Letters

November 2006

Part 1 -- Part 2 -- Part 3

November 14

Stop preaching what you wouldn't do

In response to Fariba Moghadam's "Beh jorme sangdeli":

May be you should send your "maghaleh bashar doosti" to the irresponsible governments of those countries that they neglect their duties and deny their citizens of their basic rights and protections. Leave this lady alone. She is not obligated to help anybody even if they deserve it. I bet if you had her money, you wouldn't have the guts to do what you are preaching to others. Typical Iranian hypocrisy.

Naghi Rahmani

Iranian inferiority complex

In response to Azam Nemati's "Money doesn't buy you brains" and Fariba Moghadam's "Beh jorme sangdeli":

The Anousheh Ansari bashing on this web site is heart braking. Not only because criticizing how an individual should spend a portion of their wealth to fulfill a personal dream, is a slap in the face of personal freedom, but because it stinks of the tragedy of our people's national character - not being able to applaud anyone's achievements, unless we personally could stake a claim in the fame and glory.

Anousheh has also managed to tweak a nerve in many an Iranian's psyche - the "I am better than you", "I can look down on you" complex - (literally! seeing that she was in space.) This inferiority complex is a trait, that has poisoned our people's soul for centuries.

The woman spent 3% of her wealth on this venture. She didn't go to war, her expedition didn't kill or destroy anyone, and went on to successfully fulfill many an astronomer's dream, including her own. I have no idea what she spends the rest of her money on, it is not my business to know.

What if the papers could publish what each of your reader's spend 3% of their wealths on? Personally, I have spent most of my 3% vacationing in Italy. Each trip to Rome, Florence or Milan, has rejuvenated me beyond words, and I would defy anyone to tell me what I should have done with that money, especially as they have no idea what I spend the rest of my disposable income on.

If it doesn't t hurt anyone, it is a person's universal human right to part with 3% of their wealth as they choose. As a people, if we refuse to understand that we do NOT owe each other's rights and personal freedoms, there's little hope for our survival.

I am very proud of the fact that the first female tourist in space, in history, was of Iranian decent. She didn't start a war, she didn't maim infants, she didn't torture the innocent. She chose to spend 3% of her wealth on a project that tweaked her heart.

Afsaneh Mirfendereski
Maryland
USA

What a great humanitarian cause

In response to Faramarz Fateh's "Azam shot into space":

Vaay Faramarz jaan, this was a hilarious piece, thank you. What a great humanitarian cause:)!

L.

When the shoe is on the other foot

In response to Daniel Pourkesali's "The Neocon agenda":

I am in total agreement with you. I just like to point out that when the shoe is on the other foot, they don't forget that easily. I am referring to ill conceived hostage crisis more than twenty years ago, Hitler's diabolic reign and many others that they are anxious and rightly so to remind the world in every occasion. I call that hypocrisy.

Progressive man

In response to Mojgan Jayranpour's obit of Fereydoun Hoveyda, "International man":

please express my condolences to the Hoveyda family. The late ambassador was a educated progressive man who served his country with pure intentions, he will be missed.

Huge loss

In response to Darius Kadivar's tribute to Fereydoun Hoveyda, "A class apart":

A huge loss for Iran.

Saeid Samandi

Clear (and funny) jehanbini

In response to Siamack Baniameri's "Let them have fun":

Siamack,

your columns are SO FUNNY! i find myself laughing out loud everytime i read one.

thanks so much for having such a clear (and funny) jehanbini.

michelle stein-evers
sydney, australia

When you're buying that iPod, think about the hungry children

In response to Azam Nemati's "Money doesn't buy you brains":

I am so sick of this stinking Iranian attitude to give ourselves the right to knock down anyone from the same origins in such a strong and forceful manner, when disapproving of what they have done.

Mrs Ansari is not the first space tourist and there are many more multi millionaires lined up for future flights. The space tourist before Mrs Ansari was Mark Shuttleworth from South Africa who made $400 million upon the take over of his company. Apparently he gave $200 million to charity and kept the other half and amongst other things I am sure, he treated himself to a little space flight!!!

The average hard working person treats themselves to many material things. You work damn hard and you plan to buy yourself with your next pay check, an ipod, or a new pair of boots, or a new chair, etc etc.

Do you think that you would give $100 away to charity and instead buy youself a second hand discman, sod the ipod although you really want one, you can feed 5 kids for a week with the ipod money? I doubt that.

What is so different with these multi-millionaires? They just have a bigger pocket. How the hell do you know if the Ansari's don't contribute to various charities?

From what I heard, they also worked hard, took risks and it paid off. They educated themselves, set up a company, held it together for 7 years and then sold it off and made big bucks, I say bon appetit! If it were that easy to set up a company that is worth nearly a billion dollars, then surely you can not classify the founders as dumb with no brains. If it were so easy why are the rest of us slaving away in 9-5 jobs?

A space tourist has to do a hell of a lot more than digging in the pocket for $20 million. It takes some tough out of this world training for months to be in the shape to go ahead and fly. I can't get on to a fair ground ride without puking all over the place, if you paid me 20 million dollars, frankly as much as I like the stars, I don't have the guts to do what these people do.

Before I get accused of being a spokesperson for Mrs Ansari and the likes of her, I am not and nor am I a housewife doing nothing. I am a single girl who works bloody hard for a living and yes I try and do my bit for charity as much as I treat myself and my family to nice things in life. Tears do roll down my eyes in response to seeing other human beings in poverty, esp in Iran. It does remind me to do more to help and it makes me feel lucky and grateful, but I do not feel overly responsible for other people's misery nor do I attack rich people's personalities just because I don't like the way they spend their money.

Before you jump and give others the moral highground, may be you should re define the word bitter. May be closer to home that you think.

Women like you who give the rest of us a bad name

On Charlotte Najafi's "Going Dutch":

"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!"

It's the "our religion" together with "our carpets" that stopped me in my tracks! How can you claim to be "one of those last remaining Iranian women with a healthy sense of humor, dignity and self-respect, educated and able to speak up to 5 languages, living in Europe and in love with Europe's history, churche's, cathedrals, museums as well as my own roots and for always in love with my own country and heritage..."

The "our points of view [sic]" just about killed me. I can't stand know-it-all people who think they can speak for me. I take major objection to your use of "our" all the time when you are expressing only and only "your" personal views.

I guess one can amass the degrees and still have little education. While I speak only four languages, love Europe but don't live in it, have way more than a "healthy sense of humour, dignitiy and self-respect, ..." I see nothing amusing in your article. It's horrible to even think of making a Dutch an Iranian man, or making an Iranian, an Icelandic man, etc. Not to take a human being for what she/he is made of is the most despicable thing one can do to that person. Ever heard of 'to each his own'?

And yet, there come such contradictory messages from you in the next paragraph no less: "you can find love and a good companion in anyone of any origin or background, you can find love and a good companion in anyone of any origin or background..." Is that so? You can? You could have fooled me!! You are the same person trying to make a Dutch an Iranian? And he's giving up his own heritage and family for your religion and beliefs? Whatever did YOU get out of HIS Dutch heritage?

Suffice it to say that it's supposedly "educated" women like you who give the rest of us a bad name. I happen to be an atheist, what do you say to that? Are you going to make an Iranian woman out of me somehow with all your religion and heritage? Who are you to judge who's Iranian? I am willing to bet though that I'll be forever more 'Iranian' than you. FYI, I'd have loved to have fallen mutually in love with a like-minded Iranian man. The one I did had had enough of the ones like you by the time I met him. And I, for one, wouldn't take any less.

Never more sincerely,

Courage to come out and tell the truth

In response to Firoozeh Derakhshani's "We want an apology":

Beautiful letter Firoozeh.

I wish more people would have your courage to come out and tell the truth.

Afarin bar shoma.

She is an old woman and deserves some respect

In response to Faramarz Fateh's "Azam shot into space":

To all you Nemati haters,

I don't think it is fare to publicly attack a person who might have some personal issues or some psychological handicap that is known to almost everyone. It is OK to vent out once in a while in order to keep her sanity. Please have some compassion and sympathy. After all, she is an old woman and deserves some respect.

What a disgusting gesture to hide jealousy

In response to Faramarz Fateh's "Azam shot into space":

What a disgusting gesture to hide jealousy and a sense of rage under the disguise of "Humor".

The real "psycological issue" belongs to the writer himself by resorting to humiliating someone and calling it humor. Not that Ms. Nemati would take any of these seriously.

Strange thing is that there have been a number times where it has been complained on this site that Ms. Nemati is jealous or this and that, yet one of those same people decides to take up the pen and let his anger unleash in the form of bantering. Is this not a form of jealousy? I wish some people would pratice what they constantly preach.

Kyle Saghafi

Wild dreams of a career party boy

In response to Kayvan Mobini's "Engineering error":

You may be a creator of sorts, But one does not have to be a believer in any faith or any god to disagree with your logic and the end result. You proposed somthing that i would like to call "Reverse engineering: Realizing the wild dreams of a career party boy".

Create away, my friend.

Special gift

In response to FG2's "Eternity has past":

My deepest condolences... you wrote beautifully... a special gift to your mother's memory...

Wasting wealth, like Hajis in Mecca

In response to Fariba Moghadam's "Beh jorme sangdeli":

Dear Fariba,

Thank you for your piece reminding us about the luxury journey of an emancipated Iranian female.

No doubt, Mrs. Ansari has long dreamed to find a compensatory mechanism for her past in Iran, where she was an oppressed teen female. In her new country as a free gender, She attempted to leave behind her complex of inferiority in the space, where the worth of her gender is not reduced to that of a sub-human.

I am sure she does not know or does not want to recognise much about her real complex, other wise, as a decent Mslim, she would not travel with a few non-mahrams or as an emancipated woman, she would not carry a badge of IRI's flag in the space.

Let me also remind you that she is not the only paradox or a waster of human wealth. Besides her and many other unscrupulous wasters, there are millions of Hajis, who by wasting billions of dollars, prodigiously travel to Mecca to practice their ritual pilgrim every year!

Jahanshah Rashidian

I would like to see the Imperial Family allowed to return to Iran

In response to Reza Bayegan's "Today our choice is clear":

One wonders how such a Monarchy ("restored" or "revived"?) could function in a non-partisan UK-style of constitutional monarchy such as Reza Pahlavi seems to advocate for a post-theocratic Iran.

The ancient traditions of Persian kingship are that of a strong and powerful King who truly leads and governs his people from above.

For me, I would like to see the Imperial Family allowed to return to Iran; the Shanbanou and the Princes active in society and the remains of the late Shahanshah fittingly entombed by his father Reza Shah. Let the Iranian people than see them and God willing the best of the late Shahanshah's reign and then perhaps call his son to the throne.

The Democratic victory is SWEET!

In response to Jahanshah Javid's "It's that easy":

Thank you for the photo essay. I voted too! I voted by a faxed ballot since I am now living in Abu Dhabi. I watched the early returns today -- and know that the only thing pending is two senate races. The Democratic victory is SWEET!

Sharon Parker

DemocRATs are the Republicans by another name

In response to Jahanshah Javid's "It's that easy":

Yes how beautiful it is but how many of your Green party won? there are two groups called by different name for our confusion. huge changes are needed and musical chair does not help. DemocRATs are the Republicans by another name. Democracy is not voting. Democracy is majority rule and MINORITY RIGHTs which has never been the case in this country. Just ask Black people.

I hope the democrats do bring some kind of sanity

In response to Jahanshah Javid's "It's that easy":

Hi, Good photos and good for you. I hope the democrats do bring some kind of sanity to this country thus, to the world.

The world isn't black and white any more

In response to Kobra Khanoom's "A proud Republican" and Tom Winz's "Screw you":

Kobra khanoom...don't behave like a sore loser! You might blow a fuse or something. Have a Coke and smile till things go your way. To you racist/ignorant comment about the "immigrant population" I only have a simple answer. Our First amendment about freedom of speech, press, religion, expression only exists becuase of your immigrant ancestors and rest of those who continued coming to this counrty and preserving our so called freedom.

Plus... don't want to hurt your feelings, but the Iranian community's the most educated and successful community in US... contributing billions of dollars to our economy which some goes to the aid of republican party. Believe it or not ... they are by far more productive than the avarage Fred Neck you're used to hang out with. Without the hard work of immigrants in this country, the US economy would collapse ... and you need to swallow that.

Mr. Winz... I don't need to repeat everything from above, but it's not even about Democrat or Republican. We have good and bad leaders from both parties. Look it up in our history! The world isn't black and white any more. The Bush administration was so arrogant and out of touch with the American people that wasn't willing to compromise with some of the members of its' own party. You're either with us or you're with them policy is a juvenile attitude and the American's (Dem/GOP) said what they had to say about it. Maybe someday we'll have a great Republican leader ... as long as he/she is great. Politicians use diplomacy ... not force and fear. Unless you live in North Korea!

Europe is losing the war to Muslims, we will not let that happen here

In response to Saman's "The world isn't black and white any more":

bush is that great leader. why don't you like him? because he is tough on your fellow muslims? wake up and smell the coffee, do you see what is going on in europe specially in england. they are losing the war to muslims, we will not let that happen here. republicans are pro america while your liberal democrats dont give a shit. fyi i'm iranian and dont have many red neck friends, i will be happy to have some since they are a part of america.

Do not let her stay home, women become creative in a wrong way

In response to Faramarz Fateh's "What has happened to Iranian men?":

I am sorry that your friends have lost the basic rights that they are entitled to have. This is not a new story that some times, or I should say most of the times wife tries to control and dictate the family rules (meekh koobidan). So, to stop this from happening, men should be strong and authoritative from the beginning of relationship, otherwise “Az most ke bar most”. But there are ways to have a successful marriage relationship.

Here are my suggestions: Find a girl or a woman that comes from your town or city you grew up. If you are from Abadan, then look for Abadani partner. Second, you both should work. Do not let her stay home, women become creative in a wrong way, when there is no job responsibility. Besides, work experience makes you mature. Finally, look for a few good families for friendship and spending time. This is extremely helpful if you have kids. Just make sure to stay away from families who already have problems and can not get along.

Good luck to all Iranian men.

Hamid

Iran must and will upgrade missiles

In response to Meir Javedanfar's "Ready, and able?":

When America carrying out naval exercise in the Persian Gulf, Muslims don't have a problem with that but as Iran's revolutionary army carry out their military exercise Muslims are said to be at fault.

Iran must and will upgrade missile advancement in all shape form and fashion in the Persian gulf and will have the best defence system in the gulf.

As if she has discovered a cure for cancer

In response to Fariba Moghadam's "Beh jorme sangdeli":

Thank you for such a wonderful commentary on Ansari's space trip. You were brave to write about it because whoever criticizes this trip as "vain" and just another show off by another rich Iranian, is branded as "jealous" of her wealth and her fame ! !

Some Iranians say they are proud of her "achievement" as if she has discovered a cure for cancer, or AIDS, or just opened a home for poor children, or just created a thousand jobs with her investments in Iran, or created a fund for the college education of the disadvantaged in her home country ! Even the meaning of "achievement" has changed in this world that you correctly call "devoid of compassion".

Have a nice day,

N. Shafiei

Ey magas arseye 30morgh na jolangahe toast...

In response to Azam Nemati's "Money doesn't buy you brains":

I am sick and tired of this porroo Abadani woman who thinks she knows the best.

She has no vision at all and is just so jealous of Anousheh Ansari. If anything, Anousheh has been able to inspire many boys/girls. Now, how many people have you inspired in your whole life by dancing bandari as it is the only talent you have?

I'd like you to keep talking about subjects within your grasp/reach... Ey magas arseye 30morgh na jolangahe toast...

A usually silent/loyal reader.

The Ruhi experience

In response to Manouchehr's "Spiritual friction":

The "Ruhi" (Spirit) experience, the world over has touched the hearts and lives of both Bahais and and non; generally those who are in search of real meaning in their lives,be it amidst the daily grind of the rat race, the idle existance of a consumer, tolerating the torrent of bad news of the daily increasing war and strife.

For those of us with young children, the desire for a better future becomes an even more real and urgent need. But where and where can one find solace?

No matter what religion one is born into; when its is not practised ; when it is merely a possession one pays lip service to; when it has become a cause of division and disunity; that is the farce that dogmatic religion has become today. Religion to most today is a set of rituals and practices that have no pragmatic meaning in every day life, whose practice and following have given employment and sustained a self serving clerical class known through the centuries as rabbis, priests, monks, muftis and mullahs.

As self appointed shepherds of their congregations,they have even today for the fear of losing their position been the cause of all the hatred and war between religions that ultimately believe in the same God as their creator.

The Ruhi experience, is based on the principle that each person should investigate the truth independantly, and not through somoene else; it is a
that acceptance of an idea can not be complete unless it is logical; where the power of truth has a profound effect on ones heart and soul. The idea that LOVE is the single most powerful motivator.

The gentle revolution in many Bahai as well as non-Bahai that has become the Ruhi phenomenon, is nothing less than people of every race , class and background meeting in each others homes with only one goal, to explore and study with sincerity spiritual principles and teachings in the kind of detail, clarity and a genuine loving atmosphere rarely experienced by most. It can also be a lesson in humility; where the scholar, the author, the student, and the novice have to start from the ground up; almost like a university professor who has to go back to learn the alphabet.

"Ruhi's" popularity and positive affect in peoples lives is due to the fact that "they are not classes of indoctrination" which are common in other religions. "The emphasis is on learning to think, to reflect and to apply spiritual laws to the life of the individual and society"; needless to say that, spiritual education of children is of paramount importance. Ruhi classes place great "attention to the development of spiritual qualities and to the beliefs, habits and behaviours that constitute the essential attributes of a spiritual being."

Do we know he is impartial or not?

In response to Shahriar Azadmanesh's "Are you serious?":

I just read your rebuttal article about Afrasiabi's article "What nuclear adventurism". I know it was published a long time ago, but I missed the opportunity to read it till now. In your article you articulated exactly what I felt about him after reading all his writtings in his archive. I wrote a rebuttal about his criticism of Ganji's use of the word "adventurism" which was published in iranian.com.

I am all the way with you in criticizing him, however I want to mention a point in your article that seems to be unfair. You asked Mr. Afrasiabi if he has corroborating evidence that Iran is not in pursuit of a nuclear bomb, this is contrary to the way science works. Scientific pursuit is to prove the "existence" of things, and not the " non existence" of things. For example (not trying to be condescending) in our universe scientists have found evidence that stars, planets, and other celestials objects exist, but not what does not exist out there. I hope this point does not offend you in anyway, because I liked your article. I also didn't like bringing Al-baradei's wife into this mess. Do we know he is impartial or not? Sorry.

Best photograph of the year

In response to Ben Bagheri's Iran photos, "Last summer":

Wonerful pictures Mr. Bagheri, beautiful, especially the one with the husband and wife. That picture should win the "Best photograph of the year" award and every couple should hang it on the kitchen wall where the husband can see it at dinner time ! I will certainly show it to my husband so he can see I'm not the ONLY wife giving him that LOOK when does something stupid!

Anyway thank you again and best of luck.

N. Shafiei

Messages without dirty words

On Hossein Hajiagha's cartoons:

Dear Sir;

I have seen many of your works in Iranian.com. I see that you definitely have talent and some very nice work but please accept my friendly critique.

1- I think your works have much more of writing than pictures, this makes the observer confused and tired. I think pictures can speak for themselves.

2- Many of your messages are quite personal. Not everybody is concerned about what is going on in your life.

And at last but not least: Some times your word is quite sharp and offensive and perhaps messages can be said without dirty words.

Hope you all the best,

Soooooooo freakin funni!!!!!!!

In response to Sima Shirazi's "I'm the boss":

I read this and i start to laugh ohmigod this is soooooooo freakin funni!!!!!!!

I almost cried

In response to Shirin Vazin's "From Shiraz to Belgrade":

Ms. Vazin, thank you for such ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL pictures from Iran. I almost cried when I looked at the pictures from Shiraz and Tehran. They were so beautiful, so nostalgic, and just so dear to the heart. And when you juxtaposed them with pictures from Europe it became even more meaningful as to what "vatan" really means. It's love of the land, love of the people, and even love of all the dirt and smog and poverty! The mental and emotional connection is always there, no matter how long one lives in the west and how hard some people try to become "westernized" !

Thank you again and good luck on your next trip (wherever...)

N. Shafiei

I never forget Radio Darya

In response to Pedram Moallemian's "The little station that could -- and did":

I am originally from Sari/Mazandaran but I grew up in Chaloos when I was a teenager (grade 2 -9). I can remember Radio Darya vividly. It was the best radio station at that time. It is so true that the station was geared toward new artists and younger generation. It made the station very unique. I am 43-years old now and I have been living in Canada for the last 25 years. I have to admit that I never forget Radio Darya. It was so nice to read this article and to know a bit about the history of Radio Darya.

Ghobad Naimi

Comparing Dutch and Iranian people

In response to Fariba Mobargheie's "That's what I love about Europe":

Dear Ms Mobargheie,

First, don't be afraid, my name may be Parkhash but I am not going to Parkhash at you :) I only reserve this privilege for those who parkhash at others.

Next, you ask a number of good questions in your picture essay: How come we can get so close to these high-ranking people but not our Iranian ones? How come we discriminate people from other nationalities -- specially those who are in bad situations -- and don't accept them as one of us? Yet we still we talk about our great culture of hospitality... Can someone from Afghanistan get so close to our important people and feel the joy of such a visit?

The answer to all these questions can be found in our cultural history. You shouldn't only compare the Dutch Royalty with their Iranian counterparts -- the real comparison should be made between the Dutch and the Iranian people. Unlike the Dutch and other European nations, we Iranian lack the capacity to treat our dignitaries with the genuine respect they may deserve and need to be either their servile flatterers or have them torn into pieces for the dogs consumption. It is not the rulers who make the people behave this way. It is the people who make their rulers. Eventually it becomes a symbiotic relationship.

Both sides keep feeding one another until one side asks for more. Then the troubles begin. This is how we reached where we are now. Nearly three decades after we asked for more than the share we already had in abundance, we have to put up with an alien regime that not only took away all we had earned, it has removed any claim to self respect we may once had. And the way things are going with the nuclear issue you won't be any more proud of your Iranian regime than you are already.

My advice Ms Mobargheie? Hang on to the Dutch part of your identity for as long as you can but don't forget your Iranian part either — that's where your roots are from.

Parkhash

Boy am I glad I live in the U.S.

In response to Fariba Mobargheie's "That's what I love about Europe":

Nice pictures... Funny hats ! Looks more like a constume party or Halloween party ! ! How much did that hat on the queen's head weigh? These Royals and their constumes ! Boy am I glad I live in the U.S.

Hatless in Chicago (because it's a windy city) ! !

N. Shafiei

The blondeness... made my day

In response to Fariba Mobargheie's "That's what I love about Europe":

Hilarious. Iranian.com at its best. The joy in her eyes, the blondeness... made my day.

PK

Suggested cure

In response to Shahireh Sharif's "Post Iran depression":

Two months on and I am back to my usual way of life. The time spent in Iran with my family, although very precious, is a distant memory now. I decided to write this for the purpose of giving the subject a closure and to present a more complete picture just in case anybody is interested. I had a few responses to the article (thanks guys) which are summarised below:

- The family party atmosphere gives you a somewhat distorted picture of what life in Iran is all about. Experiencing the everyday life can help to realize that you might not be able to live in Iran. Coming to this realization would ease the feeling.

- "Separation depression" is a revival process "something that highlights the luxury of humdrum we always groan about"

- "Stop cheating yourself and other of your fellow Iranians and admit, that you are proud and happy that you are outside of Iran and getting the benefits and advantages that a Western society has to offer"

- Some of us are trapped between two worlds; seem to belong to neither.

- Instead of coping or ignoring the feeling include a little bit of "rasm wa rossomhaye zende wa shade irooni" in your everyday life to ease the feeling of separation from your roots.

- "(as an Italian leaving away from home) I can relate to most of what you say in the article, although I would not say I'm depressed (in the clinical sense). It's more of a general desire of sadness and longing. I must say though that this frame of mind does not last long. I appreciate the things I have here that I could not have in Italy".

I don't necessarily agree with all these comments, but included them as examples of different perspectives. It is interesting though, they all seem to be conveying one point: more appreciation of what you have and less mourning for what you have lost. It is certainly something that I need to remind myself to do more of. Oh, must mention this as well! Research shows that in general, post holiday blues tend to respond well to sunlight (if you are lucky to get this where you live), sensible diet, exercise and spending quality time with friends.

Shameful man eaters

In response to Daniel M Pourkesali's "Manufacturing a phony crisis":

BAA DOROUD,

VERY WELL REASONED. I HOPE THESE MAN EATERS SEE IT AND BE ASHAMED OF THEIR ACT.

THANK YOU

HOUTAN

Having sex "like a man" is not beneficial or empowering

In response to Mahnaz Ahari's "Save sex for marriage":

Excellent article. Very well said and articulate. It is nice to read something other than the usual endorsement for open sexual relationships for women.

Women today are truly fooling themselves when they try to convince themselves and others that premarital sex, or having sex "like a man" is beneficial or empowering.

It is not. Sex with someone other than your spouse will always eventually lead to heartbreak and disapointment. Save it.

How do you know another if bodies stay untouched?

In response to Mahnaz Ahari's "Save sex for marriage":

I have to say I had a good laugh with your legislations on morality, which are probably coming from mental or literal vaginismus and not having had experienced great sex.

Wonder if you have seen Woody Allen's episode in "New York Stories" with the mother looming over the poor guy's life with her do's and don't's.

Can hear your mother's mantra that men are only after one thing and they dont want "damaged goods", so guard the orifice and we'll up the stakes when marrying you off!

I bet you would seek to put that into your daughter's head cause ...well Mom knows best but guess what, she will follow your sagely instructions and find herself with a pervert, or someone with erectile dysfunction or simply gay but doesnt-know-it-yet, or one with a very different sex drive and taste, etc... result : living hell, one of those couples we dont want to hang out with as they fight and ridicule eachother all the time.

You obviously overrate virginity and your interpretation of the role of sex in a happy marriage is coming from sheer ignorance about the modern relationships, in which a couple stay together because once past the sexual curiosity they have a lot more to share and talk about and premarital sex breaks down barriers in communication as ...well, they have seen eachother naked, so what else is new?!

I am not advocating promiscuity but how a person is supposed to know another inside out if bodies are to stay untouched it would be like puting your toe tips in the water and claim to know all about swimming !

True connection with a person from the opposite sex, or same sex for homosexuals, needs to get physical and we know relationships do not all work, for a variety of reasons, why should one deny herself?himself the joy of exploration and learning to stay intact for the wedlock???

o myyyyyyyy

In response to Pullniro's "Moola holiday":

hello dear you know you really make me laugh it was funny your story but true, I am not Iranian but I have been in Tehran on august and really i can tell in Iran people really waist so much number one God people come to your house at any time no announce first and I find this so Rudd second you know people come to your home and you automatically you have to get your fruit out that is a waist cause they don't even eat it tee well they do drink but come on do you have to really feed people so so much for them not to talk about you, third if you give them money they later pretend nothing happen don't pay and of course you like an Iranian are so so stupid they don't get it back cause o myyyyyyyy they going to talk about you, my friend ask for your god dam money back and in the first place learn to say no too friends are only there when they need you for something, Iranians pretend to gave so so much and they don't have live day by day and waist a lot just for people to say ooh he has money you know next don't let friends take advantage when you want to help go out in Tehran streets there are so many children hungry buy a juice and sandwich forget that soda you all drink godddddd garbage drink you guys have the worse diet so grease and full of sugar take care of yourself and be your best friend god say help yourself and I will help you too.

Cecilia Martinez

I'll e-mail word of your album

On Shayan Italia's "Music across the globe":

Hello Shayan Italia:

Is Angelina a real person or fictious? If a real person, who was she in relation to you? I apologize if my question opens doors of sadness for you.

Are you a "classical" Zoroastrian or a convert? Are any of your songs about Zoroastrianism?

From what I've heard of your music, it is high quality. I'll e-mail word of your album to Iranians and other friends.

I invite you to visit my website, beckoningstar.com.

There is a song by Paul McCartney titled "Hope for Deliverence" which came out around 1990. It is an ideal song to be translated into Persian and become an anthem for freedom and deliverence for Iran.

Eric jerpe

Compliment

On Farnoosh Ahmadi Shirazi's paintings, "Flower shower":

Very Cool!

Great!

On Farnoosh Ahmadi Shirazi's paintings, "Flower shower":

FUN!!!! GREAT IMAGES! THANKS!

Our divar be divar for years in Iran

On Azam Nemati's posting music tracks from Iraj Mehdian:

Thanks for Iraj Mehdian.... you made me cry!

Iraj Mehdian was our divar be divar for years in Iran. I grew up with him. As a matter of fact I was 18 when I left Iran and I left with him and his family to Turkey. They went to Europe and I came to US. I have now lost track of them and have missed them for year and don't know how to find them... anyhow sorry for boring you but just want to thank you for these songs!

love and peace,

I can not stand her

In response to Faramarz Fateh's "Azam shot into space":

Dear Faramarz,

I am so glad that finally someone spoke out about this crazy creature who calls herself expert in everything. I can not stand her awful look and her abnuxious attitude. Her taste of music, gosh, where does she even find those crap call music?

I am in 100% agree with you, and if the Russian decided to send this old creature to the furthest outer space, somewhere she actually never have a chance to return, I would not be more glad.

Thank you and I hope she read your article and decided to stop putting her garbage article in this magazine. She and HAJI (cartoonist) need to get together and hand in hand go to H...

What bothers me the most about her is that she represents all Iranian women. Wrong, she is very wrong.

Thank you anyway!

Iran should never reopen the American embassy

On hostage crisis anniversary:

The 1979 anniverary of the hostage taking in iran was well observe and respected. No one in iran should regret the seizure of the american embassy, that gave iran its independence.any one doing so, is a shaw for america. the seizure was patriotic for the cause. how can america put sanctions on a country that fought for their independence. look how many countries through out africa asia fight kill and die for their independence a countries right of honor. and no other nation had sanctions on them for their independence.

iran should never reopen the american embassy unless america left its hatred sanctions off of iran. None of the hostages was hurt all went back to america safe and happy. what is the sanctions really for, its put there because of the islamic theocractic regime or other powerless dwellers in the middle east push america to put santions.

Iranians should be proud of themselves.

Right to the point

On Jahanshah Rashidian's "Let it go":

A no-nonesense, and right to the point, factual article. Thank you.

Can modern-day Islam be separated from Sharia?

On Jahanshah Rashidian's "Let it go":

Although I agree with Jahanshah Rashidian in his attitude towards poltical Islam, I don't believe that "Salmun Rushtgi" tactics will bring about the liberation of Iran. Indeed, I don't believe the upcoming revolution against the Iranian theocracy can suceed without the support of moderate Moslems, the kind who follow the teachings of the medieval Iranian Medlevi, who wrote, "I looked for God in the temple, in the church, in the mosque; I found God in my heart."

The question is: Can modern-day Islam be separated from Sharia? Mohammed set up Sharia to control a primitive, barbaric people who used to bury girl babies alive. Sharia may have had some purpose in the seventh century C.E., although it has no relevance today.

One traditionally Moslem country that seems to have separated Islam from Sharia is Turkey. When I visited Istanbul and its Aegean coast, I was surprised at how "European" Turkey is. I watched MTV in Turkey and saw videos that would make Brooke Shields blush. When you are in Istanbul, you feel like you are in Europe rather than the Middle East; and then, all of a sudden, you hear broadcast the "call to prayer". I met a Turkish woman who complained that the "call to prayer" broadcast was a violation of the separation of religion and government.

Another Moslem country took the route of constitutional monarchy, yet it seems to be evolving towards democracy. Jordan has a King (and a beautiful Queen), yet it also has an elected parliament. It is far closer to democracy than the republics of Syria or Egypt.

The disaprate Iranian factions that oppose the Islamic theocracy must set aside their differences for now and concentrate on their common goal.

Sincerely,
Eric Jerpe

Herd mentality

On Jahanshah Rashidian's "Let it go":

Dear Mr. Rashidian,

I enjoyed reading your essay. Thank you for your efforts. I would like to add to this my version of the corundum, with your permission, of course. Please keep this in mind that I am not addressing this to you, just sharing.

The terror and death inflicted on humanity is not the work of radical Islam, neither the political Islam, nor the militant Islam. It is Islam, period. Get it? And the perpetrators are not fringe elements confined to brainwashed Saudis, loony Taliban, or a know nothing Pakistanis who have hijacked Islam and are now in the business of mass murder. The latest project of the practitioners of the "religion of peace" aimed to blowing planeloads of innocent civilians to smithereens in midair over the Atlantic -- ought to finally drive the point home: it is Islam, dummy. Get it?

How could people calling themselves sincere God-fearing religionists bring themselves to even think of acts of such barbarity, yet plan them methodically and cold-bloodedly proceed to execute them?

The answer is Islam. The life manual of Islam, the Quran, is a document of exclusion, hatred and violence that shapes the Muslims' thinking and behaving. This stone-age document is optimally suited for people of stunted development. People who prefer to follow than to think for themselves, to hate than to love, and to seek death rather than to celebrate life.

Sadly, Muslims themselves are the ones who are most victimized by Islam. They have inherited this viral psychological disease of hate and violence; they live by it, and transmit it to their children as well as to receptive others.

A puzzle to non-Muslims: why any intelligent and reasonably sane person would live his life by the dogma of Islam? It is particularly disconcerting when this Muslim lives in a secular non-Islamic society. The befuddlement becomes mind-boggling when seemingly educated women in free societies voluntarily submit to the yoke of Islamic misogyny.

There are a number of possible explanations to the enigma of believing in Islam and even propagating it with zeal and violence. Some possible explanations are treated here.

For one, Islam is stamped on the impressionable mind of the child from birth. The parents and immediate members of the family are the ones who make the very first impressions on the tabula rasa of the young mind. These early impressions are the grid-work for further formation of the person's mind and belief system. It is by far easier, as life goes on, to incorporate "items" that readily fit into the grid-work, than to modify it or dismantle it altogether and begin anew. It is in recognition of the importance of early training and education that people such as Saint Augustine and Freud considered the first few years of life as critical for molding the person. "Teaching the very young is like itching in the stone," says an Eastern proverb.

Another reason is the herd mentality -- stay with the group, be one of them, and don't strike out on your own. This strong disposition to belong is reinforced by privileges that the group bestows; social pressure, as well as the fear of castigation by the wielders of power. There is security and power in numbers -- in any numbers.

Islam is also appealing for giving purpose and order to the person's life -- both the life on earth as well as an immortal life after death. Islam is omnipresent and omniscient father figure who draws the boundaries, points out the path, dictates the terms, holds the carrots and the sticks. It absolves the person, for most parts, from the often demanding tasks of dealing with difficult questions and choosing what to do with oneself -- a highly attractive trade off for many. Accept Islam as your guide, follow its path and you will never have to suffer the agony of not knowing and having to make decisions by yourself; you will be guided along the path of eternal happiness and salvation. Just follow the unerring guide given to mankind by the seal of the prophet, Muhammad.

An elaborate package of mostly illogical and bizarre prescriptions and proscriptions comes with the Islamic offer, covering every imaginable aspect of life. In the matter of being a good Muslim, nothing is left to chance that one needs to figure out for himself. "I think, therefore I am" said Rene Descartes in substantiating his claim to being a conscious being. "I don't think, I faith; therefore I am an automaton," says the Muslim in absolving himself of the need for independent thinking.

Even the minutest detail of the Muslim's life is rigidly structured. He is to perform the obligatory prayer, for instance, five times a day at the exact appointed times. He must drop everything and go through the prescribed gesticulation and recitation of the verses while facing Mecca. Before saying his prayer, however, he must perform ablution. The Ablution, using water, must be carried out in a precise manner and sequence. In the absence of water, the faithful can substitute soil for water and go through the practice of "purifying" himself by running soil over his hands, arms, face and feet. After completion of ablution, as prescribed, he may proceed to say his prayer unless he commits flatulence. In that case, he must re-perform the ablution all over again.

Being a good Muslim, particularly a good male Muslim, is indeed a full time job. Male Muslims are obligated to go for Hajj -- women don't have to do so. Islam is a man's religion, through and through. Women are to please men erotically, to attend to them like chattel, and birth them boys. Going on Hajj and accumulating merit points for admission to Allah's paradise is reserved for men. Women may also go to Hajj, if they are lucky enough to afford the journey or allowed by their owners, men, to do so. For women, there are no promises that by going on Hajj and paying tribute to the house of Allah they endear themselves to him. "Women are calamities, but no home should be without one," is an old Islamic characterization of women. Hence, a woman is a necessity and not much more.

In short, Islam treats its believers as children irrespective of age. An extensive cadre of mullahs and imams, who themselves are thoroughly indoctrinated, minister to the children. These professional leeches -- the mullahs and imams -- systematically program the mind of their charges through liberal use of fear, threats of hell, and occasional promises of eternal life of bliss in Allah's paradise if they be obedient good children.

A Muslim is born Muslim, yet he acts as if he independently and through his own labor has discovered the great find; he clings to it as his cherished security blanket; and, would part with his life, rather than giving it up. It is, therefore, understandable what a recent poll has found. Fully 81% of British Muslims consider themselves Muslims first and British second. The 81% know full well that there is absolutely no chance of being harassed, much less persecuted, in Britain for professing their highest loyalty to Islam. So, they come out and admit it. The other 19% are even more Muslim. They are practicing what the Quran teaches -- dissimulation. Muslims are taught to lie. They lie when they have to and they lie when they don't have to, just to stay in practice.

The bottom-line is that the non-Islamic world has a huge problem on its hands -- the ever-encroaching Islam. For as long as there are mosques, madrasehs, and Islamic centers; as long as a vast cadres of well-paid, highly indoctrinated and strategically placed mullahs and imams; and, as long as there are people who prefer to be treated as children, Islam will flourish anywhere and will pose an existential threat to unbelievers. All the excuses, grievances and reasons given for savagery of the jihadists and Islamofascists are side issues. It is Islam, dummy. It is Islam itself. Get it?

Muslims really need: de-islamisation

On Amil Imani's "Let it go":

Dear Mr. Imani,

I was surprised to receive your detailed response to my article only two hours after being published. Here are some remarks referring to your writing.

In my current article, which was baptised by Iranian. com. “Let it go”, I tried to point out how the plague of Islam can contaminate the mind of so-called “intellectual” or even “revolutionary” Iranian Muslim activists like Mojahedins, Muslims groups or individually non-organised Muslim activists whose writings appear sometimes in Iranian.com as well-- in the article, I did not mention any name.

These Iranians Muslims activists, who are not the IRI’s insiders, under their pure traditional belief, try to delay the evolution of the demanded secularism and democracy. Despite of all our bitter experiences from the religion, they selfishly ignore the interests of Iranian people.

Although, our ills are originated from their Islam, under rough or alleviated interpretation, but by contrast to an emotional flashy reaction, I try to believe in logical and practical solutions to this social ailment, Islam. It goes without saying that I share many point of views you presented in your writings. I recognise also the damage we all receive from Islam, especially when it is criminally extended under a political ideology.

As I mentioned in my article, the ills we all receive from the religion have been underestimated; even the Iranian left, pioneered by the complaisant Tude Party, has sugar-coated the “poison of people”. As we know, Marx put religion in a series of superstructures, while the foundation was believed to be the economic structure. The idea of Marx was in the period of post- Renaissance in Europe, when religion was already abdicated. I believe Islam cannot be reduced to a passive superstructure, but a strong social locomotive or in a Marxist terminology a “Foundation”.

As you also implied, Islam is not a simple faith like other conventional religions, teaching and preaching moral lessons, but it is rather a social system with the all necessary characteristics. Therefore, Islam is not an ever neutral and passive superstructure. On the contrary, it has been an active foundation on which social and daily life of Muslims, including the means of production and social activities of economy are traditionally based. As I mentioned in my article, under the restrictions of Islam, the appropriate conditions needed to advance the economy and other branches of social activities of the Muslim societies have never been improved. In other words, the social evolution achieving different stages of developments in the West, especially after the Renaissance, was not at hand in the Islamic world.

Because of the dominant obscurity, any Muslim society has always suffered from the effects of religion. Therefore, we cannot consciously blame Muslims for certain attitudes, beliefs, odd rituals which cannot be explained to the civilised world. What Muslims really need and we have to courageously point is a process of long de-islamisation.

I do not believe and morally cannot convince myself that a Muslim newborn must be stamped as a doomed sub-human. The brain activities are merely conditioned by the chemical reaction, system of electro-impulsion of neurons without any racial or ethnical influence. Apart from some genetic effects, the biological capacity and activities of human brain, at least for the last 10,000 years, have been the same. All other aberrant ideas are scientifically bankrupt theories of ideology like that of fascism, racism or even that of some Iranian proud “Aryans”!

Back to the main topic, the enigma for me remains how to get rid of Islam without victimising or humiliating 1.3 billion population of the “Islamic” world? The answer is not a use of exclusion, ghettoising, punishment, collective accusing or any similar Islamist-like reaction, but rather a use of effective methods to help Muslims to consciously get rid of their belief system or their yoke.

The process of de-Islamisation must be democratic and based on a collective self-actualisation. It should not be forced or religiously preached, other wise there is a risk to return to the status quo, or even worse, as we witnessed the return of Islam in the ex-Soviet Republics. We can secularise the society and all its institutions, but not all individuals; even after a secular system and an ideal de-islamisation, we will be still witnessing some people traditionally acting some religious rituals like circumcision, gender discrimination or, as you mentioned, praying, pilgrimage, fasting and etc.

Above all, we have to be careful not to humiliate and provoke Muslims, as some Christian or right-wing extremists do. We should only emphasise on the facts that as long as Muslims are under the yoke of their belief, not only the whole humanity must be concerned about how to safeguard and advance the values of democracy, but more dramatically and more concerned, the poor people who we call now “Muslims” continue suffering.

Jahanshah Rashidian

Defeating this ideology of oppression

On Jahanshah Rashidian's "Muslims really need: de-islamisation":

Dear Mr. Rashidian,

I sometimes ask myself, why? Why do I write about Islam. Like many of my beloved Iranian compatriots, I was also born into a Muslim family. Before continue with our conversation, I would like to thank Jahanshah for allowing us to exchange thoughts on a subject that many of us consider to be a taboo. I find him to be a fair-minded individual. In my opinion, he deserves a great recognition for creating such divers site, and bringing us closer together. So I say thank you dear Jahanshah for this lofty achievement. May God bless you...

Now, let me say this, thank you for taking the time to respond to me. It is noble of you. I adore those Iranian intellectuals who are willing to go one step further and accept our dynamic world. If we want to save our precious home, Iran, we must be completely open and honest with one another. I do understand that religion is a very touchy subject, yet, we must force ourselves to talk about it, but not trying to kill each other.

For 1400 years Islam has devastated my country. 1400 years... isn't that enough? Some Muslims have objected to my taking Islam to task and not addressing the atrocities of others, both in the past and in the present. I do not see myself as an ombudsman for mankind, commissioned either by God or self-appointed. I am not egoistical enough to see myself as a universal arbiter of all wrongdoings. I, however, unreservedly condemn all genocides, religiously-based or otherwise, and all wrongs visited upon any individual or people irrespective of time, place and any other considerations.

My focus is Islam, because I, my people and my native country, Iran, have been victimized by a primitive alien ideology for far too long. Having witnessed first-hand the horrors and indignity that Islamofascism visits on people it subjugates, I have taken it upon myself to do my part in defeating this ideology of oppression, hate and violence.

I am a voice of tens of thousands of Iran's best children, many of them literally children, who have been imprisoned, brutally tortured, shamelessly raped and viciously slaughtered by Allah's beasts presently ruling Iran.

The heartless religionists of Allah have plundered and continue to plunder the people's vast oil income, fill their bottomless pockets with the ill-begotten funds, and finance adventurism in Iraq, Lebanon, Palestine and anywhere and everywhere they find willing clientele.

In the meantime, over the past three decades of their Islam-authorized dastardly theocracy they have driven masses of the Iranian people to abject poverty. They have created a culture of nihilism and despair that has spawned one of the world's most drug-addicted societies and, have compelled a great many women to sell their bodies in order to survive.

It is, so, I find it both my sacred duty and inalienable right to indict Muslims as either criminals themselves or accessories to the crimes, seek justice for my people, and warn others of the dangers of Islamofascism in all its forms.

I challenge all Muslims to abandon the demonic cult of Muhammad and join forces of liberty and justice of free people with no turbaned masters or masters of any kind.

It is a crime to remain silent in the face of evil, it is said. Thus, I am speaking up and urging other good men and women to raise their resonant voices while they can before they are brutally silenced by the ever-creeping Islamofascism.

Let's denounce criminals

On Esmail Nooriala's "Baaziye kooseh va rishe pahn":

I appreciate your piece, relatively, denouncing Saeed Hajjarian, one of the most intriging architect of polical Islam.

As a general rule for totalitarian regimes, a member of the ruling class cannot achieve a leading position unless he has already been engaged in the repressive organs. Saeed Hajjarian is not an exception.

Not because of his role as as an architect of the IRI, but mainly because of his involvement in the repressive organs, he could assure a leading position in the IRI. Furthermore, his personally elaborated Islamo-ideology is an ideology that with or without him, under this or that government, is responsible for thousands of executions of the best Iran's children.

We are allowed to mention and denounce these criminals, however let us, in any occasion, at least in a few words, know about their crimes.

Jahanshah Rashidian

Hitchcock style

On Parima Shahin Moghaddam's "Miss you":

HAVE BEEN TO LONDON SO MANY TIMES AND YET I HAD NOT SEEN NEAL STREET. GOOD WORK. ALSO U R PIC WAS ON ONE OF THE PICTURES IN THE ALFRED HITCHCOCK STYLE. ANY MOVIE HE MAD HE JUST MANAGED TO PASS BY IN FRONT OF THE CAMERA FOR A SECOND.

Hamid Montakhab

Suicide bomber vs. carpet bombing

On Shahriar Mostarshad's, "Read more write less" (link?) :

Dear Shahriar,

I think you should take some of your own advice and not only read more but read right, as wrong information is much more dangerous than no information at all.

I must admit among more than 30 replies that I have received with regard to my article yours was the only one that dismissed it totally and not surprisingly the only one full of prejudice insult accusations and suer words. Just like the original article from Ali-Sina.

Well sir what does that say about you and where you stand? Is there much of difference between you and your Hezbollahi counterparts???

How hypocritical of a person who talks about personal responsibility and accuses the rest of us of failing to accept ours, that when it comes to accepting his own he conveniently shift the blame to a religion and washes his hands of any wrong doing

Well my friend if you want to know the real story behind the Islamic revolution and the beneficiaries of it read the following books.

The Great War for civilisation
By: Robert Fisk

Memoirs of General Hazer
By: himself

Answer to history
By: Mohammad Reza Pahlavi

The last circle
By: Carol marshal

And there are plenty more for the person who is willing to look in the right place. It is really a new level of arrogance for a person to say that they know the mind of our great poets and scientists like Ebne Sina, Hafez Saady and Molavi better than these people themselves.

Tell me sir if the achievement of our scholars and poets has noting to do with Islam then what does Hafez mean by

In hame shahd o sheker kaz sokhanam mirizad
Ajre sabrist ke az dolate Qhoran kardam

Or what does Ferdosi mean by

Beh goftare peyghambarat rah jooy
Del az tiregiha bedin aab shooy

What dose Sadi mean by

Mennat khoday ra azza va jall ke ta-atash mojebe ghorbat ast va be shokr andarash mazid nemat...

Tell me Mr know it all when was the last time that you read the book of Shefa by Ebne Sina. Have you even opened his book of Esharat va Tanbihat .

Do you even know about the book of Asar Al-Baghieh by Aboo Reihane Birooni?

Are you simply telling me that all these great men were as drunk as your dad when they were writing these masterpieces and they did not know what they were talking about or did not know what is in their own mind? or are you arrogant enough to claim that they were not able to state their mind clearly and were waiting for your kind to tell the rest of the world what they were really thinking and claim that they were not fond of their religion and it did not inspire them at all.

With regard to personal responsibility, If you have read my article "Capitalist jihadist" properly you would have seen my statement that, "We the people of Iran accept our responsibility in all this for being naive enough to allow our greed to get the best of us and allow ourselves to be taken for a ride by the mullahs and the west"

Although with a complex problem like the Islamic revolution and current situation in Iran there are several issues involved and there are plenty of blames to go around both on us as people of Iran and to the western governments and their unfair foreign policy and also the mistakes that was made by the late Shah and his regime. It is very important to get this balance right otherwise your argument will fail miserably

Let me also tell you another thing. At the nights of revolution when you were hiding behind your university desk in U.S and your daddy was drinking his head off in Tehran, it was people like me and my family who were talking to people around us and warning everybody about the storm cloud that was gathering over Iran, or evilness of mullahs and the western plot to destroy our country and bring down the price of oil. It was also us who were receiving death treat for stating these facts.

Tell me man where were you when your precious west was selling all those weapons to Saddam Hussein and when he was destroying our cities and his army were looting our houses and businesses, raping the women and killing the children. Where were you when my friends and classmates were being slaughtered while sitting in their classroom or sleeping in their beds?

How prejudiced of you to describe the crime committed by a suicide bomber so colourfully, but when in comes to the victims of the carpet bombing of houses, schools and hospitals on the other side you dismiss them as the unworthy terrorists and allow yourself to be the judge jury and executioner. Well sir tell me what was the charge against the one day old baby that was crashed to death in a Beirut Hospital by an American supplied bomb in the hand of Israeli air force. What is the charge against the people of Gaza and West Bank who had to endure bombing harassments and hardship in the hand of a brutal occupying army every day for the last 50 years? Tell me sir what terrorist acts was committed by the 15000 ordinary Iraqi and Afghan men women and children that had been killed in bombing raids and shelling of their houses in the hands of American and British forces.

I really like you to explain, what was the charges against the 14 years old Iraqi girl who was gang raped by a group of drunken American solders and then burned live while his murderers were watching and laughing? What wrong have these people done except being born at the wrong place at the wrong time?

Should you what to know more read

Pitty the nation
By: Robert Fisk

If you would like to burry your head in the sand and pretend these crimes have never happened, well be my gust. But don't you dare come here and tell us that the crimes we saw with our own eyes have not actually happened or make pathetic excuses for these criminals and their evil acts.

Tell me Mr responsible if you know your history so well, then you should have known why Arabs succeeded to invade Iran so easily. If not please read the book Iran Before Islam by Majiram Mole, to learn about how our stupid kings engaged in a point less 50 years long war with Roman Empire which resulted in total destruction of Persian army and as a result when Arabs started their attack there was no army to defend us and even the Arab themselves could not believe how easily they captured the Empire. Did you forget to admit and accept responsibilities for that blunter?

With regard to your dictionary definition of capitalist, well you can take your dictionary to bed tonight and draw comfort from it, as it has written what you wanted it to, but that does not change the crimes that have been committed by the western companies such as Shell, BP, Angelo American Gold and many more, who with support of their governments corrupted and destroyed the economical and political system and suppressed democracy by supporting dictator tugs in many countries around the world so that they can have a green light to pollute the rivers and fields in order to steel and loot the natural resources of these countries.

As I told you before in all these problems Islam was just a tool and it is stupid to blame a tool for the criminal act that it have been used for.

People who want to fight always find their excuses. If it is not religion then it is race, ethnicity, nationality or even the football team they support.

Finally for your information I have read Qoran from cover to cover in Farsi ages ago just to satisfy my own curiosity. Most of the book is about biblical history and drawing moral lessons and learning from mistakes of the past generations. It also insists very much on self discipline and fighting ones demons within and in a few places it encourage its followers to rise up against their enemy for their own defence. But as I said like any other book it is open to interpretation and a talented enough person can manipulate and twist it in order to serve his own purpose

In conclusion I should say that It is frickin sad to see people who have suffered in the hands of the west and their conspiracies are making excuses for their abusers

Time to wake up and...

Nooshe jaan

On "blair blows" comment above news about Tony Blair, "'No softening' on Iran and Syria":

Old pasdars swallow.

Amir Irani-Tehrani

>>> More in November 2006 Part 1 -- Part 2 -- Part 3
>>> All past letters

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