Iranian of the Day

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So sad,

Take out your handkerchiefs.

How sad....

How sad that Mola Felestin doesn't know the difference between a Saassanid warrior and a British knight, but is here day in and day out crying about Palestine and telling us the history of Arab causes going back a 1000 years.

And people wonder why our country is in a shape that it is in now.  It's because of characters like him who are devoid of any sense of national identity and have sold their souls to foreign causes.  

Indeed how sad... 

Funny You Ask Mola Nasredeen Jaan ... ;0))

Cause Everyone is asking the same thing about You and your Like minds on IC !

CAMEL SPOTTING: A Good Camel is an Obedient Camel (pictory) 

LOL 

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What does Nigeria have to do with this thread?

Beside, the news about Nigeria belongs to the news section.

Jallal Khalegh!

FYI/Maiduguri: Nigeria's city of fear

Maiduguri: Nigeria's city of fear (bbc)

No-one in the Nigerian city of Maiduguri knows who to be afraid of most, a group of Islamic militants known as Boko Haram or the police.

The sect, thought to have been eliminated after a brutal uprising in 2009 in which hundreds of people were killed, is back and its members want revenge.

For the past five months they have been fighting a guerrilla war, killing policemen and people they believe helped the security services in the fight against them.

Residents of the city in the far north-east of Nigeria are trapped in the middle and anyone speaking about the sect does so nervously.

Mola

That is not a "Chador". You missed mine as you missed AO's. Just do yourself a favor and get some knowledge. 

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Veiled one,

if you are not an Arab

then why are you wearing an Arab woman veil?

Are you that confused?

Maybe you should take off your veil and breath some fresh air, it may hopefully help you think clearly.

Mola

AO's avatar is Sassanid. I know you have no understanding of Iranian history. But just try. The world did not start with Arabia. Yes, Islam tells you that there was nothing in Iran. But Islam is wrong: the Sassanids had knighs; nobility and far more culture than your people of Arabia.

...

They asked the fox who had raided and killed livestock and denying it:

'who is your witness?'

He answered: 'my tail'

Now these two losers below (AO and the Veiled one) come over to this thread bad mouthing Mr Aslan and write in praise of eachother. What an old worn out joke! Can't you two be a little more original?

AO, the British knight wanna be, (look at his avatar) had just wished for the 'Death' of Mr Aslan.

PS, AO and the Veiled one,  Eat your hearts out. Mr Aslan rocks on this program, listen to the clappings of the audiance.

But please don't 'Die' of anger and hatred or wish him to 'Die'! 

Good one VPK

I agree with your assessment VPK.  I usually ignore the “shotor charoon” below even though he often chases me around from thread to thread and tries to get my attention.  I just don’t like to engage in discussions with illiterate murderer supporting IR agents like him.  As you can see, he is too illiterate to realize that the phrase that I quoted is meant in a tongue in cheek way and is a take on the famous phrase “die yuppie scum” from American Psycho.  In American Psycho the phrase was meant to show the person's frustration with all the pretentious, know it all yuppies.  Here, it's meant to show 32 years of frustration with these know it all so-called experts whose "opinions" have lead to nothing but disatsre for Iran.  But again, disaster for Iran is what shotor charoon and his ilk want, so that they can rule for another 32 years.  It’s funny that the camel guy is “hato-o-poorting” about people dying when day in and day out he supports and advocates the murder of Iranians by the IR on this site alone. 

I do agree with you that these idiots should be put to work.  I wouldn’t trust them with my car though.  After all, unlike them, I work for a living, and the car is paid for with my hard earned cash.  I think that since these guys are all socialists, the best use for them would be to make them construction workers and have them build homes for poor Iranians in the villages and in “paeen-e-shahr.”  Only then they can feel kinship with the people that they pretend to represent.  

Mola Khan

We have no intention of hanging the leftists. Your Khomeini already did that. We just want them to take jobs that fit their abilities. For one get to deflate their oversize egos so they don't claim to be such experts. Second to get them to actually work for once in their miserable lives. Third to wash my car because that just may be within their ability although I doubt it: but I am willing to take that chance this time.

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"Die Elitist Leftists Scum!!!" This comment is made by somebody who actually thinks he/she is for a democratic Iran.

I guess the first thing this character would do (if he was in a positin of power) would be to arrest Mr Aslan and execute him. His second move would be to round up all the 'Leftists' and hang them in the city centers.

Why? Because he thinks they are 'Elitist' and 'Scum' and have to 'Die'. Dictators of the world rest in peace because he is awake and will take care of the business. 

If this is what he's all about, then what's all the noise and 'harto port' about the lack of democracy in Iran?   

Die Elitist Leftists Scum!!!

That's all I have to say!

Aslan, Dabashi and the like are only experts in one thing: G*oz!!  We saw how their great revolution turned out to be.  They can save the rest of their BS leftist "safsateh" for their "ammeh."   

pas-e-pardeh

There is a long way from having the right to criticise people to "chasing them out of town", or "burning them at stake", although I see nothing wrong in "cutting them down to size" (metaphorically speaking), if I feel that is what they deserve. And they have every right to do it back to me, if they wish.

I'm not advocating chaos or anarchy. I do believe in an orderly society where reason and decorum are conrerstones of healthy debate and discussion.

However the right to criticise, and criticise anyone and anything, is absolutely vital in any progressive society, because it ensures that misdeeds do not go unnoticed and those that try to exploit or fool people are exposed. If any criticism is unwarranted, those criticised can have their say back. There is nothing disrespectful about that. And if I choose to criticise someone and end up making an ass of myself, that's my choice and I accept the consequences. It just comes with the territory.

It's fair enough if you disgree that Aslan has an agenda. As I said I could be wrong on that. I'm basing my view on the types of issues he has got invovled in publicly and the positions he has taken.

Reality-Bites, not confusing here

You said, "I don't think anyone is suggesting that academic education and qualification should be disregarded or dismissed."

My posts are in response to two posters who said, 1) "Enough of these so called experts! They don't know jack about any thing.", and 2) "I'd rather listen to a janitor than an expert".

As you can see, people are more than suggesting education and expertise are useless.  They are proudly declaring it.

I agree with everything else you said in your last post except the part about Aslan having an "agenda".  We don't know that.  We know he is subjective.  We know we disagree with him.  But, we don't know that he is "a snake in the grass", as someone else called him. Let's afford him the courtesy that what he says is what he believes in. 

VPK: I do know what you mean

And, your examples of misuse of knowledge are illuminating.  The part I have a problem with is your assumption that he is "inherently biased and unfair".  Inherently! We don't know that.  All we know is we disagree with him.  We shouldn't make it sound like he knows the truths, i.e., our truths, but is being underhanded and tricky in trying to sell the world a counterfeit bill. How can you be sure that this is not his true belief based honestly on his lifetime of upbringing and education?  How do we know that this not his sincere truth?.  

 
We are too harsh on public figures. In the end, we turn them away from us and discourage them from making any good contributions. We hurt them. And, we hurt ourselves by this. This very same Aslan was criticized right here last month for supporting a project to make comic books out of stories in Ferdowsi's shahnameh.  Most rational people would consider this an act of cultural non-Islamic, Iranian patriotism, but many, many people thought he is trying to  inject Islam into the animator's works!  We just go too far sometimes.    

The discussion is becoming a little confused

I don't think anyone is suggesting that academic education and qualification should be disregarded or dismissed. It takes hard work, a certain degree of intelligence, mental aptitude and a logical mindset, among other attributes, to complete advanced studies in any reputable institution.

Furthermore, it is reasonable to assume anyone who becomes a specialist, e.g. to the doctorate level etc, in a particular subject, would/should be expected to know more than the average person on the street. It follows that their opinion on their chosen field should, usually, carry more weight that others who are less educated.

However, although academic education certainly takes intelligence, it is only one aspect of measuring intelligence. I personally know of people who hold PhDs, but have less common sense, wisdom and open-mindedness than others I know who have very little in the way of an academic education. The point being that being highly qualified academically does not guarantee superior intelligence and mental ability over others who maybe less formally qualified.

Just as importantly, aside from sometime getting their analysis or theorising wrong innocently (since despite even an advanced education, no one is infallible), some well-educated people, especially those that have ambitions beyond the world of academia, e.g. in the economic and/or political fields, have agendas.

Their agenda might be to promote the interests of a particular company or a political part or an ideology or whatever. And they might do so at the expense of clear-headed analysis, fairness and in indeed the truth itself.

Therefore, it doesn't matter how much of an expert someone like Aslan might be in Islamic studies, if I feel he is talking drivel and is distorting an issue I will exercise my freedom of expression and say so. I will have respect for his right to his views, as I would anyone's, but not respect for those views themselves. And anyone else, regardless of their level of education, should also have the right to have their say.

I could be wrong of course, but as it happens, I do believe Aslan has an agenda and it's not that hard to see what it is.

Dear reality-Bites

You said, "So, now we can't criticise certain people because, supposedly, we are not as good as they are in some discipline?"

You can criticize them, cut them down to size, chase them out of town, or burn them at stake.  It's just that it would be wrong. You are still free to do it in a free society, as you mentioned. But, even in free societies- at least in ones where there is order, there are hierarchies and etiquette.  It is true that an "expert" is not a sacred person whom the average citizen can not criticize.  But, it is also true that just because you are an average citizen you are equal to everyone else, or immune from making an ass of yourself. it doesn't mean you can rudely dismiss your professor, your commanding officer, your boss, noble peace prize winners, etc.  That's called chaos not progressive.

 And, mind you, the vitriol aimed at Aslan in this thread is not just objective, constructive criticism.  It is downright nasty, name calling, trashing.    Most people who disagree with him in this thread act as if he has actually done something wrong or harmful.  He is just expressing his opinion on a comedy program, at 11:30 at night on a basic cable channel!  Please! And, he has changed nobody's mind about anything,  if that's what critics here are afraid of.  Have we no more tolerance than this? 

(BY the way, I personally disagree with Aslan completely and despise Islam beyond imagination). 

pas-e-pardeh

It is not a matter of knoeledge; it is a matter of bias. If someone has a lot of knowledge but is inherently unfair and biased their knowledge is no good. Aslan is such a person. On the other hand a person with a good heart has the right *instinct* and will do more good than one with a Ph.D.

I hope you get what I mean. Imagine a great prosecutor who knows the law. But wants to convict an innocent becuase he hates the person. That prosecutor will put his knowledge of law to use for evil reasons. Aslan is like that. He knows right and wrong. But uses his kneolwedge fo further the cause of evil.

Or imagine a Physicist who knows nuclear technology. Should we respect them if they use their knowledge to build bombs to kill people? When I enrolled in Physics I made a promise: I will never use my knowledge to make weapons. There is a differenct of knowledge and Wisdom. Aslan has the first not the second.

One wonders if Reza Aslan

One wonders if Reza Aslan has permitted himself to read another, more sober and piercing Reza, that is Reza Afshari, who has written intelligently on the incompatibility of the Sharia with modern ideas of human rights.

 //www.amazon.com/Human-Rights-Iran-Relativism-Pennsylvania/dp/081223605X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1299961097&sr=1-1

So!

So, a "healthy environment" is where a bunch of sick individuals claim Iran under IR is a democracy? Mr. Aslan may be an expert on Islam, but he is, absolutely, not an expert on democracy! He is either extremely ignorant when it comes to democracy or consciously distorts the realities of the existing political system in Iran, due to personal reasons.

Dear Vildemose

I left Iran in 1975.  I am aware that there are many PhD's these days, and I wouldn't be surprised to find some people without higher education being very knowledgeable.  

However, as a whole, a society needs standards.  It is not sufficient for someone to have studied in a field to be right about what he says, but it is necessary.  You must study something before expecting others to value your opinion.  You must know something about it.  And, if you do study something vigorousely, and know about something, other should value your opinions more that those who didn't study it.  Or, at least let you express it without belittling you. I find that we often do not do this. In a false reading of democracy, we believe every citizen's opinion MUST be equal to the next.Otherwise, we will be back in the age of ignorance (jahl) in no time.

 But, my original objection was that EVERY single Iranian who accomplishes something is immediately trashed by a great number of us.  In fact, I can not think of any Iranian who has not been attacked and hurt by his fellow Iranians except dead ones and the ones who never do/did anything. I think there is something wrong with this picture.  

DM: In general, I don't see

DM: In general, I don't see a causal relationship  between  number of degrees and one's intellect or intelligence.

Dear Veiled Prophet, I am sorry to hear this

You said: "If Aslan is the expert then I rather listen to the janitor."

Problem with this line of thinking is that it blurs all lines, i.e., leaves no yardsticks.  If a janitor- any janitor, is more of an authority on a subject than a person with PhD in the field, then  we have rejected the whole notion of education as a method of gaining knowledge, doing research and making recommendations. Maybe there is something wrong with the entire world education system that leaves you unsatisfied with the PhD's and "experts" that it produces.  Fine.

But, then let's start another system where we can have a way of knowing who is an authority on a subject and who is not. Listening to a janitor at random is akin to going back to age of ignorance (jahl).  Tell me what yardstick the society should use from now on?  

Maybe you will suggest that everyone's opinion should have equal weight in anything, and that there is no need for any experts of any kind?  That's what some of us think of ideal democracy. I would disagree with that since I believe it would agian lead to the rule of ignorance in the long term.

In any case, I didn't mean to say you are required to respect Aslan, or accept his views.  I just said there is no need to disrespect him  and/or dismiss his input.  Tolerate views you disagree with. Disagreeing with someone else' views shouldn't make them a bad person, or an Islamic fifth columnist, or ignorant. Just let him be.  

Vilemose

To get your start and get your foot through the door in academia you need to show your worth and that comes with having a phd or at least an Ms degeree. Whether you find it motivating or stimulating enough to make you last, that is a whole different ballgame. But you gotta have the credentials to be considered.

I am sure that those eng and docs are certainly bright in their own field of work and expertise, If they are not as well-read as someone in the music or plumbing filed, does not take away from that fact.

 DM: I have seen many

 DM: I have seen many sharp and intelligetnt people who find the Academia too suffocating or non-stimulating enough for them and decide to do do something else like become a musician eventhoug ht the pay is low or become a writer of novels, etc.

 The example of plumber might have been an exaggeration for effect but I know of people who are doctors or engineers, even professors who are not very bright.

Even among academia there are crackpots and then there are real scholars without much fanfare unlike Aslan.

Vilemose

I disagree with that comparison.

Granted the God-status of anyone who has a phd in anything in iran, and not so much in US or europe, In many circles your completion of a phd program is the most important criteria in exerting judgment on your analytical and academic skills.

A well -read Plumber who has much better analytical skills and ingenius than PHD's yet has chosen to stay in the plumbing buisness??? I find it to be a laughable assertion my friend:). It is like many Cab drivers of mid eastern background that i have run into saying they have had offers from prestigious medical or dental schools , yet they chose to drive a taxi!!! puleaszze!!

I am not denying that the particular non-phd person is not an intelligent human being, and not even saying we should give special credit to mr. or dr.aslan for having a degree, But there is absolutely no way in hell you can compare the level of rigorous work and dilligence and consistency and credibility that has gone into earning a phd, by being just an intelligent, smart and well-read, whatever your profession is!!

That is my ye gheroon.

RB

you have to go through the entire replies and see how foolish some are .......

I personally do not see Reza Aslan as an IRI supporter ........   I do not think so even Mullas over there accept him being an expert in Islam or even acept him as  a muslim  .........  they have their own criterias and terms for accepting someone to be an expert or muslim  ....... 

let us face it almost 99.9 percent active users on IC is against the religion itself and they by no means support anyone who even talks about it ....

the hate inside would not even let them listen ........

and that is not a healthy community ........

pas e pardeh, when did you

pas e pardeh, when did you leave Iran?? did you go to college in the West?

PhD are dime a dozen in the US. Noone cares much about a piece of paper here in America. They are not viewed as God as they are in Iran.

You can be a plumber but be more well-read and have more genius and analytical ability  than a hundreds of Phds put togetehr. Haven't you met people like that int the US?? They just chose to be a plumber or whatever. Degrees in the West don't determine your experties or your intelligence as they do in Iran.

"media friendly, clean shaven, handsome...."

Oh, gime a break my IC friends!

I am not suggesting you guys are wrong in your description of this individual that I dont know much & care less about. After all, I dont look at men thinking is he attarctive or not, thanks ahura mazda! But think about it this way, Marhoom Aryamehr had more "clean shaven, media friendly, handsome" men employees than ahmadinezhad has had wet dreams of his nuke bomb, and see what happened to him. It takes a lot more than a few "handsome, clean shaven..." paid agents ranting on TV, to save a corrupt, deeply unpopular fascist dictatorship on it's last breath....

Any demos planned this Tuesday? Any strikes?.....

"Personal business must yield to collective interest."