| The Bush administration has finally turned in its battle | | | | from facilitating some transactions for a leading |
| against nuclear proliferation to the one Western | | | | Iranian bank with reputed ties to terrorist groups.And |
| weapon that is apparently downright omnipotent:The | | | | it appears that the weapon is already winning its first |
| Almighty Dollar.Washington has begun to employ the | | | | battles. For instance, experts say that some foreign |
| mighty new weapon to cut off Iran and North Korea | | | | banks are already cutting their ties with Iran and |
| from the international financial system.As part of its | | | | North Korea.Of course, there are potential pitfalls in |
| devastating dollar-diplomacy, officials from the USA | | | | such mighty powerful unilateral action. But the |
| have met with banks overseas to warn them against | | | | administration is determined to proceed because it |
| doing business with Iranian and North Korean | | | | knows full well that the Almighty Dollar is the most |
| businesses that have been linked to the spread of | | | | powerful weapon in the national arsenal.It also has |
| nuclear materials and to the support of terrorist | | | | the much appreciated benefit of only being explosive |
| groups. In fact, the United States is threatening to | | | | metaphorically.Tom Attea, humorist and creator of |
| bar American banks from working with financial | | | | NewsLaugh.com, has had six shows produced |
| institutions that do not hearken to the warning.The | | | | Off-Broadway. Critics have called his writing |
| Almighty Dollar has already flashed its lightning bolts. | | | | "delightfully funny," "witty," with "good, genuine |
| For example, last month American banks were barred | | | | laughs" and "great humor and ebullience. |