Letters
July 2005
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Where are the facts?
In response to Condi Rice's "Love affair with Qazvini man":
you have reached yet another low by allowing rubbish such as this to appear on your site "iranian.com." how do you think a teen ager from the city of Qazvin will feel upon reading this kind of nonsense? it seems it's time to allow the Internet community to know about the facts.
We can do better
In response to Ghamari-Tabrizi's "What’s the matter with Iran?":
Thank you for your article. Many good points in it. What surprises me is that even our best, keep talking about the individuals and forgetting that we the people are also responsible for what goes on in our community. When Khatami tried to reform the election laws how many of us wrote a simple letter to shoraa ye neghabaan? A simple letter. A simple phone call from a public phone expressing our wishes to the authorities.
We need to have more participation by more of ourselves vs. expecting a few to give their lives for us in Evin and elsewhere. Simple polite, letters, phone calls, emails, faxes. Simple quite and peaceful presence like the great one that women recently had in front of Tehran University.
We need to put away the culture we have learned from "rozeh khaan haa" thinking we are great and they are evil. We are emaam hossein side and they are yazid and shemr. We are all in this together. We contribute to the good and bad that comes out of Iran and Iranian efforts.
We can do better and we will.
Mohamad Navab
Los Angeles
Time to go to Iran
On Siamack Baniameri's "Cute won't cut it":
I am no fan of your articles in general but I have to admit you are correct in your assessment on the fact that it is Time for Crown Prince Reza to head for Iran and put his thoughts into actions. I for my part believe in his sincerity and think he is a good hearted man.
However when you have political responsabilities or
want to assume them you need to prove that you are worthy of the
people's trust. I do not trust the IRI a single bit and am
not certain that he does not risk his life by going there
but that is a risk he must take. I think most Iranians are actually
quite fond of the Crown Prince, whether they see him fit to be
a Constitutional monarch is another matter. However that would
truly be a first time since the reign of Cyrus the Great that an
Iranian would be monarch would be fighting for Human Rights in
his country. Also I think it would be the first and only Time we
could truly have a Constitutional Monarch who would reign but not
rule.
Beyond such institutional considerations that will be debated whatever
the outcome of the Islamic republic, The Crown Prince is doing
the right thing. Whether he or we want it or not he is considered
as the heir to the Peacock Throne and as such he is taking a political
risk not only for his future but for that of the Iranian Monarchy.
If Cyrus Reza II as many of his supporters of whome I am call him
does indeed choose to go to Iran he will certainly gain in credibility
and affection.
What is underlined by the actions and stance of Crown Prince Reza
is first and foremost the fact that Iranians are eager to see the
advent of some form of national reconciliation. I think the Crown
Prince is aware of this as much as many of his compatriots.
So yes the Time has come for Crown Prince Reza to go to Iran.
Does the cause justify the means?
On U.S. foreign policy:
If you as a Christian believe that any cause justifies the means, and in this case, the torturing of supposedly the Iraqi terrorists is right, Then I would have to question your Christian beliefs as well as your American Ideals. Since neither was built on the idea of reserving liberty and justice for a specific group of people!
It was during the Shah of Iran and with his close ties with the US government that torture came to Iran. The news that we heard coming out of the Zendaneh Evin (Evin Prison) were horribly scary for my imagination. The cruelty that went on behind the closed doors was unimaginable for me. The world can be such a harsh teacher. And all of us have witnessed what happened to the Shah of Iran.
And now America finds herself facing the most basic question of faith! How do we respond to those that have harmed us and humiliated us in the world? How should America react to those that we hold in our prisons? Who should pay for what has happened? So far America has not acted in a Christian manner!
When we could have won hearts with our humanity and humility, we won despair and hopelessness with our actions. When we could have brought the world closer together for a better world... a more just and loving world, we spread the seeds of hatred and pushed it even farther apart. When the world was crying for us and wanted to embrace us, we said NO BUT THANKS and we attacked! Can we say that our actions are right and just in Guantanamo Naval Base in the name of revenge? Is our cause to rid this world of terrorism giving us those positive results that we are seeking?
If you can in all honesty say that we are better off today than we were before 911 then I guess the means are justifiable. But, I don't think so! Iraq is in worse shape than before. Not only we managed to make a martyr out of Mr. Bin Laden But other groups have joined in and other Arab sympathizers now have a uniting cause to fight US back! Are we safer today? For the moment we might feel safe until they strike back and they will! I wonder what Jesus would have done had he been in the White House? What do you think?
Please allow me to quote a verse from my hero Mr. Gandhi:
"When I despair, I remember all through history the way of truth and love has always won... there have been tyrants and murderers and for a time they can seem invincible... but in the end they always fall... think of it always... when you are in doubt if that is God's way, the way the world is meant to be... think of it and then try to do it His way."
Hitler thought he was invincible... The Israelis think that they are invincible... and the terrorists think that they are invincible, but in the end they will all fall or have fallen. Let us not feel that America is invincible and whatever means will justify the cause!
Al-Zarqawi strikes Iran
On Masoud Kazemzadeh's "Behind the bombings" :
It seems very unlikely that a person of Mr. Kazemzadeh's credentials would draw out such conclusions at the end of his article. One needs to look at the bigger picture to see who actually might be behind the recent bombings. And there are only two groups which would be likely to succeed in staging such acts:
1) the MKO, and
2) the Al-Zarqawi network.
It is evident that
the MKO dossier is all but clean and they are proven capable
of carrying out such
horrendous acts. However, there is doubt as to their actual capability at
the time being, with the situation in Iraq. Therefore, the bulk
of the suspicion
rests on the Al-Zarqawi network. There is no doubt that Al-Zarqawi is no
friend to the Iranians. Also, with the Ahvaz unrest a couple of
months ago, he may
very well be throwing his weight behind the separatists there,
in support of their
cause. That's where one should be looking to find the link.
S. Hesam H.
President or puppet?
On Ahmadinejad's victory:
Im astonished at the suprise to Ahmadinejads victory! Have you all lost your senses? ELECTIONS????? My twelve year old son could be the president of Iran and it wouldn't make a difference. The people who make the real decisions for our country are a group of out of touch un-elected mullahs.
Ahmadinejad is a defacto puppet for this regime to try to say that look we NOW have a non-clerical president therefore we have progressed. This man is going to do whatever they tell him to do and it wouldnt have really made a difference who was elected. The agenda stays the same because the popular vote doesn't hold any real say in matters of government or policy.
Open your eyes this is not in anyway a Democracy its a Theocracy! Once again we've been hoodwinked into believing that voting is going to make a difference. If these people have a mandate from God why don't they (the guardian council) put themselves on the ballot in the next elections and see if the people of Iran really even feel the need for them! If God wants them to be in charge as they claim they should have nothing to worry about, Right?
The truth is their grip on power is through terror and intimidation, they neither have a mandate nor do they hold the support of the people! And as long as they sit at the realm of power there will never be Democracy in Iran!
Who are the perpetrators?
On Mahin Bahrami's "Iran is not Tehran":
All the evil going on in today's world, is due to the right wingers' affliction :"Red neck mentality". No one approves or loves the dictatorial systems in the third world. It is essential, however, to look into the root of the creation of these tyrannical regimes. The right wingers are the ones who create, strengthen, and impose these brutal systems.
Interestingly, the fanatic leaders of east and west, both fit the right wing ideological frame. The extreme form of it represents itself in the form of fascism.
In all fairness, look around you today. The war in Middle East, the suppression of people in the third world. Who are the perpetrators?
Bush must visit Tehran
On Mahin Bahrami's "Iran is not Tehran":
I just skimmed through Ms. Mahin Bahrami's "Iran is not Tehran". That is a good observation. I would go further in saying that Iran and Tehran are under the complete control of the Islamic Republic of Iran. the Majority of Iranian accept the Islamic Republic of Iran as their government. I, being born in the United States of America have visited post Iranian Revolution Iran.
The Islamic Republic has been in power more than 26 years. Mohammad Reza Pahlavi could not last that long after he return from exile in Rome in 1953. The Iranian masses hated the monarchy back in 1953. In the late 1970's the Iranian masses abolished the monarchy once and for all. The monarchy shall never return to Iran. And soon after the Revolution the leftists with the help of the help of President Reagan and the Iran contra-affair abolished the MKO and the other leftist groups. Today the only power in Iran is the Islamic Republic.
On my visits I have seen that there are even Ultra religious people living in Niavaran, Tehran. And those religious zealots are the majority in Niavaran. It is high time the the United States opens up direct contact with Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Just like Nixon went to China and met Mao in the 1970s President Bush must visit Tehran and meet with Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. It is to the best interest of both countries and the American and Iranian masses.
Admirable artist
On Alaleh Alamir's " Facing
reality":
I wish to thank you for bringing to the fore this admirable
artist and her works. I had heard of the talented Alaleh Alamir
in some circles but was not able to access or view any of her
works before.
Many thanks,
Crack in your logic
On Majid Tehranian's "What happened":
although i am not in your academic league i found your article really surreal as i find most iranians almost high on their own means. i sometimes think this is the reason we suffer under a bunch of jack asses ruling over us. jack asses get close to the edge of the cliff but their natural sense of survivals stop them from tipping.
in your academic observation of parallelism between democracy and what happened in iran as some sort of democracizing the inhumanity by iranian regime, seems to me sir that there is a crack in your typical logic. as they say, don't quit your day job with such dandy rationalizations.
the iranian regime is a murderous government. the practices of what you are calling rafsanjani's form of capitalism, it is by far different. this regime is simply fraudulent. if it wasn't for the oil that pays the bills and suffering of our people this regime could not last a decade.
they call us a survivalist culture, since we survived changiz khan, the qajars and pahlavi's lack of commitment to the cause of the people. people don't have the right to choose the candidates therefore the iranian voting system is a scam it is a make believe.
there shall be no real political movement in iran that shall accomplish anything serious since its people lack political understanding and knowledge.
in conclusion don't go there hawaii.
Baalhaaye panjereh
On Mandana Zandian's poem "Arzaani-ye tow":
Mandana's poems are really getting more spirited and animated day by day. Her last poem in Iranian.com is a testament to her growth as a genuine poet. "Sarat keh khalvat shod, gaahi beh baalhaaye panjereh fekr kon..."
I wish her all the best and really look forward to reading more of her poetry. Good job Mandanaye aziz.
Your friend,
Qorboon-e dahanet
On Siamack Baniameri's "We're not impressed":
Thank you... thank you... thank you...
I had been waiting for an article like this for the past three years. "Qorboon-e dahanet" (I liked your article so much I couldn't stop myself from saying this! And this time it's a sincere compliment, not an empty "ta'arof"!)
Another sick and tired Iranian.
We wrote the book no one's willing to read
On Janet Afary & Kevin Anderson's "Foucault's Revolution":
Allow me to make some comments and add that Foucault was just among many rhetoricians and philosophers who were simply "wrong" about the genetic code and build up of the so-called Iranian Revolution.
From the orient to the west, philosophers and writers took up the pens, some under the influence of cheap French wine and others under the narcotics of misinformation and misguided enthusiasm kept writing about the Islamic Revolution and its outcome. Now one by one are realizing how wrong they were. They did not listen to the minority of Iranians who were trying so hard (and still do) to let the world know that this was not a nation trying to revolt, it was a well-planned and orchestrated International conspiracy (damn right conspiracy!) to let the great Iranian nation regress to the dark days of religious blindness by imposing Khomeini a British servant on Iran.
This was a necessary staged-coup by the enemies of Iran and Iranians to set the stage for the 21st century's biggest political rape of a nation, plundering of the Iranian natural resources, push the nation's progress backward and isolate the country from he world. That is what those so called philosophers were: -too blind to see. Any 15 year old could give you a lecture about Khomeini and his clan, that was not such a hard thing and you don't need a philosopher to clear that out for you, instead can you show me how many people did interpret the Anglo-British staged "revolution" correctly? Those few who did lost their heads to the sharp knives of the regime in lands far away, in Paris, Los Angeles and you name it.
Just because Foucault wrote for Le Monde or Figaro does not mean a darn thing, it's simply because Le Monde, Washington Post and New York Times and Los Angeles Times do not publish letters that tell the Iranian side of the story. Those publicatoins are nothing more than the voices of their governments and the truth is too bitter for people to know about.
I suppose 50 years from now we will read in Time magazine an apology by the British and the Americans for interfering in Iranian affairs and for bringing Khomeini to Iran in 1979! A little too late you might say!
Remember how everyone blamed Jimmy Carter? Well, that was a set up too, he did a lot for his nation by bringing down the Shah during his years as a president and despite of all the criticism he finally got recognized and was given a Nobel Prize... Someday Mr. Bush will receive his as well for so cleverly bringing the oil rich nations of the west Asia under control and keeping the Chinese hands at a distant under the flag of Islam. One who controls the oil will control the world.
Foucault means nothing to us Iranians, we wrote the book but no one is willing to read it. The Iranian voice is censored all over the world. The problem of Iran is not that women are more oppressed than the men, the main problem is that the entire nation is being taken hostage by the greed of the West, men as well as women and children! Khomeini and his clans were nothing and are nothing more than the servants of the West and installations of the West.
Wait 50 years and you will find out the truth.
Cheers! and drink California
wines
Farrokh Ashtiani
Roots of pro and anti-Americanism
On Masoud Kazemzadeh's "Finding Mossadeghh":
I am a student at Sacramento State University of California. I wanted to email you in regards to your piece on Kinzer's book All the Shah's Men.
I have a research paper due on the roots of pro and anti-Americanism in Iran. During my research I came across the book by Kinzer and though it would be an excellent resource. By the time I was finally able to locate it and buy it I had run out of time to read it. But I would still like to incorporate it into my paper if at all possible.
So, I was wondering if you could help me out and let me know if there are any good examples of where the roots of pro and anti- Americanism came from in Iram. I will most definitely add you and the book to my research paper (seeing as how my professor wants a personal contact as well as books/articles/ and websites cited).
So far I have come to the understanding that Iran and the US were allies of some sort and that America was built on the cultural belief that a crime deserved equal punishment - which was a common link between us and Iran. I've also learned that in 1953 President Eisenhower hooked up with the Brittish in order to get rid of the prime minister and bring in the Shah. That's when the American soilders went in and pissed off Iran, and that's when they started to dislike the United States.
I'm also aware that the Brittish treated the Iranian oil workers like crap even though they didn't own the land. The Brittish did, however, have a contract that allowed them to do so. And I read somewhere that without Churchill they would not have won the war. If you could, please correct and/or elaborate on my understandings.
Jenna V
Colorful people
When I read something as inspirational as Baharak Sedigh's "The color of your heart" it gives me hope. Perhaps, the human condition is not as hopeless as it often appears. The world in which we live is so full of ignorance, hate and prejudice towards others that we lose sight of the fact, that at the end of the day, we are all part of a single race ñ the human race. We conveniently forget that deep down inside all of us have the same dreams, hopes and desires, and, yes, fears. We build up and elevate the inconsequential differences that make us unique until we have erected walls of mistrust that that separate us and prevent us from seeing others the way we want them to see us.
Hate and prejudice are primitive emotions which are intimately part of the human psyche and therefore difficult for us to purge from our individual consciousness. Unless we find a way to do this, however, we condemn not only ourselves, but our children to a life where we and those we hate are unable to see one another as part of the same human family. Consequently we become unwilling to look for that common ground in daily life that will permit us to have mutual respect and unconditional acceptance of one another.
While the human capacity to irrationally hate others is well documented throughout the long annuls of human history, one would think that we would have long ago found a way to overcome this dark emotional relic of our specie's ancient past. Hate destroys not only those who are its objects, but it also those who perpetrate it. It cripples the hater and makes him incapable of seeing others the way they really are. It makes the hater incapable of seeing others as individuals with hopes, needs, and wants. It poisons the hater's heart and mind and sadly this hate is all too often passed on to the next generation who in turn passes it on to their children. What we often forget, however, its that hate begets hate. Hate dehumanizes both the hater and the hated >>> Full text
You don't qualify
On Hooshang Amirahmadi's presidential bid: "The world is watching"
Dear Dr. Amirahmadi:
One must meet some basic requirements to be a viable presidential candidate. They are:
1. He/she must be
a citizen of Iran.
2. He/she must not be related to the Akhoonds in any form, shape,
or manner.
3. He/she must be experienced with a proven track record, patriotic,
visionary, charismatic, trustworthy, and politically savvy
among many other things.
You fail to satisfy any of these requirements. First, you are a US citizen. Second, you are related by blood to Akhoond Khamenei. Isn't he your uncle? Thirdly, where is your management skills? When and where was the last time you managed or inspired something? You have no charisma! I am not even going to get into the rest of the qualities I mentioned above.
Please spare us with your half-cooked worrisome analysis! The only viable option to get Iran and Iranian people rid themselves of Akhoonds, their thugs, their supporters, and Islam is through a complete invasion and occupation of Iran for the long haul. Hey, nobody likes Iran to be invaded and occupied but then again it has already been invaded and occupied for the past 26 years by Akhoonds!!
Yours truly,
Dr. Cyrus Aajan
Stench of testosterone and tradition
On Mehraneh Atashi's photo essay "Zoorkhaneh":
This is one of the most powerful (no pun intended) photo essays ever. Ms. Atashi has somehow captured the stench of testosterone and tradition in each frame , yet wiped away the dust of religious prejudice from her reflection in the mirror.
We are a complex crowd, and this photo essay clearly shows the 'irony of being iroony'. To a westerner , mustached macho men in paisley patterned pants is a sign that the 'Fab Five' (Queer Eye for the Straight Guy) had just paid a visit, not what hairy heroes are usually made of.
No wonder nobody understands us.
Thank you Ms. Atashi for giving us this brave look into ourselves.
All about you
On Mehraneh Atashi's photo essay "Zoorkhaneh":
Lady photographer,
So this is all about you, not them! You're just using them and trying to degrade them (IN YOUR MIND)! shame on you! I forgot, what was the whole point about your photos?
Ground breaking
On Mehraneh Atashi's photo essay "Zoorkhaneh":
The Zoorkhaneh photos are great. This is ground breaking work. I'm very impressed!
Exposing couch warriors
On Siamack Baniameri's "Cute won't cut it":
Siamack Baniameri has done it again; he has exposed
the depth of hypocrisy among our deposed statesmen and political
couch warriors.
He has identified the true heroes of our native nation and rejected
RP's PR machine. Well done!
Hamid Karimi
More coverage
See Siamack Baniameri's "Cute won't cut it":
I think Reza Pahlavi hunger strike deserves more attention by iranian.com. It would be wrong to let political differences effect coverage of an event.
Obviously Rafsanjani will become president
Received two days before the second round of the presidential election:
It would a disaster not to vote
On Qumars Bolourchian's "Not the right boycott":
This is one of the most logical articles I have seen to date. There is no reason to add anything said here. I only ask everyone to read this carefully and act on it. Political boycotting never works. In this election like any other boycotted election we have partially lost anyway. I despise Rafsanjani, but as the author so eliquently stated, it would a disaster not to vote. Electing Rafsanjani would contiue pressure on him and the others to move toward the democractic system, not what the Americans prescribe, but what the Iranian specially those inside Iran want.
Problem with opponents in America
On Pedram Missaghi's "I voted. In Los Angeles.":
Pedram Missaghi's article described the attempt by some Iranians to prevent others from voting at a Los Angeles polling station through verbal harrassment. Voter intimidation is the tool of thugs and despots. What is the difference between "you" and "them" when you are using the exact same methods, limited only by the degree of coercion?
"Do not vote, it will legitimize the regime!" Is this not the exact same message al-Qaeda had for the Iraqi people in their recent election? If you are for a free, democratic Iran, why continue to treat people like children instead of competent adults?
This is the fatal problem with the Iranian "opposition" here in America. Its elitism, its distortion of the truth, and its hypocritical methods are the fundamental reasons behind its utter lack of credibility and effectiveness.
The day I voted for Rafsanjani
On voting in Iranian presidential election:
Friday 24th of June in Paris the weather was very pleasant: sunny and warm.
I said to my boss the day before that i can be late the day after because of what happened during first round of presidential election in Iran. He understood and remind me what we did in 2002 when Chirac, moderate right wing candidate, and his unexpected opponant, far right candidate Le Pen get to the second round. At that time in France there was too many left wings candidates in the first round. In Iran it was repetition of 2002 French presidential election.
It was my second time I voted in an Iranian election, the first one it was the early 1980's when I was just 15 years old -- at this age you can vote in Iran. I remember very well... it was for the parliamentary elections and I took the ballot and wrote "Googoosh, Hayedeh, Sattar..." and names of other Iranian singers.
But this time I voted for a candidate, Rafsanjani. Why did I do that? Because I want elections to happen in Iran in the future.
Bahram Naraghi
Paris, France
May he be inflicted with some intelligence
On Doug Soderstrom's "Our god’s plan":
In regard to the article by Doug Soderstrom, Ph.D., is a psychologist in Wharton, Texas, all I can say my grandmother was absolutely right, education does not bring intelligence. Dr. Soderstorm and his unltra-liberal friends are really confused.
May he be inflicted
with some intelligence. Amen.
Afshin
Irrelevant rivalries
On Manesh's "Persia's future":
Dear Manesh,
There is no future for 'Persia' because Persia no longer exists. It hasn't existed for the majority of the 20th century and currently continues to not exist-excuse my awkward phrasing. If you are speaking about the country known as Iran, I think its political difficulties go far beyond 'Mossadeghhis' and monarchists.
While I can appreciate and support the message of reconciliation and mutual understanding on the part of the opposition that seems to be the point of your article, I think it is time that we start refering the the country by its official name of the past 70 years (I am pretty sure its called IRAN), and its inhabitants by their logically derived name, Iranians when we talk about how to bring about change. To do otherwise is to instantly diminish your credibility and make your points moot.
Finally, I think the current political realities of Iran really make the 'rivalries' of graying monarchists with liberals seem irrelevant. There hasn't been a monarchy in Iran for almost 30 years now--there has been an authoritarian, repressive regime that succeeds to this day because its opposition is splintered, scattered, unorganized, and ill-informed.In light of this, ignoring the name of the country when discussing how to create change there seems to be the most apt symbol of the Iranian diaspora's political disarray and disconnect with Iranian reality.
Jallal khAlegh!
On Ahmadinejad's victory:
The presidential election in Iran forced me to accept the current leadership in Iran as an exceptional group of mullahs. It wasn't the way they carried out the election, nor was it the results of the election that made me erase all my doubts about their exceptional capabilities. It was how quickly they were able to predict the results of the election that forces me to believe they are special. Within a few hours after the elections, they were able to announce that there will be a runoff election.
You may say this is not unusual. It is done after every election in the US, England, and some other countries. Well, you have to remember that it is the pollsters that predict the result of elections in those countries. These pollsters collect data for at least 30 days before the elections, and they also collect exit polls on the day of election in order to be able to predict the results of that election. There are hundreds of statisticians using numerous different simulation programs and models in order to be able to predict the results of an election. But our mullahs can do it without any equipment, not even using an abacus! jallal khAlegh!!
I don't recall hearing about any pollsters operating in Iran. In fact, I do know that the last pollster company that operated in Iran was shut down. Its principals are still in Evin Prison drinking "cold water" as the saying goes back home. Also, I didn't hear of any independent group doing exit polling.
I almost forgot: nobody even mentioned Ahmadinejad as a serious contender. But within a few hours after the close of the voting, our incredible mullahs using their sixth sense, were able to predict that there will be a runoff between Hashemi Rafsanjani and Ahmadinejad. Without the use of computers, statistical analysis or even an abacus our mullah's were able to predict the future. jallal khAlegh!!
If you were like me until now and didn't trust these mullahs, I hope you are also thinking of changing your mind about them to firmly believe in their extraordinary powers. Now, just be ready to sit back and watch Episode Three, better know as "Return of the Sith."
Marg bar mostazaf!
On Minoo Moallem's "Mostaz'af and Mostakbar":
The first time I heard the word "mostazef" was in the days immediately following the 1979 revolution. Apparently, it's an Arabic word that means "the meek", the needy, the disadvantaged. The revolution, at times, seemed to be a movement to lift them out of the dumps and bring justice to the poor. It had its appeal, not just with the mostazaf themselves, but with intellectuals and bleeding hearts.
Soon, there was a Mostazafan Foundation, who inherited confiscated trade and manufacturing from the unjust "taaghooti", and enjoyed the protection of the ever merciful mullahs running Persia. The corruption in this foundation became a legend. Now, I'm certain I've had it with the mostazafs.
When I saw the picture of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, hero of the mostazafs, as he prepares for a run-off for the Presidency of Persia, I almost threw up! To think that this boozineh could soon represent the land of my forefathers is an offense to me beyond words. They are already talking about draconian measures to cover women up more, ban all joy, and otherwise make life in Perisa grayer than even the mullahs imagined.
If that is what comes of giving mostazafs a fair shake, I say keep them down. Keep them down so they aspire to bring themselves up, not take society down with them. Marg bar mostazaf!
Your culture expressed globally
On Richard Tehrani's "Bahaullah was a nut":
I am a regular visitor to Iranian.com. Why? After all, I am a corn-fed American, mono-linguistic, pale and pasty. I have traveled to no exquisite lands but my imagination has always bid me explore other cultures. I am a Bahai. (of 33 years to be exact.) Born in small town America, everyone around me was German, Scandinavian or a mixture of Irish, Scottish or something else. I never met middle eastern people and aside from one Japanese family, I knew no Asians.
So how in God's name did I become a Bahai? How is it possible in a small town, bursting with clapboard chapels, to discover Baha'u'llah? Mystery of mysteries, Mr. Tehrani. You have the right to consider anyone to be a "nut," but I praise Bahaullah and I suggest that He has transmitted the finer aspects of Iranian culture more successfully than any other figure in several centuries. Every Bahai, whether from the US, Ecuador, Italy, Kenya, New Zealand, Malaysia or India knows the sweet flavor and the attractive perfume of Persian food, music and cultural sensibility.
I find it fantastic (now that I know many Iranians), how little they comprehend the religion born in their native land. You don't have to like Baha'u'llah and by association, you are entitled to dislike Bahais. However, we embrace you, Mr. Tehrani! We celebrate your culture in gratitude for Bahaullah and His brilliant Teachings. Look up Mr. Tehrani, this is your very culture expressing itself globally.
27 saal tahamole tahavosh e mazhabi
On Nader Davoodi's "Who
is Ahmadinejad?":
Jenabe Davoodi,
Omreest ke kasse nemeedaanad ejtemaye iran kojast? bogzareem az Ahamadinejad . kharjeshan ra ke midahad? naan ra be che nerkhee mikhorand? dokhtaraneshaan ya darand khod ra mikoshand, ya mavade mokhader miforooshand va dar meydane shahr jeloye chashme hamaan jonoobo va shomale shahri ha be edaam miravand , va kasse nist ke az daroonash zaje ee bezanad va defaaee az hagh bar alayhe naa ravaayaan e dolat o dolatmandaane elaahi konad?
Shoma nagahan harf az manteghe class va tabaghe mizanid, vaghtee mardome ma be ebaaratee khaste-and az har che ke hast hatta sheraafat haaye ensaani. behtar aan ke tafaavothaa maloom shavad taa inke gorrohe namaayeshgaree chon eslaah talabaan biaayand dobaare va faghat be istand taa haghe mardom baraye hasht salle digar khorde shavad va atash-haaye ayande khahee mardomee hadar shavad.
Moshkele mardom e iran inast ke aslan azade khaah nistand. azadegee padide ee borgouaa ast, vaghtee ayandeye eghtesaade mardom kamelan bi sabaat hast. va javaanaan haa be heech kassi etemaad nadaarand. na khodaa ra digar ghabool darand na be khodaayan ra. naan ra mifahmand va pool raa az gorosnegee ham badeshaan miaayad. reesh ra bad midanand, amrica ra khoob. bekhater in ke donya ye materialist ayande daarad.
Jonoobe shahr ke shoma az aan behtar midaaneed taa bagheye ye mosalam del soozaan role tasmeemgeeri heechvaght dar taareekh e iran nadaaashte taa aan zamani ke dolate demokratee dar iran mostaghar shavad. iran konooni yek keshvar e bi gheyrate siaasseest. vagar na 27 saal tahamole tahavosh e mazhabi nemikard.
Dark side of the web
On Siamack Baniameri's articles:
Once in a while, I have an opportunity to surf the web and read different Iranian web logs and articles .I noticed that one of the most prominent columnists on this website is a person called: Siamack Baniameri. I have never met this person and I am not going to discredit him in the following account. However, I really need to mention a few points regarding his articles and point of views.
First of all as an Iranian-American Mr. Baniameri does not realize the basic concepts of freedom of speech. He does not know that all of Iranians who are living in the western communities are entitled to express their opinions any how and any time and no one has no right to assault or humiliate them for having such opinions. However, other people are free to challenge and even criticize them. He has written many articles in which he has not criticized the other people’s thoughts. Instead he has humiliated, assaulted and looked down other ones who are not thinking like him with the most indecent language.
In one of his rather old articles he is sick and tired of many different and indeed conflicting issues in Iranian community out side Iran. No matter how aggressive and assaulting his article is. The question is he is not obligated to tolerate such irregularities in Iranian community .He can easily isolate himself and mix-up with Americans or other ethnic groups. He is completely free to choose. Why is he so obsessed with Iranians??
Why is he so determined to call other people Naïve and ignorant. How intelligent is himself? Has he ever evaluated his own credibility?
Apart of that, Mr. Baniameri accuses almost every one in this world and he is sick and tired of any one .Ironically, he must be sick and tired of himself .Maybe he is tired of his really unacceptable attitude toward the other ones.
In his recent article "Cute won't cut it", what he has mentioned about Reza Pahlavi is completely baseless and out of touch .I assume he even does not have basic knowledge about current political issues in today Iran .He simply wants every one to think and behave like himself .But is it really achievable?
In a society in which you are free to express your opinions and also criticize other peoples thought not assaulting them tolerating someone like Mr. Baniameri is rather weird. He illustrates himself as an American version of the Taliban or current insurgents in Iraq who wants to destroy all human beings not by bombs and guns .Indeed by messing up the cyberspace and ignoring basic other people’s rights A phenomenon which could be called: "Dark side of the web!"
Long reaching consequences
On Fariba Amini's interview with Barbara Waller, "Long ago":
I found Mrs. Fariba Amini's interview on Barbara Waller, widow of Operation AJAX man in 1953 most interesting. I did not even know that there were any people alive from that troubled period of our history I mean on the American side. General Swartzkoff's father I believe is dead so is John H. Waller. So it It is always interesting to have real life witnesses who have know these people directly talk about their accounts of major Historical events.
Time of course can distort memories and the look we take at the events take a new look at the light of more recent events. I have not lived at the time of these events so it is always difficult to judge the circumstances of the Coup of 1953. It is a periode that revives scars and passionate debates and contradictions in both camps, be it pro Mossadeghs or pro Shahis. The fact is that the coup of 1953 is part of our recent History. It is important to look at it and analyse it be it in terms of its long reaching consenqueces on the establishment of Iran's recent theocracy. I do not think that the roots of the revolution of 1979 are the direct consenquences of the Coup.
Stephen Kinzer's latest book All the Shah's Men tries to capitalize on this by claiming that even September 11th is a direct consenquence of the fact that the US restored the Shah on the Peacock Throne. It is a thesis which I find reductive. Anti Americanism was and is a shared feeling in many third World countries. Iran was no exception. The roots of the Islamic revolution are historical but also cultural. The importance of religion in our country's psych was particularly strong.
No one could have predicted the turn of events of 1979 in a country which was prosperous and where the Monarchy was historically the only political system Iranians knew. The Shah ruled as a Constitutional monarch for nearly 12 years. The Coup however changed that and encouraged an authocratic drift in the Shah's rule. No one can deny that. One cannot rewrite history however the real question in my opinion is to see if any other alternative was possible in Iran >>> Full text
No so proud
On photo of Iranian Michael Jackson fan Fariba Garmani, "Kaftar-baaz of the day":
All I can say is that people like her makes me "Not so Proud" to be an Iranian. How sad indeed.
New solution
On Manesh's "Persia's future":
Having almost recovered from the farcical opinion-survey by Manesh regarding Shirin Ebadi last August we are now entertained by yet another flight of fancy from this person of delusions-but-no-solutions!
Where does Manesh get such amazing ideas from? Is it in something that he eats or could it be that Manesh possesses extra-sensory powers bestowed on him by no other than the Supreme Leader himself?
If Manesh had truly lived among the native people of Iran he would have learned that the youth cannot remember the Shah's era and to a much lesser extent the two and a half year period of Mossadegh's government over fifty years ago. What they are struggling against is a new phenomenon which requires a new solution.
Perhaps
Manesh must run another ludicrous statistical survey to see how
many people in Iran would agree with him. I am sure it would
be much more amusing than his previous masterpiece!!
Parkhash
Interviewing Rafsanjani with a smile
On Christiane Amanopour's interview with Hashemi Rafsanjani:
I saw Amanpour interviewing Hashemi Rafsanjani [before the election] and it made me sick. I have alway admired Ms Amanpour for her bravery and professional news coverage from around the world but this time I was very disappointed because the questions she asked of the cruelest ruler in Iran's history were too friendly.
The whole interview was only focused on issues about improvement of relations between Iran and USA. The human issues and women rights was left out in this interview. It seemed that Ms Amanpour has forgotten the millions of Iranian women who has been under religious pressure of Isalmic laws for 26 years. I ask Ms Amanpour: why didn't you bring up human and women's issues in this interview? Many Iranian womens have been (and still are being) tortured to death or sitting in prisons and being treated under barbaric laws.
Why didn't you ask Rafsanjani about the death of the brave Canadian journalist killed by a prosecutor in a prison in Tehran? After your interview I was watching the biggest Iranian TV channel abroad, called NITV, broadcasting from USA. There were many angry Iranian women who called this channel and were furious about Ms Amanpour's smile on her face and asking Rafsanjani friendly questions.
He loves Iran & knows French
On Iran's presidnetial election:
I want to vote Reza Pahlavi not Ayotolah or mollah. Reza Pahlavi is a good man. He is educated person and knows very well in politics. He is honest person and willing to help people of Iran especially poor, hungry and prisoner. He love Iran and is interested to be good leader as his grandfather. He knows French, German and English. Which leader of country know more than one language? I hope he is able to change Islamic government to Iran government and also change Islamic flag to former flag (Lion and Sun).
Using religion whenever it pleases them
On Mahmoud Ghaffari's "Beginning of the end":
Your article was typical of what the diaspora has been writing since 1979. For 26 years now, every year (if not every day), you have been saying the end of the Islamic Republic is near.
Now you claim the end of Islam in Iran is near. To deny the history of Islam in Iran the past 1,400 years is to cut a huge slice out of your own history and ignore it.
As Professor Hamid Algar of UC Berkeley states, "The Islam we know throughout the world today has come to them through a filter of a Persian lens" If you only knew your own history, you wouldn't write such things. It wasn't the Arabs that brought Islam to the world, it was the newly converted Persians 200 years after the death of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). That is why wherever you go, from East to West, North or South, they use Persian terminology to define Islamic terms.
For example, from Turkey to China, Russia to Bangladesh.....they say "Namaz" instead of "Salat" for prayer. They say Azan and Ramazan instead of "Athan" and " Ramadan". This is from the influence of the Persian accent throughout the Islamic world.. All Islamic Empires, from the Moorish Empire in Spain, to the Ottoman Empire...all required Persian to be taught alongside Arabic for Islamic studies.
All early Islamic texts are written in Persian rather than Arabic, because the original scholars of Islam were mostly Persian. For example, Sunni Islam has 4 schools of thought. (Maliki, Hanbali, Shaf'ei, Hanafi).
Did you know all 4 of them were Persian scholars? How about all the SUNNI books of Hadith (Abu Muslim, Bukhari, etc.). They were all Persian scholars that put together the books of hadith of the Prophet. Abu Muslim, Bukhari were all Persians. So how could you claim Iran had no Islamic history? That is laughable if not majorly ignorant >>> Full text
So he's ugly. So what?
On Angoolakchi's cartoon "Heads of governments":
I believe the physical appearance although important, but is not a true measure to judge a person's potential and capabilities.
It's not that complicated
On Shappi Khorsandi's "This is war":
What happened in London is another proof that if we stay quiet, sooner or later the terrorism will hit in our own backyard whether it is in New York, Madrid, Tel Aviv, Beirut, London, Paris or Tehran. Today more than ever each one of us owe it to our children and the future generations to rid the earth of the causes of this cancer which has been on the rise in the past few years and primarily in the name of God or Islam. One more time Al Quada stated in its statement of responsibility for the killing of innocent people in London: "Rejoice, Islamic nation. Rejoice, Arab world.". But as always that was the biggest lie to any "nation" of the "world" and to humanity.
To rid the "world" of causes of terrorism three actions need to be taken:
1- Responsibly address creation of a homeland for Palestinians with a secular and democratic government without any preferential consideration for either party.
2- Continue to support and defend establishment of the secular democracies in the Middle East and worldwide.
3- effectively support and encourage the struggles of Iranian people to remove Islamic Republic regime in Iran as a major promoter of terrorism around the world.
The lines of war were drawn by Hamas, Hezbollah, Al Quada, Islamic Republic and alike years ago when their war against modern human civilization and freedom of thought was imposed and therefore All citizens of earth and their governments are left with three options:
- Be with terrorism .
- or be against it (in words and action)
- or dance around the fires of this imposed war
on freedom and humanity and sing Kumbaya...
I can relate
On Shalizeh Nadjmi's "Siaah Sookhteh":
I read 'Siaah Sookhteh' and was delighted and not to mention refreshed by your analytical illustration of the realities existent in Iranian and American cultures.
I especially can relate to what you wrote because, first of all I am an African-American with no Iranian blood, and also because I've lived in Iran for some time and speak fluent Persian and am very familiar with Persian culture.
So since you took the time to express ever so eloquently and precisely some thoughts I've had in my head for years, I say, tashakur.
Jolly good show
On Ahmadinejad's election:
Remember, over 50% did not vote. So Ahmadinejad got the vote of 30% of the people, in an election where 99% of the candidates were not allowed to run. When does everyone want to wake up and realize that the vote of the people does not matter in Iran?
The people with true power in Iran have concluded that they no longer need to put on a show for the outside, they have made their deals and got what they want. The reformers have served their purpose, and have been worth more than their weight in gold to the regime. We are just seeing the true face of power in Iran, which has not changed one bit in the last 26 years. While some reformers may have had great intentions, their legacy will be recorded in history as appeasing an inhumane system by giving it an appearance of legitimacy.
Now as I look back, all I can say is, "jolly good show!"
I am with the 70%, and hope that one day we can find real freedom. No substitutes!
Point?
On Tooraj Amini's "Baazbiniye yek estentaaghiyeh":
What was your point about Mirza Reza Kermani? There are some untruths in your piece.
Utilizing little democratic opening
On Ahmadinejad's election:
How I was wrong? Three weeks ago I predicted three major camps in election: the boycott camp, the optimistic in reform, and the opportunistic. I saw only Rafasanjani and Moin as the only viable candidates in this election or "selection" and eventually in Run-Off. I also said if the boycott camp stay out Moin is out. I was party right. The boycott camp stayed out and even the optimistic kept loosing their hope in the reform idea.
Rafsanjani's first 21% was from the little opportunistic and minority corrupt businessmen millionaires plus the fading number of hopefuls who thought Moin cant bring much more change than Khatami. The other 5 were representatives of regime's elite, which people were already fed up with.
But Ahmadinejad was an unknown and just a basiji. He wasn't the least of evil that people chose; he was the youngest son of regime's approved list of choices, the least corrupt one. People saw his home and his humble. People said to themselves, all this guy wants is revamping the revolution's basic and original ideas: equality, justice, freedom and off course respect of Islam's teachings. Like it or not, we have to accept majority of people respect our religion and want to take back their relation with God back to the privacy of their homes. All these religious showoffs are only for gaining financial and power security. Something that never been a guarantee in our country.
Then off course
the run-off was continuation of people's
voice. Some even called Ahmadinejad fascist in order to stir and
unit all other camps in favor of Rafsanjani. They were partly successful
with 10 million votes, but the remaining "real fed ups" spoke
out and didn't want him back.
Iranians did utilize this little democratic opening to make a statement.
They mainly voted for economy and reduction of financial and social
corruptions. Oppression wasn't on anybody's mind as
nobody was hopping that any of these guys will bring true democracy
and freedom.
Some may argue that Ahmadinejad's success was staged and
he will be eventual executive secretary of the Leader. I don't
have strong reasons to dispute this argument, but I would say why
not the other 4 who were proven loyal servants of the leader. If
the leader was so insecure that he needed office of Presidency
added to his camp, why not choosing other more established and
powerful statesmen? He is not and hardliners don't feel weak
either as they didn't budge a bit during 8 years of a reformist
president. He didn't even look for improving legitimacy of
the regime as he could stage winning of a weak Moin presidency.
I was wrong three weeks and I may very well be this time, but I
am proud of my ever changing opinion!!
Something intelligent to say
On Majid Tehranian's "What happened":
After reading so much drivel on your website vis-a-vis the Iranian elections, by both Iranians and Americans - I have to say that hands down, Mr. Tehranian's "What happened" was the most intelligent, historical overview.
For all the "khak beh saram, didi chi shod..." nonsense, or the "digeh baa in efraat kaareshoun tamoumeh:" drivel - it was refreshing to have an educated analysis of what's really happening there.
I often remind both my Iranian and American friends, that on this, the eve of July 4th celebrations - let us not forget that it took the US 89 years (from 1776-1865) to reach any semblance of unity and stability. She went through continuing Revolutionary wars with her old adversary and colonizer, Britain. She also suffered from a savage Civil War, the end of which finally heralded her real and unified beginning in - 1865.
Iran is also currently experiencing her own time line. Thanks for an educated perspective, a perspective that lacked in self-serving neurosis.
On a lighter note, I looked at Mr. Tehranian's picture tongiht - and my first thought was "I bet you, this guy will have something intelligent to say." My instincts were right, he just didn't fit the "dadam vaay" moaning character... Thanks again!
Afsaneh Mirfendereski
Maryland
Our & their interests
On Farid Pirouzian's "Dorood bar Amrika":
1.0 "CIA-backed military coup against Mosadegh."
IT IS A FACT that the CIA had their hands in it period and no one can justify it away. But Iranian are also responsible to a higher degree. Without the Iranians, CIA was powerless. Weaker nation always submit to the will of power.
"chun neek nazar kard, pareh kheesh dar on deed. Goftaa keh cheh naaleem ke bar maast keh dar maast"
2.0 "...and isolated Iran from the rest of the world."
Once more the American media shaped the Iranian isolation and that is a fact. Having said that it is true that Iranian Mulla's did not help matters either. If Iranian government could only let go of people personal affair, given to them by birth, it could markedly improve their standing despite the American propaganda.
3.0 "On one hand, it is true that the Shah was a dictator with a corrupt family and friends who never tolerated any political opposition."
Thats precisely why we are in the mess that we are in. And if only for that you must admit that it wasn't a golden age.
"The Shah's political intolerance was nothing compared to Islamic mass murderers when they seized power in Iran."
Comparing bad dictatorship with a bad terrinoy is only a nostalgic wish. Comparatively, shah was as bad as these mulla's and you view only depends on what part of the fence you were standing.
4.0 "The irony of history is that all the opposition forces who accused the the U.S. of establishing a dictatorship in Iran failed themselves to create a democratic regime or a multiparty democratic organization."
They certainly made a lot of mistake and the only reason I will offer is that they had no practice is these kind of affairs. They were either on the run, jailed, in exiled.
"A year after the revolution, a group of Iranian Islamic students stormed the U.S. embassy and seized its diplomats. Ayatollah Khomeini and many Iranian political groups backed this criminal action. Hostage-taking lasted 444 days, during which American diplomats were exposed blindfolded in front of cameras and angry crowds."
A bad act but it was a knee-jerk reaction. Remember 1953 and Chile in 1973. If you leave any part of the past it would come to deal with you.
5.0 "This hostage-taking was an unimaginable violation of international law."
Are you speaking of the same international law that George Bush used to attack Iraq or Nixon in Chile or Israel in the Occupied land?
6.0 "There is no doubt that the United States pursues its own national interests."
Hooray for the truth. United States has always acted in its own interest and that's way their military budget is so high. Alas, I can't say that the Iranian government of the past or present had really the interest of Iran in their heart. Many Iranian people also do not have the interest of Iran or its people in their heart. It's not a fault for the United States to act according to their interests, some of the methods I may despise. But I wish, only I wish, we would not act short-sited to ask for the same treatment of Iraq towards Iran. Iraqis only replaced Saddam with another like him and history will show us.
Write your own book
On Asghar Massombagi's "Being Lolita in Tehran":
I just read Mr. Asghar Masoombaghi article
on your web site and did not understand the real purpose of his
letter. Why is that
Iranian cannot stand the success of their country men
or women?? You should be proud that this book has been on the best
seller list for such a long time instead of criticizing it. This
is exactly the same situation as Shohreh Agdashloo's
success. Shame on all of you!!!
You write your own book instead of criticizing others.
Anita Daniel
Wonderful purpose
On iranian.com:
I was completely unaware and oblivious to this website until a
sibling brought my attention to it. Because of this website, I
got back in touch with a friend who lives in Europe, and with whom
I lost contact when my family and I left Europe to immigrate to
America.
I think that this site serves a wonderful purpose. When I was younger,
it did not matter to me. However, now that I am in my twenties,
I realize how important it is to not only maintain, but to reinforce,
our cultural values. I believe that by creating a networked community
of members whose backgrounds are similar, your website does exactly
that. I would like to thank you for your ideas as well as your
accomplishments.
Haleh
Fruits of good deeds
On iranian.com:
This web site was sent to me by a very dear friend of mine in the UK. He knows, I am very much in favour of admitting non Zoroastrians amongst us, because the plain message of Asho Zarathushtra is that His religion is Universal and should admit all people of free thinking attitude, so that millions can enjoy and be enlightened and make this world a place worth living in.
I have also seen the photo of the six Russians who have greatly honoured us by joining and following the religion of Good Mind.
May the blessings of Good Thoughts, Good Words and Good Deeds shower upon you and the future Zoroastrians of Russia, Iran, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Ossetians, Kurdistan, India and Pakistan. The arrival of NeoZoroastrians can only enrich the religion of Asho Zarathushtra and make this world a peaceful and progressive place to live in.
I hope the people of Russia and Belarus keep expanding the community of Zoroastrians and add the best bits of your culture amongst us, the art of singing, dancing especially Ballet, forming orchestra of classical types etc, etc.
By now, you must have realised that we admire and encourage knowledge, enlightenment and progress and fight against evil and ignorance to promote everything good in this world so that our children enjoy the fruits of our good deeds in their lifetime.
Bless you all.
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