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Give violence a chance!
05-Apr-2011
Strangest things can happen in your local Middle Eastern market in America. I was pushing my shopping cart down the aisle while glancing at fast-moving images of the Libyan uprising on CNN. A few Arab men had huddled around the TV, quietly watching as events unfolded.
As I turned my attention back to my shopping list, I noticed a Libyan acquaintance, standing by the pickle section, carefully studying the labels. Hoping for a quick getaway, I looked the other way and moved swiftly past him.
“You Persians are bunch of pussies,” the Libyan whispered.
“Beg your pardon?!!”
“You Persians should learn to fight... like us. Haven't you been watching TV? That’s how you fight a government... with courage,” The Libyan exclaimed.
“Well, we are trying to keep it non-violent...”
The Libyan interrupted and said, “oh, that’s right. I forgot. You are fighting the British Empire.”
Back in the car, I pondered over the conversation I had with the Libyan. I figured the man, in his crude, barbaric way, was trying to make an important point.
Nowadays, it’s hard to miss debates among diaspora Iranian intellectuals about justifications for non-violent resistance. While Arabs are grabbing all the headlines, the Iranian freedom movement has gone unnoticed by major western news organizations. This is not sitting well with Iranian experts in US and Europe whose five-minute TV spots on CNN, FOX, BBC and MSNBC have gone to their Arab counterparts.
Arabs are grabbing all the headlines for two simple reasons: They seem to be more engaged and aggressive in their fight against their governments (some as brutal as IRI) … and it’s good ratings for 24-hour news networks to show people who actually engage in street battles against heavily armed security forces. It happens that bravery is good TV.
While watching an Iranian satellite news program the other day, I heard the guest thanking Iranian demonstrators for their passive resistance and allowing security forces to attack and beat them. The guest applauded people for their “patience and tolerance.”
Flashing a big smile, the gentleman who, like you and me, is far removed from the action, told the host that, “legitimacy of the movement will be magnified when videos of brutal beatings surface on YouTube!” In a sense, the gentleman was proposing that as Iranian people get their asses handed to them, YouTube-watching nerds fall more and more in love with them! Well, this formula lost its usefulness a long time ago.
Iranian intellectuals don’t seem to understand the difference between acts of violence and self-defense. Every citizen of every country has a right to defend itself against brutality inflicted by its government. And those who discourage people from defending themselves against brutality are irresponsible.
A person who goes out in the street to demand her rights to free speech and equality (with no intentions of instigating destruction or mischief) should be allowed to defend herself against attacks by those who intent to cause bodily harm (notice I used “her” instead of “him” in the sentence because I believe that Iranian women have bigger balls than the men. But that’s a discussion for some other time).
Acts of self-defense bring order to chaos for people and chaos to order for the government. It brings people together for a common cause. It organizes masses and gives them purpose. The government thugs think twice before raising their hands on people. The officials fear people who are determined to defend themselves. People will start trusting each other again. The Iranian freedom movement will flourish and will gain the support of massive labor movement and lower middle class and the poor. Active resistance turns confusion to cohesion.
The news of university students assaulted by thugs will bring hundreds of thousands to the rescue. A woman harassed by security forces out in the street will unleash collective acts of self-defense by all those who witness the act. Passive resistance and standing on the sideline will give way to enthusiasm and active participation.
Make no mistake about it. Iranian people are no pushovers. The acts of self-defense displayed during last year’s Ashura demonstrations rattled the regime to the point of self-destruction. People’s resistance and street battles with security forces during that two-day period brought such disarray to the regime that Mousavi and Karroubi saw no alternative but to pull the rug from under people’s feet.
At the end of the day, the Iranian people need to answer this question: are we going to continue playing the role of sacrificial lamb for politicians who want to legitimize their questionable pasts or are we going to push back.
Now you perhaps are thinking here goes another expat sitting at home, telling the people inside of Iran what to do. And my answer to you is... yes I am.
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Sorry VPK: Let me try again.
by alimostofi on Wed Apr 13, 2011 04:10 AM PDTSorry VPK: Let me try again. The Barbarians themselves are a unit. They are connected along bonds. Those bonds are what they think is the new order or their system of trust. Barbarian trust is built with elements of threat and violence. How many gangster movies have you seen that the head gangster threatens to kill the other members. So if you create a unity of Iranians based on violence then you would be the same. George Orwell Animal Farm. //en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_von_Clausewitz read about Von Clausewitz. He is talking about war, but you will realize that politics of war is actually war. In war there is only one winner and that is war itself, not The Cause. So you cannot have War as a means to Peace. In Iran we had a war when Khomeini came. Many people joined his crusade, and eventually a peaceful alliance that had united Iranians slowly absorbed them. It is called Noruz. That one day brings the peace we need to hold our peaceful unity and to not kill each other and be like barbarians. I hope that is clearer, but please ask if it isn't. In short non-violent unity recruits more people. As the barbarians' numbers dwindle so will their power. As they begin to listen more so they begin to trust more and join the peaceful unity. Look right now, the Ayatollahs have had to embrace Noruz. They know that the larger society will not deal with them if they don't. Khomeini who wanted to ban Noruz is turning in his grave. So VPK it will take time and killing may be a short term gain like it was for Khomeini, but look he has lost. Like barabarians they are fighting amongst themselves. They are using violence on themselves. And that is The End for them, but they have to write their own epitaph. We just live on.
Ali Mostofi
//www.alimostofi.com
Ali
by Veiled Prophet of Khorasan on Wed Apr 13, 2011 03:20 AM PDTI ask you a simple question and get "safsate va maglateh". Therefore I see no point in this conversation. You do not want to get in a discussion. Just want to have a monologue.
VPK: Oh after all this and
by alimostofi on Tue Apr 12, 2011 04:50 PM PDTVPK: Oh after all this and you ask me the question I get from the kids in the first Bible class. No just kidding. Ask this question? How come we are not all still barabarians? What has changed to make us a little less barbarian? The answer is not what you think. The answer is, not feeling that you need to ask that question as much. Or asking, what is it that prevents me from carrying a gun in the UK compared to US? One word. Trust. We just had a situation just recently when a girl was caught in a gang assault and died. But her family and the rest of the country kept their trust, and kept the peace. We are all human, and we can all establish a network of trust and peace to live with each other, even though there are pockets of outcasts that want to break the peace. Good night.
Ali Mostofi
//www.alimostofi.com
Ali
by Veiled Prophet of Khorasan on Tue Apr 12, 2011 04:21 PM PDTAlright say you have this Utopia. All wonderful and peaceful without any violence. Then a bunch of barbarians decide they want to loot it. What do you propose the Utopia do?
Put aside philosophy and tell me: what do you want them to do? Please give me a direct response as what to do.
VPK: You just repeated
by alimostofi on Tue Apr 12, 2011 02:41 PM PDTVPK: You just repeated yourself using your own emotional reasoning to make an illogical statement. And the statement on Cyrus is wrong. A society is only civilized if it attains power and maintains power peacefully. Sure you can do it violently, but it will be condemned to an everlasting spiral of violence. This is really academic.
Ali Mostofi
//www.alimostofi.com
Ali
by Veiled Prophet of Khorasan on Tue Apr 12, 2011 02:22 PM PDTI have read the Gathas myself more than once. So had Cyrus the Great. He had to use force to conquer. But then he used his wisdom to free enslaved people.
I abhor violence specially when directed towards my kids! No way I would sit back and watch my family hurt and do nothing. That is not being non violent; it is being suicidal and irresponsible. The one thing I dislike more than violence is overly idealistic people. Those on their high horse who lecture others. Then benefit from the sacrifices others make. And complain that others are violent. The "violence" that brought them their security.
There is a difference between instigating violence and self defense. It is easy to sit on your high horse and belittle others. When you are safe thanks to other people's sacrifices. When Iranian defenses failed like against Arabs or Mongols we got slaughtered. No one gave a *** who was "non violent". Read the history of how the Mongols made hills out of heads. I am all for peace but not the peace of death!
A bit of heavy reading
by alimostofi on Tue Apr 12, 2011 11:14 AM PDTThe Good Mind cultivates the value of Tolerance that is needed in management as well as
in daily life. The following words were written in the first treatise of ethic, “The Gathas”
(Jafarey translation, song 13, 7): “Put down fury, check violence, you who wish to
strengthen the promotion of Good Mind through Righteousness, because a progressive man
is associated with this...”
//www.spentamexico.org/v1-n1/1(1)%209a-20a.pdf
Ali Mostofi
//www.alimostofi.com
Utopia
by Paykar on Tue Apr 12, 2011 10:45 AM PDTAli, it seems that you already live in the utopia you promote and desire to establish. It's really impractical trying to save this planet while residing entirely on a different one.
VPK: you are mixing the
by alimostofi on Tue Apr 12, 2011 09:42 AM PDTVPK: you are mixing the personal with the social. Even on a personal level, i can make a very good argument against violent feelings.
Ali Mostofi
//www.alimostofi.com
Violence
by Veiled Prophet of Khorasan on Tue Apr 12, 2011 12:44 AM PDTIs sometimes necessary. We had a discussion in my family. My brother has no children. He was on "high horse" talking about how he would never kill anyone. My uncle who has two kids said: "If anyone tries to harm my daughters I have no problem killing them.".
You see it is easy to talk about non violence. My ex is a real touchy; feely hippy type. But you mess with our kids and she will eat you alive.
alimostofi
by Veiled Prophet of Khorasan on Tue Apr 12, 2011 12:51 AM PDTThere are 70 million Iranians
No! There are many more Iranians. There are at least twice that. Iranians include:
Never forget that just because Gajar idiots lost territory it is not gone. Iran is and will be the "Greater Iran". Past; present and in times to be ...
Paykar: You misunderstood. I
by alimostofi on Mon Apr 11, 2011 11:40 PM PDTPaykar: You misunderstood. I am not talking about opposing. I am talking about unity. There are 70 million Iranians, that are united peacefully along cultural lines, that are thousands of years old. Then you have a bunch of Ayatollahs that are against this. They are the opposition, and the minority, that wants to break us up via violence. They want us to become violent like them. It has nothing to do with turning the other cheek.
Ali Mostofi
//www.alimostofi.com
Really last time?
by Paykar on Mon Apr 11, 2011 07:22 PM PDT"Now is there anyone who really wants to take me on? Sorry for the arrogant tone."
Attempting to fit the world into one's preconceived notions is
idealistic and I congratulate you for it; but it is divorced from
reality of day to day struggle of Iranians against a barbaric regime
that thinks cracking skulls and raping is an appropriate response to
demands of its citizens.
Under current conditions, those who turn their other cheek only perpetuate regime's heavy handed actions.
One last time everybody.
by alimostofi on Mon Apr 11, 2011 12:49 PM PDTOne last time everybody. Violence is not peace. Peace unites people. Violence creates fear which divides people. Now Iranians are secular and in peace with the belief in Noruz and Iranian culture. Anything else including religion and politics divides people. Yes democracy divides people but it is a process that needs a foundation. The foundation is culture. Ok? So we all stand on the same carpet. Now is there anyone who really wants to take me on? Sorry for the arrogant tone.
Ali Mostofi
//www.alimostofi.com
I know violence is not the
by Veiled Prophet of Khorasan on Mon Apr 11, 2011 12:26 PM PDTI know violence is not the answer, it was used before and it failed.
How did it fail a'Molla? The Mollahs burned 400 people alive in Cinema Rex and managed to take power. Is that failure? Violence carried the day last time.
...
by Mola Nasredeen on Mon Apr 11, 2011 10:48 AM PDTPaykar you stated: "Are you making things up?"
1. I don't make things up, I just read some of the blogs and comments more carefully and remember what was said. Then I follow up over the months and years and see how the position of some of the people change here. I've concluded there are a lot of grandstanding, worthless speech and cheap talk when it comes to Iran and the Reform Movement.
2. You ask: " What do you suggest people should do to rid themselves of tyrants".
I know violence is not the answer, it was used before and it failed.
Mola
by Veiled Prophet of Khorasan on Mon Apr 11, 2011 05:11 AM PDTHow do you remember when one of "us" when to Iran? Do you know us? So what if someone whet to Iran and hit the vafoor a few times? That means nothing at all regarding their attitude.
In fact whenever I think of IR I get so depressed I want a drink! Plus my mom told me not to put money in my mouth. It is not very hygienic.
VPK
Mola
by Paykar on Sun Apr 10, 2011 09:50 PM PDTAre you making things up? What do you suggest people should do to rid themselves of tyrants and torturers and rapists? I am giving you benefit of the doubt that you are not a supporter of the regime.
No Siamack Jaan
by David ET on Sun Apr 10, 2011 08:56 PM PDTWe should instead give peace a chance: among the opposition
the rest will come
...
by Mola Nasredeen on Sun Apr 10, 2011 02:51 PM PDTPractice what you preach.
I remember The Last time one of you went to Iran and came back. Instead of going to the streets, protest or throw coctail molotov at the police as he had preached before leaving, he came back with 'fond' memories of his opium smoking sessions, chelokabab eating trips and prostitute picking adventures in Iran.
Put your money where your mouth is as the saying goes. You all sitting in your safe, warm, comfortable homes in the West and advocating the use of violence and destruction for others.
Yes Masta!
Shouting Allah O Akbar
by David ET on Sun Apr 10, 2011 06:40 PM PDTat this stage :
is an act of approval of continuation of Islamic Regime, of one kind of another.
MN
by Paykar on Sun Apr 10, 2011 12:37 PM PDTMola, I go even further. Form small groups and assassinate members of Basij. Kill a bunch of Mullas. Fight with bullets, bars, and stones. That's the short answer.
The Mafia regime is not going to change its brutal suppression because some well-meaning but naive people get on the rooftops and chant allaho Akbar. Rid Iran of Islam forever.
Siamack
by Soosan Khanoom on Sun Apr 10, 2011 12:26 PM PDT" Now you perhaps are thinking here goes another expat sitting at home, telling the people inside of Iran what to do. And my answer to you is... yes I am. "
Yes U R ..... : )
Good point Nasrudin : )
by Soosan Khanoom on Sun Apr 10, 2011 12:23 PM PDT"Nasrudin, Why do always tells us your tales?" inquired a student.
"Well, Why do you always tell people your tales and stories?" Nasrudin replied.
"Dammit Mulla!!! Why do you always answer a question with a question?"
"Do I?"
Hurry up!
by Mola Nasredeen on Sun Apr 10, 2011 12:02 PM PDTBlogger keeps on giving opinions about Iranians and Arabs. He tries to create some kind of competition between them. He sites:
"Arabs are grabbing all the headlines for two simple reasons: They seem to be more engaged and aggressive in their fight against their governments… and it’s good ratings for 24-hour news networks to show people who actually engage in street battles against heavily armed security forces. It happens that bravery is good TV."
the message of the blogger
to the 'masses':
"go to the city centers,
Jump in the middle of the ring
beat up the police.
Mashala!
I'll be watching you
from here, inside a Middle Eastern grocery store in America"
VPK
by Paykar on Sat Apr 09, 2011 09:39 AM PDTI agree with you on all points. It's good to see that you keep on posting regularly and expose the supporters of rape and torture.
p.s. I am forcing myself to tone down my language while addressing these individuals. I must have had the highest percentage of posts removed by owners of this site who claim "nothing is sacred."
Paykar
by Veiled Prophet of Khorasan on Sat Apr 09, 2011 02:15 AM PDTHave you noticed how IR supporters:
Basically they do whatever the blame us of doing.
Joe
by Paykar on Fri Apr 08, 2011 08:19 PM PDT"there are many ways that iranians can communicate their dissatisfaction
with the government and thats nothing like a despotic arab regimes. iran
is established society and government is based on a sophisticated
system, arabs have presidents that never leave."
Wow. Republic of torture and rape is sophisticated system in your view.
You must also believe Charles Manson is the Massia.
How do you figure you have the right to suggest that we have no right to express our opinions because we can't or have not visited Iran in your acceptable time frame?
Reverse Psychology 101
by Mola Nasredeen on Fri Apr 08, 2011 02:05 PM PDT“You Persians are bunch of pussies,” the Libyan whispered.
"Make no mistake about it. Iranian people are no pushovers." Whispered the writer.
His Conclusion: "It's OK to use violence for regime change and you are men and women enough to overthrow IRI violently."
Yes Masta!
Joe L: That comment of yours
by alimostofi on Fri Apr 08, 2011 01:54 PM PDTJoe L: That comment of yours was seriously out of line. Having said that, if you think Iranians are going to go marching into the streets and take on the motorcycles, and win the street combat your are wrong. The reason is that we all know that we all are united and have a peaceful coexistance amongst our selves. In fact it is the different factions of the Islamic Republic that are falling apart and fighting each other. We are watching the Ayatollahs self-destruct. The last thing we need to do is to give them a reason to be united against. Non-violent resistance is based on a higher sense of morality. Iran's culture is a higher morality than Islam. It is that easy. So either you do not know what it mans to be an Iranian outside the world of politics and religion or you just hate Iran. My advice to you is look at how Iranians embraced Noruz in uniformity at exactly the same time, and then peacefully greeted each other for two weeks as they have for thousands of years. This culture has defeated all the aliens who tried to conquer us and then realized what a lovely place it was an became Iranians. We have the okdest an richest culture in the world. Nothing can take us on. So what do you think will actually happen. The monkey in charge of themselves will realize that his rant is not being taken notice by anyone. Already the world press ignores him. He does not make headlines. There is a reason he was kept there, and now they have a new bogey man. Gaddafi is front and centre and the world does not need the Ayatollhs to be the bogey men. Once the US is out of Afghanistan and Iraq, Iran will not be in the headlines for US neocons to use or the military use to get funding. Iran has been used to provide an excuse for oil and arms companies profit from. Now they will have other areas to use.
Ali Mostofi
//www.alimostofi.com