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Thursday
December 28, 2000
* G.W. Bush, aka Imam Zaman
It was such a delight to read Dr. Ameli's attack against Clinton and
Gore ["Misled
by..."]. I foresee a great ambassadorship for the Doctor.
Too bad Clinton and Gore were not in power back in the 70s and 80s otherwise
the good doctor would have blamed Watergate, Iranian revolution and the
Iran-Contra Affair on the Clinton presidency.
Why doesn't Dr. Ameli come out and say it straight: George W. is the
12th Imam.
Ramin Tabib
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* Broken record for Republicans
Dr. Ameli where in the hell did you get all your info ["Misled by..."]?
You must be Rush Limbaugh's number one fan.
You claim to be non-partisan. Holy shit! I wonder what you might have
said if you were partisan. The sad thing about your comments is that almost
all of them are false. You sound like a broken record for the Republican
Party.
Your response would carry a lot more weight if it was not full of subjective
and wrong information.
If you know how to really check information, you will realize that even
if you did not count the votes in Chicago, Mr. Nixon would've lost the
1962 election, but then again you don't know how, do you?
Aref Eghbalian
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* Welcome Daryl
I read some of the comments about the photo of Ms. Ovissi and her husband
["Drawing
the line"]. As usual we are very hot tempered people and go to
extremes. While an interracial marriage should not attract this much attention,
it is clear that we are still far from there.
First of all let's welcome Daryl to our community. I am sure he will
find people that are capable of opening their mind and I am sure once he
gets to know the Iranians in person he will see that in spite of obvious
prejudice most will be able to overcome their prejudices >>>
FULL TEXT
Kavir
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* Not like Iranians I know
Your site is very nice and thank you for it. But the cover
picture looks very little like the Iranians I know or like to know.
Roya
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Wednesday
December 27, 2000
* Thank god for women's freedom
In response to Bahram ["Terrorize
women..."] and Mr. Yamini ["Iran
has seen worse..."]:
Nothing but goodness and love can bring love. Women are just as deserving
of love and fulfillment as men are, and everyone on earth should thank
god that more and more women have the freedom every day to find love and
fulfillment. The more women can love, the more love there is on earth.
I am all for Iranians marrying Iranians, but I resent your defense of
these oppressive and chauvinistic cultures in the name of perserving Iranian
culture and nation. Your ideas are a disgrace to all Iranian men, to Iranian
culture, and to humanity. I'm just waiting anxiously to hear the responses
of Iranian men who read The Iranian >>>
FULL TEXT
Dokhi Fassihian
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* Typical politician
Mr. Amirahmadi ["Optimism..."]
in the typical manner of politicians did not answer one of my questions.
His argument for optimism in forgien policy has no substance and does not
even mention what effect the terrible events in Palestine and Israel portend.
The fact that we are further away from recognition of Israel than before
does not seem to occur to him. I ask Mr. Amirahmadi once again what is
he, as president of this American-Iranian Council, going to do about all
the setbacks to democracy taking place in our country?
I think a mere acknowledgement of these things would do a lot to win
our confidence.
Setareh Sabety-Javid
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* Misled by Democratic Party machine
As a non-partisan 'call it like it is' observer, I am compelled to ask,
have you ever heard of the U.S constitution, wherein there is an amendment
referring to the Electoral College ["And
the winner is..."]. I am disappointed to see that like some people,
you have been effected by the misleading and inaccurate statements spread
by the Democratic Party machine.
The fact of the matter is that it was the same people like Jesse Jackson
and Bill Daley who tried so hard to fix this election by manipulating poor
inner-city African Americans, who had never voted before, couldn't care
less about Bush or Gore, or the issues, and had no intentions of voting
in this election >>>
FULL TEXT
Dr. Kambiz Ameli
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* Feeling of being jailed
I went to see your work ["Never
to repeat"], on the last day of the exhibition at the Metropolitan
Museum of Photography in Tokyo. I really liked it very much. I was very
much impressed by the last scene of the tombstone, the temple bell and
the AZAN. I couldn't stop crying. It was a beautiful combination >>>
FULL TEXT
Sima
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Tuesday
December 26, 2000
* Wishful thinking
Here we go again. Mr. Amirahmadi's recent article, "The
time is now", with its predictions of an imminent thawing out
of the frozen relations between Iran and America, reminds me of the famous
quip "Denial is not just a river in Egypt."
Certain Iranian scholars in the American academia who have apparently
seen Mr. Khatami's face in the moon, have started anew. Attempts to portray
the state of things in a manner which has no basis in reality >>>
FULL TEXT
Shahriar Zahedi
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* National interest
I read Dr. Amirahmadi's article ["The
time is now"] with much enthusiasm and interest... There are,
however, at least two theoretical points in Dr. Amirahmadi's otherwise
excellent analytical piece which I think need further discussion.
The first regards his assertion that "Tehran and the Iranian public
have come to increasingly realize that working with the U.S. will mean
recognizing its global interests and leadership." If this development
is true, then I hope it does not imply that Iran is willing or should be
willing to subjugate her interests to those of the United States >>>
FULL TEXT
Poopak Ta'ati
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* Where have you been?
It is understandable that Mr. Amirahmadi as President of the American
Iranian council is eager for better U.S-Iran relations ["The time
is now"]. After all most of us who live here would like to see
that happen. Most of us were delighted to see Khatami get elected and the
parliament turn over to the reformers in what must have been the first
true elections held in our country.
But I am shocked to see Mr. Amirahmadi's total blindness to the set
backs that have taken place since the parliamentary elections in Iran.
'Dialogue of Civilizations' seems in the face of the shutting of publications
and the imprisoning of free thinkers and students to be more an empty promise
than ever >>>
FULL TEXT
Setareh Sabety-Javid
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* Optimisim in foreign policy
In response to Mrs. Setareh Sabety-Javid's letter, "Where
have you been?", I do share your concerns, and your criticisms
are noted. However, my article ["The
time is now"] focuses on U.S.-Iran relations, not domestic matters...
In the context of domestic politics, however, that phrase and the corresponding
idea of "dialogue among Iranians" remain mere propaganda. Again,
just like you, I am also disappointed. But unlike many, I was never an
optimist about that particular reform process >>>
FULL TEXT
Hooshang Amirahmadi
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Monday
December 25, 2000
NONE
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Friday,
December 22, 2000
* Worst Muslims
Let's admit it. Wwe Iranians aren't the most obliging Muslims. Out of
all the one billion adherents of Islam, Iranians adhere to Islam the least.
The majority of us don't pray even once a day let alone five, and most
of us drink alcohol...
The Islamic Republic didn't help our faith. It damaged it. If there
is another revolution it is very unlikely that the young women of Iran
would wear a scarf or chador on their own free will. They view the Islamic
Republic as an Islamic state, even though it's not >>>
FULL TEXT
Reza Shiraly
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* No monopoly on Iranianness
Mr. Racial Cleanser ["Iran
has seen worse throughout history"],
There are those of us who think being Iranian should not have any religious
or ethnic or racial criterias. Feeling like one is enough. And certainly
no one has a monopoly on the definition of "Iranian".
You can certainly be gay and be Iranian. Certainly our history has had
its share of gay and khaajeh personalities. You can also be a Jew or an
Armenian and be Iranian. And guess what? You can be a woman and marry a
Black man and still be Iranian >>>
FULL TEXT
S. Mashadi
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* Terrorize women if they date other races
This controversy about Iranian girls having sex with Negro guys ["Drawing
the line"] is a serious problem. Most Iranian girls regret dating
these Negros after they do it for a long time and become tainted and rejected
by the Iranian guys. It is the surest way for someone to lose his or her
racial identity...
Most Iranian girls I've known when I lived in the States were not decent
and many of them dated freely with Negros, and all the rest. The real concern
I have is that Iranians need to understand that our women need to get terrorized
the same way an Arab or a Paki would treat his sister or cousin for dating
anyone outside their races >>>
FULL TEXT
Bahram
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* Not exercising true journalism
This is related to Ali Parsa's letter "A
lot of hypocrisy". I completely agree with him. He said it all
so well. I am very glad that finally someone brought this issue up.
Jahanshah Javid, I do have a lot of respect for you as a person. However,
your work as a true journalist, at times is very questionable >>>
FULL TEXT
Babak Aminian
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* First Iranian cowboy
I liked your article ["Persia,
Iowa"]. It's really a curious coincidence to see a town in U.S.
called Persia. It's really a incredible to imagine that a compatriot immigrated
to the U.S. in 1882. This is really incredible and heart-warming.
I must note that an area southwest of Paris is also called Persia and
the streets are named after the names of Persian cities, like Isfahan,
Mashhad, etc... I believe that that the area was inaugurated when some
Persian king visited the King of France (Louis XIV?).
But in the case of Persia, Iowa, that really sounds strange and facinating.
So this guy was probably the very first Iranian Cowboy.
Darius Kadivar
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Friday,
December 22, 2000
* Worst Muslims
Let's admit it. We Iranians aren't the most obliging Muslims. Out of
all the one billion adherents of Islam, Iranians adhere to Islam the least.
The majority of us don't pray even once a day let alone five, and most
of us drink alcohol...
The Islamic Republic didn't help our faith. It damaged it. If there
is another revolution it is very unlikely that the young women of Iran
would wear a scarf or chador on their own free will. They view the Islamic
Republic as an Islamic state, even though it's not >>>
FULL TEXT
Reza Shiraly
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* No monopoly on Iranianness
Mr. Racial Cleanser ["Iran
has seen worse throughout history"],
There are those of us who think being Iranian should not have any religious
or ethnic or racial criterias. Feeling like one is enough. And certainly
no one has a monopoly on the definition of "Iranian".
You can certainly be gay and be Iranian. Certainly our history has had
its share of gay and khaajeh personalities. You can also be a Jew or an
Armenian and be Iranian. And guess what? You can be a woman and marry a
Black man and still be Iranian >>>
FULL TEXT
S. Mashadi
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* Terrorize women if they date other races
This controversy about Iranian girls having sex with Negro guys ["Drawing
the line"] is a serious problem. Most Iranian girls regret dating
these Negros after they do it for a long time and become tainted and rejected
by the Iranian guys. It is the surest way for someone to lose his or her
racial identity...
Most Iranian girls I've known when I lived in the States were not decent
and many of them dated freely with Negros, and all the rest. The real concern
I have is that Iranians need to understand that our women need to get terrorized
the same way an Arab or a Paki would treat his sister or cousin for dating
anyone outside their races >>>
FULL TEXT
Bahram
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* Not exercising true journalism
This is related to Ali Parsa's letter "A
lot of hypocrisy". I completely agree with him. He said it all
so well. I am very glad that finally someone brought this issue up.
Jahanshah Javid, I do have a lot of respect for you as a person. However,
your work as a true journalist, at times is very questionable >>>
FULL TEXT
Babak Aminian
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* First Iranian cowboy
I liked your article ["Persia,
Iowa"]. It's really a curious coincidence to see a town in U.S.
called Persia. It's really a incredible to imagine that a compatriot immigrated
to the U.S. in 1882. This is really incredible and heart-warming.
I must note that an area southwest of Paris is also called Persia and
the streets are named after the names of Persian cities, like Isfahan,
Mashhad, etc... I believe that that the area was inaugurated when some
Persian king visited the King of France (Louis XIV?).
But in the case of Persia, Iowa, that really sounds strange and facinating.
So this guy was probably the very first Iranian Cowboy.
Darius Kadivar
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Thursday
December 21, 2000
* Nothing to condemn or condone
I personally can not think of any reason why Maryam
and Darryl's picture would be posted on this site.
By the way, congratulations to the newly weds. May they pave the path
of prosperity with their love. If they did not give consent to having their
picture posted on the Iranian, then that's a whole other foul issue on
its own...
If genuine admiration exists between a man and a woman, then their marriage
will prosper as it will perish if there existed reasons other than the
aforementioned. Either way, this matter is nothing to condone or condemn.
It is an arcane force between a male and a female and only time will tell
if it were to prove effete or immortal >>>
FULL TEXT
Reza
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* Reality rarely seen
A simple thank you to Rasool Nafisi who shares - even revels - in the
spirit of Oraman ["People
of Oraman"]!
With his lyrical prose and keen photographic eye, Dr. Nafisi depicts
a slice of reality rarely seen and appreciated by those of us who most
need to understand - city dwellers, who are caught up in the hustle-bustle
of self-important lives.
The Kurds of Oraman - as well as their guest - remind us what is real:
hospitality and grace amidst life's trials and tribulations.
Haleh Vaziri
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* Only we understand
I can't express my feeling about the poem by Mahrokh Pourzaynal ["Gham-e
bahaaraan-e Iran"]. All I have to say is that I could not stop
crying once I finished it & unfortunately I am @ work.
That was a piece that does not come around very often & only we,
the immigrant generation would feel thru our hearts. T
hank you for printing it. Doorood bar all of you.
Eliot Salehi
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* Origins of Persian fur
Making fun of hairy Iranians is a shameful activity ["Persian
worrior"] ["Hairy
Iranians not funny"]. Don't you understand? Don't you know how
much money we spend on Nair, razors and cream, laser operations and other
hair removal methods? Don't you know our history of hair? ...
I really don't know who my true Persian jaddo-aabaad were (like some
1,400 years ago) and how hairy they were. But I am fairly certain that
somewhere along the line some sheikh inserted his genes into my lineage
and thus gave me the beautiful 100% Persian fur coa >>>
FULL TEXT
Asghar Pashmak
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Wednesday
December 20, 2000
* Soaal-e saadeh
Yek soaal-e besyaar saadeh az Nariman
Neyshapouri: Aayaa ishaan midoonand keh saakenaan-e sarzamin-e Iran
az bish az 30 ghom va nejaad-e motefaavet tashkil shodeh?Dar in soorat
manzoor ishoon az "Iranian racial characteristics" chist? Besyaar
jaaleb ast keh ishoon khodeshoon raa "racist" nemishenaasand!
Zartosht, az Italia
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* Best disinfectant: Free debate
I applaud Mr. Javid's courage and respect for free and open debates
["Drawing
the line"]. The right to be heard only matters when it is granted
to those with whom we disagree. Perhaps the most unpopular ideas deserve
the most lattitude in being aired.
Race relations is an explosively tough issue. To tackle it , it takes
a lot of intestinal fortitude. But not to address it is arrogant and in
many ways oppressive. My experience is that the best disinfectant against
bad ideas is to allow them to be debated -- freely.
Tony F. Soltani
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* A lot of hypocracy
I know you will ot print this but I just have to get it out of my chest.
With all due respect for you, I think you are exercising some hypocrisy.
As a person who admires you for a lot of good work to provide a forum for
Iranian-Amricans I am compelled by my conscience to offer you some constructive
criticism. I do my part even though you have often choosen not to print
what I sent you because you personally don't agree with me >>>
FULL TEXT
Ali A. Parsa, Ph. D.
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* Censorship, just like in Iran
Dear Nariman,
Your
point of view of there being absolute censorship by the iranian.com
is validated and true. I am usually one who accepts all different opinions
and as a law student am most definitely used to two, three, or four sides
of an issue. It really disturbs me that there are indeed people who call
themselves "progressive liberals" yet who reject freedom of ideas
and expressions WHEN THOSE IDEAS CONTRADICT THEIR VIEW POINTS. I know now
that there is nothing redeeming in the iranian.com, and am saddened by
this fact, because just like the censorship laws during the pre and post-revolutionary
Iran, this gentelman has brought this archaic notion to something like
this >>>
FULL TEXT
Cyrus Raafat
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Tuesday
December 19, 2000
* THE most racist people
RACISM IS WRONG. Plain and simple. It's old news. We Iranians are THE
most racist people on the planet. Please don't deny it ["Everyone has
some prejudice"].
We even put each other down when we want to join families. As if the
other family is below us. This has always been the case.
As a kid born and raised in Abadan until Saddam decided to bomb us,
I hated Arabs, specially Iraqis. But when I went to Shiraz and witnessed
what our own people are doing to the Abadani families that fled to Shiraz,
I was shocked.
There is too much hatred among ourselves. I am not even Muslim, but
if you are, go read the Koran, it says all humans are equal.
Bardia Bakhshandeh
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* Showing a new reality
In response to the judgments made about publishing a picture from Maryam
and Daryl on Iranian.com ["Drawing
the line"], and its follow up articles, I just wish to point out
that we need to separate the two.
Publishing a picture of these two beautiful people, was an act of marvelous
journalism. It was a silent way of shaking up people and making them see
a new reality.
In my opinion, the follow up articles should not be seen as having anything
to do with Maryam and Daryl. They reveal the prejudice of its authors and
the problem of racism among some Iranians.
Having separated the two, I think the editor of Iranian.com has done
the right thing to publish racist points of views as well as those opposing
them. This type of open journalism is what attracts many people to iranian.com.
My only hope is that people are courageous enough to reveal their identities
when they write a letter. A coward does not deserve to get publicity for
his points of view.
Poopak Ta'ati
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* Get over it
It was sad to read your editorial ["And
the winner is..."]. Clearly, it is a partisan view of the recent
U.S. election. I do not want to discuss any partisan politics here.
Instead, I am writing this note to remind the writer about the fact
that there is no absolute election. In fact, this issue has been studied
extensively in statistics and many mathematicians have spent a lot of time
developing algorithms to better understand the dynamics of elections.
Like any "noisy signal" the entire sample must be manipulated
and not a very specific part of it. The Supreme Court ruling simply affirmed
this mathematical fact.
So, get over it.
Omeed Alaverdi
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* Hairy Iranians not funny
You actually published this article by Siamack Baniameri ["Persian
worrior"]? If this is supposed to funny, let me tell you it is
not! If this is serious, well then there is much more to worry about than
this article being published.
Not only does this article make fun of a great empire, but it puts down
every hairy Iranian and Iranians in general. I could get into the specifics
of the article to point them out, but I do not know where to start!
Please do one thing, DO NOT PUBLISH ARTICLES LIKE THIS. This article
was not humorous, if that was the intent. And I hope it was not real!
Thanks for listening to a concerned reader, regarding the content of
this page.
Saied Delagah
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Monday
December 18, 2000
* Example for all
You are a beautiful couple ["Maryam
& Daryl"]. Let no one ever interfer in your lives and may
you have a wonderful life together. If only more people were like you and
open-minded about the unity of mankind, there would be a lot less violence
in the world. May you be an example for all of us.
Congradulations.
Parisa Sarraf
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* Have we become spinelss?
"... haghighat dar zendaan enferaadi voojood nadaarad."
This is Akbar Ganji writing about the serial murders suspects held in
solitary confinment. Did he know that he himself would be in solitary confinement
when he wrote this? Is anybody reading his book ["His
red-robed highness"]? How come no one ever comments? Are people
scared to engage in political discourse? Have we lost all our political
spine? >>>
FULL TEXT
S Mashadi
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I was highly amused by your satirical depiction juxtaposing George W. Bush and
a chimpanzee. It was creative and quite funny, albeit the chimpanzee
might not agree.
I'd also like to state my disappointment with Mr.
Mehryar Tabib, based on his condemnation of the aforementioned satirical
analogy. As an Iranian presently living abroad most of the time, I have
utmost contempt for Mehryar Tabib. His disposition as henchman for a wicked
foreign political figure (in this case George Bush) is appalling...
What ill will does George Bush (the son) have toward our nation? Well,
we have at least four years to find out! >>>
FULL TEXT
Farshad Zarrabian
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* I have an idea
My name is Nastaran. I am 13-years old. I was born in Iran. When I was
eight, I went to Australia, and when I became 13, I came to Texas!
I really like your stories ["Sadaf
Kiani"]. I wish I could write like you. Every week, my mom and
I sit down and read a Farsi book or something interesting so that I wouldn't
forget this wonderful language!
One day my mom told me, "I've got some really interesting things
you can read on the Internet." Then I went and there were your articles.
I really like them. I hardly ever go on the Internet just to read farsi
things, but lately I have and right now, I registered for iranian.com.
Please write more because I have started to run out of things to read!
I've got an idea: make your own site and every week add one or two new
things.
Nastaran
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Friday,
December 15, 2000
* That's not racism, bro
... Now, any common sense, informal, non-scientific survey taken of
Iranians on the subject of marriage to Blacks would reveal an overwhelming
disapproval. There's no question about that -- it's not even something
you can argue. You could do a completely randomized survey and you'd get
the same results...
There's nothing wrong with wanting to preserve one's Iranian culture
and Iranian racial characteristics in one's offspring. That is absolutely
not racism. It is human nature and it is normal >>>
FULL TEXT
Nariman Neyshapouri
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* Everyone has some prejudice
I have now been witnessing the arguements about this "controversial"
picture ["Maryam
& Daryl"] for the past I-don't-know-how-long and frankly,
I am getting pretty tired of it...
... Everyone in this world has some prejudice towards something or someone.
Some people are more bigoted than others. Yes, racism is alive and well,
but all over the world. So let's just ignore these idiotic and ignorant
folks that can't handle even a picture of a bi-racial couple, people, and
move on.
Lastly I just want to say one thing that no one else has said, and that
is CONGRATULATIONS! to the lovely newlyweds. I hope you have a wonderful
life together and 'paayeh ham digar pir beshavid'. Keep your head up and
good luck! >>>
FULL TEXT
MM
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* Turn off your computer
I am writing in regards to Mr.
Yamini's letter to the editor.
Mr. Yamini writes: "What will come next in your photo gallery?
The picture of an Iranian gay homosexual couple OR the picture of an Iranian
gay homosexual couple who have adopted a Black little girl OR "
YES! I hope The Iranian DOES continue to challenge our views
by presenting the beliefs and lives of all Iranians. And if you are offended
or disturbed, then turn off your computer!
Shokooh Miry
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* Bee adab
My initial reaction to your pictorial comparison between President-Elect
Bush (or anyone else whom you may have treated thus) and the chimpanzee
was one of a deep sense of outrage, and disgust, which very quickly melted
into a heap of sadness (to the brink of tears).
I had to ask myself the question "What would cause an Iranian -
assuming you are one - turn the back on all the morals, 'adab', discretion,
integrity, temperance, and depth that is such an integral part of our culture,
and give way to such defilements of the soul as you have partaken of?"
>>>
FULL TEXT
Mehryar Tabib
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Thursday
December 14, 2000
* Iran has seen worse throughout history
We Iranians have an ancient and rich history that is not going to fade
away just because of an isolated case of an Iranian girl marrying a Black
man ["Maryam
& Daryl"]. Iran throughout its histories has been exposed
to worse kinds of situations.
I think that the Iranian girl who has decided to marry an African-American
has absolutely every right to do as she wishes but she cannot impose her
choices on others. What will come next in your photo gallery? The picture
of an Iranian gay homosexual couple OR the picture of an Iranian gay homosexual
couple who have adopted a Black little girl OR ... How much more absurd
can it become? >>>
FULL TEXT
Mohammad Ali Yamini
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* Nothing special
Thank you for Shahriar Zahedi's "Daastaan-e
anbeh"!!! Up to this moment, and through reading other people's
cheering reactions to Sadaf
Kiani's articles, I have been thinking is it only me who doesn't see
anything special about them? Now I see it's not just me.
Faramarz Kaviani
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* Chashm
I was looking at the photo-cartoon titled "Seasons
Greetings from Kheineken", where a hijab-wearing Iranian woman
is displayed with a distorted male face and a beer bottle tucked under
the garb.
It may appear funny to some, with it's computer graphic software-generated
image using a photo of an actual person, what appears to be a Muslim woman
in Islamic garb.
I personally find this "piece of art" to be very offensive
and is a complete mockery of hijab-wearing Muslim women in Iran and elsewhere!
Please do not post such insulting art work on your website in the near
future.
Adnaan
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* Demeaning to monkeys
Regarding the comparison between George W. Bush
and monkeys in the Anyway section: Very demeaning to monkeys.
Dana Jalali
Go to top
Go to top
Wednesday
December 13, 2000
* Controversial opinions open eyes
I read your squabble with Termeh Rassi ["Drawing
the line"]. I agree with you that controversial opinions open
our eyes to the wrongs that sprout in our community. Whether or not they
are signed is irrelevant. You reminded us by publishing the letter that
indeed there are Iranian racists that are alive and thriving in cyber space.
That reminder, however hurtful to the people, involved is rendering a service.
Now if someone did not ask the persons involved permission to publish
their picture that is another problem ["Maryam
and Daryl"] >>>
FULL TEXT
Setareh Sabety
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* Unfairly burnt
I was very surprised to see the iranian.com print that letter from iraani
["Married
a Black man?!!"]. Although I completely agree with both T.R. and
J.J.'s points of view ["Drawing
the line"], I do hope that the letter was first brought to the
attention of Maryam
and Daryl before it was published >>>
FULL TEXT
Keyvan Kazemi
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* Blamed for holding a mirror
With enormous respect for Ms. Rassi, I think she has set a bad precedent
by what is basically a manifesto condoning censorship ["Drawing
the line"]. Why is Ms. Rassi punishing the messenger for the message?
Iranian.com's editor is being blamed for holding up a mirror in front of
the Iranian community and exposing its racism ["Married
a Black man?!!"].
Ms. Rassi states that "It's often very difficult to straddle the
line between freedom of expression and censorship - and in most cases we
should err on the side of freedom of expression, but not in this case."
Why not this case? >>>
FULL TEXT
Ramin Tabib
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* Pedestrian ignorance
Just finished reading your back and forth with Termeh Rassi about someone
commenting on an Iranian woman's marrying a black man ["Drawing
the line"]. Then I reread the comment ["Married
a Black man?!!"] and my first thought was: how disgusting. The
dry and vile sentiment stopped me but for a moment. What shocked me is
that somewhere within I could understand where all that hatred was coming
from. I think we're all trapped in that understanding, men and women, all
of us...
I don't feel sorry for Maryam
and Daryl for being a subject to all this unwanted exposure. They knew
what they were getting themselves into when they crossed the boundary.
It is the warped, twisted and vicious that deserve my pity >>>
FULL TEXT
Massud Alemi
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* Make something good out of it
I enjoyed your comments about racism among us ["Drawing
the line"]. I have no doubt that we Iranians are racist, not only
against Blacks, but also against Arabs, Afghans, Indians, Turks, Usbeks,
and....
Why don't you use this opportunity to interview some Iranians about
this issue and write about it? I know a family who disowned their daughter
because she married to a Black man! I recently met a young Iranian who
has no relation with his family in Los Angeles, because his girlfriend
is a Black-Hispanic.
JJ might have made a misjudgment in publishing that picture ["Maryam
and Daryl"], but let's turn the table and make something good
come of it. Let me know, If I can be help.
Ali Sajjadi
Publisher
Par Magazine
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Tuesday
December 12, 2000
* Guess who's coming for dinner
In response to a letter by Mrs. Ynaky,"Bunch
of Hypocrites". Back in the 60's there was a famous and controversial
movie called "Guess who's coming to dinner?" In that movie a
White girl from an upper class family falls in love and decides to marry
a highly-educated Black surgeon from a hard working Black family.
Both the parents of the boy and the girl had concerns about their marriage.
Their concern was not because the parents were racist but because the young
couple had to face all the ignorance and hostility of the society they
had to live in >>>
FULL TEXT
Max R.
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* Homosexuality & Islam
I don't know where you get your concept with regard to Islam's position
on homosexuality ["Adam
& Eve, not Adam & Adam"].
Homosexuality is not mentioned in the Sharia as transcribed by Mohammed
(there are many modified versions) and during the whole of period of the
Khalifate Empire, when Arab Islamic culture was at its height, homosexuality
was quite tolerated, and there is much great Arab literature describing
love between men that is testament to this >>>
FULL TEXT
Laith Al-Doory
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* Iran-Iraq similarity irritating
The fact that Iran's name is very similar to that of Iraq is really
irritating to me. As long as you live in Iran you may not have any problem
with it but once you go abroad you will find out that we Iranians are considered
Arab just like Iraqis...
I think it is high time Iran changed her name to Persia and let the
world know that Persia is not a name of a country in myths. It is a second
name for Iran and we Iranians are not Arabs and do not speak Arabic. This
is a matter of natinal identity and it should be given due consideration
>>>
FULL TEXT
Siyamak T.
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Monday
December 11, 2000
* Wish it was a different topic
Sadaf Kiani's response to Shahriar Zahedi's "Daastaan-e
anbeh" >>>
FULL TEXT
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* Read Freud
I read some of this gentleman's other writings ["Daastaan-e
anbeh"], and, they are all concerned with similar issues. I wish
he would read some of Freud's work. He might find the answers to his problems
in the pages that deal with sexual pleasures caused by bowel movements.
Emad
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* He's a fan
"Daastaan-e
anbeh" was so funny. I first thought Sadaf Kiani wrote it herself!
I also read Sadaf's
reaction. She's right: he must have read many of her works! He's so
affected by her style! I think he is a fan of her works too.
Sepideh Banihashemi
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* Made me very happy
I am a guy from Iran who lives in Sweden and I do not have much contact
with other Iranians because I live in a small community and I am the only
one from Iran here.
The other day when I was online I saw your article ["Khob...
digeh chetori?"] and it made me very happy. It is great to be
able to read your articles in Farsi.
Mohsen Karrabi
Sweden
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* Enjoyed it, but...
I enjoyed your poem but what did A to Z have to do with your
poem? I may be illiterate about modern poetry and I need to be educated.
Remember that we are all ignorant except along different lines. Apparently
you don't like traditional Persian poetry like the one I sent you. That
is my guess unless you tell me otherwise.
Ali Parsa
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Friday,
December 8, 2000
* African man yes. Iranian, no
In response to Iraani's letter about an interracial marriage ["Married
a Black man?!!"], what do you care who she married? Do you know
her [Maryam
and Daryl]? Do you know him? What gives you the right to judge?
And lets not forget that in southern Iran we have people with dark complexions
too.
I am a developement-worker and my job has taken me all over the world.
Most recently I have been working in Africa, not in Egypt or Marocco where
the people look like us, but in Kenya , Ghana and South Africa. As a woman
in this day and age, I would rather invite an African man in my life than
an Iranian any day.
Sahar Nahrvar
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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* Compromised values
A few days ago, seven Tehran men convicted of committing a series of
drunken thefts and brawls were returned to the scene of their crimes and
forced to ride backwards on donkeys in public.
Maybe I'm wrong but I feel we've compromised our values: our Persian
sense of honour once practiced by our ancestors and what is considered
universal beliefs >>>
FULL TEXT
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* Beautiful words
I read "Harir-e-aabi".
Mnay thanks for the new work. Your style of reporting your daily life through
such beautiful words is visible through all your works (as far as a spiritless
engineer like me could understand!!).
I wish you a very happy birthday and loads of years to come and I hope
you never get to the point where you have to count the black threads of
you hair:))
Arian
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* I've wondered about it too
As my family has gradually moved to the Bay Area from Chicago over the
years, I have taken the westward drive on I-80 from the south suburbs of
Chicago to Sacramento three times.
I noticed both of these landmarks (Persia,
Iowa, and Elburz, Nevada) on two of the trips and had the same reaction,
especially to the one in Iowa >>>
FULL TEXT
Raman Yousefi
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Thursday
December 7, 2000
* Depths of man's depravity
After reading Edna Yaghi's well-written piece ["Crossfire"],
and viewing the gallery of pictures of the Palestinian protest, what heaviness
came upon my soul! How hopeless a situation!
Hopeless for as long as people refuse to acknowledge that this destruction
is like a vile fountain that springs up from the hearts of ALL the participants.
How blind are those supporters of the intifada who are not sickened at
the sight of the beautiful, sacred body of that little boy being paraded
around to ensure that the flames of hatred keep burning brightly. The curse
of the Living God is upon all such, you may be certain. Yaghi's piece ended,
" . . his death has become a symbol of freedom . " ASHGHAL! The
death of that sweet child is a symbol of the depths of man's depravity,
and the loudest wailing call to repentance - nothing more.
Paul MacKinnon
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* Zeebaa va lateef
Sobh-e emroozam raa baa to separi kardam ["Sadaf
Kiani"]. va baa to sobham cheh zood ghozasht va cheh khoshaayand
bood. baa to aash khordam, taraahy kardam, rooy-e barg-haaye paaeezi paa
gozaashtam. baa to beh gol khandeedam. beh yaad-e iraan gereestam. zeebaa
meeneveesi. Sadaf jaan, lateef meeneveesi. neveshtanat raa doost daaram.
baaz ham benevees. . . doost daarat
SB
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* Savab daard
Regarding The Iranian Times subscription: maa dar iraanim. daraamad
ham beh dolaar nemigirim keh bekaahim in ghadar hagh-e eshteraak bedahim.
maa faghat do daneshjooye badbakhtim. toro khodaa komak konid.. agar khaastid
yek Mstercard baa mojoody $2,000,000 baraaye maa beferestid, savaab daarad.
makhsoosan dar in maah mobarak.
Ahang
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* Baaghaalaa broke my wife's tooth
Last week I bought yellow lima beans (baaghaalaa for dam pokhtak) and
I used part of it and today I used rest but unfortunately we found three
stones inside of our food which broke one of my wife's tooth.
I bought this yellow lima beans from Supper Irving in the city of Irvine
(California). I am very disappointed that there is no respect for customers.
I would like to know what kind of response I will get until further
action.
Fred Golpa
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Wednesday
December 6, 2000
* Bunch of hypocrites
Thank God we have people like Mr/Mrs Iranni ["Married
a Black man?!!"] who still care!
All these people who wrote letters against her, are a bunch of hyporcrates!
But then again that's the nature of liberal phonies. If their son, daughter,
mother, father, or reletive dates a Black person or, much worse, decided
to marry one, they would go nuts!
It is amazing how low some Iranians have sunk in the past twenty years.
You have all my support Irani. I wish we had more people like you.
Mrs Ynaky
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* Mixed bunch
Good point ["Unbelievable
stupidity"]! Actually if I had seen the picutre out of this context
[Maryam
and Daryl], I would have thought that they were both African-American
(It wouldn't have made a difference to me otherwise, but it shows the stupifity
of the writer).
I think people forget that there is no such thing as "Iranian kind".
A relatively recent sense of nationality and common history and language
doesn't make a race. Iranians, come to think of it, are quite a mixed bunch
and I think it is high time that they acknowledge their African and Indian
connections along with the much-balyhooed Aryan roots.
Asghar Massombagi
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* Shooting from the hip
In response to the letter "Adam
& Eve, not Adam & Adam", nobody is trying to infringe
upon your "religious freedom." Nor are same-sex unions about
the choice to be gay. You either are gay or you're not. That takes acceptance,
not choice. Making a choice to be open about our sexual orientation is
a separate, social and cultural matter.
But, same-sex unions are about gay people's freedom to enjoy the same
economic and legal rights and benefits that are constitutionally given
to every individual in this country >>>
FULL TEXT
HH
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* Letter that was never sent
I don't know if this is going to have a place in iranian.com, but it
has some meanings for me every time I look at it. It's a letter that was
never sent to my parents >>>
FULL TEXT
Shaya Golbabaei
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Tuesday
December 5, 2000
* Crazy chauvinist weirdo
Thank you so much for giving this crazy chauvinist weirdo a lesson ["Grow up,
for God's sake"]. All this guy needs is attention and unfortunately
he's getting it by posting such disgusting articles on this web site ["Real
Iranian girls?"]. (I have no idea where the heck this freak comes
from, but I'm sure he's from a very screwed up family).
I totally agree with every word you said in your article. Just like
you I moved to States when I was 10 and I have not gone back for past 20
years. But my family and friends did and they all agreed on one thing that
under the umbrella of Islam prostitution is very, very common and perfectly
accepted and legal.
Mojgan
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* How does she know?
I think it is sad that some people consider their views representative
of all women. The comments ["Grow
up, for God's sake"] made by Mojdeh about her impressions of all
girls in Iran are so prejudicial and disqusting!
She is doing exactly what she accused men of, and degrading herself
at the same time. She needs to go to psychological counselling or something,
I mean what girl really likes "anal sex"? And how does she know?
Aannuu Chaudry
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* Nothing before Googoosh
I just wanted to tell you the reason why Googoosh, our queen of hearts,
is not talking about Ghanbari ["We
forget"] and the like: because it's simply not worth it.
I am old enough to remember that people like Ghanbari gained all they
have -- fame and experience -- just by working with Googoosh. Before her,
they were nothing.
Now as we say in Farsi, they have the salt and break its container.
That's why they have nothing in their life.
Ebrahim Majidi
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* Knack for writing
I liked your piece on Persia,
Iowa. You have a definite knack for writing, and a sense of humanity,
and humor. I don't know what line of work you are in. But I think you should
try journalism.
I look forward to reading your column in some newspaper. I have no doubt
you'll make it.
Dna G. McIntyre
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* Adam & Eve, Not Adam & Adam
Homosexuals have a choice to be gay or not. Aids is a virus that originated
from homosexuals, we have the freedom as Americans to choose to be gay
or not, but it is takeing away others freedom.
In religion, we have the freedom to believe what we want to believe
in, but when we vote for gays to be allowed to marry legally, that is taking
away our religions freedom, by us having to follow the laws of the land
and marry the homosexuals, which is going against our religious freedom.
As you read in the Bible, God created Adam and Eve to marry. If he intended
us to marry the same sex, he would have made two people of the same sex.
One day everyone will be judged for their actions and be held accountable
for them. I hope everyone will be ready to stand before God, when that
time comes.
Cusex
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Monday
December 4, 2000
* Ganji's crimes against humanity
I have read Mr. Ganji's so called "revelations" before, and
I believe that especially the chapter about the "Resurrection
of Evin Prison" is worth especial attention, since more than anything
else, it is a tell-tale window to the type of "truth" and "freedom"
that the 2nd of Khordad gang are claiming to defend >>>
FULL TEXT
Hooshang
Chicago
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* Treating Kar like a criminal
As a friend of Mehrangiz Kar I would like to inform you that, apart
from awaiting the verdict in the Berlin Conference trial by the revolutionary
court, and waiting to be summoned by the public court for another three
charges, she is in poor health and very vulnerable ["Second
class"].
It is incredible how fellow-Iranians can make a kind and brave woman
like Ms. Kar suffer so much and treat her like a criminal. She lost her
health, her career and her money (enormous bail).
Lucy Bynen
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* Have you an ounce of "sharm"?
You letter ["Married
a Black man?!!"] to the iranian.com about Maryam Ovissi and Daryl
Pendleton caused my do-rageh blood to boil [Maryam
and Daryl].
You disgrace yourself by claiming to speak for anyone but your own racist
self. I for one, have known the incredible courage and sensitivity it takes
to engage in an inter-racial relationship >>>
FULL TEXT
Persis Karim
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Friday,
December 1, 2000
* Love in front of prejudice
In response to Iraani, I can't help but find it interesting
that a person living in America, a country that is a melting pot of ALL
cultures, would be insulted at a person who has put LOVE in front of PREJUDICE
[Maryam
and Daryl].
With divorce at an all time high, I am very happy to know that two people
are willing to commit to something as sacred as marriage!!! Regardless
of RACE, COLOR or CREED.
Daryl Pendelton
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* Half/half kids
Qtipp wrote "Another spoiled, rich, half/half
kid who takes pride in the fact that she has 'Indo-European' blood in her
who will marry some rich, fat doctor."
There's a projection that's no less ridiculous than the original
letter. You might want to think about the fact that half/half kids
have had a first-hand look at the challenges involved in a mixed-race marriage
and have suffered prejudice from both sides, not just one.
Zara Houshmand
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* My birthday is coming up
In response to Sadaf Kiani's piece about her birthday ["Harir-r
Aabi"], she forgot to mention what kind of food she ordered for
her birthday. I am also very curious to know if anyone brought her a cake
and if she liked it.
My birthday is coming up in about six months and I will definitely inform
everyone of my feelings.
Hamid Ageorlo
Toronto
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