Fifth Column of the Postmodern Kind
Aljazeera / Hamid Dabashi This emerging band of Iranian Fifth Columnists took their crudest clue from two back-to-back interviews that US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton gave to Voice of America and BBC Persian programmes in October 2011….Some of their most brazen and hypocritical have openly asked for the US to invade Iran (one of them claiming that the annual traffic and even cancer statistics in Iran would be less than the casualties of a potential war, while another uses creative accounting with the low number of civilian casualties in Libya), while others are using convoluted Orwellian Newspeak of the crudest kind hoping to camouflage their treachery. Another gimmick of these postmodern Fifth Columnists is to try to silence their opposition by accusing them of being agents of the Islamic Republic - not a very imaginative trick, you may think, but nevertheless seemingly effective in the infested pool of exile communities. If you were ever to dare as much as utter a word against these inanities they weave together, then you must be a paid agent of the Islamic Republic. >>>
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by Anahid Hojjati on Tue Nov 22, 2011 03:58 PM PST.
This is what it's all about:
by iraj khan on Tue Nov 22, 2011 03:49 PM PSTDabashi:
"Perhaps the most magnificent response to one such "humanitarian interventionist" has come from a courageous oppositional figure named Abed Tavancheh, barely out of the dungeons of the Islamic Republic, writing in an interview while he is in the city of Arak in Iran, and soon after he read that Washington DC-based Iranian warmongers are enticed by the events in Libya:
I want to live - and if I am to die for something, I wish to die voluntarily and for my own ideals, and I wish to emphasise that I can only decide for my own life, and not for 25 out of every 1000 Iranians [an estimate of how many people will perish if a military strike were to happen]. I wish to know for what and for whom I die. Neither the US, nor NATO, nor indeed any other coalition with no matter how many flags on top of it, authorised by I could not care what organisation, has the right to impose on me as an Iranian living in Iran any "humanitarian intervention". I could not care any less if these bombs were guided by laser or by God Almighty Himself. I refuse to accept the risk of being among 25 in each 1,000 who shall die, and you sir [addressing a militant military interventionist heralding from NED] so long as the chance of your being among these 25 is zero - because you live in Washington DC and from each side of your location you are safely distanced from here by an ocean and a couple of continents - please keep your opinion to yourself about me and people like me who live in Iran, and kindly do not add any more fuel to the fire of foreign invasion. That is all."
So instead of trying to shut down the voices of reason respond to the above observation by a real freedom fighter.
Who said war?
by Veiled Prophet of Khorasan on Tue Nov 22, 2011 03:45 PM PSTNobody is talking war right now. The main thing is sanctions and they will go in no matter what. Might as well acct it. But this alarmism about war; internment and blah is wrong.
Besides any offensive move is against IRI not Iran. Will anyone here fight to preserve the Islamic Regime? If so they should move there right now. How many would have fought to preserve the Nazi regime. How many for the Vichy France.
Now instead of getting all hyper emotional let us be reasonable. Iran is being *** day on for 33 years. If you don't lie it then we need a change. A peaceful one is obviously preferable but how to you propose it.
some pople do shame dumping
by Anahid Hojjati on Tue Nov 22, 2011 03:40 PM PSTthat is what Dabashi is doing, just read about shame dumping and then you will not become intimidated by it.
//narcissism-support.blogspot.com/2009/01/projection-made-easy.html
"..T his is how I would use the term, "projection": Imagine that you are a blank movie screen and the N is the projector. The film is whatever is going on in his/her inner world. No matter what the N says or how they behave toward you, they are projecting their inner world on you. They are not capable of paying attention to the real you, only to their inner world..."
ننه من غریبم بازی و حرکات ننه من یتیمم!
FaramarzTue Nov 22, 2011 03:32 PM PST
No US officials have suggested an imminent war with the Regime, and actually the US officials at the highest levels have said that a war will have terrible consequences. But a bunch of con men are trying to stir up emotions among the Khalgh Khoda and the easily excite-ables!
Let's try to be smarter than this. The Regime is the real problem. Let's keep our eyes focused on the target.
Gibberish!
by G. Rahmanian on Tue Nov 22, 2011 03:22 PM PSTThat's What Happens When Charlatans like Dabashi try to make excuses for the regime in Tehran by attacking others! His "POSTMODERN FIFTH COLUMNISTS" remark reminds me of AN's "VIOLET SCREAM!"Puke!
War does not serve interests of Iran or US!
by Disenchanted on Tue Nov 22, 2011 03:12 PM PSTSo opposing such a war unites true Iranian and American citizens. Only an Israeli crook would wish such death and destruction for Iranians and Americans.
I'd say even those in Israel who are not racists and bloodthirsty oppose such a war!
very badly written article with
by Tiger Lily on Tue Nov 22, 2011 03:02 PM PSTa few good points, which took ages to decipher, because of the tons of very badly written gibberish.
Kazemzadeh: it takes one to know one
by Bavafa on Tue Nov 22, 2011 02:33 PM PSTAs I said before, you ain’t worth my time so keep on barking, you will be ignored.
'Hambastegi' is the main key to victory
Mehrdad
Removing any doubt
by Veiled Prophet of Khorasan on Tue Nov 22, 2011 02:31 PM PSTThere is a precedence for "non violence" in America. One may refuse to participate in combat as a "conscientious objector". Quakers are an example but they are expected to still serve. Just in non combatant roles. That is fine.
But you don't get to pick and choose which war you like and don't. If you do you break the law. That is not treason but it may land you in jail. Mohammad Ali Clay is an example of this. His refusal to go to Vietnam got him in jail and cost him his title.
Taking up arms against USA if you are a citizen is treason. That is a far greater offense than refusing to fight. My advise to anyone feeling that way is don't do it. But if you do first officially renounce your citizenship. Then you are not doing treason.
Mehrdad/Bavafa's Own Words
by Masoud Kazemzadeh on Tue Nov 22, 2011 02:21 PM PSTBavafa/Mehrdad's OWN words:
==================================
Bavafa
Sun Nov 06, 2011 08:22 AM PST
It is long overdue for the world to stop and stand up to the Israeli hostage taking of the world by constantly creating atmosphere for war in order to continue its occupation of its neighbors.
The far more urgent matter is to pull this decayed tooth and bring sanity to foreign diplomacy.
If the war breaks out, I do wish and support full retaliation against the attacking nation.
'Hambastegi' is the main key to victory
Mehrdad
Shame on Charlatan
by Masoud Kazemzadeh on Tue Nov 22, 2011 02:18 PM PSTMehrdad/bavafa: I am not a bit surprised to see people such as Kazemzadeh who openly advocate for the groups and cult such as MEK
=======================
MK: I strongly condemn Mehrdad’s LIE. He knows full well that he is LYING and goes ahead and LIES in order to divert the discussion. Mehrdad has been lying like this several times.
I do NOT advocate for the PMOI. I defend their civil liberties and rights. I strongly oppose the PMOI’s ideology, leadership, and policies. On numerous occasions, I have published harsh criticisms of the PMOI. Mehrdad has been provided my writings. This makes Mehrdad a charlatan and a liar.
Shame on you Mehrdad/bavafa.
I wonder if this is a terrorist threat such as those of Al-Qaeda
by Onlyiran on Tue Nov 22, 2011 02:05 PM PST"Any attack by any nation on Iran must be responded to with full force and without any hesitation, including attacks on any U.S. allies in the region that might allow such a crime takes place using their airspace, land, waters, and bases. "
Isn't this what Al-Qaeda says all the time? They are called a terrorist group. What's the difference?
Responses
by Veiled Prophet of Khorasan on Tue Nov 22, 2011 01:56 PM PSTBavafa - no one forced Mammad to become a U.S. citizen
by Onlyiran on Tue Nov 22, 2011 02:01 PM PSTHe did it on his own. He voluntarily took an oath to become a citizen. Now he's going against that oath and is advocating attacks on a country of which he is voluntary citizen. If he has those strong feelings in his allegiance to Iran, he should give up his U.S. citizenhip--voluntarily, just as he got it--and go back to Iran and get ready to fight the U.S.
PS- There is absolutely nothing wrong with criticizing U.S. foreign policy. Being against war is every citizen's right. That's what make the U.S. a democracy. But Mammad is going way beyond that. He's advocating attacks against the U.S. and says that he will fight agains it. That's treason.
In his own words
by Fred on Tue Nov 22, 2011 01:58 PM PSTSpeaking of "fifth column" in his own words.
//www.youtube.com/watch?v=KuOmXKavchE&feature=related
The documentary maker, Nader Talebzadeh, is Ahmadinejad's propagandist. the interviewer & interviwee make a stange bedfellows, no?
My hats off to all of those who fought to defend Iran ….
by Bavafa on Tue Nov 22, 2011 01:50 PM PSTNot everyone was courageous enough to set aside their difference with the criminal regime in Tehran and go to defend for a cause greater than themselves. But far many did just so and proved that a dictator backed by all the $$$ from the crook and tyrant of the Arab countries, armed with the military hardware from the West was defeated in their conquest of Iranian land.
I cherish and salute them for their sacrifice.
OnlyIran: As much as I respect you, I will pose a semi-hypothetical question to you
If one is willing to give his/her life for a just cause, let’s say defend his mother land in an illegal war, do you think s/he cares if his citizenship is revoked?
I am not a bit surprised to see people such as Kazemzadeh who openly advocate for the groups and cult such as MEK which sided with the enemy while Iran was under attack but I am surprised to see people who genuinely care for Iran.
BTW, my position is not in defense of Mammad as I am not familiar with his [detail] position other than what has been discussed here but this is about having the courage to fight for a just cause, including to take arms to defend my new home land, the USA, should it ever be attacked and/or occupied.
'Hambastegi' is the main key to victory
Mehrdad
Mammad and the Oath of Citizenship
by Masoud Kazemzadeh on Tue Nov 22, 2011 01:34 PM PSTI assume that Mammad is a U.S. citizen and has taken the following oath:
//www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=facd6db8d7e37210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=dd7ffe9dd4aa3210VgnVCM100000b92ca60aRCRD
Oath
"I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state or sovereignty, of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform noncombatant service in the armed forces of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the law; and that I take this obligation freely without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God."
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HG: I THink you are right.
by vildemose on Tue Nov 22, 2011 01:23 PM PSTHG: I THink you are right. The intent is to identify the IRI opponents. Mohammad ALa and Q used to constantly ask for people's real names. It is because of these veiled threats that many Iranians abroad stay away from politics and real activism in diaspora.
"It is the chain of communication, not the means of production, that determines a social process."
-- Robert Anton Wilson
So Mammad is trying to warn us about the impending Auschwitz?
by AMIR1973 on Tue Nov 22, 2011 01:13 PM PSTI sometimes wonder if they are doing this so as to avoid ending up in an internment camp once the shooting starts and Iranian-Americans start being rounded up.
So when Mammad says: "Turncoats, traitors, and fifth columnists beware."
Actually, this means beware if a war breaks out between the US and the IRI, Iranian-Americans will be sent to the American equivalent of Auschwitz. Okay, I see now.
Thanks for your post MK - so Mammad wants to fight against
by Onlyiran on Tue Nov 22, 2011 01:09 PM PSTthe U.S. and he's a U.S. citizen? That's treason right there. I wonder if his declaration, along with advocacy of attacks on the U.S. if there's a war, enough for revocation of his U.S. citizenship.
Mammad's Own Words
by Masoud Kazemzadeh on Tue Nov 22, 2011 01:05 PM PST//iranian.com/main/2011/nov/israeli-roulettepage1
"The war and fighting will be in Iran, not in the U.S. If war broke out and I were young, I would go back to Iran and fight any invader. My entire family has a long track record of fighting to defend Iran in actual wars."
by Mammad on Mon Nov 07, 2011 06:53 AM PST
===========================================
//iranian.com/main/2011/nov/israeli-roulettepage2
by Mammad on Sun Nov 06, 2011 01:00 PM PST
Any attack by any nation on Iran must be responded to with full force and without any hesitation, including attacks on any U.S. allies in the region that might allow such a crime takes place using their airspace, land, waters, and bases. The aggressor must be published.
Let Israel's supporters go back to Israel, join its armed forces, and fight with Iran. Let those who are salivating for a U.S. attack on Iran join the Pentagon, and fight in a war with Iran. Every nation has some turncoats and spies, including Iran. And the turncoats and spies are not just MKO; there are several on this website alone, who hide behind fake names and advocate war.
As far as I am concerned, a true nationalist does not differentiate between "good" aggressor and bad aggressor. An aggressor is an aggressor and must be punished.
========================================
//iranian.com/main/news/2011/11/21/fifth-column-postmodern-kind
Fantastic. Turncoats, traitors, and fifth columnists beware.by Mammad on Tue Nov 22, 2011 08:24 AM PST
Mammad
the intent of mamali's
by hamsade ghadimi on Tue Nov 22, 2011 01:21 PM PSTthe intent of mamali's threat is obvious. it's not a ditch in the road. it's parvandeh saazi, we'll identify you and you or your family have to pay for it threat. you cyber basijis crack me up. if there's a war between another country and iran, it's not because iranians inside iran or iranians outside iran wish it. it's solely because of iri's actions and you joojeh basijis know it. vassalam.
Not a Threat
by Mohammad Alireza on Tue Nov 22, 2011 12:34 PM PSTIt could be "Beware of ... that ditch in the road"
Or, "Beware ...it may rain tomorrow."
If he had written; "Beware, I will come and shoot you, or whatever", then that would be a threat.
But why these diversions and distractions from the very important issue that Dabashi has exposed?
In a nutshell the issue is that there are Iranian-Americans that are showing support for a military attack on Iran.
I sometimes wonder if they are doing this so as to avoid ending up in an internment camp once the shooting starts and Iranian-Americans start being rounded up.
That will not happen you say?
Are you 100% certain that it won't happen?
You can be certain that if it does happen they will not bother trying to find out what you wrote in your blog or who you voted for or how much money you have or what job you hold. You will be considered a national security threat and that is all that will matter to Homeland Security. And I would not be surprised if this site is being monitored by them. Land of the free. Yeah, right.
Good Observations
by iraj khan on Tue Nov 22, 2011 11:46 AM PSTby Mr Dabashi
"Another gimmick of these postmodern Fifth Columnists is to try to silence their opposition by accusing them of being agents of the Islamic Republic - not a very imaginative trick, you may think, but nevertheless seemingly effective in the infested pool of exile communities. If you were ever to dare as much as utter a word against these inanities they weave together, then you must be a paid agent of the Islamic Republic.
That people who object to their inanities have served repeated jail terms in the dungeons of the Islamic Republic, who have gone to the brink of death and come back during their hunger strikes, have written against Khamenei and the Islamic Republic while in Evin prison, that there are people opposed to their warmongering who have barely escaped from the firing squad of the Islamic Republic, people whose parents have been butchered by the agents of the Islamic Republic, makes no difference to these valiant motorists daring the elements of the DuPont Circle and Los Angeles highways."
Observations Par Excellence
Vildemose: why aren't they in Iran or Lebanon for that matter
by Onlyiran on Tue Nov 22, 2011 11:30 AM PSTEnjoying the fruits of their revolution or fighting the Israelis? I don't undertsand what they are doing in the U.S.
OI: Why are people like
by vildemose on Tue Nov 22, 2011 11:26 AM PSTOI: Why are people like Dabashi and Mammad would want to live in the US?? They clearly hate the "empire"and want it destroyed. Why not have to guts to admit it instead of reaping empire's benefits???
"It is the chain of communication, not the means of production, that determines a social process."
-- Robert Anton Wilson
Not the first time Mammad has issued threats
by Onlyiran on Tue Nov 22, 2011 11:16 AM PSTHe's an American citizen, but has called men and women of the U..S armed forces who happen to be of Iranian descent "traitors" and "turncoats." This brings into question his loyalty to the United States, where he resides, teaches and makes a living. He has also made it clear that he will oppose the United States and will take Iran's side in any poetntial conflict. One wonders to what extent? Could that include acts of espionage on behalf of Iran? One still wonders why is he still a U.S. citizen if he hates the U.S. at this level. Is it just to use an American passport for benefits and travel?
There's nothing wrong with opposing a war and opposing the foreign policies of the U.S. But it's totally another to go to this level.
Re: accusation and labeling,
by Veiled Prophet of Khorasan on Tue Nov 22, 2011 09:45 AM PSTare different than threats because they don't imply harm. I may label; cuss or whatever. But threat is a whole new line which should not be crossed. Specially when many Muslims have a habit of carrying through.
Isn’t amazing….
by Bavafa on Tue Nov 22, 2011 09:42 AM PSTWhile many of us [rightly] condemning this type of accusation and labeling, we forget to refrain from such act ourselves.
When is it OK for us to label others but not the other way around?
I submit to you that if you practice less of what you condemn and more of what you condone, then you will get a better result.
Now, there are a few on IC that is just simply too wishful thinking of expecting such practice and behavior, but we (I) hope to see this from those more level-headed and logic oriented individuals.
'Hambastegi' is the main key to victory
Mehrdad