LettersNovember 2006 November 13 You were not really looking for an Iraniain manOn Charlotte Najafi's "Going Dutch": Wow, even though I am a woman (but just an ordinary Iranian woman, not exactly like you with “healthy sense of humor, educated and able to speak up to 5 languages, 1.80cm, slender and pretty”), but I felt somehow offended by your letter, as if I am a man! I tried to understand your feeling about Iranian men you have met and I read: “They were not able to appreciate me or even accept the fact that I did know more and better and had more experience on traveling.” What does a human relationship has to do with traveling? Does it really matter? I have lived myself, in France for 12 years and visited many European countries and still I don’t feel like it gives me the right to judge and put down other people who haven’t had this opportunity or desire. Wisdom doesn’t come from what we see, but from how we see and how we interpret the world. I continue your letter and find out: “I have created my own Iranian man! My Ideal Iranian man out of a Dutch man! I did educate him, I did show him where I come from, what is all about Iran.... He adores Iran, he loves Iran, he loves our carpets, our music, our religion, our culture, our personalities, our familial relationships and our point of views!” At this point, it becomes clear to me that you were not really looking for an Iraniain man (someone with his own mind, his own passion and interest, ... someone unique) but you were looking to find your own self, but as a man! It also means that even though you traveled a lot, visited so many countries, got to know so many different cultures, still you closed your eyes to anything good they could have. You stayed in your own hard cocoon made of your prejudgments and beliefs, almost like a prisoner. Now, it seems to me that you have found, not a man, but only a mirror reflecting your image, admiring you with the eyes that just seem so familiar. Stop bashing your brotherOn Charlotte Najafi's "Going Dutch": Are you wrong? I don't know, but I can tell you're naive! I also don't know how many "Iranian men" you have been with and what your expectations were of these guys, but you sure were not with the right one. What's my point? Maybe it's you... He became what you wanted and left his pastOn Charlotte Najafi's "Going Dutch": "...don't forget who you are and keep being yourself..." Contradicts what happened with your Dutch guy, at least that's the impression I get. He became what you wanted and left his past behind which is fine, but sure contradicts the above. In love without knowing exactly whyOn Farzad Fadai's "To live & let fly": Every once in a while you read a piece that you fall in love with without knowing exactly why. This is one such piece! Thank you, Farzad. May you grow and multiply. The problem lies with neurotic mothersOn Intrepid Resolve's "Disappearing dignity" and Charlotte Najafi's "Going Dutch": Regarding Ms. Nafisi and "" : It's not to say that our men are perfect, but their behavioral problems correlate with women's issues. They are who they are because of their female counterparts, their mothers! So Iranian women are not so blameless. And when I say "Iranian Women" (as their mothers) don't assume I am not talking about you nor the hand that raised you. Would you like us to call all of you Arabs?On Sasan Afsoosi's "Made in India": A lot pictures are showing Pakistani restaurants, shops, and people yet you named the slide show as "Made in India photo essay: Indian community in Toronoto, Canada." In my dealings with people from Iran, I have found that many of them do not make the distinction between the various South Asian people. You need to be cognizant of the fact that the various South Asians are as proud of their Indian, Pakistani, and Bangladeshi identities as the Middle Easterners are of their Persian, Arab, and Turkish ones. Lumping all of us together as Indians is as offensive to us as it would be to you if we were to call all of you Arabs. Harfe delemoon ro zadiOn Alireza Tarighian's Googoosh concert review, "The Big Apple and the worm": ey val... harfe delemoon ro zadi bekhoda... I live in toronto and mehrdad was the reason i didn't drive to NY to see the SHOW. Would have been much better with Googoosh aloneOn Alireza Tarighian's Googoosh concert review, "The Big Apple and the worm": The concert was nice, but I was told by people that it did not even come close to her previous New York engagement at the coliseum in Long Island in 2000, plus she seems to have put on about 10lbs since then, hence the fact that she got winded so easily. I would have to agree with Alireza and say that the concert would have been much better with Googoosh alone. Mehrdad sang off key most of the night. I think the reason Mehrdad was there to begin with was the role he has played in writing her new songs. Again, I think as talented as Mehrdad and some others may think he is, he's no Shamaeizadeh who wrote so many of Googoosh's balads. Another issue I take with the event was the fact that there was no big screen for those of us unwilling or perhaps unable to shell out $240 for the front section. To add insult to injury, there was no speaker system in the back of the hall either. I guess one could say, "See no evil, hear no evil." Overall, I love Googoosh. I love her for her voice as much as I love her for the sense of nostalgia she brings with that voice. A bygone era of relative happiness and abundant personal freedom that seems as far away as ancient history. My friend realise that she is not that young any moreOn Alireza Tarighian's Googoosh concert review, "The Big Apple and the worm": salam to all I am so so sad to hear this coments about googosh from her own people ,I have been in her concerts and I reaaly think she is a unique and I love that her voise is the same as her cd's you are asking to much really my friend realise that she is not that young any more and respect the hard work of the singers for you is a show for other people are memories and really all concert come with a show if she cahnge gowns so much is for you to like it , you are just complaining,next time don't do my friend just respect and be loving and possitive to your own people this is their job and I think they do thier best gogoosh is the best. Total "wet-noodle"On Alireza Tarighian's Googoosh concert review, "The Big Apple and the worm": Cheers. I was at the concert and Mehrdad was a total "wet-noodle." He completely ruined the show with his shallow commentary and lack of tact. Torture to sit through Mehrdad's singingOn Alireza Tarighian's Googoosh concert review, "The Big Apple and the worm": Alireza, Almost like the concert in DallasOn Alireza Tarighian's Googoosh concert review, "The Big Apple and the worm": You are absolutely correct and to the point. It sounds almost like the concert here in Dallas. Comes across as moezehOn Hossein Hajiagha's cartoons: I do not know why you keep printing Hajiagha. His toons are very boring, there is no creativity and the subject matter is very personal to him. He uses a lot of words to cover for his lack of drawing skills and it comes across as moezeh. One billion kisses on to your hands, pad and pen!In response to Sima Shirazi's "I'm the boss" and Roozbeh Shirazi's "Crawl back into the Dark Ages": Oh... Sima joon, One billion kisses on to your hands, pad and pen! I wish you were a permanent voice on TV or radio, could come to our living hell (so called living room) every day. You are a true woman, beyond gender and self interest. You are an angel, a mother, a sister to all zan zalils. Tell that koony bug, Roozbeh Shirazi, that son of prostitute, fuck off fugot! Love you with my whole heart. Marty Mo Who's popular?!In response to Meir Javedanfar's "Genuinely popular": This is definitely one of the most far from truth and disgusting articles on the Iranian. I wonder when was the last time Meir Javedanfar was in any part of Iran. Or what sources he may claim to have. This article just tries to fit in a couple of random stuff from the news here and there, with what Mr Javedanfar want’s to imagine about Iran. Maybe it is with that imagination that he could justify himself... Don't buy Aussie BS mateIn response to Bita Riazati's "Look who's watching": I am sorry, speaking from my observations and years of futile life experience, no surveillance of these types can be any good in a long run. It is like saying there is good and bad rotten eggs. They all stink to high heaven. They can kill good idea like habeas corpus that worked for more than 200 years just imagine what they can do with bad ideas. Don't buy Aussie BS mate. I will show this ugly faces long as I wishIn response to women hanging out somewhere in Iran, "Blowing smoke": Blowing smoke photos on Iranian page normal one times a day I visited from Iranian page, I am not complaining about this kind photos on Iranian because this is all about from and democracy, but I like to complain about people on this photos or what they are doing, I live in Canada more then ten years I had chance some times to live and work in Iranian community but most times I disappointed about way this people are living like in this photos a young Iranian girls smoking... know this kind of women are normaly not from Iran and travelling from Country like canada in Iran which for me they are sick in mined... Canadian women Iranian or others most of them on drugs hashish, sex, drunk, and any things you are ugly they do here in canada ,some times I walk in night on Canadian street to have frish air because my smal art studio located in dowen toin Victoria, in night the picture of the city is so deffrent ugly so many yong girls or boys on street homeless, hookers, gangs and noisy...crimes.... is hard to meet nice women here in Canada tattoos all over the body with bad personality they have selffish, like hookers, like animals....and why Iranian in Iran facing problems so much and family are in Iran complaining about so much drugs and hookers on Tehran street, because they are came from country like Canada, as Iranian editorials cartoonist and members of Iranian journalist I like to tell you some things honest this place Canada is sucks, is so dirty... I am responsible for any of my letters and drawiing cartoons, I let you know all visitors from my cartoons I never stop and I will show this ugly faces long as I wish...are this is all about life and freedom? or this is animals life? Thank you for your times. Sad refrainIn response to Sarvenaz's "Fat love": Sounds like a sad refrain. Bad sex ruins marriagesOn Alireza Tarighian's Googoosh concert review, "The Big Apple and the worm": As a man I agree with some of the stuff that you say, sure no man wants to marry a girl who has slept around a lot, and I do appreciate a woman saving herself for her husband. But just because a girl has had sex before marriage it doesn't make her slut or a whore or whatever you want to call it. It seems that most of woman like yourself seem to neglect simple things about sexuality, like what if you marry a man that you never had sex with and after having sex with him, one of you finds the other one, for whatever reason, to be repulsive in bed. Sure love is great and powerful, but bad sex ruins marriages. And how would you know what you are like in bed, and what you like in bed when you have no experience whatsoever? You can consider your virginity a special gift, but just because it's special to you, doesn't mean your husband will find it to his liking. Isn't better to get the sex issue out of the way before you marry your guy, so it won't be a potential problem in future? There is something in the "Male Psyche"...In response to Mahnaz Ahari's "Save sex for marriage": Dear Mahnaz, Meaningful and beautifulIn response to Sara Rahbar's "American portrait": Sara jaanam, Dast marizaad! Absolutely fascinating!In response to Sara Rahbar's "American portrait": Dear Sara Rahbar, Absolutely fascinating! Powerful! Thank you!! Mohamad Navab Never buy a car without test driving it firstIn response to Mahnaz Ahari's "Save sex for marriage": Never buy a car without test driving it first. Love has nothing to do with sex. Everybody is a whore, however the price varies. Biggest enemies of America are a minority extremists -- in AmericaIn response to Sasan Seifikar's "Let's get out now": Dear Sasan, You hit the nail right on the head with your analysis of the situation in Iraq. As we all know the US has been between Iraq and a hard place for about five years! Too arrogant to admit its mistake and get out and too ignorant to learn from history and not get involved in unwindable striations. Fortunately we have reached a point where the American public disagrees with this self-destructing foreign policy. What we should learn is that the neo-cons who created the Iraq situation and the so called "War on Terror" have no moral and ethical backbone to understand that "there is a time for everything" as the popular American song goes. This includes apologizing when one is wrong. The irony is that apology for making mistake is a part of every culture especially in America where apologizing is as American as baseball and apple pie. However, when it comes to the present "leaders", nothing they do is wrong because they have the illusion that they are superior and all others including American people and American values are inferior. Hopefully this will serve as a lesson for the Americans who will soon go to the polls. For if we stay the course, the government of the people, by and for the people will continue to become government of a few, by and for a few. If the current history teaches us one thing, it is the fact that the biggest enemies of America are a minority extremists in America rather than in other lands. As Thomas Jefferson said, "An empire collapses more from withing than from without." I wish you the best to speak the truth. For more of my views please visit my website: TerrorismAndHowToStopIt.org Little more sophisticatedIn response to Steven M. Goldstein's "From Cyrus to Ahmadinejad": How can one blame the Iranian man, who would rather marry a Mexican?In response to Interpid Resolve's "Disappearing dignity": I hear you! I am an Iranian woman. It is truly disturbing to witness how some very intelligent, educated, successful and really beautiful Iranian girls handle themselves , when it comes to relationships and dating. I agree with all you said. One thing though that I would add is one big difference between the Iranian girls and American, European and other non persian ladies. Persian girls are usually hiding behind the bush and in most cases are not very honest about their past relationships . While speaking with a well known American gynocologist friend, I was astonished to hear that he sees more than a few persian ladies every week who come in and want to become a virgin again!!! Some have been in for the same procedure more than a few times! He was telling me that he decided one day , that this is no longer something that he will do. A persian young lady came back for the second time to become a virgin again! But, before that procedure she wanted to get an abortion !!!! It is truly disturbing and it's a big shame for all Iranian women. We don't have a great reputation among non-Iranians . Americans cannot figure out why we cannot be honest in our relationships and in most cases in our marriage. What the big problem is , is that most men dont even know the true person they are tieing the knot with.Most Persian girls are great actresses. Iranian girls need to at least have the courage to be honest about who they are and their past. How can one blame the Iranian man, who would rather marry a Mexican? At lease they know who they are getting married to and their relationship is based on honesty. I am sure that there are still many genuine young Iranian ladies out there. Ones who don't need to act, are proud of who and what they are and don't need to hide anything in their relationships. I just hope that they won't suffer from the bad reputation. Hope you'll find one of them and you'll make eachother very happy. She might put you in touch with reality...In response to Sima Shirazi's "I'm the boss": i have the following suggestions: Is there a guideline?In response to Sima Shirazi's "I'm the boss": Wow, I can not believe I am reading this! Is there a guideline for writing to Iranian.com? Does anyone review these articles before they get posted online? Fantastic maps of warIn response to "Imperial history of the Middle East": This is something that more people need to see. The authors need to be given credit for their idea and their ability to produce such a video too. We all need to understand history in order to project what will come from our decisions and our American elections. The election will be close and each vote counts especially in swing states. Most Americans wanted to help the Iraqis who were oppressed under Saddam Hussein. People around me thought the Iraqis would immediately work together and form a government after an election. If we had known the history of the Middle East, we would have questioned our leaders’ decisions more quickly. We are accustomed to people of ethnic and religious variety living together as neighbors and friends. My own family is diverse and we are a family. The thought that rivalries from centuries past would surface never came to our minds. The American press failed to present this possibility to us before the war because they were afraid to be un-American after 9/11 Dude....which planet are you from?In response to Faramarz Fateh's "What has happened to Iranian men?": I was contemplating whether to write back to the 'article' What happened to Iranian men? It's so bad and vulgar and an insult to Iranian men and women that I had to comment on it. Is it for the U.S. to decide?On civil war in Iraq: Our government ought to remember that The American Civil War of 1800’s was an inevitable fight to preserve the Union, which was the United States of America. There were no superpowers to interfere with the natural course of the events that led to emancipation of slaves. This was not the only issue. There were many other social and ethical issues such as taxation and military on the path of the newly devised Constitution. Our government should realize that The Constitution was caught between two differing opinions on the role of the federal government. Federalists held that the federal government and its executive branch were to maintain their power in order to insure the survival of the union. On the other hand, anti-federalists believed states should retain the right to determine the laws within its own borders, and the federal government unless absolutely necessary. But a final conclusion was not at hand and opposing states became more agitated over arguments that arose. The American Civil War began after Abraham Lincoln was inaugurated as president in March of 1861. It lasted from 1861 until 1865. During this time, over 600,000 soldiers from both sides were killed either in battle or by disease. Images and accounts of major battles such as Bull Run or Fort Donnellson still haunt this nation through the history. However, The Civil War was a turning-point event in the United States. A stronger union formed after years of reconstruction. The war officially ended slavery. The great cost was undertaken and the priceless prize was achieved. It’s true that Lincoln’s assassination on April 14, 1865 brought a temporary halt to the reforms, but The U.S. survived. Who knows what would become of The U.S. if France or Britain had succeeded in bringing a hasty peace between the north and the south? What is the pivotal argument of The U.S. against break of another civil war in any other part of the world? Is it the shear love of humanity or self-centered egoistic ambitions of The U.S. government that is trying to divert the course of history for Iraq at a cost that is not much less than it would be if Iraqis were to be left alone to choose their own destiny. For the case of Iraq and its ongoing religious / political turmoil, one may ask: “Does a future social reform for Iraqis construe an end that can be justified by the means of an impending civil war?” Neither the answer and nor the choice is ours to make. Nice jobIn response to Jahanshah Javid's "Confessions": Great photos of Leila Farjami. Nice job Jahanshah aziz! I heard you on Radio 670 AM. Thank you both for doing this. Who are we protecting here?In response to Pullniro's "Shame on Shame": I have been reading the series Shame on Shame, have read all 4 parts. In part 4, there is talk of "Mr. S" who abused Ensy. Why not spell out his full name? Who are we protecting here, the very same man who abused the girl? I speak only 2 languages, but who cares?In response to Charlotte Najafi's "Going Dutch": What a "loos" and boring article. Do you always analyze everything to death? Impeach Bush & CheneyIn response to U.S. election results: History will be the ultimate judge that the Cheney and his cronies fabricated weapons of mass destruction claims to take this country to war. The economic incentive was too huge for Halliburton to pass up this opportunity with Cheney making the case for the war. Let us hope the new Congress start the inquiry that could bring justice and impeachment of the President and his vice president for crimes against the humanity. Mr. Meir, or shall I say Mossad?In response to Meir Javedanfar's "Ready, and able?": Why are you writing on Iranian web site? You forgot that this is not Haaretz, Mossad, or Isreali magazine? You don't give a damn about Iran's well being, so why do you bother? What are your motives? We don't want to hear your Israeli propaganda on our web site! We are smart enough to realize that your are no friend of Iran, and your intention is to destabilize the regime that is no good for your children killer regime! Please leave us and our sisters some dignity!In response to an Indian man seeking women on IranianPersonals.com: I find it offensive to see non-Iranians (today an Indian) looking to fuck an Iranian girl, with your help! What is so Iranian about him! On one side you complain that the regime has made our girls prostitute selling to Arabs, on the other hand you are doing the advertising! Please leave us and our sisters some dignity! We are not pimps! be as liberal you wish, but we are after all Iranians! REPLY: If an Iranian woman wants to fuck an Indian (or anyone except you hateful fuck), what's that any of your fucking business? -- Jahanshah Javid No matter how many years it may takeIn response to Bigharar's "Axis of Excellence": A very appropriate subject which deserves a lot to talk about and share it with the rest of the world. No wonderIn response to Kourosh Hangafarin's "It has been a wonderful experience": No wonder he did not win. With two declared bankruptcies, unpaid child support bills to his ex-wife and an embarrassing resignation after 6 weeks of getting his first and only government job, who would elect such a candidate. Screw youIn response to Jahanshah Javid's "It's that easy": Screw you and your anti-American Democrats! A proud RepublicanIn response to Azam Nemati's "Nazri and Neocons": Dear Azam: I am an American, live in Florida, and a proud Republican. I am against the big Government and its social programs like feeding the lazy immigrant population such as yourself. People like you want to continue being a burden on the hard working tax payers. This must be stopped. The positive side of this whole election affair is that 2 years from now the whole House and 1/3 of the Senate will be up for re-election. I'll see you then -- hopefully 50 lbs lighter in the back and with your facial hairs removed. I can't wait for that day when the Congress passes the law to kick people like you out of America. A beautiful American lady, I still see a happy endingIn response to Omid Parsi's "15 minutes of dignity: Priceless!": What a load of bunkum! The only uplifting that Ansari's flight of fancy has achived was that of her own bum lifted thousands of miles into a vacuous space as large as her own vanity. If such ostentatious exhibitions of wealth and whim could beautify the otherwise unattractive image of a nation, let alone making them more competitive then the Saudis would have topped the beauty chart! Back in 1985 they sent the first Arab-Muslim astronaut on board the Space Shuttle Discovery to pray in the direction of Mecaa (!) while flying round the earth's orbit ) and at the same time launched the Arab-Sat sattelite onto the orbit. Unlike Mrs Ansari, Prince Sultan bin Salman, a qualified fighter pilot, was carefully selected among tens of contenders by the space angency NASA and unserwent the required training. Again unlike Mrs Ansari, the Arabian Prince did something useful, apart from sighting the new moon to mark the end of Ramadan, and took part in installing the most significant Arab communication sattelite and number of petroleum experiments as comissioned by the Suadi Petroleum industry. Yet, after all the hoo-ha, and the live broadcast of the event beamed down to all Saudi tv sets, and some seventeen years later, Saudi Arabia is not even mentioned in the league table of the world's most comepetitive nations!! Nonetheless, I am not a complete cynic. I still see a happy ending for this seemingly pointless odyssey: Mrs Ansari will grow evermore wealthier while her former countrymen and women keep watching the sky at night hoping to catch a glimps o f her shining spacecraft flying over the land of never-ending-hope in the "Ansari in Space", the sequel! Has done exactly nothing to improve our perceptionIn response to Omid Parsi's "15 minutes of dignity: Priceless!": As one of the Ansari poopooers, I am glad you brought up the concept of national perception, because this is exactly the problem many of us have with Ms. Ansaris "expedition". I'll argue that it has done exactly nothing to improve our perception, other than to show once again how we continually choose to misplace our priorities. Forget the harder task of re-gaining respect in the world, instead let's all watch one of us go for the world's most expensive merry go round ride! Now that is something as an Iranian, I do not want to be perceieved as. That, and being on the Oprah show for ALL to see just how folly-full we are, and worse, to be followed the very next day by Bono's Red campaign, possibly the most effective humanitarian effort put forth EVER, ought to show even you the international embarassment we ought to feel. 15 minutes of feeling uplifted as an Iranian? Where on "Earth" did you get that? Should we never do any scientific explorations?In response to Fariba Moghadam's "Beh jorme sangdeli": Can you guys just stop bashing this brave Iranian woman who has done nothing to shame us, to say the least? Why do you discard her achievement by talking about the poor? These are two different things! why don't you write about all those rich Iranians including former shah's cronies who fled the country with millions, stolen from Iranians? Anousheh didn't steal from Iran or Iranians, and she owes nobody any money! It is only her conscious that would determine to donate money to poor Iranians or establish institutions to help, feed, educate and train the needy! Get off her backIn response to Omid Parsi's "15 minutes of dignity: Priceless!": Perception of Iraians is maufactured by the west. Rememeber as Billie Holiday said in a song, "God bless the child that got his own". Ansari or anyone else will not uplift you and I and the Iranians. But Listen, she spent her own money so people should get off her back. Does she tell you how to spent your money? She can't help herselfIn response to Azam Nemati's "Money doesn't buy you brains": Dear Khanoom-e Ansari, Religion: Weapon of mass destructionIn response to Abdolreza Heydari's "Dine Elaahi": Dear Mr. Heydari: Ever since I lost my religiosity when I was barely five years old I've had the same feelings about religion as you do and have expressed it in my published novels over the years. However, I've never read a poem in Persian so courageous and eloquent expressing such strong feelings about religion as your poem. Yes religion kills everything that questions religion! Religions try to kill truth, science, freedom, art, love, human spirit that appear disagreeable to their premises! Like a weapon of mass destruction religion is used to perform genocide. History proves it. Congrdulation for your recent poem and keep up the good work. Timely song for AbadanIn response to Bella Warda's "Abadan National Anthem": Dear Ms Warda, Thank you for your timely song for Abadan. I don't think I've heard it before. Have you read my recent article on Abadan? If not this is my weblog as you may be interested. Please pass it to others if relevant: VidaKashizadeh.com All the Best with your work 4th from rightIn response to Abadan's Parvaneh kindergarten photo: I have seen an old picture from when I was going to Kodakestan Parvaneh in Abadan, Braim. My name is Fereidoon Mostowfi zadeh and my location in the photo is standing 4th from right. It made me to remember good old days. I am living in London, United Kingdom, now. Insulting all Iranian women is so unfairOn Hossein Hajiagha's cartoons: I have talked to you before about this guyhe is openly insulting all Iranian women and that is just not right! I know that you are 100% for freedom of speech, but clear my mind on this...what should we do with people who are against freedom of speech and are using the free media to spread that idea? Like in Iraq they are free to vote, majority is Shiite, they vote for e Radical Shiite, and they don't believe in democracy! They came to power with democracy but they are going to kill it! Same situation in Iran. Enemies of democracies, or freedom, what do we do with them? People like him when they reach power they want to eliminate everybody else, they are AGAINST freedom! How could you be against homosexuals in 21st Century? How could you look at all the women like that? Even in most modern societies, those who are a threat to freedom are the only ones that are subject of having their civil rights taken away. Anyway, this guy is making statements (and a quite lot of it too) and you and I know that he is not defending any ideology, but insulting (and insisting on insulting) all Iranian women is so unfair, it is just unfair. Thanks so much for being so patient and reading my KHOZABALAT!... you know that no matter what, I admire you and what you do. Arash REPLY: Arash, that is Hajiagha's view, no matter how insulting. The majority cannot impose itself on the minority. Everyone has the natural right to free speech anywhere on the planet. Look at this case: In Iran, Rock music is considered insulting and offensive to their kind of Islam and therefore banned. What they should do is let anyone play any music they want and let the people decide if they want to listen to them or not. It is the same with Hajiagha: Many think he is offensive and want him banned. Banning and closing of minds is not the answer. The best way towards progress is debate between idiots (Hajiagha and his kind) and normal people (you and me!) :o) If WE believe in freedom of speech, we should give it to everybody, even those who are against free speech! That's the very definition of free speech... free speech does not cover just the speech we like, but all speech... I hope Hajiagha gets a good kick in the ass by a liberated Iranian woman who has had many sexual experiences -- and enjoyed every one of them to the fullest. But I'll still publish his crap! Thanks for speaking your mind. I need a kick in the ass too, once in a while :-D Chaaker My Iranian sisters have lost all their sensesIn response to Interpid Resolve's "Disappearing dignity": Dear Sir, Bravo....Well said. As I chat with Iranian men and the question they ask and specially when they say my other Iranian girlfriend used to do it!!! It truly saddens me. How my Iranian sisters have lost all their senses. How Sex have become center stage when all other moral values have disappeared. So I wish you well in your search. Again... well said. Outraged with minorities calling for separatismIn responce to "Iranian of the day regarding Mostafa Evezpoor": I am very sorry to find out that both brothers, Mostafa and Mohammad Reza, are in prison. I find it very difficult to accept their request to separate one region of a country from another. I believe, it would be a crime to do such action even in this beautiful country called: United States of America. I am outraged with some of the minorities in Iran that call for separatism. To me, Iran is a country like USA that is made of so many people with different ethnic backgrounds that have moved to Iran for past several thousand years, either through migrations or invasions. "Who am I" has always indirectly comes to me once in a while. How I can say I am Azeri when my mother is made of some Russian-Azerbaijani-Georgian and my father is made of some Azeri- Persian- Kurdish. My son who was born in USA has me as father who has been made of some Azeri- Russian-Georgian-Kurdish-Persian-and his mother who has been made of Persian- Chinese, Chin chang Khan era-Azeri-Kurdish-Arabs. Do we have any DNA system that can distinguish all of these and tell me WHO I AM? If you do, please do so and send me "THE HOW" method. I am sure we don't. I have lived most of my life in USA and never attempted to separate myself from the White crowd. I call myself Iranian-Americans and I am proud of it. I love Iran and I love USA. I traveled to Iran almost 18 times and have gone in so many places in Iran. Never in my mind saw Iran as pieces, I always related myself as whole and will not let anybody so bully enough to do so. I apply the same thing for my second home land, USA ,despite the differences I have with US administrations. The big question is- after 200 years of my family history in USA, can any member of my family in the future call for separatism under Iran? Remember before me, there were Whites and before Whites there were Indians and God knows who were in America before Indians. Same analogy can apply in Iran. Before Azeri there were Persian and before Persian there were Medias and before Medias there Assyrians and before Assyrians there were nomads and... How could we make a region into a race? Is it possible someday the state of California or US federal Government that advocate democracy all over the world let all the curriculums that are taught in all US-schools to be taught in Spanish language? Putting down Golstan girls and boysIn response to Sanaz Fotouhi's fictional story, "Choice": I read your piece in iranian.com and I have couple of points to make if you do not mind? First let me say this ,We moved in to a buliding which overlook golstan business centre some 26 years ago. I left 10 years ago and came to canada my parents still are living there.Every couple of years I get to make a visit back home, the last one was just few weeks ago. You described quite well a scene which happens frequently at the golstan, yes indeed you see girls and boys mingling, chatting or filrting around, cars stop girls get in and out.....however this is only one out of million things that are happening at the golstan at any given moment. TALKING ABOUT GOLSTAN WOULD BE MY FAVORITE TOPIC SINCE I grew up there, why not telling pepole the Iranians living in north america who are the overwhelming majorty of visitors to this site,, yeah what about food at golstan, the diversity and tastes of foods, deserts, bakery and fruits, yeah tell them what you had for lunch or dinner or just a snack didnt you love them??? I bet, you do I did too. What about stores in golastan after all it is a shopping centre right? Mashad leather, did you see it?? great quality, well cut for one third of price of a similiar Canadian companies like Danier. thanx god their products are all labeled properly otherwise my canadian colluges never believed such beautiful jacket of mine is "madeiniran". oh what about Arian-jean located on second floor call it iranian GAP, the quality is just as good, or maybe the supre expensive stores selling luxury goods like beautiful piece of art silverwears,I was lucky they dont take visa,I would have been broke totaly!!! The list of events at golstan goes on and on. Police well ofcourse is alwys present thanks to hard working "neroey entezami" force who provide a fantastic level of security among the population so they can enjoy shopping or dnning out.If in past some crooks were mixed with police force now there is relentless efforts to get the house in order and progress have been made, believe me I was just there frsh, fresh. Dear lady if your letter has been meant to put golstan and its crew of girls and boys down then you are playing with tail of lion, they just like their older sisters and brothers are real men and women and this is what exactly drive them the very fact of being male and female, the way god created them the desire that god put inside them and if you are just being nice and trying to make pepole awae of what happening in one corner of Iran!why not saying every thing about it and completing your information session?Oh maybe you want to make a difference by rasing the issue perhaps some civil right activist working in US or Canada feels sorry for those girls what about hooking up with anti-iranian lobbies get the funding for so called salvation of golstan girls go to Iran, have dinner and shop at golstan?just like other lucky iranians who got funded by Mrs Rice. I see here in Canada an evergrowing trend for homosexuality between youth, guys are now proudly gay and girls they become pregnant at 13 oh yeah that is very true. Addiction and gun crime are on the riseand dont get me talking about racisim my name is Bahram, you should ask Mohammd and Ahamd about that. yes , dear lady can you writte a letter to Keyhan daily newspaper describing a gay bar here in Vancouer or a crack house or since you like prostitution as topic what about just translating recent article in the vancouver sun on brothels run by hells angles?would you do this? just to be fair saying every thing about everywhere. Bahram Captions hystericalIn response to Mani Sh.'s "Are you biased towards Islam?": Dear Mr. Javid, In regards to the following letter, in my opinion, your stance does not need clarification of any shape or form, to intelligent readers, it couldn't be more clear!! Nor does it matter to those of us who sign on to the site to read them. I personally, find the captions hysterical, and a nice personal touch to an otherwise austere state of current affairs,sometimes it makes bad news easier to swallow:) Please continue to post them , we all need a smile to the start or end of our day. Connected genetically, as well as culturallyIn response to Pouria Lotfi's "For their sake": Pouria, Laughed for 2 hoursIn response to Faramarz Fateh's "Azam shot into space": Bravo! Your article made me laugh for almost two hours... Bahareh Khasteh shodeem!In response to Saba Parsa's Isfahan photos, "Beauty that can't be beat": Sick and tired of seeing the same structure and same mentality over and over again tot he point of convulsion-- enough of this self-architectural masturbation -- get a life -- go around the world -- get new ideas -- e.g., Sidney opera house design... Something to be erected that has never seen before -- one more time congratulation to shah of Iran for his freedom square -- Gonbad -- magbarah -- masjed -- menaar, mehraab, hozcheh, ... l sick of it! Khasteh shodeem! Hosalamoon sar raftah azeshoon ... jemhooree chaa-ee (Republic of Tea) kesaalat aavar ast... Revolution! ALL they do is complainIn response to Abol Danesh's "Khasteh Shodeem!": Well, you gotta say what you gotta say. But I'll tell you that I am sick of the situation in iran as much as you are. But the beauty of my country, where I spent most of my life is not gonna be shadowed by that. As a world traveler I have traveled to many places that many did not but that doesn't mean that I won't share the beauties of my beloved Iran with the rest of the people. A "revolution" and change in general for Iran doesn't come out of slogans and nagging. It comes out of actually getting up and doing something. I am sick of hearing people outside of Iran complaining over and over again. But sad enough that is ALL they do - no action. Symbol of totalitarian political IslamIn response to Azar Majedi's "A child has no religion": As I described in a previous article, Non-Mahram, all of those measures that lead to gender segregation in the Islamic world are reflected from a dogma that I call "Non-Mahram". The dogma separates the "mahrams", members of opposite sex of one's close family, from non-mahrams, all the other members of opposite sex. Considering the Islamic hijab as the most symbolic aspect of this dogma, it is more representive than many aspects like, rituals, pray and Islamic moral. We cannot effectively deal with the Islamic hijab without initially considering the dogma. Furthermore, the dogma of non-mahram is a deep established belief system with a great influence over many aspects of social lives. It has become a character formation with pattern-models and stereotyped resonances reflecting more dogmatic than its origin, Islam itself. It is deeply represented in all aspects of the Islamic societies-- architecture, art, education, family and social relations. Islamic hijab is the most common and symbolic instrument that segregates two non-mahram genders in the society. So Islamic hijab has been traditionally an obscure curtain between mahrams and non-mahrams or, better said, because of its misogynous weight, a wall particularly separating a female from a great number of her male fellow citizens . But also as described by Mrs. Majedi, today the Islamic hijab "veil" represents more than a banal misogynous tradition of Islam. In fact, because of its dogmatical reflection of non-mahram, it represents a yoke of political Islam upon the society. And for the solution of this plague, I believe that it can typically disappear with its toalitarian origin. We can make an analogy of it with other symbols of totalitarian regimes or ideologies of the recent history. For example, we saw the similar phenomena during Mao's dictatorship when Chinese were somehow brought up to wear uniforms, or when some right / left extremist parties / groups of 19th. / 20th. Centuries wore military uniforms. The uniform, as a symbol, finally disappeared with the toalitarian grigin. Added these views to the points that Mrs. Majedi perfectly developed, in my opinion, the islamic hijab is today a symbol or an emblem of totalitarian political Islam, a danger to all humanity. Therefore, its symbol or the maintain of Islamic hijab is in contradiction to the spirit of democracy and secularism in any society. The ban of Islamic hijab in any Western society is not a violation to democracy and the values of human rights. Shame on all supporters of the IRIIn response to Daniel Pourkesali's "The Neocon agenda": Reading another piece of Mr. Ommani, this time, defending the Hezbollah of Lebanon reminds me the sickening servitude of the Tudeh Party towards the early IRI, a servitude which was compensated by Big Brothers in Kremlin, but never officially by IRI’s officials. It is obvious that Mr. Ommani defends the interests of Islamic Republic of Iran, he goes so far to defend the most hateful allies, terrorists and accomplices of the IRI in the region, including Hezbollah of Lebanon, but I do not which fraction of the IRI is his wire-puller and who compensates his servitude. Although, we cannot expect a reasonable reply, but let us raise a simple question: How can Mr. Ommani convince us about the legitimacy of Hezbollah’s godfather, Big Hezbollah or, better said, the IRI instead of racking the brain over the legitimacy of Hezbollah in Lebanon? So instead of deflecting our attention from the question of the IRI’s legitimacy, why people like Mr. Ommani and a relict of Tudehist camcorders do not tell us about the situation of human rights, massacres of political prisoners, political and social records of the IRI, individual and social freedom in Iran? What concerns the role of Hezbollah and other Islamists in the Middle East, it is true, the both Islamists movements of the region, Hamas and Hezbollah, fight to push back Israel from the occupied territories, but it is for all democrats and seculars clear that at the same time they sow seeds of Islamism in these territories. They do not intend to free their region from the Israeli occupation, but intend to conquer the land to establish an Islamic state, a similar reactionary model of the IRI. or Mr. Ommani’s presumed sponsor. Despite that the Islamic revolution of Khomeini failed, the Islamic radicalism of which it was a projection, continues to be an aggressive ideology and imposes problems for the entire region. What now bothers all Palestine / Lebanon-loving people is the future of this region. In other perspective, an eventual political victory of Hezbollah in Lebanon is a serious alarm for democracy, peace, social justice and international acceptance of this country. The international community must help Palestine and Lebanon to attend its deserved rights of sovereignty and freedom, while rejecting and isolating Hamas, Hezbollah and their supporters. The dilemma of a peaceful solution is not up to one or another part, but all belligerent parts; neither Zionist aggressors nor Islamist jihadists are in a position to present a solid base for peace and co-existence of all peoples of the region. All these antagonistic poles have different charges and sacred altars. Islamists’ dream is the destruction of Israel and restoration of an Islamic republic in its place. It regards the territory of Israel, the Gaza Strip and the West Bank as an inalienable” Islamic waghf”, Islamic assets, which can never be surrendered to non-Muslims. In such a state democracy, secularism and peace has no sense for all freedom-loving people even if these people are today blind because of an ideology or perversity, like that of Mr. Ommani’s anti-American hysteria. By contrast to Mr. Ommani’s unconditional anti-American hysteria, there are some pro American Iranians who unconditionally support Israel because in their one-sided judgement “Israel is an enemy of the IRI; therefore a friend of Iranian people”, both of them do not care about democracy and long-term interests of people. But besides Islamism, the fact is that Zionism is another fundamentalist and a dangerous burden for the region. It claims the entire region to the Land of Israel, ignoring the rights and historical legitimacy of many vibrant communities who have been living there for the last 3000 years. The Zionist tradition regards this area as their legitimate sacred homeland where supposedly the early Jewish nation originated over 3,200 years ago. Once more, the solutions, proposed by Islamists are not for the sake of the suffering people, but rather are rooted in a blind faith; the faith which is now largely rejected by a growing majority of conscious people all over the “Islamic” world. Mr. Ommani ‘s obvious support for the Hezbollah of Lebanon ignores the existence of democratic solutions and more particularly his support for political Islam is a slap in the face of Iranian people who are the direct victims of the Big Hezbollah in Iran. Incompetence in handling of the Iran-Iraq warIn response to Daniel Pourkesali's "The Neocon agenda": Thanks to Daniel Pourkesali for linking The Riegle Report, about chemical and biological warfare in his article, Iran has more information about inhumane nature of chemical and biological weapons, and should one day discredit or prosecute key elements of the Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI) for their incompetence in handling of the Iran-Iraq war. Best way to pay tributeIn response to Reza Bayegan's tribute to Shahla Samii, "Unwavering fairness": Dear Reza, What lies behind many of our physical ills, at least for those in the Iranian Diaspora who long to see their homeland freed from the tyranny of the last nearly three decades, is the crippling sorrow from the thought that they may never find the chance to breathe under its blue sky again. Sadly, in our small group, Mrs Samii was the second member, both of whom female and still much to give and much to live for, who was stolen from us in this shocking manner. I am sure that the best way to pay tribute to the memory and courage of Mrs Samii and all those who left Iran only to pass away in exile would be to accelerate our efforts towards the establishment of a free and democratic Iran. May God bless their soul. Person of the yearIn response to Reza Bayegan's tribute to Shahla Samii, "Unwavering fairness": Reza Bayegan piece on Shahla Samii is nothing but the truth, the absolute truth. To encourage other people to follow Shala's path in life in promoting democracy in Iran, I think Shala must be elected as the person of the year. Just a thought. She is smilingIn response to Reza Bayegan's tribute to Shahla Samii, "Unwavering fairness": I am her daughter Golnaz, Goli, Samii thank you for your words about my mother my mother was truly humble, graceful, caring, deep, gentle, beautiful a real lady we are honored to have known her and thank Reza Bayegan for his words and homage to her I know she is smiling upon him with her heart and soul. Molla NoghteieIn response to Quiz question, "Gahi posht beh zeen...": Dear Aghaye Javid, Samin Habibian's answer while close is NOT correct.
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