Neither Iranian nor American

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Neither Iranian nor American
by hooshie
06-Nov-2008
 

There is a well known maxim often delivered from the top of pulpits or from behind the podiums: Be Humble in Victory and Gracious in Defeat. John McCain in his concession speech which was delivered as soon it was clear that he had lost the key swing states of Ohio, Pensylvannia and Flordia, rose above the political differences and proved that for him the Country was First. In his speech, John McCain showed the generosity and grace expected from an all American hero. Against a barrage of boos from the disapproving supporters in the audience he declared:

"The American people have spoken, and they have spoken clearly. A little while ago, I had the honor of calling Sen. Barack Obama to congratulate him."

Amid jeers of discontent for McCain's suggesting honor in conceding defeat to Senator Obama, he pleaded with the crowd:

"Please.... Whatever our differences, we are fellow Americans, and believe me when I say no association has ever meant more to me than that. It is natural to feel some disappointment, but tomorrow we must move beyond it and ... get our country moving again."

"These are difficult times for our country and I pledged to him tonight to do all in my power to help him lead us in the many challenges we face," McCain said. "I urge all Americans who supported me to join me in not just congratulating him, but offering our next president our good will."

 He humbly accepted the blame for the short falls:

"We fought as hard as we could," he said. "Though we fell short, the failure is mine, not yours." (1)

 This was the best manifestation of the great Ameican spirit and values. Gracious in Defeat!

Shortly afterwards, in his vitory speech, Mr Obama reminded us of another great American trait: Humility in Victory.  He praised and invited McCain to join him in improving the country:

"A little bit earlier this evening, I received an extraordinarily gracious call from Senator McCain. Senator McCain fought long and hard in this campaign. And he's fought even longer and harder for the country that he loves. He has endured sacrifices for America that most of us cannot begin to imagine. We are better off for the service rendered by this brave and selfless leader. I congratulate him; I congratulate Governor (Sarah) Palin for all that they've achieved. And I look forward to working with them to renew this nation's promise in the months ahead."

 The President elect Barack Obama reminded his massive audeince of the great spirit of unity and friendship that is the zenith of the American value system in these powerful words:

"It's the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled, Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been just a collection of individuals or a collection of red states and blue states. We are, and always will be, the United States of America."

 I went through this length to emphasize on what being an American hero means. There is also an equivalent concept at the core the Iranian value system. In colloquial terms it is called lootigari or in a more formal language, javanmardi. These terms refer to the most revered and respected values of Iranianness: Being magnanimous when in power.

And yet, the writings and the mean spirited behavior of a group of so-called Iranian-Americans on this site is neither American nor Iranian. They have got plenty to learn from their chosen leaders.

 Sources:

(1) Los Angeles Times:

//latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2008/11/mccain-conceeds.html

(2) The Independent:

//www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/the-full-text-of-barack-obamas-victory-speech-993008.html

 

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more from hooshie
 
hooshie

Bitter, Not! Disappointed, Yes!

by hooshie on

May I first thank all those who have contributed to this page. While, Miss Sabety and Mr Ali P. have had no problem in understanding my point, and by the way thank you Miss Sabety for correctly comparing lootigari with chivalry, it seems that my message is lost on a few contributors. Miss Irandokht, your condescending response is an example of acrimony among Iranicans that I was trying to get you to understand. Mine was a criticism of the Iranian-Americans’ petty and puerile squabbling over a matter that is now a closed chapter. If you had read my words carefully, you would have known that I was full of praise for these two political leaders, Senators Obama and McCain, for their charitable and generous admiration of each other and inviting their supporters to put aside their acrimonious rivalries and get their acts together in rebuilding a country that they all love. To me, this is the ultimate demonstration of chivalry or javanmardi – something that certain Iranicans are manifestly unable to understand (e.g. our friend Marge). Just look at the foul and foolish language used in his comments. My addressees here are the Iranian-Americans (like Marge) and not the Americans of non-Iranian decent. The former group has, in their respective cultures, a long and well established history of lootigari and chivalry - something that they have missed to catch up with. If you misunderstood me, perhaps you were reading my words through the same blinders that you have accused me of wearing. But if I gave you a guilty conscious, while I am sorry, I am afraid there is not much that I can do about it.   


Khar

As I was watching...

by Khar on

The McCain’ concession speech (very nicely written), I was wondering perhaps if he had carried his campaign in that manner and had something to offer the American public (including IRANIAN-AMERICANS) he may not have lost with this big margin! Or perhaps he could have won the election. Second, I got the feeling his crowd was ready to erect a big cross and set it on fire and wear their white hoods.


American Wife

did Q leave a comment?

by American Wife on

I don't see anything from him.  Maybe I'm confused.... wouldn't be the first time...lol.  I agree that both speeches were great.  It's much easier to be gracious when you win than when you lose.  It's frustration... very emotional.  While I don't have much respect for Repuklicans as a political party, they're just human too.  It would be hard to expect them all to rush to join hands and sing Kumbaya together.  But I'm optimistic... Obama taught me that if nothing else.  If we got this far, baby, we can go all the way!!!


Setareh Sabety

Q

by Setareh Sabety on

a great point, well put. Lootigari, which like chivalry in the West, consists of the ethics of the battlefield and is free of religious implication is a great secular concept that should be embraced by Iranians looking for a non-religious moral road-map of life.


IRANdokht

hooshi khan

by IRANdokht on

in conclusion you said:

And yet, the writings and the mean spirited behavior of a group of so-called Iranian-Americans on this site is neither American nor Iranian. They have got plenty to learn from their chosen leaders.

you sound bitter aziz, it reminded me of the McCain crowd booing Obama when he had to shut them up. These negative feelings are destructive, calm down ;-) and cheer up! 

The winner's side showed a lot more class and applauded McCain during Obama's speech. That's the way the liberals campaign (no swift-boating), that the way the liberals win (inclusive and accepting) and that is because it's the way the liberals live: with open mind and open heart.

The anger and bitterness has always been from the conservatives, while liberals only make jokes and funny TV shows to express their contempt. (just look at the TV personalities of each side)

Hopefully you'll start realizing that a positive change has already happened and there is no need to be so bitter.

"Neither Iranian nor American" applies mostly to the ones who are more racist than even the americans who had to deal with racism more recently and were closely affected by it.

As Iranians we should be following the human rights vision of Cyrus the great, some didn't and still don't. They made every excuse in the world to disagree with the better candidate. I can show you a few Iranians' comments even on this site that shows they have not!

So if you're looking for the ones who are neither Iranian nor American go read the comments where they call the president elect a monkey!

Please take off the blinders, you will see more clearly! 

IRANdokht


Ali P.

I agree

by Ali P. on

Both candidates showed class as they accepted the results.

 

Don't worry...we'll get there.

 

Some day.


I Have a Crush on Alex Trebek

These aren't fightin' words.

by I Have a Crush on Alex Trebek on

Oh now I'm representative of "bad Iranian-Americans?" How Sarah Palin of you. You're the real Iranian-America and I'm the fake one. Whatever ok..... enjoy your coming republican devolution/reinvention tour around pro-American parts of the country.

Speaking of being nice and Ned flandersey - why do you call me monkeying around? WHAT HAPPENED TO PALLING AROUND? I didn't get the memo on that shift in talking points. Screw the republicans. They can't get themselves in shape so they keep screaming at how stupid democrats are. It ain't working anymore. 


default

Hey Marge! cool down baby!

by Ned Flanders (not verified) on

It's people like you who give Iranian Americans a bad name. The war is over didn't you get it? You can monkey around for as long as you can but that's not what our President elect Mr Obama expects from his supporters. You are out of line babe.


I Have a Crush on Alex Trebek

LOL! "Jeers of Discontent" Did we see the same concession?

by I Have a Crush on Alex Trebek on

The crowd looked like the town in Frankenstein. All they needed were pitchforks and fire. Those people are insanely pissed. There will be blood.

 

Also, Cry me a river mooshie joonz. You and your ilk call us names all the time. My personal favorite = ragheads, socialists, apologists and stupid. Get over it. Go barbeque some ribs with McCain. He said he bought lots to tide him over while he gets over this loss.