Apology: Military ads

Jahanshah Javid
by Jahanshah Javid
26-Dec-2010
 

A while back I made a public commitment here not to run military-related ads on iranian.com.

A couple of days ago I saw ads from the U.S. military to recruit Persian speakers and translators. I initially thought they were coming from google. Anyone can go to google AdSense and pay for their ad to show up on sites like iranian.com. We can block the ones we don't approve and have no commitment to run them. And we have done so in the past with CIA recruitment ads, Israeli military ads, pornography, certain Islamic sites...

The latest ads are different. They have already paid us directly. I had forgotten to mention to our advertising manager to refuse these sorts of ads. When I learned about the U.S. military ad, I asked that they be removed and refunded.

However, iranian.com is going through a major reorganization and we are unable to make a refund. The ads will be back up until mid-January as scheduled.

iranian.com's current investors are selling their shares and from next month I will be working with new partners. The deal has been in the works for several months. I will give you more details soon.

I apologize for this mistake. I will continue to do my best to keep iranian.com free of military-related ads.

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Ari Siletz

US invasion of our beautiful language

by Ari Siletz on

جناب ارتش آمریکا، بخدا اگر می‌دونستیم درک شما از زبان فارسی اینقدر گریه آور است که "کلمات من قدرتی‌ عظیم در بر دارند؟!" به گوشتان شعار سلحشورانه میاید و نه اشاره‌ای طنز آمیز به باد معده، خودمان مجانی‌ کمکتان میکردیم، دیگر تبلیغ نداشت. همانطور که جلو گیری از حمله به خاک ایران ایستادگیست در برابر نقض حقوق بشر ایرانیان، جلوگیری از شکنجه زبان فارسی دفاع از حقوق فرهنگی‌ ماست. حال اگر وقت خودرا بیشتر صرف آشنایی با مردم، تاریخ و فرهنگ ایران کنید شاید مفهوم شود که لزومی به حمله نیست و شاید روش های موثر تری در دسترس باشد. در صدی هم از صرف جویی مخارج توپ و تفنگ را به ایرانیان دات کم هدیه فرمائید و اگر عضوی شاکی‌ شد خودمان با کامنت می‌ریزیم رو سرش.     


Q

I agree with MM too,

by Q on

Javid Jan,

You did great sticking to your policy and letting the community know. But what are you doing about the same kind of advertising in the blogs? When there is numerous well-documented indications that people are doing much worse advertising (for example for bombing Iran), as a day job and getting away with it by simply not being honest enough to tell you who they work for.

When are you going to fix that? Don't these at least merrit some investigation?


Everybody Loves Somebody Sometime

God Bless US Armed Forces!

by Everybody Loves Somebody ... on

Like the Police officers, you hate them, you badmouth them, you disrespect them, ... until you actually need them to save and protect your little behind!

It's okay, be a hypocrite, while you can enjoy the American freedom and comfort provided, protected, and defended by the sweat and blood of the US service men and women!

If I were the US military, I would think twice before I searched for language and other types of help around Iranian.com! After all, you can't find a single reliable, trustworthy, and competent sole around here! 


yolanda

......

by yolanda on

I agree with MM that:

In many ways, some of the offensive blogs here are even worse than ads

Well said! I followed a couple of debate blogs lately 'cause I got 2 weeks off for the Holidays......it is shocking to read some of the posts and cartoons.....it is Iranians ridicule, denigrate, and revile Iranians.......I thought blood is thicker than water & they should have the basic respect for their own people.......I was very wrong.....


Escape

Sounds like an admirable job

by Escape on

If you can talk some sense into terrorist's heads it must be more like a special gift than a job.That's the way to end this war.I think that's not the just the Army's job,I think it's everyone's job as a human being so I say thanks for accepting the ad.As far their success talking sense into terrorist's head's,as long as their is Islam I doubt it's possible.It's probably another waste of money trying to talk to them.


Roozbeh_Gilani

Is this a legal disclaimer or what?

by Roozbeh_Gilani on

 you refuse adversts from US army because you do not accept adverts from "al Qaeda and Islamist republic of Iran armed forces or Israel's  MOSAD"?

Really I dont see the rational here. But never mind, it is your site and you are free to do what you want to do. After all, you live in the land of "free enterprise and democracy" and your rights to "free enterprise" is guaranteed by the US constitution which in turn is defended and protected most rigorously by non other than the united states armed forces! 

"Personal business must yield to collective interest."


Mola Nasredeen

We both went to enlist

by Mola Nasredeen on

And we were both rejected.

They rejected me for my accent! (too American they said) 

and they rejected Hazrate shotor for his attitude (able to detect bullshit, they indicated).

But meanwhile Iranian dotcom made good amount of money for its future sale's opportunities. There's a lot of money to be made these days if you own some kind of brand name right's related to Iran and Iranians.


comrade

توئم کشتی‌ ما رو با این تغییراتت... دِ‌ بگو دیگه

comrade


I really don't understand the nature of this apology. What is the true difference between JJ's direct gain, and my indirect one.

Remember: The West in which we all live in and benefit from was not built by Joe the starving artist, but by Joe the GI. I've stopped fooling myself for a while now.

And a bit on the technical issue: Only once, a site detected my Adblocker and demanded a nominal donation in return. 

Never increase, beyond what is necessary, the number of entities required to explain anything.

 


Veiled Prophet of Khorasan

MM Jan

by Veiled Prophet of Khorasan on

 

You are right. JJ needs money to run IC and maybe we should support it. But I see no problems with military ads. Why not? If USA military had more Persian knowledge maybe it would minimize the chance of mistakes.

The Persian recruits would tell them not to waste time with Rajavi. More understanding through translator and cultural advisers is a good thing. The could explain what Persian Gulf means to Iranian people and why it is important. They could explain why territorial integrity of Iran is benefit to USA. 

They could explain why how to approach Iranians. I think ti would be a good thing. At least they go in with their eyes open; not with lies of charlatans like MKO. Besides it provides money for running IC which we all use. 

Here is another idea:

JJ are there going to be shares available to public? I suggest some number be auctioned and we would all buy some. Maybe with a maximum per person to avoid too much influence. You could also charge a posting or subscription free. You pay a fee to post. Or you pay a higher fee to do blogs. There are just ideas. But ways to make some money and run IC. However there should be no favoritism based on money. That would destroy credibility. What do people think of this?

VPK


Nader Vanaki

بهانه به حسین شریعتمداری نده

Nader Vanaki


که بشه اسمش رو "مزدوری"، "وطن فروشی"، "ستون پنجم دشمن"، "ارتباط با بیگانگان"، "جاسوسی"، "جاده صاف کنی برای دشمن"، "تبلیغ برای امپریالیسم"، "در خدمت خرده بورژوازی کمپرادور"، "پیاده نظام ناتوی فرهنگی"، و امثالهم نامید و اصلاً نیازی به اینجور آگهی ها نداره. با همون درآمد از سایت های همسریابی، چت روم بازی، وکلای مهاجرت، خاطرات بنی صدر، ده هزارمین کتاب درباره دکتر مصدق، واز این قبیل تبلیغات امورات رو بچرخون. یه تقویم ایرانی هم روی سایت بزاری خدمتی کردی به میراث فرهنگی مون، شاید از بار گناهانت کم بشه.

Rea

Well, whatever ads you have

by Rea on

It is your bloggers. And those who comment.

The rest is like 10,000 registered users.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCW9Hey6IVY


SamSamIIII

Then I assume all military propaganda pieces

by SamSamIIII on

 

 be it american or be it Omarus army's latest camel dung missiles shall be treated by equal non-coverage.

Cheers!!! 

 

Path of Kiaan Resurrection of True Iran Hoisting Drafshe Kaviaan //iranianidentity.blogspot.com //www.youtube.com/user/samsamsia


Anonymouse

JJJ can you "stop" these "new investers" from making money?

by Anonymouse on

Should we also accept ads from the Revolutionary Guards, al Qaida, MOSSAD, North Koreans, Chinese military, etc...?

Sure why not?! All of these entities you listed post on i.com so why shouldn't they pay to be published?

But getting money to promote such ideas is another thing.

Promoting "such ideas" for free is even better!  Why pay when you can do it for free.  Is this what you're saying? JJJ with all due respect you seem to be one step behind all the time.  

Everything is sacred


Khar

... I should have added that

by Khar on

you are also absolutly correct on not wanting to be part of and subjecting IC to the game played by both sides Mr. J. 


Souri

Thank JJ

by Souri on

JJ jon,

I appreciate your gesture of showing your concern about that matter. This shows your integrity.

Happy holidays and best wishes for the coming New Year.

The good behavior of the people, warms our heart and make us thankful.....  And the bad ones, just make us to recognize and appreciate the good ones!


Jahanshah Javid

Ideas vs Business

by Jahanshah Javid on

mahmoudg: You can support any idea you like. This is a forum for ideas, even those who agree with war and violence.

But getting money to promote such ideas is another thing. We don't have to accept them. Any form of media has a policy on what kinds of ads it would accept or reject. It's not a free for all.


Souri

One of the best comments of 2010

by Souri on

Dear MM,

You have my vote for (one of the rare) best comments of 2010 :

In many ways, some of the offensive blogs here are even worse than ads that at least provide IC with some funds.

Bravo! 

Well said!

The good behavior of the people, warms our heart and make us thankful.....  And the bad ones, just make us to recognize and appreciate the good ones!


mahmoudg

I do support the military ads

by mahmoudg on

I also support Surgical military strikes on targets in Iran and so far i have not been removed!!!.  This is tantamount to selective censorship.  Islamic Ads, IRI ads, as well as Israeli ads, and on and on should be tolerated.  If items are selectively put up and pulled down, then what is difference between this and what Shariatmadari does in Keyhan?


Jahanshah Javid

Mutual Assured Destruction

by Jahanshah Javid on

Khar: Mutual Assured Destruction does not have to play out on the pages of iranian.com.

Should we also accept ads from the Revolutionary Guards, al Qaida, MOSSAD, North Koreans, Chinese military, etc...

I'm not against U.S. military ads. I'm against ALL such ads. We either accept all ads from all sides, or we make a policy not to accept certain kind of ads from any government or group.


MM

JJ, If the Iranian.com

by MM on

JJ,

If the Iranian.com users cannot afford to pay the measely few dollars you ask for during your fundraisers, then I do not see a problem with the US military advertising here.

As a matter of fact, I wonder why you have problems with military stuff, but not the Sara palin ads that were running here for a while.  In many ways, some of the offensive blogs here are even worse than ads that at least provide IC with some funds.


Khar

playing "Mutual Assured Destruction" game

by Khar on

Jahanshah Jaan, Mutual Assured Destruction game was the policy which prevented the super powers who pretended to blow each other up to high heavens for 40 years during the cold war. In my humble point the same is true here; they will not destroy each other they are in need of each other. One will be irrelevant without the other.

 On the subject of War your point is well taken and you are correct!

 


Rea

Don Quijote de la Mancha

by Rea on

;o)


Jahanshah Javid

I worry

by Jahanshah Javid on

Khar: Anything that has to do with war and violence has no place here. I don't care if it's the U.S. military or the Islamic Republic's.


Khar

No worries Mr. J...

by Khar on

The Ads will keep IRI supporters & Islamic Zealots in check! ;-))