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Meet the resistance
18-Nov-2007
“Meeting Resistance” is a new documentary by Steve Conners and Molly Bingham. The film is a collection of interviews with various members of the Iraqi resistance, and it is very informative. I would suggest that each of us should take and American, better yet a Republican, to see this film. Americans, more than anyone else, need to see who the members of the resistance are and what is their level of sophistication as far as training and equipment is concerned. There is an important issue that came up in an event in D.C., where Steve Conners took questions from the audience, and it is also mentioned in the film.
Steve Conners was describing his view that Iraqis do not see the sectarian difference amongst themselves in the same manner as the mainstream media is portraying it in the US. Mr. Conners said he had to apologize to Iraqis for asking them if they were Sunni or Shia, and he had to explain to them that his question was for the purpose of his documentary, lest they take umbrage. The most common response given by Iraqis to him was simply “I’m Iraqi!” Many of the people he interviewed would explain to him that half of their family is Sunni and the other half Shia; therefore, the distinction was not important.
Towards the end of his talk, a woman in the audience asked about the roots of the sectarian violence in Iraq. Specifically, she asked if Mr. Conners thought it was possible that the sectarian violence was fueled by US, UK, and their allies. Steve Conners response was that he did not think the military would be involved in such acts because the soldiers are honorable and either would refuse or leak the details to the media. I agree with Mr. Conners. However, there is another possibility that needs to be taken into account.
First of all, the idea that US and UK would like to see Iraq break apart has valid historical precedence. In fact, this has been their standard strategy around the world and especially in the Middle East. All one has to do is to perform a simple experiment. Find maps of Middle Eastern natural resources and ethnic population distribution from the WWI era, and then superimpose them on top of a map of the current boundaries. When the era of independence came, the Western colonial powers did their best to divide up the resources as much as possible amongst nations with weak governments, which will always have to depend on external support for their existence. Divide and conquer! The West has perfected this strategy.
If history is not enough to convince you, there is also the amendment purposed by Senator Joe Biden to partition Iraq into three autonomous regions. The plan was approved overwhelmingly by the US senate. It was also overwhelmingly rejected by Iraqis. Interestingly, in the classic form of propaganda, the amendment was advertised as “unity through autonomy!” It rings true of Orwellian doublethink. “War is peace, freedom is slavery, ignorance is strength,” and thanks to Senator Biden, sectarian fractionation is unity! This is the latest gift from the West to the people of Iraq.
There are other reasons why it’s likely that Iraq’s sectarian violence has hidden roots. First of all, the divide between Sunni and Shia Islam is not the same as the differences between the various denominations of Christianity. The divide in Islam is more rooted in who would rule the Muslim world. Whereas Shia Islam believed that the descendants of the prophet should rule, Sunnis believed that the role should be fulfilled by the caliphate.
Unlike Christianity, there is only one version of the Quran. The bible on the other hand, has three major versions: the Protestant Bible, the Roman Catholic Bible, and the Eastern Orthodox Bible. These are not merely different translations. They contain different number of books. The Quran is treated differently than the Bible. Practicing Muslims would not touch the Quran, unless they have done their ritual purification. Every Quran that I remember from my childhood had a piece of folded paper in it, because touching the actual words was to be avoided. Hence, the piece of paper was used to follow the word as one read them. Sunnis and Shias pray to the very same Quran and revere it in the same manner. They also share the same exact calendar for marking religious festivals and holy days. Again, this is not the case in Christianity. Orthodox calendar is not the same Gregorian calendar used in the West.
My point is that for a Sunni to blow up a Shia mosque, or vice versa, is far more sacrilege than is being shown in the mainstream American media. A mosque has copies of the Quran in it. It is decorated by sacred religious texts, which carry the same value for a Sunni and a Shia. So, should we not look at other culprits when it comes to key triggering event in the Iraqi saga, such as the bombing of the Al-Askari mosque in Samarra? To this date, no significant, impartial investigation of that bombing has been undertaken. The phrase “key events” is important. A few critical bombings in holy sites were all that was needed to ignite a wave of sectarian violence in Iraq.
This takes me back to Steve Conners comment, and as I said, I agree with him completely. The American military personnel are honorable and would not engage in such horrendous acts. They are just misguided by corrupt political leaders. However, they are not the only forces in Iraq. There are 168,000 US personnel in Iraq currently. In addition, there are also over 60,000 foreign private military contractors. The most notorious of these is Blackwater, with a solid record of not giving an iota of concern about Iraqi lives and religion, be they Sunni or Shia. Erik Prince, Blackwater’s CEO, has made billions from the Iraqi carnage. His company employs ex-military and paramilitary mercenaries from all over the world, especially South America, often from organizations and governments with dismal human rights record. In South America, the record of these organizations includes murdering priests and nuns. It’s not exactly clear what standards are used in hiring personnel by these private mercenary armies. There is no oversight or public scrutiny into their operation. Therefore, if private security contractors can employ ex-members of organizations which have killed Christian priests, why would it be farfetched that they could also find men who would be willing to dress as Iraqis and blow up mosques?
I’m not asserting that everyone hired by private military contractors in Iraq has a checkered past. However, the right person could be found to blow up a mosque (or church!), for the right dollar figure, and when an army of mercenaries is roaming Iraq unchecked, they should be as suspect as the Iraqis.
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Ag1,I'm an atheist, I don't
by Anonymous on Tue Nov 20, 2007 10:59 AM PSTAg1,I'm an atheist, I don't worship anybody. The U.S started arming some, not all, of Sunni groups in some, not all, provinces , to fight the Islamist Facist groups, whom you apparently worship. That happened just recently, after close to 3 years of Iraqis massacaring each other.
Answer to :Shalom Goldman
by Simon Isacson (not verified) on Mon Nov 19, 2007 10:12 PM PSTGoldman, you are such a fool thinking that the British are against the Israel. British and Israel are the best allies against the pure and beautiful people of Iran. A nation of loving and hospitable people who are caught in the hands of mother fucker son of bitch British and their fucking stool pigeons the Israelites.
The fucking alliance of the two has been destroying one country after another and the only solution is if USA ever breaks up its silence against the mother fucker British and their fucking fololowers.
You see what I mean?
Rosie T. I will catch you on........
by Sasha on Mon Nov 19, 2007 09:33 PM PSTRobin,
I will catch up with you on your email. I sent you a picture of my son. He has the most beautiful hazle eyes I have ever seen. Of course, I am partial to the boy. Ha! Ha! :o) After all he is my sweety. No matter how old he gets, he will always be my baby boy.
Catch ya later!
Natalia (real name)
Jamshid.......motashakkeram..or is it Sepaas?
by Sasha on Mon Nov 19, 2007 09:29 PM PSTI am sorry I was cross with you. Thank you for understanding at least about my son.
I will ask at the Mosque if they know of converts that had children prior to their conversion. I will then speak to them and learn from what worked for them.
For now, I am trying to keep things as normal for him. A year ago I had asked him what religion he wanted to be, because his father and I were different Christian religions. He chose his father's and I respected his choice. I encouraged him to practice his religion.
My son and I are still different religions within one household. I still respect his religious and philisophical views. I do not expect him to follow my path. I raised him to think for himself and not to follow blindly like I did so many years ago.
Thanks again Jamshid and yes we will take up the discussion on previous issues at another time.
moraghebe khodet bash
khodahafez
Sasha has major balls! / Rashidian MKO? Oh, please....!
by Rosie T.. (not verified) on Mon Nov 19, 2007 08:21 PM PSTYep, Sasha has major coglioni! Whatever else you want to say about her, you REALLY can't argue about that! Hey your own Iranian women rarely get involved in these political discussions on this board...too much muck flying around...and here she is....and you would question her BALLS? !!!!
Rashidian/MKO...oh what a joke! I am going to dispel this myth every time it comes up. Rashidian recently wrote a humanitarian piece against the slaughters of thousands of rank and file Mujahed youth by the IRI. He CLEARLY stated he opposes every conceivable aspect of the Mujaheddin but he condemned this slaughter. And this was the right thing for him to to do.
Ever since then periodically some idiot comes and calls Rashidian a Mujahad just because he happened to utter the word "Mujahad". He is THE MOST secular, atheistic writer on this site, and could no more be a Mujahad than I could be Imam Reza. Or the Pope.
And Sasha, who is a Mexican-American woman brought up in a conservative household, sits on this site and slugs it out with people like THAT, people who call Rashidian a Mujahad, in this TIMARESTAAN, just so she can learn about Iran while her government wants to bomb it, while her American "hamvatans" are busy eating quiche at Starbucks, she slugs it out and slugs it out, and someone has the audacity to question my girl's balls?
Uh uh.
Rosie
Re: Sasha
by jamshid on Mon Nov 19, 2007 05:49 PM PSTI am sorry about your kid not taking it well. I don't blame him, he is just a teen. Just keep on loving him and explaining to him as you did to us, I am sure with time he will understand.
It may be a good idea for you to get in touch with converted women like yourselves. I am sure some of them had kids and went through the same. They may be able to share some valuable experiene and lessons with you.
As far as the shah and two assignments I handed you, we can talk about them when you are feeling better.
Arundhati Roy is the second
by xrm (not verified) on Mon Nov 19, 2007 01:56 PM PSTArundhati Roy is the second wife meaning her husband was married when he married her.
Public Power in the Age of Empire
by Raha (not verified) on Mon Nov 19, 2007 01:45 PM PSTTide? Or Ivory Snow?
Transcript of full speech by Arundhati Roy in San Francisco, California on August 16th, 2004.
//www.zmag.org/content/showarticle.cfm?Sectio...
.
thanks tinoush,
keep up the good work.
Re: angholi
by gholi (not verified) on Mon Nov 19, 2007 01:15 PM PSTTinoush/"An"gholi (what a name. you smell like my "ann=shit" anyway) iran is iran. iraq is iraq. IRI doesn't WANT iranians to shoot one another because it wants to have ALL THE FUN. IRI kills Iranians on daily basis or your radar can't Detect it? or pretty much like your balls it's been cut off.
I am with you Gholi!
by angholi (not verified) on Mon Nov 19, 2007 12:58 PM PSTYes, Gholi, I am with you 125 %, it is not important for Iranians that US is building the largest air base in Iraq. Perhaps the purpose of that air base is to monitor UFO activities in the Middle East. You should ask Tinoush to explain why he is not writing an article about the Mrtians that land in Iran and are tortured by IRI.
It is not important for Iranians that the US is using Iraq for creating ethnic tension and civil war in Iran. Perhaps Cheney is doing that because he wants them to have some fun like he did (remember, he shut his friend in the face last year). You should ask Tinoush to explain why IRI does not like Iranians to have fun shooting each other?
tinoush, if you are such a
by gholi (not verified) on Mon Nov 19, 2007 11:23 AM PSTtinoush, if you are such a good adviser use it for the good of your people instead of Delivering Lectures on crap. address a series of topics important for iranians and what will constitute your good faith. so far you have been bargaining for IRI. instead of crap about the Bush administration's remorseless attack or what goes on in Iraq or the shitty VOA write about the lack of basic democratic rights in Iran. wise up man, write about why child marriage is a violation of human rights but it happens in Iran. we both know where you work. what about writing about why there aren't any programs offering medical, social & legal support for torture victims in iran? eh, i guess the IRI embassy wont be paying your rapid rewards vouchers then. or would it boy?!
Lord Of War
by oneguy (not verified) on Mon Nov 19, 2007 10:28 AM PSTyesterday I was watching "Lord Of War" (//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lord_of_War). Ironically I came across this article. Wiki it or better watch it..
Tinoush. motashakkeram..........
by Sasha on Mon Nov 19, 2007 10:27 AM PSTThank you and you are right. I plan on making the best of the time I have with him. I will not dwell on the sorrow of his future absence rather I will focus on living in the here and now.
You are also correct in stating that I can do better things with my time than continuing to argue with those on this thread. I could be making my son his favorite cookies instead. :o)
moraghebe khodet bash
khodahafez
Ye nafar ........I do and he does
by Sasha on Mon Nov 19, 2007 10:22 AM PSTI knew it would be difficult for him. So we had a talk. We were at peace when we discussed my conversion. I explained to him my reasons but like you said all he knows is based on misinformation and overgeneralizations.
I do tell him that I love him by my words and actions just like I did as a Christian. I totally agree with you trying to force him to stay would only make matters worst. I do not want him to hate me, Islam or Muslims. Such hate would consume my son like it does those on this thread. It is not what I want for my son.
Because of my loving and understanding behavior towards him, we are actually getting along well. Simply he is confused. The words Muslim and mom in the same sentence is just too much for him to comprehend and digest.
He is a very intelligent young man and not only made the A and B Honor roll but had a perfect 100 in one of his classes this 6 weeks. I am very proud of my son.
Thank you ye nafar for your kind words at such a difficult time in my life. I truly appreciate it and will remember them.
moraghebe khodet bash
khodahafez
Dear Sasha...
by tinoush on Mon Nov 19, 2007 10:14 AM PSTI think 'ye nafar' has the best response for your dilemma. Your boy needs your love far more than any religion. I don't know what compeled you to convert. I'm not religious at all, so my views may be biased. But, I think the love and attention that parents ought to give their children far supercedes all gods and prophets. Make SURE he knows that. And, as 'ye nafar' pointed out, in time you may be able to discuss your choices with him more clearly. Best of luck, I know it's tough.
P.S. May I also suggest that short of wasting your time, you will not achieve anything else by getting into arguments with the charachters that you have been writing to. These people do not want to 'discuss.' They only want to 'argue.' There is a difference.
sasha! i don't care about
by gholi (not verified) on Mon Nov 19, 2007 10:07 AM PSTsasha! i don't care about islam or any religion. you can go on using the word HELL if it helps you. you need counseling. and your son is a TEEN. he would find any excuse to get away from you now. go do some yoga, swim or walk. muslim or no muslim you don't know shit about democracy. pretty much like your pal Tinoush Moulaei. your new found love "ISLAM" is not going to help iranian people or muslims to have equal voting powers on issues which they are ill-informed. in the United States, separation of powers is often cited as a supporting attribute. the same doesn't go well with the rulers in iran or any islmaic land. your religion saves you? good. i hope you find peace. your peace doesn't mean we will have peace with shitty regimes trusted and supported by tinoushs, nikis, and the rest of these bill boys and girls.
Life is tough
by ye nafar (not verified) on Mon Nov 19, 2007 09:52 AM PSTSasha you son is just a boy. You can't expect a 16 year old to know everything. It took you all your life to make a decision on religion. When the leaders of US and the mass media know little about middle east and it's culture and religion, you expect your son to know it? He is just a boy who is fed what media summarizes for him. I wouldn't try to explain too much detail to him, it'd just push him more away. Just tell him you love him and understand if he doesn't understand why you did this. Tell him don't believe everything they say on television. Tell him you hope you can talk about other things and still love each other. One day he'll understand more based on your reaction as a loving mother.
.
by Sasha on Mon Nov 19, 2007 10:36 AM PST.
Jamshid .........don't bother anymore...........
by Sasha on Mon Nov 19, 2007 09:30 AM PSTDon't bother to educate me anymore on anything. I just don't care anymore. Is that what you wanted.? Congrats! I will still be a Muslim but not the one you talk about.
Until all Iranians unite regardless of religion, Iran will never be free. Just go back and read your history and you will see that Iranians also suffered under the Shah and other leaders of Iran. The IRI has not been the only one to inflict pain on Iranians. It is only the latest and the US will be the next one to inflict pain on Iranians.
I don't know why you insist on grouping all Muslims with terrorists. However, it is your right to believe whatever you want.
I wish you the best always but it is time I take some time away from iranian.com. All the hate just sucked the joy of being on this website.
It is ironic. So much hate and no one hurt me. It took a 16 year old boy to cause me deep pain. It will be okay. He is a good son and told me he loved me but can not live with a Muslim. It will be okay............ I will be okay. Not that you care anyway.
sasha! Don't use the word
by gholi (not verified) on Mon Nov 19, 2007 09:24 AM PSTsasha! Don't use the word hell. it's unislamic. now let us go back to first teaching: bite and grind with the teeth before telling us the taste. we all deserves great food at a reasonable price, attentive service, and thoughtful surroundings. that is called democracy.
the concept is too hard for you to grasp?
Tinoush is left out
by Keer Deraaz (not verified) on Mon Nov 19, 2007 09:11 AM PSTHey guys, this babe Tinoush needs more attention. Please say something about him too. You are so busy with your own agenda that forgot this poor soul is in need of something: i know what you are thinking but no I didn't mean that!
Sasha: Also Ask
by A (not verified) on Mon Nov 19, 2007 09:05 AM PSTWhy did Shah run away after years of claiming he loved Iranians and loved the land? If he loved it so much, wouldn't he want to save it from "tyranny"? NO! he wanted to save his ass and family - NOT Iran. Monarchists need to realize the guy they worship was a big coward. He didn't release people in his prisons at revolution who ended up killed. He only cared about himself and his family. Not a good leader and Iranians know this and that's why they do not support him.
To all Islam haters...........Congrats!.......Time for you to
by Sasha on Mon Nov 19, 2007 09:02 AM PSTTo all you Islam and Muslim haters, Congrats! I have some good news for you. I know how you like Muslims to suffer beyond belief.
I have told my beloved son that I am a Muslim. He doesn't even care if I am Shia or Sunni. He doesn't care about the IRI business.
He simply does not want me to be a Muslim period and reject the Christian faith that has been a part of my family for generations.
I have lost my son because of my conversion. He will be moving with his father, whom is a Christian. I have always respected my son's beliefs and views. I will continue to do so.
So go ahead and throw a party. Go on celebrate. Celebrate my sorrow.
Jamshid ..........so nice to..........
by Sasha on Mon Nov 19, 2007 08:47 AM PSTSo nice to see you. Now, how about educating me on why the Shah was over thrown so many years ago. I have heard many things but I want to hear what you have to say on the subject.
Thanks!
Gholi.........what the .......
by Sasha on Mon Nov 19, 2007 08:45 AM PSTWhat the hell are you talking about? At least Jamshid makes sense.
RE: Farhad Kashani (Bushani)
by ag1 (not verified) on Mon Nov 19, 2007 06:44 AM PSTF. Kashsni said:
"As far as the attacks on mosques goess..it is happening because as the result of the actions and inspiration of you guys' allies, IRI.."
Mr. Kashani:
It was CNN's Michael Ware who in one his recent reports from Iraq said "we (US) are arming all sides in this conflict". US NPR also had a report about the same issue, in which they pointed out that the Iraqi government is very unhappy with US arming their opponents. It is ironic that Iranian Bush worshipers such as yourself blame IRI more than the mainstream US media for the miserable US failures in Iraq.
BTW look at:
//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/war_costs
(Report Puts Hidden War Costs at $1.6T)
Tinoush, you're saying the
by Farhad Kashani (not verified) on Mon Nov 19, 2007 05:15 AM PSTTinoush, you're saying the Irasis "do not see the sectarian difference amongst themselves in the same manner as the mainstream media is portraying it in the US. " So I guess the murder of close to 600,000 innocent civilians during the Shia-Sunni civil war thats going on in Iraq right now is happening in a different planet? You stated "First of all, the idea that US and UK would like to see Iraq break apart has valid historical precedence." What political, geopolitical or geographical logic are you using to argue that smaller countries are less powerful or less influenetial than big ones? How about Cuba, Switzerland, England (Small country who ruled half of the world),Israel, Most Eurpoean countires,,all small in size but either very powerful or very influential.By the way, wasnt the same "Western" powers who helped establish an Iraq made of Shias, Sunnis and Kurds? As far as the attacks on mosques goess..it is happening because as the result of the actions and inspiration of you guys' allies, IRI, many mosques in countires that Islamist have gained power, have been turned into military and political bases. Gone are the days that mosques used to be a place for worship only. Please do not let your hatred of the "West" blind you from the truth.
Re: Sasha
by jamshid on Mon Nov 19, 2007 03:13 AM PSTNatalia/Sasha, so you are now a Shia moslem? I will not congradulate you and you know why, we talked about it before.
You also seem to have a fondness towards Iranians in general. So you like Iranians and you are a Shia?
Ok. So here is an assignment for you. Try to resolve the conflict of being Iranian and being a Shia. You like Shia? You like Iran too? Then explain how can you love "Ali" your first "imam" who ordered the massacre of the Iranian population of the city of Estakhr? Ooops. So you see, you have to make a choice here between loving or not loving the murderer of Iranians. I did made that decision long ago. My decision was one sentence: The hell with Ali.
Now back to the discussion on this thread. It seems that you are gradually becoming a fan of Islamist/Leftists in this site, as you defend their views. In order to familiarize yourself with why the rest of us oppose these Islamist/leftists, all you have to do is learn more about the following:
1. There are nearly 100,000 (one hundred thousand) political prisoners in Iran. Most are being tortured by "trained torture specialists". Do you know what torture is? Have you been tortured? You claim you have balls. Have your balls ever been electroshocked? I say this because electroshocking the testicles of the male prisoners is very common. Our own governement is treating Iranians worst than Americans are treating the Iraqis.
2. Across the country, there are hundreds of Iranians being hanged on a weekly basis. Now go do the math. Of course Islamists/leftists claim that they are common criminals. But the majority are political criminals. Their crime? Wanting freedom. They are first labeled as as bandits or drug dealers, then quitely hanged.
3. The ruling class, the mullahs, the police chiefs, etc., rape our women at will. There is nothing that could stop them. In the 29 years of IRI, there are thousands of women, even married ones, that have been raped just because they were beautiful. By the way, almost all female political prisoners are raped.
4. Half a percent of Iran's population, mostly the mullash, hold 90% of its wealth. Iranians have to work on two and three shift jobs just to make ends meet. They do so while they are sitting on oil. Women are resorting to prostiution. Uemployment is at an unbelievable rate of 35%. With no jobs, not entertainment, no future, young jobless men turn to drugs. And the mullahs want it this way. Keep the people destitute and "coupon" dependent, and you can rule them easier.
5. The list can go to number 100, but I will stop here.
Anyway, does that help? Does it help you see why we are against any Islamist/leftist who supports, even indireclty or between the lines, this gortesque and barbaric regime that is called IRI? Supporting the IRI is the same than supporting its crimes against Iranians and humanity. Period. Anyone who even moderately supports the IRI is a traitor to all Iranians.
Be careful Natalia. Be careful that you do not become one with these soldout bunch. And when you do, be prepared to meet the wrath of all Iranians.
Meet the resistance
by Raha (not verified) on Mon Nov 19, 2007 02:29 AM PSTGeorge Galloway speaking at Manchester Respect
//youtube.com/watch?v=x2VnRYGr-mQ&feature=rel...
sasha!
by gholi (not verified) on Mon Nov 19, 2007 12:24 AM PSTSasha jigar,
it may help you if you bite and grind with the teeth before telling us the taste. we all deserves great food at a reasonable price, attentive service, and thoughtful surroundings. that is called democracy.
the concept is too hard for you to grasp?