Musings of a former chicken

Midwesty

dude, you really crack me up. First you argue Iran is the 17th largest economy. I showed you that based on total output (the measurement you used) that it is not, at best it is 32, 33. Second, you talk about being hungry for resources instead of exporting natural resources, I am still waiting on sources of where you got this information.

your recent post just reconfirms what I said, you have ABSOLUTELY  no clue what you are talking about, most of your posts are nonsense, and superficial at best. So now, I am supposed to assess and measure economic indicators based on your royal highness observation. Listen, I know your hero thought the economy was for donkey. I also know that IR treats economic issues "mesle yek var e tokhmeshoon", but dude, the crowd here is more sophisticated. You can't pull the same b.s they pull in Iran. I am always amsused by those iranians (regardless of their ideology) who go to Iran, make an observation, and make a convincing conclusion about some trend going on in Iran, as if the country is their little neighborhood. For your information, economic assessment just does not work like that. Try again, give me a source of where you are getting this distribution of wealth data. Your observation is good for "googooly magooly" story, it is absolutely worthless in a discourse regarding economic theories.

DEAD? 20,000 protestors were arrested in Tehran on 02/11/2010

//iranian.com/main/news/2010/02/28/22

vildemose jan,

Your point is taken. As you might have noticed I used a relative term as "better" to describe the wealth distribution. I do have some personal observations to share if you insist.

Regards,

No equal distribution of wealth only unequal displacement

 and ever more  concentration of wealth in the hands of very few.

Iran’s Economy in Decline: Economic Analysis

//persian2english.com/?p=5582

Faramarz,

One thing, you and you alike (let's call them typical Iranians) have a strong tendency to see things in black and white (tea-side-politics). Did I say Iran is a rich country? The topic of rich and poor and what GDP/capita can even relate to prosperity can be a topic of PhD thesis. Same thing that you brought up in Soroush's argument asking me in couple of lines explain what he thinks? Good luck on that one.

Did I ever mention Iran is rich?

But you, tell me how a GDP/Capita can be any indicator of level of prosperity of any nation? A country can have a very high GDP/capita but still its mass population live in poverty. A single point, normalized data looks just as good as a oil stick in a car. Can a good level of engine oil indicate how the transmission behaves or WILL behave?

About the pre and post 1970. Yes, our GDP/capita was much higher for a very short period of time, because we had smaller population and better OIL revenue. Some parts of Tehran looked exotically good but within one hour of travel, you could see how deep the poverty was running.

I hate generalization and over simplification, that's why I often decide not to response. This was just for the record that you don't think that when I choose to be silent, I don't have any response.

For your record, I am 39. I was nine when Shah left. I didn't study economics in Iran but what I brought here was the pictures in my memories that how the scenery was drastically changing when we traveled.

Iran is not rich but what I have witnessed across Iran after the revolution is a much better distributed wealth (if you want to call it that way).

The topic of this blog is about something else. I mentioned economic rank per given data within the context of my comment about the article that was related to the topic of this blog.

Let's not get carried away. Slow your tone, I can't see your face or tone of voice. The characters are lousy to carry human emotions.

GDP per capita (PPP) of

GDP per capita (PPP) of Iran is equal to Mexico around $13,000+ Meaning average Mexican is as poor as average Iranian. The income per capita is even worse, $400 a month. Nothing to brag about having the 4th largest oil reserves and 2nd larges gas reserves.

Alabama's GDP is almost equal to Iran's. 

Calling your argument an absolute nonsense

is not a personal attack. Especially when it is true. I am not trying to insult you, but your data "analysis" is very similar to Antarinejad during the election regarding inflation. Someone here accussed you of b.s-ing about Soroush, because you really had not read him, but was just talking about it. I can say the same about this topic. Obviously, you have no clue what you are talking about, and are just pasting link without understanding the data.

Secondly, I am not FF, although I like his writing too, nor I am a CFO, although a CFO of a baghali is a pretty darn good job.

Midwesty, you should dig deeper, and not just throw number out. The links you provided don't parse out the nations in the EU. It is looking at Euro region as one "country". EU has 27 members, and at least 15 of those countries have higher total GDP than Iran. This puts Iran at 32, 33 at best in total output. However, total output is the weakest economic measurement of wealth in any country, because it is not a normalized data set. 350 horses produce the same power as a Ford mustang, but the two are not equivalent. Another example is if I say, I have 2, and you say I have 10. Clearly you have more than me, but more of what? I can have 2 gold pieces, and you may have 10 copper pieces.

Although GDP (PPP) parity of purchasing per capita is still a weak measurement of the wealth of a nation, it is by far a better indicator than GDP alone. Iran's GDP/capita on average ranks 70th. GDP/capita is a normalized data, and gives some meaning and basis to "ranking". However, if we really dig, and include the modern definition of total output in macroeconomics, Iran most likely ranks in the 120s. Without getting too technical, the most modern definition includes an "A" coefficient that represents productivity (usually based on technology and innovation that impact Labor). Iran is a relavitely a much poorer country than it was in late 1970's.

I am gone let you look up the GDP/capita. Iranian economy is a mess, and basket cake, and without oil, the country will be completely crippled. None of its other outputs are marketable in the world economy, and even if they were, they  would represent a minute percentage of the total output. The moral of the story is that numbers on surface do not tell the whole story.  

Mr. mullah-kosh AKA Faramarz Fateh

You could just simply ask me to provide some sources rather than attacking me. Sadly I imagine Iranian.com is the only place you are able to flex your cyber muscles.

Look at my previous comment for sources, Mr. chief financial officer of a prominent baghalli in SF area.

normally

Normally, I agree with most of Fred writes. However, on this issue, I completely disagree with him. Furthermore, at this time, there is no need to divide up the opposition, and attack others who are working against the regime as well, perhaps not to the extent that we wish, but they are hurting the Islamic rapist republic. There are much bigger fish to fry.

 Midwesty,

 Thanks for providing us with more of your nonsense. Sorry, I meant absolute nonsense. I don't know on what planet you live on, but what they feed you in the midwest, but 17th rank economy? where do you get this stuff? exporting natural resource to being hungry for them? Please give me citations on these claims. Iran is approximately 70th in terms of GDP per capita. Its hydrocarbon industry uses 40 years old technology for extraction, and purification. The industry which is the main economic engine of the country has no value added production chain, as the country imports much of its gasoline. Midwesty, yet another fossil of the communist era who sees the globe in terms of colonialism and imperialism. Dude wake up, the fight is no longer about resources, it is about information, and brain power, and Iran is losing very very badly in that battle.  

کاکو شیرازی

خدا از دهنت بشنوه که خوب گفتی.

Israel bloggers

The Israeli absorption ministry employs people to write blogs on Iranian sites. Their directive is to bombard the sites with Israeli propaganda. However, some of these people do not engage in respectful dialogue. They are politically naive, arrogant and aggressive. Their language borders that of neo-fascists. It is claimed that their Persian statements are prepared by Sedaye Esrael.

If you feel that the content and tone of such blogs are anti-Iranian, anti-Muslim and racist, write to the following departments. Point out, for example, that such activity is counterproductive and will only aggravate interfaith relations.

Departments: israel absorption ministry, israel foreign ministry, radio israel, haaretz newspaper, un human rights commission, jewish-muslim dialogue, news service of the jewish people. 

Their emails: sar@moia.gov.il, feedback@mfa.gov.il, pniot@mfa.gov.il, farsi@iba.org.il, feedback@haaretz.co.il, civilsocietyunit@ohchr.org, Info@JewishMuslimDialogue.org, info@JTA.org

"Fred's wisdom"

LOL. Oxymoron if I ever saw one.

Hey Fred: What's the difference between Palestinians and Iranians? While Palestinians fight bombing campaigns, there are actually Iranians who celebrate the idea of being bombed! You make us so proud Fred. 

midwesty: Post your response

midwesty: Post your response on HP.

vildemose, exerpts for your article:

1- "this debate should shift toward the Iranian threat to the region".

2- "Iran has transitioned its application of asymmetrical warfare from
ideological export of the revolution, to a realpolitik approach of
bullying to secure regional power in support of its hegemonic
aspirations".

3- "An Iran with a nuclear weapon could ramp up its efforts to solidify its global power status with impunity".

My answers to mr. William Wunderle points:

1- Iran has never been a threat to the region in which she lives in.
This is like trashing the house you live in. Fear-mongering amongst
Arabs has long lost its effectiveness more because of broken promises
of the West rather than any other external fear factors.

2- So tell me again, how any other superpower became a superpower?

3- Name any other country that doesn't do this if it has the means?

Bottom line, as Dr. Trita Parsi, implied in his book, The Treacherous
Alliances, the hype surrounding Iran's exaggerated issues from green
movement to Israelis to nuclear issues is not about IRI's military
threat, it's about POWER to control as much resources in the region as
possible.

The ranked 17 economic power in the world (despite 30 years of
unimaginable sanctions embargo, wars and meddling) with an abundant
pool of young resources, has moved from a developing country which used
to exchange natural resources with Western goods and services to a
developed country which is hungry to find natural resources from Africa
to South America.

Sources:

1- //imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2009/02/weodat...

2- https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world...

3- //en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_...

VPOK: For some reason I say Potato, you hear "portaghal"

I say this because we have had this discussion before and still seem to be some confusion. But please let me clarify again in case the lack of command of English on my part is giving the wrong message.

I category disagree and condemn the notion that if one is against IRI that makes him/her a Zionist or anti Iran for that matter. If that was the case, I would be a steadfast Zionist as I oppose IRI just as you or most others. In fact I believe most of us here are strongly against IRI and again most not pro Zionist.

In Fred's case however, many times thru his blogs I have asked him point blank if he can clarify his stands… both in regards to war and aggression against Iran or his allegiance to Israel and he has never refuted either.

Let this be another attempt to see if he can clarify where he stands both in regards to war or his allegiance with Israel?

Mehrdad

Mien Früd,

Here, you're repeating AIPAC's herd mentality for putting more blind sanctions on Iranians by daily posting the same message you've sent one year ago.

Do you really think that with all the reasoning people expressed on IC  against evasive sanctions, you'll gonna do it?

There is a good discussion

There is a good discussion going on here. Join the discussion. Read the comments before responding...

 Article by:

William Wunderle is the Division Chief, Iran and Levant Division at the Joint Staff (J5). Lt Col Gabriel Lajeunesse is a Special Agent and Commander of the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, Detachment 522, Incirlik Air Base, Turkey. The opinions expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of the Department of the Defense.

//www.huffingtonpost.com/william-wunderle/iran-and-the-myth-of-dete_b_478576.html

Bavafa

I do not speak for Fred. But I assure you that not everyone who opposes IRI is a Zionist.  There is a large spectrum of beliefs among Iranians. Some support IRI and some don't. None of us speaks for everyone. Yes, there are some Iranians who want sanctions. There are even some
who want military action by the West. That does not have anything to do
with Zionism.

I have a lot of family in Iran. They are neither rapists nor anything
bad. I don't want them bombed. But I do oppose the IRI very much.

Please stop blaming all our differences on Israel. It is really old.

Herd mentality

Instead of your usual Islamist herd mentality and copycating be individualistic, this Islamist ganging up ain’t gonna do it.  

Veiled jan

Have you tried to discuss on that point with Früd? Toward people who disagree with him on this site, I haven't seen other name callings from him except Isalmist, Mien Führer, rapist, etc.

The point of view of Früd is simple: Mullahs live in IRR; Früd and the sane world must fight against these isalmists; so lets put air tight sanctions on Iran! Now if you try to reason with Früd on how he defines air tight sanctions, the only answer you'll get, if he sees that he cannot logically answer, is that you're an islamist rapist.

Now, I don't understand why are you so subtle for dealing with this kind of person rather than what he really deserves?

Insulting others

Guys there are a lot of insults being thrown around. What do you expect to get from name calling: Don Mien Früd or Mahmood Antar? Isn't it better to use reason and logic to argue. It gets you no where. We should be respectful. In addition people do not need to work for Mossad or IRI to have some beliefs. I respectfully request we reduce meaningless insults.
I have been discussing issues with Behrooz and we are both respectful. I have learned his point of view and hope he has learned mine.
Disclaimer. I do not in request censorship. I don't like insults but I do not want the post removed. I also do not want people banned.
VPK

Lets see if I understand the "wisdom" and logic of our Fred!

There are mainly two camps in the recent "uprising" or what ever we want to call it in Iran. One undoable were those who are known as "Green movement" and chanted against the ruling regime and the other group with stick and gun who were supporters of the Government and IRI. There aren't any in Iran that are advocating for "airtight sanction" or bombs which we all know to follow the "airtight sanctions"

Fred label one group as "Rapist" and the other group as "Charlatan", so by his account every one (or almost every one) in Iran is either a "rapist" or slightly better as "Charlatan"

Perhaps that explains as why he wants Iran and Iranians bombed.

Keep it up Fred, you are a good example of your masters.

Down with Zionsim

Mehrdad

In the meantime:

The Commander of the Mohammad Rasoul Allah Guards said that the Basij districts in Tehran will be increased from 6 to 22.

We are seeing the genesis of a true military dictatorship. If Greens are dead then why do they need brown shirts. The harder they squeeze the more slips through their grasp. These guys are going to go hard but they will go. When they go political Islam goes with them. Good byes and good riddance to the idiotic thoughts of Shariati.

What amazes me is there are still people who talk about Political Islam. Just go on youtube and read the comments praising Shariati.

Don Mien Früd

You're right on two points:

1- You're not Madar Aroos but Habooyeh bi richeh, and

2-  Your pay doesn't come directly from Mahmood Antar but from Mossad (A.N. pays others on this site but not you). That's actually good for you as the difference should be substantial.

In the meantime:

IRGC cmdr: Tehran Basij districts to increase from 6 in 22

Tabnak | Feb. 26, 2010

The Commander of the Mohammad Rasoul Allah Guards said that the Basij districts in Tehran will be increased from 6 to 22.

Noting the 8.5 million population of Tehran, Brigadier General Hossein Hamedani said, "In order to have Basij encompass the city of Tehran and in order to see its development we needed to increase the number of Basij districts from 6 to 22."

//www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/tehranbureau/2010/02/selected-headlines-137.html

Mien Führer

Ok mien Führer I don’t know about this my “lot” that you are talking about but let me get this, are you saying not only in addition from others I get paid by your Islamist Rapist Republic, I  might also be voting for them too and in case of your IRR “secretly”?

Why secretly? And whatever happened to answering my request that you follow up on my salary with people that you know are paying me?

You see mien Führer that Islamist mindset of yours not only uses the same exact jargons as your Islamist Rapist president does, it is conspiratorial just like them too.  

ایهود باراک: نیازی به هماهنگی کامل با آمریکا نیست

به گزارش خبرگزاری رویترز وی با اشاره تلویحی به آمادگی اسرائیل برای تقابل با ایران گفت: ما مفتخریم که هرگز از آمریکا نخواسته ایم بیاید و برای ما بجنگد. ما ... به تعبیر چرچیل گفته ایم: ابزار را به ما بدهید، خودمان کار را انجام می دهیم."

وزیر دفاع اسرائیل افزود اما اگر این تحریم ها تاثیر گذار نبود باید آماده مراحل بعدی بود.

وی گفت ایران دستخوش تحولات و اختلافات درونی شدیدی شده اما نباید تصور کرد که "رژیم روحانیون پیش از دستیابی به سلاح اتمی سرنگون و یا اصلاح می شود."

فرد و شرکا نماینده این جناح هستند.

cute Fred

You and your lot benefit a great deal from Ahmadinejad. So yes, I would not be surprised if you secretly voted for AN kootoole AND dropped your vote for Bibi Netanyahu at the same time.

And no Fred, as much as you'd like me to be I am not a supporter of IRI. 

The greens

the demand for rights and freedom is not dead. The green approach is morphing. I never thought that with Mousavi and Karroubi they were well led. People will get their freedom but how is anyone's guess.

Is it going to 

• Be a gradual transition.
• Going to happen in a big change after Khamenei goes.
• A war with US.

We will find out in time.

VPK

Mien Führer

Well mien Führer you are wrong to think that way, but don’t worry nothing better is ever expected of a supporter of the Islamist Rapist Republic. Keep on trucking.

BTW, mien Führer make up your mind about my paymaster(s), is it

A- Your Islamist Rapist president.

B- Your Islamist ideological nemeses.

C- Some other source.

D- all of the above. 

With Norooze around the corner and since you are in the know,please ask about my salary, haven't got it yet.