Category: Politics, Power, and Governance

photos_and_videos/TimelinePhotos_43196237263/30629035_10156282395197264_9090758629463687168_o_10156282395192264.jpg by Aaron Kahland

On the issue of Iran – what is happening now in the Middle East might be, in part, a consequence of the weakening of Shiite theocracy. In fact the Islamic Revolution – which is actually Arab reactionism – is evidently a failure.

I think what is happening now is a concerted effort by Iran’s Islamists to give credence to Islamic rule by their attempt to carve out of the Midddle East a sphere of influence which necessarily will lead it into conflict with both the United States (=Israel) and Saudi Arabia – enemies of both the Shia and, importantly, the Persians.

This is could be the last gasp of the Iranian Islamists – if their attempt fails – though it need fail on its own terms – this could ignite the end of what I label the Arab occupation of Iran – or Islam in Iran.

I don’t think it unlikely that both Israel and Saudi Arabia understand this so they are in a conundrum – and I doubt it very much that anyone in Washington DC has the slightest idea of any dynamic in Iran – instead they are simply the Israeli / Saudi proxy.Jayant Bhandari@[1420794899:2048:Aaron Kahland]: Someone showed me a survey result in which apparently 98% of Iranians preferred Islamic theocracy. I would be happy if it went, but I doubt if it would go. Tribalism is in the DNA of people of this area.Apr 12, 2018 7:34amWaqas AhmadI personally like persianistan than Arab and their alliesApr 12, 2018 7:36amAaron KahlandI recently spoke to an Iranian women who stated the opposite – that people are getting so sick of their theocracy that they are abandoning Islam altogether.Apr 12, 2018 7:37amEly HarmanCheck one:

[ ] Islamic Theocracy

[ ] Please kill me and torture my family.Apr 12, 2018 7:37amAaron KahlandThose numbers are reminiscent of support for Saddam Hussein’s regime – a little too high to resemble an honest poll.Apr 12, 2018 7:38amJayant Bhandari@[1420794899:2048:Aaron Kahland] It is entirely possible that smart Persians think that way. Every Persian I know in Canada thinks that way, for they are very open minded and mostly ex-Muslims. The trouble is that most I know are romantics, who when they go to Iran exist in a bubble (for they are from welloff families). But, I am keen to hear other points of view on the issue.Apr 12, 2018 7:39amAaron Kahland@[503912481:2048:Jayant Bhandari] True – the woman I spoke to also noted that it was mostly the women in Iran who were giving up on Islam. Understandably I imagine.

She was one of three siblings and said only her father remained a Muslim.Apr 12, 2018 7:41amAaron KahlandInstead of allowing in young Sunni men from the Middle East – if Europe granted asylum only to their women folk it would be very interesting to see if they changed their norms once in the West and without the threat of violence from their menfolk.Apr 12, 2018 7:42amNeil A. Bucklewiran has many of the problems the west does underneath that theocracy.Apr 12, 2018 7:42amJayant BhandariThat is actually another problem… I dare say that women of the area tend to be very vicious and dogmatic. The problem is that the people of the Third World often speak what is convenient rather than what is true. A few weeks back I wrote something similar to the above and a whole horde of ex-Muslim women started abusing me–the problem is not just Islam but the inherent totalitarianism in the cultures of the ME and SA.Apr 12, 2018 7:45amAaron Kahland@[503912481:2048:Jayant Bhandari] Yes, unfortunately, these sorts of ‘experiments’ aren’t reversible. However, I doubt you would receive a reasoned response from any group of the Y-chromosone-deprived anywhere in the world.Apr 12, 2018 7:47amNeil A. Bucklewin the west persians are rarely obnoxious though the shia culture is more obnoxious than the sunni. however arabs seem to love making trouble in general. persians are also very productive for that area. i like the iranians, but their country is a cancer. the sunnis have every right to be pissed and fire up groups like ISIS, or whatever else does the trick. iran is quite happy to drive arabs into europe or anywhere else.Apr 12, 2018 7:56amDawid WellaAlcohol is illegal in Iran, even in hotels, and I drank there everyday, with other Persians. The millennial generation is certainly not as religious as the previous ones. My fear is that they are being corrupted by Hollywood filth and lies as well. In any case the Pasdaran are the ones who have the final say there and they aren’t going anywhere unless they end up getting severely weakened in SyriaApr 12, 2018 8:07amDawid WellaAaron Kahland, all depends on your friend’s background. Tehranis and Shirazis are very different from their counterparts in the rest of the country. They’re more cosmopolitan and secular, Isfahanis in my experience are very conservative.Apr 12, 2018 8:10amCurt DoolittleIf I can jump in on this wonderful thread: what I’m trying to test, is my theory the semitic temperament biases female, just as the Hindu temperament biases heavily female, just as the chinese and European temperament biases male. And the Persians, being cousins … whether they bias male or female. (where male = autistic/detached end female = psychotic/attached).Apr 12, 2018 8:19amDawid WellaPersian women can definitely be a bit crazy.Apr 12, 2018 8:20amJayant BhandariAt least based on my experience… Despite that the South Asian society look patriarchal, underlain the facade is matriarchy.Apr 12, 2018 8:20amAaron Kahland@[100009417569360:2048:Dawid Wella] True – she was Tehrani and so is her sample.Apr 12, 2018 8:21amWaqas AhmadDo alcohol and smoking sign of freedom and advance?

I dirty illetrate man do same in caveApr 12, 2018 8:25amDawid WellaNo, it’s not necessarily a sign of freedom or great wisdom but being able to enjoy a glass or two of wine in good company without overdoing it and causing trouble is a sign that you are cultured and know how to enjoy life.Apr 12, 2018 8:32amDawid WellaAnd that’s why I like the Iranians, they’re quite like us southern Europeans in that regard. They know how to enjoy lifeApr 12, 2018 8:36amWaqas AhmadEating Dog is enjoying activity at China but not at UKApr 12, 2018 9:13amWaqas AhmadEnjoyment =utilities derivations from consumption from services or goods.

So the service or good can variesApr 12, 2018 9:15amDawid WellaSo they do, I don’t care. No one is saying that everyone should drink, wine however has been part of Persian civilisation for thousands of years too.Apr 12, 2018 9:16amDanny SeisThe basic problem is that the Persians are actually able to form a fairly decent state with “reduced shitholeness”, at least compared to other muslim states in the region. Iran is even somewhat democratic, but shithole states are less of a threat to Israel.

The islamc state of persia might be seen as an attemp to embrace Islam, like the protestant states embraced christianity. Getting self-rule by being holier-than-muhammed.Apr 12, 2018 10:40amColin HigginsI speak with Iranians quite a bit on the Interwebs, and some of them still spout the propaganda that comes out of their government. They think the US seeks to invade their nation, that Putin is a defender of their faith and culture, that Assad is admired worldwide, that Americans are white supremacists, etc.

They read official dispatches, watch state tv, and read RT and then formulate this worldview.

Obviously not all of them fall for this nonsense, and are quite reasonable, and justifiably cynical about world affairs.Apr 12, 2018 11:38amColin Higgins@[100009417569360:2048:Dawid Wella]Apr 12, 2018 11:40amDanny SeisThe reasons given to the western populace are obviously bullshit, but that doesn’t mean that there is no rationale, it’s just not very public. At least that’s what I hope.Apr 12, 2018 12:09pmBill JoslinCurt – it sounds as though you suspect a Persian male bias. I don’t see that at all which leads me to think in missing something. Can you elaborate?Apr 12, 2018 2:01pmCurt DoolittleI don’t suspect anything so much as want to continue to investigate the origins of these biases, and the persians are good set since they’re close relations but were conquered by the arabs. The same is true of the balkans. But it’s not true of the russians. The bias to instuitionsm over reason has to come from somewhere, and so far it looks cultural.Apr 12, 2018 3:04pmBill JoslinI see. I misread intention where there wasn’t any. Interesting.

Penman says (biohistory) that mid to late child indulgence results in lower stem ability and higher superstition… And infant control followed by mid childhood discipline (control) increases stem ability – lowers superstition… And finally extreme adolescent punishment followed by childhood indulgence/neglect (low discipline) results in lower Stem and high superstition (as well as high value on tradition and amiability to tyranical leaders)

In other words – pisspoor parenting or lower investment in children might be a cause for female bias. This might set a direction on just what cultural practices are relevant and consistent etc.Apr 12, 2018 3:11pmBill JoslinRule followed by rewards/punishment establishes an environment for feedbacks between actions and outcomes. This might “excercise” male bias.

Early infant control would do the same. Instead of the child aimlessly exploring, a parent which adds in Control and training overlays another level of feedbacks which would also reinforce said biasApr 12, 2018 3:15pmBill JoslinAsians are known for infant indulgence followed by a high degree of early childhood training and strict discipline.

Spartans would force children into circumstances of high natural consequence (force them to steal food to survive – fend for themselves in the bush etc) all are forced or reinforced action- consequence feedback effectsApr 12, 2018 3:18pmBill JoslinThis imo doesn’t “train” a male bias – but cultivates a particular stress response (rapid onset of Adrenal followed by rapid decline to a low baseline – opposed to slow onset with slow decline to a high baseline. I wonder if there is coorelation of pychcotic behaviour with high baseline stress/anxietyApr 12, 2018 3:22pmDigue DougAnd you think the US on behalf of you know who, doesn’t?Apr 12, 2018 4:20pmDigue DougSeems like their worldview is more accurate than your dismissive criticism of it.Apr 12, 2018 4:21pmColin HigginsThe US isn’t going to invade Iran, and Putin isn’t some friend of the Iranian people. Such idiotic notions can be dismissedApr 12, 2018 4:23pmDigue DougIran’s present government is a direct result of US intervention. Somehow invasion is an implausible prospect?Apr 13, 2018 3:00amColin Higgins@[100022333072979:2048:Digue Doug] it is more complicated than that, but yes, the US did play a role. The Islamic revolution in Iran was not something that was in response to American imperialism, or even western meddling: it was part of a larger “Shia resurgence” against the rising Sunni states, and a reaction to the sexual revolution that was happening in the west. A good book about this is Jone’s “Islam and Logos”Apr 13, 2018 10:33amWilliam L. BengeThe Ayatollah Khomeini was a top down installation, effected, artificial, never organic, an inauthentic awful machination. To derive the true impulsions of our persian, we’d have to subtract this artificial component out of the present northern arabian zietgiest.

Best switch out the blade of your xacto knife and then flip the flap down on your magnification goggles, and let the hacking commence.Apr 13, 2018 11:00amWilliam L. BengeTedium? b/o/l to the bettersApr 13, 2018 11:04amDigue DougSure. But I still don’t know how this would preclude an American incursion?Apr 13, 2018 3:56pmDigue DougAdditionally there are plenty of Persians that don’t identify with Islam, preferring their pagan roots or secularism.Apr 13, 2018 3:57pmDigue DougPerhaps not so many left in Iran though, admittedly.Apr 13, 2018 3:57pmDigue DougThe Zio-Wahhabi alliance is far more deleterious to geo-political stability than a Russo-Shia one.Apr 13, 2018 4:18pmGregory Aluf KoshkinMake Persia Zoroastrian and Hegemonic Again. :)Apr 14, 2018 12:02pmby Aaron Kahland

On the issue of Iran – what is happening now in the Middle East might be, in part, a consequence of the weakening of Shiite theocracy. In fact the Islamic Revolution – which is actually Arab reactionism – is evidently a failure.

I think what is happening now is a concerted effort by Iran’s Islamists to give credence to Islamic rule by their attempt to carve out of the Midddle East a sphere of influence which necessarily will lead it into conflict with both the United States (=Israel) and Saudi Arabia – enemies of both the Shia and, importantly, the Persians.

This is could be the last gasp of the Iranian Islamists – if their attempt fails – though it need fail on its own terms – this could ignite the end of what I label the Arab occupation of Iran – or Islam in Iran.

I don’t think it unlikely that both Israel and Saudi Arabia understand this so they are in a conundrum – and I doubt it very much that anyone in Washington DC has the slightest idea of any dynamic in Iran – instead they are simply the Israeli / Saudi proxy.