Questions

Anonymouse. I didn't check

Anonymouse. I didn't check that latest site. But there is another popular site just like it and has at least one video where a 13 year oldish girl is with by a 60 year oldish man. OK sure, maybe seeghash karde vali in my book it's no where near kosher. That posting by this site is the major reason why I am asking these questions. Because, I believe we can explore and discuss and even get off on subjects without posting images that will hurt people. i think we should also have a collective VOJDAAN. Where we define wrong and right. This definition, in my opinion is part of freedom. As free people, we can decide what is criminal and what we do not want to participate in.

Ostad. "But my first

Ostad.

"But my first reaction is: Why all these questions about the LIMITS of freedom? "

In the broader sense, we cannot have freedom without understanding it. Defining it. I think there is a difference between freedom and khar tu khari. Freedom comes with rights and responsibilities. Constitutions. Charters of human rights. History. Goals of a people. We need to know if freedom has limits, if so, what is that limit.

In the specific sense, I am trying to decide if this site has become khar tu khar and wether I should stop visiting. If I manage to find some reasonable definition or logic or pattern, then I can undestand it and stay.

Some disturbing material is on this site. With the questions I've asked and those still in my mind, I want to see if we are really sticking to "freedom" "nothing is sacred" or if we are moving towards intellectualizing khar tu khari and using freedom to fuck freedom.

Bear with me a little while longer.

Is child porn sacred?

JJ if you are refering to US democracy and freedom, even they have some restrictions and some things are sacred, especially these days.  Is child porn sacred?  Is violent porn made against people's will in the film sacred?  FYI since you like porn, we've watched more porn than you since you spent early 80s in Iran.  Violence in porn was started and later banned.  When you posted that website, do you know if they are children on the films?  do you know if those women gave their consent, one said don't film, yet the guy did it anyway.  If you're saying well that's that website's responsibility, aren't you promoting something that is sacred "legally"?  have you checked with any lawyer on this?  Again since you like porn, there was one German big breasted woman whom you featured in this website and had pictures of when she was young and a teenager.  she had to take those pictures out because they were considered illegal.  Her own pictures!  fully clothed!  what if tomorrow someone starts a website about 9 or 10 year old legal wives in Iran.  Are you going to post it?  it is Iranian, why not?  There are other examples, like promoting Al Qaeda or terroristic promotions, or beheadings.  Will you post beheadings if it is Iranian?  Some things are sacred, it's good for a slogan like HBO's Real Sport, "Nothing is out of bounds" funny, but it is not real.  If it is real, it's not legal.  Cussing and vulgar language is not an issue.  Soft porn is not an issue.  Hard porn is not an issue.  Some examples above are the issues.

PS Tonya don't listen to these guys.  That discussion is over and you can say whatever you want.  Nothing is sacred, except you know ;-)

Khodemun, I will try to

Khodemun,
I will try to answer your question. But my first reaction is: Why all these questions about the LIMITS of freedom? It seems to me that we Iranians should be the biggest advocates of freedom because of the lack of (or extreme limits on) freedom in Iran. And of course there are always freedom fighters here and there. But as a whole, as a society, we're not really interested in freedom. We have lived under so many oppressive rules and suffered so much for bending them over centuries, that we avoid being direct and truthful. We instead we twist words and speak in signs and force others to read between the lines. The truth and speaking of the truth is stupid because it can only lead to trouble. That's part of being Iranian. But sitting here in Berkeley, far away from Iran and Islam, I can afford to speak and publish the truth (or whatever else) as much as I can because I don't feel in any real danger.
As for what may stifle freedom, well, in the legal sense, you cannot exploit children. You cannot publish HARMFUL lies about your neighbor, your sister, your teacher... you cannot reveal medical records, other private records... stuff like that. But the point is we should not be enumerating the exceptions to freedom, but the enormous benefits of free speech.

Jahanshah Jan - Do you

Jahanshah Jan

- Do you believe there is a point at which freedom stifles freedom?

Thanks Jahanshah jan. -

Thanks Jahanshah jan.

- "the culture of death, the killing of human beings under any circumstances is wrong."

What is this culture? Can you define with examples?

- "For iranian.com it is a constant reminder that everything should be heard and explored."

What is exploration?

- If life is sacred, should it not be protected? If yes, how would you protect it on this site. 

To getting bored: I deleted my other blog because it wasn't going anywhere. I will repost another one that is clearer and more to the point.

agreed but ......

“agreed” JJ with small “a” and not big “A” ! :-)

If what you say is not the truth (as I know it), I do not have to tolerate you – I can (and in my view I should) walk away. As an example I will not listen to some mollas to tell me that “God” (not that I believe in God) likes me less and I will go to hell because I show my skin and my hair. I cannot “boo” you per se if “you” continue crossing the line (for what I believe to be sacred) but I can stop coming to your site or recommending it. That to me is talking a stand in what you believe (as you mentioned keeping an “open mind”)
PS. For the record I do not see this happening of course – you crossing “my line” one too many times

Your mother (or mine) is not sacred either

In response to SB's "We all need to take a stand in what is "sacred" to us":
Your mother may be sacred to you, but I can publish things about her that you may not like. You can respond with anger, but you cannot put your hand on me or physically hurt me in any way (you can, but you will be prosecuted in any society that protects speech). Get your eyes and ears used to words you don't like. Learn to tolerate words that shock you or offend your entire existence. Tolerance is not acceptance. You can respond in kind. But you cannot censor or use violence in any way.

We all need to take a stand in what is "sacred" to us

Few years ago someone asked Angela Davis “are you still a Communist”? She said “yes but with small “c” and not big “C”.
I always assumed that the motto “nothing is sacred” is more figuratively and less literally.
I would think we all have something “sacred” – for example my mother’s memory is very sacred to me and if you make fun of it, I will not find that funny and I will walk away from you. If JJ kept doing things that I do not like on the site (not to change the subject but if he keep adding links to porn sites of the people who do not know they are being filmed under the name “I am just reporting"), I just do not come back to the site. I clearly have only control over what I do and I choose to take a stand on issues important to me and I stick to them. JJ clearly is not necessary an authority (and no one else is either) is defining what is the definition of “sacred” in general terms but he is in control of the web site that he has created so many years ago

5 answers

Khodemunim1 asked:

1 - If human life is sacred, then how did you come up with the "nothing is sacred" logo?

JJ: I already answered that: it's a response to "everything (we say) is saccred" in Iran's theocracy.

2 - Am I right in assuming that even though human life is sacred to you, your manzur is that for the purposes of this site nothing is sacred?

JJ: It's an idea, not an absolute rule. I don't have the guts or desire to publish some things as well. But that's just my personal taste (which I try to keep as broad as possible to encourage debate). I think all forms of expression and every expression (verbal, written, visual, electronic -- anything) should have an outlet. And that outlet right now is the internet. You can basically self-publish anything you want on the net. You don't need iranian.com or fear the Islamic Republic to do that in one form or another. "Nothing is sacred" would be a better motto for the Internet as whole. For iranian.com it is a constant reminder that everything should be heard and explored.

3 - If human life is sacred, does that mean you are pro life --> nothing is sacred right? you should be able to answer this very personal question.

JJ: I am pro-abortion up to a point. I can be easily convinced that late abortions are in fact murder.
My "pro-life" position is more for the living. We come from a part of the world where life is cheap. And as long as that's the case, we will not stop living in fear for who we are or what we say or to which god we pray to or don't.

4 - Do you read every comment, article, blog?

JJ: No, no and no! I go over articles, but rarely read the whole. I read some blogs and comments.

5 - In the past week, how many items have you deemed not worthy to be posted here? If the answer is over 0, were they removed because they were in violation of the site slogan?

JJ: Blogs get published whenever a blogger wishes. I don't interfere in that. But feature articles, photo albums and poetry, I go over before putting them online (pick headline, summary for front page, a photo to go with the article..., but I never change the text unless there's a glaring/obvious mistake). In the past week there's maybe four or five articles which I did not publish only because they were not interesting enough as a feature. The authors could still publish them in their iranian.com blog.

Nothing is Sacred means nothing is sacred

The beauty of this evolutionary process of expression that we are witnessing on this website, is in the inevitable "thinning of the herd". Let us be patient with and allow obviously wounded people like this to expose and explore the deep insecurities and pseudo intellectualist fears and paranoias they have been carrying in them all these years. We call them nutcases and so on, but let us be patient and realize that the Rorschach test they think they are taking is in fact nothing more than a harmless ink spot on a page, and perceived fears and suspicions are nothing more than a shadow of their own insecurity. Be patient, we are actually (finally) getting somewhere! Now, to answer the question. Having actually met with JJ numerous times, I can pretty safely say on his behalf previous comment aside), "Nothing is Sacred" means just that, nothing is sacred. Or to put it another way, nothing is that sacred that it would or should be considered "sacred". Unless you want to talk about God. Which it sounds like you do. Even though it is way too early to jump from institutionalized political insecurity to Deity, nevertheless if you're up to it here goes. The slightest tangible example, by his own hand, of God's physical existence, would be considered sacred. How about that? Now, if it is at all possible, with all of that to ponder, try to have a nice day.

Sacred maycred

There are no absolutes other than the sanctity of life. And I don't mean it in a religious sense. I can't think of a better word. The culture of death, the killing of human beings under any circumstances is wrong. This should sink into everyone's head and be accepted as common sense. I want to say any form of life is precious, but (currently) I eat meat :o)

ranian.com's motto "nothing is sacred" refers to the Islamic Republic (or any religious entity) which tries to suppress speech (and freedom in general) in the name of god. Religions and anything religious people consider "sacred" or "divine" are all man-made. If there is a god, everything is sacred because he is the Creator of all that is (good or bad). That seems acceptable to me. But when clerics (or whoever) pick and choose what's sacred for the rest of us then whatever the clerics don't like they will ban. And they have justified all sorts of crimes by claiming to be defending and protecting divine principles. Ghalat kardan, goh meekhoran.

Khodemun

Man are you trippin' or what? I notice your other blog is gone. You got busted on that one big time. What? You thought everyone was going to rally around your "get rid of all the foreigners" bullshit? I don't know what the deal is with you and this chick tonya is but you are way out of line. I'm Iranian... male... grew up in the US... you want to ban me too? You're defeating your own purpose of wanting answers from JJ when you make such stupid comments. She's right... what is your friggin problem? I think she's pretty cool!

I am not telling people to

I am not telling people to be quiet. Everyone is free to ask the ostad whatever they want. It's cool with me, as long as he answers my questions.

Tonya, I don't want to get into it with you, because I want to get to my goal here.

Hey khodemun Dude

You should cool it. If you want to have a conversation with JJ only, buy him dinner and go from there. If you are posting here, don’t tell people to be quit. Are you crazy?

Dude

What is your friggin PROBLEM?  This is between you and JJ alone?  I had something to say and I said it!  I AM interested in what this blog is about and until JJ tells me I don't have a right to speak or bans me and other non-Iranians from this site, you just better get used to it.  GET OVER YOURSELF.  I'm done with the "condescending" crap from you. 

Nothing is sacred but "life", "Rights", and "Facts".

To JJ:

Beside life, how about FACT? Isn't Fact sacred?
How about Rights?

Nothing is sacred but "life", "Rights", and "Facts".

OK Jahanshah jan, 1 - If

OK Jahanshah jan,

1 - If human life is sacred, then how did you come up with the "nothing is sacred" logo?

2 - Am I right in assuming that even though human life is sacred to you, your manzur is that for the purposes of this site nothing is sacred?

3 - If human life is sacred, does that mean you are pro life --> nothing is sacred right? you should be able to answer this very personal question.

4 - Do you read every comment, article, blog?

5 - In the past week, how many items have you deemed not worthy to be posted here? If the answer is over 0, were they removed because they were in violation of the site slogan?

Tonya, as you know I want this to be for and by khodemun. Therefore, unless you have to say something, please stay silent for a while. Encouragement is not necessary, even if you have the best intentions. Thanks.

Thanks JJ, will be waiting.

I'm watching and reading with anticipation.

This is going to get veeeewy interesting.  What a great topic.  There has been so much written about how the site is monitored.  Pro's and con's for freedom of speech versus censorship.  I just can't make up my mind! 

So lets change the logo to:

"Almost" nothing is sacred! :-)

I think a better logo would be: "Somethings are less sacred than you may think!" ;-)

Thanks...let me think a bit

Thanks...let me think a bit now.

Life

I consider human life sacred.

Sure

What would you like to know?