LETTER

Sick of Islamist and some others

No one is really supporting IR, but many are looking at the options on the table. I am labeled as IR agent because I prefer them to almost all the oppositions out there and/or any foreign based replacements. I think that majority of us just don't want another revolution or war or any thing that pours blood. We just want Iran to be normal, and some of us, including myself think that it is possible to reach that with this regime.
IRI is modifiable to me. They are not the crazy dictators that you might think, although they are not a secular democracy either. So we are stuck at this juncture.
I think IR is maturing up and has shown hope for growth. We have had 3 presidents that were very different than each other. Can you say that IR has stopped fully and will not change? I can't. Maybe that's what separates some of us from one another.
Mullahs have no role in the future of Iran, we will push them out by the gradual reforms, which are taking place yearly. In this process, we have lost many great people and my own family has suffered. But what can we do?
I don't look at myself as an IRI agent, I look at myself as a realist who doesn't see any other options and hates any foreign interventions. I see IR as an internal issue that us Iranians need to resolve, hopefully without blood.
I am sure if hit my head against the rock and realize that IR is not reformable, I will be one of the first ones who jump in front of the IR tanks, but I still have hope.

You should know that the

You should know that the people that I am speaking of were rich during the shah and are rich today. They travel all over the world and import export many things, from Iron to bicycles, tires to refrigerators, TV's and appliances.

That makes it even worse. You think the Shahis are better than Basiji or the IRGC? All are raping the poor Iranians nation.

Your prescription for Iran is akin to waiting for an inoperable tumor to disappear on its own...No, it won't. I'm not talking about Jeffersonian democracy. The mullahs are corrupt and are squandering the limited national wealth. They are thieves. I don't care whether women wear scarfs or not or whether they can dance or whatever, the most important problem in IRan is poverty, drug addiction, unemployment, non-creation of jobs, not re-investing in the future of Iran's oil industry and so on...You can't change the nature of the thieving regime no matter how much democracy you get...Why can't you see that?????

If you had a business and your employees were ripping you off no matter how nice they are, wouldn't you want to fire them????

Dear sick of Islamists- friendly advice

You should know that the people that I am speaking of were rich during the shah and are rich today. They travel all over the world and import export many things, from Iron to bicycles, tires to refrigerators, TV's and appliances.
A closer look at today's Iranian society would take your prejudices away and makes you realize where we are so you can begin to think what our real options/possibilities are. If societies such as Iran were as simple as what you would present them to be then where would be the confusion? But it's not that simple my friend.
To truly "fight" a system, I would advise you to learn more about it, starting from the social makeup of Iranians and their religion and move on to realize why we are where we are. You could continue your own path and become part of an illiterate opposition that cannot figure out what to do since they don’t know what it is that they are fighting against.  I would not want to make this comment long as an article, so I will stop, but hope that you have gotten my point.

On Midwesties propaganda

On Midwesties propaganda techniques:

Propaganda Techniques
What are Propaganda Techniques? They are the methods and approaches used to spread ideas that further a cause - a political, commercial, religious, or civil cause.

Why are they used? To manipulate the readers' or viewers' reason and emotions; to persuade you to believe in something or someone, buy an item, or vote a certain way.

What are the most commonly used propaganda techniques? See which of the ten most common types of propaganda techniques you already know.

Name calling: This techniques consists of attaching a negative label to a person or a thing. People engage in this type of behavior when they are trying to avoid supporting their own opinion with facts. Rather than explain what they believe in, they prefer to try to tear their opponent down.

Glittering Generalities: This technique uses important-sounding "glad words" that have little or no real meaning. These words are used in general statements that cannot be proved or disproved. Words like "good," "honest," "fair," and "best" are examples of "glad" words.

False Analogy: In this technique, two things that may or may not really be similar are portrayed as being similar. When examining the comparison, you must ask yourself how similar the items are. In most false analogies, there is simply not enough evidence available to support the comparison.

"Card Stacking: This term comes from stacking a deck of cards in your favor. Card stacking is used to slant a message. Key words or unfavorable statistics may be omitted in an ad or commercial, leading to a series of half-truths. Keep in mind that an advertiser is under no obligation "to give the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth."...

Midwesty in defending the Islamic republic's uncanny tendency for underachievement and utter ineptitude , employs a combination of **False Analogy and Card stacking** technique to distract people by comparing oranges with lemons to promote and absolve the responsibilties of the ISlamic Republic. The only thing the Islamic repbublic has excelled in 29 years is theft and wholesale robbery of Iranans limited national resources and wealth.

As many of you know

As many of you know Iranians in Iran are very fond of everything American. From music to DVDs to clothes and other things. Same is true with the regime and local Governments.

It's typical of Iranian to always emulate the worst practices of a culture...unlike the West, which generally pick the best values of other culture and enhance it and make it their own.

Start with Industrialization (not fake assembelies of cars),raising GDP and raising the Income Per Captia, diversify the economy, innovatation and above all holding your government accountable for their incompetence and mismangement instead of praising (Madahi) a vulture like Khamanei. Learn how not to be slave to your relion and your clergies who are destroying Iran...Start with reading the "100 year war" in Europe and the eventual seperation of Church and state...

The point here is that

The point here is that rebuilding Iraq means jobs and money for many Iranian families.

There in lies the problem.

Those are families of Basij, IRGC and the Khodies who are corrupt, immoral and will not help the real 40% Iranians who live below poverty level.

Metaphorically...those family clans are the many heads of a medusa who are attached the main serpent, the Islamic Republic of oppression. You either starve the mini-heads or cut off the main head...

The hell with those who are pro embargo

The ass holes who put an embargo to Iran are at least half responsible for these shortcomings and make IR stronger because of the same logic. Power to Iran and Iranians.
Midwesty has a valid point, if the 25% economical giant, the most powerful country of the world has trouble making Americans feel safer or their lives back to normal after all these years, what do you expect from a 3rd world under sanction Iran?

Fred, this is Iranian.com and not The Jerusalem post. Please make a note of that.

Fred,

I'll let the Iranians to be the judge of that...

The Islamist's gutzpah

For not having had the good fortune of choosing the very Iranian name " Midwesty" I am the one who needs to extend my apologies.But taking a page from your Islamist logic that since my name is not Iranian then I should not be concerned about Iranian affair, and since you are a self proclaimed Iranian with an obvious Iranian name- why are you so concerned with Katrina?

The Supreme Leader continues to approve Development. What?

And hier they are, the Results:
YouTube - abadan
chera hamaton dava mikonid hamvatana.. weli rastesh iene ke ...
5 Min. -

Mit 4,8 von insgesamt 5,0 bewertet
www.youtube.com/watch?v=IB7xM-FxwkI
I hope you will like it.

Hey Fred

Unlike your Mom, we don't find you cute and adorable. I am going to stop there!

Anonymouse

You are right bro!

Fred,

I apologize for the misunderstanding, if you have the slightest suspicion that my talk was directed to you, I have to say my friend, it was not. As you confessed through your own name you are not even an Iranian so why this subject concerns you is another question.

Islamist have no shame

The Islamists who are concerned for Katrina victims should channel their concern to them. Katrina victims have a democratic country caring for them and always have the option which is often exercised; of throwing the bums out of office should they fail in living up to the public’s expectation.  In these setting private donations compete with public ones which is not the case in the Islamists’ utopian republic. Not a single official of any stature has been sacked in the Islamist Republic for their thievery and total incompetence in the execution of their duties. When The Islamists were caught red handed for selling the international and private Iranians’ donation to the victims of Bam, the offenders got promoted.  Islamist’s gall never ceases to amaze.

Midwesty, what a bullshit.

Excuse my language, I have respect for you but couldn't resist.  Seems this is the usual and normal rhetoric.  "What have you done for Iran?" as JFK's "what have you done for your country?" It's an old story my friend and doesn't apply.  Is this a question to ask the Millions who have left Iran (you being one of them)? Get real.  This is not a maktab.  If you love Iran and are a normal person, you've done enough for Iran. No one "needs" you and me to do anything.  Everyone is doing just fine without "you" and "me".

It is pathetic to know

that all senseless and shameless so called- "Iranian opposition"  who have lived in the US and seen the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina still try to turn their head away from the problem. Please see what happened to the people of New Orleans who were "expecting" the government come and rescue them. Over 700 of them died waiting! Now every baby knows that Governments are just another load on the bent back of the people. What YOU as an IRANIAN have done for your country? This is a very question I ask myself everyday! Have you asked yourself?   

Islamist's version of trickle down economy

Some Islamist with unique economic plans are the proponent of appreciating the fine line between opposing a regime and caring for people,  That  is fine and dandy, but not in the case of the Islamist Republic as it was not  in the case of Nazi Germany nor the apartheid South Africa. In face of murderous regimes there is no “fine line” and in the context of the Islamist Republic patriotism is truly  the last bastion of the spandrel.

Rebuilding is good.

But everything gets bombed every day! and as soon as the "surge" wears off (US Army chief said this week troops are strained and tired) it is back to more bombing.  Afghanistan model under Taliban (maybe worse) may be the unfortunate future for Iraq. Selling "stuff" is not necessarily rebuilding.  I love Iran and don't use words like Islamo facists or Islamists or crap like that.  I'm just saying we're witnessing a bunch of voo hoo over nothing.  Billions are being spent yet the country (Iraq) is in shambles.  Many are profitting but it is not the reguar people of Iraq.  They know nothing but suffering.  Worse than we have it, much worse.

Iran rebuilding Iraq is real and a good thing

I have many friends who are working on behalf of Iran in Iraq. They are making multimillion dollar deals from Kurdistan to Basra. Building Iraq doesn't translate to free of charge. Portions of Iranian production economy today are based on Iraq and Afghanistan.
Research the products that people use daily in Iraq and see what percentage of those are made in Iran. Who will benefit here?
The point here is that rebuilding Iraq means jobs and money for many Iranian families. You may dislike what I say because of your hate towards IR, and I might share your feeling. Yet I am happy to hear about the Iranian involvements in the Iraqi economy. That's good for our people and therefore good for Iran.

There is a fine line between opposing a regime and caring for people and our country (Patriotism)

Copying America, Iranian style.

As many of you know Iranians in Iran are very fond of everything American.  From music to DVDs to clothes and other things.  Same is true with the regime and local Governments.  They think just like USA spends more money on military than social services, that is the way to go.  They spend money on Atomic energy and military and say forget about "fancy" stuff, like making Iranian cities look good or even kept up.

While I understand and would like Abadan to be rebuilt to claim its glory, Abadan's story is not limited to just Abadan.  Look at Tehran.  At every corner there is a worn off picture of shaheed or Imam painted on a huge buidling or sign.  Building sprouting like weeds.  Traffic and smog is killing people.  No building codes.

 Then you go to other towns and cities. No building codes what so ever.  They just build right on the street.  They get building permit for 4 stories and 20 meters setback from the street, they build 10 stories and 2 meters setback and pay the "penalty"! You pay more and you (excuse my language) piss on architecture, culture and looking good.

As far as Iraq, I can understand why we should rebuild our war damaged cities before rebuilding Iraqi cities.  However, don't forget the simple Iraqi people who are the real victims here.  They are human just like the rest of us.  Iran is deporting Afghanis ruthlessly and yet we seem to forget about all the suffering they have suffered and will suffer when they go back.  We are just simply sentencing them to horrific deaths in Afghanistan like those dying of hunger or freezing to death in the past couple of months.

 Think about Iraqi cities, they are devasted much worse than Nazi Germany after WWII.  Between the daily insurgent bombings and US bombings in the past several years, what do you think is left of the cities and buildings? As an example, trash is not to be picked up or Insurgents will kill you.  You get outside to see the sun and breathe and a bomb goes off and kills the person next to you.  You know, the usual. 

Iran's promise of rebuilding in Iraq is bullshit, just for public opinion following in America's footsteps.  A bad knockoff if you will. Rebuilding Iraq is a myth.  US has been spending billions in the past 4 years trying to rebuild.  What have they "rebuilt"?! 

It is ridiculous to expect

It is ridiculous to expect Iranians outside or inside to take on the task of re-building Iranian devestated cities while the Islamic Republic squanders the oil revenues in re-building Lebanon and Afghanistan, and Iraq. Isn't the Islamic Republic suppose to serve its citizen? Why not ask for accountability from the IR government first? Where are all the oil revenues ending up???In whose pockets?

The apologists once again are vulgarly trying to obsolve the IR's corruption and thievery by invoking 'citizen's social responsibility...what a hypocritical pathetic bunch who feign patriotism and "love of their country" while refusing to see the pink elephant in the room. These apologist ideologues remind me of Bush and Cheney...shame on all you.

Dear Nazy

Thanks for bringing this to our attention. As an Iranian American who has never forgot his first home I am torn apart by this story. From one side I love my country and from the other I can’t do anything about it fearing getting entangled with the legal web that Bush administration has wrapped around Iranians in the US. Any type of money, assistant and even consultation to any faction of Iranian society will become the subject of US government scrutiny.

It's disturbing

It has been very disturbing to me to see that we Iranians are perhaps one of the very a few well established minorities that don't care for our Iran enough. We don't show our caring by doing something positive for our country, just have our hands open to always receive.

Sometimes it's the civil society that creates a civil system and civility in culture. We can't always just sit and blame, in or out of Iran the attitude seems to be similar in regard to this issue.

Besides writing a letter

Wouldn't be nice for some Iranian Americans to actually DO SOMETHING once in a while for their own country? Not to say IRI has done enough, but why not us?

MOvie about BAM Watch the

MOvie about BAM

Watch the trailer of the movie:

//www.essenceofiran.com/html/home.html

Bam 6.6 is the story of the human condition. The film weaves together stories of survival, loss, and healing, as we explore the humanity of the Iranian people through the prism of the devastating 2003 earthquake that struck at the heart of Bam, an ancient Iranian village.

Our subjects come from different walks of life - A Jewish-American woman, an American businessman, and the Iranian residents of Bam.

Through their experiences, viewers will witness how a natural disaster can overcome religious and political barriers, dispel stereotypes, and unite disparate members of the human family.

The Supreme Leader continues

The Supreme Leader continues to approve and dictate to his errand boy, Ahmadinejad, self-defeating policies. Rahbar orders include destabilizing the region politically, turning neighbors and foes against one another, meddling and undermining sovereignty and independence of many states in the Islamic world, and mounting a high-profile anti-U.S. publicity campaign in South and Latin America.

Meanwhile, Iran's economy on the verge of disastrous collapse and the government places inflation rates at 12-13 percent but according to Iran's Parliament Research Center the figure is actually closer to 20 percent.Unemployment is at its all time high and many workers are out of jobs. More than 11 million live in extreme poverty and close to 40% live below poverty line (est. 2002) and the GDP of less than $8000 and Income Per ca pita of less than $3000 justifies 'assissting muslim brethern' in the name ummah at the expense of Iran and Iranians.

Endangering the future of generations of Iranians for decades to come and against Iranian nation's interest, the Islamic Republic in its attempt to hold on to power at any cost, keeps pushing for global Jihad to fulfill Khomeini's manifest destiny of 'one world under Islam'; it continues to use old time tactics of buying loyalties of mercenaries and foreign legions with the oil revenues that belongs to the Iranian people.

The Islamic Republic spends [(squanders oil revenues on perceived (NOT REAL loyalty)] money lavishly, handing out cash and building hospitals, roads, bridges, and schools for southern Lebanese Hizballah. So far,IRI has rebuilt 200 schools, 150 places of worship (mosques), 30 clinics and 25 bridges. The official budget for this year is about $120 million) and the key priority is repairing the national road network. This is one year after war with Israel, provoked by Hezbollah’s kidnapping of Israeli's soldiers. Iranians are outraged:

Many Iranians are disgruntled over their government's decision to hand over 25 million dollars in aid to a Hezbollah-linked relief group in Lebanon, an Iranian newspaper has reported.The daily Aftab Yazd, known for its criticism of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's hardline government, in an editorial cited a reader's letter in which the amounts of money being sent to Lebanon were described as "inappropriate".

Aftab Yazd noted how "many areas destroyed during the eight year war with Iraq which ended in 1988 were still awaiting funds for reconstruction" with thousands of people still displaced because their homes have yet to be rebuilt. (Not to mention those who became homeless during the Bam Earthquake)

Last week an Iranian envoy in Beirut, Hossein Khoshnevis, handed over a 25 million dollar cheque to Nabil Al Jaser, who heads the Council for the Reconstruction of Lebanon, a body set up by Hezbollah in the aftermath of last year's six-week long war with Israel.Khoshnevis also announced that 43 of the 63 villages Iran has pledged to help rebuild have been completed.

The envoy also said that some 149 schools, 150 mosques, and 25 medical aid centers damaged in the fighting have been refurbished.Also over the last year Iranian funds helped remove explosive mines from some parts of southern Lebanon, Khoshnevis added as well as repair work to some roads and the reconstruction of 12 bridges bombed by Israeli war planes.Hezbollah was created by Iran in 1982. Iran has been training and funding Hezbollah ever since.

//www.aftab-yazd.com/

//yalibnan.com/site/archives/2007/08/iranians...

//www.roozonline.com/english/archives/2007/08...

//www.nationmaster.com/graph/eco_pop_bel_pov_...

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world...

Abadan

The city was awsome and the people were even greater (which they still are). IRI has no shame and will continue to invest to buy allies at the expense of Iran.

Zendeh Baad Khuzestan...Zendeh baad Iran.

Abadan, My Father's Hometown

Fabulous translation, I also read the original piece in Persian which was also as beautiful as the translation. I only have a vague image of Abadan in my mind, I was 13 years old and we went to visit my aunt in Ahwaz. and we drove to Abadan to see the city. There were still bullet marks on the walls of the houses. I remember my late father was so upset not seeing any progress in Abadan. All the damages were still there, his dreams have been falling apart, his hopes and wishes were dimmed. I'm happy he is not among us to see this happening to our country and our cities.

Poole naft baraye maa ke keshvar nashod kash baraye araghia hade aghal paie takht beshe

-Max

Clarification

Dear G. Rahmanian:

The man who wrote the original piece lives in Iran and is not an Abadani. This piece expresses his sentiments about the City of Abadan. There is no need to challenge his courage or to label him, for even without his actually going to the Mayor's Office, he is plenty brave for writing about the issue in his heartfelt way.

Dear Real Nader Vanaki:

I assume you understand that I have translated another person's blog post in this piece, so I assume you are asking your question of both of us. Notwithstanding the irrelevance of the question to the piece, the answer is "Yes, we have."

ONE QUESTION

WHAT HAVE YOU DONE FOR YOUR COUNTRY? HAVE YOU WORKED ONE RIAL OR A SINGLE DAY FOR IRAN?