Letters
November 2005
November 14 -- November 17 -- November 1
Let's not mix things up just because we're pissed off at Islamists
On Iqbal Latif's "Rage without a cause" and Kia Atri's "The Republic vs. religion":
It has not been shown that these riots are result of Islamists agitations. The occasional riots by ghetto immigrants has a history in France which is not limited to the North African community; the immigrants from France's former colonies in central and west Africa also have been party to these outbursts of anger.
Although there is no doubt that radical Islamists are in the thick of this and trying to take advantage of a terrible situation (as has been the case of extremist anarchists whenever anti-globalization activists have descended down on WTO or G8 gatherings) even the French government is not claiming this to be the work of FIS/GMA or other radical Algerians or Al-Qaeda.
In the service of political clarity, let's not mix things up just because we're pissed off at Islamists everywhere. This is not the "veil in schools" issue, whether or not one agrees with the logic of rioting to prove a point (which is by the way a time honored French tradition going back to storming the Bastille). I suggest to all interested to rent Mathieu Kassovitz's excellent 1995 film La Haine, in lieu of research, to see that the issue of disenchanted, "pissed at the cops" dark skinned youth (black African, Arab, Berber and Jewish North African) going on a rampage is not new.
They think they are better
On Gohari's "Don't cry wolf":
1st of all, I am an Iranian no matter what and I don't appreciate when people link any Jew to Israel. I don't even practice Judaism. You are a Moslem, does that make you an Arab? Should all Moslems be blamed for what bin Laden did in NY? The answer is no! Please don't say, your people! I am sorry for those people, both, they can not live together. Do you know why, because they can not love others. They think they are better. But, it is not my fault. I have never been in Israel. I hate no one. I don't want people feel pity for me. I am a person.
We lived in Tehran. I was the only child. We left Tehran within a month after that attack took place on me. We went to Turkey. I was a mess. I was not normal. I was so scared. I was quite. I couldn't eat. I couldn't sleep alone. I couldn't hold any more and I wet myself. My situdation was killing my parents. Do you have kids?
In Turkey we were helped to come to Texas. Also, while we were in Turkey an Iranian psychologist kindly was helping me to become a normal child again. I needed more time to recover and in Texas another Iranian doctor saw me for a while. Years have gone by. Honestly, I am not that OK. It was very hard on me and my parents the entire experience and the adjustment. I can still feel the hard kicks at my face and my chest when I was down on the ground screaming for help and my evil principal planed it all. Can you put yourself in that situation? Can you put your little brother or your own 8-year son in that situation? Can you?
Why is race important?
I would like to ask why is it so important for Persians to marry Persians. Why is race more important than religion? The reason I ask this is because it seem to me that there is a historical reason why this is so.
Who are you trying to help?
On Aref Erfani's "Aqa Ne'mat":
How come you don't report any news from 35,000 Iranians demonstrating in Belgium but reporting some article from Ayatollah BBC against Iranian resistance? Who are you trying to help? How you name yourself Iranian? This is a shame for any Iranian who supports terrorist Mullahs.
Aghasi in positive light
On Aref Erfani's "Aqa Ne'mat":
While I did not have pleasure of meeting Mr. Aghassi and can't confirm or deny any of your statements, but I raise to admire you for your positive approach you took to this issue. Within last few week I have seen our friend making accusations,insults, badmouthing{velengaary} about others. It was enlightening to see someone speak up in favour, of upgrade, raising the value of his country man [or may be ex-patriot.]
I again congradulate you for your positive attitude on social, and cultural issues which we are all facing out side of our native land. Hopefully leading the way for others.
Why do you even bother to go to Iran?
On Sara Nobari's "Night train to Tabriz":
I was so looking forward to reading an interesting story about an Iranian's trip from Tehran to Tabriz because I never got a chance to go there while I lived in Iran.
Instead, I got some stupid and boring story from a typical ignorant American who thinks she is a big shit because she has a scary ghost skin. Obviously (and I bet) she doe s not have much of an education and is definitely not sophisticated in a most average ways to be remotely objective.
In the first sentence she talks about crowd of dark skinned people and heavily bearded men! Lady, ask that stupid husband of yours who could not find an Iranian to marry him and had to settle for an ignorant American like you, what does "gooze be shaghighe che rabti dare" means. Well, I tell you what it means. What does fart have to do with your temples?
Should we state that the airports in America with crowds of bleached hair and expressionless American faces are intimidating? I would say boring and unexciting definitely but intimidating no.
Why do you even bother to go to Iran? We do not want backward people like you visiting our homeland. We want intelligent, educated, cultured Americans who are adventurous and enjoy diversity of other nations to visit out homeland.
Let me tell you that if you had finished high school, you should know that Azerbaijan province has many light skinned, light hair people and unlike the boring and cold blue eyes of the Westerners, those blue eyes are beautiful, full of life and mischief so please do not further insult your husband's intelligence by thinking that you are a hot shot because you have light skin. If your kid is in elementary school ask him to show you a picture of the map so you can see that your husband's hometown sits on the border with Russia where many American men go to see real blondes. Dah!
Tell your husband he is the reason some people call Azari people unfairly "khar". Let me tell you that I know a short, bald and not attractive Iranian from Tabriz who is married to a drop dead gorgeous German girl who speaks flawless Farsi, plays setar, is a doctor and in charge of one of the most amazing medical projects for one of the most prestigious universities in the US. She is even teaching her kids Farsi. She has nothing but great things to say about Iran. Why?
For the past 26 years it has been my experience that the majority of Americans who are married to Iranians are not educated, cultured or even attractive. The boy was not good enough for an Iranian princess so he had to settle for farm girl or he needed a green card. I do not know of one attractive, secure, intelligent Iranian man who would have picked someone as embarrassing as you.
I feel sorry for your kids who have to be raised by someone as ignorant and backward as you.
Do us all a favor and keep your stupid and ignorant mind and body in the little redneck trailer trash neighborhood, where it belongs and do not waste our valubale time. We are not intereted in a the opions of an uneducated woman wo just wnats to show her husband she tolerates his homeland because (bet $100) he pays the bills an dyou probably do not even work and just hang out with other mebmers of your mobile home park.
Then do something
On Maziar Shirazi's "Disband or change":
So, why don’t you appeal to the University to disband this unethical organization?
Communism is her religion
On "Maryam Namazie: One woman's war":
I wanted just to say that I really don't understand what is so extraordinary in Maryam Namazie's rhetoric. I do not deny that she is and probably has done a great deal of good and generous actions to defend minorities and struggle for Human Rights and Woman Rights worldwide. What I do not understand however is how blind people can be in regard to her radical ideologically oriented views which she clearly defends on her London-based International TV.
I had the oppurtunity to listen to her programs and did not see ANYTHING DEMOCRATIC in them. She invites a couple of frustrated radical leftists who despise Democracy to begin with and try to manipulate public opinion to revolt against the democratic institutions through another Red revolution in order to establish a so called freer society. The people she invites are members of the obscur Communist Party of Iran such as Hamid Taqvaee, Bahram Soroush or Mrs.Azar Majedi who have such demagogic arguments that sound like of another age when a curtain wall was seperating Europe.
Maryam Namazie was elected Secularist of the Year 2005. Are you sure that she is entirely secularist ? Has she not adopted another religion: Communism?
Karl Marx was right in saying "Religion is the opium of the people" only that he forgot to include Communism. Get your classics right Ladies and Gentlemen and GentleWomen of the Communist Party of Iran go read some of George Orwell's books like Animal Farm or 1984.
Darius KADIVAR
Paris FRANCE
Whose world order?
On Kaveh Afrasiabi's "No need for nuclear weapons":
I read your well argumented piece on the dangers both strategically and from a geo political point of view. I just have one question to ask Mr. Guive Mirfendereski (if indeed he supports the idea that Iran deserves an unalienable right to Nuclear technology) or other Iranian compatriots who favor the Nuclear technology: What if by a terrible coincidence Isphahan was shook by an earthquake similar to what we saw in Bam ? How would the Iranian goevernment Islamic or not guarantee that such a disaster could not be followed in effect by a nuclear disaster as in Chernobyl?
What Iran really wants is nuclear proliferation and have accountability to no one and particularly not to the US: THE GREAT SATAN.
What is clearly at stake here is that countries like Russia are in a power struggle to shift if not global domination at most global decision making in their own favor. The rise of Sub continents like China or India as economic giants make it very clear that the Russians see this as an oppurtunity to provoke a geopolitical shift in favor of the Eastern hemisphere.
Ultimately to put an end to Amercian supremacy on all issues: Political or strategical. I clearly see the advent of all this double talking and back an forth arguments amongst diplomatic circles as a way to encourage a new World Order that would no more be Anglo Saxon but Asian.
Geographically and strategically it would seem logical to see the following nations some of which try to obtain nuclear technology others already have them Russia, China, India Pakistan and eventually Iran.
Well lets imagine that they appear as the major obstacle to the West. We will therefore find ourselves in a Bi Polar World again but with what guarantee of transparency that on the contrary the West can and does offer on its nuclear power to guarantee a certain stability in the World and for countries that have Democracy. While Raugue States like Iran can then have their word on the Security Council.
The final question is which World Order do we want ? I still prefer George Bush or any other American Republican or Democrat at the Helm as the president of the Worlds First Superpower which is under the supervision of democratic Institutions than a Vladimir Putin eager to close an eye on Democratic reformes in Iran and still sell them 20 reactors under the nose of the G8 conference.
It is clear that Ahmaninejad is playing on the European incapacity to put pressure on his government and the fact that Russia wants to bring Iran in its own hemisphere as a full partner on Nuclear and Gasoline issues.
America may fall into the trap that well Ok you Russians do what you want with Iran and we will keep our presence in Iraq. Its A deal reminiscent of Yalta between the Big Three.
Its a matter of choice on which is the World we prefer ? One where we hope it can be safe of Nuclear confrontation or on the contrary one where sporadic confrontations can occur between nations if this technology is proliferated or worst delivered to would be terrorists !!
Best,
Darius KADIVAR
Paris FRANCE
Let's save Iran
My name is Payman, I'm writing from Canada. This email can be posted as my contact info if my letter is published.
Here's my letter which I hope you'll publish. I feel very strongly about this subject, and I hope you will as well:
Title: "Iranians in the West: Let's Save Iran."
"In my opinion, if Iran is wiped off the map one of these days by somebody's ridiculous pre-emptive military venture, Iranians living in the West should be held most responsible. Then maybe who actually carried it out and the wretched Mollahs. But you and I would surely be the ones with the most Iranian blood on our hands.
I am utterly disgusted by the sheer complacency Iranians abroad are showing to the threats being made to civilian lives in that county by Washington. Document after document leaked from Washington (look it up yourself on mainstream news sites) is pointing towards discussions of hypothetical use of tactical nukes to completely wipeout any part of the Iranian infrastructure they deem remotely threatening to their national security. The pentagon has already drafted a plan allowing pre-emptive use of tactical nukes on any country they consider "a danger" (You can take a wild guess on which country this is being primed up for)
Don't get me wrong. I wouldn't wish the Islamofacist Mollacracy in Iran on my worst enemies. Iran without human rights and freedom is a sad state of affairs, and I respect all the causes Iranian activists in the West are currently indulging in. But all these causes are surely inferior to saving Iran from annihilation, aren't they?
By the time any such "pre-emptive" action is complete, there will not be any historical sites to save from a dam. And the stretch of water you so adamantly want to call "The Persian Gulf" will be someone else's. And you can sure as hell forget about human rights for women, gays, or people in general there, because the ones still left alive will be too busy dying of radiation exposure to even remember their own sexual preference, political persuasion, or care about what your damned disposition towards the hejab is.
The force needed to subdue the current Iran will practically destroy it, given Iran's complex and weird response capacity and posture. There will not be an Iran left for you people to go back and be free in. Is this really what we want people?!
Why aren't we using the same democratic channels being applied abroad, to bring "Freedom" to Iran, to actually save it from destruction first?! Where are the web bloggers sending out the message "Thanks, but we don't want Iran wiped out, we can slowly change it ourselves" to the world? Thousands of Iranians showed up to lash out at Ahmadi-nejad in NY, great, but why are these same people not marching the streets the next day, demanding that Iranians back home don't get slaughtered by Washington?!
Am I crazy or are Iranians living in the West that incapable of prioritizing?
We are currently in a historically unique position, you and I, to dramatically affect Iran's fate. Iran and the US are pretty much lucked into their own stubborn game-plan to all this, and we are the only wild card with the flexible position to be the voice of reason. All I'm asking is we simply use all democratic channels available to us in the West to discourage a deadly strike on the people of Iran. I'm talking about web activism, massive peaceful marches... how many of you live out there in LA for God's sake, stop watching badly made Perian pop videos and write to members of Parliament, congress, lobby... DO SOMETHING!
If Iranians living in the West are incapable of using the democratic process available to them in the West to save Iran from doom, then what makes them think they deserve to go back home someday and live in a democracy?! The irony is sickening."
Qadami shafaa bakhsh
On Javid Kahen's "I was only a Jewish child":
I was also normal teenager
On Javid Kahen's "I was only a Jewish child":
After reading your text in Iranian.com I start to remember again my teenager time in Shiraz 1980 to 1983. I was also a Bahai teenager a normal Iranian teenager, who was born in a bahai family. My experience was the same as yours. I tried to forget about it in the last two decades. I remember it after reading about your experiences. It make me so sad again and break my heart. I feel all your fears and anger, since I have the same experience.
But there is something very funny about the whole story, The majority of the guys who harassed and bullied us, those sadistic young people who enjoyed to make our life like hell are now reformist ( believe me I have seen the pictures of the fellows and read their messages in reformist Websits ). Thank you again for your post, that I enjoyed very much.
Ramin G.
Hamburg
Germany
Stop legislating ethics
On the etymology debate:
I must agree with people who say that Dr. Mirfendereski's performance in this last round of email exchange with Mr. Rezakhani was a surprisingly poor one, and the positions he assumed - unlike usual - were less than readily defendable. But as regards to Mr. Rezakhani's advocacy to the expatriot community of certain tastes in discourse or rhetoric to which they ought to adhere following Dr. Mirfendereski's example, I'd like to say, please stick to etymologies cause there is a case there, but stop legislating ethics and etiquette already... at least for the ex-patriots... Or at least try being one, before legislating for one.
But regarding etymologies, while I agree that not just anything goes, it must be kept in mind what the European enlightenment and its scientific revolutions have shown in the spiritual tradition of their humanities: science and myth collapse into one another constantly, and what was derided yesterday as a "wives tale" by the patriarchal law-giving cock-o-centric scientists of the hard or the soft kind, might today - after the collapse of "absolute" truths... - show a way forward.
Much more important than how strong the etymological evidence is for arguing a case, then, is what is being argued... for what, in support of what, why, etc. because positive science, no matter what the great minds of the reformation and early enlightenment would say, is no substitute for religion...
Having said all that, again, Rezakhani seemed to know what he is talking about, while Mirfendereski seems to have unwittingly created some tension within his own ideological stronghold.
I admire your guts
On Iranian of the day Slater Bakhtavar:
I don't always agree with your views but I admire your guts as an Iranian American to be involved in politics and to have a point of view and campaign for it. Where did you learn your craft ? Watching West Wing on Sunday Nights?
;0)
Not sure I would vote for you but keep up the good work.
Best,
Darius KADIVAR
Paris FRANCE
Why would those men affect your life?
On Azam Nemati's "Azam's Fatwa":
I'd like to know why you even care if some Iranian men go to Iran and bring a wife? You mention that it doesn't bother you, but the fact that you wrote close to 3,000 words about it makes me think otherwise. You also mention that you don't want to toot your own horn, but I'm sure the readers of this site can attest to the fact that you do exactly that in most of your articles: You usually bash a group of people and praise yourself and your son to the point of ad nauseam, but I digress.
Seriously, if a group of men totally independent of you decided to do anything, why would that affect your life as to have an opinion about it in the first place? I couldn't care less if some Iranian women decide to marry old Chinese guys and get young Italian boyfriends on the side. Whether the women are on The Pill, IUD, or Norplant is of no significance to me and to a vast majority of men.
And what's the deal with the cheap shot on the Esfahanis? I've heard in jokes about their frugality and funny accents, but the stuff you wrote stems from some inner hatred you have, which is quite common in your writings.
In fairness, your article does have some upbeat excerpts. Unfortunately, the two jokes in the middle and the poem at the end are not your original work.
What did Iran expect?
On Kaveh Afrasiabi's "No need for nuclear weapons":
"Now I understand attorney Mirfendereski's moral outrage at the double standards applied to Iran and to Israel and the horrific silence and complicity of the West with respect to Saddam Hussain's invasion of Iran in the 1980s."
What did Iran expect after the US embassy incident? The new government of Khomeini declared war on the US. Naturally the reaction when Saddam invaded was "serve them right". Attacking diplomats was bound to make Iran an outlaw state.
And now they want nuclear weapons for killing the Israelis. Isn't one holocaust enough?
Perisan catwalk in London
Hi my name is negin and i am a fashion show director in London.
I have been busy with my up coming fashion show in January, in Putney and i was looking for some Iranian models, fashion designers, make up artists for a special section to do with persian culture. There are all these fabulous people on your site but not contact detail and i was wondering if they are in London at the moment. i have had experience in organzing events like this before for some years.
My fashon show consists of Jean Pual Gaultier, Belinda robinson, London college of fashion designers, Betty jackson, Paul Smith, Shoe deisgners and accessory designers from variuos boutiques and graduates. I was hoping that you could help me to bring some of the Passion of the Persians into our charity fashon show or know anybody who can. Not only is the venue fantastic but the audience will be just the right people to promote designer labels. I am half Iranian so am excited about a Perisan catwalk. I have already talked to many people who can help with getting the iranian theme into the limelight. Resulting in a few people arranging a boat party for the aftershow,l imos, goody bags, dancers, sponsorers and caterers.
Thanky you for your time and i look foward to hearing from you.
Blondes everywhere
On Pouya Alimagham's "Blonde Iranians":
Do you know that most blondes color their hair no matter where they are from? Only kids are blonde & people from Northern Europe. But when they become adults USUSALLY their hair turns brown. So don't have any worries about Iranian blondes. They are doing exactly what every other woman in the world is doing -- except those very few who are really blonde.
Zoroastrianism was and is truly Monotheistic
Many people think that Zoroastrianism is a dualistic religion that tries to be Monotheist. It is a Monotheistic religion since the beginning. Later Magians (preists) corrupted the religion and added things to the religion. This was later taken back out of the religion but some people still today think that it is a part of Zoroastrianism. Zoroastrianism was and is truly a Monotheistic religion.
Fundamentalist Jews
On link to "Jewish response" to Ahamdinejad comments:
Firstly, I'd like to say I have been an avid reader of iranian.com, and that you do a great job.
With regard to the 'Orthodox Jews' link: My heart fell when I read this, and I wished instantly that the link read 'Radical Orthodox Jewish Sect's response' instead. I hate labels, but considering that I live in the religiously liberal West Coast, one could call me an 'orthodox Jew' as well. Yet I am 100% opposed to the views of this organization. I believe that Israel has a right to exist, and if that is Zionism, then I am a Zionist.
The main point I would like to put across to you and your readers is that this is a fringe group of ultra, ultra Orthodox Jews. These people are of the same ilk of the zealot that assassinated Yitzchak Rabin about 10 years ago, or the wacko 'Jewish' guy who opened fire in a mosque a while back. They are, in a true sense of the word, fundamentalists. No one would equate Yusef Islam (the pious and former Cat Stevens) with Osama Bin Laden, yet they are both 'religous'. You would call the former a true man of faith, and the latter a whacko. These fundamentalist Jews believe that is only through the coming of the Messiah that a religious Jewish state (of any shape or form) can be established.
I have no problem with the religious theory they espouse, per se. The problem is that they take this theory on the offensive and attack the State of Israel on a secular level, as well.
Since the Holocaust, it is only in Israel that any Jew (Russian, Ethiopian, anywhere) can officially seek refuge and support, instant citizenship, etc - in a world where 'civilized' people sought (and still seek) to harm them, (the Shirazi Jewish 'spy' case is a good example of this).
These same émigrés are conscripted to the Israeli army, putting their lives on the line to protect these very same ultra-Orthodox fringes that have settled en masse in Jerusalem, and who pray at the Western Wall, (they, by the way, are excused from military service). Many of these sects want to have their cake, and eat it too: They have taken control in many aspects of Israeli local politics, yet most have this distaste of the state (while living on the Israeli version of welfare, having baby after baby), and 'holier-than-thou" attitude with other Israelis, (literally!)
They oftentimes bite the hand that feeds them, and a statement from this group underscores this. Israel can't do anything about it, because as I said, they have an open-door policy to all Jews. I have nothing against them living and working in Israel. In fact, I'm proud of the fact that there is a government in place to protect them so that they can lead spiritual lives in prayer within Israel. I just hate it when they, at times, turn around and attack others by handing out judgement in this manner.
I am of the type that believes that Jewish scripture of the coming of the Messiah and the establishment of The Holy Land is not at odds with the democracy that was born in the desert some fifty odd years ago. These radicals do not.
To that end, I don't think many Jews were surprised by Ahmadinejad's comments. It simply reiterated the Revolution's official stance on Israel, perhaps made a bit more spicy with all the nuclear buzz. I expected comments like these from Ahmadinejad, but comments from these fellow Jews (and I use the label loosely) is a punch in the gut. It fans the flames of anti-Semitism, and weakens the both spiritual and secular pride of Jews in/for Israel.
It always saddens me when I see the facts that come in from political leaders in Iran that show a blatant hate for Israel and Jews, (hiding under the facade of "we hate Zionism/have nothing against the people' duality). Even your recent survey ("Does Israel have the Right to Exist?") is disheartening, to say the least, for the mere fact that it has to be a question to begin with. You are so fortunate to have such an educated base of readers, yet even the percentage of those who said 'no' or 'I don't know' is shockingly, alarmingly high.
Iranian Jews have such a bound, old, wonderfully rich and vital bond with Iran. I was never fortunate enough to be in Iran myself, but I love the country of my parents' birth, as well as Israel and the US. It really hurts when they don't love us back.
All the best,
Bazmeh Davoudian
Very minute group
On link to "Jewish response" to Ahamdinejad comments:
I just noticed your posting of Neturei Karta organization response to Ahamadinejad's speech and the international reaction to it.
Please note this organization only represents a very minute group of Jewish people who do not recognize Israel's right to exist and Zionism as the national movement of Jewish people to re-establish their own homeland, solely on religious grounds.
Though you have all the rights to post whatever you feel appropriate on your website, this is clearly an act of misrepresentation to present this people's opinion as "The Orthodox Jewish Response".
You only need to investigate this matter lightly to realize that Neturei Karta do not speak for the majority of the Jewish people.
Please get your facts right.
George Haroonian
Iranian Jew
Caring less about humanitarian deeds
To whom it may concern;
How sad and pathetic that instead of us as a nation who should be thirsty for more humanitarians and humanitarian deeds, especially those who struggle to educate the public and wipe out ignorance..., it is an American Organization that is doing so. More pathetic is the lack of support from our own media who refuses and could care less about such events.
Dariush Eghbali, Iranian singer and social activist, is honoured by SHARE! for his work for addiction and recovery, and I sent you the press release and other info but it was never published. This is a shame that he would not be features as your Iranian of the day. See here: parstimes.com/gallery/dariush_eghbali
A Hafezi
Simplistic, biased clap-trap
As a regular visitor of your web site I often read the letters written by your contributors which are published on the Iranian.come, and on most topics, I fail to see, on the part the publisher of these letters, any adherence to or compliance with the principle of impartiality.
Almost all the time, the visitors to your web site are given ample exposure to sentiments of your contributors with anti Iranian government agenda and propaganda materials covered in these letters. I have seen no materials, letters which would also give the reader the chance to read the opposing views, separate from those, expressive of anti Iranian authorities. Is this a true representative of the current political, social, economic, cultural situation in Iran and the public opinion of the American Iranian people or something more sinister - like a subversive practice designed to discredit the current government of Iran paving the way for another displacement of people, wealth, culture out of Iran into other parts of the world because Canada, Australia, Germany etc. need to replace their well college educated Iranian born taxi drivers, cleaners, bar attendees, factory workers, restaurant managers, pizza makers with a new younger immigrants from Iran after another regime change!
I believe most of visitors to your site prefer to have also the opportunity to hear arguments and the facts honestly presented by those in support of Iran and its government and its elections or its presidents and the decisions of its people. This would give your readers the chance to draw their own judgments and conclusions as whose version of lies or truth they should buy into or accept.
It is rather disturbing to come across so much simplistic clap-trap, substituted for intelligent mature arguments, most of which are void of any substance.
In these so called letters, I see very little original thinking or articulation of well thought, well researched, well balanced, mature impartial arguments supported with proper references.
Anti Ahmedi Nejead seems to me is currently being promoted, packaged and sold like the "iPod" - a "must-to-have" piece of fashion accessory.
This resembles running of a campaign of some sort with specific objectives in mind. A more responsible approach would be to facilitate a Forum for your viewers to voice their opinion of their own - with the aim of having intelligent discussions which would lead to promotion, in general, of better, deeper understanding of the issues concerned.
I am only making my views known here, because your claim that your web site is run on strict policy of political, racial, financial independence.
Plus the fact that your current practice has nothing to do with prejudiced, discriminatory job of attempting to shift the opinion of one particular group against another or insidious promotion, staring up of, anti Iranian government feelings amongst your readers.
I hope to be able to see soon on your web site - a practice of promoting a balance view which will better serve the purpose of a "responsible approach" to an independent public broadcasting.
Sibi
Is everything about sex these days?
This is a catchy topic and I am sure everyone who is reading this article can relate to the subject and will have some views on this matter. As a 26 year old single, female, I have been dating different guys to find someone as close to "MR. Right" as possible. Through this search, I sadly, keep coming across guys whom are mainly looking for someone to have sex with. Many aren't even considering a none sexual start when it comes to buliding a relationship.These guys are everywhere, different age groups and some are among the brightest and well educated of all, as well as the guy next door.
I have been talking to guys whom aren't even willing to get to know me before asking me about sex. And it really surprises them when I say "NO" and some even get upset over this; but my question is, am I the only one who is refusing to start a relationship in bed and get to know the other person while they are on top of me!? Am I the only one who is willing to know my partners soul , fall in love or at list care deeply for the them before getting intimate!?
And guys please don't get offended , because it is not just you who has forgotten all those good old fashion values your parents worked hard teaching you! You are not the only guilty party who lost your soul by someones bed side, it is sadly us woman too who is sharing this guilt with you!
For example,it was only the other day that a girlfriend of mine who happens to be engaged to a nice man received a text message from an EX-boyfriend and blushed of excitement when she remembered how he had treated him in bed a week ago and decided to call him back!
now you tell me,is really everything about sex these days!? If as a smart, self-respected, woman, I am not willing to "go with the flow", should I just give up on finding HIM!?
Khaton
Too pooped to complain
In response to Mehdi's friend's Iran travel note "Colorful but unstable":
"Colorful but unstable" details what is really going on in Tehran and Shiraz today. The Iranian government has in reality bought the youth by giving them what they want. The youth can now socialize by their orgies and if they work hard enough they can obtain fine clothes, fine cars and lots of other property. And entertainment is also available through the cinemas. As long as you have money you are preoccupied.
Education has put the youth in classes until they obtain a doctorate. By that time the youth have hit their 30s and are too pooped to complain about the government. Any specialist in Iranian affairs will conclude that the Islamic Republic will remain in power more years than the previous regime and the Qajar dynasty combined.
Jamshid Richard William Tehrani III
Generational gap or two
In response to Nassir Mashkouri's "Disappointing Deev":
Dear Nassir,
I suspect that there is a generational gap or two, perhaps even three between your age and mine. Your article regarding the subject of rap music in general and iranian rap music in particular shows clearly that one man's art is another man's fart. The noise which you so reverantly refer to as Afro-American music is nothing more than Nigger music. There is nothing artful about it. Whether it is sung in English or Persian it is trash. Instead of glorifying this rubbish, how about telling our youth that hard work and study is the way to succeed in life.
I firmly beleive that those who can, STUDY & SUCCEED while those who can't RAP & BECOME HUMAN EXCREMENT.
If you are interested in listening to real Persian pop music how about giving a listen to Googoosh, Dariush, Ebbi, Mahasti, Leila Forouhar, Shohreh, Haydeh, Moin, Shahram Solati, Shahram Shabpareh, Andy, or any of the zillions of other wonderful singers Iran is best to have and to have had. Rap is nothing more than filth and it is such a shame that the young generation is drawn to it when it has nothing of redeeming vaule to offer.
Utter contempt for traditional standards of civility
In response to Sarvenaz's "Napoleon mon amour":
Publishing the above on you web site shows an utter contempt for traditional Iranian/Persian respect for good standards of civility and decency. I can see that your web site is now a platform for promoting anything that goes.
Very disappointed.
Overly lengthy
In response to Jonathan Jones' "Evil Empire":
I often find a few minutes to browse Iranian.com have a look at the articles and just skim down them just to get the 'gist' but find them overly lengthy do any of them get edited? I think a lot of them can be condensed. I am also not aware of a 'Home' to return to! Interested to a degree though!
To your continued success!
Railroading us
In response to Jonathan Jones' "Evil Empire":
Dear friends,
I would like to know if anything has been done about this so called reporter (Jonathan Jones) who has written an article (if you could call it that) regarding Iran`s pre-Islam history. I am aware that few have respnded by writing the truth. I do not know about anyone else out there, but I am very tired of ignorant, biased fools who have an agenda and write some lie and pass it off as scholarly work or whatever they like to call it. I think we have brought this on ourselves by our refusal to respond to sick lies by being low key.
Yes, I do know that there are problems between Iran ,US, and England but this does not mean that people can take advantage of this and railroad us. They have done it for a long time and it is time we get our share of this fabric we call the history of the world. I have e-mailed this gentleman ( he is really not one) and he responded rudely ( the only way his little mind allows him).
Where's Waldo?
In response to Jahanshah Javid's photo essay "Statue of Liberty":
Where's Jahanshah or should I say, Waldo?
Cryovac?
In response quiz about the word "Aakband":
I was reading the old discussion of the etymology of the word Akband in Iranian.com, when I was searching something about Karim Emami. I think I might have come with a solution. Judging by how things work in the south (Jonubi), it is more likely to be a corruption of a highly used american/british word. I think the origin must be from Cry-o-Vac.Which patented Vacuum packing in 1933. Vaak -band can convert to aak-band easily. I seem to remember that once upon a time aak bad was used for sealed packages.
Won't bother me
In response to Nassir Mashkouri's "Disappointing Deev":
Thanks, you can hate my music all you want, and I wish you had quoted a few lines from the lengthy explanation on my site about why I used the phrase "arab-loving" but since you don't seem to be a real journalist to show both sides of a story and let the audience decide it's not a big deal either.
You seemed to have a few unsolicited words of advice for me: I'll give you one, watch some 20/20 - 60 Minutes and read some Wall Street Journal to learn journalistic practices and ethics so you don't sound so one-sided. You could had easily interviewed me on the topic but seems like you had made up your mind about what you wanted to write.
Frankly with the amount of fan support I get from inside Iran (50% of my downloads) your lack of enthusiasm won't bother me. In fact I noticed the traffic directed to my site from your article, so like they say, there's never any bad publicity, I just wish you had the balls to let me know you had written something about me considering that you even took a few lines of lyrics from my site which is technically copyrighted, it's called courtesy, look in to it.
Nonetheless, since you only had unkind things to say about me publicly, i wonder how you'd feel if I said a few things about you in an upcoming song although frankly I have bigger fish to fry than you so I most likely wont give you that honor but it's a thought anyway.
The part about your article that bugged me the most was your advice about me going to Iran. I can't go to Iran because of my safety for I have always voiced my disdain towards the regime, but thank you for refreshing my anger towards the fact that I can't visit my home, but worry not, I'm in daily contact with my people back home that open their heart to me about their pain, I may be here but I'm not out of touch.
Absurd comparison
In response to Manesh's "Our worst":
Your comparison of the democratically elected President of a secular Republic to an appointed President of a dictatorship religious theocracy is absurd. It's like comparing the ideological beliefs of a church boy who goes to church and respects his faith, but has the freedom to do as he chooses to a monk or a mullah.
Let's do a quick comparison of U.S. under President Bush and Iran under President Ahmadinejad
Can males mingle freely with females in Iran? No
Is there mandatory covering for females in Iran? Yes
Can you have parties without the possibility of the Basji breaking it up and arresting everyone? No
Can you wear offensive slogans on the streets of Tehran? No
Can you freely watch R rated movies in Iran? No
Can you freely buy alcohol in Iran? No
Do you have a free press in Iran guaranteed by the First Amendment? No
Do you have the right to assemble? No
Do you have the right to criticize the President on places like Iranian.com? No
Does this mean you take your freedom given by the U.S. Constitution and the President of
the United States for granted? Yes
Do you have the right to demonstrate against the government in Iran when you please? No
Can you demonstrate against President Bush as you please? Yes
Woman are treated half of men in Iran isn't that so?
Can woman go outside without a mandatory extensive covering? No.
Can woman shake hands with a man in Iran? No
Are woman even allowed to dance in public? No
Can you criticize the President of Iran like you just criticized President Bush? No.
There is stoning of woman going on Iran, right?
Can you be arrested in Iran for the type of Music you listen to? Yes
Can you be arrested without due process in Iran? Yes
Is there a diverse cabinet of all religious groups in Iran? No
Are minorities constitutionally protected in Iran? No
Was Ahmadinejad ever elected? No
President Bush was the first President in history to have a Koran in his oval office.
The First President to court the Muslim vote and strongly get it in 2000.
To have the most diverse cabinet in the history of the U.S. including Arab-American Spencer Abraham.
President Bush has been criticized by the far right as way too moderate so you're very wrong as he being along the lines of hard-line religious groups. Most Republicans see President Bush as more of a moderate rather than a far right conservative so get your facts straight.
Scared of America no more
In response to Kia Atri's "(Hard) reality check":
Kia Khan (or Kia Jaaan, whichever you prefer),
You seem to look at today's iran with the same prism that our elders used to; that is weakness and inability to control our own destiny. Today's young in iran are doing miracles that probably no one, but no one, could have imagined twenty or thirty years ago. While we were taught that Iranians are incapable and always need foriegners to sell them stuff (including needles to fix up the rips in their pants!), are becoming self sufficient, at least in important military gear, etc. That is a good start, I would say. When our nation is safe, it can think clear and becomes truly independent.
Secondly, the "old guard" of the world is dying away -- both the westerners and Zionists are becoming incapable of controling their own destiny, let alone others. You can see that from all sorts of signs - Central and South America is voicing it out, so are many in East Asia, Middle East, and elsewere. Powerful Zionsists are getting old and hopefully going away for good. No banckrupt idiology that in the 21st century beleives in racism and superiority can survive these testing times. Zionism is the bottom of all of those ideologies.
What that says, is that America, and its alies that used to sneeze and the world shivered, is no more. Hopefully in my lifetime or perhaps yours (if you are still young), we will all see freedom without fear (of the superpowers) in our motherland Iran. I see the current generation of Iranian president (and hopefully the future ones) as young and fearless of such taboos. These are leaders that although may make mistakes, but will learn from them, and proud to be iranian. They will leave a nation free and fearless to the next generation.
I rather have a president that is naive, but free thinker, fearless, and energatic, than one that must visit the American or British Embassies every morning to take the day's orders. We could do better than we are now in Iran, but lets face it, over 50 years of foriegn domination has pretty much destoryed our self confidence. We are now recovering, and I would say it is going well.
Ali
More American than Iranian
In response to Jahanshah Javid's photo essays from New York:
You seem to have become more American than Iranian with the design of iranian.com. If course it is all yours, so who can tell you otherwise! Maybe it is time for you to retire. I heard there is still some of the $20 M donated by the US government to "destabalize iran" left. Can you get your hands on it? That would be a good start for retirement!!!! May be you can then go to live in Hawaii.....
Tehran is not Iran
In response to Mehdi's friend's Iran travel note "Colorful but unstable":
if i didn't know it was about iran, i would swear she's talking about new york, london, paris, or frankfurt.....
sounds like someone who went to iran for 2 weeks and just listened to everything anyone told them in tehran. tehran, like every other big city is like that, not the rest of iran. she sounds very naiive....
and the bit about the historical sites in shiraz is retarded....
locals?? go to persepolis and you'll see that all the scriblings on the "darvaze mellat" are from reza shah's time, because they are all of NY times journalists and they all say something like "smith 1933 - ny times"
the only thing that has been destroyed in the past 30 years, is the lion head that shah took from persepolis and put it in the meydoon right infront of shiraz airport..
Eager for the day...
In response to Farzaneh Fouladi Bearman's "United we might not fall":
I largely agree with Farzaneh Bearman's views. I do think that too much emphasis is made of whether or not one is Persian or Iranian. To me Prsian is a culture emanating from Pars and Iranian is a political identity that seems to change, e.g. pre and post revolution, etc.
As a Persian I enjoy the classical music as well as the taranehs. I enjoy the food and seem to want too much of it, if you ask my American wife who actually cooks it better than most Iranians that I know. I also enjoy the Nawruz Feast. My half Persian and half American kids as well as my Mexican daughter-in-law, also enjoy these things. My favorite poet is Omar Khayyam.
I am a Baha'i but I don't stay away from Moslem Persians. I try to keep track of my former Persian college friends and have even visited them a few times but have received no visits in return. I presume they are too busy with life. During my college days there were about twenty Persians on our campus and of those three were Jewish, two Baha'is and the rest Moslem, agnostic, athiest, socialist, etc. We all sat together in the cafeteria and we shared meals and rides on the country roads together.
I have noticed a change of mood since the revolution. My grandfather's and sister's garves were destroyed by the government. Many Baha'is were imprisoned or executed because they dared to believe with their own mind and heart. All lost their pensions, savings and property in Iran. I do not hold other Persians guilty of these deeds.
I still listen to the music of my land of origin and look for the Persian restaurants during my travels. I follow the news from Iran and read the iranian.com daily. I am eager for the day when we do not define each other in religious, racial or ethnic terms and will see each other's value in our common culture.
Stop over exaggerating
In response to Mehdi's friend's Iran travel note "Colorful but unstable":
Dear Ms. (negative),
I was in Iran a little over a year ago also, it was my first time since the revolution, and it was not as bad as you described it, I was in Shiraz and Ahvaz, for a total of one week, although it was a very short time, but we (me and my wife) enjoyed it a lot, and believe it or not my plan is to retire in Iran within the next four years (if I could convince my wife)
We have lies, favoritism, deception, drugs, and corruption here in this good old USA also. Stop over exaggerating and being so negative, and try to be a part of solution, not the problem, if you spent all that time and energy writing about the bad things, you could have written about good things also, be positive my compatriot.
I wish you a much better and positive experience in your next trip to your VATAN or mine.
What a girl
In response to Halloween party photos:
I came across this photo earlier today. Do you know who she is? What a girl. Do you know if she is available? My brother is looking for a wife.
Shadi
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