Letters   Write for The Iranian Editorial policy February 10, 2002 * Saal Tahvil Hi, Do you konw the time/date of the new years by any chance? Regards, Sheila Davar REPLY: Wednesday March 20, 2002 at 2:16 p.m. US Eastern Standard Time. * Quit or protest Could you please post the following web site on the iranian.com. This is regarding IEEE's (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) recent decision not to provide membership to the residents of 5 countries, including Iran. I am sure there are many Iranians that have a memebership in this organization and I would like to ask them to either drop their membership or sign the petition in this web site as a protest to IEEE's decision. Iranian students and scholars have been actively involved in the IEEE programs and have been recognized with different IEEE awards. //www.mit.edu/~khaki/ieee/ Thank you, Shady Javan * Very sad Tonight, I took a break from work to sit down and enjoy the opening ceremonies of the 2002 Olympics on NBC, here in the US. As athletes from different countries marched, waving and cheering, I awaited to see the only 2 Iranian athletes in the games, and their trainers. And of course I saw them, all smiles and good will, waving to the crowd, President Bush, and the First Lady. And then the voice of the NBC announcer came on: "here are athletes from Iran, a country in the axis-of-evil of President Bush's state of the union address, and one that threatens world peace and security". So much for dialogue, understanding, depoliticization of sports, and the spirit of sportsmanship. Very sad. Very very sad. I don't think that even the hardline Iranian TV had dared utter the dreaded "S" word when showing US athletes compete in various games in Iran, over the past few years, and followed up with such incredibly insensitive commentary about "threatening world peace and security". Can't we all just get along, even once every four years, in a ski competition? Very sad. Payman Arabshahi PS: You can contact NBC via: //www.nbc.com/nbc/footer/Contact_Us.shtml * Inappropriate Dear NBC people, I am an Iranian American, an author, a professor and a regular commentator for NPR station in Chicago. In my opinion the rank politicization of the Olympics by your commentator in reference to Iranian athletes parading in the opening ceremonies of the Winter Olympics 2002 was inappropriate. I am not what you call a sports enthusiast but know that the American athletes in Tehran were cheered on by the spectators even when they faced Iranian foes and treated very well by ordinary people who had recognized them in the bazaar of Tehran. This was to be expected, although the American wrestlers and their coaches were pleasantly surprised. What is more important is that American athletes were not called names by the Iranian broadcast officials. You might know that the Iranian broadcast stations are entirely monopolized by the right wing, anti-American forces of the conservatives in Iran. Yet, to their credit, they respected the spirit of sportsmanship and did not choose to demonize athletes that in their opinion had come from the belly of the "Great Satan". It is a sad day for NBC when its commentators can't rise to the standards of civilized discourse set by an ideological, government-run broadcast system in the heart of the "Evil Axis". Cordially, Ahmad Sadri Chair, department of Sociology and Anthropology Lake Forest College * Appalled and disappointed Dear NBC Sports Management, I took the opportunity to watch the opening ceremonies for the 2002 Winter Olympics that were broadcast on your network. I was both appalled and disappointed by the commentary reporting made in reference to Iranian athletes attending the Winter Games-comments that had no place in introducing Olympic participants. Since September 11 tragedy, I have seen our journalistic standards decline in favor of patriotism and the support for the victims of terror among our citizens. That I can understand. But those horrific and reprehensible acts of terror made clear the daunting task of sensitivity towards other people, nations, and religions, as we demand others to better understand our values and choices. It is unfortunate that a few within the media would make the poor choice of negatively politicizing an event where basic human understanding should fill the void of politics. Such reporting not only tarnishes the image of American journalism but also America's standing among other nations whose athletes have gathered here to share their talents in a spirit of cooperation and mutual respect. The September 11 tragedy demonstrated the important position television holds in educating the world about American society and its values. It is vital that NBC understands the delicate nature of reporting about foreign athletes. It is unprofessional for NBC sports to allow comments that can create an intimidating climate for many athletes and Americans. I should hope that our reporting entities act towards foreigners in ways that we would expect foreign news entities to act towards American athletes abroad. I hope your immediate attention to this matter sees to it that the integrity of American journalism does not decline to the level of those foreign media whose reporting we see as the source of misunderstandings about America. If so, the American insensitivity that the terrorists hoped to expose may become a goal realized. Sincerely, Ali Akbar Mahdi Chair & Professor Department of Sociology & Anthropology Ohio Wesleyan University Delaware, OH 43235 Phone: 740-368-3924 Fax: 740-368-3644 * Incompatible with the Olympic spirit Dear NBC Sports, I strongly object to your announcer's hostile characterization of Iran at the Olympic opening ceremonies. President Bush's hostile view of Iran is not shared by most Iranians or by most of the world, and such characterizations are offensive and incompatible with the Olympic spirit. Quite properly you did not use them for other countries our government may consider hostile or evil, and we trust you will not use them for Iran again. Please reply specifically to these points and regarding what you will say to announcers who may mention Iran during the rest of the Olympics. Sincerely, Nikki Keddie Professor of Middle Eastern History UCLA * Cogent analysis Thank you so much for featuring Professor Ahmad Sadri's cogent analysis of the prospects for reform in Iran! ["Still alive"] I appreciate his distinction between various tendencies within the otherwise broadly defined reform movement. I look forward to possible sequal articles that: (1) include women intellectuals, for surely their efforts to (re)claim their human rights has shaped the reformist discourse, and (2) examine how Iran's citizens relate and respond to the "roushanfekr-haa" who are challenging the principle of clerical supremacy. Cheers for the Iranian.com and Dr. Sadri while awaiting his next contributions. Haleh Vaziri * No one should be excluded Saeed Ganji is right, "democracy starts and ends with individuals". ["It starts with us"] I now refer to Ahmad Sadri's cover article titled "Still alive". In his analytical account of the political scene in Iran and the dossiers of the "heros of the Islamic Revolution", Mr. Sadri is, effectively, trying to say that LEOPARDS DO CHANGE THEIR SPOTS, and that yesterday's radical Islamist revolutionaries are today's "reformists". No one, as yet, however, has defined or clarified as to what they mean by REFORM. The clearest definition that I have deduced from Mr. Sadri's writing is "varieties of religious reform" . Having acknowledged the archaic, brutal, destructive and extremely corrupt nature of the theocratic regime of the IRI, and its utter incompetence in managing the nation's affairs in the past 23 years, Mr. Sadri is portraying the picture of a new brand of democracy in the making in Iran. This IRI-invented version of democracy, which appears to be the brainchild of the IRI's "Centre for Strategic Studies"(CSS), is called "something between varieties of theocracy!". It should be noted that the CSS was formed after the cessation of the Iran-Iraq war by the then president, Hashemi-e-Rafsanjani, and the think-tank behind the product of this Centre includes the "star-thinkers" like Saeed Hajjarian and Akbar Ganji. Rafsanjani, then, was known as "the moderate president" and the smiling face of the IRI (having now been replced by "the reformist president" Khatami) . Look where Rafsanjani stands now. He is perhaps more radical than Khamene-ee, far more powerful than Khatami and, probably, preparing to take over the post of Velayat-e-Faghih in the future. Hajjarian was, among other things, the architect of the IRI's notorious Ministry of Information (SAVAMA) and Ganji, too among other things, was one of the founders of and an "intelligence officer" in the Revolutionary Guards. The latter two, may now be criticizing the wrongful continuation of the Iran-Iraq war, but actively supported and conducted the war at the time, with the strategic aim of causing the gradual demise of Iran's regular armed forces and creating the loyal-to-the-regime forces of Revolutionary Guards (Pasdaran) and Baseej. These former radical revolutionaries, who still believe in the ideals of the Islamic revolution and are loyal to it, are now introduced as "reformed" characters and the ingenious brains behind the new invention (varieties of theocracy). Their revolutionary invention seems to be a diluted version of the current system of Velayat-e-Faghih (VF)- where some of the powers of the Supreme Leader is shared among other theocratic institutions. Therefore, with their creative geniuses and Orwelian inventions of "reformspeak", they intend to create varying shades of grey as opposed to one black theocratic rule . If the end product is to be "varieties of theocracy/religious reform", the question that comes to mind is: on what religion such reforms are to be based? The answer of-course is Shieah Islam. Then the question would be: what about the rights of the non-moslem (or even sunni) and non-religious (secular-minded) Iranians? Even the bigger question is, why should Iran be the testing ground and Iranians the guinea-pigs for every absurd concept? Iranians have already suffered 23 years of theocratic rule (VF) and should no longer be subjected to alternative varieties of theocracy. The assertion that universally recognized and time-tested (over centuries) western style secular democracy is not compatible with Iranian culture is utterly absurd. What is so odd about Iranian culture (Islam is not Iranian culture) that renders it incompatible with all Iranian citizens having their liberties, rights and freedoms (including freedom of religious practice) guaranteed and protected by law? If Iranians (or other moslem nations) have not experienced secular democracy in the past, it is now time we proved that we can. If the ultimate objective of all of us is achieving democracy and freedom for Iran and Iranians, we ought to think democratic and, in spite of personal ideological indifferences, should respect each other's viewpoint. If we are to accept that former radical revolutionaries are capable of reform and can contribute to the process of democratization in Iran, we should extend the same right (and benefit of the doubt) to all Iranians, regardless of their religion, ideology, ethnicity, background and name (Reza Pahlavi). No one should be excluded and every political campaigner (individual or group) should make their political agend / policies / manifesto clear to every one else. And finally, the ultimate decision should be left to the people of Iran. Paayandeh vo Aazaad baad Iran. R. Sardar * Need to hear more "logic" Dear Mr. Ganji, ["It starts with us"] Thank you for sharing your thoughts. You are what I call a "sage" who knows how to stimulate and provoke the thought about what democracy should mean to an individual. Thanks for the advice. It's a great one. It doesn't come around often enough to be registered and carved in the mind. We need to hear more "logic" and more "common sense" and not to be fooled by the empty platitudes. Democracy has its stage of progression. Just like a simple evolution of physical and mental growth when we are born we cannot become an adult immediately. One must go through the infancy, childhood, teenage years and adolescent growth before becoming an adult. Thinking democratically and having a democratic regime and values, it also begins with each individual and it requires lots of devotion and a real work as you rightly addressed the issue. Sincerely, Fatima Farideh Nedjat, M.A. * We are still the same Dear Ham Vatan Ganji, ["It starts with us"] Thanks a lot for your insight. For years I am saying the same thing to our over zealot compatriots, there is no listening ear, they all blow into their own trumpet. The late Vossogh Al-Doleh has said: ( AADAM NASHAVIM ELLA, TA AANKEH SHAVAD BIROON - SEYL AZ GOZARE LOOLEH, FIL AZ SOORAKHE SOUZAN ). How well said some 90 years ago. We are still the same. It seems nothing is going to change us. Best wishes, H. Hakimi, Norway * I am a seyed My heart dropped like never before. I have never felt so betrayed in my life. To hear and see some people from forums to the streets of Iran talk of slaughtering all seyeds for the supposed special attention we received from the Islamic Republic, that a few corrupt members of the IR. are seyed, and because we are not "true Iranians" made me feel numb. So Mr.Persian man what is your definition of a "true Iranian?" If we are not true Iranians then about the Kurds, Baluchis, Mazandaranis, Gilakis, Bakhtiyaris, Lurs, Talleshis, Hazars and many more who create a good number of the Iranian population who are not Persian. Would you like us to leave so you can create a master Persian race? What about those Iranian seyeds who matyred themselves for the sake of Iran in the 8 years war with Iran? I know some of you who think seyeds in Iran or where ever else walk around like superhuman, who expect you non seyed Moslems to kiss our hands and ass, which is not the case for all seyeds. I realize that a few do act like this, but that's them. Just how those few don't represent us seyed Iranians its the same how the Islamic republic does not represent the Iranian population on a whole not just Persians. Its a shame, it truly is. The youth and majority of Iran talk of unity so we can overthrow the Islamic republic so we can establish a secular democracy where no one is discriminated against. But we have not even gotten there yet and yet we have begun to discriminate against seyeds, baha'is., etc., We lack unity, lets not repeat history after the government is overthrown and go on a slaughter rampage of killing IR. members and civilians wither seyed or whatever. lets be human for once please. Q * Why should Iranians be outraged? As predicted, President Bush's state of the union address stirred Iranian opinion like nothing in recent memory. Some express concern about what they regard as new aggression towards Iran and possible military confrontation. ["Iran next?"] Is Bush wrong when he says Iran aggressively pursues weapons of mass destruction and exports terror "while an unelected few repress the Iranian people's hope for freedom."? Truer words have I not heard in a long time. If anything, I believe Iranians should be encouraged to see that the leader of the most powerful nation has finally come to realize the distinction between Iranian people and their rulers. These words, more than sounding like an imminent military threat, seem to portray a strategic view for the long term. Bush also talked about universal values such as the rule of law and respect for women. He said, "America will take the side of brave men and women who advocate these values around the world, including the Islamic world, because we have a greater objective than eliminating threats and containing resentment." These words upset some in the Western world including Pat Buchanan and some European politicians, who see these values as only applicable to the West. But why should Iranians who badly need help in their struggle for exactly these values be outraged by these words? If this speech indeed marks the beginning of a shift in the US foreign policy, in particular with respect to the Islamic world, we shall be encouraged by this shift and be hopeful that the process of democratization in Iran and the region may soon get a serious boost. Any outrage should in my view be directed at Europeans with their "dirty trade" and controversial oil deals and their "second-class view" of Iranians and their rights. Before ending this brief, I have a comment about a somehow related topic. Browsing through the letter section, I saw that a couple of contributors have drawn parallels between Iran and Israel pointing to what Israel has and has not or what Israel does and does not. I think we have enough problems of our own not to worry too much about other nations. Let us solve our problems first, at least to some extent, and then move on to save the world. Mohammad Ashkan * Benefits likes of Khamenei and Rafsanjani First on David Marshall, an American based in Korea: ["I just felt the urge"] "I am a supporter of Palestine and of Arafat. I feel indignation at every Israeli or American statement ... I feel anger that Ariel Sharon is glamorized by the West while at the same time Arafat and other Arab or Islamic leaders are vilified. Sharon is no less a criminal than is Milosevic, Arafat or bin Laden." I am sure you can find more informed ordinary Americans to comment on the issue than this guy.  And I don't mean prominent ones such as Noam Chomsky. Second on Ali Sarshar from Seattle: [Yes. "Axis of Evil"] "In my view, we Iranians should be behind President Bush 100 percent." Does he mean Iranian-Americans (Iranians living and/or naturalised in the US) or Iranians everywhere?  Well as a british-Iranian I support the dimplomatic stand by the UK foriegn secratary on this: "Bush's (State of the Union) speech was  primarily for domestic (US) consumption".  Even Reza Pahlavi was more realistic than our Mr Sarshar when he politely distanced himself from the potential US warmongering in the Persian Gulf region against Iran.  Let's be clear, ultimately the only people benefiting from such Bush rhetorics are the likes of Khamenei and Rafsanjani. Looking for more informed debate.  Yours observantly, Sa'id Farzaneh * Leaves the door open I would like to remind the readers of this site about Mr. Bush's pronouncement a while back about people taking sides in America's war on terrorism. He said, "you are either with us, or you are with the terrorists." He did not say "you are either with us, or against us." There is a difference. What Mr. Bush indeed did say leaves the door open for this government to continue to deal with a good number of "terroristic" regimes around the world and many other "terrorist" organizations which are not necessarily against the United States. Also, there is an implied condition that before the "you" becomes a part of "the terrorists" the "you" must be linked to the "terrorists," as defined by the government, by action or adoption, such as giving shelter or safe conduct to the evildoers. Therefore, I would not be too worried about the "axis" issue, even though under Reza Shah, the supposedly neutral Iran did become a part of the Berlin-Rome-Tokyo axis, which precipitated the allied invasion on August 24, 1941(for some details, see, e.g., The Diplomatic History of the Caspian Sea, pp. 147-155). I would worry more about Mr. Rumsfeld's disclosure that the Iranian government, knowingly or not, has permitted passage or refugee to the evildoers. Also, under the 1921 Ruusia-Iran agreement, if any link is made between the evildoers and the Chechen campaign, the Russians may, as they did in 1941, attack Iran as a defensive move. Guive Mirfendereski * Jews deserve portion of the world I am an moslem Iranian living in Iran, Neishabour, 60 years old and a computer software enginner. I hope you do not approve hate, wars, suppression and injustice and you don't like to see USA and Iran in an all-out war. I like to see your country contribute to the world peace and legitimately fight against the terrorism which is an evil anyway. Don't you agree that the jews, with their oldest history of religious discipline, should have a portion of the globe dedicate to them? if yes, Jerusalem is their natural foothold. The Arabs and Moslems have vast territories and can accommodate the Palestinians which are prepared to sell their land for a good price to the Jews. Before the the Gulf war between USA and Iraq, when Kuwait was occupied by Iraq, many Kuwaities migrated to Iran and elsewhere and they were welcome because of their riches. Can't the same happen to Palestinians? I see no reason why they should keep their women and children in the frontline of the war with Israel. If Arab world is sincere and contributing, then the Palestinians 1 - Can capitaize on the Arab wealth and buy new homes elsewhere, that is, migrate; 2 - Relocate their dear families into those new colonies; 3 - Then either let the jews expand their land and territories or else fight a man-to-man serious fight against Israel. The current situation where Arab Palestinians are abusing their women and children as a shield is not valiant. The Arab world, instead of creating a global crisis and danger over a real land property, can utilize peace and strive forward in more virtual terms of economic, scientific, technological, agricultural and other forms of progress. This implies a migration for Palestinians which is costly but both the Jews and the Arab nations are rich enough to support such a movement. Migration is not evil. Nowadays, hundreds of thousands of educated middle-Eastren people migrate to Canada and USA. what is wrong with relocating the Arab palestinians and giving the Israel all it wants? This will save the global peace for a while. The Jews of the world, have a limited population and they can not occupy or buy all of Arab lands. So Arabs have not much to fear. Best Regards Masood Raji * New era of warmongers It is heartwarming to see an American express another opinion, maybe the same opinion of those 12,000 people at a rally in NYC who by the way have been portrayed by the Press and the FBI as supporting terrorism. ["I just felt the urge"] The question is not whether we love the Islamic Republic or as Iranians would like to see this regime continue in power. However, when Mr. Bush addresses Iran as an axis of evil we question what is behind this statement. Surely, we cannot accept the Bush administration's policies in the Middle East anything except total allegience to the government of Israel who has perpetuated more crimes against the palestinian people and has recieved Bravo for its ruthless actions. Recently, even an Israeli human rights organization condemned the destruction of Palestinian homes in the Gaza strip and denounced it as an illegal act. The war in Afghanistan has brought down the Taliban and we are all happy to see that. However, when John Walker who like many young men in their youth make terrible mistakes and by joining the Taliban, is described as someone who has committed treason against his country, we should then question where the U.S. institutions and government stand when they armed, trained and supported the same Taliban? Are the guilty of anything? Should they be put on trial? Mr. Marshall is correct in saying that Iran cannot be singled out as a rogue nation. Today, in this equation, the rogue nation is Israel who is committing every kind of genocide in order to completely take over the remaining lands in Palestine. And when Iran ships arms to the Palestinians to defend themselves, whether right or wrong, it is condemend but the usage of F-16's by the government of Israel is totally acceptable. The Israeli government has every right to defend itself. We are astonished by this shameless double standard. Mr. Marshall, America is changing and I am afraid for the worse. We are witnessing a new era of warmongers and big buisnesses (like Enron) which are openly and under the pretext of 911 are adding ot the war machinery and then robbing employees of their life long savings. It is quite sad to witness all of this. I am sure the founding fathers just like you are trembling in their graves. You are a good American who must be praised for telling the truth. Respectfully, F.A. * Teach respect and love Dear Dave, ["I just felt the urge"] I believe that even that you are living far away, you are sure that you will not be harmed by expressing your opinion about your government's conduct. I am a Persian/American and I know if I speak my mind in Iran I could be jailed or executed depending on what is the level of my disagreement or opposition. But, thanks for your opinion and you probably have more information about what goes on behind the curtain than I do to be able to pose certain opinions that you have about your government. I personally wish that we should build more Kibbutz (spelling?) and teach our Muslim, Christian and Jewish children how to respect one another and learn to love rather than hating one another. I don't agree with "Ghesas" but I agree with the metaphorical meaning of "When the enemy strikes the right cheek offer him the left." Leaders like Gandhi advocated this kind of self-discipline and morality. If you don't know what "ghesas" means or its religious definition I can send you one of my essays which gives a brief comparative meaning. Fatima Farideh Nedjat, M.A. * Dave for president I nominate Mr. Dave Marshall as the next president of the USA. It would be great if he could replace George -Weasel- Bush.["I just felt the urge"] Eli * Hmmm interesting This is interesting. The americans are againstBush and the Iranians are supporting Bush - HMMMM Ineresting. ["I just felt the urge", Yes. "Axis of Evil"] Gary To top * Keshvare khod ra SUPPORT konim man mikhastam be aghaye ali sarshar [Yes. "Axis of Evil"] begam ke nabayd fekr koneh ke amrika dorost mige. man yek peasareh 20 saleh hastam az holland. va ma bayad harchi ke mishe keshvare khod ra SUPPORT konim. ma ke afghani ya arab nistim ke bekha-him yek dolate nashi bekhad be iran hamleh koneh? avvalan midoonin ke ki Shah ro az iran farari dadan? hamin amrikayiha. in Republikayiha jangjoo hastan ma anvaght ke Shah dar iran boodan hamin Republikeinha boodan, vali Democrat-ha intori nistan. amrika tammame in karha ro mikoneh choon teshneh khooneh ma hastan va khodeshoon midoonan ke agar ma ra be hal khod bezaran be hameja kha-him resid vali moteassefaneh adamhayi hastan mesle Sarshar agha ke roo be keshvareh khodeh barmigardooneh va az in amrikayiha defah mikoneh. WE are Persian and we have a history for 2500 years now, so we can solve our problems and not the amricans. thnaks , bye Omid * A bit of a low point You should have some sense of balance about the things that you put on the front page of your website...the letter by Ali Sarshar is disgusting... [Yes. "Axis of Evil"] I've been following this magazine since its inception and this is a bit of a low point. Don't forget that however bad the Iranian regime, the Iranian people will support it when it is America or another foreign country that is putting it down, especially and even if in their name. The fact that you would not, or that you'd put comment to such effect as prospective opinion on your front page is flabergasting. Perhaps it shows where you really are now. Remember the fate of the Mojahedin? They too in the name of the Iranian people went to Iraq when Iran was fighting a war against it. They thereby finished themselves politically. The good will that the people of Iran have towards Iranian Americans will go the same way if the kind of thinking in the Ali Sarshar article becomes prevalent. Iran is not Afghanistan. The Iranian Regime is not the Taliban. It still claims the memory of the Iranian Revolution which whether some Iranians in America like it or not was a popular revolution. Of course, what happened in the aftermath of the revolution was disgusting. And of course, this regime has betrayed the revolution. But the very fact that it holds on to its memory opens the possibility for democratic change in Iran... do you really think that things will change for the better if the US does to Iran what happened in Afghanistan... has what the US done in a similar vein in Latin America and other parts of the world ever worked (other than making revolutionaries out of young people)? You balance your article around the idea of Israel and Palastine which is sad and pathetic. Both of your commentators think the US is the good guy here. This is either shamefull editorially or like I said shows where you are now and what you have become David Moshfegh * WE live with honor We Iranians have survived thousands of years through thick and thin, be it Mongol attacks,Briton's colonizations, Russian's take over of our lands and etc. What we have had in common was the involvment of all the people from all walks of like including these God damn mollas. [Yes. "Axis of Evil"] I have lived through Iraq's bombardment and I have lost my family too. No matter how much I hate those God damn molla, no matter how dictatorial they are, still WE ,not you, proud Iranians deal with them as we have dealt with so many like them before, but there is one thing for sure, I would never ever stop supporting those God damn mullas in favor of a scum like you who were not there when OUR PEOPLE WERE DYING IN HORDES. Keep your fucking support to your own boss. Are you on Welfare? or Are you given a nice job with a good pay? or ...whatever it is as long as you are given the bone, you keep barking for them. Were n't the Americans responsible for toppling the Government of Dr Mosadegh which resulted in the God damn revolution who costs so many lives? yet again, you never get it, the bone seems too good to leave your brain think. WE do not need the compassion of a dog like you. WE ,Iranians, live with honor and we deal with our enemies including these mullash ourselves as we have done it proudly before. For the time being just be concerned about the blow jobs, your bone-givers are receiving in the white house. Sia * Pahlavi warned against military confrontation I am amazed that nobody has commented on Reza Pahlavi's reaction to President Bush's "State of the Union" address. On February 1st, Reza Pahlavi, in a live interview on KRSI Radio, transmitted into Iran, stated: "President Bush was accurate in describing the repression of the Iranian people's quest for freedom from the theocratic fundamentalist regime by the same", but R.P. warned that the Iranian solution lies in the hands of its people. He warned against any military confrontation and asked the world to lend its support to the people's fight against the ruling regime through a valiant campaign of non-violent and civil disobedience. He again reiterated the goal of all Iranians: democracy, secularism and economic opportunity, and hence, peace and stability for Iran and Iranians, which would have positive results for all the region and would help the fight against terrorism globally. He mentioned that the European community bears a heavy burden of moral responsibility, because of their own short-term economic interests, they are undermining the Iranian people's struggle to isolate the clerical regime. It is interesting to note that just a few days earlier, Reza Pahlavi, again in an interview in Paris with international correspondents, made a similar statement regarding the European's overt support for the present Iranian regime. He warned that the Iranians' struggle for freedom and democracy, for a stable secular parliamentarian government, should not be undermined. He spoke about the support of the clerical regime in undermining Afghanistan's effort to stabilize warring factions within its tribal leaders. It is obvious from everything we read and hear, that the leaders of Iran are afraid to have a stable, democratic government in Afghanistan, because they would lose an important neighbour as ally in their goal to maintain theocratic fundamentalism. If anyone still has doubts about the legitimacy of Reza Pahlavi's goal for Iran and its people, they should revisit his interviews and statements. In my opinion, the repressive regime in Iran, with increasing human rights abuses, cannot and will not change course. It may still pay lip service to moderation in order to appease some in the West, but in reality it would lose power in its goal to consolidate Islamic theocracy, not only in Iran but also in its influence in neighbouring countries. For the first time, because of the State of the Union address by President Bush, the world may be paying attention to the political landscape in Iran. It has undergone change, but the discord within has been muzzled by the repressive regime. Maybe the Western Alliance, formed after the 9/11 attacks on the United States, will realize that the trend in that region which unleashed fanatical Islam and with it terrorism and the fight against Western values, and in particular hatred towards the United States, began or was accelerated with the Iranian Revolution in 1979. The youth in today's Iran were either not born or were too young to have any personal experiences from before that event, however with the Internet and satellite TV they know what is going on in the rest of the world and they don't like what is happening at home. Iranians are not Arabs and do not feel any kinship with the Arab world. They have however learned what had lacked in their parents generation: political awareness. It would be a lost opportunity if no one paid attention to the overwhelming majority of Iran's population ó the youth. Iran could once again bring stability to a volatile region, and Reza Pahlavi may be remembered as one who helped make the transition from radicalism and terrorism to secularism and democracy. Thank you, Shahla Samii * Pithy statement I don't know about my fellow Iranian-Americans, but there is nothing like pithy statement from a American president to send me headlong into an identity crisis. Would we be this freaked out if Tony Blair had come up with "Axis of Evil"? Well, maybe if Mr. Blair was the U.K's PM in 1930, back when it mattered what Britain thought. I miss the good old days when everything was Britain's fault. I still do not buy gas from British Patroleum... unless I'm really running low. And anyway, today's BP is far, far removed from yesterday's Anglo-Iranian Oil Company, so velam kon digeh!! Sorry, wrong rant. What were we talking about again? Right. How to react to recent shifts in our foreign policy rhetoric. Well, how about: "Now the U.S. sees what we're up against. This regime will never reform itself. Maybe the U.S. will destroy the ayatollahs for us once and for all and give us back our country with a huge redevelopment grant. Let's separate mosque and state. I want my MTV. Let's roll!" OR "We are not as bad as Iraq! I am not a terrorist. Just because Iran is one of the few countries in the world to stand up to Sharonist ethnic cleansing in the West Bank does not make it evil. Vive le Mossadeq! Down with U.S. imperialism! Why don't you gas-guzzling SUV drivers drill ANWAR and leave our one national resource alone? If we want to destroy our environment with 'peaceful' nuclear programs running on ideas from the ecologically sensitive (not!) North Korean and ex-Soviet nuclear programs, that is up to us." or, maybe, "Sorry, what did he say? I didn't catch that. I'm not all that political really. How 'bout those Patriots? FINALLY, an exciting superbowl game." Now, just who "we", "you" and "I" might be in these rhetorical scenarios is subject to dizzying change. Of course, the reason that my professional and personal heads are spinning a bit from the events of the last few months is that I was just getting used to a somewhat comforting narrative about the Iranian revolution of 1979. It purged the ghosts of the anti-Mosaddeq coup (the US even said it was sort of, kind of, a little bit sorry); the days of revolutionary excess are over (Khatami implied he was sorry about the hostage crisis, though he could not speak for the rest of executive and judicial branches of the Iranian government!) and are about to replaced by a dialogue of civilizations and greater political tolerance in Iran itself (political executions carried about by "rogue" elements of the security apparatus and press censorship signal the weakness of the "hardliners" not their entrenchment). It is good to hope for the best. Bin Laden may not have achieved the complete polarization of the world into the simple "dar al-harb" and "dar al-Islam"he was, er, shooting for but the war on terror has created a very fluid moment of political realignments. Gosh, maybe Iran and the US can work together for regional stability. Just look at Afghanistan (when I say "look", of course, I mean at the superficial circumstances, not the seething and toxic complexities underneath). Then, just when you thought it was safe to talk about progress and improved relations, an arms shipment to the Palestinians and a pinch of salty state of the union rhetoric reminds you we are not out of the woods yet. The nightmare showdown between Iran and the U.S. might still happen. And while we can vent our various feelings about this, there ain't much we can do about it. Or so it seems today. Some weather were having, huh? Well, in the upper midwest anyway, they say that if you don't like the weather, just wait five minutes -- it'll change. I'm hoping for a cooling trend myself. Cam Amin Assistant Prof. of Mid-East History University of Michigan-Dearborn * Sick of both of them Damet Garm Mr. Sarshar! You said it and I loved it. [Yes. "Axis of Evil"] You said it the way it should be said. you said it the way it is. I am with you all the way. I only wish we had more Iranians like you. I am sick and tired of Islamic republic. Much more than that sick of Isreal and Palestenian stuff. As far as I am concerned "f@#&" them both. couldn't careless one bit about them. The time has come, if not over due for us Iranians, that for once in our lousy life, to think, to act and to care about our country, our people first. And that goes for every body, including the Hyphenated Iranians, now and day.!! Mr. Irani * They won't go on their own Dear Mr. Khorsandi, ["Bushiranians"] do you really think the Islamic regime in Iran will go if you ask them to go? I don't think so neither any one else does, so what do you think? can you offer a better way to GET RID OF MOLLAS? I remember at the very beginning of the Islamic regime Akhund Gharaati at "savaad aamuzi" on TV said: "We didn't come as a guest and continued that, if you hand a 5 Rials coin to an akhund, you can not take it out of his hand as long as he is alive". I think you might have heard this; "If an akhund is sitting on a donkey's back, hi is not willing to step down unless either of them dies the donkey or the akhund". So if you think they will leave our people and our country alone by asking them to leave, you are very off the track. Every body knows this regime is supporting terrorism as the world has seen how our opposition leaders murdered by this Islamic regime and there is no excuse, any way if we want our home land country back we have to fight for that in all the ways no matter how much it takes, you may think I am out and don't care who will die, wrong, I have all my beloved people there, parents sisters and brothers and all other family members. I am worried about them and other fellow Iranians, that is why I want freedom for them. Anyway we have to start from some where. Arash Mandegar * Only one thing I am distressed by President Bush's recent inclusion of Iran in his "axis of evil". This after the unprecedented (in the not so near past) show of support and compassion for us after we were attacked. ["I just felt the urge", "Yes. "Axis of Evil""] What is between here and Sept. 11 to account for this response to that? Only one thing, that I know of: Iran's implication in arms shipments to Palestine. I have never felt much inclination to favor one side or the other in the Palestinian-Israeli disagreement, but it seems counterintuitive, to say the least, that a people under attack should not try to arm themselves. I just want to express my thanks to those Iranian people who have shown empathy, kindness and good wishes towards Americans in these recent months, and to assure you that I continue to feel the same towards you. I have written letters to President Bush, and to the media with similar sentiment. Sincerely, Mike Strickland An American * Questions you need to ask No matter how much PR is used (as in Bush's State of the Union Speech) to conceal its true nature, the increasingly right wing Israeli and American policy right now is based on structural enmity with Iran's national interests. ["I just felt the urge", "Yes. "Axis of Evil""] This is because the right wings of Israel, Iran and the U.S. (and elsewhere) need each other, in order to achieve their own short-sighted destructive objectives, and in spite of their respective long term national interests, founded on not allowing peaceful moderate democratic reforms to take root in Iran--as in 1953. According to such colonially-based policy, no country in that region (and elsewhere) should learn the "dangerous" lessons of democracy and true self-reliance, i.e., the "disobedience" of no people in the region should be rewarded. No amount of PR can replace genuine national dignity with the "colonial" artificial "sense" of it, which is being tried in client states such as Turkey and now in the devastated Afghanistan. This is a lesson which Mr. Pahlavi needs to learn, although to his credit he has never cared (along with his family) for genuine national dignity for Iran. The not-so-difficult-to answer question is why is the U.S. continues pursuing a short-sighted policy (as it did in 1953) despite its own national interest--after "learning" (?) the lessons of 1953? In the "patriotic" atmosphere of post 9/11, I know these are the questions that should not be asked, but if sustainable peace and stability is to reign in the region, these are precisely the questions who truly patriotic citizens of U.S., Israel and Iran need to ask. I am deeply worried about where our planet is headed. Moji Agha * Best tool is knowledge Bravo Mr. Alan Hale! ["Please reconsider"] Your letter to the President is like a breath of fresh air! Although many Americans share your point of view, there are still many that think of Iran and Iranians in negative terms. The best tool is knowledge and I thank you for sharing yours. Sincerely, Jasmine * Strong opinions on what is going on ok so i am only 16, people may think i am too young and immature to understand the full perception of the middle east, but little do they know that i as a fellow Persian understand what is going on and have strong opinions on what is going on. i missed bush's speech because i had a track meet but let me say this, the fact that he can say Iran is part of this "Evil Axis" upsets me, little does this Texan man know that Iran cant even handle problems in there own country, why the hell would they try and bomb another and the USA of all places. the Persian government may be a little crappy but they really aren't that dumb. second of all there a terrorists living in the USA as well so why don't they go bomb their own countries???? right people aren't a fan of middle easterners because they are associated with Islam... news flash not every single person from that territory practices the Islamic religion. i am also upset by the fact that Israel gets so much sympathy for this bombings. yes i think that when the Palestinian people attach bombs to themselves and kill innocent people it is a horrible thing.. but you have to realize the Israelis do the same thing only with more technology so if your gonna blame the Palestinians you should put the Israelis up there with them. ok i'm expressed. now i must do homework. ciao~ Neda : ) * Is this the meaning of justice? Let us get the answer for the following questions first. It seems we all have forgotten that when supper powers assisted to create the present governments of rouge countries. And, now they have problem with controling these governments. But, why Mr. Bush wants to get rid of them who were created by their own act? Why these supper powers want to attack inocent nations? Is this the meaning of justice that they are talking about? jgr * Don't support nasty rhetoric I totally disagree with the writer. Obviously he does not consider the word "Iran" as a nation but in his mind it means a few mollas or the regime we all hate. Perhaps he and George W. were classmates and that is why they can not understand the reason we are upset. ["I just felt the urge", "Yes. "Axis of Evil""] Yes what about the Jews and Israel. They have had Nuclear power since the 1980s so why should Iran be targeted for having the power or trying to get it. The Jews are as usual behind it because, if Iran establishes ties with America openly then the Jews who have acted as brokers all these years will lose their source of enormous income from selling military parts to basic goods. I wish so many of my fellow Iranian would first learn about what is the motive behind the statement some of these politicians make before they blast the rest of us for not supporting nasty rhetoric against a whole nation. Azam Nemati * Ghamar-e-banihashem vs. ghamar-e-massnooi Dear Mr. Zangeneh, I enjoyed reading your article "Iran next?", but there was a statement you made that left me scratching my head in consternation. You mentioned that "The Iranian people are ready, able, and willing to take charge of their own destiny...", thus obviating the need for Western military action in deposing the current Iranian regime. I am not aware of any such renaissance of the Persian spirit. Iran remains a religious and backward country that is not yet even at the threshold of the twentieth century, let alone the twenty-first. Forget about a few "Tehrooni" Doktors and Mohandesses. There aren't enough of them, and they aren't really "roshan-fekr" as was proven during the revolution. Mohamad-Reza Shah was once scolded by a foreign journalist for not acting more like the King of Sweden who doesn't use torture against his people. The Shah retorted that he would begin acting like the King of Sweden just as soon as his subjects start acting like Swedes. Personally, I would settle for Iranians acting more like the Japanese, but that is not going to happen in the forseeable future. The deep Islamization of Persian culture will not allow it. There is good reason why the western peoples make no real distinction between Arabs and Iranians; there is not much real difference left. I commend the youngest generation of Iranians for discovering what the previous generations did not, i.e. that there is more to Western Civilization than Discotheques and "dokhtar-bazi" that we must learn from and emulate. However, this does not change the fact that the vast majority of Iranians, both within Iran and without, still attach more value to "ghamar-e-banihashem" than to "ghamar-e-massnooi". Adrian Norbash * Write more I enjoyed reading "Of kings and cylinders" immensely. It would be great, and in my opinion for all readers on Iranian.com, to have more writings like yours submitted for everyone's benefit. Thank you, Shahla Samii * Still very emotive I have been a tad busy lately trying to keep my dot com from becoming a dot gone, so I have missed the excitement regarding Mr. Kadivar's article [We are awake]. Javid's editorial [Shah bee Shah] and Mr Abdol Madjid Madjidi's response [I asked you...]. And of course, the barrage of responses these letters have caused. As I read through them, I noticed the usual array of responses (angry, supportive, ignorant, idiotic, reflective). I also noticed how many familiar folks had responded; my first cousin, my wife's cousin, my wife's cosuin's friend, my parents freinds etc. I thought hard on a clever response, and realised, that I have nothing to add to the debate. You guys covered it all. What is clear is that after 23 odd years, Iranians are still very emotive about the revolution and the events leading to it. And folks, its these emotions, that occassionally blind us. Obviously J. Javid is within his rights to print his opinions. Just as readers have the right to respond. Mr Javid, on the subject of monarchist-friendly articles, wrote "I do not agree with them, but I respect them and I BROADCAST them through the internet. I let readers be the judge." Even Mr Majidi, the staunchist critic of Mr Javid's editorial, agrees on this point. He states "I do agree with you that freedom of expression has to be respected totally. I personally am known to all who know me for my tolerance (although I beg to differ ever so slightly on this self-observation, as Mr Majidi was one of the quickest to nail me due to a letter I wrote long back on the 'Lost Generation' and Leila Pahlavi's passing away. Word quickly was spread that I am some sort of neo-fascist-anti-monrachist and ungrateful vulgarian who is bent on vilifying my parents good name.) Ultimately, Mr Javid made some very vaild points. As did others. Mr R Azarmi said about the Pahlavi's; "they were part of our history, and our job is to be critical about their role in the Iran of 20th Century." Too right, and the same can be said of Khomieni. Like it our not, its all part of our history. And we should, as civilised peoples, discuss our history without wanting to lob each others heads off. Wishful thinking, I know. One thing that bothers me: we are all Iranians. We may wear different covers, but we are all cut from the same cloth. And as individuals in the 21st C., we have a right to our opinions, whatever they may be. And we have a right to express them. Too often, on these pages, the knives are drawn and the tongue is sharp. Thats OK too. Its all about expression, and its about what an online community, or for that matter, any community, is about: interaction. Finally, I hope Mr Rostam ["If it walks like a duck"] is right when he states; "from what I have observed of the new generation of Iranians in Iran, they are much more self-reliant and aware. For a pessimist I am actually for once optimistic that they will not want another Guardian, be it Shah or Supreme Leader." I hope you are right. For what its worth, here is my opinion on monarchies: 'ruling' monarchies have no place in the modern world. It simply makes no sense in the post-feudal, post-industrial, post-20th C. world to have governance based on inherited hegemony. Patrimony on a state-level is a recipe for eventual disaster. Read your history books for proof. Manou Marzban * Who is he? Everyone in USA talks about Reza Pahlavi. Who is he? Mr. Pahlavi, will you be kind enough to come out to an open forum on this website and tell us why do you think you should be involved in the future of Iran? What are your goals, dreams? How do like to see Iran in 20 years? Let's hear it. In response to Madjidi's "I am proud of whatever I did" and the other "I asked you...": Man, if you can't like it, don't read it. IRANIAN.COM is not a dictatorship that you left behind, nor the one you wish you can have for the future. I sure hope that the Mihan Foundation that you are involved with, is not about IRAN. You are still going around in circles after all these years, telling others what to do, what to say, what to wear,... It is the only way humans can live: To speak their mind. Those who don't, are either dead, walking, or dead, during your time, in your jails. How pathetic it is to silence people because you disagree with them. Amir To top * Blind to facts I have seen plenty of few Pahlavi supporters exalting what Pahlavi did to an immeasurable level. I would regard this as a means of mangling the clear facts with a view to reinforcing their propaganda. I am not here to taint the image of an entire dynasty or my goal is not to malign Reza Pahlavi, who has been trying very hard to vindicate his father's image by just simply saying "yes there have been mistakes". On the other hand, I am well aware of the vacuum of leaders to lead Iran out of this impasse and morass and that very well serves to the campaign of Mr. Pahlavi, which seems to have induced some of citizens and the staunch supporters of his political campaign to come up with such attempts as to compare the Iran of the 70s with Japan. I will just have to remind those people to bear in mind that such assertions are the reminiscent of the ones put forward by the citizens of most third world countries who are blind to facts. For instance, in order to sustain the presence of its current regime and to make people blind to facts, the dynasty in Jordan has come up with such allegations as they are intending to be amongst the top 10 economies of the world within this decade. What is more, I do find it timely to delineate some of the aspects at which Iran did have the capability of doing much better than what Pahlavis claim they have done. The reason why I need to expound on the things Pahlavi neglected is that I think we Iranians possess a profound potential as opposed to our neighbours; thereby we had the opportunity to thrive in various industries. Throughout the 60s and 70s, Iran earned a hefty amount of money as a consequence of its exports of petroleum products. All through this period of time, Pahlavi could have very well managed to decrease Iran's dependence on petroleum and petroleum by-products. According to the figures provided by Tehran Statistics Centre, between the 60s and 70s, the total share of non- oil products in the exports was less than 1% and this trend continued to be so even by the end of 1979. What did Pahlavi do to make Iran less dependent on petroleum? As for education, why, in spite of an immense demand from Iranian students, did Iran have less than 15 universities each with a capacity of just a few thousand students? You might come up with a reply such as the fact that the Shah sent thousands of students abroad in order to expand their horizons. However, if you assess this situation logically, you will deduce that this is not a long-term solution for the prosperity of a nation. Take the example of Saudi Arabia for instance: This country too sends thousands of students abroad in order to get them prepared for its excelling petroleum industry. However, the establishment of universities with a high quality has always been an arduous issue neglected in most parts of the Middle East. Instead, most tyrants opted for the easiest solution of sending students abroad rather than constructing educational institutes in their own lands. Some industries Iran could have been a pioneer at are steel and textile industries, the hub of both of which is the city of Isfahaan. In fact the steel facilities Isfahaan boasted were the best in Middle Eastern Standards (Note that Middle Eastern Standards are nothing as opposed to European or American Standards. So that should not be a material for anyone to magnify or distort). Those industries have been prelude to the industrial revolution in Europe and Iran could have impeccably excelled in those fields given the fact that the raw material for steel industry is very abundant in Iran. One of the reasons why Iran should have (and is endowed with the capacity) invested in industry is the fact that we have got an exponentially growing population which may not be nourished by means of petroleum revenues. In fact, due to the non-inexhaustible nature of petroleum, the reserves Iran owns are projected to give out within the next 40-50 years. This will bring about the horrendous fate awaiting us. Are we going to become like Afghanistan owing to the consuming nature of the Iranian population? Regarding the transportation sector, why was Pahlavi so hesitant to provide remote villages with roads? In fact, you might call me a mullah lover, but the amount of asphalt roads built in Iran have more than doubled ever since the revolution. Nevertheless, I tend to find it very pathetic and laughable that total length of motorways (Otoobaan) that used to exist in Iran during the reign of the Shah was not more than 350 kilometers. And presumably, the bulk of those highways had been built around the city of Tehran connecting the city to Karaj and Ghazvin. There was also that highway to the North of Esfahan. I have always been very fond of geography as a pastime and I came across a road map of Iran published before the revolution when I was around 15. So I am not making up my data. I have got my own criteria. As for the railway sector (which is a branch of transportation sector as well), I am aware of the great workmanship implemented at the construction of Trans-Iranian Railway which embodied dozens of bridges built around steep and sheer mountains to facilitate the transportation. The very best epitomes of that are seen in Shomal Region. However, by the end of the revolution, the total length of railways in Iran was not even 5000 kilometers although Iran is endowed with the best geographical features with a huge flat central plateau. Did you guys know that cities like Shiraz, Rasht, and Kermanshah still do not have access to railway? Can you please compare this with the railway system of Turkey ( a country with an area half of Iran's) where the total length of railways was 8000 by the end of 1979. If you find Turkey too ahead of Iran, how about India ( a country whose area is twice as much as that of Iran) where the total length of railways was around 40.000 during the same period. If you divide it by two to equalise the area to that of Iran, the total length of the railroads would be 20.000 .So 20.000 or even 8.000 for a country with a size half of Iran's is incomparable to 5.000. Furthermore, when it comes to city planning, why did our cities lack the most indispensable and basic component of city planning: namely sewage disposal systems? This is a basic necessity for a proper infrastructure in most cities. However, in the case of Iran, even the city of Tehran did not have a sewage disposal system. I have heard the current regime has recently commenced constructing one for Tehran. But I doubt it will see completion. This gives me the impression that the shah evaded this laborious task due to its formidable nature. These are the facts that have attracted my attention as a result of my deep interest in Iran since my early childhood. How could a country with the dearth of so many things be compared with Japan or how could someone come up with some allegations claiming that Iran was one of the top 10 countries in the world? These are some of the affirmations Pahlavi supporters tend to come up with as to what iran used to be like or how excellent it was back in the 70s. In case some of the readers might get the impression that I am someone disseminating anti-Pahlavi propaganda. Hence, let me stipulate in advance that I am a 20-year-old- university student who has no political affiliations. I am neither in support of the current Islamic tyranny, nor the previous Pahlavi Reign. I am an Iranian who is aspiring to see Iran reunite with its goal of a decent democracy. Both regimes Iran has encountered have been proven to be ineffective and unpopular amongst a wide array of Iranians and demanding the repetition of another denotes how willing we are to commit the same mistakes irresponsibly as if we did not take lesson from what was inflicted upon as. Are we just confined to these 2 kinds of regimes that have taken their toll on people? Regards, Vahid * Why a King?! I ve been reading all this articles about all these peoples who want the son of the Shah replacing the mollas...hmmm... any "khar" could replace the mollas but do they think that by replacing the mollas suddenly Iran will becoma a Heaven ?! Of course it would be better than now but why a King?!!!! ["Monarchy"] Why do we need ALWAYS this kind of Father above our heads?! Are we an insecured Nation looking always for a father figure?! As far i 'm concerned i think the mollas should stay some more times in power because there are still some muslims in Iran ( fewer and fewer thanks to them but still)...anyway the akhoond will leave the power by they own when the whole country will be secular and all will be opium addicted... Amin Naraghi * Some magnificent achievement Regarding the nonsensical letter/articled entitled "Dream on": It is quite clear that you have done too many drugs friend. Finding a TENOUS link between monarchy and terrorism was some magnificent achievement, regardless of the quantities of narcotic substances you may have ingested to concoct these fantasies! Tomas * Student of MOammam masters As a "research student of history", (who thinks needs no lesson/lecture from anyone), Naghmeh Sohrabi (NS) lacks knowledge, experience, vision and propensity to make it as a socio-political writer of any kind. Thus, she should stick to writing about shrines, pop concerts etc. Any person with an objective view, comparing Mr. Sheybani's article "All are not equal" to hers "Royal blue vs. the rainbow", can easily conclude how infantile her reaction has been and how shallow her response is. Yet, NS is accusing monarchists of using "ugly language"! Being in the same camp as Mr. Javid, NS should know that the TITLE "All are not equal" chosen for Mr. Sheybani's article was not by Mr. Sheybani but by the editor of The Iranian. Lacking the required knowledge and power of comprehension, NS dismisses Mr. Sheybani's logical and well-argued writing as "a series of empty concepts stringed together to the point of incomprehension"! So, if NS does not understand a concept (or is unable to argue against), it is empty! NS compares Reza Pahlavi (RP) to President Bush and concludes that "they have much in common". And, in NS's language, this is meant to be an insult to both of them!! Now, one can't help but compare this "insult" of NS to all recent rhetorics uttered by mollas in Iran, including that of the SPIRITUAL LEADER Khameneie, "we are proud to have the US (great satan) as our enemy". NS is certainly prooving to be a very good student of her MOammam (turban-head) masters. One may ask what is "common" between RP and President Bush? Well, President Bush appears to have now decided to take a longer-term view of the US foreign policy and has called the IRI the "EVIL" that they are. Becoming more hysterical, NS resorts to further psycho-babble. She writes "WE don't need you to save US or give us lectures on Iranian history". The question here is: what does NS mean by WE and US? and who has given her the right to speak on behalf of the entire nation of Iran? Readers are requested to note that this is from someone who is trying to deny RP (even as a citizen) the right to speak about the future of Iran, while herself professing "what we do need is an honest dialogue about the future of Iran that is devoid of hostility and insults.......one that believes in the wisdom and dignity of human beings, one that does believe all are created equal". All one should say here is: Dear NS, why don't you practise what you preah? If NS believes in her above statement, then how can she oppose any Iranian (regardless of gender, religion, ethnicity and background) seeking freedom, dignity and prosperity for Iran and Iranians? If she believes "all are created equal", how can she remain silent about the VELAYATE` FAGHIH? How can she remain blind to the inexplicable differences between the privileges that the ruling elite (mollas & Co) enjoy and the miseries and injustices that the rest of the nation suffers under the Islamic Regime in Iran? How can she accept the principle of "WOMAN = 1/2 MAN" under the IRI laws, and women being STONED to death? She talks about one or two women who are film-makers and some writing in ZANAN magazine - BUT what about Parvaneh Foroohar, Mehrangeez Kaar, the thousands of abandoned/run-away girls (and boys) driven to prostitution out of desperation and destitution? Has NS visited Reyhaneh(s) in Tehran, or her schedule is full with theatre and film previews and pop concerts!? What does she say about all those publications that have been banned? or, perhaps, they don't count because she does't read them!? Let us look at NS' quote that appears to have appealed most to the Editor of The Iranian, since he has put it on the front page; "From where I'm sitting in Tehran, people are actually fed up with those who ironically like Khomeini believe people are a bunch of sheep in need of a shepherd to guide them". Then, having babbled on a lot, NS adds "people are not victims neither of the Islamic Republic nor of the monarchists and ...." and, after further babbling on, she nominate two of her friends (a 23-year-old painter and a 30-year-old unmarried female film-maker) as viable alternative leaders. Now, let us try and envisage NS' concept of IRAN, her understanding of culture and her confusion as to whether society does or doe not need leaders. In the limited vision and enclosed world of NS, north of Tehran = Iran. Her circle of friends and acquaintances represent the entire 70 million population of Iran. Her concept of the history of Iranian seems to be that of post-1979, and her understanding of Iranian culture seems to be limited to what is acceptable to the IRI (within Islam). As to whether or not leadership is needed for a political campaign, NS seems extremely confused. On the one hand, she claims that the politically-mature young generation of Iranians are all leaders and need no one to guide them. On the other hand, closing her mind, eyes and ears to the goings on in the larger Iran, she submits to the faith under the RAHBARY (leadership of) Khameneie and the guileful presidency of Khatami! For a "student of history", to deny the 3000+ years history of Iran, her rich and diverse culture and the relationship between history and culture, is extremely naiive, to say the least. NS, sitting in her corner in Tehran, with her "grown-up" friends, may think that she has "grown out of her childhood" and needs nobody's help to save Iran. But, Iran is not limited to their corner of Tehran and she and her friends do not represent the entire nation of Iran and they need a lot more growing up to do before they can visualize Iran in a global context. Maral Beheshti * History Review: Reza Khan e Mir Pang Dear Mr. Rostam, ["If it walks like a duck"] I will be very pleased to discuss your query, hoping that it could help to remove your "loss" on why I mentioned that there was no coup d'etat in Iran in 1299. I am aware that the word coup d'etat has various meanings. What surprised me was that you shortened the word "coup d' etat" to the word "coup" and you do not consider its most used meaning. Let me review the content of history in more detail and then pass judgment on the matter. As the Reza Khan e Mir Pang and the army under his command were coming to Tehran, they camped near Robat Kareem. When representatives of the Shah asked to visit them, the Reza Khan sent them to the camp of the politicians and he himself together with the army under his command moved toward Tehran and reached there on 3rd Esfand 1299. In Tehran there was no reaction and any resistance. He sent his soldiers to army barracks (ghazagh khaneh). He instructed the officer in charge that he would not see anybody except the Shah. He himself and his high rank officers went home and to their friends to rest. Three days later, the Ahmad Shah received him. Conversation details on this audience have been documented by many Iranian historians. If you are not satisfied with the version of the Iranians you may read the translation of the British Blue Book. In short, in answering the questions of the angry Ahmad Shah, of why you left the area under your command without my permission, Reza Khan pleaded that Your Majesty, Tehran's condition is tense. Government officials do not pay attention to the welfare of the people. I have come to Tehran to put myself and my officers and soldiers at the disposal of the Your Majesty and have no intention other than executing Your Majesty's orders. As a result of this audience, the acting minister of war appoints the Reza Khan e Mir e Panj as the commander of the central brigade with the mission to uphold law and order in Tehran. It is after this appointment that the famous words "Hokm meekonam" which you mention were proclaimed. Nine 9 days later there was a change of government. Ahmad Shah appointed the Sayed Ziaoldin e Tabatabaee as the prime minister. In this government, the Reza Khan was appointed as the minister of war. This was approved by the Majlis. At this juncture, the Reza Khan was given the title "Sardar e Sepah". The Sayed Ziaoldin e Tabatabaee, thinking he could not hold to power without bloodshed and terror, ordered imprisonment of about eighty of the Ghajar family's prominent members and other powerful individuals. This cabinet was called the black cabinet and was dissolved three months later and the Sayed Zia had to leave Iran. Within two years six cabinets changed. The Reza Khan kept his position as minister of war in all of them. It was in this period that "Ghaele ye Bojnord", "Ghaele ye Samitghoo in Kordestan" was put down. This increased the Reza Khan's popularity to the point that by the majority vote of the Majlis, he was appointed as prime minister by The Ahmad Shah. It was the parliamentary approach of the Sardar Sepah that attracted the highly educated people around him and gave rise to modern Iran. By popular demand, Majles e Moasesan was formed. It was this Majles who ended Ghajar dynasty and founded the Pahlavi dynasty. Dear Mr. Rostam, according to this history, for all the "walking and quacking of the duck", thre is still suggestion that the Reza Khan's entering Tehran on 3rd of Esfand 1299 could not be called coup d'etat unless you translate coup d' etat as drastic change of policy of government. In such cases, every change of government in Iran could be called coup d' etat because in those days government policy was not based on a scientific school of economic thought and was totally changed according to the personal view of each prime minister. The entering of the Reza Khan into Tehran on 3rd Esfand 1299 was called coup d'etat by the same establishment and media that presented Khomeyni as a holy man, harmless, powerless, who wants to go to Ghom and preach his celebrated religious school. It was called coup d'etat by the same establishment and media that present the "Bedaat e valayat e Faghih" and the terror of thought and belief as the Iranian culture. It was called coup d'etat by the same establishment and media that dictates to the third world that democracy is a prerequisite of economic progress. When the program of execution of about 80 prominent members of the Ghajar family was stopped by Reza Shah and the Sayed Zia had to flee Iran, they called it coup d'etat to present Reza Shah's rule as unjustified, to enable them to remove him. They did not succeed in removing him until the 2nd world war. I take this opportunity to raise the point that the title "All are not equal" was not given by me. I am sure that the editor of iranian.com would admit that he has picked it out of context. Yours truly, A.H. Sheybani * Since 1979 That is putting it mildly! After the fall of the Persian monarchy in 1979, the world truly became a different place. For starters, Iraq led by its deranged ruler Saddam Hussein, invaded neighbouring Iran under the pretence of curbing the Islamic Revolution from spreading under the guidance and support of the west, all the while aiming to "annex" the Khuzestan province for its rich oil reserves. This is something Hussein would NEVER have attempted under HIM Mohammad Reza Pahlavi's reign. Second, Islamic fundamentalism would never have reached the point it has today, advocating terrorism in order to reach an objective they feel is dictated in the Qoran. The separation of mosque and state is critical for the advancement of any nation. When the two are inter-twined, that is where problems arise. HIM understood this dilemma, and for this he was relentlessly chastised and mocked by the clergy as they felt their power and influence being reduced dramatically. Third, the notion of the world against Islam would never have come to fruition. The foreign policy makers of the western powers at the time made grave errors in determining that the Pahlavi Monarchy had to be removed. For this, they have been paying a great price for over 23 years. The world is truly a different place since 1979! Regards, Babak Kalhor * Please open your eyes i have been reading your web-site since last year.i do agree that we have to bear the opposite beliefs.it has been a great start for your site. but i am telling you this.i read an article by Faz Rasti. ["Man... some people"] it is embarrassing to call him a compatriot.i am not sure if you have read this before publishing or not! that was disgusting,completely nonsense article.it was shameful. the funny side of his article (which didn't present even a true sentence) was his judgement about the late shah's fluency in english. eeeyyy baba, he was speaking english even better than a guy comes from there. when he was addressing the audience in white house during his visit to the US in 1977, he did't even brought a note with himself and that was the time, president Carter admired him (even if we all know Carter didn't take shah's side in the critical point) and his vast knowledge in international politics. the shah was very good at french at english.but this didn't make him a respectful leader in the middle east.what he did in opec was a big deal.nobody after him could follow his policy in pricing the oil products.now i want to say,"do we have to close our eyes to the fact?" i want you not to publish the articles like rasti's one anymore.those would destroy you reputation.if you are not in favor of manorchy,that doesn't matter, but don't say even a lie word. also i read an article in which someone criticized mr Madjidi's functionality in the past government. [Familiar with Freedom of Press?] i can not stay calm when there are still someone who try to draw a bad sketch from the past officials!dear friends,have you ever done any research for these cases? or you rely on the molla's made history? it would be great if you spent sometimes reading the books in which the real history of iran has been illustrated. ms settareh sabety has sent a letter in which ask shahzadeh reza pahlavi keep away from iran. dear, you are not in charge of the others works. you are not speaking on behalf of our people.they will decide what to do.they might ask him to be a king or a president or even a simple citizen.you can not say "he is not eligible to be back to his motherland". in pahlavi era, iran was making a good progress towards a stable state in economy and civilization.please open your eyes.look back to your country,to the young generation who are coming to the west without any eagerness to come back.we are losing our prosperity(natural and human),the country are being destroyed.and now you blame the shah!!! just close your eyes and think for a minute ,then use your pen to tell the truth. Arya Mehri * Interview Reza Pahlavi Hello Jahanshah I have sent you a couple of emails so far and you may recognize my name as a fan of iranian.com and a supporter of Reza Pahlavi . A thought just occurred to me today and I thought to share it with you. I would love to read an interview with Reza Pahlavi conducted by you. All major news organizations have given him air time, but somehow I don't trust them. I am VERY interested in reading an interview done by someone who opposes Monarchy. I am a big supporter of democracy and I think this is another good exercise of democracy for us. It shows how open you are, the publisher of a popular Iranian site to talk to someone who you don't believe in, and it is also a good indicator of how Reza Pahlavi follows what he preaches. Please please consider this. I am very curious about the outcome. Warmest regards Kiana REPLY: I emailed Reza Pahlavi's office last Novemver 11 requesting an interview. There has been no reply. -- Jahanshah Javid * Zereshki In regard to the recent burning debate over the color "royal blue" and "rainbow," please be informed that I perosnally prefer zereshki (purple). [Royal blue vs. the rainbow] Guive Mirfendereski * Had his work not been stymied Dr. Abdol Hossein Samii, was a wonderful man and a credit to his calling. ["The chair"] His tireless efforts in setting the groundwork for the Imperial Medical Center and his dedication to his fellow human-beings, as an attending at Cornell and Pars Hospital, made him an example to be followed. Had his work not been stymied by the Revolution, the founding of the Imperial Medical Center would have transformed Iran into one of the world's preeminent centers of biomedical research. His absence will be sorely felt by his students and colleagues. Amir A. Afkhami Graduate Fellow: Pierson College, Yale University M.D./Ph.D. Candidate George Washington School of Medicine Yale University Department of History * I also realize sincere efforts I am writing in response to Mr. Hashem Farhang comments. [My fear] I read your comments regarding Zangeneh's piece: "Iran next" I travel frequently to many parts of the world and for leisure/family visits to my homeland. I see positive changes every time I go back. I realize that the rate of changes is slow and many of the projects are left over from the old government. I realize that for the most part the country resides in the status quo. I realize that a lot of wrong is going on and .... But I also realize the sincere and genuine effort of some people who just plain are trying to make life as good as it can be. Many parts of Iran actually look a lot better than before the government changed. I prefer to visit the remote and fertile parts and have seen a lot of positive changes due to efforts of ordinary people. We have roads, electricity, water and even colleges in many towns that did not have much going for them some 20 years ago. Of course one can argue that if such and such had not happened life would have been rosier for these townships but I am not so sure. Anyway, I can write much longer but just wanted to thank you for bringing up this angle about the changes. Firuzeh To top * More daring than others This is a master piece of all the erotica articles published in iranian.com ["The night flight"]. Pure enjoyable sex and utterly shameless! I guess Nooneh's stuff were good too, but there was too much emotional material in it as well. Sex for the sake of it... that makes your work courageous and more daring than others! I had similar incident(s) :) like this, but your eloborate beautiful writing style is something I wish I had too! :) Keep up the good work, Yasmin Yazdi * Lonely no more! That was beautiful... ["The night flight"] That was important... I'm glad there are other Iranian women around the world who have the courage for their convictions. Today, it didn't feel lonely any more! An Iranian woman * Looking for a freezer to stand in I came across "The night flight". Now that I have read it, I am looking for a freezer to stand in all day....!!! In one word. Relentless. F... FM PS. I can not imagine the emails you are getting form all sorts of weirdos! * If not, I congratulate you I feel that you copy-pasted this story from an adult web site ["The night flight"]. Am I right? I am not trying to say that you can not write a story similar to this but the words are very powerful and erotic which one can find them only in adult website. If not then I would like to congratulate you for this fantastic, detailed and eye popping -:) story. I encourage you to continue these stories and good luck. JB * NOOSHE JOONET I want to comend you for writing such an article ["The night flight"]. I hate the fact that sex is such a taboo in our culture. Many Iranian couples think of sex just as a tool to make children and not as a tool for pleasure. I have so many friends who complain that if they want to preform i.e oral sex on their wives, their wives are completely turned off and say "Mage man jendaam". I think this is absurd, we need more people like you to talk about this. And if that story was true NOOSHE JOONET. best M * Speaks volumes May I say that I thoroughly enjoyed your piece in The Iranian ["Opium dream"]. My laughter at 2:40 am must have awakened the neighbourhood. While reading; all I could think was that this girl should write a film script-a Play , perhaps a comedy. I could see it as one of those well carved out Woody Allen NYC film Caricatures, but about Iranians... The characters you described are not only interesting; they speak volumes about the current state of Iranian culture. I certainly hope that there comes along an Iranian WOODY that can make one very serious comedy... based on a script that you will hopefully write. FM PS. I am also an avid reader of E.G. Browne; your reference to his addiction was quite amusing! * Hope you will never make the transition Hi Sarvenaz: Thanks for your article ["Opium dream"]. It was very interesting. I have not been in Iran for eleven years now, and it was interesting to read about someone's first-hand experince at a gathering such as the one you described. It is hard to find an article like yours, in which an Iranian has the courage to admit to having smoked opium. Most people who go to Iran mention the frequent use of opium by those Iranians who can afford it, but I have never met one who admits to having smoked the stuff herself. Still, I hope that you will never make the transition from tourist to addict, unless that is what you want to do. Best wishes, Nima * Shahkar Agha dame shoma garm. faghat migam zibast... shahkare ["Iraj Mirza"] Nasimak * Beeganeh sho YOUR ARTICLE BY AREZOU RAEISGHASEM ["Take me instead!"] THAT HE FEELS NEITHER IRANIAN NOR AMERCAN REMIMDS ME OF A SONG BY THE FAMOUS SINGER AREF I HEARD IN TEHRAN ABOUT TWENTYFIVE YEARS AGO. THE WORDS ARE AS FOLLOWS ; " AY KHODA BEGAANEH SHO BA ALAMI BEEGANEH AM. DILZE MAN BEEGAANEH SHO BA ALAMI BEGANEH AM." AFSHAR * No concept of reality Dear Readers and Mr Daraghani, ["Take me instead!"] Thanks God, I am neither part of your family nor the dead man's family. You may want to sound sophisticated and classy by suggesting that the women at the funeral wore dazzling dressing, flowers were placed on the coffin, men refused to pray alongside the cleric and later you had a few shots of vodka. People like you unfortunately have no concept of reality. Everyone knows that at weddings people are expected to celebrate, dance and have a good time. Funerals, however, are something else. People are expected to mourn the loss of a human being. It is no time to start worrying about fashion, being classy and all that non- sense. Unfortunately, people like you were the main backbone of the Shah's regime. You had no concept of reality. You were too involved in the superficial aspect of things. According to your essay, the dead man would have probably acted the same way at someelse's funeral. All I can say is this, I don't know if you or your clan believe in God or not. But even if you don't, you may want to play it save and atleast sound a little bit religious and Godly. In the very unlikely case that there happens to be God, I think God might take it a bit easy on the dead man in his first few days under ground if you would've joined that poor unclassy cleric in prayer! Cordially, Ahmad Amini * Totally absorbed Khedmate Setareh Sabety Aziz, It is already 2:23 A.M., and I find myself unable to turn off the computer. I ran across your Web site accidentally. But let me tell you, it's been the most satisfying Web surfing I've done in a long time. Except this time around, my surf board landed on the shores of a site whose writings permeates with honesty and good fellowship, and offers a refreshingly passionate defense of all that is just and good. I have been totally absorbed by your writings, be it your political tracts or that lovely piece on Chelo Kabab, or your tender poem "The Hill". I am mesmerized. Your mastery of the English language, seldom seen or heard in the Iranian community, is commendable. The cogency of your reasoning, the sharpness of your intellect, and the captivating penmanship that expresses reasoned opinions with contagious passion is both captivating and convincing. I want to thank you for sharing your penetrating intellect and thoughtful and passionate feelings regarding all that ails our beloved homeland. I commend you. Your sharp pen, informed with an honest and passionate belief and a penetrating and insightful reasoning, stands for all that is just and good, and gives voice to the voiceless yearnings of millions of men and women who are languishing in the bloody, vast, theocratic prison the size of Iran. Ghorbane Shoma, Iraj * American paperwork Hey you think the Iranian government is asking you too many questions, obviously u never filled out American paperwork. ["Humiliating. Period."] Zah * Hoping to sew things up Methinks Ms. Ghassemi doth protest too loudly. ["Me the virgin"] Bet she's not a virgin at all, just hoping to sew things up with an statement on iranian.com. :-) Maybe you need a new section: virgin of the day. Azar Dokht * Difference between people and government Dear Negin, ["I stood up"] As a mother and fellow Iranian-American I want to applaud you on your sincerity and emotions. You are right to be proud of your heritage. As you learn more and more about Iran, its history and culture, and as you continue to share your thoughts and opinions with your American friends, you will open up their minds to understanding that there is a great difference between the Iranian people and what is happening in the political arena due to the present government there. Bravo Negin! I wish you success in your studies. I know you are standing tall and proud. I send you a warm hug and best wishes, Shahla SamiI * Iranian on the outside I AM 29 AND HAVE LIVED HERE IN KANSAS CITY FOR ABOUT 18yrs. I MISS IRAN VERY MUCH. I LOVE YOUR SITE, EVER SINCE I LOOKED IT UP I'VE BEEN HOOKED. IN KC I HAVEN'T FOUND MUCH ENTHUSIASIM FROM THE IRANIANS THAT LIVE HERE. ONCE IN A WHILE WE (IRANIANS) HAVE A SIZDAH BEDAHR AT A PARK AND WOMEN TALK ABOUT THEIR LIFE STYLES AND THE MEN PLAY SOCCER. EVERY0NE HERE SEEMS IRANIAN ON THE OUTSIDE & NOTHING INSIDE. I WISH TO TRAVEL TO OTHER STATES AND HOPE TO FIND IRANIANS THAT ARE PROUD OF WHO THEY ARE, IRANIANS THAT HAVE TAKEN THE OPPERTUNITY TO MAKE THEMSELVES BETTER BY LIVING OUTSIDE OF THE ISLAMIC IRAN. Hadi Kia * Know thyself What do you "think" Persian is? Yourselves are a complete mixture of races and ethnicities. Indian/Mongoloid(Southwest Asian)/Arabian because there are Arabians in Iran who have married and created families long ago and don't forget the Puertoguese who brought African Slaves here particularly in the Bandar Abbas area. You are not Caucasion or so pure -- pure what? -- that you are untouchable. Know thyself. Layla * Both cultures are better off Dear Arezou, ["No, I'm Iranian"] First, I want to say that I really appreciate what you shared with us. America has done more for me and my family than any other place. And, since I do not equate loyalty with nationality, I found myself totally indebted to this country. Thus, I need to make every effort to make it a better place to live. By the way, your story reminded me of a friend of mine from Kuwait. You see, Adel was an Iranian who grow up in Kuwait. Unlike you, however, he used to complain that in Iran they called him Araboo, and in Kuwait they called him Ajemoo. It seems that you appreciate both of the cultures that you associate with. And, I am certain both cultures are better off as the result of you. Take care, Bijan Aria * Thank God you got that MBA UUMM ... how should I put this?? ... I don't mean to be disrespectful ... take it as sarcasism/criticism ... ["And he cooks too!"] Mr. B Rnahdern, aka Nader Nabavinejad, please quit stealing the art work from the elementary school bulletin board!!! Those kindergartners worked too hard during their recess hour to have you come and take credit for their work!!! ... LOL :-) Just keep thanking God that you got that MBA from Boston University ... Great back-up plan action there "B"!!!! Feeling a bit cynical tonight ... no hard feelings ... keep up the good work The Iranian!!!! Mellissa :-) * If you read it every week Dear Jahanshah, ["The holy land"] Hi and how are you? I hope all is well and you will become a BOOK READER sooner than later... I can't forget what my father a wise, gentle and superb journalist once told me:"Before writing a line you should read three pages of a good book and whenever you get tired,try reading either poetry or stories which has HISTORY in them Like Duma's books... Your piece was it a satire? Or you are dismayed at people who do not read books... Unfortunately in Iran only university students read serious books and number of serious books comes out every week and I see no readers for them.... They are mostly interested in what was happening in the Shah palaces and that family's attitude towards each other... I don't know what purpose will it serve to know how queen Farah used to live? Or how her mother lived? I only see about 5 percent of Iranians who read serious books, and the rest is either stories or NOESENSE BOOKS!!! One reason for Iran's being behind the industerial revolution and while the world was moving ahead,we moved backward is the fact that people careless about books every day,and the intellectual elite group only write and translate books because they relate to it themselves plus it is their job and they love it.... I have prepared a survey recently and have asked 200 persons from all walks of life to answer only one question:What is the name of the last book you have read: Out of 200, 134 had read 2 stories about Pahlavi dynasty and 6 had read 3 different philosophy books and the rest had read nothing during the past 5 years!! Another reason for not reading serious books is ILLITERACY and lack of knowledge to understand serious books and don't forget our BAD ECONOMIC SITUATION!!... When a teacher after many hours of teaching drives a taxi,to support his famil,when can he find time to read?.No one cares about newspapers either... The evening papers are doing badly and government supports them,which is a sorry tale,and the morning papers,only Hamshahri is doing pretty good because it has a huge advertising market, IRAN newspaper is not doing so well because it is affiliated with IRNA and people don't read it,but it is a good paper at least till one of the old journalists was running it!!KetbeHafteh is a good weekly considering the political,cultural and economic situation in Iran.... They list and print the name of all the books as soon as they are published they also include the name of the publisher,year,copy numbers and the name of the author and/or translator.Ketabe Hafteh has filled the VOID which existed before, in the field of journalism and the people who work there are mostly good writers,with higher education,and they are considered intellectual.,though I don't know them personallybut,from what I read they are doing a pretty good job,that is technics aside.(That is also supported by Vezarate Ershad,financially). If you read it every week it will open a new window for you and your friends about publishing business in Iran....Then there are those who are doing what is called KETBSAZI, they gather a little from here and little from there and they publish a book!! Some books about Pahlavi dynasty have been published like this....Those books are neither recent history,nor help any one to understand Pahlavi dynasty historically,those books are just stories and they were not well researched and the authors have just used their memories and though they mean well,they are mostly mixed story/and kind of history. But reading a good book is really a pleasure,a kind of pleasure that most people are unaware of it till they get to become bookworms!!Personal PCs and coffeenets have also replaced books.But if you like books,you just like them. forexample,I spend hours and hours on the internet,but still love to read books,books in paper and not on the net.I don't want Merlin(The software) to read for me and I still read what I need from the net,check my mail and then I start either writing or reading what I call REAL BOOKS!!And I feel sorry for those who do not read books!!They are truely missing a lot!! Take care and I just know you read books!! Elli Haerri * One of the most important steps I do not write much and when I write I ask for money! Not a very good way to do this; but it has to do. I am writing to raise funds for an Iranian Community School. Their web page is at //www.iraniancommunityschool.com They are trying to purchase a building in which they teach Farsi to Iranian American kids. First, let me tell you why is it important to give them some money. Since September 11, the issue of minorities like us having an organized presence in America has become more and more important. Without an organized voice, Iranian Americans will loose their identity and their ability to protect their interest. There are many ways to get the Iranian community organized. One of the most important steps is to start a Farsi school to preserve our language. If our kids do not speak Farsi, soon they will loose their identity. I think this is an important cause and would not have bothered you otherwise. As you can guess, I am sending this email to most people in my address book. So my apologies if you get several copies. The inside story is the following: The school has already raised $17,000 but by end of January they need to raise $25,000 for the down payment on the building. I and friends have committed that we will help raise at least $10,000 this week. I have already given $300 and plan to give more if we fall short of our goal. I am hoping you can give $20 or more to them. If you decide to do so, please send the money directly to them (NOT TO ME). They are a not for profit organization and your contribution is tax deductible. You will find their fundraising brochure (history, current budget, board of directors - I am not on it --, expenditure plans, etc. ) at //www.iraniancommunityschool.com/Package.htm The easiest way to contribute is to just mail them a check at: Iranian Community School 311 West Maple Ave Suite A Vienna VA 22180 Phone: (703) 255-IRAN (4726) Fax: (703) 319-7721 So that I know how we are doing in the fund raising and how much remains to be raised, send me an email. This may force you to actually say hello to me. Best regards, Farrokh Alemi * Video of hostage crisis Its Tanaz again - the documetnary filmmaker making a documentary about Iranians in America - I was wondering if you could put up a note on t iranian,com asking if anyone has footage of the hostage crisis in iran-footage of the streets, near the US embassy - people shouting ... anything For this documentary-video footage is preferred but if you have still photos thats great too. Your name will be credited for your footage at the end of the film. Thank you tons, Tanaz Eshaghian * TV: Iran and its recent history A friend of mine, Soroush Shehabi, is in helping with a new 8 part series that Ted Turner is producing. It is going to concentrate on Iran and its recent history and serve as an educational documentary to show the pain and suffering that Iran has withstood in the recent years. It specifically addresses chemical warfare and its impact on the Iranian population. If you know anyone that was a victim of chemical/biological warfare, especially children, or if you have other questions please contact Soroush directly at srshehabi@aol.com Merci FM * 91-year-old needs teeth fixed We have a NOKAR from Iran, he is 91 years old and he needs his teeth fixed. He doesnt have very many of them (maybe 7 all together). His two front teeth is OK, a little yellow but OK. He can chew on things pretty good (the other day he bit the the dog's tale and would not let go- he gets angry when the dog eats all the meat he has prepared for kabob). His cuspids(Neesh) are a bit crooked. One goes one direction and the other another direction. Maybe some work can be done on those to staighten them, he can not chew on things like carrot or similar items as the result. His one molar that he has is in bad shape. It was filled in 1952 with gold filling by Dr. Sartip Emami one of my dads friend. He did a very good job at the time but after 60 years the filling is not all there. He sold half of it to buy a chain for his fiance when he was young and the rest are not there any more. The other two teeth are so black that one can not see anything (maybe Xray will show something). We really appreciate you working on Agha Mahmud's teeth. He is a very pleasent and nice man. The only draw back working on his teeth might be that his mouth smells extremely bad. Also he might need a ride to the dental office from Berkeley as he is on wheelchair and non of us have time to bring him. He doesn't see very well but has an excellent sense of smell. He is also a little hard on hearing so when you want to ask him to open his mouth or etc., you should kind of yell into his ears. He is also very excited to recieve $300 because he wants to send some of it to Iran to his granddaguter who is getting married in June of this year. Thank you again for your offer. He is looking forward to hear from you. M Taeed * Karim Khan's genealogy Could you please help me find information about KARIM KHAN ZAND´s genealogical tree. I live in Spain and it s not possible for me to do this research in Iran at the moment.I need to know about his daughters, grand and great great daughters, their names ans where they married, from 1750 to 1900. I do not know exactly where to start so I appreciate any of your help. Thank you very much, sincerely yours, Cyrus Ghazizadeh-Monfared Croigny * Old photos of North Tehran needed Please open your photo albums! Does anyone have pre-1945 photos of the towns of Farahzad, Darakeh, Evin, Pasqal`eh, Darband, Emamzadeh Qasem, Darabad, Niyavaran, Dezashib, Chizar, Darrus, Qolhak and *especially* Rostamabad? I'm making an educational website for learning Persian which includes a story in which all these places are mentioned. The story takes place sometime around 1900-1940. If you have photos of these places when they were small villages, I would love to hear from you so I can scan them and add to illustrate the story. Please email me if you can help! Connie University of Washington, Seattle * Have to spend more time Your magazine is getting better and better everyday and relatively I have to spend more and more time on reading it. If it goes like this , I think I have to retire myself just to be able to read all the good articles and surf the interesting sites that you introduce regularly. Thanks for the great job and keep up the great work. Ghorbaanat, Mahvash Shahegh P.S. I enjoyed very much the new sites under the "Site Seeing" * We could use some laughter How about some humorous stories? All these negetive news and opinions has me and most of us depressed. We could use some smile and laughter. Your "Kababism" article was very good.We have decided to start our own service next saturday at four oclock and you are invited to partake in kabob. Thanks Pastor Gholam Halvaei * So savage I have one complaint about your web page photo. I have noticed several times that you do not pick a picture that represents the Iranian culture truly. I believe that opening page is as important as the content of the web site. The pictures mostly shows images of village/poor people or women under veil and opression. This time is a picture of a man holding a dagger. The picture is so gross and savage. I believe that your opening web page should show a picture of Iranin civilization. A picture of a beautiful sight in Iran. I'm sure you can esily name thousand places in Iran that can show the real Iran's beuty to the western world. Never mind politics and / or religion. Iran is a beautiful country that has been a victim of many brutal invasions. Thanks for your time and good luck with your work. Ahmad * Forbidden names My beautiful little niece was born in Iran a couple of weeks ago. Naturally, we all (particularly my daughter) wanted to know what the baby's name would be. As usual, a lot of names had been suggested by friends and family, including us. Among the suggested names were "Dorsaa" and "Atoosaa". Every day since, we have been communicating with the family to learn of the chosen name for the baby. We were told that the Islamic Regime has a long list of FORBIDDEN NAMES and, therefore, they had to find a name that they liked and also was't in the list of the forbidden names. Not surprisingly, both of the abovementioned names were in the list of the forbidden names! Eventually, I was informed (yesterday) that having argued with the Officials and having bribed them, my family have managed to obtain a Shenasnaameh for the newly born with the name MAHSHEED. Apparently, Mahsheed too was not acceptable, because it has Aryaee/Zartoshtee connotations!! And that was the first encounter of a newly-born with the Islamic Regime. With best regards, Maral Beheshti * Naked molla There is something wrong with Saman's Molla's wife. He should visit a molla naked. Look * Betocheh? I found your website tonight looking for information that would explain what had happened to all the Iraqi planes that flew to your county during the Gulf War? I enjoyed reading the articles in your website. I read a lot of travel books and every one that was about your country was very effusive in praising the kindness and generosity of your people. One thing that I would like to tell you. I am very ashamed of my county's (USA) behavior in helping Iraq when you were brutally attacked by that thuggish regime. I know that my county was acting like a child in his attempt to 'get even' for the hostage crisis. Still it was very wrong and I think that many Americans would agree with me. If we really believed in the principles of the U.N. and the rule of law, we should have helped your country against Iraq. Best Wishes, Patrick Caton To top RELATED February 2002 This month's archived letters Letters index Letters sent to The Iranian in previous months Email us

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