Esfand Aashena

Esfand: Totally disagree.

Esfand: Totally disagree. You know my view.

Ali Mostofi

//twitter.com/alimostofi

استخفر الله!

Everything is sacred

Did I make any of those

Did I make any of those Straw Man arguments that you invoke?

Isn't this nice!

So millions of Iranians are following an Iranian version of Hitler.  Green movement was a joke and continues as such.  Mousavi, Karoubi and Khatami and their lieutenants (many of whom are in prison) are followers of Iranian Hitler and millions who supported them are all wrong and we are in the hey days of Iranian 3rd reich.

This is how we're going to view the situation in Iran until Allied Forces come in and eject the Iranian 3rd reich, but because we're against war, we want to do it ourselves except millions of Iranians are not there to help us with our views, or so we think and assume.

Isn't this nice! 

Everything is sacred

AI, MK, and GR

Thank you for your kind words. Iranian.com benefits from your opinions. Regards.

Dear Amir:

I don't believe Mohammad Ala knows what he is talking about. I also don't think he has read your comments, otherwise he wouldn't write such a blant lie! What bothers the likes of Ala is your expose of the Islamists who want to take us back to Khomeini's "Golden Age." Keep up the good work!

Dear Amir

Dear Amir,

Excellent posts and arguments.

Best regards,

Masoud

Excellent Amir?

Great Analysis!

Professor Ala

First of all, you used the word "crap" twice. That is language unbecoming a Professor. Second of all, no amount of noise by you will stop me or anyone else from criticizing Khomeini, his followers or the followers of his followers. Get used to the ways of the US, Professor -- it will make it easier for you. 

Vildemose-e aziz,

Thank you for the words of encouragement. Take care.

Finally . . . you got it Amir jan

It took awhile and several threads, but finally, you got it Amir jan. 

I proved my point about your personal attacks and got the answer which I was looking for from you and the people like you. . . .  Now you understand what to be "fair" means about your expectation from known or "real" people.  Therefore, stop your non-sense against "real" people who travel to Iran or live in Iran.  They have family members, brothers and sisters too.  Now you understand it.  It took several threads, finally you got it. 

Thums up to you, Amir. I

Thums up to you, Amir. I wouldn't give much more undeserved attention to a well known totalitrian cast of characters whose intentions are too transparent for those who are not vested in the IRI. 

"It is the chain of communicat­ion, not the means of production­, that determines a social process."

-- Robert Anton Wilson

In my view, it is cowardly

In my view, it is cowardly & unethical to hide behind pseudo name(s) while attacking real people.

You are right, Professor. All of the people on IC who use pseudonyms (the correct word, Professor) should stop their criticisms, because you say so. Never mind that the vast majority on IC use pseudonyms. We should all use our real names to attack Khamenei, Khomeini and their followers. And the next time our parents want to visit their brothers and sisters in Iran, they can worry about their sons or daughters insulting Emam or Rahbar online, and whether that might get them in trouble when they are arriving at Imam Khomeini International Airport (even if they don't get into trouble, why even create that fear for our families)? Professor, this constant obsession of yours with obtaining people's real names is starting to get a little fishy. I hope you're not in the business of "parvandeh-sazi", Professor?

Clearly, you are incapable of grasping that criticism of individuals is 110% valid and within my rights. Professor, get used to it: this is the US and not the IRI. You can't silence people here like the IRI does. Too bad for you. Understand?

Fair is fair...

It is not the first time that Amir has attacked a known person .... (attacking a title, name, etc.) I was not referring to the people who he mentioned (such as Mousavi, Karrobi, etc.)  Criticize them all you want...  preferably focusing on issues.

In my view, it is cowardly & unethical to hide behind pseudo name(s) while attacking real people.  That is what I had in mind.  Amir has resorted to personal attacks before on others. 

Freedom of expression crap my foot… When you use personal attacks on known individuals your freedom of expression ends there  . . .unless you are willing to express your views openly and in public not hiding behind a pseudo name.  I hope you understand the difference.

We must not criticize Emam Khomeini or his followers

After all, it may constitute "personal attacks" in the views of some. Wow, the IRI's censorship is starting to seem more reasonable and justifiable by the minute (irony alert)....

P.S. Hooshang jaan, ghorbanet. In my opinion, you and Roozbeh Gilani (along with some others) represent the very best of the Political Left. Keep up the good work. 

What sounds objectionable to you, sounds very logical and

consistent to me. Not that Amir needs anyone's 'defending' him; since he's correct and his arguement speaks for itself. But:

Amir is merely pointing out to the hypocracy of IR supporters abroad, and THE LEADERSHIP OF THE GREEN MOVEMENT in Iran: these are the individuals, who are single handedly responsible for the defeat of the protest movements in 2009.

Exactly what part of calling an ace, ace, and  a spade a spade is hate mongering.

What would you call a 'leadership' that has cosciously and consistently led people's movement to defeat (after the 2009 election, during the massacre of 89, massacre of 81,...). Many have used much harsher terms describing these characters. Some would say Amir is being pretty diplomatic actually, cheers

My objection to Mohammad Ala

I voiced criticism of certain individuals (Mousavi, Rafsanjani, Khatami, Karroubi, Mirdamadi) because they have been involved with the IRI at a high level. They either directly have been involved with atrocities and violations of basic rights of Iranians or have condoned such violations. I also object to individuals such as Muhammad Sahimi for his support of these individuals. None of these are personal attacks. You keep singing this same tune over and over to a number of different individuals. It seems you are incapable of telling the difference between criticism and "personal attacks". Everyone here is free to read my comments on this blog and others and decide for themselves whether they constitute "personal attacks". This is the US, Professor, not the IRI where individuals such as yourself can silence anyone they wish. Understand?

My objection to Iranian.com

I have an objection to iranian.com for permitting people such as Amir spew personal hatred rather than focusing on the subject.  If one reviews Amir's entire posts, he or she will notice that he resorts to personal attacks rather than focusing on the issue at hand. 

Mammad: Fake arrest and fake

Mammad: Fake arrest and fake opposition .....

Here is a bit of news

//www.payvand.com/news/11/nov/1196.html?utm_s...

Now in many people's eyes he puts Islam above Iran. Look at the picture. It is that simple.

Karoubi et al. wear a turban and put Hezbollahi system first. It is simple.

Ali Mostofi

//twitter.com/alimostofi

Professor,

I named specific individuals (Mousavi, Karroubi, Rafsanjani,, and Khatami). Why is it so hard for you to be honest and just admit that they were and continue to be followers of Emam?

P.S. Mirdamadi is a hostage taker, isn't he? Don't you think it's objectionable for a naturalized U.S citizen to expres admiration for a Khomeinist involved in the taking of American hostages? It shows a distinct level of hatred for America and Americans -- which is a positively Khomeinist stance. 

This is maghlateh and safsateh!

A neocon believes in certain things:

1. Bringing "democracy" to the Middle East through invasion, military attacks, and coercion.

2. Believing the U.S. as the "savior" of the world

3. Believing in American "exceptionalism;" America does no wrong.

4. Supporting Israel blindly in whatever it does.

So, if someone takes these positions, he is a neocon; this is not labeling someone, it is calling him/her for what he/she is. It is like calling someone a Marxist/communist because he/she believes in Marxism, or a socialist because he/she believes in social justice, fair distribution of wealth, universal healthcare and education, affordable housing, and prevention of exploitation.

On the other hand, some of the most courageous Iranian men and women are languishing jail because they have raised their voices, have had nothing to do with what Khomeini did or did not do, and yet they are called Khomeinists, Isalamists, supporters of the VF regime, etc., simply because their views do not agree with yours, and you impulsively call them whatever you want.

As I said, a bit of political decency will not hurt you.

Mammad

Professor,

I simply pointed out that Mousavi, Rafsanjani, Khatami, and Karroubi are Khomeinists. I daresay that all of them would proclaim themselves loyal to their Emam and his wonderful line of thinking to this very moment. To view their ilk as credble leaders of a "pro-democracy movement" strikes me as asinine in the extreme -- no matter whether you and a million others believe that. Some views are dead wrong even if millions of people believe them (or do I have to remind you how many followers Stalin, Mussolini, Hitler et al. enjoyed in their heyday)? If you think following Khomeini's devotees for another 32 years will lead Iran to freedom, democracy, and justice -- then I wish you all the luck in the world. BTW, do you find it the least bit ironic that you take issue with labels such as Khomeinist, but have no problem referring to Professor Askari and anyone else you don't like as a "neocon" (whatever that means)?

Mammad: What is your

Mammad: What is your solution for Iran? You are talking to me now. I am a veteran here. Keep it short. I have heard it all. Go for it.

Ali Mostofi

//twitter.com/alimostofi

Sir:

What did I say that it is unbecoming? Unbecoming of what or who?

I did not say you should not speak out; you should and it is your right.

I said, given your baseless accusations against some of the bravest Iranian children who are languishing in jail, you are UNQUALIFIED to speak about such issues and such people, and I stand by it, because you absolutely positively know nothing about them.

The reason is clear and I have said it many times: You accuse me and people like me of thinking idelogically and being "pro-Islamists," whereas it is in fact you who blindly and ideologically labels people as Khomeiniist, Islamists, etc., if they even slightly deviate from your line of thinking, namely, advocating sanctions on Iran that will do nothing but harm the common people and will eventually lead to military attacks, although sanctions represent an economic war that can kill even more people than a physical war.

At the same time, you use my job as some sort of "weapon" against me. You refer to me by my academic title in the midst of your baseless attacks, as if calling me as such taints me in some way. You throw at people an article by an Iranian neocon who has been advocating war and sanctions on Iran for quite sometime as an example of a "good professor," simply because his views are like yours.

This reminds of Stalin's treatment of the Soviet scientists. Those who were ideologically loyal to him were "great scientists," and those who were not, such as Lev Landua and Vitaly Ginzburg, were considered enemies of state. This is shameful.

My academic job has nothing to do with my political views. I have earned my job and position through my scientific research, and I put up my record of scientific accomplishments against anyone's, including yours, on this website any time, just as I put up my credibility as an analyst against yours and anyone for that matter anytime. Just because you attack me does not imply that others will follow you.

Having or exhibiting a bit of decency - of political type - will not hurt you. As my late mother used to say, "The day God was giving his children decency, some were asleep!"

Mammad

alimostofi

To Mammad (aka NIOC professor Muhammad Sahimi), not you.

I wish IC used disq.us. Who

I wish IC used disq.us. Who are you addressing that to Amir. If it me let me know and I will answer you.

Ali Mostofi

//twitter.com/alimostofi

Professor,

Please stop acting like a Cyber-Chomaghdar. It is very unbecoming. This is the USA and Islamist rage, such as the kind demonstrated by you, will fall on deaf ears. 

Mammad: with respect

Mammad: with respect .....

Do you read your stuff before you write it? It is waffle. Long winded and without purpose. Short and sweet to the point please. We have an emergency in our land. Don't have time for destructive criticism. Lots of bullet points. No more chertopert.

Ali Mostofi

//twitter.com/alimostofi

Oh yeah!

Anyone who advocates the rhetorician's line is not propagandist, anyone who opposes it is. That is the type of "democracy," "human rights," and "freedom of thought" that these people believe in! The man has repeated his nonsense - which has no basis in reality - so often that he actually believes in it!

Anyone who believes that those who are in jail, tortured, beaten, kept in solitary confinement, and sometimes are allowed even intentionally to die for lack of medical care - people like Nasrin Sotoudeh, Amir Khosrow Dalir Sani, Ahmad Zeidabadi, Hoda Saber, Abdollah Momeni, Mostafa Tajzadeh, Mohsen Mirdamadi, Abdollah Ramazanzadeh,...... all practicing Muslim and "Islamist," are just a fanction of the Khomeinist school of thought is not qualified to speak about Iran's internal developments. But, hey, they too do not utter the rhetorician's line, and therefore they too are propagandist.

On the other hand, without their hollow rhetortic, these people will not exist. Their entire existence as "commentator" is tied to their uttering nonsense. Still, it is people like me who are the propagandist! Go figure!

Something really bothers the rhetorician about some people being a professor in a major university, being a regular contributor to National Public Radio, being quoted in and consulted by the New York Times all the time, being recognized as an expert on Iran's nuclear program, and being the lead political columnist for the most important English website for news on Iran with 200,000 followers on its FaceBook and 30,000 on its tweeter! I guess they are all propagandist as well! The world must have come to an end!

Even the universe, as vast as it is, is finite. But, the level of absurdity of the rhetorician, on the other hand, is infinite.

Mammad

The dog and pony show of various Khomeinist factions

which are jockeying for power and trying to position themselves for the best access to the wealth of the country has been going on for 32 years. The West-residing propagandists and boosters of one or another such Khomeinist faction (whether "conservative" Khomeinists or "reformist" Khomeinists) wish to create a false impression that this falling out among two fundamentally very similar cliques can serve as the basis for a movement towards freedom and democracy. Rest assured that genuine democracy, human rights, and individual liberties are the furthest things from the minds of those wishing a return to the true principles of Khomeini. For the views of an Iranian-American professor who does not function as a propagandist for Khomeinist so-called "reformers", consider the following:

//www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/LJ07Ak02....