Friday,
June 2, 2000
* Golden bridge
in reference to the upcoming 1000th issue of The Iranian Times, I
would also like to join others who have congratulated you for the monumental
goal you pursued rather single- handedly leading to such remarkable success.
A hundred sincere congratulations.
If I had enough to afford it, I would have awarded you with a small
symbolic golden bridge. You really did a great service by building a firm
and friendly bridge between all Iranian generations on this side of the
water.
Amir Shirazi
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* Other side of the story
After reading eceperts from Tara Bahrampour's book "To
See and See Again", I was wondering why someone doesn't talk to
the family and people that knew Betty Mahmoody [author of "Not Without
My Daughter"] when she supposedly was in Iran with her husband ...
I think Dr. Mahmoody was probably tired of her attitude and was going
to ship her back to the U.S. and who could blame him? Of course he wanted
to keep his daughter, he loved her, but Betty Mahmoody left the country
without permission according to what she wants everyone to believe and
soooooo I wanted to know if Dr. Mahmoody put out a warrant for her arrest
over there in Iran for kidnapping his daughter and taking her out of the
country of Iran. I really wish someone would go there and find out the
truth then write a book about it and sell it in the U.S. too so people
can read his side of the story too! >>>
FULL TEXT
East Syracuse
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Thursday
June 1, 2000
* Not so simple
I'm way too busy to write a detailed reply to Farzaneh Roudi's piece
["Numbers
don't lie"]. It is amazing how many of our intellectuals try so
hard to "make sense" of something so complicated and multi-dimensional
with a short and easy answer often with attention to one or two aspects.
There's no question that the "reform movement" ( I don't necessary
agree with that term either ) has benefited greatly from the support it
gets from the youth, but there are so many other angles and twists to this
phenomenon that trying to establish clues or reasons behind it with such
simple explanations in 100-200 words is a injustice. I Honestly wish it
was as simple as she put it, but it just aint.
P.M.
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* One thousand Times
In a few days you will publish your 1000th edition of The Iranian
Times. Any celebrations or special programs? Send us some interesting
back issues, like the first edition or... Either way I would like to be
the first to congratulate you for wasting your time and your life for the
benefit of the rest of us.
Masoud Modaress
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Wednesday
May 31, 2000
* I speak Persian
I have been wondering for years why Iranians and now Americans too refer
to our language as "Farsi" using an Iranian word instead of its
English translation which is Persian ["Eenjoori
beneveeseem?"]. When speaking English, we say Germans speak German
(not Deutsch), French speak French (not Francais) and Spanish speak Spanish
(not Espagnol). Then we have Persians speaking Farsi.
I cannot understand how the Iranian word Farsi crept into English, when
they still call pesteh: pistachio; karvan: caravan; padjamak: pyjama. When
speaking English we use the English translation or equivalents, when speaking
Persian we shall use the word Farsi. Several novels which I have read lately
by Iranian women writers written in English all refer to our language as
Farsi, and they are written in English >>>
FULL TEXT
Pargol Saati
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* Brought tears
Although I am not Iranian, the three excerpts that I have read of your
journey back to Iran ["Absence"];
of the love
of an Iranian man, and the journey that got you back to them, bought
tears to my eyes. I too am of mixed heritage (half Arab, half Spanish),
born and raised in New York.
Suprisingly enough, I too avoided the gold wearing, scotch drinking,
Middle Eastern Mercedes driving doctor like the plague. I am now engaged
to a Canadian Iranian. It was only when I saw what a magical place he made
the world seem did I have the courage to return to my own roots. Thank
you for expressing what I had to find out the hard way.
Maha Fahmy
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Tuesday
May 30, 2000
* Free Iranian Jews
Free the Iranian Jews accused of false charges ["Ups
and (mostly) down"]. The world is watching. I am an American Catholic
and I lost all respect for Iranian and Moslem values after I saw how these
innocent Jews were persecuted. Shame on you. Shame on you.
Soar For You
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* The Jews owe Iranians
Indeed the Jews owe their lives to Iranians for all times ["Ups and
(mostly) down"]. The ten tribes of Israel were all destroyed at
the hands of the Assyrians. The remaining two tribes of Judae were also
imprisoned in Babylon and would eventually have been destroyed by Babylonians.
It was Cyrus the Great who liberated the Jews from Babylon and even gave
them money to return to Jerusalem and build their temples.
Iran has been a safe haven not only for Jews but also for Armenians
who fled the Turkish massacre. The Iranian people have been more generous
and kind than all the other people in the Middle East. The few Jews in
Syria live under house arrest.
I simply cannot understand why these people recently have malignant
dispositions towards Iranians. It's most probably that they feel Iran slowly
might beocme a powerful country and since the Jews are hysterically paranoid
people they cannot tolerate that there might possibly be even a slight
threat emanating from Iran.
If they have suffered in Iran after the revolution they have not been
the only ones. Again let it be said loud and clear that Jews owe us their
lives, their children' lives and their childrens' children's lives for
all eternity whether they like it or not.
Mohammad Ali Yamini
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Monday
May 29, 2000
NONE
Go to top
Friday,
May 26, 2000
* Pinglish
Before I go into the pros and cons of EuroFarsi,
I would like to mention that I had given this topic some thought in the
past and also done some research on the matter ["Eenjoori
beneveeseem?"]. I would also like to point out that I was born
in London, I am fluent in Persian/Farsi but I can read and write to a very
basic level and this I learnt mostly at home as a child.
Recently I visited Iran after four years. On my return to the UK, I
kept in touch with my cousins through email. My cousins can read/write
and speak basic English from what they learn at their private lessons although
it would be difficult and time consuming for them to write in English everytime.
We adopted our own method of writing to each other which we call 'Pinglish'!
(Persian English)...
We cannot change and should not change what has evolved through years
and years of history. We cannot adopt IPA for several reasons. The main
one is that it would be difficult to begin re-educating the entire population
of Iran, then again if Turkey did it, we surely can too, anyway most children
now learn English at school..
Those living abroad or born abroad will be able to communicate with
other persians there and in Iran. Recently I had difficulty applying for
an Iranian passport as the Iranian Embassy in London required me to fill
out the application forms in Farsi. If we adopt this phonetic alphabet,
then people like me will no longer have these problems >>>
FULL TEXT
Sima Elli
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* Most interesting
I would like to take the opportunity to complement you on this most
interesting and informative website. I am a student in England, and currently
in the process of creating a study into the
revolution and the events in Iran during the late 1970's. Your site
provided has me with much needed information, pictures and biographies
of key individuals. Once again I would like to thank you very much for
your help!
Russ Colven
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Thursday
May 25, 2000
* Candle in the wind
For the majority of our planet's freedom-loving people a sad but hopeful
fact is that democracy is not an eternal flame, but a candle in the wind.
Thanks to a few "special" people, some of these candles resemble
the comical birthday candles which are blown out but then suddenly ignite
as if by magic.
That "magic" is the ideas, emotions, words and deeds of the
likes of Dr. Mossadegh ["Iranian
of the century"]. It lies in the hearts and minds of people, often
dormant for years, as it waits for the winds of oppression to calm and
give it at least a fighting chance for survival. But it never dies >>> FULL
TEXT
Amin
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* Chee, deevounam?
As an Iranian who came to the U.S. at the age of 1 1/2, I don't remember
much of Iran. I'm 17 years old, and haven't been back, and at the rate
of things, I don't think I'll be going back unless I want to be in the
sarbaazi. Chee, deevounam?
Either way, I have managed to maintain some sense of Iranian culture,
even in the U.S., and I find your mini-stories ["dAyi
Hamid index"] to be quite interesting and comical, and I can still
relate to them. Well, that's pretty much it, so thank you for your time,
and your stories.
Behrooz Tavakkol
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Wednesday
May 24, 2000
* Year of destiny
I have just returned from my second journey to Iran in three years.
The latest amusing yet ominous saying amongst the Tehranis is 'For every
akhoond there is a tree '.
With unemployment realistically over 35% and the poverty rate similar
to that of the obscure third world African countries, the Iranian people
have finally realized that they are indeed in a depression.
The consensus amongst the people is that the sixth parliament will directly
move to reverse many of the laws passed by the fifth parliament and further
move towards eliminating the present unelected institutions and judiciary
system within the government, thus forcing the ruling akhoonds to shut
down the new parliament, leaving no choice for the people but to secure
their rights through another major upheaval. Clearly this year shall be
a year of destiny for Iran as was 1357 >>>
FULL TEXT
Kambiz Ameli
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* Thoroughly enjoyable
I have thoroughly enjoyed Reza Ordoubadian's stories in your publication
["The
up-start woman"]. I especially look forward to reading more stories
of his family or fictionalized family.
Jeff Sandvig
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* Let's not forget
I saw the Farzaneh
Taiedi's picture in the Nostalgia section (one of my favorie sections
in this site). Let's remember and never forget the fact that she had a
role as an actress in the movie "Not without my daughter". I
want all the Iranians to remember how "khaaen beh vatan" a person
can be.
Faramarz Kaviani
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Tuesday
May 23, 2000
Reference to Mrs.
Pahlavi's letter:
First paragraph: false.
Second Paragraph, false: Political and economical deterioration threathened
Iran in 1953 because the profit of countries such as Great Britain, the
U.S and others was threathend due to the nationalization of the oil industry
and the movemet that Dr. Mossadegh had started toward a democratic government.
So instead we got the Shah's dictaorship, which naturally protected the
interests of those countries particularily the U.S.
Third paragraph, false: When the Shah fled Iran before the coup, the
majorty of Iranians didn't care if he returned or not . It was the will
of the U.S. which didn't think Dr. Mossadegh was going to be a good serven.
So they planned and implemented the 28th of Mordad coup >>>
FULL TEXT
F. Rafat
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* Annoying ads
You have given in to lust for money. You should at least leave the front page of your site free from annoying
and flashing advertisement. It has reduced the prestige and the importance
of your site.
Iradj Forootan
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Monday
May 22, 2000
* Identify with Arabs or Israel?
I enjoyed reading Massoumeh Price's review of Judaism in Iran ["Ups and
(mostly) downs"]. I always thought it very interesting that Iranians
(Elamites, Medes, Persians, etc.) are one of the few ancient people portrayed
as "good guys" in the Old Testament.
Clearly religion plays an important role when identifying with one side
vs the other, and hence Islamic Iran's support for anti-Israeli causes
among Moslem Arabs. But had Saddam Hussein not invaded Kuwait and fallen
from his Arab Nationalist glory (and international support), would we Iranians
still be identifying more with the Arabs who, with very few exceptions,
all supported his atrocities against Iran? Or would we be identifying more
with Israel who, like Iran, was on the target list of Iraq's growing chemical,
biological, and nuclear weapons? I guess we will never know-- but it's
worth thinking about.
Ramin Abhari
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* Questionable
The article by Ms. Massoume Price creates a considerable amount of room
for questions ["Ups
and (mostly) downs"]. Of course Ms. Price did put a lot of effort
in preparing this article which has informative qualities to it, however
the emphasis or lack there-of on presenting history from a, as it seems
, fair point of view leads me to believe that the article deserves the
attention for additional follow-ups in opinions, the facts, and one's view
towards a people's history (in this case, people of the Jewish faith in
Iran).
Kaveh Tashakori
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Friday,
May 19, 2000
* Don't know what you're talking about, sir
Letter to U.S. Senator Jesse Helms:
I am an American resident of Iranian origin. I am writing to you in
regard to your comments on the World
Bank loans to Iran. I am not completely in favor of the Iranian government.
But I think that U.S. policy and intervention in my country has been quite
hostile, leading toward a crippled economy. These policies and interventions
include the 1953 CIA backed coup, the support for the Shah's oppresive
regime, support for Iraq during an 8-year war that killed and wounded millions
of youth on both sides, and now sanctions.
Tell me sir, with all these actions, don't you think that Iran's economy
has been severly damaged as a result? And don't you think that basic health
care and sewage, which have suffered directly, is a right of the Iranian
people, not to mention everywhere in the world? Therefore I find your comments
completely insensitive, irresponsible, and ignorant, with all due respect
>>>
FULL TEXT
Yashar Mameghan
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* If the Shah was in power
This is a reply to questions raised by Sahar
Nahrvar's letter. She wrote:
"Yes it was better when the Shah was around."
In what way was it better? There was freedom on a superficial level
only and nothing like what you expect from an even slightly democratic
system.
"But still, one wonders, would the Shah not have closed down
16 opposition publications?"
Would he have closed them? The question should be, would such publications
be allowed in the first place? Would they have received permission to press
and criticise whoever they want? I think the answer is a resounding NO.
The control over all media was suffocating and the prisons were full of
those even slightly daring to criticise >>>
FULL TEXT
Peyman A.
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Thursday
May 18, 2000
* Stalinist tone
Dr Ali Reza Nourizadeh is probably one of the few rare journalists to
have witnessed the dramatic upheavals that shook Iran in 1978-79 from close
range. He is a hardworking man with a mature view of his country's current
political processus.
I am always appalled by the strong Stalinist tone of some of the more
radical so-called Leftist press ["Hezb-e
Kargari Iran commentary"]. They seem to indulge in a plethora
of accusations and personal mud slinging that always lowers the democratic
framework practiced in most civilised socities>>>
FULL TEXT
Cyrus Kadivar
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* Intelligent and passionate
Just a note to let you know how much I appreciate and enjoy the fiction
of Dr. Ordoubadian ["The
up-star woman"]. His narratives are very interesting - intelligently
and passionately presented - and his powers of description are extremely
strong. He is able to evoke a time and place in a way that pulls the reader
into the story.
I look forward to seeing more of his work on your site.
Jane Porter
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Wednesday
May 17, 2000
* I am not a sheep
I found the story intriguing ["The
up-star woman"], not so much for the way it ended, but for the
spirit of questioning. For the realization that as a person, and as a woman,
we do have as intelligent a mind as anyone, and should utilize our powers
to investigate truth.
This story envisioned the sad reality that some people tend to follow
blindly, like a flock of sheep. They elevate a person into thinking himself
superior, and they feed this vanity by accepting themselves as ignorant
souls, which will not attain a higher station..
The story depicts beautifully that it needs daring to stand up, to open
the eyes, and to say:
"I am not a sheep.
I am as intelligent a being as any one creation of God can be.
I am equal,
I question truth and reality with my own wisdom,
Not with yours..."
Neda Kamranpour
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* Bad taste
I find your cover
picture in bad taste and insulting to those who are forced to wear
the chador and those who do it because they like to (like my 75-year-old
grandmother). What do you accomplish by pictures like these?
Mohammad Taslim
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Tuesday
May 16, 2000
* Loyalty to God, King, and Country
In response to Sahar
Nahrvar's letter to Empress Farah, I respect her right to ask a question
and it was done in a "democratic" fashion but with some ambiguous
remarks.
The modern Imperial Iranian Armed Forces was a creation of the Pahlavi
state which ruled our country for half a century. The 1906 Constitution
made the Shah the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces. All military
personnel swore an oath of loyalty to the King and one would expect that
insulting the Shah within that framework would be a grave offence for it
would question the loyalty and dedication of an officer to his God, King
and Country. Even in the democratic republics a four star general who insults
the President runs a risk of a court hearing and in the UK any officer
insulting HM Queen Elizabeth would also run into serious trouble. I find
it hard to understand why Sahar
Nahrvar's father went into the army in the first place >>>
FULL TEXT
Go to top
* Cheech Nabavi
Is it just me, or did everyone notice Ebrahim Nabavi ["No way back"]looks
a lot like "Cheech
Marin" of "Cheech and Chong". No wonder he's a satirist!
Roll him a joint and he will be an Iranian Cheech!
Mrsynaky Irani
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* Enzevaa
Salaam, man az Iran baraayeh shomaa mail miferstam. omidvaaram keh hamegi
khoob baashid va az inkeh in site raa raah andaazi kardid tabrik migooyam
va tashkor mikonam va omidvaaram keh harcheh bishtar betavaanid dar moa'refi-ye
Iran aziz movafagh baashid taa az in enzevaa kami biroon biyaaeem. baa
aarzooyeh iraani behtar va aazadi bishtar, khodaa negahdaar.
Farzad Kermani
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Monday
May 15, 2000
* Islam not to blame
Massoume Price is a little too eager to blame Islam for all the injustices
against Iranian Jews and other minorities during the past 1,400 years ["Ups and
(mostly) downs"]. The problem is not Islam. The primary problem
is people who represent Islam. The problem is power.
Judaism cannot be blamed for what Israel does to Palestinians. Just
as Christianity was not at fault for what the Nazis did to the Jews. And
Hinduism is not to blame for what Hindus have done to Muslims in India,
or Islam for what Muslims have done to Hindus in Pakistan. And Protestant
Christianity cannot be considered the reason why Catholics have been oppressed
in Northern Ireland. And Christianity cannot be held responsible for atrocities
against Muslims in Kosovo or Bosnia. And Christianity was not the force
behind the near extermination of Native Americans. It was the excuse.
It is interesting that Zoroastrian Iran -- as Ms. Price has noted --
was at times tolerant and at other times intolerant towards non-Zoroastrians.
Iran under Islam has also had a mixed past in its relationship with minorities.
Why? Did the ruling religion change? Or did rulers change their interpretation
of religion for their benefit?
Religions extremists carry out their evil deeds in the name of God.
But I would not blame God.
Roxana Oskouie
Go to tp
* Don't distort my words
In response to K.
Hoseini: I had earlier told another person that I did not mean that
the war was created by the mollas, I simply said it was spurred on in unneccesary
ways, such as the emplyment of children, which in any event or stage of
war is a crime against your own. The war was started by Saddam Hussein
over issues of control over the Shatt Al Arab, control of Khuzestan, and
various other reasons, but mainly because the U.S. was playing a heavy
role in acting through Hussein...
You champion Khomeini so easily because he didn't actually pick up a
gun himself, but spoke through his suboordinates and told them to carry
out the deeds. This even brings me back to my point about the war, in which
he created an extremely persuasive sentiment to prolong the war for religious
reasons and not for self defense, and you are blind if you cannot see that...
Don't distort my words. I wasn't in Iran for reasons totally unrelated
to the revolution, and it was only a matter of returning that has held
me back. So don't give me these smug asshole remarks about me deserting
my country. Some of our situations are different from yours. I guess you
left later than those who initially left because of the oven temperature,
huh? A real patriot to stay in your country >>>
FULL TEXT
Maziar Shirazi
Go to tp
* Revolutions made by idealists
I write to respond to K.
Hoseini--who rightfully has written her thoughts on the matter. I agree
that we are all entitled to our opinion and to agree or disagree with the
opinions of others. However, I do NOT agree with calling passion and idealism
"pie in the sky", nor can I tolerate your twisting of an argument
made by Maziar
Shirazi into what you call verbose, ignorant, and it insinuating a
false sense of nationalism. The fact that you do call someone else's passion
"pie in the sky" speaks rather loudly as to who left or would
leave "when the kitchen got hot."... Maziar wrote that letter
in response to someone who defended closing the mouthpiece of the people
and the people who did it--are you opposed to that? ...
I suggest that instead of satisfying you own ego with the trifling response
you wrote attacking someone who cares about these issues, you might want
to think what it is that you are saying. And rather than tear people down
to your level of defeat and pessimism, you might want to encourage idealism
from young Iranians in this country and especially in Iran. Sorry if this
was too verbose for you--but let me leave it at this: Revolutions are not
started by the cynical and embittered, they are in fact started by people
who have "pie in the sky" passions >>>
FULL TEXT
Roozbeh Shirazi
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Friday,
May 12, 2000
* Pie in the sky
I read with some amusement the rantings
of Maziar Shirazi, who, in his fired-up mode, could be hard to match
for not only verbosity, but outright ignorance. I also find it ironic he
should call himself 'a real Iranian' when it is so obvious that he was
the first to flee the kitchen when it got too hot!...
What is going on now is people are saying that the constitution, incidentally
for Shirazi's information, ratified by Khomeini, should be the rule of
law, and not self-styled militias who impose their own brand of justice
at every corner. The people are saying certain things should be relegated
to the public domain, and others to the private. Which brings me on to
my final point, which is, incidentally, the clincher in Professor Shirazi's
splendid argument.
"There are no limits to freedom", he says. Ha ha. If that
were so I would encourage Shirazi to walk into the White House and kiss
Clinton. Or even better yet, blow up the White House. Or kill someone who
didn't give you a seat on the bus. Or drive on the wrong side of the road.
Or don't pay tax. The possibilities are endless.
Were it not for the very real fact that the existence of a state is
in itself proof there are indeed limits to freedom. When an individual
is a citizen of that state, she or he agrees to forfeit total freedoms
in return for protection from, and benefits from that state. In Iran this
was overblown, which the government itself is now admitting, and is under
pressure to change. To say such a ridiculous statement only proves that
Mr. Shirazi has a pie in the sky dream about an Iran that exists and can
only exist in his dreams >>>
FULL TEXT
K. Hoseini (Ms.)
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* Main point
What you've written is a master paint of what we see very often on TV
showing cops stopping drivers for one reason or another ["Beh salaamati"].
It is a great tragedy, for drivers and others involved, to die due to drunk
driving. Nevertheless, it shows, as you've depicted, how satisfying it
might be for the one on the long side of the stick to be in control of
the one on the short end and this seems to be one of the main roots of
problems in human relations.
Hasan Alizadeh
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* Funnier, if...
Damet garm!!! I was laughing my head off as I read your story about
the police stopping you for swerving ["Beh
salaamati"]. Here in England, the police would just ask you to
do the breath test without all the American formality.
It's a pity this did not happen to you in Iran. The story would have
even been funnier!
-- "Hello mester. You vere esverving, you crossed red light, you
are drunk!!! Oh oh. Very bad, you vill go to jail. Now vat you vant to
do??"
-- " I thought you said I was off to jail"
- "vell der is a vay to avoid jail"
--" Oh I see. Okay. In that case here are my driving documents. Be
carefull -- there is something in there that I think might be yours."
Policeman takes couple of "hezaree" notes, gives you a military
salute and you are off!!!
Roozbeh
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Thursday
May 11, 2000
NONE
Go to top
Wednesday
May 10, 2000
* Wouldn't the Shah ban 16 newspapers?
After reading Ms.
Farah Pahlavi's letter about the 1953 coup I would like to urge her
to explain to me one thing: She speaks of freedom -- I would like to know
what does she exactly mean by this word...
Yes it was better when the Shah was around. But still, one wonders,
would the Shah not have closed down 16 opposition publications? Were the
courts in that time any better than they are now? Would fewer student demonstrators
have died if the Shah was the one giving the orders? Let's ask questions
without any taarof. Let's find answers >>>
FULL TEXT
Sahar Nahrvar
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* Journey to Shomal
I recently took my American wife to see the new Majid Majidi movie Color
of Heaven. I was in awe of the scenery and the beauty of the northern
part of Iran. I have not been back to Iran since 1985 and well, I have
to admit, I had forgotten how brilliant the scenery was.
I was very moved by the combination of the story line and the setting.
Shomal. I wanted to show some pictures of shomal to my wife, so I looked
it up in Goggle's search engine and this story came up ["Shomal: The pleasant
reality"].
I can close my eyes and actually join Mr. Shaffer in his journey through
Chalous to Ramsar. It's a great reminder of how one should always appreciate
what he has; you never know when you'll be losing it. Great story.
Koorosh Khashayar
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Tuesday
May 9, 2000
* Superpowers shape our destiny
I think your article explains well some of the recent problems in Iran
["Reform
in retreat"]. However, the past and present reality shows that
unlike what you have stated ("Great Britain or the U.S. have little
to do with what is happening in Iran"), the superpowers have always
played a detrimental role in shaping Iranian destiny, even though in theory,
we all say that only Iranians can shape their destiny.
Alizadeh
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* Solidarity & strikes
In the three point options for the people of Iran in your leader, no
mention was made of solidarity , mass organization and strikes ["Reform
in retreat"]. Often the best way to change things fairly peacefully
is to organize, and force the ruling classes to relent through mass strikes.
I have two memories of such movements. In 1976 the Junior Doctors in
England staged a country wide strike to improve the health service and
after a period of three months we won most of the concessions that we wanted
from the Heath government.
Later in 1986 we did the same in Tehran and to begin with we had them
pretty scared but through lack of initiative and organization we did not
succeed. If we had managed to keep going for a few more days and brought
out other professional and blue collar workers then we would have succeeded.
Dr. Jim
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Monday
May 8, 2000
* Democracy from a theocracy?
In response to Abdy Hashemi's "Final
destination: Democracy":
I am a 21-year-old university student in the United States. My immediate
family escaped the wrath of the mollas and their disgusting government.
Why are you supporting the current regime? Do you honestly believe that
a democracy will develop from a theocracy? It seems to me that you are
so biased that you neglect the facts.
During Mr. Khatami's time as president, there have been over 250 documented
cases of public executions (AmnestyInternational). Your tone implies that
you dislike monarchies. Yet, Iran has a "Supreme Leader" right
now, with broad veto power which renders the president powerless.
People cannot afford any decent standard of living (except the agents
of the regime). The youth of Iran are sick and tired of what is going on
in their country. When the students demanded their constitutionally-guaranteed
rights, they were attacked and murdered.
If it were not for the young people that were born after the revolution,
I would say that the people of Iran are getting what they deserve. I wish
there was a way for the people to change the current government without
violence, but it may be inevitable. I am sure that you can provide some
facts to back up your claims.
Ilosh Azar
P.S. Quit slamming the Pahlavis with propaganda. It is about time Iranians
relied on the truth to make up their minds.
Go to tp
* There IS purity left in this world
Is the sole purpose in anyone looking for a certain type of mate based
on one criteria? For instance, the issue of chastity? Certainly not. But
it is a starting point ["Real
Iranian girls?"]. It is also the projecting of Ms.
Shahmanesh's self-loathing psyche,which makes evident in her statement,"...he
needs to believe there is some purity that is left in the world" which
leaves me to believe how truly innocent and righteous are even the worst-girls
in Iran compared to the likes of her and her comrades-in-degredation and
corruption.
This is a reminder to all of us to take heed of the type of sick and
perverted mindset that can develop and destroy marriages and which can
find no purity in the world. This is depth of moral decay when a young
woman cannot see any purity in anthing or anywhere in the entire world!
May God bless our grandfather's generation of men who knew right from wrong
and up from down!>>>
FULL TEXT
Cyrus Raafat
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Friday,
May 5, 2000
* Free expression, without getting beaten
In response to Murtaza
Sarwary:
It is so easy for you, living in Canada, halfway around the world from
Iran, to tell Iranians in Iran and worldwide that a bunch of insolent students
are trying to destroy all of what Khomeini and his regime fought for in
the Iran/Iraq war and in the struggle to put Islam in government. Maybe
it's because you never had a bit of exposure with the war and what went
on that you see things the way you do.
First of all, besides the fact that most Iranians only consider themselves
Muslims and don't really practice that much and that many Iranians are
also of different faiths, which makes a single-religion government totally
unrepresentative of the people, you forget that these newspapers are not
trying to destroy Islam; they focus instead on gaining the right to speak
out without getting beaten, being able to express ourselves freely in any
form, as our poets continued to do even after Islam >>>
FULL TEXT
Maziar Shirazi
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* Filmmakers as role models
In response to Banafsheh
Zand:
Thank you for your response and your respect to an Iranian artist which
was my general idea too. But needless to say, I have to diagree...
When somone rights a book or makes a movie, we are dealing with direct
ideas presented by the composer. How can the artist be exempt from ideas
that he himself is more or less presenting?
To make my point clearer, let's forget about Mehrjoui, whom I still
respect a lot, and consider another example. Let's consider a teacher who
is telling children in school to be honest, peaceful and not to be jealous.
Do you expect that teacher to follow his own words or not? Is this too
much ask? I don't think so >>>
FULL TEXT
Faramarz Kaviani
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Thursday
May 4, 2000
* Coordinated Zionist plot?
I am really saddened by all this barrage of very divisive articles and
propaganda by our fellow Iranian jewish so-called vocal groups.
I am confused as to what their ulterior motives are. Is it truly coming
from them or is it another cohesive and coordinated plot by their international
Zionist handlers? ...
Historically, Iran/Persia has been a safe haven for Jews for centuries
and centuries. It was the Persians who freed the Jewish slaves from Babylon.
It was the Ashkanians of northern Iran who helped the Jews and their leader
Antagon to defeat the Romans hence the creation of Israel first time or
second time around. I believethe present Israel is the third time...
Granted all's not well in Iran today but it's not just the Jews who
are having problems exclusively. I understand that you are all sympathetic
to Israel but you don't have to over do it at the expense of the rest of
us. Iran has some serious issues with Israel, mostly justified. As citizens
of Iran, you need to take under consideration all angles at this time.
PLEASE STOP ALL THIS DEMAGOGUERY >>>
FULL TEXT
Saaviz Afshar
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* Giving reformists a boost, from abroad
Rasool Nafisi's article ["Reform
in retreat"]is well written and comprehensive. But ... It is about
time that [the U.S. and Europe] abandon their naive policies and look at
Iran realistically, and there are many among the expatriate Iranian community
that can help... On the part of Iranian people and the reformists, PURE
reliance on internal factors and the law results in the advantage of the
conservatives >>>
FULL TEXT
Mohammad Azadpur
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Wednesday
May 3, 2000
* Ban on discussion
In response to your letter's section "Newspaper ban
is right" by Mr. Murtaza Sarwary, I would kindly disagree.
What the newspapers did was a service to the people and helped educate
everybody and find religious solutions to problems and changes in a modern
world. Religious beliefs have always been questioned and adapted over time
to comply with new necessities. That has been the streangth of Shia Islam.
What is happening now in Iran is not only trying to ban ordinary people
and journalists from discussing religion, but also closing the tradition
of "Ijtehad" among our religious scholars >>>
FULL TEXT
Mamad Rastgoo
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* Lucky dog
I held my breath while reading your piece. ["Beh
salaamati"] Thank God you got away with it. You don't even know
how badly they treat you if you are over the limit. Suffice to say that
they will not let you even pee or burp before being tested again in the
station. They treat like a criminal, and it is very costly too. The reason
you were below the limit is the duration of time in which you had your
beers. Lucky lucky dog!
RR
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* Drunk down under
Here in Australia, police just stop you, givesyou a breath test, and
fine you if you have exceeded the limit ["Beh
salaamati"] . The limit here is actually 0.5. None of this bull
crap talk ("Why did you lie?"), physical tests, or intimidating
behavior will occur.
Yazdaneh Amiryazdani
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* Noble Drew Ali
Your comment about Moorish Science ["Islam
in America"] being a "combination on eastern philosophies
and religions, Christianity, anti-white racism, and metaphysics,"
is incorrect, what I do suggest is that you actually read the Holy Koran
of the Moorish Science Temple of America >>>
FULL TEXT
C.E. Lewis
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Tuesday
May 2, 2000
* Newspaper ban is right
I'm an Iranian living in Canada. I was born in Zanjan, Iran, and lived
most of my life. In response to the 16 newpaper closures in Iran, I would
like to say that the Islamic government of Iran is doing the right thing
["Three
steps back"].
These journalists have questioned Islamic law in Iran and its the duty
of the Islamic Republic to protect Islam by any means whatsoever. We gave
1,000,000 martyrs in the Jihad against Saddam to protect Islam and the
Iranian people.
Khomeini told us to be careful when he's gone and the enemies will try
to start a war in Iran and against Islam. And now these stupid students
want more democracy! May Islam prevail forever in beautiful Iran.
Murtaza Sarwary
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* Helllllo freedom!
Mummy Joon told me: Whoever you call or write to, you should start and
end by saying: SALAAM BAR AAZAADI, DOROOD BAR MATBOOAAT!!! ["Three steps
back"]
So, this is an order from your 92 (or may be 93) year old grandma. SALAAM
BAR AAZAADI, DOROOD BAR MATBOOAAT...
B. J.
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* Huh?
Excuse me, what was that? ["Sunny
day in Berkeley"]
Arya Namdar
Go to top
Monday
May 1, 2000
* Keep personal life out of reporting
I am an Iranian businessman living in Europe and USA and I am ashamed
of Ms. Christian Amanpour for the pictures
of Iran that she showed the world.
After 20 years of being closed to the world she takes the CNN cameras
to the ugliest parts of Tehran and shows crumbled houses with domesticated
animals in the yard.
The least she could have done was to show a balanced picture of Tehran
with some of the nicer and cleaner neighborhoods in north Tehran. I don't
give a damn about the home she grew up in and her personal memory.
She should keep her personal life out of her reporting. I am ashamed
of Amanpour and don't think she is anything special at all. she is a shame
to Iranians, just like the mollas.
M. Sarafraz
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* Albright in Tehran!
Today, I had a two-hour show on Radio Sedaye Iran (KRSI), and performed
a Persian version of Mrs. Albright's April Fools interview ["Albright
in Tehran"] along with my friend and colleague, Ziba. She played
the role of Albright, and me the interviewer.
It was fantastic, and at least three times, we gave full credit to
The Iranian with mentions of the Web site and everything. It was really
fun reading it, and we received quite a few compliments from listeners.
And you know something? At the time, one of our anchormen had really
believed the story and mentioned it quite seriously as a first hand report
in his radio talk show!
Farrokh Javid
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