Archive

Ellie can dance

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Much ado about nothing

On the surface, it has the trappings of a controversial historical event. Ahmadinejad assents to visit Columbia University, protestors of all stripes camp outside the gates, Lee Bollinger springs a rhetorical ambush on him, Ahmadinejad cries foul, public opinion is inflamed and polarized. Fierce debates ensue: Is Bollinger in the service of Neocon and Israeli interest groups? Was the invitation a stage for Ahmadinejad to legitimize his infamous views? Did Bollinger's critical introduction backfire and allow Ahmadinejad to steal the mantle of advocate of free speech? What happened at Columbia on Monday has spiraled far beyond the well-manicured grounds of the Morningside Heights campus, and like a steroid-fuelled game of Telephone, has totally changed its meaning>>>

H.R. 1400: A recipe for war

The word “diplomatic” is derived from “diplomacy” which is the art of international mediation or negotiation for the purpose of maintaining peaceful relations. Imposing sanctions on a country to enhance diplomatic efforts is as absurd a notion as bombing to preserve peace or engaging in sexual assault to preserve virginity. >>>

The small voices of history

It worries me to see only a certain number of Iranians voicing their experiences, stories and opinions. It seems to me that only a small number of Iranian voices are being heard throughout the world and the concerns of many other Iranians are not being disregarded in different ways. As an Iranian who lives in the United States, I worry that we are getting too distracted by our own voices and experiences of immigration, exile and nostalgia. I worry that many of us forget that Iran still has a population of almost 70 million peopleó 70 million individuals. Not all of these individuals are privileged enough to have a chance for voicing their own stories and opinions.>>>

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Ahmadinejad in America

As an Iranian-American who observes Iranian politics with equal parts curiosity and concern, I am at once amazed and astonished by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s most recent display of tactlessness at Columbia University, especially given his oftentimes eloquent if not ebullient nature. Unable to posit straight answers to questions like “Do you seek the destruction of Israel?” and “Are you supporting terrorism in Iraq ?” he appeared ostensibly opposed to directly answer anything controversial. Consequently, and contrary to his somewhat emboldened image at home, he made himself look clumsy, weak and dare I say feeble.>>>

Brutal denial

The presence of the Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad at University of Columbia reminded me of the act of another extremist figure, the well-known Imam Suhayb Salam in the Netherlands. On 31th of July I was invited to a Dutch TV-program called Bimbos & Burqas, this title refers to the post-modern hedonistic Paris-Hilton-culture (Bimbo) on one hand and the orthodox-religious be-afraid-for-the-hell culture (Burqa) on the other hand. One of the Burqa members was the Orthodox Imam Suhayb Salam, who had brought along his wife who was wearing a Burqa, looking like a human-penguin in studio 52 of Hilversum television station. >>>

Why we are so F'ed up as a nation.

Like it or not, we are not Arabs. For the most part, we look different, we are smarter and our culture and heritage is infinitely richer than any culture in any Arab country.>>>

Love me or hate me

I have developed such a HATE-CLUB (as opposed to fan-club) for myself I don't know I should be proud of it or not. It is indeed an achievement though, you must acknowledge, to make so many virtual haters who would even be ready to fill up a petition, complete it with virtual signatures with different IP's to throw me out of Iranian.com. I still don't know whether to be proud of this achievement or not. Believe me that I did not have the least idea that my writings would lead to this. I was surprised. Then I could choose among stopping the writing, changing my attitude, or continue on. I have chosen to continue on>>>

Participate, suggest ideas

Iranian Society for Human Rights in Northern California plans to organize a seminar in order to generate an inclusive and non-partisan discussion among interested Iranians on the problems and challenges facing human rights activists in Iran. The idea of a non-partisan struggle for human rights or democracy is very new to our political culture. While recognizing that non-partisanship is not opposed to or a substitute for partisanship, the proposed seminar will explain the central role of non-partisan agents and agencies in promoting a culture commensurate with the idea of human rights. >>>

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Cal Iranian Bloggers Meeting

A video of the event has been posted at Iranican.com >>>

Ganji's letter to United Nations

Akbar Ganji, the Iranian dissident and journalist who spent six years in prison for criticizing state repression, sent an open letter to UN Secretary General :>>>

edited

AhMADinejad got edited.>>>