Musings of a former chicken

JJ

...even though they clearly have no Islamist agenda and only wish to avoid terrible bloodshed.

Is that why you endorsed the IRI propaganda film that didn't even mention any of the IRI's history of international terrorism in the last 30 years? To avoid bloodshed, by laying all of the problems at America's feet? If so that hardly qualifies as a defense for NIAC if it is doing the same thing. NIAC claims to be representing the interests of both Iranians AND Americans. It is not in US national interests to whitewash the crimes of the IRI and pretend that all wrongs committed the last 30 years were committed by the US alone.

ex programmer craig changes subject

I copy/pasted because I could not have said it better myself.

GREAT to see the editor's sanity

for a change :-)

And Moosir aziz, it is a pleasure to know you. I have read some of your comments and have become a fan already. Gotta go check if you have had any blogs or writings to catch up with your thoughts. Great taste in writing as well, thanks. Trita was bound to be slandered by IDIOTS because of his success in initiating something good that gathers Iranians around a GOOD CAUSE.

HERE.... I DID IT. Now all the IDIOTS can use this post and claim that JJ is for sure a hidden IRI agent (I backed one of his posts finally!), and Moosir and piaz are either IRI agents or Jaleho herself.

MOOSIRvaPIAZ

Who the hell is Daniel Luban and what the hell is "The Faster Times"? And why are you copy pasting this individuals opinion into every blog post comment section?

timothyfloyd gets it wrong again

Ahmad Khatami is a nobody. It goes to show how much you know about  politics in Iran.

Moose-Death to Isreal

Perhaps you should ask Mrs. Clinton

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=XC-NhJnl7YA

But if you don't think 'Death to Isreal' is enough,I can nearly understand that you don't think that's a threat.If it were Isolated,I wouldn't either,however,it's not Isolated.The Govt is behind it 100% and fit the definition Fascist State perfectly.

On the other hand we see this sleazy opportunism smearing Republican's for a Beach Boy's song joke.Without considering the U.S. and Iran has been at odds for 30 years,a country of 300+ million people has only had a few war mongering outbursts really.

Its nothing compared to having people march down the streets chanting Death to Isreal,Death to the U.S.A.

Then when a 'bomb iran' or a neocon threaten back deep sensitivity's arise,which never arose before the Death chant's.

Some can dish it out but not take it back.

Have a wonderful free day!

Bijan A M's legitimate question

Would easing up on sanctions buy IRR time? It's a legitimate question. But I ask you this, dont you think that easing up sanctions also helps the green movement? 

Ironically, the best way to destabilize a ponderous, oppressive government such as Iran's is to ensure the growth of a strong middle class in the target country with an educated and politically active youth. Sanctions tend to do the opposite by denying (or reducing) a country's access to trade, economic growth, pharmaceuticals and health benefits, knowledge and innovation. It stigmatizes countries' populations against the world, which often entrenches hard-line governments with staunch supporters. Sanctions also reduce positive effect of the global community's political feedback: if a country is already a pariah, their leaders have little incentive to conform to accepted norms (e.g. human rights).
That's not to say that sanctions are never appropriate. It's just an observation on their effect. 

Dear Vildmose

Here it is:

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPWMTcVPlDc

Agha, ejazeh hast?

May I jump in with a question? I’m totally illiterate about NIAC’s activities and all I know is their statement that they are an organization to give Iranian-Americans a stronger political voice in Washington. Also, reading thru the comments on this site, they are very active in lobbying AGAINST any sanctions or war against Iran (IRI). So much of it I understand. Here is my question: Is NIAC lobbying FOR any actions against IRI? Are they coming up with any alternative approaches?

Is time any factor in this whole equation? Without offering an alternative, wouldn’t lobbying against anything buy more time for IRI? As much as you may dislike the IRI, and root for their overthrow, wouldn’t buying time amount to helping them? Just curious…

It’s like some people will immediately call me a warmonger for even asking the question even though I am against war or anything that will harm Iranians.

timothyfloyd gets it wrong

prove to me that Iran wants to go to war with Israel.

Moose the P.L.O?

Moose so it's nonsense that Iran wants to go war with Isreal,it's also nonsense Neocons want's to go with Iran..It's like a mirror.

So Moose just where do you choose your warmonger?

Why are  those 'Warmonger' anti-jew's better than those 'Warmonger' neocon's?

As they say,it always takes one...

Have a wonderful free day!

AMIR1973 If I may ...

I have no definitive judgment on NIAC or its people or on Trita PArsi who has EVERY  right to defend his honor at court  in this legal affair and I will only wait for the conclusion of the Court on this controversy to draw my own conclusions. But I have never found that NIAC was ever speaking on behalf of Iranian Americans as such because it was simply taking upon itself a political role such as demanding the US Congress to stop financing the Iranian Opposition in Exile. Was that a Community Oriented Objective for an organisation like NIAC which claimed not to be a political party nor a Lobby ? ... 

Before taking such a position did Mr. Trita Parsi bother to ask some of the Iranian American Families directly concerned  ( and often for Good Reason) by such as initiative  on their behalf  ?

BOOK: EVEN AFTER ALL THIS TIME By Afschineh Latifi ( A Memoir )

Farrokhzad on Sharghyeh Gamgin:

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5jLMnsd8mo

Mr. Trita Parsi aligned himself on the position defended by other Iranians who were Not even American such as Shirin Ebadi or Akbar Ganji regarding their opposition to financing the Iranian Opposition in Exile. He may have shared that view as an individual but to do so on behalf of the Iranian American community was not very Honest nor ethical ...

Not everyone believes that the monarchists or the MKO ( which are not allies) wish to attack Iran.

That Certainly has NEVER been the official stance of the Crown Prince which monarchist support:

REZA's CALL: An Iranian Solidarnosc... By Darius KADIVAR

As Far as I understood NIAC was supposed to be a Community organization and Not a Political Party. As Such it Was not supposed to be involved in Iranian Politics but focused on Community work and eventually highlight Iranian Americans involved in the American Political Scene.

It's community work should have been aimed at  bringing Iranians together and not create divisions due to Mr. Trita PArsi's personal Political Agenda's or views regarding how to deal with the Iranian  regime.

Even today while  Jumping on the Green Movement Band Wagon which suddenly they claim to be it's spokesperson they have been indulging in creating divisions amongst Iranians by criticizing those who carry the Iranian Sun and Lion Flag.

Babak Talebi responsible for NIAC's Public Relations:

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=och26QdEEF8

I really don't see how they can be "grass root" when they exclude other Iranian Americans on political grounds as above.

Most Iranian Americans left Iran because of the current Regime's policies, so I really don't see how they can claim to grass root by ignoring this reality ?

Also NIAC was regularly asked to come and speak on VOA Persian to respond to it's accusers and contradictors BUT NEVER appeared in any of the debates prefering to call VOA Persian as a nest of Neo Con War Mongerers ...

Do they look like Neo COn War Mongerers ?

//iranian.com/main/2009/nov/few-words-basiji-brothers

Even Saman who is often rants about "American Imperialism" is allowed to express himself freely.

VOA persian and Radio Farda were VERY PROFESSIONAL in covering the Elections in Iran and Fair. As a Result more and more Iranians in Iran (including amongst the reformists and other official spokesman of the Opposition inside Iran ) defy the regime to speak against the Regime and its manipulations through such medias like PRess TV:

Press TV under investigation

When did NIAC speak against the Iranian TV's Holocaust Denials when accusing the Western Media of Bias ? 

HOLOCAUST A MYTH: Michelle Renouf on Iranian SAHAR TV  

I wonder !

Fortunately NOT ALL Iranian Americans were As Indifferent as NIAC in this regard:

Iranian Diaspora Intelligentsia Unite Against Islamic Republic's Holocaust Revisionism by Darius KADIVAR

Aren't IRanian Jews Iranian too ? Was't it the job of a "grass root" organization" to denounce this in support of Iranian American Jews instead of weaving conspiracy theories on Israel and american neo -con's in a Treacherous alliance ?

What does that have to do with the work of a Non political Community oriented organization as NIAC claims to be ?

NIAC changed its attitude towards the True Nature of the Regime Only Recently when the Wind started blowing the opposite way and when the True nature of the Regime was exposed to the World Media after the June Election Protests.

As I said it's NEVER LATE TO JOIN THE OPPOSITION !

Evne for a  clueless Patriot and Last Minute Opponent to the IRI Like Trita Parsi ...

My Humble Opinion,

DK

An Iranian American living in France

masoudA

I hear Trita Parsi rejected a debate on VOA with Mr. Hassan Daei!! 

Is that true? Please provide a link.

Fred, pro-war / pro-sanctions people are desparate

They dont have an organisation / supporters of their own so the only other way they can push their agenda is through a cordinated smear campaign against influencial organisations who dont want either of these policies.

"MoosirvaPIaZ: Cutting through the BS, so you dont have to." 

jj, per my 2 cents comment, I rest my case

Read Q's comments for example.. Lacks any validated info or logic, and then he proceeds to crap and then character assasination and hurling innuendo. This is classic IRR MO.

NIAC shouldn't "begin answering" anything

If you don't see it, let me explain: This is a political assassination attempt.

This fascist-minded fishing expedition leading to some piece of information that can be abused and/or sensationalized is exactly what these assholes are looking for.

They don't care about any of this: Green Card? 501c3? "representation"! Give me a break. These are all excuses to attack you.

Fred , for God's sake! You are either seriously brain damaged or are lying through your teeth. You have attacked anyone with similar views as NIAC, and other organizations.

Why are you always playing dumb when you think it suits you?

Jahanshah

“I don't think you are insincere or being paid by anyone to attack NIAC. But you sure do jump at anyone and any organization actively against war, even though they clearly have no Islamist agenda and only wish to avoid terrible bloodshed. You call them agents of the "Islamic Rapist Republic". They call you "anti-Iranian warmongering nutjob". I say that's fair.”

1- since you say I, Fred, jump at anyone and organization actively against war,..” would you mind citing evidence to back up the “anyone and organization” part?

2- Would you mind citing one, just a single instance in which I’ve accused anyone of being “agents” of any one or entity?

If the price of calling Islamist Rapists, Islamist Rapist is to be called warmonger or whatever, fine with me.

3- As to I just not liking NIAC lobby could not be furthest from the truth. I would love to have a lobby to standup for Iran and Iranians, but that does not mean any one claiming to be will get an automatic pass as seems to be the case with NIAC.

Should NIAC lobby turn out to be not what evidence point to as I stated in the last exchange on the subject we two had, your posting on NIAC visit, I will publically apologize and do all that I can to make up for my mistake and furthering NIAC lobby’s agenda. Till then I and it seems many others need to be convinced and if the price of it is to be called names, so be it.

JJ

The Mission?   No - the problem with NIAC is what they do hiding behind their so called mission.   And what is their mission?  Isn't it to protect my rights and interests?   There are very decent Iranians who are members of NIAC - because of the mission.  But what of and how much that mission has been accomplished?   One more point - Trita Parsi and others like him have succeeded in doing what they do (Lobby for the regime) because we failed.  Because the 5 million or so of us failed to form true representation oustide Iran, hence Trita with his 50 Iranian members was able to become the Director of the NATIONAL Iranian American COUNCIL.   

 Good Post Fred - please keep us posted.   I hear Trita Parsi rejected a debate on VOA with Mr. Hassan Daei!! 

jj, as an anti-niac I put in my 2 cents

1-you and many other supporters of niac are not IRR or otherwise islamists or less than honorable people. However, certain characters on your site are and that is readily obvious from the body of their work not just their comments on niac or trita

2-when there is a surge of niac blogs, articles and other stuff on your website from mostly the same characters referenced above, then one wonders about the nature of the support which is beyond suggesting niac may be innocent. They crap on every opposing view.

3-An organization that supports 'Iranian-American' agenda, has a non-Iranian-Amrerican as a key player. That is inherently weird regardless of legality and citizenship status. If he has Swedish passport or Iranian for that matter why is he not leading Swedish-Iranian or Chinese-Iranian organization for that matter. And how do you explain all the fine characters on the board of niac. Check their colored histories.

4-watch and listen to this among many that was on IC: //www.youtube.com/watch?v=och26QdEEF8

the green talking to police is associated with NIAC and Trita was to be a speaker but snuck out when things got a bit murky

amir1973: NIAC should

amir1973: NIAC should sruvive without Trita Parsi and replaced democratically with a real Iranian-American.

Zal my naive friend

Have you even looked at the background of people who are originators of the NIAC smear? Almost all of them were/are pro Iran war advocates.

This is not about Trita or NIAC. If tomorrow the most peaceful antiiregime person finds an influencial Iranian American organisation that advocates a no-war no-sanctions policy the neocons will go after them too! 

This is about not letting alternative more moderate voices reach the halls of power in washington. 

Propose alternatives

If some individuals feel that NIAC's approach is too accomodating to the Iranian regime, then they should organize an alternative Iranian-American organization that takes a "harder line", so to speak. Highlight the views of NIAC's public critics, since their approach to Iran may be preferable to NIAC's approach. If such organizations already exist, then further publicize their work and bring them to the readers' attention so that one can judge their merits. There is an MEK lobby and monarchists, and they are entitled to their views, but not all Iranians or Iranian-Americans support Rajavi or Pahlavi. Are there organizations in other communities that one can look to as models (e.g. Cuban-American, Armenian, Israeli, etc)?  

timothyfloyd the Israeli?

So it becomes clear which group you get your talking points from. The nonsense that Iran wants to go to war with Israel is an Israeli Likudnik talking point.

Moose

The "Neocon's you are trying to prevent from going to war with Iran are doing it to prevent the 'Neocons' In Iran from going to war with Isreal...Its a Vicious circle to jump in.and it begins with the Neo's in Iran.

Have a wonderful free day!

You just don't like them

I'm not a spokesman for NIAC and they don't even advertise in iranian.com. But I continue to be a fan of their mission. Call me an agent of the Islamic Republic too, if you like. Even though I spend my night and day spreading views that often contradict everything religion and the Islamic Republic stands for.

I don't think you are insincere or being paid by anyone to attack NIAC. But you sure do jump at anyone and any organization actively against war, even though they clearly have no Islamist agenda and only wish to avoid terrible bloodshed. You call them agents of the "Islamic Rapist Republic". They call you "anti-Iranian warmongering nutjob". I say that's fair.

You keep insisting that NIAC is lobbying on behalf of the Islamic Republic while every action and position taken by this grass-root organization has been in line with the views of the vast majority of Iranians EVERYWHERE who are against war, wish for democratic change and condemn human rights violations.

Neocons and IRR are the

Neocons and IRR are the same class of people

Well put! That is too true and only those who are at the trough can't see that...oink,oink...lol

You hurt my feeling moosir

War, poverty, hunger, child abuse and every other calamity that Iran has suffered is the gift of islamist and IRR to Iran. Neocons and IRR are the same class of people but perhaps that is too difficult for you to grasp. Raping a nation as IRR does and niac  and the like support in subtle forms is a form of war endorsed by neocons as well and suits IRR just fine also. Simplistic hurling of non-sense neocon/war association is just too pedestrain but then again... you don't sound like much of an intellectual contender.

Bavafa

I understand that they are a lost cause but I refuse to let them spew out their propaganda for other less informed to see. We must always fight back against such smears.

MooSIRvaPIAZ: I think you

MooSIRvaPIAZ: I think you ought to know that Fred and company are a lost cause and beyond help.

A traitor is a traitor no matter how one try to skin/spin it. There are those who have legitimate concern and voice them with the hopes of bringing all of us together for the good of Iran and there are those who "the good of Iran" is the farthest away from their mind and goal and get their messages every day from their bosses to distribute without questioning its logic.

Mehrdad

Zal is anti-Iran pro-war

I am no IR agent. I've always been critical of them. But it begs the question as to who you guys work for? Other than trying to prevent us from stopping neocons from going to war with Iran.