>>>
FULL TEXT
Sadaf
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* Een kojaa o aan kojaa
These days Googoosh fever has spread all around North America and Europe.
Another kind of fever has spread around East Asia. President Khatami is
visiting Japan and everybody here is waiting to attend his speech.
This reminded me of a poem which says:
DAANEH-YE FELFEL SIYAAH O KHAAL-E MAHROOYAN SIYAAH,
HAR DO JAAN SOOZAND AMMAA, EEN KOJAA O AAN KOJAA
Maryam
Friday,
October 27, 2000
* We want more!
There was a short note by Esmail Nooriala about a picture of his with
Shamlou and Royaei, remembering the events and times around that picture
["Footprint"].
His short explanation ended on a very sad note: "I can write pages
about what was going on around the time and content of this picture but
I do not think much of it will be of any interest to most of your readers."
Is this the way the readers of Persian poetry are perceived by our poets?
... He just stops exactly where he has to start. I think he owes it to
all of us to write about his literary and political experience in those
two most important decades of our cultural history...
Nooriala should rest assured that there are many people like me amongst
the readers of this site who are enthusiastically looking for his future
articles >>>
FULL TEXT
Hushang Mansurian
Hacienda Hights, California
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* Illusionary images of Iran
Mr. Entesari, Thank you for your note ["Stereotyping
Iranians"] on the silliness that Sciolino's book is ["The
twelve rules"]. For some reason, foreign journalists (often of
American descent) feel like if they go to Iran, are entertained by the
high and mighty of the Iranian society in Northern Tehran, take a few trips
around the country, and manage to get in a couple of keenly observed "life-scenes"
they can derive anentire exegesis of "Iranian culture."
It's not limited to Iran either. They claim to know the "soul"
of India or China or any country that doesn't operate in the way they *think*
America operates through reporting on it and comparing it (I think entirely
irrelevantly) to the US. As you so keenly pointed out, the image they have
of their homeland is often as mythical and illusionary as the image they
have of foreign countries.
Laleh Khalili
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* Too much narrow-mindedness
I wish one day people around the world could realize that it is not
our differences that seperate us from each other -- it is our unwillingness
to accept each others' views of the world in which we live...
Whatever the situation may be for you at this moment, I beg you all
to take a step back and try to feel what life is like for your "enemy".
I'm not asking for peace... all I'm asking for is empathy -- empathy for
your fellow human beings... have we forgotten what that is? >>>
FULL TEXT
Kambiz Hamadani
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Thursday
October 26, 2000
* Stereotyping Iranians
I suppose the main difference between Iranians and Americans (and perhaps
Western culture) is that the Americans always use a systematic approach
when they analyse a situation. They seem to be very fond of moulding people
into categories. This is quite a logical way for breaking down a big problem
into very small ingredient to better understand the intricacies of human
nature. However, in doing so they go to the nth degree and at times they
lose a proper track of their thoughts. The fact is that in this way they
generalise things and attach a particular trait to a nation. Possibly the
most pronounced feature of Americans is that they like to stereotype.
"The
twelve rules" by Ms Sciolino is definitely another attempt by
an American 'intellecutal' who has been lucky enough to get a little insight
into a very complex society. Obviously for a person who associates herself
with what represents America today it is very difficult to understand subtleness
of a nation that has gone through different phases in its long history.
Thus she purports that "concealment is part of Iranians life"
>>>
FULL TEXT
Jamshid Entesari
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* Chalking out borders
Mr. Ameli ["Palestine
has never existed"] seems to have a case of historical myopia
when it comes to the Middle East. First, nation building and the concept
of nation-state is a relatively new historical phenomenon. Many countries
and their respective borders were created by colonial powers, especially
in the Middle East. In fact Israel's borders are one of the latest to be
carved up.
Just as there were no Palestinian borders to signify a Palestinian nation-state,
there were no borders signifying Jordan, Saudi Arabia and many other countries
until well into 20th century, including Israel's borders .
To cite Middle East borders as cause for legitimacy is bad form! It
is similar to me entering Mr. Ameli's house, using a chalk to draw circle
around his living room and then use a machine gun to enforce my ownership
over the chalked area. I suspect he would not like that.
Secondly, last time I checked, Jesus did not visit The Vatican, nonetheless
The Vatican is a holy place for Christians. A holy place is holy for its
historical significance not for its visitors.
Ramin Tabbib
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* Ferdosi did not write it
For your information, that poem ["Okay.
I'm a racist" ]was not written by Ferdosi. It was attributed to
Ferdosi in the 1920s-30s,when when pro-German/Nazi like politics was polluting
the political culture of Iran.You cannot find this poem in the old versions
of the Shahnameh.
Jamshid
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Wednesday
October 25, 2000
* Tax dollars wasted in support of Israel
The current tense situation inside Israel and the Middle East are so
grave that many other ripple effects are witnessed that reflect Iran and
Iranian nationals around the world ["Crooked
wall"]...
As a concerned Iranian American, I am very upset that my tax dollars
are not spent wisely and feel it is wasted as a result of mis-management
and against unarmed civilian population inside Israel and against Palestinians.
Furthermore, the US firmly supports Israel with advanced military equipment.
Washington is not capable of controlling the Israelis army and their atrocities
against rock throwing Palestinians. Live ammunition has been used for the
first time by the Israelis against the rock throwers >>>
FULL TEXT
Javad Fakharzadeh, CEO
ATE Corporation
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* Palestine has never existed
Ayatollah Khamenei has just announced that he is planning to dispatch
financial assistance as well as one hundred thousand Iranian Basijis to
'Palestine' in order to help the Palestinians regain their 'lands' including
Jerusalem (Qods).
I feel compelled to ask, whoever said that Jerusalem ever belonged to
the palestinians in the first place? Point of fact, in the Six Days War
Israel captured Judea, Samaria and East Jerusalem. However they did not
capture these territories from Yasser Arafat and the Palestinians. They
captured them from King Hussein and the Jordanians. I can't help but wonder
why the Palestinians suddenly discovered their national identity after
Israel won that war, since prior to the 1967 Arab-Israeli war, there was
no serious movement for a Palestinian homeland >>>
FULL TEXT
Kambiz Ameli
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* Googoosh's unsightly front teeth
Seeing a close up of Googoosh in a CNN interview I realized how unsightly
her front teeth are. Being an old dentist and dealing with cosmetic dentistry,
I thought through your love for her we might be able to arrange or somehow
in a decent fashion make her aware of the services that can enhance her
beauty and charm.
Anonymous
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Tuesday
October 24, 2000
* Remains in our hearts
>>>
FULL TEXT
Faramarz Kaviani
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* Tactless attention-seeking
About 20 minutes ago I saw your new feature 'Iranian of the Day' on
your website for the first time. Since today October 23rd of the year 2000
(avalle Aban mAh), I am a man of 25 years, the following question came
to my mind: "So where's my picture?!"
Most Iranians have mastered the "art" of tactless in-your-face
attention seeking behavior. The following joke is my contribution to your
website (and Persian culture) >>>
FULL TEXT
Vahid Grami
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* No guilty conscience
When are people such as yourself going to stop pointing the finger and
accept some responsibility ["Shah
should be fully blamed"]. I bet you were amongst those 'ordinary
citizens at Jaleh Square' and are now sitting thousands of miles away.
Your letter is sull of factual erros as the petro dollars really started
to pour in the early 70's. Please don't insult Iran, past or present by
comparing it to Saudi Arabia. I invite you to look back a few years ago,
when they couldn't even defend themselves against Iraq!
Whatever the Shah's faults, and of course he had many, some of us don't
have a guilty conscience to sometimes remember the good things that he
did for the country.
A.D.
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Monday
October 23, 2000
* Long live the shah
I read your letter titled, "Shah
should be fully blamed" with amazement and to say that it distressed
me is putting it rather mildly.To see that some people are vomiting at
the Pahlavi name disturbs me greatly, not for the fact that you feel this
way, but it simply reaffirms my concern at the level of knowledge and common
sense of a great number of my fellow countrymen and women and some of the
reasons why after so many years in exile I have had to face the fact that
I have lost the country I once loved and cherished ...
I feel like crying to see many Iranians have lost their self-esteem
and are not in touch with reality. They have lost touch with their culture,
and follow the mirage presented to them by vested interests of the Imperialistic
countries. LONG LIVE THE SHAH >>>
FULL TEXT
Lida S.
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* In the eyes of others
Thanks for running the thought-provoking and informative article by
Elaine Sciolino ["The
twelve rules"] and her analysis of Iranian society. Like the overwhelming
majority of Iranians and Iranian-Americans, we are very conscious of how
we appear in the eyes of others because we consider this as a major means
of improving ourselves. In this case improving the cultural ties between
America and Iran...
With all due respect to Ms. Sciolino, I believe that what she puts down
as twelve rules of surviving Iran do not only apply to Iran but to every
humans society in the world. I see these as common sociological and cultural
threads that have their toots in human nature. Further, I do not agree
that these are hard and fast rules and written on stones. They could at
best be termed as general guidelines with minor modifications as they apply
to Iran. In order to be objective, I find it best to go over these rules
briefly one by one >>>
FULL TEXT
Ali Parsa
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* Taking me to my people
I'm from Fars Province. I was born and raised among the Qashqaies. How
I ended up living in California is a long story. I just wanted to say thank
you for your beautiful story ["Soghra's
tribe"]. I really enjoyed it.
While reading your story I could see women dancing and I could hear
the sound of saaz and dohol, or as Ashayer say noghareh.
I could smell the rosewater and I felt like siting in the tent around my
relatives (although I am siting in my boring office & doing nothing).
Again thank you for making my day and taking me to my people.
Fatemeh Karari
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Friday,
October 20, 2000
* Obligation to Iranians first, not Palestinians
Iran is facing her most critical of times. But the way our elected and
non-elected officials and other self-appointed guardians are viewing the
Middle East crisis, makes me wonder ["Crooked
wall"]...
In the past twenty some years, we have heard our top officials talk
more about the problems of the Palestinians and Lebanese than our own problems.
Not a day that goes by without a comment relating to the Palestinians'
struggle or Hizbollah's Jihad. Extremists with their papers and loud speakers
cry out for them, day and night...
I hope some day soon the Palestinian struggle comes to a fair and peaceful
end. I hope some day soon Iranian officials realize, above all, their obligation
to the people of Iran >>>
FULL TEXT
Hamid K.
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* Beh delam neshast
man dokhtari hastam 20 saaleh va az aamricaa beh shomaa email midaham.
chand daghigheye pish maghaalehee keh dar iranian.com bood be naam-e "Khalvateh
paaeezi" ro khoondam va vaaghe'an beh delam neshast. natoonestam
jeloy-e khodamo begiram va goftam hatman baayad email bedam va tashakkor
konam.
hodoodeh do saal o nim hast keh az iran khaarej shodam va in neveshteh-ye
shomaa daghighan mano beh yaad-e doraani andaakht keh iran boodam. va har
baar beh khiaaboon miraftam va matalak mishnidam ghalbam az tars beh dard
mioomad. kheili vaghtaa ham geryam migereft, beh khosoos az raftaar-e mardom
dar taxi.
ghalametoon besyaar aalieh. dar paayan baayad begam man taa beh haal
nashodeh beh kasi keh nemishnaasam email bedam. vali inbaar engaar harf-e
del-e khodamo shenidam va natoonestam bi tafaavot azash begzaram.
Sara Abdollahi
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* Damn ignorant
In response to "You
are all sick": Okay, first of all, do you have any idea of what
you have just said? You don't. You just classified an entire nation as
sick, ignorant, and fundamentalist. How many Iranians do you know? If you
know any, ask them if they advocate burning homosexuals at the stake. Ask
them if they think kissing in public is a bad thing.
Now it is true: Iran's government is retarded in terms of its moral
code. But do you think Iranians ENJOY being socially/sexually oppressed
in Iran? Think about it before your stupid ass defames the Iranian race,
which is full of tolerant and open-minded people.
Instead of suggesting your childish and immature antics as a solution
to our problems, look at what is really going on. People in Iran are REALLY
being oppressed; not just gays. Show some respect for Iranians worldwide
(and have some self-respect too). I don't want to bash you, but don't be
so damn ignorant.
Maziar Shirazi
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Thursday
October 19, 2000
* Punk with bad manners -- not feminist
Maybe the "feminist" Blind
date was reacting to a father like the one in your previous piece who
wanted her daughters virginity swone up ["A
private matter"]!
Plus I can stomach a little exaggeration for the sake of good prose
but out right lying in the name of describing a "type", i.e "Iranian
feminist" is kind of sophomoric.
Too bad that we can not ask you for any proof. Maybe the iranian.com
should give your date equal time. Then we could at least see if she existed!
Anyway if you were unfortunate enough to date an Iranian punk with bad
manners (I think that is what she is if she indeed exists) please refrain
from calling her a "feminist". For those of us who believe that
feminism is about the right to express ourselves, have the same oppertunities
as men and get equal pay.
Your picture of a man- hating punk as a "feminist' is unfair. Especially
since all these rights are regularly denied us in our motherland.
In times of crisis, humor should bow to atrocities. Keep poking fun
at those who hold onto old prejudices (like your virgin-mending) father.
Or maybe you would be happy in an Iran were your blind date would be your
wife!
Mashadi
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* Zoroastrianism first monotheistic religion
I can't agree with Mr. Reza Sami objections
to Elaine Sciolino ["The
twelve rules"] where he tries to prove that Zoroastrism is not
a monotheistic religion. I think his opinion comes from the wrong interpretations
of Zoroastrism by some Islamic and Western orientalists.
I don't believe he has read any Zoroastrian writings especially "The
Gathas" holy book. Actually there is no contradiction between Ahura
Mazda and Ahriman and darkness and light. >>>
FULL TEXT
Esfandiar Kiani
* Below the belt
In response to ["At
least he's a man with an opinion"], There doesn't seem to be anything
intelligent about this Cyrus Rafaat whose articles "Real
Iranian girls?" and his letter about Afghan
refugees all revert to only one thing: his obsession with below the
belt.
His political analysis is not serious -- he inevitably comes to prostitution
: he probably thinks that the Taliban are part of the conspiracy rendering
Iranian women incapable of controlling their purity.
This person does not look at others in a humanistic way- but simply
as animals. It appears that with his letters on politics, he is simply
trying to make up for a bad reputation from his article on chastity.
To be sure, his articles on women and chastity are much more entertaining
than his "meet the press" analyses.
I too am looking forward to find out the rest of his story in 'getting
a wife,' and wish much luck to any woman who could put up with this person.
Ravia Basri
Damascus, SYRIA
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Wednesday
October 18, 2000
* Devalued argument
Regarding Mr. Baniameri's piece "Blind
date", isn't it better to debunk a stereotype without resorting
to another one?
You are absolutely right in denouncing the stereotypes that are expressed
about Iranian men, but doing so by way of stereotyping feminism (esp. Iranian
feminism) devalues your argument.
Nonetheless, you are right to the point about cliches that surround
Iranian men.
Ramin Tabib
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* I'm a big fan
man maghale haye toro dar iranian.com mikhoonam ["Sadaf
Kiani's index"] va bayad begam ke hamishe beomide inke ye maghalye
jadid az to bebinam in site ro check mikonam:)
to vagheiat haye jame ro kheyli biparde bayan mikoni. man alan do sale
ke az iran kharej shodam. maghale haye to engar mano mibare vasate tehroon
ba hameye halohavaye oonja -- ba hameye zibaee hash va zeshtihash.
I miss Iran so badly. Keep up the good work. I'm a big fan.
SheryVafa
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* IRI propaganda outlet
How much do we have to vomit to satisfy Mr.
Kambiz Ameli? It is hard for me to come out with what I am compelled
to write. And that is, by publishing the venom of the famous vomiter Mr.
Ameli, The Iranian Times, probably inadvertently, has become another
propaganda outlet for the Islamic Republic of Iran! Or is it intended?
Do not hide yourself behind the pretext of democracy or free flow of
information. You have given enough of space to this vomiting, mud slinging
gentleman. I think enough is indeed enough. Thank you for your other-wise
good job.
Hojabr
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Tuesday
October 17, 2000
* Reminds me of Keith Haring
I like Reza Kassi's paintings ["Vacation
on Mars"]. They are really nice. Kind of reminds me of Keith Haring's paintings
(the artist that did a lot of grafiti looking paintings-started in the
New York subways-familiar with him?). Anyway, very nice.
Iran Javid Fulton
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* Something to laugh about
It's good to see stories on the lighter side like "A
private matter". Some people take their politics, ideas, and opinions
too seriously. And some stories are purely depressing. Thanks for giving
the rest of us (non-political) folks something to read and laugh about.
R. Javadi
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* Shah should be fully blamed
I believe you have misunderstood why we are all vomiting when we hear
the Pahlavi name ["Requiem
in Cairo"]. First of all we are all in full agreement with you
that Khomeini and his fellow villager mollas, their families and cronies
have utterly ruined our nation. However Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi is to
be fully blamed for this calamity.
Firstly, the Shah was completely out of touch with "his" nation
as he insisted on promoting a Western life style to a conservative Middle
Eastern society. Secondly Iran was one the largest producers of oil on
the planet, yet the country's infrastructure was similar to a backward
African country >>>
FULL TEXT
Kambiz Ameli
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Monday
October 16, 2000
* Nobel prize for silence
in khabar [President
Khatami nominated for Nobel Peace Prize] yeki az bozorgtarin jokehaye
gharn bayad bashad.an ham be khater goftegoye tamadonha?? Agar eshan mitavanest
goftegooei bain kasi ejad konad, aval az hameh bayad az keshver khood shoro
konad... Aghaye Khatami jayezeh nobel dar "SOKOOT" beh khater
sokot abadi eshan dar moghabelsarkoob va beh zendan afkandan va sarkoob
roznamehnegaran, daneshjooyan mobarez va azadikhah >>>
FULL TEXT
Nik Khodadadi
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* Zoroastrianism not monotheistic
While there is room for much praise for Ms. Elaine Sciolino's astute
observations, "The
twelve rules", she makes a dreadful blunder when she writes that
"Zoroaster preached a message of monotheism."
You do not need me to remind you of the fact that Zoroastrianism, far
from being a monotheistic religion, is based on the philosophy of duality
that shows the two forces of darkness and light in conflict with one another.
In fact, Ms. Sciolino contradicts her own understanding of Zoroastrianism
when she writes that the "central feature" of Zoroastrianism
is "a long battle between good and evil. (Good will ultimately win.)"
It may be good to remind Ms. Sciolino that in a monotheistic religion
like Christianity or Islam, God is considered to be the author of both
good and evil, whereas in Zoroastrianism Ahooramazdaa [God] is the author
of good , and Ahriman [Satan] is the author of evil, and these are forces
that act independently from each other.
G. Reza Sami' Gorgan
Roodi
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* Don't look down on odd people
I want to offer my apologies to Mr. Baniameri on behalf of all those
Iranians who can not speak perfect English and still use some Persian words
(like "Aghaa joon") in the middle of their conversations ["A
private matter"].
Mr. Baniameri should consider the fact that unlike him, a lot of us
odd-looking, uneducated Iranians haven't been in the United States long
enough to learn the apperopriate manners and haven't had the chance to
loose our thick accents (what a big shame!).
There is definitely no question that people who look and act like "jaahels"
represent the darker spots of our society either inside or outside Iran.
However, looking down at people just because of the way they grew up, or
the way they taarof over a restaurant check, or the way they have been
taught to think about virginity, is another issue.
It's as stupid to expect people of that social calss to lose those traits
in a short period of time as it is to have those traits in the first place.
Just as a reminder, to avoid any misunderestanding, I do not live in
California and I don't have any relatives who look like those people.
Faramarz Kaviani
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Friday,
October 13, 2000
* American authority on Iran
Tonight, as I was driving home from my office -- which is only six blocks
away (yes I am living the Los Angeles life), my ears perked up when I heard
"Iran" on National Public Radio. I raised the volume and listened
intently. The woman being interviewed was Elaine Sciolino an American journalist
who has covered Iran for over two decades ["The
twelve rules"]... She is an American authority on Iran, if you
will.
She has just released her second book "Persian
Mirrors: The Elusive Face of Iran". What I love about her is that
she does not go the route (at least in her interview and the parts of the
book I have read) of most Western journalists ...
I hope you all have the opportunity to read this book and I look forward
to hear your comments. The one thing I must caution is that sometimes journalists
and authors may write or say something that you believe is contrary to
your observations and beliefs. Don't get angry and discount the validity
of the book or report, often people only see certain things and can' get
everyone's viewpoint >>>
FULL TEXT
Yashar Hedayat
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* You are all sick
I am an Australian gay man who saw your paper on the Internet, and the
article by Yek Irani ["Acceptance"].
You people live in a dreadful country, full of oppressed people. Your women
are treated as animals, and your gay people are beheaded/burnt at the stake.
You are all sick, those who advocate this.
Your religious ideas are indefensible when they demand the deaths of
persons engaged in private sexual acts. I engage in homosexual acts, they
are great! Maybe thats what you all need? A strong dose of anal sex!?
By the way, there is a thriving Iranian gay community in Sydney! What
should happen to them?
Thomas Byrne
Sydney, Australia
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* At least he's a man with an opinion
Mr. Rafat's article on Iranian brides ["Real
Iranian girls?"]is astounding and shocking! I can't say that as
an Iranian woman raised in Los Angeles whether I am truly offended or mezmerized
by his outlandish chauvanistic story, until of course I searched and found
his responses to the issues
of Afghans!
It goes to show me that while he must obviously be a very intelligent
and outspoken braggadocio, he is also a male-chauvanist of the peculiarly
fascistic brand.
People who want to repress women often want to do that to the other
weaker parts of a society. But I have to hand it to him, he is at least
a man with an opinion and not afraid to voice it, and as a very 'feminine'
and good Iranian girl,whether he wants to believe that we exist in America
or not, I am astonished that such a man still exists, because at least
I can respect a real macho man like him.
One question, jenab-e aghay-e doktor-e Rafaat, did you find a bride
in Iran willing to put up with your eccentric antics or not? You left a
cliff hanger for us! I like a bold man so audaciously tell me if you succeeded
in sweeping some damsel from that garden, Iran.... If you haven't then
where is your next 'adventure,' Afghanistan?
Shatooni
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Thursday
October 12, 2000
* Near boiling point
Thank you for your article ["Meeting
Faezeh"]... This year clearly marks Mr. Rafsanjani's last golden
opportunity to allow democracy to fully bloom by convincing the ruling
clergy to unconditionally release the country to the democraticly-elected
president and parliment in harmony with a neutral and just judiciary branch...
If, however, he makes the same tragic error in judgement as the late
Shah made by insisting on an absolute rule, he will be remembered by history
as the true leader of the hijackers of the revolution and the true enemy
of progress in Iran. Indeed the water is near boiling point >>>
FULL TEXT
Kambiz Ameli
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* Reminder of forgotten things
I read your last article ["Khalvat-e
paaeezi"]. It made me cry. It reminded me of things that I have
forgotten, but their effect will always be with me.
Back in Iran I always hated taking taxies, but lately I couldn't remember
why, I just knew that I hate it. Now I remember. And that afternoon walk
in autumn, I love it.
I loved the sentence where you said for you to feel good the blue sky
and wind and... are enough. I wish I was there; we could go together, pretend
to be young school girls and laugh at everything, including guys! This
is what me and my sister do sometimes when I am there.
I wait impatiently to see more and more of Tehran through your sensitive
eyes.
Sima
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* REALLY suck!
Your cartoons and cartoonists
REALLY suck!
TTA
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Wednesday
October 11, 2000
* Must see, art lover or not
I was fortunate enough to see Shirin Neshat's exhibit at the Berkeley
Musuem of Art with some friends recently ["Personal/Universal"].
I'm somewhat familiar with Ms. Neshat's work and in my opinion this is
one of the best works I have ever seen by any artist.
I also saw that non-Iranian visitors also found this work exhilirating.
Some visitors skip the galleries and walk straight in from the entrance
to Neshat's exhibit. Art lover or not, everyone must see this.
Nima Faghihi
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* Realistic & poetic
I am one of your many readers having had the privilege of reading Ms.
Sadaf Kiani's articles . I like most of her works and specially her recent
article "Khalvat-e
paaeezi". I like the display and colorfulness of the realistic
and poetic words she uses in describing matters and problems. I wish her
more successes in her artistic works.
Sheema Kalbasi
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* Hadn't read anything this good
neveshteh-ye khanom-e Sadaf Kiani Abbassian kheyli khoob bood ["Khalvat-e
paaeezi"]. modat-haa bood neveshteh-ye khoobi dar site shomaa
nakhaandeh boodam. lotfan az ishaan baaz ham estefaadeh konid.
M. Moghaddam
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Tuesday
October 10, 2000
* Like Jews in Nazi Germany
A friend called and said Jafar Panahi's "The Circle" is only
showing for two days in a cinema in Quartier Latin in Paris. I said okay,
I will go with you.
During the movie I was suffocating from the lack of hope. Being a woman
in Iran is like being a Jew in Nazi Germany ["No
more kids stuff"].
After the movie I was so nervous I didn't eat anything. I had to drink
seven beers to be able to speek. I was ashamed of being an Iranian, especially
as an Ianian man.
I lived in Iran until 1987, so I know very well what is happening to
women but this movie is like a slap in the face. It shows you what is really
happening to them.
Ironically, the only bright light was the girl who became a prostitute.
She of all people was the hope of the film.
Thank you Mr Panahi for making such a realistic movie about women's
life in my country.
Bahram
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* What happened to Behrooz Nejad?
I have a story of one of my first martial arts instructors. An Iranian
named Behrooz Nejad. He was living here in this area from 1979 til approx
1986(?).
The story is a sad one, but interesting nonetheless. You see, Behrooz
came over with the Shah in 1979 after the revolution. He was a member of
the Shah's elite guard, tasked with the Shah's protection. After arriving
here, not needed in his former capacity, Behrooz settled in the St. Clairsville,
Ohio...
Things took a terrible turn. While on a business trip to Saudi Arabia,
Behrooz was arrested for murder. You see, in addition to the schools and
consulting work with the local sheriff's dept, Behrooz was also an arms
dealer >>>
FULL TEXT
David McDonnell
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* Foozooli
As a duty to fellow Iranians, I feel I have to clarify a certain point
in dAyi Hamid's recent article: "Khob...
digeh chetori?" dAyi Hamid suggests that when Iranians ask "digeh
chetori?" five minutes after they have already once asked you "chetori?",
it is so that you will end up saying "Babaa ahhhhhhh I am not good!"
And he also points out to the valid point : "as if in the last five
minutes some new development has taken place!"
The reality though, I believe, is that when Iranians ask you "digeh
chetori?" (sometimes more that 3 or 4 times in a conversation) they
are really asking you to tell them what you haven't told them the first
time round (or the second or the third time round). This concept, namely
"konjkaavi" or to put it more bluntly "foozooli", is
common practice amongst our compatriots!
Roozbeh
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Monday
October 9, 2000
* Go Bush!
This article in itself ["Go
Gore"] gives unconditional support to the fact that we should
all vote for George W. Bush and NOT for Al Gore.
To summarize: Gore has an Orthodox Jew as his running mate, Dick Cheney
has repeatedly called for better relations with our homeland, IRAN.
The one point that has been totally ignored is that the majority of
Iranians living in the United States are professionals who enjoy financial
stability. This has been gained primarily by hard work and is a tribute
to our genius and has had nothing to do with the government.
Now, someone tell me why anyone or particularly any Iranian should vote
for someone who wants to overtax and basically take away a bigger portion
of this hard earned financial stability?
Way OVER Taxed
Farzad
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* Head exam
With all due respect, the person who authored the article "Go
Gore" needs to have his head examined. Mr. Gore will most probably
be the second worst disaster since that sinister man, Mr. Jimmy Carter.
On another note, watching the goings on in Belgrade, I found myself
praying to god for a similar incident in Iran. Could the kind lord possibly
bless us with such gift after 22 years of imprisonment.
Ramtin Diba
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* Khejaalat ham khoub cheezee-ye
I found your Sep 20th "Anyway"
section patently offensive and distasteful.
Could it be that you published it because you were oblivious to your
Christian readership's miniscule size? Or you were just following the "sensationalism
sells" formula, in which case you managed to lower your otherwise
respectable and first-rate magazine to the level of "Hustler".
I've lived most of my life in both pre- and post-revolutionary Iran
and cannot recall a single instance of desecration of other religions of
this magnitude.
Khejaalat ham khoub cheezee-ye.
Roubik
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Friday,
October 6, 2000
* Clinton-Gore's demonization of Iranians
I totally disagree with your position of separating the current (Clinton-Gore)
administration's demonization and denigration of Iran and its nationals
(past or present) from the upcoming election ["Go
Gore"]...
Shouldn't this administration answer for these past years and not take
for granted the Iranian community's support for reelection? Iranians living
in this country should stand up and ask why our relatives, athletes, thinkers,
artists, etc., who come to visit are treated like criminals. The fingerprinting
of an 80-year-old woman visiting grandchildren, or a director winning international
awards for his work, cannot be a positive action to any rational person.
This constant humiliation did not happen prior to the Clinton-Gore administration
>>>
FULL TEXT
Masoud Neshat
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* NITV no promoter of culture
I would like to ask National Iranian TV CEO Zia Atabay, what exactly
is he talking about when he says he's promoting Iranian culture, with his
broadcasting [News].
Showing old films and videos to fill time and generally having a hollow
program does not constitute a worthy cause.
I fully agree that his program should not be stopped from airing, but
don't buy the claim that there was some social/cultural cause associated
with his TV station.
Bardia Saeedi
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* Falling off my chair
Just wanted to let you know that your articles are great ["dAyi Hamid"]. I don't
agree with everything you say, but admire your honesty. Most of your articles
are smart and witty, and some are funny. If you were not meaning to be
funny, I am sorry to let you know that some made me laugh. Sometimes, I
sit at my desk and laugh so hard I fall off my chair.
Maryam Moussavi
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Thursday
October 5, 2000
* Pragmatic, but not patriotic
Articles like this ["Go
Gore"], as well-thought out as they may be, neglect a critical
perspective. Regardless of how much we assimilate, there will continue
to be a negative reaction to Iranians as our nations' relations remain
this negative.
Even as a 21-year-old student, I have felt discriminated against numerous
times simply based on the impression many ignorant individuals have toward
Iran and the Middle East. We are Iranian and we cannot, nor should we,
desire to change that. To assimilate is reasonable, but to ignore our brothers
and sisters in Iran is unacceptable >>>
FULL TEXT
Danesh Mazloomdoost
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* Googoosh discography
I'm happy to discover that people other than myself are interested in
the copyright issue ["What
goes around... "]. Long ago, before anyone knew about Googoosh's
comeback, I was searching into her musical career and finding little information...
In order to make a little sense of Googoosh's musical carreer, I'v created
a "Googoosh
Original Vinyl Discography" . My intention is to find people that
will contribute to the Googoosh discography (with scans of 45's and information)
so that the information missing from all these horrible CD's released by
the Tehrangelesian record companies becomes available to everyone >>> FULL
TEXT
Dario Margeli
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* Cyrus and the hejab
I would like to comment on the excerpt from Ms. Sandra Mackey's book
"The Iranians" ["Cyrus
the (not so) great]"]... The veil or the "roosarri"
was probably common among Persian women, but they were also common among
Greek women.
The reasons mentioned by Ms. Mackey are debatable. I believe that other
factors could be linked to the presence of the veil in the Middle East
which unfortunately the excesses of religious and male autocracy have probably
turned away from their initial purpose: and that is the climate. The extremely
hot climate as well as the dust and wind in many areas of the middle east
may also be a reason why women wore the veil. But if Mrs. Mackey was to
visit Russian peasants today, she would be surprised to see them wearing
the "roosari" while conducting their trucks in the fields >>>
FULL TEXT
Darius Kadivar
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Wednesday
October 4, 2000
* Googoosh's new songs sad, but real
I beg to differ with Mr. Bagheri's judgment about Googoosh's new songs
and Babak Aminis compositions ["Houston,
we have a diva!"].
I had the pleasure of meeting and spending some time with most of the
talent traveling with Googoosh both before and after the concert in New
York. The day after the concert, over lunch and a good deal of humor, punctuated
by discussions about life in Iran, religion, music and politics; I learnt
a great deal about Babak Amini, his background, influences and his compositions.
Having heard of the five new songs at the concert, courtesy of Napster,
that same evening, I was able to form an opinion. The new Googoosh material
can only be judged against the backdrop of post-revolutionary Iran, the
lives of Googoosh, the people, their experiences and the life of present-day
Iranian youth >>>
FULL TEXT
Faryar Mansuri
New York
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* Airing, sharing and caring
Oooo! Tears in the middle of the day. A very fine story indeed ["A big beautiful
lamb"]. Interesting to think that just by being there, you are
making good writing happen -- just a certain degree of airing and sharing
and caring about it, and the yeast spreads and suddenly all these loaves
are rising, popping in and out of the oven, and writers are being read
and everyone gets to feast. Be proud. (Not to mention the lamb squiggle,
one of the best... :-)
Zara Houshmand
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* No matter where they are...
Dameton garm for this site. It reminded me of Abadan
and all the good people of that city; all the Abadanis I have seen since
the war. No matter what they do, or where they are, one thing is for sure:
they all miss their city, and their freinds. People see themselves in these
pictures and we can find some of our lost freinds.
Mehran Jahromi
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Tuesday
October 3, 2000
* Healthy and wealthy
I enjoy reading most of dAyi Hamid's articles. When I read his recent
one, "Elm
behtar ast yaa servat," I felt compelled to comment on it... Iranians
are very reserved people. In the past, maybe more in the villages or small
towns, parents, especially fathers, would kiss their kids only while they
were asleep. It was not common for people to talk about their feelings
and dreams. You were considered a good kid if your head was down while
walking or talking to your parents or teachers. Married couples barely
talked about their feelings. It is said that this is why Iranian girls
have beautiful eyes, because they transfer all the feelings in their heart
to their eyes. Of course, time has changed and so has the ways to raise
the children and communicate feelings.
In those days, for the school writing assignment, elm was always
said to be better than servat... Those days are over now, and as
I grew older, I came to the conclusion that there is no doubt that one
needs education or "elm." But there are a few more things that
I now think are also very important in life. These have become my motto,
which I like to put on a sticker one day,"Happiness is being healthy
and wealthy." Later on someone asked me to add "... and in love!"
and I thought, why not? But on the other hand, I believe if you are healthy
in mind and body, you will find love too >>>
FULL TEXT
Simin Habibian
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* Being Black
I enjoyed the cartoon about saving the White hand and ignoring the Black
hands ["Discrimination"].
I am a Black man who is a Muslim born in America. Everyone knows that
Blacks were the first Muslims in America. They (Americans) beat us, chopped
our limbs, hung us, raped our women and did not allow us to read. If you
read, you lost an eye. They would not let us pray to Allah (SWT).
Now some of them are trying to study Islam. But Anglosaxons can never
be Muslims because they will never say we are equal to them. I have seen
it myself in the mosque. The only reason they are studying Islam is to
keep them from being killed in prison. Or they want to rebel against the
Baptist belt or their parents
Americans have made things right for everyone that they mistreated except
the American Black people, the people who built this country. And also
won their wars, and won the most medals.
Please do not let this fall on deaf ears. Being Black in America today
is worse that 30 or 40 years ago.
Kalil
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* Love, Beauty, and Hope
It is with a sense of great pride that I thank you on behalf of millions
of Persians around the world for your continued efforts to provide our
fellow compatriots with significant information and updates, on the well
being of our dearly beloved Googoosh.
I was about three years old when my family left Iran, so it has always
been difficult to feel like I am a complete Iranian. God has surely blessed
you and your staff with wonderous talent, skill, and determination to bring
our community together (regardless of the turmoil that may occur in our
motherland).
The first time I chanced upon your site, I was in awe of the amount
of dedication my fellow Iranians had placed in creating a site that would
become an emblem of all Iranians seeking a unified front. A site filled
with Love, Beauty, and Hope.
As I embarked to see Googoosh at the MCI center in Washington, deep
in my heart, I knew I owed that beautiful moment to the hard work and dedication
of people like yourself. I am truly proud to be Iranian.
Mitra Gholam
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Monday
October 2, 2000
* No Iranian concert -- for a while
My wife and I went to Ebi's concert in London last night - billed as
"aasheghaaneh-tareen konsert-e saal". It was supposed to start
at 8, after the doors opened at 7. It was not until 9.15 that Ebi and his
band came on.
The venue was not right. A seated concert hall would have been better,
but it was in one of London's bigger discoteques. We had managed to position
ourselves upstairs in the balcony area overlooking the dance floor and
stage.
Within 10 minutes there was fighting at the front of the crowd by the
stage. The floor was jam packed (sineh-be-sineh). Ebi was saying "be
jadetoon ghasam, ye nim metr berin aghab, aakheh man ghorboonetoon beram
..." >>>
FULL TEXT
Farhad Nikkhah
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* Clinton will receive much credit
Thank you for your insight ["Clinton's
legacy?"]. If you look back on the previous U.S presidents you
shall notice that many of them had extra marital affairs. In fact FDR,
Eisenhower and JFK were openly carrying on with their lovers.
However, the legacy of all former U.S presidents are about what they
accomplished during their terms in office. I strongly believe that Clinton
will be remembered as a shrewd politician and a pragmatic manager. I further
believe that he will receive much of the credit for his relentless efforts
towards the upcoming peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians.
Kambiz Ameli
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* Depressing comments
Reading Mr. Kadivar's reminiscing his trip ["Requiem
in Cairo"] and observing the 20th anniversary of the death of
Mohammed Reza Shah Pahlavi was very heartwarming and enjoyable...
While Mr. Kadivar's article was enjoyable and impartial I was so disgusted
and yet depressed to read some of the responses from the distinguished
visitors to this wonderful site. I was astonished to see how after twenty
years Mr. Bardia Saeedi, Neda and Babak Arminian can find it so easy to
"throw up" at Mr. Kadivar's trip to Cairo. Immediately after
reading their letters, I began to think about all that has bothered me
through the past 21 years both in Iran and in the U.S. >>>
FULL TEXT
H. Jalili
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