Comments on: To build a bridge to Iran, tap the diaspora

By: bill80

bill80 — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 14:57:39 +0000

This is a very good, well-written article!

The world needs people like Mr. Mafinezam who will peacefully and constructively engage countries that are presently subject to repressive, authoritarian regimes.

Generalized statements about people who were “Pahlavi monarchists” are not helpful and in my view are irrelevant. One comment says “A dialogue between immigrants and residents is likely to be … divided.” So don’t even begin to talk? I don’t think so.

There is no permanent “Iranian culture as it is.” Iran is changing, just as is the rest of the world. Much of this change is driven by interaction between the Iranian people and others via the internet and rapid, inexpensive travel.

Mr. Mafinezam’s approach is an important component of what is needed to produce a more stable, positive and productive world that respects human rights.

By: txgadfly

txgadfly — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 14:26:22 +0000

Many Iranians who fled during the Revolution were Pahlavi Monarchists who had been part of a harsh regime of forced Westernization. I do not thing they are missed there.

In general, Western power elites are busy telling the world what it should look like, more or less as the 19th century European Empires did. This is not especially good and works some places better than others. Iranians do not, and have never liked, outside interference.

The “bridge” is to accept Iranian culture as it is and to go from there. Like their Russian predecessors, Iranian immigrants will do best to intermarry and intermingle right where they are.

By: edgyinchina

edgyinchina — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 00:50:58 +0000

Interesting Op-Ed piece (NOTE: This is NOT a NEWS article, it’s someone’s OPINION)….
Having said that, it was interesting. I have only one question about this and many other pieces (articles and editorials) concerning the somehow supposedly “special relationship” between America and Iran…

The author says: ‘The relationship between the American and Iranian people is too important to be left to governments alone’?
Please explain to me EXACTLY how America and the Iranian people have this so called ‘important relationship’?
Were there Iranians at Valley Forge? Gettysburg? Pearl Harbor? Twin Towers? What is this, and how did this relationship get so ‘special’….
? ? ? ? ?

By: Tobyh

Tobyh — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 00:32:12 +0000

A naive article. Iranians didn’t simply leave Iran for a holiday. There are deep divisions over the future of Iran, even within the government itself. A dialogue between immigrants and residents is likely to be just as divided.

By: SAEEDMFEYZ

SAEEDMFEYZ — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 19:56:45 +0000

Commerce is instrument of peace as it caters to common economic interests. In absence of sanctions, expatriate Iranian could have made significant constructive contributions to US and Iranian common interest in extending trade and hence constructive cultural interactions in general.
However today as yesterdays; In absence of trade between Iran and US (by- product one sanction after another sanction) Iranian expatriate option in contributing to the nature of current affairs have been marginalized.
On the other hand lack of economic ties has made it inexpensive to speak hostile and to dupe public into unnecessary hostile attitude. In lieu of these parameters Iranian expatriates have only the soft option of carrying, the bi-millennium humanist message and practice of Iranian civilization and it`s deep seated internationalist consciousness and commitment. Again and again and again…

By: eleno

eleno — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 16:43:54 +0000

When talking of Iran one needs to make a distinction between modern urban groups who are responsive to outside influences (and are keen to know about the US for example) and the rural Iranian who is a strong supporter of the Mullahs.

Most diaspora come from urban centers and so have a rosy ‘urban’ view of the situation as does this writer.

But the far more conservative rural community is different and provides the power base of Ahmadinejad and the ruling council.

By: Butch_from_PA

Butch_from_PA — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 16:26:07 +0000

Great article. On a recent visit to Iran, most Iranians reached out to me (an American) with open arms and invited me in to their homes wanting to know me more.

Iranians are really good people with some crappy Mullas controlling their lives.

By: breezinthru

breezinthru — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 12:14:17 +0000

If only there was more time, the diaspora might have had a chance. Unfortunately, America now has the choice of going to war with Iran before it has nuclear weapon capability or after it gains that capability.

If Iran continues on its current path, war is inevitable… sooner, rather than later.

By: sorayau

sorayau — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 23:53:56 +0000

Do you honeslty believe that those Iranians who left the country when the going got tough should have a say in what the Iranians in Iran want and do? Perhpas you should go back to Iran for a visit The Iranians living in their country do not want Iranian overseas to interfere in their affairs. If you want to show concern, help remove sanctions and stop the war-mongering. The most important thing to remember is to stop foreign interference. An Iranian who has lived overseas for decade has no right to decide for Iran.