Letters
June 26-30, 2000 / Tir 6-10, 1379
Today
* Googoosh:
- Joan of Ark?
* Jews:
- Hit dog will always bark
* Politics:
- Not freethinkers
Previous
* Media:
- Respected film producer
* The Iranian:
- Not been ignored
* Name:
- Origin of Iryan
* Iran:
- We all need reassurances
* Jews:
- Essense of agony
- Intolerant
- What about non-Jews?
* Sex:
- Don't click here
- Flabbergasted
* Politics:
- Mollas & worse
* Afghans:
- Stupid
- Blame Moscow and Washington
email us
Friday,
June 30, 2000
* Joan of Ark?
Googoosh is not just a singer/actress, she is an idea/way/thought. We
see ourselves in her. She is a bridge to the good days, good times meaningful
cries, kindness.
GOD bless you Googoosh since you cann't be a regular person and - the
biggest power chose you to be the "Joan of Ark" of Iranians and
all others who seek peace and love.
We know you have a mission and we know you're powerful enough to carry
it home. Your reappearance will be the start of the biggest event for Iran
in a century -- without lies and politic games but rather with the message
of love and understanding. Thank you for being Googoosh.
Emil E.
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* Hit dog will always bark
Unfortunately, blind-ignorance and emotionalism seem to go hand-in-hand
(globally) and even in our 'modern' world today, we still 'kill the messenger'
for what we don't want to face. When terminal medical diagnosis is given
to a patient, the patient 'turns' on the doctor or when a teacher reports
a child's poor academic performance, we state the teacher is the reason.
Consider yourself in good company regarding the unfortunate negative
remarks you received regarding your article ["Let's
face it"]. I can understand constructive criticism or an intelligent,
rational and well worded objection to your point of view; but, to threaten
someone for their perspective is evidence of their inability to effectively
communicate at the least >>>
FULL TEXT
Patricia Jones
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* Not freethinkers
I read Mr. Gholi's letter accusing me and I wanted
to congratulate you on your free press. I also would like to let you know
how unfortunate I think it is for our people to be so distant from freethinking.
I am accused of being a member of a political group, although I have
never believed that any political group, past or present, has had good
intentions toward our people and our country, inside or outside Iran.
I hope there comes a time when our people respect differences in ideology,
religion, and race without accusations and killing one another and elect
their representatives in a peaceful manner.
My only hope is that these accusations would stop and we choose a peaceful
and intellectual path to debate ideas -- a path closer to love rather
than any kind of censorship and taking of human lives.
Sheema Kalbasi
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Thursday
June 29, 2000
* Essense of agony
While I enjoy reading most of Mr. Hosseini's articles, I was especially
touched by his shortest piece, "The
truth sets you free." It encapsulates the essence of the "agony"
that pervades the lives of so many of us in diaspora, and perhaps most
importantly, hints at the hope of coming to terms with our recent past,
and the harrowing prejudice we have been subject to, while still celebrating
our rich idenitites >>>
FULL TEXT
Bijan Pingili
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* Stupid
I cannot stop laughing at Mr. Cyrus Raafat's stupid comments
on Afghan refugees in Iran.
First of all, dear sir, what gives you the right to speak for the entire
people of Iran, giving views on a matter you barely know about, since I
presume you have never lived in Iran?
I think you are just trying to imitate these narrow-minded Westerners
who have found it funny to blame their own problems on poor immigrants,
who for their large majority, contribute to the growth and to the prosperity
of their country, without asking much in return.
And please refrain from stupid comments like "I would give 35 cents
to every Afghan male to go back to his country". Who gives you the
right to say that? I challenge you to go and live there in their conditions.
Let's see who's the strongest.
Sorry man, but you are a shame.
Mani Shahrokni
PS: if you think it is so easy to remove the Taliban from power, why
don't you go and try with the Islamic Republic?
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* Mollas & worse
This is in response to Sheema Kalbasi's "Buried
ashes". First I have to say that unfortunately I have worked with
the creators of 30th of Khordad (Mojahedin Khalq). You sound like you are
one of them.
The history of "anything but the Shah" is not going to be
repeated. People of Iran are much smarter and have the experience of over-night
revolutions. Iranians know that they do not want the mollas, but they also
know that they do not want another version, if not worse, of mollas.
Why don't we just let the people decide their own fate? I and all the
Iranians I know are sick and tired of Rajavi and the Mojahedin and their
slogans like "Iran Rajavi, Rajavi Iran". They still do not get
the Iranian people's message: NO MORE DICTATORSHIP. NO MORE SHAH, KHOMEINI,
COMMUNISTS, RAJAVI, ...
B. Gholi
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Wednesday
June 28, 2000
* Intolerant
I agree with you all the way on the 13 accused in Shiraz ["Let's
face it"]. But I want to add that as a nation we Iranians, in
my opinion, are rather closed-minded. We are nowhere as tolerant toward
minorities (non-Muslims, non-Iranians etc. ) as say, the Americans. And
that really annoys me. Actually there are many other aspects of the Iranian
culture that really bugs me but I won't go into it.
Babak
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* Respected film producer
Ali
Abbasi, featured in the Nostalgia section, was one of the most respected
Iranian film producers who started his career in the mid 60's with some
light comedies with Sepehrnia, Motovasellani, and Garsha who were very
famous as a comedy group and continued until shortly before the revolution.
Here are some of the better films Abbasi produced:
- Panjereh (1969), directed by the late Jalal Moghadam with Behrouz
Vossoughi, Gougoush, Nouri Kasrai.
- Faraar az Taleh (1971), also directed by Moghadam with Behrouz Vossoughi,
Nilufar, Davoud Rashidi.
- Tangnaa (1972), directed by Amir Naderi with Saeed Rad, Nouri Kasrai.
- Tangsir (1972), directed by Amir Naderi with Behrouz Vossoughi, Nouri
Kasrai.
His office, Saazmaan-e Cinaamayi-ye Payaam was a meeting point for good
actors and directors.
Mahmoud
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* Not been ignored
I truly appreciate your daily news update. I have always benefited from
the insight, articles and even the way you inspire your readers. I am in
and out of the country and therefore, not able to enjoy your vivid diligence
for a fine work on a day to day basis. I am writing this only to mention
that you have not been ignored and I value your continuos work to keep
the Iranians informed!
Mosen Vakili
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Tuesday
June 27, 2000
* Don't click here
In response to Iram Fatima Vakil's letter ["Flabbergasted"],
please remember that morality is highly personal. If you are offended by
such web site links, then exercise your right to not click on them. Totalitarianism
begins with insignificant complaints such as yours.
While you waste time complaining about racy photos offending Iranian
sensibilities, Iranians by the millions are fighting to survive against
tyranny and torture. Please, please, please find something more meaningful
to do with your time!
As for the The Iranian's use of banner ads and links, I just
hope they are revenue-generating so that we continue to benefit from this
site and service!
Shokooh Miry
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* We all need reassurances
Thank you, Najmeh, for all the great articles you write for The Iranian.
In particular, "Tehran's
good side" proved so refreshing, especially after having read
a recent article ["Buried
ashes"].
You (and Abraham Lincoln) are right, plus, sadly enough, some Iranians
abroad seem to get stuck in a "state of denial" no matter how
much Iran improves.
They don't see anything positive about Iran, in apparently an unconscious
attempt to convince themselves over and over that choosing to live outside
Iran has been the right thing to do. We all need reassurances sometimes.
AT
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* Origin of Iryan
In reply to the question
about the origin of the name Iryan, I believe it is derived from the name
Ir or Iri, which as I recall is the name of a tribe or a branch of Aryans
that arrived in the plateau that now bears the name of Iran.
I have no source for this other than a faint recollection from a seventh
grade geography class in Tehran in the early 1960's. I believe some of
the seventh, eighth and nineth grade Iranian geogrpaphy books of the epoch
may provide a better answer.
Guive Mirfendereski
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Monday
June 26, 2000
* What about non-Jews?
I have no comment about the content; however, a few technical points
on "Let's
face it": At one point you say: Their religion or even political
belief should matter very little. I don't understand. It should matter
little to who?
You say the Shiraz 13 are on trial because they are Jews, period. Do
you realize that you are (correctly) questioning the 2nd Khordad front?
I have no serious problem with your article since it serves the purpose
of human rights. However, it would have been much better if there was more
emphasis on the execution of non-Jews since Jews have already received
a lot of attention by everybody, especially powerful Western media who
usually shamelessly ignore others.
Ramin
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* Blame Moscow and Washington
Don't blame Iran or Iranians for the problem of Afghans ["Not welcome"].
It's the Soviet Union/Russia and the United States who created these miserable
conditions for the Afghans. They should pay for taking care of these refugees
not Iran. They should give shelter to these refugees not Iran.
Iran has done much much more than its share by taking care of the consequences
of the filthy policies of these superpowers. It's amazing how shallow your
article is in this regard and outright shameful how some so called Iranians
have reacted by questioning the Iranian people's hospitality.
A.K. Daftari
Seattle, Washington
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* Flabbergasted
I just visited your site and was flabbergasted to see "The Position" suggested in the Beyond
Iran Web section. Its content is downright outrageous.
If you call yourself an Iranian magazine then you should be well aware
that Iran is a Muslim country with a majority Shi'ite population. How can
you publicize such immoral things on your site?
Iram Fatima Vakil
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