Posted on 12/22/2005 3:30:45 AM PST by F14 Pilot
TEHRAN, Iran -- A young woman driving through the Iranian capital blared the Eagles' ''Hotel California'' from her car speakers -- an act that would have gotten her pulled over by police, and possibly arrested, 20 years ago during the frenzy of the Islamic Revolution.
To Pari Mahmoudi, who grew up in an era when many of the 1979 revolution's restrictions have been dropped or ignored, a new ban on Western music ordered this week by Iran's hard-line president seems too ludicrous to be real.
''Don't take this man seriously,'' the 25-year-old scoffed Tuesday, referring to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
But some fear the ban that Ahmadinejad enacted Monday is a sign of more to come. The order affects only state-run television and radio, which occasionally play Western music -- without lyrics -- in the background of newscasts or other programs.
However, some worry it is only a first step toward the wider bans imposed after the revolution, which forbade all popular music -- including Iranian -- as ''un-Islamic.'' That crackdown was applied to music shops, musicians and even music in people's homes and cars.
''We are concerned about the cultural policies of this government,'' said Hamid Vafaei, director of a music school in Tehran. ''History has proved that a policy of restrictions can't work for long. One of the reasons for brain drain in our country is the restrictions imposed by the government on the nation.''
Ahmadinejad was elected in June after promising a return to the values of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini's revolution. So far, his ultra-conservative stances have been reflected more in foreign policy, taking a tough line in nuclear negotiations with Europe and outraging the West with a series of anti-Israeli comments.
Many find it inconceivable that the government could start imposing restrictions again.
''This president speaks as if he is living in the Stone Age. This man has to understand that he can't tell the people what to listen to and what not to listen to,'' Mohammed Reza Hosseinpour said while browsing through a Tehran music shop.
Iranian guitarist Babak Riahipour said a wider ban on music could not be enforced.
''Mr. Ahmadinejad maybe doesn't know his society well enough ... especially among the youth,'' he said. ''We can still get the music we would like to listen from somewhere else. We can get it from the Internet, we can get it on Tehran's big black market.''
"Rock is Dead" they said... Long Live Rock!
(The Who)
Read
Ya know, this was a dumb move by Iran. They are pissing off the majority of their population. It will come back and bitem in the arse. We should broadcast some heavy metal LOUD in Tehran and provoke an uprising.
Yeah, and if the ACLU has their way, you'll soon be arrested if you're caught playing "Silent Night. Holy Night." in your car.
Now that's just where you're wrong Bobby. Recent studies show that rock and roll is, in fact, dying.
I've got one thing to say to you f'ing mullahs.... Rock N' Roll is here to stay. /Sha Na Na mode.
This reminds me of the movie "The Mouse that Roared". A little craphole county declares war on the US, so after the US wins the war we will go in and make their little craphole nice.
This time, however, I hope we get more than just a student-backed revolution. Last time that happened I was asking Iranians students in the US "But what about the Ayatollah?" and they just dismissed the question as unimportant. I like the Bush approach of bringing together real-world ex-pat politicians and business people to build an entirely new framework - takes longer, but more lasting I think.
LMAO!!! So true.
Good point that should not be missed . . .
When the Ministry of Vice and Virtue starts beating the hell out of people on the street for little infractions, he will be changing his tune. It sounds like the Iranian government is about to dial "oppression mode" to maximum volume in the coming months. Iran will revert to a police state like North Korea. Get out of line and get beaten, or raped (if a woman) just to send the message that you, as an average citizen, must stay in your place.
We don't care what peaople say, rock and roll is here to stay.
"Iranian Oppression Mode" - it goes all the way to Eleven.
The king called out his jet fighters
He said "You'd better earn your pay"
Drop your bombs between the minarets
Down the casbah way.
As soon as the shareef was
Chauffeured outta there
The jet pilots tuned to
The cockpit radio blare
As soon as the shareef was
Outta their hair
The jet pilots wailed
- The Clash, "Rock the Casbah"
Iran actually makes some nice movies. There is this great Iranian actress (name escapes me for the moment)who was arrested for given her director a kiss on the cheek to say thank you while accepting their version of the Academy Award for best actress.
First prototype with the 11 setting was tested by the Taliban. Now to implement the mass oppression model in Iran.
Right. Never cared for that song. Can barely understand a word.
I know. It comes out as: "Vakeen collow 'is Jetfyers"
'We should broadcast some heavy metal LOUD in Tehran and provoke an uprising.'
'If you want blood, you got it!'
:)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.