The rest is history

Video on Iran-U.S. ties and the need for real diplomacy


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The rest is history
by Lalé Shahparaki Welsh
11-Feb-2008
 

It is now a matter of public record (Library of Congress 2003) that in 1953, the United States violently intervened in Iran by ousting the democratically elected government of Mohammad Mossadegh and installing the shah's military regime. This backfired spectacularly in 1979 when religious militants gained power through the revolution and 52 U.S. diplomats were taken hostage.

That's when many Iranian Americans, started getting hot under the collar, many Iranians (not all--some were just trying to get an education) had already left to get away from the increasingly oppressive conditions of the Shah's regime, but were now held in contempt for the behavior of these new hostage takers. The rest is history. Fascinating, ongoing, seemingly endless history.

www.Justforeignpolicy.org has released a new Web video on Iran that shows the dangers of an armed U.S. intervention and the need for real diplomacy. Veteran New York Times correspondent Stephen Kinzer, retired General Robert Gard, Iranian-American scholar Trita Parsi, and USA Today reporter Barbara Slavin explain the need for the United States today to use real diplomacy instead of military force in its relationship with Iran.

This video complements the national Folly of Attacking Iran Tour – which, by all accounts, is already receiving an enthusiastic response on the West Coast. The 22 city book signing tour which started in LA Feb. 7th features Stephen Kinzer, former New York Times foreign correspondent and award-winning author of "All The Shah's Men" and his latest book "Overthrow". The tour coincides with a new publication of his book with a new foreword, the "Folly of Attacking Iran."

Kinzer is accompanied on this tour by an impressive coterie of fellow speakers ranging from Pulitzer prize winner Christopher Hedges, retired Brig. General John Johns, Senior diplomatic reporter for USA TODAY, Barbara Slavin to NIAC president, Trita Parsi to name just a few.

The San Francisco book signing will take place today (Monday Feb. 11th) 7:00 pm at Grace Cathedral in the Nave, 1100 California St. at Taylor St. The San Francisco panel discussion will feature Stephen Kinzer, Barbara Slavin, and Reese Erlich.

See their site for other city tour dates.

Regardless of your opinion of religious clerics or the Shah's regime, you must agree that war rarely solves problems and benefits only an infinitesimal few. Word of mouth is the best way to mobilize more Americans against war with Iran. By watching and sharing the video, you help it gain momentum on Web sites like YouTube. The people at Just Foreign Policy ask that you visit their site and take action by signing a letter to ask your Representative and your Senators to oppose military threats, promote diplomacy. Take Action now.


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andreea360

What`s the deal with the

by andreea360 on

What`s the deal with the war over Iran? I don`t get it! We are not in an old era now, doest the U.S. want to conquer all the world? Don`t they have a idea about the damage that they did till now?

_______________
Debt Negotiation

 


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Please read Samir Amin who

by cpu (not verified) on

Please read Samir Amin who recently

Samir Amin who recently argued that political Islam is aligned with imperialism.

Most islamic movements are surprisingly skewed in their economic outlook against the very (usually poor) popular base that supports them. And many would cut a deal with the Imperialists if given a chance under the rubric "we would do a better job than those you support".

here is a link to Samir Amin's excellent article,

//www.monthlyreview.org/1207amin.htm


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"I am interested in your

by mnh (not verified) on

"I am interested in your country's history and after some previous extensive reading and thought, I have concluded that the Iranian revolution was really masterminded to a greater extent by external forces (US, UK , France), who deliberatly engaged in a mud slinging campaign against the Shah in the late 1970's. They supported Khomeini against him, because they couldnt stand seeing Iran making significant strides forward, eventually being a modernised and westernised strong power and regional player, classic issue of betrayal in international politics.

I think the Shah had very good intentions for Iran, but could have done more to alleviate poverty (social programs) and develop the rural countryside, and shoudnt have spent so much on millitary hardware in 1970s, this would have taken the wind out of the sails of the extremists. However he wasnt a bloodthirsty dictator, but an autocratic monarch who knew that a developing country must first get solid foundation before anything else follows, just like Communist China is doing today (or since 1980) - that makes sense.

You know people in every country can be manipulated as sad as its seems, even in a democracy, because they do not think as critical individuals , but look blindley to leaders and act emotionally, abandoning reason and moderation in its wake...the Iranian revolution showed that very clearly ..... the people wanted someone parochial promising heaven on earth ( but delivering hell on earth) to lead them and werent even willing to give an intelligent and well edcuated man like Dr Shapor Baktiar a chance to govern, yes their .Ironically , and with hindsight some people in your country now look back with regret , and think the Shah regardless of mistakes done wasnt so bad after all, what an irony or may be just plain human nature !

Sooner or later this anachronistic islamic regime will collapse against the tide of secularism (or via US military intervenrtion) sweeping Iran, just hope all mullas get summary execution along with it when it happens!."


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Mossadeq

by observer (not verified) on

Here we go again. The common misconception is that we had "democracy" before. That Mossadeq's government was "elected".Wrong on both counts. We did not have democracy in 1953 and Mossadeq was not elected. In fact the constitution called for the "appointment" of the prime minister by the Shah with the approval of Majlis. What I fail to understand is the Islamic Republic's(and its advocates') continuing insistence on pushing Mossadeq's cause; as though the mullahs have ever cared for him and for a more or less secular form of government.


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"Former KGB agent and Soviet

by Anonymous3 (not verified) on

"Former KGB agent and Soviet defector Yuri Bezmenov explains how the KGB worked from within American universities to demoralize our society in a generation."

The manufacturing of "useful idiots:" a first-hand explanation of how and why they did it, Willi Münzenberg's old weapons of the Cold War are still working.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wqlg3Z3ilWs

The Revenge of Marxism

//www.globalpolitician.com/22499-multicultura...


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Kinser is a fiction writer

by Anonymous3 (not verified) on

Kinser is a fiction writer (using anectodes as facts and using agenda-driven anonymous sources) who had to become journalist to get paid. He has no credibility as a scholar. Where is his book on Iran prior to Pahlavis? Where is his book on History of Clergies iron grip on economic and social power on Iran for the past 1000 years before Pahlavis stripped them of their undeserved power?

Journalist become journalist not just because they want to inform the public, not just factually but philosophically. They demand not merely that their "facts" be accepted without question (though a great many of those are in fact highly questionable), but their judgment and worldview be uncritically accepted as well. They want us not just to take their word as regards their somewhat dubious area of expertise -- reportage of facts -- but they want us to also accept their take, their spin, their belief in how the world works-- and how it should work.

All of these arguments about the need for reporters to report facts are dishonest. Journalist become journalist to shape (and mislead) public opinion in ways they find best for the public good. These people did not get into journalism, after all, to report on 3M's quarterly earnings advisory. They got into journalism to change things in their own worldview.
leveraging their entirely-unrelated qualifications to collect and disseminate raw information into a role they actually desire and feel they are worthy of-- a certified, credentialed priesthood of general wisdom, weighing in expertly on matters of politics, scientific and technological ethical dilemmas, foreign policy and of course military strategy, etc. They conceive themselves as Generic Universal Omniscient All-In-One Experts Without Portfolio, a highly-trained Vanguard of Information which is especially well-equipped to tell the public not only what the facts are, but which facts are important and which should be ignored entirely due to their capacity to "mislead" less highly-trained citizens, and what the public should think of such facts and what conclusions they should draw from them.

No one -- no one -- ever got into the media to report on local car collisions or new and exciting federal farm subsidies.

What they got into the media to do was to tell people how and what to think, and its that prerogative of the Intellectual Aristocracy, and not the unglamorous business of information collection, collation, and dissemination, that they're crying about losing.

Note that they do not dare actually state their belief that they are specially qualified to do the thinking for the American public. They can't say such a thing. The public would laugh at their presumption -- some idiots went to a one year finishing school (and not a particularly academically demanding one besides) and now they have the special privilege of deciding what the public should think about each and every issue?

The rest of don't give a whit how steeply-discounted their dubious expertise is offered -- we didn't subcontract our thinking to them and it will be an unseasonably cold day in hell when America complies with their demands to concede that they alone are capable of doing the intellectual work of democratic governance.

And seriously? Not to harp on this, but really, guys. It's a frigging three semester degree of recent invention and dubious academic rigor. Get over yourselves already, for the love of all that's holy. You're embarrassing yourselves.

You know what you call a guy who couldn't get into med school?

Dentist.

You know what you call a guy who couldn't get into dental school?

Journalist.

I'm sorry, but it's about time you collectively took a more realistic look at yourselves and your ranking in the intellectual/academic pecking order. Graduates of the Kennedy School of Government are dime a dozen in DC, but every single one of them -- every single one -- has more policy-wonkery training and much better policy-analysis credentials than you.

//ace.mu.nu/archives/237750.php


Sohrab_Ferdows

To Daryush

by Sohrab_Ferdows on

Iran needs a true representatives of the people to engage in a dialogue and not the butchers who have been looting the nation for the past 29 years and now seek guarantees for the continuity of their corrupt system by getting American oil companies involved in Iran. What kind of benefit did Iranian people have during the last few decades in which Islamic regime had good relations and god business with Europeans and every other nation  in the world other than US?

Deterioration of economy and general condition of people's lives during last 29 years which the corrupt Islamic regime in Iran enjoyed good relations with European nations and shared looting of national wealth with them is a clear proof that dialogue and relation with United States will certainly work for the benefit of the system and against our national interests at this time. Traitors are those who distort the facts with big lies to mislead people in accepting their biased views. The size of the portion of Iranian society which has been bellow poverty continuously grew during all these times as corrupt leaders are investing Iran's national wealth on useless and obsolete technologies and terrorist activities and also, fattening their personal bank accounts or real state businesses in Canada and elsewhere. The relations and dialogue with United States is in fact dialogue with big oil companies to share more looting rather than working in direction of people's prosperity that they have been stripped of by Islamic leaders through out last 29 years.

 Shameless propagators of this corrupt system should first explain where did the $160 billions of oil revenue has gone during last three years and then come and talk about dialogue! Why Iran has about $100 billions in foreign debt after more that $1000 billions of revenue during last 29 years? and this is while Iran had $0 foreign debt in 1979, when these looters came to power, and $tens of billions in foreign banks as hard currency and at the same time, many nations in the world, inclusing some Europeans and Israel, owed us $billions for the loans they have received! Shame on liars and those who serve and propagate the system which has driven our nation into such misery.


Anonymous4now

Dariush

by Anonymous4now on

You are one of the most misguided people on this site.  Do you believe, for a minute, that meaningful negotiations and a relationship can be established with the IRI that is void of kheymeh shab bazi?  Have you forgotten the 444 days of negotiations over the American hostages, or the more recent “negotiations” over the nuclear issue?  Do you, for one minute, really believe that the IRI will go into a relationship with the West, for the benefit of the Iranian society and people?  They have had 30 years to demonstrate their good will towards the Iranian population and have failed miserably.  The IRI has looted the nation’s wealth for the khodies and their mercenaries in Lebanon, left Iran a destitute country with unemployment and inflation, addiction and prostitution.  They have resorted to every kind of atrocity known to mankind, to suppress opposition and ensure their own survival.  Their single minded concern has been to brain wash children to bring up a generation of khodies to ensure the regimes survival.  How is a relationship with the West that would, in your mind, encourage reform, going to guarantee their survival?  Wouldn’t reform mean the death sentence for them?  You may believe you can fool others, but at least be honest with yourself. 

Why should America, after 30 years of humiliation, extend a hand to the IRI?  Why not expect the IRI to cut down on rhetoric, and if they can tolerate reform, to express readiness for negotiations, with the West?       


Anonymous4now

Well said Sohrab jan:

by Anonymous4now on

Stephen Kinzer, in his own book, admits he had no idea who Mossadegh was, until he had a one hour discussion with an Iranian woman in a party.  In the next two years, he acquired all the knowledge he professes to have about Mossadegh, by examining documents in the library of Congress.  Shame on those Iranians who have made this shallow manifesto on Mossadegh their standard reference text.  

 

The very left, that wants to hide behind a bigger than life Mossadegh, had set him up so that if he succeeded to drive the Brits out by getting close to Americans he would be known as a servant of imperialism, replacing one, England, with another, America.  If in one brief moment, he had placed himself above politics and accepted the World Bank deal for oil, Iran would be a different country today, although one never knows what shameful and treacherous games the left would have played, in response, to betray Iran.

 

I wish all the misguided people of Iran had the courage Iraj Mesdaghi displays in his article:

//iranian.com/main/2008-65

to fess up to their own mistakes and start a new perspective, void of contortions, and self and public deceit.   


Daryush

Those who are afraid of dialogue

by Daryush on

Those who are afraid of dialogue have something to hide. They must have a hidden agenda. Those who are against dialogue with Iran are the true traitors, since they don’t want the possibilities of benefits that a good relations could bring to Iran. The regime could be pressured through talks to reform for the sake of existence (or whatever else. At least with the talks the regime won't have anymore excuses), you would never know the possibilities if you don’t try. If you don’t have a dialogue, you are in the dark and you haven't tried. As simple as that!
Look at the situation today and see what “type” of groups and organizations within any countries are “against” dialogue with Iran, and you get my drift. Know thy enemy well!


Darius Kadivar

FYI/IRI TV series:Shah, Dr. Mossadegh and Kashani in Iranian TV

by Darius Kadivar on

A Bio Epic on the Mossadegh Years but through the eyes of the current Islamic Republic's Propaganda TV:

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IV9x1Hs7oI&feature=related

It seems Dr. Mossadegh's image and legacy seems to be claimed on his behalf by everyone these days. I wonder why ?

Is it the Winds of Change that are blowing in Iran's political Arena ?

Only Time will say.


Sohrab_Ferdows

Same old baseless stories all over again!

by Sohrab_Ferdows on

Considering this material as "history" is like believing in fairy tale! For people like Steven Kinzer and Trita Parsi, this is all "business" and nothing else! one wants to sell his book and get rich with a new James Bond story and the other is in competition with people like Hushang Amir-ahmadi to make his $millions by getting American oil giants involved in the business in Iran!

 

I agree that war is bad and especially in this case, a military attack on Iran by a government which was directly involved in bringing this backwarded system to our country is absolutely bad for Iranian people. But using this argument to justify the nonsense which is sold by the likes of Steven Kinzer and Trita Parsi is purely rubish!

 

The image of late Dr. Mosadegh has been taken advantage of by many opportunists since more than 50 years ago and many have tried to make a hero of him to hide themselves behind that heroic image and have a free ride! Late Dr. Amini told the old leaders of Jebhe Melli once to go and open their own business (dokkaan) if they can because "Jebhe Melli" was business of late Dr. Mosadegh! This game has become too ridiculous and seeing someone like Trita Parsi and Steven Kinzer speaking of legacy of Dr. Mosadegh is more like a joke! Those who know the truth about recent history of Iran and are aware of documents of CIA know it very well that an event of such magnitude can not fit in such a scale to be covered in 40 page documents of CIA about their so-called covert operation (which clearly speaks of failure) in Iran while they have a 400 page document for apparently similar event in Guatemala which never had one hundredth of importance for western interests as Iran has!

 

Late Dr. Mosadegh was no hero but he was definitely a patriotic person like many others who had his own strenghts and weaknesses! he made some mistakes as others did and now some useless figures try to make a tool of his legacy to make business for themselves and justify their own nonsense! Eenough of this nonsense and enough LIES! Thes people can repeat name of Mosadegh a million more time but that will not make them anything better than they really are which is just FAKES with no credit!


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Dear Arezu...

by Anonymous for Arezu (not verified) on

Arezu, What happened to your palestinian cause that should overshadow the misery of people of iran and shipping of their wealth to your arab friends?

Arezu, Never mind iran, please focus on your palestinian cause that matters most only.

Arezu, Please don't allow your prime objective be disrupted by such insignificant matters like daily oppression of iranians by arab-lovers of IRI.


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Arezu the Lunatic is Back!

by Anonymous1974b (not verified) on

Hey long time no see and hear Arezu divaneh. Remember when I exposed how nutty you were? Did you finally go and see a therapist? You and Nazi Urlich are back again.


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Thank you for this video

by Arezu (not verified) on

Dear Ms. Welsh:

Thank you for posting this video. It is definitely a reminder for all Iranian patriots and peace loving Americans that the only way to resolve disputes is through dialogue without any preconditions.

We need peace in this world, not more bombs, and destruction.

The memory of Dr. Mossadeq lives with us forever. A true nationalist, a progressive thinker and true lover of Iran.


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Mama- Why the cursing you ask?

by Ladeen (not verified) on

Because you need some medication. Every time someone writes something you don't like, you start with your semetic rants. If you do not like jews, that is your problem. Take it on a jewish website. there are plenty of Iranian Muslims who feel that Iran is a danger to world Peace. No one likes to see their country attacked but you are a lunatic about it. You have made you fucking point that the jews are scum, bloodsuckers blah blah blah..... If you have nothing new to say than go Jagh bezan.


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Why the curses?

by mama (not verified) on

Ladeen, why are you so angry and cursing at me? All I said was let Iranians in Iran decide and do what they think is the best including getting rid of IRI.

If you are an Iranian you may disagree with me but why are you so enraged? Is it because you don’t give a rat’s ass about Iran and Iranians? Is it because you belong somewhere else


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MAMA

by Ladeen (not verified) on

Dear MAMA, When the US bombs IRAN, I will be watching it on CNN and hoping to see your coskesh, madar jendeh IRI loving ass bombed to shreds. Cosseh nanat, kharkoseh. Even though I am muslim, I am seriously considering on giving some money to AIPAC.


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Why

by mama (not verified) on

Why is this site deleting my posts when I expose the atrocities of Semitic vermin from Israel?
Why do you instead allow people to advocate bombing Iran so Israel can take over the Mideast? And you consider that ok but my comments about ridding the world of the Semitic parasite are not ok?

My mother and whole family live in Iran. If anybody starts bombing Iran, I’ll be there. Where will you be?

I would say f**k Israel and its Semitic people and let Iranians fix Iran and get rid of IRI.


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War is Actually very good sometimes

by Anonymous Lover of Iran (not verified) on

Dear Ms. Welsh,

War is actually very good and necessary sometimes. Look at Japan and Germany. If the USA gets rid of the garbage for the Iranians, then maybe Iranians will finally have a chance at a true democracy. You see, some nations, such as Iran, need to have their asses kicked to realize their true potential.

I just hope that when the US bombs the hell out of Iran, this Mama character is there to witness it and perhaps meet his ultimate demise.

Additionally, I see that us Iranians have a habit of going back to 1953 and blame everything on 1953. This is just pure lunacy (we are a little OGHDEYEE about it) and often fail to evaluate the events through a global perspective (such as you do). There was a cold war going on in 53 and 79. Iran was just one of the casualties of the cold war. Mossadegh did not play his cards right and to blame everything on the Americans is foolish. Iranians are ultimately to blame for all of this.


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Are we censoring?

by mama (not verified) on

Why are my anti-Semitic posts deleted from here?


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//iranianlobby.com/ Expo

by IRanian Regime Lobby in U.S. (not verified) on

//iranianlobby.com/

Exposing Iranian regime's lobby in U.S.

I wholeheartedly believe that a US war against Iran will be a catastrophe of unbelievable dimensions. It equally troubles me to see that Tehran's lobbyists and ayatollahs' advocates disguise their patronage for mullahs as anti-war pursuit. Their disinformation campaign is bringing us to the brink of a war they pretend they aim to deter. Iranian people have been in a constant struggle for more than 30 years to free themselves from the ruling theocratic regime. Iran's ayatollahs, while unable to respond to the social, economic or political needs of the society, have mastered all possible tools to stay in power. Continue

2003 Grand Bargain and Trita Parsi
December 20, 2007

Iran's 2003 Grand Bargain Offer: Secrets, Lies, and Manipulation

In the past year, Iran has emerged as the main concern for United States foreign policy. In the aftermath of Iraq war, the United States is blamed for not pursuing diplomatic means in dealing with Iran. Much is said and written about the lost opportunity of dialogue and settling differences with Iran in 2003.

The "grand bargain" offered by Iran and rejected by US, The missed opportunity to resolve the nuclear impasse. The prospect to coexist with the theocratic regime of Iran. The chance to bring stability to Iraq and peace to the Middle East.

While there have been a large number of articles about the US's disregard toward the Iranian offer, a thorough examination of Iranian intentions and the possibility of a manipulative misinformation campaign led by Tehran has been conspicuously absent. Continue

//iranianlobby.com/


Parham

To ,,,, (I wish you'd chosen a better moniker!)

by Parham on

Thanks for the article. Although it's debatable whether the US has a REAL democracy (in the true sense of the form), perhaps you want to say we don't have the pre-requisites for a SUSTAINABLE democracy. Please keep in mind that the real democracy, we've achieved twice already in the course of our recent history.
But even the point about not having the pre-requisites for a sustainable democracy would be debatable too... You'd have to bring a lot of arguments to the table to prove your point, and then again, would you be able to prove it? You know, as long as there's hope, there's a solution. It's when you take away the possibility that things get to a stalemate. My 2 Papasis.


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oh my God, Trita Parsi is

by Anonymous000 (not verified) on

oh my God, Trita Parsi is not an Iranian-American. He is Iranian-Swedish and he has zero credibility.


Darius Kadivar

Let's Give Trita and NIAC a Chance But ... ;0)

by Darius Kadivar on

 

Your initiative is well intentioned and I think you truly deserve to be given a chance to be listened to and offer your practical solutions to a peaceful resolution of the current Iran US crisis.

HOWEVER:

Simply don't forget those who may not have the same lecture of the History of Contemporary Iran and the Revolution as You "experts" but who alas are no more with us...

Fereydoun Farrokhzad:

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSPiOR2Y0_o

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhKeTajPeBk&feature=related 

Shapour Bakhtiar :

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMvWKRtbs9A

Bakhtiar comments on Ayatollah Khomeiny's Arrival:

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqRuCrCbp_k&feature=related

My Humble Opinion,

DK

 


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What the hell is.....

by Kurdish warrior (not verified) on

Even though we all agree on CIA and British intelligent involvements for overthrowing Mossadeq, what I don't understand is what the hell is Trita Parsi doing in this video. He is nothing but a traitor and pro IRI gent who advocates dialogue with this regime. America should air strike the IRI's and Basij's facilities so that the rest of Iranians (Kurds, Baluch, Fars and Azeri's) take an active role and fight the government with bullets from within. We've done it with our tongues and we've got nowhere.


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Lalé Shahparaki Welsh

by insider (not verified) on

I wish you had some historical and political knowledge of what you are writing about. you clearly not cognizant of who treata parsi, goli ameri, hoshang Amirahmadi and reza aslan, etc are. This gang of traitors are merely lobbies for the mullahs in Iran and the enemies of are land. in the future Iran These traitors will have to stand in front of the brave Iranian masses and answer for their crimes. I advise you not to stand with these outlaws. for those who ride with outlaw will be jugged like an outlaws. please stay out of politic since you don't have the aptitude. Thank you.


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Why are comments on this site randomly sensored???

by Mani321 (not verified) on

Funny how old habits are hard to lose, even as an expat. I sometimes note my opinion on various issues on this site (with a refrain from personal attacks or insults). Yet I see later that the edit-nazis of Iranian.com deleted my comments simply because they disliked my position. Anyone else having the same experience on this site? Any reason for this (other than old Iranian 3rd world habits of censorship)?


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History lesson...

by Hooman H (not verified) on

Those who do not heed the lessons of history are doomed to repeat it. Lale jan: thank you for posting this. I hope, however, that one day we Iranians will have the courage to blame ourselves for this sorry episode in our history. The British and the Americans wanted this to happen, but let's not forget that Iranians executed their will. If every Iranian gets up tomorrow, looks in the mirror, and said that it X is my fault, and I am going to fix it, the country would become a paradise. I wonder if we will ever get there.


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US confirms upcoming talks

by ghf (not verified) on

US confirms upcoming talks with Iran on Iraq

//news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080211/pl_afp/usiran...