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Friday * All had high hopes When do we learn to tolerate each other and engage in constructive dialogue even though we disagree with each other? This is in response to letters from people who seem to think if the Mojahedin fought against the Regime, the Hezbollah and other supporters of the Islamic Republic, they are "traitors". This essay will not focus on the ideological weaknesses underlying Mojahedin's political cause. Nor does it defend their relocation to Iraq. I am not a supporter of any political group. However, after thousands of Iranians have lost their lives, certain things are worth mentioning. All the martyrs who were murdered by the Regime near Kermanshah, in Evin and in other brutal operations around the country before and after July 1988 , all the monarchist fighters who were arrested and killed, the murders of numerous political prisoners, freedom fighters, writers, artists, students -- were they in vain? Were they traitors as well? When do we learn to show political tolerance and awareness about other groups and their issues? The fact is, as much as we disagree with each other we must learn to tolerate. We can't pick and choose Iranians who fought for the freedom of our land, and separate them into "heroes" or "traitors". I can't say only those who agreed with my ideology were heroes and the rest were killed "in vain". They all had high hopes for Iran >>> FULL TEXT * No logical basis Firstly, in reply to those who attack Hadi Khorsandi for his satirical article regarding Leila Pahlavi's death ["Gozaaresh", "Leila Pahlavi beh faarsiye saade"], it would be better if they tried to get the gist of his article which is the the never ending story of "Akhoond and Akhoondism" in our culture. As far as I noticed, he also expressed his sorrow upon her loss. What he criticizes is Pahlavis' version of "Akhoond" not Leila's death which touched any human's heart. Well done Mr. Khorsnadi for your sharp eyes and tongue! Secondly, those who try to relate what happened in Spain or Bulgaria with what they believe should happen in Iran may be notified that the monarchy is an out-dated reactionary system. It has no logical basis as why one has to be revered and worshiped lifetime just because he is the oldest son of a former king regardless of any personal qualifications which he may or may not have. If you find democratic monarchies around the world these days, they date back to the past. Today there is no reason to start out with the monarchy again. Especially in Iran which classically has the highest potential and susceptibility of despotism and hence, for any regime to remain democratic, there had better be the minimum chance of turning into a dictator ship. This chance for a monarchical regime is maximum not minimum because it is an individual-centered reign. In the end, I believe that a democratic republican system based on the popular vote, freedom of speech and parties is absolutely functional in Iran and I see no necessity for a fetish as a king or the like to save us. We will make it all by ourselves this time and hopefully, the right way. A friend of yours, * What he eats belongs to the people of Iran In response to ("Spain too", "If he had a billion", and "So simplistic"), our royalist friends choose to ignore reality and focus on irrelevant fallacies. Juan Carlos is not General Franco's son. Prince Juan Carlos de Borbon was apparently chosen by Franco as he was the last in the line of monarchs prior to Franco's rule. Nevertheless his accomplishments in democratization of the Spanish system are quite remarkable. But by no means is that an indicator of what Reza Pahlavi (and the related entourage of corrupt courtiers and family members) may do. Just because Juan Carlos did it, does not mean Iran will be so lucky. One is reminded of US Senator Lloyd Bentsen's comment to Sen. Dan Quayle during the vice-presidential debates for the 1988 US Elections: "Senator... you ain't no Jack Kennedy!" The other letters point out that Reza Pahlavi is less financially secure as others believe and that he has chosen a dangerous and perilous path and he could have bought his way back if he had the money. I have not read material this humorous in a while. While one man's ceiling may be another's floor, and thus the matter of perspectives, it is indeed difficult to comprehend the dangers of living in Washington DC, having an "office" and endlessly talking about what should and should not happen. Coupled with travels to Europe and ski resorts, where he insists on paying for his own room, all at the expense of "mellateh Iran". For those readers who have not done so, a visit to Washington DC is in order. Great restaurants, beautiful scenery, specially in Spring and Fall and decent varieties of activities, from music to theater to biking and hiking trails and a rich list of museums. Hardly a dangerous place (except for certain neighborhoods after dark). They still do not address the financial issues and the improper methods used in obtaining them. So he is not a billionaire (maybe a half-billionaire?). All behavioral evidence points in that direction though. And not being a billionaire does not excuse what they have committed and what they have taken that was not theirs. With all respect to the memory of the departed -- and I do ask God's forgiveness in bringing this up --, how could Leila Pahlavi afford such jetsetting lifestyle and four rooms in an outrageously expensive London hotel week after week, year after year, without having worked a single day in her life? Extrapolate that to the rest of the crew and all that has NOT been published. How about you folks help out and find Mr. Pahlavi a real job, where he gets to earn his money. What a novel concept! Does he know what it is like to work, pay taxes, learn how to get along with a boss, peers, colleagues? And not have full dictatorial control? Hardly! And such a person wants to lead. Woe to the sorry flock who has someone so inexperienced and unseasoned in life as their leader. We have listened to what he has to say. He claims he wants democracy and freedom of choice for the people of Iran. Amen. Most Iranians, if not all, do! With a caveat that he believes history has given him this task and he feels responsible in leading the country to that "Nirvana". Credibility is what is severely lacking here. The time for Pahlavi rule has come and gone. It does not matter what he has to say. What he says sounds very good -- part of it anyways. Talk is cheap. All liars, dictators, and oppressors in history have talked and said wonderful things. What he does is what matters. He lives on stolen money. He wears stolen clothes. What he eats belongs to the people of Iran. Every single bite of food that he takes rightfully belongs to a hungry, poor child in some village in Iran. He has never earned his keep. How can you ask people to ignore and forget all of that? Others have stolen too -- and still do -- but that does not excuse the Pahlavi financial tradition. He can talk all he wants and our royalist friends can dream all they want. Reality lies elsewhere. Patronizing people with a "holier-than-thou" attitude is an indicator of being very much out of touch and in a land of dreams and ignorant of reality. This is and seems to have always been a "Pahlavi" hallmark. The more things change, the more they seem to stay the same. * Mollas' millions Oh, here we go again, "Return that billion first", yet another idiot wants some money from Reza Pahlavi. Why doesn't Peerooz go and ask for the stolen money from the mollas? It is very typical of this anti-Pahlavi gang, they keep draging their feet about Pahlavi's millions and billions and trillions, but they are scared stiff to ask about the mollas pillage which is unprecedented in history. Just compare the Iranian economy from 1299 when Reza Khan marched on Tehran to 1357 when the late Shah left and you will see that the Iranian economy improved considerably during this period and Iranians became a lot richer, so if Pahlavis have money it is not at the expense of anybody. However if you compare 1357 to today you can see that Iranians are a lot poorer, so mollas have stolen directly from your packet. So go and claim your money! from the mollas and stop talking nonsense. * I completely agree How strange that I completely agree with Parkhas ["If he had a billion"], that the greatest failure of the Pahlavis for all that 58 years, was their inability to raise the level of Iranians' "sho'oor".That is what we are all paying for. As to the "nameless Iranian comic," it is written by Dr Mohammad Borghai in the "Iranian" newspaper in Washington DC vols. 119 & 120 , also published in Iran Emrooz internet paper in the articles section under the title of "The lessons I learned from Leila Pahlavis' death". * Democracy overriding principle As an Iranian who believes that constitutional monarchy with a true parliamentary democracy would be better for Iran, as it would safeguard Iran's sovereignty and her ethnic diversity, I was appaled to read Mr. Kooros Effatian's view as to the way he thinks certain group of people should be treated ["Dorost sobat konid"] in a post-Islamic-Republic state. My advice to Mr. Effatian is: 1. Listen carefully to what Reza Pahlavi is saying in all his speeches and interviews about democracy for Iran. 2. No matter how stongly or passionately one might feel about a particular form of government (be it monarchy, republic or ...), the overriding principle in the chosen system has to be DEMOCRACY, which also guarantees the rights of opposition. Therefore, NO ONE should feel the right to break any one's leg ("ghalame pahahie ......khoord khahim kard"), pen or anything else. There will be no place for such mentality in the Iran of tomorrow, especially if constitutional monarchy is chosen to be the system of the state. * Happy without faith In his article "Last refuge", Mr. Vahidi does an eloquent job of describing his 17 years of trials and tribulations to finally settle down to his old-fashioned traditionalist religious values. He seems to have found the ultimate peace of mind. Now, armed with his religious beliefs, he seems happy, content, and prepared to face and handle any future sufferings that may come his way, simply through his faith. Good for him. Born and raised a secularist, I have had a relatively happy life with minimal suffering. And yes, after almost 60 years on this planet, I still believe that the day I die, that will be the end of it for me. No "soul" will be left behind, and my physical body will disintegrate with passing time, just like many other people and other species that lived before me. Believe me, I have no problem with this, and my life is still a fun party. Meanwhile, something is, and has been bothering me about the religionists during my lifetime. And that is: most of them tend to force their values down the throat of others that do not share the same belief system. Here, I am not just talking about a bunch of tyrannical fundamentalists holding power in places like Afghanistan, Iran, Saudi Arabia or Hitler's Germany. I am also talking about the technologically advanced countries such as the US whose right wing conservative groups are trying to force their antiabortion "rights" down the throat of others who do not share the same belief system. By the way, the US is number one country in the so-called advanced industrial world with highest per capita god-believers and churchgoers (data to support this claim is available through many sources). Also, look at Dr. Kevorkian. He is still behind bars. While Mr. Vahidi has found his nirvana, the religious faith to resolve potential sufferings that will face him, us secularists also require a solution to make us face such potential sufferings coming our way. One solution is availability of a painless (almost happy) means of ending one's life when one prefers not to suffer. It should be as easily available as Aspirin, over-the-counter, with 100% guarantee to work, with no complications, pain nor vomiting. Why isn't such a pill available to those who would like to have it as an anti-suffering insurance? I submit the reason is the religionists that, again, are forcing their beliefs down the throat (no pun intended) of others who do not share the same belief system. * One woman, one man With due respect, a few words for you, since you admit to liking criticism! ["Fact or fiction?"] In your letter about the recent article "Mary" you had written: "...I suggest you do some research on a country before you write a story about it. I think you as an artistic creator are responsible not to enforce your personal understandings of a matter on a society - in your writings - and in presenting one as all the population." The story is not about Denmark, neither does it claim to be a study of the abuse Danish women suffer in the hands of foreign men. It is the story of one woman and her tragic encounter with one disturbed Iranian man, no more, no less. After reading your comments I went back and read the story again. I found it to be factual and virtually free of personal interpretations or generalizations about anything pertaining to Denmark or Iran. The author very clearly warns against rash judgments at the onset and states that the intent of Mary is not to insult Iranians -- that in fact she has numerous Iranian friends and acquaintances whom she respects. I agree with you: badmouthing races, religions, nationalities and intermarriages is very easy, but so is offering criticism without basis my friend! Iranians are some times guilty of abuse towards their spouses or children, as are people of other nationalities -- this is a fact that we cannot run away from. As civilized people, in a forum with predominantly Iranian readers, we should be able to discuss problems of this nature without constantly having to fear that we are going to be judged or labeled (although I cannot be certain that raising the issue of abuse was the intent of the author to begin with). Actions speak louder than words Sheema. Our collective behavior as Iranians can do more to portray us as a people than a very forgettable movie ever could. Mehrak * Like Chekhov & Shamloo It's interesting ["Sadaf Kiani Abbassian's stories"]. I mean your short story. Have you read Chekhov's short stories named "Tifus"? Have you read Shamloo's poem about the time he had a fever? Your story is like theirs. Please don't stop on writing and go ahead.I'll read your stories on web. Sincerely Yours, * Kerman, California I read your article on Persia Iowa ["Found it"]. Very nice work. Did you know that there is a town in California called Kerman? It's about 100 some miles south of San Francisco.
* Persian rugs Iwould like to get some information regarding Persian rugs and its history. I am attending Buruch Colege in New York and for my last class the professor has asked us to talk about the history of Persian rugs. I have asked you several question in the past and succesfully have recieved appropriate answers, this time too I turn to you for help. So please consider my question and find as much information as you have. Thank you very much for your concern. Sincerely, * Joseph Yazdani My name is Teresa from Mexico. I trying to locate a friend JOSEPH YAZDANI (from Ahwaz) he was a attending military training at Forth Bliss (El Paso, Texas) from 1972-1974 Could you please help me? IT MEANS A LOT TO ME IF I COULD HAVE CONTACT WITH HIM.
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