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October 8-9, 2001 * Who created these monsters As I am watching the CNN news about the strikes on Afghanistan, I am just wondering like so many others what would be next? We all have been terribly shaken by the events of Sept 11, and we saw that our world is indeed very vulnerable. We have been left with a feeling of sadness and anger; we don't know what the future has in store for us. I think those of us living in the US feel that the stablity and sense of security we all had is surely no more. The rest of the world, in the Middle East especially, people have lived and grown up with fear, violence insecurity and a bleak future for a while now. Today, as I watch the bombing of Afghanistan I cannot think of Osama bin Laden who is hiding in a cave sending his messianic-sounding messages to the world that "this is a war against Islam". I am thinking of those I watched last night, the women and deprived masses of Afghanis who have long lived in the fear of the Taliban. I ask myself, who created these monsters called the Taliban? I saw the faces of the children whose mother was shot in a village near Kandihar as the Taliban forces attacked civilians and the three girls could not speak of what happend to them in 2 days when the "puritan Moslem" Taliban did to them what they stone others for. I also think of the Palestinian chidlren who watched as their fathers or brothers were gunned down and their homes destroyed. And the world stood silent. And the arrogant terrorist of Sabra and Shatila in Lebanon, Mr. Sharon, who blurrs at those who have finally come to understand the plight of a homeless people in their own homeland. And I think of the victims of Sept 11 who innocently died without a reason; who left countless children and wives and mothers and fathers behind, to one day understand and ask why their loved ones became victims of terror in those towering infernos. Like others, I wait and hope and pray that what happened on that day and what happens tomrrow and the next day, will bring our world together not just as moslems or christians, Americans or British or Iranians. but as the world should be, as Saadi the great Persian poet said in the 13th century, "All Adams' children are limbs of one another". In very profound words, Tony Blair, the prime minister of England, said in a recent speech,"In this process, amidst all the talk of war and action, there is another dimension appearing. There is coming together; the power of community is asserting itself. The world community must show its capacity for compassion as for force." We are now facing life and death together. .. * Surprised and saddened I am so saddened and so surprised by what's been happening in the world. Iranians (and everybody else for that matter) were so quick to rush and express their love and support for the victims of the terrorist attacks. Three days passed since the US started bombing Afghanistan and I did not see one article on iranian.com expressing concern about the Afghan people freezing and starving at our borders. I did not see one picture of Iranians lighting candles for their neighbors. I did not see relief funds sprouting up to help the Afghans. Why worry about them? That won't make us look any cooler or more modern and progressive, or help us fit in under the american flag any better. The world is such a sad sad place. Fighting destruction with destruction, religious fundamentalism with western fundamentalism. When will this stop? I am surprised at the distinction made between terrorism and war (or enduring freedom, whatever that ridiculous term is supposed to mean), I'm especially surprised at Iranians who lived though war and missile attacks and felt the terror, and now support military attacks on Afghanistan. If what the Afghan people are experiencing now is not the worst kind of terror, I do not know what to call it. As you can see, I'm not very good with words, they fail me, or I fail to relate to them. I wish I had paid more attention in my writing classes so I could express myself more eloquently. There's so much to say, so much to do, so much to fix in this world. * How come? How come we wrote so much about NY and we are not writing anything about Afghanistan?!! Innocenet people are being killed there too. * Defending genocide Mr. Parsi, in your letter "Equally important", I cannot help but notice your lack of condemnation for Mr. Petikoff's dangerous article. In fact, you seem to have put up a defence for his call for "mass murder" genocide. I am disappointed that you have chosen to take up this stance, I find it baffling that anyone (never mind an Iranian) would choose to side with the extreme right-wing Petikoff in this instance, and attempt to provide a justification for the murder of innocent Iranian civilians (women and children included) on the grounds that since the revolution they've been chanting "Death to America", and cannot be considered innocent victims if they are killed. Do you realise what you're suggesting exactly? It would be wise to avoid further embarrassment, take a step back and think carefully about what you're saying. You said:
"Our" civilisation? Don't forget your name, Omid Parsi. These "numerous illiterates" are our brothers and sisters. I don't know if you have family or friends in Iran, but I do, and so do others. We pray for them every night. You said:
If you think Iran should be bombed and you encourage the massacre of our countrymen and women, as you don't consider them "innocent", then say it more clearly. Why don't you turn your lopsided logic back onto yourself and your "own" civilisation. US tax dollars go to Israel in order for the Israeli government to buy guns to shoot Palestinian children. US tax dollars go to training Israeli agents in "interrogation" (torture) techniques. In the past, US tax dollars have supplied arms used by Iraq against Iranians. Not excluding chemical weapons. The list goes on, the examples Israel and Iraq were simply topical. Applying your own logic, it would seem that every American is guilty of crimes against humanity through their financial support. I will not continue your chain of reasoning, as it's simply disgusting even to contemplate. If you're willing to count Iranian civilians among the legitimate targets of US strikes, then be aware that by your own twisted and sickening logic, US civilians are no more innocent (or guilty). Your definition of "guilt" leaves mud on your own face. Wake up Mr. Parsi. If you can stomach and justify further loss of innocent life, you're showing us that you're no different to those we (yourself included) condemn. * Wake up Fariborz's letter already brought to our attention the horrendously offensive and outrageous full-page ad placed by the so-called Ayn Rand Institute in the Oct. 2 issue of The New York Times. Here is the number to The New York Times advertising accountability office: 212-556-7171. This is the office that determines whether an ad is acceptable for publication. THIS IS A CALL TO ACTION. I urge all my fellow iranians and Iranian-Americans (and all others who are similarly outraged) to call their office and in the strongest possible terms express your outrage that The New York Times would publish such an advertisement. The advertisement first blames Iran for the Sept. 11 attacks, then calls for the United States military to invade and occupy Iran. What is perhaps MOST offensive and outrageous is that this article/advertisement claims that it is within America's right to kill innocent civilians (ie, Iranians), and that the killing of innocent civilians subsequently cannot be blamed on the United States but rather on the host nation's government. We must ultimately press The New York Times to print some sort of retraction and full acknowledgement that the newspaper does not in any way, shape, or form advocate the views of the "Ayn Rand Institute" and Leonard Piekoff. Let us WAKE UP and for once make our voices heard in this society that we live in. Let us make known that we are a strong-willed community and that we CANNOT be taken for granted. Let us speak out and show that we exist to the media and the politicians in this country. * People & oppressors Dear Dr. Peikoff, I am an Iranian and I completely agree with your analysis regarding the Islamic Republic of Iran and the thugs who rule it. However, are you distinguishing between the ordinary Iranian people and the fanatic oppressors? and more importantly, do you realise that there is a big secular opposition to these murderous fanatics? If your motives are not rascist but ideological, you can count me on your side!! and I do hope that the United States takes out the Taliban in Afghanestan and the Mollas in Iran. I rather live under the American military occupation than the theocratic dictatorship of the mollas. Best Regards * Come down, brother Dear Omid, Thank you for your very enlightening letter, "Equally important". You divide the world in two categories, 1."We": The innocent American people who are not surely responsible of what their government does in the world, creating poverty, chaos and war seeking its own interests (Example: supporting the Taliban to gain power in their early days). 2."They": Who are the "poor" (what a shame), "powerless" (Ok, they have no atomic bombs) and "misguided"!!! who has now become responsible for the death of 5,000 innocent souls because "They" shouted "Death to America". What it means for "Them" is not important, only counts how "We" interpret it. And this ways go for "Ordinary Iranians" who tolerate this. (Hint : So the others were not ordinary. Maybe aliens, extra-ordinary animals, but not ordinary human beings). And of course there is no point in feeling sorrow for "Them" if "We" struck "Them". "They" would not qualify as victims of "collateral damage". As if your bombs are intelligent enough to distinguish between the one who has shouted "Death to America" and the one who has been against it and fought it. If yes, your bombs are surely more intelligent than you, since you do not see the individual whose life is as important as the other and qualify thousands of people with different ideas and aspirations under one label: "Masses of people shepherded to hate". The individuals who in difficult and different conditions have tried to do their best, or have not, or have done the worst, are being equally condemned to "death" and "elimination" by "We". It's their own fault, They are blocking the progress of "We", the civilized nation. Maybe you are right in saying that it was not just to shout "Death to America". But issuing death verdict for the shouters, by "collateral damage" or when "your" defence continues to "eliminate" others after Taliban, comes from arrogance or foolishness or blind hatred. By the way, for me, there is no "We" and "Them". Specially when the method of categorization is based upon geographical criteria. Of course you have the right to defend yourself against those who comitted those criminal attacks. But do not distribure responsibilities from your high place, specially when you don't like to be a loving father for others. Come down brother, we are all in the same ship. Bani Adam ... "All Adam's race are members of one frame/ Since all, at first, from the same essence came. When by hard fortune one limb is oppressed/ The other members lose their wonted rest. If thou feel'st not for others' misery/ A son of Adam is no name for thee." Reza Pakzad, * Sueing Petikoff? I was wondering if any group/or person of Iranian orgin is thinking of filling a law suit against Petikoff. If you are aware of any move such as that, I appreciate if you can give some info so that I can join. Respectfully, * Not just grandstanding In "We are the victims" Setareh Sabety wrote: "... as a woman, I would rather live in Sharon's Israel than Hamas' Palestine; Bush's American than Khamenei's Iran; and almost anywhere else than Taliban's Afghanistan." I should add that such sentiments are not just grandstanding nor only limited to women. There have been millions of Iranians who have immigrated to U.S. and Israel and very few who have decided to make Saudi Arabia or Afghanistan their permanent home. Iranians have already made their decisions on this matter through their actual lives. All else is empty rhetoric. Regards, * Arab nationalism The tragic attack on the civilised world on September 11 is evidence that fascism is the main driver of extremists. American representatives have questioned the support given to Islamic groups and the wisdom of interfering in countries like Afghanistan. American government is examining its foreign policy concerning the Middle East and there are signs of changes coming. Isn't therefore time for the British establishment to re-examine their policy of nurturing foreign nationalists? It is surely time to stop the support given to foreign nationalist and extremist movements regardless of the commercial disadvantages. The British support of Arab nationalism is a case in point. One need only look at the difference in reporting between the British and American press. While the American press adheres to UN standards and cartographic conventions, the British Media insists on calling the Persian Gulf anything but the Persian Gulf. Yours Sincerely, A R Beglie Beigie, * U.S. put us in this mess In regard to the paper entitled "Get off the fence", I have a few comments to say to the author. The author questions whether Iranians would open their hearts if americans crash an Iranian plane. In fact that is exactly what the US did not crash the Iran Air Air Bus in 1998 but shoot it down and then claim that the most advanced war ship at that time had mistaken the plane for an F-14. In fact if it wasn't for an article in Newsweek the "mistake" that the captain of the warship had committed would not have been revealed. What happened in New York and Washington was a terrible act that resulted in the death of at least 6,000. I would like to ask Mr. Roy whether he is aware that 13 million Iraqis have died as a result of the Persian Gulf War and related sanctions since 1991. It doesn't seem like he doese because after all it was never mentioned in CNN and therefore he or other americans don't know about it. Mr. Roy or whatever your names is, why don't you admit that it is the US foreign policy that has put us in this mess. When arabs see other arabs including Iraqi children die because the US is not willing to lift sanctions that allow drugs to reach these children,(some of which are dying of Leukemia as a result of US weapons)a few that are "psychotic" will rely on terrorism to take revenge. Wake up and smell the "stink". * You know who Dear Roy, This is in response to your article, "Get off the fence". # 1) CNN and the rest of the media here all are pro-Israel.They try to minimize the Palestinian tragedies and to divert the attention to the attacks on Israel, while we know the number of Palestinian killed by far is much more ( last year alone 1000 deaths among Palestinian vs. 100 Israelis. # 2) Yes they have had Muslims on the shows, they have politely expressed their opinions. They have had several Israelis calling Muslims countries morons and asking for mass murder of all the Mid East people!.Would they ever bring Arafat on the C-span addressing the US officials and asking American officials to kill the Israelis? (referring to the recent visit and friendly! advise of Mr. Netanyahu) # 3) Iranians are still being blamed AND PUNISHED for what happened 22 years ago( hostage taking?).The assets of Iranian PEOPLE are still frozen , Iran is on the List of Terrorist countries, and ECONOMIC SANCTION have made life difficult for the people of Iran. This is not something that happened 22 years ago... this STARTED 25 years ago and continues till now. If you meant to refer to the Coup of 1953, then yes, Iranians are still blaming the US for this. The only and truly democratic goverment of Iran under Prime Minister Dr. Mossadegh was overthrown by the US. Is this in support of Democracy in the middle East? you judge for yourself. # 5) American press is not truly a "free press", this is an illusion. It seems so but in reality, there is complete freedom to express pro-Israeli opinion, but not otherwise.This is seen at all levels from a small University Newsletter to a larger newpaper. Few months ago, in our University an American student who is married to a Muslim wrote an editorial about the Palestinian tragedies in the STUDENT's Newsletter. She was a candidate for the "editor in chief " for this small newsletter. After this article she was attacked for a period of 3-4 weeks not by students but by (you know who) faculty members. She was removed from the candidate list. You can judge for yourself what this translates to, in a large scale.According to CNN's data released few months ago, Muslims are one of the groups with no representative in any of the US political systems (Senate or the Congress)! Isn't that strange in a DEMOCRATIC conutry with 6 million Muslims? The media is very similar to that of the 3rd world countries with one major difference...People of those regions know that the media does not reflect the truth and try to get the truth from other sources , while people here believe what they see,... always only one side of the story. #7) Actually Hitler had created a vesrion of ''religion" that was based on ''race "and Hitler was described as a savior and Lord. Also the killing of Palestine's is committed by religious Jews( by definition, Israel is based on a theocracy). #10) Initiating war in the Middles East has been helped and prolonged by the two Superpowers( Russia and USA), examples... war in Afghanistan started by the invasion of the Soviets, then the Taliban and Bin Laden group were helped by the US. Help of US to Saddam, and providing him with arms made him so powerful to attack Iran and then Kuwait.Then again is time to help Kuwait! * Subtle sensuality I just read your poem ["Discovered treasure"], which I think was absolutely erotic and beautiful... I liked it very much. I know it's difficult to write a sensual and erotic piece without losing subtelty, but you did it graciously and magnificently. All the best, * Kheili ani Kheili ani, midoonesti? ["Reza Pahlavi's dream"] Jasoose jomhoory eslami hasti. * You deserve the mollas Fuck you bastard. ["Reza Pahlavi's dream"] You deserve the mollas and the Islamic Republic. * Naneh jendeh ANE PAHLAVIHA TOO DAHANEH KHODET VA KHANEVADAT. NANEH JENDEH. ["Reza Pahlavi's dream"] * You are a... You are a bucket of shit. ["Reza Pahlavi's dream"] * Ashamed of who you are? This site brought to my attention a deeply worrying factor, which I was previously unaware of: some Iranians refer to themselves as Iranian-Americans. I have lived outside Iran all my life, but have never referred to myself as an Iranian-whatever. Perhaps it is because I have always felt pride in my country's culture, history and flag. So, I ask those of you who face this dilemma of "being Iranian or otherwise" the following question: Are you ashamed of who you are and where you come from? There is no such thing as an Iranian-American. Iran and America are the light rays that are situated at the opposite sides of a spectrum. And by this, I am not referring to the governments or politics of the two countries, but I am implying the contrasting spiritual, social, philosophical beliefs and mentalities of the two people. The true Iranian, the one who deserves the name of Iran most, the soldiers who lost their lives protecting Iran's sacred soil and honour, did not do so for you and I to call ourselves Iranian-Americans. And before any reader criticizes my beliefs, I have to affirm that I am not an anti-American or anti anyone for that matter. However, my fellow compatriots you are either an Iranian or not. I believe it is time to choose who you really are. So, please,please, stop dragging Iran's name and dignity through mud and make up your mind! * Foroughi dead Iranian singer Fereydon Foroughi died in Tehran of a stroke. No other info is available for the time being. He was reported to be only 57. This is one of his famouse songs: CHERA VAGHTY KE ADAM TANHA MISHE GHAMO GHOSASH GHADE YEK DONYA MISHHE MIREH YEK GOOSHHE PENHOON MISHINEH ONJA RO MESLE YEK ZENDON MIBINEH GHAME TANHAEE ASSERET MIKONEH TA BEKHAEE BEJONBE PEERET MIKONEH VAGHTY KE TANHA MISHEAM ASHK RO CHESHAM PAR MIZANEH GHAM, MIYAD YAVASH YAVASH KHONEH GHAM MIZANEH YADE ON SHABHA MIOFTAM ZEERE ABRHAYEH LABAT TOYEH JANGAL LABE CHESHMEH MINESHASTEEM LABE YAR * Brilliant Your article "Chop chop" was brilliant! I think in a time like this, it's great that you can write something to put smiles on peoples faces. You certainly put a smile on my face today. Thanks, * Can't have it all This is a response to Sousi's letter, "Why should we put up with these people?" Sousi, I would like to think you're deliberately being provocative, but maybe you're just ignorant. You argue that we who care for asylum seekers should direct our attention elsewhere, say the Middle East. You obviously don't see the irony of your suggestion. Yes, there are atrocities being committed in Iraq - why do you think that most of Australia's asylum seekers come from Iraq? But then I suppose that you would support the annihilation of Afghanistan by the military, AND be concerned about the Afghani refugees BUT as long as it means Australia doesn't take in any more asylum seekers. I'm sorry Sousi, you can't have it all your own way. I would also like to argue your point about the 4 Corners program. Surely, you don't think it is sensationalist!!! Are you serious?? So what do you call balanced reporting - A Current Affair or Today Tonight?? I suppose that you believe everything that the Australian government is telling you and that the 5 minute segment on the 6 o'clock news tells you all you need to know (or perhaps want to know). The rest of your diatribe doesn't even warrant a response. It is sensationalist, really Sousi, you should write for a tabloid newspaper - your research and reasoning is of the same (sub)-standard. You have only submitted one, very shallow view of the entire situation. Finally, please don't claim to represent me as an Australian. I find it offensive that you write the words 'The Australian people are heartily sick and tired....'. You don't represent me or my opinions, or the many thousands who refuse to be blinded by ignorance and hate. Your generalisations of the opinions of the Australian people, of Muslims and asylum seekers are dangerous and divisive. Why should good decent citizens and human beings in Australia have to endure your opinion? Your views are something I abhor. * How people look at it I discovered The Iranian on the internet over a year ago and have been an interested reader ever since, particularly of your Letters' page. I know you have had many contributions since 11th September from Iranian Americans, so I thought you might like a quick perspective from England and some ideas about how ordinary people - not the politicians! - are looking at it all. When the news broke, no one could talk of anything else. Everyone I know who had access to the internet was tapping into CNN and the BBC and Reuters and any site which might have news. Everyone was listening to the radio and watching all available news bulletins. You have to remember that in Britain we are very hardened to news like this: we have been living with the Irish terror campaigns for years, and I can remember working in London when the trains and underground were regularly closed for security alerts and when areas of the centre were closed by bombs or bomb alerts. We tend to take such attacks in our stride and just get on with daily life as far as we can as if nothing was happening. But this was different. The scale of the disaster was extraordinary, and while some of us are remembering that the Americans have not been noted for their solidarity with us during Irish terror campaigns, everyone agreed that retaliation was inevitable. Now the mood is much the same, but with all sorts of provisos. We want to be sure that there is good evidence of who is responsible. We are very conscious of the reports of impending famine in Afghanistan. People are now listening to the stories told by the refugees. If anything good can come out of all this mess, perhaps it will be that different peoples now have to talk to each other. Many of us have been pleased that our Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw, went to Iran recently - although we are unimpressed with the reports of crowds in Tehran shouting "Death to America". However anyone tries to explain such scenes away, it sound suspiciously like what we call here Incitement to Racial Hatred, which in this country would be a criminal offence. About a year and a half ago I visited Iran with a group of other British travellers. We were so heartened by the welcome we received everywhere we went. Some of us had come with prejudices about what Iran would be like: no one in the group went back with these prejudices. I wrote a short account of how we had all felt about our experiences which The Iranian was kind enough to publish and received all sorts of emails as a result - many of them interesting and a few of them weird! I am sure that so many people in Britain are watching the situation closely and hoping that whatever else happens, good will come out of evil and our different nations will now start really talking to each other - as they should have done years ago. Yours faithfully, * Dishonest On the Web section of September 12, 2001 , Beyond Iran, there is a two line audio of Karim Sanjabi about his views in 1978 in Paris. The views of someone on Khomeini in the very early days of revolution can hardly reflect the true opinion of the person.Khomeini, like most of the mollas fooled a lot of people including Sanjabi. It is truly dishonest to display such an audio , and perhaps out of context version , about a man who is no longer among us. And for what reason? * Patriotic duty I did my patriotic duty. I bought a new 2002 mini van, made in America. Please buy that big ticket item you have wanted to buy, take a trip and spend a little bit of money IF YOU CAN to help the U.S. economy. I am sure things will pick up soon. Mortgage rates are down (around 6%), buy a home. Sooner or later, the economy is going to turn around for sure.
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