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Wednesday
March 28, 2001
* Facing our demons
Dear Mr Hoveyda, I read your article, "Shah
or president?", with interest. What is perhaps missing is the
prerequisites for a political solution to the Iranian situation. The political
solution will come in time and it will come from within. I agree with the
principal point that any society that reaches the sufficient maturity to
bring democracy, by definition will not need a strong man in this day and
age. But before we get there or before we can establish a lasting secular
democracy, we Iranians need to face some of the demons that are part of
our national character >>>
FULL TEXT
ARBB
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* Saving Persepolis
Sadegh Khalkhali and the thugs around him, all followers of the Navab
Safavi movement, the brothers in arm of the Taliban in Afghanistan, attempted
to destroy Persepolis in Shiraz. It was only a few weeks after the revolution
when Nosratollah Amini had become the governor of Fars.
After hearing of the attempt against Persepolis, Amini, who had been
a member of the National Front during the days of Mossadegh and his personal
lawyer, called upon the security forces in Fars, and in a show of force,
threw out the humiliated invaders headed by Khalkhali >>>
FULL TEXT
Fariba Amini
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* You opened the closet
As a 23 year-old American-born woman of full Iranian heritage, I have
finally put on my prêt-a-porter Iranian Diaspora frock. When? About
a year ago. Why so late? I didn't know I had one. Really. I didn't know
I owned such a beautiful, richly-textured, brightly-colored dress. Who
knew? You did. You opened the closet door and let all the bogeymen out,
and there it was, hanging patiently, waiting to be seen >>>
FULL TEXT
Sheila Shirazi
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* Don't share private life with public
I just read the article about the upcoming changes ["Growing
up"]. Sounds interesting. I want your permission to add something
more (especially now that I know how old you are!)
I think we all have an inner self with our anger, fears, impatience
or other things that are not even always permanent and they come and go.
Sometimes exposing that private side to the public might not be that interesting
and could damage our image. To me it is like going out into the public
with pajamas, even though that's something that almost everybody wears
at home >>>
FULL TEXT
Faramarz Kaviani
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* Doing what you really, really enjoy
In response to your recent article, "Growing
up", I should say there is no doubt that you put a lot of work
and effort into this site. But just think of it like this; you are doing
something that you really, really enjoy.
You don't have a boss; you can work whenever; you get to meet a lot
of cool interesting people, and take a lot of cool pictures, etc., etc...
I am not saying that you should live in a shack or not have medical
insurance. You, like anyone els,e probably would not mind some extra cash.
Anyway I just wanted to say that you are doing a great job and I am
glad you are moving to San Francisco. One piece of advise: Don't think
of yourself as a "little boy", because you will stay like that!
Neshat Rezai
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Tuesday
March 27, 2001
* You do make a difference
I just wanted to take a moment and applaud you for your amazing article
["Growing
up"]."WOW" was the only word that kept springing to
mind as I read on.
Recently, a new-found-friend (u know who u r!) recommended your site
to me. To be honest, I zipped in and out so quickly that it made my head
spin (no reflection on your site - I promise!), but I had a chance to take
another look this morning. It's absolutely AMAZING!
I know that you must get tons and tons of emails on a daily basis -
and I don't expect a reply. But thought it necessary to tell you this:
What you do makes a difference >>>
FULL TEXT
A Friend in LA
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* Money for clothes
This is an article we should have been reading 2-3 years ago ["Growing
up"]. Needless to say, in the past I've had my disagreements with
Jahanshah Javid and his editorial policies. But nevertheless he is providing
a valuable service that has done a lot to bring together the Iranian diaspora.
I for one do not mind paying a small yearly subscription fee -- say
$10 for the whole year -- to access the site, even though I'm a student.
Even if half the people currently using the site agree to it, that's still
a lot of money... more than enough to afford some health insurance and
even some new clothes >>>
FULL TEXT
Nariman Neyshapouri
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* Run Khatami! Run!
Thanks to Mr. Khatami's election thousands of Iranians from abroad have
been able to go to back home with some degree of freedom and feel good
about their visit as well as leave some more signs of freedom with people
there to follow and steps to take ["Don't
run"].
As everyone knows dramatic changes like this take at least a generation,not
just four or even eight years to reach fruition. People of Iran are capable,
they just need the time.
Mr. Khatami can prevent a civil war by staying in power and his patience
as well as his policies will have great results for future of Iran. If
he gives up I'm afraid Iran may fall back to the hands of people like talebaan
of afganestan. People of Iran have to decide if that's what they want.
Mike Shafiabady
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* Khatami should decline
Mr. Zangeneh is absolutely correct ["Don't
run"]. Khatami's biggest contribution to Iran and its future is
to decline to run for another four years.
He must make it clear that under current circumstances he is unable
to bring anything to the table. It is time for our nation to demand accountability
from those with real power. And we all know who they are.
Masoud
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Monday
March 26, 2001
* Get a woman -- from Iran
In response to "Growing
up": If you can not find a woman in DC area to take good care
of you then I suggest marrying one from home. I know this could be against
all the stuff you ever told your friends and family but eat your pride
and marry a girl from Iran. Talk to your mother (relatives) back home and
they will find you one before you go for next visit home.
Hosain Massiha
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* Monarchy's vices
Dear Mr. Hoveyda, Your recent article on the monarchy was interesting
["Shah
or president?"]. I have now come to the conclusion as a lifelong
monarchist (I'm 31) that monarchy or republic is, of course, an irrelevence,
and that it is the vices of monarchical government that must be avoided:
lack of accountability, injustice, corruption, cronyism >>>
FULL TEXT
A.V.
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* Googoosh music not Iranian
I liked your article very much. It was quite well-balanced and entertaining
["Houston,
we have a diva!"]. However, being a musician myself, I think one
thing should be added to all this Googooshmania. The lyrics are Iranian,
but the music is not >>>
FULL TEXT
Nader Majd
Center for Persian Classical Music
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* Serious problem
The fact that a lot of Iranians introduce themselves as Persians shows
how uncomfortable we are with the word Iran or Iranians! The problem with
the name Iran is that it DOES NOT represent US in the world as it is supposed
to. I have done a lot of travelling, specially in Asia and, believe me,
the problem is very serious. we are considered Arabs. And it makes me sick.
I wrote an email to the Iranian President regarding this problem. And I
sent another email to the Iraqi government, asking them to call their country
Babylon and not Iraq. I am not kidding. I did that because I believe there
is a serious problem here and this problem is haunting a lot of us and
it should be solved >>>
FULL TEXT
Siya T
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Friday,
March 23, 2001
* Khatami should not run
Initially after reading Hamid Zangeneh's piece, "Don't
run", I questioned whether or not his opinion was based upon factors
that are truly important. I have been a staunch supporter of the reformists,
of Khatami's presidential term, and of Khatami's reelection. But after
working through Zangeneh's argument, I have fallen into agreement with
him: Khatami should announce "to the public that he will not stand
for reelection and, more importantly, tell them why-- pure and simple."
>>>
FULL TEXT
Cyrus Samii
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* Not just Persian
In response to Bagher
R. Harand: Mr. Kayhan Kalhor & Shujaat Husain Khan have produced
a musical project called Ghazal. Mr. Kalhor appears as a guest for other
projects .While he is an Iranian master of Kamanche, he most probably has
refined his art of improvisations through this interpretation of Persian
music in an Indian context. He is a profound artist and in my humble opinion
his music is spiritual no matter from what land the melodies come from.
No one should be allowed to dictate how an artist expresses ones self.
I think those who complained about the event and the fact that it wasn't
"Persian" enough for them are not true patrons of Mr. Kalhor
and did not do their homework >>>
FULL TEXT
Ali Derakhshan
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* A bottle of Iran
I read your story about the soil fron Iran ["A
glass of Iran"]. It reminded me of when I was coming out of Iran
and I had gathered some soil in a milk bottle and brought it to the U.S.
I was about 15-years old and the whole family was laughing at me. Unfortunately,
I don't know what happened to the milk bottle, but I still have some rocks
that I use to collect with my friend in Shiraz.
Neshat Rezai
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Thursday
March 21, 2001
* Persian pants please
This past Saturday, March 17, and upon the invitation of the Board of
Director of Lincoln Center, and presumably due to my loaning them a series
of fine Persian carpets to decorate the event, my family and I attended
a concert in which Mr. Kayhan Kalhor, the renowned Persian kamancheh player
was an active participant.
The audience of over four thousand, mostly American, were captively
mesmerized by the power of the Eastern music. There were, nonetheless,
comments made by many afterwards that I feel obliged to share with the
community.
For instance, many were somewhat disappointed as they had come to listen
to Persian music; instead, they primarily heard fine Indian music.
Also, Mr. Kalhore had a Pakistani/Indian outfit, which in retrospect
might have been more appropriate had he worn Persian outfit. In other words,
the general feeling was that if there is any Persian influence in the whole
affair, it went unnoticed by and large.
One might hope that our talented artists pay more attention to their
own heritage when appearing in such prominent platforms in the future.
Bagher R. Harand
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* I'm not a monarchist activist, but...
I have written regularly to The Iranian Times , and I have always
insisted on the fact that I am not an activis. Yes, Mohammed Reza Shah
Pahlavi, became a dictator, or was driven into becoming one partially pushed
by his democratic allies in the West. Yes, Iran under the reign of Mohammed
Reza Shah suffered a certain degree of censorship. Yes, Mohammed Reza Shah
was trying to give lessons on democracy to his own allies, and probably
that was the only way he could show a certain degree of independence towards
them. However, I believe that despite his short-comings, and the fact that
he was a dictator, does not justify historians to confuse him with the
blood-thirsty tyrant he never was >>>
FULL TEXT
Darius Kadivar
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* Don't be a dictator
Dear Siamack Baniameri,
I don't know how you assumed that you and people around you are the
only definition of Iranians and there isn't any other version of Iranians.
To make a long story short, I hope nobody feels that he /she is the center
of the world or the golden standard of culture. Because this way of thinking
and criticizing is the first step to dictatorship which is the most important
problem that Iranians are faceing -- much more important than onions, chelokabab,
and beards >>>
FULL TEXT
BP Azar
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* Minoo, where are you?
I am wondering if you are able to help me trace the whereabouts of Minoo
Motamedi (or Mohtamedi). In 1963 she lived at Navab Street, Hagshenas Station,
Hagshenas Street No 68, Tehran.
Minoo had planned to enter university and study to be an engineer but
I do not know what eventually became of her. If you can help with information
about her present whereabouts, I can be contacted at the address shown
below.
PO Box 117
Bindoon Western
Australia 6502
Peter Jeans
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Friday,
March 23, 2001
* Khatami should not run
Initially after reading Hamid Zangeneh's piece, "Don't
run", I questioned whether or not his opinion was based upon factors
that are truly important. I have been a staunch supporter of the reformists,
of Khatami's presidential term, and of Khatami's reelection. But after
working through Zangeneh's argument, I have fallen into agreement with
him: Khatami should announce "to the public that he will not stand
for reelection and, more importantly, tell them why-- pure and simple."
>>>
FULL TEXT
Cyrus Samii
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* Not just Persian
In response to Bagher
R. Harand: Mr. Kayhan Kalhor & Shujaat Husain Khan have produced
a musical project called Ghazal. Mr. Kalhor appears as a guest for other
projects .While he is an Iranian master of Kamanche, he most probably has
refined his art of improvisations through this interpretation of Persian
music in an Indian context. He is a profound artist and in my humble opinion
his music is spiritual no matter from what land the melodies come from.
No one should be allowed to dictate how an artist expresses ones self.
I think those who complained about the event and the fact that it wasn't
"Persian" enough for them are not true patrons of Mr. Kalhor
and did not do their homework >>>
FULL TEXT
Ali Derakhshan
Go to top
* A bottle of Iran
I read your story about the soil fron Iran ["A
glass of Iran"]. It reminded me of when I was coming out of Iran
and I had gathered some soil in a milk bottle and brought it to the U.S.
I was about 15-years old and the whole family was laughing at me. Unfortunately,
I don't know what happened to the milk bottle, but I still have some rocks
that I use to collect with my friend in Shiraz.
Neshat Rezai
Go to top
Thursday
March 21, 2001
* Persian pants please
This past Saturday, March 17, and upon the invitation of the Board of
Director of Lincoln Center, and presumably due to my loaning them a series
of fine Persian carpets to decorate the event, my family and I attended
a concert in which Mr. Kayhan Kalhor, the renowned Persian kamancheh player
was an active participant.
The audience of over four thousand, mostly American, were captively
mesmerized by the power of the Eastern music. There were, nonetheless,
comments made by many afterwards that I feel obliged to share with the
community.
For instance, many were somewhat disappointed as they had come to listen
to Persian music; instead, they primarily heard fine Indian music.
Also, Mr. Kalhore had a Pakistani/Indian outfit, which in retrospect
might have been more appropriate had he worn Persian outfit. In other words,
the general feeling was that if there is any Persian influence in the whole
affair, it went unnoticed by and large.
One might hope that our talented artists pay more attention to their
own heritage when appearing in such prominent platforms in the future.
Bagher R. Harand
Go to top
* I'm not a monarchist activist, but...
I have written regularly to The Iranian Times , and I have always
insisted on the fact that I am not an activis. Yes, Mohammed Reza Shah
Pahlavi, became a dictator, or was driven into becoming one partially pushed
by his democratic allies in the West. Yes, Iran under the reign of Mohammed
Reza Shah suffered a certain degree of censorship. Yes, Mohammed Reza Shah
was trying to give lessons on democracy to his own allies, and probably
that was the only way he could show a certain degree of independence towards
them. However, I believe that despite his short-comings, and the fact that
he was a dictator, does not justify historians to confuse him with the
blood-thirsty tyrant he never was >>>
FULL TEXT
Darius Kadivar
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* Don't be a dictator
Dear Siamack Baniameri,
I don't know how you assumed that you and people around you are the
only definition of Iranians and there isn't any other version of Iranians.
To make a long story short, I hope nobody feels that he /she is the center
of the world or the golden standard of culture. Because this way of thinking
and criticizing is the first step to dictatorship which is the most important
problem that Iranians are faceing -- much more important than onions, chelokabab,
and beards >>>
FULL TEXT
BP Azar
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* Minoo, where are you?
I am wondering if you are able to help me trace the whereabouts of Minoo
Motamedi (or Mohtamedi). In 1963 she lived at Navab Street, Hagshenas Station,
Hagshenas Street No 68, Tehran.
Minoo had planned to enter university and study to be an engineer but
I do not know what eventually became of her. If you can help with information
about her present whereabouts, I can be contacted at the address shown
below.
PO Box 117
Bindoon Western
Australia 6502
Peter Jeans
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Wednesday
March 21, 2001
* Khaak to saret konan
This is in response to the BS that was published a while ago called
"Citizen
Pahlavi". Firstly, I would like to bring to the attention of all
the readers of Iranian.com and the person who wrote "Citizen
Pahlavi" that the only time that Iran and the people of Iran lived
a life just as luxurious as any other European family was when the SHAH
was in power. Reza Pahlavi doesn't have to apologize for his father's mistakes,
because his father never mad any mistakes. The only thing he did wrong
was not kill all those mollas that deserve to burn in hell, and their followers,
people such as you >>>
FULL TEXT
Sepehr
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* Deal with today
From those who bringup the issue of monarchy vs. presidency in Iran
["Shah
or president?"], I would like to ask what is the real problem
here? And what is your point? Good or bad, the Shah and his regime are
gone. What happened in 1979 and why it happened, though important to understand,
it has already happened. We now have the "Islamic Republic" to
deal with >>>
FULL TEXT
Hamid K
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* Parvaaz kardam
Khanoom-e Kiani, man yeki az shaagerdaa-ye ghadimitoon hastam keh alaan
too aalmaan dars mikhoonam. raastesh emrouz roouzeh eideh va raftam az
yeki az site-haaye iraani baraa-ye doostam kaart befrestam keh neveshteh-ye
qashang-e shomaaro didam ["Rooz-haaye
aakhar-e saal"]!
nemidoonam cheraa vali parvaaz kardam beh oonja. oonqadr saadeh va samimi
bood keh vaaghe'an bargashtam beh haal-o havaa-ye oonjaa! heif keh injaa
eid nadaareh! hamash kaar va dars!
raasti saal-e notoon kheili mobaarak! man esmam Raha Rezai-ye. fekr
nemikonam yaadetoon baasheh. too maderseh-ye Omidvar shomaa dabir-e hona-r
maa boodin! beh har haal, mamnoon! eidi-ye qashangi bood. baa aarezoo-ye
salaamati va shaadi .
Raha Rezai
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* Girls do NOT poop
I asked my girlfriend if she poops ["Girls
poop"], and she confirmed it: Girls do NOT poop. I will watch
her to comfirm, but she rarely lies. So my question to you is, why are
you publishing lies? :-(
Floppy McGee
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Tuesday
March 20, 2001
NONE
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Monday
March 19, 2001
* Caricature not a treatise
I read the article by Mr. Baniameri about his despair on Valentine's
Day ["The
hell with romance"] and found it a highly amusing and funny take
on some of Iranian men's negative stereotypes.
I was surprised to see the letters by some Iranian women bashing him
as a sexist or calling him gay! Where has your sense of humor gone?! Sarcasm,
a very great tool in comedic writing, is oozing out of this articles ears.
It makes discussion of these difficult issues easier.
It's a caricature not a treatise on what men or women should do. Laugh
at it, as I think many of the men and women reading it did, and let it
raise a few questions in your mind as I think was the intent of the writer.
Mahmood Kanani
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* Real artist
I emailed you a few months ago and I was amazed by Saman's
art work. He is extremely talented. I was so excited that finally I
know someone in the U.S. who is a real artist and a real human being. I
used the word "know" because I think I know him through his artwork.
Not only is he an artist, but also he has felt something that not many
people have felt and that is the way women live in Iran >>>
FULL TEXT
Azin
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* How about someting new?
I think the cartoons
by Sman could improve if he uses more color and variations in the theme.
so far all of his cartoons have the same exact looking molla and the same
punchline.
His cartoons say the same thing all the time: "mollas and women
in chadoor are silly and Iran is hell". Okay, enough of that. We all
knoww hat life is like in Iran. How about someting new?
I don't see any other opinions noted in his cartons and the characters
too remain the same for the most part. This is just a comment / suggestion.
I do admire all artists.
Babak Behnia
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* Most sublimely beautiful
I wanted to tell you that Zara Houshmand's poem "Earth
and water" is probably the most sublimely beautiful writing I
have ever read on Iranian.com.
I often visit this website to read poems because it helps me make sense
of my own minute dilemmas as an Iranian-American "living in exile".
I can't explain it but I often feel as if I am listening to a large group
of children yelling and fighting when I read many of the poems on the website.
But your poem moved me deeply and was the first one that I read and
reread several times. Thank you for sharing your art with us. I hope you
continue to create such wonderful work.
SY
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Friday,
March 16, 2001
* Shah was French
I liked your article "Shah
or president?" Democracy is a learned behavior. You must grow
up learning from the small society of the household how to come into consensus
with your immediate family members. After the revolution when I started
reading more about the social decay of the Iranian society and its key
players, starting from the Shah, I realized that the Shah was more of a
French fellow than an Iranian.. I don't think he really knew who the Iranian
people were >>>
FULL TEXT
FFN
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* Your mother too?
You must be quite lonely to be such an ass regarding women ["The
hell with romance"]. It is people like youwho give Iranian men
a bad name. You fit the stereotype of the sexist pig that just f*#$%s for
selfish pleasure -- oh and reproduction of course >>>
FULL TEXT
Mitra
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* Utterly beautiful
I just wanted to say I really enjoyed the poem "Boro".
It was so full of emotions. Very innocent, sad and yet utterly beautiful.
I read it three times. I cannot believe it's from a high school student
in America. So proud of you!
Glayol Banaie
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Thursday
March 15, 2001
* Content over form
I couldn't agree more ["Shah
or president?"]. Once again you've hit the nail right on the head
and I find myself in the fortunate position of having a partner in politics.
Especially when you say: "The real problem facing Iran is not choosing
between monarchy or republic. The problem is how to reject theocracy and
backwardness." That just brings tears to my eyes, because for the
past 20 years I have been saying the same thing and begging the all-so-important-
figures in the opposition in my town to not make themselves so preoccupied
with form at the cost of forgetting content >>>
FULL TEXT
Massud Alemi
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* Fossilized issues
As a response to the elaborate discussion on "Shah
or president?" I can only say that I am shocked that we even spend
time and energy discussing such fossilized issues. Just because the present
government seems to be insistently directing itself as if we still live
in the era of Mohammad does not give us a right to indulge nostalgically
in what is gone and will never be recovered. The Shah's regime was also
a filthy and corrupt, although it did not even come close to the barbarism
and inhumanity of the present one >>>
FULL TEXT
Maziar Taleshi
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* Monarchy no answer
My memories of Iran are not ver clear. My knowledge of Iran is incomplete.
But I do know this: a return to monarchy is not the answer for Iran. I
think it is unfortunate that so many Iranians regard the Shah's regime
with such nostalgic affection. Iran doesn't need a secular dictatorship
to take the place of the current theocratic dictatroship. Iran also doesn't
need a constitutional monarchy filled with symbolic figureheads and royal
families that do nothing but attend charity dinners >>>
FULL TEXT
Sina Yousefi
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* Unfortunate fact
I don't agree with Naghmeh
about the cover
picture in The Iranian. I am also a mother. The picture of a
young Iranian man doing drugs may not be a good sight to look at and enjoy,
but it definitely is an unfortunate fact. We can't ignore the facts. There
are the bad, the good and the ugly about every society.
I do like iranian.com; I am actually addicted to it. I have had a few
sleepless nights when I did not receive my issue on time. I think for some
reason the editor chooses not to print the bad news or crimes committed
by the Iranian community outside of Iran >>>
FULL TEXT
Simin Habibian
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* What's the point?
I have recently started browsing The Iranian web site and reading
the articles. Through them I have discovered the new attitudes, thoughts
and opinions of my community. I have, however, been saddened more than
once. I do not think it is the responsibility of media to determine attitudes,
but I do not think it would be wrong for you to set high standards for
our community. We are after all Iranians. And I am still proud to be one,
despite what I have read recently >>>
FULL TEXT
Maryam Tehrani
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* Total shock
I must admit that the first time I visited iranian.com I was in total
shock. Your site is so orginal and tasteful that I refer it to some of
my frinds (non-Persian). These days it's the first site that I read when
I am on my PC. Keep up the good work.
Bijan Rais
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Wednesday
March 14, 2001
* Farhad seriously ill
Farhad Mehrad, better known as Farhad, is seriously ill with hepatitis
C. He is 58. His most likely course of treatment is believed to be a liver
transplant, a very expensive operation.
Farhad is very private person, and it is only because of the severity
of his condition that his wife, Pouran, has agreed that his case can be
publicised. The hope is that those who have heard and loved his songs,
and perhaps the Iranian authorities, would do something to save his life
>>>
FULL TEXT
Miriam
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* Hire a maid
I believe Mr. Baniameri may be better off switching to the other side
["The
hell with romance"]! Yes, Siamack, I believe you are better off
dating your own kind, MEN. How long have you been in the closet?
I have to give you credit though, proposing on the net that you would
like to bond more with men, buying them candy and roses, to pat other men
on their back! You have thought about this for a while haven't you! >>>
FULL TEXT
Mojdeh Safayee
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* Decriminalizing marijuana
NOTE: This letter was emailed in capital letters
IN RESPONSE TO NAGHMEH'S DISAPPOINTMENT REGARDING
THE COVER
PICTURE OF A MAN SMOKING MARIJUANA, HERE IN CANADA CANNABIS IS NOT
REALLY CONSIDERED A DRUG ANYMORE BUT A MEDICINE. IN THE LAST SURVEY HERE
73% FAVORED LEGALIZATION AND EVEN MORE FAVORED DECRIMINALIZATION, AND IT'S
JUST A MATTER OF TIME UNTIL THIS BECOMES LAW >>>
FULL TEXT
Hamid Ageorlo
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* Personal attacks
Asghar Agha, I appreciate your comments ["Asghar
Shah"] on my article ["My
friend"]. Your sense of humor is truly wonderful.
I also thank you for reemphasizing the point of my article. The issue
is that nobody challenges Reza Pahlavi on the substance of his program.
The attacks are purely personal and unfounded.
As far as politics are concerned, the personal life of a public figure
is strictly his own business. Even though I challenge anyone to come forward
with a cleaner personal life than Reza.
Mihandoust
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* Pahlavi's wealth
In response to "My
friend", the author claims that neither Reza Pahlavi, his mother,
nor his father, have any substantial wealth.
Gee, I seem to remember Reza Pahlavi having lost $25 million several
years ago as a result of some bad investments. And despite this he's still
living fairly comfortably.
For the past 21 yrs, he hasn't worked a single day or earned a single
paycheck. aAso, he sends his daughters to a private French school in northern
Virginia.
I think these facts are evidence enough that the Pahlavi's currently
have and have always had very substantial wealth.
Nariman Neyshapouri
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* America needs Iran
My name is Eamon. I am an Iranian-American living in Austin, Texas.
And I just have to say that the sanctions against Iran aren't helping anyone,
but they are hurting America. If Bush can do one thing right (even though
he proboably won't) I hope it is to re-establish friendship with Iran.
America needs Iran for everything from oil to the battle against Iraq.
And Iran needs America to protect it from Sadam and his twisted mined,
and to improve the economy.
If teachers in schools excpect students to get along without conflict,
why can't we excpect leaders of nations to look past their pride and ego
and see that friendship can do nothing but make the world a better place.
Eamon
Go to top
Tuesday
March 13, 2001
* Very poor choice
I have always liked iranian.com but the choice for your cover
picture was very poor. How will a man doing drugs benefit your site?
It is unbelievable how Iranians come to U.S. and forget about all their
values. I am very disappointed, and I think people hide behind their freedom
of choice a bit too much. They say and do whatever they want in the name
of freedom.
Of course, I, too have a choice of not looking at the picture, but as
an Iranian, as a mother and a woman, I still think your choice of putting
that picture for your welcome page was very poor.
Naghmeh
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* Anti-Iranian Americans
In his article ["America,
welcome"], Ron Wurzer managed to rehash all the usual complaints
and stereotypes about Iran and Iranians. The point is, I've lived in America
all my life. As an Iranian-American, I can tell you one thing for sure:
despite the "hundreds of thousands" you saw chanting anti-American
slogans in Tehran, i guarantee you the level of anti-Iranian animosity
among American politicians and the American public still far exceeds the
sum total of anti-American sentiment in Iran >>>
FULL TEXT
Nariman Neyshapouri
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* Where are the Persians?
It sounds like disagreement is a more powerful incentive than agreement
or it's that way in our culture. I happen to understand and completely
agree with G. Motamedi's view on the insanity that was behind Reza shah's
decision about asking other countries to say Persia instead of Iran ["Bring
back Persia"].
I don't understand why those who introduce themselves as Persian and
not Iranian don't send a letter! I personally witness everyday that more
than ninety percent of our people introduce themselves as Persian and not
Iranian! I don't need anybody to agree or disagree with me on this because
I see it everyday for myself >>>
FULL TEXT
Ardavan
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* Freedom fighter
I agree with the tittle of this feature: "Missing
the point"! Iraj Mirza was living in the era that had no Internet,
no media, no printed books, (at lest not anything in Farsi or very hard
to find).
The problem is that everyone has a different perception of the world
according to his or her personal experiences. So if a man gets to the point
that he knows literature and has a deep perception then I understand why
he uses harsh language. To me he is a freedom fighter and I salute him.
Abbas Abhroudi
Go to top
Monday
March 12, 2001
* Kam lotfi
I read "Not
going back" and frankly it upset me to see how negative one can
be! I don't deny the fact that there's very limited freedom (of any sort)
in Iran and that it is not necessarily a good tourist location, but it's
honestly not that bad. This American woman claims that she stood out in
public because of her red nails, makeup, and white sneakers while everyone
was wearing black! First of all, we all know that Iranian women in Iran
and elsewhere wear a whole lot more makeup! >>>
FULL TEXT
Parastoo Ghodsi
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* Hee haa!
Was this ["Engage
secular Iran"] an opinion piece in the Christian Science Monitor?
I sure hope so. Otherwise, I can not believe that their journalism has
sunk so low.
Oh, now that we have a trigger happy Republican administration, let's
get back to Cold War tactics of "helping" those on "our
side" in geo-politically "strategic" countries like Iran.
Forget about past interventions, however futile they may have turned up;
let's intervene some more. It is cowboy time at the White House! Hee haa!
Yahoo! >>>
FULL TEXT
Setareh Sabety
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* Martin Luther King: No chance in Iran
I read Fariba Amini's "Thy
father's sins" and the great advice she has given Reza Pahlavi.
Then I read responses to her article by Khosrow
Moniri and H.M.
Jalili. Frankly I had to re-read Amini's article and could not
see any of the points the two responders' are raising. Amini has rightly
indicated that the revolution was hijacked by the mollas. She has
correctly pointed to the grave mistakes made by the Pahlavi regime.
While Jalili seems to be very knowledgeable about the history of civil
rights movement in America, he fails to recognize that if Martin Luther
King was in Iran during the Shah's regime, he could not stage any of his
non-violent demonstrations for a minute >>>
FULL TEXT
Hossein
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* Confusing everyone
I must say as someone who has spent most of his adult life in the West,
we Iranians have succeeded in confusing everyone about our identity and
cultre, ourseleves included ["Bring
back Persia"]. I have also come to believe that we Iranians have
diluted our identity by over-educating foriegners. In our eagerness to
defend the Iranian image outside we have created confusion about the name
of the country, the name of our people, the name of our seas and the name
of our language >>>
FULL TEXT
A.R. Beigie
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Thursday
March 8, 2001
* Women more important than statues
Are they doing more for Buddha statues than women? ["Savage
bastards"]
The permanent oppression exercised against women by Afghan integrists
has never had such a mediatic and diplomatic treatment.
Today, March 8th is Rooz-e Zan and the entire planet is provoked by
distruction of Afghan statues. For Colin Powell "It's horrible, a
tragedy, a crime against humanity." For European Union; "It's
a crime." Indian authorities talk about medieval babarity. And Mohammad
Khatami says it's "Inhumane".
Have they ever had the same reaction about Afghan women? Destruction
of these statues is regrettable fpr sure. It is a loss for cultural heritage.
But does anybody care for Human treated worse than statues?
Maryam Shabani
Go to top
* Ferdosi was not a Nazi
With reference to Mr. Motamedi's article regarding Iran and Persia ["Bring
back Persia"], tt seems that there is a general misunderstanding
regarding the name of our country. The name of our country has alway been
Iran. Persia is the name used by the British and other Europeans before
Reza Shah came to power.
In the Shahnameh there are hundreds of other reference to "Iran"
and none to "Persia" or even "Paars". And we all know
that Ferdosi lived about 1000 years before Reza Shah so he could not have
been a Nazi >>>
FULL TEXT
Babak Babakan
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* Iran >>> Persia >>> Iran
I just want to make one thing clear. From what I have read or heard,
since I was a kid, I do not think that in the Persian/Parsi or Farsi language
there has ever been a dichotomy between Persia and Iran, for Iranians at
least ["Bring
back Persia"].
An interesting anecdote is that 15 to 20 years ago, when I would visit
the Louvre Museum and ask to see the section on Iran, they would tell me
there is no section on Iran, but there is a section on Persia. Recenetly
I visited the Louvre and asked to see the section on Persia, and they told
me, "You mean Iran." >>>
FULL TEXT
Darius Kadivar
Go to top
Wednesday
March 7, 2001
* Did you visit the same country?
Having recently spent a few weeks back in Iran after a two-year absence,
I was saddened to read Eli's account ["Not
going back"] of her holiday in Iran. I wonder if she even went
to the same country as I did. I am sorry Eli, but yours was not an objective
and fair assessment of Iran. The account of your trip is full of stereotypical
Iran hating nonsense. I can assure you I would not judge American people
to be crazy like those on the Jerry Springer show or gun-crazy idiots like
the 15-year-old San Diego school-boy >>>
FULL TEXT
Farhad Nikkhah
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* Really got on my nerves
I would like to express my opinion regarding an article that I read
today on your website that kind of upset me ["Not
going back"]. My name is Niloufar and I am a young Iranian. when
I read the article written by an American woman who recently traveled to
Iran, I couldn't help getting very frustrated. She had a lot of good points
about the poverty, religion, freedom and the fact that people are not treated
equally. However There were some stuff in there that made me extremely
angry and upset >>>
FULL TEXT
Niloufar
San Francisco
Go to top
* What if god forbid...
I think your idea is a wonderful one ["Let's
go"]. However I wanted to know a couple things. Will there be
any older chaperones? If not who is your contact there if god forbid you
get into any problems with the Komite? Or if not the Komiteh, the Basij?
I am writing this email out of concern. I am a 26-year-old female who
was raised in Iran. I think it is an excellent idea what you have put together
and I would like to send my niece and nephew, but although they are 18
and 19, who will be responsible for them?>>>
FULL TEXT
S. Nasehi
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* BE HEARD!
A word of advice to Setareh Sabety ["No
ordinary congressman"], don't think that your views don't matter
simply because your representative in Congress or senator are not the people
you would have elected.
Ironically, one of the most responsive senators that I have ever dealt
with was Jesse Helms. There is a man with a machine to handle constituents'
concerns and yet he is, I am sure, to most Democrats, the epitome of an
"ultra-Republican".
Never forget (and don't let them forget it either): Your representatives
work for YOU >>>
FULL TEXT
Bradley J. Hernlem, Ph.D.
Go to top
* Weeping and moaning
This is my two cents regarding the review of the recent concert of Mohammad
Reza Shajarian by Yari Ostovany ["Shajarians
carry the night"]. Yari praises Shajarian for his masterful
adaptation of Mehdi Akhavan Saless's poem "Zemestan". Contrary
to Yari Ostovany, I think this adaptation of Zemestan has completely missed
the boat >>>
FULL TEXT
Mansour Fahimi
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* I know this feeling
Recent letters rave about "The
mirror and the book".
My curiosity is peaked.
I start to read.
A tingly sensation takes over me.
I know this feeling.
I recognize it.
I am familiar with the symptoms that will soon follow.
A lump, the size of a Persian lime in my throat >>>
FULL TEXT
S. Bahar
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Tuesday
March 6, 2001
* Official Noruz recognition
The City Council of the City of Mission Viejo, California, will adopt
a proclamation in their meeting of Monday 3/19/01 to recognize "March
20th" as the "Nowrooz - Iranian Year." I urge all the Iranians
who hear this news to show up in the Mission Viejo City Council meeting
on Monday 3/19/01 at 6:00pm to express their support and appreciation >>>
FULL TEXT
Hamid Bahadori
Go to top
* How? When? Where?
It is so sweet that poor little Reza Pahlavi has a friend who loves
him so! Meanwhile the rest of us have to worry about paying the bills.
I resent anybody trying to tell me that Reza Pahlavi has sacrificed his
youth for pursuing democracy in Iran. How? When? Where? Or do we count
the worrying that we all do for Iran as sacrifice? >>>
FULL TEXT
Setareh Sabety
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* Rezadoust
Once again the voice of emotional and "god-he-is-such-a-nice-guy
only-if-you-get-to-meet-him" oversimplicity has come thru in the form
of an article by Mr. or Ms. Mihandoust ["My
friend"].
While Mr. Pahlavi may not wear Rolex watches or prefer the smallest
room in the condo, Mihandoust completely misses the point. This is not
a personal "thing" with Mr. Pahlavi. His tastes, personal choices
and humility, if truly so, while quite admirable, are not why people have
an issue with him as a political figure. If all that matters is that Reza
Pahlavi is your friend and an eloquent razor-sharp, humble, sweetheart
with a plan, then the more appropriate name for Mihandoust would be Rezadous
>>>
FULL TEXT
Aref Erfani
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* Vatanforoush
I read the article ["Citizen
Pahlavi"] and I tell if you are Iranian, you are nothing but vatanforosh.
If you are an Iranian, mention three things the Shah did wrong. If you
want to point out that he killed too many communists or fucking religious
people, obviously he did not kill enough >>>
FULL TEXT
Korosh
Go to top
* Not funny
I read Karim Azari's not-so-funny piece about the chelokababi ["Shah
Hassan..."]. What was his point? That the server didn't understand
his comments because of his broken English? Or is he telling us about the
lack of political energy late at night at a chelokababi? Or are you trying
to redicule Reza Pahlavi? Or are you just trying not to be funny?
Behrooz Jalayer
Go to top
* Amr-e bozorg-e farhangi
Dorood bar Mehdi khaan-e gol-e taajikdoost -- javaan-e honarmand o ensaan-e
vaagheie ["Paradise
divided"]. aashnaa kardan iraani-haa, aanham Iraani-haaye khaarej
az keshvar, baa taajikistan-e aziz yek amr-e bozorg-e farhangist. Omidvaaram
dar tamaam-e kaarhaayeh farhangi-ensaani hamisheh pirooz baashi
Zari Jazayeri
Go to top
* Fantastic collection
Thank you very much for giving us the fantastic collection of photos
of Tajikistan and Uzbekistan by Mr. Mehdi Jami ["Paradise
divided"]. It was very refreshing to see this collection.
H. Hakimi
Go to top
Monday
March 5, 2001
* No liberator
I am sympathetic toward Mr. Reza Pahlavi, as I am toward all unemployed
persons. However, finding a job with no work experience in his forty years
as a prince, as implied in the article, is rather difficult, especially
in today's economic environment.
My suggestion to Mr. Pahlavi and his handful of allies, who are trying
to test the waters for sailing back and sending a trial balloon via satellite
messages to Iran, is to get in touch with reality and get out of the daydreaming
state. The majority of the Iranian people, disillusioned as they are with
the present regime, will never consider another Shah as their liberator
>>>
FULL TEXT
Fereidoon Matin
Pleasant Hill, California
Go to top
* Eminem: Artistic expression
I liked your article and I like Eminem ["Here
& there"]. In response to my best friend's comment who said
she hopes her daughter will never be exposed to anyone like Eminem, I said
this: I know what you mean about his lyrics, but no matter what, he is
very talented and his choice of words are just an artistic expression.
His words are not any worse than the high action pact movies that are out
there that everyone loves, it's only in a form of music >>>
FULL TEXT
Iran Javid Fulton
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* Father: Reza Nemati
Could anybody help me trace my father REZA NEMATI? He was on board the
Zaal in barrow in furness England between 1969-1971 and left for Portsmouth,
England. I have not heard anything since we heard the Zaal sunk in the
Persian Gulf but we don"t know for sure. PLEASE HELP.
Michael Jones
Go to top
* Always Iran
So, "Even without documented proof of this story, it is difficult
to think of another reasonable explanation" for the name change from
Persia to Iran? PLEASE! Try this one: The name of the country is Iran,
and has always been Iran, as far as Iranians are concerned.
Reza Shah was therefore simply telling foreign missions to refer to
the country by the same name that its inhabitants called it, for centuries.
In fact, there is no word for "Persian" in the Farsi language.
Even the ancient Hakhamaneshi kings you glorify so much referred to
the country as Iran. Now, shall we move on to more relevant things?
John Mohammadi
Go to top
Friday,
March 2, 2001
* Get Eminen
After reading the short piece about how Eminem
wins awards for his freedom of speech and the Iranian journalist gets punished
["Here
& there"], I thought, "Hang on
a minute. This could be turned into something positive."
As crazy as it may seem, Eminem is the most powerful
man on earth, opinion wise. As soon as he says one word the world suddenly
takes notice. So why don't we as a community ask of him to write about
all the abuse that's going on in Iran? After all it's not like he would
be censored or get killed over it.
He could potentially bring the eyes of the world
onto our country and encourage the seed of change into faster growth.
Of course there is no telling whether he would
accept the challenge but wouldn't it be interesting to hear what he has
to say about the mollas' after the way he humiliated half the music industry
and the American President?
Shirin
Go to top
* At last
At last a well thought-out discussion of the revolution that does not
blame any number of conspiracies and Western powers ["Surprise"].
The eternal truth of the world is unexpected results.
Mark Cooper
Go to top
* We all lost
I was about 10-years old when the revolution happened. Even at that
age I was in middle of everything ["Surprise"].
I almost died twice in 24 Esfand Square and Maydan Shahyad area. I remember
that no one back then knew the reasoning behind it all, but the revolution
became an entertainment center for the people, especially young people.
A good source of excitement like no other they knew.
I am saddened for losing the Rahimis ["The
general's widow"] as well as the ones who were killed by the government
like the Farrokhzads, and our war heroes, and the 17-year-old Mojahedin
Khalghs & Cheerekhaa, Basijis and many many more. All these people
died for what they believed in & none of them really won. We all lost
because THEY WERE ALL IRANIANS >>>
FULL TEXT
Eliot Salehi
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* In France too
I would like to draw your attention to the following regarding Behrooz
Parsa's article, "I'm
the Shah here": I read the article with great attention, and I
believe every word he said. I would't go as far as to say the generals
were gods everywhere in Iran but such power abuse must have been common
in a totally bureacratic country Iran had become... I personally had a
similar experience but in a democratic country, the country that claims
to be the country of human rights >>>
FULL TEXT
Darius Kadivar
Go to top
Friday,
March 2, 2001
* Get Eminen
After reading the short piece about how Eminem
wins awards for his freedom of speech and the Iranian journalist gets punished
["Here
& there"], I thought, "Hang on
a minute. This could be turned into something positive."
As crazy as it may seem, Eminem is the most powerful
man on earth, opinion wise. As soon as he says one word the world suddenly
takes notice. So why don't we as a community ask of him to write about
all the abuse that's going on in Iran? After all it's not like he would
be censored or get killed over it.
He could potentially bring the eyes of the world
onto our country and encourage the seed of change into faster growth.
Of course there is no telling whether he would
accept the challenge but wouldn't it be interesting to hear what he has
to say about the mollas' after the way he humiliated half the music industry
and the American President?
Shirin
Go to top
* At last
At last a well thought-out discussion of the revolution that does not
blame any number of conspiracies and Western powers ["Surprise"].
The eternal truth of the world is unexpected results.
Mark Cooper
Go to top
* We all lost
I was about 10-years old when the revolution happened. Even at that
age I was in middle of everything ["Surprise"].
I almost died twice in 24 Esfand Square and Maydan Shahyad area. I remember
that no one back then knew the reasoning behind it all, but the revolution
became an entertainment center for the people, especially young people.
A good source of excitement like no other they knew.
I am saddened for losing the Rahimis ["The
general's widow"] as well as the ones who were killed by the government
like the Farrokhzads, and our war heroes, and the 17-year-old Mojahedin
Khalghs & Cheerekhaa, Basijis and many many more. All these people
died for what they believed in & none of them really won. We all lost
because THEY WERE ALL IRANIANS >>>
FULL TEXT
Eliot Salehi
Go to top
* In France too
I would like to draw your attention to the following regarding Behrooz
Parsa's article, "I'm
the Shah here": I read the article with great attention, and I
believe every word he said. I would't go as far as to say the generals
were gods everywhere in Iran but such power abuse must have been common
in a totally bureacratic country Iran had become... I personally had a
similar experience but in a democratic country, the country that claims
to be the country of human rights >>>
FULL TEXT
Darius Kadivar
Go to top
Thursday
March 1, 2001
* Non-sensical utterances
I was saddened and deeply sorry to read the letter by an unknown face,
AA,
accusing one of our finest poets outside Iran of stealing from Ahmad Shamlu
["Baar-e
digar, Bahman"]...
Now that you have printed Shamlu's poem as well, could someone come
out and tell us which part of it has been picked by Dr. Nooriala, apart
from the fact that both poems are written in Farsi and use a lot of plural
forms of words ending in "aan"? >>>
FULL TEXT
Hushang Mansurian
Hacienda Heights, CA
Go to top
* Old-fashioned jaahels
I read the article written by our so-called compatriot, Mr.Siamak Baniameri
on"Art
of Kissing". I was tremendously shocked because all I found in
his article was an exaggeration about himself and other things that are
closely related to him, like his father, and on the other hand, beating
what can be considered as Iranian traditions.
I know that many foreigners who are interested in different things related
to Iranians, spouses of Iranians and tourists who like to travel to Iran
check your website in order to become more familiar with our rich culture,
but you have introduced Iranian men as old-fashioned JAAHELS >>>
FULL TEXT
Annonnymouss
Go to top
* Persia is dead
Let's settle this problem once & for all, the name of our country
is IRAN not "Persia", and we are "Iranians" not "Persians".
The reason is pure & simple: there is no country called "Persia"
in the year 2001. So please set your clocks & renew your calenders!
If any of you Persian lovers show me a map (not a 1910 map!) with a
country named Persia in it, I will take back all of my words. Persia was
a country consisting of Iran, Afghanistan, Bahrain, parts of Iraq , Pakistan
, Tajikestan & ....., so open your eyes & accept the reality --
there is no Persia any more. Persia is dead
AA
Go to top
* No poetic rite of passage
I am writing in response to the article, "Not
going back". I truly appreciate this author's opinion on what
Iran has become. I have read many of the letters sent to this website in
regards to Iran now. I feel that those letters have somehow romanticized
and "prettied-up" the Iran of today.
Has Iran really changed from what it was during the time of Khomeini?
We need to still maintain hope that we will all one day return. But to
what? The story "A man without a country" rings a disheartening
familiar melody >>>
FULL TEXT
Noosham
Go to top
* You animals
Mr. Moniri is very correct and to the point in his
response to Ms. Amini ["Thy
father's sins"]. It seems that after 22 years, she has not grown
and still is the same "young and idealist" person!
You were animalistic. The violence that Iran has been subjected for
22 years was brought about by the violence you people committed in 1977-79.
You cheered when members of "ancient regime," Kurds and Baha'is
were murdered but you only cried foul when mollas turned against you >>>
FULL TEXT
H. M. Jalili
Go to top
* Sorry for Reza Pahlavi
To those who have misread the essence of my article ["Thy father's
sins"]: I am truly sorry for Reza Pahlavi to have followers who
are illiterate, live in the past, have not studied a single word of Iranian
and world history and -- yes -- they still wish to annihilate individuals
for their beliefs.
I do suggest to all of you to stay where you are because the Iranian
people do not want the likes of you to be part of their lives. And I hope
Reza Pahlavi will bring some sense to his followers although it might be
too late >>>
FULL TEXT
F. Amini
Go to top
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