I’ve decided to devote more of my blog posts with what I think are unhealthy attitudes and practices prominent amongst many in the Iranian Diaspora including myself. I hope that through the dialogue, regardless of how nominal, it will serve as something positive and as part of the solution rather than the problem.
Don’t get me wrong, I think Iranians, like every other people, are a good people and have many commendable cultural attributes, but also like every other people, we have a lot of issues we have to deal with. Take freedom of speech for example, many in the diaspora community pride themselves in their education and cultural development and claim to be champions of free speech in Iran but fail to practice it themselves. I’ve had countless discussions with fellow Iranians about freedom yet those very discussions fell short of the very idea they propagated. For instance, in such discussions my friends have championed freedom of speech and yet ridiculed and humiliated those who disagreed with them. And it’s not just a problem with Iranians in the diaspora. When I was in Iran 2 years ago I was talking with a former military officer from the old regime and we were discussing Iran’s 20th century history and this and that and he wouldn’t let me get a word in. And when I did, he’d cut me off and told me that I was young and didn’t know any better. He continued preaching for a good hour and then ended his speech by saying that dinner was almost ready and that he’ll conclude with a last word so we can eat. After he finished I told him that I wanted to tell him something but I was worried he would get offended. He responded by saying that he would take offense if I in fact did’n’t tell him what was on my mind. So I proceeded by saying: “Herein lies the problem with Iran, people like you claim to be proponents of freedom of speech all the while monopolizing the dialogue, cutting off and ridiculing anyone who disagrees with them by saying they’re young and don’t know any better, and then trying to end the debate with the last word. To people like you, freedom of speech is just a slogan, not an idea to be practiced.”
He didn’t say another word for the rest of the night and I felt really bad, but I knew I’d feel even worse if I didn’t say anything to him. Here’s a video of Iranians, who claim to be champions of freedom of speech, embarrassing themselves by trying to win the argument by yelling, cursing, ridiculing, and personally attacking those whom they perceive as not knowing any better, much the same way the old officer implied I didn’t know any better when he said I was too young.
Wow, that was an amazing video. In my opinion, the Los Angeles opposition who have absolutely no clout in Iran, although they pretend to be representatives of the Iranian people, deserve the Islamic Republic. Their psychology is just as dictatorial and I think we saw that here. But that is Arash and his Klan. What opposition groups do we have? Thanks to these people, we have the right wing dictatorial types based out of LA, or the kooky Mojahedin types in Washington DC and Berkeley. Or we have the Islamists who support the regime. So where do those of us who ACTUALLY care about human rights and the development of civil society go to?
I think the center of the problem with most Iranians is their lack of education in Psychology. I’d say 90% of Iranians suffer from a disease called “Egocentrism and Egomaniaâ€. And yet, they are totally unaware of their disease. The singular problem is that they are totally unaware how much ego they are carrying – and all of it — for no reason.
Only uneducated Iranians attend a gathering of Iranian mobs, all of them thinking that they are “rightâ€, while they are totally ignorant about other points of view. They all think their point of view is the “right†one, and everybody else is stupid. So, they start shouting Marg bar this, Marg bar that, long live this, long live that. And the louder they scream and shout, the more they get themselves into a frenzy – just like those crowd during Taassooaa and Aashuraa, hitting their chest for Imam Hussain, some even fracturing their own skulls with Gham-e. It is a crazy mob mentality, a bunch of barbarian savages who are mere laat and obaash – typical of a chaaghokesh and Shaboon-bi-mokh with their chomaagh and knives – roaming the streets and shouting arbadeh — a bunch of thugs/Paasdaarans, bus-loaded by the Shahs or the Mullahs regimes for a few under-the-table dollars.
There is a Persian word for that: Hochigar. I am afraid to inform you that if you put an Iranian at the middle of a crowd, he/she ends up being a mere Hochigar and shouting arbadeh, like someone with severe mental disorder.
Iranian Hochigari will not stop until they start becoming aware of their own egocentrism, egomania and utter ignorance, and then gradually start to seek treatment for their disease. They simply have to come to the realization that: Everything they know is “Wrong†!!
Good Luck. I hear it is in their 5,000-year-old genes and DNA.
I have no doubt that the fat and chunky occupation soldier would have loved to conduct himself like the fanatical monarchists did in that video. If anyone has the chance, check out his facebook pics. Yuuuuuch!!!
And Curious Joe, where did you get his “90%” figure from? Did u take a simple random sample of Iranians and do a psychological assessment on them? I dont see the need to make ridiculously broad and general assertions. Oh, and Jamshid, there ARE other groups, such as Trita Parsi’s NIAC.
this was so true…iranians (i myself being guilty of it) believe that “everyone is entitled to my opinion.”
“Everyone is entitled to my opinion.”
No sarcasm but I like how that line says a lot.
Thanx for the honesty.
Living in Los Angeles, I can only agree, Pouya.
Civilized Zionism, only Arabs are savages:
“Yisrael Beiteinu Chairman MK Avigdor Lieberman said at a Knesset plenary meeting on Monday, addressing Arab MKs, that “a new administration will be established and then we will take care of you.””
that video is super depressing. i heard about it from some attendees a while ago. sigh.
regardless, the argument you cite, pouya, isnt a violation of your freedom of speech. you can believe in freedom of speech and want to outshout people you disagree with. thats just poor tactic. its when you systematically silence persons that we can begin to talk of a violation, i believe. the rest is your responsibility to counter when you deem necessary.
Hey smiley what happened when I ridiculed you last time when Imad Mughniyah was killed? I was hoping you were in the car next to him. lol!
Anyways, there certainly is freedom of speech in the Israeli Knesset for Arab MK’s. I’ve met several of the Arab MK’s myself, they sure as hell speak their mind in the Knesset, which is why sometimes they anger Lieberman.
Does the Jewish MK in the Iranian parliament say whatever he wants? Of course not, the guy walks on egg shells.
“Hey smiley what happened when I ridiculed you last time when Imad Mughniyah was killed? I was hoping you were in the car next to him. lol!”
Oh man, youre right! You made me look really bad there. But not as bad as last time, when you said Israel has a higher GDP/capita than the UAE, lol!!
“Anyways, there certainly is freedom of speech in the Israeli Knesset for Arab MK’s. I’ve met several of the Arab MK’s myself, they sure as hell speak their mind in the Knesset, which is why sometimes they anger Lieberman”
Freedom of speech??!! LOL!! U should read Army of Shadows, a book about Palestinian collaboration and informants who would spy on Israeli Arabs in any case of nationalist tendencies and report back to their Israeli superiors who would manage to remove the “threat” in one way or another. Its all based on declassified Israeli documents. Or, I bet it was free speech when Palestinians in the West Bank were banned from distributing Palestinian nationalist literature, or when their arms were broken and they received beatings for graffiti.
“Does the Jewish MK in the Iranian parliament say whatever he wants? Of course not, the guy walks on egg shells.”
I agree. Its irrelevant, of course, but its true. If he did, im sure hed be issued with threats like “well take care of you” as well. The Zoroastrian rep in the Iranian Parliament once condemned the powerful and influential Ayatollah Mesbah Yazdi after Yazdi said despicable things about Non-Muslims. Im sure some of the more fanatical elements in Iran issued him threats as well.
Just on a side note, do you ALSO look like the hideously fat and ugly occupation soldier named Ben? Honestly, go on his facebook profile, he has this picture of himself that he thinks looks good, its small and kinda blurry, and he STILL looks like he has a gut. Oh, and his personal life isnt going too well either!! Looks like he got burned by a girl that he said he was engaged to!! hahahahahah, what a nasty fat ugly and stupid guy.
The fat, ugly occupation soldier who goes to a third tier law school wrote this in his last post:
“Anyways, I do not care neither would I denounce his act as immoral act. It is his private life. However, what matter to me is the HYPOCRACY involved here.”
Need I say more about the degree of illiteracy of this pathetic, chunky, big nosed moron?
Smiley, your sentence-by-sentence analysis of my comments only remind me of how pathetic you are : P
You making fun of the other commenter’s physical appearance reminds me how pointless your arguments are — you need to fill them with some B.S. like making fun of someone’s weight. How pathetic.
Anyways, think about the status of Palestine right now. It’s in shambles. It’s like a three state solution — Israel, Hamastan, and the West Bank. Israel has clearly benefited from the Palestinian movement being cut, physically, into two camps.
What are you gonna do about it smiley? Hate Israel really hard and hope it goes away? That obviously won’t work. You’re just pathetic and useless. At least Zionists take action and get things done.
JZ, how pathetic it is to watch you divert attention away from the FACTS to ME and what I THINK or dont think. Its irrelevant what I think, its the historical record that is important. Now, when you say things like, “Anyways, think about the status of Palestine right now. It’s in shambles. It’s like a three state solution — Israel, Hamastan, and the West Bank. Israel has clearly benefited from the Palestinian movement being cut, physically, into two camps.”, you have to qualify with what you mean by “benefits”. This is a subjective term, and if you were to define it, then we could be in agreement. For example, if you think short term expansion of settlements without security through rocket attacks and the occasional suicide bomber is “benefiting”, then I agree. Again, it determines on what you mean here you pathetic clown.
“At least Zionists take action and get things done.”
And who knows what this means. Is that to say Palestinians dont take action and dont get things done as well? What is “getting things done”. Why do you speak in such vague terms? Bc u know if you get specific youll get called on your bullshit like Israel has a higher GDP than all its nieghbors combined?
🙂 you are pathetic and it is obvious. Whether someone is fat is none of your business and it is not related to the argument. Get a life. Is that specific enough for you?
Hey Arash you fat chunky loser! Listen, I agree its not related to the debate. But you are not just intellectually empty and bankrupt as we proved in the past (do you remember how many lies of yours I exposed, how many times did you just make things up as you went along, how much documentation and sources did you provide for your BS claims compared to me?). Arash, you chunky wannabe occupation soldier, you are also PERSONALLY repulsive. So I take the argument on two fronts, both to show your inability to put together coherent arguments, as well as your shitty personal life. Arash, its called tough love, your fat and stupid, and I think you should improve your life. Maybe then, your gfs wouldnt leave you, lol!!!
🙂
Your insults proves your frustration, and frustration is a sign of weakness. As simple as that! 😉
Take it easy princess, it is only a debate. Get a life.
LOL, yes Im the frustrated one, thats why I go back and delete my own comments. Oh wait…
But, I AM the one who makes things up as I go along without providing any sources for them after being asked repeatedly. Oh wait….
To be fair, I AM the one who was left by his gf. Oh wait….
(By the way, insults is plural. So my insults PROVE my frustration).
Ok Arash, dont stay up too late, we don’t want you snacking on cookies and milk.
Gentlemen:
Please remember that the OP is about “Freedom of Speech Among Iranians”. It seems that we only have two guys in here exercising their “Freedom of Speech”. It is the normal gossip column on most Pouya’s posts. No matter what the topic is, it ends up in an exchange of vanity between 🙂 and the JZ, going after each other ass.
One more time of this — Pouya’s blog will be deleted from my bookmark — and you’ll be left in oblivion — at least as far as I am concerned.
Bye for one more try…
Curious Joe
Curious Joe, no one is shouting anyone down here. You can post here as well and you will be heard, and if its thought provoking others may respond. Get over yourself.
🙂
You are running out of arguments, that why you resort to insult, again you are frustrated. You hide your identity and personal life because you are pretty much ashamed of your life and yet you attack other people. And yes, it shows that you are frustrated. It ok, now go get a life and come back when you grow up. You are truely pathetic.
“Its irrelevant what I think” – Smiley
Smiley face, I’m glad we can finally agree on something! Lol
Besides the fact that you think you’re irrelevant, what you think is also distorted and based on lies. Zionism is a movement for the self-determination of the Jewish nation. It only took an aggressive turn when the Arabs tried to wipe it out.
“ou are running out of arguments, that why you resort to insult, again you are frustrated.”
How many arguments am I supposed to have exactly, oh chunky occupation soldier? You usually have one argument and lots of evidence to back it up. Is that how youre gonna argue in court after you graduate from your third tier law school (you were too stupid to get a good LSAT score), with multiple different arguments, that the defendants was here during the murder AND there during the murder? Arash, I know your gf dumped you and is now seeing someone else, but thats YOUR problem. Its your problem you are fat and ugly, so deal with it. Or, you could prove to me that Norman Finkelstein was at the Holocaust conference, then I would stop shitting on you. Go ahead fatty, prove ONE of your claims, thats all you gotta do.
“Zionism is a movement for the self-determination of the Jewish nation. It only took an aggressive turn when the Arabs tried to wipe it out.”
How vague and meaningless. But we both know, you dont want to get into an specifics, do we ?
No expulsion going on in Palestine, nope, not at all!!
From Amnesty Intntl.:
Soldiers of the Israeli army arrived early in the morning in jeeps accompanied by a bulldozer and then demolished the buildings where the four families were living. The destroyed properties belonged to Mohammed Fahed Bani Odeh, Mohammed Ali Shaikh Bani Odeh, Ali Shaikh Musleh Bani Odeh and Omar ‘Arif Mohammed Bisharat and their families – at least 34 people, including some 26 children.
After destroying these homes, the soldiers moved on to destroy homes and livelihoods in Jiftlik and Furush Beit Dajan, where homes have previously been demolished in recent months.
“In Jiftlik, they are destroying a farm – it is one of the rare farms here and there is otherwise not much livelihood for the people. They first bulldozed the vegetable area a couple of months ago; then they bulldozed the home last month,” said Donatella Rovera.
“The family of Mahmud Mat’ab Da’ish, his wife and seven children were given a tent by the Red Cross and they started planting vegetables again. Today, the army has been bulldozing the green plants.
“In all three locations the soldiers haven’t allowed us to get near, I don’t even know if they have a military order to destroy everything – we asked them but they didn’t show us anything.”
The families in Hadidiya have lived in the same area for generations, herding sheep and goats and cultivating land on the Jordan hills. They have come under increasing pressure from the Israeli army to leave the area. The same four families had their homes destroyed in February this year and other homes were demolished several times by the Israeli army in 2007.
One thing I disagree with as well, is the lady who brought up Israel. I do worry that the regime’s apologists bring up Israel to distract. In other words, you despise the israeli regime and its atrocities, along with the the human right abuses committed by the Iranian regime.