Current Events

Hafez too was a staunch Monarchist!

No poet of significance, not even Sa'di, has composed such humble panegyric poetry for the kings of his era as Hafez has done (don't take me wrong - I love the guy).

DK: Building organizations

DK: Building organizations  like NIAC require millions of dollars. where do we get the seed money??? Reformist IRI members?? I think NOT. IRI reformists are the only ones with unlimited funds.

"We can have democracy in this country, or we can have great wealth concentrated in the hands of a few, but we can't have both." - Louis D. Brandeis

Hafez for Beginners FYI Your Founder is a Royal 'Subject' ...

to this Fellow :

Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden

And Not an American Citizen ... 

So unless he officially announces a declaration of Independance ...

BBC News - Is the US Declaration of Independence illegal?

I'm afraid that makes all You folks inadvertently Loyal "subjects" of a Sex Maniac Swedish King:

ROYAL FORUM: Unauthorized Bio Tarnishes King of Sweden's Reputation With Wild Sex Allegations 

LOL

But then I guess Trita and you NIAC Members are fully entitled to being subject to a foreign Sovereign Let alone a citizen to an incompetent American Nobel Peace Laureate instead of  your GENUINE Royal Pedigree ...

PRIMARY COLORS: Reza Pahlavi and Trita Parsi Take a Stroll Down The Political Lane ;0)

Zubin Mehta Fondly Recalls Shah of Iran's Invitation to India's Parsi Community 

But I wish You Good Luck in envisioning your IRANICAN DREAMS ...

SATIRE: The Burqa Republic of Our IRANICAN Dreams ;0)

But avoid speaking in Our Name ...

PARIS GATHERING: Shapour Bakhtiar and Soroush Katibeh memory honored in Paris (FRANCE)

AUDIO: Shahbanou Farah on Bakhtiar and the Anniversary of the Constitutional Revolution

RESTORATION: Shapour Bakhtiar advocates Restoring the Monarchy 

Related:

Persian Carpet Gift to Sweden's Crown Princess Victoria and Husband 

ROYAL FORUM: Iran-born Hanif Bali elected to Swedish Parliament

Royalty: Shah of Iran and King of Sweden Stokholm (1960)

DK

I tell you what is holding the Secular opposition back and likes of NIAC afloat. 

FUNDS!  There is little opposition groups can do to compete in the face of a 100 billion dollar of IR oil revenues and many who are too happy to grab pieces of it and lull themselves into thinking they are just anti war.    

Iranian-American middle class has arrived,

Or: is NIAC the only form of community activism for Iranian-Americans?

Readign Afsaneh, this was the message i kept getting. It might not be a bad idea to keep in mind that for the past thirty years Iranian Refugges have been a lively part of Iranian Diaspora, and much activism had been directed towards that. The same goes for all the work that's  been done for political prisoners and workers and...But these types of activism is  refered to as movement building type, as opposed to mainstream, careerist, lobbying type.

DK, good start, lousy ending. Good luck to all. Let there be a positive competition of ideas.

Darius

Darius: At least a reasonble argument! (Although, personally I wouldn't wish anyone I disagree wtih "bad luck" - still, you put a smiley face after that...)

Republic vs. (Constitutional) Monarchy: 

But you must remember, NIAC is an American organization. America is a Republic... and had a revolution to free itself form British Monarchical, rule. (July 4th anyone?) Of course, it's your right to prefer Constitutional Monarchy to a Republic, but do keep in mind that these "Iranian-American" organizations are operating in "America", itself, a "Republic."  

Hate to admit it but NIAC is doing a professional job

albeit for the wrong interest groups ...

It's not enough to character assassinate Trita Parsi or NIAC as merely being "pro IRI" without offering an equally professional media campaign and organizational skills as an alternative to what they propose and to their long term political agenda.

If the so called "opposition" wants to make a difference it is up to them to do the same.

What are they waiting for ? and Who is stopping them to do the same or even better ?

I am diametrically, passionately and ideologically opposed to NIAC's political platform which at worst under the disguise of being anti War is Pro IRI when it comes to Iran's foreign policy interests and at best wishes to safeguard the Islamic Republic and "reform" it into what they hope will be or can be a Secular "Democratic" Republic.

Not being a Jomhurykhah but a Constitutionalist I cannot adhere to their vision given that I am opposed to both of the above political agendas. Hence I cannot support such an organization all the more that I know the political and ideological tendencies of some of the key people advising NIAC ranging from Jon Limbert to Barbara Slavin, Hamid Dabashi or Mansour Farhang.

But one cannot but admire their stamina in promoting their vision and political goals. Hard work always pays off on the long run.  Those too lazy or unimaginative to do the same can only blame their own lack of commitment.

I can only express my admiration for their professional and organizational skills and wish them ... "bad luck" ...

;0) 

I am so happy

I am so happy to see Iranian Americans are finally coming together and have a voice that has was absent - yes we can do itFor those that oppose the NIAC activities and progress, I will say you are bunch of losers that like to criticize and not to contribute.

Kudos!

Kudos to them. After 30 years in the US - Iranian-American groups (NIAC and PAAIA right now) are working to have a "voice": NIAC have helped with the below:

- getting the most number of signatures from the community in their bid to change single entry visas.

- Arabian going back to Persian gulf in the National Geographic.

- Fox News apologizing for making fun of "Eye-ranian" basketball player, Haddadi. 

- Working  hard to preserve the Persepolis tablets in the museums where they belong.

Primitive no more:

Living in the US and not having a voice is primitive. The above is teaching us the difference having a "voice" can make. Darius Shahinfar, Congressional candidate for NY was at this conference - and personally, I've learned much from the man.  America has taught me that even if I agree 70% with a candidate or cause, it would get my vote. That the Iranian mindset of worship or hate - is destructive, and the black or white mindset landed us in this diaspora in the first place. 

Conspiracy vs. Actually doing something: 

I support more than 70% of what both NIAC and PAAIA do - and instead of sitting around and spinning conspiracies in my mind, I click and donate. And if I really disagreed with them, instead of spinning more conspiracies, I'd get off my backside and set up my own organization. Not having a voice, while being ranked #1 in education among 66 minority communities in the US is not a very "educated" circumstance. (ZOGBY Poll - posted by either Niac or Paaia, I can't remember)  But Iranians are sadly, often better at lazy conspiracy gossip - than actually doing something. 

1% vs. "negh-o-nough": 

I've learned in life to only associate with people who actually do something vs.   constantly spinning gossip and conspiracy, while doing zero/zilch/nada.  I respect someone more, who does something and I agree  just 1% with - to someone who doesn't do anything, save for eloquent negh-o-nough.  I'm sure this article will invite more negh-o-nough. Right! NIAC, an American organization,  is in the pocekt of a foreign Government  .... US Congressmen, the State Department, FBI, an ex-Hostage, Director of VOA  and more... (all present at the above conference) - don't think of them as a foreign agent ..... but let me see, let's side with the do-nothing-but-spin-conspiracies from the community? If you really think so, in a democracy you have a right to all beliefs, then fine. But set up your own organization, instead of complaining; then you'd garner some respect.

Hollow & not Hallow!

God forbids with the typo'o error below:

The Error: Hallow-In    Correction: Hollow-In (Empty Inside!)

PS: The tooth fixing will not make its containing  mouth 'truthful.' No kudos to any 'untruthful' voice!

Kudos to this organization ….

For organizing and getting Iranian-Americans more interested and involved in politics and giving them a voice that has so far been absent from the Iranian-American community.

'Hambastegi' is the main key to victory 

Mehrdad

 So, Kitschy. Trita should

 So, Kitschy. Trita should invest on fiixing his buck teeth.

 //www.invisalign.com/Invisalign-For-Adults-and-Teens/Pages/default.aspx?utm_medium=PPC&utm_source=Google&utm_campaign=Top%20Nonbrand

"We can have democracy in this country, or we can have great wealth concentrated in the hands of a few, but we can't have both." - Louis D. Brandeis

Of the 'Leadership' ....

Who in the world is giving a bunch of 'spoiled brats' to claim 'leadership' of anything but their 'own types?' The gathering looks more like a 'Hallow-In' party of the Alienated Iranians!