« Makes you think... | Main | Aymi-aynes »
April 21, 2006
Anti...
There is a controversy brewing in the blog world which is not very pretty, and since conservative blogs seem to outnumber liberal ones by the rate of ten to one, the thing seems to be taking off well. I am not sure whose strategy it is, but it is a great way by the Free World to achieve what Islamic Republic could not: to shut-up the bloggers. Basically, some of my more influential blogger friends have been accused by a minimally informed person of being spies for the Islamic Republic, just because they are not pro-American (or Canadian) and they don't flip burgers (read Work) for a living. I am not going to provide links so not to spread the whole nonsense.
But this is interesting, since it is often assumed that if you are not pro-something, it means you are anti-that thing. If you are critical of the Iraq war, means you are not supporting the soldiers. If you are critical of the short-comings of the US government, means you are anti-American. If you think Blair is an idiot, it means you are anti-Labour. Of couse, the accusation of being anti-semitic if you are critical of Israel seems to be the oldest one of these. A known, non-Middle Eastern, professor of Near Eastern History once was accused of being anti-Semitic since in an article, he mentioned the presence of a pro-Likud faction among the lobby groups in Washington D.C.! The first occurance of equating a political party with a whole nation, ethnicity, culture, and religion that I know of!
About 80 years ago, we had a populat, and populist, politician in Iran, called Modarres, who was known for being independent and rather boarishly hard-headed. There is a story that once the Russian Ambassador told an Iranian politician that he thinks Modarres is an Anglophile! The Iranian politician answered with amazement that Modarres is known for being independent, and furthermore, he is famous for his anti-British speeches, so the accusation is unfonded and unusual. The Russian Ambassador answered: I don't care. For me, whoever is not a Russophile has to be an Anglophile!
The same logic, and lack of logic, seems to go here. If you are not on anyone's side, each side takes you to be a partisan of the other. If you are not a "patriotic", flag waving American, then you are a spy for Iran, and if you are not pro-Islamic Republic, then you must be a Western-smitten American spy.
I am moving to the moon.
Posted by Khodadad at April 21, 2006 09:15 PM
Comments
You have pointed out a very important issue: "If you are not on anyone's side, each side takes you to be a partisan of the other." This is exactly what is going on in Iranian society nowadays. Thanks for your great post and thanks for all your supports. I'm really proud of having such a knowledgeable and kind friend.
Posted by: Lady Sun at April 21, 2006 11:48 PM
Many of our species, particularly males, seem to have a profound tendency toward paranoia! Those who actively seek power and control over others are perhaps the most mentally unbalanced in this regard. If someone allies with a powerful individual or group, he or she is not seen as a threat to their dominance. However, if someone dissents, it is taken as a challenge to authority. The resulting paranoid fears of those established in power necessitate the crushing of the dissenter. I think this is at the root of why the worst episodes of history are an ever recurring theme. If there is a lesson here, perhaps it is that all potential leaders should be carefully screened by mental health professionals. If found to be dangerously paranoid, maybe they should have their foreheads branded with a very large high visibility "P"! I know, I'm the one suffering a delusion now. :)
It might interest you to know that I finally have a new post at my blog. :)
Posted by: David at April 23, 2006 11:01 AM