I had the opportunity to meet and speak with Hillary Clinton on Oct 22, 2007 at a private fundraiser in Hillsborough. I was lucky enough to get in as VIP and have a photo with her (above). She is actually very warm and friendly up close, with twinkly blue eyes and a beautiful smile that lights up her face. She looks you right in the eye and gives you her complete attention, no matter what is going on around her, with bodyguards, photographers, aides, queue of people waiting.... When it was my turn, I shook her hand, introduced myself and told her that I had met her once when she was First Lady at Wellesley College. At the time I said she should be President herself! She laughed! I told her I was glad she was following my advice! Then I said that just like her, I was a Wellesley grad, a wife, and a mother but I was Iranian and that our countries should have a better relationship. I said Iranians love America. Don't judge us by the politicians. She said she remembered me (yeah right!). Anyway, I told her that in order to create a bridge of understanding, I had 2 gifts for her. One, my sister Davar Ardalan's book My Name is Iran (she's a producer at NPR) and the other my mother Laleh Bakhtiar's translation into English, The Sublime Quran. This is the first time it has been translated by an Iranian-American woman, and the words have been translated to be more sensitive to women. Hillary was thrilled! Her eyes quadrupled! These were given to her to improve our cultural understanding, in order to bring dialogue, not war. Hillary agreed that we need to understand each other better. She introduced me to her assitant Huma (part Saudi, part Indian) who was Muslim and said to be sure to include by business card so they could get in touch with me. Again, Hillary said she appreciated it very much that I brought those books to her attention. I just got a letter today from Hillary acknowledging the books and thanking me for it. As part of her speech that day, she talked about sending in experts to deal with foreign countries, people who know the language, the culture and the religion, people who have connections, not just politicians. Whether that had something to do with what I said, I don't know, but it was good to hear her say she wants to understand others. In the future, I hope to do more non-profit work and to help improve our awareness of other cultures. In a way, Hillary was my first client! Although I'm busy with work, the kids, the house, I will someday follow my dream to be a bridge of understanding.
Love, Mani
Person | About | Day |
---|---|---|
نسرین ستوده: زندانی روز | Dec 04 | |
Saeed Malekpour: Prisoner of the day | Lawyer says death sentence suspended | Dec 03 |
Majid Tavakoli: Prisoner of the day | Iterview with mother | Dec 02 |
احسان نراقی: جامعه شناس و نویسنده ۱۳۰۵-۱۳۹۱ | Dec 02 | |
Nasrin Sotoudeh: Prisoner of the day | 46 days on hunger strike | Dec 01 |
Nasrin Sotoudeh: Graffiti | In Barcelona | Nov 30 |
گوهر عشقی: مادر ستار بهشتی | Nov 30 | |
Abdollah Momeni: Prisoner of the day | Activist denied leave and family visits for 1.5 years | Nov 30 |
محمد کلالی: یکی از حمله کنندگان به سفارت ایران در برلین | Nov 29 | |
Habibollah Golparipour: Prisoner of the day | Kurdish Activist on Death Row | Nov 28 |
What is Wrong With You People?
by Kaveh Nouraee on Thu Feb 07, 2008 09:10 AM PSTWhat do you think Hillary can possibly do for this country that would be beneficial to anyone besides herself?
Do you honestly think she even remotely cares about issues that concern the population?
Do you think that any Democrats have the interests of their constituency foremost in mind?
I really would like to hear/read what you have to say on the matter.
Hillary
by Rodd Farhadi (not verified) on Wed Feb 06, 2008 04:36 PM PSTOk...
Wow!!
To everyone who said Hillary is not going to win, take a closer look. She won California and New York. So...In YOUR FACE!!!!! Hillary is awesome and if you are an Obama fan well... good job voting for vice president!! And you Bush #2 fans aka McCain, need to sort out your life.
So GO Hillary!!!!!
Mani you are awesome!
Um... ya she WILL!!!
by roddrocks (not verified) on Fri Nov 23, 2007 10:32 PM PSTUm...
ya she WILL!!!
Hillary's infamous
by Frieda (not verified) on Sat Nov 17, 2007 10:21 PM PSTHillary's infamous “fucking Jew bastard” quote and how the media reported it at the time give us a good idea of who is on board with Pant Suits and who is just merely towing the line. The AP, Time, CBS and Reuters seem to be her biggest supporters. Something to keep in mind as we watch the unfolding election....
“f***ing Jew bastard” [The Times (London), 18 July 2000]
“f—–g Jew bastard” [New York Daily News, 17 July 2000]
“f****** Jew bastard” [The Times (London), 16 July 2000]
“f—– Jew b——” [UPI, 17 July 2000; euphemized fucking is one hyphen short]
“Jew bastard” [Reuters, 10, 16, 17 July 2000]
“Jew bastard” [The Washington Post, 18 July 2000]
“Jew bastard” [New York Daily News, 18 July 2000]
“Jew b——” [AP, 16 July 2000]
“an obscenity-laced, anti-Semitic slur” [AP, 19 July 2000]
“an anti-Semitic obscenity” [AP and St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 26 July 2000]
“uttered an anti-Jewish slur” [Reuters, 16 July 2000]
“made an anti-Jewish remark” [TIME, 24 July 2000, p. 64]
“used rough language” and an “anti-Semitic slur.” [CBS Radio News, 16 July 2000]
source://www.weaselzippers.net/blog/
Clinton: The most corrupt lady,
by Nananan (not verified) on Sat Nov 17, 2007 04:27 PM PSTStop the dynasty building in America...say NO
Bush-Clinton-Bush-Clinton
Can you imagine she becoming
by jaffar (not verified) on Fri Nov 16, 2007 01:01 PM PSTCan you imagine she becoming the president? and the other one be her Iranian advisor? They both look like they have not seen a kir in ages. They are questioning; is that a kir?!
Mock Islam?
by Rahmati (not verified) on Fri Nov 16, 2007 12:02 PM PSTIf Iranians wish to unquestionably accept Islam and put their brains on hold, then sure I will mock them. I mean the whole ideology of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) is disgraceful and full of racism, intolerance, and supremacy.
WHY SHALL I NOT MOCK those people who stupidly accept a foreign Arab Bedouin ideology and put their brains on hold (or in reverse)?
Respect must be earned. I have no obligation to respect an Islamist.
Distinction
by AH Danesh (not verified) on Thu Nov 15, 2007 09:52 AM PSTThe Fifth English Curve: Distinct World & Entity
..
Without exception
All the English letters
Are devoid of dots
When written in upper case
But in lower case
There are only two letters make the exception: IJ
But in Farsi
Most letters are riddled with dots and more dots
Yet the peculiar letter "Ye"
Is the only dotless letter in Persian
That suddenly lays eggs in shape of two dots
When written in lower case
To acknowledge some similarity
Between these two vastly distinct & separate world
..
Dr. Prof. Danesh
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Miz-abdol-azim: You are right!!!
by farrad02 on Thu Nov 15, 2007 08:43 AM PSTYou are right. Hillary does look like Bani Sadr, former/disgraced IRI president. She looks like Bani Sadr with blue eyes! Hmmm....let's think about that?!!!
Hyperthyroidism
by Dr Batool (not verified) on Thu Nov 15, 2007 08:42 AM PSTBoth women suffer from a hyper thyroid disorder known as Graves Disease. Just look at their eyes.
My Phone Call
by Abol Danesh, University Professor (not verified) on Thu Nov 15, 2007 08:07 AM PSTNow let's see who the turtle is on the campaign trail now that Hillary is getting some rest and sleep after my phone call...
.
Zoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooom!
Zooooooooooooooooooooooooooooming...
I Would Not Be Proud of Any Association With Hillary
by Kaveh Nouraee on Thu Nov 15, 2007 08:06 AM PSTHillary Clinton represents the elitist mindset that is so pervasive in the Democratic Party. (What else would you expect from the party that has the khar as it's mascot?)
This woman, like her degenerate husband, is a power-hungry attention whore. And before you say all politicians are like that, this one is especially blatant about it. Her ideology is such that if she had her way, she would decide what is best for the public, rather than allowing for individual choice and accountability. Typical so-liberal, big brother, big government. Any vote for her is a vote against common sense.
My Phone Call
by Abol Danesh (not verified) on Thu Nov 15, 2007 07:55 AM PSTI am going to pick up the phone to call her to say one of the best ways to increase speed after some running on the compaign trail is to slow down and even some times into a complete stopage for a long duration...
.
!
What is expected from our educated women?
by Wake Up (not verified) on Thu Nov 15, 2007 07:40 AM PSTThis is what expected from our educated women:
Why not giving her a copy of Xenophon's "Education of Cyrus" in English so she can understand the nation of Iran? We will then be treated with respect and as a peaceful nation and as an ally in Middle East Region knowing we have helped civilization to shape and we must be preserved and honored.
We do not allow our women be treated as half and we do not allow raping children and we do not allow oppositions be killed, jailed, maimed, lashed, publicly hanged, and we do not allow stoning. We do not kill arts and literatures. We do not impose our way of life to others. We do not wage war until Imam Zamon appears. This list is unending!
Iranians are not in opposition with Islam; it is Islam that is in opposition with Iranians.
Islamists are genociding Iranians. Wake Up
Dare be an Iranian in Today's Iran under Islam and sense our pain and sufferings of our ancestors.
The moment you step into public sphere, you can not be Iranian. Do you understand or still snoozing?
To Pleaze
by Farhad2008 (not verified) on Thu Nov 15, 2007 06:55 AM PSTSir,
Cyrus was half Mede but not all medes are kurds! Medes empire includes a area from Tehran to West- Iraq. Kurds was a bunch of them which have been living as nomade through history.
Why quarrel over the Quran?
by Ashan (not verified) on Thu Nov 15, 2007 05:04 AM PSTHere is a prominent Iranian-American women who is promoting intercultural understanding. Why is all that some people can do to critize her for giving Mrs. Clinton a book gift? Let's be fair for God's sake. If you do not accept Islam or like your Muslim heritage that is fine but do not mock others for that. In other case the Iranian nation will not make any progress at all!
Did you tell Hillary that Muhammad was a pedophile
by Kamran7 (not verified) on Wed Nov 14, 2007 11:56 PM PSTYou remind me of the lowest type of human garbage by writing :"This is the first time it has been translated by an Iranian-American woman, and the words have been translated to be more sensitive to women", sensitive to what, to how women are treated by Islamic law.
Remember its in Quran, your fucking prophet was fucking a 9 years old as his wife, what a wonderful religion Islam is, isn't it. Can you make this more sensitive, how about Muhammad was raping a 9years old girl.
Vote Ron Paul
by pahlevan (not verified) on Wed Nov 14, 2007 09:25 PM PSTThe only chance to salvage the sinking ship, that is the united states, is voting for Ron Paul. He is the only candidate who advocates a non-interventionist foreign policy and has a real chance of winning the elections. I also like Denis Kucinich who advocates peace as well but he has no chance of winning. All Iranian-Americans should vote Ron Paul.
Re: "Educated” Iranian Women
by Pleaze (not verified) on Wed Nov 14, 2007 07:53 PM PSTDear "Educated” Iranian Women,
Why don't you next time have Hillary walk underneath Quran for three times while you are holding the holiest book of god above her head and have her kiss this holy book? She will for sure become next president:
Dear "Educated” Iranian Women,
Tell Hillary and your other non-Iranian friends or your husbands how this Quran holy book treats you:
1) Men can marry girls over 9 years old
2) Men can marry more than one wife
3) Women are half of a man
4) Men can beat their wives
5) Women can not be judge
6) Witness of a woman is one half of man
7) Women can not have custody of their children after her father death if her husband’s father or brother is living
8) Women only inherit one half of man
9) Women can not be president
10) Women can not travel without their husband’s permission
11) Women’s are considered as cow for birth
12) Men get 72 virgins and women become gang raped
13) More ………….. Read Quran in Farsi
support lesbian
by lesbian lover (not verified) on Wed Nov 14, 2007 06:20 PM PSTi am willing to support women right and lesbian
Karoshi
by Danesh (not verified) on Wed Nov 14, 2007 06:12 PM PSTA Line in Land
.
I
Can
Only honor you
If you can find a way
To honor my brothers
Not just one of them
But both!
I know it I know it
It is way hard doing it
Almost bear impossible
But my friend
There is no easy road as we all know
That could ever lead to "Honor"
.
Carry on and to bear with no end in sight!
.
Mr. Abol Danesh
Copyright ©2007 Mr. Abol Danesh
Mitt Romney shall be the next President of USA....
by American (not verified) on Wed Nov 14, 2007 06:08 PM PSTHey:
For those of you free-loaders, donut-eaters who think you can jump on the Big-Butt Hillary gravy train next year as you did when the Big-Dick Slick Willy was president for eight consecutive years, I've got news for you! Hillary will NOT be president in 08!?
The next president shall be Mitt Romney, the ex-Governor of the state of Massachusetts!? And it will be a bad news for the mullahs and their nochehs which I am sure are in abundance amongst you! So, pack up your Paloons and prepare yourselves for getting deported when Mitt Romney becomes president!?
Not to change the subject!!
by Hafez of Shiraz (not verified) on Wed Nov 14, 2007 06:01 PM PSTI love Davar-e-Ardalan, she is an eceptional talent. Very attractive too. Here we go:
Hafez Shabeh Hejraan Shod, Booyeh Khosheh Vasl Aamad.
ArtWanted.com/HafezofShiraz
You are so right
by Iran-for-ever (not verified) on Wed Nov 14, 2007 05:58 PM PSTIrandokht,
You are so correct about these "educated" Iranian women! I wonder if her mother translated the parts of Quran you mentioned, or the parts about virgins and little boys waiting in heavon for men when they get there. These people are sick!
I can't believe you gave her a translation of Qor'ann
by Anonymous^Infinity (not verified) on Wed Nov 14, 2007 05:57 PM PSTHow in the world Qor'ann is going to help her? The only use I bet is when Slick Willy is going to wipe his ass with it!?
باور کنید
Miz-abdol-azim khaneh Ghareeb (not verified)Wed Nov 14, 2007 05:17 PM PST
بمحض اینکه عکس حیلاری کلینتون را دیدم گویی آبجی بنی صدر، رئیس جمهور مخلوع خمینی جلویم سبز شد. شباهت را ملاحظه میفرمائید؟
What you have done is your
by parsua (not verified) on Wed Nov 14, 2007 04:12 PM PSTWhat you have done is your business. I had met Hillary in a rather casual occasion about a few years ago and she came across as a snob to me. Unlike her husband who was very charming, she had bad teeth, wouldn't smile or give a hoot about anybody.
Like the other friend said; "with a few thousand dollar dinner plate" and hope for more votes, she would probably even convert to Islam for you!
Best
Hom much for plastic surgery
by Ali (not verified) on Wed Nov 14, 2007 04:04 PM PSTBillary will NEVER be the president...
You Did Great!
by Mehdi on Wed Nov 14, 2007 03:29 PM PSTI am not a fan of Hillary but I think she is capable of change and I think you did a great job! Even though I wasn't there, I feel that her speech that day had had a lot to do with your conversation with her. I think you made a huge difference for the better. You'd be amazed how uneducated people are about different cultures, even someone like Hillary with the position that she has. And just a little enlightening could go a very long way. Way to go!
Talk is cheap!
by TM (not verified) on Wed Nov 14, 2007 01:46 PM PSTDear Mrs. Farhadi,
You did the right thing! You have acted based on what you believe in, and that’s important! Unfortunately, many of us (Iranians) are all-talk but empty. You can see it by reading some of the comments here. Some are so overstuffed with the hatred (‘oghdeh’) of this regime and mullahs that they can’t even express a decent opinion, let alone do something positive. You at least did something that you thought would be helpful, and good for you!
By the way, I don’t like Hillary and am no fan of IR.