Responses to previous articles in The Iranian:
Another Look at Rushdie
Big Stick, No Carrot
Dear Pat, You're Crap!
Yahoo Darvish
Persian NOT Farsi
For a man of honor (Takhti)
Center for Persian Culture
Helping the Helpless
The good old days
Internet to the Rescue
Lost & Found
Personals
Chitchat
Khorafat
Googoosh Online!
Love (poem)
The Iranian
The Iranian Bulletin
Another look at Rushdie
In this self serving article, Sadri forgot he is talking about a writer and not a politican. All of his argument can equally be applied to Hafez. Not dealing with issues Rushdie put in front of his readers is the main reason you and I are in exile!
Hooshang Jafa
HJAFA@INFOSVCS.TMH.TMH.EDU
No carrot, big stick
I think Mr: Deutsch is getting all his information from CNN.
Ahman Pirnia
saharaco@earthlink.net
Dear Pat, you're crap!
I read the letter on the internet addressed to Pat Buchannan.
First of all, you people speak so highly of your country, yet, you kill to come here. Secondly, with the sad state your country is in, you should never complain about being in a democracy. Thirdly, you people are a bunch of phony hypocrites.
You bad-mouth this country till you commit a crime, then you "love America" like your friends who blew up the World Trade Center. You people are a sick complaing group. You hate Americans, yet, you would kill to sleep with a white woman. How do I know this? I've had encounters with Iranians.
Pat B. does not hate jews. He is an American who does not tolerate illogic or fools. IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT HERE, THEN LEAVE. NO ONE IS STOPPING YOU. America wants immigrants like we used to get. Immigrants who want to become Amercians, not live off it and complain.
Tony
TonyAOK@aol.com
Yahoo Darvish!
In chertopertaro baayad shomaha berizin door, mage shomaha bikareed? magar Darvish evakhaahar boodeh?
wan-ni Lu
haronho@chaph.usc.edu
Akhar-e Zaman, Akhar-e Donya
I think tolerance of other's opinion and harmless private behavior or look is a good quality in any human being.
Yahya Sarlak
gumboo@dnai.com
Persian NOT Farsi
A very interesting article on the subject of the Persian language. Although I agree with most of your arguments regarding the use of Farsi vs. Persian, your comment about "Farse" is not correct.
I am an Armenian who was born and raised in Iran, therefore I am an Iranian, but I am neither Persian nor Farse. The term Farse reffers to a ethnic origin. For example you would say: My friend from Tabriz is a Turk. This would refer to thier ethnic background.
Therefore, you would be quite correct in reffering to yourself as a Farse if you were one.
Regards
Vahram Shahgaldian
u30020@mwd.dst.ca.us
I would use Farsi as the name of our language. No matter what the English dictionary says, Parsi or Farsi will always be.
Pedram Arang
a1a03978@bc.sympatico.ca
For a man of honor
I was disappointed by your decision to publish the piece about Takhti.
Let me start by stating that I share the sentiment of the author. Takhti IS our beloved national hero. He DOES represent that wonderful tradition of Iranian "Fotovat" that mixes bare-knuckle masculinity, with sublime chivalry and social commitment. And, the Iranian youth in the U.S., who are exposed to revolting expressions of sportsmanship like Charles Barckly's constant bragging about "playing dirty," will be edified by the shining example of Gholam Reza Takhti.
For all of the above reasons, we must avoid tainting Takhti's name by specious accolades. I doubt that the editor of the "Complete Book of Summer Olympics 96" intended to give Iranians "a small gift" by adding the letters "JP" (Jahan Pahlavan, or "champion of the world") before his name. It is very likely that he simply thought these were Takhti's initials. Besides, what authority does this editor have to crown athletes with such superlative titles?
Thinking with pride about those who personify the best in our culture is one thing. Wishful thinking is another.
Ahmad Sadri
Lake Forrest College
SADRI@LFC.EDU
Center for Persian Culture
I am delighted to read about an endeavor such as this one, which is long overdue (in my opinion).
A place where we can all reflect back at our culture and ourseleves as well, to develop an understanding and appreciation of the untainted customs, art, literature, music, poetry, ... A place to find the good in us, is very much needed indeed.
I hope that I'll be able to visit the Center for Persian Culture some day.
Mina Nozar
nozar@loki-24.phy.bnl.gov
I think Mrs. Farhadi's proposal is a grand one and I would like to receive more information on this project and find out in what ways we can help.
Philip Zook
philipz@aiinet.com
I recently found and read the article on Mrs. Mani Farhadi's proposal for a cultural center. I am very interested to get in touch with her and to obtain a copy of her thesis.
Bijan Sartipi
Bijan@CCnet.com
Helping the Helpless
The title of the article, "Helping the Helpless" directly contradicts the participatory approach of the Committee for Humanitarian Assistance to Iranian Refugees (CHAIR). CHAIR works with constituents who are far from "helpless." In informing immigrants about their rights, CHAIR helps to empower courageous individuals who have fled from persecution or who have limited resources and face an unfamiliar, often discriminatory environment.
In addition to helping "Iranian refugees find a new home," as stated in your article, current activities include: facilitating the refugee and asylum processes in the U.S., Turkey, Iraq, Pakistan as well as in other countries; a legal documentation center; a campaign to raise awareness on the status of women in Iran and gender-based persecution (the Immigration and Naturalization Service recently distributed CHAIR's fact sheet on women in Iran to asylum officers nationwide); advocacy against anti-immigrant legislation and detention; and organizing of Iranian immigrant workers.
All of CHAIR's services are free of charge. Last year alone, CHAIR assisted over 250 low-income Iranian to assert their rights. CHAIR is a self-help, rather than an ultruistic, organization. The distinction is an important one.
Lastly as a correction, Iranians processed in the overseas determination program (such as through Turkey) are admitted under priorities one through three, not only priority one as your article states. Religious minorities fall under priority two. Priority three refugees are spouses, unmarried sons and daughters, and parents of persons lawfully admitted to the U.S.; unmarried sons and daughter of U.S. Citizens; and parents of U.S. Citizens under 21.
Ramesh Ahmadi, Keyvan Javid, Maryam Namazie, Azeen Salimi
CHAIR Steering Committee
103114.731@CompuServe.COM
The good old days
Mr. J. Javid's feelings about the good old days parallel mine as an American Peace Corps Volunteer to Iran (Iran IX).
I worked in the field of agriculture in the mountains near Hamadan and met some truly fine people including the ones officially assigned as well as the farmers and merchants to which I became acquained. I certainly miss their kindness and consideration extended me while I stayed in their community.
I always felt a saddness when I would see the political atmosphere demonstrated to my countrymen via television which did not reflect the real people who make up any county.
I appreciate very much the feeling of sadness Mr. Javid must have when thoughts of home and how it was "in the good old days" as I too experienced that same atmosphere during the early 1960's as a rather idealistic person with convictions that there is much good in the world.
I did find it too when I worked one-on-one with Iranian friends that I will never see again because of politics. I was fortunate enough to host a visit with my Iranian counterpart here at my home when he came to visit his daughter who was going to school here in the U.S. I was thrilled beyond belief and the privilege I had to introduce him to my family just as he had done me to his is almost indescribable. We enjoyed a few precious days.
I have always wished that I could go back for a visit and see the many changes expecially in the area of agriculture in which I worked but fear had replaced my curosity and I can now only wish my friends the best and hope for a bright future for them.
Thank you.
Mick Ware
mickw@bedford.heartland.net
Internet to the Rescue!
I think it may be a start, but on the Internet, we have the feeling that Big Brother is watching even MORE. At least I do.
Good Luck
Rita Rightmire
R.Rightmire@lboro.ac.uk
Lost & Found
Thank you very much for providing this excellent sevice to people like me, who have not heard of their friends in "decades". Thru your site, I was able to locate my friends whom I had not seen since 1976.
Thank you again for the wonderful idea and service.
Soroush Jafari
soroush.jafari@speedy3033.com
Personals
I am sorry, but the Men &Women personal ads are really pathetic and make people look desperate. I especially thought that "Elvis of the Middle East" was dumb. Come on, the guy took two verses out of a song from "the artist formerly known as Prince." Now tell me that isn't pathetic.
Do you really want to portray your fellow Iranians as got-nothing-better-to-do-with-my-life-so-I-should-get-my-self-a-chic-to-entertain-me? Think about it.
Javad Mostafavi
Ashena@earthlink.net
Chitchat
Evidently, Chitchat (Khosh-o-Besh) has become a "patogh" for "lAt" people. The same thing has happened in IRC on #iran. Where there's no moderator, ignorant people say what the want to say. I don't know if you can do anything about it or not, but I thought I should say something.
All of the girls have to deal with sexual harrassment and guys use foul language in several languages. In any case, maybe -- just maybe -- the notion of having a place were you can talk to others was not a good idea. :-(
Soroush.com is moderated and has a lot less "fahhashi" on it.
Mehran Azhar
mazhar@students.uwf.edu
Andar Qazayay-e Adamhay-e Khorafati
This article has put me in a bad situation. Now I don't know if I should email it to 20 people or not. I'll think I hold off on that. I don't want to see the nasty replies.
Googoosh Online!
I would like to thank you for helping this great artist of Iran be recognized by the world. I believe that her voice will be in the hearts of many generations, and when a free Iran is reborn I think she will sing again!
Pedram Arang
a1a03978@bc.sympatico.ca
Love
Nice work kido! good luck.
Sharok Yavari
syavari@themall.net
The Iranian
Just out of curiosity,What does the picture on the first page of issue No. 6 signify? That Iranians can be found in their beach shorts too?!
Or is it that you couldn't find anything more suitable for the title page of a publication which carries the name of a country with over 2,000 years of civil history?
In case you run out of these "great pictures" for your next issue, I have a close-up picture of my toe with a nice blister on it that you might want to put on the front page.
S. Milani
milani@inforamp.net
I just got started on the Net and one of the first sites that I have visited is yours. I have to say I am amazed how Iran and Iranians always rise from the ashes. I did not dream that there could be this large of an Iranian community online. Thank you for being a part of this.
Pedram Arang
a1a03978@bc.sympatico.ca
Do you really think that Americans believe you when you say this magazine is not political or religious. Be real!!!!!
Connie Falvo
cfalvo@exit109.com
Hey man! You are getting better all the time. I am sitting here with my brother inlaw Mr. Amiri, (of course we are both from Abadan) looking at your site. Well done. You have come a long way since December 95.
Allen Moshiri
moshiri@cyberesc.net
Many thanks for another great issue of The Iranian!
John Green
john@musicman.com
I was searching for the writing of Jelaludin Rumi and by chance, stumbled accross your magazine on Internet.
I have found it informative and entertaining. I have many "Persian" friends who live in Australia and have become infatuated with the culture, poetry and spirituality. Of course I have fallen in love with Persian food, Mulla Nusradin stories, Rumi, Attar and Baha'u'llah.
I am impressed with the openness and freedom of the articles. I wonder if the Persian friends in Iran get to read The Iranian and what they think about it.
While the use of the word "Iranian" may be politically correct, I prefer "Persian" because it helps to remind me of the cultural mystique and historical traditions that are often overlooked or not understood by Westerners.
Kind regards
Bob Abrahams
Perth
Australia
boab@ois.net.au
Just finished browsing The Iranian. Congratulations on a good work. Definitely not a "California publication." I would like to recieve a hard copy of your paper, so I will send you a check with my address. But why is it $35 PER ISSUE? Is that a "typo" or does Abadan publishing need a corporate restructuring?
That price guarantees that you won't sell more than a handful.
Nasser Saber
Shark4ever@aol.com
Thank you for telling us of your people.
The Iranian Bulletin
I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate your effort and how much I have enjoyed being on your list. Daste Shoma dard nakonad.
Abbas Milani
Amilani@aol.com
Don't you ever sleep or rest? Not on weekends or week days? I do appreciate what you do and greatly enjoy reading them. More power to you.
Behruz Nikzat
Behruz_Nikzat@CENA.VOA.GOV
