Pictory

Is that all you can say?

OK, So you have nothing to say in response.

Understood.

Pirouz

Lets hope that the present backward islamist regime is soon consigned to the same history books you talk about.  And I am sure that the moral of the history lesson on the IRI will be to show how the corrupted and backward ideology of the mullahs halted the progress of the nation dead in its tracks; and why Iran should never again be left in the hands of the mullahs and their uneducated, greedy, self-enriching fanatics.   

Banoo

= Lady

To Banoo Farah Rusta

Dear friend, thanks a lot for your kind words toward my person. I read your comments with maximum interest and from my humble point of view you are right. Wht surprises me a lot is why Iranian people in exile hate the late Shah, why they constantly attack a death man.

On the other hand, dear Farah, it would be nice if you or someone could translate me the meaning of the word "Banoo".

Thanks in advance.

Are these your "reliable" sources?!!

perhaps you would care to re-define, reliable?

FR

"هیچ کس از قانون مستثنی نیست"

It seems that there is no public record on Pahlavi’s wealth by any of the family members for the information of Iranian people and as an historical record. The estimates by others range in low to high billions of dollars. Here are two links that I found by Google search, the first one on David Rockefeller’s estimate, and the second with information on the management of money starting on page 154 “Control Through Money” that could help clarify some issues on Pahlavi’s wealth obtained from national coffer of Iran and land deals.

If anyone has other reliable sources please do not hesitate to report for the readers’ information. 

Political Friendster Connection - David Rockefeller connected to ...

Iran: the illusion of power - Google Books Result

One point that needs to be made emphatically is that this side issue should not distract any patriotic Iranian from the urgent task of helping to overthrow the criminal IRI dictatorship and replace it with a secular democracy.  

My response to;

Dear Elisenda,

Thank you for your supportive comment and addressing me with the same title that a number of equally kind hearted writers on this site occasionally oblige me. You are so kind.

Fooladi jan

First, I am glad that you are still having a job but please be careful most companies keep a log of their employees internet access! Second, a single party democracy, as its name implies, is democratically enshrined in the constitution of a the country that opts (usually through a referendum) to follow it. It used to be a feature of post colonial rule that made the country unite behind one (anti colonial) leader and any opposition was deemed unnecessary. India's INC and many post-colonial  African nations were good examples until their nations were politically mature and ready to vote for other political persuasions. Of course there are often other parties that form a coalition with the main (ruling) party. In Iran the concept of Rastakhiz was not anti-democratic per se (given ithe inefficiency of the previous 3-party system) but as I said before it was not given enough time to render any result.

Babak khan 

With respect, your comparison with India is totally out of place. Indians are, by and large, one of the most, if not the most, morally principled nations on earth (there are always exceptions but I am talking as a general rule). With regret I can't say the same about my own compatriots.

FR

From reading these anti-shah

Comments, I can say that the Pahlavi dynasty still poses a threat to
the islamists, and many still support the pahlavi dynasty's return
inside and diff outside of Iran. If he didn't pose a threat then you
shameless islamists leaches wouldn't be trolling and spamming every
single video of the man, you would let him rest in peace, but you just
showed that you're scared of him even after his passing.

The shah was the best thing that happened to Iran

The past 1400 years, ever since the islamic governments emerged in
Iran, and yes he had flaws in his dynasty, like having mercy on
parasites. I would have just choked your family infront of your
eyes (That's what you deserve) for acting like traitor bastard.

Very sad

After reading all your comments, I conclude that it's very sad to see your division. Iranian people should be united againts the theocratic and religious government because it deniies freedom. All Iranian lovers of freedom should join their aims and goals againts the regime. If you are not united you'll fail.

Personally, I understand the sentimetns and words writen by Banoo Farah Rusta. I want to believe that the Shah really wanted to build a democracy. However, the cold war didn't allow it during his reign.

By the way, Banoo does it mean "Lady" or "Madmoiselle". If this is true, Shahbanou means that the Queen is the Madmoiselle of the Shah? Thanks. 

A lot of emotion and "sour

A lot of emotion and "sour grapes" exhibited here. But it's all unnecessary.

The Iranian monarchy is history. The country has moved on. The only place where it remains politically relevant is in the minds of of a few irrelevant exiles.

Seeing a video of the last Shah of Iran is like seeing a video of the first Shah of Iran: a lesson in history and nothing more. 

no offense to any one here

but I wonder, is this the best way to spend our energy and time while the IRI is fleecing/raping our country from its young people and wealth or the warmongers are just itching to attack Iran and make a rubble such as Gaza or Iraq out of Iran.

I agree that we can and should always try to learn from the past but the "house is on fire right" now so lets see if we can rescue this house otherwise it will be "Ali moondo hozesh" [there wouldn't be a country to have a shah for it]

Mehrdad

Just a joke .....

Take it easy guys, he is dead and his name is classified at the archive now. Cool down, read this joke:

Teacher : Can you tell me the name of 3 great kings who have brought happiness & peace into people's lives?

Student : Smo-king , Drin-king & fuc-king

perhaps the king is not accountable for anything after all

the king is not accountable for his wealth?  the days that no one could question the king are over (mind you, there's a new excellency on the block).  is this how a monarchist would defend reza 2 if he was able to go back to iran and claim his royal status? --> no one can question the king, and if you do, you don't know what a king means. and don't bother me about the definition; go ask a guy named starkey what a king is.

قانون "از کجا آورده ای؟" را شاه آورد، و حالا شما میگویید که شاه

قانون "از کجا آورده ای؟" را شاه آورد، و حالا شما میگویید که شاه از این قانون مستسنی است؟

The Americans have a saying "Do as I say, not as I do", which is the basic premise of what you are saying to us.   I disagree, even if David Starkey puts his stamp on it 

MM Don't have the time Go ask David Starkey ...

I did not invent the Concept of the Monarchy !

HISTORY FORUM: David Starkey - The Royal House of Windsor (10 Parts)

DK: I got it!

Thanks!

But I have news for you.

It's all B.S.

You and I are sitting here in front of this computer (probably in our pajamas since people who have real jobs do not waste so much time on drivels) typing away (or in your case, cut and pasting away), thinking that we're doing something useful. In the mean time, the powers to be, whether the mullahs in Tehran or the big shots in Washington, are deciding our futures.

So relax. Don't get so upset. As you always say LOL :)

Here's a nice video for you. Enjoy!

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYfZ6CiynO0&feature...

Dariush - Please explain what you meant by ur phrase:

Ahura A King is NOT accountable for his Wealth ... He is KING !

ghalam-doon I am Not Surprised you Don't ...

You Fellows are Iranian JACOBINS you are the Most Stubborn Mules  Any Society has had to face in it's history and Iran is no exception.

Your likes exist even in Perfectly Democratic Societies be them Republics or Constitutional Monarchies or any other system which could exist in Europe the US canada or elsewhere. You are the type of people who are against Social Progress whichever way you look at it.

You would rather see your compatriots raped, killed, humiliated or see our national and territorial integrity be at jeapordy by Separatists which you are ready to endorse only to Satisfy YOUR PERSONAL INDIVIDUALISTIC REPUBLICAN NOMBRILISTIC EGO !

Who Cares if Democracy is acheived in 100 Years time and Thousands more innocent people are killed as Long as the outcome is a Republic ...

It's 30 years we are trying to get out of this hell called the Islamic Republic for which WE ARE ALL ACCOUNTABLE : Republicans, Constitutionalists, Islamists, The Shah and Khomeiny alike !

Time and again we have taken steps of conciliation towards you, our prince even suggested a Referandum and even criticized his father as best a Son can towards his own genitor and against even his own constituency who saw him as their legitimate and undisputed king but you continue to spit in our face and we are in addition expected to apologize ?

But there reaches a point in EVERYBODY's Life when One Need to take Responsability for the Pain YOUR POOR CHOICE has had on Others:

BOOK: EVEN AFTER ALL THIS TIME By Afschineh Latifi ( A Memoir )

In a Free and Democratic Society YOUR BEHAVIOR would be assimilated to "Non Assistance to People in Danger" and eligible for Prison:

When did YOU make an Effort to write something useful all these years on the Iranian.com or elsewhere in favor or let's say helping a Human Rights Campaign against Child Executions or anyother worthy cause?

Nazanin Afshin-Jam New Human Rights Campaign to Stop Child Executions in Iran and Beyond by DK

All YOU Know and Do is to CRITICIZE To NAUSEA !

One day it's the Neo Con's then the Jews then the Zionists then your OWN FELLOW COMPATRIOTS : 

NEO CON WARMONGERS ? Tehrangeles Demo in Support of Iran's Greens

It's NEVER YOUR OWN FAULT !

Blame us even when we try and extend a friendly hand as our Crown Prince has been doing since DAY ONE:

Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi Q&A With Iranians Inside & Outside Ian

Don't Ask a Monarchist to be Accountable When YOU Republicans are Not Ready to Take Responsability !

PROUD TO BE IRANIAN AND A MONARCHIST: Fereydoun Farrokhzad Up Close and Personal (Mid 1980's)

There is a Good Expression in French which Perfectly Applies to Your Likes :

La Monarchie C'est Ferme ferme ta gueule Mais La Republique c'est Cause Toujours ...

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSiKw5rgM_U&feature=channel

YOUR BEHAVIOR DESERVES NOTHING BUT CONTEMPT !

Au Revoir et Bonnes Vacances !

DK

DK: I don't get it!

I'm sorry but I read your lengthy and passioante and somehow insulting response to another guy on this blog but I was not convinced that your path is the best path for Iran. The problem for me is that I REMEMBER those days and they were not as rosy as you see them through your colourful glasses.

So what should I do? Do you think by insulting me and people like me, we will see the light?

LOL! LOL :) LOL :( LOL :D

And some videos from YouTube...

ghalam-doon Jaan thank you for proving my point ... ;0)

Reproducing what I wrote in my previous thread :

If you had a choice between let's say achieving a Fully Democratic society in 10 years time knowing that it would nevertheless be a Constitutional Monarchy like Great Britian or a Fully Democratic Society in 50 years time knowing that it would then be a Secular Republic, I am certain that you would rather live for another 50 years with the Current Mess than even consider a Restoration even if the latter would be the shortest route towards national reconciliation and Democracy.

Nagoftam ? ... LOL

You Are Indeed Worthy of Knighthood as Founder of This Brilliant Reality TV Concept :

KNIGHTHOOD: Order of the Garter bestowed upon Mohsen Kadivar For Giving me a Bad Name ;0(

BRAVO !

Now Try and make them applause:

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QY1T-2f_KM

So if we must have a shah..

If we must have a shah, why not make it more democratic. Why not have a contest like the ones on TV. We can call it "who wants to be a shah?" Then we have a number of contestants who will compete for the title. They can tell the judges why they make the best shah. They can tell how ruthless they are, or how they will act in certain situations for example if there was an uprising etc.

Why do we have to go back to last dynasty in Iran, considering the fact that many Iranians, whether we like it or not, have problems with the late shah.  We should establish a new dynasty through a new shah. Only then we can hold him accountable for his actions!

Or we can leave it to the British or Americans to do the choosing for us!

P.S. ladies can apply too!

Patriot - Traitor

I think Shah with all his mistakes was a patriot and those who knew what and who Khomeini was and helped him to bring the hell to our country are traitors. They who helped him to destroy our land, kill, rape, torture our people, and now sitting somewhere in U.S or Europe and blame the Shah for everything that make you wonder why they didn't stay themselves in the paradise they made. You are dinosaurs that have been extincted, but don't know it yet.

Lastly I maintain my assessment on Albright !

Olagh bood va Hast !

Call me a Male Chauvinistic Pig .. I couldn't care less.

America No More than the World owe The Islamic Republic an Apology for the events of 1953 no more than those of 1979. She should be ashamed to have even spoken to it's representatives as representing the Iranian People or Dr. Mossadegh's Political legacy. Given that on both accounts Dr. Mossadegh no more than the Iranian people are respected by the current UN IRANIAN Regime of Tehran.

Mrs. Albright is NOT My Spokesperson be it as an Iranian and even less as an Iranian American No More than Stephan Kinzer or Amy Goodman or NIAC And it's founder Trita Parsi !

He is :

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4b8VF_uKXo

Hoshang Targol I have answered to ALL Those Questions before

You simply need to look through all the blogs I have published and comments I have made over the years to deaf ears apparently to have a slight idea of where I stand in regard to Absolutism as practised in our history by all our monarchs regardless of which dynasty was in power.

But the trouble with Your Likes is that You are NOT even ready for an OpenMinded Debate on ANYTHING related to the the past.

You Seek Accountability from Us monarchists but Refuse the slightests accountability on your OWN POOR CHOICE :

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPpB-r5mMCI

Not surprising that now the latest trend and Blunt Lie by all those who participated enthusiastically to the Revolution 30 years ago is to claim that the Revolution was Highjacked. Probably too ashamed to admit it to their own children asking them for accountablitiy.

HOW CONVENIENT !

Your Epidermical emotional reaction at the very simple evocation of anything positive that the former Imperial regime could have done or not done in preserving the "Yek Parchegeeh" Iran is however symptomatic of those who cannot come to terms with Reality of their own shortsighted view of Men and History in general.

History is Not about merely about GOOD VS EVIL it is Not About PEOPLE POWER as GOOD VS ABSOLUTE POWER as BAD.

I am against Absolutism but Some Absolute Leaders in history are regarded today as Progressive for their time. Peter the Great of Russia or Tzarina Catherine the Great or Frederic the Great of Prussia or the Reformist Tzar Alexander II who like the late Shah abolished Serfdom and distributed lands to the peasants all in their own way tried to pull their country into the modern Age. Some were even befriended  by the enlightment philosophers like Voltaire who was a Constitutionalist and NOT a Republican. Yet many of his ideas paved the way to the French Revolution which he would most certainly have opposed were he alive particularly for beheading the King and Queen.

The British Monarchy was Voltaire's ideal of Democracy and it was also the case for Montesquieu and many other Enlightment philosophers:

HISTORY OF IDEAS: Ian Davidson on Voltaire's "English Exile"

Nations and not merely individuals have commited the Most Horrendous Crimes particularly in the 20TH Centurey in the name of the People and even in the name of Democracy. Hitler was the product of Democratic Abberation more than anything else. He was ELECTED with a Majority and to the results we saw in History. Hitler Defined himself as a "National Socialist." Note the contradiction that definition itself ... He was Nothing more than a Mob ringer with a Thug Mentality doubled by the frustration of being a Failed Artist no doubt.  

Should we then wrongly conclude for that matter that DEMOCRACY IS BAD ? ...

Then Why is it that YOU dismiss the Constitutionalists on grounds of failure ?

Unlike Your Republic, We had a Constitutional Monarch for 12 years in the 25 Centuries of Absolute Rule.

Mossadegh consciensly or subconciensely Opened the Cage on the Lion to come out and take over at a time when the Constitution in our land was barely 50 years old.

Constitutionalists Aimed at Domesticating the Lion King and Not Toppling him.

Mossadegh Jeapordized a 50 year Old Attempt with the Oil Crisis. I don't think he is to be blamed alone. The Social, political rivalries and International Context of the time had their share of responsability But It is Legitimate to at least ask ourselves that question of whether or not Mossadegh played a role in his own demise ?

You may Not want to ask those questions that hurt ... Others Will and Do already:

Mashadollah Adjoudani, Abbas Milani, Parviz Rajji:

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bIo2UnG9VY

I blame Both Mossadegh and The Shah. But the Shah was born into Royalty. He did not chose to be King and no one ever asked him if he should or should not be a democrat given that non of his predecessors were. The best people could hope for after the tormants of WWII and the humiliating defeat of his own father by the allied forces was to have a benevolent king which he was. Mossadegh Chose to be Prime Minister and as such he had a Responsability be it political and historical to make sure that his behavior would not jeapordize a Fragile Democratic Process in which he was just one element. The Shah was constitutionally speaking the Head of State and Iran was far from having the ideal conditions of let's say a Great Britain or even Belgium ( The constitution of which we had copied) of a fully democratic society with citizens and a political elite used to sharing power. We simply had the premise of a democratic society with a fairly weak civil society given that the large masses of people were still living under the poverty line and largely uneducated and hardly familiar about their right be them social or political. The White Revolution with it's share of mistakes tried to overcome that gap.

pictory: Political Pluralism and Freedom of Press in Pahlavi Iran (1961) 

I have no problem debating with you Jomhurykhah's on ANY Question regarding the Pahlavis and even the Monarchy in general. I always Felt and believed in an Accountable State. But DO YOU ?

I very much doubt it because you are simply Too Stubborn to even consider an Open Minded Debate on anything in relation to the Pahlavi Era or the Constitutional Movement in Iran because you see everything  through a Moralistic vision which distorts your objectivity.

If you had a choice between let's say achieving a Fully Democratic society in 10 years time knowing that it would nevertheless be a Constitutional Monarchy like Great Britian or a Fully Democratic Society in 50 years time knowing that it would then be a Secular Republic, I am certain that you would rather live for another 50 years with the Current Mess than even consider a Restoration even if the latter would be the shortest route towards national reconciliation and Democracy.

That's Not Stubborness anymore it's a Mental Regression hardly worthy of a Knighthood ...

KNIGHTHOOD: Order of the Garter bestowed upon Mohsen Kadivar For Giving me a Bad Name ;0(

Unlike us Iranians to date Other nations have understood the meaning of FLEXIBILITY and the advantages of Openmindedness early on.

That is why instead of having to put up with this Self FLagellating behavior:

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QY1T-2f_KM

They have Instead Moved Forward:

RESTORATION: Britain's 'Glorious Revolution' of 1688 and the 'Bill of Rights'

RESTORATION: Elected Monarchs of Malaysia 

RESTORATION: The British Royal Family at Work (PBS : 7 Parts)

RESTORATION: Prince Charles, The Meddling Prince (5 Parts)

RESTORATION: Belgium King Baudouin takes Oath Amidst Republican Animosity (31st July ,1950)

RESTORATION: Greek Constitutional Monarchy Toppled by Military Coup (April 21st, 1967)

RESTORATION: King Simeon II of Bulgaria, The Republican Prince

Don't Expect a Response choon deegheh Hoseleh Nadaram vaghtamoh bah shoma Jomhurykhahan talaf konam !

At least not today on the anniversary of my Sovereign's Demise ...

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYe7HirVBjk

Best,

DK

Ahura A King is NOT accountable for his Wealth ... He is KING !

You may Not understand nor Like the Monarchy which is Your Right BUT Then Don't EVEN TRY TO DEFINE IT !

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOEHVcoX870

But You are Most Welcome to Move to Ireland ... Or ... even better Like My Good Ol' Pal Fooladi move to the Cuckoo Clock Federal Republic of Switzerland:

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

Just make Sure to sign in with a Private Bank Account to escape Investigation !

I have heard that Arms Dealers, crooks, Polish sexual Perverts Turned respectable Filmmakers appreciate the climate and the cheese very much ...

I am sure you will find yourselves in good company !

پسته جان،

ما که هیچی‌ نفهمیدیم از حرفت، زبون دیگه بلدی حرف بزنی‌؟  واقعا که عینهو یه پسته حرف میزنی‌.  شاید هم دهنت پره، اول قورت بده بعد بنال. 

Too Much

Salam Mr Hamsade Ghadimi You Talk Too Much About Aslam All Times You Are Not A Moslem Plesae shhhhhhhh

Wonderful speech!

Wow...Thank You! In our house we always celebrated the 21st of Azar, to celebrate Azarbaijan's liberation.

My family suffered during the occupation of Iran by Russian communists and their "nocheh"s...and we'll never forgot Shah's great achievement.

Thank you for sharing this video! Azarin

The boss is gone, I am back home, I still got a job for now :)

I use the British example for DK because he is monarchist and does not like swiss cheese, no other reason, honestly. 

But perhaps one day Mrs Rusta you could tell me how a "one party Democtracy" actually operates. Please dont quote Rastakhiz or Hezbullah, as Iranain nation has given their verdict on both.

Cheers.