Where are my comrades?

Balatarin
Share/Save/Bookmark

Ali P.
by Ali P.
10-Apr-2008
 

Where are my Comrades?

Let's face it: Some of us , on this forum, like the status quo in Iran. We believe, the foundation of Islamic Republic of Iran is the best thing that has happened to us since the invention of “Barbari”, and we do everything we can, to defend it. Then there are those of us who miss the good old, Shah’s days. We’ll do anything to have those days back, hopefully with his son on the throne.

Some of us are rooting for MKO: Finally, a Democratic Republic of Iran. This is what we have been wanting all along.

Then there are the Mossadeghis: Nationalist, secular , independent, democratically elected, charismatic leader, who fell in the coup. We also have reformists: IRI is fine, but this whole “Supreme Leader” concept needs to go away, Khatami-minded people take over, and then we are fine!

Have I overlooked anyone?

I was a teenager in 1979. It was only after the Revolution that I was exposed to Marxism. I remember going to “ShahReza street”, across the street from the Teheran University with my father. It was the “Spring of Freedom” and every group and party had a presence there, advertising their own vision of future Iran. My father noticed me buying my first “Communism 101” book:”Marxism cheh meegooyad”(What Marxism says). Later that day he bought me it’s antagonist:”Marxism cheest?”(What is Marxism?), as a precautionary measure to save me from turning left, I believe , in retrospect.

I started reading my own book first. It was in “Question and Answer” form, and was written in simple language, by a Marxist organization (Chereekhaayeh fadaaeeyeh khalgh?)

Fascinating stuff:

Equality! Nobody would be filthy rich, and no one would starve.

Education? Free for everyone!

Peace? Why not!

Science? bring it on!

Religion, mosques, churches? Get the hell outta here.

I was sold. I was going to do my share in changing the world.

I think I was a communist for one single day : I was caught, spreading communist propaganda to my 13 year-old cousin, by my Dad.( My cousin had told me about sex earlier, and had complimented his lecture with an old Playboy magazine. I was trying to impress him and get his eye boggled up , just like he did me, by telling him about Marx and Lenin!)

My Dad’s theory was that ”Communism, on the paper, sounds like heaven, but in reality, it falls far shorter”. He gave me a 15-minutes speech, and I just simply did not know enough for a come back.

Bummer! I bought his logic; still don’t know , I did, because it was "Dad", or because he made sense, but I suspect it was the former. Looking around me, I have a feeling, in choosing our school of thought, emotions have much more influence on us, than logic. If you grew up in a warm family and had good relations with your parents (especially your Dad), chances are you followed your parents’ political ideology. If not, you probably picked the opposite side.

In the following years, I got to know many communists, some became dear friends; good Iranians who thought the best for our country is to join the Soviet block, and many brave ones lost their life promoting the idea.

· * * *

Iranians in Europe are much more political than they are here in the US; at least back in the early 80’s they were. Iranian leftists were active, having their own clubs and publications, still yearning for a Socialist Iran. I never figured it why they didn’t go to Romania or Poland, instead of coming to Germany and France and Sweden.

I came to the U.S. and lost touch with most of them. The Berlin Wall came down, and we all finally realized that the misery behind the iron curtain was not just American propaganda. No matter how you looked at it, they lost the cold war, and no one seems to be sorry, even those living in the former Eastern block.

Every once in a while, there is a gathering of the leftists where I live in the USA. I have seen thousands in concerts, hundreds for a simple speech on Hafiz, but no more than a handful for their gatherings, and I can’t help but think: What happened to them?

If you have even been a Marxist, how do you feel now? Do you view your former ideology as “the Great Lie” of the twentieth century?

If you are still a Marxist, what do you wish for? What would you like to see happen? Your former comrades, who are no longer here, are looking down, wanting you continue their path, to bring peace and prosperity and equality to the world, and get workers of the world, to unite.

.

What do you have to say to those fallen comrades?

Balatarin
Share/Save/Bookmark

Recently by Ali P.CommentsDate
حیف من!
1
May 01, 2011
It was about freaking time!
11
Jan 25, 2011
Iran v. UAE
26
Jan 19, 2011
more from Ali P.
 
javaneh29

Ali P ...

by javaneh29 on Wed Apr 16, 2008 12:57 AM PDT

Ali P, I too was a teenager living in Teheran in 1979 pre and post September '78.. and although  I am not Iranian by birth, I understand where you came from back then. I was a female teenager, living a sheltered life it's true, but I was aware and having grown up in the UK, the differences in equality was striking for me.

I think that communism is a seductive and wonderful ideal, especially appealing for the young who find it so hard to accept the injustices in this world. And in Iran, back then and still now .... there were so many injustices. But we wont get into that right now!

I think that so many of us have made a life for ourselves elsewhere in the western  world and maybe the injustices are less obvious than they were there and we have become occupied with getting on with life in a capitalist society, making it work, growing up and all the things that involves,

There are still many of us who hold onto the ideal of equality, shared wealth etc... but  sadly and in reality,  its never going to happen, so we do what we can to strive towards that ideal. What we are able to achieve may be small in the scheme of things .... but it is not lost altogether

Javaneh


  •  
default

Damn oil

by Kamangir on Sat Apr 12, 2008 03:07 AM PDT

Whatever we were and are now, no matter our ideology or opinion we cannot deny one fact and that is that Iran as a country and culture is being literally doomed. We have come to 'assume' that the best thing to do is to leave Iran behind. The entire social fabric of Iran is affected. Our country is badly ill and since the possibility of an US attack against it has become much more than a possibility, I cannot but fear the worse and to me is that Iran will end up somehow like Iraq. Devastating war designed to destroy and break Iran's back, should be causing much more concern among all of us.

I feel very sad when I see what's happening to Iran and the Iranian's, this causes me to hold a grudge against Iranians for allowing it, againt some Western powers for causing it and againg against Iranians abroad, for being so indiferent, busy with their (what I call, shootoole malang bazi) concert from concerts, party from party, as if nothing is happening.

I'm worried because I think that we will soon see an attack against Iran and we'll also have time to witness its result. I don't want to see Iran where Iraq is now. This damn oil was and is a curse on Iran and all of us.

 


  •  
Majid

My "Toode-ee" friend!

by Majid on Fri Apr 11, 2008 02:00 PM PDT

Before revolution in Iran There was this guy in the circle of our friendship group, He was much older than I was (almost my dad's age) , he was pretty high in "Toode party" rank and file.

After revolution he bought almost a mansion in northern "Yousef aabaad' which was the resident of Israel's ambassador, a 2-1/2 story building with 6 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms, a large pool  and a huge yard, he threw a house warming party and invited everyone over.

Almost everyone were there including his family and his servants! when he got home from work.

I jokingly said " doostaan, haami-ye zahmat keshaan-e jahaan tashreef aavardand" and again jokingly asked him: Aaghaaye...........if by any chance your ultimate system takes power tomorrow and as a result take this mansion away from you, instead give you a 2 bedroom apartment and say : THIS is the true meaning of the system you were dreaming about, How would you handle that?

He said :Plain and simple, I'm just going to say " GOH KHORDAM"!!  


  •  
Tahirih

Ali p.

by Tahirih on Fri Apr 11, 2008 01:06 PM PDT

I knew that picture is not you,because from your comments I could see your real age. I am just writing to tell you that do not worry about your age .I read your comments and there is a wisdom in them which is reflection of your age and maturity ,and it is very appealing.

I am older than you and ,still turn Heads!!! so there is nothing wrong with aging.Today at grocery store,I told a 50 something lady that she looks really beautiful, since  I overheard  her  telling a friend that how she longs for her youth.

So my friend change the picture!! and do not worry about a few wrinkles .

I can not believe that I talked about a vain subject ,but I could sense that your ego has been a little bruised.More power to wisdom and attraction of minds.

Respectfuly,

Tahirih

 

 


  •  
Ali P.

Ali P. responds

by Ali P. on Fri Apr 11, 2008 11:52 AM PDT

I was really hoping to hear from my current or former leftist friends, but I appreciate everyone's comments. 

Setareh! : nah joonam, in setareh haayeh oon vasat ro gozaashteh boodam, keh bayneh do paaraageraaf faaseleh byofteh, valee too 'publishing'esh, ghaatee paatee shod.'Subliminal' message nabood! :-)

IRANdokht: The few ex-communists I know, are some of the wealthiest people around, thanks to this evil capitalist system, in this hell, called the USA. One is still a communist, claiming:" Once the "Revolution' comes, I do not have any problem sharing my wealth with the masses; until then, you pay for your own chelo-kabaab, I pay for my own!"

n.zanincanadai: I got up from my afternoon nap, and was fixing to put my daily dose of Bengay on, and there was your comment! :-)

 Sorry to have ruined it for you. It is a youth and looks  oriented  world. More people read your blog if you are young and attractive. We, old and ugly writers, don't get as much attention, no matter how brilliant we are. Just ask JJ! I hope you keep reading, and making comments on my writings. I always enjoy yours.

 Bear in mind that, that what I wrote was my view toward the world at the time; just wait till you are 30. You become much more realistic.

  I am not religious, and I am not naive enough to think, that religion, ever, is going to go away, and I am fine with that. I just think the state has no business promoting, or inhibiting, religion. "You can worship any rock you want, as long as you are not throwing it at me."

 

Troneg:Well said. Thanks for your input.

 

Anonymouse: Back then, there was nothing sexier than having a communist girlfriend. Unfortunately for me, that too, "beh maa keh reseed shaayeh'eh shod"!

Mark Twain says:" When I was a kid, people didn't have any repect for the young. Now that I am old, they don't repect old people. I lost coming and going."

 Story of my generation...

 I thank everybody for reading this. I am sure there is much more you could have done with your time. I am humbled.

 

 

Coincidentally, in every generation, ( and on every website) there has to be some fool who will speak the truth as he sees it.

 I hope to be that fool.

:-)

Ali P.


  •  
Anonymouse

Marxist girl friend?!

by Anonymouse on Fri Apr 11, 2008 09:00 AM PDT

Did you also find a Marxist girl friend?! 

People had all kinds of ideas and philosophies.  Ronald Reagan was once a communist. During McArthur era they accused a lot of hollywood folks for being communist sympatizers.  They accused Lucy Ball of being a communist, for having red hair and to piss them off, she said yes so what? That caused her some grievance.

Times have changed.  There are still people going after socialist ideas.  Just take a look at World Bank demonstrations and read the banners.  Young people in college with ideals tend to get attracted to alternative philosphies to be anti-establishment.  You saw Forrest Gump? Once they leave college they tend to go back and become one of the morghga!


  •  
Troneg

Only open minded will survive

by Troneg on Fri Apr 11, 2008 07:16 AM PDT

A European humorist told : Capitalist is about people abusing other people and Marxisms is exactly reverse.

Many people do politic to obtain power and few of them do it to improve humain being life. As today a lot of people are Islamist.

All leftist were from rich family and most of them are advocating free market now!

Leftist and Rightist all are wrong.

Every body cannot share every thing with others but without solidarity what is difference between a humain being and an animal!

As Saadi told :

Bany Adam Azay Yek Digarand - Keh dar Afarinesh ze yek Goharand


  •  
n.zanincanadai

Ali P Jan,This is your

by n.zanincanadai on Fri Apr 11, 2008 06:18 AM PDT

Ali P Jan,

This is your best post yet! First off I would like to add that I too, am perplexed by the stars.

Your father is right. Communism is a good theory. But in practice, its flaws come and it's as useless as Democracy.

"quality! Nobody would be filthy rich, and no one would starve "

The assumption that human beings don't want to be rich in order not to see another starve is false. People agree that starvation is wrong. But human behaviour is very consistent in that we want to be rich.

"Education? Free for everyone!"

Education has a cost. Darn it, those teachers want to live in luxury too! Have you ever thought what would happen if EVERYONE had a formal education??? Who would we use as cheap labor? Not many educated people want to be the one to wash dirty hospital sheets or work in the sewers.

Peace? Why not!

Because those who want to be rich can't make money off peace. And that includes the teachers who want to live in luxury. War gives some financial advantage to society (ok maybe just to the stronger parties). Check out articles and documentaries on how the sale of arms affects world economy. :)

Science? bring it on!

It comes on as it is. No need for communism to help. A bit slower or faster. But it comes.

Religion, mosques, churches? Get the hell outta here.

Why? 99.99999% of human beings are religious. Who can change that? Remember people were crucified, gassed, killed over their religious beliefs.

We should share....oh we should. But we can't. It's not human nature. If you are ever bored, go to a day care center and watch teachers try to teach the concept to 4 year olds.

Now, if you were a teenager in Iran...change your picture. It looks like you are 28ish. Your blog totally ruined it for me :) THANKS


  •  
IRANdokht

Dear Ali P.

by IRANdokht on Thu Apr 10, 2008 11:15 PM PDT

One thing that's very obvious is that you are blessed with a wise Dad, he saved your life!  He knew how to deal with a highly impressionable teenager during a very sensitive phase. 

I think those Comrades you are looking for might have evolved into entrepreneurs themselves and may even look back at those days and sigh when they vaguely remember those fallen young hopeful comrades of theirs... 

IRANdokht


  •  
default

Agha P!

by Setareh! (not verified) on Thu Apr 10, 2008 10:46 PM PDT

In Setareh oun vasat Nashane chie????? Aaya Moheme ke ounja bashe? mamnoon misham ageh ouno Touzieh bedid.

Ba Tashakor....


  •