LettersJanuary 2007 Part 1 -- Part 2 -- Part 3 -- Part 4 January 13 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. 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. Well-saidIn response to Siamack Baniameri's "Ugly people": Fucking well said Porn-infested mindIn 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. GreatIn 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. No one said it betterIn 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 Mahnaz I have no problem putting the tree on top of my roofIn response to Shahriar Zahedi's "To tree or not to tree...": Dear Shahriar: Modified AmericansIn 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. 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. Institutional distortionsIn 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, Mithraic traditionsIn 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. Christmas is for everyoneIn 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. Classic mistake of equating Jews with IsraelIn response to Faramarz Fateh's "Maybe we deserve it": Jimmy Carter should be applaudedIn 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? Latest trend in bigotryIn 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. Anti-Iranian regime write-ups ignoredIn 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. 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. Excellent témoignageIn response to Azadeh Azad's "Among rogue scholars": Bravo! Un excellent témoignage. Well thought outIn response to Asghar Massombagi's "Vibrant political life": Cool Man! Congratulations for a well thought out piece. 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 Insult to many millionsIn response to Behrooz Ghamari's "The world isnt Florida and the U.S. isnt its Supreme Leader": Processor, historian and sociologist Brother Ghamari Mr. Professor! Your crap in Iranian.com is an insult to many millions of Iranian Diaspora who escaped the plague of the IRI. 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? Stupid, male, ignorant IslamistIn 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! Palestinian problemIn 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. Western sexual occupationIn response to Hiedeh Farmani's "Modern maiden": Mrs. Farmani, We should not be praising the action of a woman against another defenseless womanIn 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. See who's really full of shitIn 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. He most certainly doesn’t deserve youIn 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 Call meIn response to Laleh Banoo's "Drought": Laleh Banoo, Give a call if you come to DC. I promise I show you around!! 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 Made my decision way easierIn 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 Maybe that's why one gets addictedIn 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, Heyf shodIn 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:) 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”! 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 ! 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 I am saddenedIn 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. Very selfishIn response to Jahanshah Javid's "Doing the world a favor": Dear Jahanshah, 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 Khatneh and akhtehIn 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. A noble decisionIn response to Jahanshah Javid's "Doing the world a favor": Our dear JJ, Quick & easyIn 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!). WK from Montreal, Canada. More open-mindedIn 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. Do it after 2 childrenIn 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 Maybe it would be cool and practicalIn 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 Will be thinking of youIn response to Jahanshah Javid's "Doing the world a favor": Dear JJ, You are just amazing! I will be thinking of you on January 18th. Interesting, good and funnyIn 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 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?!! Khosh keyboardIn response to Layla Khamoushian's "Kaffash": Damet GARM, baa ehsaas. Good pen too... LOL "Khosh ghalam"!!! or should I say "Khosh keyboard"?? You sure know how to make a fool of the Iranian peopleIn 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?! Tradition of democracy vs. tradition of dictatorshipIn 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. Democracy: The bottom lineIn 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. Legally worthlessIn 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..." 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..." Palace uprisingIn 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. Dubious viewsIn response to Soraya Sepahpour-Ulrich's "Deal and no deal": 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! We are no better nor any worse than others – just differentIn 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? No help needed from idiotic AhmadinejadIn 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. Bravo for expressing itIn 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, Hearing from Holocaust opponentsIn 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? Not ashamed eitherIn 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. I completely agreeIn 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. Obviously not touched by the horrors of the HolocaustIn response to Mazdak Maleki's "I am NOT ashamed": 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! Giving historians a chanceIn 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? Only liars can be afraid of being exposedIn 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 !!!!!!!!!! So where is this sacred "free speech"?In response to Amy Joon's "Holocaustitis": Very nice and true to the point article. Strong pointsIn 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 Reza Shah was no NaziIn response to Jacob Cohen's Holocaust comments: Dear Yaghub Kohan Jan, You are not teaching me anything. ;0) 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. 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. If I had shown a burning cross, maybeIn 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. Freedom of speech at its bestIn 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! ....... SharmIn 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). yek irani heyvan dost ta in ensan nama ke mikham sar be taneshan nabashe .... sharm IRI Rabi?In response to Meir Javedanfar's "Challenges and challengers": Mr. Javedanfar, Shalom, Salam, No position to preachIn 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. 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 End of their lineIn 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. Bought or brainwashedOn 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 I want to go back but I'm afraidHossein 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.
>>> More January 2007 letters: Part 1 -- Part 2 -- Part 3 -- Part 4 |
