This blog is about fairness; about looking at objects from multiple perspectives. Stable transformation comes only slowly; and only if the environment is free of sporadic jitters of passion and anger that destabilize growth. I strongly believe that the path to peace crosses through the battle with self.
Naj, you may find more here. I found some 'weird' stuff following the links. But then that's just me.
BTW, why not get your blog listed on the VLWC aggregator? I consider you somewhat of a 'leftist' (even though I sort of feel you hate labels), plus VLWC has bloggers from across the world but there is a lack of perspectives from Iran over there.
As you may have noted, I also asked Sophia to join for perspectives on Lebanon, which are also lacking there. I believe hers to be so 'on the dot' as yours are on Iran.
You are correct, I do not like political labels. I also dislike political activism. I just have seen too much perils coming out of it to trust it. Or to trust any flag.
I put my web site up on VLWC, because , well I am NOT a traditional conservative. :)
What do you mean by weird stuff?
The protests against Ahmadinejad need to be contextualized. These are supported by Hashemi, who is pulling the rug from under ahmadinejad. And it needs to be put in perspective that Hashemi and Ahmadinejad differ mainly on the objective of privatized versus state-run economy.
Hashemi's supported by the rich and the powerful, by the western-minded and the neo-bourgeois. Ahmadinejad, thanks to his economic failures, is not supported by anyone other than the non-Iranian muslims who are enjoying his confrontational attitude with Israel and America!
Iranians resent this, because they think that none of the Muslims who are cheering Ahmadinejad will stand up and do anything for Iran, when US or Israel attack Iran.
Ahmadinejad is doomed in the upcoming election. The only thing that WILL save his ass is George Bush, and his war on Iran!
Actually, I don't think Hamas and Hizbollah are gullible and dubious.
Naj, but as far as Iran "ahmadinejad." none of regional surrounding likes what ahmadinejad did or doing, in fact all they worry from new war break out for some reason or another.
So by stating supported by anyone other than the non-Iranian muslims looks not accurate statement and out of reality.
Many appear willing to forgive Khatami's failure to deliver on pledges to bring greater political and social freedom to Iran. Instead, the country found itself becoming more divided along class and economic lines during his term in office.
Many appear willing to forgive Khatami's failure to deliver on pledges to bring greater political and social freedom to Iran. Instead, the country found itself becoming more divided along class and economic lines during his term in office.
yes blogger chops off long addresses. you have to post html.
Just a friendly reminder, I reserve the right to not publish links sent to me by anonymous visitors. If I have time to check the links, and if I find them interesting, I will publish them. Otherwise, you do the html coding :)
I was hoping you would comment on the students protesting. I'm so cyinical these days I knew there had to be more to this because it was actually reported on (liberal sources, I don't bother with the MSM much any more).
I finished reading the book on the history of the CIA. Frankly, they have a long history of incompetence. I don't know who came up with the idea that Ameicans should be taught that the CIA made them safer but it was brilliant PR, AND a really dumb idea. The truth is always revealed eventually.
I think that especially now, with all of the interest and ability of citizen journalists, even in the least developed countries these days, that the CIA is not going to be able to push the US into war with Iran.
Maybe this is something that I need to believe, but I'm hoping it is the truth.
I was in Iran in summer of 1999 when the "big" student riots had happened.
I was in Iran and I was watching the news from CNN! Let me tell you one thing: the riots were not as BIG as the CNN made them sound.
I remember the night after, I went to the university dorm. The area was quite guarded because the Police was trying to keep the student safe from zealots. But there was no major boohoo!
That Ahmadinejad is unpopular in Iran IS not a secret. All local papers write about it and they are qute critical of his stupid comments and his economic failure.
Also, a lot of mullahs are against him. Including the ex president, Hashemi, who is one of the wealthiest, most corrupt and most powerful people in Iran right now!
I refrain from making a big fuss of this demonstration, because it is nothing to really fuss about.
Both sites cited by Jeb at Foreign Policy Watch appear to me to contain Empire/pro-Shah propaganda. But then, as I said, it may be just me and also due to the fact that I did a fairly quick browse of those sites & may have missed something. If I am right though, it would not be Jeb's fault. I know him to be ever so careful to provide nuances. It would just be that he does not know the context, as you say.
That's why, Naj, I would love to see you there and I'm glad that you've decided to join. Not for political activism. Only to provide us with the complexities of the whole situation, which you do so well. There are not many efficient aggregators where 'non-conservative' can congregate & learn from each other. In that sense, VLWC is an important venue.
I remember some time ago, you were telling me that "if CIA says that Iran is doing X and Y and Z, then you would believe them" I am happy that you are disambiguated from that notion.
I have learned something, that" "to make you feel a big brother is watching" is a TECHNIQUE used by the governments to keep citizens in check. The truly smart people of earth do not occupy themselves with military or security jobs. CIA is a "paper tiger", as we say in Persian!
Aardvark ============================= Ahmadinejad won because the Iranians boycotted the election! The just went home and sulked! There are rumors that he won by cheating and etc, and I don't put cheating past that cabal (just as I won't put it past Bush's crowd) However. the lack of participation cleared the field for him.
Also, his opponent in the second round of elections was HAshemi, who wears an infamous cloak of wealth and corruption. Iranians felt they had no real choice. THAT was a strategic error! They won't do it again, as they proved in the city council elections, by booting out anything that smelled of Ahmadinejad!
By the way, NAjad is not a correct way of saying his name, It is Ahmadinejad :)
Jim ======================= No clue what you are referring to :)
Mirth ======================= Unfortunately the media is not properly covering the progress Iranians are making in wedging their way into democracy.
The student riots this time around are rather small, compared to 1999. These little events have been happening frequently in the universities because Ahmadinejad is considered somewhat of a backward populist, and Iranian students do not buy his slogans easily.
He is also unpopular because since he has taken office, a number of emeritus university professors (who do not fit IRI's ideology (even some religious professors)) have been put out of work.
So the struggle is ungoing. But the struggle is nothing that concerns US. These students are also adamanetly opposed to interventionist western policies. The media doesnt do a proper coverup.
However, there are full reports produced by CNN (Amanpour), BBC (Rageh) Ted Koppel that are out there and are somewhat realistic.
furgaia ========================= The monarchists ... well, you will be surprised how many people inside Iran wish they had not toppled shah! However, the main concern of people is economy! They just think that during Shah, Iran was prosperous and respectable, that middle class existed, that people had freedom of religion and etc; and that all of that has vanished with the IRI.
Let's not kid ourselves: IRI is NOT popular in Iran, because if it was, they would not be as paranoid as they are!
The unpopularity of IRI, however, doesn't make Iranians bend over to the USrael, though. In a way, most of those monarchists blame and curse America and the UK for planting the revolution and Khomeini in Iran!
I see what you mean Jim. Yes the link goes to Amir Kabir university, as I intended.
AmirKabir is an important university!
Amirkabir is one of the best engineering schools in Iran and perhaps in the middle east. They are particularly advanced in biomedical engineering and robotics.
Amir Kabir is also a very politicised university. It was so even before revolution. It has remained political after.
I posted the picture because I have not heard anything about the university protest from anyone inside Iran. Therefore, I am considering it to be mainly a media event. And judging from what I read in the iranian press, it is the usual kind of a thing that happens in Iranian universities (the bigger ones) all the time.
If I have more info, I will let you know. For now, I prefer to not be the news recycler!
I just thought the visual instrument of the protest, Ahmadinejad's poster held upside down, was a subtle and beautiful one! Also, in the West, it is usually the poli Sci student who protest. In Iran it is very often the engineering ones!
I just thought the visual instrument of the protest, Ahmadinejad's poster held upside down,
"Ahmadinejad is Pinochet! Iran will not become Chile,"
One of the students in a a speech criticised the treatment of university lecturers, the report said. "If we are the freest country of the world, why do you sack lecturers?" he asked. A supporter of Ahmadinejad, however, shouted back: "Non-Muslim lecturers must be sacked." The demonstrating students briefly clashed with a rival group of supporters of the hardline president who shouted: "Shame on you hypocrites! Leave the university!"
The protesters, mainly male students, held banners reading "Free Ehsan Mansouri, Majid Tavakoli and Ahmad Ghasaban!", the three detained students.
I'm so glad your blog is here so that I can read, learn and understand what is happening in your country. I do not trust the media here in the US to tell the truth about almost anything. Thank you for the information.
I was a lecture by Triq Ali some time ago, and he was saying something very interesting:
That the US/UK media have been so "exposed" after the WMD accusations against Saddam, that people in US/UK really do not trust the media anymore, and that this has led to an interest for finding out the truth!
You see, in Iran, we never trust the state media because it is full of lies. I am happy to see that finally Americans are coming to the same level of paranoia about the real intentions of the "ruler" elite.
The way Bush is handling himself and the Zionists is VERY similar to the dictatorships we experience in Iran or Russia, for example!
Bush seems to have no shame, no care for the opinion polls, for congress, for American people ... for nothing!
27 comments:
Naj, you may find more here. I found some 'weird' stuff following the links. But then that's just me.
BTW, why not get your blog listed on the VLWC aggregator? I consider you somewhat of a 'leftist' (even though I sort of feel you hate labels), plus VLWC has bloggers from across the world but there is a lack of perspectives from Iran over there.
As you may have noted, I also asked Sophia to join for perspectives on Lebanon, which are also lacking there. I believe hers to be so 'on the dot' as yours are on Iran.
Warmest regards!
Thanks Furgaia,
You are correct, I do not like political labels. I also dislike political activism. I just have seen too much perils coming out of it to trust it. Or to trust any flag.
I put my web site up on VLWC, because , well I am NOT a traditional conservative. :)
What do you mean by weird stuff?
The protests against Ahmadinejad need to be contextualized. These are supported by Hashemi, who is pulling the rug from under ahmadinejad. And it needs to be put in perspective that Hashemi and Ahmadinejad differ mainly on the objective of privatized versus state-run economy.
Hashemi's supported by the rich and the powerful, by the western-minded and the neo-bourgeois. Ahmadinejad, thanks to his economic failures, is not supported by anyone other than the non-Iranian muslims who are enjoying his confrontational attitude with Israel and America!
Iranians resent this, because they think that none of the Muslims who are cheering Ahmadinejad will stand up and do anything for Iran, when US or Israel attack Iran.
Ahmadinejad is doomed in the upcoming election. The only thing that WILL save his ass is George Bush, and his war on Iran!
These are supported by Hashemi, who is pulling the rug from under ahmadinejad.
Yammmm
http://www.nourizadeh.com/archives/images/Ahmadinejad-Rafsanjani-1.jpg
non-Iranian muslims who are enjoying his confrontational attitude with Israel and America!
Who are they those non-Irainian Muslims Naj?
Hiziballah?
Hamass?
and ?
Actually, I don't think Hamas and Hizbollah are gullible and dubious.
Actually, I don't think Hamas and Hizbollah are gullible and dubious.
Naj, but as far as Iran "ahmadinejad." none of regional surrounding likes what ahmadinejad did or doing, in fact all they worry from new war break out for some reason or another.
So by stating supported by anyone other than the non-Iranian muslims looks not accurate statement and out of reality.
Many appear willing to forgive Khatami's failure to deliver on pledges to bring greater political and social freedom to Iran. Instead, the country found itself becoming more divided along class and economic lines during his term in office.
Many appear willing to forgive Khatami's failure to deliver on pledges to bring greater political and social freedom to Iran. Instead, the country found itself becoming more divided along class and economic lines during his term in office.
http://www.vindy.com/content/opinion/oped/292622988214414.php
Naj,
Looks there is a problem with your blog?
Why the links when posted not appear in full length” hoped"?
Looks you or I don’t know limiting the line length or some thing else.
anonymous,
yes blogger chops off long addresses. you have to post html.
Just a friendly reminder, I reserve the right to not publish links sent to me by anonymous visitors. If I have time to check the links, and if I find them interesting, I will publish them. Otherwise, you do the html coding :)
Naj,
I was hoping you would comment on the students protesting. I'm so cyinical these days I knew there had to be more to this because it was actually reported on (liberal sources, I don't bother with the MSM much any more).
I finished reading the book on the history of the CIA. Frankly, they have a long history of incompetence. I don't know who came up with the idea that Ameicans should be taught that the CIA made them safer but it was brilliant PR, AND a really dumb idea. The truth is always revealed eventually.
I think that especially now, with all of the interest and ability of citizen journalists, even in the least developed countries these days, that the CIA is not going to be able to push the US into war with Iran.
Maybe this is something that I need to believe, but I'm hoping it is the truth.
I loved the kid's drawings.
Nunya,
I was in Iran in summer of 1999 when the "big" student riots had happened.
I was in Iran and I was watching the news from CNN! Let me tell you one thing: the riots were not as BIG as the CNN made them sound.
I remember the night after, I went to the university dorm. The area was quite guarded because the Police was trying to keep the student safe from zealots. But there was no major boohoo!
That Ahmadinejad is unpopular in Iran IS not a secret. All local papers write about it and they are qute critical of his stupid comments and his economic failure.
Also, a lot of mullahs are against him. Including the ex president, Hashemi, who is one of the wealthiest, most corrupt and most powerful people in Iran right now!
I refrain from making a big fuss of this demonstration, because it is nothing to really fuss about.
[[Ahmadinejad is doomed in the upcoming election. The only thing that WILL save his ass is George Bush, and his war on Iran!]]
i have serious concerns HOW Mr.Najad ever won the election the first place??
your -insight- will be much appreciated !!
naj
You got me curious but no information came up. I'll try it again.
naj
All I get is a short welcome message. Welcome
Have the student protests continued since 1999 and not been covered in the news, or are these demonstrations a re-emergence?
What do you mean by weird stuff?
Both sites cited by Jeb at Foreign Policy Watch appear to me to contain Empire/pro-Shah propaganda. But then, as I said, it may be just me and also due to the fact that I did a fairly quick browse of those sites & may have missed something. If I am right though, it would not be Jeb's fault. I know him to be ever so careful to provide nuances. It would just be that he does not know the context, as you say.
That's why, Naj, I would love to see you there and I'm glad that you've decided to join. Not for political activism. Only to provide us with the complexities of the whole situation, which you do so well. There are not many efficient aggregators where 'non-conservative' can congregate & learn from each other. In that sense, VLWC is an important venue.
Cheers!
Nunya
===========================
I remember some time ago, you were telling me that "if CIA says that Iran is doing X and Y and Z, then you would believe them" I am happy that you are disambiguated from that notion.
I have learned something, that" "to make you feel a big brother is watching" is a TECHNIQUE used by the governments to keep citizens in check. The truly smart people of earth do not occupy themselves with military or security jobs. CIA is a "paper tiger", as we say in Persian!
Aardvark
=============================
Ahmadinejad won because the Iranians boycotted the election! The just went home and sulked! There are rumors that he won by cheating and etc, and I don't put cheating past that cabal (just as I won't put it past Bush's crowd) However. the lack of participation cleared the field for him.
Also, his opponent in the second round of elections was HAshemi, who wears an infamous cloak of wealth and corruption. Iranians felt they had no real choice. THAT was a strategic error! They won't do it again, as they proved in the city council elections, by booting out anything that smelled of Ahmadinejad!
By the way, NAjad is not a correct way of saying his name, It is Ahmadinejad :)
Jim
=======================
No clue what you are referring to :)
Mirth
=======================
Unfortunately the media is not properly covering the progress Iranians are making in wedging their way into democracy.
The student riots this time around are rather small, compared to 1999. These little events have been happening frequently in the universities because Ahmadinejad is considered somewhat of a backward populist, and Iranian students do not buy his slogans easily.
He is also unpopular because since he has taken office, a number of emeritus university professors (who do not fit IRI's ideology (even some religious professors)) have been put out of work.
So the struggle is ungoing. But the struggle is nothing that concerns US. These students are also adamanetly opposed to interventionist western policies. The media doesnt do a proper coverup.
However, there are full reports produced by CNN (Amanpour), BBC (Rageh) Ted Koppel that are out there and are somewhat realistic.
furgaia
=========================
The monarchists ... well, you will be surprised how many people inside Iran wish they had not toppled shah! However, the main concern of people is economy! They just think that during Shah, Iran was prosperous and respectable, that middle class existed, that people had freedom of religion and etc; and that all of that has vanished with the IRI.
Let's not kid ourselves: IRI is NOT popular in Iran, because if it was, they would not be as paranoid as they are!
The unpopularity of IRI, however, doesn't make Iranians bend over to the USrael, though. In a way, most of those monarchists blame and curse America and the UK for planting the revolution and Khomeini in Iran!
Complicated, heh?
YIKES
Sorry about typos!
Thanks, Naj! Yes, it's complicated but you've explained it well.
I see what you mean Jim. Yes the link goes to Amir Kabir university, as I intended.
AmirKabir is an important university!
Amirkabir is one of the best engineering schools in Iran and perhaps in the middle east. They are particularly advanced in biomedical engineering and robotics.
Amir Kabir is also a very politicised university. It was so even before revolution. It has remained political after.
I posted the picture because I have not heard anything about the university protest from anyone inside Iran. Therefore, I am considering it to be mainly a media event. And judging from what I read in the iranian press, it is the usual kind of a thing that happens in Iranian universities (the bigger ones) all the time.
If I have more info, I will let you know. For now, I prefer to not be the news recycler!
I just thought the visual instrument of the protest, Ahmadinejad's poster held upside down, was a subtle and beautiful one! Also, in the West, it is usually the poli Sci student who protest. In Iran it is very often the engineering ones!
Those student demonstrations are Bush paying a group to protest in his quest to justify his next war crimes.
Larry,
No, I don't think so!
The Iranian student do have a valid beef with Ahmadinejad. US doesn't! Israel doesn't either!
Also, I do not know how these protests will facilitate Bush's war on Iran! If anything it sould halt his propaganda!
Did you hear that Jewish_Germans are protesting that an Iranian is playing in a German soccer league?!!
These peopel have no shame! LOL
Thank you, naj, for the info and the BBC link.
I agree that Israel has no shame.
thanks alot
i recall my utter amazement when he declared a winner VS H.Rafsanjani [THE IRAN FOX]
friends gave me the same explanation [weak pull/defame]
I just thought the visual instrument of the protest, Ahmadinejad's poster held upside down,
"Ahmadinejad is Pinochet! Iran will not become Chile,"
One of the students in a a speech criticised the treatment of university lecturers, the report said. "If we are the freest country of the world, why do you sack lecturers?" he asked.
A supporter of Ahmadinejad, however, shouted back: "Non-Muslim lecturers must be sacked."
The demonstrating students briefly clashed with a rival group of supporters of the hardline president who shouted: "Shame on you hypocrites! Leave the university!"
The protesters, mainly male students, held banners reading "Free Ehsan Mansouri, Majid Tavakoli and Ahmad Ghasaban!", the three detained students.
I'm so glad your blog is here so that I can read, learn and understand what is happening in your country. I do not trust the media here in the US to tell the truth about almost anything. Thank you for the information.
How sweet, Patricia.
I was a lecture by Triq Ali some time ago, and he was saying something very interesting:
That the US/UK media have been so "exposed" after the WMD accusations against Saddam, that people in US/UK really do not trust the media anymore, and that this has led to an interest for finding out the truth!
You see, in Iran, we never trust the state media because it is full of lies. I am happy to see that finally Americans are coming to the same level of paranoia about the real intentions of the "ruler" elite.
The way Bush is handling himself and the Zionists is VERY similar to the dictatorships we experience in Iran or Russia, for example!
Bush seems to have no shame, no care for the opinion polls, for congress, for American people ... for nothing!
Funny you mention this Ridwan!
I actually picked it up to read last night. I was going to make a post and propose a reading club, actually!
I may as well do that right now!
Naj
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