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Iran confiscates satellite dishes. "Create Cultural Immunity"
Tehran Times ^ | Nov 3, 2001

Posted on 11/05/2001 3:42:54 PM PST by John Jorsett

Create Cultural Immunity: Abdulrahman

TEHRAN TIMES POLITICAL DESK TEHRAN-- The Law Enforcement Forces (LEF) have recently started confiscating satellite dishes across the country. The TEHRAN TIMES conducted interviews with Majlis deputies Tajoldin Abdulrahman and Mir Ghesmat Mousavi on this topic.

Abdulrahman said that the fourth Majlis approved a law banning satellite dishes, hence the LEF actions can not be considered illegal. He added that dealing with the issue in this manner will not bear any fruit, because satellite dishes are a reality and, as experience has shown, especially with respect to the banning of video players, in the long term banning these technological phenomena would be futile.

He believes that it would be better to adopt a policy of trying to create cultural immunity in society rather than banning the use of such technology. He said that all responsible authorities in the field of culture should work toward this goal. He added that limited use of satellite broadcasts should be considered, saying that certain channels could be blocked while allowing society to benefit from positive channels because we are living in an era in which information dissemination is of the utmost importance for all countries.

He expressed hope that in the future the Majlis would approve a comprehensive plan in which all aspects of the issue, such as national interests and dignity and also the positive aspects of satellite broadcasts as a means of information dissemination, would be duly considered, although there is currently no plan to reconsider the satellite dish issue in the Majlis.

Tajoldin said that this is an important and sensitive issue which should be dealt with in a timely and comprehensive manner.

Mir Ghesmat Mousavi also said that the recent confiscation of satellite dishes is lawful, but that suitable substitutes should be found because information is essential for people in the modern world.

He said that we must find ways to prevent the culture-destroying influence of satellite broadcasts so that people can use this technology properly.

He concluded by saying that he is opposed to allowing unrestricted access to uncensored satellite broadcasts.


TOPICS: News/Current Events
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1 posted on 11/05/2001 3:42:54 PM PST by John Jorsett
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To: John Jorsett
The Once and Future Shah?
2 posted on 11/05/2001 3:45:47 PM PST by B-Chan
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To: John Jorsett
All tyrants hate the free flow of information.
3 posted on 11/05/2001 3:49:44 PM PST by hoosierham
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To: John Jorsett
Take the dish.....if it means they don't roll in the tanks.
4 posted on 11/05/2001 3:51:28 PM PST by habs4ever
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To: hoosierham
Where's VOA???? There's a big hole where our radio broadcasts should be.
5 posted on 11/05/2001 3:52:06 PM PST by steenkeenbadges
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To: John Jorsett
This is just the people's punishment for the protests since Sept. 11. The media hasn't been reporting it, but there have been significant protests in all major cities. Iranians have always had satellite dishes - its just that they never enforced the law. If the government keeps this up, there might just be a new government in the future. About 1/2 the population is under the age of 25...they've lived under the Ayatollah since birth. And I think they're sick of it.

Also, we need to remember that the Iranians are NOT Arabs...they're Persian. AND they're Shiite muslims, who are no particular fans of Osama's idea of religion.
6 posted on 11/05/2001 4:03:07 PM PST by July 4th
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To: John Jorsett
So, they can't watch Hernando Rivolver on FOX News?
They're going to miss Cristiane Yah-man-poor on CNN?
No Pro-Palestinian Peter on (ABC) Afghanistan Broadcasting Company?

There will be riots in the streets...Mullahs will be beheaded....Imams will be burned alive...

7 posted on 11/05/2001 4:16:49 PM PST by RadicalRik
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To: July 4th
Well said. I was wondering the same thing, "how long will they put up with this crap?"

Should be interesting to see what unfolds.

LVM

8 posted on 11/05/2001 4:24:11 PM PST by LasVegasMac
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To: RadicalRik
So, they can't watch Hernando Rivolver on FOX News? They're going to miss Cristiane Yah-man-poor on CNN? No Pro-Palestinian Peter on (ABC) Afghanistan Broadcasting Company?

News isn't the half of it. American culture is king, and the world's leaders can't stand it. The people, on the other hand, love it and will RIOT for it. Give them what they want!!

I'll never forget seeing a Milwaukee Bucks cap on a street vendor selling saffron in Kusadasi, Turkey, and someone in Caracas watching Saved by the Bell...retrieved from our satellites with their 7' dish. We should be dropping dishes and TVs instead of food (with bigger parachutes of course.) We'll have them in blue jeans and NFL jerseys by Christmas.
9 posted on 11/05/2001 5:59:28 PM PST by July 4th
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To: steenkeenbadges
Well, under Clinton the broadcasting was cut back, sites were closed and the land sold for subdivision, etc. Towers and transmitters scrapped.

The claim was made that we could always lease airtime on other transmitters closer to the intended audience. Kind of like we leased time on the Soviet Union's domestic radios---NOT!

The internet can be shut off by the flip of a switch at the isp BUT radio can get through , or at the least the one intending to block it will have to go to a lot more troublel house to house searches, jamming devices, etc.

10 posted on 11/07/2001 10:14:22 AM PST by hoosierham
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To: John Jorsett
Cultural immunity, eh? Western ideas are so seductive and compelling that the only defense against them is to shut them out by law.

That's not bad news.

11 posted on 11/07/2001 10:20:12 AM PST by Ratatoskr
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