BoosBoos

A New Definition (You Can Always Link Back To This if You Need or Want To):

 

Our New Phrase: “Iranian-McCarthyism”

Iranian-McCarthyismis the practice of making unsubstantiated accusations against the character of a User, as well as not respecting the right of others to hold different views (even though you may disagree with them and express that disagreement); or not respecting the right of others to express themselves in a different manner; or not respecting the right of others refrain from endorsing the merits of a political position.

These tactics are most likely used on this site to bully Users into expressing viewpoints that would otherwise be stated in the absence of the pressure put on them. They are meant to take away the organic results of free-dialogue and to ‘herd the sheep into one stable.’

The types of comments below, when lacking factual substantiation, are a tell-tale sign:

• " by yolanda on Thu Aug 25, 2011 12:15 AM PDT You are IRI's big clown here! "
• "by Cost-of-Progress on Tue Dec 07, 2010 05:42 AM PST You islamsist really should enjoy the freedom of speech afforded to you in the West and STFU, OK?"   (Note: "STFU" = Shut the Fuck Up.)

 

It’s also good to be on the look-out for anti-Iranian stereotypes that sometimes subtly present themselves in the writings of some Users:

• “by asadabad on Tue Aug 23, 2011 12:55 PM PDT If the truth means admitting that Iranian society is trash, then so be it.”

• " by yolanda on Wed Aug 24, 2011 11:20 PM PDT You lie so much for this lady just because she is Iranian! "

 

Sometimes they will admit they don't know your views, and then insult you to get you to endorse their echo-chamber, point-of-view, or phrasing; This technique (if you give into it) can act to diminish your own right to form an opinion.  Here's how that technique works:  

•  " by vildemose on Sat Aug 27, 2011 11:47 PM PDT who are you? Are you a supporter of the IRI and VF? Don't be a gutless, spinless supporter of the regime."

 

Quoting is Good:  

There is nothing wrong with pointing to the objectively quotable statements of Users that are contrary to the interests of Iranians and expressing your disagreement with those statements.

• "by Masoud Kazemzadeh on Sun Aug 21, 2011 03:03 PM PDT I believe that the PMOI is not a terrorist entity"

 

Note: PMOI/MEK stands for People's Mujahedin of Iran,a militant Islamic-Marxist group on the U.S. State Department's list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations. (See, U.S.D.S., Country Reportson Terrorism, OFFICE OF THE COORDINATOR FOR COUNTERTERRORISM, April 30, 2007 at Chap. 6.); (see also, Official Journal of the European Union;Common Position on Terrorism, listing PMOI/MEK.)

 

Are there people that support the IRI on this site? 

Yes.  And if you read their posts, you can see it clearly; there's clear factual substantiation.    

• “by IRI on Wed Apr 21, 2010 03:56 PM PDT May God bless Islamic Republic of Iran.”

 

Are there people that support the Israeli position? 

Yes.  And if you read their posts, you can see it clearly; there's clear factual substantiation.  

• “by Rea on Tue Aug 02, 2011 02:42 PM PDT Bavafa, let me be honest In my late thirties I took Jewish side.”

 

 

Does quoting work? Yes!

• “ by Simorgh5555 on Sat Aug 27, 2011 07:24 PM PDT MilitaryAction is the only solution. Boos Boos feel free to quote me.”  
• “ by Simorgh5555 on Fri Aug 26, 2011 01:33 PM PDT  Anyother reason to hesitate against waging war on the IR? For the sake of LakeUrumieh, for the thousands of trees cutdown in Kurdistan, for the Caspian, forthe Alborz mountains please support military action.  MilitaryAction can save Lake Urumieh.”  
• " by BoosBoos on Sat Aug 27, 2011 07:28 PM PDT You see how easy it was? I did quote you. Now you quote me. "

 

If they can't quote you, but pretend you've said something, they are dishonest.  A liar is someone that presents a factual account of someone's statements that they cannot support with quotations (especially on-line where those statements would otherwise be in writing already). 

 

The Bottom Line

Don't confuse arguments based on factual substantiation with "Iranian-McCarthyism" which seeks to falsely discredit someone through personal attacks by calling them an "IRI Spy" simply because they hold a different point of view, express themselves in a different style, or don't endorse everything you write (or the way you wrote it).  If your use of a label against someone has support, quote the person.