Comments for niacINsight

Comment on Make It A Team Effort by Pirouz

Pirouz — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 21:34:43 +0000

Bardia, why must the “we” adopt an anti-Iran stance in the first place? Why can’t “we” recognize Iran’s legitimate right to the nuclear fuel cycle, afforded as a signatory to the NPT? And why can’t “we” accept one of the many compromises Iran has suggested over the past decade of negotiations?

This team effort you refer to is actually a lot more complicated an affair than that provided for in your very brief post.

And I would never qualify Russia as a dependable ally of Iran. I suggest you read up on the history of Iran-Russia relations.

Comment on Ahmadinejad – Not an Economist by Pirouz

Pirouz — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 21:25:39 +0000

Bardia, I completely agree with you, regarding the lifting of sanctions, the investment in the Iranian economy and the encouragement of a higher standard of living for ordinary Iranians. Yes, that would definitely produce a well motivated electorate. However, think for a moment of the pro-Zionist lobby, and how the last thing in the world they would want to see is Iran as the region’s economic powerhouse. In their eyes, this would not be in Israel’s interest, thus they do everything possible to see that this cannot happen. Of course, whether this is or is not in the best interest of ordinary Israeli (and American) citizens is the subject of the book “The Israel Lobby” by John Mearsheimer and Stephen Walt.

Concerning the InsideIran.org article, it is interesting but hard to follow, as the results are provided in a tidbit fashion. Furthermore, there is an obvious political tilt to the article in general; the results are shown in a biased format with the inclusion of anecdotal references.

The big question I have is why haven’t the poll findings been made public? Also, what specifically is the methodology employed for the poll? (very important) And which scholars from Tehran, Qom and Shiraz (or organization) are conducting this poll?

I’ve written InsideIran.org seeking answers to these questions.

Comment on Grand Ayatollah Saanei & Seyyed Hassan Khomeini to invite people to Quds Day rally by Matthew Negreanu

Matthew Negreanu — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 20:03:01 +0000

It is interesting that you like to visit Iran and holy shrines there which are many many. I would like to know which aspect of the holy shrines and Ayatollah Khomeini’s life is interesting/important for you.

Best

Comment on Auctioning Ancient Iranian Artifacts by ak

ak — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 19:44:14 +0000

Thank you for addressing this traggic situation. I am deeply concerned about it and appreciate your efforts in preventing the horrible possibility of losing these priceless artifacts to the private market.

Comment on America Held Hostage (video) by Pirouz

Pirouz — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 16:54:01 +0000

“The most frightening was one night he just dragged us all out of where we were, middle of the night and lined us up against the wall and started cocking their weapons as though they were going to execute us.”

The US practices this exact same technique on its detainees (many of which were tortured extensively) which have been held in captivity during the so-called GWOT:

http://www.torturingdemocracy.org/

Lloyd, it was more than just “the beginning of Iran’s isolation.” The Islamic Revolution itself was the beginning of the imposed world war against Iran, which was formally unleashed by Saddam in September 1980.

Comment on What Obama didn’t say on Tuesday night by Pirouz

Pirouz — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 16:34:39 +0000

I disagree kahkashaan.

First of all, what government in the world does not prioritize survival as the number one priority? Just for an example, why do you think the US stockpiles thousands of nuclear warheads?

I don’t believe post-election results are reflected in any of Iran’s international moves. And I do not believe take-it-or-leave-it nuclear offers offer much (if any) difference to pre-conditions. Furthermore, don’t shy way from the fact that, for its own part, Iran has mede many compromise offers to the West over the nuclear dispute. The Turkey offer was rejected, but the counter-offer of a swap in Iran under full IAEA safeguards was made but rejected by the West.

There are reports that, technically speaking, the conversion and fuel rod fabrication is achievable in 2 months. Yet the West’s timetable for such is a period of over seven months. Ask yourself why.

Anyway, we’re drifting off topic here.

Comment on What Obama didn’t say on Tuesday night by kahkashaan

kahkashaan — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 12:48:41 +0000

I think we should stop worrying about the lost opportunities in the Bush era and focus on current events. At the moment, it is IRI, which is ignoring all reconciliation gestures from Obama. Khamenei has acknowledged that Obama has communicated with him through written letters and other channels, but he decided to reject them until US CHANGES its policies. That is, just at the time when US dropped her preconditions for direct negotiations, IRI decided to impose one of its own. Post-election events in Iran has made it abundantly clear that IRI is using the claim of foreign intervention to suppress domestic discontent. It claims that domestic opposition is just a tool in the hands of the US, British, Israel, etc to launch a velvet revolution. The show trials of Islamic reformists, journalist and human rights activists were all to convince the public that millions of people who poured into streets were bunch of misguided souls who were corrupted by western influence. Arts, culture, and humanities, independent papers and internet, are al being blamed for this corrupting influence. To cure it, they are applying across-the-board censorship, and have launched a second Islamic Cultural revolution to cleanse the educational system – from the elementary schools all the way to the universities. IRI NEEDs the fictional threat from the west. It just thwarted the offer of west to exchange its low-enriched uranium for 20% enriched U needed to fuel Tehran’s research reactor, despite the fact that it could have been done through Turkey; a trustworthy friend of IRI. Then to add insult to injury, it announced its childish plans to construct 10 more Natanz-size enrichment facilities – a laughable bluster. I think the time has come for us to stop blaming the west, and acknowledge the fact that IRI has become a theocratic-military regime, which is first and foremost interested in its survival. For the moment, it has opted for confrontation with the west, regardless of what the US or the west would offer to deescalate the tensions.

Comment on Make Neda Time Magazine’s Person of the Year by Parivash Karimi

Parivash Karimi — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 07:12:42 +0000

Neda is my choice

Comment on Iranian Government Targets Opposition Worldwide by Pirouz

Pirouz — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 00:37:09 +0000

Well, I-A, that’s easy for you to say- you haven’t been subjected to an intense two year surveillance operation by federal and local law enforcement, with all the legal and social repercussions that entails. Believe me when I tell you, I know what some of those Greens are going through, for being “outspoken”.

As for the IRGC, according to their press releases, they are monitoring Iranian related political sites. You bet the NIAC sites are analyzed. I’ve stated here and elsewhere that I voted Green. Where folks like you criticize me is the fact that I am in no way subversive, and seek improved relations between the US and IRI above all else.

Take it from me, I-A, it can be a risky business for an Iranian to speak out, even in this country. Now you might say I haven’t been brutalized in a prison. That’s true, but I wasn’t “noticed” by US security for being “outspoken” in Afghanistan or Iraq. If I had, then the odds of such would have increased dramatically!

Anyway, I’m glad you recognized the dry humor contained in my comment. Sometimes humor is the best companion during situations like these.

Comment on What Obama didn’t say on Tuesday night by Pirouz

Pirouz — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 00:00:41 +0000

Trustworthy? It’s been trusty towards the government of Iraq, providing peace deals between the IA and Mahdi Army. It’s been trusty towards Venezuela, providing solid economic and diplomatic ties. Likewise, it’s provided a generous economic (and military) lifeline to the people of Lebanon, during and after the 33 day war.

I could go on an on. But you see my point.

Don’t believe all the hype you read in the Western media. And don’t forget that Khamenei is still the Supreme Leader. Just because certain reform politicians have marginalized themselves into irrelevance, does not alter the fact that Iran does have a potential role to play in Afghanistan (as it has demonstrated time and time again in Iraq).

Comment on What Obama didn’t say on Tuesday night by Rob

Rob — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 22:03:35 +0000

Yes, it is a shame that this little known cooperation was thrown to the wind. It could have led to a real opening between countries. This Iran is a different animal from the one that cooperated with us in 2001. The IRGC is the defacto ruling junta and they show no signs of trustworthiness. They probably don’t even trust each other. Like Stalin’s Soviet Union, it doesn’t seem to take much to get thrown in prison on some ridiculous trumped up charges.

Comment on Make Neda Time Magazine’s Person of the Year by noroja holso

noroja holso — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 21:00:38 +0000

I woud like neda will be person of the year 2009