MONARCHY

The Man Who Would be King...

I'll vote for you. Is this going to be a familial enterprise or a one shot deal?

Lebanon-Oops!

Sorry folks I mixed up the two threads on Ben's articles. The Thailand stuff belongs here, the Lebanon stuff properly belongs on the last thread about Arabs in coffee shops, where Ben said Israel was the best Arab democracy money could buy and I said, no it used to be Lebanon. Anyway some of you may be happy to know that "Lebanon" has agreed to dialog with me, and happier still that I won't be King of Iran! (Obviously far too disorganized to run a great nation!)
Cheers,
Rosie

Monarchy/Thailand

Brick, I will definitely bring you a souvenir from Bangkok and at least you know it won't be from the sex "tourism"!
Actually as you all may know, the Yul Brynner character was based on an historical personage and his son, Chulalonghorn, tutored by Anna, apparently DID strike the first blow to autocracy in Siam, romantically depicted at the end of the musical. It is actually pertinent to the discussion.
Ali, I have no qualms with monarchy per se, just that the restauration of the Pahlavis must be taken off the table because I am positive that too many people would be willing to kill and die to prevent that eventuality. (Whether they are even right or wrong here is actually irrelevant to my viewpoint on this. It is because Mohammed Reza is widely remembered as King Yul and his son not trusted as a Chulalonghorn. That is the reality of the widespead PERCEPTION).
So let me modify my statements thus: Restauration of Pahlavi monarchy should CATEGORICALLY be removed from the table of options--inevitable bloodbath and what for? Implementation of a NEW constitutional monarchy need NOT be categorically removed from table but seems highly impracticable for reasons too numerous to list. It's hard enough to envision a viable option for PRESIDENT, let alone for KING!
..........Except for Brick and Ben...I vote for co-pretendership to the throne. A Hispano-Azeri dynasty would do Iran a world of good. You DID say you were Hispanic, did you not Brick? Just think, with echoes of the glory days of the Persian scholars of al-Andaluz pleasing Arabist amd Arab-basher alike, could be a win-win situation!
(Sorry Ali, the monarchy perspective is a serious one. but on this "thread" I just couldn't resist!)
Rosie

Lebanon/"Far Left"

Dear "Lebanon": I see my comment about democracy in Lebanon touched a nerve, and this is probably a good thing, because Lebanon is a crucial topic, and moreso on an Iranian website due to the IRI/Hezbollah ties. I would love to engage in a dialog with you about Lebanon, along with other posters, but first I need to be assured of three things:

1) Will you tell me whether you are Lebanese or have special ties to Lebanon? If no, that's fine but if yes, then I shall have to defer to you on certain issues of factuality, so I would need to know before embarking on the discussion.
2) Will you leave your implicit characterization of me as "far left" at least open to debate? I see myself as a Euro-style Social Democrat cum Green. This is a far cry from the true far left, which are communists and anarchists. The genuine far left considers me a moderate (not to mention a sell-out). Tudeh is far left. I on the other hand voted for Bloomberg for Mayor of New York in '02 (billionaire and by then Republican) against two popular further "left" candidates because I thought NY needed an economic boost. I can't imagine Noam Chomsky or Hamid Dabashi (pretty far left) doing something like that in a million years. The parameters of the "left" in the States have been transmogriphied by a disinformation campaign which began under McCarthyism to discredit the ENTIRE left. HERE the Clintons are "on the left." In Europe they pretty much exemplify the Center. I am further left than the Clintons and further right than Dabashi.
3) Do you promise that, no matter what comes up in our dialog, you will never curse at me, intentionally insult me (or my family), or accuse me of being employed by any third party whatsoever, be it Fidel Castro (far left), the Hariri family (Centrist), Hezbollah (whatever they may be), or perhaps Reza Pahlavi II employing me to make this so-called "far left" of yours sound stupid?
I am sorry if I wax ironic, but there's a difference between being ironic and being abusive, which happens way too much on this site. My concerns are legitimate.
If you agree to these three above concerns (to know your ties if any to Lebanon, to respect why I don't consider myself far left, and not to intentionally defame me), again, I'd love to discuss Lebanon with you.
Best, Rosie PS I also don't think that I attacked Ben. I prefer to think I "nudged" him in a jocular way. :D

Thank you Rosie. Rosie, if

Thank you Rosie. Rosie, if you look at the parliaments of those countries, you will see that they have the most radical, some say socialistic governments in power. How ironical. Now look at the Republican forms of governments, and they are the most conservative.

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The Royal Institution has nothing to do with politics or religion. It protects the culture from politics and religion. As such, it rises above politics and religion. So the politicians and religious groups, have to concentrate in their own domain. They cannot meddle in nationalism. The Royal Institution is the most secular and apolitical form of state and government.

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Some people see The Royal Institution, as a "King" with an iron fist. It is definitely not that. Now we all know how politicans, can meddle far too much in the country's culture, and mess it up, after they win with the slightest vote. And of course we all know, what religious theocrats can do. The Royal Institution will be bound by Constitution that forces it to uphold the culture of the country, and law of the land against any abuse by politicians and priests.

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So we need an institution to prevent the politicians and theocrats destroying the very essence of a country. That institution must exist. You can call it whatever you like. But as Iran has a 7000 year history with such humanitarian philosophies in the Zend Avesta, that inspired Cyrus the Great and the forefathers of the United States who read Xenephons's Cyropaedia, then it is best to call it The Royal Institution.

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Ali Mostofi

//www.alimostofi.com

Ben why??

Ok I see the point in not commenting especially all the people who seem to hate you. Your comments may not be entirely well recieved but they certainly hit a nerve and make people respond (either good or bad) . As to sasha why her why not me lol. oh well my bid for king of iran is apparently superceded by rosie.....(sigh).. I bow out the race lol. Yes for some reason people are opposed to monarchy is that they think it might be another form of dictatorship which is true in a way but when they try to form a democracy its base is pretty much built in sand instead of concrete so that when pressure comes in the form of war, famine, or even a revolution it sinks. For some odd reason most democracys are formed in blood for example (american revolution, french revolution,  british revolution to king john(magna carta) spanish revolution) case in point; whats going on in the arab countries? certainly alot of bloodshed but no lasting democracy. oh well all power thats created in blood usually ends in it Example (byzantinium empire, mongol empire, roman empire,and the egyptian empire not to mention most chinese dynastys) Now theres some history for you ben lol. Good idea Rosie ..for some reason people believe that if enough people die something good will happen...not sure where they got that idea but thats what some believe apparently. It certainly true that democracy and dictatorship dont work so what will?? In these upcoming years we shall see indeed we shall see.

Even though you sometimes might not deserve it.cant believe you attacked me ungrateful lol.

Ben supporter lol .

Also believe what rosie says in most of her points.Rosie supporter (sometimes lol =))

Beefin-to have a problem with or fighting with

P.S. have fun in thailand lol=) bring me souveneir lol jk.

Thanks! For making me laugh (AND think...)

Thanks, Sasha, for voting for me but I must unfortunately decline. Now that Anna (Debra Kerr) has died I must go and serve Prince Chulalangahorn in Thailand. (I know, I know, he APPEARED to die long ago but it is reported that he recently came out of Occultation as the first AND twelfth Buddhist Imam).

To Almistofi, I have read some serious, heartfelt and well-thought out articles in defense of the restoration of the monarchy to Iran. Monarchy itself can be an effective institution, as is shown by its continued existence in a few modern parliamentary democracies such as UK. (Of course some people there have a beef--beefeater????!!!--with it, and they protest, as they should, while secular democracy generally prevails.
The problem I see with restoration of monarchy in Iran (Pahlavi, Ben, Brick, or anyone else) is that too many people are VIOLENTLY opposed to it. Therefore it seems to be an unworkable option, unless one is willing to risk more unnecessary deaths, and I for one have had enough of them.
Rosie

Thanks for the Back up

Thank you Behrooz for backing me up. True that if interpretation was there then americans were right in controlling phillipines,guam, and puerto rico after the Spanish War or that every singe "freedom" fighters in africa are correct. So ben if you are going to argue you cannot contradict yourself or let a way in to capitulate your arguement as Behrooz certainly did, and in less than 2 paragraphs. pretty fast.

Mostofi's rubbish

Ali Mostofi's nonsense, here and elsewhere, is the clearest case against the whole concept of blogging, espeically SSR on on-line publication. So much half-baked, semi-digested mish mash; it does nothing but pollute an already polluted cyber space. It makes oen nostalgic for days of editor-run only magazines and publications.

The Royal Institution has a

The Royal Institution has a definite cultural role in a society. Very simply put, it makes sure, than neither politics or religion, abuses cultural elements, that form the very fabric of nationalism for their own gain.

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As an institution, it can be run by anyone, who understands the role of the institution. The person running the Royal Institution, should be the personification of the nation's cultural elements. As such, it requires someone, who will be able to share the nation's various cultural elements, and represent them to other nations.

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If you do not have a Royal Institution, then the politicians will abuse it democratically, and the priests will abuse it theocratically, in the name of the nation. I can expand on this if you like.

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I hope that makes it clear BM, as you seem to be slightly off the mark.

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Ali Mostofi

//www.alimostofi.com

Interpretation or hypocrisy

Hi Ben
In your response to Brick of common sense you argued about the history Iran that
” Many things depend on how people interpret history”

If that is truly your belief what do you think about the people like Ahmadi Nejad or Neo Nazis who think Holocaust was a myth, an eradiation or even the fault of the Jewish community. As they use exactly the same argument as yours

Does it mean you agree with them or do I sense a tad of hypocrisy here :o)

BAD OMEN: Star of KING & I Deborah Kerr Dies at 86

Your article was a bad Omen ... 

//news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7051206.stm

British actress Deborah Kerr, known to millions for her roles in The King And I, Black Narcissus and From Here To Eternity, has died at the age of 86.

And We Thought He Was Only a Racist!

And here we were thinking that Ben was only an ethno-racist who belittles Iranians who have a sense of national identity. Now we realize that he is also suffering from delusions of grandeur! My advice: see a therapist ASAP!

As long as

I agree and support you as long as Sex and alcoholic bev becomes Subsidize by your government. Also every Iranian should be sent to any country of their desire to get Sigheh for one night with their desired temporarily second half.
Party on and happy Thursday.

sine qua non

The absolute necessary requirement for a progressive,
and prosperous Iran is a secular democratic republic.

Iran's history has clearly proved that any form of
dictatorship/tyranny crushes and represses the
spirit and creative productivity of the Iranian
people.

In the 21st century all peoples must assert and
fight for their "Inalienable rights to life, liberty
and the pursuit of happiness".

No less than others, the Iranian people's rights
can be sustained and protected only in a transparent
secular democracy, where the govenrment is the
servant of the people and accountable for all of
their actions and policies.

Forever let there be an END to all tyrants and tyrannies!

Violated? get over it

I have come to believe that as a child our Benny boy has been violated by a Fars (or Persian) and still he is not able to get over what he has lost (Virginity of the ass and else)

That is why he is running around like a mad (Haar) dog attacking and insulting everything and everybody

The funny thing is that he thinks of himself as an advocate of democracy however he can not even bare to see people with national pride, sense of history or alternative beliefs. As he does not have the intellectual capacity to challenge their argument, he resorts to insults.
Well Ben, what happened to you as a little boy on the bottom of that dark alley all those years a go cannot now be undone. for the sake of your own sanity go see a psychiatrists to get some therapy and try to get over it and move on

Really it is not healthy!!!!!!!!!!!

:o(

To brick ...

You say you are not Iranian, but you also say that I don't know much about Iranian history? How do you know that? I am not a professor of history but my knowledge of history is not so bad. Many things depend on how people interpret history, so my interpretation may be different from some others' so I may not go with their version. But books and stuff I have read quite a lot on history. It is important ;) And the guy saying that I shall not participate in the comments... I will try not to, you are quite right actually.

Ahem... cough cough --->

I think i should be considered a candidate because unlike some (ben) I know my history and I know all the mistakes of past and I believe I could ensure that they do not happen again. We should not base the qualifications of candidacy on just race but on what we say we want to do but that you know what we will do. I do not say that women should not be in power, in fact it might be a good idea. Considering how well men in power have really messed up the world maybe a woman in power can clean it up. Not being sexist by the comment merely implying women might be better suited. Even though I am male I can even see how well people like bush have screwed things up. Though I dont like Hillary that doesnt mean a good female candidate will come up. So without further adeu I make my own bid as king =).

If I am to be put in power I will make sure to bring peace to the country so as to catch up on the western nations so Iran will once again rise to what it once was. I will bring education up so that our technololgy might surpass others so that we will be a beacon of knowledge to the rest of the world. To build on tolerance on other religions and cultures so our buisnesses will flourish and that we might share ideas. That we will control our oil to use the money made not to buy useless things but to ensure safety for the country of Iran. I may not be an Iranian but I will rise the people of all countries so that we may share our knowledge and step into a new era.

P.S.- not just mere pretty words but the promise to take action to drive the country of Iran to providence.

I vote for Rosie

I would like to vote for Rosie because she is the only one who shows a lot of common sense in her statements. It is good to hear from a strong, independent, intelligent and good writer. She also seems to have a good knowledge of World politics. Also my little sister is named Rosie, so I am partial to the name. :o)  We need more women in power.

Pretender to the Throne

I vote for Maryam Rajavi for king due to her Islamo-fashion sense. Anyway she is already President. Ben you can be part of her harem. Or is it haram?

As for Ben finding out there are many Iranian monarchists, I don't really think there are all THAT many. It's just that every single one of them is on this site. Ben, don't consider it a valid statistical sampling.
Rosie

no need for the "author" to respond to "responses"!

Dear Ben,
I think, it's much better that you write your articles and then let people give comments. Please do not respond to their comments as this becomes too apologetic or cofrontational most of the time.

Let them comment, it is their turn. You can defend yourself in the future articles. This is not a letter to the editor type of thing that you would want to respond.

In your other articles you have been responding much more, but certainly less here.

Thanks, (no comments expected)

God Bless America

Okay Matchmaker and Anoymous whatever.

What nonsense are you two spreading now? What does anything in your current comments have to do with the article? I think you need to refocus your attention on Ben and not me. We are not in high school anymore. So grow up now. :o)  Matchmaker not nice to speak of Ben in such a way. Tisk, tisk to shame with you indeed.

To Sasha

Sasha,
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I have met Ben. Trust me, nothing to write home about. Short and tubby with a rather large bald spot. A few zits here and there seem to be the norm at all times.
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His member is the size of a cocktail wienie and the gonads are rumored to exist but not not seen by anyone due to them not being visible to the naked eye.
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Sasha and Ben: Get a room

Sasha and Ben: Get a room

To Ben:I hit a nerve

Dear Ben your contribution is not slight rather great as it does provoke those you wanted to think on certain issues. Funny but I do not recall infering that you were ignorant in any way or form. I do want to note the irony in your statement since you do have a sense of humor : "I am not as ignorant as I might look!" Ben I have no idea what you look like. Ironic statement. Ha! :o) No Ben let us not quarrel. No, I am also not asking for a picture of you. What you look like should have no relevance on your writing. Write on,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Ask for permission

The next leader or king of Iran needs permision to run the country. That prmission is to be granted only by Dick Cheney and John Bolton, only.

I prefer it that way, or else any chalghooz could become leader in Iran.

...

sasha, believe it or not, although the main reason for my writing is because I LIKE writing, my second reason IS because I would like to have my slightest (how much I can) contribution to open some subjects that are often ignored among Iranians. Sometimes I use humour for that too. I am not as ignorant as I might look!

To Ben

No, I meant I would use tape and tape it to my desk. Why on earth would I type your article to my desk? Okay, Madadi I am beginning to worry about you now.

 Excuse me you are the one that wrote on your article that you wanted a Harem or a Queen. Don't write the comments if you do not want them commented on. You are amusing. I was only commenting on what you wrote. Ha! Ha! :o)  Lighten up Madadi. I thought you had a sense of humor.

Kiram to Islam...you are too kind to these motherfuckers!

:)

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Why tape (did you mean type) it sasha? And... why are you so much concerned about me? Well, doesn't bother me!