varjavand's blog

Giving Thoughtful Consideration to Our Own death, In Memory of my Deceased Brother

varjavand — Sat, 30 Jun 2012 19:15:18 +0000

The recent death of my oldest brother in Iran was an occasion that caused me to become reflective about my own eventual mortality. Death is the most inexplicable, the most undesirable, and the most certain event in everybody’s life. Well, maybe death is not the only certainty in life if one considers the well-used adage of Benjamin Franklin: “In this world nothing can be said to be certain except death and taxes.” It has also been frequently said that we can’t cheat death or avoid taxes; however, we sure try every machination we can think of to do both.

Killing for Cause

varjavand — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 05:47:40 +0000

Sadly, once in a while, there are reports of a furious father killing his daughter(s), or a husband murdering his wife, which he suspected of adultery, in order to restore the so-called family honor. The latest such happening took place in Pakistan.

Polygamy, a luxury only the rich can afford

varjavand — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 20:47:52 +0000

An overwhelming majority of Americans think that polygamy is wrong, 91% according a recent poll published by U.S. News. If a similar survey were taken in a Muslim country like Iran, you would be surprised and even startled to read a similar statistic, given the fact that polygamy is permissible under Islamic law. Almost all recurring references to wife in Quran are in the plural form wives, signaling the legitimacy of polygamy if the men who contemplate it can afford to provide equal and adequate financial support for all of their would-be wives.

The Prospect of An Islamic Government in Egypt is Scary

varjavand — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 03:02:41 +0000

IRI Unlikely Trade Partenrs

varjavand — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 23:22:35 +0000

End of Subsidies

varjavand — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 18:43:54 +0000

Price of human organs

varjavand — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 17:12:48 +0000

As they say, the dumbest question you can ask is the one to which you know the answer. I posted this question purposefully to bring an important issue to our attention. Iran, as you may know, has the dubious distinction of being the only country in which selling human organs is legal! Here in the US selling human organs is illegal. Zero-price for human organs, as a result, has created a persistent shortage and thousands of, perhaps needless, deaths, 6500 per year according to some estimate. Patients on waiting list faced with an imminent death unable to find a matching donor.

How to conceive a perfect baby, Islamic view

varjavand — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 15:02:51 +0000

Conceiving a baby with desired personality is not as difficult as you think. You can determine in advance how to conceive a perfect baby, just follow these Islamic recommendations.

Coping With Bad Economic Condition

varjavand — Sat, 13 Nov 2010 00:13:54 +0000

The Swing of the Pendulum

varjavand — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 17:35:15 +0000

Inconvenient Realities

varjavand — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 01:53:44 +0000

When it comes to the US economy, there is no shortage of bad news; awkward economic realities are more numerous than we think. Despite all the talk and heated debates among politicians about the depth and breadth of government economic involvement, the number of Americans who depends on public services keeps rising, a sure sign of dire economic condition. Here are some daunting statistics:

God & Religion

varjavand — Sun, 19 Sep 2010 15:57:59 +0000

In his new book entitled The Grand Design, Steven Hawking argues that the modern physics has progressed to the point where it "leaves no place for God in the creation of the universe." He says, “It is not necessary to invoke God to light the blue touch paper and set the universe going.” While this is not a new argument, since it is postulated by a world renowned physicist, it has become a sensational news attraction in recent days.

Poverty in the US

varjavand — Sat, 18 Sep 2010 17:29:05 +0000

If you are counted officially as a person living below poverty line by the US Census Bureau, you are not alone; nearly 4.8 million more people were added to the number of poor in the US. According to the latest statistics published by the US Census Bureau, the percentage of US population living below poverty line – income of about $10,000 for a single person - is now stands at 14.3%, about 44 millions, highest since 1959. This ratio is estimated at about 18% for Iran.

Can Iran Learn Anything from Chinese Experience?

varjavand — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 03:13:42 +0000

Can Iran Learn Anything from Chinese Economic Experience?

Top ten reasons why I was overcharged by taxi drivers

varjavand — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 02:04:11 +0000

Top ten reasons given by Tehran’s taxi drivers for overcharging me

I turned on the music just for you

You don’t want to be in the backseat without air conditioning in this weather

Tehran Hamayesh, A Step in Right Direction

varjavand — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 22:22:07 +0000

Despite what some of us think, I believe the Great Conference of Iranians Living Abroad (Hamayesh Bozorg) was a step in right direction. It was, I believe, a much needed attempt by government to reach out to its friends as well as its foes to solicit their cooperation in various areas including direct investment in Iranian industries. I think the gathering achieved its intended objectives with some degree of success.

Are We Iranians Over-concerned Parents?

varjavand — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 17:07:40 +0000

Obama on Healthcare

varjavand — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 18:49:04 +0000

In less than months, American voters go to the pole to elect a new president. What really matters to them when deciding on how to cast their vote is the candidates’ stance on the core issues. While the pre-election polls cannot predict the outcome of the November election conclusively, they provide revealing information about voters’ priorities and the key issues. Most of the polls show that healthcare is ranked either # 2 or 3 after economy/jobs/cost of living, and Iraq war.

Does parenting really matter?

varjavand — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 22:43:05 +0000

Does Parenting Matter? I have been able to do almost anything in this country given that I put my mind into it except three things: Making home-style bread, preventing my socks from disappearing in washer or dryer, and perfecting the art of my parenting. That does not, of course, imply that I am a mediocre or an ineffective parent. No, perhaps reasonably successful, but definitely obsessive.