To FATE

Unless you are an Iranian-American, or American-Iranian, I am not sure how you can intervene in Iran (or Egypt or China or Sweden) about their laws. If you are really passionate about the rule of law, do some thing about Guantanamo which is a real disgrace for a country that wants to be a champion of rights and rule of law. Countries like Iran, Egypt, China.... do not pretend like you Yanks. That is the crux and difference!

Another point for your consideration is that Mrs. Esfandiari has been a frequent traveller to Iran after the revolution. Her troubles with the laws of her homeland is rather recent. That leads me, a bimbo, to believe that it ought to be due to some thing illegal accordingly to the laws of Iran, whatever that might be!

Bimbo wrote:
---And the funny thing is that when they are back in USA, they are described as hyphenated Americans, i.e. Iranian-Americans, a kind of a social signal that they are not really Americans. So, your comments are really irrelevent.---

They are hyphenated because of their dual citizenship. This is a common in a land where most people are from other countries.

---As Iranians, they have to follow the laws of Iran, just as Americans must adhere to the laws of their own country. And when both Americans and Iranians travel to, say, Switzerland or China or Russia, they must comply with the laws of those countries-- or stay home and be quiet!---

I will not be quiet. Iran violated its own laws by placing Ms. Esfandiari under house arrest in December, then jail without charge a month ago. Laws are great. Too bad for Ms. Esfandiari and other Iranians, that the Iranian government has no need for them.

Say quiet. Is that all you can say Redneck, Bimbo? Sorry, but lies and injustice are just something we Americans get more than upset about. Hostage taking too. You'll probably start talking about Bush and his lies. We'd both agree. You see, Americans are free to call for change in their government, even work for it. However in Iran, a call for change is "treason". Like I said, we will contain Iran and wait for the good people of Iran to retake their government from the unelected "leaders". Oh, and please give me a blogging site on an Iranian newspaper where I can freely discuss these topics like we are doing here on WaPo.

FATE
Which Americans are taken hostages?
If you are talking about the Iranians in Iran that have, later in life, acquired American nationality (as some sort of flag of convenience) but travelled to their home country with an Iranian passport, then they are Iranians.
And the funny thing is that when they are back in USA, they are described as hyphenated Americans, i.e. Iranian-Americans, a kind of a social signal that they are not really Americans. So, your comments are really irrelevent.

As Iranians, they have to follow the laws of Iran, just as Americans must adhere to the laws of their own country. And when both Americans and Iranians travel to, say, Switzerland or China or Russia, they must comply with the laws of those countries-- or stay home and be quiet!

To FATE
It is best for you to stay quiet and not stick your nose in business of other countries! Simple enough for you? I hope you understood these words.

Wow, the poster MATTE above thinks that USA is doing good for demining Vietnam. Who put those mines in place? If it was not for the American war?

And if you say that every one is wrong in the world and you are right, then you simply do not want to face the real world.

Bimbo wrote: "The assertive nature of comments from Americans above seems to be enough for one to form an anti-American attitude."

And what are we Americans to do when Iran takes Americans hostage, again? Treat them like they are civil? Treat them like they are gentlemen? Treat them like they are a democracy when the self appointed guardian council prevents candidates from running without cause? Treat them like they want peace when they threaten their neighbors? When they support terrorists?

I guess we Americans should not become assertive but just roll over and accept the Iranian government and its belligerent attitude. Well, that's not what Americans do nor do we accept lame excuses for hostile actions. I do not know what Iran's intentions are in taking more Americans hostage but you can be sure it won't help the US warm to Iran. Here's a joke from 1979: What's flat, black and glows in the dark?

I've been reading several of the blogs under this PG question. The gist is that America in general and Bush in particular (but NOT the american people!) can't do anything right. I find it fascinating that:

- Bush helped Hamas get elected by coming out against them
- Bush helped Hamas get elected by coming out for Abbas
- Bush helped Hamas get elected by not providing enough support for Abbas.
- Bush is hurting the chances of the Saniora government in Lebanon by its support of it.
- Bush is hurting the chances of the Saniora government in Lebanon by not supporting it enough.
- America is proping up Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe by speaking out against him.
- America is proping up the Saudi government by speaking out in support of them.
- Bush helped Ahmadinejad get elected by coming out against him.
- America is helping to prop up the Iranian government by its opposition to it.
- America is helping to prop up the Pakistani government by its support of it.
- America needs to get out of the ME altogether.
- American leadership is needed in the ME to help solve the Palestinian issue.

My conclusion is that its much easier to be an isolationist. Until then, if the rest of the world could just agree on a path for the US and let the US know what to do, we'd really appreciate it.

Well.. obviously you know nothing of our efforts in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. We spend millions of dollars every year and have hundreds of soldiers in each country working slowly but surely to demine all three countries of the MILLIONS of mines laid down by the North Vietnamese and VietCong.

With regards to foreign direct investment.. obviously its in the interest of the company, i have no idea why you would even make that argument, you said that if not for European investment the US would be belly-up, i pointed out that our companies actually invest more heavily in the rest of the world than any one does in our country. Likewise, you obviously do not have a background in economics, otherwise you yourself could explain the reason behind Toyota being the number one car manufacturer (well its close with Honda, which produce all American sold cars in the US). The reason is a well-understood and accepted economic theory of evolutionary or spin off economics...which use to apply only to economies in a single region. However, with the advent of faster transportation methods can be applied at a global level now. As the top economy becomes too big and too wealthy, it can not support industries that require the workers to make less, (especially in a union led environment) so these industries are spun-off to the next level of economically developed countries. They in turn pass their industry which they can no longer support with a stronger job market to the next level of economies.

Anyway, your arguments are weak and fall to basic name calling and finger pointing. What i tried to do was point out the good the US has done in the past and the charity of the US in the present as well...ie., the money and personnel given in EVERY major disaster in the world which is leaps and bounds above every other nation, even those in the region. The point is that your characterization of the US is about as uninformed and ignorant as you try to paint US citizens, and that seems to be a common thread among much of the world.. i ahve traveled to many places on this planet, and it seems to be those most angry with the US who know the least about it...

The process of politics is a lot more sophisticated than win-lose or pro-anti structures. There are different levels of "interests". The only fixed rule is all parties must be cordial and polite. It used to be called diplomatic.

Interesting observations and reminders in this article. A fresh approach is needed.

The point of this author is that a great nation must be more careful and balanced. I agree.

It is not clear why we have such an abrasive atmosphere between Iran and USA. Just because Americans are failing with their dumb ideas about the rest of the world is no excuse to have this high pressure, low intellect exchanges about international affairs and other countries.

MATTE
You are stuck in 1950s (as is American foreign policy). The reconstruction of Europe after WWII was a one-off event of essentially Americans helping out cousins in Europe. How much has America helped Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia? Americans dropped 500 lbs. of bombs per capita in Laos, a country that was not even part of America's war in the region.

Moreover, companies invested, and continue to invest, for profit, be they Americans in Europe or Europeans in USA. Charity, it is not and it has never been. But if American business policies are so good and correct, why is it that Toyota is now the top car seller in the world? And that Daimler-Benz dropped Chrysler like a hot potato, even paid $670m to get out??

I'm a liberal and patriotic American and I've been struggling with how to respond to this post. Suffice it to say the author is clearly an Iranian nationalist, seems to have very little understanding of how the U.S. works (as if our only source of information about Iran was anti-Iranian propaganda) and an overly rosy picture of how Iran works — one that anyone who pays attention to the news knows is different. I'm smart enough to seperate out sabre-rattling from actual topics of concern, like the very visible clamps on democratic reform, the continuted subjugation of women (in some cases more severe than in others, but undeniably present), or the incredibly serious and militantly encouraged restrictions on "immoral" behavior — described, for example, in this story from the New York Times/International Herald Tribune (http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/04/19/africa/19tehran.php) about an Iranian supreme court decision validating the practice of private citizens literally murdering people who are determined to be behaving "immorally"; in the case described in the story, that meant an engaged couple walking together in public.

Americans understand that America is not perfect. At least the writer of this post does not seem to understand that Americans understand that America is not perfect. And Americans are smarter than he seems to think; we don't understand Iran perfectly (and we understand that we don't understand Iran perfectly), but it would really take some arrogance to say Iranians understand us.

People should stop thinking about blame as if it must be assigned to one and only one country. The international system, through power dynamics, through complexity and fuzziness of signals, through cultural misunderstandings, through a variety of things, influences state actors to behave in certain ways, and it's way, way, way more complex than pointing a finger to determine what went wrong. Iranians and Americans both should take that to heart.

I traveled all over the world at various times in the last 30 years and enjoyed the rich culture of other countries. I went out of my way not to portray the "Ugly American" attitude that was the stereotype abroad. I listened to other points of view and respected cultural differences. I still believe in the inherent goodness of most people and the desire to treat each other as equals. What I now see routinely is the knee-jerk reactions on both sides of the anti-American debate, mainly due to the sheep-like devotion to government propaganda spewed by power-hungry hatemongers. I am tired of trying to be a voice of reason to people I encounter in my travels and really don't care anymore to listen or attempt to combat the attitudes. No one really hates Switzerland, so let's have America be the new Switzerland. You do whatever you want to do outside of our borders, woe to you if you cross into our space in the future! The rest of you are on your own. And you can rant about past injustices all you want. Every country that has ever existed has not taken a step that didn't involve their own self-interest. You can talk about Vietnam, South America, Iraq, etc. Doesn't really matter who the players are, because there will always be someone who steps in to the power vacuum. Think it wouldn't be the practical and polite Swedes? Ask the Poles what they think of Swedens past history towards them. Think it wouldn't be some dirt poor African country if they had America's military and economic power? Ask the ethnic tribes in their countries who aren't in political power right now how they are treated. The same goes for every country that either has had power in the past or hungers for it now. They have acted just as bad (or worse) than America and would do so again in a hearbeat if they thought it was in their country's best interest. The moral smugness and superior attitudes these people express can only make me laugh in digust.

//My country is an ally and friend of the US,friends tells each other the truth.//

Groovy. Please feel free to tell the truth about the events in Iran in 1979-80.

Chile,Nicaragua,El Salvador,guatemala,Panama,grenada,haiti the rest of latin america...
vietnam,laos,cambodia the rest of the world...
remember the internet provides information to all the inhabitants of these countries that was previously denied them.
The history of US interventionist policies are clear for all with access to the net to see.
Even if americans will not face up to their follies,the victims are sure to be informed.
I guess there will not be any soul-searching until the dollar is unpegged from the worlds currencies and your propped up economy crashes.

Trees or forest.. thats a ridiculous argument, buying up foreign debt is an investment in our currency, it is not the same as loaning reconstruction money that will never be paid off. AND... adjusted for inflation the dollar figures the US would be owed are astronomical. The heavy foreign investments in the US are actually dwarfed by the FDI that US companies have in other countries, both developed and developing. My point was that you claim that we should stay out of everything, and yet when times get tough, who is willing to give BILLIONS to reconstruction efforts post-war and after disasters such as the tsunami. No other country came close to the amount of money and manpower that the US gave to South east Asia. Or in the case of the Kashmir earthquake..do you have any idea how many Air Force personnel were involved in those rescues/reconstructions?

And to BIMBO...maybe, just maybe, Americans are tired of comments about how ignorant we are, or fat, or lazy...no matter how many countries we have helped throughout the years

"A visitor will soon realize that the poisoned atmosphere and the monster image of Iran are nothing but childish mind games and propaganda thrown at Iran. The Hollywood image of Iran as a police state akin to North Korea or Saddam’s Iraq will be hard to find among ordinary Iranians."

Yea, and pictures like this are faked:

http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/1656.htm

The assertive nature of comments from Americans above seems to be enough for one to form an anti-American attitude.

Those that talk about getting U.S. money back that was invested in Europe should remember that it is mostly Europeans (and increasingly the Chinese and Russians) that are buying America's debt...about 9 Trillion Dollars of it. Adjusted for inflation, it is several times of the money USA spent on Europe after WWII. Moreover, Many European companies have heavy investments in USA, with Britain being the largest direct foreign investor followed by Germany, Italy, France, etc.-- from oil companies to real estate to supermarkets, pharmaceutical companies, car makers, etc.

America has spent at least 2 Trillion Dollars for its Afghanistan and Iraq episodes, financed by debt paper bought by foreigners.

Propaganda,

Actually, it was worse. The last year the US actively stayed out of other countries' business was 1941. The Japanese were raping China and were planning their attempted conquest of Asia, the Nazis had conquered western Europe and had invaded the Soviet Union, most of the Third World was under the colonial thumb of European oppressors, and the standard of living worldwide was a fraction of what it is now.

Now admitteedly 1941 was a long time ago, and many Americans wish we could just wipe our hands of the world and let people take care of themselves for awhile, but we both know that's wishful thinking. When an authority figure departs and leaves a power vacuum in its wake, things never improve.

Onehelpfulcomment (and to some extent, propaganda), I agree completely. Travel and open borders are absolutley the only thing that will help us progress globally. We are a world that should be post-nationalist.

I was trying to convey, in my comments, that I mean that for the U.S. as much as for Iran. Honesty and open dialogue are essential. Glossing over what has happened in the past, from either side but particularly evident in Dr. Ettefagh's article, is not. That's exactly why targeting diplomats is so damaging - even more so than Bush's childish refusal to talk, because the residual fear lasts generations. Diplomats are your lifeline to normalized relations. They will be your ambassadors back in the U.S., particularly when you close you borders to foreign travel.

At the State Department I worked on exactly the programs you speak about, onehelpfulcomment. Check it out: exchanges.state.gov. There's no propaganda when direct, honest connections with another person from another country are made. Bilateral programs like the Fulbright Scholar program are some of the best work the U.S. government does.

Charles,maybe you are right.
The US should try a decade or two to stay out of other countries business,it could not be worse than what we have got at the moment.
Maybe the world will surprise.

Wow! I guess the best thing for America to do then is to close our borders to all but international trade agreements. You don't want American influence in things? Fine. Tired of American military muscle? OK, let's get all of our folks back home. From now on, anything bad that happens, including war, famine, disease and pestilence...handle it yourselves. The next time you want something beyond normal trade, pound sand. You scream and cry when we don't help you with your problems immediately, tell us how you want us to fix it (usually involving large amounts of American taxpayer cash), then scream at us to leave you alone. You talk about Americans like they are children (and as a nation continually being reinvented with each new generation and world-leading immigration, we sometimes are), but you American-bashers seem like a 4 year old who wants Daddy to help him make a sandwich, then tells him exactly how to make it and still doesn't like it! Like I said before...handle your own problems from now on. I guess it is time for us to grow-up and become as cynical and self-serving as the rest of the "Old World."

Ali Ettefagh said the Americans should get first hand experience about what Iran is, I won't speak against that. But I would refrain from the rest of the garbage when Iran just put an American scholar to jail and due for trial on alleged scheming "soft" overthrowing of the Tehran government.

When was the last time the U.S. arrested anyone here for alleged scheming of "soft" overthrowing the Washington government?

We welcome all attempt to overthrow this government. Peacefully, of course.

I think that the mistake that people make when they discuss perceptions of the US or other countries is this: as much as we hate to admit it, governments dont actually represent the views of the majority of their people. Ahmadinejad may call the States "the Great Satan," but that doesn't mean that your everyday Iranian thinks that. Likewise, Bush may call Iran a member of the Axis of Evil, but that doesn't mean that your everyday American thinks that. Newsflash: it's all pointless political posturing and guess what it gets done: zilch.

It's time we start demanding our leaders (in both Iran AND the US) to stop posturing and start acting in meaningful ways that benefit the PEOPLE of both countries - not their governments.

My country is an ally and friend of the US,friends tells each other the truth.
I have spent much of my generous vacations and work life galavanting the world,as you say.
From this one can deduct the cause and effect of different political systems and perhaps gain some insight into different cultures and their way of doing things.
It is a humbling experience,one which many more americans should try,exept of course you are keeping the wheels of the world turning.

"That too might be a fantasy, as it all necessitates a paradigm shift and salvation from within in the American political posture to reset its course."

Right back at ya! We are supposed to just ignore the FACTS that Iran supports murderers in the middle east, seeks nuclear weapons while suggesting that they would be used to destroy Israel (it is clear that Iran is a racist nation which hates Jews), and potentially would hand over these weapons to their client terrorist organizations who might use them against the United States? We should do this because why????

I know you think we Americans are fools, but we might surprise you. We are not the self-destructive idiots you presume us to be and are fully capable of seeing the evil that is the government of Iran (not their people for sure) and what you are capable of doing. We are not sycophants like the Europeans who will do your bidding. How about YOU reset your course and cease your desire to order the world into some kind of radical Islamist society with all the attendant dregs of totalitarianism that involves!

Propoganda, are you from Europe? it's funny that you would characterize Americans in such a way and yet our rate of obesity is actually slowing., while Europe is quickly catching up, add that to the fact that American life expectancy is higher than almost all European nations, other than Finland i believe...Maybe its all the smoke you all inhale??? The arguments against the US are ridiculous in these blogs...also, one poster generalized Americans as being oblivious to the rest of the world and ignorant because we don't speak another language!?! number 1: who cares? I know I speak a couple different languages, but I have a reason to. My best friend, a plumber, will not have much of a reason to learn french or italian or russian. he is slowly learning spanish to deal with the rising number of spanish speaking citizens. Number 2: why don't as many Americans have passports as Europeans... we dont get a month off in the summer to go galavanting around the world, between us, the Chinese and the Japanese, some countries have to keep the world economy afloat...and our country is HUGE...I can travel in country for the rest of my life and see vast amounts of varied terrain and the limitless national forests and varied cultures...unlike most Europeans our nation is not overwhelmingly homogenous, and we cant pay 100 euros and hop on a flight to any other country we'd like, we're quite a ways away...so get off your high horse and relax for a while, we'll be here when you're done with your trips in august

Obesity is the number one health problem of the future.Blaming body frame,irregular work hours or hereditary bad genes is obfuscation.
The simple solution of less food and more exercise
makes compromise mandatory and is a good byproduct of the cure.
So I thought it would be a good allegory to your foreign policies,which also is treated seemingly without insight.
Sorry if I have stepped on anyones fat,politically correct toes.

Frank: That is ridiculous, the comment of "Axis of Evil" by Pres Bush did not cause Ahmadinejad to be elected...it was many factors, one being the souring of US image in Iran, which was VERY much influenced by the control of state media by the Council. Another was the failure of the previous President to provide the Iranian people with any true reforms as he had promised... again because of the tight control of the Council.. just to make it clear to everyone, all the world's problems were not created by George W. Bush, even though you try to blame them ALL on him.

I read that the US State department has recently launched some cultural exchange programs - mostly painters. While I disagree with most of what our Sec. of State has done in the last few years this is one small bright spot. It should be expanded to musicians, poets, chefs, scientists, film makers, atheletes, high school children, etc. Ideally, Iran should just relax all travel restrictions and allow any Iranian family to vacation in the US and any US family to vacvation in Iran. Nothing will speed freedom quicker and more completely. The sooner the better.

IF that is the case "Trees or Forest" that WWII has completed 60 plus years ago, and you are intent on making everyone remember that, why doesnt Europe repay the US for the money we have sunk into your continent to help rebuild?

And yes, we have been made the moral policemen of the world, because you are too busy putting your nose in the air and backing up anyone you feel like you can patronize at the time...you look at countries around the world, especially third world countries and you weep for their exploitation and destruction of culture by the EVIL US, when in actuality you are upset because you will not have a traditional community in that area of the world to photograph anymore or drive through on your 1 month holidays. The US involvement in Iranian affairs is a national security issue, primarily when the President of a nation issues statements referring to the US as the devil and swearing to eliminate our allies off the face of the earth, and yes that is a good translation of what he said, all by a country that has OPENLY supported, both financially and militarily, terrorist organizations aimed at our destruction. You claim that you want the US to butt out of world affairs, but I guarantee you would quickly beg for help if ever presented with another large war.

Trees or Forest?:

Maybe you namby pamby Europeans should thank your lucky stars for Americas continuing protection and financial support before crying foul of our policies. If we have a history of intervening in other nations' affairs, we learned it from you. I hate to comment on the "we saved your asses in WW2" thing, but since you brought it up, since that time, we have continually underwritten your defense. Your nations are in decent economic shape for one reason: We guarantee your soveriegnty via the US Army. Did you ever wonder why your nations spend so little on defense?Because we provide it for you. All of your nations combined couldn't stand up to us if you tried. That is the sad state of your military affairs. I remember visiting Portugal and laughing at the "soldiers" they had. Their uniforms looked years old and were practically painted on them. I for one would be happy and sad at the same time to see the US stop guaranteeing the military defense of Europe. While we could use that money at home, it would sadden me to see the home of my ancestors fall to yet another ruthless dictator because they were too weak to defend themselves.

Trees or Forest?:

Maybe you namby pamby Europeans should thank your lucky stars for Americas continuing protection and financial support before crying foul of our policies. If we have a history of intervening in other nations' affairs, we learned it from you. I hate to comment on the "we saved your asses in WW2" thing, but since you brought it up, since that time, we have continually underwritten your defense. Your nations are in decent economic shape for one reason: We guarantee your soveriegnty via the US Army. Did you ever wonder why your nations spend so little on defense?Because we provide it for you. All of your nations combined couldn't stand up to us if you tried. That is the sad state of your military affairs. I remember visiting Portugal and laughing at the "soldiers" they had. Their uniforms looked years old and were practically painted on them. I for one would be happy and sad at the same time to see the US stop guaranteeing the military defense of Europe. While we could use that money at home, it would sadden me to see the home of my ancestors fall to yet another ruthless dictator because they were too weak to defend themselves.

Kudos to Kate and to Cas for trying to post something sensible on this forum. If you're Canadian, or European, or whatever, and you have some smug self-righteous belief that all Americans are degenerates and everything you do is superior, please spare us all and just go away. Your comments are enlightening only to show how much bigotry and ignorance there is out there.

The USA is far from perfect, and under the current abysmal administration it has done more than its share of harm. But if you're going to criticize please at least pretend to know what you are talking about. It is absurd, for example, to suggest that after 30 years of "Great Satan" and "Death to America," that Iranian-US relations were poisoned because of one "Axis of Evil" comment. A nation that jumps at such a statement is merely looking for an excuse.

I often suspect that the USA cannot win for trying. If we ignore the rest of the world, we are accused of abandonment (see, eg, Darfur). And the outside world inevitably collapses without our active engagement (see, eg, WWI and WWII - genocide within living memory on multiple continents). We cannot afford to make that mistake again. Other nations have had every opportunity to make positive contributions to the world civilization, but consistently fall short. Would you trust Iran, or China, or Nigeria to take the lead on the world stage? Sorry, but I would not.

Propaganda. The name suits you. What an ugly person inside (Where it counts, right?)to make such comments.

--CAS
You may wish to go back in your little history book a few years more--

Yes, of course I know about the 1953 coup that the CIA engineered. I do not endorse the actions of current or past US administrations.

I stand by my statement that Iranian actions in 1979-80 are a real impediment to any sort of normalized relations. This condition can only be fixed by Iranians taking ownership of what they did in that period.

America wants only one thing from Iran--a reason to attack. Please give us one! Iran still needs a good spanking for 1979. And do not take any solace from our supposedly overstretched army--that's only because we've been so good at getting done what we needed to do with a small, all-volunteer army. Read your history--how small the US armed forces were in December 1942 and how rapidly we built an army that defeated the (then) most powerful military forces in the world and turned their nations into prosperous democracries. Iran's time will come.

CAS
You may wish to go back in your little history book a few years more...and see what the US did regarding the King in Iran. Our first skirmish was NOT the hostage taking.
Also, perhaps look to see if the US, or other nations for that matter, differentiate among
the leaders and people. For example bombing and burning the people of Japan into cinders,or less,
was because they were telling the Emperor what to do? They were guilty?

CAS
You may wish to go back in your little history book a few years more...and see what the US did regarding the King in Iran. Our first skirmish was NOT the hostage taking.
Also, perhaps look to see if the US, or other nations for that matter, differentiate among
the leaders and people. For example bombing and burning the people of Japan into cinders,or less,
was because they were telling the Emperor what to do? They were guilty.

Personally, I think we can be friends with Iran. I want us to be friends with Iran. The only thing that prevents a workable relationship is George Bush's need to give us an ENEMY.

Let's face it -- Ahmadinejad would not even be president of Iran if Bush had talked that ridiculous junk about the axis of evil. (I think we now know the REAL axis is comprised of Cheney-Rove-Bush.)

The SAUDI hijackers have us get two horrific terms of Bush, and he helped elect Ahmadinejad, who in turn also helped Bush get re-elected. A symbiotic relationship of lunacy.

Man, we were sooooo close to making peace with Iran, and then Dummo had to open his mouth. Can he ever say anything smart on his own?

In series,films and shows from the US almost all participants are good looking and thin.
Why is it when you actually meet ordinary americans the majority are pear-shaped,wheezing bags of blubber?
This is the difference between reality and fantasy.
I wish americans would wake up to the world of reality about their foreign policy and the consequenses these policies have caused.
The most stupid thing I read is that others are envious of your abnormal girth.
You are the fat person in the room-start exercising!

I agree with most of what is in the head of this thread.

I also believe that Iran also needs to squarely face down the ugly events of 1979-80 if it has any hope of ever really reconciling with the US.
That probably means formally apologizing to the US. The unprovoked taking of diplomats as hostages is seared into the memory of Americans.

Until this is resolved, it is not possible to attempt to separate political leaders from individuals, as we would in normal political discourse.

Shame to see the people who might represent a more balanced view of the U.S. not present on these comments.

I'm not going to sit around and say how much America is great and Iran is evil any more than I would say the opposite. We're both as we are. I am well aware, all too aware, of the failings of U.S. military intervention and of our foreign policy in the Middle East in general. I think Dr. Ettefagh's piece is a little one-sided, though - he seems to wonder why most Americans have a negative view of Iran, mostly attributing it to propaganda, but no mention of the hostage crisis? He wonders why it took so long to consider a dialogue when the last time the U.S. embassy had a presence there that was the result? I'm in favor of dialogue, but that seems like a willful blind spot.

And I do think Haleh Esfandiari is a relevant case. One poster said that just as the U.S. can jail enemy combatants indefinitely, so can Iran - the truth is, neither country should be able to do so. Again, I'm not defending nationalism, stroking one country or the other's ego. Hopefully all posters can agree that human rights should transcend those kind of distinctions. But I tire of laundry lists of why anyone from any country should "sit down and be quiet." From my president or anyone else.

Both sides are at fault, as it usually is. First,Bush is without doubt the worst President in decades,on all fronts. He doesn't do nuance and is as uninformed as most Americans are about international politics and history. I see our totally one sided support of Israel and our support of Dictatorships in the Middle East (Religious or Secular) as long as they support us totally counterproductive in the long run. Pakistan may end up like Iran, with a revolution against the military and a islamic state. American foreign policy is clueless. On the other side, the Muslim world definitely need an enlightnment, a separation of church and state and constitutionally enshrined religious freedoms. Honor killings, refusal to allow citizens religious freedom. this is not by any yardstick compatible with fair moral values and individual freedom. We need a 'just and comprehensive' settlement of the Israeli/Palestinian,imposed if need be by the international community...I mean 'just' with Israel receiving international guarantees and protection, and the Palestinians getting a state. Underline, Israel needing security guarantees... America also needs a continued separation of Church and State too, with the religious right trying to control the political agenda (keep your religion out of my freedom). Why can't we just agree on belief in God and leave the nuances to personal choice. I blame both sides for ignoring common sense and reason, and exploiting mutual ignorance. I was in the Navy during Vietnam and feel have a little perspective. Bush's venture into Iraq was one of the worst policy decisions in American history, much worse than Vietnam, much worse...

this is ashamed! I have to read this from another country, I have never been to, and they are talking about us-America, as a Nation., We are Still A Great Nation., but I am sorry? as you say? we are not the police for other nations., But I must go along with my government, no matter if they are wrong or if they are right., but I will not force my ideas on your nation, for this is not the American way., and if your nation feels we have, then forgive us., for we are not like that as a nation. But? and if? another nation, asks us for help, we will be there. and we will liberate them, in the best way possible! I would hope, all nations, get a chance to live freely. See? I am from Missouri, but I have been all over my nation., no passport, no ID Checkpoints., here we are free., and when someone gets in the way of that freedom, we are aloud to vote them out! and change course in our life., plus here, we practice, freedom of religion., I ask all of you nations out there? are you aloud this? I worship Jesus Christ,GOD ALMIGHTY and Holy Ghost., in your land, can you do this, worship any religion? next, can you vote or can even your women vote? are better yet, can your women run for office? well I will say this? I am not here to tell you how to run your country, but don't try to change mine either. All countries have there faults, including us here, in these United States-we are not GOD's gift to all of you., some times we try to be. I will stop here. to you other countries, Be Blessed In Whatever You Do. Janair Williams Sr.

"Darvaze Ghar:
Well said. They want to create an image for Iranians and Iran to fit their own Hollywood purposes. But again, most Americans do not have passports and do not speak foreign languages. Therefore, they can only be classified as ill-informed or uneducated. That is the reality."

Do you even know where Hollywood is? How many people has your country sent into space? America is a couple hungred years old and it is the most advanced, technical nation in the world. What has your country been doing for the last 1000 years other than killing each other and praying. Microsoft, internet, google, organ transplants, all from your country right? Uneducated, look in the mirror. Call me in 100 years when you have a telephone : ) What has your nation given society, suicide bombers, Bin Laden, religous freedom?

I can honestly say that I would rather live in America than anywhere else in the world. I was born in the Middle East have fond memories, but I love America. No where else in the world can you experience the opportunities and freedoms America provides. I am treated like a traitor at home and I can not understand it. I'm afraid to go home and probably never will. Is that freedom you speak of Persian Redneck?

Envy, read it and weep. Why do most countries, especially europeans have a negative opinion of America, envy. Others, you know whom I'm speaking of hate Americans just because that is all they know how to do. People from all over the world lie, cheat, break laws to get into America, why, because they hate it so much? No, to become an American and experience true freedom. Primarily, you hate America, because you have no chance to become an American. You follow what goes on in America because you desire America. BTW, Jimmy Carter is not a good example of anything positive in America. His time in office was the WORST period in American history, no jobs, high inflation, no leadership, no respect, hostage taking in Iran, you name it. Deny if you like, but it is what is is.

Whether or not we agree with Iran's actions, the United States can not expect to be able to interfere with other country's affairs and then be welcomed with open arms. The U.S. has an enormous amount of power in the world. Though that power is sometimes used to bring positive change, it is often used in ways counter to the will of the global citizenry. Nobody likes hubris, even if the person with his nose in the air happens to be right some of the time.

Sir,
The answer to your question is this: American foreign policy, (particularly, but not limited to the MidEast,) is run by Israel.The Israel first neocons.
This is not casually said here, and not an exaggeration. The NSA (national security agency, in the White House) chief for the MidEast is run by Elliot Abrams, neocon of the first order. Part of the cabal, no less than
Wolfowitz at Defense and Libby and Wurmser in the V'Ps office and AIPAC. The President was first gullible, and when caught, stubborn.
Everyone knows.
Nothing will change until the administration does. And today Israel bombed attacked Gaza again.

"....is America about political apartheid?"

Very well described. And the answer is, yes. America is just another form of apartheid.

To FATE

Esfandiari is being adjudicated in accordance to the laws of her country of citizenship. Good or bad, rough or just, all laws must be adhered to. That is lesson one in civility.

Just because she is sitting in Washington does not give her the right to start movements calling for violent regime change and fund that with funds from a foreign country (i.e. USA). That is called treason. And that is punishable in most countries, including USA. If some one is funded by a foreign source to call for violent regime change (that is outside the legal venue of the ballot box), that is a criminal offence. Read Patriot Act of USA where the standards of proof are very low and people "supporting" terrorism end up in jail, right there in your own backyard.

The poster FATE above seems to be picking apart every point, like some one itching for a good fight. Perhaps the trees are not letting him see the forest!

First of all, what gives Americans the right to stick their nose in affairs of Iran and/or other countries? and who are you to tell Iranians what kind of government they should have?

Secondly, America must learn to live in the world community as just one of the members of the community of more than 200 nations. No body has ever appointed America to be the moral leader or policeman of the world. World War II was more than 60 years ago. Finished a long time ago.

Thirdly, if a worldwide survey was taken today, more than 80% of the world will register a negative opinion about USA, even in those countries "liberated" by America in WWII.

Any of the above ought to be enough for you Americans to sit down and be quiet. Period!

I am proud to be iranian. i am proud to see iran is independent. it ss good to be in iran and do not see american culture around. after 30 years you still can not accept it, well i have to tell you we do not care anymore, we look at your allies in region and feel lucky that we are your friend. you think you are the center of the world. i tell you, you are not.

Persian Redneck wrote:

---In her (Haleh Esfandiari) particular case, she had commissioned a "regime change" white paper to be written by an Iranian scholar, for which he received money via the Wilson Centre. Just as USA declares its own people "enemy Combatant" and/or arrest and jails its own citizens for spying to benefit a foreign country (includine for that other friend, Israel), so can Iran.---

Well here you are. Writing papers critical of the government, calling for its leadership to change, is grounds in Iran for prison before being charged (she was arrested Dec 30 and has been held under house arrest before being moved to your lovely prison a few weeks ago, without charge). Did Ms. Esfandiari support an insurgency, purchase arms to harm Iranians? Did she perform or support terrorist acts? Did she do anything other than speak her free mind. In America it is not a crime to call for a change in leadership. We do it all the time. I believe George W. Bush is the buggest liar, fraud, and should be impeached for violating the FISA Act, a law designed to protect American civil liberties. That is a call for regime change and has been echoed throughout America in print and in person via demonstrations, some right in front of the White House. Americans love their free speech. Its the first protection in our Bill of Rights. I've read the Iranian constitution. All it calls for is protecting the Iranian government and Islam. Your arrest of Ms. Esfandiari for the charges you state is an insult to any free thinking person and against Irans own laws.

Carter's statements are what we free people call free speach, something America invented in the modern era and Iran openly suppresses. Prop up the Iranian clerics all you want. You know you are being ruled by the Guardian council. Hostage takers are just that and will never become civil until the civil parts of Iran rise up to retake their government from those who rule unelected in Iran. You can dress up a pig and call it beautiful, but its still a pig. You may think the world loves Iran and hates America but the reality is Iran has the UN, and soon, scholars worldwide ready to boycott and invoke sanctions on Iran. Who is boycotting the US? You may think this is because the world hates Iran. It only dislikes its government which is not freely elected. We love the Iranian people. My best friend is a former Iranian, now a British citizen. I know how wonderful the Iranian people are when they are allowed to be free. I would also ask which Iranian newspapers you Iranians on this blog write in? I mean the ones that are still allowed to print in democratic Iran.

You know things are getting very bad for America and especially for Americans when Jimmy Carter is making strong negative comments about the Bush administration and the permanent impact of U.S. policy on American reputation around the world.

Well said. They want to create an image for Iranians and Iran to fit their own Hollywood purposes. But again, most Americans do not have passports and do not speak foreign languages. Therefore, they can only be classified as ill-informed or uneducated. That is the reality.

Europeans have a much better knowledge of the rest of the world. Americans just want to go shopping, especially for cheap oil!!!!!

Thanks to Dr. Ettefagh for making these necessary clarifications.

Any country that renames fried potatoes for political purposes cannot be trusted nor taken too seriously, especially when it was the French that gave that Statue of Liberty to the Yanks.

Grow up America, and take off that cowboy hat....let some blood circulate in your brains!

Alternatively, I dare those proud but blind Americans to set aside their veto at UNSC and let us see how the rest of the world will vote, for or against America!

How very true! Childish games must be set aside.

The poster FATE above, presumably an American, is exemplary of the childish games that has almost become second nature to Americans...thanks to the media blast. Foreigners, and especially Americans, are hardly supporters of Iranian democracy the way Iranians wish it to be. Instead of supporting Iranians in their quest for changing from a dicatator to a voting society, the Yanks were more worried that the Iranian model might spread in the region and thus they encouraged Saddam (their friend back then!) to attack Iran and kill 1m million or more. If that is not a Satanic act, I don't know what is.

As for comments about Haleh Esfandiari in an Iranian jail, it is useful to remind the world that she too is an Iranian citizen and should not be subject to any different treatment (remember that equal before the law concept?). Moreover, no body gets arrested at random in any country. In her particular case, she had commissioned a "regime change" white paper to be written by an Iranian scholar, for which he received money via the Wilson Centre. Just as USA declares its own people "enemy Combatant" and/or arrest and jails its own citizens for spying to benefit a foreign country (includine for that other friend, Israel), so can Iran.

Finally, and to add to your knowledge of the legal world, many countries can detain a person without charge for a certain period of time, regardless of the nationality of that person. In Switzerland and France it is 14 days, in Italy and spain 21 days and it is at least 14 days in UK (under the Terrorism Act). And investigation of a magistrate (equal to the Grand Jury or the District Attorney in USA or the Police and CPS in UK) is in secret in all of the above-mentioned countries. So, it does not really matter how many Americans jump up and down in newspapers to give the world their opinion of Haleh Esfandiari. They better mind their own business and not get involved. She is subject to the same laws as 70 million other Iranians!

For the time being, Americans have absolutely nothing positive to say about democracy and rights as they have failed to protect Iraqis (under the Geneva Conventions) and they have come up with an absurd concept called Guantanamo!!

Fate writes: "Hmm, a first time visitor to Iran might notice the government supported posters calling American "The Great Satan". What do Americans call Iran? The answer is "Iran". And you talk about mutual respect."

Fate, is it a once only memory lapse? Is it self-induced coma? Or is it something else? What is it, Fate?

Here is a useful reminder from the American President, for the record (Source: George W. Bush, 2002 State of the Union Address):

"... North Korea is a regime arming with missiles and weapons of mass destruction, while starving its citizens.

Iran aggressively pursues these weapons and exports terror, while an unelected few repress the Iranian people's hope for freedom.

Iraq continues to flaunt its hostility toward America and to support terror. The Iraqi regime has plotted to develop anthrax, and nerve gas, and nuclear weapons for over a decade...This is a regime that has something to hide from the civilized world.

States like these, and their terrorist allies, constitute AN AXIS OF EVIL (my emphasis), arming to threaten the peace of the world."

Let me further add this enlightening addendum:

"The term (AXIS OF EVIL) has also lent itself to various parodies, including axis of weasels (mocking certain countries that did not support USA on Iraq issue), ... The term is now becoming so popular that the term axis of evil is now considered three people or things that are a menace or a nuisance."

Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Axis_of_evil)

While your compatriots eat their freedom fries, Fate, I am led to conclude that people south of the border believe my country and the country of my French ancestors are a menace and a nuisance, given that, according to them, they presumably belong to the axis of weasels, too intimately friendly, for their taste, with the members of the AXIS OF EVIL. You will readily admit this is an unsavoury conclusion to come to, on this 21st of May, Fête des Patriotes.

I believe that to be at all credible, any foreign attempt at understanding the Iranian Revolution and the history of Iran, during the decades that followed, needs be accompanied by a thorough review of "Iran under the Shah", as well as by a detailled account of the role played by the United States of America before and throughout that reign.

That is the challenge yet to be met.

Hmm, a first time visitor to Iran might notice the government supported posters calling American "The Great Satan". What do Americans call Iran? The answer is "Iran". And you talk about mutual respect.

You say Iranians only want to be in charge of their own destinies. I and I believe all Americans agree. That is why we support them and not their repressive government, a government that disqualified over 2000 candidates from running for election in 2004 and has closed down over 100 newspapers.

And please explain the case of scholar Haleh Esfandiari, who while visiting her mother in Iran ended up in prison without charge which is against Iranian "law". Scholars around the world are about to boycott Iran because of this. Is there no one your benevolent Iranian government insults and taunts?

Like the USSR we will wait Iran out. Tyranny cannot be suported forever and the democracies, the real democracies, around the world will stand up to Iran until the day it becomes free, like they did the USSR. Americans know how to fight a cold war, this one begun by Iran in 1979 and the first cold shot fired by Iran, hostage taking, a habit that seems hard to break for Iran's government and their suporters.

Bravo.....3 decades of no contact and only absurd junk is floating around. There must be a fresh realization to go forward.