Iran's Hamid-Reza Asefi scolds the U.S. and France for human rights violations. In the U.S., one of them is "control over the media." I'm with you on that one, Asefi. Why, I myself had a book that spent four months on the New York Times Bestseller List, and nevertheless did not receive a single review in any major print publication, and was shunned by both liberal and conservative media figures. Did the idea of a cowed and brainwashed mainstream media, marching in lockstep to a politically correct tune, cross my mind? You bet it did, Asefi.
But as for the rest, I'm a bit more skeptical. Institutionalized racism? Asefi, the whites-only drinking fountains have been relegated to the dustbin of history here for quite some time. And as for the expulsion of Muslim clerics from France, I'm sure it wouldn't bother you, Asefi, but there is the small matter of the fact that they were teaching jihad warfare and the overthrow of the French government.
And anyway, while we're on the subject of religious minorities, let me say that I'm glad to see that you're so concerned about human rights, Asefi. I'm sure you wouldn't want to be in the position of the proverbial glass-house-dwelling stone-thrower. Let me make it easier for you. Here's something I posted the other day, about the treatment of religious minorities in Iran. It's from the State Department's 2005 Religious Freedom Report on Iran. It'll give you and Ahmadinejad something to work on domestically until your nukes are ready. No, don't thank me. It's my pleasure. Here goes:
The Constitution states that "within the limits of the law," Zoroastrians, Jews, and Christians are the only recognized religious minorities who are guaranteed freedom to practice their religion; however, members of these recognized minority religious groups have reported imprisonment, harassment, intimidation, and discrimination based on their religious beliefs. Adherents of religions not recognized by the Constitution do not enjoy freedom to practice their beliefs. This restriction seriously affects adherents of the Baha'i Faith, which the Government regards as a heretical Islamic group with a political orientation that is antagonistic to the country's Islamic revolution....Non-Muslim owners of grocery shops are required to indicate their religious affiliation on the fronts of their shops....
By law and practice, religious minorities are not allowed to be elected to a representative body or to hold senior government or military positions; however, 5 of a total 270 seats in the Majlis are reserved for religious minorities....
All religious minorities suffer varying degrees of officially sanctioned discrimination, particularly in the areas of employment, education, and housing. The Government does not protect the right of citizens to change or renounce their religious faith. Apostasy, specifically conversion from Islam, may be punishable by death; however, there were no reported cases of the death penalty being applied for apostasy during the reporting period.
Members of religious minorities, excluding Sunni Muslims, are prevented from serving in the judiciary and security services and from becoming public school principals. Applicants for public sector employment are screened for their adherence to and knowledge of Islam. Government workers who do not observe Islam's principles and rules are subject to penalties. The Constitution states that the country's army must be Islamic and must recruit individuals who are committed to the objectives of the Islamic revolution; however, in practice no religious minorities are exempt from military service.
University applicants are required to pass an examination in Islamic theology, which limits the access of most religious minorities to higher education, although all public school students, including non-Muslims, must study Islam.
And here is the report on Asefi's words: an Oh-For-Petes-Sake Alert from Iran Focus, with thanks to Mackie:
Tehran, Iran, Apr. 09 – Iran accused France and the United States of human rights abuses on Sunday.Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid-Reza Asefi told reporters in Tehran that the Iranian embassy in Paris had sent a memo to French officials protesting “violations of citizens’ rights” and the “expulsion” of Muslim clerics.
Tehran also objected to “violations of women’s rights” in France, particularly the French ban on headscarves being worn in schools.
“We expect France to uphold its international obligations and human rights and act with greater patience and tolerance”, Asefi said.
He also blasted “human rights violations” in the United States. “America with its bleak record on human rights and democracy is not in a place to judge others”, he said.
The Foreign Ministry spokesman listed 10 examples such “failings” by the U.S., among them “control over the media” and institutionalised “racism”.
It would be helpful if somebody would post the values for an infidel life (taken) in Iran on this website.
This is one of the more bizarre items to show these superior Mohammedans Shites of Iran how (our) values compare...
Mr Spencer, don't you recall that we had these 'values' posted on this very site not too long ago?
Lets look up the archives!
The Foreign Ministry spokesman will really be upset when examples of US military power gain control over Iranian airspace and institutionalized force is used against them. Maybe we can’t control our media; they will probably take your side and explain to the world why we were wrong to destroy your nuclear ambitions. We have a saying here you Iranians need to read: “It is easier to get forgiveness than permission.” Complain about our policies while attempting to hide yours from view. Attempt to gain military strength while we get ready to destroy it. Attempt to dominate and subjugate the world. We will still be here ready to stop you.
Unbelievable. What did they do? Eat a terrorist suspect's peanut butter "right in front of his eyes"?
This is coming from the country that sentenced a 17-year-old girl to death for defending herself against three rapists.
http://www.faithfreedom.org/Announcement/601081013.htm
They stink in the nostrils of any decent person.
Iran a champion for "human rights?" Bwah hahahahahahahahahahaha
hahahahahahahah
hahahahahahaha
hahahahahahahaha
hahahahahaha!
This is just too rich. Bwahahahahahahaha
hahahahahahahah
hahahaha!
What you said makes perfect sense to anyone with perfect sense.
All that being said, isn't it frustrating when the truth is staring people straight in the face and they don't want to face it either because they are either mentally deluded and don't have a clue what sound reasoning is or (and most likely in this case) they just don't give a damn about your opinion because their narrow minded brains are set that they are absolutely right (because they're Mohammedans) and you are absolutely wrong (because you're an infidel). Isn't communication a most frustrating matter when you're dealing with fanatics who are bent on everyone bowing to their ideals.
What in essence this guy is saying is that it's only human rights when it infringes upon Mohammedans but nobody gives a damn if it's got to do with infidels.
If we could only get western "leaders" to see that this is the case.
PJ
How can people with a "peaceful religion" who view all non-muslims as worthy of death if they do not convert complain abouts human rights in other countries?
You will hear the same sort of arguments from demented loon Madeleine Bunting in The Grauniad.
Your average glass-house-dwelling stone-thrower has both a black pot and a black kettle to keep a lid on things.
Hitler always accused those whom he was about to strike with his own crimes first.
Fascists of a feather flock together.
My choice to boycott all the major TV news outlets with the possible exception of FOX (though I no longer trust them that much either), has only proven over time to be one of the wisest moves I've made in recent years.
I hate to say it, but I think that there are power-brokers, moneymen and government officials that are manipulating the mainstream news we see and hear and this lobbying is coming from both sides of the political spectrum. It's all about $$, not party.
I just use the term "Washington" now and I spread my ire and distaste evenly when the topic comes up.
Turn to Talk Radio and bloggers if you really want to get to the heart of the matter on most subjects today. They are the only true voice of the people available, not only because they tend to be run by a more independent, thoughtful breed, but because they rely so heavily on reader and listener interaction and feedback.
There are exceptions to this general rule though, even in Talk Radio. Rush has really shown himself to be a line tower in the past couple of years and I can hardly stand to listen to him anymore. He simply will not get off his knees when the subject of George W. comes up.
"Non-Muslim owners of grocery shops are required to indicate their religious affiliation on the fronts of their shops."
-- from the State Department 2005 report on Human Rights violations in Iran
Not just "grocrey shops." Restaurants, too. In "Reading Lolita in Tehran" the best-selling and charming Ms. Nafisi notes the warning sign in the window of an Armenian-owned restaurant she enters, about the Infidel, and therefore "najis" (unclean) nature of the place. No different, really, from the signs the Nazis required Jewish-owned businesses to display.
And anything to do with foodstuffs is worrisome should the "najis" or unclean Infidels be involved. The Armenians who ran a Coca-Cola bottling plant were swiftly removed when Khomeini came to power, then when the local Muslims couldn't make the plant work properly, the Armenians were allowed to return -- so long as they merely managed and never got close enough to the bottling itself to render unclean those bottles.
The Foreign Ministry spokesman listed 10 examples such “failings” by the U.S., among them “control over the media” and institutionalised “racism”.
The Aryan Nation (Iran) accuses the multi ethnic US of racism-LOL...
"Human Rights" for Mohammedans have a completely different meaning.
What they mean is 'special rights', privileges, an 'elevated' status for the Mohammedans in the lands of the infidel, above the law, respect for the primitive cult at unacceptable cost to human rights and democracy.
The amazing thing is that many kowtow to them and let them get away with this.
http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0Je5VjSgTpEzF8BemhXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTE1N2w3MjY3BGNvbG8DdwRsA1dTMQRwb3MDMwRzZWMDc3IEdnRpZANERlgwXzM-/SIG=12lkpofh3/EXP=1144771410/**http%3a//www.jihadwatch.org/cgi-bin/mt-comments.cgi%3fentry_id=4920
They just go too far. Except for the ten per cent of lunatics here in the West who really do imagine that they are living under Fascist police oppression, even the ordinary, justification-minded leftie just will read this and laugh their heads off. Most left-wingers feel that it is not legitimate to hold ignorant Muslims to the same standards as our enlightened selves, which is why they are much louder on the sins of the West than on those of Iran or their likes. But it is not as though they were incapable of reading or hearing; they do know that Iran is not clean or gentle, and I can assure you that this sort of posturing will strike them pretty much as it does us. At best, they will say that disapproving of Iranian crimes does not mean that they have to approve Bush's. But nobody in his or her senses is going to take this rubbish seriously. It is only going to add to the growing air of lunacy and loose-cannon danger that has started to waft around Ahmedinajad.
Sheikh yer'mami:
You recently commented about my post on a Professor Afzaal I wrote, which is ok---
however ...
You apparently neither understood what I was getting at with my initial statement that 'professor Afzaal cannot change the nature of Islam' nor read the rest of my post and then proceeded to give me your conclusion on the matter which reiterated the second half of my post (which is how I know you didn't read the entire post--you would have known I was already fully aware of your perception thus rendering your closing statement redundant).
What I was saying by our good professor being unable to change the nature of Islam WAS THAT THIS MAN ATTEMPTED TO SELL TO HIS UNINFORMED AUDIENCE AN ALTERED VERSION OF ISLAM...a version which does not exist, cannot exist, and will never exist-- a version whereby Islam is benign when in fact Islam of course is and has always been malignant. In short experts on Islam like Afzaal can (and in fact do all the time) tell non-Muslims how lovely a faith Islam is when in fact this version of Islam is fictional and they are fully cognizant of that fact.
I stand by my perceptions that Islam is a human sacrifice cult and that purveyors of taqiyya are doing EXACTLY what Islam's armies of killers and deity desire---assisting Islam in its mass slaughter of innocent people.
You are welcome to critique my posts but it would be nice if you read them first.
Gee, talk about the pot calling the kettle black. But on second thought, I don't see too many refugees fleeing the United States because of its gross human rights violations and religious presecution (unlike Iran).
I'd like to see an Iranian mullah draft a document comparable to the US Constitution, which would embrace as our constitution does a pluralistic world view, and then put it into practice. But then Iran's theocratic towelheads wouldn't be scheming to nuke the western democracies if they really felt that human rights violations as we know them in the western nations were something to be concerned about. Human rights to people like the mullahs amount to little more than window dressing designed to cover up their intention to destroy democracy because it interferes with what they believe in (which is theocratic totalitarianism).
Midde Eastern politicians act like School Children
Iran's Hamid-Reza Asefi has the right to critise the U.S. and France for its human rights abuses, this is part of the "freedoms" we in the West enjoy.
what is really disturbing though is the type of response I am seeing from these clerics, politicians and Imams.
The seem awfully similar to the types of tit-for-tat exchanges I experienced at school (pre-school and above).
These supposedly learned and mature men, (I have seen very few responses from Islamic woman, as they are at home under lock and key) seem to either defend a defensless position or they attack with infantile like accusations.
The statement made by Iranians president to conduct his own investigation into the Holocaust is simply ludicrous, but is a prime example.
The accusations retgarding human rights abuses are even more fanciful.
I can completely understand the Isrealis point of view when they are trying to negotiate, with these people.
These regimes are not be trusted and that agreements with them are like the friendships gained in Kindergarten "temporary at best"
What is more serious is that these juvenile politicans from the Middle East, now have access to technology, which WE have sold them, we have both been foolish and greedy.
It is now time to wrestle these weapons back from these children.
We can expect a temper tantrum, but in the long term the quicker these regimes are placed in timeout the better it will be for all of us.
Certainly for a long time we the public have looked on our media with raised eyebrows.
asefi forgot to add, "like we do in iran" after each of his whines.
Don't forget the penalty for a "sharp tongue" in Iran.
http://www.iranfocus.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=80
Islam is a human sacrifice cult and that purveyors of taqiyya are doing EXACTLY what Islam's armies of killers and deity desire---assisting Islam in its mass slaughter of innocent people.
Posted by: pythagoras at April 10, 2006 01:00PM
==================
Very aptly stated.
I just finished listening to the speakers at the foreign invader demonstrations across the US speaking in spanish so the foreign invader demonstrators could understand what was being said.
Human rights violations. Americans suffer this every day from the left, PCness, islam and these foreign invaders of America.
The smell of war is in the air.
President Bush may be protesting too much that he does not intend on using nukes on Iran.
Prepare, be armed be ready.
The Texican.
Freedom, the only choice at any cost.
Perhaps...
If infidels would practice the Muslim tradition of wiping oneself with the left hand after a bowel movement, they would no longer be considered "unclean"?
Any Muslims living in the US or France (or for that matter, anywhere in dar ul Harb) might want to take this chance to flee as refugees to Iran
That would be putting the money where...
I enjoy that humorous imaginary dialog Robert. Keep it coming.
-Omar Malomaari