Hand guns and alcohol are banned. A strong social safety net prevents poverty. Women feel safe walking alone at night.
Iran has an all-female fire department. U.S. cities banned female firefighters until 1974.
The president of Iran proposed regime change in Israel, not genocide of Israelis, and is open to a two-state solution for Palestine.
Working women get 90 days maternity leave at two-thirds pay.
Iran ranks high in lists of nations with rights for workers. The right to organize and strike is not respected. But overtime is voluntary and paid at 140 percent. Vacations are four weeks. Wages cannot be varied on the basis of age, gender, race, ethnic origin, or political or religious convictions. Those laid off get severance pay. Those falsely accused of crimes get back pay and retain their jobs.
The above list is a fraction of the topics addressed brilliantly in Wilayto's book. He also addresses the topic of nuclear energy, arguing that Iran's oil supply will run out and that therefore Iran must build nuclear energy. However, there are alternatives that Wilayto does not discuss.
Of course, Iran's and everyone's oil supplies will indeed run out, although we'll probably destroy the planet for human life if we exhaust those supplies. On the other hand, nuclear energy is extremely dangerous as well. One alternative that is viable in Iran is wind.
CODEPINK Women for Peace recently announced the creation of a company called Winds of Change, which will invest in Iranian wind energy, specifically in the Saba Niroo Wind Company, as well as in a campaign to end sanctions. Saba Niroo builds wind farms in Iran, but has been forced to halt production because the United States has pressured the Danish wind company Vestas to deny the Iranian company necessary parts.
"It's ironic that the West is so vehemently opposed to Iran's efforts to develop nuclear energy, but it is sabotaging our efforts to develop clean energy sources like wind," said Nader Niktabe, Sara Niroo's managing director.
"Under present U.S. law, companies that invest in Iran are subject to a $1 million fine," said Medea Benjamin, CODEPINK co-founder. "We're challenging those unproductive restrictions and pushing the Obama administration to lift sanctions and establish peaceful relations with Iran."
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