Omid Memarian

Sunday, January 30, 2005

Intellectual front against the War propensity

When the article of
Seymour Hersh printed in New Yorker about two weeks ago, most of the Iranians thought that he has made a joke. How could they believe that the American officials are trying to find ways for a vast attack to Iran? At that time it was clear that it is the beginning. It was a part of American style for entering the war. It makes no difference for them in economical issues, political affairs or cultural topics. They start with propaganda in media by reflecting their politician’s views, and then gather information about the reaction of the target group or society or even company and then start their drafted plan. Now, the article of Hersh says that they are going to propaganda on Islamic regime and then evaluate their reaction.

At the same time American work on the tendency of Iranian people in and out of Iran to prepare the public thought about any exploit they follow. I can imagine what they did in similar ways with Iraq and Afghanistan as well.

They have focused on the Iran Nuclear weapon. But everybody knows that they are mixing two things to achieve their hidden intentions. Actually they know the differences between the “Nuclear Program” and “Nuclear weapons”. But in public and especially in media sphere they exaggerate about the nuclear capability in Iran. I understand in many articles the concern of the other countries is about the nuclear weapons but not the nuclear program. But by focusing on the Nuclear Weapons the Americans find opportunity to take action against Iran strongly.
But what is the main purpose. Is it really the establishing the democracy? Is it really to bring the human rights in the society? Or there are things
behind the certain? Of course there is….The Americans program for the Middle East political package need another victim beside Iraq and Afghanistan. IS it Iran? Let me tell you that all the evidence says: YES. But is it the way they are going to bring democracy for the Iranians? Probably it is not.

Iranian Intellectuals are trying to create a strong thought front to interfere in the process of war building by US. I suggest everyone to clarify the positive points and the destroyable pints of the American new tendency to war in Iran. Here you are.

Then we can watch better…P.S: A few minutes ago I read news that says “
US not thinking of Fighting with Tehran”. Is it right? Who knows?

Monday, January 24, 2005

Supporting our Colleagues (Journalists in jail)

There are ways to continue to support those who have come face to face with difficulties. In the field of journalism, which has faced, for many years, strange and peculiar problems, the strategy for dealing with these problems has become clear. Usually journalists utilize all those tools available to them in providing support to their colleagues, including the print media, the internet, web sites, and weblogs, etc. These are supports that have their root in our common humanity. This is a good development within the journalistic field and within Iranian society as a whole and demonstrates a multidimensional understanding of the current situation of this dangerous career in Iran today. Different bodies and organizations within Iranian society should formally recognize such legal and humanitarian support systems and be accountable to questions that come up as a result.

During the period when I was faced with such difficulties, which I will not explain nor expand upon, I came to understand and appreciate the importance of such professional and humanitarian support and realized its effectiveness and its ability in reducing misunderstandings. I, myself, was always ready to help when friends were faced with similar problems. I believed that the dangers of this profession, its undefined boundaries, the paranoia surrounding the sector, along with many other issues, create a number of problems for professionals engaged in this field. And I believed that we need to support and assist our friends and colleagues. In reality these efforts don’t pose a threat to us, if we choose a strategy that is both smart and constructive.

The support we provide our colleagues in times of trouble is incredibly effective and helpful. Along these lines, I would like to add that I am grateful to all of you. Grateful to all those who wrote even one line expressing concern about our situation. These supports must continue. For all those who end up facing these sorts of problems, the support must continue. Fortunately those engaged in the field of journalism as opposed to politics, demonstrate greater sympathy for their colleagues who face problems. So, do remember, that even one link on a web site, can be effective in supporting your colleagues. Let’s not deny each other these links. Let’s not allow lack of information to limit our desire to help our friends. Time will pass, and the ambiguities will be clarified, but what will remain is our collective ability to constructively connect to a process that seeks to clarify and provide support. The one who moves too slowly will lose his share—a share for all the seasons of life and humanity.

We Have to Return!

A few days ago, one of my good friends( Sina), whose writing I admire, expressed great joy at the fact that I had begun writing again. I am grateful to him. I hope no one ever abandons writing, not even for one day. And I wish that no fingers lose their connection with this beloved and addictive keyboard, which takes you to the expansive land of creativity.

We have to return. This unwanted destiny which forbids us from returning to writing is in contradiction to our very nature. It is in contradiction to all which is humanity. It is in contradiction to all written and unwritten laws of the universe. It is in the best interest of everyone to have each person engaged in their own work. You can’t force the writer into farming, the intellectual into editing children’s books, the welder into publishing books on philosophy or the logger into medicine. The journalist too has to write and this corresponds with the interest of everyone. Let us allow each person to move forth in his own right and place.

One night I dreamt that I was a fisherman at sea. And with every try I would real in tens of fish, creating great envy in other fisherman. But with every fish caught, every bite on the hook, every reel, with every word or praise by other fisherman, I would gain distance from my true self. Slowly the person I was became unrecognizable to the person I had become. That person, my true self, had died inside. I confided my predicament to another fisherman. He explained that for years he too had lived another’s life—a life he had never become accustomed to. One day I went to the city where I met an old man, who sold newspapers. When young, he was a merchant, and before he knew it, not destiny, but “destiny-makers” had wedded him to a newspaper stand and the occupation of selling papers--a bitter destiny, indeed. He too could not recognize the man he had become. He told me stories of estrangement and alienation. When I woke, I was soaked in my own sweat.

Many have chosen to migrate. For the sake of staying true to themselves, they have left. In this leaving, they have gained and they have lost. But, they have insisted and they have persisted--a persistence that deserves praise. Let us allow the pen to remain in hand, the police to guard the streets, the builders to create structures and the shopkeepers to sell their goods. The construction worker cannot be forced to be the writer, and the intellectual cannot be forced to be a cook, and… Let everyone choose their place and remain true to their chosen destiny, so that the wheels of society may turn, with the least amount of force.