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Wednesday
January 31, 2001
* Dream on!
I can not believe all the talk about monarchy again ["What future"].
All this talk just because Mr. Pahlavi and friends decided this is a good
time to start talking about it again... What has he done in the past 22
years with all the money and power that he has ?
Come on! You can't wake up one day and decide that today I want to be
king again. I guess I am wrong. You can >>>
FULL TEXT
Bardia Saeedi
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* Need a leader
The problem with all of us Iranians today is that we don't like to agree
with one another. We know that we need a leader and that's really the only
way to end the contagious perplexity that's spreading among our community.
Yet, we can not get it together and forget about the bullshit criticisms
["Citizen
Pahlavi"].
This is no time to evaluate a former prince who's father made a few
political gurus unhappy >>>
FULL TEXT
Reza
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* Little democracy in any religion
Much applause for Mr. Mahdavi for an argument that was well done and
illuminating ["Minority
rule"]. However:.. there is little democratic flavor in any of
the world's unitarian religions, whether it is Islam (in all its varieties),
Catholicism or Judaism. No unitarian religion can honestly allow for majority
rule since unitarian religions by their nature are absolutis >>>
FULL TEXT
Ramin Tabib
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* His story our story
Not everyone has the gift of expressing their inner self and true feelings
and certainly not everyone can observe and notice their surroundings...
Hossein Samiei's story of the night of leaving Iran is his story and
ours ["The
mirror and the book"]. The details are a bit different, but the
setting and the feelings are so recognizable >>>
FULL TEXT
Poopak Ta'ati
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Tuesday
January 30, 2001
* Citizen Pahlavi has my vote
Reza Pahlavi has stirred up a debate among Iranians about the future
of our country ["Citizen
Pahlavi"]. He gets my vote for the following reasons:
He is a modern man. When I listen to Reza Pahlavi, I feel this is a
man who belongs to my generation. I can relate to him. Let's face it, more
than twenty years of exile in the United States, has taught him as we as
all of us many lessons about tolerance, freedom and secularism >>>
FULL TEXT
Ali Sarshar
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* Democracy through trade
First of all, allow me to clarify my wake-up
call letter and not mix apples with bananas... The point is that Washington
(home to Amoo Sam), must ENGAGE the IRI, drop economic sanctions, sign
oil & gas, power, telecom and other infrastructure-related contracts
with the IRI, send American technicians, equipment and general business
expertise to Iran and through our technical and economic power foster democracy
in Iran >>>
FULL TEXT
Amoo Sam
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* The chance to choose
From my understanding of politics, and knowing Reza Pahlavi for the
intellectual that he is, by no means, does he consider himself attached
to the peacock throne. Instead, what he is devoted to is the principle
that Iranians have an inalienable right to live in freedom and as such
in a free society the truth must be spoken and heard.
So, to end this response letter let me state for the record that as
an Iranian who shall one day promote and defend the merits of a democratic
republic in Iran, I can tell you this much that Reza Pahlavi, in my mind,
has always been a true citizen of Iran and will continue to be a committed
citizen of our great country >>>
FULL TEXT
Shahriar Shahabi
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* Besyar khub
Sokhanrani-e akhir-e Reza Pahlavi nomreye "besyar khub" dasht.
["Democratic
republic or...?"]... Aknun, Shahzade Reza Pahlavi va daneshjuyan-e
Iran parchamdaran-e pishtaz-e Jebheye Azadi va Abadi-e Iran-e Bozorg hastand.
Reza Pahlavi-e 40 sale, be rahbari-e nasl-e now baraye bazsazi-e Iran-e
Novin omid baste... Dasteshan dard nakonad va dameshan garm >>>
FULL TEXT
Dr Shodja Eddin Ziaian
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* Me and millions of others
The editorial "Citizen
Pahlavi" was one of your most profoundly powerful articles ever
published. Great job to you guys.
You literally spoke my thoughts and my mind (and I bet millions of other
anti-shah people out there).
I am very proud of Iranian.com for speaking up and standing to your
humanitarian and political values. Also thank you for clarifying what true
democracy is.
Babak Aminiam
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Monday
January 29, 2001
* In all fairness
You have raised various points in your editorial "Citizen
Pahlavi", which need to be addressed in the spirit of judiciousness.
1. "No politician or political group outside Iran can have a major
impact on what goes on inside. Iran is very different from 1979."
You are right in so far as change has to finally come from within Iran.
However taking into consideration the repressive and violent atmosphere
within Iran, it would only be prudent for any organisation to develop and
initiate plans in safe havens outside of Iran's borders >>>
FULL TEXT
Aliya Kiani
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* Don't ignore the message
The opinion you have expressed in ""Citizen
Pahlavi" completely ignores the message, which was delivered by
Reza Pahlavi. Instead you have focused on the cons of monarchy, which in
all honesty is not the issue at this point in time.
The message, which was delivered, is plain and simple: Unity and support
for a national referendum to determine "the nature and fate of a future
system of government in Iran' >>>
FULL TEXT
Nazenin Ansari
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* Like any other king
I could not agree more with your article ["Citizen
Pahlavi"]... Mr. Pahalavi is no different than other kings looking
for subjects that drawn them in flattery and blind admiration. Iranian
people have arrived at the same conclusion as the great English man Thomas
Paine who expressed his views in Common Sense: "The palaces
of kings are built on the ruins of the bowers of paradise.">>>
FULL TEXT
Fereydoun Taslimi
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* Too much ghormeh sabzi
Amoo Sam ["One more
wake-up call"] seems to have been around kitchens where ghormeh
sabzi's been being prepared for too BLEEDING long! Someone ought to inform
him that the days of the salon "pseudo-intellectuals" is over
and time for action has come.
It's a known fact that those who cannot do, criticize. Who exactly does
he recommend come and replace these ne'er do well, thieves? Unless he's
got a suggestion and is willing and able to take action I suggest he sits
back in those very backwater disco bunkers he seems to suggest Reza Pahlavi
frequented!
Banafsheh Zand
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* Logical, powerful
This must've been the most logical and powerful political article I
had read regarding Iran's future ["Citizen
Pahlavi"]. Kudos for the author, whoever s/he may be.
Mehran Azhar
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Friday,
January 26, 2001
* Monarchy not archaic
Read your editorial with mixed feelings and hope it will generate a
decent debate ["Citizen
Pahlavi"]. But you made one error. Dr Mossadeq stood for a constitutional
monarchy - being a Qajar aristocrate and a conservative politician he never
sought to declare a republic. His fallout with the Shah was purely personal
and oil-related...
As for the monarchy as a form of system I for one do not see it as archaic
writing from London where the country this summer will be celebrating the
Queen's Jubilee. In Spain the restoration of Juan Carlos was not seen as
backward after the dictatorship of Franco and in Bahrain and Afghanistan
talk of a return to monarchy is on quite a few lips >>>
FULL TEXT
Cyrus Kadivar
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* One more wake-up call
FLASH -- Now the Russians are poised to sell the Mollas $7 billion in
weapons.
FLASH-- The political / economic scene in Iran has become so ludicrous
that even the "Young Shah" has emerged from the basement disco-bunker
he has lived in for the past 20 years to declare a return to the monarchy
as the road to democracy and prosperity for Iran ["Citizen
Pahlavi"] >>>
FULL TEXT
Amoo Sam
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* Never claimed to be more than Citizen Pahlavi
This is in response to your editorial ["Citizen
Pahlavi"]. Reza Pahlavi never claimed to be more than Citizen
Pahlavi. He has always stated his view, as a responsible citizen. He has
never proposed different; his goal is for people to decide, even if they
decide against his inherited monarchy >>>
FULL TEXT
S.B.
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* Give him a chance
This is my opinion about the editorial comments ["Citizen
Pahlavi"]: It is true that at this time and age nobody is willing
to go back to the monarchy, but between all the opposition forces which
talk about changes for IRAN, Reza Pahlavi is the only one with the education
and training for running the country .
The Mojahedin Khalq are the same as the Islamic Republic except they
are not wearing the turban. Why don't we give Reza Pahlavi a chance for
one or two years, see what he can do. We have put up with this regime for
20 years.
Sherry
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Thursday
January 25, 2001
* Offending chadoris
I read your opinion on the chador and those wearing it in Iran ["Those
eyes"]. What Saman, the cartoonist, and you should bear in mind
is that there have been women wearing chador prior to the revolution, and
are yet those who do so regardless of any political mode.
Your comment is an obvious violation of women's rights and could well
be offending to those who genuinely believe in wearing the chador as a
tradition or means of reflecting their religious beliefs.
Abdy
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* Let me go to Iran
In response to "Hell
no", I have to agree in some ways with the author. I am a young
Iranian living in the U.S. and I cannot stand it. Unfortuanatley I have
never been to Iran, but that does not mean I do not want to go there. I
have probably asked my parents every day to let me go. If you think it
was hard growing up Iranian in Europe, try growing up Iranian in the U.S.
>>>
FULL TEXT
Maral
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* My Iranian of the day
My Iranian of
the day is ALL my fellow countrymen worldwide, specially those who
still live in Iran, despite all the difficulties and problems -- problems
which we left behind, but they face every single day. They manage to make
a living and make us proud.
I would like to kiss the ground they walk on. I am sorry but I don't
have any pictures to send with this letter so I hope you can find an appropriate
picture for my Iranian of the day nominee.
Babak Nikain
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* My father wants to volunteer
I am writing to you on behalf of my 64-year-old Iranian father. He is
retired and has spent the last twenty years living in Manhatten -- New
York City.
I was wandering if any business or organization catering to the Iranian
community in New York City, Long Island or New Jersey require volunteers
to help out with anything.
My father speaks English, is healthy, and willing to do almost anything.
He does not require any salary. He just wants to volunteer his time to
anybody who needs it.
If you are intersted or know anybody who is and or if you have any questions
please contact me at 212-3585997 or e-mail akravis@yahoo.com
Ali Kravis
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Wednesday
January 24, 2001
* Rootless, but worldly
Regarding "Hell
no" by Babak Nikain, Why such despair? I have met and known many
people who have lived between cultures. Mainly, they have either been the
children of immigrants or the children of families whose livelihood took
them across the globe (be it business, government, etc.) Hands down, I
think they are richer human beings because of it - in spite of being rootless.
Rarely have I met one of these "tweeners" or "global nomads"
who wasn't extremely sophisticated, kind, open-minded, sincere, inteligent
and, of course, worldly >>>
FULL TEXT
Gabrielle Sanseverino
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* Don't miss Islamic Iran
It is refreshing to hear your patriotic view of Iran ["Hell no"].
However, for those of you who haven't really experienced life in the Islamic
era, Iran is no place for anyone with ambition, dreams and desire for success.
I speak of personal experience which is shared by millions of my fellow
Iranians...
When you live in the Islamic Iran, you will then understand the humiliating
aspects of ones livelihood in Iran. There is so much I can tell you about
Iran, but I will leave it up to you to experience them for yourself. Make
a visit to Iran and visit everything not just the history, but the present
>>>
FULL TEXT
Sheila K
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* Write more often
I have always read dAyi Hamid's
articles and enjoyed them since they all have some grains of truth
in them. But this most recent one ["Man
naboodam dastam bood..."] beautifully describes the irony that
ALL Iranians are facing today.
The solution is to have articles like this more often written and circulated
to EVERY IRANIAN in the world and make them think a little bit about their
predicament today and learn to be RESPONSIBLE for their messy situation
they are in and do not complain about others >>>
FULL TEXT
Amoo Ali
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* Rude
Excuse my language but you seem to be rude as well as illiterate ["Googooshgate"].
Because for us, the suppressed women in Iran, Googoosh is not only a real
artist, but a symbol. A symbol of all the good things that we are deprived
of.
Her private life shows the world how Iranian women are treated in a
traditional, fanatic country, and her public life shows that the Islamic
regime cannot tolerate beauty, style, art and everything.
Sorry for you because you seem to be too busy making fun of everybody
that you forget to have respect for the idols of the young.
J. Jalali
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Tuesday
January 23, 2001
* Very rich, elegant
Laleh Mizani's paintings are some of the most interesting art works
you have ever featured ["Something
missing"]. My eyes just don't want to stop looking. The deeper
I look, the further away the bottom seems. Very, very rich and elegant
work.
Yasmine Rafii
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* Weeding out the weak
Babak, brother you are a warrior at heart ["Hell
no"]... I understand your objection toward those who do not have
the strength to prevent the faltering of their Iranian identity. But that's
not such a bad thing you understand, for we need this "weeding out
the weak" process in order to ultimately advance and strengthen our
nation. We want them to deny their heritage. Because if they don't have
the strength to love nor to stay loyal, they are of no value. In fact they
may be detrimental to the future of Iran. They belong AWAY from Iran >>>
FULL TEXT
Reza
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* Fashion show for mafia boys?
After seeing a photo of a huge advertising banner of a fashion
show on a wall on one of Tehran's streets, and another photo of the
entrance to the show's premises with few not-hip-at-all guys selling tickets
to the women-only show, and with an attendance of 16,000 women under one
roof, I have a hard time believing that this show would have a go without
the mafia boys profiting from it. Just like behind Googoosh's scene.
Openness for the sake of the people, or openness for the sake of "nezaam"
opportunists?
Hamid Agerolo
Toronto
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* Googoosh product of Shah era
For me Googoosh is a "product" of the Shah's era (and I don't
think I am being unrespectful when I claim this) as many artists of that
time she was totally eclipsed for more than 20 years, and I just hope that
as much as her undeniable talent has surfaced, after 20 years of exile
that the truth will also surface, concerning her life before and after
the revolution >>>
FULL TEXT
Darius Kadivar
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Monday
January 22, 2001
* Dictators & taryaakis
Dictators have a way of lasting a long time ["What
rule of law?"]. And the reformists are taryaakis; better at writting
than doing. Like the rest of us. But let us hope that more repression leads
to constructive anger. This is the kind of features you should write more
often. Barikalaah.
S. Mashadi
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* Fat but rich
I kept reading ["Marrying
me"] and waiting to see why she married him. Finally it came:
"I drive a nice car, have a good salary..." Enough said!
MJF
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* Hung and stuffed with The Iranian Times
Thanks for printing this ["Please
stop"]. I had a good laugh on a dreary monday morning.
I'm sure once I sober up I'll feel really down at the fact that some
people can be really stupid and have the intelligence of cockroaches to
write something like what they have written. I am of course talking about
the rude responses to being taken of your list, not the polite ones.
I especially feel the one who wrote in Farsi should be taken to a dungeon,
hung, drawn and quartered and stuffed with printouts of The Iranian
Times so he (or she) doesn't come up with disgusting language like
that again.
I, for one, applaud the efforts of The Iranian Times and I'd
just like to say, keep it up, we are not all ignorant idiots out there.
L.Dahesh
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* Things I didn't get from my husband
THANK YOU! What a wonderful web site. So much information on many things
I wanted to know but my husband is not very detailed.
But from reading your site your direct and honest information has help
me understand many things.
I am also a blonde. I still stand out in a Persian group but was always
welcome. Thanks again!
T.J.
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Friday,
January 19, 2001
* Fallen into ill-repute
I harbor no kind sentiments for Mr. Mirfendereski, both because he has
called me names before and also for the fact that he thinks those who wear
#2 buzz cut are thugs (I am now a thug because of my haircut!).
But in my opinion, he is completely right in what he has put forward
regarding the fingerprinting issue at U.S. airports ["Face
in the mirror"]. The treatment at the U.S. airports, however hurtful,
is a prerogative of the American government >>>
FULL TEXT
Ramin Tabib
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* Feminism for dummies
Like many readers of The Iranian I have been a witness to the
controversy that started from a simple picture posted in this webzine and
rose to unexpected (or maybe quite expected) heights. I haven't got a chance
to read every single one of the letters exchanged... but all the ones I
saw were written passionately, and especially after reading one of the
rather passionate ones, an idea hit me which I thought I would share with
other readers of The Iranian. The idea is roughly as follows: writing
a book about feminism for Iranian men >>>
FULL TEXT
Ataollah Togha
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* Wings of the same chicken
Khatami after three years in office is a living proof of an argument
which supports the notion that Islamist reformer and conservative Islamist
hard liner fundamentally, politically, culturally, and in most case socially
are the two right wings of the same chicken ["What
rule of law?"] >>>
FULL TEXT
Abbas Poursadigh
Denver, Colorado
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* Harf-e del-e man
har baar tu in website miyaam aval miram bebinam ke shomaa maqaaleh
daadin yaa na [Sadaf Kiani's
features]? maqaaleh-haaye shomaa keili ru man asar mizaare, va az inke
in gadar saade va dar eine haal baa tajrobe va darke amig in naame haa
ro minevisin , engaar ke harfe dele mane.
shaayad emshab in tanhaayi va dur az iraan va fote maman bozorgam hame
dast be daste ham daad ke baraatun email bedam.
aarezuye ruzaaye khub baraatun daaram man dar Montreal zendegi mikonam
be omide inke age ruzi umadin Montreal beshinim raajebe golaaye narges
tu iraan va zemestun haaye sarde Montreal gap bezanim.
Maryam Jaliny
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Thursday
January 18, 2001
* They never made it back home
I liked the self-critical tone of the letter "Time
to take responsibility" by Mr. Ali Noshirvani. As much as I like
to be fair in my judgements about others, I would like to be fair when
we judge even our biggest mistakes.
While I hate to bring up old disputes in a new century when all the
world is looking forward to peace and a humane co-existence but when I
see that Mr. Noshirvani goes back 20 years to find us guilty of the hostage
crisis and sponsoring terrorism I can hardly stop myself from mentioning
that those hostages walked back home in good health but the 300 passengers
of that Airbus never made it back home >>>
FULL TEXT
Ardalan Vahid
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* I hear you
I live in Sydney, Australia. I have never felt like an Australian in
all the years I have lived in this country ["Hell
no"]. Every year that passes I lose more and more patience. I
would give every thing I have to be able to go back to Iran. I want to
walk in the streets, as long as it is in IRAN. I want to be in IRAN and
see the sun rise and set. I want to walk in the forests in IRAN. I want
to wake up and hear Farsi. I want to feel the SUN burning my face in IRAN.
No other place is good enough. AND I KNOW THAT MANY OF YOU SHARE MY DREAM.
I CAN FEEL YOUR PAIN.
Dianna Dalir
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* Hmmm!
This is in reaction to your publication of various emails you have received
regarding un-solicited dispatch of your newsletter["Please
stop"].
You are a journalist and it is probably easier for you to separate yourself
from the emotional side of events and instead focus on the bigger picture.
Collecting all these -mails and analyzing them as a whole, in my opinion,
is a perfect example of how we should react to daily events in our lives.
You take the black and the white, put them in a bag and look at them
as a whole. Instead of getting emotional about the white or the black which
will clearly distort your judgment , one puts all of them together, steps
back and says: Hmmm!
Great job of leading by example. The world has two sides.
Bardia Saeedi
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Wednesday
January 17, 2001
* Overdramatization
Mr. Kallaantar ["Shocked
and saddened"] overdramatizes the plight of the Iranians at the
U.S. airports. For him to equate the routine inconveniences of international
travel with the travails of the exterminated Jews in Germany and the detention
of Amercian-Japanese in concentration camps is an insult to the memory
of those who suffered and perished.
This form of overstating the case is precisely the reason why the American
policymakers cannot take seriously the objections made by the Iranian-Americans
such as Mr. Kallaantar and delivered in such a shrill manner.
Guive Mirfendereski
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* Higher expectation
Thank you so very much for your suggestive elaboration ["Missing the point"].
Many of us in the Iranian community take pride in having been associated
with Guive Mirfendereski ["Complain
to..."] and would let his long fine scholarly track records and
community service would speak for itself. Retrospectively, I suppose one
could say people's expectation is even higher from those among us who are
truly accomplished ["Shocked
and saddened"] >>>
FULL TEXT
Davood N. Rahni
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* Khomeini & Kennedy
Thanks for reminding us about Khomeini not believing in copyright law
["Shahr-e
sholoogh"].
John F. Kennedy said in his inauguration in 1961: "My fellow Americans,
ask not what your country can do for you -- ask what you can do for your
country." And in the early 80's Khomeini said: "Hey nagooyeed
enghelaab baraayeh maa cheh kard? Shomaa baraayeh enghelaab cheh kardid?"
As far as I know Khomeini never paid any copyright fees to the Kennedy
family.
Pedram Parsian
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* Time is precious
I find it amusing that you have taken a bunch of angry reactions and
turned them into an article! Seriously, no sarcasm intended ["Please
stop"].
Yes, time is a precious and rare commodity these days. Statistics say:
the average person spends 6-7 seconds on a web site unless it captivates
them. However, people tend to spend an incredible amount of time reading
through the exact same thing if it were on paper!
Perhaps, if people took your news email and printed it, they would find
the time to read The Iranian Times?!
Mariam Ispahani
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Tuesday
January 16, 2001
* Shocked & saddened
I am profoundly puzzled by your very recent letter in iranian.com ["Complain to..."]
in that you support the anti-Iranian regulations of fingerprinting and
luggage searching of Iranian passengers at U.S. airports. The more I read
your letter, the more frustrated and deeply saddened I feel by what you
wrote.
... When a member of the board of PWC, a U.S. based "Iranian
American Anti-Discrimination Council", defends so boldly the historical
discrimination and humiliation of his hamvatans, then I am just speechless
>>>
FULL TEXT
Kamiar Kallaantar
Los Angles, CA
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* Missing the point
Being searched at the airports is very humiliating but I think most
of us are missing the point Mr. Mirfenderesky is making ["Complain to..."].
I do not think he is happy about being humiliated either. From what I understand
from his letter, he is just stating that these searches and fingerprinting
are not illegal. He certainly is not supporting them >>>
FULL TEXT
Max Rofougar
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* Not shying away
Regarding your news
on Saviz Shafaii, I think it is wonderful that you don't feel you need
to shy away from homosexual issues. Yet another reason to be proud of your
publication!
VN
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* Way too nice
Dear Martikeh Aldang ["Please
stop"], I love you and love your emails. I love what you write
about. Can't help loving your emails and your tasteful comments and your
beautiful website.
I think what you're doing with Iranian.com is phenomenal and historic.
Only history will be able to judge your undertaking. 20, 30, 50 years from
now, when historians sit down to write the history of the Iranian diaspora,
they have no choice but to acknowledge Iranian.com and it's founder. Keep
up the good work and don't let the nay-sayers bring you down.
Massud Alemi
Monday
January 15, 2001
NONE
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Friday,
January 12, 2001
* Complain to the Iranian government
There is nothing illegal about the U.S. government's security policy,
not even in singling Iranian-passports, Iran-bound and persons of Iranian
origin for the treatment. The national security argument is paramount and
will probably be upheld by the courts. This is no different than the imposition
of trade restrictions, travel restrictions, or hauling in the Iranian students
at the time of the Carter presidency to answer to the INS officials.
Security aside, the policy also irritates the Iranians in the hope that
the vexation will then force the Iranians to force their government to
mend its ways. Well, may be instead of viewing these incidents as a sort
of due process violations by the United States government, the aggrieved
need to complain directly to the Iran Interests Section in Washington,
the Iran Mission at the U.N., and the Iranian Foreign Ministry in Tehran.
No matter how one slices it, the suffering of the Iranians in this area
is linked to the Amercian displeasure with the Iranian government >>> FULL
TEXT
Guive Mirfendereski
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Thursday
January 11, 2001
* Fingerprinting: Serves no purpose to humiliate
On Mr. Ali Noshirvani's letter ["Time
to take responsibility"] I would like to comment from an American
(non-Iranian) perspective...
Whether or not some people believe that it is reasonable and just for
the U.S. to exact a punishment upon ordinary Iranians for actions real
or imagined which were no fault of their own, I believe that the policy
does great harm to the U.S. and its interests. It serves no purpose to
humiliate people who have no ill intentions toward the U.S. If anything
it destroys amity and creates enmity >>>
FULL TEXT
Bradley Hernlem, PhD
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* On discrimination & race
In response to Ali Noshirvani's letter ["Time
to take responsibility"] in which he justified discrimination
against Iranians due to events such as the U.S. embassy hostage taking
and "support for terrorism": I would like to point out that I
as an individual had no role in any of that, so I as an individual am quite
justified in blaming and condemning discrminatory conduct based on my ethnicity.
What you're espousing is guilt-by-ethnic or historical-asssociation >>>
FULL TEXT
John Mohammadi
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* The problem is violence, not Iranian men
I think Iranian men are fabuolous, and as a personal preference, I couldn't
imagine being with a non-Iranian. Most Iranian men I have met have been
successful, passionate, caring, loving people. I have nothing against Iranian
men. I DO have something against weak people trying to oppress or discriminate
against people who are different from them to gain a sense of power or
superiority, whether these people are men, women, Blacks, Whites, Iranians,
non-Iranians, heterosexuals, or homosexuals >>>
FULL TEXT
Dokhi Fassihian
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* In the path of foreign armies
I enjoyed reading your article on Hawraman (Owraman) ["People
of Oraman"]. It seems that you have partially traveled along the
Sirwan River... This route that you have taken was once traveled by the
13,000-strong Greek forces who went to Iran to help Bardia (the brother
of Kambudjia who attacked Egypt) to become a Persian King. History says
that Bardia was defeated and the Greeks took the Sirwan route to return
to Armenia and then Greece. They lost 3,000 of their men along the Sirwan
River. How? >>>
FULL TEXT
Mohammad Bat-haee
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Wednesday
January 10, 2001
* Feminazis are on the move
It's quite enlightening to witness the race debate culminate to such
new compromises ["Thank
Gof for..."]. I personally have nothing against individuals from
different races and nationalities conjoining in holy matrimony as long
as the interests surpass that of the phallic nature.
However, I see that the argument has taken a slight twist. It's not
really about Darryl
and Maryam's controversial interracial marriage anymore, rather Iranian
females have found themselves a sufficient excuse to unleash their psycho-sexual
frustrations upon the infamous "Iranian bigot cowards". In other
words Iranian men >>>
FULL TEXT
Reza
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* Modern slaves
It boggles my mind how we as Iranians are discriminated against just
as bad as Blacks and yet we are in such deep denial about it. We think
buying a big house and a BMW qualifies us as being a member of the "majority"!
It makes me sad to read some of the racist letters sent to your site.
It reminds me how ignorant we really are; how based on this very ignorance
we gave away our country to radicals.
Just remember that we are the modern day-slaves in this country! Do
not put yourselves above any other race!
Haleh
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* No bleeps
Congratulations to you for printing the letter
by "Unlimited Madness". It shows that you are not afraid
to print four-letter words that in other media such as broadcasting would
have been "bleeped" out.
But more than the content of this letter I was fascinated by the pseudonym
of it's author. Unlimited Madness is obviously a contradiction in terms.
For madness can not have limits >>>
FULL TEXT
Farzan Navab
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* Superior site of an excelsior echelon
My nomenclature is Hazzan. I compliment you fervently on this fabulous
forum for Farsi and non-Farsi followers. I have just recently been cognizant
of these transmissions.
I am an IranAm living just east of A2, Michigan (a defacto colloquialism).
I find this superior site of an excelsior echelon.
In summation: Merci (Farsi/french), mamnoon, shokria (Urdu), shokran
(Arabic), salamat tata (Malay), kamsa humnida (Korean), she she( Mandarin),
and thanks (English) for sustaining here for us Iranians, et al... Khoda
hofez, and masalam (Happy Eid al Fitr).
Ali & Mahnaz Mafee
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Tuesday
January 9, 2001
* Zoozehaaye ertejaaee
Naameh (kaaboos!) ertejaai-ye Bahraam ["We
are not negroes"] raa khaandam va moo be tanam raast shod!! In"mojood"
kheyr-e sarash zaaheran pezeshki ham mikhaanad va dar aayendeh mas-oolliyate
moaalejeh va darmaan-e mardom raa be ohdeh khaahad gereft!
Beh raasti, khatar-e aayandeh-ye jaame-ye Iran, divaanegaani az ghabil-e
in Bahram-haa hastand, va fekr mikonam keh roshanfekraan raastin-e Iran
baayad raah-e besyaar hassaas va nachandaan aasaan-e khaamoosh kardan-e
in zoozehaaye ertejaa va Nazi-fascisti va nezhaad parastaaneh raa biaaband.
Baayad beh in javaan ablah yaadaavari kard keh 55 saale pish, donyaa
baraaye afkaari shabih nazariaat-e ishoon, bish az 30 milioon koshteh daadeh
ast va digar kaafist!
Dariush Radpour
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* You are dead wrong
As I read these letters about race and racism, I am flabbergasted about
what these Iranians think makes them Iranian. I haven't been in Iran for
more than 10 years now. But the Iran I remember consisted of Turks, Persians,
Gilakis, Arabs, Christians, Jews and many other ethnic and religious groups.
Am I the only one that remembers this?
Please remember that Iran is bigger than Tehran! Being Iranian means
so many things. And it is not limited to the Shi'ite Muslim religion and/or
the Persian tongue. Have we really forgotten who we are? >>>
FULL TEXT
Sahar Nahrvar
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* Are you better than us?
Having read the article by Mr. Farid Moghadassi "Weekend
millionaires", here's my 2 cents: There is partial truth in what
you wrote. But you did not even take the time to include a short sentence
that obviously not all Iranians are the way as presented by those few in
your article.
Thus you're leaving behind an impression of negative generalization
(and in this process also leaving an impression, though inadvertently,
that you may think you're better than all other Iranians).
These kinds of superficial people are present in every nation and society,
and not specific to some Iranians.
Kaveh
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* Bacheh Abadan
Cameron
Alborzian is bacheh Abadan! His father was born in Ababan. We went
to school together in Abadan and in England. His father was a great sportsman;
I rememeber he used to read the sports news on the BBC Persian Service.
He used to work at Shiraz refinery for many years. An old friend. He now
lives in England.
Bahram Javid
Monday
January 8, 2001
* Ban on parties may make us think
On the arrest of party-goers in Tehran [News,
Cartoon]:
When I saw the news of the arrests on New Years Eve I said to myself, well
maybe now people will stop and think a little. I must say as awful as it
might sound I was not altogether unhappy. There was in fact a little inner
smile that betrayed a certain meanness that I rarely see in myself. How
can you be amused at the arrest of fellow Iranians? I asked myself. Here
is what I came up with >>>
FULL TEXT
S. Mashadi
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* Will not sit back and shut up
What Mr. Ali Noshiravani, inadvertently or selectively, overlooked in
his letter ["Time
to take responsibility"] is the fundamental reason Iranian people
have historically disliked, and even hated, American foreign policy...
As an Iranian-American and a Board of Supervisors member of the Persian Watch
Cat, I do not plan to sit back and shut up if and when I am subjected
to these discriminatory acts. Of course, I am only speaking on my behalf
and my views do not necessarily reflect those of the PWC. I will continue
to fight ignorance and injustice. In my local community, I endeavor to
educate Americans about the contributions Iranians have made and will continue
to make to all of humanity >>>
FULL TEXT
Ziba Marashi
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* So naive
It is indeed tragic that some of our people are so naive. They allow
themselves to be brainwashed by the American propaganda monster machine
["Time
to take responsibility"].
The U.S. government is by far the biggestt state-sponsor of terrorism
in the world. Of course, they don't use the "T" word for their
activities. Instead, they call it "covert operations" >>> FULL
TEXT
Nazer Nazeri
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* African-American-Iranian?
Under the "Iranian of the Day" index, I noticed the picture
of T.J.
Houshmandzadeh who happens to be a wide receiver for the Oregon State
Beavers varsity football team. This guys is supposedly an African-American-Iranian,
but there is no information on his name, his family background, his ethnicity,
his parents ethnicity (his mother has an American name) and whether he
is Iranian...
Maybe one of the nurses in the hospital where he was born made a mistake
in the delivery room and sent his mother the wrong baby >>>
FULL TEXT
Adnaan Sheikh
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Friday,
January 5, 2001
* Time to take responsibility
The other day, as I sat at my computer reading my emails, I came across
one forwarded by an Iranian friend to everyone in his address book. In
short the mail explained that a new Iranian-American organization ["Persian Watch
Cat"] had been formed in order to lobby against the so called
"discrimination" Iranians are subject to, specifically when traveling.
"It's barbaric that we must have our bags searched and our private
property scrutinized and fingerprints taken...why must they ask the occupation
of our parents?" The article read.
As I continued to read, I recalled a recent trip trip the UK where I
was taken aside and questioned for 20 minutes. And as I came upon the web
link where I too could vent my anger at the discrimination directed to
me.
Then it dawned on me. I suddenly realized that we have no one to blame
but ourselves. It was not a Farangi who held Americans hostage for 444
days. It was not an American who sponsored terrorism and may have been
responsible for the murder of innocent people >>>
FULL TEXT
Ali Noshirvani
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Thursday
January 4, 2001
* Have some ma'refat
My question concerns scanning Akbar Ganji's book ["The
red-robbed highness"], or any other book. Isn't that a violation
of copyright?
I think people can buy Ganji's book very easily through the internet,
and it would be to the benefit of this brave prisoner if you only published
some pages, or hell, some chapters of his book, rather than in its entirety.
I just think what you're doing is far from "ma'refat", for
which I know no American word.
Ataollah Togha
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* We are not Negroes
In reply to Dokhi Fassihian ["Thank
god for..."], did I say that I had a problem with Iranian men
copulating, dating, or marrying women outside our ethnicity ["Terrorize
women..."]? What if I were to tell you that many of my relatives
have married non-Iranian women? Who cares if some Iranian man marries a
foreign women?...
Iranians are Caucasians, akin to the Georgians, Armenians, Chechen,
Tajik, and Arab peoples. We are an ethnic and cultural group making up
the Iranian Nation! Just like the Jews, we are a group that can be defined
as a PEOPLE and if Iranians marry non-iranians then there will be no more
Iranians.This is a simple concept, even for an idiot like you >>> FULL
TEXT
Bahram
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* Drowing in this abyss
I've just read the note from Unlimited Madness ["You
like Iran to be like America"]. I don't want to judge about what
he/she is saying. But I can not deny shouting out loud "Hey....You
are just using American offensive phrases and words...".
I'm Iranian, too. And I live in Iran where I know people who don't know
the difference between "F_ck you" and "God Bless You"
and they shoot each other. I know teenage girls who have sex more than
10 times a day. There are men who don't think about America when they're
having sex with a girl the same age as their daughters. I know wives in
Iran who cheat and they haven't got MTV in their houses >>>
FULL TEXT
Shervin
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* No homosexuality, please
I preferably do not want to see the promotion of homosexuality in your
wonderful and educational publication ["News
& views"].
B.H.
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Wednesday
January 3, 2001
* NOT the worst racists
In response to Mr.
Bakhshandeh's email, condemning racism, it appears that he fails to
recognize the racism in his own writing. How has he come to the conclusion
that Iranians are the most racist people in the world? I am sure he must
have had negative experiences but has he gone all around the world and
somehow measured the "racist factor" of each country? (Something
that Mr. Neyshapuori claims to have done)
Iranians, like all people around the world have racists, and I am sure
we also have tolerant people. It's hard to believe that we are the most
racist people in the world. Just look at the history of the last century
and you will see that we are not even close to the top >>>
FULL TEXT
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* Just needs revenge
Another fiction/"Supposed to be real" story from someone who
doesn't even sound convincing and rational when we listen to his side of
story ["PMS"].
It sounds more like a "I wish it was real" tale by someone
who doesn't really know where the actual problem is and just needs revenge.
Faramarz Kaviani
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* Nowhere to turn to
I read your new piece ["Christmas-e
aan saal"]. I can understand the anxiety you described. I had
the same feeling once I came here to the U.S.
To be honest with you, it's really sad that we poor Iranians have nowhere
to turn to. I mean I see the Spanish, Greek, etc., going back to their
country during holidays with great ineterst and they talk about how beautiful
the life is over there.
But when it comes to us we either have got nothing to say or if there
is something nice, no one would believe it anyway!
Anyhow, Chrismas was nice (although I was at work later that evening!)
and so was New Year's Eve. Call me old fashioned but I preferred a "shab-e
yalda" next to my mum and dad and others eating "hendevaaneh"
and having "tokhmeh"!!! But that's just an illusion.
Arian
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* You like Iran to be like America
Don't EVER, EVER sent me your FUCKING newsletter again. Your kind are
a disgrace to all Iranians. Siding with the Americans with your bastard
sons and whore daughters.
You like Iran to be like America, don't you? Where people shoot each
other. Where daughters have sex when they are 14. Where wives cheat. Where
gays and lesbians are normal.
FUCK YOU.
Unlimited Madness
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Tuesday
January 2, 2001
* Woman with metal half-mask
I have a question that I have had trouble finding an answer to. Perhaps
you can help? Or direct me to someone versed in Islamic culture that can
help, as my Islamic knowledge is not very good.
About two months ago, I happened to be flying from Amsterdam to Minneapolis
and I noticed a group (I suspect a family) of Saudis on the same flight
as myself. If I remember correctly in glancing at their passports they
were Saudis, anyway...
There were a number of women who were all dressed in the long black
gown-like chador (although their faces were not covered completely.)
One of the women, however, sported a thin metal frame on her face --
at least it looked metal >>>
FULL TEXT
Aaron Chapman
Vancouver, Canada
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* Romanticizing Iranianness
Let me begin by saying that Iranians often talk very loosely, especially
those outside of Iran. Our emotions often overwhelm us, and some ways of
zealosuly emphasizing our identity is to vehemently distinguish ourselves
from our neighboring Arabs, to emphasize our "Aryaness", and
of course to object to romantic relationships with Blacks. Let's not make
any more of this than what it is - romantic images of our Iranianess that
help us identify with our nationality...
Such notions are not intrinsic to our culture and hopefully we will
not inherit them from Westerners. A united Iran, where the common denominator
of Iranianess is our diverse cultural/linguistic heritage, as opposed to
race, is a healthy Iran >>>
FULL TEXT
Bijan Arman Ali Pingili
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* Embrace all humankind
Regarding intolerance, first I think it is important, at least for the
sake of future generations, to realize that globalization is inevitable.
We are headed in that direction, at least as long as there exists places
like America. And let's not forget the original vision in creating this
'America', which was to embrace all peoples and create a melting pot from
which every individual is allowed an opportunity to freedom of expression
and prosperity...
I do believe at some point, whether or not one agrees, that we as a
people should evolve into more consciously mature persons and embrace all
humankind as a whole instead of seperating ourselves into categories, no
matter what our 'race' or 'religion'. The most auspicious personalities
in history have embodied compassion toward all mankind >>>
FULL TEXT
Lisa
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* Persian pride
Neveshteh aghaye baniameri ra ba lezat khandam ["Persian
warrior"]. Albateh agar yek roydad waghei bashad dar hade yek
komedideram ast.(va taasof avar) Ma iraniyan ejazeh darim keh beh meliyat
khod eftekhar konim va albateh in hagh ra baraye tamame melale dighar niz
ghayel bashim.
Nabayad farmosh konim keh ma nit manande sayere melal digar daraye eftekharat
va tabiatan nokate tariki dar tarikhe khod hastim. Man bedin natijeh residam
ke ma mitavanim dar eyne eftekhar beh nokat mosbat az nokate manfi dars
amokhteh va ghozashteh ra mashaale rahe ayandeh konim >>>
FULL TEXT
Satrap
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Monday
January 1, 2001
NONE
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