U.S. foils Iran-backed terror plot
Discussion
Perhaps there is a slight shifting in the attitudes of the more moderate younger Mullahs. As the founders of the regime are dying off they are being replaced with a generation of Mullah's post war. Their perceptions of the world are indeed different. But as long as those that wish to hang and stone are still alive, the extreme is so far extreme that it counts for not a lot.
The way people live in Iran is one of great adaptation and flexibility. They are like reeds in the river bed and move and flex and bend with the torrents surrounding them. To some of the younger ones, it's a game, played with reasonably high stakes. Hair styles are an example. The old boys frown on the 'western' sharp styles as being anti islamic. Yet what they have put in their place, though more conservative, is laughable, so few follow it. Music is an interesting one. Well, pop music has to be vetted and approved by the morality council. Every song needs approval, yet if you hear the music playing loudly in cars, it's as contemporary and 'hip' (showing my great age here!) as comparable western music. What is not allowed is music from the ex idols and icons. There are several singers, who if you played their music loudly in the car, would get you arrested. Yet, everyone knows who they are and everyone (well, a very substantial majority of people in Iran), would have their CD's, DVD, etc at home.
That's the thing really, there is a real contrast between life outside and inside the home. To be invited into someone's home is a privelege and an honour, because many Iranians keep the madness of the public life well away from their front doors. Yet you'll find the latest designer clothes - the real stuff, not nasty copies, state of the art AV and PC's and a lot of high consumerism. Dubai..... supplies a great deal of it. A while ago and even periodically now, the gvt banned all Satellite dishes pointong towards Dubai. But they can't stop the influx on foreign influences. It's a tidal wave now and the Mullahs know that at best, all they can do is restrict the flow, but they cannot stop it without causing real unrest.
Many years ago, the regime sent it's agents into Paris to kill a very famous Iranian exiled poet. There was uproar in Iran at that news, but at the time, there was little that could be done by the people. It's interesting that there is only one Icon remaining that the public, of all ages are aware of and respect. He is an exiled singer, who I have seen many times, who sings political songs. Though the regime hate him, they won't touch him. If they did, there would be riots on the street.
Funny really, that a nation deemed by so many to be backward, stubborn and ignorant is actually one the brightest and most politically astute nations. The peoples are very sharp and aware of the complexities of international politics and the main personalities involved.
Sometimes, it's really hard to get my head around the bi-polar personality of this nation. Extremes in every sense; climate, peoples, politics, identy, agendas, culture, religions... it is such a complex maddening mix and in each of those, you will find polar opposites. Perhaps it's no wonder then that those who go to tame Iran, end up falling in love with the nation and it's peoples. Those who have been talk of different Iran to that which you see on the news. Oh well, when the madmen have withered, perhaps there is a rebirth and new dawn for the freed Persian Lion. I do hope so.
The way people live in Iran is one of great adaptation and flexibility. They are like reeds in the river bed and move and flex and bend with the torrents surrounding them. To some of the younger ones, it's a game, played with reasonably high stakes. Hair styles are an example. The old boys frown on the 'western' sharp styles as being anti islamic. Yet what they have put in their place, though more conservative, is laughable, so few follow it. Music is an interesting one. Well, pop music has to be vetted and approved by the morality council. Every song needs approval, yet if you hear the music playing loudly in cars, it's as contemporary and 'hip' (showing my great age here!) as comparable western music. What is not allowed is music from the ex idols and icons. There are several singers, who if you played their music loudly in the car, would get you arrested. Yet, everyone knows who they are and everyone (well, a very substantial majority of people in Iran), would have their CD's, DVD, etc at home.
That's the thing really, there is a real contrast between life outside and inside the home. To be invited into someone's home is a privelege and an honour, because many Iranians keep the madness of the public life well away from their front doors. Yet you'll find the latest designer clothes - the real stuff, not nasty copies, state of the art AV and PC's and a lot of high consumerism. Dubai..... supplies a great deal of it. A while ago and even periodically now, the gvt banned all Satellite dishes pointong towards Dubai. But they can't stop the influx on foreign influences. It's a tidal wave now and the Mullahs know that at best, all they can do is restrict the flow, but they cannot stop it without causing real unrest.
Many years ago, the regime sent it's agents into Paris to kill a very famous Iranian exiled poet. There was uproar in Iran at that news, but at the time, there was little that could be done by the people. It's interesting that there is only one Icon remaining that the public, of all ages are aware of and respect. He is an exiled singer, who I have seen many times, who sings political songs. Though the regime hate him, they won't touch him. If they did, there would be riots on the street.
Funny really, that a nation deemed by so many to be backward, stubborn and ignorant is actually one the brightest and most politically astute nations. The peoples are very sharp and aware of the complexities of international politics and the main personalities involved.
Sometimes, it's really hard to get my head around the bi-polar personality of this nation. Extremes in every sense; climate, peoples, politics, identy, agendas, culture, religions... it is such a complex maddening mix and in each of those, you will find polar opposites. Perhaps it's no wonder then that those who go to tame Iran, end up falling in love with the nation and it's peoples. Those who have been talk of different Iran to that which you see on the news. Oh well, when the madmen have withered, perhaps there is a rebirth and new dawn for the freed Persian Lion. I do hope so.
drivin_me_nuts said:
Funny really, that a nation deemed by so many to be backward, stubborn and ignorant is actually one the brightest and most politically astute nations. The peoples are very sharp and aware of the complexities of international politics and the main personalities involved.
Apache said:
Do you think that is true? my impression is that people have great sympathy for the people of Iran, respect them and hope they shake of the shackles of oppressive religious dictatorship peacefully. Personally I'd love Iran to become Persia....in more ways than one
You're hoping for flying carpets, and Harry Harryharryharryharryhausen monsters, aren't you?Apache said:
Do you think that is true? my impression is that people have great sympathy for the people of Iran, respect them and hope they shake of the shackles of oppressive religious dictatorship peacefully. Personally I'd love Iran to become Persia....in more ways than one
I think there are many who judge the nation by it's leaders and don't look beyond that to see anything else. Perhaps we are no different, in that some judge us by the actions of Blair and lets be honest here, a fair few in this nation thought that the US was Bush and 'Bush the brain' was representative of Americans in general (poor sods if that really is the case!).
Apache said:
drivin_me_nuts said:
Funny really, that a nation deemed by so many to be backward, stubborn and ignorant is actually one the brightest and most politically astute nations. The peoples are very sharp and aware of the complexities of international politics and the main personalities involved.
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