The NY Times has recently published an article entitlted "Coalition of the Reluctant" in which they outline Debra Cagan. Of relevance to us Iranian-Americans is the following:
"The Pentagon denied the [Caga's remark "I hate all Iranians"]. Alasdair McDonnell, a Social Democratic and Labor M.P. who was present, told me: “I won’t confirm or deny she said that. She might nuke me in the middle of the night. She’s not somebody I’d want to tangle with.
Bernard Jenkin, a Conservative who was also present, said “Cagan is straightforward, and if you’re politically disposed to be put out by her, you would be.” He himself was not."
Over 300 people have now signed a petition asking for her resignation. While I think the petition is persuasive and should be signed, I encourage more of you to put pressure on the government through the letter campaign NIAC has initiated.
As NIAC already reports, these efforts by Iranian-Americans has persuaded at least one Congressman, Mike Honda from San Jose, to seek clarification from the State Department concerning these statements.
It is becoming increasingly obvious that if we as Iranian-Americans don't do anything no one will, and I encourage any one of you to contact me personally in order to coordinate some form of campaign against Cagan. The more we allow individuals in office who are prejudice towards Iranians, the more we open ourselves up to discrimination.
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Intelligence is my middle name!
by NotSoAnonymous (not verified) on Fri Oct 19, 2007 12:47 PM PDTMr/Mrs/Miss/Ms/?? Semsarain,
How do you define intelligence sir/madam/it?
If you are attacked by a beast are you going to start a philosophical discussion with it saying: "hey beasty pal, if you think about it from from same tree of life?!" or you just through at him everything you get your hands on?!
How many tiems I have to tell this: Sometimes being rude is the only polite way. Sometimes acting irrational is the only rational way. You nice, sassy, pseudo intellectuals never get it!
Your definition of inetlligence applies only to lower form of life. Perhaps trees and may be monkeys too. So Puhleese....
To Milaninia
by Debbie (not verified) on Fri Oct 19, 2007 12:46 PM PDTlol, When somebody starts ad-hominem and personal attacks (by calling others narrow-minded) that's where
you see they are short in logic and fail to come up
with a reasonable answer.
You in your article haven't mentioned any of Iran's
harsh and unjust comments about US and you claim to
to be against those, people are not mind readers
how do we know you are against those harsh comments
when you are silent about it.
ok, it's back to you, and lets see if you continue
with your personal attacks or have anything reasonable to see, I remain :)
Flag burning has nothing to do with it
by nmilaninia on Fri Oct 19, 2007 12:41 PM PDTWhy would I mention flag burning when Cagan's comment had nothing to do with it? She didn't say "I hate all Iranians" because anyone brought up flag-burning. Read the article for yourself. Flag burning has nothing to do with it.
my 2 cents
by Alipour (not verified) on Fri Oct 19, 2007 12:36 PM PDTInteresting thoughts being exchanged here. I'd like
to throw my 2 cents if I may.
I have read the article and the comments carefully,
and I'd like to say that what Debbie says makes
sense to me.
I'd have like to see an article condemning both acts
and not suffice condemning Cagan's statements, at
least Mr. Milaninia could have mentioned in his
article a history of harsh statements of iranians
toward the US as well and it would have been a good
place to condemn both and ask two sides to act
more reasonably, but I think the article is one sided
and takes iran's side rather than being fair or reasonable, let alone neutral.
To Debbie
by nmilaninia on Fri Oct 19, 2007 12:34 PM PDTFirst of all, its ironic you mention flag burning when citizens of our country do the same thing and since the Supreme Court has upheld it to be symbolic speech and protected under the First Amendment, so I'm not sure thats a relevant example. Its hard for me to say "Iranians shouldn't burn the US flag" when its perfectly permissible for "Americans to burn the US flag." Second, Cagan's comments weren't in reference to flag burning. In fact there was nothing about flag-burning during that entire conference, so its not very relevant. Rather, this is about you equating two things together that don't connect: 1) my condemnation of Debra Cagan and 2) Iranian human rights abuses. Just because I'm against one doesn't not mean I'm against the other and yet you continue to make that connection and its a very narrow-minded and untenable position.
To Milaninia
by Debbie (not verified) on Fri Oct 19, 2007 12:29 PM PDTok, now I seriously start being worried about your clients, if there are any (just joking), you also
fail to understand my posts, I have condemned the flag burning and I think that's what may have provoked
such harsh statements by Cagan as well. I condemn
both, unlike you that you took it all against one side. I think that's where you are being so unfair, and one sided. I believe when a nation burns another
country's flag then they should expect such harsh statements, you can't say "okay we have the rights
to burn your flag, but if you do anything bad you
shouldn't do anything hateful against us".
It's not such a good idea to throw rocks at windows
when you live in a glasshouse, hopefully this clarifies what I have been trying to convey to you.
Debbie that makes no sense
by nmilaninia on Fri Oct 19, 2007 12:21 PM PDTYou're still making no sense. So just because I say something about one injustice means I support other injustices? Whereas because you don't condemn anything means you condemn those injustices? That makes no sense. And to be honest, if you go to my weblog then you'll see my position on political prisoners, on the death penalty, on human rights, and on women's rights. So before you accuse me or anyone else for that matter, do something to prove your own worth and your positions. And to be honest, its quite hypocritical for you to tell me how I don't condemn flag burning when you refuse to do it yourself.
To Mianinia
by Debbie (not verified) on Fri Oct 19, 2007 12:16 PM PDTWell, of course you haven't seen any of those from me.
I am no writer, but you are. I am against all of those
you mentioned as well. But what you fail to understand
is that you as a writer need to see the both side of the coin and be fair. When you see an unfairness act
or a injustice instead of simply taking one side try
to look deep further into it. You show little sign of
reason in your statements and I really wish luck for
your clients, or maybe you are one those devil's advocate kind of lawyers, lol.
anyway, good luck (for your clients). :)
To Fred
by nmilaninia on Fri Oct 19, 2007 12:12 PM PDTRespond to my comments and stop hiding behind your alias and then I'll respond to you. In fact if you're afraid of discussing this publicly then email me and we'll discuss it. But I know you won't talk publicly because you know you're wrong. Also address my points: if these organizations are supported by the Iranian government then you should report them to the FBI and CIA. But you won't because you know you're wrong and you are defamining them because they don't support your fascist political agenda. Thats the last I say about that until you speak with transparency rather than under your blanket covers.
re: Who are these ...
by Semsarian (not verified) on Fri Oct 19, 2007 12:09 PM PDTactually NoSoAnonymous the same can be told for you
as well, the language you use in your posts reflects
your nature very well, you show no sign of intelligence.
I condemn both Iranian's act of flag burning as well
as what Mrs Cagan said. However, from what you have
demonstrate so far I hope the rest of Iranian people
aren't anywhere close to you in terms of attitude, which I reserve my rights to be doubtful about that, based on what I have seen. have a good day.
To Debbie
by nmilaninia on Fri Oct 19, 2007 12:08 PM PDTDebbie, I haven't seen you draft a petition condemning them either. Nor have I seen you speak our against the torture of political prisoners in Iran, the abuse of women's rights in Iran, discrimination against Iranian-Americans in the US, discrimination against Muslims around the world, severe discrimination against Bahai's in Iran as well as in other places, etc. Based on your logic that would infer that you support all of those things as well and are supportive of the Iranian government. Thats why its simply a stupid argument.
"majority of Iranian-American" who back NIAC?
by Fred (not verified) on Fri Oct 19, 2007 12:07 PM PDTYou can say and assume what you wish about me and my motivation and agenda. In light of your defamation threat, it is interesting that you don't heed your own sophmoric legal advice. As for that "majority of Iranian-American" who back NIAC, please provide verifiable scientific sampling/data, otherwise don't do Islamist Republic hatchet job. At the end of the day to bypass foreign lobbyist registration Act, this none sense of NIAC,CASMII and half dozen other lobbying groups, some even on bicycles, are doing the Islamist biddings. Now go hit the books on tort reform!
to Milaninia
by Debbie (not verified) on Fri Oct 19, 2007 12:03 PM PDTdespite what you said, I haven't seen one single claim
in your writings condemning burning American flags in
Iran. I have my doubts, and I think your statements
are biased and more reflecting Iranian goverment's
point of view than being neutral to your american-iranian point of view.
I was expecting more from you being a so-called lawyer
than using this stupid logic just to prove your point,
I hope you do better with your clients, I really
wish them luck.
Who are these ...
by NotSoAnonymous (not verified) on Fri Oct 19, 2007 11:47 AM PDTIdiots? Likes of Fred and Debbie.I guess the names are telling!! You should not be visiting Iranian.com if in any form or shape you are advocating hatered towards Iranians. You apologists for nut cases. YOu should start your own web sites like:
assholes.ocm or betraders.com
Iranian and American people are fair people for most part it's extremist, ignorants like you who are cause of the friction between the two nations.
To Debbie
by nmilaninia on Fri Oct 19, 2007 11:46 AM PDTActually petitions of the kind DO exist in Iran just for your information. But I'm not in Iran, I'm an Iranian-AMERICAN, and I am concerned with things in US soil as well as Iranian soil. Just because I condemn Cagan does not mean I don't condemn things the Iranian government does. That logical leap is just stupid.
Defamation is still illegal
by nmilaninia on Fri Oct 19, 2007 11:44 AM PDTFred, first of all, I'm not giving legal advice. Second of all, I still encourage you to use your real name if you're going to make allegations. Think about it, you're alleging that a US organization is an Iranian agent. I would think if that WAS the case, the FBI and CIA would be all over it. But they aren't and the reason they aren't, is because its a fabricated lie who oppose NIAC because they actually do represent what the majority of Iranian-Americans think. The minority, especially the right-wing fascists, like yourself, who want war with Iran, who don't care about civilian deaths, who don't care about self-determination or human rights, who don't care about democracy, and who are only concerned with their own objectives, has continously fabricated information about their opponents both inside and outside of Iran. Interestingly friend, your ideology is no different than the Taliban and Islam has nothing to do with it. So seriously, I encourage you to be more transparent about both who you are and your political beliefs because its easy to defame someone or an organization through a pseudonym.
burning flags
by Joan (not verified) on Fri Oct 19, 2007 11:33 AM PDTRegardless of what US might have done to Iran, burning
its flags is such an awful and uncivilized act.
Although I am not defending Cagan, but I wouldn't
blame her either.
Iranians must start watching their manners more
carefully and be worried on how it affects others before judging such comments, these are 2way roads.
what goes around comes around.
to FF
by Debbie (not verified) on Fri Oct 19, 2007 11:27 AM PDTI shouldn't be asking myself that question, but one
could suggest you ask yourself why Mrs Cagan said something like that? the answer is probably what I mentioned in my earlier post, hatred breeds hatred.
Don't like the words she said? stop burning flags.
Well, but I think it's too much to except, oh well,
be ghol daiijan napoleon "oon chizi ke enteha nadareh
kharriate khariiat".
To Debbie
by ff (not verified) on Fri Oct 19, 2007 11:17 AM PDTYou need to ask yourself why people burn the US flag. btw it is not just Iran that does that. Many other countries do as well. Let me give you a hint: It's not because they hate our freedom. lol
The only good Iranians were those of the Shah's era who were
by Debra Cagan (not verified) on Fri Oct 19, 2007 11:13 AM PDTfriends of America. The rest of you are a bunch of good for nothing sandcamel fvckers.
They do not care
by Alborzi (not verified) on Fri Oct 19, 2007 11:12 AM PDTThe neocons are a bunch of fascist nationalist, its funny
to see how these guys could be NAZI, its like this professor
at Depaul U. In Chicago, his father was a concentration camp
survivor, he is Jewish, yet he is accused of being antisemitic,
check out the article, its interesting, guess who won in the end,
the idiots who accused him of antisemitism.
//www.campus-watch.org/article/id/3487
that's what you get for flag burning
by Debbie (not verified) on Fri Oct 19, 2007 11:03 AM PDTHow come nobody signs petitions when iranians burn
american flag and trample it on the streets?
that's okay, and this is not?
I'd say this is the least you should expect when
you burn another countries flag.
We must have a loud and united voice
by NotSoAnonymous (not verified) on Fri Oct 19, 2007 10:56 AM PDTRacist, genocidal remarks should have no place in international relations. Iranian community
in US is more than 1 million strong. We have to prove to friend and foe alike that we are not free game. There must be a price to be paid for hate speechs like this.
Fred is right
by July (not verified) on Fri Oct 19, 2007 10:55 AM PDTMore Pressure against milanina Needed, lol
deposition and discovery!
by Fred (not verified) on Fri Oct 19, 2007 10:53 AM PDT1-You have to pass your bar before giving legal ruling/advice 2-Casmii's members including Enayat, are regular features of glorification by IRI state media.3- NIAC was outed by VOA guest and was never legally challenged, for good reasons, being a budding law student you should know why, deposition and discovery!
Fred, you're completely
by AnonymousNIAC (not verified) on Fri Oct 19, 2007 10:38 AM PDTFred, you're completely wrong. NIAC's leaders are against the IRI, and they work hard everyday to protect Iranian-American in the US from hateful words from the likes of Debra Cagan.
Fred, Defamation is Illegal
by nmilaninia on Fri Oct 19, 2007 10:38 AM PDTYou're allegations are not only baseless but illegal, which is pretty much why you have to use a psudonym to make them. If you have any convictions as to your belief, please use your real name. Otherwise, if anyone is disreputable, it is you.
NIAC/CASMII are Islamist lobby
by Fred (not verified) on Fri Oct 19, 2007 10:31 AM PDTNIAC is a disreputable organization. Their connection to CASMII and IRI is a matter of public record. While IRI is publicly hanging Iranians in a drove this IRI lobby is concerned with non-issues.