Learning from Hafez

Ahh ok so you were just shooting from the hip! Carry on.

Everything is sacred

Esfand

Contact Kate Allen of Amnesty International. She will give you a list. 

Yes please name the identified man who has raped someone.

Everything is sacred

Esfand

"Who is the known rapist"? It's been obvious for 35 years now for those of us not scuba diving in the Mariana Trench:

//www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/iran/8102358/Rape-in-Irans-prisons-the-cruellest-torture.html

Need more? 

Fessenjoon who is the "known rapist" that someone is supporting?

Everything is sacred

Thank you

Thank you for your comments.

I'll leave it at that. I am currently seeking legal advice regarding such random accusations, that attending a NIAC event, a legal US entity, makes you an accomplice of a particular government. 

Furthermore, it is up to the US government to oust NIAC: not Iranians taking the law onto themselves.  If anything - that makes Americans think we're even crazier than they thought.

All Colors: That's what made me feel safe about attending - and there were Republican, Democrat and Independent Iranians of all colors at the conference. If other groups organize this effectively and gather folks from across the political spectrum, I will also surely, attend. Check out the attendees on NIAC's own website. From State Department officials (including Alan Eyre in the photo with me), Congressman Jim Moran, to ex US hostage Limbert, to many prominent members of our community. It was a fascinating event. If they passed the US security check list, that was sufficient for me. 

HAFEZ BLOG: This was a very unpleasant experience for me, and with my apologies in advance,if I don't respond further from this point, please understand. Do join me on the HAFEZ BLOG. Look forward to seeing you - and happy to exchange thoughts on our culture, poetry, and beyond.

Soosan Khanoom

The Left you refer to are a joke. These are the same people who under the cover of "humanitarian intervention" have justified all the aggressive Neo-Liberal policies of the past several years. Where it counts it is an open secret that NIAC was setup and is being managed by the US government's intelligence establishment as a sort of controlled opposition party.

Well Frash..

I wouldn't it put it that way. NIAC has the support of the left    And yes it has governmental support and by that I mean the U.S government.  

:-D

Hey Frashogar,

I got a better one:

The IRGC is actually a covert branch of the CIA, and Imam Mahdi lives in the Bermuda Triangle:

//heyatemaktabolbagher.epage.ir/fa/module.content_Page.33-19.html 

NIAC is a CIA front

All you chumps who think NIAC works for the mullahs, well, Mr Parsi is laughing all the way to the bank hoping the accusation is believed indefinitely.

correction to my previous post

I accidentally wrote "pushing to get student visas from multiple to single entry."  That was a typo. What I meant to say is "pushing to get student visas from single to multiple." 

conspiracy theorists

Well ...one this is blatantly obvious from several of these comments. Our community, much to my chagrin, loves conspiracy theories almost as much as we love to complain and gossip. To them I say ... action speaks louder than words.  What have you all done to help the community? I can easily tell you about 10 things NIAC has done to help our community, including 1. pushing to get the general license to provide humanitarian relief for the earthquake victims, 2. pushing to get student visas from multiple to single entry, 3. pushing to get an independent UN human rights monitor on Iran, 4. pushing to prevent Iranian-Americans from being discriminated against b/c of the unintended consequences of broad sanctions, and the list goes on.  Until any of you tell me ONE thing (I'm only asking for one) that you've done to HELP our community, I won't listen to your critiques. Neither should you, Afsaneh.  If you like the conference, you should go. If you valued the experience, you should go.  To hell with the naysayers!  And, if NIAC was - as some people claim - working for the IRI govt - why on earth would the US govt send high level officials to speak at their conference?  Think about it ... they have far more intelligence capabilities than any of us.  I've been a long time NIAC supporter.  Why? B/c they have proven themselves time and time again. 

Liela Zand is the lady on the left

Doing some research online it looks like the lady to the left is Liela Zand an Ahmadinjed/Mottaki liaison in the US.  I am not sure why she would be at a NIAC event.  Any guesses ;)

 I thought NIAC was a reformist arm of IRI now they have Ahmadinejad people at their events?

HFB2

Youve written:

"Attending a NIAC conference, or hoping Iran-US relations improve regardless of who is in power in either country, do not make one an agent or "supporter" of any particular entity."

It doesnt make you a supporter, but it does question your motives. Tell me: Does one "improve relations" with a known rapist? 

HFB1

Why on Earth would you even attend a NIAC event? Surely it wasnt just to sit down and read poetry with them. Was it?

Makes sense all of a sudden!

This explains the attack of the Iranian.com war lobby on yourself and the illiterate bunch's sudden interest and claim of knowledge about Hafez! It was confusing for a short while. They have been trying to provoke you because they think you are NIAC! Funny and sad at the same time.

Afsaneh jan,

I would have been attending as well had it not been for my busy crazy schedule and I  would have been discussing about way more crucial things with the American Spokesperson than just Hafez. 

Next time hopefully I will attend and express my anti sanction and anti war position loud and clear. 

Thanks for the blog.  Don't  give up and keep us updated in that front.  

Roozbeh "the line of questioning" is the same. See below.

Everything is sacred

Young Iranian Democrats also believe NIAC is IRI lobby

Ms. Afsaneh,

Do you belived the islamic republic can be reformed: Yes or No?

Do you support regime change by the people of iran: Yes or No?

Why is your anti us/ anti west stance overtake your support for the people of iran to overthrow this regime?  I wonder how you would feel if someone said to negotiate with your rapist.

I think its your time to stand with the mellat or the NIAC. Your choice.

If you didn't attend the conference....

Based on such remarks, then they have won.

Such dirty campaign or trash talk and empty accusation and responding to them is one reason our nation is where it is now.

It is a shame and little can be done about it but allowing it to take effect on us, does give them power.

'Hambastegi' is the main key to victory 

Mehrdad

New heights in self delusion!

Comparing a tiny group of at best self serving Eye-Ran_ian wheeler dealers with world class artists, scientists, writers, sports personalities, political figures who were persecuted in 1950's in USA on charges of "communist sympathy"!

I looked at the entertaining video clip supplied by Masoud, in which NIAC meeting was successfuly disrupted by a small group of Iranian-american  senior citizens. Could not help but noticing the large lady with died blonde hair aggressively screaming at our senior citizens, calling them  "israelis" :)

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-dUJgJM06U

"Personal business must yield to collective interest."

NIAC accusations same as McCarthy's Communist Party accusations!

The line of questioning is always the same!  Have you or ever been a member of the NIAC (Communist Party)?!  Just answer the question, yes or no?!

Have you or any member of your family ever been a member of the NIAC (Communist Party)?! Just answer the question, yes or no?!

And the list goes on.  Don't worry about these stuff.  You're using your real name on i.com (the internet capital of accusations and trolling!) and are passionate about Hafez, teach and promote poetry so these kinds of things happen.

Carry on with your beliefs and good luck! 

Everything is sacred

......

Don't let the predijuces of others dictate what you do!  Just like the misquoted Hafez blog you just battled.

I would have definitely attended (picture or not) if my work schedule allowed me to do so. 

Are You a Member of NIAC?

Ms. Afsaneh,

1. I have not seen the e-mail that you are talking about. My perception of you is formed by reading perhaps about half a dozen or so of your posts at IC. To me, you come across as either really naive and ignorant about political realities (and/or perceptions of realities) OR a person who has an agenda but pretends to be naive and ignorant of realities (and perceptions of them).

I do not know you. So, let me share my perceptions that might help.

First a factual question to you. Earlier this year, when Trita Parsi was talking about his book at Busboys and Poets, an Iranian female made comments and asked a question. Are YOU that person? Please either "yes" or "no."

I suppose the person in the tape in the book presentation of Trita Parsi is you. My assumption is based on him identifying the person as one who "hold poetry classes."

Around min 54, the Iranian female says: "American foreign policy .... is condescending and really sadly ignorant."

//www.c-spanvideo.org/program/303838-1

If the person in the talk is YOU, then you could not claim that you are NOT political. If the person is you, then YOU are making a direct attack on the U.S. foreign policy. YOU did not attack the foreign policy of the fundamentalist terrorist regime ruling Iran. Instead you ATTACKED the American foreign policy. If the person in the program is you, then it shows that you are not apolitical, and that you do have an agenda (and that it is against the American foreign policy and it is not against the foreign policy of the IRI). So, please clarify whether the person in the program is you or it is not you.

2. Be as it may, lets proceed with your current blog.

There is a perception and belief among large segments of the Iranian-American population that NIAC, CASMII, and the Alavi Foundation are groups that support the interests of the VF regime.

These groups deny that they support the vf regime. The Alavi Foundation was the Pahlavi Foundation that after the revolution was taken over by the Mostazafan Foundation and claimed that it was not part of the VF regime in Iran. Fortunately, FINALLY after many many years of operations, the FBI took action against them

//www.fbi.gov/newyork/press-releases/2009/nyfo111209a.htm

3. The perception of NIAC as a group that lobbies that benefits the VF regime is shared by many Americans (who are not Iranian). For example Sen. Jon Kyl officially requested the Department of Justice to begin an inquiry to NIAC as a local agent of a foreign government. Here is the entire text of Sen. Kyl’s questions:

//www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/1109/Kyl_presses_for_NIAC_inquiry.html

Arizona Sen. Jon Kyl, a Republican source says, sent written questions to Attorney General Eric Holder following yesterday's meeting, going after the National Iranian American Council, a group drawing conservative ire because it advocates a soft(er) line on Iran and the subject of a Washington Times piece raising questions about its lobbying status.

Kyl's questions:

The November 13, 2009 Washington Times article, "Iran advocacy group said to skirt lobby rules" alleges that the National Iranian American Council (NIAC) may be operating as an undeclared lobby and may be guilty of violating tax laws, the Foreign Agents Registration Act, and lobbying disclosure laws.

• Is DOJ investigating the allegations put forward in this article? If not, why?

• Has DOJ found the allegations in this article to be true?

• What is the proper recourse against a 501(c)(3) group that engages in lobbying activity on behalf of a foreign government without registering as a lobbyist or filing papers with DOJ indicating that the group is a local agent of a foreign government?

=====================================

4. Sen. Mark Kirk also holds this perception. Sen. Mark Kirk used the term "regime sympathizers like the NIAC"

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1fBPcZ3JBc

5. The perception that Trita Parsi and NIAC are "man or fronts or other such terms" for the Iranian government are also shared by American publications. Here is an example:

//www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/trita-parsi-iranian-regimes-man-washington

Today the Washington Times prints a blockbuster expose on NIAC, the National Iranian American Council run by Trita Parsi that has long been suspected of acting as an unofficial, and unregistered, lobby for the Iranian regime. These suspicions seem to have been well founded. Here are the facts as reported by Eli Lake in a story that relies on thousands of emails and internal NIAC documents that were obtained by the Washington Times and have been independently reviewed by THE WEEKLY STANDARD:

====================================

6. Many Iranian-Americans believe that Trita Parsi and NIAC support the VF regime.

Those who share the perception that Trita Parsi and NIAC promote policies that benefit the VF regime include:

* middle of the road pro-democracy pro- Mossadegh activists in National Front (myself);

* left-wing democratic socialists

* Marxists

* right-wing Monarchists

7. It appears to me that the opposition to NIAC is so intense that NIAC cannot hold normal open public meetings in the community because of the intensity of the opposition, like other groups who regularly hold meetings without any massive security measures (e.g., INF, monarchists, leftists, etc). In Dallas, they held a meeting with draconian measures that did not allow anyone to tape the program and had heavy security presence (in fear of dissent from the Iranian American community). Earlier, in Los Angeles, they cancelled the program after the Iranian Americans successfully booed the program. Here is the video of the program:

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-dUJgJM06U

Whether one approves or disapproves of protests to oppose Trita Parsi and NIAC program, it is clear that many Iranian Americans share the perception of Trita Parsi and NIAC as promoting policies that benefit the vf regime. The opposition to NIAC is also very intense.

In my opinion, NIAC is either the most hated group or one of the most hated groups among Iranian Americans. One could also see the diversity and intensity of the opposition to NIAC and Trita Parsi when they publish on this very site.

8. The perception of Trita Parsi and NIAC are of many shades. Some think that Trita Parsi is agent of the IRI (whatever "agent" means). Some think that he is an opportunist who wants to make money. Some think that he is an opportunist that provides his services to whomever is in power (i.e., Trita Parsi would have done same thing if monarchists were in power, or the Mojahedin (MKO, MeK, MEK, PMOI) were in power).

9. Regardless of what is one’s perception of Trita Parsi and NIAC, it appears to me that Trita Parsi and NIAC promote policies that benefit the fundamentalist terrorist regime.

9.1. Trita Parsi OPPOSED the placing of the terrorist IRGC on the U.S. Foreign Terrorist Organizations list while aggressively promoting placing the PMOI on that very list!!!!!!!!!

//www.niacouncil.org/site/News2pageNewsArticle&id=5710

Opposing the placing of the terrorist group IRGC on the terrorist list BENEFITS the fundamentalist terrorist regime. Could YOU or anyone else show that I am wrong? Could anyone show that Trita Parsi’s advocacy hurts the IRI???? Does the IRI wants the IRGC declared a terrorist entity?

9.2. NIAC staff have pushed members of the U.S. Congress to meet with the officials of the terrorist regime.

9.3. Trita Parsi himself has had many meetings with Javad Zarif, the terrorist regime ambassador to the UN. At the time of their meetings, Zarif was the HIGHEST LEVEL OFFICIAL of the terrorist regime outside Iran.

//iranian.com/main/blog/masoud-kazemzadeh/documents-relationship-between-trita-parsi-and-vf-regime-official

9.4. Trita Parsi attending "good bye" PARTY for the terrorist regime official:

//iranian.com/main/news/2011/08/27/trita-parsi-attending-good-bye-party-ahmadinejads-ambassador-un

9.5. NIAC’s leadership has been very close to Atieh Bahar. Atieh Bahar is a group that helps foreign firms do business in Iran while the terrorist regime is ruling Iran. It is believed that folks at Atieh Bahar have connections with people at the leadership in the fundamentalist terrorist regime.

9.6. NIAC opposes real strong sanctions. The sale of oil gives BILLIONS and BILLIONS of dollars year after year after year directly into the hands of Khamenei and the vf government. Would providing say 100 BILLION dollars every year, to Khamenei helps Khamenei or hurts him.

10. The Iranian Americans are divided into many groups:

I. One group includes those of us who oppose the fundamentalist terrorist regime. We want regime change.

II. Another group support policies that helps the vf regime. Many believe (including me) that NIAC supports policies that benefit the fundamentalist terrorist regime. If you disagree with my perception, PLEASE provide rebuttals to my writing that shows that I am wrong and that in fact, NIAC policies hurt the vf regime. You may do it on this blog or in another blog of its own. Please show that opposing placing the IRGC hurts the regime. Please show that meetings between American officials and IRI officials hurts the IRI. Please show that giving 100 billion dollars to Khamenei year after year HURTS Khamenei.

III. A "neutral" group that does not get involved in politics. They do not promote policies that help or hurt the terrorist regime.

11. In conclusion, in my opinion NIAC is strongly opposed and intensely despised by large numbers of Iranian-Americans. NIAC is viewed by many Iranian-Americans as well as non-Iranian Americans as "sympathetic to the IRI" or "IRI-friendly" or "Ayatollah-friendly" or some other terms indicating that NIAC promotes policies that benefits the IRI

It appears that you have been affiliated with NIAC. If that is the case, you cannot have your cake and eat it too. You could not attend NIAC conference, (or be its member), and get upset when people consider you affiliated with NIAC.

You have every right to be non-political. But it appears to me that once you join a NIAC conference, or join NIAC (as a member), then you can NOT claim to be non-political. NIAC is a group that is HEAVILY INVOLVED in POLICIES that are POLITICAL and very very controversial and intensely hated by many. By joining NIAC, you ARE POLITICAL. By attending a NIAC annual conference, YOU ARE POLITICAL.

I have not read most of your blogs. I have read probably 2 or 3 of your blogs and another 4 or 5 of your posts. So, please help me understand your views.

A. Have YOU ever condemned the Velayat Faghih system in Iran?

Could you please place the link to that blog here or evidence elsewhere.

B. Have you supported the overthrow of the vf regime? Please provide the link to your blog here.

C. Have you called for the change from the ruling tyranny to some other regime (e.g., secular democratic republic, monarchy, etc)?

D. Do you support ANY of the numerous opposition groups?

E. Are you a member of NIAC?

F. Have you made a financial donation to NIAC?

If you do not support NIAC and its policies, then you could simply CONDEMN and OPPOSE NIAC. You could simply condemn and oppose Trita Parsi. You could simply CONDEMN the Islamic Republic regime ruling Iran. If you are perceived to be close to NIAC, then the perception of you would be like the perception on NIAC.

I do NOT know you. But I have formed perceptions of you based on the very limited stuff. If the perception of you is wrong, then you can simply clarify those wrong perceptions. Make your views explicit. In my opinion, this blog does not help. People will continue to hold their perceptions. You could simply change those perceptions by honestly answering the questions A-F above.

My 2 cents,

Masoud

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correction

Should read: This kind of headache is just not worth it. (5th paragraph)

And it truly, isn't.