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January 28, 2003 * Salam baademjaan
* Fantastico This is my favorite page: Googoosh singing for the royal family. Fantastico. * Uplifting just to reminisce It is like reliving life with all its simplicities and yet complex [Red lipstick]. Or, may be it is like a sweet dream with a cold morning of reality, that the past cannot be brought back and the future will not be the same. What an emotional uplifting just to reminisce, laugh, cry and cherish the culture with all its shortcomings, yet real and reach in honesty and truth, not necessarily good or bad. Is life still the same in the land of "daash akol" and "reza motori"? Probably, not. But there are still some leftovers of the past in some old neighborhoods
and some "kooche bazaar". For us, life goes on and may be we can keep each
other breathing a bit easier by sharing these moments. * Man who had no feet The other day, I was watching Nicole Kidman on CNN's Larry King Live. During her interview, she referred to a Persian saying that went something like this "A man was crying because he had no shoes until he saw another man who had no feet." Has anyone heard of this expression and if so what is it in Farsi? * Remove it ASAP Great thanks for wide range of information about IRAN on your webpages, for the people who respect your idea. Let me inform you, you need some qualified people for putting information on web about IRAN. Your mistake about the following photo [Ey Iran] is really offensive. As soon as possible remove it. * Saddam, the apostate Dr. Kalimipour's essay "Unusually ominous" leaves out one important factor to the equation of fighting terrorism after 9/11. Iraq is a country with a majority of Muslims. As of recent news reports from Saudi Arabia have stated that the religious leaders of Saudi Arabia, the capital of Islam have concluded that Saddam Hussein is an apostate. An apostate, in arabic "mortad" is an individual who has left Islam. The punishment for an apostate is death according to Islamic law. After this edict is written one billion Muslims must turn their backs against Saddam Hussein. It is futile for Saddam to remain in Iraq. And if any Muslim considered Saddam a Muslim now is the time for that Muslim to say "Inna-Lillahi-wa-inna-ilahi-raji-un". This is the Islamic saying when a death message is received. And this message is the only message to be given after a Muslim is convicted of being an apostate. Yours truly, * What we can hope for Just wanted to say that I agree with your analysis. Nevertheless the war seems unavoidable today, the Bush administration made a mistake not to deal immediately after Afghanistan, with Saddam Hussein's regime for its real or false association with the Al-Qaeda movement. [Unusually ominous] Having waited so long has confused the world and driven an anti-american sentiment even in ally countries. It is a golden oppurtunity top transform the UN into an operational World organization where local and global conflicts could be solved. Unfortunately I feel that this is still a very far fetched hope. A war will always serve as a big income for Arms dealers. On the other hand the major danger in the aftermath of this War if it does take place or not its that the dissapointment towards America and what it symbolizes could be recuperated by extremists of all sides. America and the American Nation must not lose their hope,and faith in Democracy. The recent peace mouvements and the fact that civil society has taken a step be it through intellectuals and artists in the Us is positive in that it proves that the Americans have realized that Democracy is not just a god given right, and eternal and that the civil society has to move forward to guarantee its continuity. The same happened in France although on a totally different level since it was about stopping the French extreme right and racist mouvement of usurping the democracy. Democratic and Freedom aspirations also were usurped in the way we saw in our own country. What we can hope for the future is that the seeds of Democracy will finally take root in Iraq, Iran and the middle east in general, but I am afraid we are still very far from this scenario in a near future. Regards, * Hezbollahi murderer What are you doing having a Hezbollahi murderer, glorifying his daughter? I'm referring to your article "A miracle". * Picture of life your photo essay was very sweet [A miracle]. it also gave an interesting picture of your life & youth, one of which i hadn't really been aware. i was sorry when it ended with the train ride back into iran. will you do a part 2? TB * Add Akbar and Rahbar Lately some brouhaha has been emanating from quarters in Iran suggesting that Montazeri should be released from house arrest. But in my humble opinion not only should Montazeri not be released from house arrest, but his accommodations should be expanded to accommodate two additional house guests, notably Akbar and Rahbar. At last count, my family has been in forced exile going on 24 years (to even the
score Montazeri should spend another 19 years, and the other two a combined 48 years
in confinement...and have a multitude of other ills befall them.) * Racism and paranoia I have just started to read an article entitled "Forsaking Iranians" by an Iranian named Ali Aliabadi. Mr Aliabadi claims to have suffered a premature ejaculation caused by reading an essay by a fellow Iranian. For this he deserves our heartfelt sympathy, for Iranians seem to be writing lengthy essays and articles and open letters full of what Mr Aliabadi calls "empty blathering" at the rate of a dozen a day, and this must therefore raise concerns about Mr Aliabadi's physical and sexual well-being. From what Mr Aliabadi says, the offending essay was not even erotic, but merely comical and ridiculous. From a purely medical standpoint, we must therefore urge Mr Aliabadi to avoid more intense stimuli, such as looking at pictures of Iranian religious women in public places. He apparently wants the IRI to continue, presumably so that he can continue to be aroused by the appearance of so many Iranian ladies in chadors. They look anything but erotic, but extremely comical and ridiculous. Perhaps this is why Mr Aliabadi left Iran in the first place. But wait ... Now that I have read the remainder of Mr Aliabadi's article, I fear that my previous comments are no longer relevant, because he has already succumbed to the serious mental disorders of which his sexual problem was obviously only one symptom. He has succumbed completely to those well-known side effects of schizophrenia and megalomania, namely racism and paranoia. Mr Aliabadi's self-confessed anti-Semitism has apparently spilled over into labelling the entire American nation Jewish because a few American officials are Jewish. America is, of course, a nation of racially-mixed people. Mr Aliabadi then states "A nation of racially-mixed people can not and will not be able to rise above third world status". Since Mr Aliabadi lives in America and describes himself as an American, one must doubt his powers of observation and question his logical processes, which apparently classify America as a Third World country. Further, Mr Aliabadi retreats into the egotistical emphasis on ethnic origins which is the trademark of the Third Reich, using empty-blathering about Aryan origins and decadence, making derogatory comments about inter-racial marriage bringing " their blood into our veins", and pledging allegiance to the Aryan race. Yet undoubtedly even the British National Party, that small ageing remnant of Hitler's Youth, would not accept Mr Aliabadi as an Aryan, and would describe him as a "wog". Combined with these outbursts of paranoia, Mr Aliabadi's dislike of democracy and dislike of America make one seriously question why he has chosen to live in America and describes himself as an American. Finally, Mr Aliabadi displays the self-loathing which typifies patients with suicidal tendencies ("I forsake Iranians for I care not an ounce for them"). He is, of course, Iranian. Dr Bobbie Abdi * Connected to the precious past How wonderful to discover your web site! I so enjoyed looking through all these
photos and feel connected to the precious past! [Nostalgia] * Type in Persian Dear Mohsen, I really liked your article titled "Deal with it" in The Iranian. I thought to provide you with some information regarding Persian word processors. About a couple of months ago, I myself was wondering how to get myself a decent Persian word processor in order to be able to type letters and articles in Persian. Here is what I suggest you do: Go to the web site //students.washington.edu/irina/persianword/persianwp.htm. This is a great site on which you will find instructions on how to make your operating system recognize Persian as one of its languages and how to type Persian in Microsoft Word. Furthermore, the site explains how to convert your Persian documents in MS Word into PDF documents. This feature allows other people to easily view your documents, since all they need to do so is to have Acrobat Reader, a program that is available for free at www.adobe.com. Regards, Nima * Militarizing America Dear Professor Yahya Agha, [Unusually ominous] You are missing one unfortunate point, the recommendations you prescribe may very well be compatible with the will of the American public but not they are not the agenda of the US government. The USA is no longer a democracy and has not been for some time... it is an Oligarchy where the will of the masses matters little and the multinational corporations actively work at reducing the proletariat to a mass of consumers without any national boundaries or distinctions. The coporate greed that drives capitalism doesn't give a fig about human rights or the rights of the individual. 9/11 served the military industrial complex very well...the watch dogs of the capitalists now have a new mandate...the military, the defense contractors and the intelligence community have never been so happy since the end of the cold war. Even as I write this new missile silos are being built. The Bush administration is increasingly militarizing our globe and hurrying us towards war...there is no doubt that the US military has the capability of crushing Saddam's regime which after all they and the CIA helped to create to begin with. The US armed Iraq and encouraged them to attack Iran during the 10 year "Silent War" as you well know. The agenda of the US Government and its corporate masters is to continue a neo-imperialist mercantile policy which seeks to reduce all other countries to vassal state status with puppets in charge who will do the US Government's bidding plain and simple... there is no strong desire for a regime change Iraq only a new puppet who will do a better job of obeying their orders. The only remedy for this administration with its pre Reagan reactionary world view is to change it... the Democrats, the Populists and the Greens better get out their vote next election and also take back the congress... Regards, * Beautiful? Damn right! I find the criticism of Rudi Bakhtiar to be very unjust [Moody Rudi]. I think the reason they don't like her is because they are jealous of her talent and beauty. Many beautiful and attractive women are subject to discrimination, and sexual harassment. If people don't like watching her, all they have to do is flip to another channel or turn off the TV. And I know, I know, many people might think that I am taking her side because I find her to be beautiful.... that's damn right! * Would you have done it 8 years ago? Dear Mr. Javid, I saw the photos that you had compiled as a gift to Mahdieh on the occasion of her twentieth birthday and I really wanted to write to you and thank you for sharing such a private domain of your life with all the readers of the Iranian. [A miracle] The photos were worth a thousand words as the saying goes and then I have to tell you although I know you from far away since the very early days of the Iranian, I could never have imagined you like this. You know a question that occupies my mind often is what would have become of all those people who lost their lives opposing the Islamic republic had they not been arrested, turtured, and killed. And then seeing someone like you is amazing. I know many a people who have completely let go of everything after they have been on exile or out of prison. Then I saw your pictures with all those dates on them and I told myself just as the killings were going on here was another one siding with those responsible. Then I realized what a hard time I have forgiving those that sided with the people in power, got jobs and promotions and then are now considering themselves the critics. Would you have published these pictures let say 8 years ago? What is the reason for your answer? I still think you are a brave sole and that is a quality I really admire in people the most. I wish you continual success and will keep on reading the Iranian. Maryam C. * Andre the Armenian Hey there, I would just like to tell you guys to snap out of it! Andre Agassi is Armenian...! Refer to documentary "Armenians in America" where he is personally interviewed... So get your facts right! * Wrong focus Not a single photograph about "angel" Saddam [More to come]. Perhaps there were none at the rally, which says a lot about the rally. People would rather live with criminal Saddam than propose solutions or alternatives to help remove him!!! Wrong focus. * Whatever America does is never enough You are a very good writer [Unusually ominous]. I enjoyed reading your article, but I kept wondering how much you actually know about what America has been doing in the Muslim world? The problem is not that we're not doing enough -- the problem is that whatever we do is never enough. I mean, with 50,000 troops in Bosnia/Kosovo to protect Muslims, that's a pretty big commitment, don't you agree? Why would we do that if we were un-Islamic? Apparantly the Muslim world doesn't even know this. We were giving tons of food to Afghanistan -- even while Bin Laden was plotting terror against us. We've given billions to Palestinians in economic aid, and we've tried very, very hard to get a peace deal. Again, these efforts don't seem to matter at all. We're still the bad guy, even though Arabs have barely lifted a finger to support the peace process. I don't buy the argument that the problem is our policies. Allow me to prove my point. The foreign policies of Russia have been devastating to Iranians for the past 20 years. They invaded Afghanistan, killed a million Muslims, sent millions more into Iran as refugees, sold Saddam 90% of the weapons (including chemical) he used to kill 1/2 million Iranians, and were firmly on Iraq's side. Yet, today, Russia is one of Iran's biggest pals, while they still blast the U.S. as their enemy. This is utter hypocrisy and ignorance. You can't fight that with more aid and you may not be able to fight it with more propaganda. We are not responsible for the ignorance in the Muslim world and the general impotence of their leadership. The sooner they stop placing blame for all their problems on others and accept responsibility for their own future the sooner they will advance. Craig L * India via Hamadan My name is Mohammed Abdul Azeez. I am looking for my maternal grandmother's relatives who are long lost. My grandmother Roghayah Sultani was an Iranian, who used to travel along with her father Agha Mohammad Reza Rashti. They belonged to a town in Iran called Hamadan. While on a business trip to India, he got my grandmother married to an Indian
Muslim and travelled back to Iran. My grandmother had two brothers, Ghulam Hussain
(elder) and Ghulam Mohammad (younger). Their mother's name was Hawwabi.
Ghulam Hussain had a daughter named Mariam Sultani. This is the only information
I have about them. * Kiarostami on Scorsese's mind Nice quote on Kiarostami:
* Harvard is for free thinkers, not fascists Aren't you ASHAMED of your wife walking around with that shit on her head?? You really make Iranians look bad. Harvard is for free thinkers, not for fascists who support the "Islamic regime" in Iran. SD * Tribute to Maurice Gibb & ... Dear Bruce, I really liked your tribute to the recently gone Maurice Gibb of the Bee Gees Band. The effect of their songs on your reminecence reminds me of the effect the Film Music Score Grease had on me and my classmates in 1979. We were much younger than you but I guess the Rock and Roll imitation of Travolta and Olivia Newton John had some sensuous effect on everyone. I saw Grease last summer on French TV and was very dissapointed, but I guess it was good for its time. Among the Iranians which mingled with more European circles as the case of my family, we used to listen to Andrew Lloyd Weber's musical "Evita". And the famous "Don't cry for me Argentina", I used to like the mixture of classic music and modern pop for which it became world famous. There was also the "Che Guevara" character who was a kind of narrator always jumping in to sing something. I found the cinema adaptation with Madonna, and Antonia Banderas was quite good, both in singing and acting even if it was changed a little and I did not like the last song especially created for Madonna dying performance. The begining of the film showing the clash with the military, accompanied by Banderas singing the lyrics "Oh What a Circus oh What a show" amidst the confusion and General Peron's repeated military coups was illustrated in an ironic way. I recall many friends saying how much this song "Don't cry for me Argentina" could have easily been replaced by "Don't Cry for me Iran" and was a reminder of those troubled days. I used to love the song "On this Night of a thousand Stars" which we used to listen on our terrace in our house in Shiraz while looking at the twighlited sky. I was a little dissapointed when I saw the actor singing that song in the Film. On the whole it is a good film in my humble opinion. Is it a coincidence that famed and praised cinematographer Darius Khondji worked on the lighting of the film? I am sure a similar musical could be made on what I ironically call the "Crash of '79" which would mix individual experiences of people during the revolution with the Big Historical background. I particularily like the song "Waltz For Eva And Che". A revolutionary Che Guevara sings invites Evita for a last Waltz wher the two explain their differences in a last Waltz, although the differences are clear between Peronist Argentine and Iran's monarchy, or theocratic regime, I found this could be serve as a good parabol on what appeared as a failed Love Story between the Nation and its leaders whoever they can be, Shah, Ayatollah or any other Leader who abuses power. Wow, I better stop I may have gone overboard in my comparisons especially with the Bee Gees. In anycase, It is always a pleasure reading your comments on the Iranian. Regards, * Welcome back Welcome back. It's been a long while since I last read anything penned by you.
Hope all is well. I enjoyed your latest poem, "If
you go home". * Doorood bar shomaa! I was reading your poetry [Setareh
Sabety] on iranian.com and I thought it was lovely how you have expressed
your feelings in this way. Doorood bar shomaa! * Strong and well constructed Wow! "Behold
this love that has no bound" is a wonderful love poem. Thanks for sharing
it with us. It's so strong and well constructed. R. Hiwa ;-) * How low will you go? I am very dissapointed in your cartoon, entitled "Mehri
Monro". Instead of paying tribute to our great actors (Vosooghi
and Malek-Moteie)
you have made stupid fun of them. * Learn about democracy So you think that a person with a political affiliation or opinion other than yourself gives Iranians a bad name?! [My family voted Republican] So, in your opinion then the 49.2% of Americans who did not vote Republican have to be ashamed?! You're indeed still practicing the old age dictatorial and non-tolerant tendencies that you brought from Iran with you. It seems to be true that Iranians will need a long learning time to get used to democratic systems and live with the free expression of others! In case you haven't nopticed, this is a democratic country and people believe in and vote for defferent political ideologies. In such democratic systems, people normally don't chastize and give bad names to those who believe and vote otherwise. And by the way, the Repuclican victory last November was anything but stunning and overwhelming. They still only have a razor thin majority in the Senate and in a democratic system such a thin majority doesn't translate into an overwhelming mandate for any earth-shattering changes and therefore I agree with you that the nation will not collapse as a result of such marginal victory by right wing radicals! And I'm civilized enough to live with the results of any election until the next election when I can speak my mind at the ballot box. And I don't think that you or anybody else gives any group a bad name for voting a certain way or encouraging people to vote a certain way! I just think that your intolerance for other opinions gives Iranians the bad name we have!!! Please go learn more about democracy and how it works and let others practice their democratic rights without being harrassed! Have a good life! * My family voted Republican It is people like you that give foreigners a bad name [Need to get involved -- now]. My entire Iranian family voted Republican & for good reason. We won and, incredibly, the nation hasn't collapsed into oblivion! (See reply "Learn about democracy") E. Farzan * Cheers! Shoukhi shoukhi, abjeez column
has passed the one year mark :o) REPLY: Congrats aziz... you've done such a wonderful job. You've brought smiles to many. But most of all, you've made us think. -- Jahanshah Javid * I changed my mind As a latino immigrant to the US, I have had a few unsuccessful relationships with the ladies in this country. I had, however decided to look for a lady from the eastern hemisphere (preferrably Middle Eastern or Asian). Now reading the article "Make it your bible bubba" by Azam Namati, made me change my mind totally. Are Middle Eastern women demanding, selfish and arrogant, the way she portrays them? To be honest with you, the fact that there are such women out there, among the iranians of the diaspora it scared the hell out of me. I would definitely prefer to stay single than to get into a relationship with such individuals. My mind fancies to think that such women do not represent the Iranians inside Iran and other Middle Eastern countries, where the nobility and the, integrity of women is beyond approach, where women know that what it takes for a good relationship is mutual " love" and " respect", "not a slave and master rapport". Bachelore for life, * Noble thing to do Azam khanoum Aziz Salam: After the September 11, when I started to read Iranian.com more than before. I
started to notice you posting
songs and I told myself here is a person with heart of gold and spirit like vastness
of oceans or life itself. After all life here keeps everyone very busy, to take the
time to share your experiences with others is really noble and a great thing to do. * Islam is anything but peaceful With all due respect Islam cannot be considered a humane or civilized religion! [Fallacism] As a highly educated personality as Mr Hoveyda is, I believe this "defending" of Islam on his behalf is truly regretful! Islam has held Iran and her progressing hostage ever since the Arabs invaded Iran and imposed this so un-iranian ideology upon us. Millions of innocent Iranians have been murdered, killed, tortured in the name of Islam. The nature in Islam is anything but peaceful and those who cannot see it as such have either not studied about the "savage" nature of islam or are fooling themselves. A visit to: //main.faithfreedom.org/ might help these individuals out! The author of this site Ali Sina is an expert in the area of Islam and why it IS a "savage religion". * Raise standards WHEN are you going to realize that you have so much good stuff to choose from, that you don't need to publish total crap [Sorry Ms. El] just because someone sends it to you? Yes, it's a community thing, but you have the power to raise the standards of your community -- use your power wisely, it's big. * Copying facts. For what? I have always had difficulty believing that Cyrus and Darius Kadivar are brothers. I like Darius because he sends very informative and nostalgic information (some which display objects from various dynasties) yet he comes across as unbiased so we can enjoy his material without thinking that he is trying to show sympathy with the Monarchist (even though we know he is one!). His fat ass, show off "nobody" brother Cyrus on the other hand, seems to be in competition with him. He has to send us pictures with his really homely wife telling us "eat your hear out while watching us at these exotic locations enjoying ourselves". What are you trying to accomplish by copying written historical facts and posting them at Iranian.com again? Don't be an idiot. So what if Shahriar had the title given to him by the well know Royal Whore that was his mother (dah!). Of course the bullshit like "creme de la creme " is supposed to refer to ROYAL shitheads like you because you are in exile and may be a target of assassination. For what? Kissing Empress's ass? We haven't forgotten your stupid and embarrassing interview with the ex-ambassador where you were just in awe of the asshole because he had no accent and he drank wine. Regards, P.S.. Only an idiot would think that describing Bakhtiar's apartment as "elegant" matters. A precious life was cut short you Royal moron. It does not matter whether the apartment was a hole in the wall or "elegant" to suit your superficial and stupid taste. If I were Darius, I would deny you were my relative! * IRI's campaign of terror This was a thoroughly chronicled account of the state sponsored crime [Dialogue of murder]. Not to forget many terroristic attempts that fortunately were foiled or failed to reach fruition. Let us also not forget the plight of thousands of unknown refugees who lose their lives in the inhospitable conditions of exile, away from home and family. They are the collateral casualties of the IRI's campaign of terror. Let us also remember that today's reformists were yesterday's reactionaries who chose to stay silent in the face of such criminal activities. We shall not forget! * Sabok / tookhaali I enjoy most of your articles in iranian.com but what the hell is this letter from a 20-year-old English boy that u printed? [Army of the sky] Low quality material (kam maaye / bee maaye / sabok / tookhaali). Vali beharhaal dameton garm... keep up the other good works. * Amortization schedule spreadsheet About seven months ago, I published a real nice Amortization schedule spreadsheet
that I had written section of it, several years ago as a graduate class assignment,
in one website. I wanted to know if few Iranians would like to use this nice tools,
especially, when the interest is at the lowest rate in years. * Please go and die Hay asshole, [Dialogue of murder] You have no Idea what democracy or terrorism is, for that matter you are a corrupt, treacherous bastard. In fact you are a terrorist and you should be hunted down and flushed like a diseased rat. Please go and die. Rom Adeli * Faramarz Emadi I wonder if you could help me or advise on how can I get in touch with an old
friend whom I lost contact with. His name is Faramarz Emadi, he is an Iranian man
who lives in Toronto. I wonder if your community could provide such help or advise
on how can I contact him. * Koss kholi had-dee daareh Sharmandeh, amaa koss khol budanam ye had-dee daareh. [Army of the sky] * Can't describe the sadness I visited Abadan a month ago and happened to see this house [Oh, sweet home]. I lived in Abadan and in Bawarda till early Feb 1972, I left Abadan in Feb 15th, 1972 to USA. This City has been devastated from the Iran/Iraq war. I felt so bad when I was in Abadan that I can't describe the feeling. Thanks * In touch after 20 years This is sooooo amazing. The very next day after I found Mr.Touss Sepehr [My
friend Touss], I found another old friend Ms. Lili Lak whom I mentioned in
story # 7, "The
seven sisters" as a result of another pen pal I made over internet from
your website reading my articles who knew her, putting me in touch also after 20
years.... * Ignorant about Pop singers Please do get your facts straight next time [Close
call]. The singer's name is Mansoor. It is funny how you could remember all
those fancy hotel and restaurant names, but be so ignorant about one of the most
popular Iranian pop singers. * Reasonably priced NY restaurants Hi Siamack, [Close
call] * Fighting to free our country Your story brought back many memories of my own days in that war and loosing many friends that we served together in the front line. [Body full of blisters] I suppose I was lucky not to serve during the time when they started using mustard gas, but I remember as we were fighting to free our country, some how we all knew that we weren't just fighting Iraqis. Once again, the prospect of war is inching its way to reality and I can't help feeling sorry for all the Iraqis that are going to be subjected to once again American & Saddam aggression. I have the highest regard for you and all those who sacrificed to free our land.
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