Letters

December 2006

Part 2 -- Part 1

December 15

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I have no word to describe how angry I am

In response to Holocaust conference in Iran:

Ahamdinejad is a disgrace to humanity. How insensitive can one be to hold a conference with KKK leaders to deny or prove something that already happened and the whole world knows about? For once I am embarrassed to be an Iranian. For God's sake more than 6 million people got killed in a tragic way and you (Ahmaghinejad)  will hold a conference to see if it was true or not?

I have no word to describe how angry I am with this issue. Is like some one would hold a conference to prove if Saddam killed and wounded millions of Iranians or not? How that mother would feel that has lost her son in the war? Just for once put yourself in people's shoes before saying or doing something. I know you care less about Iranian victims than anything else while you are busy with your Arab terrorist buddies. Why don’t you go to Palestine and become their president? You care about them more than you do about Iranians.

I just want to ask a favor from Ahamadinejad: Hey dummy, do all of us a favor and kill your self.

Payam Bakhaje

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They love the guy

In response to Shahla Azizi's "Death to stupidity":

Is it not interesting that you outright brand Ahmadinejad a "dictator"

The dictionary defines a dictator as "a ruler who is unconstrained by law". However, Ahmadinejad is very much bound by the law. He is not above it.

Since his term, how many people have been imprisoned or beat in the streets compared to Khatami's first 2 years of presidency? Do you remember those years? Iran has changed. Wake up.

This is not the Shah's time anymore. This is not the early years of the revolution. This is no longer the early years of political change in Iran. Times have changed. Political reformism has taken deep roots in Iran.

Ahmadinejad even responded to the people calling him a dictator saying "that i will respond to you kindly."

All news reports reported that NO ONE was arrested. No one was beat. Even the basijis didn't get emotional and attack anyone. All they did was counter sho'ar (give slogans). The anti minority yelled "down with the dictator" while the video clearly shows the majority countered back "ahmadi, ahmadi, we are with you"

Ahmadinejad has clearly won the hearts and minds of not only the world because of his anti-americanism, but because of his persistance of visiting 2 different villages every week, has won the hearts and minds of the Iranian nation.

If you go to Iran (which I have recently), even in the ski slopes of Tehran, where the most secularized westernized youth reside, and very pro-Ahmadinejad even in private. They love the guy.

Everyone knows he will win in a landslide if he were to run again today.

Don't call a man a dictator that is not dictating his will on anyone. He was rightfully elected, and he is doing some shaking in the government to uproot corruption which is making certain sectors upset (noteably Rafsanjani and Karroubi camp). They lost the most in this election because Ahmadinejad is very anti-corruption. He already removed all of Rafsanjani's sons from the government.

Honestly, you guys have been in sleeper cells for 27 years. Iran has changed. In 3 days they will be going to the polls to elect the Assembly of Experts that will determine the next rahbar (Seyed Khamenei is currently ill, as some intelligence reports indicate). We might not have what you call a "liberal democracy" by western standards, but we don't have a dictatorship either.

We aren't in Kindergarten. Don't call people names.

Dariush Abadi

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We do love sex and enjoy it as much as men

In response to Laleh Banoo's "The big nothing is everything":

Hey girl,

I loved your "The Big Nothing Is Everything" article on Iranian. Good job! I really appreiate it when an Iranian young woman can openly talk about her sexuality. It is time that we rise up and show everybody that we are as sexual as men. And we do love sex and enjoy it as much as men do. But  when a woman talks about sex they call her " a man trapped in a woman's body". It is also interesting how it is "Ok" for men to love sex and talk about it easily but when it comes to giving their partners orgasms a lot of them fail. These are also the type of guys who would refuse to watch "Sex and the City" because it shows how women can be sexually free and independent. I'm sure a lot of suckers will comment on your article with  a negative attitude. But please don't give up and keep up the good work. Let them say whatever they want to say. Be sexual, enjoy your sex life in a healthy way and experiment sex with different men and women. If your sex life is any different than this it is unhealthy and sick. If you keep on like this you will find the perfect partner at some point who would always make you happy and give you multiple orgasms, day and night.

S.G. from Seattle

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Sex is a gift to humankind

In response to Laleh Banoo's "The big nothing is everything":

This is a nicely written, interesting article that demands several comments, specifically: sex is absolutely nothing to be ashamed of, nor is it something that women (muslim or otherwise) should not whole-heartedly enjoy. Sex is a gift to humankind from God/Allah/Buddha. If we weren't intended to enjoy our genitals then we would have been created without them and they wouldn't have been placed within such easy reach of our own, and others', hands.

The sad part of Laleh's article is that she says that despite having had six lovers and having performed hundreds of sex acts with these men, she has never shared an orgasm with any of them. Women of the world, you must unite in demanding that we men satisfy you!! You and your bodies give us endless pleasure and enjoyment, so you should demand the same in return. If you don't get it from us, then don't give it to us either. An ultimatum such as this will do wonders to improve the sexual technique and consideration of your lover(s).

WK Angmar

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Nobody cares how many wieners have stuffed your bun

In response to Laleh Banoo's "The big nothing is everything":

Dear Laleh Khnoom,

Damn, you make me proud to be Iranian. You Go Girl! After reading, The big nothing is everything, I wanted to run out into the street and start singing Ey Iran at the top of my lungs. Just when I thought members of our community had reached the pinnacle of every noteworthy facet of American society: business, science, technology, medicine, entertainment, and the arts, you come along and add one more field that the Iranian-American community can boast about as having a world class expert in; dickology. Congratulations! You've no doubt worked your ass off, quite literally, in earning the accolades, respect and admiration of your hamvatan in reaching this seminal point in your life.

Unfortunately, you aren't the first Iranian girl in America to have achieved this feat. If you peruse the plethora of past articles submitted by young women to iranian.com, you will find many who have bask in the glory of their sexual libration and like you have felt compelled to tell the world about it.

While your writing style is fantastic, your subject matter is pretty boring. You aren't even close to being the first Iranian-American girl to have treated us to feculent fanfaronades of a salacious nature. You are simply one of many who wish to inform the world about how easy it is for men to get you out of your panties. I wish that I could tell you that your tale of happy humping is remarkable, but it isn't. At least in the past such stories shocked or tantalized, but yours doesn't. It's quite blasé if you know what I mean; it's one of those been there, read that ... kind of things. I not trying to hurt your feelings, I'm just trying to be honest.

The readers of iranian.com have been subjected to so many stories over the years written by young Iranian women proclaiming their joy of premarital sex that yours is simply old hat. Most people don't give a hoot-n-hell about how liberating you find having a strange man's penis stuffed inside you. Hell, khanoom, from the way you talk, you've been stuffed more times than a Butter Ball Turkey ... and you know what, nobody cares. I'm not saying this in a mean way; it's just that people have their own lives to worry about, so they don't have the time or inclination to care oneway or the other about your funky-freaky-fucky lifestyle.

Nobody cares how many wieners have stuffed your bun; nobody cares how big or small they were; nobody cares how many of your bodily orifices have been carnally titillated; nobody cares about how many funky positions you've done it in and nobody cares if your ambition in life is to be a walking, talking sperm bank.

The reason, nobody cares is because what you do with your body is your business and yours alone. No one has the right to tell you not to be a sleaze. The Constitution of the United States protects your right to indulge in as much Wang Chung as you can drag home with you; big ones, small ones, black ones, white ones, Iranians ones; American ones ... .you have a Constitutional right to all the cockle-doodle-doo you want and don't ever let anyone try to tell you otherwise Next to apple pie, Old Glory and the Fourth of July, I can't imagine anything more patriotic than you on your back having some guy pump you up like a greasy-old, pump-jockey filling the tanks of a skanked-out Chevy.

Vay Khoda, I bet your parents would be proud of you if they knew just how patriotic a girl you are! I bet more than a few guys feel a throbbing sensation of Persian pride knowing that there are a few Iranian girls, like you, across America who are ready, willing and able to be the flag which whips wildly on the top of as many flagpoles as they can climb.

Khoda Hafez,

Lance Raheem

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Forced visit to the land of golobolbol

In response to Ali Nasiri's, "I have boycotted Iran":

Dear Amir:

I, like you, have no desire to go back to Iran, for the same reasons you state. I have not been back in 30 years and do not want to shatter the images still left in my mind of Iran, north, south and center. But, I do part with your concept of advocating a global ban by all Iranians, to go back for a visit, because if you look around on the Internet, or within your own larger circle of acquaintances then you will find a whole sector of the educated Iranian population in exile that either ignorantly or maliciously is sympathetic to the IRI and all the "development" brought about by the "popular elections" of its leaders. For these people I would actually advocate a forced and assigned visit to the land of golobolbol, and require that each and everyone perform an interactive test like apply for a driver's license, or prepare a power of attorney document to sell property. For the more hardcore admirers of the regime, who believe Ahmadinejad and Khatami were popularly elected, I would assign the task of interviewing common folks on the streets of at least 5 cities in Iran and conclude the test only if they can come up with a majority of responses in favor of the regime.

I have to also disagree with the following statement you made:

"But please don't be sheepish and follow another stupid political party like the Mojahedin traitors or the Shahanshahi (Pahlavi) thieves. Support the student movement in Iran and mainstream political activists."

Because in the frame work of a democracy, which is what I hope the end goal for everyone is, the system must be inclusive of all. Dismissing and excluding whole sectors of society or ideologies, will be equivalent to what we have now. You may think of the mojaheds as traitors like, hopefully, the majority of Iranians, but if they win the majority in a cyclical electoral process that they are willing to respect, then we have to accept it. The case is a bit different with a Monarchy since the process is fixed in time and not cyclical. So by my definition, monarchy is out, and I can't imagine the majority of Iranians voting for a constitutional monarchy, but hey, they voted for the Islamic Republic, and they say for Rafsankani, Khatami, and Ahmadinejad.

We must be all inclusive and unite to get rid of the common enemy which has extended its life due to this rift and Chasm amongst the exiled Iranians. It is high time to come to agreement and accept each others' political differences and speak with a united voice. The first and foremost principle to accept is the separation of Church and State. The second principle to accept is to have a cyclical electoral process for the rule of the majority. Then, you can either have a democratic and constitutional monarchy or a democratic republic, and I hope that the majority feel it is time, after 2500 years of experimentation with monarchy, to leave that institution to the annals of History and embrace a new Democratic Republic of Iran.

Shahriar Azadmanesh

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Iranian Student Revolution: Reunion 2007

In response to Shahla Azizi's "Death to stupidity":

Dear Shahla Azizi,

I found your article Death to stupidity very informative. Nothing was reported here in the United States regarding the students' protest against President Ahmadinejad, held at Amir Kabir University in Tehran.

Currently I am working on a letter that I will later post on a noteworthy blogger, and forward to other U.S. journalists, in the hope that some will take note of what I am calling the Iranian Student Revolution: Reunion 2007. The past has much to teach the future.

Good luck and thank you for being so brave on reporting events that others in the main stream media continually pass over.

Arturo Jabra'il Sancho

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Our problems are not just Ahmadinejad

In response to Shahla Azizi's "Death to stupidity":

Please; allow me to shake your hand from Georgia. When you are right, you are right. Our problems are not just Ahmadi.. but foreign governments supporting and benefiting from Ahmadi and others like him, during the past twenty eight years  We need to communicate with those supporters that we will punish you by not doing business with you for the next twenty eight years. Canada is the worst among the supporters of I.R.

We shall overcome sooner than later.

Michael

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Is Israel "democracy" working in harmony with rest of the world?

In response to Sohrab Ferdows's "Disastrous policies":

Is this Sohrab Ferdows on crack cocaine, Mussad payroll or perhaps both?

Hamas would not have been in existence, elected or not, if it wasn't for fascist policies of Zionist in America and Israel. Funny thing is that, initially, Israelis created Hamas to compete against  PLO and to weaken it. Like anything else these arrogant idiots touch, it has turned to something they hate.

Blaming President Carter for everything that has gone wrong in the world, since his presidency, is a cheap shot. Carter's presidency may have been disastrous in some ways, though he made the first real peace between Arab and Israelis.  In my opinion, he is the best ex-President this country ever had. He is speaking the truth and has nurtured democracy in so many places in the world. He has grown big balls to stand against total manipulation of American foreign policy by Zionists and their minions, unlike US congress and Bush administration. He has published a ground breaking book about Palestine occupation. Read the book and critic it. Challenge his facts then state your position, instead of making thing up as you go along.

And please stop lecturing us about democracy by making stupid statement like " One important specification of a democracy is to work with harmony with the rest of the world while protecting its constituents and serving their interests."  Is Israel "democracy" working in harmony with rest of the world? Who are you kidding and where have you come up with "Specification" for democracy. What else is in that specification of yours? should everyone bows to a dominant power in the world in order to be certified as a democracy. Democracy, like culture, will have a local flavor, not uniformity across globe.

Furthermore, the "rise of a fundamentalist Islamic ideology" may have shown its ugly head during Carter presidency, however its root goes back many decades and its exponential rise happened during Regan and Bush (41) presidency. So stop blaming Carter and put the blame where it belongs: Zionist and their allies. Pure and simple.

Rosatm Ferdows

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You keep missing the intention of this conference

In response to Kaveh Nouraee's "Their lives were sacred":

Dear Kaveh,

I think you ought not to be so unhappy that they print just about any thing. Your own article/comment does not seem to be that factual either and got printed here.

I am not by any means defending the IRA, but how is it that some of you keep missing the intention of this conference as denying the Holocaust and not hearing what they have clearly said, they just want to discuss the event and its misuse of this trouble tragedy for the goods of Israel. Now, if you have an issue with that, that would be fair enough but express your displeasure to the actual thing rather then twisting the facts.

Mehrdad

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Anti-Semite conference in our occupied country

In response to Amil Imani's "Circus of hate":

Dear Amil Imani,

Thank you for your great article! You reflected the voice of all freedom-loving people around the world.

This anti-Semite conference in our occupied country is clear evidence that all freedom-loving people should protest over all aspects of Islamism. I believe that this protest is the most human, democratic and vital struggles that is in front of us. It can be a common front of all freedom-loving people, regardless their political or ideological orientations.

Jahanshah Rashidian

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What "strategic depth"?

In response to on Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Hanyeh's visit to Iran:

Ismail Hanyeh, The Palestinian prime minister in his recent visit to Iran said: "They (Israelis) assume the Palestinian nation is alone. This is an illusion ... We have a strategic depth in the Islamic Republic of Iran."

Can someone tell me what in the hell "strategic depth" means? This guy after receiving and spending $120 million of Iranian cold hard cash, can not even pretend and come up with a friendlier term describing IRI's generosity than "strategic depth"? Granted there is a strategic benefit for Iranian regime in giving money to Hamas, but what happened to simple thank you's? or how about; we are indebted to you for helping us at the time most of our "Arab brothers" turned their backs on us.

By depth maybe Hanyeh is referring to mullah's deep pockets at the expense of Iranian people. So I wouldn't be surprised if at the end of his visit he'd asked them to keep the money coming in exchange for ... (fill in the blank as you wish).

Jason

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We only have one side of the story

In response to Jewish Irani's "We are indestructible":

Actually, Haman was supposedly Assyrian, and Ahmadinejad's "country man" would therefore technically be Xerxes, the Persian King who - once again - saved the Jews. Anyway, if the Bible is history, remember that we only have one side of the story of what happened back then! What any of this has to do with the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is beyond me.

Cyrus Safdari

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Do your Magic!

In response to Tina Ehrami's "Khak bar sare opposition":

Dear Madam,

I have a question and that is: well are you among this so-called opposition or not? If you are among them or brtter to say us, what have you done further than you could , answer is virtually NOTHING> and if you are not , and now all of a sudden you are thinking about Iran.

Fair enough tell us "khakbarsar ha" what we are suppose to do, do your Magic! give some suggestion instead of nagging and putting the blame to other people.

Mehran Makki

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We need people like you in our lives

In response to Fereshteh Saheli's "Clearing my closets":

Dear Fereshteh,

What a beautiful writing. You are a very strong person. You can go through this. You must fight it. Look at it as a battle. You can not give up.

We need people like you in our lives.

With Love,

SN

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Lowest language

In response to Anyway section video, "'Troy' in Persian":

Dear Sir,

I cannot imagine as a responsible person, you put such a senseless, stupid video in Iranian site? This is not funny, humorous, informative, interesting! Please give me one good reason to justify for having “Troy” in Persian in Iranian site? There are many young people who visit this site and how do you explain this trash to this people in civic manner?

I am really confused about your judgment (I used to really mention your site as a balanced reflection of Iranian maturity on letting people express their different views at this site) now it seems you have a blind spot in your judgment between what is good and what is trash? The verbal dirt in this video is the lowest of low imitation at part of Iranian society. I am assuming one of your justification will the First Amendment of individual “rights”.

Esmail

REPLY: What? You don't think it's funny?
-- Jahanshah Javid

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Sanctions on a "shekamoo" nation?!

In response to Farah Ravon's photo essay of foods in Iran, "On heaven's menu":

Wow.... very nice and appetizing pictures. If only you had a picture of "dizi" abgoosht it would have been a PERFECT assembly of Iranian dishes.

You should show these pictures to Bush so he can see what "sanctions" and "isolation" does  to a "rogue" but "shekamoo" nation !!!

Have a nice day,

N. Shafiei

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Delicious torture

In response to Farah Ravon's photo essay of foods in Iran, "On heaven's menu":

These pictures are slow, delicious torture for those who haven't had dinner and realize no matter how great dinner is, it will never be as good as that. 

On a side note, the fruit dish (#23) was curious. How is a proper guest to enjoy that pineapple (or any of the coconuts) sitting on the table. At that point, the kiwi is almost a comprimise. 

Thanks for sharing.

Parissa Sohie

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Your photos make the country come alive for us

In response to Farah Ravon's photo essay of foods in Iran, "On heaven's menu":

Thanks so much for these incredible pictures, Farah...looks like you sampled some great delicacies throughout Iran. Your photos make the country come alive for us, with real people doing the same things we do... working hard, taking care of their families, putting food on the table, shopping, chatting, renewing friendships.

Despite our government's attempt to demonize Iran, your pictures tell us that people can transcend political rhetoric and come to know one another as authentic individuals. That's an especially good message as we look forward to a new year.

Take care Farah,

Phil

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Tons of food, tons of happiness?

In response to Farah Ravon's photo essay of foods in Iran, "On heaven's menu":

Haj Farah Khanoom:

Mullahs are thriving and majority of Iranians inside Iran are suffering because of individuals like you, "ham azz tubreh khor va ham azz akhor khor" or is it the other way around?

Tell me, topol mopoly, did you have any make up on prior to your arrival at the Mehrabad airport or did you wipe it off to not get yelled at by the Hejab Police? Did you drink any wine en route to Tehran? Did you put your scarf on when you got off the plane? In other words, did you switch your character? Did you put the disguise on? How did you greet the guy with the rish_o_pashm at the IRI customs? Did you say, "assalomo alaikom baradar ?"

What is it with so many photos of food? I mean, seventy fucking three photos of food? Did you use aftabeh after eating all that food? Or did you use toilet paper? What's the message here? Are you trying to say that everything in Iran is honky dory!? Tons of food, tons of happiness, tons of freedom, tons of content, tons of bekon bekon!

Not so truly yours,

KK

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Definitely something to rub some noses in!

In response to Farah Ravon's photo essay of foods in Iran, "On heaven's menu":

Farah khanom-e aziz:

Dard-o balaa-ye akshaa-ye shoma bokhoreh tu sar-e those phony pictures in the Iranian cookbooks published in America. I saved the link to your pictures as a great introduction to Iran -- definitely something to rub some noses in!

Sima Nahan

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Loved every single one

In response to Farah Ravon's photo essay of foods in Iran, "On heaven's menu":

Loved every single one of your pictures on the iranian about the food in iran and i forwarded it to a bunch of friends and family, thanks for sharing.

Michelle F

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You obviously have the talent

In response to Rana Rabei's "Professor Pervert":

Rana,

Your story was so funny! Life is full of funny and mysterious coincidences. Regardless, I hope you focus on drawing / painting… You obviously have the talent.

Shahriar

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Look at the mirror

In response to Fariba Moghadam's essay on Anousheh Ansari, "Naghsh dar aab":

It really doesn't matter what a bunch of Iranians might think of what space passenger Anousheh Ansari should have done with her money, because it's nobody's damn business.

I tell you, if she had spent another extra million and fed bunch of Iranians with "free" chelokabab and other free food they would have all prayed for her safe return and crawled on top of each other to take pictures with her and in extreme cases the free-loaders given the chance might have even torn her clothing and taken pieces of her clothing as a sacred artifacts to hang it at the entrance to their houses. This is the attitude of a nation with no set cultural values.

Those who criticize Ansari for not not sending her fortune to orphanages in Iran should look at the mirror and ask themselves if they have sent their freaking $20 yet? Or has Reza Pahlavi and his charlatan uncles have sent their $20? That is the question that we should ask each other. All we learn to do as a corrupt culture is to be resentful and jealous towards each other and label people without any mercy.

While she was lucky and able to fulfill her childhood dream the rest of us continue to fulfill our "childhood dream" by a mere masturbation and hoping for a day that someone will give us a free handout.

Stop it and move on with your life.

Happy Holidays
Jeesh Daram

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Ansari's dream seems so trivial

In response to Fariba Moghadam's essay on Anousheh Ansari, "Naghsh dar aab":

Anousheh Ansari is the symbol of the failure of an economic system named " capitalism". Paying the incredibly hefty sum of 20 million dollars for a space trip , only to fulfill only  a childish dream is down right ludicrous.Such self indulged endeavors from a privileged few are oftentimes ego related. " Look world ! Acknowledge my presence !! My extensive wealth allows me such a  luxury.

Fariba Mohgam gives us a sensible account of the futility of Ansari's choice. What I found totally unfair,  was some of the readers' reaction to her article. Some are have pathetically such low self respect that they see Ansari's trip as a source of pride. No offense but  a few years ago , a couple of chimpanzees were put in a space shuttle for experimentation.

It is time we Iranians reassess our lives , our heroes , our norms and our values. In a recent trip overseas , I personally witnessed the grave misery and the abject poverty that exists in the world. In Philippines half of the population lives on less than two dollars a day. Sick children never get the chance to see a doctor. The parents can not afford. A simple pneumonia or flu is a death sentence. Kids in Thailand are driven to prostitution.In Calcutta children search through heaps of trash to find something to eat. In some other developing countries like our own , Lots of children always live under stress , do not get sufficient nutrients or education.

In light of all such misery , Ansari's dream seems so trivial.

Javad Dehaghani

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Admit it that we don't truly give a shit about each other

In response to Fariba Moghadam's essay on Anousheh Ansari, "Naghsh dar aab":

Fariba khanoom,

Why are you wasting your time and my time to bring this issue up again? One of the authentic and ever lasting qualities of being an Iranian is to be jealous and furious of another Iranian's success in no matter what. I am sure as well as majority of Iranians that Iranians can not stand the success of any other Iranian in anything. The proof of my claim is the way Iranian literary die for one another and offering everything they own during a simple visit, in words of course, yet once they go on their ways, gossiping starts. No other culture in this planet has such bull shits as much as Iranians do. Admit it that we don't truly give a shit about each other. I might sound bad, but it is true. Just try not to be an Iranian for few minutes while judging my judgment. I truly don't care if you agree with me or not because I know that you know better that I am right.

Amirhosein Hazrati

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HASSOUD HARGEZ NAYASSOUD!

In response to Fariba Moghadam's essay on Anousheh Ansari, "Naghsh dar aab":

Mrs. Fariba,

After a month of having nightmares about Anousheh (HASSOUD HARGEZ NAYASSOUD!) you finally decided to write this very thought-PROVOKING article where by you categorized the Iranians to educated and non-educated, smart, dumb! Where did you fall in? That made you feel good! Isn't it always good to belittler others, so we feel good about ourselves thinking we are better than them? You think that you are right and everyone else is wrong if they don't agree with you!

You're right! You may not be HASSOUD, but you might be arrogant, hateful, shallow, full of yourself, unworthy of respect, narrow minded, negative and disgrace to our true Persian culture and majority of Iranians! YOU HAVE NO HEART AND HUMILITY!

It is always easy to see other people's faults without seeing your own! what have you done lately for any Iranian or humanity? Were you too busy criticizing others, so it left you no time to get around doing any good?

Could it be that you at least wished you were as pretty as her? No? May be having as much fun as her? No? Having a better childhood dream than her? No? How about having a good husband like Hamid? No? Hmmm, I am sure it is not her money and her brain either! I wonder then, what is it that makes you to despise her so much! Is it her or just anybody more successful than you? I am sure it is not that you wished you could have all her money so you could send it all to Iran to help all those poor Iranians! Is it may be because you have a CIAH heart? You wouldn't know it, since it is too dark to see through! Ah, well!

Go Anousheh! We need more Iranians (men or women) like you! Many of us are very happy for you! Just listen to your heart and ignore people like Fariba!

Jon Goldust

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Being praised for having money and being loved for being a humanitarian are two different things

In response to Fariba Moghadam's essay on Anousheh Ansari, "Naghsh dar aab":

Ms. Moghadam, thank you for the beuatiful, totally objective and extremly inteeligent article. As an Iranian woman, I admire women like you who can keep tehir cool and express their opinions in such eloquence.

You are absolutely right that we are entitle to our opinion which has nothing to do with being jealous of Ms. Ansari (frankly I can see why any one would be jealous of her unless they think being rich is enviable).

I am always grateful when other women write to address a very true issue and that is being a compassionate and selfless person. Some of our fellow-Iranians resort to name calling and insults because they do not have the intelligence to understand what is being addressed.

As always I got my share of "you jealous bitch" from those who probably have not done much with their lives and wish to be associated with people with $20 million to spend on traveling to space. Then again, I also had many beautiful letters from educated, successful and compassionate Iranians who agreed with me and enlightened me by sharing how they make a difference in the world. I was so touched to see the a beautiful 6 year old Ghelgis who packs gifts she distributes to sick children on Thanksgiving and I am proud that one of my fellow Khuzestanis spends every Thanks giving with her family distributing gifts to cancer patients in Pediatric Ward. I am proud of Sanam, an Iranian feminist who is working on her graduate degree and she had worked to better the lives of women in Iran and continues to do so in total anonymity.

Just like you, I am proud of many Iranian men and women who contribute to the world and humanity everyday and I also wish all human beings achieve their dreams and I especially want to see all my fellow-Iranians to be prosperous and successful and Mrs. Ansari is not an exception but the way I see it and I read some of her blogs to get a feel what she is beyond the "Nassau" trip and I concluded that my first impression was totality correct. She really does not care to be considered an Iranian and you saw she quoted Gandhi by saying "if you can not change the environment change yourself". I laughed so heart because it was evident she did not know what that meant and I wondered if she realizes females are burned because their parents worry about having to come up with dowry to marry them and that has been documented and there are villages in India which do not have many girls. If I cared for Gandhi, I would establish a foundation in India to help fund the Dowry for some of these girls so they can escape being burnt.

On the other hand, I am not worried about one clueless person in the world because you do not see Melinda Gate doing anything to put herself on the magazines. You do not see Bono wanting to be the first rock star to go to space. Why? The answer is simple, these people are talented, self-confident and compassionate individuals who consider themselves part of the world family and wants to better the "family". The Ansari's of the world, see the world as their playground and do what pleases them not what makes the world a better place. She is not alone and there are many people among Iranians who think that way.

I recently read a much talked about book by an Iranian female writer despite my first intuition at seeing her with her horrible accent and the cold eyes behind the glasses (before she had the make over) in 2003. Thank God I had only spent $3 on that piece of garbage. The only reason I finished reading the book was because I so desperately wanted to get a glimpse of Iran during the years I was away. I was outraged that this western educated Iranian's book talks about the 8 year war as though it was child play and her world revolved around bullshit stories of certain works of literature. I was appalled that some could have lived in Iran, witnessed all the struggles and all she cared about was having her "English" books.

The point is that we will have people who isolate themselves and as a result they suffer less. I am sure Mrs. Ansari never watches the news or cries seeing the pictures of fallen young soldiers or the bodies of dead civilians because they do not fit into her world.

I know someone who lives in a mansion worth over 25 million dollars with full staff (she speaks English as though she has never lived in America) of butler, nutritionist and personal trainer. She has host of illnesses and I know she does give money to American cultural projects because it is tax deductible and she gets her name (foreign husband) in the paper. Her contribution to Iranians? She has had one "sofreh" gathering which is a religious gathering popularized by Iranians who have no clue about spirituality or religion. I have run into her at events (all non-Iranian) and she was pissed off that the event coordinators acknowledging me as an Iranian who is proud of her heritage so she works to promote it. She was royally pissed off because the few Iranians there had to switch to Farsi because I refused to speak to them in English.

I have made the comments that is she gave from her heart to some humanitarian causes, many of her ills would be cured. I am certain of that because being praised for having money and being loved for being a humanitarian are two different things and the rich know it to.

Thank you and I look forward to seeing more of your writing but let's leave Mrs. Ansari and her kind alone and focus on those who make everyone proud.

Azam Nemati

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A vision of a future that many are still unable to grasp

In response to Fariba Moghadam's essay on Anousheh Ansari, "Naghsh dar aab":

Ever since the inception of the space travel few short sighted people had the view that such funding should be spent here on earth instead of on the space projects, as if there are not enough funds available for spending on earth and as if without space expenditures all of our problems on earth would get resolved! That fact is that so many of what we now use daily in our lives and take for granted have their origin of inventions in the space studies, implementations and expenditures.

What the author is totally missing is that the money paid by Anousheh Ansari is also being used by Russians etc for their future space projects and travel and therefore Ms. Ansari having the opportunity to travel as a result of her contribution becomes secondary. Without such private funding, the space explorations would continue to remain as sole government projects and therefore remain as a burden on other public projects.

Those such as Ms. Ansari have a vision of a future that many such as Fariba Moghadam are still unable to grasp, but that is nothing new in the battle of the new and the old. I thank Anousheh Ansari for her contribution in paving the way for more future space exploration and travel and therefore a more advanced future for all humanity. 

David Etebari

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What Iran needs are people with hope, not serious OGHDEHs

In response to Soraya Sepahpour-Ulrich's "Blind ambition":

Ms. Sepahpour-Ulrich,

First off, I would like to take the time and thank you for your pathetic tirade in response to HRH’s interview with opendemocracy.net. You also must be commended on your distorted views of reality, namely HIM’s coronation ceremony - the ceremonies were not held in Persepolis, rather in Tehran in 1967. The Persepolis celebrations in 1971 were to honor the 2,500 years of Persian Monarchy which you and your ilk helped to destroy. You have conveniently distorted the facts, a common MEK tactic used to confuse and influence the reader with your fabricated views of history.

Now, if you had the intellectual capability to understand HRH’s message, after reading the interview you would be able to walk away enlightened. Since you missed the gist of the essay, I will break it down for you:  HRH only views himself as a catalyst for change. HRH brings ‘brand recognition’ to the table in his attempt to bring the abuses of the Islamic Republic (in addition to your beloved Mujahedin) to the forefront for all to see. Could it be that you and your band of murderers/thieves based in Camp Ashraf feel threatened themselves? You should be aware that you do not have a powerbase in Iran or with the Iranian exile communities around the world and are viewed as TRAITORS. 

What Iran needs are people with hope, not more people with serious OGHDEHs spewing hate and rubbish over the internet simply to serve their own interests.

Babak Kalhor

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Nowhere else she could get her slanders published!

In response to Soraya Sepahpour-Ulrich's "Blind ambition":

The only place this highly prejudiced writer, Sepahpour Ulrich, could find to publish her unfounded accusation, unfortunately is The Iranian.com with that perverted lackey fellow Jahanshah Javid, who is ready & willing to take out his prejudice one way or the other!!?? Nowhere else she could get her slanders published!

And one has to ask this writer, what is she doing in Salt Lake City of Utah, U.S.A.? Why the hell she is not living in Camp Ashraf?

Hashem Hakimi

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You confirm my views

In response to Babak Kalhor's "What Iran needs are people with hope, not serious OGHDEHs" & Hashem Hakimi's "Nowhere else she could get her slanders published!":

Thank you for taking the time to read the article and respond, although it irked you.

It was never my intention to mislead anyone about the "jashnhaye tajgozari" - it was simply the hypocrisy of being at Persepolis. The lavish ceremonies (which many compared to a Hollywood-style extravaganza), the virtual exclusion of Iranians from the celebrations in which the honored guests were foreign heads of state, many of whom did not turn up, was disgraceful. In fact, my own step-father, Shojaedeen Shafa was responsible for the organization of it. I am well aware of Iran's history and speak with some authority when I write about SAVAK, betrayal, and the rest of it.

I am grateful that you both confirm my views of what awaits Iran should Reza Pahlavi return - vs. simply a catalyst for change. Without a doubt one can expect division, but more importantly, dictatorship and censorship. A fee press is vital for a free society yet Mr. Jahanshah has been branded as a "perverted lackey" for posting an 'opinion'. In other words, he is only acceptable if he posts pro-Pahlavi articles with the title 'HRH' - Even in America which is no longer a democracy per se, one is free to criticize George Bush.

Reza Pahlavi is not yet on a throne and writing about him makes one a 'lackey' and the writer an MEK by default. Clearly, in the Iran that you have in mind, any opinion or voice that does not agree with that of yours and Pahlavi's must be silenced. In which case, don't you think that all those mothers, fathers, and families who have lost 1 million souls to the Iran-Iraq war (not to count the injured) would think twice about re-admitting a dictator back to Iran? Especially one who has been fattening up in the US and on CIA's money? I have this information from the Jewish owned magazine "The New Yorker" - in case you are wondering.

As far as being an MEK supporter, interesting that they accuse me of being on the IRI's list. I guess that in this day and age if one has Iran's interest at heart, then one must be a traitor. What a sad world we live in. I sincerely hope that one day, as a nation, we all learn to appreciate what is good for Iran and not for the individual self.

I am not in the habit of responding to letters, although I like to think that my upbringing prompts me to thank those who are kind enough to send me gracious notes. However, I had to write and thank you for proving my point although I am sure that was not your intention.

Soraya Sepahpour-Ulrich

ps. Salt Lake City has excellent ski resorts - in case you did not know, the 2002 winter Olympics were held here.

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Be more fair and less of a conspiracy theorist

In response to Soraya Sepahpour-Ulrich's "Blind ambition":

Mrs. Ulrich:

Can I ask you how you know that Mr. Pahlavi is receiving money from CIA? I think it would be dangerous to assume just because his father had CIA ties and didn't exercise independence from the United States that Mr. Pahlavi would do the same.

My family was not part of the privileged class during the Pahlavi era. However, we have sympathies for them because as religious minorities, Pahlavis did more than any other government in Iran since Cyrus the Great to protect different religions. After the revolution, Baha'is, Jews, Zoroastrians and even some Christians quickly became victims of not just the mullahs but almost all the factions that opposed the monarchial regime.

Mrs. Ulrich, since you are obviously an opponent of the previous regime, I can assume that you must have been a supporter of the Islamic revolution, at least in its early stages, which actually happen to be its most brutal era. However, I do not automatically assume you were one of those early revolutionary tyrants who combed the country for military officers, royalists, "zionists" and "anti-revolutionaries."

I ask you respectfully to be more fair and less of a conspiracy theorist.

Finally, what's wrong for Mr. Pahlavi seeking a place in history? Bill Clinton, Jimmy Carter, Richard Nixon, Winston Churchill, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Abraham Licoln, Mohammad Mossadegh and Shahpour Bakhtiar all sought a place in the history for themselves.

Hooman Jalili

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I think Reza is doing his best too

In response to Soraya Sepahpour-Ulrich's "Blind ambition":

Hello Ms. Soraya Sepahpour-Ulrich:

I do not want to be in a position of defending Reza Pahlavi, but your essay was extremely unjust. You have transformed emotional hyperbole into verbal abuse. You cannot blame Reza for his father’s mistakes or excesses.

Your quotation of the two phrases attributed to him, is completely disjoint from your conclusion for his intent, both literally and logically.

“[T]errorism is like an octopus whose weakness is the eyes – in Tehran. [I]f the U.S. wants to kill this octopus, it should start in Tehran.”

Any reasonable person can conclude that he is seeking regime change, but to stretch it to mean military action against Iran, is taking his statement out of context. His last statement, in the article you referenced, makes this clear:

“It would be a further tragedy if, after failing to introduce democracy by force in Iraq, Washington now underwrites tyranny by diplomacy in Iran.”

A failed policy of “force in Iraq” cannot be advocated for Iran, can it?

He has said, many times, he opposes military action against Iran, and is in favor of civil disobedience inside Iran, and international pressure from outside, to break the back of this regime.

You are obviously concerned about the situation in Iran enough to have taken up the pen to this virtual paper. This is the best you, and most of us, can do. I think Reza is doing his best his best too, and at a risk far greater to him than to complete unknowns like you and me. Taking money from the CIA to organize opposition to the regime is not a crime. If you think so, then suggest a better way that he, or indeed anyone else, can help. Please be a part of the solution, don’t add to the problem. The chasm amongst Iranians in exile is giving the IRI longevity. We have to reconcile our differences and learn to tolerate each others’ politics if we are, at all, serious about having a democratic Iran. Our unity can help focus the attention of the world on the dire situation in Iran. I dream of the day when Iranians, left, right, and center join forces, to get rid of this satanic regime and establish the framework of a democracy, in Iran.

Shahriar Azadmanesh

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Please put your money where your mouth

In response to Soraya Sepahpour-Ulrich's "Blind ambition":

Mrs Ulrich's own personal gains would be disrupted if the IRI is removed. She has to look out for her own interest :-) She is the ambitious one here and shouldn't be throwing stones.

Dear Mrs. Ulrich we have had this conversation before, WHAT HAVE YOU DONE FOR YOUR COUNTRY AND PEOPLE???? At least HIM has felt responsible enough to stand up for our compatriot's rights and do something to inform the world of the TRUE situation in IRAN.

What have you and your buddies done but try to prolong the life of this terrorist regime???? It's you and the likes of you and all your personal "oghdeh" against the Pahlavi's that got us here in the first place and destroyed our country and even now you won't let go. What good is having dialogue with the bloodsucking mullah's but to buy them time???

Please put your money where your mouth is and do something to liberate your country and countrymen from the shame of being represented by a bunch of terrorists who could care less about Iran and Iranians.

Roxanne Ganji

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Rescue plan: Let Iranian women look after Iran

In response to Soraya Sepahpour-Ulrich's "Blind ambition":

Congratulation. Iranian men have destroyed Iran for centuries. I strongly believe the only rescue plan for our country is to let Iranian women to look after it. Look around us:

First muslim women to win Nobel.
First muslim women to go to space.
First muslim women to win miss world.
Look at others such as Christian Amanpour.
Huge number of Iranian women artist, painter, musician overseas.
Iranian men should be barred from taken part in running of the country.

This is coming from a chauvinist Iranian man.

Thank you for your beautiful article.

Alex Far

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Spoiled rotten piss ant of a useless child

In response to Soraya Sepahpour-Ulrich's "Blind ambition":

Dear Soraya,

Short of breath from jumping up and down and cheering for you, I must say...what can I say? Well said.

This spoiled rotten piss ant of a useless child of Iran has nothing to say but "Thank You nation of Iran for providing me with big toys and providing support for me and generations after me".

I've known few, who are so full of shit as you "Vali Ahd", that turned out to be wrong, vali ahd! Your bedroom in Sad Abad palace, was an ear shot from Evin prison, where youth of Iran was tortured by your father. You have said nothing about that.

The money you and your family took out of Iran, however much it may be, could have started refugee centers around the world for Iranians fleeing Iran. It could have started scholarships for students who have no money to go to school. It could have built a hospital in Iranian communities to care for those you claim to love. DID IT?

You really should just shut the hell up, eat and drink up, spend the money that is not yours and just SHUT UP. Much like your uncle W, you just keep putting your foot in your mouth every time you open it.

Hamid

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Are you not using Reza Pahlavi to cover up another dictatorial regime?

In response to Soraya Sepahpour-Ulrich's "Blind ambition":

Mrs. Soraya Sepahpour-Ulrich,

Your article did not reveal all the realities. It deliberately left some questions unrelated. It is of course true that the Pahlavi family were put on throne by England and kept on throne by the US. It is true that the dynasty was a servant of their masters. Of course, no member of corrupt phalavi, including Reza Pahlavi, is in the position to talk about democracy, human rights, sovereignty and patriotism. Nobody believes such a puppet, but how about the IRI? You did not mention any single word on their records, on their legitimacy, on their patriotism and on their right to impose their Islamic yoke on people! Are you not using Reza Pahlavi as a facet to cover up another dictatorial regime, namely the plague of the IRI?

In your view, if Iranians want to gain their own freedom and democracy, should they not weed out the plague of the IRI and different followers or supporters of an Islamic regime and of course “traitors within them”, like all those who sow seeds of illusion about the legitimacy of the IRI?

In your view, the IRI and all its factions, since they acceded to their Islamic throne, are not keeners of their self preservation? Does the IRI has a less criminal, destructive, reactionary and anti Iranian record than that of the pahlavi dynasty?

Jahanshah Rashidian

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Like father, like son I suppose!

In response to Soraya Sepahpour-Ulrich's "Blind ambition":

Dear Ms. Sepahpour-Ulrich:

Once again you have hit the nail right on its head! I am an avid reader of Iranian.com and have run across your insightful and informative articles from time to time.  

Regarding Reza Pahlavi......Well..... all I can say is he ought to just live in his $10 million Maryland Mansion, continue drawing his ill gotten CIA salary, and be happy. He has NO right whatsoever to even dream of ruling Iran one day. As his father did for 37 tumultuous years he is a dreamer!  Like father, like son I suppose! If anyone has the true and legitimate right to rule our 70 million brethren it is the nationalists and followers of our beloved Dr. Mohammad Mossadegh.

The only criticism I have of your article is it's soft approch to subject mater. Perhaps it is your intellect or over-consciousness to protocol. Next time I beg of you to tell Reza Pahlavi, as many others have,  to GET LOST!

Respectfully submitted
Kamran Ramyar

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Kingly greed

In response to Babak Kalhor's "What Iran needs are people with hope, not serious OGHDEHs" & Hashem Hakimi's "Nowhere else she could get her slanders published!":

The unkind response to Ms. Ulrich's letter "Blind ambition" addressed to Reza Pahlavi, can only solicit pity for the misfortune of dreamers like Mr. Kalhor who hopelessly cling onto the futile notion of having their royal hollowness installed as king.

While the MEK are a spent force who've lost all credibility with most Iranians for siding with Sadam Hossein during his brutal assault on our homeland, Mr. Pahlavi was never one to begin with. Even amog those who give Mr. Pahlavi's elders credit for some positive accomplishments, the Crown Prince has been a thorough and utter disappointment.  Fortunately many Iranians and true patriots like Ms. Ulrich are far too wise to the kingly greed that fuels his motives.

Daniel Pourkesali
Leesburg, Virginia

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That is a good question

In response to Darius Kadivar's "Banalization of history":

Dear Sir:

Darius Kadivar's reply to Soraya Sepahpour-Ulrich's, "Blind Ambition" misses the boat. I agree with Ms. Ulrich. Reza Pahlavi is a bum. His father was condemned by Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch. Mohammad Reza Pahlavi was run out of the country. He was such a loser no one would allow him refuge. He ended up dead in Egypt after he paid Anwar Sadat lots of money.

Let us not forget, it was an Egyptian military soldier that assassinated Sadat. This shows how Sadat was desperate for money in order to save his life. Where did M.R. Pahlavi steal that money from to permit him to be buried in the African country of Egypt? He stole it from the Iranian people. Mr. Kadivar, when the Holocaust was going on Reza Khan, the 1st of the Pahlavi dynasty, refused to expel Nazi German workers from Iran. If anyone is Pro-Nazi it is the Pahlavi family.

As an Iranian American Jew I take offense at a statement that infers that the Pahlavis are Pro-Jewish. Iranian President Ahmadinejad's statements about the Holocaust state that if there was a holocaust then why do the Palestinians have to suffer? That is a good question. Yitzak Rabin tried to promote a 2 State Solution. Unfortunately, he was gunned down by a nut. Hopefully, one day everyone can live in peace. Once again, Reza Pahlavi is a loser. He does not deserve any future office in any government in Iran. His father and grandfather have done enough damage to Iran. The Monarchy was just plain wrong for a struggling third world country like Iran. Iran should have become a republic more than 3000 years ago.

Jacob Abd Al-Aziz Cohen
(Yaghub Kohan)
New York

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Huge Romanian fan of Shahin and Sepehr

My name is Radu Chiriac (from Romania).

I'm a huge fan of Shahin and Sepehr's. Their music is great and puts me in a good mood everytime i listen to it. I have all of their albums and because i study classic guitar for almost 2 years i tried my best to play some sections listening to the records. i did't succeed.

Their current website is not working so my only chance to "get in thouch" with their music was this email address. I would like to ask you for help in searching of some of the chords or partitions of their songs. I have some favorite songs, but for the moment I would apreciate any help from you on any song. If you have some Shahin & Sepehr chords or know where to find them please help me.

Thank you and i hope you will consider my email.

Radu

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Mercenaries

In response to Quiz "Hezbe...":

Hezbe Khodforoshan.

Nader Iranpour

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Pains and gains in marriage

In response to Rana Rabei's "The Renewed virgin":

I would like to object to Rana placing all Persian (Iranian) men into one basket. We are different. We cannot be stereotyped. For one, I feel I have a high standard going back for a long time. Perhaps Rana would like to see my belief of sharing pains and gains in marriage as I have listed below:

1. My wife should have dinner ready for me when I come home from a hard day in the office. I only expect a good warm meal.
2. My wife should always let me know that she has been thinking about me and is concerned about my needs.
3. My wife should always refresh herself, eg a bit of make-up, ribbon in her hair, fresh looking.
4. A little dusting everyday and clearing clutter makes life a bit better for both of us. She need not spend too much time doing this.
5. My day is usually boring dealing with difficult people. This is when I share my pain with my wife.
6. On the other hand I cherish sharing the gains, when she spends time making the house comfortable for me. After all catering for my comfort will provide her with immense personal satisfaction.
7. The other pleasure to share with her is watching our little treasures, our children, making sure she washes them, changes their clothes, and generally making sure they do not disturb me.
8. She should also listen to me, remembering that my topics of conversation are far more important than hers.
9. If I am busy at work, or attending to other entertainment without her, that make me come home late, she should never complain, instead try to understand that my world of strain and pleasure are very real.
10. Her goal should be to make sure our home is a place of peace, order and tranquillity for me.

My wife should remember that I am the master of the house and as such will always exercise my will with fairness and truthfulness. There are no places for questioning me. A good wife always knows her place.

From Persian of Oz

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Be as chaste as women

In response to Rana Rabei's "The Renewed virgin":

Dear Rabei,

There is a lot of truth to your article about Persian men who look for the stereotypical wife. Your analysis as to what leads them to be this way is also correct. I am a Persian man who came to U.S at age 16 and luckily I never got involved with the party life, drinking, and manwhoring. I stayed a virgin and found a lovely wife here as well. It is sad that some Persian men think that they are not obligated to act morally before marriage. I would subject men to the same rigid standards of chastity and moral behavior as women to save the sanctity and purity of life and family.

Cyrus

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99% of the men all over the world

In response to Rana Rabei's "The Renewed virgin":

MS. Rabei, the picture that you drew of a Persian man's dream of a Persian girl is not only correct, but the same pictures is drawn and visualized by no less than 99% of the men all over the world.

How long do Iranian women want to criticize the Persian men for wanting younger women to marry to? Do you think a Chinese, a French or a South American man would want it any other way? That is the way nature made the man, not because a younger girl is any better than an older girl with the exception of one thing -the young brings and produces a better likelihood of healthier child and a survival of the gene. This is not an Iranian thing it's the call of nature. That is why other male "animals" fight with each other until the strongest wins and he breeds with the best. Human inherited this animal feature as well. Iranian girls can deny this till the dooms day but that is the fact of life and not an Iranian "thing."

Now, as for who is better from a human point of view, of course that is a different issue, age and being a pre-med does not bring happiness, but being ugly, nasty, grumpy, fat, lazy does not attract the man either and does not provide assurance for a happy life.

Iranians by experience have seen their women change so much for the worse as they get older. In America the older an Iranian woman gets the more she wants to go to parties, dancing and concerts and mud wraps and they act silly. Not all of them but quite a large population of Iranian women do. That turns most husbands off with the exception of the few who are of a different cut. A good husband wants a good wife that wants to share good things with her mate. Iranian women only complain to their husband for not wanting to go to every freaking concert to be exposed to stupid low grade music and come home late only to get up and go to work.

If Iranian women change their attitude and stop copying the western dogma, then the Iranian men drop their vague dream of a younger but innocent Persian girl. It is the purity and innocence that the Iranian man is looking for not the younger age. Please tell that to all your lady friends and I assure they will all be able to find good husbands if they stop the bad habits. I know quite a few wonderful men in search of such jewels while in their heart they dream of a virgin in vague. Dreaming is only a pain reliever and not the medicine.

Hope you find these words constructive and not a direct attack to your opinion.

Jeesh Daram

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Fereydoun Hoveyda was an Iranian treasure

In response to Asghar Massombagi's essay on Fereydoun Hoveyda, "Double life":

Dear Writer,

We Iranians have this habit of indulging in grandeur and coffee-shop intellectualism when we do not matter. I am sure Fereydoun Hoveyda knew that his ideas could not be executed in the Iranian society that later observed Khomeni in the moon. He was even reluctant to go back to Iran after his education was complete. Nevertheless, he tried to help Iran in his capacity.

I would be the first to admit that monarchy was a quasi-dictatorial regime, but it did allow social and cultural challenges that Iran badly needed from pragmatic intellectuals. I hope Iranian youth remembers Fereydoun Hoveyda as a capable statesman and a true intellectual. In my book, Fereydoun Hoveyda was an Iranian treasure.

Mort Fotouhi

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Honest judgement

In response to Asghar Massombagi's essay on Fereydoun Hoveyda, "Double life":

Dear Mr. Massombagi,

Your last article, double life, on late Fereydoon Hoveyda was a great piece. I hope Mr Abbas Milani could have such an honest judgement over his brother, Amir Abbas, who was the toothless PM of the most dictatorial period of the Shah’s regime. Tudeh Party aside, we see similar complaisant attitude from some disappointed Iranian intellectuals or political activists towards some outsiders or factions of the IRI -- See the love of an ex-Cheric, Comrade Keshtgar, for an ex Passdar, Brother Ganji!

Your piece reminds us that in the field of politics, honesty is the best business!

Jahanshah Rashidian

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Scaling Mt. Mediocrity

In response to Azam Nemati's "Azam's secrets":

WOW!!! Ms. Nemati has really outdone herself this time. In this pretentiously pathetic and churlishly uselss follow-up to her widely read disasterpiece....oops, I mean...."masterpiece," Make it your bible, Bubba, she woes her readers with a awe-UN-inspiring effort which again highlights her peasant-like skill in penning one-of-kind il-literature that is remarkably unremarkable.

Please permit me to suggest that one gulp down a handful of Extra Strength Tylenol before trying to untangle her web ungrammatical sentences or to plow through the clumps of words she's clumsily thrown together and pawned off on unsuspecting readers as properly constructed English-language paragraphs.

On the best of days, one is apt to develop an extreme headache when trying to make sense of the lunacy in her incoherant ravings, but in this, one could endanger one's health. In Azam's Secrets,  Ms. Nemati reaches new heights in her quest to scale the summit of Mt. Mediocrity and to garner for herself the title of the world's worst writer.

Although I'm not a medical professional, I feel compelled to warn first-time readers who aren't yet numbed to the nueroses of Nematiisms that they could be endangering their health if they try too hard to make the incomprehensible, comprehensible; any thought that is a product of Ms. Nemati's mind could quite possibly mushify the cerebral cortex and jellify the brain of the unsuspecting reader. Don't say, you haven't been warned!

Probably the best advice that I could offer the novice to the unsubtle subtilties of Ms. Nemati's written ramblings is to just pass them by without even a click. It's really not that hard to do if you think about. Just take Nancy Reagan's timeless advice which was and still is as relavant as ever.  JUST SAY NO!!!

If you, however, fancy yourself a brave soul who must read Azam's Secrets, please be forewarned to fortify your spiritual constitution in advance for you will come face-to-face with the hidiousness of a delusional mind. The is clearly apparent if one considers the last sentence of the sixth paragraph.

If you have no clue as to what I'm talking about, please compare that sentence with the photo at the link below. A picture, certainly, is worth more than a thousand words! (the thin handsome one on the right is not the author....she's the masculine looking-one on the left).

Lance Raheem

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Eye opening

In response to Azam Nemati's "Azam's secrets":

Hi Sister:

I have to say that your article was very interesting, informative and for some men eye opening, it was also short and not boring and on behalf of an Iranian man I certainly appreciate your feed back.

I enjoyed reading it and I would like to see if you would have similar articles published here or anywhere else, hope you have a wonderful holidays, thank you.

Peyman

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Holding tightly onto my jaw

In response to Azam Nemati's "Azam's secrets":

I think I managed to "read" some of the nonsense, whilst holding tightly onto my jaw. Drop. Drop.

Her diarrhetic drivel reminds me of a Somerset Maugham story where reluctant lots are drawn on a ship to "comfort" the woman overnight, just to get some peace and quiet.

Could somebody please inject some braincells into this moron's skull or sacrifice a single night? Just for Christmas, please?

Marjaneh Joon

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I loved your piece

In response to Azam Nemati's "Azam's secrets":

I loved your piece and have, as a result, opened eyes!

Nasser

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Helpful football tips

In response to Mhammad Ala's "FIFA offside":

really enjoyed your article "Wrong penalty", I had also posted one on Iranian.com, not sure if you have had the chance to take a look at it.

I also realized that you teach management and since I'm about to complete my project management degree I was wondering if you can give me some helpful tips.

Looking forward to hear back from you

Arash

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My wife grew up in Persia, Iowa

In response to Jahanshah Javid's "Persia, Iowa":

My wife grew up in Persia, and I have been there several times. We loved your articles. We are both teachers in South Dakota(about three hours north of Persia).  My wife, JoAnne, used to be known to one of her professors as The Queen of Persia. We would like to hear from you and maybe even meet you some how. By the way, I teach ancient history, geography, and physical education at the middle school level.  JoAnne teaches government, economics, sociology, and geography at the high school level. Return your comments please…..we would like to hear from you...

Pat and JoAnne Bohl

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Zoroaster, sex, & marriage

In response to Hiedeh Farmani's "Modern maiden":

Hello Hiedeh Farmani:

When I read your article, I thought, "There is hope for Iran". It is a truly beautiful piece of writing, both in content and style. I imagine you are a descendent of Omar Khayaam; or, perhaps, a descendent of Scheherazade of the Thousand and One Nights, whose story is a plea to end the mistreatment of women. In any case, you are heir to a rich Persian tradition. In the Gathas, the Holy Book of ancient Iran, the religious leader Zoroaster speaks of marriage in Yasna Fifty-Three.

In Verse Three Zoroaster addresses his youngest daughter, Pouro-Chista: "Ahura Mazda [God] has offered you a husband, a person who has deep attachment to Good Mind and Truth. Therefore, consult with your inner self and wisdom, and act through pure love and intuition."

In Verse Four Pouro-Chista replies, "I have consulted my inner self, and I choose to accept him as husband and father to my children. I commit myself to being a righteous and deserving wife. May Ahura Mazda [God] grant my descendents the glorious heritage of Vohu Mano [the Spirit of Good Mind] and the blessing bestowed upon the followers of Asha [the Spirit of Eternal Truth]."

In Verse Five, Zoroaster addresses all newlyweds. "These words I speak to maidens truly wed and to their partners young; bear them in mind and understand them deep within your souls. Strive to surpass one another in Truth and Good Mind. Thus, both of you shall reap the rewards of love and happiness."

Zoroaster is saying that marriage is a commitment from both parties, the repercussions of which will be felt throughout the ages. Nowhere does he say that the wife is to be the abject slave of her husband. The Prophet of Iran does not give a blueprint for living a good marriage, only a guiding principal.

Eric Jerpe

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Very impressed

In response to Farah Ravon's Iran photo essay, "October surprise":

I have just been looking at your October surprise photos in Iranian.com. I must say that you are an excellent photographer. I am very impressed by the way you captured the October mood in Iran; something which I miss very much.

I wish you every success. Sar afraz va movafagh bashid.

Meir Javedanfar

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Turn the table on his ass

Inspired by Shahriar Zahedi's "The Hypothetical":

Grand Ayatollah Mohammed Fazel Lankarani has issued a fatwa on an Azeri writer said to have insulted the Prophet Muhammad. According to this, every Muslem has a religious duty to kill the writer.

Now, this is not something new. The so called Islamic scholars have been issuing fatwas, asking the believers to kill in the name of Islam since Islam was born, and usually with little or no consequence. You should see this Grand Ayatollah's website. They make him sound like Newton of our time, an ocean of knowledge.

But don't you think enough is enough? I was thinking to myself, why doesn't one of us, the freethinkers of Iranian.com, turn the table on his ass, and declare this creature an enemy of free speech, and freedom of thought, and humanity and civilization, and issue our own fatwa and have someone "whack the motherfucker first," before some moron follower of his could harm the Azeri writer? Does it make us as evil as they are?

* * * * * * * *

Hell, we have turned the other cheek long enough. For once let's answer evil with evil.

Cameron Milani

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Save your lies and hypocracy

In response to Mr. Ahmadinejad's letter to the American people

As an Iranian-American, whom similar to 1.5 million other Iranian-Americans, has found refuge and freedom from the violence and hypocracy of the regime ruling Iran for the last thirty years, I would like to ask Mahmoud Ahmadinezhad, who calls himself the president of Iran, to stop writing hypocritical letters that embarrass himself. Speaking of hypocracy, rule by force, injustice, and violence conjures up images of no one more than those of Ahmadinezhad and the mullahs that have appointed him to his current office.

Mr. Ahmadinezhad (or Ahmaghinezhad ("stupid origined") as you are know affectionately known amongst Iranians), was it the American government or your government that with its self-interested prolongment of the Iran-Iraq War killed over 1.2 million Iranians and Iraqis combined? Was it the American government or your regime that while bashing the "Zionist" regime bought weapons from Israel at 3 times the market cost to carry on its bloody war with Iraq? Is it the American government, whose system, dozens of millions of people have flocked to for freedom, or your dictatorship who is today one of the most brutal and repressive regimes in the world? Is it George Bush or Mahmoud Ahmadinezhad whose "election" was made possible by the "supreme" fascist leader and his paramillitary (basij)? If you are the defender of justice and freedom, then why don't you stop worrying about Palestinians for a second and look at the injustices and supression of your own population by your regime!

It is the Iranian people who despite having struggled for democracy since 1906 and being from one of the most resource rich nations in the world today find themselves living in poverty and dictatorship. You and the masters for whom you work are the spitting image of injustice and coercion! Is it not your chief prosecutor Saeed Mortezavi who has his hands bloody with those the likes of Ms. Zahra Kazemi (Iranian journalist killed in 2003) or Akbar Mohammadi (Iranian student activist murdered in prison this past year)? Yet you make an example of this so-called jurist by rewarding him and sending him as your representative to the United Nations Human Rights Conference! Has your regime not imprisoned more journalists and closed down more periodicles in the last decade than any other government in the world?!

Mr. Ahmadinezhad, other people may be ignorant of you and your regime's brutal and suprressive record, but the average Iranian and Iranian-American is not. Save your lies and hypocracy for your own propaganda machinery at home and leave the American people, including its Iranian-Americans, alone in your disgusting gimics and miserable excuse as the "president" of Iran!

RZ

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Buy rat holes and hide

In response to Mr. Ahmadinejad's letter to the American people and Jimmy Carter's book, "Palestine Peace Not Apartheid":

Between Ahmadinejad's letter to Nobel Americans and President Carter's book: "Palestine: Peace not Appartheid", I think Dr Nourizadeh (Dr. of what? from which university -- tel aviv university?--), should buy rat holes for $5M and hide!!!!

Ali from Iran

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Mahmoud for (U.S.) president

In response to Mr. Ahmadinejad's letter to the American people:

Mr. President:

I wish you were here to see it with your own eyes.

Everyone, with a copy of your letter in hand, is talking about it, all day long. People are gathering in community centers and libraries to discuss it and try to grasp every word of it. It's what university students want to talk about in classrooms. Parents read it to their children at bed time, and kindergarten teachers turned to rimes for the pupils. Bob Dylan turned it to his chart busting new single, while the Supreme Court is about to decide who owns the copyright to it. Churches put aside the Bible for a day to preach it. You must know, there is ugliness too; some radicals are pouring to streets and blaming Iranians for keeping you all to themselves. Some lawmakers talk about amending the U.S. Constitution, so you could be elected the next President. Can it happen!?

H.K.

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They are both donkeys

In response to David Etebari's "Why don't YOU do it?":

I agree with most of what you say and feel but do you really think Bush has got any facts to present or has any more dignity that the man over there? Have you even watched or listenned to this moron?

If you think he does then you are missled too. They are both donkeys of the same breed, as far as I am concerned but thanks for expressing your feelings. They are both puppets.

Farokh

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Educated men KNOW the Holocaust is a HOAX

In response to David Etebari's "Why don't YOU do it?":

Ahmadinejad knows that Israel vs Palestine is the crux of ALL Mid-East problems. For over 50-yrs the Zionist Occupied Government (ZOG) of the USA has prevented a solution to the problem in the UN, while building the "shitty little country" into a military power.

Israel's continued existence is predicated on the world expressing compassion for Holocaust survivors, and "God's Chosen People."

Educated men KNOW the Holocaust is a HOAX; Israel is MURDER, INC.; ZIONISTS are Khazars with NO genetic connections to Hebrews (Semitics).

jvb
www.holywesternempire.org

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Clearly crossing the line

In response to "Farse khar" comment regarding this news, "Ayatollah issues death fatwa on Azeri writer":

Hello,

I have been a devoted reader of Iranian.com for over 7 years and I admire the variety of opinions expressed on Iranian.com

however, when someone titles a topic "Farse Khar" (The Donkey Persian) that is clearly crossing the line, specially when the news of an Ayatollah's stupid move has nothing to do with being persian.

Please look into it!

Thank you

Mehdi

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Funny you said that

In response to "Farse khar" comment regarding this news, "Ayatollah issues death fatwa on Azeri writer":

That's funny you said that. Lankaran or Languran is a city close to Astara in Azarbaijan so this Ayatollah is most likely a Turk himself!

Shahriar

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College culture at UMD

In response to Rana Rabei's "Support WHAT exactly!?":

Dear Rana,

I was 3 years an officer of ISF. You're right. It's not a cultural endeavor and lost that intention after the first few years of its founding. Why? Because the group is focused on large-scale productions. I remember my last year as officer, I actually boycotted the event that I helped produce. My cousin is friends with Farshid Amin, who performed at Norooz that year. Well, realizing that the Norooz was being eclipsed by "celebrity," I decided not to go.

I spent countless hours making phone calls and bargaining with local kabob restaurants to secure a price that we could afford. I even applied for the Pepsi grant for ISF so that we could afford Moby Dick, Farshid Amin and other useless aspects of a production that lost its value to me.

The group always seemed more like a social/dating scene. To me, the club was scared to approach smaller scale, cultural events that you speak of. Less people would probably show up. It has less to do with ISF, however. College culture at UMD is like this. I'm afraid it isn't just ISF... the Indian club at UMD suffers from the same problems... so does the Org. of arab students.

Eventually I was outcast and maybe rightly so. I don't know how your criticism has been received. But I gave up on the group... if you want to do something daring, arrange an Iranian Cultural society... you're bound to have less participants, but also look for freshman who can sew seeds that will last.... because these sorts of things never last without good recruiting.

Good luck at UMD!
Nazanin

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DC is nothing but parties, concerts, drugs and lots of sex

In response to Nazanin's "Don't blow off a challenge":

Dear Nazanin,

I understand where you're coming from. Having lived in the DC area as well as other large cities and smaller cities in different states, I can tell you that--from what I have seen--the meaning of irany culture, or as mostly call it "Persian" culture, in DC is nothing but parties, concerts, drugs and lots of sex.

It's all over the place, you want drugs and sex, go to DC. Other large cities that I have lived in weren't so, as much.

But I can tell you that a deeper cultural meaning that you may refer to for Iranies and their communities does exist in smaller cities and towns. I have seen it, lived it, and enjoyed it.

Even now, if I want to feel a little bit of that more meaningful culture experience that doesn't involve big concerts with 5 singers at the same time, followed by people ravaging themselve with who they go home with, I travel to more remote towns where a lot of iranies live and live a different life style....better experience.

My opinion only.

FB

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Change will come with change of mentality

In response to Nezam Rabonik's "Have a problem with our agenda?":

I could not resist writing a reply although I had promised myself to stay away from preaching. BUT, yes there is a but, I had to since I'm a former member of the Iranian Students' Foundation (ISF) at the University of Maryland. Also, I had to write a reply since I know Rana, Nezam, and Nazanin. I should start with responding to Nezam's second option for Rana. Nezam jan, many of us did think about starting a new organization. But many of us were discouraged to do so by Dr. Hakkak who encouraged us to give hand to those who "don't know much about Iranian culture."

I remember the time I ran for presidency of ISF because I was simply tired of trying to help. I faced a lot of opposition, you included. It is sad to see ISF decline as a cultural organization day by day and convert to a huge party promotion "company". Yes fund raising is important fir survival of an organization, but you must not raise fund for a "cultural organization" by throwing parties such as the ones ISF throws.

On the other hand I must inform you that there are other Iranian organizations in the area that contrary to what you think and wrote, do attract a much larger crowd than ISF. One such organization is GMU Persian group. In there indoor events, which does not even include food, they gather 2000 Iranians and non Iranians. So sorry to burst your bubbles, ISF is not gathering larger crowds. We have seen the same dances, the same routines, the same EVERY thing in ISF events for the past 4 years I must say. ISF has definitely diverged from its goal, which was written by many caring students such as Nazanin. I remember when we held our weekly meetings in the second floor of OLD stamp union about 6 years ago. When only 5 people would attend, but out of those five people, three were there to learn about the Persian culture. And they indeed learned.

I can criticize the hell out of ISF and you know I can, but ISF would not change till we have the mentality that we have. We need to know that ISF sucks as an Iranian organization. I have given my unconditional support to ISF for the past 6-7 years and I will continue to do so. But let me tell you a short story about how ISF compares to other Iranian organizations. The last big event that you guys had, I convinced my girl friend to come and join me. She is a former officer of another Iranian student organization which is, now I know, much better than ISF. After seeing the same routine, same problems, same crowd that is there just for the food, and as Rana put it, for their Nordstrom shirts, I was disappointed and embarrassed. Disappointed to see that ISF has not changed a bit even with the new blood in it, disappointed to see the same exact routines with very minor changes. Embarrassed to have promised a great cultural show to my GF, but to find out the only great thing was the salad shirazi.

A revolution in ISF has turned to the big red elephant, you all know needs to be done, and you are not doing it. I tried, and I tried and I tried and I tried and I tried, but I finally graduated. Many others did the same. Take a step back and look at what ISF is doing. Relatively speaking to the money they have, NOTHING. I have been involved with other organizations that have very little budget. They put up a show that would have your jaw drop. (I have videos by the way if you wanna embarrass the hell out of ISF members) so here are your options: raise these issues and realize you don't need those kinds of fundraisings to push ISF to the peak of fame mountain, or two, continue thinking ISF is doing a great job and those fundraising parties are needed till you see no other people in the stamp union b