Monterey, California.

Before the 1979 Revolution, he taught at the National University of Iran (Melli University) and was Associate Dean and subsequently Dean of Faculty Law (1970-1976) and Dean of Faculty of Economics and Political Science (1976-1977). He was appointed Chancellor of the National University in 1977 and served in that capacity until 1979. To put it candidly, no matter what the media tells us, we are in the Middle East because of oil. Though, the US is dependent on the Middle East, it is only about 25% compared to the rest of the world, who are heavily dependent on the oil in the Middle East. 2/3 of the oil reserves reside in the Persian Gulf. Because of the ease of pumping out the oil and transporting it, it only costs about $2/barrel compared to $20/barrel to get it in other parts of the world. Ahmad says we should pull our troops from the ground, but keep the Navy and Marines in the gulf as guardians. If we did not have a presence in the Gulf, it would be chaos. But there is no need for our troops to be on the ground, and no need to push democracy on a country where their pastime is killing each other! Instead of spreading democracy, the US should bring cultural understanding. A lack of cultural understanding is said to be the reason why we lost the Vietnam War. He brought to light that Iranians are not Arabs. The US needs to be careful with Iran, as it is the most Westernized country in the Persian Gulf. Women have rights in Iran; 65% of university students are women, 40% of the government has women, and 62% of doctors are women, just to name a few statistics. The Iranian people generally support relations with the US. Another fact about the Middle East, only a fraction of Muslims resides there. Basically, we are in the dark of the real facts and need to come into the light.

July 10, 2012

NEXT MEETING July 17 Program: Kathy

Strong, The Power of POW Bracelets

We are meeting in the FACULTY/STAFF LOUNGE

Greeter & Invocation...DOUG DAMASCHINO

~COMING UP~
July 16 OMPA Meeting, 5pm at Holy Trinity July 17 Board Meeting, 5pm at Holy Trinity *July 24 David Gilbert, How Biology is Fueling Our Future. *July 31 1
ST

CLUB ASSEMBLY OF FRANKS YEAR

Aug 3-5 OMPA!! *Indicates a regular Tuesday noon luncheon meeting

~GUESTS~
Sally Edgerton Guest of Frank and Linda May Jody Parker Snowbird Linda May Wife of Pres. Frank Ahmad Ghoreishi Guest Speaker Linda Fox Guest of Barbara Bruner Mary Sue Erickson Johns Ace of Hearts Ron Schopke Husband of Louise Joan McSpadden Wife of Robbie Peg Render Wife of Rich Pam Reneau Wife of Kevin Linda Campbell Wife of PDG Jim

**CLUB HAPPENINGS** ~Board meeting next Tuesday, July 17. 5PM Holy Trinity ~July 14th, this Saturday, is the Annual District Awards &
Installation Dinner in Corning. ~This year our Club participated in the 4th of July Orinda Parade on the Orinda Rotary float which was also shared by the 2 Lafayette Clubs. Sam and Maggie Barnard, and the Mays granddaughter, Bailey got to ride the Rotary Float! Thanks to Frank, Linda and Debbie Roessler for helping to put together our portion of the float! ~OMPA is coming up! Planning meeting will be this Monday, July 16 at 5pm in the Holy Trinity Hall. Please come with ideas, opinions and your help! ~Moraga Chamber of Commerce is putting on a Golf Tournament on Monday, July 23, 2012. $150/Player, includes golf, refreshments, prizes. Still need a few more golfers!

THE PROGRAM
Tonight we had quite an interesting speaker, Ahmad Ghoreishi, who spoke to us about the current situation in Iran and Afghanistan. Ahmad, is a professor of political science at the Naval Post-Graduate School in

~Kevin is doing such a great job with our Employee of

the Month! But the town needs to make more employee nominations! Please help spread the word! ~Diablo View Rotary is hosting a Charity Poker Tournament at Pyramid Brewery in Walnut Creek. Saturday, July 28 at 11AM. Tickets are $50 and includes lunch! ~Tuesday, July 31, the Dochtermans are hosting a Rotary 101 Orientation for new and prospective members. If you know anyone who might be interested, or would like to learn more about Rotary, this is a perfect opportunity to hear about Rotary from a Past Rotary International President!

MORAGA ROTARY BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2012-13

President..............Frank May President-elect......Nora Avelar Past President ..Nora Avelar Secretary....Kevin Reneau Treasurer....Louise Schopke Community Service Chair...Barbara Bruner New Generations Chair.........Rich Render International Service Chair....Colin Barnard Membership...Nora Avelar Rotary Foundation.....Lad Lynch Public Relations..Gary Irwin Director at Large...Mary Elena Dochterman Director at Large.....Cliff Dochterman Director at Large.....Debbie Roessler

**FUN STUFF!** ~President Frank gave a happy $10 for the 4th of July
float ~Debbie Roessler had $5 for the sold furniture from the Hacienda went to the White Elephant Sale; and $5 for working on the float. ~PDG Jim celebrated his birthday! ~M.E. had to spin the wheel and was fined $8 for purchasing a new Ford Fusion. ~President Frank was our raffle winner today, but no white marble!

~ PLACES TO MAKE UP ROTARY ~

MONDAY Danville @ Noon.......Faz, Danville TUESDAY Diablo View @ 5:30pm.....Pyramid, Walnut Creek WEDNESDAY Orinda @ Noon......Community Center Berkeley @ Noon..His Lordships Restaurant Rossmoor @ Noon.Hillside Clubhouse, Rossmoor THURSDAY Pleasant Hill @ Noon.......Community Center Lafayette @ Noon....Oakwood Health Center Oakland @ Noon......California Ballroom FRIDAY Lamorinda Sunrise @ 7:00am.....Postinos Concord @ Noon.....Concord Hilton
This months editorNora Avelar

OMPA!!
OMPA is right around the corner! Please be prepared to help out! August 3-5! Planning meeting this Monday, July 16 at Holy Trinity, 5PM!

THE 2012-13 ROTARY INTERNATIONAL THEME

PEACE THROUGH SERVICE

Visit Our Award Winning Website:

www.moragarotary.org

**CALENDAR OF FUTURE EVENTS***

July 14 District Awards & Installation Dinner in Corning July 16 OMPA Meeting. 5pm, Holy Trinity Hall Aug 3-5 OMPA Swim Meet Food Booth Aug 26 LMYA Food Booth Sept. 8 E-Waste Collection Day Sept. 23 September Patio Reception @ Sue McCaffreys Home Nov 2-4 Rotary District 5160 Conference in Napa