IDEAS

Bruce. Thank you, but

Thank you very much for getting back to me and especially for taking the time to expand.(Your posts in italics)

" The theory of having a (powerless, make sure you understand I mean
powerless) monarchy is to simply do the things a good (not bad) "King"
would do, given that we have a very long tradition of kings and
kingdoms."

I'm afraid, no, I don't know what you mean by "powerless monarchy". Could you please elaborate?

One of the reasons I outlined the structure of the british monarchy is to show, that yes, it has no direct  political power as such, but it IS a very powerful institution.  Do we now agree that it is really a terrible idea to use the British monarchy as an example for Iran?

"I am posit-ing that we do not too easily throw all that history away
necessarily, in our quest for freedom (political/human/civil)."

I'm not proposing throwing any history away, I just don't think it's necessary for it to be repeated and to be delved on all the time.

"OK maybe genetically was a bit strong, but it is definitely in our Zot,
to have a king. To re-instate The Shahnameh as our cultural guidebook,
absolutely requires it. "

I suspect that you used "genetic" as an expression; it's just that I see it used often on this website in the most bizarre context! ;) By Zot, do you mean "nature"? 

I don't have it in mine, and I can't possibly be the only Iranian-born. If I remember correctly, most people, even during the shah's dictatorship, had a copy of the Koran and a copy of Hafez at home? I don't understand why a "cultural guide" written over 1000 years ago should be imposed on people in the 21st Century. It's not as if the Greeks base their cultural system solely on Zeus, or the Brits on Beowulf.

"In my planet, The King of Iran would regain our international respect a
la Juan Carlos, and QEII et al. We would pay for the King through the
country's coffers, and he would be a care taker of sorts, of the
various historically relevant palaces and grounds that need caretaking.
The position would be entirely ceremonial, and we need ceremony.
Especially with the President (freely and fairly elected of course) at
his side for every world leader visiting or political function
requiring that kind of pomp and circumstance. "

I have very little knowledge about the Spanish system, so I can't comment. But I don't see why a President, wouldn't suffice. As for pomp , I can't relate. Germans don't seem to need it.... And just as a by the by, some of the richest old families in Europe, don't show off, but instead ride a bike to go to work and are generally quite thrifty....

The country's coffers are empty. A heritage foundation/trust could easily do the job of preserving and promoting heritage, including those crystal chandeliers I don't recommend swinging on.

This could include ceremony and the -for me very tedious endless -  rituals...

"Because especially we, need pomp and circumstance, and to re-affirm our
grip on civilization and our part in "the civilized way", that we have
given the world (via Persia). "

Again, I don't need it and I can't be the only one. Surely, the presence and its contributions is by far more important? Again, a proper heritage foundation and culture ministry can sort that one out. There are plenty of Iranians outside the country now, who could easily create the connections right across the globe....

"We also absolutely need romance. romance makes life sweet. Anything
else is a cold eslamic, communistic hive dwelling existence, devoid of
any distinctive identity, humanity, art and beauty. Or what goes for
life under the IRI today. "

I don't do "national identity". (That's another discussion...). As for art, Hohle Fels and Lacaux surely didn't spring up out of romance. It's to do with creativity and communication. Again another topic. 

I am not in favour of the IRI, however, contemporary , high quality art, has flourished and is well-renowned throughout the world. 

I also doubt very much that great humanitarians like Gandhi, Einstein, J.S. Mill, Davison etc. were starry-eyed and stuck in fairy tales.

The rest of your post, I think I've already addressed somewhat. 

I think I'm on the wrong blog. I'd like to see a blog about how to put the country on its feet again. How to implement an independent judiciary, how to weed out corruption, how to franchise utilities, how to introduce sustainable tourism (especially for the miles of sandy beaches), real architecture with earthquake proof buildings and proper construction planning, infrastructure, public transport, the redistribution of oil revenue, sustainable self-sufficient agriculture, decent health care for all, trade alliances, investment and facilities for science projects, solar/hydro/hybrid energy resources, getting a proper economy for the people, some basic manners on how to treat and pay other people properly e.g. staff, basic health and safety regulations etc., all that of course together with basic "natural" and civil rights....

Not fairy tales and hierarchical impositions based on them...

Thank you for your blog though and your response, which I've enjoyed, Bruce. ;)

Every fascism is an index of a failed revolution - Walter Benjamin

FYI/Sweden's Crown princess weds commoner (bbc)

Eleaborate celebrations have taken place in the Swedish capital to mark the marriage of Crown Princess Victoria to her former personal trainer.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dUnaRGjkqU

Victoria, 32, tied the knot with 36-year-old commoner Daniel Westling at Stockholm Cathedral.

More than 1,200 guests, including royals from around the world, were invited to the ceremony.

//news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/world/europe/10358383.stm

To Raoul1955 and Darveesh

Darveesh,  who is goodly, to have said such thing?(wink)

Raoul, the one and only,

I take it you don't believe David Deutsch then? 

No, I'm not laughing, but that's because the word "sprouting", just reminded me of my uselessness with mung bean seeds! 

Marjaneh, multiplied by mutation!

Every fascism is an index of a failed revolution - Walter Benjamin

Iranian youth

Will be employed by the:

• Factories we build
• Outsourcing firms that ship jobs to Iran.
• Service business  

Good part

is that I'll get my retirement from USA and spend it in Iran :-)For once reverse the money flow. And I will not be the only one. It will be a good boost to Iran.

All good

Now let's turn to Iranian youth who have other priorities in mind.

..

 Me TOO..........

I Will return, and enjoy my American retirment benefits in My Motherland.              Maziar

DK Jaan

I am up for it but I want to keep my veil :-) Actually upon restoration I want to move back. Had enough of living abroad for a lifetime.

Thanks anyway.

Send in Your Royal Embassy Application Upon Restoration ;0)

CV, Photo and Motivation Letters Required ...

THE PERSIAN AMBASSADOR : Omid Djalili In The Pride and Racial Prejudice

Recommendation Letters Considered  

DK

The Grand Chambellan of the Restored Pahlavi Court

Marjaneh

You are TOO logical and rational.  Most people love to express their thoughts, fantasies, day dreams and wishful thinking using 'scientific jargons' believing that doing so makes their expressed thoughts, fantasies, etc. sound very logical.
Now here is my 'scientific' expression vis-à-vis national genomes:
Millions of years ago humans independently 'sprouted' out of the soil in various areas on this planet.  It was by very precise design that such sprouting matches perfectly certain national boundaries that have been established within the past few centuries.  And that is why some folks are writing about various genomes that are based entirely on political boundaries.  Are you laughing now?
Cheers,
The One and Only Raoul  :-)

"Marjaneh: Monarchies ARE Tourism" guides

goodly said.

Marjaneh: Monarchies ARE Tourism

The theory of having a (powerless, make sure you understand I mean powerless) monarchy is to simply do the things a good (not bad) "King" would do, given that we have a very long tradition of kings and kingdoms.

I am posit-ing that we do not too easily throw all that history away necessarily, in our quest for freedom (political/human/civil).

OK maybe genetically was a bit strong, but it is definitely in our Zot, to have a king. To re-instate The Shahnameh as our cultural guidebook, absolutely requires it.

In my planet, The King of Iran would regain our international respect a la Juan Carlos, and QEII et al. We would pay for the King through the country's coffers, and he would be a care taker of sorts, of the various historically relevant palaces and grounds that need caretaking. The position would be entirely ceremonial, and we need ceremony. Especially with the President (freely and fairly elected of course) at his side for every world leader visiting or political function requiring that kind of pomp and circumstance.

Because especially we, need pomp and circumstance, and to re-affirm our grip on civilization and our part in "the civilized way", that we have given the world (via Persia).

We also absolutely need romance. romance makes life sweet. Anything else is a cold eslamic, communistic hive dwelling existence, devoid of any distinctive identity, humanity, art and beauty. Or what goes for life under the IRI today.

The King would have special pet projects and undertaking assignments such as Princess Diana's efforts in AIDS, International land mine bans and the alleviation of poverty in Iran could be a especially useful project of the "Royal Family" etc.

This is all resurrective marketing and rebranding of the currently lost Persian Empire, and bringing it back in line with what the word Iran ought to mean.

To take this one step further, I would also support changing the name of Iran in English back to Persia, since the connection has all but been lost. This would also correct the part of the greater Aryan Nation intent that was misguided, given the Nazis lost WWII. The argument for Persia instead of Iran is that Germany is not Deutschland, Greece is not Hellenos, and Egypt is not Mesr. So the name of Iran would be Persia once again (in English), connecting us right back to the barely visible thread, which is all that sadly today remains of Persia.

Does that clear it up?

We already have a monarch.

We already have a monarch. It's only a matter of taking back what is legally his... and ours. As for a true democratic system, monarchy or not, is a decision making process that will only start when legitimate constitution is restored and a nation-wide debate is started in free Iran.

This roadmap is not an option. It is how it is. 

Speaking of Romance ... Azar Nafisi Said it Best

Quoting Canadian Author Saul Bellow 

"A Country that Loses it's Poetic Vision is a Country that faces death" -Saul Bellow.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbmbVpF8c_4

Which Only Proves Contrary to what Some Believe that When it Comes to Nation Building ... Dreams and Utopias DO Matter !

That is Where Her Republican of Imagination Is Compatible With My Empire of Dreams

LOL

My Argument in Favor of a Restoration on VPK's Post IRI Blog

Regarding VPK's Blog on Post IRI Iran:

//iranian.com/main/blog/veiled-prophet-khorasan/post-iri-iran#comment-306104

British Monarchy. Once and for all

Britain, a "constitutional" monarchy with a democratic electoral system. (except for the unelected House of Lords, of course)

British head of state is "Defender of the Faith". (There even is a blasphemy law), next comes the Archbishop. Approx. 20% of the House of Lords is filled with silly hats (bishops, I don't mean the Law Lords). The population is predominantly secular and comprised of millions of British SUBJECTS, not citizens.

Please, show me, where this has ANY bearing on Iran, a predominantly religious, superstitious population.(Even Iran's 1906 constitution, bears no resemblance to even bother to discuss...)

THEN, please tell me how you want to finance your monarch mascot. And also include a precise calculation of ANY revenue. The British Head of State brings in millions in tourism and other revenue, as a travelling sales-person within the Common Wealth alone.

Clown Prance of Iran, doesn't even get invited to Euro-trash supper parties. 

Next, MOST IMPORTANTLY, the British legal system is based on precedence, uncodified laws (i.e. an unwritten constitution - I'll get to e.g.  recently passed Human Rights Act and signatory to EU human rights laws another time). The reason this works, is that it is flexible because it has evolved and MOST IMPORTANTLY, the judiciary is INDEPENDENT. Even implementors of laws, e.g. the police can question the PM (see, Tory BLiar). 

It also means however, that thanks to bush/bLiar-tapo, we've lost our century-old habeas corpus at the drop of very many a  silly hat.

You wrote:

"There is no greater example of the well-steeped tradition of monarchy
than Iran. Going as far back as the entirety of the enigmatic Persian
Empire we all so greedily brag about at every cocktail party or
Starbucks ordering line. Everyone whether pro-monarchy or agin' it can
and does agree that Persia is the key elemental ingredient in that
genetic makeup of Iran, and every single Iranian on this planet. Even
and especially so, today."

Please, oh please, get over this nonsense genes business and an Empire of , GEEZ! thousands of years ago.Why do you brag about it? What exactly did you do in those thousands of  years ago that YOU personally can brag about?

Sorry, Bruce, I just keep reading the same old... Simply didn't expect it from you... All very romantic, but a country needs more than romance.Judging by a lot of your writing, which is usually quite reasonable and intelligent,  I decided to ask you.

The Iranian population has ousted its imposed monarchs several times.  Unlike the Iranian version, which has fled several times in recent years or displays its hideous complexes by parading almost in the nuddy, the Queen Mother had her PR sorted: stayed put, as a "genetic" German, during the Blitz.

Once again, please give me logical, well-sorted, calculations of cost benefits of a monarch in Iran. I need facts and figures, not romance.

And anyway, why insist on ridiculous (too revolting for my taste)  ostentation, why not the Kingdom of Bhutan?

Thank you for adding another reason for me not doing coffee-klatsch in  chains like Starbucks and my coctail clap-trap days are long over. Too busy trying to find my dentures.;)

Every fascism is an index of a failed revolution - Walter Benjamin

Well Put Bruce !

Agreed !

Hey? Iran without a King is certainly not Persia?

 I say: "Persia without a King and Mullas is certainly Iran"