Letters November 2004
Sociological insights with a smileIn respose to Ahmad Sadri's "Roshanfekr-e dini 3-noqteh baayad gardad": My friend, Sourena, emailed your article in Iranian.com on secular intellectuals. I enjoyed reading it. You have a very sharp sense of humor as well as a deep understanding of reform movement in Islam as manifested in Iran. As a sociologist, I particularly enjoyed the way in which you integrated sociological insights into your writing in Persian. This is a challenging task and I congratulate you on accomplishing it so well.
Articles like that are dangerousIn respose to Persia Lover's "Bad
thoughts, bad words, bad deeds": This article is wrong. It is historically incorrect, philosophically incoherent,
inconcise, false and misleading. But worst of all: it is a piece of heavy propaganda.
Now do not misunderstand me, please, I am not another blind romantic nationalist,
but I do apprieciate - in fact I insist on - scientific grounds for any discussion
of such kind, whatever the outcome is. The author of the aforesaid article
has no such insistence, he satisfies himself with mere propaganda. He uses
false sources for false conclusions. Anyone with just a little knowledge of
the Zoroastrian religion could very easily defeat the article's arguments.
But as a matter of fact, enough Iranians today do not even have a clue about
that ancient faith - apparently including your staff at the Iranian.com. REPLY: I saw my name in passing in the above letter. Is it anything serious?
I have to get back to work.
World's greatest conspiracy theoristsIn respose to Moe's letter, "Soup hypocrite": I read your comments I nominated Mr. Yaganeh, because as a big fan of Seinfeld TV series, I found it quite interesting that the Soup Nazi character (one of my favourites) was based on a fellow-compatriot. His name came to my attention last weekend, when I saw him on a Canadian network news, stating that the famous Soup Nazi has started franchising and is considering to expand his business to Canada (Toronto as a starting point). I don't know much about the good old Iranian debauchery and conniving characteristics, but for sure we are the world's greatest conspiracy theorists! Parviz Hamrang
What are the writers real intentions?In respose to Persia Lover's "Bad thoughts, bad words, bad deeds": The article by Persia Lover in your religion section
is factually flawed. Whereas there is some truth to what is written, in that
the priesthood in Sassanian
times had created a caste system which was oppressive and helped the populace
welcome Islam when the Arabs invaded Iran. However, the movement that the author
just witnessed wishes for Iranians to reach back before this era and wishes
to embrace the teachings of Zartosht, and not the nonsensical dogma added to
the Gathas by the power hungry Sassanian clergy.
American phenomenonI see every day iranina.com becomes less of an
Iranian and more of an American phenomenon. May I suggest to change the site
from Iranian.com to that of American.com
if the quick manuver for reversal is impossible.
I wish!In response to Quiz about Shahrzad Sepanlou: "1001 nights": She's my wife - I wish!! Saludos / Regards
His majesty, the village idiotIn response to Nader Davoodi's photo essay: "Sizdah": Sizdah, a play in Tehran that is by Ms. Banafsheh Tavanaie shows the Iranian peoples view of monarchy. The play is based on a Shah's harem. Harem is an arabic term signifying that a man has more than 4 wives. Haram in arabic means an evil deed. The Shah in this play is viewed as evil. In the late 1970's Iranians abolished the monarchy for ever. To this day the Shahs when portrayed in films, books, plays in Iran are jesters. More or less, the average Iranian believes the office of the Shah in history was similar to that of the village idiot in ancient europe.
What do you think SAVAK was supposed to do?In response to Mohammad H. Eslami's "For the sake of our adopted & native lands": Dear Dr. Eslami: The essence of your letter proves that you simply have no clue as to what democracy really means. I researched your background, you are an accomplished physician earned degrees from Harvard and U. Chicago. That's it! Nothing less, nothing more! Keep performing operations in operating rooms and stay away from politics. Iranians were slugged in the ass 25 years ago by people such as yourself. I was there and I saw it. The other day, on my way to work while listening to NPR, it was reported that there are 14 intelligence agencies in America (e.g, CIA, FBI, NSA, etc.) What do you think these agencies are supposed to do? They are supposed to protect America from domestic and foreign enemies! Similarly, SAVAK was supposed to protect Iran from domestic and foreign enemies (e.g., Communists, terrorists, etc.) And yes, sometimes they arrested and sometimes executed young idealistic students who used violence, terror, and assassination against the members of the armed forces, members of the government, and the Shah himself. I don't see anything wrong with that! Why don't you try to use arms against the government of the United States or US military, or your local police for that matter and see what the they will do to you, your family, your friends, and your neighbors!? Please stop this old cliche of Mosadeq and SAVAK!!! If there is one criticism of the late late Shah of Iran is that he did not unleash his military might on the subversives and terrorists (e.g., Commies, MKOs, Mullahs, etc.) of the late 70's!? If not convinced yet, I can certainly meet you on a bear in Fanual Hall in Downtown Boston and maybe I can inject some elementary democracy 101 in you? Much obliged, Rostam the Great and God Bless Bush and Shah PS: Right around 1979 when I arrived in Boston, there were 5000 Iranian students studying at universities in the Boston area including MIT and Harvard all because the late Shah did care about Iranians and the progress of Iran. Please do some research before you state your opinions!!!???
Hope for the futureIn response to Roozbeh Shirazi's "The dangerous path ahead": This is one of the most realistic, articulate and balanced articles on the future path of Iran. I hope he is involved in creating that future society. Fatema Soudavar Farmanfarmaian
Give us a break!Everytime I read the letter section in Iranian.com, after reading a few letters I really get sick and tried of people giving "precriptions" for the whole Iranian society. This shows the radical mentality that has existed among Iranians for so long. Everyone acts like he/she holds the excusivity of the ultimate truth, and arrogantly rejects every other view, and wants the whole society to be his/her way!!!! Everyone thinks he/she is a "Reza Shah" or something!! Some want to wipe out all kinds of "religion" from the society and makes us all into "atheists"!! Some want to take the whole country back to 2500 years ago and make us all into "sassanids"!! Some want to make us into complete "Westerners" and forget about our old traditions!! Some want makes us all into practicing muslims!! Some want to makes us all into harcore communists!! Give us a break!! There is such thing as pluralism!!!! Can't you just have an "opinion" without wanting to impose it as an idiology on the whole society?!
Hocus pocusAs expected the Zoroastrian lobby is raging against ""Bad
thoughts, bad words, bad deeds". After I saw the piece
I knew that it was coming and given the rubbish that has been written against
this piece leaves one with no other choice but to write in and expose
this mindless defence of ancient hocus pocus. The other idiotic thing
is that Zoroastrianism has reinvented itself as a cult like movement along
the lines of Bahais as evidenced by the number of Westerners writing in
about something they don't know or understand. One of our loftiest claims is that Cyrus made the fist charter of human
rights. Be that as it may, there was very good cool calculating reasons for
it: it was the best way to control distant lands and people
with the minimum amount of effort. It seems that the ancient Iranians were
very clever in exploiting religion. They figured that the best way to
control a conquered people was through their belief system (from Medes onwards).
So what is written as a charter it is in fact a ruse, a way of pacifying the
religious hierarchy and using them as conduits for maintaining a grip. Nonsense as that may be there is one undeniable fact: the cruelty and abuse
of power by the Magi to destroy any form of religous expression considered
as a threat and unify the Iranian society under one flag (as Romans had achieved
with Catholism - a weird mixture of Christianity and Mitraism the religion
popular in the Roman military). Or will the new Zoroastrian cultists deny the
persecution of Iranian religious minorities or under the golden age of Zoroastrianism
in Iran? How many examples such as Mani's story are required?
Grow upIn response to Setareh Sabety's "The anti-Shah": My dear Ms. Sabety; When are you going to be a grown up and mature?
Less is moreIn response to Setareh Sabety's "The anti-Shah": This is a typical biased piece written by the Iranian Left, who had it been
for the benefit of their education made possible by the Pahlavi's, would be
serving as one the many wives of the harems of a mollah or Qajar prince
(who nurtured the mollahs) or worse. The left in Iran has proved time
and time again their readiness to sacrifice Iran to satisfy their
single minded prejudice, to the point of cutting off its nose to spite its face.
She is not even aware of what Arab Nationalism entails (subjugation of women,
subordination all non Arab inhabitants and September 11 are some
examples). Arab Nationalism is Arab Facism, judging by the drivel written
by such Iranians it is sad that having gone through so much in our history
they still do not see it for what it really stands for and they are
so naive and blind as not to see what is happening now
in places like Sudan.
How could 98.2% of Iranians be so dumb?In response to London Daily Mirror's headline "How could 59 million people be so dumb?": I could not stop myself from commenting about this. My answer to this question is please tell me, How could 98.2% of Iranians be SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO dumb to vote YES to Islamic Republic of Iran in a referendum in 1979? At least 59M Americans saw what W had been doing for 4 years before they voted for him. But the people of Iran did not know who Khomeini was back in 1978.
All the credit we deserve?In response to Sharif N Mafi's "Closet Bush supporter": After reading your brief commentary on this site, about how close we have been in terms of our ideology and philosophy, with our current rulers on this side of the pond, without even realizing it, i felt as it was my duty to write you back and criticize you so rightfully, and as fervently as i could. You consider yourself a real, hard-core democrat, or better yet even a progressive individual, judging based on the highly sophisticated characteristics that you described of yourself. Participating in Howard Dean's rallies and reading Dowd's columns will indeed place one in the intellectual column after all. Yet at the same time, you create this entire notion of "Us the easterners" who have committed such ill-based acts thoroughout the history of the world, and that is one single, most important qualifying factor that put us on a par with these fellows? Don't you even want to bother to apply the slightest bit of progressive logic to at least separate the people from those who represent them and are the real bastards who have perpetrated such acts of viciousness all along? Is that all the credit we deserve, knowing that the majority of these "easterners" bother to read and do research to discover the truth on their own, and could care less to know who Britney Spears is and what daisy cutters are or how they function? Is that really true that we still hold the arranged marriage idea, so dearly close to our hearts? oh yea, and that ancient conflict of opinions on how to interpret and observe the traffic laws. That is really a terribly mind-boggling dilemma our people are grappling with back home!! don't let anyone tells you otherwise. It is sad to see that you have gone through such rapid transformation process, from cheering and becoming ecstatic after the debates, and beginning a downward spiral to in making such an unjust and unfair comparisons. It would be very wise, if i may suggest, that you would continue to take steps along the path intellectualism, and begin a more thorough and detailed analysis of what exactly are these elements that might put us on the same footing as our enemies and present a more accurate definition of your idea of who these "easterners" are.
If Iranians were AmericansIn response to Roozbeh Shirazi's "Tunnel
vision": You make a generalization about the Iranians that voted for Bush that is based on a theory fabricated in your head. What makes you thinks the Iranian Republicans are voting for the Republican Party because they think that the neo-cons will attack Iran to force a regime change? Maybe they vote republican because they identify with the U.S conservative platform, their values, and agenda (things like tort reform, lowering of the taxes, etc... ). Did you ever think about that? Secondly, I am sure that Bush's plan for Iran does not include an attack such as what they did in Iraq's case. They may target and destroy the nuclear facilities (which I strongly support) and they will encourage and support the Iranians, particularly the youth to overthrow the government from the inside. You suggest
that Iranians should take their affairs into their own hands. I guess it
is really easy to get pumped up in Iran and go in the streets and demonstrate
only for
you relatives to see your hanging dead body in some
town square. Are you as naïve and stupid as to think the brutal regime of
the Mullahs will even allow a regime change to take place from the inside? These
scumbags are willing to kill and torture every single human being to remain in
power. I'll tell you... If Iranians were
Americans, they would find themselves embracing the Republican values
over Liberal values.
But somehow when they step into this country they see the conservatives
as a
threat to them. Why? Perhaps because a person such as yourself sees
himself only as an Iranian - and not as an American. You therefore see the
conservatives
as a threat you (being a minority). So you embrace the Democrats, feeling
a
sense that they are much more open minded in accepting you into their
culture. Well,
that is your problems. Isn't it? If you would even consider yourself
half American you wouldn't be thinking this way. Which makes me wonder why
you
are not living
where you do feel more comfortable? Iran.
Mel GibsonismIn response to Hossein Bagher Zadeh's "A Christian Revolution": What you have written is so true. My daughter e-mailed it to me. When the Khomeini revolution took place, I told everyone who remarked on it that I could see it happening in the US streets at any time. And it well may get to that. Any study of history, particularly the Crusades, Witch Hunts, etc. would testify to this cycle. I might think by now, Europe has this burned out of
its system. But the "Great Awakening" in the US in the 19th century and the
later rise of Pentacostalism, not to mention the increasing conservatism
(reactionary) of
the Catholic Church starting with doctrines of Infallability, etc.in the
19th century up to the Mel Gibsonism of today could only convince one of
this. If
anyone would notice, or care.
Best thing I foundI was looking for something on internet that remined my remembrance from my choledhood in Iran, the best thing which I found was IRANIAN.COM. I thank you on behalf all my friends who are the same age as I and have missed the same thaings. We found most of the things which we were looking for. Espesially the music is the best. Thanks to all of you. khodavande bozorg negahdar va yavare shoma azizan bashad.
Objection to dialogueIn response to "American Iranian Council Congratulates Bush": As an Iranian-American who voted for President Bush in 2004, I strongly object to any kind of dialogue between the government of America and the terrorist regime of the Islamic Republic of (Iran.) The message of "regime change" by President Bush has been loud and clear! Iranian people reject any kind of a dialogue between America and the terrorist regime of the mullahs and will not accept anything less but a regime change like in Afghanistan and in Iraq! It is time for AIC and the rest of the terrorist appeasers to realize and recognize that fact and stop misrepresenting the desire of the majority of patriotic Iranians. Yours Truly,
I have a question!In response to Ghassem Namazi's "No friend": I agree with most of what you say about Arafat; however
I have a question! Since you are saying only through peaceful means one
is able to get independence, do you think that China would ever return
Tibet back to the most peaceful people Tibetans?
Iranian.com not Arabian.comIn response to Setareh Sabety's "The anti-Shah": Let me start out by saying that I believe that everyone is entitled to their opinion and can write what ever they want. That being said your article was one of the most idiotic comparison pieces of shit I have ever read. I don't know what camel caravan you just fell off, but please run to get back on it and ride it back to Palestine. This had to be one of the stupidest articles I have ever read. I don't even understand the premises of it It gave me a headache trying to see how or even why you would try to compare the Shah to Arafat......I mean, No shit that Arafat is the anti-Shah. It can be said that the Shah is the Anti-Arafat. That's because Arafat is a dirty stinking Arab aka terrorist, and possibly love child between a camel jockey and camel. I mean some of your points were so pointless and moronic I wished that I had never taken the time to read your silly little easy. For example: ....He stood up, rather than try to imitate, the West. He did not try to speak English with an Oxford accent and French like a Parisian he spoke in the plain Arabic of his ancestors and that made us all proud. Who is this "us" that you are talking about?? Arabs or Iranians??? The fact that the Shah didn't speak Arabic while Arafat spoke Arabic or English with an Arabic accent might be just because Arafat is an Arab and the Shah like the majority of us Iranians (with possibly the exception of you) are Persians. We don't speak Arabic... In case if you didn't realize, we speak Farsi which is an Indo-European language, unlike Arabic. And this makes you proud of Arafat, for the fact that he spoke Arabic, while the Shah spoke like and educated person???? What nationality are you?? Do you have Arab envy or something??? In case if you didn't realize, but this site is the Iranian.com not the Arabian.com. His contrast with the Shah, who was a puppet of the Americans, in the eyes of most of us, was enormous and what made him my hero. Even in appearance he stood out. Instead of the suits and military uniforms of the Shah and his ministers he wore khakis and his signature traditional headscarf. With his very person he seemed to be sticking his tongue out to the all-powerful West. He embodied a certain pride in ones origins that was so lacking in the Iranian leadership. Arafat wasn't sticking out his tongue it was more like he was sticking out like a sore thumb....like when he signed the peace accord at Camp David. He looked like a fool. And that pride in his (Arabic) origin is fine for him and his Arab people, but I wouldn't want the leader of Iranians to be dressed like an Arab. Oh those dumb M.F.s that are in charge right now in Iran do dress more like an Arab then your pathetic hero did. I bet you support those damn Arabs that are running our (when I say "our" it doesn't include you) country into the ground. I think your Mom was a very intelligent woman. I recommend that you should do the same thing with this article that your Mom made you do with your your report in the 8th grade and burn it. Not for fear that someone would hurt you, but for fear of embarrassment of your stupidity. Saeed
Common thoughtsIn response to Setareh Sabety's "The anti-Shah": Dear Setareh, What a wonderful article. You have no idea how much I share your thoughts about the Palestinian since my childhood. Thank you and keep up the good work.
Why fear Bush's uncompromising stance?In response to Payam Ean's "Forward not backward": The problem I have wiht Payam Ean and his cohorts is that they are caught between the self-deluding world of a dogmatic old left and the suppressed neo-liberal, capitalistic ambitions of the relics of a second generation leftists. In this twilight zone, they have nothing to hang on to except for wild speculations and conspiracy theories. Those who accuse others of ignorance should read a page from the shameful history of compromise and appeasement over the centuries of the alien occupation of Iran. And compromise is what they love to carry on doing with the Islamic Republic. This
is why they fear the uncompromising stance of the Bush's Republican administration
and would have preferred a weak and vacillating Democratic candidate in
its place. Sadly for them, their democratic pretensions didn't pay off and
the same weapon, democracy, with which they had hoped to sabotage
the move to the freedom of Iran blew away their house of cards on 2nd
November 2004.
What is wrong with France!This week we saw in the news that Yasser Arafat, who apparently is seriously
ill, was transfered to France, where his wife and child are living, for treatment.
We should expect a big bang in the West Bank! I still remember when France
transfered Ayatollah Khomeini from Iraq to France to be surrounded by Banisadre,
Ghotbzadeh, and others, and later that year, an Air France transfered him
and his group to Iran to ignite the 1979 revolution. November 18 | November 17 | November 4 | |