Thoughts

Comment is free: Caught in a recurring conflict

2007-02-07T21:04:00.000-05:00

Comment is free: Caught in a recurring conflict: "And yet, one wished this was all: a handful of Islamic Republic folk fall in the hands of the US military in Arbil; a bunch of self-righteous ideology-driven radicals bomb their way through Baghdad; and a few cascades of proud centrifuges spin tirelessly in Natanz, going round and round unmindfully, as if no cry of danger could ever stop them ... "

I totally agree and couldn't say it anybetter myself.

Some pictures of Tehran

2007-02-05T17:43:00.000-05:00

Here is the slide show. In the constant fear and shadow of a war I thought seeing these might help showing the real face of a regular city with real people which happens to be my hometown.

I have a dream...[Martin Luther King] - Google Video

2007-01-17T20:24:00.000-05:00

I have a dream...[Martin Luther King] - Google Video

I have been wanting to see this speech for a long time. Finally I made time today and thought to share it with you just to pay my respect to this noble man.

A nerdy joke

2006-10-19T03:02:00.000-04:00

An engineer, a physicist, and a statistician were moose hunting in northern Canada. After a short walk through the marshes they spotted a HUGE moose 150 meters away. The engineer raised his gun and fired at the moose. A puff of dust showed that the bullet landed 3 meters to the right of the moose. The physicist, realizing that there was a substantial breeze that the engineer did not account for, aimed to the left of the moose and fired. The bullet landed 3 meters to the left of the moose. The statistician jumped up and down screaming, "We got him! We got him!"

Sarah McLachlan - World On Fire

2006-10-14T14:30:00.001-04:00

Sarah McLachlan - World On Fire

I loved it. I loved the music and the idea behind the video. I wanted to share it with you.

Career Fair

2006-09-19T15:22:00.000-04:00

Note to self: Never eat beef fried rice before career fair. If you do at least drink plenty of water so you won't be thirsty!

Being a feminist, I hate the whole feminism concept today. If I were born 300 years ago I was happily raising 13 kids and wash my husband's socks and never had to worry about having a career!

P.S. When were socks invented?

BBC NEWS | Middle East | US Iran report branded dishonest

2006-09-14T11:40:00.000-04:00

BBC NEWS Middle East US Iran report branded dishonest: "The UN nuclear watchdog has protested to the US government over a report on Iran's nuclear programme it called 'outrageous' and 'dishonest' . "

These reports scare me...Specifically if they are branded dishonest cause they are more likely to be part of an attack plan.

The Apple Store (U.S.) - iPod nano

2006-09-13T06:33:00.000-04:00

The Apple Store (U.S.) - iPod nano

Aren't these cute? I bought a shuffle as soon as it came out with my tax return money that year( talking about a poor graduate student with big wishes!). But it was a bad idea. Nano came almost immediately. Nano is as light as shuffle, which was my main reason, and has a screen display. Up until now, I was telling myself that shuffle is better cause nano comes in boring dull colors...But now they have all these cute colors...hey hey..I hope the next ipod comes before the tax season this year.

Lady Sun: Shargh Newspaper Shut Down

2006-09-12T06:07:00.000-04:00

Lady Sun: Shargh Newspaper Shut Down: "Shargh, one of the few reformist papers left in Iran, was banned today, partly for publishing a cartoon considered insulting, and partly because it didn't change its director to a more conservative one. "

Love you as much as sharing my non beautifulness ????

2006-09-06T21:07:00.000-04:00

There is something about this piece with that subject which I find very hunting. It is indeed a great component of every true relationship. I really liked this work.

Love this one!

2006-09-06T20:07:00.000-04:00

Let us think together: Gender Roles

2006-08-29T12:45:00.000-04:00

Let us think together: Gender Roles

Please take a moment and write your comment on this topic in Vasu's blog. We have been discussing this recently and would love to know your opinion on it.

USATODAY.com - Meeting Iran's first female stockbroker shatters several misperceptions

2006-08-28T14:08:00.000-04:00

USATODAY.com - Meeting Iran's first female stockbroker shatters several misperceptions: "I was immediately intrigued when my translator, Pejman, suggested a meeting with Mahnaz Sadeghnobari. All he had to tell me was that she is a stockbroker. A female broker isn't a big deal back home. But in Iran? I had to meet this woman."

I can't put to words how proud I am of this woman and how privileged and grateful I am to have a role model like her. She is the best mom anyone could ask for.

P.S. A WOMAN ON THE TRADING FLOOR (2001)/ Iran: No Longer A No-Woman's Land (2004)/ Business Week online

Careers and Marriage - Forbes.com

2006-08-24T01:34:00.000-04:00

Careers and Marriage - Forbes.com: "A word of advice. Marry pretty women or ugly ones. Short ones or tall ones. Blondes or brunettes. Just, whatever you do, don't marry a woman with a career."

I am getting my PhD, I will have a career for sure and consider myself a feminist so better not comment on this one! Both the point and counter points are interesting.

Thanks to Siah for the link.

Peace, Propaganda & The Promised Land - Google Video

2006-08-04T19:01:00.000-04:00

Peace, Propaganda & The Promised Land - Google Video

This is a video about the Palestine/Israel conflict. It is one hour and twenty minutes and contains harsh graphics but I insist that you take a time and watch it.

If you know good references about this subject I will be most grateful to learn about it. I would love to know your insights on this. How much do you think it is representing the truth?

Democracy Now! | NATIONAL EXCLUSIVE: Hezbollah Leader Hassan Nasrallah Talks With Former US Diplomats on Israel, Prisoners and Hezbollah�s Founding

2006-08-01T17:05:00.000-04:00

Democracy Now! NATIONAL EXCLUSIVE: Hezbollah Leader Hassan Nasrallah Talks With Former US Diplomats on Israel, Prisoners and Hezbollah's Founding: "The US government considers Hezbollah a terrorist organization, but several former US diplomats sat down with the group's leader, Hassan Nasrallah, in Lebanon earlier this year. In a US national exclusive, we play excerpts of the interview, and speak to former US Ambassador and White House Terrorism Task Force Director Edward Peck, who took part in the meeting."

You can listen/watch the program.

CASMII :. Statement by H.E. Dr. M. Javad Zarif, Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran before the Security Council

2006-08-01T14:13:00.000-04:00

CASMII :. Statement by H.E. Dr. M. Javad Zarif, Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran before the Security Council: "The Iranian people's struggle to nationalize their oil industry was touted, in a draft resolution submitted on 12 October 1951 by the United Kingdom and supported by the United States and France, as a threat to international peace and security. That draft resolution preceded a coup d'etat, organized by the US and the UK -- in a less veiled attempt to restore their short-sighted interests. The coup, which was obviously no longer disguisable in the language of the Charter or diplomatic subterfuge, restored the brutal dictatorship. The people of Iran did, nevertheless, succeed in nationalizing the oil industry, thus pioneering a courageous movement in the developing world to demand their inalienable right to exercise sovereignty over their natural resources."

The above letter is in response to the resolution which was passed on July 31st,2006 about Iran's nuclear program. It reviews the history of the difficulties that Iran has faced at the UN. Thanks to N for the link.

BBC NEWS | Middle East | Israel says world backs offensive

2006-07-27T08:24:00.000-04:00

BBC NEWS Middle East Israel says world backs offensive: "'We received yesterday at the Rome conference permission from the world... to continue the operation,' Justice Minister Haim Ramon said. "

Iran, Syria, and Israel have not been in these talks. United States and England have been the main reason for this conclusion. I am speechless.

Congress Support Israel, Calls for tougher measures against Iran

2006-07-20T13:56:00.000-04:00

Congress Support Israel, Calls for tougher measures against Iran: "With conditions intensifying in Lebanon, the House and Senate will approve resolutions backing Israel's right to defend itself and condemning Iran for its support of the Hezbollah militant group. Furthermore, a few lawmakers called for tougher punishments against Iran to address the situation. Both pieces of legislation express unwavering backing for Israel; however, the House version contains tougher language, including an appeal to President Bush to bring sanctions to bear on Iran and Syria"

I just don't understand one thing. Assume Iran directly told Hezbollah to kidnap those two Israeli soldiers...Did Iran tell Israel to have such out of proportion reaction? Did Iran force Israel to kill more than 300 innocent people(to this minute)? Is it possible to have so much military troops ready just to "react"? Why Iran is condemned for the massacre that Israel is doing?! It just seems like a pre-text to me. Who is benefiting from all this anyway? Iran who is losing their most powerful card in Middle East or Israel who has made an excuse to massively suppress an unfavorable elected government in Palestine, kill hundreds of innocents in Lebanon, destroy a country's infrastructure and economy, and find an excuse to put Iran and Syria in the list?

Next We Take Tehran

2006-07-19T15:08:00.000-04:00

Next We Take Tehran: "In addition to exaggerating the nuclear threat, the administration has been accusing Iran of harboring Al Qaeda fugitives and supporting bin Laden's movement, though there is little or no evidence to support these claims. As in Iraq, Washington is sinking millions of dollars into propaganda efforts and alliances with dubious exile groups; according to a recent State Department planning document, the United States is busily setting up Iran intelligence and mobilization centers in Dubai, Istanbul, Frankfurt, London, and Azerbaijan to work with Iranian expatriate communities. Elizabeth Cheney, the daughter of the vice president and a top State Department official, is overseeing a program to spend $85 million on support for dissidents in Iran and to pay for anti-Iran propaganda. She has helped create a brand-new Office of Iranian Affairs at the State Department, and she reportedly supervises an office called the Iran-Syria Operations Group. As with Iraq, U.S. officials realizing that U.N. support for an attack on Iran is nil are talking openly about bypassing the world body and forging yet another coalition of the willing to confront Iran. And, of course, as with Iraq, there is the escalating rhetoric, the talk of all options being on the table, the news of Special Forces already operating in the country to foment civil conflict. "

YouTube - Lebanon Israel Facts the Media Isn't Telling You

2006-07-19T12:17:00.001-04:00

YouTube - Lebanon Israel Facts the Media Isn't Telling You

2006-07-19T12:17:00.000-04:00

YouTube - Lebanon Israel Facts the Media Isn't Telling You

Over 3,000 Iraqi Civilians Died in June, U.N. Reports - New York Times

2006-07-18T15:20:00.000-04:00

Over 3,000 Iraqi Civilians Died in June, U.N. Reports - New York Times: "An average of more than 100 civilians per day were killed in Iraq last month, the highest monthly tally of violent deaths since the fall of Baghdad, the United Nations reported today. "

Current TV // Video Preview

2006-07-13T18:24:00.000-04:00

Current TV // Video Preview

This is a short report about transsexuals in Iran.

YouTube - Best Player Ever Zin�dine Zidane

2006-07-11T20:46:00.000-04:00

YouTube - Best Player Ever Zin�dine Zidane

thought this might be interesting to you if you like soccer and enjoy watching some good moments by a good player. I am not sure if he is the "best ever" but he sure is one of the best.

What's an Iraqi Life Worth?

2006-07-11T01:23:00.000-04:00

What's an Iraqi Life Worth?: "The insurance payout to the beneficiaries of an American soldier who dies in the line of duty is $400,000, while in the eyes of the U.S. government, a dead Iraqi civilian is reportedly worth up to $2,500 in condolence payments -- about the price of a decent plasma-screen TV"

I want to add something to what this article is saying and that's what has been in my mind for quite a while now...Just how many Middle Eastern lives is worth one American life? For 3000 people who were killed in 9/11 how many more people have to die before this madness stops? Does any American ever asks that from oneself? I am furious over the fact Americans have never heard the sounds of the bombs, have never seen a neighbor's house demolished, they have never experienced people being in their land, they have no idea what it's like for regular people to be under economic sanctions and they precisely prescribe all these for other nations. And now there is also this situation in Israel which I totally don't understand any more! I mean, did I miss something or is all this killing so many innocent people is for rescuing "one" Israeli soldier? Especially since Palestinians have announce many times that they are ready to trade the soldier with some Palestinian prisoners. Am I missing something here?

Human Rights: Reduced to Charity? - Google Video

2006-06-29T22:43:00.000-04:00

Human Rights: Reduced to Charity? - Google Video

This is the video of a forum with above mentioned title that was held in World Economic Forum(2006). In addition to Angelina Jolie being there other interesting subjects come up such as war on terror and how it's counter ptoductive, current situation in Afghanistan,etc. It's a bit long(1hr 30 mins) but I liked it.

A good day

2006-06-27T23:51:00.000-04:00

Ok. I need to express my happy feelings but I can't do it in my Farsi blogs because two discussions are going on there and I don't want to interrupt them...So here is the news, my advisor FINALLY told me that I have to start writing my first paper...I know, it's late...But this is how Ph.D. works. What it takes the most is patience. I was stuck at a point for like three months and there were times that I was like, I will never get this. Yesterday we finally got it... Now I am hopeful again that maybe someday I will get out of here with enough accomplishments and start a normal life. Let's cross our fingers for that.

Video: Angelina Jolie, UN Refugee Spokesperson

2006-06-20T14:26:00.000-04:00

Video: Angelina Jolie, UN Refugee Spokesperson

I like this little talk. I like to see the sparkles in her eyes when she talks about her aids to people and how it makes her happy...I wish some day I have enough resources to do so much that I can tell myself .." I really made a difference".

Women's peaceful demonstration in Tehran was violently suppressed

2006-06-13T19:06:00.000-04:00

On Monday June 12th, a peaceful demonstration of women for equal rights was brutally suppressed by the police force even before the participants get any chance to voice their demands. More than 70 people are arrested and men and women were beaten up and tear gas was used. The demonstration was organized by a group of women activists as a follow up to the similar demonstration which was held last year in front of University of Tehran.

Zahra, a law student, describes the day in her blog:

"when we got there it was really scary. Several police buses and cars covering the whole area. Cell phones were obviously monitored because we were receiving suspicious text messages from an unknown number...We got to the meeting point in the Hafte-Tir Square and saw the police forces already being "busy" in three other spots. We sat down and started chanting slogans..After about 5 minutes of confused stares from the pedestrians at us we received the first surprise: the women police force which are scarier than men for two reasons...First they are "mahram" to women so they can kick and punch women without violating any religious code and second they are strangely way more aggressive than men! First they tried to force us by hand to get up and leave...When we resisted they started using their nightsticks, after not very long the kicks and punches and the nightstick beatings got very harsh...Right in front of my eyes one of them beat Mana right in her head so badly that I don't think I will ever forget the sound of it...All of sudden everywhere is red...The second surprise: they are using a paint spray on us. We didn't realize first but they were marking us so that they know later in the crowd who was sitting and resisting...Smart!

They finally forced us to get up and pushed us to the center of the square while we were still chanting the anthem for Iran's women movement. At least people are seeing us and you can see the objection and sympathy in their eyes...The other side of the square is so crowded I can't really see anything but I hear that they are arresting people...We are scattered...This is partly bad because we are so scattered that we can not even say why we are here so that they won't call all this "a police encounter with women with bad Islamic Hijab"...And it is partly good cause at least curious people are now mixed up with the demonstrators, occasionally receiving some beating and can sympathize with us. We roamed around for another 30 minutes just to be there. I hear they have arrested Delaram and Nasim...I am so worried...Delaram told me if she doesn't take her exam tomorrow it will delay her graduation for a semester...I found Elmira another friend and she told me that Firoozeh's shoulder is dislocated. The crowed moves to the other side of the square and police dispersed us with gas tear...We move away from the chaos a bit and all of a sudden a police woman gets us! " I remember you chanting anthems and slogans! I remember your face!" when we denied she pointed to the red marks on my scarf...She took us to another police woman for some "explanations"...For a second the woman got distracted and Mana and I each escaped from a direction and went to the subway station as fast as we could...Roshanak and Hedieh were there..Roshanak couldn't really see because apparently they had used tear gas right into her face..."

Based on Iran's constitution the age of being tried as a child is based on religious standards. By this law the age for men is 15 years and for women is 9 years. In other words a 9 year old kid, if committing a crime, will be tried like an adult. Women's testimony is worth half of men's and in some cases women can not testify in court. Children's custody is solely a man's right and if for any reason the father is not qualified or is dead it will be children's grandfather from father side who will have the custody of children. If parents divorce children should stay with their father unless they are less than seven years old(I think, it might be two for sons) and if the mother gets married with in this time she will lose her right to have the children. Men in Iran are legally allowed to have four wives where women are supposed to be loyal to their husband at all times. Based on Iran's constitution if a husband sees his wife having sex with another man he is allowed to kill that man and if he knows that his wife willingly slept with that man he is allowed to kill his wife. Iranian women, by constitution, have to comply with their men's sexual requests or they will lose many of their rights in marriage. They can not travel abroad or even ask for a passport unless they present a permission from their husband. They do not have equal rights for divorce. The blood money, the Islamic equivalent of value of life, for women is half of the men. If a man kills a woman he can not be prosecuted until the woman's family pays half of a man's blood money to the murderer's family.

This demonstration was to protest against these and similar regulations and demanding equal rights for men and women.

BBC's coverage, Washingtonpost

See more pictures here and here. Read more in LadySun's blog and this report.

Dailymotion - Share Your Videos

2006-06-07T10:04:00.000-04:00

Dailymotion - Share Your Videos

This is 5 clips from reports by Christian Amanpour from inside of Iran. I found them sad but true.

Iran World Cup Team Blog Football - FIFA World Cup Football - Germany 2006

2006-06-06T23:54:00.000-04:00

Iran World Cup Team Blog Football - FIFA World Cup Football - Germany 2006

Says who that blogging is a waste of time? Here is the Iran's section on the World Cup blog! Check it out!

Don't miss this video.

P.S.1. I have signed up for the first 5k race of my life on Sunday. I gave it a try last week on treadmill and took me exactly 50 minutes to run it. Today I did it on the track and took exacty 1 hour. 1 more run tomorrow and Ithink I will mentally be ready for the big day.

P.S.2. I gave my new workout pants a good try today...good purchase!

The new look

2006-06-06T16:28:00.000-04:00

So how do you like the new look with the Iran support banner? The funny thing is that I am not a big succer fan or anything but I still think it is cool that Iran has made it to the World Cup. I don't expect them to go to the second round at all. A graceful loss is my hope. But for now this blog is all support for Iran's team:)

P.S.I got it from Haleh just in case you want it too!

BBC NEWS | Middle East | Abbas pushes for statehood poll

2006-06-06T00:22:00.000-04:00

BBC NEWS Middle East Abbas pushes for statehood poll

I want to see that day that this referendum is held and Palestinians have voted to recognize Israel. It will be a great day because Palestinians can finally move on with their life, and because it would be a turning day for those who create and maintain these hard feelings...Those whose existence and survival depends on crisis...And by these I mean the Iranian government and some groups in Palestine. Just recently Iran helped 50 million dollars to Hamas after United States and EU stopped their aids to Hamas asking that they should recognize Israel. I never really got it how it is our business to over-worry about Palestinians. I always saw Israel and America as the buffer zone for the government. Whenever they have a problem the blame it on "enemies" and most of the time these enemies are USA and Israel...Now I am eager to see that day that they have had to sit at the table with US and this referendum results in recognizing Israel. It would be a great day indeed.

Lee Bienstock on The Apprentice

2006-06-05T00:41:00.000-04:00

Lee Bienstock on The Apprentice

A Cornell graduate at age of 23 is the finalist for the TV show Apprentice, which I would say is the only reality show I like. I am pretty impressed. At such young age it takes a lot of courage to not only go for such challenge but also do it on national TV. Good luck my fellow Cornellian! I will try to learn how this text message/voting thing works and vote for you.

P.S. I don't have cable. The only season I actually watched was the first season and the show is now at the 5th season. Just in case you are confused!

Media Education Foundation: Killing Us Softly 3

2006-05-19T17:01:00.000-04:00

Media Education Foundation: Killing Us Softly 3

YouTube - Steve Jobs Speech

2006-05-03T00:00:00.000-04:00

YouTube - Steve Jobs Speech

In you are low in spirits...this is a great inspiring speech and totally worth your time. It helped me.

"No one wants to die. Even people who want to go to heaven dont want to die to get there! and yet death is the destination we all share. No one has ever escaped it.......... Your time is limited. So dont waste it living someone else's life. Dont be trapped by dogma which is living with the results of the other people's thinking and most important: have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary"

The old lady in the bus

2006-04-19T20:29:00.000-04:00

The first time I saw this old lady in the bus was two years ago. Afghanistan was "liberated", as she said, and U.S. troops were in Iraq. She asked me where I was from and then there goes a flow of questions..Do you have buses in Iran? Do you raise your boys to go to Jihad? Can women work in Iran? Do you have theatres?...We say hi to each other since then and enjoy a nice small talk once in a while. I always thought that she probably works in a store in downtown...Today she told me that she has a Ph.D. and is a professor in college. I couldn't believe this..If the university professors know so little about Middle East what can I expect from an average American? I know not all Americas are like this old lady but I must say I was really disappointed.

Nuclear Bunker Buster (RNEP) Animation

2006-04-18T16:53:00.000-04:00

Nuclear Bunker Buster (RNEP) Animation

This is interesting. Although being from Iran it is painful to see your country be the "example" all the time. I am sort of in the denial phase these days about the whole war topic. I read the news and just refuse to think about the possibility of an attack on Iran. I thought about it for a while after I came back from Iran in January and it was literally driving me nuts. I would break down into tears at least once a week. I just hope that it will not happen. I don't know what I am going to do if it happens.

Guardian Unlimited | The Guardian | Heard the one about the president?

2006-04-17T15:10:00.000-04:00

Guardian Unlimited The Guardian Heard the one about the president?

This SMS thing is big in Iran. Unlike USA it comes as part of the package for cell phone use with no extra charge. Therefore, people send and receive tens of messages every day...apparantky with controversial subjects...sex, nuclear crisis, and president's showering habits!

Iran Seeks Talks With U.S. on Iraq, Official Says - New York Times

2006-03-16T11:49:00.000-05:00

Iran Seeks Talks With U.S. on Iraq, Official Says - New York Times

This is a very important piece of news. Hopefully this shows how desperate they are getting in this whole nuclear negotiations. However, when I read about president Bush's new report on national security in CNN saying:"If necessary, however, under long-standing principles of self defense, we do not rule out the use of force before attacks occur -- even if uncertainty remains as to the time and place of the enemy's attack" I can only think of one thing...Bush is as bad as Iran's regime. They both seem to need this crisis for their own survival and to blame their shortcomings on it...It is sad that the destiny of so many innocent people is in hands of such shortsighted men.

Students: It's a university not a cemetery

2006-03-14T04:45:00.000-05:00

Sharif University of Technology is one of the best schools in Iran with really smart kids. On the other hand one of the things that Iranians have become very familiar with during the past couple of years is a group of people known as "Gorouh Feshar". It literally translates as the suppression group or the pressure group. They are bunch of brain washed people, who are usually armed but are not part of any military or police organization. Their main functionality is to suppress any movement with extreme violence. They are also thought to be responsible for some recent murderer or attempted murderer cases in Iran.

Anyway, in the religious spirit of the new government, these people have decided(with orders of course) to bury three anonymous martyrs from the Iran-Iraq war in the university's mosque. This led to a huge clash between students and these people. Students were beaten up and the burial was done. Angry students, in return, injured the president of the school since apparently the day before he promised that the plans will be canceled. Based on students' personal blogs tear gas has been used.

Students main reasons to be against this plan are:
1. These people are abusing these martyrs for their political purposes
2. The existence of these graves will give an excuse to the suppression group people to enter the university's campus as they please with no prior permission.

You can see some pictures here. This is a blog from a student who has been there today.

Reports on Iran

2006-03-11T02:22:00.000-05:00

Channel 4 news from UK has sent a team of reporters to Iran for a week. As an Iranian I think they are doing avery good job picturing different and sometimes contradicting aspects of the Iranian society from politics to drug problems, from Qom to fashion in ski resorts and much more! You can find all their reports in the link below:

http://www.channel4.com/news/special-reports/iran.html

Their blog is quite interesting too.

P.S. If you see that little camera icon at the corner then you can actually watch it.

Test

2006-03-10T22:16:00.000-05:00

Test!