Berkeley Forum

JibJab is a website featuring Flash cartoons. It is run by two Americans, Gregg and Evan Spiridellis, who call themselves "the JibJab Brothers". When they are credited together (such as when they are co-directors), they call themselves Grevan Spiridellis, which is an amalgamation of Gregg and Evan.

JibJab was started in 1999. The brothers had made several short films prior to the 2004 presidential election, including several Rumple sketches (Rumple was the President's fictional three-inch tall imaginary friend) even though the website was not as well-known as it became when the "This Land" video was released. Some of these movies involved politics, such as Arnold Schwarzenegger's campaign for governor in California's 2003 recall election, and another one involved the 2000 presidential election.

here is their most recent production; Nuckin' Futs!!

# posted by Berkeley Forum : 6:57 PM  4 comments

Rumors about a pre-emptive strike against Iran have been circulating everywhere. “It’s not a matter of whether or not the U.S will strike Iran but when" said a UC Berkeley professor who spoke to Berkeley Forum with the condition of anonymity. An attack on Iran could have a wide range of consequences for the U.S and the region. Iran could be a potential partner for the Bush administration in its efforts to stabilize Iraq and strengthen the Afghan government of President Hamid Karzai. But the recent U.S military allegations about Iran providng weapons and training to some Iraqi militias are seen by many observers as Washington's rhetoric to start a war with Iran. "Iran is a significant contributor to attacks on coalition forces, and also supports violence against the Iraqi security forces and the Iraqi people," said a senior defense official, who was joined by a defense analyst and an explosives expert, both also from the military. (Washington Post)
Iran is accused of suppliant Shiite militias with "explosively formed penetrator" or EFPs which can easily penetrate through armor. The first known attack using such weapons in Iraq occurred in May 2004, and the rate of attacks using them has nearly doubled in 2006. They have also been used in southern Lebanon.

Now my question is this: What would Iran gain from an unstable Iraq or a U.S military attack against Iran? I would like to know what you think.

# posted by Berkeley Forum : 10:05 PM  6 comments

President Bush’s decision to send an additional 21,500 troops to Iraq has started a debate here at home on whether or not the troop surge is necessary. Most Democrats and a few Republicans( Such as Sen. Hagel)have gone on the offensive- taking advantage of Bush’s low job approval ratings- and have characterized the surge as an “escalation” of the war in Iraq. Regardless of what they chose to call it, the troop surge is absolutely necessary to stabilize Baghdad and bring law and order to the Anbar province.

Over one thousand Iraqi civilians have been killed by the insurgents only in the past week. Sophisticated American military machinery such as Army Black Hawks and Apaches are shut down almost every week by insurgents using the most basic weapons such as RPG’s (rocket propelled grenades). This is demoralizing to U.S troops and is counter productive to American efforts trying to stabilize and rebuild Iraq. And the government of Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki seems completely impotent in dealing with the daily violence.

The troop surge of 21,000 (I strongly believe that more troops are needed in Iraq and more troops can certainly be sent over to the region) is going to allow the new American commander, Gen. David Petraeus, to clean up Baghdad and deal with the growing violence in Iraq. General Petraeus is the Army’s most reliable counter insurgency expert and he deserves a chance to implement his new strategy in Iraq and bring about relative peace to Iraq’s major cities.

The old Iraq policy implemented by the Rumsfeld- Abizaid – Casey has clearly failed. Now it is time for fresh ideas and a new plan to bring about change in Baghdad and secure America’s most vital interests in the region. General Petraeus deserves a chance so give him what he needs and he will deliver!

# posted by Berkeley Forum : 9:47 PM  9 comments