Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Dallas Peace Center’s anti-Iran-War presentation draws more than 80 people

By Teresa Gubbins

Panelists included (from left) Dr. Mahmoud Sadri, author and sociology professor at Texas Woman's University; activist and teacher John Fullinwider; and Mehry Cornett of Iranians for Peace & Justice.

DALLAS — Seeking strategies and like-minded peers, more than 80 people turned out for "Don't Attack Iran," a panel discussion hosted by Dallas Peace Center Monday night at the Walnut Hill Branch Library.

Speakers included activist and teacher John Fullinwider; Dr. Mahmoud Sadri, author and sociology professor at Texas Woman's University; and Mehry Cornett of Iranians for Peace & Justice. Moderator was Hon. Lon Burnam, Texas state representative and director of the Dallas Peace Center.

The Dallas event followed a weekend of demonstrations across the country protesting the United States' occupation of Iraq and rumors of a White House plan to attack Iran. A group recently formed within the Dallas Peace Center, called the "Don't Attack Iran Committee," with the purpose of solidifying opposition to a war on Iran.

The event began with a screening of segments from Showdown With Iran, a new PBS/Frontline special report on the escalating conflict between Iran and the U.S.

Texas state representative and Dallas Peace Center director Lon Burnam moderated.

Dr. Sadri delivered an overview of the history between Iran and the U.S. (which he said could be characterized "in three words: love, hate, and distrust"). Cornett, a recent emigrant, shared the current mindset of Iran, reinforcing some of the points from the Frontline program, specifically that the Iranian government had tried to negotiate with the United States to preempt an attack.

Fullinwider gave a detailed, amusing recitation of the exaggerations and lies proffered by American presidents, dating back to his personal favorite, John F. Kennedy.

"But Iran is different, because they don't feel like they have to lie," he said. "They are telling us they're going to do it. And there's no army that will stop them. There's no force in the world outside of the people in this country."

Action items seemed basic: Write to your local representative and hold back campaign contributions until you hear the candidates espousing the philosophy you support.

"None of us want an attack on Iran," said moderator Burnum. "We do want to energize a wider circle of people and sensitize them to the fact that it could be a reality."

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