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November 12, 2002

See this month's letters
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* Is it California or Semnan?

I have no idea how this " too obvious to explain" culture pervaded into the Iranian psyche. However it is quite ubiquitous. You see it on all magazines, newspapers, TV screen and now on THE IRANIAN when it publishes Artists' photographs! A beautiful (or otherwise) photograph of a scene, be it of mountains, valleys or what have you (sometimes even of people), no matter where they appear remain unidentified. The observer is expected to know. What is wrong with including a little explanation at the bottom of these photos for us the ignorant ones.

I am referring to almost all the photo albums that THE IRANIAN, recently, has become a popular forum for their exhibition. For example photos of FIN Garden are just that. No explanation, except to email it forward. Can you tell me what is the very first photo? I assume it is a general layout. What about the second one?

I have seen many interesting scenes (you, too, may recall) on TV screens in Iran, or here on Iranian TVs, showing a fantastic photo. One has no idea which country it is from and the specific locality, beyond a general area, is seldom, if ever, mentioned. A gorgeous clear stream is depicted, but it has no name and you don't know whether it is in California or Semnan! You see pictures of historic monuments, but no identification. I have seen group photographs of people in Iranian papers or magazines and I am supposed to know them all. One gets a rough idea by the adjoining article(s), but one still has to have seen them before.

Perhaps it is a national characteristic. Do you recall when in Iran you asked someone for a direction, they would simply say "go up there and you can't miss it" or "when you get there, ask anyone, they all know". You are made to feel so bad because you are the only one, apparently, who does not "know".

We don't seem to like to be precise. Either because we are not sure and therefore it is safer to be ambiguous or we feel detail explanation is for the retarded. I remember when very young, studying in London or visiting Paris, I used to hear frequently from my locally acquainted friends that Londoners or the Parisians must be quite dim to have so much detail directions in their respective subways. Never mind that the same individuals in the other's unfamiliar city, would get completely lost, complaining about the confusing directions or the lack of them.

Ash Farhang



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* High rating for "Shahrbanoo"

Dear friends,

Thanks for your support. The showing of our documentary "Shahrbanoo" on PBS in New York went extremely well [The human side]. The rating of the show according to the PBS rating department was a total surprise. Our rating was as high as NOVA show! The rating was 1.7. This rating for an independently produced documentary is almost unprecedented. They usually get 0.3 to 0.4 rating for this kind of production.

Thanks again for your support.

Hamid Rahmanian




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* We will decide for ourselves

Dear Mr Cohen, [So what?]

Your views are only partially informed. The fact that cicumstances play a role in the success of nations is no fallacy. Americans were freedom loving people who were lucky enough to be able to revolt against tyranny at the same time as the French and the Dutch governments were intent on weakening Britain by helping the American War of Independence.

Iranians are also freedom loving people whose attempts at democratic change, however modest, were at a time of Anglo-American ascendancy in the middle east. America is democratic by nature but only for its own people and wherever economics and strategy dictates is willing to topple democratic and semi-democratic governments throughout the world. There is no argument about this. America toppled Mossadeq in the 1950s for example with no regard for the democratic future of Iranian people.

As for your historical allusions, they are incorrect. There was never a person as "Jamshid Shah" in Iran. Jamshid or Yima is the primordial man of Zoroastrianism which is transformed to Jamshid the King in the Shahnameh of the Pishdadian (Pioneer) dynasty. The "throne of Jamshid" is no more a historical reference than the "cube of Solomon" next door. As for Cyrus, your comments show a lack of understanding of Greek as well as the Persian history. Athens was run by the free men of Athens who numbered in the hundreds.

The Azadegan of Persia who numbered in the thousands sought representation in the tribal council and later the Royal Council in Achaemenian times and Mahestan in the Arsacede times. The election of Darius to the throne is instructive as an example.

As for constitutional monarchy not being good enough and therefor the West having every right to destroy it for its oil interests, all I have to say is that no amount of oil can justify the suffering of the Iranians in the hands of despots ever since. It is not up to you to decide what form of government is best for us. That is what democracy is about. We will decide for ourselves as the English have.

No empire in history has been benovalent and the USA is no different.

Arash




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* Arrogant Iranian men

Hi Azam,

Thanks sooooooooo much for a wonderful manuscripts that you posted in Iranian.com [Make it your bible, bubba]. Hopefully some of these arrogant Iranian men out there would learn something. Everything you said made perfect sense to me. I would have added just one more note to your steps.

Make sure you pick up the check for dinners instead of presenting it to lady and ask her if she wants to treat you. Or don't you ever pull any of these old and rude gestures after dinner saying "Oops I forgot my wallet!"

Yes, I have heard it all. I am a 41-year old female who moved to Northern Virginia after having lived on the west coast for a number of years and I can not tell you how disappointing it has been dating wise. I didn't do my homework right before moving here and didn't know that the ratio of men to women here is so out of whack. Which is one of the big reason's these men have the upper hand because they know if you don;t want to go out with them there are six other women waiting.

I have chosen not to give in to these jerks and their demands for the past couple of years, therefore having a VERY lonely life. And I am very tired of it. I love to know what kind of reactions you will get from these guy's out there and even more I like to know if there is any man out there who can at least follow these steps.

I appreciate your time to spell out the steps to our homeland men.

Gita



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* Reverse chauvinism

Ms. Nemati:

I cannot decide which facet of your article I find most distasteful [Make it your bible, bubba]. Is it the way you handle (mishandle!) the subject matter or the poor English? Is it the snooty attitude, the abysmal attempt at satire, or simply the crude title?

Not since Cyrus Rafat's infamous article on Iranian girls, have I found any article published in Iranian.com, as insulting, offensive and down-right nauseating. You , my dear lady, win hands down in the uncouth, coarse and ignorant department.

Your intolerance and dogmatism come to the reader as a bull in a china shop. No matter how many letters you may have listed after your name, your awkward diction and abysmal spelling shamelessly give away your illiteracy. Your command of the language which is not past 8th grade, combined with your teenage brain installed in a middle-aged body must be every man's nightmare. As if that were not enough, your attitude stands to scare off an orangutan let alone a bipedal homo sapien. The Lord be with the Iranian males.

You claim to be above White-trash but I dare say your zip code could not be too far. Afterall where else could you have learnt to flush a gift down the toilet and more so, gloat about it - certainly not in a 'proper' Iranian home.

Your brand of feminism reeks of reverse chauvinism which is a far cry from a recipe for a successful partnership - Iranian or other. Please restrain your urge to speak for the rest of us Iranian women. We will try and do without your help - thank you.

A word of caution in case you want to 'borrow' phrases from the English language to lace your future articles. Bible, when used as a euphemism for 'knowledge' is always spelled with a capital B. Bubba is a slang word for a prison-mate, a far cry from the Persian slang Baba. It would have been more apt for you to use the title "Beegeer dashsham!! " - yes - more in tune with the laate-chaaleh-meidooni style which appears to be yours.

Zozo




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* Wish list

I red Azam Nemati's "Make it your bible, bubba". Of course not all of it! It's rather obvious that the article is a WISH list, and too damn long and terribly demanding at that, and nothing else. Azam jaan, this will never happen for you, as it has not happen yet. May be you are (one of) the reasons Iranian men marry non-Iranians.

By the way, it will be nice to post you picture, preferably full body and nude, for those few disparate Iranian men who might find your beauty good enough reason to follow their little heads and ask you out. I doubt you'll do that. A lady, specially beautiful, smart and successful, as you claim you are, wouldn't need a 13-stage plan with tens of warnings and cautions; Iranian or not. Just to get laid, on the other hand, a couple simple words will do.

Hamid



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* Gentle sacrifical rams needed

Dear Iranian men in North America,

I just read Ms. Azam Nemati's article about the do's and do not's of dating (and perhaps marrying) Iranian "princesses." [Make it your bible, bubba] It was quite an "educational experience!"

Of course, learning from her Highness (high in could nine, somewher), I speak for all animals with Y chromosomes. we ignorant Iranian men know that she speaks for ALL Iranian women, of course, no, no, no, for all womanhood, please excuse my moronic ignorance--I hope she forgives me.

Oh my god, I "bombed" already and will live the rest of my life in miserable loneliness, without the "honor" of her being my possible wife! Where is Dr. Kavorkian?

Now that I have "bombed" and am hopeless for such paradise, let me tell you some secret:

DO NOT LISTEN to any of her "advice." She is just desperate for a husband. That's all.

Be a good sacrifical Persian Lamb--I mean Ram--OK?

Somebody marry her for God sake. She is so desperate that she has written a manual (a giant and desperate ad, saying she is available, in a "hard-to-get-way" of course!

A manual to teach us how to "practice" not "coming accross" as phoney, how to "appear" to be sincere.

I tell you my dear "brothers," she is easy. All she cares about is the size of your... wallets...not your hearts. So, hurry, make her manual your bible and learn not to come accross as phoney, but above all, marry Azam Khanoom ASAP--PLEASE!

Narmo Ahesteh



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* Factory line of Iranian men

Lady, [Make it your bible, bubba]

You are asking this man to be original yet you have very specifically laid down every action and even what he has to say! Contradiction?

Reminds me of the cloned little boys of Spielberg's film AI. Someone must set up a factory line of Iranian men who behave like the way you have described. Maybe then you middle-aged Iranian baby boomer women (phew! long word that!) can buy yourself two Iranian men each.

We all get it now that you are really beautiful and cultured and educated. Can you please stop mentioning that fact now and again? We get it! Congratulations. Now, can we move on?

Shabana



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* When you are that much in love with yourself

When I read Azam Nemati's Bible of do's and don'ts for Iranian men who want to woo Iranian women [Make it your bible, bubba], I went through five stages: 1) Disbelief 2) Hilarity 3) Disgust 4) Sadness and finally 5) Pity.

My god! She has constructed in her mind the "Ideal Man", whose every action and utterance is scripted from what seems to be a Barbara Cartland bodice-ripper. Where is the room for spontaneity? For novelty? For individuality? Without it, how can there be really any romance and love?

Why is that so many women engage in the futile exercise of making up such shallow, narrow-minded lists? It is marginally excusable for teeny-boppers to adhere to such immature ideas about human nature...

Unfortunately, I have witnessed more than my share of grown women who each have accumulated their meticulous lists of do's and don'ts throughout the years. (The list seems to get larger and weirder as years go by). Requirements may have started simply as "nice blue eyes" and "a nice car" when the woman was just a teen. Then they go through that college phase of faux intellectual chic where the ideal man must "read kafka in the original german" or "he must demonstrate his support for third world debt relief." After a while, the list gets freakishly more specific.

The TV show Seinfeld was a good illustration of the wackiness of adult singles, breaking up with their suitors for reasons ranging from the fact that they "ate their Snickers Bar with a fork? or had an outdated haircut etc. The problem with constructing a phantom man out of thin air is that you will go through your whole life in love with an imaginary creation, rather than giving the chance to someone to reveal themselves to you. When you fall in love, it should be unconditional. Accept qualities and flaws alike. After all, none of us are perfect individuals.

It would be refreshing to hold up the mirror to ourselves from time to time, and ask ourselves whether this phantom metaphysical Prince Charming we are forever waiting for, will even take a second glance at us even if he does materialize! Chances are that he won't though, because people who make up lists do not realize they are not just demanding someone who shares their interests and caters to their likes. They want someone who is their own exact replica (emotionally, intellectually, spiritually, etc) and who will never dare express a different opinion or introduce them to another point of view. Essentially, they are simply in love with themselves in a male version! And when you are that much in love with yourself, there is hardly any room to love another human being.

Niki Tehranchi



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* Alamoot?!

I am totally puzzled by the Alamoot photo essay: despite all the research and info provided, none of the photographs featured are of the famous fortress of Alamut near the village of Gazorkhan, the "seat" of Hassan Sabbah and his sons for nearly seventy years...

Although there are remains of many fortresses in the area used by Hassan Sabbah and his successors, it is accepted by researchers, historians, archaeologists and academicians that his "center of command" was the fortress at Gazorkhan. See pix (1) (2) by Jafar Nasiri. Perhaps some info can be added to the story as to where these photos were taken.

Also after so many references to eagles, eagels nests, rocks, etc... why have a picture of a crow perching on the ruins of a fortress that is clearly not situated on a rock?

Kaveh Golestan
Tehran

REPLY: I was given these photos and told they show Alamoot fort. I checked again and indeed I made a big mistake. The photo essay is of Takht-e Soleyman. -- Jahanshah Javid



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* So what?

Dear Mr. Kadivar, [King Louis helped you]

King Louis XVI helped the United States during the US Revoltion because they were opposed to the English which was also a monarchy. Lets face it the French even opposed their Monarch when they too also had a revolution and got rid of their king. Yes the American Revoltion was about independence but it was also about getting rid of a welfare recipient King who taxed the Americans and gave nothing in return.

Mr. Kadivar how can Cyrus the Great be called "having democratic roots"? Who voted for Cyrus? And how many servants are seen bowing to Jamshid Shah at Persepolis (Takhte-Jamshid) outside of Shiraz? And the Constitutional Revolution of 1906 in Iran made the Shah a constitutional monarch. This did not help Iran because neither the future Qajar kings,Reza Khan nor Mohammed Reza Pahlavi upheld the Constitution of 1906. Face it what is a constitutional Monarch? A king who gets paid for doing nothing, a welfare recipient.

The gum and band aid sellers on Tehran streets deserve more. And as for the Russian and British influence in Iran that is old news. Gengis Khan also sacked Baghdad. So what?

Jacob Cohen




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* Persians civilizes the Mongols

Mr. Frank Wong,

In respond to your article "Off the horse" trying to portray the Mongols as a kind, gentle and cultured people is not only an insult to the Mongols themselves but also fabrication of truth in history. I think if we could talk to Hulagu Khan today, he would rather be known as a savage conqueror that something that he was not. Why are you trying to paint him and other rulers of Mongols as gentle benefactors of arts and cultures? The Persians took time to civilize the Mongols.

Like someone reading a history text you drop some names to the left and right about the Mongols who traveled to Persian Empire and making it sound as if they were of a superior culture or heritage!

You are talking about how Chang Te was sent on a mission to Iran in 1259 and traveled to Tabriz in Iran! BIG DEAL! Do you know why he traveled to Tabriz? Because Tabriz by 1259 AD had already close to 8000 years of civilization. He went to Tabriz to become cultured and educated and to go back to China and narrate what he learned.

Anyone who knows slightly about the Persian contributions to the human civilization will agree that the influence of Mongol art and culture in Persian heritage has never and will never be considered as an addition or an ornament to Iranian heritage , and you are talking about 1275 A.D.? To an Iranian that is only yesterday, let's talk about 7000 years and 9000 years ago.

I quote your next to the last paragraph:

"Hulagu Khan's main achievement lie in the realm of being able to bridge East and West with an opportunity and resources few had. However, his vestiges of Chinese culture introduced into Iran and Middle East was never able to reconcile with a completely different frame of reference of his subjects. It turned the tide when his grandsons decided to fully embrace Islam and make the Ilkhan empire into a Muslim one."

Wrong! The bridge between East and West was established by Persians. They practically ruled the East and West and you are talking about Hulagu to be the man who bridged the gap? A cheap comparison would be if for example we let Bush take credit for civilizing Iraqis after invading helpless people of that country who offered the World its civilization. You see how history gets fabricated?

Mongols succeeded to conquer Persians, a gentle, cultured and virtuous civilization. Upon their conquest, they burned, raped and killed not only humans but in Neishabour they killed all dogs and cats as well! Did you hear about that in your research?

By staying among Persians subsequently they ruined everything Persian and forced the Chinese art and techniques upon them. While Persians were trying to fight two parasites of their heritage in two fronts -the Arabs and Mongols, the Mongols decided to kiss the Arab's feet and they converted to Islam! So here we are two invaders in Iran trying to reconcile with each other to further ruin the Persian culture. Both the exposure of Iran to Arab culture are as deploring as what they went through with Mongols invasion. In this case there has never been a lesser of two evils. The result of it is what Iran is going through even today. The regression to dark ages, due to loss of its own culture and values and exposure to inferior sub-cultures.

So, here we had a beautiful civilization of Persians being invaded by two primitive cultures of Mongols and Arabs, one imposing its architecture and the other it's religion, and yes I agree with you the Mongols embraced Islam, but that does not mean a damn thing to an Iranian and a Persian.

While the Mongols converted to Islam, the Persians were trying to free themselves from both and the rest is history and the struggle continues.

I do respect Chinese culture and heritage, but never as a Persian do I agree that we became better by being exposed to Mongols culture. In our history we consider that as infestation of our culture. A deterioration of a glory of a fantastic civilization in the hands of savage nomads.

When the Mongols arrived we had 8000 years of civilization. Read about Garden of Eden in Tabriz, Iran 9000 years ago. We offered the World many firsts but the Hellenic and Romans always took the credit for them. Now, the last thing we want to hear is that Mongols offered us something novel! Hulagu may have learned poetry and how to paint when he was a boy, but he ruined a civilization as a man. Please don't try to re-write the history, it is already adulterated sufficiently.

Farrokh A. Ashtiani



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* Why do Muslims hate the Jews?

Dear Editor,

I have been trying to find answers on why do Muslims hate the Jews. I was not satisfied with my research.

If I kill all the Jews one day, will the Muslims be in a peaceful condition and there will be no hatred to anyone anymore? If all the peoples of the world will become Muslims, will there be peace on earth?

What is the purpose of Islam in the world? I will be most happy if anyone out there could share their thoughts without hatred.

Marlon



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* I recommend massive distribution

I red your article at Iranian.com this morning "Make it your bible, bubba". I would like to thank you for doing it, and would recommend massive distribution of your article among Iranian community and media (magazines, web site, TV, and ...).

By the way, like you, I am also from Abadan.

Aurash




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* Typical "torshideh"

Reading the story "Make it your bible, bubba", just reminded me of what the perceptions of a typical Iranian "torshideh" are. In her tasteless story, using phrases such as, "Bimbo", "pimp", "big, fat, White-trash flame", virginal gold digger in search of a Green Card" and "our mothers serving our fathers by being a house keeper, baby factory or personal maids", just explains where she is coming from and how bitter and desperate she really is about life and relationships.

May this "torshideh" find peace of mind and the "right divorcee".

God bless her!

Ebi



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* No man could go by your rules

Dear Ms. Nemati,

You talked about your DOs and DON'Ts for your date [Make it your bible, bubba]. However, I would like to ask you to kindly change all of the "us" words to "I", beacause these are not what every Iranian single woman expects from a date to be.

Actually your conditions seem too difficult and complicated that I wouldn't be surprised if no man at all could ever fulfill them. They can only make the poor guys confused and scared to death. You are asking them to play roles that are not their real selves and I don't think it will do any good to either of you.

As for me, I can say it all just in one sentence, I would say: Please just be yourselves and I will just be myself too. We both will be very lucky if we like each other the way we are and if we don't, then maa raa be kheir o shomaa raa be salaamat. It is that simple.

Sima



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* Photos of the atrocities

I am looking for photos of the atrocities committed by the Iranian government. Torture, executions, lashing, stonning etc.

Shapour




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* He has courage to stand up

Dear journalists:

I am writing to you for help and assisstance.

The Iranian judicial court has sentenced a public hero and a journalist like yourself to death [One of us]. Mr Hashem Aghajari's crime, was to speak out against the crimes and atrocitiies committed by the Islamic government of Iran.

I beg you as journalist to help publicize this event and pressure the government of Iran in order to put an end to this horrific event.

I can not do anything else just by writing letters to others and ask for their help.

I have followed this case from the start. Hashem Aghajari is a man of integrity and honesty. He fought against Iraq (1980-1988) and lost one of his leg during that war. He then for the past few years has fought for the rights of all Iranians. He has courage to stand up to the tyrant rulers in Iran.

Amir Sarvi



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* Instead, normalize the spelling system

Though I respect the opinion of those who suggest that Farsi be transliterated into the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) or another Western script [Eurofarsi], I disagree wholeheartedly with the proposal. [Eenjoori beneveeseem?]

I am an Arab-American, and as such I am not fluent in Farsi, nor do I have an insider's view of Iranian culture. However, I am a linguist, and I am fluent in Russian, Spanish, French, and Arabic aside from my mother tongue of English.

As anyone who has seen the IPA can attest to, it is tremendously ugly, so ugly in fact that I would call it monstrous. No one in their right mind would want to willingly trade out the beautiful and elegant Arabic script used today to right Farsi for the clunky, asymmetrical IPA.

I agree, however, that Farsi's adoption of the Arabic alphabet is far from agreeable in the spelling aspect: as was mentioned before, Arabic has a unique set of emphasized consonants that Farsi lacks. An Arabic speaker can understand why there are a letter each for the sounds z and z, because in Arabic they are distinctly seperate.

However, to an Iranian who does not know Arabic this seems absurd: in Farsi they make the same sound, so why are they not the same letter? This means that Farsi requires native speakers to memorize the spelling of words just like English does: should I use dal here, or should I use dad?

This is a problem that needs remedy, but I do not think that abolishing the Arabic script for a Western one such as the IPA is at all desirable. It would be turning your backs on the rich culture and heritage of Iran and attempting to fall in lockstep with the west. Does Germany want to abolish the Latin alphabet because the Romans conquered and pillaged their nation in times long past? Of course not, and neither should Iran wish to abolish the Arabic script.

Instead, I would propose a normalization of the spelling system: just as French loanwords lose their accents in English (mêlée becomes melee), so should Arabic loanwords be changed when spelled in Farsi. Eliminate the emphasized consonants that are not normally present in Farsi and replace them with the normal versions, thus making the spelling system much more accessable and easy to understand.

Circulicious One




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* I believe in a just universe

As far as I am concerned people like Aghajari, Abdi, Nouri, and others, who were once part of the IRI establishment, deserve what they are experiencing today in the hands of their old comrades [One of us]. I believe in a just universe. You ultimately receive back what you give. What these people are receiving are the fruits of their own shameful acts.

Still, I am a democtrat and a liberal and do appreciate your plea for defending these folks. But I do not think we should waste our time defending people like this person Aghajari before him and his buddies have been put on trial for their crimes against Iran and Iranians.

Baa sepaas,

J. Omidvar



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* No one has the higher moral ground

In response to Darius Kadivar's letter "Monarchists are democrats too":

I quote,


1. "If you have pity for Mr. Aghajaris predicament, I hope you share the same for Mr. Siamak Pourzand a 70 year old movie critic....who also happens to be a monarchist"

I have a great deal of respect and sympathy for Siamak Pourzand and his wife Mehrangiz Kar...But I would not go as far as calling him a "monarchist"... He's been accused by the IRI of being a monarchist.

2. "The young generation you belong too has to realize that things are not as Black and White when it comes to politics"

That was exactly my point in "One of us". .No one here has the higher moral ground to blame Dr. Aghajari and his comrades for the ills of Iran

"I wish before jumping on monarchists and giving us lessons on Democracy that you people would spend some time listening to Reza Pahlavi's speeches and interviews"

Actions speak louder than words... I would love to see Mr. Pahlavi condemn his father's undemocratic actions that are well-documented

"I hope that our generation and yours will be able to see a Free, Secular and Democratic Iran where the likes of Siamak Pourzand and Hashem Aghajari will be able to have their say."

I certainly hope so too!

Mani Farhoomand



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* Sincere Iran-lover

I am a long time reader of your site. Recently I came across and got acquainted with one of your feature contributors Ms Nemati.

At first her comments on Khonsari caught my eyes and since there was a mistake in the name I thought some young lady is making a comment about something she does'n't know anything about which existed long before her age.

Later I found out that although very young, she is well versed and really loves our Iranian culture. She sincerely put in a lot of time and effort in trying to find and compile such beautiful works of our great musicians, introducing them to our younger Iranian generation in the hope that they in turn do not forgret their rich culture.

I congratulate you for having such a sincere Iran-lover among your team, and a note to Ms. Nazemi: keep up the good work. DAST MARIZAD.

F Rafat




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* Monarchists are democrats too

Mrs. Farhoomand,

I quote from your artilcle "One of us" on Mr. Aghajari's predicament: "It has become fashionable for some members of the exiled Iranian community, particularly Monarchists and radical Leftists, to simply dismiss the validity and honesty of any indigenous political movement in Iran with former ties with the IRI. It's hypocritically ironic that we, the dominant secular majority of Iranians outside Iran, tend to simply forget the fact that many of us or our parents (as is the case with me and my generation who were born after the revolution) were at one or another time, supporters of the revolution."

It does seem indeed that you were born after the revolution and therefore may not have the same bitterness towards the ex-radicals of the Islamic regime turned into democrats. I would nevertheless like to first and foremost say that despite being a young monarchist who was old enough to witness the Islamic Revolution, I do have sympathy and respect for anyone who fights for his beliefs even if they differ from mine as far as he supports Democracy for my country. What you unjustly seem to accuse some Monarchists, not to say Reza Pahlavi (whom you stereotyped in a cartoon, which is your right) of is I believe untrue.

The majority of those who left iran willingly or were forced out by the horrible situation in the country in the aftermath of the revolution were either absolutely against the revolution or very quickly realized the blunder they commited in supporting a bloodthirsty mullah. The Iranian Diaspora for the great majority belonged to an educated elite, not always rich but wealthy and educated enough to leave the country with hopes for a better future elsewhere. Those who were less lucky stayed in the country and had to live up with the wrath of revolutionary zealots and an 8 year war with Irak, not to say all the restrctions imposed on them virtually overnight by an inquisitory regime.

If you have pity for Mr. Aghajari's predicament, I hope you share the same for Mr. Siamak Pourzand a 70 year old movie critic, who spent an entire life in promoting Iranian Cinema and respected for his views as a critic in the prestigious French Magazine "Cahier du Cinema" by filmmakers ranging from François Truffaut to Jean luc Godard but who also happens to be a monarchist.

The young generation you belong too has to realize that things are not as Black and White when it comes to politics. Any person has the right to change his or her political convictions with time and the maturity of years without necessarily rejecting their ideals. This is something many ex-revolutionaries don't seem to want to grant to monarchists and easily even want to categorize them in the same pot as the Mujahedin Khalg.

Once and for all, Monarchists are Iranians and in favor of a Secular and Democratic State for Iran. This is as much true for Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi who repeatadly has accused the current regime for imprisoning political activists of all convictions and continuously insists on alerting public and political awareness on the Human Rights situation in Iran. I wish before jumping on monarchists and giving us lessons on Democracy that you people would spend some time listening to Reza Pahlavi's speaches and interviews and you would realize that we do share a common goal which is Democracy and Human Rights.

I give you the credit of having your own opinion and political preferences, but do understand that the revolution created scars that are not always easy to heal. I hope that our generation and yours will be able to see a Free, Secular and Democratic Iran where the likes of Siamak Pourzand and Hashem Aghajari will be able to have their say.

Darius Kadivar




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* Friends in Tehran, Isfahan

I am looking for old friends from Tehran, Iran. Kourush Alimoradpur, Cavus (Tolid Daru), Bijan Shakouzadeh. All of these people were my old friends in one area in Tehran, called Tolid Darou. This was around 1975-1985.

I am also looking for some friends from 1980 in Isfahan in from Samadsolehe High School . Their names are Reza Momeni, Ali Ahmadi, Farshad Mehdi Gholipour.

Please respond to reza_lop@hotmail.com



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* Write something exciting

Dear Nazanin, [Nazanin's great leap]

What is going on?! Your stories are not as juicy and sad or happy as your previous ones! I am dissapointed. I used to look forward to read your stuff, now all I read is the same "everything is fine and dandy" repitition, come up with few fights between you and Ali, fly your mom to CA, hock-up with your X and etc. You know what I mean, write something exciting :)

Yana

PS: if you guys happen to be in my neck of the woods write to me I'll take you around (Las Vegas) where everyone (even the rich ones) are alchoholic, gambler, looser, AND I LOVE IT :)))




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* Deserves more respect

My response to M.H. Farzin's letter "NOT one of us" to my piece "One of us":

I respect Mr. Farzin' pont of view... but let's remember that throwing baseless accusations (murder?!) at people without any solid evidence, is what Hossein Shariatmadari does.

Aghajari, a university professor, is an innocent man who has explicitly condemned his own past actions on several occasions he has further welcomed the idea of liberal democracy. And most important of all, he's a disabled war veteran who has fought for his country and quit frankly deserves a bit more respect.

Mani Farhoomand



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* Duty to defend Aghajari

Dear Mani, [One of us]

I personally believe Iran is currently undergoing a phase of rational changes in understanding democracy and democratic process. These changes are not simply imported western ideas, but original thoughts and debates generated inside Iran, mainly by those who have assisted the rise of fundamentalism in late 1970's.

The current movement have first hand experience of Islamic theocracy and life under Islam Republic. Today in Iran meaning and validity of some of the fundamental principal of religion in general and Shiia in particular are openly questioned by Iranian thinker living inside Iran.

Resurrection of this new generation of thinkers such as Kanji, Aghajari, Hajarian, Nouri... etc is an inspiring fact of a new area, an area which is totally different from the period of naive, primitive and confused antiwestern feelings (Gharb zadeghi) by thinkers such as Jalal Al Ahmad!

I concur with you that it is the duty of all Iranian thinkers, intellectuals or those Iranian who, use Iranian language and culture as an instrument of communication with this world to firmly support not only Aghajari but the changing environment in Iran.

Iranians, who are exposed to the democracy and have experience of living under rule of democratic laws must help our thinkers, writers, artists, intellectuals to promote Iranian people's knowledge of phenomenal world and support those who are straggling for freedom and democracy in Iran.

Iradj Yassini



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* Give it to the cowboy

Very nice article, especially after reading so much garbage by hypocritical Iranian monarchists on what Bush has said about Iran [The unelected few]. Everyone knows the hypocrisy and self serving US foreign policy on Iran. But only a few like you have the courage to write about it.

I especially loved your analogy of the "unelected few" as it pertained to Bush himself. Or all the "unelected few"s in all the other Middle Eastern countries.

Now if only someone could publish your article in The New York Times, or Washington Post, or better yet, give it to the cowboy in the White House to read!!!!

Any way, it was a wonderful article and I really enjoyed reading it. Keep up the good work.

Nahid Shafiei



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* That's not what you meant

i want to comment on mirfendereski's writing style [The unelected few]. i don't know where you learned how to write-perhaps you're a lawyer-but the essence of good writing is not a convolusion, comlexity, and verbage. good writing is conveying an idea in a simple yet clear style, getting an idea across without shrouding it in redundant verbage. that's effective writing. but it doesn't look like you're even remotely capable of that.

case in point: "I squint into the not-so distant past, with a memory compromised by age and indifference, to visualize the time and place when President Bush's lips turned the phrase "axis of evil" into an amusing contemporary refrain." 'i squint'?? squinting implies deviation of the eye movements.

i don't think that's what you meant, or at any rate this is completely the wrong context in which to use that word. you could have simply said: "i remember when president bush turned the phrase 'axis of evil' into a common catchphrase". simple, to the point, and without all the other nonsense. i'd go on and dissect the rest of the crap in your article, but that would take too long, you see. and i don't have that kind of time.

in the words of my humanities prof at the Univ of Chicago, keep it simple stupid.

NN



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* Please move on!

Banafsheh khanoom, [Outside the tunnel]

I'm sure you put a lot of thought and effort into this story, but why write about something that is so old and repetitive? Almost every single Iranian has left Iran with the same story, and I'm sure there are a lot more interesting stories out there.

Was it Betty Mahmoody and her escape from Iran that inspired you to write this story, or was it that you have decided after all these years of being away from Iran that you need to get back to your roots, and the only thing that you remembered from Iran with this sob story? We're talking 20 years ago!!!

One of the problems with us Iranians is that we like to talk about the past, how it affected our lives, how BADBAKHT we are, and how much pain and suffering weve gone through... PLEEEEEEEASE!!! move on!!! Use your initiative to write something inspiring or at least something interesting that?s worth reading!!!

Dokhtareh Irani

PS: We also need to learn to take criticism, so don't get too upset about my comments!



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* If you don't want to be expelled

You want to tell readers that there is YET a new "law" (notice the quotes) from INS requiring all Iranian male nationals over 16, who are presently in the U.S. on nonimmigrant visa and planning to stay here at least until December 16, 2002, to present themselves to their local INS office (no appointment required) between November 15 and December 16 to register their presence.

This requirement does not apply to asylees, lawful permanent residents, just nonimmigrants (most likely B1B2 visitors, F1 students, H1 temporary workers).

They'll be fingerprinted, photographed and have to bring proof of lawful status. I would suggest bringing as many documents as possible. Students should bring documents from school. H1 holders should bring stuff from work.

Niki Tehranchi



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* Equal pleasure

Mr. Jason Allen, [The spirit lives]

I really enjoyed your photos. I showed them to a bunch of my co-workers who don't know anything about Iran, and they took equal pleasure in viewing them. Could you share the rest of your pictures from your travels in other countries as well?

S.B.


REPLY: See more here



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* NOT one of us

I disagree with call for support of Aghajari. [One of us]

Even if one agrees with Aghajari's particular point that has caused his death sentence (allegedly he had said people do not have to follow mullahs blindly,) all reasonable people would disagree with call for support of Aghajari in general.

Aghajari, if I understand it correctly, is (actually, I believe was) part and parcel of the mullahs power structure in Iran, the same way that traitor Bazarghan & Co. helped mullahs to get and stay in power (he was later apologetic also, but he was never-the-less responsible for most of the murders committed during his reign.)

Now that he is in jail and waiting to be destroyed by his former "friends" over a drummed up charge (very much similar to the charges that he and his comrades were drumming up against others over the past two decades,) his lawyer claims that he is a "democrat" in order to gain world wide sympathy for this despicable individual.

I suggest Aghajari's past behavior is a much better indicator as to what he really was, and most probably still is today: part of a large gang of murderers who only know to kill and lie and cheat, but hide behind the religious mask that they and their comrades have designed, and cover their track under disguises like "democrat." He may have started his recent death-bed conversion to democracy in order to further fool the rest of us and gain his release from death sentence. He is democrat until he gets a chance to murder again.

Before supporting this despicable individual, one must ask himself: Did Aghajari, and his comrades who collectively have destroyed Iran over the past two decades (so that they could fill their pockets over the past 23 years) even knew the meaning of democracy and justice when they (and their comrades) were busy killing all the educated, young, and ruling class men and women in Iran, or Aghajari learned that trait during the past two months in jail when the same justice was being applied to himself? If the answer is no, then people do not have any responsibility to interfere with these murderers killing each other.

M.H. Farzin

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