LettersDecember 2006 Part 2 -- Part 1 December 15 I have no word to describe how angry I amIn response to Holocaust conference in Iran: Ahamdinejad is a disgrace to humanity. How insensitive can one be to hold a conference with KKK leaders to deny or prove something that already happened and the whole world knows about? For once I am embarrassed to be an Iranian. For God's sake more than 6 million people got killed in a tragic way and you (Ahmaghinejad) will hold a conference to see if it was true or not? I have no word to describe how angry I am with this issue. Is like some one would hold a conference to prove if Saddam killed and wounded millions of Iranians or not? How that mother would feel that has lost her son in the war? Just for once put yourself in people's shoes before saying or doing something. I know you care less about Iranian victims than anything else while you are busy with your Arab terrorist buddies. Why don’t you go to Palestine and become their president? You care about them more than you do about Iranians. I just want to ask a favor from Ahamadinejad: Hey dummy, do all of us a favor and kill your self. They love the guyIn response to Shahla Azizi's "Death to stupidity": Is it not interesting that you outright brand Ahmadinejad a "dictator" The dictionary defines a dictator as "a ruler who is unconstrained by law". However, Ahmadinejad is very much bound by the law. He is not above it. Since his term, how many people have been imprisoned or beat in the streets compared to Khatami's first 2 years of presidency? Do you remember those years? Iran has changed. Wake up. This is not the Shah's time anymore. This is not the early years of the revolution. This is no longer the early years of political change in Iran. Times have changed. Political reformism has taken deep roots in Iran. Ahmadinejad even responded to the people calling him a dictator saying "that i will respond to you kindly." All news reports reported that NO ONE was arrested. No one was beat. Even the basijis didn't get emotional and attack anyone. All they did was counter sho'ar (give slogans). The anti minority yelled "down with the dictator" while the video clearly shows the majority countered back "ahmadi, ahmadi, we are with you" Ahmadinejad has clearly won the hearts and minds of not only the world because of his anti-americanism, but because of his persistance of visiting 2 different villages every week, has won the hearts and minds of the Iranian nation. If you go to Iran (which I have recently), even in the ski slopes of Tehran, where the most secularized westernized youth reside, and very pro-Ahmadinejad even in private. They love the guy. Everyone knows he will win in a landslide if he were to run again today. Don't call a man a dictator that is not dictating his will on anyone. He was rightfully elected, and he is doing some shaking in the government to uproot corruption which is making certain sectors upset (noteably Rafsanjani and Karroubi camp). They lost the most in this election because Ahmadinejad is very anti-corruption. He already removed all of Rafsanjani's sons from the government. Honestly, you guys have been in sleeper cells for 27 years. Iran has changed. In 3 days they will be going to the polls to elect the Assembly of Experts that will determine the next rahbar (Seyed Khamenei is currently ill, as some intelligence reports indicate). We might not have what you call a "liberal democracy" by western standards, but we don't have a dictatorship either. We aren't in Kindergarten. Don't call people names. We do love sex and enjoy it as much as menIn response to Laleh Banoo's "The big nothing is everything": Hey girl, I loved your "The Big Nothing Is Everything" article on Iranian. Good job! I really appreiate it when an Iranian young woman can openly talk about her sexuality. It is time that we rise up and show everybody that we are as sexual as men. And we do love sex and enjoy it as much as men do. But when a woman talks about sex they call her " a man trapped in a woman's body". It is also interesting how it is "Ok" for men to love sex and talk about it easily but when it comes to giving their partners orgasms a lot of them fail. These are also the type of guys who would refuse to watch "Sex and the City" because it shows how women can be sexually free and independent. I'm sure a lot of suckers will comment on your article with a negative attitude. But please don't give up and keep up the good work. Let them say whatever they want to say. Be sexual, enjoy your sex life in a healthy way and experiment sex with different men and women. If your sex life is any different than this it is unhealthy and sick. If you keep on like this you will find the perfect partner at some point who would always make you happy and give you multiple orgasms, day and night. Sex is a gift to humankindIn response to Laleh Banoo's "The big nothing is everything": This is a nicely written, interesting article that demands several comments, specifically: sex is absolutely nothing to be ashamed of, nor is it something that women (muslim or otherwise) should not whole-heartedly enjoy. Sex is a gift to humankind from God/Allah/Buddha. If we weren't intended to enjoy our genitals then we would have been created without them and they wouldn't have been placed within such easy reach of our own, and others', hands. The sad part of Laleh's article is that she says that despite having had six lovers and having performed hundreds of sex acts with these men, she has never shared an orgasm with any of them. Women of the world, you must unite in demanding that we men satisfy you!! You and your bodies give us endless pleasure and enjoyment, so you should demand the same in return. If you don't get it from us, then don't give it to us either. An ultimatum such as this will do wonders to improve the sexual technique and consideration of your lover(s). Nobody cares how many wieners have stuffed your bunIn response to Laleh Banoo's "The big nothing is everything": Dear Laleh Khnoom, Forced visit to the land of golobolbolIn response to Ali Nasiri's, "I have boycotted Iran": Dear Amir: Iranian Student Revolution: Reunion 2007In response to Shahla Azizi's "Death to stupidity": Dear Shahla Azizi, Our problems are not just AhmadinejadIn response to Shahla Azizi's "Death to stupidity": Please; allow me to shake your hand from Georgia. When you are right, you are right. Our problems are not just Ahmadi.. but foreign governments supporting and benefiting from Ahmadi and others like him, during the past twenty eight years We need to communicate with those supporters that we will punish you by not doing business with you for the next twenty eight years. Canada is the worst among the supporters of I.R. We shall overcome sooner than later. Is Israel "democracy" working in harmony with rest of the world?In response to Sohrab Ferdows's "Disastrous policies": Is this Sohrab Ferdows on crack cocaine, Mussad payroll or perhaps both? Hamas would not have been in existence, elected or not, if it wasn't for fascist policies of Zionist in America and Israel. Funny thing is that, initially, Israelis created Hamas to compete against PLO and to weaken it. Like anything else these arrogant idiots touch, it has turned to something they hate. Blaming President Carter for everything that has gone wrong in the world, since his presidency, is a cheap shot. Carter's presidency may have been disastrous in some ways, though he made the first real peace between Arab and Israelis. In my opinion, he is the best ex-President this country ever had. He is speaking the truth and has nurtured democracy in so many places in the world. He has grown big balls to stand against total manipulation of American foreign policy by Zionists and their minions, unlike US congress and Bush administration. He has published a ground breaking book about Palestine occupation. Read the book and critic it. Challenge his facts then state your position, instead of making thing up as you go along. And please stop lecturing us about democracy by making stupid statement like " One important specification of a democracy is to work with harmony with the rest of the world while protecting its constituents and serving their interests." Is Israel "democracy" working in harmony with rest of the world? Who are you kidding and where have you come up with "Specification" for democracy. What else is in that specification of yours? should everyone bows to a dominant power in the world in order to be certified as a democracy. Democracy, like culture, will have a local flavor, not uniformity across globe. Furthermore, the "rise of a fundamentalist Islamic ideology" may have shown its ugly head during Carter presidency, however its root goes back many decades and its exponential rise happened during Regan and Bush (41) presidency. So stop blaming Carter and put the blame where it belongs: Zionist and their allies. Pure and simple. You keep missing the intention of this conferenceIn response to Kaveh Nouraee's "Their lives were sacred": Dear Kaveh, I think you ought not to be so unhappy that they print just about any thing. Your own article/comment does not seem to be that factual either and got printed here. I am not by any means defending the IRA, but how is it that some of you keep missing the intention of this conference as denying the Holocaust and not hearing what they have clearly said, they just want to discuss the event and its misuse of this trouble tragedy for the goods of Israel. Now, if you have an issue with that, that would be fair enough but express your displeasure to the actual thing rather then twisting the facts. Anti-Semite conference in our occupied countryIn response to Amil Imani's "Circus of hate": Dear Amil Imani, This anti-Semite conference in our occupied country is clear evidence that all freedom-loving people should protest over all aspects of Islamism. I believe that this protest is the most human, democratic and vital struggles that is in front of us. It can be a common front of all freedom-loving people, regardless their political or ideological orientations. What "strategic depth"?In response to on Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Hanyeh's visit to Iran: Ismail Hanyeh, The Palestinian prime minister in his recent visit to Iran said: "They (Israelis) assume the Palestinian nation is alone. This is an illusion ... We have a strategic depth in the Islamic Republic of Iran." Can someone tell me what in the hell "strategic depth" means? This guy after receiving and spending $120 million of Iranian cold hard cash, can not even pretend and come up with a friendlier term describing IRI's generosity than "strategic depth"? Granted there is a strategic benefit for Iranian regime in giving money to Hamas, but what happened to simple thank you's? or how about; we are indebted to you for helping us at the time most of our "Arab brothers" turned their backs on us. By depth maybe Hanyeh is referring to mullah's deep pockets at the expense of Iranian people. So I wouldn't be surprised if at the end of his visit he'd asked them to keep the money coming in exchange for ... (fill in the blank as you wish). We only have one side of the storyIn response to Jewish Irani's "We are indestructible": Actually, Haman was supposedly Assyrian, and Ahmadinejad's "country man" would therefore technically be Xerxes, the Persian King who - once again - saved the Jews. Anyway, if the Bible is history, remember that we only have one side of the story of what happened back then! What any of this has to do with the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is beyond me. Do your Magic!In response to Tina Ehrami's "Khak bar sare opposition": Dear Madam, I have a question and that is: well are you among this so-called opposition or not? If you are among them or brtter to say us, what have you done further than you could , answer is virtually NOTHING> and if you are not , and now all of a sudden you are thinking about Iran. Fair enough tell us "khakbarsar ha" what we are suppose to do, do your Magic! give some suggestion instead of nagging and putting the blame to other people. We need people like you in our livesIn response to Fereshteh Saheli's "Clearing my closets": Dear Fereshteh, We need people like you in our lives. With Love, Lowest languageIn response to Anyway section video, "'Troy' in Persian": Dear Sir, I cannot imagine as a responsible person, you put such a senseless, stupid video in Iranian site? This is not funny, humorous, informative, interesting! Please give me one good reason to justify for having “Troy” in Persian in Iranian site? There are many young people who visit this site and how do you explain this trash to this people in civic manner? I am really confused about your judgment (I used to really mention your site as a balanced reflection of Iranian maturity on letting people express their different views at this site) now it seems you have a blind spot in your judgment between what is good and what is trash? The verbal dirt in this video is the lowest of low imitation at part of Iranian society. I am assuming one of your justification will the First Amendment of individual “rights”. REPLY: What? You don't think it's funny? Sanctions on a "shekamoo" nation?!In response to Farah Ravon's photo essay of foods in Iran, "On heaven's menu": Wow.... very nice and appetizing pictures. If only you had a picture of "dizi" abgoosht it would have been a PERFECT assembly of Iranian dishes. Delicious tortureIn response to Farah Ravon's photo essay of foods in Iran, "On heaven's menu": These pictures are slow, delicious torture for those who haven't had dinner and realize no matter how great dinner is, it will never be as good as that. On a side note, the fruit dish (#23) was curious. How is a proper guest to enjoy that pineapple (or any of the coconuts) sitting on the table. At that point, the kiwi is almost a comprimise. Thanks for sharing. Your photos make the country come alive for usIn response to Farah Ravon's photo essay of foods in Iran, "On heaven's menu": Tons of food, tons of happiness?In response to Farah Ravon's photo essay of foods in Iran, "On heaven's menu": Haj Farah Khanoom: Mullahs are thriving and majority of Iranians inside Iran are suffering because of individuals like you, "ham azz tubreh khor va ham azz akhor khor" or is it the other way around? Tell me, topol mopoly, did you have any make up on prior to your arrival at the Mehrabad airport or did you wipe it off to not get yelled at by the Hejab Police? Did you drink any wine en route to Tehran? Did you put your scarf on when you got off the plane? In other words, did you switch your character? Did you put the disguise on? How did you greet the guy with the rish_o_pashm at the IRI customs? Did you say, "assalomo alaikom baradar ?" What is it with so many photos of food? I mean, seventy fucking three photos of food? Did you use aftabeh after eating all that food? Or did you use toilet paper? What's the message here? Are you trying to say that everything in Iran is honky dory!? Tons of food, tons of happiness, tons of freedom, tons of content, tons of bekon bekon! Not so truly yours, Definitely something to rub some noses in!In response to Farah Ravon's photo essay of foods in Iran, "On heaven's menu": Farah khanom-e aziz: Loved every single oneIn response to Farah Ravon's photo essay of foods in Iran, "On heaven's menu": Loved every single one of your pictures on the iranian about the food in iran and i forwarded it to a bunch of friends and family, thanks for sharing. Michelle F You obviously have the talentIn response to Rana Rabei's "Professor Pervert": Rana, Your story was so funny! Life is full of funny and mysterious coincidences. Regardless, I hope you focus on drawing / painting… You obviously have the talent. Look at the mirrorIn response to Fariba Moghadam's essay on Anousheh Ansari, "Naghsh dar aab": It really doesn't matter what a bunch of Iranians might think of what space passenger Anousheh Ansari should have done with her money, because it's nobody's damn business. I tell you, if she had spent another extra million and fed bunch of Iranians with "free" chelokabab and other free food they would have all prayed for her safe return and crawled on top of each other to take pictures with her and in extreme cases the free-loaders given the chance might have even torn her clothing and taken pieces of her clothing as a sacred artifacts to hang it at the entrance to their houses. This is the attitude of a nation with no set cultural values. Those who criticize Ansari for not not sending her fortune to orphanages in Iran should look at the mirror and ask themselves if they have sent their freaking $20 yet? Or has Reza Pahlavi and his charlatan uncles have sent their $20? That is the question that we should ask each other. All we learn to do as a corrupt culture is to be resentful and jealous towards each other and label people without any mercy. While she was lucky and able to fulfill her childhood dream the rest of us continue to fulfill our "childhood dream" by a mere masturbation and hoping for a day that someone will give us a free handout. Stop it and move on with your life. Happy Holidays Ansari's dream seems so trivialIn response to Fariba Moghadam's essay on Anousheh Ansari, "Naghsh dar aab": Anousheh Ansari is the symbol of the failure of an economic system named " capitalism". Paying the incredibly hefty sum of 20 million dollars for a space trip , only to fulfill only a childish dream is down right ludicrous.Such self indulged endeavors from a privileged few are oftentimes ego related. " Look world ! Acknowledge my presence !! My extensive wealth allows me such a luxury. Fariba Mohgam gives us a sensible account of the futility of Ansari's choice. What I found totally unfair, was some of the readers' reaction to her article. Some are have pathetically such low self respect that they see Ansari's trip as a source of pride. No offense but a few years ago , a couple of chimpanzees were put in a space shuttle for experimentation. It is time we Iranians reassess our lives , our heroes , our norms and our values. In a recent trip overseas , I personally witnessed the grave misery and the abject poverty that exists in the world. In Philippines half of the population lives on less than two dollars a day. Sick children never get the chance to see a doctor. The parents can not afford. A simple pneumonia or flu is a death sentence. Kids in Thailand are driven to prostitution.In Calcutta children search through heaps of trash to find something to eat. In some other developing countries like our own , Lots of children always live under stress , do not get sufficient nutrients or education. In light of all such misery , Ansari's dream seems so trivial. Admit it that we don't truly give a shit about each otherIn response to Fariba Moghadam's essay on Anousheh Ansari, "Naghsh dar aab": Fariba khanoom, HASSOUD HARGEZ NAYASSOUD!In response to Fariba Moghadam's essay on Anousheh Ansari, "Naghsh dar aab": Mrs. Fariba, Being praised for having money and being loved for being a humanitarian are two different thingsIn response to Fariba Moghadam's essay on Anousheh Ansari, "Naghsh dar aab": Ms. Moghadam, thank you for the beuatiful, totally objective and extremly inteeligent article. As an Iranian woman, I admire women like you who can keep tehir cool and express their opinions in such eloquence. You are absolutely right that we are entitle to our opinion which has nothing to do with being jealous of Ms. Ansari (frankly I can see why any one would be jealous of her unless they think being rich is enviable). I am always grateful when other women write to address a very true issue and that is being a compassionate and selfless person. Some of our fellow-Iranians resort to name calling and insults because they do not have the intelligence to understand what is being addressed. As always I got my share of "you jealous bitch" from those who probably have not done much with their lives and wish to be associated with people with $20 million to spend on traveling to space. Then again, I also had many beautiful letters from educated, successful and compassionate Iranians who agreed with me and enlightened me by sharing how they make a difference in the world. I was so touched to see the a beautiful 6 year old Ghelgis who packs gifts she distributes to sick children on Thanksgiving and I am proud that one of my fellow Khuzestanis spends every Thanks giving with her family distributing gifts to cancer patients in Pediatric Ward. I am proud of Sanam, an Iranian feminist who is working on her graduate degree and she had worked to better the lives of women in Iran and continues to do so in total anonymity. Just like you, I am proud of many Iranian men and women who contribute to the world and humanity everyday and I also wish all human beings achieve their dreams and I especially want to see all my fellow-Iranians to be prosperous and successful and Mrs. Ansari is not an exception but the way I see it and I read some of her blogs to get a feel what she is beyond the "Nassau" trip and I concluded that my first impression was totality correct. She really does not care to be considered an Iranian and you saw she quoted Gandhi by saying "if you can not change the environment change yourself". I laughed so heart because it was evident she did not know what that meant and I wondered if she realizes females are burned because their parents worry about having to come up with dowry to marry them and that has been documented and there are villages in India which do not have many girls. If I cared for Gandhi, I would establish a foundation in India to help fund the Dowry for some of these girls so they can escape being burnt. On the other hand, I am not worried about one clueless person in the world because you do not see Melinda Gate doing anything to put herself on the magazines. You do not see Bono wanting to be the first rock star to go to space. Why? The answer is simple, these people are talented, self-confident and compassionate individuals who consider themselves part of the world family and wants to better the "family". The Ansari's of the world, see the world as their playground and do what pleases them not what makes the world a better place. She is not alone and there are many people among Iranians who think that way. I recently read a much talked about book by an Iranian female writer despite my first intuition at seeing her with her horrible accent and the cold eyes behind the glasses (before she had the make over) in 2003. Thank God I had only spent $3 on that piece of garbage. The only reason I finished reading the book was because I so desperately wanted to get a glimpse of Iran during the years I was away. I was outraged that this western educated Iranian's book talks about the 8 year war as though it was child play and her world revolved around bullshit stories of certain works of literature. I was appalled that some could have lived in Iran, witnessed all the struggles and all she cared about was having her "English" books. The point is that we will have people who isolate themselves and as a result they suffer less. I am sure Mrs. Ansari never watches the news or cries seeing the pictures of fallen young soldiers or the bodies of dead civilians because they do not fit into her world. I know someone who lives in a mansion worth over 25 million dollars with full staff (she speaks English as though she has never lived in America) of butler, nutritionist and personal trainer. She has host of illnesses and I know she does give money to American cultural projects because it is tax deductible and she gets her name (foreign husband) in the paper. Her contribution to Iranians? She has had one "sofreh" gathering which is a religious gathering popularized by Iranians who have no clue about spirituality or religion. I have run into her at events (all non-Iranian) and she was pissed off that the event coordinators acknowledging me as an Iranian who is proud of her heritage so she works to promote it. She was royally pissed off because the few Iranians there had to switch to Farsi because I refused to speak to them in English. I have made the comments that is she gave from her heart to some humanitarian causes, many of her ills would be cured. I am certain of that because being praised for having money and being loved for being a humanitarian are two different things and the rich know it to. Thank you and I look forward to seeing more of your writing but let's leave Mrs. Ansari and her kind alone and focus on those who make everyone proud. A vision of a future that many are still unable to graspIn response to Fariba Moghadam's essay on Anousheh Ansari, "Naghsh dar aab": Ever since the inception of the space travel few short sighted people had the view that such funding should be spent here on earth instead of on the space projects, as if there are not enough funds available for spending on earth and as if without space expenditures all of our problems on earth would get resolved! That fact is that so many of what we now use daily in our lives and take for granted have their origin of inventions in the space studies, implementations and expenditures. What Iran needs are people with hope, not serious OGHDEHsIn response to Soraya Sepahpour-Ulrich's "Blind ambition": Ms. Sepahpour-Ulrich, Nowhere else she could get her slanders published!In response to Soraya Sepahpour-Ulrich's "Blind ambition": The only place this highly prejudiced writer, Sepahpour Ulrich, could find to publish her unfounded accusation, unfortunately is The Iranian.com with that perverted lackey fellow Jahanshah Javid, who is ready & willing to take out his prejudice one way or the other!!?? Nowhere else she could get her slanders published! And one has to ask this writer, what is she doing in Salt Lake City of Utah, U.S.A.? Why the hell she is not living in Camp Ashraf? You confirm my viewsIn response to Babak Kalhor's "What Iran needs are people with hope, not serious OGHDEHs" & Hashem Hakimi's "Nowhere else she could get her slanders published!": Thank you for taking the time to read the article and respond, although it irked you. It was never my intention to mislead anyone about the "jashnhaye tajgozari" - it was simply the hypocrisy of being at Persepolis. The lavish ceremonies (which many compared to a Hollywood-style extravaganza), the virtual exclusion of Iranians from the celebrations in which the honored guests were foreign heads of state, many of whom did not turn up, was disgraceful. In fact, my own step-father, Shojaedeen Shafa was responsible for the organization of it. I am well aware of Iran's history and speak with some authority when I write about SAVAK, betrayal, and the rest of it. Reza Pahlavi is not yet on a throne and writing about him makes one a 'lackey' and the writer an MEK by default. Clearly, in the Iran that you have in mind, any opinion or voice that does not agree with that of yours and Pahlavi's must be silenced. In which case, don't you think that all those mothers, fathers, and families who have lost 1 million souls to the Iran-Iraq war (not to count the injured) would think twice about re-admitting a dictator back to Iran? Especially one who has been fattening up in the US and on CIA's money? I have this information from the Jewish owned magazine "The New Yorker" - in case you are wondering. Be more fair and less of a conspiracy theoristIn response to Soraya Sepahpour-Ulrich's "Blind ambition": Mrs. Ulrich: Can I ask you how you know that Mr. Pahlavi is receiving money from CIA? I think it would be dangerous to assume just because his father had CIA ties and didn't exercise independence from the United States that Mr. Pahlavi would do the same. My family was not part of the privileged class during the Pahlavi era. However, we have sympathies for them because as religious minorities, Pahlavis did more than any other government in Iran since Cyrus the Great to protect different religions. After the revolution, Baha'is, Jews, Zoroastrians and even some Christians quickly became victims of not just the mullahs but almost all the factions that opposed the monarchial regime. Mrs. Ulrich, since you are obviously an opponent of the previous regime, I can assume that you must have been a supporter of the Islamic revolution, at least in its early stages, which actually happen to be its most brutal era. However, I do not automatically assume you were one of those early revolutionary tyrants who combed the country for military officers, royalists, "zionists" and "anti-revolutionaries." I ask you respectfully to be more fair and less of a conspiracy theorist. Finally, what's wrong for Mr. Pahlavi seeking a place in history? Bill Clinton, Jimmy Carter, Richard Nixon, Winston Churchill, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Abraham Licoln, Mohammad Mossadegh and Shahpour Bakhtiar all sought a place in the history for themselves. I think Reza is doing his best tooIn response to Soraya Sepahpour-Ulrich's "Blind ambition": Hello Ms. Soraya Sepahpour-Ulrich: I do not want to be in a position of defending Reza Pahlavi, but your essay was extremely unjust. You have transformed emotional hyperbole into verbal abuse. You cannot blame Reza for his father’s mistakes or excesses. Your quotation of the two phrases attributed to him, is completely disjoint from your conclusion for his intent, both literally and logically. “[T]errorism is like an octopus whose weakness is the eyes – in Tehran. [I]f the U.S. wants to kill this octopus, it should start in Tehran.” Any reasonable person can conclude that he is seeking regime change, but to stretch it to mean military action against Iran, is taking his statement out of context. His last statement, in the article you referenced, makes this clear: “It would be a further tragedy if, after failing to introduce democracy by force in Iraq, Washington now underwrites tyranny by diplomacy in Iran.” A failed policy of “force in Iraq” cannot be advocated for Iran, can it? He has said, many times, he opposes military action against Iran, and is in favor of civil disobedience inside Iran, and international pressure from outside, to break the back of this regime. You are obviously concerned about the situation in Iran enough to have taken up the pen to this virtual paper. This is the best you, and most of us, can do. I think Reza is doing his best his best too, and at a risk far greater to him than to complete unknowns like you and me. Taking money from the CIA to organize opposition to the regime is not a crime. If you think so, then suggest a better way that he, or indeed anyone else, can help. Please be a part of the solution, don’t add to the problem. The chasm amongst Iranians in exile is giving the IRI longevity. We have to reconcile our differences and learn to tolerate each others’ politics if we are, at all, serious about having a democratic Iran. Our unity can help focus the attention of the world on the dire situation in Iran. I dream of the day when Iranians, left, right, and center join forces, to get rid of this satanic regime and establish the framework of a democracy, in Iran. Please put your money where your mouthIn response to Soraya Sepahpour-Ulrich's "Blind ambition": Mrs Ulrich's own personal gains would be disrupted if the IRI is removed. She has to look out for her own interest :-) She is the ambitious one here and shouldn't be throwing stones. Dear Mrs. Ulrich we have had this conversation before, WHAT HAVE YOU DONE FOR YOUR COUNTRY AND PEOPLE???? At least HIM has felt responsible enough to stand up for our compatriot's rights and do something to inform the world of the TRUE situation in IRAN. What have you and your buddies done but try to prolong the life of this terrorist regime???? It's you and the likes of you and all your personal "oghdeh" against the Pahlavi's that got us here in the first place and destroyed our country and even now you won't let go. What good is having dialogue with the bloodsucking mullah's but to buy them time??? Please put your money where your mouth is and do something to liberate your country and countrymen from the shame of being represented by a bunch of terrorists who could care less about Iran and Iranians. Rescue plan: Let Iranian women look after IranIn response to Soraya Sepahpour-Ulrich's "Blind ambition": Congratulation. Iranian men have destroyed Iran for centuries. I strongly believe the only rescue plan for our country is to let Iranian women to look after it. Look around us: First muslim women to win Nobel. This is coming from a chauvinist Iranian man. Thank you for your beautiful article. Spoiled rotten piss ant of a useless childIn response to Soraya Sepahpour-Ulrich's "Blind ambition": Dear Soraya, Short of breath from jumping up and down and cheering for you, I must say...what can I say? Well said. This spoiled rotten piss ant of a useless child of Iran has nothing to say but "Thank You nation of Iran for providing me with big toys and providing support for me and generations after me". I've known few, who are so full of shit as you "Vali Ahd", that turned out to be wrong, vali ahd! Your bedroom in Sad Abad palace, was an ear shot from Evin prison, where youth of Iran was tortured by your father. You have said nothing about that. The money you and your family took out of Iran, however much it may be, could have started refugee centers around the world for Iranians fleeing Iran. It could have started scholarships for students who have no money to go to school. It could have built a hospital in Iranian communities to care for those you claim to love. DID IT? You really should just shut the hell up, eat and drink up, spend the money that is not yours and just SHUT UP. Much like your uncle W, you just keep putting your foot in your mouth every time you open it. Are you not using Reza Pahlavi to cover up another dictatorial regime?In response to Soraya Sepahpour-Ulrich's "Blind ambition": Mrs. Soraya Sepahpour-Ulrich, Your article did not reveal all the realities. It deliberately left some questions unrelated. It is of course true that the Pahlavi family were put on throne by England and kept on throne by the US. It is true that the dynasty was a servant of their masters. Of course, no member of corrupt phalavi, including Reza Pahlavi, is in the position to talk about democracy, human rights, sovereignty and patriotism. Nobody believes such a puppet, but how about the IRI? You did not mention any single word on their records, on their legitimacy, on their patriotism and on their right to impose their Islamic yoke on people! Are you not using Reza Pahlavi as a facet to cover up another dictatorial regime, namely the plague of the IRI? In your view, if Iranians want to gain their own freedom and democracy, should they not weed out the plague of the IRI and different followers or supporters of an Islamic regime and of course “traitors within them”, like all those who sow seeds of illusion about the legitimacy of the IRI? In your view, the IRI and all its factions, since they acceded to their Islamic throne, are not keeners of their self preservation? Does the IRI has a less criminal, destructive, reactionary and anti Iranian record than that of the pahlavi dynasty? Like father, like son I suppose!In response to Soraya Sepahpour-Ulrich's "Blind ambition": Dear Ms. Sepahpour-Ulrich: The only criticism I have of your article is it's soft approch to subject mater. Perhaps it is your intellect or over-consciousness to protocol. Next time I beg of you to tell Reza Pahlavi, as many others have, to GET LOST! Kingly greedIn response to Babak Kalhor's "What Iran needs are people with hope, not serious OGHDEHs" & Hashem Hakimi's "Nowhere else she could get her slanders published!": While the MEK are a spent force who've lost all credibility with most Iranians for siding with Sadam Hossein during his brutal assault on our homeland, Mr. Pahlavi was never one to begin with. Even amog those who give Mr. Pahlavi's elders credit for some positive accomplishments, the Crown Prince has been a thorough and utter disappointment. Fortunately many Iranians and true patriots like Ms. Ulrich are far too wise to the kingly greed that fuels his motives. Daniel Pourkesali That is a good questionIn response to Darius Kadivar's "Banalization of history": Dear Sir: Darius Kadivar's reply to Soraya Sepahpour-Ulrich's, "Blind Ambition" misses the boat. I agree with Ms. Ulrich. Reza Pahlavi is a bum. His father was condemned by Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch. Mohammad Reza Pahlavi was run out of the country. He was such a loser no one would allow him refuge. He ended up dead in Egypt after he paid Anwar Sadat lots of money. Let us not forget, it was an Egyptian military soldier that assassinated Sadat. This shows how Sadat was desperate for money in order to save his life. Where did M.R. Pahlavi steal that money from to permit him to be buried in the African country of Egypt? He stole it from the Iranian people. Mr. Kadivar, when the Holocaust was going on Reza Khan, the 1st of the Pahlavi dynasty, refused to expel Nazi German workers from Iran. If anyone is Pro-Nazi it is the Pahlavi family. As an Iranian American Jew I take offense at a statement that infers that the Pahlavis are Pro-Jewish. Iranian President Ahmadinejad's statements about the Holocaust state that if there was a holocaust then why do the Palestinians have to suffer? That is a good question. Yitzak Rabin tried to promote a 2 State Solution. Unfortunately, he was gunned down by a nut. Hopefully, one day everyone can live in peace. Once again, Reza Pahlavi is a loser. He does not deserve any future office in any government in Iran. His father and grandfather have done enough damage to Iran. The Monarchy was just plain wrong for a struggling third world country like Iran. Iran should have become a republic more than 3000 years ago. Jacob Abd Al-Aziz Cohen Huge Romanian fan of Shahin and SepehrMy name is Radu Chiriac (from Romania). I'm a huge fan of Shahin and Sepehr's. Their music is great and puts me in a good mood everytime i listen to it. I have all of their albums and because i study classic guitar for almost 2 years i tried my best to play some sections listening to the records. i did't succeed. Their current website is not working so my only chance to "get in thouch" with their music was this email address. I would like to ask you for help in searching of some of the chords or partitions of their songs. I have some favorite songs, but for the moment I would apreciate any help from you on any song. If you have some Shahin & Sepehr chords or know where to find them please help me. Thank you and i hope you will consider my email. MercenariesIn response to Quiz "Hezbe...": Hezbe Khodforoshan. Pains and gains in marriageIn response to Rana Rabei's "The Renewed virgin": I would like to object to Rana placing all Persian (Iranian) men into one basket. We are different. We cannot be stereotyped. For one, I feel I have a high standard going back for a long time. Perhaps Rana would like to see my belief of sharing pains and gains in marriage as I have listed below: 1. My wife should have dinner ready for me when I come home from a hard day in the office. I only expect a good warm meal. My wife should remember that I am the master of the house and as such will always exercise my will with fairness and truthfulness. There are no places for questioning me. A good wife always knows her place. Be as chaste as womenIn response to Rana Rabei's "The Renewed virgin": Dear Rabei, There is a lot of truth to your article about Persian men who look for the stereotypical wife. Your analysis as to what leads them to be this way is also correct. I am a Persian man who came to U.S at age 16 and luckily I never got involved with the party life, drinking, and manwhoring. I stayed a virgin and found a lovely wife here as well. It is sad that some Persian men think that they are not obligated to act morally before marriage. I would subject men to the same rigid standards of chastity and moral behavior as women to save the sanctity and purity of life and family. 99% of the men all over the worldIn response to Rana Rabei's "The Renewed virgin": MS. Rabei, the picture that you drew of a Persian man's dream of a Persian girl is not only correct, but the same pictures is drawn and visualized by no less than 99% of the men all over the world. How long do Iranian women want to criticize the Persian men for wanting younger women to marry to? Do you think a Chinese, a French or a South American man would want it any other way? That is the way nature made the man, not because a younger girl is any better than an older girl with the exception of one thing -the young brings and produces a better likelihood of healthier child and a survival of the gene. This is not an Iranian thing it's the call of nature. That is why other male "animals" fight with each other until the strongest wins and he breeds with the best. Human inherited this animal feature as well. Iranian girls can deny this till the dooms day but that is the fact of life and not an Iranian "thing." Now, as for who is better from a human point of view, of course that is a different issue, age and being a pre-med does not bring happiness, but being ugly, nasty, grumpy, fat, lazy does not attract the man either and does not provide assurance for a happy life. Iranians by experience have seen their women change so much for the worse as they get older. In America the older an Iranian woman gets the more she wants to go to parties, dancing and concerts and mud wraps and they act silly. Not all of them but quite a large population of Iranian women do. That turns most husbands off with the exception of the few who are of a different cut. A good husband wants a good wife that wants to share good things with her mate. Iranian women only complain to their husband for not wanting to go to every freaking concert to be exposed to stupid low grade music and come home late only to get up and go to work. If Iranian women change their attitude and stop copying the western dogma, then the Iranian men drop their vague dream of a younger but innocent Persian girl. It is the purity and innocence that the Iranian man is looking for not the younger age. Please tell that to all your lady friends and I assure they will all be able to find good husbands if they stop the bad habits. I know quite a few wonderful men in search of such jewels while in their heart they dream of a virgin in vague. Dreaming is only a pain reliever and not the medicine. Hope you find these words constructive and not a direct attack to your opinion. Fereydoun Hoveyda was an Iranian treasureIn response to Asghar Massombagi's essay on Fereydoun Hoveyda, "Double life": Dear Writer, We Iranians have this habit of indulging in grandeur and coffee-shop intellectualism when we do not matter. I am sure Fereydoun Hoveyda knew that his ideas could not be executed in the Iranian society that later observed Khomeni in the moon. He was even reluctant to go back to Iran after his education was complete. Nevertheless, he tried to help Iran in his capacity. I would be the first to admit that monarchy was a quasi-dictatorial regime, but it did allow social and cultural challenges that Iran badly needed from pragmatic intellectuals. I hope Iranian youth remembers Fereydoun Hoveyda as a capable statesman and a true intellectual. In my book, Fereydoun Hoveyda was an Iranian treasure. Honest judgementIn response to Asghar Massombagi's essay on Fereydoun Hoveyda, "Double life": Dear Mr. Massombagi, Your piece reminds us that in the field of politics, honesty is the best business! Scaling Mt. MediocrityIn response to Azam Nemati's "Azam's secrets": WOW!!! Ms. Nemati has really outdone herself this time. In this pretentiously pathetic and churlishly uselss follow-up to her widely read disasterpiece....oops, I mean...."masterpiece," Make it your bible, Bubba, she woes her readers with a awe-UN-inspiring effort which again highlights her peasant-like skill in penning one-of-kind il-literature that is remarkably unremarkable. Eye openingIn response to Azam Nemati's "Azam's secrets": Hi Sister: I have to say that your article was very interesting, informative and for some men eye opening, it was also short and not boring and on behalf of an Iranian man I certainly appreciate your feed back. I enjoyed reading it and I would like to see if you would have similar articles published here or anywhere else, hope you have a wonderful holidays, thank you. Holding tightly onto my jawIn response to Azam Nemati's "Azam's secrets": I think I managed to "read" some of the nonsense, whilst holding tightly onto my jaw. Drop. Drop. Her diarrhetic drivel reminds me of a Somerset Maugham story where reluctant lots are drawn on a ship to "comfort" the woman overnight, just to get some peace and quiet. Could somebody please inject some braincells into this moron's skull or sacrifice a single night? Just for Christmas, please? I loved your pieceIn response to Azam Nemati's "Azam's secrets": I loved your piece and have, as a result, opened eyes! Helpful football tipsIn response to Mhammad Ala's "FIFA offside": really enjoyed your article "Wrong penalty", I had also posted one on Iranian.com, not sure if you have had the chance to take a look at it. I also realized that you teach management and since I'm about to complete my project management degree I was wondering if you can give me some helpful tips. Looking forward to hear back from you My wife grew up in Persia, IowaIn response to Jahanshah Javid's "Persia, Iowa": My wife grew up in Persia, and I have been there several times. We loved your articles. We are both teachers in South Dakota(about three hours north of Persia). My wife, JoAnne, used to be known to one of her professors as The Queen of Persia. We would like to hear from you and maybe even meet you some how. By the way, I teach ancient history, geography, and physical education at the middle school level. JoAnne teaches government, economics, sociology, and geography at the high school level. Return your comments please…..we would like to hear from you... Zoroaster, sex, & marriageIn response to Hiedeh Farmani's "Modern maiden": Hello Hiedeh Farmani: Very impressedIn response to Farah Ravon's Iran photo essay, "October surprise": I have just been looking at your October surprise photos in Iranian.com. I must say that you are an excellent photographer. I am very impressed by the way you captured the October mood in Iran; something which I miss very much. I wish you every success. Sar afraz va movafagh bashid. Turn the table on his assInspired by Shahriar Zahedi's "The Hypothetical": Grand Ayatollah Mohammed Fazel Lankarani has issued a fatwa on an Azeri writer said to have insulted the Prophet Muhammad. According to this, every Muslem has a religious duty to kill the writer. Now, this is not something new. The so called Islamic scholars have been issuing fatwas, asking the believers to kill in the name of Islam since Islam was born, and usually with little or no consequence. You should see this Grand Ayatollah's website. They make him sound like Newton of our time, an ocean of knowledge. But don't you think enough is enough? I was thinking to myself, why doesn't one of us, the freethinkers of Iranian.com, turn the table on his ass, and declare this creature an enemy of free speech, and freedom of thought, and humanity and civilization, and issue our own fatwa and have someone "whack the motherfucker first," before some moron follower of his could harm the Azeri writer? Does it make us as evil as they are? Hell, we have turned the other cheek long enough. For once let's answer evil with evil. Save your lies and hypocracyIn response to Mr. Ahmadinejad's letter to the American people As an Iranian-American, whom similar to 1.5 million other Iranian-Americans, has found refuge and freedom from the violence and hypocracy of the regime ruling Iran for the last thirty years, I would like to ask Mahmoud Ahmadinezhad, who calls himself the president of Iran, to stop writing hypocritical letters that embarrass himself. Speaking of hypocracy, rule by force, injustice, and violence conjures up images of no one more than those of Ahmadinezhad and the mullahs that have appointed him to his current office. Mr. Ahmadinezhad (or Ahmaghinezhad ("stupid origined") as you are know affectionately known amongst Iranians), was it the American government or your government that with its self-interested prolongment of the Iran-Iraq War killed over 1.2 million Iranians and Iraqis combined? Was it the American government or your regime that while bashing the "Zionist" regime bought weapons from Israel at 3 times the market cost to carry on its bloody war with Iraq? Is it the American government, whose system, dozens of millions of people have flocked to for freedom, or your dictatorship who is today one of the most brutal and repressive regimes in the world? Is it George Bush or Mahmoud Ahmadinezhad whose "election" was made possible by the "supreme" fascist leader and his paramillitary (basij)? If you are the defender of justice and freedom, then why don't you stop worrying about Palestinians for a second and look at the injustices and supression of your own population by your regime! It is the Iranian people who despite having struggled for democracy since 1906 and being from one of the most resource rich nations in the world today find themselves living in poverty and dictatorship. You and the masters for whom you work are the spitting image of injustice and coercion! Is it not your chief prosecutor Saeed Mortezavi who has his hands bloody with those the likes of Ms. Zahra Kazemi (Iranian journalist killed in 2003) or Akbar Mohammadi (Iranian student activist murdered in prison this past year)? Yet you make an example of this so-called jurist by rewarding him and sending him as your representative to the United Nations Human Rights Conference! Has your regime not imprisoned more journalists and closed down more periodicles in the last decade than any other government in the world?! Mr. Ahmadinezhad, other people may be ignorant of you and your regime's brutal and suprressive record, but the average Iranian and Iranian-American is not. Save your lies and hypocracy for your own propaganda machinery at home and leave the American people, including its Iranian-Americans, alone in your disgusting gimics and miserable excuse as the "president" of Iran! Buy rat holes and hideIn response to Mr. Ahmadinejad's letter to the American people and Jimmy Carter's book, "Palestine Peace Not Apartheid": Between Ahmadinejad's letter to Nobel Americans and President Carter's book: "Palestine: Peace not Appartheid", I think Dr Nourizadeh (Dr. of what? from which university -- tel aviv university?--), should buy rat holes for $5M and hide!!!! Mahmoud for (U.S.) presidentIn response to Mr. Ahmadinejad's letter to the American people: Everyone, with a copy of your letter in hand, is talking about it, all day long. People are gathering in community centers and libraries to discuss it and try to grasp every word of it. It's what university students want to talk about in classrooms. Parents read it to their children at bed time, and kindergarten teachers turned to rimes for the pupils. Bob Dylan turned it to his chart busting new single, while the Supreme Court is about to decide who owns the copyright to it. Churches put aside the Bible for a day to preach it. You must know, there is ugliness too; some radicals are pouring to streets and blaming Iranians for keeping you all to themselves. Some lawmakers talk about amending the U.S. Constitution, so you could be elected the next President. Can it happen!? They are both donkeysIn response to David Etebari's "Why don't YOU do it?": I agree with most of what you say and feel but do you really think Bush has got any facts to present or has any more dignity that the man over there? Have you even watched or listenned to this moron? If you think he does then you are missled too. They are both donkeys of the same breed, as far as I am concerned but thanks for expressing your feelings. They are both puppets. Educated men KNOW the Holocaust is a HOAXIn response to David Etebari's "Why don't YOU do it?": Ahmadinejad knows that Israel vs Palestine is the crux of ALL Mid-East problems. For over 50-yrs the Zionist Occupied Government (ZOG) of the USA has prevented a solution to the problem in the UN, while building the "shitty little country" into a military power. Clearly crossing the lineIn response to "Farse khar" comment regarding this news, "Ayatollah issues death fatwa on Azeri writer": Hello, I have been a devoted reader of Iranian.com for over 7 years and I admire the variety of opinions expressed on Iranian.com however, when someone titles a topic "Farse Khar" (The Donkey Persian) that is clearly crossing the line, specially when the news of an Ayatollah's stupid move has nothing to do with being persian. Please look into it! Thank you Funny you said thatIn response to "Farse khar" comment regarding this news, "Ayatollah issues death fatwa on Azeri writer": That's funny you said that. Lankaran or Languran is a city close to Astara in Azarbaijan so this Ayatollah is most likely a Turk himself! College culture at UMDIn response to Rana Rabei's "Support WHAT exactly!?": Dear Rana, I was 3 years an officer of ISF. You're right. It's not a cultural endeavor and lost that intention after the first few years of its founding. Why? Because the group is focused on large-scale productions. I remember my last year as officer, I actually boycotted the event that I helped produce. My cousin is friends with Farshid Amin, who performed at Norooz that year. Well, realizing that the Norooz was being eclipsed by "celebrity," I decided not to go. I spent countless hours making phone calls and bargaining with local kabob restaurants to secure a price that we could afford. I even applied for the Pepsi grant for ISF so that we could afford Moby Dick, Farshid Amin and other useless aspects of a production that lost its value to me. The group always seemed more like a social/dating scene. To me, the club was scared to approach smaller scale, cultural events that you speak of. Less people would probably show up. It has less to do with ISF, however. College culture at UMD is like this. I'm afraid it isn't just ISF... the Indian club at UMD suffers from the same problems... so does the Org. of arab students. Eventually I was outcast and maybe rightly so. I don't know how your criticism has been received. But I gave up on the group... if you want to do something daring, arrange an Iranian Cultural society... you're bound to have less participants, but also look for freshman who can sew seeds that will last.... because these sorts of things never last without good recruiting. Good luck at UMD! DC is nothing but parties, concerts, drugs and lots of sexIn response to Nazanin's "Don't blow off a challenge": Dear Nazanin, Change will come with change of mentalityIn response to Nezam Rabonik's "Have a problem with our agenda?": I could not resist writing a reply although I had promised myself to stay away from preaching. BUT, yes there is a but, I had to since I'm a former member of the Iranian Students' Foundation (ISF) at the University of Maryland. Also, I had to write a reply since I know Rana, Nezam, and Nazanin. I should start with responding to Nezam's second option for Rana. Nezam jan, many of us did think about starting a new organization. But many of us were discouraged to do so by Dr. Hakkak who encouraged us to give hand to those who "don't know much about Iranian culture." I remember the time I ran for presidency of ISF because I was simply tired of trying to help. I faced a lot of opposition, you included. It is sad to see ISF decline as a cultural organization day by day and convert to a huge party promotion "company". Yes fund raising is important fir survival of an organization, but you must not raise fund for a "cultural organization" by throwing parties such as the ones ISF throws. On the other hand I must inform you that there are other Iranian organizations in the area that contrary to what you think and wrote, do attract a much larger crowd than ISF. One such organization is GMU Persian group. In there indoor events, which does not even include food, they gather 2000 Iranians and non Iranians. So sorry to burst your bubbles, ISF is not gathering larger crowds. We have seen the same dances, the same routines, the same EVERY thing in ISF events for the past 4 years I must say. ISF has definitely diverged from its goal, which was written by many caring students such as Nazanin. I remember when we held our weekly meetings in the second floor of OLD stamp union about 6 years ago. When only 5 people would attend, but out of those five people, three were there to learn about the Persian culture. And they indeed learned. I can criticize the hell out of ISF and you know I can, but ISF would not change till we have the mentality that we have. We need to know that ISF sucks as an Iranian organization. I have given my unconditional support to ISF for the past 6-7 years and I will continue to do so. But let me tell you a short story about how ISF compares to other Iranian organizations. The last big event that you guys had, I convinced my girl friend to come and join me. She is a former officer of another Iranian student organization which is, now I know, much better than ISF. After seeing the same routine, same problems, same crowd that is there just for the food, and as Rana put it, for their Nordstrom shirts, I was disappointed and embarrassed. Disappointed to see that ISF has not changed a bit even with the new blood in it, disappointed to see the same exact routines with very minor changes. Embarrassed to have promised a great cultural show to my GF, but to find out the only great thing was the salad shirazi. A revolution in ISF has turned to the big red elephant, you all know needs to be done, and you are not doing it. I tried, and I tried and I tried and I tried and I tried, but I finally graduated. Many others did the same. Take a step back and look at what ISF is doing. Relatively speaking to the money they have, NOTHING. I have been involved with other organizations that have very little budget. They put up a show that would have your jaw drop. (I have videos by the way if you wanna embarrass the hell out of ISF members) so here are your options: raise these issues and realize you don't need those kinds of fundraisings to push ISF to the peak of fame mountain, or two, continue thinking ISF is doing a great job and those fundraising parties are needed till you see no other people in the stamp union ballroom but UMD students and their parents and some volunteers who are there for free food and the after party. Facts no one can denyIn response to video montage, "Kramer at the Laugh Factory": Kramer at the Laugh Factory is no laughing matter. The comedian was just doing a stand up act, but his words shed light on the dark past of this here nation. As Martin Luther King Jr. once said, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice evrywhere." In these days people of color and minorities should unite. Not so long ago, people were calling Iranians, "Sand niggers". Americans who are children of Iranians and Iranian Immigrants should be more sensitive to the plight of minorities. If it weren't for the civil rights movement of the 1960's, ie. the black peoples movement, anyone Iranian would also have to go to the back of the bus. In the U.S., black people were not free from plantation slavery until 1845. Women were not able to vote in the U.S. until 1920. This is a historical fact that no one can deny. We must as a people strive for justice. Let us not forget what happened to that Iranian college student at UCLA. He was tasered and beaten like an animal. Then he was handcuffed. And all this for not showing his library card ID. This all occured in L.A., a city with the most amount of Iranian immigrants than any other city in the U.S. Peyman Iraq will be able to govern itself once the occupying forces leaveIn response to Hossein Mirmobiny's "Khaavare Miyaaneh dar miyaane khoon": Regarding Mr. Mirmobiny's article in Farsi about Middle East and his analysis of what will happen if the US pull out of Iraq, I like to say that its essentially rumination of neo-cons and Israeli government propaganda. Let's think about it. Iraq is a country that has been able to bring the most powerful nation on earth to its proverbial knees but you say, if the US leaves, they will put their pants down and bend over for Iranian mullahs to take over. Iran and Syria's influence in Iraq have been exaggerated by neo-cons et al to the point of being comical especially since, it seems, mullahs started to believe it too. Let's get serious and stop the rumination, Iraq will be able to govern itself once the occupying forces leave. Nemidoonan koja berizanIn response to Quiz, "Why are they dancing": I know the answer. Why are they dancing? gherrrrrrrrrrrrrrr to kamareshon faravone nemidoonan koja berizan... hame ja hame ja :D Great brick layersIn response to Babak Nassirian's Yazd photos, "Baked in history": dear babak: thank you so very much for being so kind as to display your beautiful pitures of the great architectural design of the city of yazd. as an architectural designer, i do indeed appreciate the great skills of the brick layers. these guys were, so amazingly, so great at doing what they were doing without any drawings at the time of construction! at any rate, thank you again, sir. You need to go back to running your gas stationIn response to Ben Madadi's "There will be no revolution": with all dure respect. what the hell were you thinking when you wrote this article? what have you been smoking? have you forgotten executions? the mass murder of prisoners? you call iran a democracy? you must have tipped your boat. you have fallen off your tree. have you forgotten iran support for terrorism? killing of hundreds of intellectuals in iran and overseas? there's a famous saying. when nobody can figure out an outrageous opinion like that of yours, they say: "just follow the money". which brings us to the question: how much did you get paid by your masters to write this asenine and stupid article? you call reza shah, which in fact was shah of iran, reza khan. how long are you hezbos going to deny that there was a shah in iran at one time. and it was reza shah. and his son was mohammad reza shah. and his son was shah-zhdeh reza pahlavi. it's people like you, i.e. intellectual wannabe's who give intellectual a bad name. the kind that see khomeini's picture in the moon. or the kinds of "doctor" bani-sadr who justifies wearing hejab, because "scientifically" speaking women's hair emits a radiation or "jarageh" that makes men lose their control and orgasm with the sight of women's hair. you need to go back to running your gas station and leave writing articles to real intellectuals. with due respect, if you know what it is. Long live IRAN -- under whatever systemIn response to Ben Madadi's "There will be no revolution": Very interesting analysis Mr. Madadi -- Iran is neither a dictatorship, nor a democracy, neither an oligarchy nor a military junta, neither secular nor extremely religious as, for example, Saudi Arabia and many other Islamic countries (although many wrongly think it is!). When a foreign dignitary goes to Iran he has to meet not with one president or one prime minister, as in other countries, but with multiple sources of power: the Supreme Leader, the President, the head of the Expediency Council, the Speaker of the Majles, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs. So which one of these do you want to depose in a revolution?!!!! As this article says correctly, it is a system based on an ideology and that's why it is so difficult to overthrow it. And we thought mullahs were good enough just for "rowzeh khani"!!! Dar-ul-WarIn response to Amil Imani's "Dar-ul-Aman": I don't, however, disagree with your views on Islam and what it stands for. From day one it was a religion forced on people and rootless in its enforcements. The blade of the sword was on your throat and the question asked, "Islam or death?". So, you're not wrong at all about Islam not being of peace. Each generation is entitled to it's own mistakes and triumphsIn response to Areyo Barzan's "Blind visionaries": When Alexander started his campaign to invade Asia, he had 30,000-60,000 men in his army depending on who one listens to, but for the sake of argument let's say he had 200,000. When he reached The Persian Gate (tangeh'e Fars) he had already split his army into two, so let's say he had 100,000 men with him when he faced off with Ariobarzan. You say Ariolarzan had 1 man for every 1000 Greeks, that's 100 Persian soldiers to defend an empire. I don't care how brave Ariobarsan was; I want to know what kind of Persian Empire were we running back then that we defended it with 100 men. I think when the story of Arisbarzan was caved into your brain it carved too deeply because you don't seem to be thinking rationally yourself despite trying to preach it to others. For instance you claim "the intellectuals and graduates from the European and U.S. were responsible for Cultural Revolution in the Iranian universities, schools and academic institutions, and their need to wipe all references and memories of our imperial past from our books and mind..." All these times I thought the Cultural Revolution (1980-1987) was the work of Khomeini and Iranian theocracy that purged the academia of western and non-Islamic influences and brought them in line with Islam. The Supreme Cultural Revolution Council was established in 1984 after a decree from Khomeini, who was not educated in Europe or U.S. The Council has grown from seven back then to thirty-six nowadays of mostly mullahs. The head of the council is now Mahmoud Ahmadinejad who is another fanatic nut case and is not educated in Europe or U.S. He is now asking for the compulsory retirement of the university faculties and replacement of them with younger fanatic loonies, and forging his own brand of cultural revolution. I wish I had more time to write about your other historical errors but I have to go get some sleep now so I can think rationally tomorrow, I hope you would do the same. But I want to say I read your article several times and despite what you say "my point is..." I still don't get it. You want us to be shut up about Islamic Republic of Iran because it might ruin our great Islamic culture. Give me a break. Each generation is entitled to it's own mistakes and triumphs. Always go after the big fishIn response to Areyo Barzan's "Blind visionaries": Dear Mr. Barzan, Furthermore, how can you change people when a draconian system controls everything? The state is responsible for many organs making social traits, social characters and social criteria for rights and status. If you want firstly correct the people instead of rejecting the dictatorship, you will practically help the dictatorship to continue its political rule. Mahmoud for (U.S.) presidentIn response to David Etebari's "Why don't YOU do it?": Dear David, I admire young people like you who have the courage to get involved in the issues that affect our lives. However, you are making a number of errors that, according to your tone and sketch are part of being young and should be overcome by age. As an educator I am going to make sure that you learn those and become even a more effective communicator. We need you! 1. It seems like we both love America and naturally and obviously for different reasons. My number one reason is that this is the largest country in recent memory whose foundation was based on the triumph of truth over unjust rule of the biggest colonial power of the time. My biggest concern now is that the same nation is falling apar because falsehood has overcome the truth. While we hope that this tragedy is temporary, we should help it to change course and go in its original direction. What better inspiration than majority of us demonstrated during the recent election that we want to Change the course even though the die-hard are still resisting and want to take this country in the direction of one-man rule and dismantle all the institutions that made it America what it was six years ago. The bottom-line is that if you love this country do as other decent Americans do-Never lose sight of the truth. 2. In writing a letter to President Ahmadinejad, write also one to President G..W. and don't be afraid to point out his human rights violations, his venturing into other lands with no legitimate reason, no knowledge of the history, culture, religion of those people. Worse yet in the name of "war on terror." Use facts and figures and not a threat that you would write about these if... he wants. Mention the number of Americans and Iraqis and the expenditure of the American taxpayers to destroy a once "cradle of civilization" without leaving a trace of history for the future generations to learn. Tell him this is Information Age and not thirteenth century Genghis Khan period. If you read history, this is worse than that! Please emphasize this point because the next country he might bom is ours and yours if you care. Mentalities like those will never learn about futility of most wars especially all of the recent ones. Ask him why incidence of waste, fraud and abuse and crime-especially while collar crime had been on the rise under his reign. Ask him why the so called "War on Terror" has made more enemies for this nation and has energized the previously mild dictators to do what he does. 3. Always go after the big fish, so to speak. Life is so short even for a young people like you that you should use your valuable time to stop any destruction from the main source. As an analogy, when a dam is about to break would you devote your emergency forces to stop or divert the biggest stream or the little brooks whose total destructive force is much smaller than the big stream. Ask yourself how much time you need to make a difference in America as opposed to the time and energy and the wisdom of going to lesser countries and change things. Perhaps you know that in spite of America's flaws the world still follows America in almost all aspects of life-good or bad. This includes politics, freedom and democracy, consumption, drug use and abuse, weight loss, weight gain and even spiritual inspiration. In other words, as America goes, so does the world or something like that-not an exact quote. There are good reasons to believe that once again truth is replacing falsehood in America and the government of the people, by and tor the people will be reinstated again. While we hope for the best, we should never lose the sight of the fact that unless each of us do our share, hypocrisy, falsehood, arrogance, and ignorance will prevail again as it has often on the roller coaster of history. So, keep up the good work, young brother rand call a spade a spade! Ali A. Parsa Before ToosiOn first Iranian to conquer Evarest: I simply look at the bad sidesIn response to Shahriar Mostarshed's "Our place in history": When I wrote my article "Not that special: Persia and Persians before and after Islam" I expected to receive a lot of angry responses. I received none. And I was really surprised. I don't know why I didn't receive any angry responses. But I received some emails that really surprised me, they agreed with me. I write this to clarify one thing, that is important. In this article, which is a response to my previous article, there are a lot interesting things, and I don't disagree with them. I can't say I know about all of them for sure, but if I don't know some of them it doesn't mean they are not correct. My article is my opinion. I am not an anti-Iranian. I am no less patriotic than any other Iranian who thinks he or she is patriotic. In the response article I could not necessarily find concrete issues that would show that something that I had written in my article was wrong, mistaken. The issue is that I look at my home country in a critical way, finding, and writing about, the things that are bad, while most other Iranians do the other way around. I believe that self-criticism is productive. I do the same thing about myself, at least I try. I don't say that Iran is bad, backward and Iranians are so and so. Why would I be so about myself and my own country? I simply look at the bad sides. That doesn't mean the whole Iran is nothing but bad, wrong, backward and so on. I always write about the bad sides of Iran, Iranians, Iranian scoiety and culture, because I want, through self-critcism, to see things get better. I'm sure that my influence is extremyl insignificant, but maybe it is that little nothing close to zero, but it's not zero. Read my articles, if you enjoy, I'm glad for that, and if you don't enjoy then I'm sorry for that. What can I say? Everyone has his own way of life. Too many Iranians too often praise Iran. When I look at Iran and Iranians see problems and things that need fixing, and that's why we Iranians aren't doing well. Either we can be ignorant to our problems or we can find out and fix them. I am one of the few who is accpting to be emailed by angry people writing not so pleasant things, but not very often, and this is probably a sign that there are quite many Iranians (probably a minority though) who also think like me. Iran is a product of its leaders, leaders that have done a lot of wrongs to Iran. Maybe the future will be a better one, rather than the past to have been a better one, and I hope this will be the case, but I will still write about the problems and the bad sides rather than the other way. There are enough people who do the praising. Forfather's highness of spritIn response to Shahriar Mostarshed's "Our place in history": It is always good to know his roots even if unfortunately for us, as a popular proverb said "Giram pedar to bood Fazel az Fazle Pedar to ra tcheh Hassel" I hope somedays Iranians refound their forfather's highness of sprit. Orang Gholikhani Un-answered questionIn response to Houshang Pirnazar's "Capitalism, socialism, yaa....?": Dear Mr. Pirnazar, I enjoyed your article on Capitalism and Socialism in iranian.com and I found it very enlightening and an excellent review of humankind's quest in search of happiness. This search as you have shown is never-ending and in fact may end in more disaster and annihilation of humankind. I wonder if you are aware of this Ralph Waldo Emerson's prediction that, "The end of human race is that it will die of civilization." Obviously he did not mean a kind of civilization that enlightens and elevates the status of human beings, but the on-going kind of civilization that is heading to devastation. You were wise to leave the reader with an un-answered question of whether there is a way out of this dilemma. Perhaps Albert Einstein's Please keep enlightening us and tell us more about yourself as you seem to be an eminent scholar. It seems like you are the kind of Pir about whom is said, Bee Peer Marow Tow Dar Kharabat, Har Chand Sekandareh Zamani!. By the way, can you tell me whose poem this is? I am sending a copy of this to the iranian and one to you because iranian does not seem to print all comments. Ali A. Parsa Last will and testament of Darius I?In response to "Last will and testament of King Darius: Before I go": Dear sirs, I am not sure who to contact and perhaps you can help me. Is this a transcription of what is supposedly the last will and testament of Darius I? Darius I's romanticized willIn response to David Spratley "Last will and testament of Darius I?": Dear Mr. Spratley: I don't have access to my bibliographies at present, but if you look for Prof. Schmitt's articles in common databases (Iter or Jstor) you should be able to track some of them down. Manfred Meyerhofer also has some philological discussion of the text I think in the 1977(1-2) volume of the Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies.
>>> More in December 2006 Part 2 -- Part 1 |