Archive - Feb 13, 2010 - Article

راه دشوار دمکراسی در ایران

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Plan B

Does the fact that Thursday was a failure make the need for a Green triumph any less urgent? NO! Not if you are on the side of those innocent people who have shed blood in this struggle for democracy and freedom. Not if you think that a democratic Iran will be an antidote to extremism in the region and indeed the world. Not if you think that those who cheat, beat, rape and kill innocents should be held accountable. Does the failure of Thursday make the need for a reassessment of our approach a necessity? Yes! Yes, if you believe that strong leadership and clever planning are needed for a revolutionary movement to succeed against a foe who is brutal and who shuns all calls for local and internationally accountability>>>

The Unhappy Anniversary

Thursday, on the 31st anniversary of Iran’s Islamic revolution, Ayatollah Khamenei’s government was fighting for its survival, as leaders of the country’s opposition Green Movement sought to take back a revolution gone astray. Even as demonstrators participated in carefully choreographed pro-government displays, the fact that the Iranian authorities had to turn off the Internet, disable access to Gmail, and fill the streets with riot police and paramilitary Basij served to illustrate the dilemma in which the Khamenei regime now finds itself>>>

A question of survival

My involvement with the Persian secular democratic movement is motivated by a genuine compassion and empathy for the Persian people's appalling suffering at the hands of a barbaric totalitarian regime. In addition, I hold the leaders and members of the Persian secular democratic movement and some liberal Islamists in the highest admiration. On the other hand, as a Jewish Zionist, I naturally support Israel's right to strike Iran's nuclear plants in self-defense>>>

Society of Professional Dreamers

The 20th Celebration of Iranian Cinema kicked off this weekend at University of California, Los Angeles, featuring a collection of established and emerging talents from Iran. The goal of this greatly received show-case is, and has been, to present a diverse portrait of Iran’s variety of cultural communities, leading customs and expressions as well as ethnic minorities’ way of living. On Friday February 5th, the opening night was dedicated to Heiran (2009) Shalizeh Alizadeh’s first feature film>>>

Ali Farhang Opens Up

Ali Farhang was walking back from the park with his grandson Payman.  They had gone to the playground, where Payman had shown his grandfather the many things he could do with monkey bars and slides and swings.
    "Baba bozorg," Payman said.  "Why were you in jail?"
    "I was in prison because our people were not free and I thought that they should be." >>>

وای دلم

ای وای  دلم  که  رفته  از  دست  دلم
  هر کس که به دل نشست بشکست دلم
  دیوانه  دلم  اگر  کمی‌  عاقل  بود
  افسار  گسسته  دل  نمی بست  دلم >>>

شیهه ی بهمن

در شهر تو، شبدرها
کی شیرین می شوند؟
در سرزمین من، آن سال
در سردی بهمن رسیدند >>>

February's Neigh

In your city
When does the clover become sweet?
In my country, that year
It was ripe in the midst of February's cold.
I didn't see the white steed
Tied to the gate, as forseen
Waiting for the Messiah >>>