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Notes About The Poem

The CIA and MI6 helped overthrow the legitimate government of Iran rather than allow their prime minsiter, Mohammad Mosaddegh, and Iran's parliament to nationalize "our" oil. They installed our friend, the Shah of Iran, as ruler. He treated opponents with brutality and torture. In 1979, a revolution ousted the Shah and led to the installation of a Supreme Leader. When the exiled Shah came to the U.S. for cancer treatment, furious Iranian militants invaded the U.S. embassy and took hostages (during the Carter administration). Some evidence suggests the Reagan campaign asked Iran to delay the hostage release in order to affect the US election. Ultimatley, it appeared to the American public as though Reagan threatened Iran, and Iran released the hostages. Since we canceled their democracy due to our economic concerns (greed), our leaders who label Iran as an evil empire should also remind people of our part in creating this mess.

evil empire irony

When 1953 began
Iran’s oil annexation plan
Meant seizing our stuff
But the CIA’s tough
And installed the Shah as he-man
 
Since Iran’s parliament was dead
And Muslims brutally bled
The people rebelled
But what came next spelled
By an ayatollah they’d be led 
 
When exiled the Shah became sick
The U.S. was his treatment pick
The prick of this deal
Our embassy did feel
Where the hostage taking was quick

bullyingevilhistoryironyislamiclimerick

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Sotto Poet

May 25, 2024 at 3:00 PM

A sophisticated limerick poem, Duke explores the intricate involvement of the CIA and MI6 in the overthrow of Iran's legitimate government in 1953, and the far-reaching consequences and ongoing impact of this historical event. The poem delves into the political unrest in Iran during the 1950s, the aftermath of the Shah's rule, the 1979 revolution, the U.S. embassy hostage crisis, and the broader scope of U.S.-Iran relations. Your great word choice including terms like "annexation," "seizing," "brutality," "torture," "revolution," "militants," and "hostages," vividly portrays the turbulent nature of the events discussed.

Duke Beaufort

May 28, 2024 at 10:07 AM

SP, thanks for your excellent analysis. I do try to pack in a lot of information in a simple form. We're still in an oil economy and it will be very interesting to see how we either transition away from it or stick with it. I'm noticing more global weather events lately, and I wonder if people make the connection.

Sally Eslinger

May 25, 2024 at 1:33 PM

I recall those years, but as u recall little at that time of that situation was clear or clarified. til decades later.

Duke Beaufort

May 28, 2024 at 5:56 AM

Sally, yes you are on target. Much was done in secret, which is why we need an active free press. What's remarkable is the same sort of things are still standard practice. Too much fighting and not enough peace.

Andrea Dietrich

May 24, 2024 at 4:03 PM

You know more than I do on this topic. Our country has supported other scumbags as well. Outrageous.

Duke Beaufort

May 27, 2024 at 12:06 PM

Andrea, there is a recent example in a report in the New York Times that details a recent example if you want to know more. It's rather remarkable. and relates to the war in Afghanistan. It's titled, "America’s Monster--How the U.S. Backed Kidnapping, Torture and Murder in Afghanistan." Our proxy, Abdul Raziq, was brutal and helped turn the Afghan population (we were trying to win over) against the US. It's hard to imagine that we have learned nothing about how to conduct ourselves ethically. Really appalling. Take about five minutes to google and read the NYT articles on Raziq and you'll be we'll informed.

Robert Gorelick

May 21, 2024 at 11:36 AM

Iran and the 1953 overthrow of MM, we must not overlook the complicity of not just the CIA but British Petroleum as well. You're right, 1979 Iranian revolution was a response to our meddling in Iran's affairs, we created the Ayatollah, just as we created Castro with our strangling economic policy in Cuba. I.E. The Platt Amendment. Great political limericks, Duke. What goes around comes around! All my best, Robert

Duke Beaufort

May 22, 2024 at 4:49 PM

Robert, yes. It's hard to imagine we have pursued a set of endeavors that have caused so many to suffer. Thanks for the reference to Cuba. There is no shortage of examples that we could point to that people could learn from.

Silent One

May 22, 2024 at 1:53 AM

British also created the wahabi state of Saudi...

Silent One

May 21, 2024 at 10:08 AM

Your limericks touch upon a regime in Iran which is not favoured by many in the west, however, many in the country support it.. Not that I am saying that is right or wrong.. I also know many Iranians who are not happy with the regime... Makes me smile though when people see America as the heroes.. or the UK also.. all countries have blood on their hands my friend... its all how someone perceives a good and bad guy..

Duke Beaufort

May 22, 2024 at 4:36 PM

SO, this is an excellent comment as Tom points out too. The sad part is that we empowered the most extreme religious individuals and politicians who would likely not taken control if we had let the legitimate government run the country. During the revolt and as a result of the brutality of our ally (the Shah) the religious right came to power and took over. There are a large number of pro-western Iranians, and we sabotaged their future when we overthrew a legitimate and reasonable government because of our oil obsession.

Vijay Pandit

May 21, 2024 at 4:58 AM

It was a rather sad period--with devastating consequences. A masterful walk through history, my friend.

Duke Beaufort

May 22, 2024 at 4:25 PM

Vijay, yes it was. Unfortunately, we're still dealing with the blowback and will be for some time. Thanks for the comment!!

Daniel Henry Rodgers

May 21, 2024 at 4:32 AM

Hello Duke my friend, Your poem hit me hard. You captured such a complex and intense historical moment with sharp clarity and a touch of wit. It’s impressive how you managed to condense such a turbulent period into a few powerful stanzas. Your artistry made me reflect deeply on the lasting impact of those events. You displayed your incredible talent very well. - Blessings, Daniel

Duke Beaufort

May 21, 2024 at 5:31 AM

Daniel, thanks for this comment. It is amazing how actions taken decades ago and even centuries ago still affect the entire world. The term blowback applies. We seem to have a considerable history of developing wealth from other's property and labor. It's as if we never addressed the behavior exhibited toward native Americans and the reign of slavery as things that were bad. There are many more examples of this, and I'm thinking of writing something more on this subject. I am also intrigued how this in a concrete exploration of good and bad...kind of like your Wadsworth/Poe exploration. Seems we as a nation keep exploring the Poe end while claiming the Wadsworth vision.

Hilda Greenhough

May 20, 2024 at 11:36 PM

Every nation has greed, every green new deal has a money caveat, every government has a cluster of sell outs. America has more safeguards than any other nation. Still, we must beware of the forked tongue. God bless America. This poem has inspired me.

Duke Beaufort

May 21, 2024 at 4:46 AM

Thanks for reading and commenting Hilda. I think you are right...many countries act with greed since their governments are controlled by interests that want to take control of resources. I'm very patriotic myself, but I think we have to understand what's happened in the past and not have our heads in the sand...(unless there's oil in there)!

evil empire irony

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