Brian H. Appleton

I love you guys and gals!

at least we are talking and thinking and not just the silence of the lambs...of course no matter how much we bark we are like little dogs at the feet of the giants who give us freedom of speech because nothing we say can actually threaten or topple them or make them change their ways...look at the over reaction of the Oakland police on the 100 odd OWS protestors last Tuesday...10 police to 1 protestor...the top 1% have the biggest military force in the world to back them up...

Brian H. Appleton

aka

Rasool Aryadust

What have U done for UR community?

Two of the best things we can do for our communities are volunteerism and voting.  While the importance of volunteerism cannot be over-emphasized, as far as having a power-base, nothing beats voting.  But, here are my conclusions on voting:

* Politicians look at voters in many different categories / blocs, in addition to dem, rep or indep..  So, make sure "they" know you are Iranian-American.  I know 3rd-4th generation Italian-Americans or Irish-Americans who are still proud of their heritage, display it and let the census bureau know it to begin with.

* Do not be a "one-issue" voter.  Engage the politicians on other issues such as the taxes, services ...... as well as the Iranian-related issues.

* Participate in town-hall meetings.  Nowadays, the politicians in our area have made it very easy by participating in phone-town-hall meetings (includes asking questions by a telephone code).

* Money talks, everything else (including haart-o-poort on blogs) walks.  Support your politicians and organizations that you think matter.

* And, for heavens sake: vote.  Those who say voting does not matter should be reminded that the outcome of the US presidency in the year 2000 was decided by less than 500 votes in Florida. The voting margin can be a lot less in local issues.

brian appleton, let me tell

brian appleton, let me tell you what i don't do to my community and my people: i don't make backdoor deals with vf.  i don't have secret meeting with iri's representatives. and i'm not a sounding board for iri leaders' edicts.  now, stop trying to out-iranian the iranians and get a life.  as far as i what i do, it's my business and it's certainly more than you can imagine.  btw, the picture above shows two people who are not iranian-american (iranian roots, u.s. citizenship). :D

NIAC support or

not supporting it is not a binary function of "no" or "yes". You may agree with some things and not with other things they do. By the way Brian you are going to be trashed not by me but by the usual people.

Regarding membership. What is a member. If say Akbar gives them 100$ in 2008 does that make him a member? They may count him as one to boost their numbers. Regardless it does not mean NIAC is his sole voice.

As for what we do for Iranian community: not much. I have done a few things. Volunteered to help for NowRuz celebrations. Gave blood sample to the bone marrow thing so I may be able to save a life: Iranian or not. Made some contributions to both NIAC and PAAIA. I know PAAIA is far more right wing but figured to balance things. I wrote and contacted my representative and Senator and opposed MEK. But on the whole not a whole lot more.

Hey I am not perfect but try to do a bit.

I also bought "legal" things from Iran like books and whatever was not covered by sanctions. At least help out a few businesses there. 

Hope this made sense to yoy; thank you VPK.

What are we doing for our community? Nothing!

Everything is sacred