Letters

January 2007

Part 1 -- Part 2 -- Part 3 -- Part 4

January 13

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Shouldn't we care more about our own deeds?

In response to debate over Anousheh Ansari's space flight:

It's been about two and a half months ever since Mrs Ansari traveled to space and Iranians are still discussing whether she did right or wrong. I don't want to be the next person judging Mrs Ansari's action. I'm not writing for this purpose. I wish to write about this reaction of the Iranian community, which is peculiar, and which is interesting for me as a subject for analysing the social behaviour of my compatriots, me among them.

I am sure most Iranians know about the biblical story of Jesus telling the crowd, who wanted to execute Mary Magdalene for adultery, "anyone without sin to throw the first stone." I am not comparing the "sin" of Mary Magdalene to the supposed "money spoil" of Mrs Ansari. I personally think that whatever the morality of Mrs Ansari's actions she did Iran and Iranians a huge good. It was one of the very very few times when Iran's name was mentioned in the world media with a smile rather than coming before or after words such as "nuclear", "terrorism", "threat", weapons", and so on.

Mrs Ansari did Iranians a great service with her travelling to space (which I consider courageous too, because it is risky) simply because her action was a welcome rare positive PR for Iran. There are so many Iranians who have contributed to the world's civilisation and bla bla bla, but nobody knows and nobody cares. We are not living in fantasy world. In real world we must be realistic. Beside all this, what does the average poor "hard-working" Iranian do with his spare money? Let the one without sin to throw the first stone! Do we know about Mrs Ansari's other deeds? No, we don't know. They may be bad, and they may be good. Why do we care so much? Shouldn't we care more about our own deeds? Probably yes.

It's just a Middle-Eastern habit to talk about others, judge others, blame others, complain about others, explain about others, and also when it comes to do something, expect it from others. What do we get for this? Loads of abusers, dictators, murderers, and the list goes on. We get what we deserve of course. And unfortunately this culture is so well penetrated and preserved with special Middle-Eastern stubbornness that so many Iranians have lived in the US for more than a generation and still haven't learnt that talk doesn't take you, and us, anywhere. I mean talking about others, blaming others, explaining to others how glorious our country and our culture is (more glorious than Kazakhstan, and we definitely deserve a double Borat for that) and how bad others have been to us.

It is saddening to see Iranians with their arrogance and stupid Aryan-Persian pride even look at other Iranians, no matter how great they seem, as some inferior beings who deserve nothing by suspicion and judgment. And when they are compared to Arabs they say "no, don't insult us, we are Persians!" So what? "We have somebody like Ansari, you know! Arabs don't." They have their own Ansaris, maybe compared to their numbers their Ansaris are fewer. But we as Iranians aren't that far from Arabs in our behaviour, and we have many more Khomeinis, Pahlavis and Ahmadinejads to talk about, while Arabs have their own Saddams, Al Sauds, Al Assads and so forth. We and Arabs must love each other more because we are so similar. Or if we think we are different, or if we want to be different, then we must first start with looking at our own sins, and definitely be grateful for those who make some exceptions and do other Iranians favours.

Ben Madadi

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What happened to the rest of Iran?

In response to Siamack Baniameri's "Ugly people":

Yes, I agree. Especially with the children and their faith, the deformed, the balds and the short.

Not sure about the addicts though.....they always have a choice!!! Kids don't! etc...

And you're right about the white mountains of Tehran and the monuments of Isfahan. What happened to the rest of Iran????????

Why don't we ever seen pictures of Zahedan, Bandar Abbass, Abadan, Sanandaj, Saveh, Marvdasht, Darab,......etc etc etc??

I would like to take your point one step further and dedicate 2006 to everyone who lives outside of Tehran!!

FB

PS...you're gonna piss off a lot of Anousheh Ansari's fans !!!!

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Well-said

In response to Siamack Baniameri's "Ugly people":

Fucking well said

Darya

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Porn-infested mind

In response to Siamack Baniameri's "Ugly people":

This is a stupid article. The writer must not have visited Iran since he fled that country, god knows when.

He needs to wake up. I don't even understand why The Iranian.com allows this guy to right articles like this. This is the same guy who said in his last writing that he spends most of his paycheck on porn sites. It is a shame to let him write negative from his porn infested mind.

Love Iran

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Great

In response to Shahriar Zahedi's "To tree or not to tree...":

Great article. I myself am a Christian but also celebrate the Persian New Year.

Anita Stephan

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No one said it better

In response to Shahriar Zahedi's "To tree or not to tree...":

Dear Shahriar,

Thank you for stating this so eloquently. I do not think I have heard anyone say it better. I wish more people did feel this way, we might be a lot
better off they did :)

Mahnaz

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I have no problem putting the tree on top of my roof

In response to Shahriar Zahedi's "To tree or not to tree...":

Dear Shahriar:

I agree that the root of Christmas celebration is from Mithraic celebration. In fact, December 25 was the day celebrated as Mithra's birthday. After conversion of Roman empire, Constantine, to Christianity around 378 AD, he passed a decree, ordering the whole empire to convert to Christianity (so he would have an eternity life), and disallowed the practice of Mithraic religion.

People, however, despite the conversion to Christianity celebrated Mithra's day. So the decision was made to move the Jesus birthday to December 25. Over the next century Mithra's birthday had disappeared and Christmas became the new kid on the block.

So I would have no problem putting the tree on top of my roof, had it not been so difficult to do, since this tradition was passed out to them from the old Persians. Another words, after 16 centuries, we are getting our tree back! However, I would never look at it with the perspective as a Christian would! Let's not forget that if it were not for the three Persian Wise-men (Magi), there would be no Christianity! as we know today!

Jon Goldust

About KWANZAA, please, this an Affirmative Action joke!

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Modified Americans

In response to Leila Farjami's "One more thing in common":

Not only "Anjaza Anjaza" was based on "Jingle Bell Jingle Bell", but also during early days of the revolution, John F. Kennedy's famous phrase saying "Do not ask what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country" was modified to "Do not ask what Islam can do for you, ask what you can do for Islam" and then attributed to Imam Khomeini.

My guess is that this was done by Dr. Ibrahim Yazdi, who was a then Green Card holder and who unlike most of Imam's devotees in America, actually read something American. But then again, if these infidel Americans dared stealing Quranic secrets such as the blue print of Saturn 5 construction manual (actual claim of my hometown's Ayatollah during the heydays of Apollo and moon landings,) then why can't we help ourselves with a couple of petty thefts.

Gorgahoo

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Distorting "Anjaza Anjaza"

In response to Leila Farjami's "One more thing in common":

Leila,

You have shown a lack of knowledge of the revolution, and specifically revolutionary chants and songs.

During the revolution we would hold hands and recite "La ellaha el allah, Vahda'u Vahda'u Vahda... anjaza va'dha... nasara abda..."

"Their is no god but God, ...The One, The One, The One, ... Kept his Promise... Helped his servant... "

This is Du'a Wahda, first recited by the Prophet Muhammad (S) after his peaceful victory over Mecca when they peacefully entered Mecca and held hands and celebrated divine victory.

Jingle Bells on the other hand was written in 1857. I doubt the writer of Jingle Bells had any familiarity with Du'a Vahda (Wahda). But if anything, Jingle Bells came after, so don't worry, the Baseej and the lovers of the revolution aren't going to be hurt by your attempt to distort history.

Dariush Abadi

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Institutional distortions

In response to Dariush Abadi's "Distorting 'Anjaza Anjaza'":

Dariush:

You have shown a lack of humor.

Also, of course, I know the history of the prayer! If you read the piece again, you'll know I am referring to the "tune"! not the words. When your prophet was verbalizing the words of his prayer, he wasn't doing it to music. If you call this distortion of history; what do u call distortion of the minds by institutionalized religions?

thanks for your comment any way,

Leila Farjami

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Mithraic traditions

In response to Mamoud Sadri's "Gift of Magi":

Dear Professor Sadri,

Thank you for a very enlightening piece...What a wonderful way to bring about a sense of shared roots and concurrently encourage pluralism, while we appreciate the contributions of each culture to presend-day traditions! I just wanted to share a couple of links that clarify further the link between Yalda and Christmas, and the fact that Yalda was the birthday celebration of Mithra. Also see here.

As you alread know the Roman army had adopted Mithraism, albeit their own version of it and carried their beliefs all across Europe. There are still beautiful Mithraeums standing all the way from Scotland to southern Italy and Eastern Europe. Mithraic traditions had permeated throughout the continent and beyond. It was a great pleasure and very refreshing to read your timely article. I am sure it will have a positive impact on our youth and Iranians abroad, especially those living in nations that are predominantly Christian.

A. Makki

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Christmas is for everyone

In response to Zohreh Ghahremani's "A season to be jolly":

Great article. Your descriptions of the rather sad over-commercialization of Christmas really hit me with its truth. I loved your anecdote of how you handled it with your kids. That's the way it should be in this multicultural country - Christmas is for everyone - not just for Christians (after all, it was originally a pagan festival and the tree is also a non-religious symbol). You captured the essence of this season/holiday and what it means or should mean to everyone in this country.

P. James

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Classic mistake of equating Jews with Israel

In response to Faramarz Fateh's "Maybe we deserve it":

As you suggest, maybe you are letting your dislike of Jimmy Carter get in the way of your thinking!

The issue here is that you are making the classic mistake of equating Jews with Israel, and I am not sure where in the middle of all of your gathering with your "middle-aged, balding, bulging belly" get together that came up, but that is not what Jimmy Carter is talking about. Forgetting about the fact that I find your suggestion that there is some sort of historical dislike of "Jews" in Iran very offensive, I am more insulted by your very inconsiderate evaluation of the issue.

Carter is not suggesting that all "Jews", least of all the Iranian ones living in LA, are creating an apartheid against the Palestinians. He is also not discussing the Palestinian involvement in the Iranian revolution. What he is talking about is the government of Israel and its policies towards people living in some villages between a wall and the river Jordan. Identifying with this issue does not have anything to do with any non-existent "historical" dislike of Jews. It is the unfortunate deed of that very same government of Israel for equating itself with the interest of ALL of the Jews in the world that has caused you to make such a huge mistake. Saying that Carter's critic of Israeli apartheid means that all of the jews are responsible for it is like saying that the Sourth African apartheid policies was the responsibility of all of the Christians in the world.

I suggest you read a book before criticising it next time around...

Khodadad Rezakhani

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Jimmy Carter should be applauded

In response to Faramarz Fateh's "Maybe we deserve it":

I was hoping your commentary was one of those tongue-in-cheek bits to raise people's curiosity. Although I still hope it is, I'd like to retort with my own bit of commentary, again, assuming that your commentary wasn't playing the part of devil's advocate. Our problem as humans is that we live in the present.

Whatever happens now doesn't have a past and it doesn't have a future. If we drive SUVs, it's not hurting anyone, and if the Shah was overthrown during Jimmy Carter's presidency, it was his fault and no one else's. Right? Well, you know the answer. When the Shah was installed in Iran in the 1950's, it was only a matter of time that he would become obsolete and useless to the powers who put him there. He did prove himself obsolete and useless and therefore, was taken down. Whether it was during Jimmy Carter, or anyone else, it was inevitable and it would have happened.

This aside, whether Jimmy Carter says is or not, the situation in Israel/Palestine is one of apartheid. I hope you're old enough that you remember what was going on in South Africa in the 1980's and how thankfully that system was overthrown. The Israelis have made it possible for an unequal system to occur. This has nothing to do with whether they're Jews or Muslims or Hare Krishnas. The fact that one group of people exert force upon another group of people and treat them like second class citizens is wrong. Even if Jimmy Carter were the most evil man in the world, he should be applauded for standing up and saying something that goes against his government's policy of supporting the Israelis no matter what they do. The world is not so black and white and nothing is so cut and dry. Don't you think?

Bahar Jaberi

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Latest trend in bigotry

In response to Ari Siletz's "Our sense of right and wrong":

I wish Mr. Siltez was right about the lessons of Holocaust in this country; given the multimillion dollar campaign by anti-defamation league against Jimmy Carter's provocative yet innocent book on the topic of Palestine, one would wonder if Arab and Muslim bashing has not become the latest trend in practice of bigotry.

Missing in action were all these so called voices of justice and freedom when the infamous Patriot Act & Military Commission Act (MCA) were approved by US congress. For every Schindler's List, there is the no-fly list and for every Pianist, there is a 24. It would be naive and misguided to suggest "we" have learned our lessons. Indeed the opposite is true.

Furthermore, the mass media conglomerates such as CNN hire people like Glenn Beck who openly advocate racism and discrimination against Muslims and people of Middle Eastern background:

No, Europe is not as worried about another Hitler as it is about whitewashing its past without full accountability and placing the blame elsewhere.

Hamid Karimi

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Anti-Iranian regime write-ups ignored

In response to Soraya Sepahpour-Ulrich's "Deal and no deal":

When Mark Twain said: “The universal brotherhood of man is our most precious possession.”, he was talking to James Baker and the rest of the Liberal left not to appease the terrorist regime of mullahs. Mark Twain was also talking to Soraya Sepahpour-Ulrich to stop her devious comparison of India’s democracy with the fascist despots in Iran. Mark Twain was hoping Soraya would stop defending the rights of Iran’s terrorist regime to nuclear technology as she does in this by only attacking US and Israel policies while kissing up with the mullahs as if she does not give a damn about the pain and suffering of millions of Iranians while she is enjoying her comfortable life in Utah/US.

Mark Twain was also talking to Nader Rastegar, the man who supported Khomeini in 1979 and the recent ex-NIAC board member, to stop calling the article of a pro-mullah, racist, anti US and anti Israel professor residing in Iran as “brilliant” in this posting where the so-called professor (most likely another mullah given an honorary degree) appears to have his head in some kind of a hole when he refers to Mosadegh as President Mosadegh :)

Mark Twain was hoping that these anti Iranians who are helping stationed in US to bring war and destruction to Iran by supporting the Hitlerite and racist Ahmadinejad, would instead and for the sake of civilization begin to speak with us in one voice calling for:

“The world community needs to know that Iranian regime is manufacturing four civil wars in the Middle East and that for the sake of humanity we need to help liberate 70 million Iranians who are held hostage by the non-Iranian mullah occupiers and their paid Palestinian and Hezbollah lackeys. The Islamic regime of Iran must be toppled if we are to see peace in Iraq and stability in the Middle East as the regime is murdering Americans and Iraqis and funding Hamas and Hezbollah to terrorize the humanity.”

Mark Twain and other scholars and countless freedom-loving Iranians are asking the Liberal left and the rest of the world to come to the aid of the democratic student movement in Iran (see here).

When Albert Einstein said: “Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former.”
he did not mean that humanity was that stupid for Soraya and Nader to publish or post any yellow cake rubbish and expect the universe to fall for it.

Mr. Jahanshah Javid, the Founder and Owner of iranian.com,

So far any anti Iranian regime write-ups I’ve sent you, it appears to be ignored and not printed. As if individuals like Soraya Ulrich receive especial and preferentially treatment. Yet, she bashes the last regime not treating people equally and not being democratic. I wonder what she says about your outlet! I also wonder why you are so reluctant to print pieces that are anti Iranian regime! I hope you do not intend to duplicate what mullah regime is doing, namely censorship. One way or the other, the Iranian community needs to get to the bottom of this and find out where your outlet stands and what its political agenda is.

Siavash
Bcc’d to many friends, activist websites and yahoogroups

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Excellent témoignage

In response to Azadeh Azad's "Among rogue scholars":

Bravo! Un excellent témoignage.

Mieux vaut tard que jamais.

MM

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Well thought out

In response to Asghar Massombagi's "Vibrant political life":

Cool Man! Congratulations for a well thought out piece.

Fathali

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Iranian democracy?

In response to Behrooz Ghamari's "The world isnt Florida and the U.S. isnt its Supreme Leader":

Dear Dr. Ghamari,

I read your article "The world isn't Florida and the U.S. isn't its Supreme Leader" with much interest. In this article, you write: "The US is not the Supreme Leader of the world with power to override the outcome of elections in other countries."

I have one question for you. Why does the Islamic Republic of Iran, with a so called democratic system of government has a "supreme leader" who can override any law or election result? Who elected this leader?

If the people of Tehran vote on whether or not women should wear hijab or Western attire, or for that matter, freedom to wear what they want, I bet with you that an overwhelming majority would vote for freedom. Now lets say a 56% of people of Tehran vote for this freedom. Do you think Khamenei would stand for such vote or would he override it?

I know that YOU know that he would override it. Common! How could someone with an advanced education who teaches at a reputable university call the Iranian system of government a democracy?!!

Faramarz Fateh
Los Angeles

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Insult to many millions

In response to Behrooz Ghamari's "The world isnt Florida and the U.S. isnt its Supreme Leader":

Processor, historian and sociologist Brother Ghamari

Your apathetic piece in Iranian.com shows that you belong to a category of dubious intellectuals with an eventual Islamist or Tudehist pro-IRI-style, if not, you must be a miserable stooge of the IRI abroad. Your analysis, or better said adulatory propaganda, on the IRI’s recent show elections proves this fact and betrays your clear supports for the IRI. Those who cast their votes for the IRI’s elections are either poor people having fear from IRI’s revenge or are stupefied by people like you or were mercenaries of the regime. However, in contrast to your claim, riggings and manipulations aside, the great majority of Iranians ignore these kinds of show elections.

Using the Bush administration to whitewash the IRI is as bigoted as if you refer to the History of Bolshevism, published under Stalin, to hide Stalin’s crimes by highlighting Hitler’s fascism -- by the way the propaganda book was of course translated by the Tudeh Party when Stalin was still their Gig Brother. Neither can your “president” Ahmadinejad deny existence of Holocaust to condemn aggression of Zionism in the Middle East. When you consider the IRI a democratic state, and approve the anti-Semite conference of the IRI, I wonder how credible your courses are Mr. Professor!

It is a shame that people like you, who still hypocritically or opportunistically call themselves intellectuals, are a part of Iranian Diaspora. Keep your analyses for your racist scum friends like a former KKK leader, David Duke or an Australian Nazi, Wolfgang Froehlich, who are all in your side to support fascist Islamic regime in Iran.

Mr. Professor! Your crap in Iranian.com is an insult to many millions of Iranian Diaspora who escaped the plague of the IRI.

Jahanshah Rashidian

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You still don't know all elections in IRI are staged?

In response to Behrooz Ghamari's "The world isnt Florida and the U.S. isnt its Supreme Leader":

After so many years, you still don't know that all elections in IRI are staged and they just bring out anyone they like out of the boxes to suit the situation at hand? Or you do know but are assuming that others are a bunch of idiots whom you can manipulate for several more years to come?

Shame on you,

Clare Johannes

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Stupid, male, ignorant Islamist

In response to Soraya Sepahpour-Ulrich's "Draft test?":

This idiot has no understanding about what the real issue is. I have red her garbage writings now and on, and the more I read, the more I am convinced that behind this female name and picture hides a stupid, male, ignorant Islamist who is has not the courage to stand for his ideas!

Rex Christie

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Palestinian problem

In response to Holocaust conference in Tehran:

Please do humanity a favor treat others like you want to be treaded, If you know a Jewish fellow name Ure Avneri then you will know even how majority of Jews feel about what you are doing in your selfish way to Palestinian people, I am sure if there was no Palestinian problem there would not have been this meeting in Tehran. I know it's hard for you to understand but I beg you to put yourself in the shoes of people of Palestine then think if this was done to you and your family would you stand for this none sense atrocity and ethnic cleansing that is going on.

I believe in the system of finger pointing but unfortunately the finger must be pointed to those who talk with fork tongue they say peace they mean WAR, and WALL. I hope you speak up next time when there is a Bait Hanon anywhere in the world because we are HUMAN first then every thing else. Please use some of your Jewish strength to wipe tears from the eyes of Palestinian children, it will do all of us lots of good.

Davood

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Western sexual occupation

In response to Hiedeh Farmani's "Modern maiden":

Mrs. Farmani,

First of all don't pretend that you live in Iran! You are not, and your command of the English language and your Kent say it all! Your mentality is more common amongst many Iranians living abroad who are lost and try very hard to be WESTERNIZED! Of course, I blame this regime too, since it pushed the women so hard causing resentment, revolting against the Islamic way,

Of course, there are some people in Iran who are like you, but you are such a minority and not a representative of our culture and values! In fact, you have no Persian value and you are disgrace to our beautiful culture! Your shallowness is very obvious! People like you want to be westernized by sexually to be liberated! West wants us to only learn that, nothing more! They don't want you to get the latest technology and be master of your own land and future! Just be preoccupied with sex when they are raping our land and our young minds! They spend a lot of money corrupting our minds and culture! When they succeed, they have won the occupation!

You justify the premarital affairs by saying how beautiful it is without mentioning all the problems with it! What about AIDS, VD, broken families, gangs, drugs, prostitution's, suicides, broken hearts, divorces, etc.? Of course, the traditional Persian family has its problems as any relations, but the society as whole is much better off than your interpretation of western thinking!

My kids go to the American schools, but not the same schools that you would send your kids! They learn about family values, and how to respect their bodies as a temple not a KAREVAN SARA, where everone can stop and rest for a short time! The Romans had no respect for their bodies where diseases were rampant in Europe, not in Persia! This is what differentiated the Persian culture from the Europeans! So please don't represent your disillusion mentality and your Kent as an acceptable Persian way! We are much better than that! You only learn the ills of the Western culture, not the Good they share with Persians!

Jon Goldust

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We should not be praising the action of a woman against another defenseless woman

In response "woman of the year :o)" comment above the title for "'Bad hejab' woman kicks chadori's ass" video clip:

Let me start by saying that i love your website and have been coming to it for years now. I thank you for everything that you have done for the Iranian community.

I understand that your slogan is "nothing is sacred" and that you constantly push boundaries. There is nothing wrong with that and I appauld you. However, I do feel posting a video of a young Iranian woman kicking an older Iranian woman and then nominating her as woman of the Iranian year is sending out the wrong message. Since when does violence merit recognition and admiration? I have watched the video several times. There is nothing in the video that indicates the 'bad hejabi' woman was under attack by this older woman for her to deserve such a response. We do not know the story between the two woman, in fact I got a feeling they were related, perhaps a family feud.

The point is we don't know! And I don't think we should be praising the action of a woman against another defenseless woman. I will be quite honest and say that I felt very sorry for the older woman. She was covering her head and retreating and I can tell you that by that reaction, she had not been in that kind of situation beforehand. Which further leads me to think that she is not one of those komiteh women, they certainly know how to handle a situation like that and would have backup, or at least others like them around. Anyhow, my point is it is best to stop and question before we get too excited over a video of woman getting kicked simply because she is wearing a chador.

Best of wishes to you and happy holidays.

Nazak

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See who's really full of shit

In response to Sean T's "She's a man":

I happen to know Sarvenaz and I assure you and other skeptics alike that she's so much more woman than you'll ever be a man. You supposed-men of the "I-know-how-women-think-and-operate" variety need a huge mirror to see who's really full of shit. I have nothing but pity for the likes of you.

I'm straight and don't particularly like to fuck in Farsi either, but I thoroughly enjoy her writing and admire her courage for putting her thoughts on paper. Iranian.com would be a lot cleaner if you stop contributing your bullshit. And stop speaking for me. I very much enjoy this site, even more with Sarvenaz in it. Next time, appreciate your freedom of NOT clicking on an article and try shopping for a few more brain cells instead.

Eenjaneb

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He most certainly doesn’t deserve you

In response to Laleh Banoo's "The big nothing is everything":

Thank you for such honest sentiments. It is so refreshing to note courage amongst our youth. There’s hope for us all yet. Your commentary was most importantly honest, beautifully written, and just so frigging good that the likes of Lance Raheem should cuddle up cozy under their pseudo-modern wings and suffer deeply. I sure hope he doesn’t end up in your bed (or mine, for that matter); he most certainly doesn’t deserve you. Having just gone through my first cancer surgery, chefteh dahanam baaz shodeh. I’ll have you know my bed is a very special place. I never thought of it as otherwise and neither should you. There will always be losers but it’s as much our loss as theirs, unfortunately.

Watch a few ancient SNL’s from the seventies (when they used to actually make statements); that would be Saturday Night Live to your generation; I do wonder if you are really a young woman in your twenties. Whatever. I wish Sarvenaz were living close by you because she’d have certainly given you that orgasm you so deserve.

Azar

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Call me

In response to Laleh Banoo's "Drought":

Laleh Banoo,

Give a call if you come to DC. I promise I show you around!!

Shahram

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Imagine how many good causes you serve in one CUT!

In response to Jahanshah Javid's "Doing the world a favor":

Dear JJ

Boy am I glad to see you vasectomized! You can't imagine how many good causes you serve in one CUT!

First, we won't see (at least for the next 15 years) yet another member of your extended family to be given unrestricted space to practise their writing skills (or most likely their lack there of) by writing crap feature articel on Iranian.com,

Second, you don't need to worry again for the little jj to go limp by the time you try to pull the condom on its head,

Third, Dr Tabibian can blckmail you into writing on your website by threathening to publish pictures of the small JJ on her website.

How's that for a start!!

Yours

Pasdar

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Made my decision way easier

In response to Jahanshah Javid's "Doing the world a favor":

Good luck to you Javid. I am planning to do the same. Thanks for the information regarding the subject. Your article made my decision making way easier. I have been postponing this for sometime.

JH

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Maybe that's why one gets addicted

In response to Jahanshah Javid's "Doing the world a favor":

Thank you so much for sharing your decision with us. Indeed nothing is Sacred in this website! That's maybe why one gets addicted to it!

Best wishes,

Shirin Vazin

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Heyf shod

In response to Jahanshah Javid's "Doing the world a favor":

JJ jaan,

heyfeh keh tokhmo tarakeye toro tuye in donya digeh nabinim; aaaakhey, mitunestim bishtar mohandes daashteh baashim, doctor daashteh baashim, najjaar daashteh baashim, mitunesti bishtar beh peeshrafte jaame'at komak koni......heyf shod:)

Leila Farjami

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Slip of the pen!

In response to Jahanshah Javid's "Doing the world a favor":

Ah what a brave, profound, and humorous photo essay you have there as the lead story! I loved it!

By the way, did you notice the typo in the answer to your “only question” in the brochure? Instead of “in some cases” it says “in come cases”. Given the context, Freud would have a field day with this as a “slip of the pen”!

MS

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Nobel Prize for "World Population Control"

In response to Jahanshah Javid's "Doing the world a favor":

Congratulations!!! Now if you could only persuade all the men in China, India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan to do the same then the next Nobel Prize for "World Population Control" belongs to you !

But seriously... good luck with the surgery!

N. Shafiei

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I don't think I'd have the guts!

In response to Jahanshah Javid's "Doing the world a favor":

Dude, you actually had a vasectomy???? Eek. Was it painful? Can you sit?

Does this mean you can stop shaving?????

Good on you, mate. I don't think I'd have the guts!

Kambiz

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I am saddened

In response to Jahanshah Javid's "Doing the world a favor":

I am saddened to learn that someone who has brought thoughtful communication, laughter, and a sense of community to myself and to countless others via iranian.com finds it inconceivable (pardon the unintentional pun) that he may one day again bestow the love, affection, respect, and joy for life which he possesses in abundance, upon a subsequent generation.

The world would be better off with more people like Jahanshah Javid, not less.

Abraham M. Greenstein

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Very selfish

In response to Jahanshah Javid's "Doing the world a favor":

Dear Jahanshah,

I know you already have a daughter from previous marriage. But what about your wife, Javaneh? She may want a child of her own. It would be very selfish of you to deny that to her! Don'y wory about the world'sover population! One more child does not change the balance!

Sincerely,

SN

REPLY: Javaneh and I are going through separation and divorce. The issue of children never came up during our marriage; that was not an issue. The issue was that I am unfit to be a husband, let alone father. -- Jahanshah Javid

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Khatneh and akhteh

In response to Jahanshah Javid's "Doing the world a favor":

JJ jaan,

Your visactomy pics reminded me of this old joke about and Armani who wanted to get circumsized in order to marry a moslem chick, after the operation he looks down and says

"Aaaay vaaay, man mikhaastam khatneh besham, goftam akhteh!"

So yeah my man, watch out there...

D.

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A noble decision

In response to Jahanshah Javid's "Doing the world a favor":

Our dear JJ,

Firstly, ekhtiar dareen... this world needs quite a few more just like you.

Secondly, this is a decision that you and your wife have agreed to make. Based on my limited experience with the subject (relatives and friends confide in me comfortably), as long as in years to come your young and beautiful wife does not decide to have a child of your own, vasectomy is a noble decision on your parts. Among the friends who have done this procedure, I have not heard of any such "arrowed" complaints after wards.

Thirdly, if you can raise another JJ, then there are many babies in the world to choose from.

Finally, it's so refreshing to read about such important personal matters on iranian.com.

Best wishes to you and your loved ones,

Monda

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Quick & easy

In response to Jahanshah Javid's "Doing the world a favor":

Having a vasectomy was the best thing that I ever did: for my peace of mind, for the over-populated earth, and for my azizam, who doesn't have to pollute her body with chemicals or otherwise worry about pregnancy. To all of you guys out there who are scared to have this procedure, I can tell you that:

1) it's not painful (only mildly uncomfortable, and much, much less painful than raising another child!).
2) it's quick and easy.
3) after having had a shaved scrotum you will never let the fur grow again.
4) it will not affect your virility (if you're worried about losing sexual stamina then you would do better to exercise, quit smoking and stop eating meat than to not have a vasectomy).
5) if you were previously able to hang a coat on your erection then you still will be able to.

WK from Montreal, Canada.

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More open-minded

In response to Jahanshah Javid's "Doing the world a favor":

I wished we had more Iranian men as open-minded and as compassionate as you.

Good luck,

SK

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Do it after 2 children

In response to Jahanshah Javid's "Doing the world a favor":

Mobarakeh inshalah. I support you 103%. The only side effect that I have heard is the possibility of some prostate problem latter on. Hey, I think every man on the face of this planet should do it right after having maximum of (2) children.

AH

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Maybe it would be cool and practical

In response to Jahanshah Javid's "Doing the world a favor":

first of all there can never be too many javids in this world. as mother of two I would love to see more. but maybe it would be cool and practical for you. that way you dont have to worry about keeping your erection while putting the damn thing on. something that happens as you get older! I loved the piece though. so jahanshah.

SS

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Will be thinking of you

In response to Jahanshah Javid's "Doing the world a favor":

Dear JJ,

Your "SNIP" photo essay has reached the parts, no other photo essays can ever reach!

You are just amazing! I will be thinking of you on January 18th.

;)

AA

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Interesting, good and funny

In response to Jahanshah Javid's "Doing the world a favor":

I'm a big fan of Iranain.com. I just read your photo essay "Doing the world a favor". I found it really interesting, good and funny, especially since it's written by an Iranian American male ;)

RB

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What a true bitter "avazi"

In response to Kobra Khanoom's "Tons of food, tons of happiness?":

I have never used this word in writing letters to this site, but after reading your stupid comment on Farah Ravon's pictures of Iranian dishes I have to use the word "ass"! What a true bitter "avazi" ass you are to write this stupid comment about these pictures on food! What the HELL do these beautiful pictures of Iranian dishes have to do with whether she had to put her scarf on at the airport or clean her make up and all the rest of the garbage you wrote? "Iran is suffereing because of people like HER" for putting these beautiful pictures of food on the site?!!

You're SICK and you really need help with your misguided and idiotic grudging hatred of the Islamic Republic ! Thank God people like you were thrown out of Iran for GOOD!!!

N. Shafiei

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Khosh keyboard

In response to Layla Khamoushian's "Kaffash":

Damet GARM, baa ehsaas. Good pen too... LOL "Khosh ghalam"!!! or should I say "Khosh keyboard"??

Bar gharaar baashi.

Majid

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You sure know how to make a fool of the Iranian people

In response to Holocaust conference in Tehran:

Dr. Ahmadinejad how can you pose with David Duke and proudly take a picture? Dr. Ahamadinejad do you know who he is or did they blind fully set you up?!

While I was growing up in the USA 42 years ago I always remember David Duke and his KKK clans who hated anyone but not white such as Blacks, Jews, foreigners, Muslims, and the list goes on and on.

How naïve can you be to put yourself in that situation. What about the Iranian foreign ministry? You sure know how to make a fool of the Iranian people. Shame on you.

Shahram

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Tradition of democracy vs. tradition of dictatorship

In response to Houshang Pirnazar's "Ayaa demokraasi badtarin noe hokoomat ast?":

I read Mr. Pirnazar's article titled "Is democracy the worst form of government" with great interest. I have been a fan of democracy for a little while now, especially ever since I lost my home land to a non- democratic system.

When one compares democracy to other forms of government only one thought comes to my mind-- Throughout the 20th century no two democracies ever went to war. Yet during those very same 100 years, the dictatorships of the planet killed more of their own people than their neighbors.

The secret to the prosperity of the United States -- May God bless that land -- and other western societies is that they have had a tradition of democracy. By the same token, the secret to the misery of the Islamic World is that they have had a tradition of dictatorships throughout their histories for the most part.

So is "democracy the worst form of government but better than all others"? as Mr. Winston Churchill put it? In my humble opinion, democracy is the best form of government and certainly much better than all others, including this mockery they call Islamic Democracy.

It is interesting to note that the only truly free elections held in the Islamic World in the past 1400 years has been in Afghanistan and Iraq and in the last several years. Guess what? George Bush imposed them upon them. But a society has to deserve democracy. I do believe that is where Mr. Bush went wrong however-- When tyranny has been beaten into a society's head for centuries, its chances of becoming a democracy are very slim. That society deserves civil war, suicide bombers, and the Sharia.

Mr. Pirnazar, please do not compare democracy to any other form of government. After all, Mr. Churchill did not make it through the 20th century.

Best of luck in waking up and smelling the coffee,

Kamran Behzadian

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Democracy: The bottom line

In response to Houshang Pirnazar's "Ayaa demokraasi badtarin noe hokoomat ast?":

I thank this gentleman for his clear, concise and essential writing about democracy. At first this article reads like a reminder lesson in political science for the layman but it opens up sophisticated questions such as the need for political education for the masses and restructuring of the collective cognitive values.

The bottom line at least for me, comes in the following points:

1) those in power by their wealth would not allow public awareness to expand past a certain necessary level in order to qualify their politicians by merit (effect of mass media)

2) improving social conditions through democracy is only productive if the diverse groups are considered (issues of human rights)

3) this country under "dictatorship by the rich", may be the best dictatorship

I am motivated to read Durant's dictatorship models.

Monda

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Legally worthless

In response to Mazloom's "Women-only taxis":

Mr Mazloom wrote: "Yes for those ignorant westerners women in Iran do drive vehicles. They passed that milestone decades ago..."
To begin with, western men are no more knowledgeable about about whether women can drive in Iran or not so it should have read "those ignorant westerns in Iran...".

Furthermore it's not ignorant for people to assume women aren't allowed to drive- after all you can get hung for showing your hair in public (as one young lady was), can't attend some sporting events, and your life is legally worthless.

Furthermore look at the countries that have the lowest literacy rate and they are 90% Muslim. Yet I don't preface comments with "Yes for those illiterate Muslims..."

MissX

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Palace uprising

In response to Los Angeles Times article, "In Defense of Persian Palaces":

In response to the article about Persian Palaces, please provide a link for your readers from the Wikipedia "Persian Palace" entry.

Please note the end of the section titled "Community opposition" in the Wikipedia entry.

Thanks for your time.

Iraj az Tehroon

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Dubious views

In response to Soraya Sepahpour-Ulrich's "Deal and no deal":

Reading several purposeful articles in Iranian.com, I realised an increasing shadow of so-called Iranian intellectuals who abuse Iranian media in the West to get publish their dubious views.

Several bearded brothers aside, for example, Mr. Ghamari and Mrs. Ulrich recently also wrote articles using Bush and Reza Pahlavi as scapegoats to malignly hide IRI’s black records and its flagrant crimes against our people. Although, people like Bush and Reza Phlavi can be righteous blamed by all Iranians, but nobody can opportunistically use them to cover up the plague of the IRI.

Purposeful writings of these Iranians in Iranian media in the West in fact exonerate the IRI from all its black records of human rights and its crimes against humanity. Their deliberate silence about the anti human nature of the IRI remains their main puzzle. In fact, they attempt to divert people from the domestic problems; they play ignorant card by being deaf and blind towards what all freedom-loving Iranians are comforting with high price. They ignore so many thousands of executions, torture, prison and nationwide suppression in Iran.

I am sure that Mrs. Ulrich’s recent articles can be equally posted in the media of pro-regime in Iran, of course, with a “decent” photo!

Jahanshah Rashidian

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We are no better nor any worse than others – just different

In response to Mazdak Maleki's "I am NOT ashamed":

I would like to commend Mr. Maleki for his opinion piece “I am not ashamed”. In truth, we each represent our country, Iran. We cannot shrug off our roles by hiding behind Cyrus the Great or pointing the finger at the IRI, nor will our efforts be diminished by what takes place in Iran or in the international arena. Shame only comes into play when we fail ourselves and therefore our country. Shame is applicable when we try to hide our heritage and appease those who look down at us, regardless of what Iran may be going through at this juncture in her history. Shame applies when instead of defending our homeland, we point the finger at nationalists and call them names. As Mr. Maleki correctly pointed out, we, the people in the West, are the minority, but we can have a very positive impact on the people who meet us. We do not need to 'shrug off shame' by brining down other Iranians.

I personally did not look favorably to the Holocaust conference in Iran because if it was meant to demonstrate free research and freedom of speech, therefore the same freedoms should be practiced at home; however, as the article correctly points out, there should not be a ‘muzzle’ on people. I was delighted to see Irvine freed on bail in Austria so quickly after the conference. Coincidence?

Finally, I wish that as Iranians we would stop looking down at everyone, Arab and otherwise. We are no better nor any worse than others – just different. Superiority is in thought and action and we certainly are not in that category by displaying so much prejudice. After all, isn’t that what is causing so much conflict in the world?

Soraya Sepahpour-Ulrich

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No help needed from idiotic Ahmadinejad

In response to Mazdak Maleki's "I am NOT ashamed":

The article "I am not ashamed" contains so much mistakes I was puzzled where to start. So I copied and pasted it into Microsoft Word, closed my eyes, rolled the pages up and down, pointed my figure at the screen, and critiqued three of things. I hope someone else would also reply to it. Here they are:

Paragraph 2: "(blaming it on the Arabs Iranian abroad) want to give the impression that it is only a minority of Iranians who adore and worship the "rule of the Arabs", and that the majority are true blue descendents of Cyrus the Great." Funny, I always thought that thousands of displaced Iranians living in Dubai, Kuwait, and other Persian Gulf countries are reduced to fake there identities to make themselves look more like Arabs. I don't believe for a minute that they are trying to say that they are true blue descendents of the Persians in Arabian counties. They don't like us really, that's why they want to change the name of the Persian Gulf to Arabian Gulf.

But sarcasm aside this writer is most likely is talking about Iranians living in the USA.

Paragraph 5: "... why are Western governments trying to put a muzzle on people wanting to discuss it (Holocaust)?" I ask you, What European country is stopping discussion of Holocaust or any other subject? The Europeans consistently examine and re-examine their history. In Germany, Immediately after the war people started debates and discussions to find out whys of the war. In contrast in Islamic Republic or Iran (IRI) many issues of the Iraq-Iran war is still untouchable even after twenty-four years.

But sarcasm aside I believe the writer is asking why Holocaust deniers are brought to court of justice in some European countries. To put it simply after the defeat of Nazism in Europe, some countries feared the rise of Neo-Nazism, which among other things were deniers of the Holocaust. The laws that criminalized Holocaust denial are not forced upon the people of those countries by a dictator. They have been established by the people of those countries through a democratic process. In many of these countries after the society is feeling assured that the chances of the rise of Neo-Nazism is null, a new democratic debate is going on, whether the freedom of speech should or need to be restricted in that regard. These debates do not need any help from idiotic President of IRI.

Paragraph 6: "Shutting people up who have a different opinion will only make heroes out of them." In that respect if the Shah of Iran had given permission to Khomanie to have his own radio and television programs in 1960's and 70's people would have seen him for what he was and not made a hero out of him. Maybe, maybe not, but in regard to Holocaust conference attendees in Tehran, I don't believe any of those attendees will be regarded as heroes, silenced or not.

Mazloom

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Bravo for expressing it

In response to Mazdak Maleki's "I am NOT ashamed":

Thank you, thank you, and bravo for expressing what will be sure to cause a lot of negative reaction. Indeed, this article fits the profile of "nothing is sacred" and succeeds to support freedom of expression. You have eloquently voiced the kind of truth that the rest of us may feel, but not dare say!

Best, always,

Zohreh Ghahremani

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Hearing from Holocaust opponents

In response to Mazdak Maleki's "I am NOT ashamed":

I have to agree with you 100%. We left a revolution that basicly said keep your mouth and thought shut or be shot. The fact that the west is acting the same way by making it illigal to discuss the Holocaust makes one wonder why.

My generation (x gen) only knows of the holocaust thanks to Stephen Speilberg. I for one would like to hear the opposition on their thoughts of Holoaust (not so much from a Ku Klux member).

I would like to feel free to know what proof does the opposition have to deny what happend, how it happend, how many were killed? How could a self proclaming democratic society or a libral (so they say) media not allow or permit anyone to bring this issue up?

Hadi

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Not ashamed either

In response to Mazdak Maleki's "I am NOT ashamed":

Dear Mazdak,

What a well balanced and exact to the point article. I am actually ashamed, but only of those who constantly express all kind of outrage about the conference or attacking Ahmadinejad appearance without offering any thing sensible and that actually points to any thing with substance. I appreciate your viewpoint and expressing.

Mehrdad

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I completely agree

In response to Mazdak Maleki's "I am NOT ashamed":

Well put, Mazdak. I completely agree with you on this.

By the way, I would add “piaaz snorting” to “chelokabab eating, doogh drinking” phrase.

Nasser

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Obviously not touched by the horrors of the Holocaust

In response to Mazdak Maleki's "I am NOT ashamed":

Maz, I thought to greet you in your native tongue first! Yes, that's what you reminded me of when I read your complimenting JJ for his motto: Nothing is Sacred :)) As my dear JJ knows — and I am sure he would admit it readily — his motto too has its limits - I tested it a few years ago (evidence available) and was only too happy to accept JJ's admitting the limitation of this motto - JJ dear sorry that I had to bring this up but blame it on Glad Dum (in Danish) Maz.

And as for the Holocaust Maz, there are conferences and exhibitions on the Holocaust around the world every year but not to deny it as your friends in Tehran were bent to do. Obviously, neither you nor your family were touched by the horrors of the Holocaust - this is why you can afford to philosophise and remain so insensitive about it. And boy I am so relieved to see that your character is not defined by what your government does. The only question is: how do you define your character Maz??

Parkhash

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Is this the democracy you want?

In response to Mazdak Maleki's "I am NOT ashamed":

Bravo Mr. Maleki (not to be mistaken with the Iraqi prime minister)! You hit it right on the nail! Many Iranians abroad are either brain washed, they think too much like westerners, or may be they realize the impact of those conferences on their image and how they are perceived, by saying that they are ashamed to be Iranian! Ashamed to be Iranian? I am ashamed having Iranians like them!

I can be ashamed of the Iranian government or some Iranians with bad moral ethics, but I always am proud of my heritage! Persian culture is one of the best in the world (if not the best), but unfortunately many nowadays decide to break it! That is not the fault of the culture, but the persons and many other factors! if this is a new wave, don't tarnish it by calling it a Persian culture! How many of them really are following the pure and beautiful Persian culture? If they were, they wouldn't insult our culture in front of the world!

You cannot pick and choose! One might say, I am proud of being an Iranian because of Dariush and Kourosh (Cyrus), but I am ashamed to be an Iranian because of the current president, but I might be proud again depending who would be the next president! Be ashamed of the president all you want, but don't mix it up with being an Iranian! Do you feel ugly too when you see Ahmadinejad on TV? What kind of logic is that?

Why German-Iranians aren't ashamed being an Iranian when their democracy does not even allow debating the holocaust? Is this the democracy you want? The question is not even if it happened or not, since it did. The question is whether in a democracy you have a right to question the obvious! Is it because they are the chosen people with a lot of money and political influence that nobody can question them? it is the arrogance, or other hidden agenda that causes them to silence the world? Most of the world is aware of the holocaust, but not many know that tens of millions of Russians as well as other Europeans died as well! Why aren't they mentioned much? Why the people who deny that are not put in jail in Germany? Because they were poor and not chosen?

Every human life is valuable regardless of their background, and one should not have a monopoly over the unfortunate deaths during the wars! People die during the wars! Why people are allowed to question the Armenian genocide, and the Turks deny it, without people being put in jail? Where is the west's outrage? Is it because they think that they are not as worthy of human beings as they are? Or because the Armenians don't have the organizational skills, money and monopoly of the media as THEY do?

I never heard THEM talking about other millions who vanished in wwl, or ll, or got killed in Iran-Iraq way, or the current war! Now this is tragedy for the mankind! One cannot expect the world's sympathy without having one for the world!

Jon Goldust

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Giving historians a chance

In response to Payam Bakhaje comments on Holocaust conference in Iran, "I have no word to describe how angry I am":

It is so sad to find you incapable of analysing the most simple things in life. What this conference is doing is giving a chance to many historians who have never been given the chance to provide the public with their findings. And yes, Iranians would love to have an international conference investigating Saddam's crimes against Iranians, why not? Is there any historian who's disputing that?

The present conference in Iran is very valid and well due for all to find out what researchers and historians say on this issue.

Wishing you clarity of thinking,

Pepety Khoosar

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Only liars can be afraid of being exposed

In response to critics of Holocaust conference in Tehran:

Why are you and other people here so afraid of discussing the holocaust? If 6.0 million Jews were killed, there must be many proves. If there is proof, why afraid of showing it to the world. Only liars can be afraid of being exposed !!!!!!!!!!

Arshad

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So where is this sacred "free speech"?

In response to Amy Joon's "Holocaustitis":

Very nice and true to the point article.

Regardless of who was at the conference, who hosted it, where it was held, and what topic they were discussing, is there any other name except HYPOCRISY for all the "sar-o-seda" that the west has raised over this conference? In the west you can insult Jesus, Muhammad, Moses, and every other figure in politics and religion; you can say whatever you want about any historical event, you can even deny the existence of God himself (or herself!) and all this is tolerated in the name of "free speech". So where is this sacred "free speech" when someone excercises it and denies the Holocaust? Why is it such a big deal for someone to say it did not happen? It's just an opinion and everyone is entitled to expressing his or her opinion peacefully? What are they afraid of? That the taboo might be broken?

When people in Iran, or anywhere else, express their opposing opinion and they are imprisoned by the government hell breakes loose with the western media that people are imprisoned for expressing their opinion and Human Rights Watch revs up its engines. So where are these liberal democracy proponents when people are imprisoned in Germany and France for expressing their opinions on the Holocaust? As we say in Farsi hypocrisy doesn not have "shakh-o dom" -- this is hypocrisy and double standards -- pure and simple.

N. Shafiei

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Strong points

In response to Amy Joon's "Holocaustitis":

Strong points written beautifully. The best article we ever read on the subject. Best wishes to you and your loved ones.

Keep writing,

Monda, family and friends

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Reza Shah was no Nazi

In response to Jacob Cohen's Holocaust comments:

Dear Yaghub Kohan Jan,

From NY/NY or whatever your true name is which I do not doubt nor question, but it does sound strange to hear an Iranian American Jew be so ignorant of historical truth and particularly historical ties between the Jewish and Persian people that go back to the very foundation of Iran as a nation that is to the time of Cyrus the Great, Foudner of the Persian Empire.

Thank you for taking the time to read my article/response "Banalization of history". In regard to your observations:

For your information, I am quite well informed on the subject of the Pro German or if one wants to stretch the accusation (albeit highly exagerated) towards the Pahlavi Regime's founder for his Pro-Nazi sympathies.

You are not teaching me anything. ;0)

It should be noted that Reza Shah the Great as he is remembered in Persian History textbooks even to this day cannot be seriously accused of being a Pro-Nazi given that Nazi theory was never implemented in History books in Iran under his reign and even much less under the reign of his son the last Pahlavi Shah and King of Iran. Never were Iranian jews or minorities deported or subject to racial segregation until the advent of the Islamic republic. In fact Persian Diplomats under Mohamed Reza Shah even managed to protect Iranian Jews in France and Europe who risked deporation by the Nazi's and amongst them non Iranian Jews. The most famous case is the Persian Schindler on whom the Marhoum Fereydoun Hoveyda (who cannot be suspected of any particular sympathy for the Shah of Iran ) chose to write on in his VERY FIRST paper for the Iranian.com:

Iran like basically all Muslim countries of the time was pro-German by opposition to Great Britain. This was the case of Turkey, Egypt, Syria, you can basically name them all they were for the most Pro-German Sympathizers. The reason was that German technology and nationalism was considered as a sign of modernity. It was certainly a wrong assessment and history proved quite justly that they were mistaken to think that the Nazis were simply interested in Freeing the region from British imperialism, very much as today fundementalists want to rid the region of an American presence and supremacy. It is a logic that can be understood even if one does not share it.

Nazi ideology (long before the knowledge of Nazi Holocaust that was truly revealed in all its horror only after the liberation of the Camps and the revolt of the Ghetto of Warsaw) seduced and misled many people and not just in dictatorial regimes or military controlled societies as was Reza Shah's regime or that of Ataturk. People like aviation pioneer Linderberg, French philosopher Louis-Ferdinand Céline (author of a literary masterpiece "Voyage au bout de la nuit" whose literary quality is not questioned to this day), Hege author of Tintin comic books who worked as caricaturist in the Petit Vingtieme a magazine that was supportive of German occupation of Belgium, the King of Belgium (Father of Bedouin) during WWII, President Petain hero of Verdun who capitulated to Germany and launched a policy of collaboration that resulted to the deportation of thousands of Jews. King Edward VIII who abdicated in favor of the current Queen Elisabeth's father. Even the Pope of that time (sorry forgot his name) collaborated with the Fascists and Nazi occupiers and closed his eyes on Jewish deportation as well as other Nazi crimes during his pontificate. All these personalities were to different levels supportive of Nazi Germany or seduced by the German image of discipline and efficiency that Hitler wanted to promote.

To acknowledge the level of responsabilty of a nation or political figure, celebrity or public person as was the case of the people mentioned above is one thing to consider them on the same level of guilt as the perpetrators of the Holocaust like Eichmann, Dr. Mengele, Heinrich Himmler head of the Gestapo or other Nazi criminals and ideologues is totally a different matter. How can one seriously put Herge on the same level as Petain? How can one consider Hitler's crimes in regard to the Holocaust and for instance Franco in Spain which allowed Jews and Resistance groupes to take refuge. True Franco and Mussolinis regimes were clearly dicatorial but even Mussolini's Fascist Regime did not apply or Attack Jewish interests or deport them before Nazi Germany put the Duce back in power and persuaded him to also apply anti-jewish laws of Nuremburg. Marginal Nazi parties flourished nearly in all European capitals including the US and Great Britain. Iran was no exception to the rule but these parties were marginal and did not have any governmental posts.

To accuse Reza Shah's reign to that of the Nazis and his level of guilt in the rise of anti-semetic sentiments and the Holocaust in History would be as absurd as accusing Herge of anti-semitism or questioning the current Pope Benedict XVI piosness by reducing his entire religious life to his young years were he happened to be a member of the Hitlers Youth like most young germans who were forced allegience to the Regime through propaganda and even at times threats on their families if they did not join the Party.

The Nuremburg Trial was a totally independant court and established the record of the Nazi crimes. Something that the current scandelous conference that Mr. Ahmaninejad has questioned the Validity. A first in the annals of history since the end of WWII. On behalf of a nation that even partipated in the war effor since Iran was considered by the Allies as the Bridge to Victory and that the Iranian Army even paraded in London for the Victory Parade.

Mr. Ahmaninejad's Conference is definitively a very serious negation of historical facts. It has nothing to do with being a monarchist or a Republican or prefering one system instead of the other. What the Islamic Regime in the person of Mr. Ahmaninejad and his Holocaust Conference demonstrate is clearly a negation of historical truth and facts long established.

As for the Pahlavi's regime anti-semitism, I am afraid you are totally mistaken particularly that Reza Shah abdicated in 1941 therefore largely before the holocaust Solution was even undertook by Hitler and your arguments clearly fail if applied to Mohamed Reza Shah who was a clear ally of Israel and the Jewish minorites throughout his reign.

As well as all other religious and ethnic minorities in Iran: I am very happy that the pictory section of the Iranian.com I largely contributed too can be of some use in these debates.

They can serve as evidence to both historians and anyone interested in that era. I think it is all the more urgent for Iranians and non Iranians to look through them particularly in our era threatened by historical revisionism.

Best,

Darius KADIVAR
Paris FRANCE

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If I had shown a burning cross, maybe

In response to Joseph Shamis, "Insensitive to Christians":

Dear Joseph Shamis,

The logo I made for iranian.com was not intended, and it is not a representative of Christianity. If Christians are offended by it, that's their misunderstand of it. However as you say you think this is insensitive to Christians, but I am guessing you don't know for sure. I have shown this logo to some Christians and nobody has said anything about it been insensitive. If I had shown a burning cross, maybe.

The symbols in the logo are not Christian symbols. Jesus, if he is a real historical figure, was most likely born some time after winter when the herds were grazing in the fields. In the region were he was born it does not snow much, let alone enough snow to make a jolly snowman with a Bowler hat and a red scarf. The boxes of gifts nicely wrapped with wrapping papers and ribbons do not represent Christianity, but modern age free market economy, although the tradition of giving gifts in the religion of Christianity is a noble tradition. Jesus was not born under a tree, especially under a coniferous tree. He was most likely born in a dwelling, which at that time and even nowadays in some of the dwellings in that part of the world had a section for keeping domesticate animals within the confinement of the dwelling.

The flashing lights in the logo could have been associated with the Christianity if it had a lighted star of Bethlehem on top, but as you can see I have lights all around the tree blinking except for the one on top. I could have easily made that one flash also, but I didn't want it to be thought of as a representative of Christianity. And, the candles are nothing but I's in Iranian.

So the logo is just a holiday logo, and nothing alse. The holiday, which is around this time of the year, has not originated from Christianity, but Mithraism and birthday of Mithra on December 25 th, and the fact that after the Romans adopted Christianity as their official religion they tried to distance themselves from cultural influences of Zoroastrians and Persians.

Jahanshah Javid, although he says all he wants to be is to be a journalist, I believe has a grander agenda. One of them is his Nothing Is Sacred agenda, which I hope reaches a religious fervor in Iran sooner than two thousand years. Freedom of expression and speech does not mean all nice things all the time. As we see in the west all kinds of crap gets published in the name of freedom of expression and speech. If we want to change our culture to a new one, which is tolerant to others, we need to prepare ourselves to allow people like Hossein Hajiagha to express themselves also.

I am afraid criticizing the iranian.com's holiday logo will not do. If you really want to criticize my work there are better candidates in my Cartoon Rendering, Animation, and Photo Paintings (CRAPP) archive.

Mazloom

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Freedom of speech at its best

In response to Payam Bakhaje comments on Holocaust conference in Iran, "I have no word to describe how angry I am":

Hey dummy,

What happened in Iran with a conference questioning the holocust is freedom of speech at its best. If you are dismayed by the "HallowCast" stories, that is your problem. Go suck your thumb. May be Israelie lobby in USA will send you a check!

Ali from Iran

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....... Sharm

In response to dog-killing video:

Agar daste man be in jenayat kar ke intor heyvanat ra mikoshe ba in bi rahmi yek goleh khode man aval be pash bad be mokhesh nesar mikardam man tarafdare hemayate heyvanat hastam be nazare man kare shoma dorst nist in no flimha ra dar web migozarin kash fori be kanone hemayate hevanat in flim ra midadin ta dar web site khodetan ja aghar kasi hastin ke in karo kardin bedan rouzi peydat mikonam ba daste khodam to ra mikosham aval jaret midam ta dard bekeshi bad khalaset mikonam aghar nistin shoma plzzzzzz in flim ra as web site pak konid sharm bar ma ey sharm bar in jenayat karan in heyvanat ba favatarin mojodadt hastan eiy ensanhaye kasif sharmetan bad ensan nama ( hayola).

man as janet anjomane hemayate heyvanat ba shoma tamas gerftam

yek irani heyvan dost ta in ensan nama ke mikham sar be taneshan nabashe .... sharm

Shirazi

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IRI Rabi?

In response to Meir Javedanfar's "Challenges and challengers":

Mr. Javedanfar, Shalom, Salam,

Fur a category of people like you; it is hell difficult to know from which horizon you appear out and into which hole you get lost. Since your homeland is Israel, I wonder what determines your relation with the IRI? For whom do you really work? Were you not recently in the Tehran anti Semite conference as one of those pro- IRI- Rabis, or a paid “Middle East analyst”?

After all, you are lucky that Iranian.com publishes your bullshits.

Jahanshah Rashidian

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No position to preach

In response to Mamoud Sadri's "Gift of Magi":

Brother AL- SADRI,

Keep your preaches for a little portion of Iranian Muslims in the West, who go to your Islamic institutions like Mosques, Twaheed centres, Ashora-mourning ceremonies, and etc. Most Iranians in the West escaped the plague of Islam and bearded Muslims like you.

Do not be so rude, you are absolutely not in the position to talk for the Iranian Diaspora community about their Christmas holiday.

Jahanshah Rashidian

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You defeated mighty America :o)

In response to statement from Intellectualism Movement of Iran, "Shekaste nezaamiye Amrikaa":

babba shoma keh beh en sadegi amrikaa ra ba en hameh azamat shekast dadid, yek
kosheshi bekonid keh esraiel ra ham shekast bedid.
ba'ad ham berid AIDS ra shekast bedid.
ba'ad ham berid ghahti ra shekast bedid.
ba'ad ham berid ...

Mazloom

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End of their line

In response to statement from Intellectualism Movement of Iran, "Shekaste nezaamiye Amrikaa":

Thanks for your wonderful article in Iranian.com. Let's hope some of the dark minds will get some light, and those zionist agents (foreign and domestic) who are working to destory our motherland will soon find out that they are in fact at the end of their line.

Ali from Iran

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Bought or brainwashed

On scholars with IRI scholarships:

Iranian/Americans:

As a novice in politics and an Iranian-American who doesn't want to have to live under Sharia again here in the West, to my horror and dismay, I have to admit that the academia in the US/West is infested with these so called ME's experts and pundists. UC Berkely is one of these cesspools who breeds and blindly accepts these mullah-zadehs (bacheh mullah) with scholarships from the IRI. They are more numerous in Canada than in the US.

They've been either bought by the IRI or they are truly jihadist brainwashed by their Islamic upbrining and and have become useful and dangerous tools and potential cells. The number of American/Western born scholars/Academics/journalists who peddle the IRI's agenda is also skyrocketting. I think one the recent recruits by the "Supreme Council of Cultural Revolution" (i.e. Supreme council of manufactured propaganda against Western Democracies" is no other than Ms. Yvonne Ridely whose op-ed was recently published by the moronic WaPo. This woman calls the suicide bombers, Shahids. Another potential recent recruit is Scott Ridder. This other journalist, I think his last name is Vick is another pocketbook sympathizer. The old ones are Gary Sick, Carter et al.and Mr. Royce over at ineffectual/worthless VOA who wastes US taxpayer's money on promoting the IRI agenda instead of US's under our nose and so on.

The IRI spends millions of dollars each year to lobby the US/Western-born or Iranian-born journalists, policy makers, and scholars. They are all disgusting and make my blood boil.

Clare Johannes
Anti-Mulla blog spot

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I want to go back but I'm afraid

Hossein Hajiagha responds to critics of his cartoons:

My letter respond to Mr, Said and Somayeh, Mr, Jahangir and others are not happy about my cartoons drawing and the way I thinks about Canada.do not be selfish I told many times may you are having lots fun in Canada or in USA and I am not, may you are do not understanding freedom of speech.may you are became happy when I draw cartoons to against the islam and regime of Iran and Ayatollahs, but why you are so sad and anger and you guys like to covered all this problems,we have so many problems in are life here and some one like me should talk about and bring them on cartoons like when you go and watch the move, bad and good are you ever complainer about the move and any one make those move,are you ever compiling when you stop by immigration because of your nationality, no, why you guys only so much sensitive to my cartoons drawing and not to those gay are naked in front publics? why you gys not complaining about Gun and gangs and drugs or 12 or 14 years old girls selling sex on street to pay drugs ,are you know government of canada are supporting drugs! free drugs on street,and why? money and money this is are problems and make us deffrint betywwen those basiji in Iran and you are, we do not care about what is happining around us? they care, they want Iran and Iranian family be safe from this crazy so much freedom,if you not happy about my cartoons drawing why you are looking at, close your eyes because this is freedom of speech,I was drawing many years and many cartoons about Ayatolahs they are never rich me and they never complaine about me, why you are? when you are talking about freedom and democrcay and living in country with respect to the freedom. I have paine fully life here over ten years I wish to back in Iran but I am afried from hezbolah and government of Iran,may they are punishing me if I back in Iran. if they are willing to let me back and supporting me to have job as artist, why not, I am happy to back in Iran and working for them.

Hossein Hajiagha

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>>> More January 2007 letters: Part 1 -- Part 2 -- Part 3 -- Part 4
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All past letters

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