garuda said:Iran is not Afganistan or Iraq, its really a modern nation that could probably best be compared to Europe as far as standard of living. US media has mostly ignored showing anything about Iran, I couldn't tell you the last time I have seen any footage from Tehran for example.
Discodust said:Still a hell of a lot safer to walk around at any hour than any major American or European City.
Discodust said:It's also amazing how opium in Iranian culture holds roughly the same status as ganja in Jamaica; not even really considered a drug but a part of everyday life.
nuke said:Modern my arsehole -- it's a fascist shithole of a nation crawling with secret police, it nearly modernized once and then got taken over again by the right...QUOTE]
I believe you missed the point! Your comments represent most of the government, but not the majority of the people. The people are actually just like most people in the modern world, just trying to play the best hand with the cards they have been dealt.
Discodust said:What most folks don't take into account is that due to historical, sociological and cultural factors nearly every Muslim land between Iran and Morocco would have a government quite like the one in Tehran if not for the ruthless and often American-backed monarchs and dictators keeping the "vocal minority" in check.
Guys like Assad, Mubarak, Saddam....were considerably more vicious than the Shah and thus kept an equally vicious religous fringe at bay. Look what Iraq has become now with 150,000 armed Yanks on its soil: a de facto Islamic Republic!
Even the country that has membership in NATO and hopes of joining the EU (Turkey) is constantly sweating out military coups due to leaders who are feared to be radical Islamists in coats and ties.
Discodust said:Yeah Phorzen one; I realize my last post went outside the doper realm, but it had to be postulated in response to some of the previous political posts.
To make it swing somewhat back in that direction I highly recommend a visit to Iran (especially gorgeous desert town such as Kerman and Yazd) for not only the scenery, architecture and history, but the hospitable natives who within a few minutes of a chance street encounter will invite a foreign guest into their residence for an an extended Opium smoking session--that stuff goes so good with the delicious dates of the region.