Dear friends,
Guess what I just found out – today the “Vineyard” as reached half a million page views! See for yourself:
This is maybe not quite on par with google.com, youtube.com or cnn.com, but for the very modest blog of one lone guy its pretty good, no? And keep in mind that I make no money at all of this blog, that I have a job and a family to take care of, and that my political views are, how shall I put it, mostly “incompatible with a popularity contest”. And yet, somehow, with God’s help, this blog has been up for over 5 years now, from May 1st, 2007 until today, September 10th, 2012. I am actually amazed that nobody has tried to have it censored or shut down (only one guy tried, actually).
Sure, over the years, I pissed off a lot of people who first liked the blog because they assumed that it was a …. (fill the blank) kind of blog, only to find out that while my opinion and theirs did coincide on one topic, we mostly disagreed on everything else. Those who stayed clearly have a very high tolerance for differences of opinions and no interest in partisan politics of any kind.
Thanks a lot guys, not only for putting up with my admittedly bizarre views and beliefs, but also for your many kind words of support which kept me going even in the most frustrating and discouraging moments!
Cheers,
The Saker
Congratulations!
I became a permanent fan on August 11th, 2008.
Was there a special significance to May 1, 2007 for you? …Olmert/Bush/Rice/Bolton were well on their way to carrying out the planned July invasion of Lebanon. Which I might add was supposed to then pivot into Syria and then descend upon Iran…this makes me think of what is happening RIGHT NOW.
At any rate, congratulations and this time I won’t post anonymously.
Oh heck!
2007 not 2006. Could you disregard that hasty post? Thanks!
Congratulations!
Have been a fan since this eye-opener (for me) post of yours:
http://vineyardsaker.blogspot.com/2008/08/real-meaning-of-south-ossetian-war.html
@Jag Pop:Was there a special significance to May 1, 2007 for you?
Not really other then I was horrified to see that an attack on Iran was clearly planned. In itself, it is amazing that here I am, waiting for a FIFTH year for an attack on Iran, and it still did not happen, at least not directly (the attack in Syria being, of course, and attack on Iran and Hezbollah). And its still not over. My personal sense is that the tide has turned at the moment Kerry made his silly comment which was instantly picked up by the Kremlin, but as I wrote before there are so many unsettled issues that this is too early to call. But, at least, I accept that an attack on Iran *might* not happen. If so, this would be the biggest analytical mistake in my entire career, and yet nobody would be happier than me if that was the case :-)
@Anonymous: oh yeah, the war in South Ossetia was also a huge event and, of course, had Russia not accepted the US challenge there, it would not have been able to make one over Syria today. There is a direct connection between the two. The original turning point, however, was the 2nd Chechen war which marked the moment when Russia hit the bottom and began to climb back up.
Cheers and thanks!
Congrats!
Did you catch Obama’s speech?
It seemed to symbolize or consummate the rapid descent of US power in the Middle East. A very weak performance and one marking a major retreat from the hegemonic ambitions of US foreign policy in the Middle East.
For that reason, today’s speech might go down in history.
At the risk of being wildly optimistic, I will say that, given today’s events, Iran is VERY SAFE.
If the (dying) empire is afraid to “pin prick” Syria, it would be terrified to contemplate engaging Iran in hostilities.
Something of historical significance may have just happened.
ПОЗД – РАВ – ЛЯ – ЕМ ! И я и мои камрады, которые стали регулярно просматривать Вашу страничку )))
З.Ы. Поскольку у Вас оч много про Сирию, то вот не рассуждалка, а просто личная заметка. Моя подруга, улетев весной оттуда самолетом МЧС, на днях вернулась в Сирию к мужу. Но мало того, она вернулась с ребенком, не оставив его на безопасной своей Родине, но и взяв с собой пожилую больную маму. А это о чем то говорит…. и пишет что в городе у них все стабильно и спокойно, ну относительно
@VINEYARDSAKER:”. But, at least, I accept that an attack on Iran *might* not happen. “
It will be interesting to read the authorization to use military force against Syria that is going to be put to a vote in Congress soon. Bet there will be careful wording in there about allies of Syria, wording that with the right interpretation gives the warmongers permission to attack Iran under certain circumstances.
Am very nervous that this whole episode about teaching Syria a “moral lesson” is designed to be just the backdrop, a setting, for a false-flag against Iran.
Congrats Saker..I just got back today from my first trip to Iran…I only spent 9 days there, but managed to make it to a number of different cities within a limited area of Iran… While my trip did have its frustrating moments, I was impressed overall by what I did see and experience there, and I am definitely interested in making return visits to Iran if God wills it….God is looking after you Saker, which is why your blog is still operating…Alhumdullilah! Mari
Congrats Saker..I just got back today from my first trip to Iran…I only spent 9 days there, but managed to make it to a number of different cities within a limited area of Iran… While my trip did have its frustrating moments, I was impressed overall by what I did see and experience there, and I am definitely interested in making return visits to Iran if God wills it….God is looking after you Saker, which is why your blog is still operating…Alhumdullilah! Mari
Hi Saker
a commenter at my blog, actually a couple of them have been linking your work at my place
So, I am coming out of my shell to check the place out.
And the comment you made “, I pissed off a lot of people who first liked the blog because they assumed that it was a …. (fill the blank) kind of blog, only to find out that while my opinion and theirs did coincide on one topic, we mostly disagreed on everything else. “
been there done that
and isn’t it amazing how childish some can be?
Don’t change a darn thing so far, from what I have been reading your work looks solid
people who complain have to understand the world does not revolve around them and what they think or feel
everyone has their thoughts on any given subject and sometimes it is best to just agree to disagree and let it go
And congratulations on reaching the 500,000 mark!
@Mari: I just got back today from my first trip to Iran.
How lucky you are! I had many good friends visit Iran and they all told me most interesting stories about their trips. Alas, I never had the opportunity to visit Iran and now I don’t even have the means any more. But I am extremely happy for you. And thanks for your kind words, my friend!
@Penny: and isn’t it amazing how childish some can be?
Yes, in particular when somebody does not fit a simple ‘mold’, which I most definitely do not. I have often seen newcomers approving of what they saw as my “Left-leanings” or my “Right-leanings” only to discover with horror that while on some issues I might have similarities with the Left or, much less likely, to the Right – on most I am neither. Add to this my weird religious views (very traditionalist Orthodox Christian) combined with a unapologetic interest in and admiration for Shia Islam, and things get even more bizarre. And then I have an assorted “toss salad” of politically incorrect views on stuff like 9/11, homosexuality, feminism, the war in Bosnia, the Papacy, etc. and the list of offended people gets pretty long indeed :-)
But no, I don’t have any intention of changing anything: I will speak the truth as I see it and let anybody else who disagrees do likewise by posting in the comments section (although those who are really mad at me usually chose private emails to speak their mind, not the comments section).
As I said, I am not in it for a popularity contest, but for a quest, possibly misguided but nonetheless sincere, for the truth.
Kind regards,
The Saker
Answering my own post:
” Bet there will be careful wording in there about allies of Syria, wording that with the right interpretation gives the warmongers permission to attack Iran under certain circumstances”
Now that I have had a chance to do some research it is seen that my “bet” was more like a “sure thing”, as history is our guide.
There is an analysis at Lawfare which you can read here:
http://www.lawfareblog.com/2013/09/the-administrations-proposed-syria-aumf-is-very-broad/
Bottom line is: “Yes” the authorization to attack Syria allows the President to attack Iran IF…he bloody well wants to.
Congratulations and thank you Br. Saker for the enlightening analyses. May Allah bless you, your family and friends. Keep doing what you do, it is highly appreciated.
In faith and only good for humanity
Zainab