THE BELL 212 HELICOPTER - USA MADE WAS CARRYING IRAN'S PRESIDENT EBRAHIM RAISI AND FOREIGN MINISTER HUSSEIN AMIRABDOLLAHIAN - THE HELICOPTER CRASHED IN STEEP MOUNTAINS - BORDERING AZERBAJIAN .

President Ebrahim Raisi - RIP.

Life is for the living, not the living dead. 

The news of the death of President Ebrahim Raisi - we remember him well - the thousands executed in 1988. 

I remember those times, and I hope we learn more about why we are placed on this Earth and our purpose.

Those in higher places - must be careful that they do not tramp on others - and think that other than themselves - others do not matter.

Each human has to be free, grow healthy, and contribute to society as best as possible.

Religious leaders who think they are closer to God and behave in a manner that defies logic - must think twice - about how they have destroyed the lives of millions.

All over this world, we have turbulence—horrifying acts of atrocities committed—and those of us who know better must unite ourselves to shed light where there is abject darkness.

Humans uplift one another in humility - not by dehumanizing women and children - killing and maiming those who speak truth to power. 

Indeed, as human beings, we must uplift one another - not the opposite. Today, we are reminiscing, and in doing so - we are making a needs assessment -  only those present - know best.

Today, many have chosen to protest, saying President Ebrahim Raisi has blood on his hands. 

What we read and saw, we know—we also must have the ability to bring about change through protesting without causing harm or damage. Go to a niche place—we, the living who care.

Iran and its culture and history are well known - autocracy will never survive - suppressing freedom does not come naturally to human beings - we humans are meant to be free - torture, maiming, killing, hanging, and those who say they can take life - are the living dead.

In my time, genocide took place in Cambodia, Vietnam, Rwanda, Darfur, Sudan, Ethiopia, and many places - and now Gaza - where Benjamin Netanyahu - is starving infants, children, Elders, and those with compromised health.

 Genocide, with the intent of killing and maiming life - indiscriminate bombing, starving infants and children - those who commit such crimes - must be punished.

When the International Criminal Courts adjudicate and say so - let those who have NOT been signatories to the International Criminal Court - accept the decree or hold your peace. 

The citizens of Iran have spread all over the world and are now watching the days of reckoning. 

We must stay united and uphold the standards and values that make life what it is meant to be—good actions, love, and peace.

Millions worldwide that value freedom share the plight, trials, and tribulations of the Iranian population - more women who are treated like chattel - this nonsense must stop - immediately. 

Again and again, the women who must be respected are treated with disdain. We remember Fatima and others when we read the facts and history of Islam - women must be respected - this we know - how it all changed for the worse - we cannot understand.

I have lived in many places where Muslim women are important as teachers, doctors, scientists, and engineers—in short, as experts in their field. 

Let us respect humanity and honor the role of women. 

Much as we respect and honor our Mothers and Fathers.

I was a young man when I was told what was happening in Iran.

 I had seen Iran under the Shah, and now, when the Ayotolah—the first Ayotolah—came into power, I witnessed the drastic changes.

At that time, I knew a little about the Shai and Suni. 

As I lived my life, my journey took me to places and put me in situations where I had to use my logistics skills—one of them was Desert Shield—Desert Storm. 

We human beings do not need to be tortured - no human being must be treated like a robot.

No one human - can take the life of another human. 

If you do, you will be punished - even those who are complicit in the bombing, killing, and maiming of Gaza - killing and maiming innocent Palestinians. 

Wake up, America, the land of the Native Americans - the only indigenous people of Turtle Island.

The United States-made Bell 212 Helicopter, capable of carrying 12 passengers, came down hard - in inclement weather - high mountain terrain, and foggy conditions - leading to the death of nine individuals, among them Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hussein Amirabdollahain.

Iran has been in the news - it has been involved deeply in the Gaza war, supporting Hezbollah in Lebanon, providing drones to Russia - helping the Yemeni in short, supporting many groups - that are fighting for their freedom.

We are told the International Criminal Court - has issued a warrant for Benjamin Netanyahu - some Israelis and Hamas, too.

Let those who continue to kill and maim the innocent - change their ways. If you are told by the International Criminal Courts - you are guilty. Stop wasting time trying to say you are not - you are found guilty and must answer to the International Criminal Court.

Make no bones about the ruling - it comes after great deliberation and thought - mostly, it all comes - because we cannot allow - those who with intent to kill and maim to go Scott Free.

To the many in Iran, a new day and a new beginning have come.

 Those who shed their blood did it for us all—advocates and those who stand tall and represent. 

 The people of Iran have a rich culture. It is the land of poets and music, good food and joy, leaders and teachers, and loving people who have been blessed. 

The world is with you, and I know it. 

I have been to Iran as a young man, and now, after all these years, others and I have stood to speak truth to power. 

We are with you, with love in your heart. 

You can do what you wish and bring honor to the Universe.

To the women of Iran - you shed light where there is abject darkness. To the Mothers of Iran - stay strong, and to the Fathers of Iran - that time has come to do right. That time is now.

Iran's President Raisi and Foreign Minister Hussein - were well known to many - each pushing conservative policies - and each defending why Iran would not pander or bow down to the West.

Right now, Israel continues to kill and maim in Gaza.

Daily, we hear of the killing and maiming in Gaza.

Daily, we hear of the politics - the wheeling and dealing - it is nauseating.

When we hear about the deaths of two leaders - the first thing that comes to my mind - is why were they on the same American-made Bell 212 Helicopter?

The point is that the Bell 212 helicopter could have served better; it served its purpose but had mechanical problems in this case.

Sanctions put on Iran - created problems in getting spare parts - to repair the Bell 212 Helicopter - and so you see - when we use sanctions - as in this case, it led to the death of nine people.

Why cannot we live in peace - and stop fighting - not so much hand-to-hand fighting - but - aiming missiles, drones, bombs, and all sorts of devious tools to kill and maim - does not solve the problem.

2024 may be the year to stop the wars - and pay heed that human life is vulnerable - never mind what position one holds - the death of these nine individuals must make us ponder.

While we discuss and ponder, the people of Iran have been punished for No reason whatsoever - it is time for those who think strict discipline is the way to go - it is poisonous - and fair play and justice - are in order.

The people of Iran are resilient - and those who are armed and bully are cowards.

We - have seen them harm women and young people. 

The time has come to repent and understand - for once - that innocent people are not the ones who do harm and cause pandemonium.

It is those with guns and whips who do not understand - what needs to be done humanely.

Guard yourselves and pity yourselves before whipping the innocent - they have every right to speak truth to power and be good human beings.

For too long - have too many - thousands - died when they had to live and contribute to the betterment of Iran.

Finding the crash site took some hours. As night approached, the situation hampered the rescue. The European Union assisted with the satellite that zeroed in on the crash site. This aided the rescue operations, and other nations, such as Russia, France, and Europe, offered help.

In Iran, prayers were offered. When we pray, we focus on good things and take reasonable actions to improve this world. All over the world, prayers were offered—the time was now—and most wanted to find those on the helicopter alive.

Iranian women prayed, and as we know, when tragedy strikes, we go to a good place. We offer our best to bring peace—focus on joy and hope for the best.

The Red Crescent and others did their best, and kudos to them. At times like this, we want the best to come to the rescue and help those in dire straits. The crash occurred when it was foggy and the mountain terrain was steep. Soon, nightfall came, and the rescuers reached the site through it all, making us all proud.

We honor the rescuers who allowed those dead - to be taken in time to rest in peace - Wednesday - all will rest in peace. We must remember to pray for each one of them. We must also ponder hard - war does not bring about change, and killing and maiming do the soul no good. World leaders are vulnerable - and we must dig deep and let us bring peace to humankind.

Not long ago, the United States and Iran were friends.

I visited Iran when Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi was ruling. I left Iran two weeks later, in 1979 when Ayatollah Khomeini took over. 

45 years later, we have witnessed Iran's many trials and tribulations. Iran is a civilized nation with a legacy and culture second to none.

The mosques, the gardens, music, carpets, the cuisine, the love of the people - generous and amid all this good - politics that makes no sense.

In 1989, I remember thousands executed - I read the details, and to this day -  I remember the atrocities well.

Well, some think and wish Iran witnessed instability. Better minds will prevail and prove those who think otherwise wrong.

The people of Iran should be free to offer their best—their legacy, goodness, and talents—and carry on Iran's culture, tenacity, and fortitude - second to none. 

I have fond memories of Iran, and this incident prompted me to write what I feel deeply.

President Ebrahim Raisi visited the Qiz-Qulasi dam at the Iranian Border not long ago. Here, he is with the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Heyder Aliyev.

This incident has allowed us to say and take the current events to a better place.

The United States is fractured. We know this - we were friends and had good relations with Iran - so why not now amend and do what is right?

It is the same with China and the turmoil surrounding Taiwan - we must stop flexing our muscles - we can work on sharing our good intentions and dump the old ways - of lying, cheating, hacking, sanctions, and hoodwinking in broad daylight.

We can stop the mess in Gaza and the turmoil in Ukraine - we missed our opportunity in 2014 - only to face the present atrocities - and spend billions of dollars in Ukraine.

Notice and pay attention to where World War I and World War II - had their origins - the location of the parties - and where you think history will repeat itself.

Joe Biden needs to be more robust when it comes to International Policies. 

Joe Biden - had ample time to do good. To bring peace, you must be an excellent leader who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.

May those who died rest in peace. The nine in the helicopter.

May we remember them as human beings who played a role, wish they had done better, and forgive them for things they did that did not please us.

Let 2024 be a year for reconciliation - let peace reign - and let us not kill our infants and children and look the other way.

SOME PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE FUNERAL - RIP.