View Full Version : Iranian democracy in action
Adrian II
10-26-2005, 12:20
In an apparent bid to outdo Osama bin Laden, Iran's democratically elected (duh) new president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad this week got his burka in a twist. He has banned all foreign films in an effort to wipe out -- eew! -- 'corrupt Western culture'.
Does the Iranian President have the authority to ban films? Just like that?
Elements that were specifically named as affronts to the government's vision of Iran's Muslim culture included alcohol and drugs, secularists, liberals, anarchists and feminists.
Link (http://film.guardian.co.uk/news/story/0,12589,1600883,00.html)
The fascist Islamic mafia strikes again. ~:rolleyes:
The presidency is a sham. Ahmadinejad is just the extended will of Khamenei.
And if you think that’s silly, a while back they covered up all posters with David Beckham in Tehran. Beckham was actually the first western celebrity used in a commercial since the Islamic revolution.
Tribesman
10-26-2005, 12:46
alcohol and drugs, secularists, liberals, anarchists and feminists.
He is just after a job as right wing religeous pundit on one of Ruperts networks .
He has banned all foreign films in an effort to wipe out -- eew! -- 'corrupt Western culture'.
There are some French who would like to do the same~;)
Does the Iranian President have the authority to ban films? Just like that?
I thought it was the guardians of morality or whatever they call themselves that dealt with censorship not the President .
Oh well it was bound to happen after the moderates and reformers were sidelined .
A hardening of positions is occuring throughout the region for some strange reason .
I cannot for the life of me think why . Anyone would think the hardliners feel under threat .~;)
Adrian II
10-26-2005, 12:48
A hardening of positions is occuring throughout the region for some strange reason. I cannot for the life of me think why.Because of a 'corrupt western influence', Mr President? :mellow:
Tribesman
10-26-2005, 12:54
Because of a 'corrupt western influence', Mr President?
Ah a corrupt Western influence vying for dominance with a corrupt Eastern influence ......hmmmmm.....pity the poor ordinary buggers stuck in the middle eh , they get shafted both ways .
Prodigal
10-26-2005, 12:57
Does the Iranian President have the authority to ban films?
Well yeah...If they stop be shown he does, should he ban them though? Considering Rocky 6 is in the pipes, I wouldn't mind some selective film bans myself. Thing is, unless he has complete control over the internet in his country, banning films doesn't really mean a great deal, because anyone with a PC & half a brain can access any damn thing they like.
Its a bit like the full body covering deal for girls, that works fine, but hasn't anyone considered how many people have mobile phones? With camera's...Personally I like to "hope" that people are the same at a base level, which means guys & gals will always wanna get together, well if they can't see each other "face to face" there's not a great deal anyone can do about sending photo's by phone other than banning mobiles...And THAT would be a bit trickier me thinks.
So should he, can he, is it a good thing? No, yes, not really.
Think maybe best to take a deep breath & have faith in the people that want to do their own thing, because as long as there are, then they will, no matter what anyone says or does.
Adrian II
10-26-2005, 13:09
Personally I like to "hope" that people are the same at a base level, which means guys & gals will always wanna get together (..)Oh, but they do. I am told young Iranians have more and better sex then we have in the West. There's more than one way to fold a burka...
Obviously, Mahmoud and his advisory committee aren't gittin any. ~:cool:
English assassin
10-26-2005, 14:07
I am told young Iranians have more and better sex then we have in the West.
You know this and instead you post a story about banning Iran foreign films???
Sir, you are letting the backroom down. We demand the teen Iranian hot sex story, and we demand it now.
Adrian II
10-26-2005, 14:15
We demand the teen Iranian hot sex story, and we demand it now.Fly to Tehran, check in, visit some parties. You'll be surprised what goes (up and) down there.
English assassin
10-26-2005, 14:47
Fly to Tehran, check in, visit some parties. You'll be surprised what goes (up and) down there
Oh yeah. As a western European man with an Iranian wife, I am REALLY going to fly to Tehran for some adulterous rumpy pumpy under the eyes of the worlds leading Islamic theocracy, not to mention my in laws?
~:pimp: hey kids can I come to your party?
~;p Wow, Adrian II was right!
:scared: Its the revolutionary guard at the door!
:ballchain: Sorry dear I may be home 30 years late...
Adrian II
10-26-2005, 15:12
:scared: Its the revolutionary guard at the door!
:ballchain: Sorry dear I may be home 30 years late...Oh please. There are some really wild parties going on in the north of Tehran, indoors of course. Though there have been occasional street parties as well, drug-soaked, alcohol-ridden, sex-driven as they should. Hmm, yes. Well, don't let a stuck-up geezer like Mahmoud cloud your vision.
http://matousmileys.free.fr/ali.gif
:thrasher::dancing:
Ah! Iranian politics was opening up nicely. The reform movement was growing, civil society and the economy booming and taking the country to new levels of openess...
And then Bush decides to go on about axis of evil, threaten attacks, invade Iran's neighbours on both sides - and then suprise suprise - the conservatives sweep back into power on a wave of anti-US feeling.
Top stuff Bush - you total t*%t.
Ah! Iranian politics was opening up nicely. The reform movement was growing, civil society and the economy booming and taking the country to new levels of openess...
That is indeed a shame, but I don't think you can stop something that has allready been set in motion. I think this is just a backlash, Iran was doing so great but the current (young) generation grew up after Khomeini and his ways and still stand with empty hands, so they will take anything that yells hard enough. We will see in a few years.
Ser Clegane
10-26-2005, 16:55
The new president is indeed quite a little sunshine:
Ahmadinejad wants Israel to be "wiped off the map" (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4378948.stm)
Mr Ahmadinejad made his comments at a conference in the Iranian capital Tehran entitled The World without Zionism. (comment by SC: charming conference motto ~:eek: )
He said Israel's establishment was "a move by the world oppressor (the West) against the Islamic world".
Referring to Iran's late revolutionary leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, Mr Ahmadinejad said: "As the Imam said, Israel must be wiped off the map."
An article on Spiegel Online (in German) (http://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/0,1518,381752,00.html) even mentions that Ahmadinejad was talking about a new wave of attacks by Palestinians that woulkd destroy Israel.
What a sad day for Iran and the world when this guy got elected :no:
yesdachi
10-26-2005, 17:08
We demand the teen Iranian hot sex story, and we demand it now.
It’s where the next girls gone wild video will be shot (or shot at).~;)
An article on Spiegel Online (in German) (http://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/0,1518,381752,00.html) even mentions that Ahmadinejad was talking about a new wave of attacks by Palestinians that woulkd destroy Israel.
What a sad day for Iran and the world when this guy got elected :no:
He can burn as many flags as he likes, and yell jihad as much as he likes, it will only make him look more rediculous. Sad day he got elected yes, but I don't think it will last very long.
There was speculation - based on likeness in photographs - when the new Iranian President was elected that he was one of the leaders who held Americans hostage in Tehran. Was this ever proved or disproved? I would imagine some in Iran must know one way or the other.
Oh, but they do. I am told young Iranians have more and better sex then we have in the West. There's more than one way to fold a burka...
Obviously, Mahmoud and his advisory committee aren't gittin any. ~:cool:
The infamous underground parties are an urban phenomenon. Much like parties in the west, really.
The new president is indeed quite a little sunshine:
The same stance as Ayatollah Khamenei. The evil Jews are a convenient excuse to avoid talking about domestic problems.
I thought it was the guardians of morality or whatever they call themselves that dealt with censorship not the President .
The Constitutional Guardian Counsel. Human equivalents of fire breathing dragons.
Sad day he got elected yes, but I don't think it will last very long.
Inshallah. ~:)
I take it you still have family there Dariush, what is the word on the streets about mr Presidents's flirt with disaster?
I take it you still have family there Dariush, what is the word on the streets about mr Presidents's flirt with disaster? I haven’t heard anything about his latest ‘gem’. But generally, people I talk to are still hoping that he will unintentionally cause a peaceful revolution, like the Ukrainian Orange Revolution.
Crazed Rabbit
10-26-2005, 21:38
Ah! Iranian politics was opening up nicely. The reform movement was growing, civil society and the economy booming and taking the country to new levels of openess...
And then Bush decides to go on about axis of evil, threaten attacks, invade Iran's neighbours on both sides - and then suprise suprise - the conservatives sweep back into power on a wave of anti-US feeling.
Top stuff Bush - you total t*%t.
Right, because they have totally fair and open election processes there.~:rolleyes:
Crazed Rabbit
Tribesman
10-26-2005, 21:48
Right, because they have totally fair and open election processes there.
If you wanted to coax a rather angry bear out of a cave , would you go in and poke it with a stick or leave a pile of food outside Rabbit ?
Meneldil
10-26-2005, 22:00
He would bomb it back to the stone age ~D
Sjakihata
10-26-2005, 22:09
Is Iran officially a democracy?
Tribesman
10-26-2005, 22:10
He would bomb it back to the stone age
Yeah , but the angry bear is safe in his little cave and all Rabbit manages is to blow the hell out of the nice little woodland creatures outside , so those that survive the onslaught seek refuge in the darkness with the bear .
Adrian II
10-26-2005, 22:11
If you wanted to coax a rather angry bear out of a cave, would you go in and poke it with a stick or leave a pile of food outside Rabbit ?I would blow up the bear's Twin Towers. ~;)
Right, because they have totally fair and open election processes there.
If you wanted to coax a rather angry bear out of a cave , would you go in and poke it with a stick or leave a pile of food outside Rabbit ?
Depends if I wanted to kill the bear or not. :duel: ~:eek: ~D
Is Iran officially a democracy?
No.
More than one thousand candidates were disqualified by the Guardian Counsel in the presidential election. In a vain attempt to show that they weren’t just disqualifying women and reform-minded Muslims, some of the extreme Islamic nutcases were also disqualified.
Red Harvest
10-26-2005, 22:19
Is Iran officially a democracy?
A lot of countries "officially" are, but have single party rule and rigged elections.
Adrian II
10-26-2005, 22:26
Is Iran officially a democracy?Human Rights Watch paints a general picture in its Iran backgrounder (http://hrw.org/english/docs/2005/01/13/iran9803.htm):
Respect for basic human rights in Iran, especially freedom of expression and opinion, deteriorated in 2004. Torture and ill-treatment in detention, including indefinite solitary confinement, are used routinely to punish dissidents. The judiciary, which is accountable to Supreme Leader Ali Khamene’i rather than the elected president, Mohammad Khatami, has been at the center of many serious human rights violations. Abuses are carried out by what Iranians call “parallel institutions”: plainclothes intelligence agents, paramilitary groups that violently attack peaceful protests, and illegal and secret prisons and interrogation centers run by intelligence services. The Iranian authorities systematically suppress freedom of expression and opinion.Doesn't look like democracy to me.
A lot of countries "officially" are, but have single party rule and rigged elections.
Yeah... but we don't blame you yanks for your politicians ~;)
Seamus Fermanagh
10-26-2005, 23:44
Ah! Iranian politics was opening up nicely. The reform movement was growing, civil society and the economy booming and taking the country to new levels of openess...
And then Bush decides to go on about axis of evil, threaten attacks, invade Iran's neighbours on both sides - and then suprise suprise - the conservatives sweep back into power on a wave of anti-US feeling.
Top stuff Bush - you total t*%t.
Oh yes, I see your point. The world does much better if the USA just shuts up and pays for everything while our "betters" coach us nincompoops how to behave with the adults.~:rolleyes:
Scarper off.
AntiochusIII
10-26-2005, 23:56
Hey, don't be so cocky and angry, people. After all, president Bush succeed in his ultimate (conspiracy website-based information ~;) ) goal in bringing the rise of conservativism all across the world.
Thus, in keeping with the definition of "going back through time," he bombed one target back to the stone age.
Everyone else, fearing the yankees would conquer the world, and, realizing that no yankees ever lived in the stone age, followed. Liberalism is now a synonym of sodomy, homosexuality, atheism, oh, and I guess the Great Santa..erm..Satan.
Thus, our beloved Ali Khamene’i decide his country is going to try to conserve their stone age idealogy. And Bush agreed. And Blair, I guess. Oh, and Putin. Among others...
See? Conservative victory across the globe!
At least the American President took a stand against the Tyrants of Tehran.
The European Union, while ‘expressing concerns’ at the lack of human rights in Iran, greedily signs new trade agreements with the murderous Mullahs.
Kanamori
10-27-2005, 00:12
There are some really wild parties going on in the north of Tehran, indoors of course. Though there have been occasional street parties as well, drug-soaked, alcohol-ridden, sex-driven as they should.
***k London, I'm going to Tehran.~:)
A girl I went to school with was from there and returned there yearly, maybe there was a reason.:book: I'll ask her to show me around there.~;)
Kanamori
10-27-2005, 00:14
The European Union, while ‘expressing concerns’ at the lack of human rights in Iran, greedily signs new trade agreements with the murderous Mullahs.
Indeed, when one has economic relations with such people, they ought to use it as leverage.
***k London, I'm going to Tehran.~:)
I'll help you. Just remember to ask the Basij for the jendehs.
Then you’ll end up in prison with the koss khols. ~;)
Kanamori
10-27-2005, 00:23
Given the context, I'm not sure I want to find out what koss khols are.
:hide:
The joke is that if you ask the religious militia for the, hmm, loose women, you’ll end up in prison with the fools. ~;)
Leet Eriksson
10-27-2005, 00:33
I'll help you. Just remember to ask the Basij for the jendehs.
Then you’ll end up in prison with the koss khols. ~;)
Argh the Basij... one of my relatives iranian friends got 8 years simply becuase he looked at a women in the eyes, scary part is, basij usually go undercover in civilian clothes.
Argh the Basij... one of my relatives iranian friends got 8 years simply becuase he looked at a women in the eyes, scary part is, basij usually go undercover in civilian clothes. Tell me about it. I was hit in the head with a baton by a civilian-clad Basij once. And my poor cousins have been on the receiving end of beatings for years. But they have never been caught, thank God.
Kanamori
10-27-2005, 00:49
There's beating up hippies, and then there is just being a total arse:no:
Tribesman
10-27-2005, 01:13
Depends if I wanted to kill the bear or not.
Ah , in that case Red what you want to do is leave out the food , but lace it with poison , poking it with a stick will probably only make it rip your arm off .
Indeed, when one has economic relations with such people, they ought to use it as leverage.
Oh look , instead of poisoned food , the option of giving it nice food so you can get it to do what you want , slowly drawing the creature out so you can hit it with a bloody big stick when it least expects it , much better than just poking it (if the EU have the balls to use the leverage that is) .
Depends if I wanted to kill the bear or not.
Ah , in that case Red what you want to do is leave out the food , but lace it with poison , poking it with a stick will probably only make it rip your arm off .
Indeed, when one has economic relations with such people, they ought to use it as leverage.
Oh look , instead of poisoned food , the option of giving it nice food so you can get it to do what you want , slowly drawing the creature out so you can hit it with a bloody big stick when it least expects it , much better than just poking it (if the EU have the balls to use the leverage that is) .
And in bold red you have identified the main problem with any measure dealing with Iran as it regards the EU.
Louis VI the Fat
10-27-2005, 01:45
if the EU have the balls to use the leverage that isYeah, well we don't. We've sold out for a few billion euros. What's supposed to happen is that Europe waves it's chequebook, and they do as they're told like a puppy groveling for a cookie. Not the other way round.
I'll side with the American hardliners when dealing with those Sith lords in Tehran. :knight:
Is Iran officially a democracy?
No its a theocracy. All decisions must go by a religious consul. The president actually has little or no power. It is truly an awful place to live in.
He can burn as many flags as he likes, and yell jihad as much as he likes, it will only make him look more rediculous. Sad day he got elected yes, but I don't think it will last very long.
I will dance in the street the day that government gets overthrown.
Adrian II
10-27-2005, 07:23
At least the American President took a stand against the Tyrants of Tehran.
The European Union, while ‘expressing concerns’ at the lack of human rights in Iran, greedily signs new trade agreements with the murderous Mullahs.Need I remind you that every nation has its unsavoury allies? At least the EU does not ship its political and military prisoners to dictatorships in order to be tortured by proxy. Need I remind you which country does?
Need I remind you that every nation has its unsavoury allies? At least the EU does not ship its political and military prisoners to dictatorships in order to be tortured by proxy. Need I remind you which country does? No, you do not.
Correct me if I am wrong, but several European governments has declared Iran a ‘safe country’, which means that Iranian asylum-seekers can deported, end exported by European police back to Iran. Back to prison, whip lashing, and death.
I am sorry my friend, I do not hate the EU, I am just disappointed.
Another thing you need not remind me of, is that in an attempt to persuade Iran to drop the nuclear program, ‘Washington is now prepared to recognise the legitimacy of the Iranian Government’. ~:rolleyes:
Adrian II
10-27-2005, 09:49
Correct me if I am wrong, but several European governments has declared Iran a ‘safe country’, which means that Iranian asylum-seekers can deported, end exported by European police back to Iran. Back to prison, whip lashing, and death.I have tried to save some from that fate in the 1990's by writing about their cases in my paper. Alas... But we are not sending prisoners to Iran with the express purpose of having them tortured, as far as I am aware.
I am sorry my friend, I do not hate the EU, I am just disappointed.As I said before, Brother Dâriûsh, all countries have unsavoury allies. I think the EU has done its best -- in its own limited, occasionally scatterbrained way -- to support and address the moderate forces in Iran, right down to the (obviously political) decision to award a Nobel Prize to a female Iranian human rights advocate. I hope we also share the expectation that Iranian youth will sooner or later prevail over political decrepitude and religious obscurantism. Whether that break-through will result in paradise on earth is another matter. At least Iranians will have a choice, and the rest of the world will have new partners for dialogue.
:bow:
I have tried to save some from that fate in the 1990's by writing about their cases in my paper. Alas... Kheily mamnoon ~:) (Thank you)
I hope we also share the expectation that Iranian youth will sooner or later prevail over political decrepitude and religious obscurantism. Whether that break-through will result in paradise on earth is another matter. At least Iranians will have a choice, and the rest of the world will have new partners for dialogue.
:bow: We do indeed.
Oh yes, I see your point. The world does much better if the USA just shuts up and pays for everything while our "betters" coach us nincompoops how to behave with the adults.~:rolleyes:
Scarper off.
(Splutters tea across screen)
Pay for what exactly? The US seems to be under the bizzare delusion that it is some form of generous power in the world. In terms of aid it's contribution is relatively low, and it's companies are busy strip mining the world of it's resources.
Adrian II
10-27-2005, 10:49
Kheily mamnoon ~:)Kâmelan dorost ast. Defending refugees' rights is a duty for someone in a free nation who runs no personal risk. And I failed, so that makes me feel real awkward.
(Splutters tea across screen)
Pay for what exactly? The US seems to be under the bizzare delusion that it is some form of generous power in the world. In terms of aid it's contribution is relatively low, and it's companies are busy strip mining the world of it's resources.
that only flies when one looks at aid in the terms of government aid to other nations compared to the GNP. Now when one looks at actual dollars given in aid - a different story begins to come about. When one begins to add the Non governmental organizations into the picture an even different picture begins to come about.
http://www.globalissues.org/TradeRelated/Debt/USAid.asp?so=p2001#ForeignAidNumbersinChartsandGraphs
USA’s aid, in terms of percentage of their GNP has almost always been lower than any other industrialized nation in the world, though paradoxically in the last four years, their dollar amount has been the highest. (Only in 2004 did they move up from last place by one.)
Since 1992, Japan had been the largest donor of aid, in terms of raw dollars. That was until 2001 when the United States reclaimed that position, a year that also saw Japan’s amount of aid drop by nearly 4 billion dollars (as tables and charts below will also show).
and
Individual/private donations may be targeted in many ways. However, even though the charts above do show US aid to be poor (in percentage terms) compared to the rest, the generosity of the American people is far more impressive than their government. Private aid/donation has been through charity of individual people and organizations though this of course can be weighted to certain interests and areas. Nonetheless, it is interesting to note for example, per latest estimates, Americans privately give at least $34 billion overseas — more than twice the US official foreign aid of $15 billion at that time:
International giving by US foundations: $1.5 billion per year
Charitable giving by US businesses: $2.8 billion annually
American NGOs: $6.6 billion in grants, goods and volunteers.
Religious overseas ministries: $3.4 billion, including health care, literacy training, relief and development.
US colleges scholarships to foreign students: $1.3 billion
Personal remittances from the US to developing countries: $18 billion in 2000
Source: Dr. Carol Adelman, Aid and Comfort, Tech Central Station, 21 August 2002.
While Adelman admits that “there are no complete figures for international private giving” she still says that Americans are “clearly the most generous on earth in public — but especially in private — giving”. Hence these numbers and claims may be taken with caution, but even then, these are high numbers.
Yes indeed it might not hit the GNP figure that was agreed upon by the western nations - but only 6 nations make that goal, all others fall short. And no government contributes to the developing nations as much as the citizens of the United States when you look at the raw dollar amount. Now take that statement with a grain of salt - but try to disprove it if you can before you claim it is just boasting by an American.
I have tried to save some from that fate in the 1990's by writing about their cases in my paper.
Now I know! PVD... I mean volkskrant. Am I right ~;)
Meneldil
10-27-2005, 17:13
Yes indeed it might not hit the GNP figure that was agreed upon by the western nations - but only 6 nations make that goal, all others fall short. And no government contributes to the developing nations as much as the citizens of the United States when you look at the raw dollar amount. Now take that statement with a grain of salt - but try to disprove it if you can before you claim it is just boasting by an American.
There a slight difference between the numbers you quoted and this statement :
Oh yes, I see your point. The world does much better if the USA just shuts up and pays for everything while our "betters" coach us nincompoops how to behave with the adults.
Yes, of course, the US gives more money, but is it surprising, considering they are still, as far as I know, the wealthiest country in the world ?
Note : I'm not saying that you should give more or that you don't give enough.
Furthermore, if you allow me to quote this site :
Adelman, further above noted that the US is “clearly the most generous on earth in public — but especially in private — giving”, yet the CGD suggests otherwise, saying that the US does not close the gap with most other rich countries; “The US gives 13c/day/person in government aid....American’s private giving—another 5c/day—is high by international standards but does not close the gap with most other rich countries. Norway gives $1.02/day in public aid and 24c/day in private aid” per person. (These numbers will change of course, year by year, but the point here is that Adelman’s assertion — one that many seem to have — is not quite right.)
It also explains why private donations are not nearly as effective as state donations.
There a slight difference between the numbers you quoted and this statement :
Yes, of course, the US gives more money, but is it surprising, considering they are still, as far as I know, the wealthiest country in the world ?
Note : I'm not saying that you should give more or that you don't give enough.
Furthermore, if you allow me to quote this site :
It also explains why private donations are not nearly as effective as state donations.
Oh but you missed the intent of the post - ~:joker:
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