If you thought that Obama can cause the great war, think again. Carter is still in the running.

Is it just me because I expect the worst?  At times, I amaze myself by seeing the obvious that others apparently do not.  And 1979 is no exception (even though I was a young man at the time).  I never expected Iran to become anything BUT a theocracy.  it was clear (to me) that the whole thrown room Putsch was to get the Shah out and khomeni in!

I still do not believe I am really that smart.  But apaprently there are many really that stupid.  And sometimes they become president.  But then as I have grown older and wiser, I see that Carter never was more than an idiot to begin with.  And his election was an aberation perpetuated by equally stupid people, since repeated in 2008.

The author of the book says that Iranians really didn't see it coming.

It amazes me too. I was 3 years old at the time. But only a few years later when I first went to school I met the first exile-Iranians (there were many in Germany and Berlin) so I grew up seeing things from the Shah's side's point of view. As you know, because of that, because of my religion, and because of my politics I remain a loyal supporter of the Shah.

Reza Kahlili: There is animosity between Persians and Arabs. I mean, I don't think there is anything wrong with Arabs, I don't want to sound like a racist, we're all humans, but Iranians feel animosity toward Arabs, even more now since the revolution.

MJT: Why more now? Because of the Iran-Iraq war or because of Khomeini's Arabization policies?

Reza Kahlili: Because of the religion. Iranians believe that what the mullahs have brought to Iran is the religion of Arabs. A lot of Iranian officials, many of them, lived in Iraq and Syria for so many years that they speak Arabic better than they speak Persian.

And on top of that, the clerics have continuously attacked our Persian heritage. Every custom that Iranians have is being replaced with an Arab one. This is something Iranians really resent.

I do not know the author (I did read the article), but his hope seemed more wishful thinking than a dispassionate analysis of the situation.  If I had been him, I may have believed the same - or at least wanted to.

Damn!  You are a young pup!  And I am impressed.  You have come far my young Jedi!

Born 1977. You thought I was older?

I even wasted four years studying at Germany's expense without a degree. It was only in 2004 that I got my act together.

Your wisdom belies your age!  I figured you for at least 40s, not barely shaving.

I don't shave.

http://web.mac.com/ajbrehm/Home/About_Me.html

Gives you more time to be wise then.