Iran in Crisis -- An Iranian Student's Live Thread (from inside Iran)

Freerepublic ^ | Jan 12, 04 | khashayar

[Khashayar]

The upcoming election will be an important point for both Iranians and their regime.

Most Iranians are against their suppressive regime. In the past few hours, around 80% of the so-called reformists have been banned from taking part in these elections as candidates.

These reformists are children of the Islamic Revolution and the people of Iran no longer support them. I would like to say that I believe this crisis is a fake. It is just to get the Iranian people involved in their phony elections. Trust me, I fear that the hard-liners are planning on letting these banned MPs to take part in election.

Once the reformers get people rally around them and they get people to once again vote for them, they will have gained legitimacy for the whole regime.

Remember that our one and only choice is a big NO to the Mullahs. That is why many want to boycotte this election here.

If you have questions about this, I will try to answer all honest questions.

[observer5]

"Most Iranians are against their suppressive regime."

They worshipped this Komeni monster and now they are wondering why they are being oppressed!

The arab world is not ready for democracy for another 300 years maybe.

[Khashayar]

A Mullah won't leave power that much easy. We should fight them to make them leave.

[observer5]

"APPROVING THIS DESPOTIC ANTI HUMAN BARBARIAN"

You mean like Mohammed, their prophet?

[Khashayar]

Arab World is not ready for any change, But PERSIAN WORLD IS READY.

[Khashayar]

Observer5, Please read post #38. Thanks!

[Heatseeker]

No AIM-9 missle guy here, just someone who likes to seeks the heat of arguements with liberals. :)

Actually after I posted my message I was afraid you'd think I was talking about the Palestinian rapper of the same name!

According to this page, the real name of "The Iron Sheik" was Kosraw Vasori, and he was born in Tehran.

Here is another page I found on him which provides more information, but some of it sounds wrong (the Shah Islam"?) and beware the ad pop-ups!

[Khashayar]

Thanks for the info, but I have never heard of him and I think his name is not true.

[ThirstyMan]

Khashayar: And I have a question: How many people in the USA do know that Iranians are not Arabs? OR Iranians speak Persian?

Heatseeker: I wasn't the person you asked but I don't see anyone answering on the thread, so I will try to. I think it depends on where in the USA you are. I expect most educated people, particularly in larger cities where there are a lot of Iranians, or people who have educated themselves on the subject, will know that most Iranians are not Arabs and do not speak Arabic.

Khashayar, I found your question of interest as well. To me the distinction of their culture or spoken language isn't as important as their like medieval attachment to a vile religion that gave birth to this "Islamic revolution". Arab or Persian? Afghani, Pakistani or Saudi? the shared behaviors of these violent Islamic fundamentalists is what gives the entire region the homogenous appearance.

[Khashayar]

to me the distinction of their culture or spoken language isn't as important as their like medieval attachment to a vile religion that gave birth to this "Islamic revolution"

Why don't you care about their differences?

[ThirstyMan]

Khashayar, I do care.
But my point was that the uniting factor that we Americans see is the Islamic abusive, barbaric rule desired by so many of the middle east region.

I note that "Persian" is becoming the preferred identification for Iranians who live in America. That's fine. To say one is Persian does have a more positive image for the American.
To say one is "Iranian" conjures up the Carter days and the Islamic Revolution with those helpless blindfolded hostages being paraded about for so many.
A fine "Thank-you" to President Carter who withdrew his support for the Shah and essentially allowed him to fall. Carter had no idea the kind of people he was dealing with.

[Khashayar]

Thanks for all these positive sentences and thank you for sharing your comments with me.

President Carter was not aware of the dangers that these Mullahs may provide for the world security and he didn't back our Shah too. I agree with you!

But believe me or not, we Persians have many differences with Arabs and that is why we can fight for our democracy and freedom and we are honored of our past times.

[ThirstyMan]

But believe me or not, we Persians have many differences with Arabs and that is why we can fight for our democracy and freedom and we are honored of our past times.

Thank you!
Your post has brought tears to my eyes as I consider your dream for democracy as a distinct possibility! Wouldn't that be wonderful!!!
I wish you all great wisdom and success as you pursue your goals.

[MEG33]

May liberty,freedom,and justice prevail someday soon for Iran and all countries.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

My thoughts are with you, as things heat up in Iran. Change is coming.

[kidd]

This is a fascinating thread. I'm learning a lot here.

Are reformists more or less unified in what change they want or are there numerous small groups wanting different kinds of new government (secular democracy, theocracy...)?

[nuconvert]

"attachment to a vile religion that gave birth to this "Islamic revolution". Arab or Persian? Afghani, Pakistani or Saudi? the shared behaviors of these violent Islamic fundamentalists is what gives the entire region the homogenous appearance."

I think what you're misunderstanding, is that many Persians are secular muslims. They are not Islamic fundamentlaists. And most muslims, are not violent.
Saudi's are fundamentalists....gotta be careful of them.

[ThirstyMan]

I have a very limited understanding of the different types of Muslims. The ruling Islamic Mullahs in Iran are secular? and are different from the Saudi Mullahs? Is that what you are saying?

From where I sit they are both primitives. Perhaps the Saudis are more dangerous but neither one are democratic nor do they respect the rights of their citizens to disagree without punishment.

[nuconvert]

No. The ruling islamics are radical fundamentalists.
They are not much different from Saudis. The people are secular. You're correct...neither respects their citizens and allows for free speech.

[Modernman]

I think what you're misunderstanding, is that many Persians are secular muslims.

As strange as it seems, there does not appear to be much real Anti-Americanism in Iran. Sure, there are government-manufactured "Death To America" rallies, but those are pure fabrications. I guess the Iranian people have lived under a fundamentalist government for the last 25 years, so they have no illusions as to how great such a system is.

Seems like, the more "friendly" a middle-eastern government is to the US, the more the people of that county hate us, and vice versa.

[Khashayar]

I would like to mention that, to me, there is no difference between these reformists (moderates) and hard line clerics.
They are all loyal to Supreme leadership, that is why they still exist.