From: nbadie@rd.hydro.on.ca (Navid Badie)
Subject: Re: A view like no other view
Organization: "Ontario Hydro - Research Division"
Date: Mon, 21 Dec 92 22:54:00 GMT

bxm50@pars.amdahl.com (Ben Mahjoor) writes:
: 
: > 
: > The army of the Shah was created, maintained and continually expanded
: > to protect the Monarchy in Iran, specifically the rule of the
: > Pahlavi dynasty. It is, of course, a side effect of this intention
: >                                    ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
: > that there must be an "Iran" in order for there to be an "Iranian
: >      ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
: > Monarchy". But, again in my opinion, it was just a side effect, not
: > ^^^^^^^^^^
: > *the* purpose of the Shah's army. That is why I feel I am justified
: > in calling it the Shah's army and not the Iranian army. Further, the
: > army had another role, namely the infamous role of "gendarme of the region",
: > i.e. to defend the interests of the U.S. in the region, not necessarily
: >         ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
: > those of Iran.  That is why the army was by far the largest and best 
: > equipped in the region, and why it was over equipped compared to the 
: > defensive needs of Iran.
: >  - Navid Badie
: >
: 
: Hello Navid:
: Thanks for your response to my posting and sharing your views with me.
: The purpose of this exchange of ideas, I hope, is not only to learn from
: each other, but try to re-evaluate our old beliefs and ideas. The more 
: "revolutionary" an idea, the more we, as Iranians who have lost almost
: everything, must re-visit it and ask ourselves: "Could it be that I was
: wrong ?". Becasue definitly someone was wrong, otherwise we would not be
: here in USA having this exchange.

I have learned to continually ask myself this question no matter what
it is that I am dealing with. With regard to the Iranian revolution and
the events that followed it, I have also asked myself the same question,
and in many areas, I have re-evaluated my ideas. As an example, I used
to think that capital punishment was justified in some cases. I have come
to reject this idea and regret ever having believed in it. There are many
more such examples. I am still open to be convinced that the entire
revolution was a mistake and that the Shah was the greatest thing
since sliced bread, but frankly, I think it is highly unlikely that
I will ever look favourably on the Pahlavi family and its legacy in Iran.

: 
: Having said that, allow me to put myself in your position and try to
                                              ^^^^^^^^^^^^^
: see the world from your point of view. And I like to share what I am 
                     ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
: seeing in this "strange" (at least to me) world with other SCI readers. 
: Here is how I see various countries:
: 
: 
: 	ENGLAND: "The Royal Army, Navy and Air Force were created to 
: 		protect the Monarchy. It is, of course, a side effect 
: 		that there must be an England in order to be a British
: 	        Royalty. In my opinion England itself was a side effect
: 		and the stories about Richard The Lionhearted, Henry the IV
: 		and so on are nothing but fairy tales. I claim this because
: 		of over-equipt Army of England. England is the "gendarme"
: 		of the region and it protects the interests of Poland !
: 		As a proof I point to the fact that England declared war
: 		on Germany in 1939 as soon as Germany attacked Poland !
: 		And we all know that, that attack had nothing to do with
: 		England and Hitler said that many times !"

What an unreasonable and inconsistent position! If I knew that this
was my opinion, I would quickly reject it and re-examine all my
thoughts.

: 	USA: "The army of USA was created to protect Republican and 
: 	     Demorcat party. It is, of course, a side effect of this
: 	     intention that there must be a USA in order for these two
: 	     parties to compete. In my opinion USA itself was just a side 
: 	     effect. The stories about Columbus, Washington, Laffayette
: 	     and so on are nothing but fairy tales. I claim this because
: 	     of over-equipped army of USA. Also I can point out the fact
: 	     that majority of Americans are either Republicans or Democrats
: 	     otherwise US army would not protect them ! USA is the "gendarme" 
: 	     of the world and it protects the interests of little green men from
: 	     outer space who travel here in UFOs. As a document I refer
: 	     the readers to our "revolutionary" comrades, UFO buffs, who
: 	     have been uncovering a lot of "cover ups" by US government
: 	     on this matter."

This is even more unreasonable! Why, you are absolutely right, my
enlightened pen-friend. My failing was in not seeing that my opinions
about the Shah's army could be extended simply and logically to yield
such nonsense! Thank you.

: 
: 				- Behnam

If you ever decide to have a real discussion with me, you can either
post it here, or email me at nbadie@rd.hydro.on.ca. 

Cheers,
--Navid Badie