Comments on: How not to build bridges… http://halfiranian.com/2006/10/20/how-not-to-build-bridges/ fully human Wed, 01 Feb 2012 03:26:37 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Frankie http://halfiranian.com/2006/10/20/how-not-to-build-bridges/comment-page-1/#comment-1259 Frankie Wed, 26 Sep 2007 20:09:56 +0000 http://halfiranian.com/blog/2006/10/20/how-not-to-build-bridges/#comment-1259 Hello Halfiranian, Long story, but I'm looking for an Iranian blogger for a programme I'm producing. Local radio, North East England. You're not, by any remote chance or luck, living in the North East of the UK are you? If so, fancy talking about the letting off of steam? F Hello Halfiranian,

Long story, but I’m looking for an Iranian blogger for a programme I’m producing. Local radio, North East England. You’re not, by any remote chance or luck, living in the North East of the UK are you?
If so, fancy talking about the letting off of steam?

F

]]> By: juno http://halfiranian.com/2006/10/20/how-not-to-build-bridges/comment-page-1/#comment-21 juno Thu, 14 Dec 2006 20:20:11 +0000 http://halfiranian.com/blog/2006/10/20/how-not-to-build-bridges/#comment-21 If I were an Iranian animator, whatever my social or political outlook, I'd feel pretty pissed off to get a letter like that. And I would probably have a whole set of stereotypes and assumptions of my own about Americans (fed to me by my government and - it has to be said - backed up by every US action in the Middle East) that might have just been strengthened rather than altered.. The letter writer suggests that the festival should be used to spread the message of peace. Why not start trying to spread that message with a bit of tolerance and interest in the situation and beliefs of other human beings, rather than condemnation and anger? If I were an Iranian animator, whatever my social or political outlook, I’d feel pretty pissed off to get a letter like that. And I would probably have a whole set of stereotypes and assumptions of my own about Americans (fed to me by my government and – it has to be said – backed up by every US action in the Middle East) that might have just been strengthened rather than altered..

The letter writer suggests that the festival should be used to spread the message of peace. Why not start trying to spread that message with a bit of tolerance and interest in the situation and beliefs of other human beings, rather than condemnation and anger?

]]> By: Halfiranian http://halfiranian.com/2006/10/20/how-not-to-build-bridges/comment-page-1/#comment-12 Halfiranian Wed, 25 Oct 2006 19:09:48 +0000 http://halfiranian.com/blog/2006/10/20/how-not-to-build-bridges/#comment-12 Perhaps you're right, I did fly off the handle a little bit. I wasn't criticising his spelling though, I was criticising his standpoint. And no, I don't think the US is disarming - certainly not in line with its pledges under the NPT. Saying that the US "is (and remains) a global target unlike any other" is quite simply ridiculous. Do you really see it as a victim? The daily "targets" I read about in the news are in Iraq, Afghanistan, Palestine, Chechnya, large parts of Africa etc.. Anyway, the post was not about my frustration at US foreign policy. It was about my frustration at my liberal friends being accused of supporting the regime that oppresses them on a daily basis. PS The aim of this blog is not to alter Iranian government policy. There is no aim to this blog, other than to let off a bit of steam ... I thought that was obvious ;) Perhaps you’re right, I did fly off the handle a little bit. I wasn’t criticising his spelling though, I was criticising his standpoint. And no, I don’t think the US is disarming – certainly not in line with its pledges under the NPT. Saying that the US “is (and remains) a global target unlike any other” is quite simply ridiculous. Do you really see it as a victim? The daily “targets” I read about in the news are in Iraq, Afghanistan, Palestine, Chechnya, large parts of Africa etc..

Anyway, the post was not about my frustration at US foreign policy. It was about my frustration at my liberal friends being accused of supporting the regime that oppresses them on a daily basis.

PS The aim of this blog is not to alter Iranian government policy. There is no aim to this blog, other than to let off a bit of steam … I thought that was obvious ;)

]]> By: Immers http://halfiranian.com/2006/10/20/how-not-to-build-bridges/comment-page-1/#comment-11 Immers Mon, 23 Oct 2006 10:17:29 +0000 http://halfiranian.com/blog/2006/10/20/how-not-to-build-bridges/#comment-11 Take it easy. It's a bit mean to criticise grammar & spelling - he is an animator, rather than a writer and there is also a bit of a pot, kettle & black feel to it ('prolongued'). In relation to arms, the US, towards the end of the Cold War did significantly reduce its WMDs, has historically (until GWB) supported the arms control regime, and is (and remains) a global target unlike any other. He isn't going to Iran for a trip, so what? I guess a lot of small town Americans might think it unsafe. He (rather patronisingly) asks his potential host to try to alter Iranian government policy - is that not part of the purpose of this blog? This is a good site, but it is not fair to abuse that position by name-calling, particularly when it is actually you transferring your anger at recent American foreign policy. Take it easy. It’s a bit mean to criticise grammar & spelling – he is an animator, rather than a writer and there is also a bit of a pot, kettle & black feel to it (‘prolongued’). In relation to arms, the US, towards the end of the Cold War did significantly reduce its WMDs, has historically (until GWB) supported the arms control regime, and is (and remains) a global target unlike any other.
He isn’t going to Iran for a trip, so what? I guess a lot of small town Americans might think it unsafe. He (rather patronisingly) asks his potential host to try to alter Iranian government policy – is that not part of the purpose of this blog?
This is a good site, but it is not fair to abuse that position by name-calling, particularly when it is actually you transferring your anger at recent American foreign policy.

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