Dems are from Mars, Republicans are from Venus

Check out the Iran section in the Democratic and Republican party platforms. They couldn’t be more dissimilar, yet so much the same.

Kerry to be the next Biden?

You probably noticed that Massachusetts Senator John Kerry had a pretty public role at the convention. This is not only because he was the democratic presidential nominee last time around, it’s also because he’s positioned to be the dem’s next foreign policy authority in Congress.

The Most Popular Kid…or a Has Been?

The United States is in horrible shape and is in dire need of some serious leadership.  Whoever the next president is, they would have to crawl out of a hole to ground level before reaching the sky.  At least that was the message to the 500 diplomats from 100 countries and 760 students from 12 high schools from around Colorado, which surrounded me.  We were gathered to hear Madeleine Albright and other prominent individuals speak on Enhancing America’s Reputation in the World.

The Rocky Mountain Roundtable was moderated by Tom Brokaw where the panelist painted a desperate picture of America’s foreign policy practices and its current state in the international forum.  According to pollster Geoff Garin even American’s have lost faith in US foreign policy and no longer agree that terrorism and war should be at the top of the agenda.  Instead they believe that the next president needs to focus on the economy and jobs.

Obama speech not open to everyone

Its a little past noon, and I’m on my way to Invesco Stadium to get in line to see Obama’s speech tonight. Contrary to what the candidate proclaimed during his surprise appearance at the convention on Wednesday, the event is only quasi-open to the public. While 75,000 tickets have been made available, I’ve talked to die hard supporters and volunteers from out of state who have not been able to secure a ticket to get in.

When Obama declared that everyone could come to see him speak, I was sitting with about thirty supporters congregated around the televison at a hotel near the convention center. They all booed and shook their heads. It was the first time, and likely the last, I’ve seen such as response since I’ve been here.

Do you know your neighbor?

Last night, NIAC held an informal meet and greet where members of the community were welcomed to come by to meet NIAC staff and ask questions and discuss any issues on their mind.  Between the hours of 7-9 pm, Iranian-American Denver residents dropped in at their own convenience to say hello and talk politics.

During the meeting I was amazed to find out that there are approximately 4,000 to 10,000 Iranians in Colorado!  The large difference in the numbers is mainly due to a lack of accurate data since the last census was taken.  The 2000 U.S. Census places the overall Iranian number far lower than what is commonly predicted and Iranians are constantly growing in numbers. Hence, speculation often tends to range from the very low to the very high.

My amazement at the discovery of the numbers in Colorado came at the fact that we don’t know we exist!  We all know about Tehrangeles and New York and some other key locations Iranian Americans have chosen to migrate to, but we’re not too sure about our own neighbors.

Regardless, I am impressed by the large numbers and the apparent vibrant community here.  The individuals that we had an opportunity to meet with are well informed and very much aware of the political environment.  All in all, our informal event was well received and well attended.  Thanks to all of those who chose to take an hour or two of their evening to join us for an informal chit chat session!

To be or not to be: what is your identity?

Soldiers crowding the streets, strapped with imaginary guns, make their way through the city as they reenact combat as if they are on the streets of Baghdad.  Military veterans from Iraq are only few of the many groups in Denver, here to make a statement.  Everybody here has a message, whether in suits and in formal panels, or in dreadlocks and on the streets.  But it is obvious what the big issues are: everything!  Oil dependency, the economy, poverty, environment, race/gender/ethnicity/religious issues, women’s issues, healthcare, foreign policy, to name a few and all of them with their own long list of subcategories.

Minority groups represent at the Dem Convention

There are about 200 outside events going on in the four days of the Denver National Democratic Convention. (On Monday alone, there were no less than 84).

New congressional lobbying rules require that these events- which are organized by corporations, unions, political caucuses and other interest groups- don’t honor just one individual candidate or elected official in particular, but rather a larger group or theme. Finger food abounds, as the rules also prevent organizations from giving full meals to Congress or their staff for free.

Yallah, Vote!

“I am Persian, like the cat, meow!”  And the crowd already rolling with laughter breaks out in an even louder burst of hilarity.  Just a few hours before, Michelle Obama delivered an inspirational speech formally kicking off the Democratic National Convention, speaking of “belief in America’s promise, [and] commitment to our children’s future.”  A harder act to follow, was that of an emotional Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA), predicting a “new wave of change.”

Despite the challenge, Maz Jobrani and fellow comedians, Dean Obeidallah, Ahmad Ahmad, and Maysoon Zayid, did a stand up job in bringing in the crowd to two back to back shows and having them laughing their socks off at the Kabob Comedy show.  Jokes aside, all four comedians spoke passionately about the importance of voting and being an active Iranian/Arab/Muslim/female American (or any combination of) in today’s political climate.  Each having faced their own challenges, from the extreme of being detained post September 11 to racial slurs, they saw hope and change with the 2008 presidential election.

NIAC covers the Democratic and Republican conventions for the Iranian-American community!

NIAC Legislative Director Emily Blout and West Coast Director Sara Shokravi will cover the Democratic National Convention in Denver for the Iranian-American community. From Denver, they will report on the week’s events and meet with NIAC members, local and national organizations and elected officials.

Throughout the proceedings, NIAC will present an Iranian-American perspective through daily reporting, right here on NIAC’s blog, NIACinSight.

Sara and Emily will also host an informal get-together for local members and the general public in Denver on Tuesday, August 26.  Come say hello to NIAC staff and learn more about the organization at  Café Europa at 76 S. Pennsylvania Street between 7 and 9pm.

Director of Community Relations Babak Talebi and Assistant Legislative Director Patrick Disney will attend the Republican National Convention in Saint Paul, Minnesota from September 1 through September 4.

If you are attending either convention and are interested in meeting with NIAC staff or contributing by writing on our blog, please contact Hormoz Rashidi at hrashidi@niacouncil.org.