DEMOCRACY

I did NOT call the religion a political tool...

I simply said that I PERSONALLY prefer to use the word "Mazdaism" to refer to the set of beliefs I feel an affinity toward because I PERSONALLY associate the term Zoroastriansm with the Sassanids, who are DOCUMENTED as having been ruthless toward religious mnorities and vexatous toward the population in general. And who, I said, used the religion as a political tool for statal control of a theocracy quite similar to the one in Iran today.  But all this happened between the third and seventh centuries, so this PERSONAL preference of mine for nomenclature couldn't POSSIBLY say anything about contemporary Zoroastrianism.  They have no political power, except perhaps in Mumbai, so how could the religion be used as a political tool today?

And yes, actually I DID have a conversation just recently with an Iranian Zoroastrian I chanced to meet in a sandwich shop while taking a break from this website--a meeting I considered serendipitous because one hardly ever meets Iranians by chance in New York, except in Persian rug stores.  He DETESTS the Sassanids and considers them responsible for both the corruption of the religion itself AND its eventual replacement with Islam. As do I, except I would probably call it a HYBRIDIZATION rather than areplacement.

Anyway you're right, this is off-topic.  Why don't you blog on it and I promise you I'll be there every step of the way. But ONLY IF you stop characterizing me as borderline psychotic,desperate, and suffering from a combination of drug sedation and hot flashes.

Robin Jayne Goldsmith

Response to Rosie T....Etc.

You know, as much as I disagree with Ben, I do want to respect his forum and not post a debate with a third party in the comments section of his article. So, I’ll keep this one short. First, it’s not Houma, but rather Hoama. The spelling may not look that different, but the pronunciation certainly is. While the ritual is an important part of the Zoroastrian religion, many modern day Zoroastrians do not practice it because of its effects. Just as many Christians, Jews and Muslims do not attend church, temple or mosque as they are required to do. So, do some homework and research and get all the facts before you stereo type and slander me and call me a hypocrite. Second, contrary to popular (and superficial) belief, in Zoroastrianism, “good words, good thoughts and good deeds” are internal concepts. In other words, they are not a type of “turn the other cheek” pacifism that is advocated by, let’s say, Buddhism. Therefore, as evidenced by the past Zoroastrian Persian empires, those concepts did not stand in the way of defending the nation, or even invading other nations, and neither do they in the way of defending the religion against slander. That is why when you write a rambling piece defaming my religion for no reason, I have no choice but to correct you. Lastly, I am glad that you know so many decent Zoroastrians. Have you told them that you called their religion a “political tool” on a web site that can be viewed by millions of people? I’m sure that they will have even more respect for you when you tell them this little nugget!

dont change the subject

If the problem is Azarbaijan, then you could talk about azarbaijan, What the guy from ,kharistan, is trying to do is showing hate to iranian nation. 'Persian history is nothing to be proud of ' is not about azarbaijan!
Is this robin, akhoond? Robin = akhoond, am i right? are you juwish mullah? and you critisize mullahs? by the way how many israelian agents are active here in iranian.com?

Dear Vahraz, Zoroastrian Priest and Gift of the Magi

Thank you for your considered comments but you display the same dichotomy in your post as did Farhad (see below).  You begin by once AGAIN accusing me of being drugged, and then you expect me to read your supposedly "civilized" post.  If I AM drugged, how can I follow your syllogistic logic, and if I'm not, why would I bother after your publicly defaming me at the outset as you do?

Nonetheless I SCANNED it and this is my response to it and matters related: 

1) I wrote CLEARLY about Ben's own stated views on the place of Azerbani culture in a federal IRANIAN NATION (see my post, "I've seen Ben...) below.  Regardless of what previous debates you profess to have "won" with him on the issue, I'll have to trust what BEN said, claiming to be a loyal IRANIAN, since I'm certainly not going to search for YOUR old posts when you belittle me as you do.

2) . You claimed the last time you slandered me on this forum that I had no right to speak of Mazdaism because you are a TRUE Zoroastrian and I know nothing about anything having to do with that faith. Well,  I know ONE thing for sure:  You MAY have some good thoughts but you do NOT display GOOD WORDS.  As to your deeds, on this forum, your words ARE your deeds. You, dear Sir, are a hypocrite

3) I'm DELIGHTED you showed up again with the SAME rhetoric as last time so I can remind you, Sir,that even if I AM on barbituates (or opium, or crack cocaine), the HOUMA ceremony, the sacred magical plant, remains the central ceremony of classical Zoroastrian.  So, in a nutshell, so what?

4) Finally, iNO ONE can claim to KNOW THE "true" Zoroastrianism.  This can be said of any religion, because ALL religions are open to individual interpretation. But it is PARTICULARLY true of Zoroastrianism, since 18 books of the Zend Avesta have been missing for two thousand years.

You have more in common with the so-called "religion" of the MOST tyrranical Akhoonds than with OTHER Iranian Zoroastrians I've met who are open, loving people and RESPECT my affinity to Mazdaism.

And finally Ben Madadi is the Shoshyant in comparison to YOU.

Signed,
Rosie T., Robin Jayne Goldsmith,

rjgoldbird and ALL my many names

Reply to Vahraz Yazdanmehr

 I know the following has nothing to do with the article or comments on this thread but since Vahraz Yazdanmehr asked for clarification of my name here it goes.

Vahraz Yazdanmehr:   Sasha, Nadia (I thought it was Natalia?!!)---I’m talking to you).

Natalia/Nadia/AKA Sasha:  My real first name is Natalia and Nadia is my middle name. Sasha is my nickname. I hope this clarifies things for you.

Nadia

Farhad:

Robin

To Rosie

Rosie,
I dont see any reason to applology to ya or any others. You cant behave like Shaban-bi mokh and expect that somebody respect you. When you come into a debatt like storm and say i know somebody ..whats your point? Let me say i know rollolah khomeini so what ? does it mean the the person is good /ok ? what you mean by that you know him, why do u say that? who knows you, and who knows me?!Q! you support him because he present himself as enemie of iranian history iranian values, race and culture. In this case i dont care what you think about me, and keep it what you have in your mind.

Dear Farhad...

I'd planned to respond to your first post today, but I now note you're written me a SECOND post already, which you begin by asserting rhetorically, why should YOU (plural you) care what I know?  Yet then proceed to address me. So...

if you DON'T care what I know (or what I think I know), as you STATE, there's no point in my replying to you.  But if you DO care what I know (or what I think I know), as your ACTIONS suggest since you continue your much-appreicated discourse with me, then I ought to reply.  Dilemma.  So...

would you please clarify your position vis a vis whether or not you care about what I know or what I think I know, so I know whether to reply to you or not. 

 If you don't answer, I'll assume I needn't reply.  If you DO answer, you can start with an apology for dehumanizing me by publicly saying you don't care about my opinions on an opinon forum, which should NEVER be done to ANYONE. And if you don't start with a public apology, I won't answer you even if you write me an eloquent, detailed response that looks like it took HOURS of toil to complete.

Best regards,

Robin Jayne Goldsmith

Response to Ben Lovers

Once again, I feel compelled to enter this fray and clarify a few things. Those of you who-naively-defend Ban Madadi (alias) need to wake up from your barbiturate induced comas (that’s right “Rosie T….. Robin Jayne Goldsmith, RJ Goldbird, Goldberg, Goldstein, Garcia, Melendez, etc.?!!!! and Sasha, Nadia (I thought it was Natalia?!!)---I’m talking to you). As I have said before, what appalls most readers about Ben is what can be read between the lines of his rants. Ben is an ethno-racist who puts the interests of his ethnic Turkish brethren over the interests of the Iranian collective (I have proven that in my past mini-debates with him). That, in turn, is an insidious concept which will contribute to the current separatist movement in Iran, and is dangerous to the Iranian territorial integrity. As this point in our history, the most precious thing that is left for us is a country that we, and our ancestors, have called Iran for at least the past 3000 years (probably much longer). No other country in the world (with the possible exception of China) can claim to have occupied the same geographical location and to have been known by the same name as Iran for more than 3000 years. That is a very special gift that was given to us by our ancestors, and we have fought--really fought--for thousands of years to preserve it. Regardless of politics and who is in charge, we want Iran to survive as a nation, not as a “federation” or autonomous “states”. Everyone should live together as a nation and no one should have “special rights” (code word for “I’m better than you, so I should be given special treatment”). We dislike Ben because he stands opposed to all these concepts…which by the way, it’s not “hilarious”…it’s pretty sad.

"You do realize that Ben is

"You do realize that Ben is making fun of himself as well with his essay". Sasha, You're too innocent for his slimy character and tactics. I have no respect for fanatics of any and all kinds, they're all, like Ben Madadi the same (while trying to hide behind his artificial facade).

"and let me tell you I think this planet earth is Kharistan!...Now if you don't believe me look around you!" We don't need to look around us, all we have to do is look at you Rosie (with your unconditional defense of a slimy fanatic, while confronting anyone who sees Ben for what he is, he's been consistent). Says a lot, and you are into poetry, maybe you're just interested in the similes and nothing beyond that (never mind humanity and civility in poetry), Ms. "He he ha ha".

PS To Jesus

I neglected to say that my post titled "I've seen Ben" below was in part a specific response to Jesus, and I don't want to edit the title because then it goes on top and destroys the continuity of the thread so I'm saying it here.

not that stupid

im not sure why the article " persian empire was not really anthing to be proud of " is not on your database. On that you call Avecinna for turk and iranian as wild nation. Later you critisize iranian identidty which is aryan (means to be free). Then you make a connection between iran and zionist,later you talk about azarbaijan as a seperated race / nation from iran. You say Aryanism ( iranian asks whats that!? ) is much worse than fundamentalisms! and now you mention you ancestor which is from kharistan as iranian.
Is all of these just for fun? Here im proving that you are from kharistan not iranian.
Do you mean your earlier articles was just for fun? Do you compare yourself with Borat?! BORAT makes fun of to being juwish, not in the way hitler did it. never critisizes holoucost, does he? You have a mission thats why youre here . You use much of your time to make all these and tell me why im taking this seriously, the reason is that you make money of doing all these and im a normally user. you asked Why israel ? and i answer why dont you talk about bahai's who has much worse in iran? why not zoroastrians or sunnis ? why are you concern about jews? isnt because of ur mission? You dont make fun of being iranian you show hate to iranian culture and nationalitty. thats much different. If its true how could you live in iran in 2700 yrs?

:Farhad

Have you seen the film BORAT? The guy is Jewish, even orthodox Jew. In the film he makes more than fun of the Jews. He sang a song in which he says "throw the Jew down the well!" mr Sacha Coehn (Borat) went much further than that. It is very very funny. Did you read the whole of the article or you just got angry reading the title? This article is not meant to be insulting. It is a joke. Many of you Iraniasn need to chill out a little bit. You are too serious! Life is short. Don't you see I made fun, not of Iranians as Fars but more of Iranian Turks???? What are you talking about? Why would Israelis pay for such things? Supposedly they are smart, or stupid? In case they are so stupid they would pay me for writing on Iranian.com then don't fear them, they are stupid and harmless!

im not jew and i love iran

Rosie who the h.. why should we care about you know ben / not? my aunt knows ben much better than you know, so what? some iranian.com users are againts / with bombing iran and we have seen this many times in iranian.com. what ben has done is different he is anti- iranian. This is about nationality and culture. For many users are clear that he have been supported by israel / otrher related-organiszation to put these silly arguments. In his comments we all can see hate to iran as a nation and nothing else. If you want to undrestand it let me come with a example why dont you make fun of holocaust and jews nois, it was very populear in 40's. actually Mullah krekar looks much like jews caricatre in nazi-germany than muslims. Let me come with much more funny history about jews do you believe that Iranian.com would publish this? why all these are forrbidden in europe?
so Rosie ghamarkhanom, pasho basateto jai deege baaz kon johood baazi dar nayaar ben age injaa pol nade ke inaa ro chap nemeekonan! but whats the result? what about if his article be public in Iran in the name of a juwish writer.

I like Ben... Now don't all

I like Ben... Now don't all jump down my throat at once, please take numbers and line up :D
He's got his opinions but as far as I know he is usually harmless.
and let me tell you I think this planet earth is Kharistan!
so it includes all of us Ben jan (like fen-jan!!!)lol lol lol!HEHEHEHEHAHAHAHA!
Now if you don't believe me look around you!

Reply Shame on racists and fanatics

 You do realize that Ben is making fun of himself as well with his essay. He did spend a great deal of time on Paris Hilton, who is not Iranian. So he is not just focusing on Iranians. He is being sarcastic.

Nadia

I've seen Ben...

called everything from a Pan-Turkic nationalist to an Israeli agent
to an IRI agent sent here to divide the expat community, and more. Now
French. (???) All these allegations occurred underneath somewhat
simple satirical posts about whether Iranians were rude and so forth.
And it all just seemed so ridiculous, the tizzy, he
provoked. Under
those circumstances why should I have bothered to take the Pan-Turkic
accusations seriously at all? He may as well be an agent of the Tupamaru of
Peru or the Maomao of Kenya. See?

Now you come along, Jesus, and FAIRLY
civilly say as a part Azeri that he's ambivalent and often identifies as an Azeri FIRST and imply he sometimes flirts with Pan-Turkism. So I go back to his early posts since the format
changed and I find a couple on Azerbaijan. And this is what I, as a "khareji" get: he seeks to defend the historical record of the Azerbaijani role in the NATION-building of IRAN. And he wants Azerbaijani culture and language to have
parity with the Persian and therefore recommends a federalist system
within a future democratic IRAN.

These are unpopular views and he expresses them here, and that's partly why I LIKE him, because he steadfastly expresses unpopular views. I like that.

Anyway, if he considers himself Azeri FIRST or gravitiates toward Pan-Turkism, why is he proud of the Azerbaijani role in fighting the
Ottomans, why is he proud of the Azerbaijani role in the NATION-building of
Iran, why does he advocate an Azerbaijani language instruction within an IRANIAN
federation, and most of all why does he spend his time writing HERE instead of joining a separatist movement?

I wasn't even aware of these earlier analytical writings of his til now. They're SO different from the intentionally SILLY tone of the ones I've read. Now the vitriole I invoke when I say I find these threads funny makes more sense. But still, I repeat what I said below:

The only time this website seems to be more or less unified is when it's against Ben. And that to me is comic, and ironic, and somehow there's a lesson there if we could all just figure out what it was. And meanwhile behind it all, there's this puppeteer, you see, who will publish ANY article Ben writes, feature ANY blog, even if BADLY written, if it's by him, even if it's just about Ben blowing his nose. And then he winds you all up...and watches you go...And I'm a "khareji,"So I watch too.and I'll say again, this UNITY in venom, Ben's willingness to set himself up as the butt of it, and the ever-present finger of...our fearless leader...I find.. funny...better than Monty Python.

Robin

RE: JESUS

Jesus, is that you? Jesus Christ... you sound like an Iranian. I thought you were Jewish.

to Rosie

ROSIE: what are you going to prove with these.. cheraa BEN az iran & iranian ID hamisheh bad goofteh va hamisheh yek seri JUWISH inja tarafdarishou meekonan ? Chio mikhay sabet koni be articlehaye ghablish negah kon: har ahmaghy meefahmae ke in damaghderaze yahoodi loser baa iraniaa moshkel dareh hala mikhay bekhatere inke bahaash to SABBATH haal meekoni tarafdarishou bekon ama chizy avaz nemeetuni bekoni!
Tanha kassi ke dar barehye khar+stan meeduneste taa be hal hamin doumderaze va un ham be ajdadesh chon rabt peida meekone tuneste creative bashe & dastan nevisu kone. natijash ine ke vaghti raftam iran negahe badi be yahoodiaa daram choon az shomaha chize khob be iran naresideh in hamme komak shodeh behetoon in ham javabeshe, cheraa yek johood to dahane in ravani nemeezane?! ba regim moshkel darin ya ba keshvare iran?

This is interesting

Ben has replied that he is Iranian and has every right of making fun of Iranians. Personally I am really thick skinned, and can take it when it comes to virtual insults. But it is amazing that often he considers himself a non-Iranian Turk, associating himself more closely to the Azaris up in Azarbayjan, or even Turkey, but when he is ready to offend, he justifies it by saying that he is Iranian.
As for me, I am partially Azari, but damn it, I am Iranian first and foremost. I think that while Azaris speak turkish, ethnically, and culturally, Azaris are much closer, and part of the Iranian family than Turkish.
So I am sick of his nonsense. But than again, as he hates it so much, all the Persian jokes about turks being "khar" fits here. Ben should know something about Kharistan, he is after all a turk, and an expert of recognizing the "khar" content of anything.

No More.

I'm finished with this.  It's not funny anymore.  It's getting too pathological.  Good-bye.

Please don't answer. For your own sake. Give it up. Let it go.

You're so slippery, you made

You're so slippery, you made it look like you answered but you dodged the question again (but you do think VERY highly of yourself).

French!!??

He's FAR too bone-headed to be French!

Definitely an Iranian.  Just like you.

Sorry Ben.  Love ya,

Rosie

"I SWEAR HE IS. I KNOW THIS

"I SWEAR HE IS. I KNOW THIS IN MY BONES! HE CANNOT POSSIBLY BE ANYTHING OTHER THAN AN IRANIAN!!! (LOL til my sides are splitting!)" OK, I guess that says it all and I won't question your way of thinking anymore (but you didn't answer my question about being French, you only insisted that he is Iranian, and based on nothing, other than just trying to insist).

Lotfaan, Lotfaan, Shame-joon!

BEN IS AN IRANIAN.  I SWEAR HE IS.  I KNOW THIS IN MY BONES! HE CANNOT POSSIBLY BE ANYTHING OTHER THAN AN IRANIAN!!!  (LOL til my sides are splitting!)

So THAT explains why you think my tone sounds like I know better...because in this case I sure do!   ;)

OH HAHAHAHAHOHOHOHOHEEHEEHEEHEEHEE!!!!!!!!!!!

Chill out.

Rosie, You didn't answer and

Rosie, You didn't answer and I will ask again (that is if you would like to answer).
So based on your peculiar logic and continued insistence, if I were to speak and write in the French language, then I must be assumed to be French?

So based on your peculiar

So based on your peculiar logic and continued insistence, if I were to speak and write in the French language, then I must be French?

...

OK! Let me say this again. Don't be so serious folks. I think it is because of the TITLE Jahanshah has given to the article that it sounds meant to be insulting, but this is just a joke that actually presents some realities too, not just about Iranians but many other people. Chill! Angriness reduces life expectancy! And I being an Iranian have all the right to make fun of Iranians, but look at the bright side and have a laugh guys, and in case it really doesn't sound funny to you then I am sorry, for my perceived 'talent'! ;) :(

Dear Shame on Big Bad Ben

He's an Iranian.  Surely you can't doubt that. Why else would ANYONE else on the face of the planet bother writng the things he writes? You CAN'T think some...Israeli agent wrote..."Kharistaan."!!?That is all I meant by he's one of you. 

To repeat, Ben gets all of you to agree on one thing, that you don't like Ben.  It is HILARIOUS.  The whole dynamic of the mudslinging website community mudslinging against this one person, this one Ben's mudslingings, and his willingness to play that role, and JJ's insistence that it be in the limelight ALWAYS... by ALWAYS featuring him.. .is...simply..HYSTERICALLY funny.  You just don't get the joke yet.

As for my tone.  My tone is my tone. It's the way language transmits itself through me.  If I didn't have this this "tone", this "chiseling of language" I never could have translated Tanhaa sedaa, as well as I did alone in my room with just a dictionary and no help, after less than a year of (mostly self-) study.  That's just the way it is. So... 

...if the price of my "tone", that is, language's relationship with me,, is that some find me to be a pretentious asshole, I''ll just have to live with that.  And so will you.

But thanks for the constructive criticism.

Robin  PS I wrote this BEFORE Ben's last post so you see...there's SOMETHING to it...

How do you know "he is one

How do you know "he is one of us", talking about arrogance, or is it a case of your unsubstantiated representation? By the way, how are you defining "us"? ("one of you"). This isn't about "criticism", I like many welcome constructive criticism, this is about a fanatical mindset (as it it has been very clear in his comments). A (constructive) criticism for you, your tone leaves the impression that you think you know best and consider yourself above others.