I am an Iranina woman who came to the United state over 20 years ago. I lived in Iran during Shah's time, as a child, and I lived in Iran during the revolution. I think it is a shame that Americans don't know much about our country and our culture. The people of Iran are not what alot of Americans think they are. I think because of alot of the TV shows and the media they think that Iraninas are monsters, not edjucated and the women have no rights or jobs and that they ALL hate Americans. Iraninans are very gental and caring people. They have the same everyday needs and desires as any one else in the word. Could their Government be better? YES! But it should not generalize what ALL of Iraninas think of the Western world. I personaly come from a high ranking family during the Shahs time. Now I am married to an American and have two children. I am very edjucated and have my own business. I would love to be able to let the Western world know that the Terrorist mentality and the fanaticism mentality is only 6% of the Iranina population. The Iraninas don't wake up in the morning and think of how to blow up other countries. Every religion and country have their own Fanatics. Unfortunately, Iranina people are controlled so severly by their government that it seems they are all fanatics!! I could go on about this topic, but i would like to see if anyone else has anything to say about it so far?

Ignorance is universal, the fanatics soak it up like fuel. A lot of people in America are not educated in independent thought, and will do / believe whatever they are told without asking questions. Of course, a lot of people all over the world are like this, some of them in Iran as well. What can be the answer? Education to think for yourself, and to not follow orders blindly. Education in humanism and respect for human rights, alien cultures and religions, art, music, theatre, film, architecture, &c. That is my opinion.

Education, yes. But the right education and information. Ingnorance is bliss and people rather hear what they want and what is easier to understand. Unfortunately, alot of people are happier being followers. It makes them feel secure and untouchable. They want to be polically correct because it make everything nutral and easier. They don't have to get anyone agry. People in Iran do think for themselves, but unfortunately when one starts to talk and not use Censorship, they unplug them from the media. I think if we in america used our constitutional righ, freedom of speech, and tried to open the doors to Iran and try to make the world see Iran in a more humane way, we could realy show that they are humans like us, and they do want to speek up but they can't. They do want to alie with Americans, but they can't, and they do want to open communication with the americans. You have to understand, it's like a battered wife syndrome. They have been abused for so many years with out any kind of support, that if they felt a little bit of support from the outsiders it could give them some courage to speek up more and fight.

Hopeful11 and phdecora: welcome to the Koppel on Discovery board, and thanks for offering your thoughts on Iran. I hope that you'll continue to post your thoughts, ideas, opinions and arguments for all of us to read.

regards,
pat_k (moderator)

quote:

Originally posted by hopeful11:
I lived in Iran during Shah's time, as a child, and I lived in Iran during the revolution. I think it is a shame that Americans don't know much about our country and our culture. The people of Iran are not what alot of Americans think they are.

I think you've hit upon a very important point--that is, that Americans (generally, with exceptions, of course) don't really know or understand much about Iran, beyond those TV images of government-organized rallies and Ahmadinejad's inflammatory statements about the Holocaust. My guess is that there are Americans who don't know that Iran and Persia are the same place, or that Iranians aren't arabs.


I think the fact that you're an expatriate gives you a doubly interesting perspective, because you have experience with both Iran and the U.S. Here's a question for you: What, if anything, about Americans and the U.S. do Iranians (that is, the ones who haven't visited the U.S.) possibly not understand?

Any Religion that promotes Violence as a means to expand and survive...Is nothing more than an aggressive Idealogy cloaked with the trappings of a Cult! That goes for ANY so called religion, Islamic, Jewdism, Christianity alike. What kind of true God would support Murder, Suicide, Rape, Genocide, Plunder, etc. No God I would want to pray to! Sounds like something the Devil would want his followers to do, don't you think so?

I'm hoping that Hopeful11 comes back...I'd really like to hear more of what she has to say.

[/QUOTE] Yes, that would be nice.

I sure hope I didn't run her off with my radical view towards Islam and all religions as a whole. I will step back from this topic.

Koonism: You should take a look at my latestdiscussion thread, entitled "NEW: The Long War." That's the subject of the next Koppel on Discovery special. It's actually sort of a logical followup to your What is the plan anyway? thread.

I am absolutely not offended by your religious views. Everyone has a right to their thoughts and opinions. I don't like when people try to shove their ideas and thoughts down your throat because they think their ideas are the right ones!! I do believe in God and I have a strong faith. I also believe that, unfortunately, man has made religion so complicated that it causes all the hatred. If you really think about it, most religions have a Book and talk about God and his prophets and the Messiah. So to me, the belief and faith is more important than who is right and who came first or which prophet is more important. I do agree that it does become like a cult when the fanatics come into play. But you have to understand that these people have been brainwashed for so many years that they don't even know what they are fighting for. We hear on the news when they say "Death to America" or "Americans are the Devil". If you talk to the same people after they are done with their shouting, if they really think Americans are the Devil? I will bet you they will tell you that they like the Americans and they want to know more about them!!! These shouts have been going on for years and they just do it because it has become automatic. I remember when I went back to Iran, and people knew I had come from America, they all wanted to know what the Americans do, eat, wear, hang out, talk about, what they think about the Iranians??? The Iranians would love to get to know the Americans more, and I know the Americans would be surprised if they really get to know the Iranians. I’d like to see some shows on the nice parts of Iran, not just the Religious areas and mosques. There are so many different parts to Iran and Iranian people than their Religion. They are a vibrant, energetic and Intelligent people. Their youth are very hungry for the Americans to hear their thoughts. I would be willing to go more into detail if you would like!

Please do go into more detail. I know I'd like to learn more about Iran and Iranians.

I hope I am not interrupting the train of thought here, but..what will the nations of islam do to curb the evil Image of the radical Islamic fundelmentalist. As Ted Koppel's Documentry revealed, There is a lot of support for the Islamic cause. I certainly do believe that there are a vast majority of Muslims that hate the killing and the violence. What can they do to help turn the world opinion of Islam & Muslims in general around? Yes, terrorist come in all denominations, race, and certainly have been present throughout history. However, on 9-11 it was Muslims who attacked the U.S. and they were spirited by an Islamic Fundementalist named Osma Bin Ladin. They are the enemy of the U.S. When Japan attacked Pearl Harbor 64 years ago tomorrow. We went after Japanese, not Buddist Japanese or Shinto Japanese..all Japanese. The Majority views of a nation should have the control of a nations behavior. I respect the post of the very articulate Iranian Lady..and I am sure she is very sincere, but what is being done on the Islamic side to suppress the anti Western teachings going on in the schools of very young children..that the Ted Koppel program so emphatically pointed out. The Madrassas where hate towards America and the west is constantly being preached and suicide bombers are being brainwashed and re-cruited. Islam has to take responsibilty to curb and iliminate the perverted factions of their religion. To say all is good and all is well In Islam, and that the problem is that the West does not know what Islam is really all about, is in my opinion a statement of camoflage or at best a statement of denial with the intent of producing self gratifying influence. I will admit that we..the west/The United States..have made some horrible mistakes in regards to mid east sovernty..and like "hopeful11", as a good and moral citizen of our respective Nations... all we want is peace between our people & mutual respect. The problem is here in the west, We can throw a bad leader out of office and elect someone else that will hopefully exercise the will of the people. In Islamic countries..they can only do that through violence..and violence breeds more violence & more dispair...P.S... If you do not want me to post on certain post ..just put a block and I will understand. As long as I have access, an opinion and the freedom that allows me to state my personal views ..I will post it. After all isn't that what all this worldwide controversy is all about..FREEDOM! Ms. Hopeful11, the question you have to ask yourself is,.. can you post into an Irianian forum such as this one..and criticize your Government..your religious leaders.., the Radicals that are corrupting your Beliefs. Until you can truly make that statement and it is a reality..it will be hard for any westerner to accept an idealogy that subjigates it's citizens to the will of the government. Although I do believe that you and multitudes of Muslims people like yourself would very much like to see that kind of freedom in your own nation. Only you and people like you can make that happen. Destruction of the west is not going to bring freedom to Muslims around the world. Koonism

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I'm all for the free, robust discussion of ideas, as long as we're respectful to one another.

A surprising development: Iran's President is in trouble for watching a performance featuring female singers and dancers, according to this article in the Guardian, a UK newspaper.

Koonism-- I understand what you are getting at, but do you HATE ALL Germans because of Hitler??? I guess all I'm trying to say is, I hope people start to have some faith. Sometimes Faith alone can help a great deal. There are a lot of people like me who cringe at the thought of generalizing all muslims as Terrorists.

Hopefull, I believe you are sincere. No, I don't hate all Germans because of Hitler..and that is History and a done deal. However during the war with the Nazis..the allies Bombed Germany and all of it's citizens into oblivion. It was the only way to defeat an idealology based on Hate, and the conquereing of the world to empose their Views. If the German People would not have allowed themselves to be Brainwashed..they would not have suffered the consequenses of their chosen leaders actions. Now, we have terror spreading across the Globe with an estimated 100 million Muslims out of over 3 Billion Muslims perpetrating these evil deeds..not unlike ..in your words Hitler and the Nazi Party. How can this be resolved? Muslims themselves will have to destroy this aborition of their society..or Like the Nazis All of Islam will pay a price. It's nice to say that we must embrace each other..and I'm all for that..first the Devils within Islam have to be neutralized..preferably by the 2.9 Billion Good Muslims. The West has weapons that can reduce the planet to a burnt out cinder many times over. It would be ashame for so many to die because of a group of deranged zealots. I would have to say Islam has it's work cut out for it..it is you and your fellow Muslims that must stop the insanity before... like Germany the Good will have to pay for the Bad! How can we intervine and turn things around..we can't we are trying to do that in Iraq..look at the results. Iraq is just a small model of what the whole mid east will look like if these Finatical zealots are not reigned in by the political and spiritual leaders of the Islamic Nations. I fear a hugh conflict will erupt..and based upon who's got the bigger stick..Islam and it's good people will pay a heavy price. Like the Good German people that suffered under Nazi Rule. These are my personal views..and again I certainly respect your comments and I feel for the plight of the GOOD Muslims of the world. By the way..What is the Plan of the Good Muslims to get rid of the Fanatical islamic Zealots that are leading Islam down the road to destruction. I would like to hear how your own people plan on turning this tide of terror around. Koonism

Considering that the Iranian regime puts political dissenters behind bars, this is pretty amazing. According to an Agencie France Press article, students at Tehran University were brave enough to interrupt a speech by Iranian president Ahmadinejad by chanting "students can die but they do not accept degradation" and "death to the dictator." They also set fire to his picture.
The Iranian leader complained that "A small number of people who claim there is oppression are creating oppression and do not let the majority hear (my) words."

Iranian people are fighting. You just don't hear it here in America. Do you know how many Students were put to death because they spoke up!! In America, one of your great constitutional rights, besides freedom of speech, is freedom to bare arms. Well, I'll tell you this much, if the Iranians had that right, this regime would have not lasted this long. Iranians only have their words, and words can only get so far!! Look at the UN!!! Ian needs the backing of a great leader or another country. I totally understand what you are saying and I do agree with allot of it. But it is easier said than done, as you said look at Iraq!! But Iranians are willing to put their life down and fight for this. Ahmadinejad thinks there are a handful of people who don't hear his words, well, he is mistaken, there are about 90% of Iranians who do not listen to him. But the other 10% have the guns and the power to kill and destroy all our young. We lost enough 13, 15, 20,.... year olds during the Iran and Iraq war. It is very hard to think we have to do that again!!! But I know the people are willing to!!

I said approximately 100 Million people of the Islamic Faith perpetrating these evil deeds. I didn't mean that all 100 million were active in terror. I meant that according to sources 3% of the estimated 3.2 Billion Muslims worldwide support the Islamic Fundementalist Movement and support active Jihad, ( violence Towards Non muslims). Approximately 100 million ..give or take a few million. That is 1/3 the population of the United States..a very Alarming high number. How can these large numbers of Followers be turned from participating in or supporting Violence. How can the active Teachings, (In schools and in the Madrassas, & Mosques), of hate towards westerners be stopped. Certainly Westeners have no power to do this..it will take Islam's own leaders to stop this movement that is gathering momentum. Otherwise..a Global conflict is inevitable. Perhaps the Islamic world could use a Demonstration of the Power the West has in order to influence the Islamic Leaders to get control of the Zealots..Maybe..Evaporating Tehran or Damascus or even the Island of Indonesia. Sounds Horrible..and it is..but I'm afraid it will come to that if the current level of Islamic Violence is not shut down. Moderation must take over..and the likes Of Osama must be destroyed..Not by the west..But by Islam itself. Islam must purge itself of the evil that has soiled & corrupted it's sacred religious Idealogy, a religion of Peace and Love..with a respect to all of mankinds beliefs. It is up to the Islamic people themselves to save their culture.. It equally will be up to the Western nations to support this change..to respect the Nations of Islam and to honor and observe these independent nation's Governments..idealologies and their right to Soverignty....Koonism

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Hopefull, I was probably posting at the same time you were..excuse please. Yes, I understand the Plight of the Good Muslim..& I am certain that the majority of the West Understands this also. But, we in the West CAN NOT, allow what has happen to you..take place in our Nations. Your leaders must be toppled by the sacrifice of the Good Muslims. In America...the Birth of our Nation began with Revolution People that died for a cause they believed in. Grant it, our Government is not Perfect, and from time to time it is tested, (like it is now). We have leaders that are assuming too much power..the correction has already began to take place..Our people have spoken in the last election and said NO to an Administration that wants unbridled Power. It is your peoples fight to correct the abuse that the Islamic people are being subjected to. Your fight, and only Islam can Clean up it's House..especially when foriegners are traditionally not welcome to help out..as we are seeing in the Iraqi debacle. Why aren't the Iraqi Citizens in a United effort taking up arms to fight the insurgents and curb the violence. Insted it's Sunni against Shite against Kurds against the West. No united effort..with the West offering to help install a government to Bring about all those things you say Muslims don't have..Freedom of speech, freedom to Bare Arms, freedom of Choice. We as a Nation had to fight for those freedoms and we still fight for them every time we vote. The people of Islam can have that too... it's not free.. and no one can fight for them..your people have to want it Bad enough to make the sacrifices and force the change. Most of Islam's problems are of their own making..not all of them but most of them. The Nations of Islam are Blessed with Trillions upon Trillions of Oil Dollars..why can't That Money be used to elevate the living standards of the Muslims. Because a few want to have it all..and Blame the west..to keep the real enemy of the Muslim people from sharing the wealth. Your own people,(Islamic Leaders & Clergy), are leading your fellow Good Muslims down a road to destruction and misery..for their own personal Greedy reasons..and they are using Idiots Like Osama as their pupits to do their Dirty Work for them..In the name of Allah. If Allah is Great..he would not support the mass Killings of innocent people. Osama himself has been Brainwashed by the paid for hatred of the Rich & Powerfull Muslim elite..who do not want to lose their Iron clad Grip of Power & Wealth! Your Religion has been corrupted by Money & Power. My Biggest problem is I talk to much..but this is my View..and this is America, and I'm able to speak out..& and I can't understand why people from all cultures can not do the same. I feel so sorry for those of you that are so surpressed. I guess when I die..it won't be the Money or the material things I collected that will most appreciated..It will be my Children..My Spouse..and MY lifetime of FREEDOM! Koonism