Iran

[marc26]

I will admit my ignorance

I was watching a show on CBC, a canadian channel that is fantastic, on an 27yr old iranian,living in canada, going back to Iran
I was under the impression that Iran was more like Iraq. I knew that it was more developed but didnt realize how much. The people there also seemed very educated
a couple of interesting points from the documentary:
-the man had been away for 5 years and he pointed out that he was seeing alot of young couples walking around and only 5 years ago that was not done unless you were married or you woudl get arrested
-on the plane home, as soon as the iranian women were on the plane, the veils were being taken off

also, this CBC has some great segments about all around the world. One thing i like about it is there is no agenda. most of the news shows in the states focus on how a situation concerns the US, where CBC just presents the facts, good channel

[LivinLOS]

The pro Isreali bias of US and UK media is pretty strong.. However thats a consistant media thing thats been happening for years (how many times have you seen a holocaust film mainly about the gypsies or the gays ??) its shouldnt surprise me but its constant...

I prefer BBC reporting to CNN and Fox (Faux) news but CNN isnt too bad at a pinch..

[seafox]

US built Iran to keep the Shah in power so they had lots of US and European ideas and technology brought to Iran, made a big difference in their infrastructure and then when they kicked out the Shah Russia came in

[swiftdave]

I watched the same show Paul and I was amazed too. Saw Iranians shopping in a mall and the reporter was doing a man on the street type of interview. Firstly I was suprised so many spoke english, and really suprised by how wealthy and successful the average Iranian is. Not Iraq at all.

Also helps to remember that Iranians are considered an Aryan race (by the true definition, not the skinhead type )

Has anyone ever visited as a tourist?? Might be an interesting trip...

[nelsonone]

Well I visited in the eighties but that was in the regime of the Shah.........it is a beautiful place architecturaly and fascinating historically..........it has some if the best decorative tile work of anywhere in the world...........

It was all pretty free then.......no veils........just jeans T shirts and men in suits........lots of intermingling of the sexes too......

Not sure I would want to go at the moment though.........a little too tense for me this stand off/posturing at present..........

[LivinLOS]

I think media has played a big part in miss representing the development and social situation in parts of the arab world.. I remember trips in the late 70's and 80's when I was a kid down into Morocco / Spanish Sahara / Mauritainia / Etc and the architecture, design of homes, and quality of lifestyle was not the dirt poverty that seems to be the general representation.. My old man worked in Libya for a while and visited Tripoli in the 60's and 70's.. Back then it was on the jet set curcuit and mediterainian playboys kept apartments there with thier italian yachts etc, very liberal.. Now after 30 years of sanctions its ****ed..

Anyone thats a hustler and deal maker that wants to be REALLY rich should head to Libya now.. All the major oil companies are all trying to get established yet the country has no infrastructure or anything.. Billions are being poured into kick starting it and theres 101 different angles that would all make huge money.

[marc26]

Originally Posted by swiftdave

I watched the same show Paul and I was amazed too. Saw Iranians shopping in a mall and the reporter was doing a man on the street type of interview. Firstly I was suprised so many spoke english, and really suprised by how wealthy and successful the average Iranian is. Not Iraq at all.

Also helps to remember that Iranians are considered an Aryan race (by the true definition, not the skinhead type )

Has anyone ever visited as a tourist?? Might be an interesting trip...

dave,
your echoing all my thoughts on the show. it was definitely an eye-opener

[Denver]

Originally Posted by marc26

dave,
your echoing all my thoughts on the show. it was definitely an eye-opener

It's a great place to visit (Not that I am a big Middle East fan) and I have to agree with Nels here that it used to be like the Lebanon is becoming now and used to be! Street Cafes, lovely girls in modern clothes walking around. Fantastic architecture.

I've not got close to Iran recently, just up to the border to do some installation work there.

I see quite a big Iranian influence here in Iraq right now! Not saying it the cause of everything that is happening here but it doesn't seem to be helping much! Lots of undermining influences etc etc

IMHO The US can posture like Madonna doing the Vogue all they like! After Iraq and the state this place is in (Lack of momentum etc) I don't think they are willing to rush over the border just yet! Not sure the US Taxpayer would be too happy either!

[LivinLOS]

Originally Posted by Denver

I
I see quite a big Iranian influence here in Iraq right now! Not saying it the cause of everything that is happening here but it doesn't seem to be helping much! Lots of undermining influences etc etc

Now that I do belive not only influence but surely finance and shelter ??

IMHO The US can posture like Madonna doing the Vogue all they like! After Iraq and the state this place is in (Lack of momentum etc) I don't think they are willing to rush over the border just yet! Not sure the US Taxpayer would be too happy either!

I think it would be a hard sell in the states right now.. The biggest worry is dealing with one at a time IMHO.. The US & "Coalition" (stop I am laughing so hard it hurts) seems to me to be in a real bad place.. It HAS to solve the basic issues before it walks out but those issues have been around for centuries, the idea that western interests and democracy would appeal to a secular country is surprising to an armchair pundit like me, you would hope they hav better advisors..

Anyway. Take care and duck when you hear the bangs..

[Denver]

Originally Posted by LivinLOS

Now that I do belive not only influence but surely finance and shelter ??



I think it would be a hard sell in the states right now.. The biggest worry is dealing with one at a time IMHO.. The US & "Coalition" (stop I am laughing so hard it hurts) seems to me to be in a real bad place.. It HAS to solve the basic issues before it walks out but those issues have been around for centuries, the idea that western interests and democracy would appeal to a secular country is surprising to an armchair pundit like me, you would hope they hav better advisors..

Anyway. Take care and duck when you hear the bangs..

Good post Sef and yes, to a certain degree finance. Not necessarily to the 'right' people but that is 'our' western opinion. As for shelter, not so much of that right now. There is a migration problem here that isn't widely reported in so much that the Iraqis themselves are now moving back to thier historical locations i.e. Sunni to Sunni areas, Shi-ite to thiers etc There are ten humanitarian camps here now. Seven are maxed out and the other three getting there.

Yep, the coalition is a farce IMHO I think I have expressed that enough elsewhere for now!

Hearing the bang is a good indicator you are still going to retire to LOS! But thanks for the sentiment Sef. Stay safe.

D