The Iranian Times

Tuesday March 13, 2001 / Esfand 23, 1379, No. 1183


ARCHIVE

Spring

By Sadaf Kiani Abbassian
March 13, 2001
The Iranian
>>> GO TO FEATURE

Romance

The hell with romance
Persian men can't even spell "romantic"

By Siamack Baniameri
March 13, 2001
The Iranian

Reflecting on my detestable Valentine's Day a few weeks ago, it occurred to me -- I hate Valentine's Day. I don't know the first thing about being romantic. I'm a Persian man after all. Persian men can't even spell "romantic". I mean, come on. Who are you kidding? Be a man and admit it. Acting romantic is not included in our Persian package. The romantic section of our brain has been held hostage by our sex drive. The hell with romance. Let's just get it on. The way we real Persian men see it, romance is for sissies. We skip the appetizer and go straight to the main dish >>> GO TO FEATURE


Outlook

Some political prisoners freed

BBC Persian Service

Ten of the political activists of the National-Religious Coalition who were arrested on Sunday, were released today. Meanwhile, 152 MPs wrote an open letter to the nation asking the Judiciary to explain its legal justifications for these arrests. Pooneh Afshar asks Marzieh Mortazi Langroodi, who was in detention, about those who have been freed >>> LISTEN

Iranian Cinema: Expressions of a Country's Soul

By Elaine Sciolino
The New York Times
March 11, 2001

Iran's cinema is a world unto itself, the most creative expression of the country's imagination, so much so that it has earned a reputation as one of the most vibrant and prolific cinemas in the world. As filmmakers scoop up more and more prizes at international festivals, filmmaking has become one of the most popular professions for young people in Iran >>> FULL TEXT

Terence O'Donnell, writer, noted historian, dies at 76
Former colleagues praise the skill and insight the Portland native exhibited in books about Oregon, Iran and other subjects

By Harry Esteve
The Oregonian
Tuesday, March 13, 2001

Terence O'Donnell He was perhaps best known for his 1980 book "Garden of the Brave in War: Recollections of Iran," which chronicled his 15 years living and working in the Middle Eastern country >>> FULL TEXT


    Anyway

Savage bastards, II

The Taliban had promised to destroy the 2000-year-old statue of Buddha in Afghanistan's Bamiyan province. They have kept their word as you would expect from the savage creeps that they are >>> SEE HERE

Thanks to SM



More Letters

* Very poor choice

Naghmeh writes: I have always liked iranian.com but the choice for your cover picture was very poor. How will a man doing drugs benefit your site?

It is unbelievable how Iranians come to U.S. and forget about all their values. I am very disappointed, and I think people hide behind their freedom of choice a bit too much. They say and do whatever they want in the name of freedom.

Of course, I, too have a choice of not looking at the picture, but as an Iranian, as a mother and a woman, I still think your choice of putting that picture for your welcome page was very poor.

* Anti-Iranian Americans

Nariman Neyshapouri writes: In his article ["America, welcome"], Ron Wurzer managed to rehash all the usual complaints and stereotypes about Iran and Iranians. The point is, I've lived in America all my life. As an Iranian-American, I can tell you one thing for sure: despite the "hundreds of thousands" you saw chanting anti-American slogans in Tehran, i guarantee you the level of anti-Iranian animosity among American politicians and the American public still far exceeds the sum total of anti-American sentiment in Iran >>> FULL TEXT

* Where are the Persians?

Ardavan writes: It sounds like disagreement is a more powerful incentive than agreement or it's that way in our culture. I happen to understand and completely agree with G. Motamedi's view on the insanity that was behind Reza shah's decision about asking other countries to say Persia instead of Iran ["Bring back Persia"].

I don't understand why those who introduce themselves as Persian and not Iranian don't send a letter! I personally witness everyday that more than ninety percent of our people introduce themselves as Persian and not Iranian! I don't need anybody to agree or disagree with me on this because I see it everyday for myself >>> FULL TEXT

* Freedom fighter

Abbas Abhroudi writes: I agree with the tittle of this feature: "Missing the point"! Iraj Mirza was living in the era that had no Internet, no media, no printed books, (at lest not anything in Farsi or very hard to find).

The problem is that everyone has a different perception of the world according to his or her personal experiences. So if a man gets to the point that he knows literature and has a deep perception then I understand why he uses harsh language. To me he is a freedom fighter and I salute him.


Politics: Student leader speaking in Wshington DC


    Poem

    Translation of today's poem by Zara Houshmand:

    Look at her dark hair, her grace as she stands.

    Think of the sweetness of those ruby lips.

    "Your kiss for alms," I begged, "for goodness' sake."

    She turned, laughed: "Think what a profit you'd make!"

    * Also see more Rumi translations

    Rumi book

Rumi: The Life Teachings and Poetry of Jalal al-Din Rumi
By Frankin D. Lewis


Copyright © Abadan Publishing Co. All Rights Reserved. May not be duplicated or distributed in any form

News

The news section is under construction. Meanwhile go to >>> IRANMANIA

The Web

Iranian

Donyaaye Computer

Computer magazine published in Iran -- now online.

Beyond Iran

National Anthropological Archives

The Smithsonian's Natural History Museum is home to this rich collection of anthropological artifacts, documents, and exhibits. Camping with the Sioux presents the 1881 diary of Alice Cunningham Fletcher in the Dakotas.

More web sites


Quote Unquote

Romance

Based on my extensive research, Persian men get easily insulted. Being romantic requires thick skin. You have to endure insults, slaps, humiliation, abuse, pain, etc. We have egos that rival the Titanic. It's big, slow, clumsy, and it sinks down to the bottom in minutes. Genetically speaking, our Persianity does not allow us to be romantic. We are way too selfish. Being romantic requires caring and sacrifice, things most of us don't care much about. It's hard work. It requires discipline and persistence. Screw it. Give me my hot tea, my afternoon nap and I'm a happy man.

-- Siamack Baniameri
The hell with romance
"The Iranian"
March 13, 2001


Photo of the Day

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