The president of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, recently challenged the American president, Barack Obama, to a televised debate, "to see who has the best solutions for the world's problems." Many Iranians themselves would likely view the diminutive man's blustering as completely laughable, since civil rights activists have been complaining for decades now that the Iranian government is an oppressively tyrannical regime that has tortured and slaughtered thousands. The lack of human rights all around and the status of women in that nation are deplorable, including institutionalized sex slavery justified in the name of Islam. Iranian/Persian freedom fighters claim that they are under Islamic rule against their will, and millions, it is said, want to leave the religion but are afraid of the death penalty for apostasy.
According to an article in Reuters entitled, "Iran's Ahmadinejad calls for TV debate with Obama," Ahmadinejad remarked:
"Toward the end of summer we will hopefully be there for the (U.N.) General Assembly and I will be ready for one-on-one talks with Mr. Obama, in front of the media of course."
Furthering his Napoleon-complex bravado, Ahmadinejad accused former president George W. Bush of being "scared" of his previous invitation to a debate. Continuing his seemingly endless capacity for duplicity - as exemplified most barbarically in his remarks about having "no homosexuals in Iran," cynically reflecting the regime's heinous practice of hanging gays - the Iranian leader also claimed:
"We are ready to hold talks at the highest level... We have always favored talks, Iranians have never, ever favored war."
Leaving aside the facts that Iran was essentially invaded by radical Islamists 31 years ago and that the harsh Islamic regime has been at war with its "citizens" since then, this call for a debate is eerily reminiscent of the new book by Persian-American writer Amil Imani, Obama meets Ahmadinejad.
An important potential outcome
Pertinent and timely, Obama meets Ahmadinejad is a fictional dialogue between the two world leaders, taking place at the Iranian "fascist's" palace in Tehran. The momentous, history-making meeting unfolds as an astonishing conversation that might not be far from the truth in what would occur if Obama actually took up Ahmadinejad on his invitation.
In Obama meets Ahmadinejad, we find the two politicians indulging in raucous and vulgar male grunting, as well as in mind-altering substances, of which the Iranian is said to be fond, while we are reminded that the "fraud" was also a partier in his youth. As Amil writes in an article entitled, "Mullahs and opiates":
"Lest you think these men should at least be admired for their self discipline and abstention from personal sins, know that the majority of mullahs are heavy opium smokers. In that land, opium smoking is still very popular with people who can afford the fruit of the Poppy. It is the Muslim’s alcohol. Although its use is prohibited by law, with stiff penalties on the books, the use of opium continues and has become more endemic than ever under the mullahs’ rule. This is in part because many of the mullahs as well as the law-enforcement officials are users and many officials make a personal fortune by getting their cuts from the traffickers. Opium is the drug of choice in the countryside, and heroin is primarily used by the more affluent city dwellers. Moreover, this is the drug that is used to calm the restless people."
But the most important part of this satire comes in the form of political commentary on each man's policies and peccadilloes, as they discuss:
- Voter fraud
- Killing of opposition
- The Shah, Jimmy Carter, Ayatollah Khomeini and the CIA
- Drug use
- Religious affiliations and megalomaniacal delusions
- Islam, infidels and apostates
- The Quran and sharia law
- Iranian oppression of minority religions
- Afghanistan and Osama bin Laden
- Homosexuals and women in Iran
- Hangings and stonings
- Oil and nuclear policies
- Israel, Zionists, Jews and anti-Semitism
- 9/11 conspiracy theories
- The American economy and the Gulf oil spill
- Basij and Revolutionary Guard crimes against humanity
- The "Birther" movement and Kenya connection
- "Crypto-Muslim" and "Manchurian Candidate" contentions
- Shiite v. Sunni sects
- Anti-Americanism, the "Great Satan" and Islamic supremacism
- The Twelfth Imam
- Iraq and Saddam Hussein
- Iran's role in terrorism
- China, Russia, Pakistan, et al.
- Islamization of Europe
- And many more shocking revelations...
These contentious comments are "ripped from the headlines" and other sources, frequently comprising scandals that each man throws up in the other's face.
Obama meets Ahmadinejad is a profound read for anyone interested in global politics, as it pulls no punches and cuts to the chase. The book includes a dedication to murdered Green Revolution "martyrs" Neda Agha Sultan and Sohrab. It also provides a Glossary of Arab and Farsi terms that give it the realism one would expect from a writer of Amil's background and caliber. Always the patriot, Imani is neither extreme right nor left, presenting this "play" from a relatively dispassionate but highly astute perspective.
In light of Ahmadinejad's continuing overtures towards American politicians in asking for meetings and debates, it may be wise to investigate what very well might transpire if Obama agreed to Ahmadinejad's invitation. This book will give you insight that runs the gamut from the ridiculous to the sublime. The tale is so intelligently and realistically woven that the reader just might forget it's a satire, a parody, a work of fiction. And the astounding ending will be sure to stun you - frankly, the way things are going, it seems likely to come true. Yet, if we neglect this frightening possible outcome, future historians (if there are any) will surely ask: How could the entire world have seen it coming and done nothing about it?
D.M. Murdock is the author of controversial books and articles on comparative religion and mythology that can be found at Stellar House Publishing and Freethought Nation. For more articles from the Freethought Examiner, be sure to subscribe!
Further Reading
'Obama meets Ahmadinejad' is outrageous!
Obama meets Ahmadinejad reviews
Obama Meets Ahmadinejad: An Excerpt
Amazon book page
Comments
Dear Ms. D.M. Murdock,
This is perhaps the most insightful, albeit cynical lambasting that could justifiably be placed on the printed page of two of today's most unqualified world leaders..Obama is a transparent fraud and provable liar, while Ahmadinejad represents everything fascistic within the Islamic community, another fraud & liar...the two are well matched and equally reprehensible..Mr. Imani appears to have cornered the market on both of these men, aptly describing and placing them in the pantheon of both evil and ineptitude....I have already read the book and beyond the shadow of a doubt, it is 21st century masterpiece... again, for pointing it out, Ms. D.M. Murdock...
Sincerely,
Kristen McFarland
Both men are talking heads.
The zionists control Obama as they have the past several presidents.
And the real power in Iran is with Ali Khamenei.
But I would put my money on the Iranian leader for points scored.
x
Dear Ms. Murdock,
...."civil rights activists have been complaining for decades now that the Iranian government is an oppressively tyrannical regime that has tortured and slaughtered thousands." Perhaps there is some truth to this comment, but what crimes the Iranian government has perpetrated against its' own citizens pales in comparison to the death,destruction and havoc that the U.S. government has so generously meted out to the rest of the World. Iraq was a sovereign nation with no ties to either 9/11 or the bogeyman terrorist network that the U.S. concocted, yet the country was decimated with a July 4th style blitzkreig affectionately coined "shock and awe" by the American media...tens of thousands of innocent Iraqis were murdered by Bush-Cheney Inc! How many innocent civilians around the world have succumbed to "collateral damage" as a result of U.S. military intervention? At least the US doesn't torture and kill its' own citizens...yet! Wake up!!!
Hello Ms. Murdock:
A really good article. The "debate" would be a truly great farce. With Mr. Obama's Zionist handlers teleprompting his every word and Mr. Ahmadinejad's totalitarian fundamentalist backers countering with equally dubious nonsense. Of course, you would have to have at least 2 weeks of MSM hoopla building up to the event with every Zionist and Islamophobic commentator putting in their 2 cents followed by the hardcore antisemites' 2 cents worth. It would be better than Super Bowl Sunday. The scary thing is that 99% of the people watching would believe the BS as reality.
One day I hope to see you write an equally cynical article re Israel and its Zio-communist apartheid regime.The debate could be between Nancy Pelosi and Simon Peres with the $PLC as monitor, and we could get a "true" sense of how deep and wide the disinfo pile truly is.
Keep up your work, it is always an interesting read.
Respectfully,
Bryan Dozzi
Personally I'd like to see BOTH Obama and Ahmadinejad go off into the desert, debate their little hearts out, ad infinitum, never to be heard from again and quit pestering the rest of us. I would be happy if both of them took large retinues with them too...on our side it would be Pelose, Biden, Reid, Dodd, Frank, Waters, and a few other malcontents. Then we could get down to fixing America without government interferrence and the Iranians could do the same. There, problem solved.
To you writers who dish out "Zionists this / Zionists that", try a little compassion. Israel is surrounded by enemies but, flies in the face of it all. Try visiting the wonderful little country or does the fact that it is a Jewish country just bother you to no end. Remember the words "never again" and live with it.
Such a debate could be very interesting. Whereas GW's addle-brianness would be no match for Ahmadinejad, Obama would as least, be mentally agile enough to possibly make it worthwhile... if it weren't for AIPAC programing.
Um you need to read some books here. Start with ALL THE SHAH'S MEN, to understand how the present regime came to power. It was because of...drum roll..British Petroleum and the CIA. I'm sure you love the murderous Shah of Iran, the puppet we put into power -- this is documented in the just-mentioned book, written by a NYT Pulitizer Prize-winning reporter based on CIA document declassified in 1995. Iran was the first democracy in the Middle East, but that wasn't good for the oil business, and so we did false flag attacks in order to put in a murderous, torturing tyrant, which the present regime is merely the response to. I love your work about religion, but you evidence a great deal of ignorance about Iran, and your constant bashing is really kind of boring. Is Ahmadinejad a jerk and a clown? Sure, and he's largely powerless. Stop carrying Israel's water. You should be reporting on recent news Israel kicked out 200 non-Jewish citizens of their country and stole their homes.
Jeff, you are an Arab/Islamist, acting as an American. For your information, the author of THE SHAH'S MEN,is an agent of the Islamic Rapist Republic and works with NIAC, the other pro terrorist lobbyists, the arm of Islamic Republic jihadists in Iran who have occupied a peaceful nation. Why don't you speak about two million Iranians who were murdered, raped by your Muslim brothers in Iran for the past 31 years. The Shah was an angel compare to your terrorist brothers in Iran.
Bill Evans
"I love your work about religion, but you evidence a great deal of ignorance about Iran, and your constant bashing is really kind of boring"
Unlike some, I have learned much about Iran from IRANIANS who actually live or lived there, including Amil Imani, whose book I am discussing here. My "constant bashing?" That would be an utterly false comment as well. I have TWO articles about Iran in all of my work, which you obviously don't know very well at all. If you are defending the Islamic Republic of Iran, it is clearly YOU who are displaying a "great deal of ignorance about Iran." Such a defense is not only "boring," it is deplorable.
"For your information, the author of THE SHAH'S MEN,is an agent of the Islamic Rapist Republic and works with NIAC"
LOL - apparently our resident "expert" calling others "ignorant" is completely clueless.
I agree with your assessment, Bijan. It's "boring" to expose horrendous crimes against humanity - if you're a reprobate.
As most Americans (with all my respect to the intelligent ones), you can only see the world from an American perspective. You have no knowledge of Iran and every bit you mentioned about this country is based on biased opinion and so called media concocted facts.
How many innocent people do you have in US prisons because of injustice?
How many people killed because they happen to have a different mind?
How many Americans live in misery?
How many women are raped every year?
How many millions have lost their homes because of your corrupt financial system?
How many billions if not trillions did your banks get while millions are strugling to make both ends meet?
How many of your sons have died in wars fought for oil and other resources in the name of democracy?
I feel sorry for blind people like you who believe they know it all but can't see further then the tip of their nose.
I hope you'll one day learn that civilisation didn't start 200 years ago.
Nobody is interested in praising anybody, in finding those qualities which everybody has... Nobody is ready to help those qualities grow; everybody is afraid -- if all are growing, what about him? His whole concern is that his ego should go on becoming bigger, and the easier way is to criticize everybody, to complain against everything: Be negative, make negativity your very approach. And for this you don't need intelligence, any idiot can do it. But to be really critical, one has to be very compassionate, very loving. And one has to be ready to devote time and energy and intelligence. Then it is not criticism, then it is not inimical, it is not antagonistic; it is a friendly suggestion, a sympathetic approach. Everyone should learn to be sympathetic. Meditation should help you, not to criticize but to appreciate. And if you are intelligent enough, you can appreciate in such a way that whatever you wanted to criticize will be understood without being said.
More let's-invade-Iran propaganda, courtesy of a CIA asset.
I especially love this:
"[C]ivil rights activists have been complaining for decades now that the Iranian government is an oppressively tyrannical regime that has tortured and slaughtered thousands."
Never mind that the U.S. and its Mideast co-aggressor meanwhile has been torturing and slaughtering thousands of times as many people. After all, the agenda here is to con Americans into going along with the initiation of yet another war of aggression on a resource-rich Islamic country.
Obama/Ahmadenijad, Whoever wins or looses, but I am convinced that the moderate Muslims are no more a factor in front of these fanatics. If someone wants to raise a voice, they are welcomed to peruse the record of Islamic atrocities in current Kashmir only since 1989 Dec. How these Islamists have killed even the moderate muslims and spread terror in valley, is stark reminder to the world to either reform or repudiate Islam. It is a Trojan Horse of Amil and sooner its belly is burst, the better before it causes more damage. Why the Pastor in US is wanting to go to extreme of incendiary step? Islam has to answer the discontent in the World gentry against its atrocities once the Muslims form a majority in a place. The factor in Kashmir is nothing but Islam on boil. Entire energy of Islamic jihadis is spent in fighting and opium and womanising. ISI and Pak Military is a rogue orgnisation. It has to be reined in.No peace but piece with ISI/Military in Pak.
God bless
Dr. O. P. Sudrania
"More let's-invade-Iran propaganda, courtesy of a CIA asset."
That is such a ridiculous claim that whatever follows should likewise be ignored. As I state here, I get much of my information from IRANIANS who have actually lived in Iran.
And NOWHERE have I EVER made any call for invasion of any kind - that is pure libel. We are trying to help the IRANIAN PEOPLE who are suffering terribly under and evil government.
Please spare us your mendacious propaganda and libel that are only keeping the millions of good Persian people enslaved and tormented by this heinous regime.
There are just too many pro -errorist Islamists you attract here. I wish people only pay attention to the book and buy it and read it. I have read hundreds of Mr. Imani's articles. This man is unquestionably is the most erudite and learned man in America. I would just delete these terrorists' comments if I were you. These people most likely are hired thugs by the the Islamic terrorist regime who support sharia law in the US and all non-Muslim world. They are not humans, but filthy people who marry 6-year old little girls because their unholy prophet told them they could. They just want to sabotage your beautiful article.
Long Live Iran and the US,
Bijan
"More let's-invade-Iran propaganda, courtesy of a CIA asset."
That is such a ridiculous claim that whatever follows should likewise be ignored. As I state here, I get much of my information from IRANIANS who have actually lived in Iran.
And NOWHERE have I EVER made any call for invasion of any kind - that is pure libel. We are trying to help the IRANIAN PEOPLE who are suffering terribly under and evil government.
Please spare us your mendacious propaganda and libel that are only keeping the millions of good Persian people enslaved and tormented by this heinous regime.
Bijan, you are absolutely correct - these propagandists are anti-human, as they defend such an atrocious human-rights abusing CULT. It's simply appalling - and frightening.
One thing is for sure: Amil knows what he is talking about when he discusses Iran and American politics. He is VERY savvy - and these naysayers are merely libeling him in their impugning of his integrity. I resent these remarks wholeheartedly.
However, being a staunch advocate of free speech, I am loathe to simply delete them, unless they are violent or threatening. Of course, they ARE threatening in the sense that they ARE enabling a regime that slaughters innocent people and funds terrorists worldwide.
Yes, yes, rogue elements in other governments do it as well - but this violence and corruption is institutionalized in Iran; it is not "outlaw" or "anti-constitutional" as it is in civilized countries.
Thankfully, there ARE those who can see behind this sleazy facade, like you and Amil - and Amil
There will be no debate. Mainly because George H. W. Bush is a pedophile just as George W. Bush. Obama is also very gay and even belongs to a gay club in Illinois. Our government and CIA is full of pedophiles and CIA has been caught offering children up. Just as the CIA knows who its director will be years in advance, the US presidency is also controlled. You might recall that JFK became president by 100,000 votes set up by Joseph Kennedy paying off Mayor Daley in Chicago. Obama's purpose is not go lead the US but to destroy it. The internation bankers have decided it is time to desroy the US. Good Job, Obama. You are doing what you have been cloned to do
"As most Americans (with all my respect to the intelligent ones), you can only see the world from an American perspective. You have no knowledge of Iran and every bit you mentioned about this country is based on biased opinion and so called media concocted facts."
Your remarks are ridiculous and insulting. I personally have traveled in many countries and speak, read or write several languages. I get my information here from IRANIANS who live or lived in IRAN.
Moreover, your "tu quoque" distraction is duly noted. I am well aware of the shortcomings of the United States and other Western countries, but the difference is that this behavior represents CORRUPTION and ILLEGALITY by elements who frequently act against the will of the American people, who try to stop it and have open discussions about it in very many instances. Such corruption is NOT Constitutional. In Iran, this behavior is an open and wanton part of the Islamic Regime, and millions of Iranians want it to end.
The Iranian people have the government they rioted for 31 years ago and therefore do not deserve any sympathy from anyone. They won't get it from me. I can still see the mindless mobs marching through the streets stabbing their fists into the air, pleading for the ayatollah to make their lives miserable.
Your reply: "Your remarks are ridiculous and insulting. I personally have traveled in many countries and speak, read or write several languages. I get my information here from IRANIANS who live or lived in IRAN."
To start with, your very source of information is biased, it is coming from pro Shah or pro Rafsanjani & Musawi. These people will never give you the real picture but go and ask those poor who were always ignored by both regimes but were given a human status & dignity by Ahmadinedjad's regime (never happened in US history). US has spent billions to distabilise that country since the revolution started because you lost control of their resources and puppet Shah who forced women to wear mini skirts which according to him were a symbol of progress. I know no Western country that progressed through mini skirts and sexy legs but rather sexy brains if you know what I mean.
I suggest you go to Iran and see for yourself then report on what you see. Americans are welcomed in Iran.
If any of you have any decency, read the book first and then come back here and discuss the issue. I lived in Iran for 30 years and know my country better than all of you. I also read objectively and I am aware who is who and what is what. But, as an observer, I simply ask you to read the book first and then say what you like to say. These people here are simply sabotaging your absolutely beautiful words about Mr. Imani's masterpiece book. He represents 80% of the Iranian mentality including me and my entire family in the west and in Iran. He is a true son of Cyrus the Great and a great Persian patriot.
Bijan
"I lived in Iran for 30 years and know my country better than all of you."
THANK YOU, BIJAN! I find it reprehensible that anyone with eyes to see cannot understand how the Iranian people are suffering under this Islamist dictatorship.
"[Amil] represents 80% of the Iranian mentality including me and my entire family in the west and in Iran."
From what I have observed and heard from IRANIANS themselves over the past 30 years, you are correct in your perception and estimation. When women are beaten or forced into prostitution because their hair shows, the government is fascistic, tyrannical and a cause for suffering - PERIOD. There is no question that women have suffered horribly under this Islamist regime, and no amount of puerile and insulting red herrings about "mini skirts and sexy legs" is going to change that fact. The women should be given a choice if they want to wear Islamist slave clothes or not. Women stoned to death, gays hanged - THIS is the Islamic Republic.
"The Iranian people have the government they rioted for 31 years ago and therefore do not deserve any sympathy from anyone."
Millions of Iranians were not even born then, and they are crying out for help from the outside. Would you leave innocent children in a burning building to die, because their ancestors put them in their prison? I am truly disgusted by the uncaring attitude I see from people who are in a much better place to help others but who make excuses to do nothing.
Yes, I agree that the images we saw of the deranged mobs rampaging and frothing at the mouth in support of Khomeini are disturbing, to say the least, but did you see any WOMEN there? Do you think all the women really wanted this hideous enslaving regime? The Persian people need to be free, and they are asking for help. We can at least expose their plight to the light of day. Covering it up, like the poor Iranian women, is not an option.
Check the "Ban Islam" petition on Google.
"The Iranian people have the government they rioted for 31 years ago and therefore do not deserve any sympathy from anyone."
Millions of Iranians were not even born then, and they are crying out for help from the outside. Would you leave innocent children in a burning building to die, because their ancestors put them in their prison? I am truly disgusted by the uncaring attitude I see from people who are in a much better place to help others but who make excuses to do nothing.
Yes, I agree that the images we saw of the deranged mobs rampaging and frothing at the mouth in support of Khomeini are disturbing, to say the least, but did you see any WOMEN there? Do you think all the women really wanted this hideous enslaving regime? The Persian people need to be free, and they are asking for help. We can at least expose their plight to the light of day. Covering it up, like the poor Iranian women, is not an option.
Have some pictures of Iran. It's a beautiful country with plenty of GOOD people.
But they dare not speak out in the modern day.
worldisround.com/articles/73022/index.html
x
Hey D.M., I get your disgust with the extremists but you always seem to leave out some of the story. I'm sure you're aware that the U.S. supported overthrow of the Iranian government in 1953 is a major contributing factor to the current government we see today in Iran. This coup took place because Iran nationalized the Iranian oil which is bad for business and takes control away from foreign companies. And I agree, the system over there in terms of capital punishment and women's rights is way off but I personally would find it fascinating to see Obama debate Ahmadinejad. What would that look like? Would they make any progess? I think the extremists will continue to be extremists but to fail in mentioning that the creation of Israel as well as western intervention hasn't played a role in producing at least some of this extremism is simply not reality, nor is it honest. And aren't the majority of Muslims considered to be moderates?
I am glad to see this type of article as it brings to light some interesting thought. It would seem on the surface that the Iranian leader is thought of more harshly when in reality they both are the same in many ways.
Obama has been trying to sell the public on his so-called Christianity while in fact he IS Islamic and has been quoted for years on his remarks giving much credit to them. Both were drug abusers when young and both are megalomaniacs.
Neither will nor are capable of bringing any kind of real peace to the world.
To Thansen
You speak of American interference in Iran without deep enough thought to realize that we as civilized people CANNOT and WILL NOT hold something against a different administration based on what another did many years ago.
Would you hold yourself responsible for something someone else did that you had no part in? For heaven's sake, Obama was a child and probably not even living in America when that happened!
America is NOT responsible for the tyrannical Islamic state that exists today...get real.
I do not care for Obama but this is in no way America's responsibility either.
I find disgusting this view that western people have about the ancient middle east nations. Is very easy to try to criticize a middle eastern country with a western mind. Like if westerners need to impose their culture on ancient nations. I don't agree with many atrocities made in Iran, as I also don't agree with the rules of engagement of the US army which killed UNARMED reporters and children. See wikileaks.org/wiki/Collateral_Murder,_5_Apr_2010
What you tell me about that ? The american are justified murders because they fight for a "(facade) democracy", so they can kill ?
What about the hamas winning the elections in 2007 in the west bank ?
Democracy is legitimate, but if you elect someone we don't approve, it is not valid, so what is democracy then ?
You american are not different from them, you kill, you slave, all in the name of your culture$$, of what you think is right.
Mankind is brutal and militarized, and the most of all nation in these terms is USA.
God bless
To CanadianNancy.
I understand that governments deals with current administration.
But you need to remind that the coup de-tat that the USA sponsored in the 1950's was to overthrow a democracy established by the persian people, they overthrew the Shah, but the USA interfered. Had you ever thought that the democracy they established at that time could be a more liberal one ?
Wouldn't it probably be a very advanced democracy by now ?
With that the persian people saw the USA as a state which just manipulated the persians in a way which would benefit their position politically in the middle east, remember, the Shah was allied to USA.
So the next time they overthrew the government they were very wary of the USA, and they became even more radical, more extremist and ensured that there would never be a revolution to take them away from power, which is very bad for the persian people, because they'd become tyrants.
The USA pushed them hard, now it bounced back.
IMHO, USA played a
"I'm sure you're aware that the U.S. supported overthrow of the Iranian government in 1953 is a major contributing factor to the current government we see today in Iran."
Since part of this book is about that very issue and falls under the heading of "The Shah, Jimmy Carter, Ayatollah Khomeini and the CIA," which I included in the extensive list about, your claim about me "leaving something out" is quite false. Apparently, YOU didn't even read this post - therefore leaving something out - before you made a comment.
I just believe that no country in the world has the right to overthrow a government for the "well of its citizens". There will always be a part of the people who will be against the foreign help, and if these people come to power later, they will demonize these foreigners and there will be friction between these nations in the future. Can you imagine the consequences if USA wages war on Iran and loses ? Huge political and military consequences for sure.
I just believe that if hypocrisy be left aside and the american military commanders say: "We need to invade Iran to maintain our military might presence in the middle east and to prevent them from getting into the nuclear power industry($$$$$), and we don't want any other powerful country in the region with this technology other than our ally in the(Israel)."
I am sure you'd get the support of millions of americans as you are a militarized culture and love fighting a war! Skip the lies, truth be known!
God Bless America!
CanadianNancy: LOL, you clearly don't understand the law of cause and effect. Our role in the overthrow of the Iranian government in the 50's is one of the CAUSES, the EFFECTS of which we are seeing today.
And as Alan Greenspan wrote, one of the main reasons we went to Iraq had to do with oil. This is ENERGY SECURITY. And I understand the reasoning behind this. The U.S. would change drastically without oil. At the same time I wish our presidents would be honest with the American people and say something like, "hey, we currently depend on this resource and we have to make sure it's accessible". I understand this is a very tricky problem but I think we should definitely be focusing on alternative energy policies as part of the solution.
Its such a shame... that Iran.. is not forward thinking enough to have men marrying men. We are just SOOO with it aren't we...?! My opinion is that we in the west have always loved freedom most of all and the Eastern people loved their leaders with strong undercurrents of theocracy. I believe in world peace and that this can only be achieved with mutual respect. I don't see why strict Muslim's should live in western nations or western libertarians should live in Muslim nations. Nor why either culture should force its views on the other. Let the competeing theories born of the different cultures follow their destinies in their respective nations. Human dignity and the love of TRUTH... is the bottom line and as I see it... no one corners the market on these.. especially to the extent of demanding their own particular view be espoused by others. The most dangerous world would be a one world government that shuts down decent. To each his own !
"I just believe that no country in the world has the right to overthrow a government for the 'well of its citizens.'"
Neither I nor Amil Imani want to see the good people of Iran harmed by military actions - quite the opposite. These red herrings are distractions from the real issue, which is that the Persian people are suffering and are asking for assistance against an oppressive, cruel and barbarous regime that has enslaved them for the past 31 years. That help comes in part in the form of publishing articles and other media formats that expose these crimes against humanity - if everyone keeps objecting to these exposes of brutality with all manner of excuses and distractions, then we have NO help to give these benighted folks.
As concerns intervention where innocents are being preyed upon by thugs, would you say the same about gang leaders in poor neighborhoods? Should they just be left alone to abuse the residents, even when the latter are desperately crying out for help?
Tyrants and victims have a perverse simbiotic relationship, A co- dependency. Freedom cannot be given..., first it must be desired, then it must be earned...Nor is it soley a physical thing obviously.. but originates in the souls that will not be dominated. Any one can cry... victim....only those worthy can refuse to be one. Lastly none of us are completely free.. but the freedoms we have as individuals and groups.... as well as our limmitations are not accidental from my percpective. If enough Iranians don't like the Muslim faith they have the inherant means to correct their own situation, no different than the early Americans did in correcting the form of government...Monarchy to Republic. There is no nation as far as I know that lacks some inhabitants that claim to be victims of unjust government.
Acharya, I must say that I love your work and reading your articles.
I am a confessed fan :p
With this kind of help, I agree, intelectual help, communication, that's what humans are all about right ?
But I also think that some western nations need help as well, need help in realizing that there is another world besides tv, besides conventional media and fabricated views and dilemmas.
"As concerns intervention where innocents are being preyed upon by thugs, would you say the same about gang leaders in poor neighborhoods? Should they just be left alone to abuse the residents, even when the latter are desperately crying out for help?"
I would help the innocents in my neighborhood, because It's my country, same law, same culture. We know that this is just not true talking about nations and countries.
I do beleive the persians will gain freedom, sooner or later, but as JOE said, they should desire it(they already do) and fight for it, nobody can fight this battle for them.
That will be a great debate - both of them are lame ::).
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