condemns terrorist attack on Iraq.

 

Miscellaneous

• Severe water shortage in Kerman province.
• Second storm in Tehran in one week, 15 wounded this time.
• Iranian volleyball team beats Brazil at home 3-0.

 

As usual, list of political prisoners in Iran: http://ift.tt/OE4jhL

Please help us to keep it updated

Related articles

• News from Iran – Week 23 – 2014
• News from Iran – Week 22 – 2014

Filed under: Activism, Human Rights, Iran Weekly News, Updates Tagged: Human Rights, Iran

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