W calls Iran, Iraq and North Korea an "axis" which denotes connectivity to
me. This is puzzling.
I don't believe secular, communist N.K. has any connection with the 2 Irs.
Iraq is anti-religious, without any toleration of open disagreement.
Iran is religious, somewhat pluralist with some tolerance of opposing
points of view. (Yes, I know about the arrests of dissidents; they've
happened to friends of friends of mine; but there is much more variation
in open thought than in the other 2 countries.)
Iran and Iraq recently fought a war, and still see each other as enemies.
So what could the "axis" be?
I think W. is really a blockmodeller, and despite the lack of connectivity
among these 3 countries, he sees similarities:
They don't like the US
And they don't broadcast the Superbowl.
Hence, they are structurally equivalent!!
Barry
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Barry Wellman Professor of Sociology NetLab Director
[log in to unmask] http://www.chass.utoronto.ca/~wellman
Centre for Urban & Community Studies University of Toronto
455 Spadina Avenue Toronto Canada M5S 2G8 fax:+1-416-978-7162
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