|
January 16, 2004 Page 3 * Demand responsibility This is a true analysis and commentary by Dr. Pejhan [Ready for future Bams?]. It should be translated to Farsi and dispatched to Iran for public information, hoping that the public will wake up and demand responsibility and proper action from their elected representatives and officials. * Mixing Bam with mullas I read Hadi Khorsandi's poem about Bam. It certainly
saddens us to see tens of thousand people die in matter of seconds ...
Though, it certainly
upsets me to see Khorsandi's poem is not solely about people and their
suffering ... why mix "earthquakes and deaths" with "mullas
and Rahbar" at this time? Why mix "love" and "hatred"? * Arab aid Unfortunately, I have often stumbled across many anti-Arab xenophobic comments by some of our misguided Iranian brothers and sisters on this site. What have the Arabs ever done for us? Is a question they like to pose. Well, in our time of need following the earthquake in Bam, we should thank the Arabs from the GCC who have pledged to donate $580 million to Iran for reconstruction projects. As far as I'm aware much more than any other country or organisation. See: Arab countries join Iran aid effort for further information. * Politicizing the tragedy When I read Khorsandi's 'do-beyti' [Gham-e Bam], my tears started to flow again. But when I went on reading the others, a surge of disgust rose to my throat. Rahbar could go to hell, with rest of the gang. But cheapening such a tragedy by the so-called wit (an insult to the concept of wit, indeed), turned Khorsandi into the clownish representative of those who try to ride even on such a disaster with such magnitude, by politicizing the tragedy. Shame on you. Suri Dalir * Should not discount hard work I just finished reading Maryam Namazie's article on the Bam disaster [Un-natural causes]. I don't have accurate information from Bam itself but some of you might remember the earthquake that happened years ago in the north of Iran, near Masouleh. During the rescue effort for that earthquake, tents, blankets and canned food were sold in the black market, dogs were not allowed at first because they were "najes" (unclean), foreign aid workers were not guided appropriately and the entire relief effort could have saved more people had it not been for bureaucracies and many other reasons. But the same pasdars, baseejis and the like were at the scene pulling out people from under the rubble, carrying the injured to triage, and protecting the women and children. For all their short comings, many were dedicated to saving lives. One fiery article should not discount the hard work of many. What Ms Namazie writes is nothing new. In most chaotic situations those seeking a fast buck take advantage and the enormity of disaster makes many cold hearted and inhumane. However, we continue to send donations, volunteer and help in anyway we can, so our collective effort over shadows the short comings of others. * End Israeli WMD program instead Lots of "Johoods" provided aid to Iran [Will the day ever come?], including Iranian Jews from all over the world, so the suggestion that Irans refusal to accept aid from the State of Israel was motivated by anti-Semitism is yet another example of how the Zionists like to monopolize the victim status, and how they'll even capitalize on the sufferings of earthquake victims to push their own agenda. If your heart bleeds for Iran so much, instead of trying so crassly to play on Arab-Iranian ethnic differences for your own benefit, go end the Israeli WMD program which threatens Iran, as well as the illegal settlements which threaten the entire Middle East including Iran. * If the Zionist regime had a conscience Mr. Steven Simpson, I read your opinion about Iran's refusal to accept aid from Israel [Will the day ever come?], hence was prompted to respond, albeit quite concisely. It wasn't as much the actual subject of your article that compelled me to write this brief as was the theme I inferred. Allow me to point out that I am an Iranian who neither supports the present theocracy in my country nor oppose it as a whole. I judge the regime's performance on different issues separately, as Iran is a country where everyone and no one is in charge. It is indisputable that certain aspects and conduct of the post revolutionary ruler-ship have been conducive to tragic consequences for our people, yet there have been some accomplishments as well. Now, to address the main subject of your article, allow me to respond in a short and direct fashion. If the Zionist regime possessed a conscience, there would not exist such deplorable situation in the Palestinian territories. An Israeli imposed state of widespread unemployment, rampant poverty, lack of facilities, hopelessness and misery. A condition which naturally breeds extreme resentment and hatred, the results of which are felt every time a savage and desperate act of violence is perpetrated. Mr. Simpson, if the Zionist rulers and occupiers of that land were genuinely interested in humanitarian deeds, they need not look any further than the other side of the 'Wall', and witness the plight of destitute Palestinian children. So thanks for the offer, but no thanks. The Iranian nation will endure this hardship tenaciously as it has pulled together once again, and will God-willingly emerge from it just as it has through many others in the past millennia. Additionally, kindly allow me to rebut innuendos in your article I herein above made reference to. Mr. Simpson, I found portions of your utterance quite derogatory and mischievous, in particular your reference to 'Jews' (n---- Johood). It was uncalled for and inappropriate. My Jewish compatriots would especially find that comment offensive. As a Jewish person and an individual who claims to be versed in Iranian history and culture, you should know that the roots of Jewish migration to Iran are 25 centuries old. At a time when the Jews were a vanquished people, my ancestors facilitated their safe passage to Iran, and provided them safe haven upon arrival. The Jewish people assimilated in Iran through the generations, and Iranian culture and heritage became theirs as well. They are no longer 'Jews', but 'Iranians who happen to be of the Jewish persuasion'. Iran is our motherland, and she has many children. Some of the children are through blood, and some through adoption. Yet she loves and nurtures them all. Mr. Simpson, you also tossed in some frivolous 'Arab' jargon, claiming "Allah is Arab", and a bit more nonsense. Well Sir, the 'Allah' you mentioned is the God of Abraham, the same God worshiped by all mono-theistic faiths. Furthermore, allow me to succinctly clarify our (Iranian) belief system vis-a-vis Islam. As you well know, Iran is overwhelmingly 'Shia', and 'Shiaism' (Tashayyo') is essentially an Iranian doctrine and faith, period. It is 'Non-Arab'. As much as I would love to elaborate on this issue, I must abstain at this time, having already exceeded this rebuttal past the length I had envisaged. But please make note of this: Nearly all of the non-Iranian Shia population of the region belong to territories which were Part of the (post Islamic) 'Iranian Empire' and or sphere of influence. One can point to the Iraqi territory being under Iranian rule and control in the 16th and 17th centuries during the reign of the 'Safavid' (Safaviyeh) dynasty, and Nader Shah's conquest into India in the eighteenth century, as examples. Also, some ostensibly non-Iranian Shia are descended from an Iranian blood line, such as much of the Shia population of Lebanon. Moreover, it is conspicuously evident that our Iranian religious (Islamic) customs and practices are intertwined with our pre-Islamic culture, notably our noble 'Zoroastrian' heritage and beyond. * Most Iranians do not care about Palestinians Mr. Simpson, [Will the day ever come?] I wanted to drop you a line in regards to your article in the Iranian. It is refreshing to see a 'Kaleemi' (the correct term to be used in Parsi in relation to Jews) with so much interest and knowledge in regards to our culture and history, an American Kaleemi I might add! I, myself, am an ardent supporter of Israel and its right to exist. Iranians are tolerant people by nature. Arabs and Islam, on the other hand, have a 'Zero Tolerance' to all that do not accept their bankrupt, and corrupt, ideology. It is the very nature of Islam to demonise the 'infidel' as they are afraid that the non-believer will expose them for the deceit and falsehoods they advocate for the sole aim of being in power. To this end, I consider that son of a whore, Khomeini, to be just this type of person: he lied and swindled an entire nation into believing his religious propaganda. However, I do not give credence to your statement that the 'smarter won out over the weaker and stupider'. HRH Mohammad Reza Shah, may god eternally rest his soul, did not want to stain his hands with the blood of his country men and women. His Majesty could have easily given the order for the Imperial Army to machine-gun the demonstrators in the streets, but he did not as he valued human life. This is not what one can say about the towel-heads today - they will kill anyone that stands in their way. History has also shown that Iran was better off with the Monarchy as compared to today. As an Iranian, I consider myself to be a Muslim by default, and would be a Zoroastrian if they would accept converts. One must understand and appreciate the significant dissimilarities between the noble people of Iran and the 'Tazi' regime currently gripping my homeland by the throat. The dignified people of Israel are cognisant of this fact due to the historic bond between Persians and the Jews (just ask Cyrus the Great). Prior to the insurgency of 1979, there was always a great amount of respect and understanding between the two nations. Additionally, the majority of Iranians do not care about the Palestinians, or any other Arab folk (just look at what they did nearly 1400 years ago, not to mention the Pan-Arab assault on Iran in 1980). What you see on Iranian TV are the religious zealots blindly following the words of senile old men (kind of the blind leading the blind). What you do not see is the average citizen imploring the government to worry about its own people before some dirty, opportunist Arab (just look at Yasser Arafat). My fellow citizens want to part of the modern world once again and in due time we will be once the Mullahcracy is driven into extinction, along with other failed ideologies such as Communism. * Iran and Israel: Friends Dear Mr.Simpson, [Will
the day ever come?] I am an Iranian living in the US, but unlike many of Iranian living in the States, I am not American or hold Green Card. I came here 5 years ago to study. I have been here ever since without having a chance to go back and visit my Iran. I am one of those Muslims that you addressed in your article. I was born into a Muslim family let say. As an Iranian I am always proud of our history and what our ancestors left for us from many thousands of years ago. I particularly love our pre-Islamic era, where we where free from fanaticism and Islam. I know we were a nation of great wealth but declined so fast after we lost the battle with Arabs. I believe that was the saddest day in our entire history. The battle of "Ghadesiya" as it's known to Arabs and Persians was the turning point for us all. In your article you mentioned many times "Muslim-Iranians", please keep in mind that we are all Iranians, Jews, Muslims Christians and Zoroastrians alike. I went to school where my classmates were often from different belief systems. I still have them as best friends today. Dividing Iran into Islamic and non-Islamic part is wrong. We have lived together, suffered together and died together. But among all, I feel closer to Iranian-Jews; they were with us for longer pried of time. They speak our language with out any trace of an accent. Often people in the west talk about, life in Iran and hardship for Christians and Jews and others, but they forget to mention how the rest live in today's Iran? If there is any hardship is for us all. The ruling clergies have destroyed us all regardless of religion. It's simply unfair to forget Muslim majority in this picture. Now I want to talk about your question. You asked how we MUSLIM-Iranian think about the rejection of help from Israel. I and many of my relatives here and in Iran were disgusted by the news; but that was very much expected from the current government. Of course we were happy seeing international solidarity for our people and our homeland but we were saddened that in this little world our unjust government excluded Israel. Maybe it's only me but I feel so close to Jews and their cause. I have always looked at them as brothers in the hostile region of ours. I think in Middle East where all Arab nations are surrounding us, we have to join to help defend ourselves. I hope one day nations of Iran and Israel become friends again and restore their historic ties. Then we all see how we can benefit from this great reunion. At the end I should thank you to have interest in our culture and help us help those many thousands suffered from the recent earthquake in Iran. * Israel helped Khomeini Mr. Simpson, [Will
the day ever come?] (These documents can reveal Ariel Sharon. Menakhin Begin, Mike Harari,
George Bush Sr., William Casey, Yoram Eitan, Ben Menashe Etc.,) If, today, we have this regime in place is not Iranians fault on their on, they do their best to remove these blood thirsty, S.O.B's but those who survive 100 times better with their survival are not allowing internal affair to work. (read my lips)!!! Your article is very much appreciated and very encouraging for Iranians, a non-Iranian (!!!) worried about their culture, but we shall not forget the other side of the coin... If Islamic Regime is in place because Israel kept it, for the reason; worried Saddam Hossein would invade OIL rich state of Iran, its Nuclear capability might endanger Israel, they, in one hand pushed Sadam to war with Iran, helped Iran to stop Sadam from wining the war, bombed its Nuclear facilities... and the rest.. is evident, is it not? * Human beings first Steve, [Will
the day ever come?] * Serpant helping allegator When the serpant extends his hand to the allegator, you have to wonder
what the word has become that a handless snake is helping his competitor. [Will
the day ever come?] * Enlightening pics I want to send thanks to Afshin Deyhimpanah and your Web site for posting the Bam photos [Two months before]. I'm an Iranian-American who lived in Shiraz and have been to Esfahan and Tehran, but never Bam. The before pictures are enlightening; the tragedy is exactly that: a tragedy. Thanks also for posting info on how we can send relief funds. * Thanks Reza Joooon Iranian of the day, I vote for Reza Joooon. He has collected around $12,000 from colleagues (ranging from German to Costa Rican) for the Iranian Red Crescent (Helal Ahmar) hurrah! * Put Bush on trial with Saddam I whole heartedly agree with Mr. Mirfendereski's view that a fair and open trial is a must for the good of the humanity [Victor's justice]. Saddam and his accomplices must be accountable for all the crimes that was committed to all Iraqis and non-Iraqis all alike. This of course should include the use of poison gas during the war that was wedged against Iran and his own people and in order to be a fair trial, it needs to include all the nations/powers that gave him the tools to committee these crimes. Only then justice will prevail. I also think that if in fact it is proven that there was no WMD in Iraq, George W. Bush needs to be put on the same trial for killing of many thousand civilian and none civilian and the destruction of that country. Only then it will be a fair and just trial. * No need for recent strategies Dear Mr. Radmehrian, [Betting on Saddam] Thank you for clarifying the issues and propagating the facts. This great nation deserves to know the truth. It's beneficial even for those who don't realize that the US is so advanced in all areas of science and technology that can attract the respect of the world without the need to resorting to the recent strategies. Mohamad Navab * No viable link Bringing Saddam Hussein to justice for crimes against the humanity is least we can expect from the capture of this evil man but repeating the lies that Bush administration and his spin machine throw around and now repeated here by Mr. Mirfendereski [Victor's justice]. The evidence
of the role of the Iraqi government in the bombing of the World Trade
Center in February 1993 is substantial and Saddam Hussein should be tried
for the ensuing murders, injuries and destruction of property." is
certainly a sad disappointment. There has never been a viable link between
Saddam and Al Qaeda and actually the strict Islamic doctrine that Al
Qaeda (whoever the hell they are) follows is quite contradictory to nearly
secular Saddam as he has been considered an infidel by them. More
letters (January 16, 2004) |
Archive By
subject Azizi's "All Bamed out!"
|
|