Wednesday
December 29, 1999
* Celebrate creativity
I really enjoy the diversity of features in iranian.com. Ms Afsari's
bit on dating was fun to read ["The
sixth man"]. Same with Mr. Samiei's moon landing memories ["A
moon of our own"]. So it was a bit disapporinting to read letters
bashing these creative endavors ["Chossi
aamadan", "Unsympathtic"].
Perhaps an unintended function of this web-site is to be an open-laboratory
where creative and literary Iranians can post their work, regardless of
its "appropriateness" -- whether it is a piece which would ultimately
find its "English-media home" in Cosmopolitan or The
New York Times.
Let us celebrate Iranian creativity in all its incarnations at home
and abroad and offer our opposing thoughts as constructive criticism and
fuel for lighting our own creative fires!
Ramin Abhari
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* Dastmal-e Hareer
Referring to the Nostalgia
photo on December 27, if this is the same Haleh, who did the commercial
for Dastmaal-e Hareer tissues ("Khanooma, Aaaqaayoon, Dastmaal e man
Hareere..."), she lives in California.
She used to be a sidekick in Fereydoun Farrokhzad's TV show in California.
Then she had her own TV show. At the moment Haleh and her husband run a
24-hour satellite TV company called Pars.
Simin Habibian
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Tuesday
December 28, 1999
NONE.
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Monday
December 27, 1999
* Christmas in Tehran
From a friend in Iran
Just wanted to wish you a wonderful holiday season! I can honestly say
that I wish I were in the U.S. to celebrate the holidays with you. The
sheer absence of Christmas in Iran, is enough to make me desperately homesick.
Though today, I took to the streets and visited an Armenian neighborhood,
where I lit some candles in an Orthodox church, listened to a beautiful
choir and later bought some Christmas lights and decorations -- just like
the ones we had when I was young and lived in Iran :-).
Later today, I will buy a Christmas tree and tonight, I will think of
each and everyone of you, as I decorate it. Besides missing my family and
friends and feeling occasionally homesick, I am having a nice time in Iran.
As many of you know, I am enjoying my work here quite a bit. Again, I have
been extremely lucky. I have met some of the most remarkable people here
and am enjoying some beautiful and meaningful friendships with them.
This indeed is a gift, for which I feel eternally grateful. In some
ways, everyday here has been a Christmas of sorts. A time of reflection,
a time of discovery, a time of understanding all that I have left behind
and discovering the endless possibilities that await. It has been bittersweet.
I know now, more than ever before, that I am two people, with two homes,
two families, two sets of friends, two realities. Two halves of one heart,
torn eternally apart.
But still, there is a peace in knowing this, that cannot be explained
with words alone, for which I have no words.
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* Our problem
As I was surfing the Net somehow I lost my way into you site. I am not
even sure if what I am writing will be seen by anyone, but here it goes:
The problem with Iranians is partly due to our upbringing in Iran.
Between 1978 and 1988, the country went through a revolution and war
and the impact of Khomeini was worse than a nuclear bomb. I have always
had a problem with that.
Reza Saba
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Friday,
December 24, 1999
* Not the center of the world
I truly appreciate Ms. Shashaani's earnest attempt to demonstrate yet
another "borrowed idea" taken from good old Persia and enacted
in the West ["Borrowed
ideas"]. But her idea of Christmas being a borrowed Persian concept
is at best questionable.
May I suggest that Persians were not the only ancient civilization that
worshipped the sun and celebrated the winter solstice. Most ancient civilizations
did! As they worshiped the sun, there was common fear among people that
the shorter days during the winter solstice meant that the sun was about
to abandon them or punish them with bad harvest....
Ancient Persian civilization was rich in tradition and festivities,
but may we all accept that we are not the center of the world and never
were >>>
FULL TEXT
Ramin Tabib
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* Sacred marriage
I was indeed interested in your summary of Zoroastrian divorce laws
["Zoroastrian
divorce"]. I am a Zoroastrian and do believe that marriage is
a sacred contract that should not be broken. The majority of times, Zoroastrians
do not get divorces, very few. Well, it was great to read your article.
Nikan
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Thursday
December 23, 1999
* Voter anger
I truly appreciate the fact that The Iranian Times is providing
a forum for the Iranian community around the world in general, and the
United States in particular, to voice their opinion and protect their legitimate
interests and rights.
A vivid example is allowing people to learn about and petition
regarding the discriminatory practices of finger printing and photographing
Iranians upon arrival in the U.S.
Well, let's go back to the origin of this practice. It was enacted in
1995 by the Clinton Administration (and I am non-partisan) when it declared
Iran as a country supporting terrorism. In the past seven years the Clinton
- Gore Administration has consistently and systematically demonstrated
their staunch anti-Iranian stand. Their behavior towards Iranians is unprecedented
compared to previous U.S. administrations. Mistreatment of Iranian nationals
upon arrival is only the tip of the iceberg.
Well folks, there is an election coming up next year and all of us should
remember the manner in which this administration has dealt with Iranian
nationals. There are no indications that if Al Gore is elected he will
make any changes regarding this racist policy. I believe that the Iranian
community living in the U.S. should make it known and absolutely clear
that they will not support any politician or administration adhering to
this racist and discriminatory practice.
Masoud Neshat
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* Stop telling us what we should be
Your letter "Allah
knows best" is the very example of narrow-minded people who live
in the past. I and many young Iranian boys and girls who grew up during
the revolution feel under pressure from people like you because you want
us to be as you think we should be.
Fortunately we have found a very good way to deal with people like you
and the fascist hezbollahis: WE IGNORE YOU. But I cannot guarantee what
would happen if you loose power in Iran. The gap is wide and the hatred
deep.
I left Iran 11 years ago. I used to think Islam meant fascism. But I
met other Muslims in France and I realize that you can read and interpret
the Koran as you want. If your are intolerant you will be like the Taliban.
The main problem is that you always refer to Islam's golden age that
ended centuries ago! Be what you are but stop telling us what we should
be!
Amin Naraghi
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Wednesday
December 22, 1999
* Whoever your are
The other night my son who has never been to Iran came home and told
me that he had met another Persian guy at work. He was very excited. Then
he said to me, "You know dad, I don't know what it is, I have never
been to Iran, but whenever I meet another Iranian I feel something special,
something different."
I still cry when I repeat that story. And everytime I log on to your
site I weep uncontrollably. I don't know why. I don't know you, and I don't
know what political philosophies you hold. All I know is that you are from
the land that I miss so much. I hate what has been done to my generation
and to my son's generation. I hope those responsible are brought to justice
one day.
In the meantime, I love what you have done and I am so proud of you,
whoever you are. Thank you for keeping my childhood memories alive.
Siamak Masoudi
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* Good old days
Thanks for reminding me of the good old days. Where did you find this photo?
I had never seen it myself! Name of the film is AATASH-O- KHAAKESTAR, directed
by Khosrow Parvizi who lives in Los Angeles. He could give you lots of
unique and first hand information about the film.
Vida Ghahremani
Note: Vida Ghahremani also has a web
site where she offers jewelry and greeting cards. Thanks to Ramin Tabib.
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Tuesday
December 21, 1999
* Due credit
I often read the letters section of The Iranian with great interest
and amusement. No letter has provoked such a reaction as "Semi-detached house". The author describes the Untied States
as a "non-cultural" society which seems to have no culture in
relation to Iran. This portrayal misses the point.
First, Iranian culture is not particularly unique. Many advanced, creative
cultures developed contemporaneously or shortly after Iranian culture.
The cultures of China, India and some parts of the Arab Peninsula would
argue with the unique position of ancient Iranian culture.
Second, U.S. culture is strongly rooted in the Western and English tradition.
The literary heritage of such poets as Shakespeare and Milton, still have
a dramatic impact on American culture. On an independent basis, the U.S.
has developed a rather complex layer of cultural makers. Literature by
Poe, Irving, Anderson, Cather, Fitzgerald, Hemingway, Faulkner, Steinbeck
and Tom Wolfe sell widely world wide and have been recognized with Nobel
prizes.
The poetry of Walt Whitman and Robert Frost are great. Political philosophy
as developed by Jefferson and Madison are accepted worldwide. The drive
of invention from Edison to Bill Gates is internationally recognized. All
of these accomplishments have common philosophic threads of personal responsibility
and initiative, equality, mobility and honesty.
You may not agree with some of the results, but American culture has
produced an economic powerhouse, superior technological position and an
unrivaled military. Credit must be given when due.
Macco
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* Way to go
Loved the poem ["Sipping
lattes in diaspora"]. Way to go Shafagh Moeel.
Calpac
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* Charming Tajrish
I used to live in Tajrish for so many years ["Maydoon-e
Tajrish"]. I loved every piece and corner of it. I still do. It
had a charm and beauty of its own in the evenings of summers. Could I be
fortunate enough to see those streets and "koucheh haa" one more
time? I don't know, but I'm hoping. And I say it with the sincierest feeling
that we all can travel or stay there in confidence.
Kumar Sahadpour
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Monday
December 20, 1999
* Kish contradictions
I have just got back from Kish island in the Persian gulf. It had been
many years since I last visited and I was keen to see the changes. I went
there for a few days with 14 other colleagues from various nationalities.
We stayed in the Shyan Hotel that was built in mid 70's. The decoration,
carpets, curtains and everything else apart from few small items were all
in the 70's style. But they have not been maintained. I was told that the
hotel was closed for 10 years during the war. You could see that the building
has many sad stories to tell.
The whole island looks like one big building site. There is a huge development
by a private investor by the name of Sabet who is constructing a theme
park. I was allowed to see it; he has good ideas. Like all Iran there are
few foreign tourists that are prepared to wear the scarf and tolorate other
difficulties and travel to Iran. Kish was no exception. But most Iranians
go there to buy duty free goods. In the hotel most were carrying goods:
TVs, computers, radios, cosmetics, etc. In a beautiful island with a crystal
clear sea and corol reef; there's hardly anyone on the beach. It almost
look deserted; no swimmers in site, not even with the Islamic dress! >>>
FULL TEXT
Reza Mousoli
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* Arabic names
I don't have any problem with "pure" Iranian names and I mostly
agree with your article ["No
plain Jane"].
BUT what about those Arabic names that got into our history and culture
forcefully? Why do we have ABDOLHAMID or AHMAD? Even your last name is
MOHAMMADZADEH. Does it not sound strange? Do you find it acceptable? Why
is anything that sounds Western so strange to you?
I named my son Cameron but I was criticized by my friends and even relatives.
They said why not Kamran!? I think it's just prejudice. Remember: Persian
is Indo-European and NOT Semitic like Arabic!
Adanzan
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Friday,
December 17, 1999
* What matters is freedom, not history
In reference to Mr. Hashemi's letter, "Untidy semi-detached
house", there's no doubt that Iran's history is far more affluent
than the United States', but the sexual liberation movement encompasses
most of the world, not just the U.S.
Besides, comparing the two countries' history does not elevate one's
present conditions as being better or worst. Le'ts not forget why we all
moved to the U.S., Europe and other countries. It certainly wasn't for
their rich history, but their freedom. And let's not undermine the desperate
urge of our fellow Iranians to get out of Iran NOW and in the past two
decades.
Rich history or not, freedom comes first. Iranians in Iran want freedom
like everyone else in the world. Some of them want to look at women some
want better education or some want both. Nobody can choose for them, it's
their personal preference. We have all chosen freedom over our past.
Personal freedom is a choice: it's matter of opinion. Except a few religious
countries, all others allow personal freedom to some extent, definitely
more so than in the Islamic countries like Iran! More countries are becoming
less conservative due to the fact that they see personal freedom advancing
into a new level, a new evolution. It's not about putting up a sex show,
it's about change. With freedom we can think further and build better economies
and technologies.
That's not to say rape or criminal activities should be allowed. That's
not freedom -- that's busing the system. Unfortunately, with all respect
to its rich history, Iran does not have a low number of sexual or other
kinds of crimes either.
Past history can not relieve one's poor economy, but freedom can, one
way or another.
Saghi Zarinkalk
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* Personal problems
This is in response to Ms. Zarinkalk's article ["Khodeti"]
and others by Laleh Khalili ["Not
their fault"]. Okay, what you are trying to say is that Iranian
culture is dominated by wife-beating males who want nothing but submission
from their wives.
But to Ms. Zarinkalk and others I have to say that your problems are
personal, and you have to solve them with yourselves. I just want to say
"Khodaa pedar-e in aamrikaa ro biyaamorzeh keh shomaahaa ro beh aazaadi
va tamaddon resoond!
Khodadad Rezakhani
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Thursday
December 16, 1999
* So happy
Last night I went to see a film called "Mard-e Avazee" (Mistaken
Man) at the Iranian Club in Dubai. The club is the largest in Dubai with
a huge restaurant, sports facilities, a 10,000-seate fooball pitch and
a cinema for about 500 people.
The land was donated by Sheikh Rashed to the late Shah and it is a property
of Iran. In recent years it has been redecorated and it is a lovely place
for Iranian family outings.
Coming back to the film, it was a good comedy and a definite sign of
change in the mainland. For start, wearing ties and cravat are now quite
fashionable in the movies, even actresses wear ordinary dressed with small
roosarees!
The film was imaginitive and had a particular local flavor to it, certainly
a family entertainment. Men with beards, women with chadors, manteaus and
ordinary dresses, children with their grandmothers ... in short, a cross
section of the Iranian society was there to see the film. They all looked
so happy that they had just seen an Iranian comedy.
Reza Mousoli
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* Uplifting
Thank you for the words
of Mother Theresa sent by Soroush Motahari. They are quite uplifting
and my tearful eyes are a testmony to that!!!
Mahmoud Etemadi
Bolivia
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* Finally separated
Regarding the Nostalgia magazine
clip from 1978, Saeed Raad and Nooshafarin finally did marry each other.
They remained married until a couple of years ago. As the writer predicted
in that article 20 years ago, they finally separated. But this time it
was a divorce.
Pedram Missaghi
Webmaster, Iran Media
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Wednesday
December 15, 1999
* Chossi aamadan
I do think that Ms. Afsari's story ["The
sixth man"] would be well suited in some chatroom but not as a
feature. These so-called "chossi aamadan-haa" disturbs the image
of your otherwise excellent web site.
K. Ghazi Wakili
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* Hezb-e baad
First of all I was very happy to find an old issue of Zan-e Rooz ["Miss Iran, 1978"]
issue, and I dearly thank the people who have made this possible.
In 1978 I got tickets to see the Miss Iran event and I enjoyed the whole
show. At the time I was 17-years old, so I was really into these events.
Few years later, when all the universities were open again -- after
the cultural revolution -- everybody had to wear the hejab. One day I noticed
one of the Miss Iran finalists Ms.
Azita Takin in the university corridors wearing a huge maghnaeh, no
hair was showing and she was always hanging out with pro-revolution and
very religous groups. Of course , I could,nt beleive my eyes. But, I never
said anything.
A year later, one day I was watching a science program on TV and guess
who was the presenter? You guessed it, Ms Takin with her big hejab. This
was about 15 years ago. And that was the last time I saw her. She is the
most vivid example of "ozv-e hezb-e baad".
Bijan
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Tuesday
December 14, 1999
* Course of action
The matter of fingerprinting Iranians at U.S. airports has come up many
times in the past, but it seems that this issue has not been fully appreciated
by many Iranians. Sometime ago the well known Iranian film director Dariyoush
Mehrjooi was fingerprinted. Mehrjooi is a former graduate of the University
of California, Berkeley. A number of invited Iranian athletes were also
fingerprinted. These two events and a few others have been publicized in
the press, but routine fingerprinting of ordinary Iranian civilians have
gone unnoticed.
This policy is a deliberate attempt by U.S. authorities to humiliate,
insult, and degrade innocent Iranians and label them as terrorists. In
fact it may be illegal within the U.S. on the grounds of discrimination
... I suggest the following course of action ... FULL
TEXT
Jamshid Naghizadeh
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* Removed from reality
In reference to "No
plain Jane", the author is fortunate that his life circumstances
have been so far removed from our every day reality that he reduces our
reasoning for changing names to easy assimilation in the work place. A
job has to be there first, I believe, before you can begin to assimilate.
Plain Jane
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Monday
December 13, 1999
* Just very beautiful
Poopak jan, did you say ["Unsympathtic"]
you do not understand the function of Hossein Samiei's essay ["A
moon of our own"]? If I may write on behalf of Mr. Samiei, I don't
think his essay was looking to serve a function. Still he has provoked
two people to think and respond to his piece. I would think that is a very
good result for a functionless essay, no?
Mr. Samiei is just sharing a historical moment of his life with us.
Historical both on a personal and global level. The essay made me think
where I was when Apollo 11 landed on the moon and also when was the first
time I ever fell in love. It does not matter what his background is. You
do not have to be a part of his social class to be able to understand the
feelings he is describing. I wish I could express my feelings with the
same honesty and beauty.
Yes, It might look self absorbed but they are his feelings. The same
way that your response to him is based on your observations and your social
background, right? Does that make you guilty of the same crime? No. I enjoyed
your thoughts on the essay. I respect them and you also made me think about
other things.
I think the best way is to read this essay and try not to analyze it.
It is just a very beautiful innocent piece of writing. There is a poetic
flow to it. Not everything in life is supposed to have a logical function.
Love is not a logical act don't you agree?
Sepideh Golesorkhi
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* Glen Allen?
Regarding the article "No
plain Jane", a friend of mine has changed his name from GHO-LAAM-ALI
to "Glen Allen". We always laugh at him and even he says it's
funny ... :-)
Mohammad Ali
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Friday,
December 10, 1999
* Untidy semi-detached house
To some people ("Top ten" and "More
thankful than Americans") freedom means "going out in T-shirts
& shorts", or being able to take advantage of sexual liberties
by "looking at hundreds of beautiful women of all ages". Such
behavior is rife in societies such as America, but banned in others such
as Iran.
America has a very short history and an even shorter cultural span.
Iran, in contrast, has several thousand years of history and a cultural
diversity and identity that is unique in the world. The moral and cultural
values governing every day life in the Iranian society are much too rich
to accept the above definition of "freedom".
However, in a non-cultural society like America the above definition
is easily acceptable and there is no evidence of respect for human decency.
This is supported by America's own statistics where 800,000 people are
raped each year (according to USA Today) and school children carry
out massacres.
I think it's great that people, such as "new" Americans, are
thankful for their "new home"; I just can't understand why they
have to compare it with our "old home". It's like comparing a
noisy, dirty and untidy semi-detached house with a gloriously majestic
old castle.
A. Hashemi
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* What cause?!
I read your recent article dated about the conservatives in Iran ["It's
over"]. I agree with almost everything you said. They are losing
ground and popular support and the youth want change. Correct. However,
your statement that "Khomeini did all that for a cause he believed
in", strikes me as a severely blind observation ... I absolutely cannot
comprehend anyone seeing him as someone who wanted to bring good to Iran
...
You brought up many good points in your article, but it sounds like
to me that you used to be one of the people who wanted Khomeini in power.
Iranians, especially in Iran, are blinded by the fact that they think everything
is the fault of the West and the British. Iranians always want to put the
blame on others and not take responsibility for their own stupid actions
and decisions. The Shah's monarchy had many holes, and he was far from
perfect. But he dragged Iran into the 20th century, unlike the clerics
who want to drag it back to the days of Mohammad. The Shah was progressive
and educated, unlike Khomeini, who was the most incompetent ruler in history
... FULL
TEXT
Soheil
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Thursday
December 9, 1999
* Hope in future
The Iranian has an interesting collection of letters on its homepage
right now - but one I keep coming back to is the passionate letter by 14-year-old
Rahill Jamalifard called "Long Live Iran".
I remember being 14, I remember the hope that springs at that age for the
future and for full involvement in that future. It is like waking up from
the dream of childhood and becoming aware of one's surroundings as if for
the first time. It is hopefully also a protected awakening. For the future
of Iran - it is that fresh, proud hope that we must all protect.
I have sympathy for the views expressed by Mr. Shahri in his letter
"Kiss ass" - it is hard to live in a country
that is so wealthy and so oblivious to the deprivation suffered in the
developing world and at the same time to feel truly thankful for partaking
in that wealth. We enjoy our wealth made in America from a system that
rests on the backs of millions who will never share even a measure of our
good fortune. Iran is a country filled with those people and most of them
are young and still hopeful like Rahill Jamalifard ... FULL
TEXT
Minou Aghamiri
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* Discrimination not limited
I am sure you are aware that the
discrimination mentioned is not limited to Lufthansa or at San Francisco
Airport. Every time I travel to Iran from Washington-Dulles Airport, I
get the same bad treatment.
On September 10, 1999, I traveled from Washingtoin to Tehran with British
Airways and my luggage and an older lady's traveling with me were seached.
They said they had to do this because we were traveling to Iran and it
was for our own safety. I was carrying both Iranian and American passport.
The lady traveling with me had a green card. Singling out only Iranians
is absolutely discriminatory and must be stopped.
Max Rofougar
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Wednesday
December 8, 1999
* Fuggedaboudit
I strongly disagree with the assertion that Iranians need and should
become involved in the US political process and that this will somehow
improve the state of things in Iran ["Iranians
in the U.S.: political power" - "Cyrus
meets Lincoln"]. One of the biggest reasons why Iranians have
been so successful in this country is because we haven't wasted our time
with lobbying, politics, and pressure groups.
It has always been the case that those ethnic groups who focus their
attention on education, entrepreneurship, and hard work always always surpass
those that put their faith in politics. Iranians and Indians are prime
examples of this. I need not even mention those groups that are on the
other side of that coin.
Secondly no so-called Iranian lobby group will be able to reverse the
passionate anti-Iran sentiment and bigotry that exists in Congress. Fuggedaboudit.
Not only would you have to go up against the Mujahedeen, but against AIPAC
and all the other Israeli lobby groups. These people will do anything in
their power (and they have a lot of it) to prevent better relations with
Iran and an end to sanctions.
The best we can do is just continue doing what we're doing and hope
that American politicians one day overcome their stupidity and prejudices.
And finally I hardly think I would want to rely on Congress to better
the conditions in Iran. As an Iranian I would just rather (and will rest
assured when I'm in the position to do so) GO BACK and render my services
- build schools, hospitals, clinics, etc.
Nariman Neyshapouri
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* Kiss ass
In response to "More
thankful than Americans"
The fact that our homeland, along with countless other Third World countries,
remain in a state that forces its people to go into exile is LARGELY due
to the foreign policies of the land of milk and honey [USA} over the course
of last fifty years.
To count yourself as lucky and remain thankful for being given the quasi-freedom
to consume (without a care in the world) is not by any stretch of imagination
a valid justification to preach that all of us will have to kiss the bloody
hand of the true incarcerater of freedom and democracy.
"B" and persons of his ilk will do well to remember that any
country in the history of the world that became something achieved their
status not through deserters-com-cheerleaders (A Bud in one hand clutching
a baseball cap in the other and eager to kiss ass) but by men and women
of substance who weren't self-centered and audaciously selfish.
Much as I hate cliches, but one has got to ask these people: ask not
what your country has done for you! Ask what have you done for your country!
(and please leave your uncles, fathers, and mothers out of your excuses-
Just YOU).
NOT-so-thankful,
J. Shahri (Mr.)
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Tuesday
December 7, 1999
* El Al connection
After months of gut-wrenching deliberation, the U.S. is allowing the
Boeing Co. to sell a limited number of 747 engine pod modification kits
to Iran Air [news].
Washington reassures everyone that the waiver on trade restrictions with
Iran involves only seven aircraft and that none of the high-tech tools
required to carry out the alterations will fall into the hands of the Iranians.
Nor will Iran Air's cargo planes benefit from such modifications as, according
to U.S. officials, the airline's non-passenger fleet may have been used
for "nefarious" military purposes.
Ironically, the reason for the modification stems from the 1992 crash
of an Israeli El Al 747 cargo aircraft in Amsterdam that devasted a large
apartment block, killing more than 50 residents and injuring many others.
Seven years after the disaster, hundreds of people living in the vicinity
of the crash site, and who continue to suffer damage to their nervous systems,
are blaming the Dutch government for having failed to divulge the true
nature of the Israeli aircraft's payload. El Al and Dutch officials had
for years maintained the fiction that the plane was carrying fresh flowers.
After the cover-up was exposed, it emerged the airline was in fact ferrying
chemicals to be used in the production of the nerve gas Sarin at a secret
chemical weapons eastablishment in Israel. This is the same nerve gas that
was developed by the Germans towards the end of WWII and most recently
used to deadly effect by Saddam Hussein's forces during the Iran-Iraq war.
This time, it appears, the U.S. authorities may have got their airlines
crossed.
Kewmars Bozorgmehr
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* Rahebe ye Parandeh
Thanks to satellite communication, you can subscribe to as many as 50-60
channels in Dubai, which include local stations like Abu Dhabi, Sharjah,
Ajman, MBC (Lebanon), Sudan, Egypt, Pakistan, India, CNN, MTV, SKY Sports
and of course the Iranian channels.
Iranian TV, like any other channel, shows spotrs, news, shows, etc.,
but with a distinctive difference: All the female presenters have hejabs
similar to orthodox nuns -- and often black.
What was wrong with our own Iranian roosaree? No Arab female presenter
wears the maghnaeh! It reminds me of the American TV series "Rahebe
ye Parandeh" (The Flying Nun). I do not know if any of you remember
it.
Anyhow there is nothing wrong with variety particularly in the global
village, but even Sudanese TV stations have more entertainment with women
singers. Yes! A women singer called Samira! Why can't Iran have a woman
singer on TV? Sudan is Moslem country too!
Reza Mousoli
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Monday
December 6, 1999
* Unsympathetic
I read Hossein Samiei's "A
moon of our own". I asked myself A) What function does this essay
have for Hossein? B) What is the point of this essay? And C) How could
it affect others and their lives?
Let me first explain that the story left me very confused. Because although
on the surface it appealed to me as beautiful, moving, and very engaging,
on a deeper level it left me empty and sad and unsympathetic. I think,
unconsciously, I was noticing a rather self-serving attitude that the story
had portrayed of the boy in question ... FULL
TEXT
Poopak Taati
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* Murder mystery
In response to, "Where are Miss Iran 1978 finalists now?"
Roya
Aqaie resides in Los Angeles. She was married, has children ( I think
3 ). Her husband was murdered last year. She was arrested as a suspect
in the case. I don't believe she is guilty, but the legal system in this
country works in peculiar ways. Her parents and only brother also live
in Los Angeles.
NICKWHO@aol.com
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Friday,
December 3, 1999
* Long live Iran
I believe very strongly in where I'm from. Iran. And even though I'm
an American citizen influenced by many American views, that does not affect
my beliefs. I have one hundred percent Iranian blood!
As a fourteen-year-old I have spent four of my summers there. And my
expierence cannot be put into words. It was all just so beautiful; the
people, the places, the food. I know that the love of my country is more
than the love Shakspeare had for writng. And that this bond is here to
stay until the end of life.
What I do not understand is why my country is always being ridiculed,
and why I see so many Iranians hide their true identity. That's the worst
part. It hurts me so much to see the one thing I am so proud of, so cowardly
hidden by other Iranians.
I believe that these people, mostly teenagers, some adults, are afraid.
Afraid of not being what other people want them to be. But it is themselves
they should be afraid of. They can go through life pleasing everyone, letting
them hear what they want, and see what they want to see. But if they can't
look back into the eyes of the person in the mirror then they are no one,
they are a puppet, with no heart or feelings.
And another thing: Long live Iran!
Rahill Jamalifard
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* Thanking Allah for this blessed land
In response to, "What are you thankful for?"
"What am I thankful for?" the thought came to my mind as I
went through my pile of daily email on Thansgiving day. I couldn't help
remembering the collage of self-pity, searching-for-self-and-identity crap
I had read in the The Iranian Times in the past.
So we all found our way to North America at one time or other. Some
of us were young teens when we called our old country "home",
and some were old and needy. But the fact remains that we did end up here.
And the fact remains that we all chose to live here.
I found myself in south Florida this Thanksgiving. I had to be away
from my tribe and away from our annual Thanksgiving gathering north of
San Luis Obispo, California, this year. South Florida has very few Iranians
but all kinds of people from other cultures. Its culture is one step ahead
of the Third World and not quite America yet. Its people are almost as
diverse as San Francisco's East Bay and its climate is worse than what
I remember of the Abadan of my childhood.
I had Thanksgiving dinner with an American Jewish and Catholic family.
There were people fresh off the boat with a lesbian couple from New York,
an aging cross-dressing couple, a retired US army captain, a few long-haired
people stuck in the 60s, bunch of kids and I - the Iranian guy from California.
We ate turkey and stuffing, partied and drank. I taught them to say "Beh
salaamati " and I said "Lekha'im" every other time we raised
our glasses.
All of us newcomers came here for various reasons and this great country
accepted us with open arms and treated us like its own children. Thanksgiving
to me is all about thanking Allah for this blessed land.
Kamran Behzadian
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Thursday
December 2, 1999
* Iranians in the U.S.: political power
As Iranian-Americans - according to US government there are more than
a million of us - we have to begin concentrating on our identity and status
here, in our new home! On the eve of the 2000 US presidential elections
and the upcoming Census 2000,
we have to make a concerted and aggressive effort to declare our significant
existence to the political establishment.
We must begin developing our political power base in whatever party
we happen to lean towards. We should also prepare for Census 2000 and plan
to provide the type of racial information that will put Iranians on the
map as a legitimate and significant minority. This census will be our best
chance for being counted (for more information search for Census
2000 on the Web) ... FULL
TEXT
Ben Bagheri
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* Personal agenda
You know, Jahanshah, if you weren't such a fucking asshole who puts
his own personal agenda and views ahead of journalistic integrity and impartiality,
I (and I'm sure others as well) would actually feel comfortable writing
a letter or two to your magazine in response to something, knowing that
you'd post it. But NO, instead we must resort to writing individual letters
to people, which is fine. But I (as an ex-journalist myself) just wanted
to tell you what I think of you.
Sina Dadfarmay
Jahanshah Javid replies: I can and will have a personal agenda. I
think my track record proves I'm fair towards everybody. I LIKE being fair.
You don't think I'm fair enough, don't read it.
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Wednesday
December 1 1999
* Lengesh kon!
Mr. Qezelbash's commentary on recent events in Iran ["It's over"]
is very valid and lands a bull's eye! What a shame for the rest of us to
sit back here in the comfort of our new found homes and criticize the snapper-head
hard-liners in Iran. I have to admit that I am indeed one of those folks.
I continually wish for a better Iran for the Iranians who live there
and can't get out. I continuously wish for a better Iran for the rest of
us Iranians living abroad and have never been back to Iran since the revolution.
I continuously wish for a better Iran for me to return, visit and come
to a closure. I continuously wish to do something to make things the way
they were.
But, hey, what the heck, I'm the one living outside and saying "lengesh
kon!"
Alireza S.
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* Top ten
In response to, "What are you thankful for?"
I am thankful to be in the U.S. for the following reasons:
1. It saved me from seeing Ayatollahs on the TV everyday
2. I was not killed in the war, or arrested and tortured, or killed by
Emami
3. I can get together with friends and family and celebrate Thanksgiving,
etc.
4. I can drive in straight lines (mostly)
5. Officials are not rude to me; they don't call me "to" instead
of "shoma"
6. I can live by myself, being divorced, and not perceived as weird
7. I am not awakened by the wonderfully loud call to prayer in the morning
8. I don't have to believe in a logic that has not advanced beyond the
thirteenth century
9. I can go out in T-shirt and shorts
10. I can watch movies undubbed...
If you need more reasons let me know and I'll send you another ten reasons
immediately.
Mohtaj e Doaa
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