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Batebi versus Dabashi
08-Dec-2009
by Julie Jigsawnovich
New York--Last night, on Iran University Student Day, the New York Chapter of Where Is My Vote presented a conversation with Columbia Professor Hamid Dabashi, Former Iranian Student Activist Ahmed Batebi and American Student Activist Elizabeth Joynes on the campus of New York University.
Batebi was placed in solitary confinement for over a year and condemned to death by the Islamic Republic government for taking part in demonstrations during the Summer 1999 Student Uprising. A photograph of Batebi holding up the bloody shirt of a fellow protester who was assaulted by security forces was published on the cover of The Economist magazine. This photo became an icon of the new Iran. Batebi suffered a brain hemorrhage while in custody, and was temporarily allowed to leave prison. He then managed to escape and flee from the Islamic Republic.
During last night's panel discussion, Batebi said that at an earlier time, Iranian Intelligence, Revolutionary Guards, and Judiciary were arresting people and trying people independently--they had no contact with each other. But now each has clearly defined their work regarding domestic security and outside threats. Batebi continued, saying that part of the Intelligence service refused to work with Ahmadinejad. The Revolutionary Guards fired (not sure whether he said 1,200 or 12,000) employees in the Intelligence service, and the Revolutionary Guards created an intelligence service within the Revolutionary Guards. Batebi said that under Khatami, some Intelligence people were fired due to murders--but these people were then hired by the Revolutionary Guards. He said the RG learned in Russia how to put down demonstrations. And he said the way the security apparatus is operating now is unpredictable, and is very dangerous.
Batebi discussed some Islamic Republic laws that he believes should be changed--such as the law that a woman's testimony in court is only worth half that of a man's, and a law that results in hands being cut off. He said that we need to put pressure on the Iranian government to change laws.
Baebi said that the Revolutionary Guards control the Iranian economy, control the infrastructure, and own hundreds of companies inside and outside Iran. He said we should try to suffocate the economic aspect of their power, and that we have to use sanctions against the coup government. Batebi continued, stating that we need to identify the economic branches of the coup government around the world, and suffocate them. That intelligent sanctions could be put in place which target the Revolutionary Guards specifically, not the Iranian population in general.
Professor Dabashi strongly disagreed, stating that he categorically opposes sanctions. He said that sanctions would be a precusor for military strikes on Iran, as they had been in Iraq. And he pointed out that the Revolutionary Guards would benefit from increased sanctions politically and also economically, since, Dabashi said, the Revolutionary Guards profit from black market trade.
Batebi countered that Iran and Iraq are not comparable, and that Iran already blames the West.
During Q and A, Sadra Shahab, an administrator of the New York Chapter of Where Is My Vote, stated that WIMV NY opposes sanctions--and another WIMV NY member confirmed this.
Dabashi seemed somewhat surprised and very disappointed by Batebi's support of any kind of sanctions, but after trying a bit more to persuade Batebi, Dabashi graciously said that they agree to disagree, and perhaps they are there for each other regarding blind spots.
........................................................................................................................................................................................
Julie Jigsawnovich is a writer, artist and musician living in New York City. She is currently studying Persian and hopes to one day be able to read poetry in Persian script. Contact Julie at: jigsawnovich1 (at) gmail (dot) com
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تکمیل بمب اتمی
nazanindaThu Dec 10, 2009 05:28 AM PST
اسراییل نمیتونه صبر کنه تا مردم حکومتو سرنگون کنند چون زمانش نامشخصه
ولی بمب اتمی ایران رو متاسفانه اونا تقریبا میدونن کی درست میشه و وقتی
موقع حمله بشه ممکنه انقلاب سبز پیروز نشده باشه انتظار نداشته باشید
یهودیانی که شش میلیون کشته درزمان هیتلر دادند نظاره گر تکمیل بمب اتمی و
نابودی دوباره خود باشند . اسراییل نمیتونه و نمیخواد ایران رو اشغال نظامی
بکنه فقط با نابودی تاسیسات بمب سازی رژیم میخواد از موجودیت خودش دفاع
کنه اتفاقا درهم کوبیده شدن مراکز قدرت و تضعیف رژیم میتونه به سقوط رژیم
کمک کنه چون اون موقع قدرتی نیست که مردم رو سرکوب کنه بنابراین مردم با
استفاده از ضعف رژیم خودشون دولت سی ساله جمهوری آخوندی رو ساقط میکنند
حمله به جمهوری آخوندی
nazanindaThu Dec 10, 2009 05:22 AM PST
حاضر به همراهی بیشتر نیستند بنابراین اسراییل بجز دفاع از خود چاره ای
ندارد شما نمیتوانید انتظار داشته باشید کسانیکه شاهد کشتار شش میلیون
یهودی بیگناه بوده اند و نوادگان جان بدر برده همان قربانیان هستند دست
روی دست بگذارند و منتظر نابودی توسط بمب اتمی احمدی نژاد باشند فقط نابودی تاسیسات اتمی کافی نیست چون رژیم این بار بهانه لازم را دارد و
از ان پی تی خارج و مشغول ساخت بمب اتمی در مکانهای مخفی خواهد شد و دیگر
محل تاسیسات اتمی خود را هم علنی نمیکند تا مورد بازرسی و حمله قرار
گردیدو بدون رودربایستی به بمب گذاری و دخالت در عراق و کل منطقه میپردازد
بنابراین هر حمله ای باید نهایتا منجر به براندازی این افراطیون شود وگرنه
دنیا روی آرامش نخواهد دید .وضعیتی که در عراق وحشتناک میخوانند در واقع حاصل دخالتهای جمهوری اسلامی
ایران در فرستادن بمب و تروریستهای انتحاری وآموزش دیده به داخل عراق است
و نباید بعنوان یک عامل بازدارنده از حمله به جمهوری آخوندی محسوب شود چون
درست خواست رژیم ایران هم همین بوده که با بتصویر کشیدن یک عراق آشوب زده
آمریکا را از حمله مشابه به خود بازداد ,آمریکا نباید گول بخورد, نابودی
ژیم ایران به فعالیت حامی بزرگ تروریسم در جهان پایان خواهد داد و آرامش
در عراق و منطقه برقرار خواهد شد .
به نظر من راهی جز راه نظامی نیست حتی هم تحریم بیفایدست
nazanindaThu Dec 10, 2009 05:21 AM PST
صدام را
ببینید که مردمش در زباله دنبال غذا میگشتند و کره شمالی که مردمش علف
میخورند و از گرسنگی به چین کمونیست پناه میبرند و کشورشان بمب اتمی دارد
و دائم ارتش خود را مسلح به اسلحه شیمایی و اتمی میکند , احمدی نژاد هم با
قتل مردم بیگناه در تظاهرات و شکنجه در زندانها نشان دادابایی از ادامه
راه تا
حد گرسنگی کشیدن ملت ایران هم ندارد و تا آن موقع هم فرصت دادن به او باعث
تولد بمب اتم و انداختن آن بر سر اسراییل و فاجعه بعدی برای ایران خواهد
بود .
همیشه هیتلر را بیاد آورید گذشته چراغ راه آیندست
Dabashi and Galloway: Get Me Out of Here, I'm a Celebrity ! ;0)
by Darius Kadivar on Wed Dec 09, 2009 06:12 AM PSTAgha Doctor ...
SATIRE: Hamid Dabashi & George Galloway "Get me Out of Here, I'm a Celebrity"
Gordzad
by ramin parsa on Wed Dec 09, 2009 12:13 AM PSTI couldn't have said it any better!
Against sanctions but offering no alternative
by Gordzad on Tue Dec 08, 2009 11:27 PM PSTHave you noticed that all those who are "categorically" against any type of sanctions, be it this professor or NIC, offer nothing substantial in return? The best alternative they present is to start a dialogue with the regime. The question is where that dialogue will take us. The IR is a master in discussing and extending talks without achieving anything. Just look at the nuclear stand-off. They have managed to stall any action from the world community in over 6 years now. One should also ask if these guys are worthy of a meaningful discussion. The latest example of the contrary is the latest round of talks, where they were offered a really good deal but rejected it. These people (the Iranian rulers) have their own agenda and don't care about Iran or its people. One needs to get tough with them and they need to feel it. Remember the early days in the Iraq war, where American army in a matter of days toppled the Saddam's regime? Thr reality of the threat to the Iranian government made them write a letter to the Bush administration, offering talks and diplomatic ties and you name it. It shows that if they see the real action, and not just talks, they will surrender.
Enough talking and discussion with the IR. Act now and hurt them so they get the message!
Shirin Ebadi winner of
by vildemose on Tue Dec 08, 2009 09:36 PM PSTShirin Ebadi winner of Noble Prize:
I...n a calm but defiant interview with ABC News, Iranian human rights activist and 2003 Nobel Prize Winner Shirin Ebadi said the current Iranian regime has “no popular base”. “I promise you, this regime will not last,” she said. Pressed as to how a largely a popular protest movement can challenge a regime which seemingly has all the cards -- police, military, basij paramilitaries, Revolutionary Guards -- she said the movement is becoming more widespread despite the crackdown, spreading from Tehran to other cities. She said political backing from prominent religious leaders adds strength, and that while political leaders such as Mirhossein Mousavi have been largely quiet, “the real leaders are the people.”
//blogs.abcnews.com/theworldnewser/2009/12/abcs-jim-sciutto-nobel-prize-winner-says-irans-regime-wont-last.html
ABC's Jim Sciutto: Nobel Prize Winner Says Iran's Regime Won't Last
NY Gal
by masoudA on Tue Dec 08, 2009 02:00 PM PSTThere is no document showing Alavi paid Dabashi - but Alavi provided $300,000 to his Department in Columbia U. I never suggested Dabashi recieved any money directly from Alavi - he is no fool. Alavi foundation keeps these guys employed by providing grants to their colleges.
Did Alavi foundation paid Hamid Dabashi?
by NY GAL on Tue Dec 08, 2009 01:25 PM PSTTo masoudA:
Is there any document that shows relation between Alavi foundation and Mr Dabashi? Did he get paid by Alavi FOUNDATION?
I too Agree with DK
by masoudA on Tue Dec 08, 2009 12:59 PM PSTIf it was not for Bonyad Alavi fundings - Dabashi would not even have a Middle Eastern Studies teaching job at Columbia.
.......
by yolanda on Tue Dec 08, 2009 12:38 PM PSTBatebi told Anderson Cooper that interrogator pushed his head into human wastes.......IRI is really cruel and mean.........one newspaper reporter asked him what he is going to do if US bombs Iran, he said he will go back to Iran and fight for Iran himself...
Delaram Banafsheh (Yolanda)
"Cactus in the Desert"
D.Kadivar is Right
by Maryam Hojjat on Tue Dec 08, 2009 11:17 AM PSTI agree with DK on this issue, I never felt Dr. Dabashi being concerned about Iranian's afair. He is an opportunist.
Payandeh IRAN & IRANIANs
FYI/Ahmad Batemi on how he was tortured (60 Minutes)
by Darius Kadivar on Tue Dec 08, 2009 11:10 AM PST//www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfFrnQR2TxU&feature=channel
Iran threatens protesters
by vildemose on Tue Dec 08, 2009 11:08 AM PSTWarning suggests Tehran fears opposition rallies will pick up new steam
//www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34325758/ns/world_news-mideastn_africa/
SPELL correction: well-said Mr. Kadivar
by NY GAL on Tue Dec 08, 2009 10:52 AM PSTsorry for mis-spelled
well-siad Mr Kadivar
by NY GAL on Tue Dec 08, 2009 10:50 AM PSTI cannn't agree more on Mr Dabashi. He is much more interested on his fellow palestinian and arab brothers than resistance of Iranian people for freedom. He enjoys living free in america and attacks and criticize american culture and politics. He has no appreciation for what america has given to him, abuse his power as a teaching prof. cancles his classes to go to pro palestians protest. why he just doesn't go to his beloved palestine and fight along with hamas terrorists.
......
by yolanda on Tue Dec 08, 2009 10:42 AM PSTI am glad Batebi is out of Iran. He told his story and how he was tortured on TV with Anderson Cooper......it is a super sad story.....I am glad he survived the ordeal!
thanks for your article!
Delaram Banafsheh (Yolanda)
"Cactus in the Desert"
FYI/Makhmalbaf: "Iran Should Face Smarter Sanctions" (guardian)
by Darius Kadivar on Tue Dec 08, 2009 09:29 AM PSTMakhmalbaf Begs to Differ From DOCTOR DABASHI ... ;0)
Iran should face smarter sanctions, says Mohsen Makhmalbaf (guardian)
Dabashi is an Opportunist and has no credibility
by Darius Kadivar on Tue Dec 08, 2009 10:04 AM PSTDabashi has No Credibility anymore and I don't like his Patronizing attitude towards anyone who contradicts him.
He is a Last Minute Opponent to the IRI and simply wants to Highjack the Green Movement by simply jumping in the bandwagon.
Dabashi Should Join his Buddy George Galloway and focus on the plight of his fellow Palestinian and Arab Brothers and Sisters instead whose plight is of such a concern to him :
//www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSScUWFcNVY&feature=related
//www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbdohw4o02E
Galloway on Press TV ( IRI Propaganda Channel) claiming the elections in IRan were democratic and justifying the post election clamp down :
//www.youtube.com/watch?v=qL3yhzV2wWU