A better tomorrow

Open Letter to Senator Barack Obama


Balatarin
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A better tomorrow
by Adib
22-Sep-2008
 

Dear Honorable Senator Obama:

Due to your common-sense and logical disposition on many national and international issues, I have taken the liberty of writing you this letter as a friend and concerned citizen. As an American–Iranian and journalist, I see too many similarities between the current United States and Iran’s governments and very few differences. But, as usual, we tend to focus on our differences but not on our similarities.

Throughout my life in Iran and America, I have witnessed many important events in the late 20th century and early 21st century.

In Iran, I witnessed:

· Firsthand experience of Islamic Revolution, when I was a sophomore student in the journalism school;

· How the Islamic Revolution changed Iranians’ life and Iran while I was working as a journalist in Iran for more than 15 years;

· The Saddam Hussein’s war against Iran which lasted for 8 years and I was in the battleground for its first 2 years;

· How conservatives used the war as a pretext to limit the people’s rights and freedoms;

· The Reform Movement in Iran and how a moderate candidate (Mohammad Khatami) injected some hope into the society and brought many first time voters to the polls; and

· How conservatives defeated the reform movement and finally were successful in consolidating their political power.

In the US, I witnessed:

· Mr. George W. Bush becoming President of the United States — only 10 days after I arrived in the US as a permanent residence;

· The tragic terrorist attacks of the September 11, 2001, the largest terrorist attack in the history (after having lived in the US for only 20 months);

· The tragic Iraq war and saw clearly how the Neoconservatives mislead the Americans;

· How the September 11th attacks changed America and its widely envied Constitutional freedoms;

· How the war and national security were used as pretexts, by government, to limit the freedoms and rights of Americans.

· How a country with less than three centuries of history and a shameful record of slavery, is preparing itself to have the first elected African-American President in the White House;

· How, as a candidate, you have injected hope and new energy into the American’s life; and

· How conservatives and neoconservatives aggressively try to stop you in order to consolidate their political power in Washington.

Dear Senator Obama,

· Your views and your campaign remind me of the former president of Iran, Mr. Khatami. He was running against the conservatives, as you are today.

· He was under pressure by the established and corrupt politicians as you are today.

· He was running his campaign based on a very hopeful (and for some, harmful) message of “Change and Reform” as you are doing today.

· He was too good to be a part of the highly entrenched conservative government, as you are today.

· In Iran, Conservatives did whatever they could to derail and discredit him and I see that the American conservative faction is doing the same to you today.

Dear Senator Obama,

· You have become the symbol of “Hope and Change” for most Americans, including the youth, elderly, Black, White, Jews, Christians, Muslims, Immigrants, and others.

· I think you are going to win this election and that’s why I have some concerns. Although The Reform movement in Iran gave Iranians a “taste of freedom,” but once in power, they failed to deliver the promises that they had made. Hence, they lost people’s trust. I am afraid, this could happen here too!

· As you know, many analysts in the US and Iran have been saying that George W. Bush and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad are very similar, in terms of political policies, worldviews, and religiosity. I agree with them, but the good news is that there are many similarities between you and Mr. Khatami as well.

· I know you have too many advisors that can tell you or already have been telling you this and that, but I feel obliged to share my concerns with you as a friend and supporter—I really want you to succeed!

· In my view, if you win the election and then fail to deliver your promises, there is a high chance to see people’s hope and wishes for “Change and Reform” will vanish—similar to what happened in Iran.

Dear Senator Obama,

· You‘ve said in the past that you would talk to the Iranian president. There is no better time to break the ice between the US and Iran than during your term in the White House. Nearly 30 years of useless animosity between the two countries is enough! It’s advantageous to both countries to establish a constructive dialogue and resolve their differences.

· Today, we are witnessing that “The Rise of the Rest” will culminate in a New World Order.

· The disastrous state of world affairs and failed policies (political and economic) should force us to revise our old policies and perceptions, vis-a-vi the Middle East and beyond. The combination of the new realities on the ground, Iran’s request for direct talk with the US, and your position on foreign policy issues, require major changes in Washington’s tone towards Iran.

· To support my suggestions, I would like to use three points based on Fareed Zakaria’s excellent article (The future of American power) in May/June 2008 issue of the Foreign Affairs magazine:

1. Americans often talk about the appeal of their culture and ideas, but “soft power” really began with Britain.

2. We are now living through the third great power shift of the modern era--the rise of the rest.

3. The U.S. Political system has lost the ability to accept some pain now for great gain later on…A can-do country is now saddled with a do-nothing political process, designed for partisan battle rather than problem solving.

Finally, I believe bringing change to Washington policies toward Iran is impossible without making fundamental changes in the Voice of America’s mission and function.

You see, the British seem to understand the value of the “Soft Power” and know how to use it. They changed the BBC functions from a “Propaganda Machine” to a “Professional News Organization” with a high level of credibility as a fair source of news and information. The US government seems to still adhere to the outmoded 19th century mindset about the media’s role in global affairs. From its very beginning, VOA has remained a part of the US government propaganda machinery, while the British government has pursued a hands-off policy regarding BBC.

If we believe in the freedom as the fundamental value of our global society, we should accept some pain now by changing the VOA’s functions. I am sure you and your running mate, Senator Joe Biden, will make the world a better place by changing the way US perceives and deals with “others” around the world. Your desire to change America’s global perception, likewise, is another crucial issue that requires careful thinking and planning. Your stance, along with Senator Biden’s long experience in foreign affairs and his approach toward Iran, is a sufficient reason for me to cast my vote for you, hoping that we will have a better tomorrow for all Americans and all peoples around the world.

Best wishes,

Farid Adib


Balatarin
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،حداقل نتیجه ی حمله به ایران
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Oct 02, 2007
more from Adib
 
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Obaam Biden ticket is a joke and one that Mullahs will love.

by Anonymous on Wed Sep 24, 2008 11:41 PM PDT

Obama is a joke and Biden is worse. Jake tapper from ABC is keeping a tab on gaffes that is generating from their campaign. I have the whole list here:

//www.obamasgaffes.blogspot.com


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Zion

Really?

by Zion on Wed Sep 24, 2008 12:53 PM PDT

You see nothing wrong with this:

for instance?
'Dear Senator Obama,
· Your views and your campaign remind me of the former president of Iran, Mr. Khatami. He was running against the conservatives, as you are today.
· He was under pressure by the established and corrupt politicians as you are today...
· He was too good to be a part of the highly entrenched conservative government, as you are today.
· In Iran, Conservatives did whatever they could to derail and discredit him and I see that the American conservative faction is doing the same to you today.

So that rotten mullah was as good as Obama? So American Wife, you really think the (ehem!) "conservatives" in Iran are the same as the conservatives in the US?

Very interesting. And you complain somewhere else about anti-US bias in this website?
Funny.


  •  
American Wife

Adib

by American Wife on Tue Sep 23, 2008 03:47 PM PDT

Great article... :-)


  •  
Zion

Rubbish

by Zion on Tue Sep 23, 2008 03:39 PM PDT

'nuff said.


  •  
jamshid

Re: Adib

by jamshid on Tue Sep 23, 2008 12:52 PM PDT

Here is a copy and paste of my comment in another thread:

When Obama picked Biden as VP, he took pride on his decision stating that Biden is a "foreign relations" expert. Let's take a look at this expertise, specifically as related to our country Iran: 

At a NIAC organized dinner, Biden invited IRI's "elected" (yeah right, elected) representatives to meet with members of US congress.

Not only this would legitimize Iran's illegitimate regime, it is also a slap on the face of all those who are fighting against this regime and for their most basic freedoms, and who are enduring untold hardship.

Biden was one of the only few Senators who voted against declaring Ghods (Pasdaran elite) as a terrorist organization. He also voted against the Missile Proliferation Sanctions Act, a bill that would punish companies selling high tech missile technology to the IRI.

As a show of good faith toward the IRI, in one of his staff meetings, Biden entertained the idea of sending the IRI a $200 million check.

Biden declared: "the world needs to address what is Iran's emotional needs with a nonaggression pact..."

Either Senator Biden does not know that Iranians' emotional needs revolve around human rights and their violated basic freedoms, or he was only referring to the IRI regime's emotional needs.

In 2002, despite protests by Iranian-American human rights activists, Biden attended a fund-raiser for his re-election at the California "home" of Sadegh Namzi. Does anyone know who Mr. Namazi is? The most important topic of discussion, besides his re-election, was finding ways to appease the regime in Iran.

This was another slap in the face of all those who are fighting for democracy and human rights in Iran.

By the way, this was not the only such fund-raisers. Biden’s election campaigns have always been helped by organziations that are serving as IRI fronts and lobbies in the US.

Mohsen Movaghar himself admitted to contributing $1000 to Biden's campaign. Who is Movaghar? Go read the list of board members of IMAN and you'll find out who he is. Same goes with Namazi. What is IMAN? It is another one of IRI fronts in the US.

It is no surprise to me that Biden is IRI's favorite Senator.

Does anyone in here doubts that the US-Iran tensions is considered the top "foreign relations" issue in the US? So is it safe to assume that Obama must have been aware of all these Biden activities prior to choosing him?

If yes, what does that tell you about Obama's views on the struggles of Iranians in Iran? If no, what does that tell you about Obama's judgment in selecting his staff?

P.S. Did I forget to say that Biden has been a member of Senate Foreign Relations Committee for the past 25 years? Do the math, where does that take us? To the Iran-Iraq war, of course.

Guess what committe would approve or reject US military aids to Saddam? I guess back then the IRI had not yet "learnt" how to buy Senators (read: lobby and campaign contributions). They sure learnt fast.

//obamareport.blogspot.com/2008/08/is-senator-biden-sympathetic-towards.html

You can also google these key words: Biden Islamic Republic

Pass the words. Feel free to copy and post any part of this comment anywhere you want.


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yes! Only Palin spoke out for Iranian Women

by Anonymous on Tue Sep 23, 2008 09:52 AM PDT

It's time to give credit when credit is due regardless if you are pro Dems or Rep

check out this blog:

//www.governorpalin.blogspot.com


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default

shame on you farid adib for

by Anonymous... (not verified) on Tue Sep 23, 2008 08:40 AM PDT

shame on you farid adib for promoting the IRI and that criminal Khatami.


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Palin's speech on Iran and Iranian Women

by Anonymous on Mon Sep 22, 2008 09:43 PM PDT

Here is an excerpts of Gov. Palin remark about Iranian people women today. The only American politician who have mentioned Iranian women:

Excerpts:

Not even Iranian citizens are safe from their government's threat to those who want to live, work, and worship in peace. Politically-motivated abductions, torture, death by stoning, flogging, and amputations are just some of its state-sanctioned punishments.

It is said that the measure of a country is the treatment of its most vulnerable citizens. By that standard, the Iranian government is both oppressive and barbaric. Under Ahmadinejad's rule, Iranian women are some of the most vulnerable citizens.

If an Iranian woman shows too much hair in public, she risks being beaten or killed.

If she walks down a public street in clothing that violates the state dress code, she could be arrested.

But in the face of this harsh regime, the Iranian women have shown courage. Despite threats to their lives and their families, Iranian women have sought better treatment through the "One Million Signatures Campaign Demanding Changes to Discriminatory Laws." The authorities have reacted with predictable barbarism. Last year, women's rights activist Delaram Ali was sentenced to 20 lashes and 10 months in prison for committing the crime of "propaganda against the system." After international protests, the judiciary reduced her sentence to "only" 10 lashes and 36 months in prison and then temporarily suspended her sentence. She still faces the threat of imprisonment.

Link: //www.nysun.com/opinion/palin-on-ahmadinejad-...


  •  
Adib

Senator Biden's approach to Iran

by Adib on Mon Sep 22, 2008 09:33 PM PDT

Dear Jamshid

His records clearly shows he voted at least 4 times against bill for Iran to be sanction.

He also opposed war against Iran: "The president has no authority to unilaterally attack Iran, and if he does, as Foreign Relations Committee chairman, I will move to impeach,"

Anothe point:

"Worst of all, instead of keeping its eye on the prize of preventing Iran from getting the bomb, this administration has been obsessed with the idea of getting rid of the Iranian regime. None of us like the regime, but think about the logic: we want you to renounce your uranium enrichment and plutonium production programs - and by the way, when you do, we're still going to try to take you down."

Fore more detaile:

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQqglI4RdKw

and

//www.huffingtonpost.com/joe-biden/meeting-the-iranian-chall_b_75628.html

Farid


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samsam1111

Dear Honorable

by samsam1111 on Mon Sep 22, 2008 08:48 PM PDT

sokhaneh del begoo ay doosteh seyedan...delet waseh amrika nasookhteh..begoo geryeh zarit barayeh imam obama waseh chieh..bichareh obama keh nayoomadeh shod seyed sia baz khattami ommati...cheh reformi cheh hezbi hameh yeh karbasan..hameh ommati..


  •  
jamshid

And...

by jamshid on Mon Sep 22, 2008 07:09 PM PDT

... long live the IRI.

"along with Senator Biden’s long experience in foreign affairs and his approach toward Iran"

And exactly what is Senator Biden's approach to Iran? I would like the author to elaborate on that.


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