Politics makes strange bedfellows

alexarjomand
by alexarjomand
27-Jun-2009
 

One of the interesting features of the Iranian demonstrations in London is the division which has occurred between the vast majority of the people which stand to one side and a much smaller group consisting of the monarchists and the Mojahedin Khlagh (MKO) that stand together distinguished by their flags bearing the lion and the sun. Oddly the monarchists and the MKO seem to have put aside their differences and united as a result of the symbolic importance of the flag in their respective movements. Personally I think the current emotional attachment of the MKO and the monarchists to their flags is odd to the say the least and highly destructive and counterproductive to the movement that is going on Iran. Firstly, their emphasis on the flag is playing straight into the hands of the IRI who use it as further confirmation that the anti-regime movement is supported by foreign groups and the monarchists. Secondly, they seem to have forgotten who the real enemy is. Repeatedly during the few hours allocated to the demonstrations, they parade their flags across the section where the majority is standing to get a response—thankfully they are completely ignored. Finally even if their strategic objective is the establishment of a constitutional monarchy in Iran or having Maryam & Massoud replace the supreme leader, tactically they should have the intelligence to realise that the way to achieve it is to unite today to destroy the regime so they can at least have the chance to make their case to the Iranian people—sadly they don’t. The net result is that even when there is sympathy for their positions (as an example, I believe that a legitimate case can be made, based on historical and cultural grounds, for a constitutional monarchy), they end up losing any goodwill which may exist.

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more from alexarjomand
 
alexarjomand

Thank you Ari

by alexarjomand on

Thank you very much. Very helpful.


Ari Siletz

Alexarjomand, NIAC

by Ari Siletz on

NIAC is transparent about its funding. The organization's tax returns are on file on their website (up to 2006; they really should update that page). Here's their tax returns for 2006. Everything adds up. There are grants and membership donations and fees. Fees and donations are mostly from Iranian Americans. The grants are both governmental (US)and non-governmental. The non-governmental grants typically come from peace, philanthroic, and other feel-good groups in the US. One private grant that could raise some eyebrows is the one from Open Society Institute. The governmental eyebrow raiser is the contribution from the National Endowment For Democracy (which may not have  contributed in 2007 and 2008). It is genreally understood that these contributers are not friendly with the IRI, the dislike being mutual. 

Regarding membership, on one end of the spectrum there's me who is often late with his meager dues, and at the other end there's Hamid Moghadam who has lots of money. Hamid supported Darius Shahinfar's congressional race in Albany NY (Darius lost). He also gave money to Obama--and Mitt Romney!! 

Moving on to motivations, aside from the About US mission statement that you can find on the NIAC website, I actually exchanged some emails with Trita Parsi which I hope to publish as an interview when  Trita finds time for more annoying questions from me. To give you an idea of his thinking process regarding goals and motives, here's an excerpt:

*********************

ARI: For many, politics is a mysterious practice, in the exclusive domain of "powerful people." Yet you seem unaffected by this mystique, treating power as a readily cultivatable commodity. What were the events--life incidents,books, films etc.--, and who were the people in your life that helped shape this attitude? 

Trita: The mystique around politics is constructed and self-serving with the aim of keeping people out. Our job is to tear down these man-made barriers and make democracy and politics available for all.

My own eye-opening experience occurred when I did an internship on Capitol Hill in 1997. Like many others, I believed in that mystique, I thought lawmakers were all-knowing creatures that ruled the world and controlled everything that happened.

What I saw was shockingly different. If there is anything that is missing in the decision making process its information – good information. And that is where the role of organizations come in – providing the decision makers with information in order to facilitate decisions favorable to those specific constituencies. The imbalance that occurs in the sense that decisions tend to be unfair, incomplete or simply self-serving stems to a large extent from the fact that the information available to decision makers is coming from too few sources. And since the participation of the Iranian-American community at that time – 1997 – was extremely low, their perspective was almost non-existent. Not surprisingly, the decision made were rarely to their liking.

***************************************

 As you can see, one aspiration is to see more Iranian Americans involved in US politics so US domestic policy is better informed about Iranian-Americans and US foreign policy is better informed about folks who live in Iran. In my exchanges with him Parsi was explicit about the membership deciding the agenda. So if we would like to have more human rights action, we can steer the organization to advocate more in that direction.         To be "fair and balanced" I feel obligated to append this negative view which accuses NIAC--among many other Iranians we know--of bad things.

 

 


alexarjomand

NIAC

by alexarjomand on

Ari, has there every been a full discussion/disclosure regarding NIAC's funding, membership and motivations?  I am more than slightly ignoranrt on this topic but most, if anything, that I have heard about NIAC suggests intense discomfort from the Iranian community regarding their motivations.  "IRI Apologists" is one of the terms that is frequently used to describe them and there are suggestions of links with the regime.  If there is anywhere I can go  or anything I can read to redress my ignorance and find out more please let me know.  Thanks in advance.


Ari Siletz

Darius

by Ari Siletz on

Some of the VOA and Radio Farda journalists I know are very sharp professionals. Speaking with them privately, sometimes it is hard to tell who is using whom, The US State Department or diaspora Iranian journalists. There is however a problem with diaspora Iranian media accepting funds from the governments of their host countries for the purpose of informing un-hyphenated Iranians: The IRI can easily change Iran's "Thanks for telling us this," to "Why are they telling us this?" This dulls the impact of even the best documented news. More importantly, accepting money from a second party suggests diaspora Iranians (and sympathetic causes inside Iran) don't have the collective will or the unity to fund our own political media.

It is not confidence inspiring to have non-Iranians do our organizing for us. It should not take foreign money to have opposing Iranian groups give the floor to each other to offer news and disucssions of common concern. In truth, your admirable dedication and unfunded contributions to this little site (art, nostalgia, humor, banter and political head banging) makes me give an ear to the monarchist cause more than Reza Pahlavi interviews on VOA.


Darius Kadivar

Dear Ari Jaan

by Darius Kadivar on

NIAC did EXACTLY THAT When they took upon themselves to voice their opposition to the funding by the US of the Opposition groupes which basically consisted of funding VOA Persian and Radio Farda in beaming news and views into Iran. Were these media outlets truly doing the work of the Opposition groups they would beam in Propaganda into IRan for the Monarchy or the MKO.

If THAT was their goal I can tell you they did a miserable job since they could have Hired me ... LOL

Actually it not hard to do Anti IRI Propaganda, You just have to switch on ANY Western Media Outlet. The minute you do a Film Review on the latest Hollywood Production or the latest Fashion Trend in Paris, The Guys at NIAC Panic !

Oh No They want to demolish the chances of reconciliation between Iranians and the US ...

Come On who are we Kidding ? What is deemed as Anti Regime Propaganda by the Islamic Republic is Uncensored News ..

And THAT IS AVAILABLE EVERYWHERE and Not just on VOA and Radio Farda.

Apart from interviewing Reza Pahlavi a few times on such programs as Round Table with You, VOA has given voice to nearly ALL political groups and these elections were an opportunity to even allow the Candidates spokesmen to come and speak on their behalf.

Even the regimes Islamic Intellegenstia were regularly interviewed and allowed to present their point of view which created an uproar in the IRI establishment.

When the electors compared the unbiaised analyisis of the election results or predictions with those presented by the Official Iranian Media any idiot could see which of the two are truly manipulating public opinion.

THIS IS WHAT NIAC HAS ALWAYS FEARED THE MOST !

They created a Paranoia against these media Outlets by Falsly claiming that they were supporting the Bombing of Iran or its invasion.

I've Followed VOA from the very early days and I can vouch that they NEVER suggested such a thing.

ITS PURE BULLSHIT AND IRI PROPAGANDA !

And

NIAC SHAMEFULLY SUSTAINED THIS LIE AND CONTINUES TO DO SO TO THIS DAY !

They Do Not represent the Iranian American Diaspora's Views but that of the Islamic Republic's OWN long term Interests.

As Such they are Not a grass root organization representing the Iranian Americans BUT A POLITICAL PARTY.

I suggest them to call themselves the NEW ISLAMIC PARTY OF IRAN with a permanant Office in the US !

THEY JUST DON'T HAVE THE GUTS NOR HONESTY TO ADMIT IT !

As for All the noble efforts they put into saving the Persian Tablets from being vandalized from the Chicago University or condemning the Harrison Ford Movie ( that hardly made it to the Theaters but directly to the DVD) IS JUST A COVER UP !

Naivity Has its Limits ...

 PIC ...

Or Its me who has Alzheimers ...

 

And here is another one for the Trip

Video  

Cheers,

DK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Darius Kadivar

alexarjomand Great Quote ;0)

by Darius Kadivar on

Thanks My Fellow Compatriot !

Warm Regards and Good night,

DK


Ari Siletz

Crisis or no crisis

by Ari Siletz on

I agree with Parsi and Aslan that the action of some of the exile of groups helps Ahmadinejad politically. But should these opposition groups be told to stop voicing their beliefs? I don't think Parsi and Aslan would go that far. There will always be some crisis where the free speech of someone appears to work against a larger interest. But a person has the right to speak his/her mind, crisis or no crisis. The democracy Kharbozeh has its larz:  having to put up with MKO, Monarchists, Islamists and NIAC members (like me).   

alexarjomand

Response to Darius IV

by alexarjomand on

The victorious strategist only seeks battle after the victory has been won, whereas he who is destined to defeat first fights and afterwards looks for victory.
- Sun Tzu

I am glad there are no hard feelings!  We are on the same side.

Alex


Darius Kadivar

Dear alexarjomand

by Darius Kadivar on

I have no lesson to give to anyone in regard to what should be done or not to be done in regard to Iran.

I don't even claim that the monarchy or a constitutional monarchy will solve Iran's problems. I just see it as an opportunity. Maybe in the end we will end up with a Secular Republic and if the people running it live up to that expectation for the good and security of all why should I ever Oppose it ?

My point is that the IRI will ALWAYS find ways to prolong its own existence and divide Iranians in order to survive. But I think that as far as the Diaspora is concerned we need to think for ourselves and with our own consience and values NOT the Prerogatives or political calculations of the Regime.

Imagine the Regime gets hold of an Atomic Bomb in a near future. Should we Stop talking about Human Rights abuses because the Regime is Now Immune and may use the Bomb ? I THINK NOT !

The Soviet Union would not fall if people did not find courageous ways of fighting it including ideologically. We are at best Intellectuals and can Only fight with a Pen and paper by informing and taking courageous stance on what WE BELIEVE IN and NOT What the Majority expects us to believe in.

Otherwise We are Only Selling our own souls.

It may be a less heroic way of fighting that Regime but personally I have no intention of becoming a Martyr like the beautiful and courageous Neda !

But that is the case for most people living outside but also inside the country. The Power of the Pen and the Freedom of expression BY DEFINITION ARE SUBVERSIVE TOOLS. But They are the Only ones that can Legitimately be used BY EVERY INDIVIDUAL. The Point is to be Responsible and Accountable to ones readers if one makes mistakes. That is What the French philosophers like Sartre or Simone De Beauvoire Meant by "Ecrivain Engage" aka "An Opiniated writer"

I'd Rather make mistakes but I will only have myself to blame.

I don't claim to know what is best for Iranians back home but I do know What I don't want for them. 

Anyways  No Hard Feelings

And

Warm Regards From Paris,

DK


alexarjomand

Response to Darius III

by alexarjomand on

It may not seem like that to you but we really are on the same side, which is for the destruction of the IRI (regime change) and a hopeful future for Iran.  Whethe we end up with a constitutional monarchy or a democratic regime, is not for us but for all the people to decide.

PS Hateiri is an idiot!  Don't get hung up on him.  He was bringing out the worst in you which was counterproductive.  You have so much to offer, I was just trying to get the missile which is Darius Kadivar  redirected towards the IRI for maximum effect...

 


Darius Kadivar

IN THAT CASE STOP TYPECASTING PEOPLE !

by Darius Kadivar on

YOU ARE THE ONES CREATING THIS ATMOSPHERE OF SUSPICION :

A message for Darius Kadivar

OR HATEIRI ( HARDLY BORN WHEN THE REVOLUTION HAPPENED IN 79)

//iranian.com/main/blog/hateiri/please-watch-clip

EVER SINCE THERE IS A SLIGHTEST CHANCE OF UNITY SOMEONE HAS TO SLANDER THE MONARCHISTS OR REZA PAHLAVI EVEN WHEN HE SIDES WITH US FOR A COMMON CAUSE BEYOND THE MONARCHY !

EVEN REZA SAID THE HELL WITH AN ABSOLUTE MONARCHY ( Already by suggesting a Referendum many die hard monarchists blamed him for giving up his role) , WHAT MATTERS IS IRAN AND THE END OF VIOLENCE TOWARDS INNOCENT VICTIMES LIKE NEDA !

AND LET ME TELL YOU IF THE MONARCHISTS TODAY ARE ANGRY THEY ARE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT !

FIRST BECAUSE NEARLY ALL WEBSITES IN THE DIASPORA HAVE BEEN RUN BY PEOPLE WHO WERE AGAINST THEM FROM THE START. THE IRANIAN.COM WAS THE ONLY ONE TO AT LEAST ALLOW TOTAL FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION INCLUDING MINE. I AM INDEBTED TO JJ FOR ALLOWING US TO EXPRESS OUR VIEWS WITHOUT THE SLIGHTEST CENSORSHIP (ALBEIT MODERATION) BUT ALL THE OTHERS REFUSE EVEN TO PUBLISH THE ROYALIST POINT OF VIEW OR EVEN THE ARTICLES RELATIVE TO REZA PAHLAVI OR HIS INTERVIEWS ONLY FOR PERSONAL POLITICAL DIFFERENCES !

I DON'T CALL THAT FAIR JOURNALISM ! BECAUSE THESE WEBSITES UNLIKE THE IRANIAN.COM  DON'T WANT TO INFORM WHEN IT OPPOSES THEIR PHILISOPHICAL OR IDEOLOGICAL POINT OF VIEW !

BUT TO PUBLISH TRASH AND LIES AND CONSTANT MANIPULATIVE ARTICLES BY  IRI APOLOGISTS LIKE SORAYA ULRICH OR HAMID DABASHI IS DEEMED RESPECTABLE BY MOST WEBSITES ?

WHY THIS CONSTANT AND BIAISED PREJUDICE TOWARDS PEOPLE WHOSE VIEWS ARE AS RESPECTABLE AS THE EDITORS OF THESE WEBSITES ?

I FIND THAT DEPLORABLE TO HAVE TO JUSTIFY MYSELF ALL THE TIME AS IF I WAS COMMITING SOME KIND OF CRIME BECAUSE I EXPRESS MY POINT OF VIEW AND NOT ALWAYS FROM A ROYALIST STANDPOIT !

EVEN IF ONE IS A RIGHT WING ITS CONSIDERED AS A SIN BY THIS HYPOCRITICAL LEFT WING LIBERAL POLITICAL CORRECTNESS WHICH IS RAMPANT ON ALL IRANIAN WEBSITES !

ENOUGH HYPOCRISY !

NEDA DID NOT EVEN VOTE !

WHAT ABOUT CENTRISTS THEN ?AS A MONARCHIST I CONSIDER MYSELF AS A CENTRIST FOR THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT REZA PAHLAVI IS ACTUALLY CALLING FOR: AN IRANIAN SOLIDARNOSC :

REZA's CALL: An Iranian Solidarnosc... By Darius KADIVAR

BUT NOW ONCE AGAIN THESE LOBBIES ARE WORKING THEIR WAY INTO MANIPULATING PUBLIC OPINION TO OTHER PURPOSES AND YOU ARE FALLING INTO THEIR HANDS !

NIAC even Refuses to debate on VOA Persian because they were afraid to be contradicted ! They didn't stop to criticize the VOA and people like Nourizadeh and others for being Neo Con Sidekicks. If You followed VOA Persian and all the coverage on the IRanian Elections and the aftermath you will see with how much professionalism they worked to inform people both inside and outside on the reality of this COUP !

NIAC NEVER PARTICIPATED IN THE SLIGHTEST DEBATE ON VOA Persian !

Sure they have their  Caviar Parties with all the Washingtonian Socialites and Congressmen but when they have to face IRANIAN Debaters who could contradict them they Shy Out !

I HAD A MINIMUM OF RESPECT FOR TRITA PARSI BUT WITH THIS LATEST DIATRIBE OF HIS I WILL MAKE SURE SOMEONE ON THIS SITE OPPOSES THIS HALF-BREED ZOROASTRIAN TRAITOR TO HIS RACE AND LAND !

TOUGH LUCK FOR THOSE WHO DON'T UNDERSTAND THE MEANING OF BEING IRANIAN !

WE KNOW WHO WE ARE :

AND LASTLY :

I WAS, AM AND WILL BE FOR REGIME CHANGE !


alexarjomand

Response to Darius II

by alexarjomand on

Sometimes you have to do things that you find repulsive in order to attain worthy objectives. Do you think that it does not bother me to stand there ostensibly in support of Moussavi who is part and parcel of the regime and who was in charge during some of its most repressive periods?!!!  But I do it anyway because I have the hope, maybe foolish, that this could be the beginning of the end.  I see no way of getting rid of the IRI unless it happens from within.  In the current divisions I see the opportunity to end the velayateh faghih and give Iran a new beginning that it deserves.  In order to achieve that, it may be that I have to stand up and support Moussavi but if I am right, and the IRI has genuinely made an error of historic proportions which will lead to their demise, then so be it...


alexarjomand

Response to Darius

by alexarjomand on

This is the latest Conspiracy Theory cooked up by NIAC/AIC to Highjack the GREEN VOTE by slandering and linking the Monarchists to the MKO ( TWO SEPARATE ENTITIES WITH NO IDEOLOGICAL CONNECTION).

 Alex: I am not suggesting a sinister connection!!!  The fact is, and you are welcome to come and observe for yourself, that they stand together in one section that is cordoned off.

NIAC AND AIC WERE AND HAVE ALWAYS BEEN THE STAUNCHEST SUPPORTER OF AHMADINEJAD's FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC POLICIES TO DATE. NOW WE ARE TO BLAME FOR AHMADINEJAD's VICTORY ?   

Alex: Nobody is blaming the monarchists for anything?! We are all in this together and should be united in the ultimate objective that is the destruction of the occupation regime which is the IRI!  You know Perfectly WHY THE MKO Chose the Sun and Lion Flag shortly after opposing the Islamic Republic which THEY CONTRIBUTED TO ITS ESTABLISHMENT !

Alex: No I really don’t and I don’t care.  I am just saying that it is stupid to wave the flag right now in order to create division.  There will be plenty of time to settle this once the we are rid of the occupation regime.  What I am saying is that the monarchists and the MKO should have some tactical sense and think about the best way to achieve their objectives.  What is the point of playing into the hands of the IRI?!STOP YOUR HYPOCRISY GUYS ! YOU SHOULD GO AND JOIN THE HEZBEH BAAD !

Alex: ????  What is wrong with you?! I am sympathetic to the monarchists (not the MKO)!   What is wrong about pointing out that there is a smarter way to play this?! YOU ARE FIGHTING THE WRONG ENEMY ! Alex: I am not! It is the monarchists and the MKO who go deliberately waving their flag in front of the other gathering in order to get a response.

Read END OF THE BEGINING BY TRITA PARSI AND REZA ASLAN

Alex: Who gives a rat’s ass about Trista Parsi and Reza Aslan?!  Certainly not me!!!!!  "Exiled opposition groups, whose political agenda sharply differs from that of the protesters in Iran -- indeed, many of these groups urged people not to vote in the elections -- have sought to fill the vacuum left by a beheaded and directionless indigenous movement. Though the outrage of these exiled groups against the Iranian government’s brutal violence is genuine, their efforts to impose themselves on the political scene have caused great frustration among opposition elements inside Iran. At a time when the movement in Iran is paralyzed, efforts by exiled groups -- groups that scorned the protesters only weeks ago for choosing to participate in the elections -- to fill the leadership vacuum are viewed as nothing less than a maneuver to hijack the movement. This is playing right into the hands of the Ahmadinejad government, precisely because it would weaken, if not eliminate, the indigenous movement's trump card: its ability to attract the Iranian swing-voters back to its side. If the exiled opposition groups and their neo-conservative backers in the United States prevail in aiding the Ahmadinejad government, what started out as the largest Iranian mass movement since 1979 may end up as little more than the student demonstrations of 1999. Which is to say, an instance of hopes raised, then dashed."


Darius Kadivar

This is the Latest BS cooked up by Trita PARSI's NIAC ...

by Darius Kadivar on

This is the latest Conspiracy Theory cooked up by NIAC/AIC to Highjack the GREEN VOTE by slandering and linking the Monarchists to the MKO ( TWO SEPARATE ENTITIES WITH NO IDEOLOGICAL CONNECTION).

NIAC AND AIC WERE AND HAVE ALWAYS BEEN THE STAUNCHEST SUPPORTER OF AHMADINEJAD's FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC POLICIES TO DATE.

FIRST USING THE WAR THREAT TO SLANDER THE MONARCHISTS AND ASSOCIATE THEM TO THE NEO CONS AND NOW THEY WANT TO LINK UN THE THE MKO AND USE THE RISKS OF INTERNAL REPRESSION AS A PRETEXT TO UNDERMINE THE SLIGHTEST OPPOSITION TO THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN.

NOW MOUSSAVI (THAT EVEN REZA PAHLAVI DID NOT SPEAK AGAINST) HAS BECOME THEIR NEW MOSSADEGH AFTER HAILING AHMADINEJAD !

BUNCH OF VATAN FOROUSH RUNNING SO CALLED GRASS ROOT ORGANIZATIONS IN THE US AND SPEAKING IN THE NAME OF THE PEOPLE THIS REGIME AND REVOLUTION KICKED OUT OF THEIR HOMELAND !

WHO ARE THE GUYS AT NIAC/AIC  TO TELL HER NOT TO DEMONSTRATE ?

BOOK: EVEN AFTER ALL THIS TIME By Afschineh Latifi ( A Memoir )

KHEJALAT HAM KHOUB CHEEZYEH !

NOW WE ARE TO BLAME FOR AHMADINEJAD's VICTORY ?   

You know Perfectly WHY THE MKO Chose the Sun and Lion Flag shortly after opposing the Islamic Republic which THEY CONTRIBUTED TO ITS ESTABLISHMENT !

STOP YOUR HYPOCRISY GUYS !

YOU SHOULD GO AND JOIN THE HEZBEH BAAD !

YOU ARE FIGHTING THE WRONG ENEMY !

Read END OF THE BEGINING BY TRITA PARSI AND REZA ASLAN

"Exiled opposition groups, whose political agenda sharply differs from that of the protesters in Iran -- indeed, many of these groups urged people not to vote in the elections -- have sought to fill the vacuum left by a beheaded and directionless indigenous movement. Though the outrage of these exiled groups against the Iranian government’s brutal violence is genuine, their efforts to impose themselves on the political scene have caused great frustration among opposition elements inside Iran. At a time when the movement in Iran is paralyzed, efforts by exiled groups -- groups that scorned the protesters only weeks ago for choosing to participate in the elections -- to fill the leadership vacuum are viewed as nothing less than a maneuver to hijack the movement.

This is playing right into the hands of the Ahmadinejad government, precisely because it would weaken, if not eliminate, the indigenous movement's trump card: its ability to attract the Iranian swing-voters back to its side. If the exiled opposition groups and their neo-conservative backers in the United States prevail in aiding the Ahmadinejad government, what started out as the largest Iranian mass movement since 1979 may end up as little more than the student demonstrations of 1999. Which is to say, an instance of hopes raised, then dashed."


alexarjomand

Response to SamSamIIII

by alexarjomand on

I made no reference to the flag of the IRI as the legitimate flag of Iran!  I fully accept that the lion and sun has been a symbol of Iran at least since the Safavid dynasty and I have no problem with it. The point is that right now the flag represents an emotive issue which is used by the regime to its advantage.  What is the point of using its symbolism to create perceived division (which is not there at all), when we should all be united against the occupation regime which is the IRI?!  Avoiding using the flag is not about "playing the game according to the the rules set up by the same regime" but it is about being intelligent about the best way to achieve the ultimate objective.  I would exchange any day some cheap thrills that I may get for raising the real (sun and lion) flag of Iran with getting rid of the mullahs once and for all. Think long term, don't play the game by their rule but don't play into their hands either...

 

 

 


Marjan Zahed Kindersley

Well, I thought it quite shocking

by Marjan Zahed Kindersley on

They are partitioned off and as all religious/political extremists tyrannical dictatorial groups, they claim the symbol of Iranian culture, and nowadays "Neda" as their own to further their own agenda. Not much different from McBush(Cain). On the other hand I can't quite see why some mini-disputes errupted, telling people where to stand. The enemy o fht evoices of the people was on the opposite of the street.

I find them quite dangerously disgusting in their opportunism. I may be wrong, but so far, I have only heard the Iranian people asking for freedom and their universal rights, which isn't difficult to support, is it.

 

I am seriously worried about one fact in later months. Liberals are as difficult to herd as cats and open to dialogue - extremists groups like mujaheddin, IRA, royalists, communist workers party and a host of others, are organized and quite insane in their closed belief systems with robotic answers for everything.

Let's hope they don't get their way, unless it is the wish of the Iranian people, which I doubt, that any of these lunatics get a foothold, but that the liberty will evolve dramatically quickly with the least violence possible.

They've asked for the support of Iranians abroad, not ideo(il)logical impositions and sheer displays of silliness.

 


SamSamIIII

Well, I don't subscribe to neither of those flags but....

by SamSamIIII on

 

Which Iranian legacy does your flag represent that the so called foreign flag of lion&sun doesn,t ? .Now to me both belong to the Ommatie occupied Iran but yours, indeed is the foreign pan-arab entity that you are so cautiously warning us about .

& let me get this right !, you want to uproot the Ommatie regime while waving it,s illegitimate pan-arab flag that it forced down the nation,s throat ? .

You also worry too much about what Qadesiyeh regime thinks of you(foreign element?) if you are seen next to a shiro khorshid flag which begs the question that, since when you are supposed to be playing the game according to the rules set up by the same regime that you claime you want to un-sit & who gives a hoot any ways..? ..lol..they are the Ommatie foreign jehadists , you gotte trade in your ommatie perscribed glasses & listen to your pal Ari which makes more sense than your short sighted mumbo.

World calling the lost tribe of Ommah lost in space !!..hello! hello!!any body?

//www.iranianidentity.blogspot.com/

//www.youtube.com/user/samsamsia


Ari Siletz

alexarjomand

by Ari Siletz on

I hear you. Seeing our country in such a crisis has been very hard on all of us. Thank you for providing the opportunity for this dialog. Please keep writing. 

alexarjomand

You are correct

by alexarjomand on

You make a good point and I am sorry about my harsh words. Being outside the country in the current situation is frustrating so sometimes reactions are not thoughtful...


Ari Siletz

Our majority should embrace these minorities

by Ari Siletz on

It's hard, but let's find a way. The points scored against us by twisting our inclusiveness, will be few compared to what we gain by acting democratically. Democracy is the art of turning what divides us into what unites us.