OPEN LETTER

Huh?

I personally think that religion perverts normal human common sense, conscience, morality, and harmony, but I don't recall writing this article. Can anyone point me to the original?

Meanwhile, I also don't think that the questioning of religion is a just cause or intent for war-like confrontation, though wars usually do contain a religious element to put it mildly.

The reason to question religion is progressing past oppression and myth into something more honest. Some of us just get sick of being bullied by religions and want to talk about it, ask valid questions, put a stop to hostilities religion causes and instigates toward so many of us.

As to tolerance and respect, it must be earned. I need only have tolerance and respect toward those that tolerate and respect me and mine. I don't feel that Islam does that. I feel it abuses all people, even its own, in a big way - especially women. Don't blame me if I happen to find that worth of complaints and patent disrespect.

masoud

as usuall people who who have nothing to say accuse other people. and now you have shown what kind of a man you are.
KHALE ZANAK IS WHAT YOU ARE. you have nothing to come with and now you call me for spy because it is your weapon as soon as you have nothing to say you call others for spy. i wish you that you change your self and dont blame people for things they are not. good luck
you are the one who dont stay with the iranians, i have heard their voice and are been one of them.
you belong to iranian who dream about 1950.

RE: So I am a Monarchist ??!!

“Islamic republic is in a dire situation having lost on the international politics arena, only left with 70 million hostages and 100,000 trained arab goons..”

I don’t know where you get your news, but you definitely need to diversify your news sources. There are definitely many economical, and social issues in Iran, some such as the disappearance of middle class are terribly bad and pose a real challenge to IRI, but your statement above is totally wrong. Maybe you haven’t been to Iran for too long.
Regarding the US pressures on Iran, in forms of Iraq-Iran war, and economic sanctions I agree with you, they have had serious impacts on IRI and Iranians, they have caused joblessness, … etc. Foreign investors have been effectively terrorized by US and have broken their agreements even after the work was started. However I don’t understand why any Iranian or even none Iranian with integrity should be happy about that.
Ironically these pressures on Iran have ultimately come back to bite the US itself, best examples of those are US support for the fanatics of all sorts in Afghanistan who later on created the September 11. The ongoing war with Iraq was also started with the objective of surrounding and destroying IRI, and to ensure complete US control over the raw material in the ME (specially oil and raw nuclear material), as we can see it has turned into a quagmire for US and Americans.

Cyrus !!

Do you think changing your name from akbar or asghar to cyrus and making empty threaths is the way to go - then good luck to you.

But if you are just a student doing this as a job to earn some extra living money - then I wish you luck - stay with the people and don't get infront of the mullahs.    

masoud

you are so wrong, you are stil live in reza shah times. you have no ide how iranian people in iran think.
the young dont like the mullahs but they hate pahlavi because they sell, the pahlavi sell our country. and yes we dont like the mullahs but if war break out we would fight side by side with those "100 000 arabs" you say.
those are at least more iranian than you who wan your country bombed by yankees who throw out your pahlavis. yankees who supported khomeini and yankees who killed your iranian people.

So I am a Monarchist ??!!

Thatis it - that is the best you have to offer ? 

You boys have to learn how to debate.  Come out with a logical argument, because the usual mullah tactics of character degregation or herding out in support of each other - does not work on internet debates.  What we say - stays on for all to see and refer back to. 

Islamic republic is in a dire situation having lost on the international politics arena, only left with 70 million hostages and 100,000 trained arab goons to protect them from the population.   Note that the million or so Iranian oppotunists who sided with them will never defend the mullahs during rough times.   Now that despite all political pressures, USA did not sign a new 25 year security protection pact, the regime is totaly cornered - with the new set of hard sanctions going into effect today.  

Those who think Russians of Chinease can help them - are fully wrong - especialy on the economic sanctions.   All Chinease and Russians do is to take - not give anything to the mullahs.   Last sanctions of 25 years ago, was defeated by the Euros - who will not be there to help the mullahs any more. 

Sop where are we as the Iranian population - and what can we do to make the akhoond removal transition smooth ?   That is what we need to focus on instead of making baseless, shallow and hollow threaths.     

 BTW - dorood be ravan paak Reza Shah and Mohammad Reza shah Pahlavi.   As for Agha Reza Pahlavi - he has yet to earn my respect - Iran must not and will not ever again be ruled by one man.   

A lesson from history on attacking Iran

Wonderfull American people do not support the war, rather right wing neo-crazies and some administration officials including congressmen and women who warry of AIPAC's wrath that pursue this destructive policy in middle East. Just ask President Carter who said senators or congressmen who challenge AIPAC's initiatives , will not be re-elected. for example George Bush(41) was not re-elected since he took a firm stand including cutting off fundings against building settelments in West Bank ultimately resulted in his defeat for re-election in 2001. NOW BACK TO MAIN TOPIC: ENJOY :D)

A Lesson from History on Attacking Iran
By Manouchehr Hosseinzadeh

Military Force May be Necessary, but Cleaver Strategy is Sufficient

Much has been said about immanent US attack on Iran, while the leadership in Tehran is confidant that such an attack would not take place, others have been offering scenarios on possible and form of Iranian response. There seem to be a common thread in almost all of these suggestions on possibility and extent of Iranian response. In general, most of these reports assume that from such a conflict Iran will emerge damaged and sufficiently weakened to stop its' unfriendly posture toward west and particularly the United States. I happen to believe that this is not entirely true; damaged maybe but not weak enough to abandon its position. Why? Because history has persistently proven two important points that a) no military undertaking can be planed carefully enough to bring about the exact intended outcome, b) in any military confrontation there are two parties involved and therefore no matter how weak one of them is, still can influence the outcome to a degree. Furthermore I believe that from such a military confrontation Iran will emerge with considerable success although seriously damaged. In other words US will not achieve what it wants militarily, mostly because the cards are stacked in favor of Iran.

I believe no one has paid much attention to a theory called 'Sotoon.' What? You haven't heard of it; well that is because I just made it up. But still I think it is worth reading about it. I call this 'the Sotoon (as in column) theory' after an Iranian proverb that states 'az in sutoon beh oun sutoon frajj-eh' or there are still possibilities and hope from one column to another. Let me explain.

During the reign of Muawyaih, a Persian man was arrested and accused of being the Persian prince who was instigating revolt against Arab occupation in Iran. He was put on trial and sentenced to death. He was then tied to one of six columns in a Mosque to read him his sentencing statement. But before they go ahead to read the statement and carry the punishment he was given a chance to make his last wish. 'Tell us your last wish before you die, oh and it can't be letting you go, and no we have no cigarettes here, so what would it be?' 'Simple' the Persian said "tie me to the column of my own choice before you read me my sentence and execute me." Well, as strange as his request was, it didn't seem to be harmful. So they began untying him from one column and tying him to another. The Persian waited until they were done moving him and then he said; 'no this is not the one. I don't like it; take me to the other column.' So they did what he had asked for. And again before they finished tying him to the other column he had chosen another. This went on until they were about to tie him to the last column. Meanwhile someone rushed in and told the judge that the man is not whom they thought to be and Emir had ordered him to be released.

The moral of story is this; victory is possible as long as defeat is delayed, and that is what Americans are doing in Iraq. After an embarrassing premature claim to victory by President Bush on board USS Abraham Lincoln, the United State learned its' lesson. From then on, they delayed their pronouncement of success pending to outcome of another event. From transferring the power to Iraqis, to numerous elections in Iraq, and ill-fated 'surge' the US has been telling people of the light at the end of tunnel. The latest US transitional column of choice is formation of Iraq's security forces. 'Once the 'Iraqis stand up, they would stand down.' In other words, they would be able to build an Iraqi army that would take orders from them and do their dirty work. Only then they would be able to pull red-blooded blue-eyed American 'boys' out of Iraq and live happily ever after. Fat chance, and Bush administration knows this. That is why they are already asking to be moved to another column which is Iran. Once Iran, this new source of trouble is eliminated or at least forced to silence, they would be done and will wait for the eagle of victory to land on their shoulder. In other words they are buying time and hope that at some point they will have the initiative. The problem is that Iranians also have their own columns. And boy, I tell you, mullahs are excellent at playing the column game. Look at what they are doing on nuclear issue.

So, how is this related to a US attack on Iran? The issue is 'time' time favor Iran the most. But bush administration still does not get it; they don't know whom they are dealing with. Have you heard of the Mullah who fell into the river? Someone tried to help him 'give me your hand, give me your hand' yelled the man, rushing after Mullah who was rolling and screaming in the water. 'That is the wrong thing to say' said a bystander; 'they don't give, they take, say take my hand.'

So let me take this opportunity to offer a useful advice to Ms. Condi Rice. If she wants to know whom she is dealing with, she should take a trip to Tehran and buy a carpet from an Iranian rug merchant in Bazaar (who are as close as they come to Mullahs.) Before she notices, she will be driving away with a fine Persian rug in the trunk of her car, not knowing how much it has cost her. The rug merchant on the other hand, knows what and for what price he has sold her. Don't believe me talk to Europeans who have been negotiating with Mullahs for years.

Now back to attacking Iran. In their analysis of attack on Iran and possible Iranian response there are several possibilities that have been mentioned.

1) Iran would retaliate by having Hezbollah attack Israel. Not likely at all, I would say. Anyone who forwards such a proposition knows nothing of true nature of relation between Iran and Hezbollah. The Islamic Republic and Hezbollah view each other as brothers in arm. Hezbollah certainly does not see itself as sacrificial lamb for Iran. The history of this relation goes back to before Iranian Revolution when Hezbollah was still Amal and ran by Immam Mussa Sadr. Amal was in fact the revolutionary school for Iranians. The relation between Iranian Islamic Revolutionaries and would be Hezbollah (which at that time was Part of Amal) was forged long before Islamic Republic or Hezbollah had been established. In fact some of worries of Islamic revolution received their military training from Amal. People like Muhammad Chamran who became Iran's first post-revolution Defense Minister had been trained and lived in Lebanon for many years. The Hezbollah/Iran relation is not modeled after master/proxy relation that was common during cold war between Soviet Union and the United State. Their relation is not one of strategic military alliance that would obligate one to jeopardize its own existence to defend the other. It wouldn't make sense for Hezbollah to sacrifice its own political stand and future among Lebanese people by dragging them into military adventure that has no strategic and tactical value for Lebanon and just to please Iran. Any such an attempt by Hezbollah to defend Iran at the expense Lebanon will be foolish and suicidal. No, certainly Hezbollah is not an obedient proxy of Iran, not by any stretch of imagination. The same goes also to Hamas, a movement far older than Iranian revolution.

2) Iran would use 'its terrorist agents' around the world to attack US interest around 'Middle East.' Nonsense, this too, seem to one of those theories that is forwarded by people at 'Project for New American Century who' have proven their limited ability to understand Middle East. Iran has far more effective means in her toolbox than aimless and useless terrorist actions that can only benefit her enemy. The most effective political weapon on Iran's position, after a US attack, would be world-wide sympathy that could be directed to counter US's global effort to isolate and restrain Iran economically and politically. Believe me I know mullahs; they are not that stupid.

3) Iran would close strait of Hormuz. Not so; it would not be necessary. Why turn the world against yourself by causing them hardship. Especially when it is more likely to cause yourself economic harm. If the intention is to push the oil prices up, it can be achieved in a way that US is blamed for not Iran. It is true that at least in short run higher oil prices favors Iran, and cause US difficulties, but in the long run nobody will benefit from it. Plus, that will happen by itself anyway. As it is the price of a barrel of oil is hovering over $80. Slightest indication of supply instability will push prices possibly as high as $200 a barrel.

4) Iran would retaliate by lunching missiles against US bases in Iraq and around Middle East. Perhaps, but don't expect them to rush and unload everything they have on US. From previous US operation in Bosnia, Iraq and other places Iranians have learned that a short war favors US but a longer war helps the other side. Therefore, it is only logical to husband your resources and use them sparingly.

So what would Iran do?

The most important weapon in Iran's arsenal is 'Time. That is because;

· By opening another front in addition to Iraq and Afghanistan US will have to deal with an expanded theater of operation that extends from Mediterranean to Indian subcontinent (assuming the Syria and Lebanon offer logistical support to US foe by granting them right of passage.) Furthermore it is likely that Turkey and some of Arab countries of Persian Gulf will limit US use of their territory. Taking all this into account, US will face a costly logistical nightmare that can not maintain for long time.

· A prolonged war will have devastating economic consequences for US. In addition, higher oil prices affect all sectors of US economy from finance to transportation, distribution even service sector. Under these conditions, US economic performance already faced with oversized deficit and falling value of dollar would be far more vulnerable to political instability. It is not clear how long US dollar can stand this kind of pressure, especially when Euro is becoming a viable alternative currency. It is not clear if other countries, fearful of loss of their assets and revenue dump dollar and hence contributing to dollar's free fall. Under such a scenario, cost of foreign military operation especially in such wide theater of operation will skyrocket beyond tolerance.

· A prolonged war would be domestically unpopular and politically dangerous, especially if US is forced to institute draft.

I still haven't told you what would Iran do. Here is when 'Sotoon' theory comes handy. In other words all Iran have to do is keep the war going by changing the drama from day to day. That is offering different twists in war and maintaining initiative. This is where the concept of Asymmetric War becomes useful. You would get the point once I've explained what asymmetric war means. It is not what Fox News has been telling us; it has nothing to do with terrorism. These are some of the concepts in an asymmetric war.

a) Keep them safe, your military assets that is; they can not destroy what you don't have or they don't see. In other words; you don't need expensive hardware to fight a war. Smaller less expensive hardware are better because they could be easily hidden or replaced, do not require massive infrastructure to operate, are more difficult to detect, give higher mobility, more flexibility and destroying them cost the enemy far more than they are worth. Have you seen reports on Iran's military purchases? When was the last time Iran bought large battleships, destroyers or squadrons of advance fighter jests? Instead the first thing they did after the war with Iraq was to buy submarines that fits perfectly their defense doctrine. Then they went ahead and built about 200 mini subs that because of their size and limited depth of waters in Persian Gulf are very difficult to detect. All you hear from them is missiles, missiles, missiles. Missiles don't need runways which are difficult to maintain; they are operated by ground crew and are easier to hide. For more than a decade, Iran has been working to expand its vast underground network of fiber optics. That began in mid-1980s in the middle of Iran-Iraq with a thinly stretched financial recourses when Iran built a factory to produce fiber optics

b) Maintain initiative. In a world when eye in sky can report everything, you can't's surprise enemy when all your tools are exposed. In fact you can't maintain initiative if you are engaged in day to day combat.

c) Prolong the war.

d) Fight expensive sophisticated hardware with cheap simple weapons

e) Fight an incremental war, allow yourself to recover and plan your attacks in your own connivance.

f) Coordinate your military moves with your political goals at a micro level.

g) Do not respond to the events. Make events that serve you best.

... Payvand News - 10/21/07 ...

Re: "Give Me A Brake" you are so right!

Dear:
javaneh emrikai, don't waste your time with the likes of MasoudA. He is a monarchist. Look at the web-site he is referencing: //www.iranvajahan.net/cgi-bin/news.pl?l=en&y=..., and look at the authors of the article:"Michael Rubinis a resident scholar at the American Enterprise Instituteand co-author, with Patrick Clawson, of "Eternal Iran: Continuity and Chaos."

This should tell you who is supporting these vatanforoosha. I mean to quote an article by Michael Rubinis and Patrick Clawson from the American Enterprise Institute just tells you how lost these guys are. Clawson is a hardcore neocon and staunch anti-Iran who are calling for the bombing of Iran, and are stupid enough to believe that $75MM is going to help bring about regime change.

Boroo Baba, now that we know MasoudA is one of those monarchists there is no reason to waste your breadth speaking to these losers. Neither they or the MEK have any following in Iran. Their 1/4 Pahlavi and his advisor Shariar Ahy have a small group called Iran Solidarity. Some of the $75MM has gone to support Reza Pahlavi who is also associated with the Zionist Kenneth Timmerman founder of National Endowment for Democracy (NED). The State Department is using some of this vatanfoorosh Iranian exiles such as Reza Pahlavi and his cronies and the MEK for what they have called "Iranian democracy project". Pahlavi is also on record encouraging foreign governments to aid the Iranian resistance, especially his group. Another plot in this scenario is a repeat of the game plan Washington used against Saddam Hussein's Iraqi government. In other words, the State Department will work with willing exiles and form a so-called national congress. The intention of this group will be to make contacts with potential allies inside Iran who will help them distribute propaganda and organize dissent. Other exiles will work with the CIA and Pentagon, conducting military surveillance operations on the ground and staging small-scale terror attacks and instigating local insurrections. Meanwhile, the bombardment of the US public with truths and half-truths about Iranian nuclear plans and human rights abuses will continue, perhaps even culminating in another grand televised act at the United Nations where Condi Rice repeats Colin Powell's Great Lie, complete with fuzzy photographs, anthrax vials, descriptions of underground WMD sites, and expressed fears that the end of the world is at hand unless Iran is attacked to bring about a regime change.

So my point is these guys are just not going anywhere. Any Iranian which cooperates with the CIA, AIPAC, and the neocons is not an Iranian nationalist. But then again what do you expect from the late Shah's son!! Don't forget 1953, the CIA and the U.S. used the same tactic to bring down the Democratic Leadership of Dr. Mohammad Mossadeq. In return the puppet Mohammad Reza Pahlavi was allowed to remain as the King of Iran and support his masters in the U.S. and when they had no further use for him they threw him out.

So now his son 1/4 Pahlavi wants to play the same game as his father. He doesn't get it times have changed, and no amount of money is going to sway the Iranian people to revolt to bring back the little Reza as Shah of Iran with the help of the CIA. Even the State Department and the CIA have come to this conclusion.

Let them wagh, wagh in this forum. That's about as much as they can do. They are pretty harmless!!

Give me a break!

The US Gov't or Iranian-American organizations funding or supporting regime change in Iran DOES NOT support the cause of REGIME CHANGE IN IRAN! If you want REGIME-CHANGE IN IRAN, GO LIVE IN IRAN!

That is why Trita Parsi and NIAC signed that letter calling Congress to stop "funding" to groups working against the IRI. NOT because they support that regime or because they are its lobby here.

TRITA PARSI'S NAME IS FAKE?!! Are you kidding me? Where do you get your information from??

My cousin always used to tell me, developing countries - and their counterpart diaspora communities - all have this characteristic that keeps them from progressing. As soon as any one of them do well or try to do something positive, all the voices of criticism that are usually not even participating in the system or doing anything to make any sort of change start to criticize them.

Give me a break!

You think Jewish-Americans, regardless of their stance on Israeli politics, would ever even consider condoning any sort of aggression against Israeli by any foreign power? If their are any, they're very few. Even the likes of Noam Chomsky who publicly denounce Israel's policies in the MidEast wouldn't consider aggression as a solution.

I am 100% with DAMAVAND who said that " [he] find[s] it sickening that an Iranian (or as he/she claims) would be perfectly OK with seeing his compatriots (man, woman and child) ravaged by US forces just so that he can step over their bodies, [and enter Iran] and enjoy his so called freedom."

RE: "I love Maryam and Masoud Rajavi"

Mammad Mojahed, exactly how stupid are you? These two blood suckers sold thier country to Saddam and agreed to the permenant separation of Khuzestan from Iran just so they can become the new King and Queen of Iran. Even if you had the IQ of a wet towel you would have figured this out by now. Who in their right mind would follow a Marxist Islamist group with a Facist leadership who sold out thier country? Retards like "Mammad Mujahed", that's who.

RE: I love Maryam and Masoud Rajavi

What a pity that some of my good high school friends got themselves killed for these guys!

I love Maryam and Masoud Rajavi

All Mujahedeen want is to be able to fvck the mullahs in the asshole, khoshk khoshk!

RE: How old are you..

“US funded democratic voices aimed towards Iran”
Did you mean mercenary voices?

To Xerexes

buddy - I said US funded - not US Founded. 

Check out the link - so at least you are better informed on what Trita Parsi (fake name) is doing. 

 //www.iranvajahan.net/cgi-bin/news.pl?l=en&y=2007&m=10&d=20&a=2

In case you do not know - VOA is huge in Iran these days - hitting the mullahs where it hurts.  and your boy is trying to shut it down - get it ? 

Reply to masoudA

Mashty I said besides the fact that NIAC is against any ATTACK to Iranian soil, which doen not make them Islamic Republic agent, name one thing. You say the same thing again. And man what the hell is the Democratic voices in US that they are silencing? What are you doing spreading non sense rumors that even if true still doesn't prove anything. NIAC is a Iranian Lobby that it is in an early stages of infancy. The fact that people like you can not appreciate anything real and need to listen to channel one for moral compass doesn't make you the expert of the Iranian politics. Just to prove my point listen to yoruself :"can you tell us why NIAC is so focused these days on silencing US funded democratic voices aimed towrds Iran ???" US founded democratic voices? really? you believe this and want me to make a point about Politics and democracy as an Iranian who is not "khodforukhteh"? I mean would you sell your father and mother the way you would your country?:
"can you tell us why NIAC is so focused these days on silencing US funded democratic voices aimed towrds Iran..",The key word here is "US founded democratic..." sad, really sad. The worse is that I am not sure if you understand the problem here, and know what you are saying yourself.

How old are you boyz ?!!

Bahmanian and Xerexes -

You seem to be the same person - same sentiments - young $200/month IRI hired goones.   Selling your soul is bad - but selling it cheap is a mullah zadeh trait. 

Mr. Xerexes - do you even know what Trita Parsi and NIAC do ?  Do you know what they are up to these days ?  

Can you tell us why Trita Parsi appears in front of a US Congressional hearing and threathens them of dire consequences if they attack Iran ????   Do you think he is doing Iranian Americans any favors by making such statements - after AN had hinted earlier about 5000 Iranians in USA ready to take pro mullah actions ?     

Despite of all problems Iran is facing today - can you tell us why NIAC is so focused these days on silencing US funded democratic voices aimed towrds Iran ??? 

But you can't answer any of these - you are just cheaply hired IRI web goons happy with small handouts.  Happy surfin

Shahi group are dumb

Those who think that Mullas are stupid and are pro Shah are the funniest bunch. It cracks me up when I hear these salatanati group talk. They all remind me of the Iranians college freshmen. I have many encounters with the kids who claim they are from Iran and are bunch of stupid little susuli tombun. it's sad but I always kept my sense of humor about them. I can see many here that their brains is stained with stupidity that probably carried over from their fathers (Since most are too young to even spell the word Iran). My comment is that if Iran is attacked, I don't expect any of saltanati groups to protect our country, so in reality they are vatan forush. They want attack and want regime change but are not willing to drop a sweat. If that's not susul I don't know what is.

NIAC is not IRI lobby

I have met and been part of the NIAC for years. The LA "Shahanshahi" group who have the amazing twentty some extremely smart channels want that every organization be like them, bunch of gutless, brainless sheeps in sucking the asses of neo-cons for money and support. If you don't do that and behave like a proper political group, a group that looks at Iran's Interest beyong the regime then you MUST be paid by the Mullas. What a sad bunch. Mullas, Mullas, that's all some of these teenagers talk about. And what the hell does NIAC has to do with the Mullas? for those who claim that NIAC works for the IRI, please mention one action that gives you that idea? perhaps is the fact that they strobgly oppose any war against my country Iran. The difference between a Mojahedin e khalgh and Shahi group is not huge, they both are so much full of hate that are willing to kill and attack my Iran for their sake. Actually they are both cowards, if they weren't they would've come and chanted pro shah during the revolution but they prefered to hide or run and now they want attack and claim any valid non-Shahi/Mojahed organization as IRI agent. Freaking idiots. How the hell can you logic with these ahmaghaan

Hajiagha???

Hajiagha???? what do you mean asking Bush to Bomb Iran? I thought you draw cartoons saying to Bush to Shut the fuck up, you love Iran. You draw cartoons rejecting those who are selling Iran by advocating war. here are you 2 cartoons. Are you trying to be just controversial?

//iranian.com/main/cartoons/2007/hajiagha...

//iranian.com/main/cartoons/2007/hajiagha...

Dear Ari - Sorry to call

Dear Ari -

Sorry to call you my brother dear !!!
You truely confuse me - since you don't come across as a mullah lover - just a typical liberal type spreading mullah propaganda.

Your whole argument of "Bombs dropping over the heads of our hamvatans" is mullah propaganda.  Nobody, nowhere is talking about droppng bombs over people's houses.   Yes there will be colateral damages - one which the population of Iran is more than happy to pay !!!  this is an unfortunate statement - but it also shows the level of misery and depression in Iran.  

Dearest Ari, Just like you, I have not had a chance to conduct a poll covering 70 million Iranians, but I have been fortunate to live in Iran about half of the last 20 years - have you ?  or your encounter with Iran is limited to 30 day trips covering all Chelo Kababis in Tehran ??   My dearest - the only thing worst than wanting foreign powers to attack your country is to live outside Iran and get in the way of changes to a desprate and dangerous situation.   You sound like the Vichys of France during WW2.  French citizens who had sold out Nazis and opposed allies invasion in the name of Nationalism !!!!  of-course they all ended up moving out of France into Germany - but you my dearest !!!  you don't have to worry about that - you are already safe and out of harms way - or so you think !!! 

Mr Vahid

I am a 26 year old iranin guy and have good life with a great job in a IT company but if the times come and my country need me i would lleave everything and go and fight for my country because i have made my military duty in special forces and i love my country and it is culture history and it is religion .
everybody have to die some day so the best death is when you die for your country.
you dont need to fight any more you can fight with your pen, the time has come to those of ous who are younger then you. we would fight like you and my uncels did during "DEFAIE MOGHADAS".
the mullahs should leave iran but not with war and those of you who want a war and want iran to be attaced are traitors who have no respect for those who died for iran or they are just zionist pigs who want iranins dead.

Hey Anonymous234_ Hatred has so much energy!

To Arab Zadehez and Islam lovers!
by Anonymous234 (not verified) on Sun Oct 21, 2007 08:07 PM PDT

I feel petty for you, man!!!!!!
Try to control your anger and hatred. With so much energy you will destroy yourself.
War is ugly and I will not even want to see even one innocent human life lost. And, I do not have any preference where that person comes from or what he believes in.

I wonder if you have taken all your family out of country to a safe place now that you're talking so passionately?

Peace;

REPLY TO: Religions by

REPLY TO:
Religions
by Ampbreia (not verified) on Sun Oct 21, 2007 07:38 AM PDT

I do not want to derail the mainstream discussion but I think religion is something that humanity carried by herself right from th ebeginning. Atheism is a form of religion by itself.
My point is that if you mess with someone physically, you see the outcome in a very obvious way. If you mess with someone's belief, the effect is usually far graver and the outcome may not be easily linked.

One may be able to detach few loosely attached believers but you will also harden badly the masses when a belief comes under attack. There's always a reason for war, but never a reasonableone. It's always to secure something that belongs to someone else. PreEmptive attack is the most unreasonable and perverted reason that one can come up with.

Unless you are looking for full blown confrontation, why would you want to demean someones belief? My point is all we need for peace is TOLERANCE and RESPECT within a civil society and among the nations and religions.

Peace for all humanity;

TO: masoudA

First of all I am neither your brother nor your sister. Second of all you seem to be under the belief as you have written to your friend Austin that the Iranians are waiting for the bombs to drop on their heads so that they can get the "Mullahs" out! What kind of a twisted logic is this? Are you interviewing 75,000,000 people to determine whether they would love to be killed so that the wonderful U.S.A can liberate them from the Mullahs and bring a puppet regime to rule over them. There are no types of "smart bombs" with GPS that can figure out if you are a Mullah or an innocent civilian. Bombs do not discriminate between the innocent women, children, the poor, the rich, the Mullah or anyone else.

I can assure you that seeing what has happened in Iraq and Afghanistan the Iranian people do not want to face the same destiny, so please keep your self-serving advice to yourself, and do not attempt to be the savior of the Iranian people by having your masters throw their bombs on my mother land and countrymen/countrywomen so that they can be killed. For now, they are safe, more than I can say for the Iraqis or the Afghanis. Any Iranian who welcomes the Zionists, and the U.S.A. to attack Iranian soil is a traitor and an enemy of Iran. I doubt any true Iranian would ever wish that.

By the way were the hell have you been. Iranians have been fighting for their rights in Iran. In fact they would prefer that we do not meddle in their business, and have the U.S. provide $75million dollars to traitor Iranians so that they can bring about a "velvet revolution" to appease the United States and the Zionist State of Israel. In fact what the U.S. has done is exactly to the detriment of the Iranian people. It has increased Gov. crack down on civil liberties of the people.

I know the U.S. doesn't give a damn how many Iranians have to be killed before it steals the oil and pillages the country for its own interest. The evidence is clear, 1 million Iraqi deaths and 2 million refugees are meaningless for the U.S. As far as the U.S. is concerned the entire population can go, so long as they have their claws on the oil.

So please, keep your great advice for yourself while you are living outside of Iran. Whenever you are sitting in Iran, and are waiting for the bombs to fall on your head, then let's see what you have to say. The Mullahs will protect themselves they are a hell of lot more clever than you give them credit for, it is the people who will suffer. But I don't think you give a damn, because I don't think you are Iranian? You and the likes of you have infiltrated this forum, like many other Zionists and your aim is to distract the attention of readers by making stupid comments.

To Arab Zadehez and Islam lovers!

To Arab Zadehez and Islam lovers!
by Anonymous234 (not verified) on Sun Oct 21, 2007 07:58 PM PDT

To: Arab Lover!!!

It appears I brought up memories of your family being anally loved by your fellow muslim arabs! I know you want more, so what are you waiting for - contact your local mosque. I am sure they will love you like the arab did after Quadeseyeh!

My family served in the Iran-Iraq war and only if you knew how many Persian women were captured and raped by the Iraqis. You scum arab lover! Payback is a bitch in Iraq!

Now, go name your kids ali, mohammad, hussien, hassan, shit, crap and lovely names of the ones who raped your land! Be proud...LOL!

George Bush Love Khamenei

George Bush loves Khamenei.
That is why Ahmadinejad was allowed to speak at Columbia U.
And Senator Clinton has said she will have direct talks.
You are all being fooled.

To Ari - Ariana

Labeling and namecalling aside - you seem to be one of the ignorants on this subject.  You seem to not have complete information on what is taking place.   My dear brother;

1- You say you don't want to see Iran turn into Afghanistan or Iraq !! you seem not have a full handle on what has actualy been taking place in Iran over the last quarter of century.   Judiciary is in the hands of criminals - police and theives are partners,..... need I say more ?   Think death of logic, defeat of sanity,........

2- If you are an Iranain, you have every right to participate in what happens in Iran - no matter where you live.   In fact those who live outside Iran can have a much bigger impact, because they do not live under the totalitarian oppressive mullahs. 

3- You call NIAC an anti war group - well that shows you have no clue what NIAC is all about.   As the so called president of the National !! Iranian American Council, about 2 months agao, Mr. Trita Parsi (not his birth name) represented you and I, in a hearing in front of US Congress, barking at them making Ahmadinejad like bluffs beating the drum wars, with virtualy no concern for Iran.   

To Ari - Ariana

Labeling and namecalling aside - you seem to be one of the ignorants on this subject.  You seem to not have complete information on what is taking place.   My dear brother;

1- You say you don't want to see Iran turn into Afghanistan or Iraq !! you seem not have a full handle on what has actualy been taking place in Iran over the last quarter of century.   Judiciary is in the hands of criminals - police and theives are partners,..... need I say more ?   Think death of logic, defeat of sanity,........

2- If you are an Iranain, you have every right to participate in what happens in Iran - no matter where you live.   In fact those who live outside Iran can have a much bigger impact, because they do not live under the totalitarian oppressive mullahs. 

3- You call NIAC an anti war group - well that shows you have no clue what NIAC is all about.   As the so called president of the National !! Iranian American Council, about 2 months agao, Mr. Trita Parsi (not his birth name) represented you and I, in a hearing in front of US Congress, barking at them making Ahmadinejad like bluffs beating the drum wars, with virtualy no concern for Iran.   

To: Ahmadreza

Ahmadreza, you are really an ignorant fool!! You are obviously quite obsessed and angered by my name being called ARI. You continue to refer to it as being a proud name, and that it should not be used by the likes of “US”. You now state that the name ARI stands for LION in HEBREW. SO WHAT!! I DON’T GIVE A DAMN WHAT IT STANDS FOR IN ANY RELIGION ETC. To respond to your anxiety that seems to be making you go wild and out of control, my name is ARIANA, a PERSIAN name but for your information even Ariana is a very common name and is used by people from different nationalities, and is not exclusively IRANIAN/PERSIAN. However, for short I am called ARI! More importantly, it is also none of your or anyone else’s business what peoples names are. This is funny and so hypocritical of you to be judging people by their name.

Your comments prove one thing; your real name is not Ahmadreza (an Arabic/Muslim name). Furthermore, your obsession with my name as being Hebrew, demonstrates that you are a Jewish Zionist. Otherwise, no other Iranian would ever get so obsessed with someone’s name being called ARI. I also doubt that you are an Iranian, as even true Iranian nationalist Jews who consider Iran their homeland and not Israel, also understand the difference between Zionism and Judaism. I am definitely not anti-Semitic far from it. But if you like labeling people as such, you are free to do so. I have no need to prove my beliefs to you!

However, you have lost sight over what I was stating, and got stuck in the NAME, what an unintelligent person you are. Let me tell you something, regime change will only happen by the will and demand of the people living in Iran, and not by foreigners or dissident Iranians like ourselves who are not living in Iran. Who the hell are we to determine what type of regime Iranians should have for themselves? However, as for me and other true Iranian nationalists WE WILL NEVER ALLOW 1953 to occur again!! You may want your masters to pick a puppet regime for the Iranian people. I want a regime chosen by the Iranian people and not by foreigners, or imposed upon them by foreign pressure, as is the current plan by the U.S. and the neocons.

Foreigners have never had the best interest of the Iranian people in mind. Their entire interest is to keep Iranians servants, while they pillage the resources of our mother land, and keep our people slaves to the master. DO YOU NOT SEE WHAT HAS HAPPENED IN IRAQ? THE IRAQI PUPPET REGIME can’t even chose who they can dish out their oil contracts to. The Iraqi Gov. and the Iraqi people have no say about their form of government, while the U.S. Senate passes a bill to partition their country? The Iraqi people are far worse off than they were under Saddam!! They have no water, no electricity, their country is destroyed, their ancient museums and artifacts pillaged and destroyed. The U.S. has created the largest embassy in the world, which is like a city in the center of Baghdad. And while the Americans can live in luxury in the “green zone”, the Iraqis have no home, have no security, no food, and have no say. Where was the democracy that the U.S. was supposed to bring to liberate the Iraqis?

I do not want to see Iran turned into another Iraq or Afghanistan?? As such, if I have to protest, I will and it is none of your business. You can sit here and beg the U.S. to go in and push for regime change so that we can have your Ahmad Chalabi’s to come to power, or another puppet. I won’t. Simple. And how I feel, or what I will do to prevent such a catastrophe not fall upon the Iranian people is none of your business. Do you understand what I am saying or do you like Austin Powers need a translator? I think Austin seems more intelligent than you, whoever the hell you are!

By the way, if I want to support CASMII, NIAC, MOVEON.ORG, or any other anti-war movement, I will and it is none of your business. You can also blame these organizations for being pro Mullah, and pro IRI, which they are not. The simple reason that they say no war and sanctions has nothing to do with being pro IRI. What an idiotic statement!

Once again, start using your crude language to attack everyone who is anti-war. However, you have no credibility with intellectuals. Preach to the ignorant......

Dear Austin

I agree with all your points - except for one.   Majority of Iranians are aware of the gravity of the situation.   The unarmed helpless population, which was in fact occupied in 1978 - is at a point they wish for the bombs to fall - so the survivors can live a "mullah free" life.   I suggest you read the book "A case for Democracy" by Natan Sharansky - in it he describes very well what the population turns into after years of totalitarian rule.    I assure you - Iranians are smarter than to be content with this evil theocracy - and do consider any military or non-military actions by the international community as efforts to save them.  

One more note - In an effort to save their butts, the Islamic republic is spending millions of Dollars on the so called "Anti War" campaign.   The Mullahs PR funds covers a wide range of areas, from publishing "Anti-Bush" or "let's talk to Iran" articles in newspapers, to having 20 year old college students herd-up  in forums like this to spread mullah propaganda.   Iran is the heart of sanity in the middle east - with the Persian Culture being the grace saving manking from the Islamic Fanatics.  

One last note - the last thing Islamic Fanatics believe in is God or Islam.