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Subscribe to RSSTEHRAN, Iran – Prior to the Islamic revolution, Iran and America shared very good relations. The former Shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, had an army with modern hardware supplied by the U.S. There were direct flights between New York City and Tehran and the city was full of hotels run by major American chains.
But the once-friendly relations between the two nations came to a screeching halt in 1979 when cleric-led radicals ousted the U.S.-backed shah and the subsequent Iran hostage crisis when 52 Americans were held in the U.S. embassy for 444 days.
These days, Iranians’ relations with America are somewhat schizophrenic – the government is stridently anti-American, but many Iranians are not.
That is the opposite of other countries in the region where governments receive large amounts of money and military hardware from the U.S., but whose people generally dislike America.
Tehran’s dentist to the stars
A popular dentist in an affluent part of Tehran represents the love-hate relationship many Iranians feel toward the U.S.
In his Park Avenue-style dental practice, the latest Newsweek, Time and Architectural Digest magazines are on offer in the waiting room. A large flat-screen TV sits on the wall, along with an expansive fish tank and a framed dentistry degree from New York University.
Iranians are consumers who love brand names – even when it comes to their dental care. When a friend of mine introduced me to the dentist, he told me he is the guy to go to if I wanted to brag about where I get my teeth cleaned. He is, in essence, Tehran’s equivalent of a Beverly Hills “dentist to the stars.”
A large part of his reputation comes not just from the fact that he has all the latest, modern dentistry equipment, but that he was trained in the U.S. and offers Western-style service. He was educated in dentistry at NYU and lived, worked and studied from the East Coast to West Coast.
Reuters
Coffee mugs bearing pictures of the late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs are on sale as a man works on a MacBook at a shop in northern Tehran on Jan.19, 2012. Despite the fact that Apple observes a U.S. embargo that restricts the sale of their goods in Iran, their products are wildly popular there.
Sporting fashionable glasses, a crisp blue button-down shirt and tie, the dentist, who is in his mid-40s, agreed to speak with me on the condition of anonymity.
“I am who I am because of my education in the States,” said the dentist. “I am very American, but my view on U.S. politics is very different.”
I asked him what he thought about the tough economic sanctions being imposed on Iran – which block access to the international banking system and hurt sales of Iranian crude oil – as a way to persuade Tehran to abandon its nuclear program.
Iranians feel the pain of sanctions: 'Everything has doubled in price'
“Why are there sanctions against Iran?” he said. “Wasn’t it America that helped Iran fire up its nuclear program 35 years ago? The sanctions just hurt ordinary people.”
At the same time, he praised Iranians’ resilience.
“After 30 years of sanctions, embargoes, war and threats of war, Iran has kept its head above water,” he said. “Most other countries would have collapsed, but Iranians have found ways to circumvent these problems; they help each other.”
NBC News speaks with citizens from around the globe, asking the question, 'What Does America Mean to You?'
The dentist believes that one reason for misunderstanding between America and Iran is that Americans have little real information on Iran – that they know only what they see on TV, which is often a very small part of the bigger picture.
For years, he says, he tried to convince American colleagues to give lectures on dentistry in Iran, but that they were reluctant to do so because of their perceptions. When one of them finally agreed to come, and experienced the famous Iranian hospitality and warmth, his perception of Iran changed very quickly.
Asked why he came back to Iran about eight years ago after spending most of his life in the States, he said he just felt like something was missing, adding that he loves Tehran because it’s like New York City – a noisy, fast-paced 24/7 place.
Steve Jobs photos on the wall
The desire for brand names in Iran that signify Western quality goes beyond dentistry.
Mohsen, who agreed to speak with me on condition that only his first name be used, owns an electrical goods store in Tehran selling mostly black market Apple products. (Typically, Apple, as well as other imported goods that would be subject to U.S. embargoes, come into Iran via Dubai and the Persian Gulf. They are sold openly in stores in Tehran).
He said that most Iranians love American products and culture and that personally he longs for the day that the two countries have normal relations.
Then a frown appeared on his face. “But,” he said, “they do things that even rub a moderate person, like me, the wrong way.”
“I read an article yesterday about an Iranian-American who went into an Apple store in the States and wanted to buy an iPad to send to her uncle in Tehran. When the sales person found out she was Iranian and wanted to send the iPad to Iran, the store refused to sell it to her,” he said.
“This is crazy! I sell 50 iPads and iPhones here a week. I have a picture of Steve Jobs on the wall! These sorts of things don’t do any good for relations between Iranian and American people.”
The story Mohsen related was widely reported in the U.S. An Apple employee in Atlanta declined to sell an iPad to an Iranian-American customer, citing company policy that aims to comply with U.S. trade sanctions with Iran that can lead to individual fines of up to $250,000.
Iran trade sanctions get personal in Apple stores
In the meantime, Mohsen’s Apple products will have to remain on the black market.
Still, not all Iranians have such a moderate view towards the U.S. Hussein, a hard-line student at Tehran University, has a very negative view of the States. (He also spoke on condition that only his first name be used.)
“All America has done is try to bully Iran, chip away at its nuclear rights and steal our oil,” Hussein said.
“I don’t think we should be talking to the Americans because ultimately they want our demise,” he said. “Throughout history, they have interfered in our country, only harming us. We have nothing in common.”
This story is part of a series by msnbc.com and NBC News "What the World Thinks of US". The series aims to check the pulse on current perceptions of America's global stature during the election year and ahead of our annual Independence Day.
Share your thoughts about this story and our series on Twitter using #AmericaMeans
Stories in the series:
How I see America, from a former Gitmo prisoner
Bye, bye, GI: Deep impact for many Germans as US troops downsize
Post-revolution Egypt to US: Stay out
Iran's dentist to the stars offers views on US
For many Pakistanis, 'USA' means 'drones'
One man's mission: Promote Chinese patriotism in the face of Western onslaught
In South Africa: 'My head says China is number one, my heart says America'
Not all Thais are Gaga about America
Family moves from the Bronx to Jerusalem, but US remains land of 'liberty and freedom'
Palestinian: US supports 'an apartheid system that is suffocating us'
Afghans are 'no different from any American
Leave a Comment:
And for all that " good ole home town Tehran" feeling the dentist likes to portray, he did request his name be withheld.
Why don't you post using your real name, hypocrite?
Wow Jimee that really makes sense LOL!! Couch jockey. Just gotta attack people hey? You should move to Iran we dont need ya here we have enough idiots.
"Dentist to the stars" my ass. The so-called stars in Tehran must have audiences in the hundreds .... maybe thousands, if you count the ones that are forced to watch.
This dentist guy see's it his way only... not the way real americans see it..He states america is the one who gave Iran nuclear 35 years ago..true but it was for energy not for weapons! He also states americans only see the way Iran is on TV..tell that to those 52 americans who were held for 444 days..that pal is not TV!
@mike - About your comment about the nuclear power....
I don't think any ordinary Iranian on the street had any say about where those resources were going. After all, we've seen first hand the kind of @!$%# Ahmadinejad can pull. I doubt any ordinary Iranian would DARE stand up against a super-outfitted Iranian military that cares little for its own people.
In this case here, their problem is kinda like ours - a corrupt government with a people only wanting to be friends and seek peace. It's just that the conservative medieval vultures tend to, y'know, want to regress this sort of idea.
The difference between us and Iran is that most of Iran's firepower belongs to the government - and oh boy, do they have a crapload of it. Whereas we have numbers on our side (and more or less the fact that a good part of our armed forces actually gives two @!$%#s about its own people), the Iranians don't exactly have that. In fact, we've got more access to firearms than they do, partly because our own constitution allows it (2nd Amendment).
Furthermore, we are not put to death for saying something about Obama's mother, for instance (1st Amendment). The Birther @!$%#'s downright offensive, but nobody's going to be legally told to die for ranting with that rhetoric. Iran? Better not call Ahmadinejad's mother a fat ugly bitch - he might just bust a cap in yo' head.
I bet you that if Ahmadinejad weren't there, that the Iranians would actually have a decent government. But I think some of the reasons they wouldn't rigorously pursue a democracy like ours are:
1)Sense of national pride - They don't want us butting in on their sovereignty. I'm pretty sure you wouldn't like it if Iran came over here and tried to set up a theocracy ruled by Mullahs, would you? Imagine the opposite and think - ever consider how they feel about us trying to push our values on them?
2)Sense of security and order - In some places, the people don't pursue our way of life because it might be a lot more chaotic and dangerous for them if they were to give the people free reign. Democracy isn't exactly perfect, my friend. But nor is anything in life. And in some ways, having to keep your mouth shut on certain issues can be helpful in maintaining a sense of restraint in what others may consider offensive - every human's different y'know.
And of course, you have to consider that Iran's still afloat, despite these sanctions. Makes you think - perhaps we should take a lesson from a certain part of their community (and no, I'm not talking about the extremists and those who are aligned with Ahmadinejad and Zawahiri)?
Grand Ayatollah Sayyed Sayyed Ali Hosseini Khamenei is actually the big boss in Iran. Ahmadinejad just does what he's told.
Iran was on the verge of becoming more accepting of America ( Night Clubs playing Rap Music - kids buying black market American music )
Then we went and sided with Iraq and we all know how well that turned out
Remember when Ho Chi Mihn read from the Declaration of Independence after freeing Viet Nam....and then we came in.
We have a really good history of picking our friends : )
Mike277
That pal was 33 years ago. The participants are old and grey, and a new generation has grown with a very different view on America and its people.
You need to read "Confessions of an Economic Hitman" to understand the inside story about our problem with Iran. It will tell you very clearly why Iran is not allowed to have nukes.
The matrix is real, but you are not aware:
matrixisreal.wordpress.com/books/
@xscharm - All the same, they're individual human beings, acting different from a good portion of Iran's general populace. And both are human beings with actual life spans - meaning that one day, they'll both kick the bucket and meet the devil.
And from the looks of things, Khamenei may be the first one to go. He's 72 - almost as old as Mubarak. At that age, you're just plucking tacks off the wall until your Deathday. Which comes for every living creature, may I remind you?
@MikeM2 - Just because Iran itself has nukes doesn't mean the general populace is exactly keen on using them. Ahmadinejad and Khamenei, maybe, but not the plainclothes civilian out there.
I mean, what do any of us know? All we do is sit on our butts all day and rant about this crap.
Crimson and Mike - Iran does not have nukes and according to all 16 US intelligence agencies, does not have a nuclerar weapons program. Of course you will hear a different story from the Zionist controlled media or from Israeli war mongers.
'1992:'Israeli parliamentarian Benjamin Netanyahu tells his
colleagues that Iran is 3 to 5 years from being able to produce a nuclear
weapon – and that the threat had to be "uprooted by an international front
headed by the US"'.
June
2008: Then-US Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton predicts that Israel
will attack Iran before January 2009, taking advantage of a window before the
next US president came to office.
May 2009: US Senate
Foreign Relations Committee reports states: "There is no sign that Iran's
leaders have ordered up a bomb."
January
2011: When Meir Dagan steps down as director of Israel’s Mossad spy agency, he
says that Iran would not be able to produce a nuclear weapon until 2015.
"Israel should not hasten to attack Iran, doing so only when the sword is
upon its neck," Mr. Dagan warned. Later he said that attacking Iran would
be "a stupid idea.... The regional challenge that Israel would face would
be impossible."
In a recent interview with CNN, Joint Chiefs Chairman Martin Dempsey said
he believed the Iranian regime was a "rational actor" when it comes to the nuclear program. Dempsey said Iran would likely weigh the
ultimate costs and benefits of building a nuclear weapon before doing so. James
Clapper, the Director of National Intelligence, recently told a Senate panel
that a decision had not yet been made by the regime in Tehran.
I don't see that these guys have much of a talking point considering that they live where snipers on roof tops assassinate unarmed women on the streets, arrest hikers as "spies" (what are they hiding), fund terrorists to attack the rest of the world, send insurgents to undermine neighboring democracies (e.g.Iraq, Afganistan), issue fatwahs to kill journalists and cartoonists, say they want to have a nuclear weapon while at the same time proclaiming that they want to wipe another country (Israel) off the face of the earth, etc., etc.. Not exactly Mr. Roger's neighborhood.
They're animals and savages. I hope they blow themselves up with that stupid doomsday weapon they're building for Israel.
Lizard of Ahaz-4610469 wrote:
From other countries' perspectives, the U.S. could very well be the "animals and savages." After all, we do seem to have a love for war and killing. (Or at least our government and the corporations who profit off of war, do.)
We've already used that "stupid doomsday weapon," twice. Over 300,000 innocent people died in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, as a result.
As far as Iran building such a weapon for Israel, that's just propaganda, to whet people's seemingly insatiable appetite for yet another war. Iran knows if they were to nuke Israel, they'd be nuked a hundred times in return. They're not stupid. This is just the old "weapons of mass destruction" lie, again.
The wonderful Iranian people are repressed and oppressed by their own government. They do not enjoy the same freedom of speech that we in America take for granted. Withholding your name when speaking on controversial matters is called self-preservation. Here's hoping they can rise up and remove the religious fanatics from power and return to a secular government. And in America, here's hoping we do the same, and remove the oligarchs from power to return to a country by and for the people.
If you are unhappy with America move to Iran nothing wrong with America except the idiots like yourself.
Tired of losers that have no idea of just how much freedom they have, please stay out of my country too we do need any more political rejects spewing garbage out of their piehole.
Oligarchy is rule by the few. We have the vote. That would make America an idiocracy.
America is a democracy in name only. In reality it is a plutocracy, rule of the rich. International rich, to be precise, and corporations (foreign included) are also 'People'...
No America is a democracy (republic really). People like to say it's not a democracy when the vote doesn't go their way. The fact is the vast majority of people vote for one of two parties even though we have continued on this downward spiral for some time. There are other parties out there but most people won't even consider them because "I don't want to waste my vote". Well you get what you vote for.
Swan37, Democracy assumes informed voters. In America the public does not know what the system they support is doing. It is explained in "Confessions of an economic hitman".
matrixisreal.wordpress.com/books/
If you are unhappy with America move to Iran nothing wrong with America except the idiots like yourself.
Tired of losers that have no idea of just how much freedom they have, please stay out of my country too we do need any more political rejects spewing garbage out of their piehole.
I'm tired of the people who refuse to acknowledge that the US has problems. Look beyond the tip of your nose, you might see something. We can always do better and that is what makes America great. We aren't great because we are scared to admit we mess up sometimes.
Who's to say what qualifies as informed? The problem is people vote with their emotions not with their head. You are never going to get a candidate that agrees 100% with everything you do. However often people have a key issue they vote on and if that means the country is going to spiral into a @!$%# hole because of all the other issues, so be it. I'm not even sure if there are ever informed voters in a democracy.
I think it will be a better democracy if campaign funds that are raised are equally shared among the election candidates and by law equal time is dedicated to broadcast everyone's message so that the poor may have as loud voice as the rich. Then politicians will not be enslaved by the big business interests and they will be free to do what they believe is right.
The USA is an Oligarchy. We have the illusion of choice between two platforms, democrat or republican. These two labels only serve to control about 70 percent of American's who are severely limited in intelligence and or information. What the other 30 percent of Americans know, the independents/third party, is that no matter if there is a D or an R at the end of the whatever president is in power, you are going to serve up more power and money for the rich, they are going to take away more of your liberty (NDAA and Patriot Act), they are going to expand the role and scope of the government, and perpetuate this idea that the USA can intervene on other countries sovereignty.
After reading many of these posts, one can only conclude that, although many do not agree with each other, we can, and are ALLOWED TO, disagree on many issues, FREELY! Unlike our Iranian friends.
Hope that we can get on common ground with the Iranians. Heard it was a great place to go, at one time.
See here in the USA we don't have to go without telling our names in interviews because we aren't afraid of being stoned in the street or go missing in the middle of the night.. YOU ARE CORRECT we have nothing in coming and we want nothing in coming with IRAN -- a disgusting nation who seeks mass murder of Jews-- the only people you have anything in common with is the Nazis.
in which they dont believe nazis exsisted lol
duuuuuuuuuuuuuuh
imagine if the nazi nut cases won
iran would be a clean sweep
no blond hair or blue eyes there
and iran would be sitting in the united states thinking twice about their beliefs in history
must not of gotten a taste of the nazi force
Urbanski -You say Iran seeks the mass murder of Jews. So why then are so many Jews living happily in Iran? Could it be you are merely spreading Zionist propaganda. I tell the truth, something foreign to you.
America would be much better off if we ditched our relationship with the parasites in Israel and established trade relations with Iran, a country rich in resources and with a large population seeking to purchase American products. It is the Zionist influence in American politics that makes Iran our enemy, instead of a trade partner.
Wouldn't it be grand if instead of sending more than 3 billion dollars to Israel each year, we kept the money and spent it in America on infrastructure or gave it to our own debt ridden states?
America's war for Israel in Iraq will cost America over 3.5 trillion dollars. Now they want America to attack Iran on similar arguements based on lies. That war was planned and sold by Zionists working in our Pentagon, headed by Paul Wolfowitz and Douglas Feith. Now Feith is back to practicing law and Wolfowitz teaches in college.
Zionist warmongers like Ken Adelman and the Zionist Washington Post pushed the war in
an editorial titled, “Cakewalk in Iraq.” Jewish supremacists Richard Perle and
Paul Wolfowitz told you that Iraq would “Welcome us as liberators.” Iraq became
the longest war in American history. Here is a report from USA Today: “Pentagon
officials estimated for the first time Wednesday that up to 360,000 Iraq and
Afghanistan veterans may have suffered traumatic brain injuries.” Now that’s
not counting tens of thousands who have suffered maiming, amputations, or death
in this war based on lies.
Just the facts.
@RalphH
Ralph you sound like a fervent supporter of the Ayatollahs. Do you get a salary from Ahmadinejad to put their propaganda on these websites?
Never mind what I sound like, what I posted is all true. . I don't want to see the Zionists push America into another expensive war for Israel. Is that asking too much?
I would also like us to stop sending money and weapons to Israel. The Israeli Jews are nothing but parasites. Iran would make a wonderful outlet for American goods. With the Iranians hooked on the American way of life, they would have no reason to be enemies. Right now, America and Israel are behind sanctions in order to destroy the Iranian economy, despite the fact that Iran has done nothing against America. Its not quite fair."Every
time we do something you tell me America will do this and will do that . .. I
want to tell you something very clear: Don't worry about American pressure on
Israel. We, the Jewish people, control America, and the Americans know
it."
Israeli Prime Minister, Ariel Sharon, October 3, 2001, to
Shimon Peres, as reported on Kol Yisrael radio.
Ralph doesn't sound like a supporter of the Ayatollahs at all. He sounds like somebody that has taken the time to think about the situation. We don't owe Israel anything, and yet our Presidents and presidential candidates pander to Israel in order to gain support from the Jews for re-election. We send billions in aid to Israel and fight wars on their behalf. For what reason? Our relationship with Iran is dictated by our unexplainable support for Israel and not by any threat that Iran poses to the U.S. When was the last time Iran attacked another country? U.S. support of Israel has cost us dearly in direct aid and with conflicts throughout the middle east. We might actually be living in peace if not for our support of Israel. The entire war on terror is a side affect of our support of Israel. RalphH got it right!
As an Iranian American, I could say while expat Iranians really dislike the Iranian regime, they also get treated like 2nd or 3rd class citizens in the US, because of the level of prejudice they feel from the majority of everyday Americans. So we are pretty much on no man's land, driven out of the homeland, and hated in the new one.
You feel this especially in the work place, or if you happen to be dating someone nonIranian, from his or her family. Which is why most of us have our own businesses, and date within our own.
How about going back to your homeland and fighting to rid it of the dictators now in charge via their misuse of religion to prop up their ill conceived power? There are plenty of Americans and many other throughout the world that would support you in doing so. It is time to rise up and reclaim your country!!!
Human nature - most people don't distinguish the citizens from the public face of their government. Hence Americans in France get rudeness from a lot of French people, because of dislike for American gov't policies. Same human nature at work in all people.
In other words average Americans are doing to you the same thing average French people are doing to Americans in France. I don't think that aspect of human nature will ever change.
I have had some wonderful Iranian friends though. Very precious people I will never forget.
I feel for you I really do, Iraninans are people just like us, but all that has happened in the world has changed perception WORLDWIDE not just in the US.
The people need to expell the government that is causing its people so much grief. The Iraninan gov needs to go simple as that. The article illustrates how good Iran and the US got along before these freakin whacked basket cases of humanity got into power, hate breeds hate and the Iraninan gov hates anything that is not inline with their hardline beliefs. When you see the Iraninan president himself spewing hatred and absolute freakin lies it does not convey a good image for the country.
Iranians need to rise up and purge the murderous, hatred spewing losers out of office or this will be your life.......Only change can bring change.
bitme,
You seem to want to blame everyday Americans for mistreating you. You think that it is ok for your people to comit acts of terrorism against Americans then expect Americans to say "gee, I know you didn't mean it when you kill Americans because you're such nice people. We welcome you with open arms."
How about you turn 180 degrees around and blame you own dam people? Do you honestly think that Americans will not, at the VERY least, look at you with disgust? You haven't a clue about what America is all about do you? We will welcome you with open arms but commit an act of terrorism against innocent Americans abd you get what you get.
As far as having your own businesses here in America goes - when immigrants came to this country in the past they worked for companies already established here. Nowadays, you immigrants can come here, set up yuour own business because you get one hell of alot of help from the American government. Immigrants pride themselves by saying "I came here and found the American dream". That should be changed to be: "Icame here and didn't have to worki for the American dream like we did in the past".
BUT either way - just remember this when you get bent out of shape with life here in America: go back to your old country and try just try to do what you can here, there.
I can honestly say I have never met a rude Iranian. My neighbors are from Tabriz I believe. Very respectful and polite. I think most problems lie within Governments, Militarism, and associated propaganda. May want to throw in the religion wrench into that also.
you are very much a steryotyp nut
i am only predjudice against inhuman idiots
race and creed and nationality has nothing to do with irans actions
its the government that dictates how you are treated
if you live here you are as american as i
and that is how i would treat you
Richard! You do realize that Iranians had absolutely nothing to do with 9/11, right??
Try educating yourself; read a book, something. Your post was the most ignorant, hateful thing I have ever read here.
Wowza
When did Richard say anything about 9/11?
I wasn't aware that 9/11 was the ONLY terrorist attack against America, Wowza.
Speaking of educating yourself....
My apologies, in that case. I stand corrected. Now then, which terrorist attacks are either of you referring to?
He says "Wasn’t it America that helped Iran fire up its nuclear program 35 years ago." Hello Mr. Dentist-to-the-stars, let me state the obvious -that was a different regime!!! A regime that wasn't anti-American. Also, Ahmadinejad has already publically stated and put a call to wipe Israel "off the map." ( ) Gee, I wonder why the US would try to prevent a nuclear program to an openly anti-American lunatic. Someone, who I may kindly remind you that denies the holocaust even took place. Or, maybe you don't know these things because your state run television is so censored? It seems like your anger is a little misguided.
As far as treating Iranians differently here it the US, I don't agree with that. I think you should show individuals the same dignity that you show any other human being. I work and socialize with may middle easterners and I will say that I love their hospitality and generosity. Of course, these stories aren't very news-worthy are they? A Christian American Girl goes to lunch with her Muslim Iranian friend and they had a great time doesn't exactly grab headlines. Plus, forget about all the other sales from Apple and other retailers to Iranians and focus on the two that directly told the sales person they would be shipped to Iran (and potentially cost the SALES PERSON $250k).
Jesus tap dancing christ people. It's no wonder the world hates americans. All I see is a bunch of ignorant hate-filled speech propagating these forums.
"Mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed."
What acts of terrorism are you referring to? The hostage crisis? You do realize that well before that the US and British staged a coup to overthrow the Iranian democracy and put in a dictator. I would say at best that's tit for tat. Is there anything recent you are talking about?
The reason Iranians and Iran are mistreated by Americans is because almost everything Americans learn about Iran goes through the filters of American media which are literally 95% owned or controlled by Jews. If you're Jewish you naturally don't want any country on the ascendant except Israel which has around six million Jews plus another two million Arabs who may not be 100% loyal to the state. (and that 95% number isn't hyperbole, it's real)
America toppled the democratically elected government of Iran and replaced it with the "Shah", a brutal dictator who could not stay in power against people's wishes.
Please read "Confessions of an Economic Hitman" to understand how America rapes the entire world, so that you may not feel so self rightous about your own corrupt government.
matrixisreal.wordpress.com/books/
bitme,
You seem to want to blame everyday Americans for mistreating you. You think that it is ok for your people to comit acts of terrorism against Americans then expect Americans to say "gee, I know you didn't mean it when you kill Americans because you're such nice people. We welcome you with open arms."
How about you turn 180 degrees around and blame you own dam people? Do you honestly think that Americans will not, at the VERY least, look at you with disgust? You haven't a clue about what America is all about do you? We will welcome you with open arms but commit an act of terrorism against innocent Americans abd you get what you get.
As far as having your own businesses here in America goes - when immigrants came to this country in the past they worked for companies already established here. Nowadays, you immigrants can come here, set up yuour own business because you get one hell of alot of help from the American government. Immigrants pride themselves by saying "I came here and found the American dream". That should be changed to be: "Icame here and didn't have to worki for the American dream like we did in the past".
BUT either way - just remember this when you get bent out of shape with life here in America: go back to your old country and try just try to do what you can here, there.
I am worried for humanity if people truly think that simply because someone is the same race as someone who committed terrorism that they must be a terrorist as well. In school we called that a non sequitur logical fallacy. It does not make sense. I look forward to the day when people can just get along.
And your whole business rant? It is good that they are starting their own businesses. That is the American dream, or that's what people tell me it is anyway. In the 'good ol days', as you seem to think they were, immigrants were basically treated like slave labor. I think you need to have a refresher course about being an American. We are an open, freedom loving country. We are a country of immigrants. A country of small businesses. A country that is supposed to value tolerance and education, areas which you seem to be lacking.
I want to know, too. Lots of BS on this board, glad I can't be fooled by fools.
Satanick is no fool, read the post above mine and remember it.
@Wowza, @Swan, @gone and others
Here are some known terrorist attacks, human rights crimes, attacks of aggression, support for terrorists, etc. attributed to Iran:
1983 Beirut barracks bombing.
1983 US Embassy bombing in Beirut.
1985 hijacking of TWA flight 847
1988 hijacking of Kuwait Airline flight 422
1988 execution of Iranian political prisoners (estimated to be over 25,000) and called a "crime against humanity" by Human Rights Watch
1988-1998 The Chain Murders of Iran (murder of dissident intellectuals). The investigative journalists who revealed this were shot or imprisoned and tortured.
1992 Israeli Embassy attack in Buenas Aires.
1994 AMIA bombing in Buenos Aires.
2004 Royal Austrailian Navy Incident
2004 Iranian seizure of Royal (UK) Navy personnel with mock execution in desert standing over graves.
2004 Iranian seizure of Royal (UK) Navy personnel.
2004 to current supporting Shia insurgency in Yemen.
2007 attack on Karbala Provincial Center, Iraq.
2007 Iranian smuggler of IEDs captured in Sulaimaniyak, Iraq.
2007 bombing of central Baghdad market, Iraq.
2007 kidnapping of five Britons in Baghdad who were getting ready to show that a vast amount of international aid to Iraq was diverted to Iran's militia that was present in Iraq.
many years of massacre of civilians in Kurdistan which can be called crimes against humanity with the intent to terrorize the population into submission.
Iran is controlled by the IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps). The Quds Force is the part of the IRGC whose purpose is to organize, train, equip, and finance foreign "revolutionary movements". Examples of this are Hezbollah and Hamas (felt by most to be at least partly terrorist organizations). Quds Force Unit 400 has direct orders to attack Western targets in Turkey. Quds Force trained and supplied Shia death squads and al-Qaeda in Iraq during the Iraq War.
These are all I could scrounge up on the spur of the moment. Please note that according to Islamic Law, those guilty of armed agression are punishable by death. Check with your local Iman for any up dates.
so according to Richard, Satanick and Pandora. As an Iranian American, I deserve to be treated like a 3rd class citizen in the US, even though I left Iran when I was a teen and as a US citizen, have lived in the country for 30 years, paying taxes. Their reasoning being that the Iranian gov, which I ironically fled myself, has done bad things to US global interests. Their logic is completely flawed and sounds more like justified bigotry than logic at all. It is a sad thing for ignorant people going through life, not even knowing their friend from foe. Sad!
Pandora - Those attacks you listed have been attributed to Iran by Zionists and Zionist shills. There is little or no proof that Iran took part or ordered any of those attacks. Zionists saying it, does not make it true.
I am more concerned about the Zionist attack on the USA on 9/11, where the WTCs were rigged to drop into their own footprints. Bldg 7 fell into its own footprint in 6.5 seconds and was not even hit by a plane. The owner of all 3 buildings, Silverstein, had recently insured them against a terror attack for billions. There is no doubt Bldg 7 was rigged. If one building was rigged, they allwere rigged, as they all fell in the same manner. See the videos.
Bldg 7 falling -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5A3dW_gUwOg
Molten Heat -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YaFGSPErKU&feature=related
British Newman -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgABDdU7yD8&feature=related
Jim Marrs -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-TLwK4_0g4&feature=related
biteme-
My post was directed at Richard. I was trying to stand up for you. I don't know where you read those things out of my post.
@Biteme
You sound like you have a grudge that you are nursing. My post had nothing to do with how Iranian-Americans should be treated or are treated. Perhaps the discrimination you have felt had more to do with your faulty reading comprehension or poor logic than your country of origin. The US is certainly not perfect but it is a land of immigrants from every nation in the world and has a Constitution and laws that try to protect their rights. The US contains the highest number of people of Iranian ancestry outside of Iran. Iranian-Americans are among the most highly educated and accomplished groups in the US with notable individuals in many fields (not 3rd class citizens by any means). There is an Iranian American Medical Association, an Iranian American Bar Association, 20% of the population of Beverly Hills is Iranian, etc.. An MIT study found that Iranian-American scientists and engineers in the US own or control about $880 billion. Prominent Iranian-Americans I can think of: Andre Agassi, tennis pro; Catherine Bell, actress; Christiane Amanpour, journalist/anchor; Firouz Nadesi, a director at NASA Jet Propulsion Lab. I was a civil rights worker when I was younger and have never heard anyone state that Iranian Americans are 3rd class citizens or should be treated as such.
@RalphH
What does 9/11 have to do with Iranian terrorist attacks?
I am not a Zionist and don't necessarily support them (it depends on the issue). But it is pure fantasy to say that they caused 9/11. I imagine the WTC contained many who supported them and made donations to their cause, So you are saying they massacred themselves?
Most democratically elected Western governments agree that Iran was involved in the events I listed. For many of them, some of the Iranian perpetrators were actually captured.
So says a Modern Day George Washington! LOL.
Bitme, I am sorry you have been treated unfairly by Americans. Unfortunately, human nature appears to be such that some people cannot distinguish between the government of a country that they happen to disagree with and certain citizens of that country who mean them no harm. In other words, people tend to be lazy and to stereotype others rather than taking the time to get to know who they really are. I don't believe it is right and I don't believe it is fair-and it has lead to many abuses in the past.
My personal experience with Iranians has been good. I dated an Iranian in college, and he was a really nice guy-quite sophisticated and cultured, in fact. In no way did I feel that he was a danger to anyone in the country. He was just here to learn.
To all: None of us needs to be blind to the faults of our nation to be able to be a citizen of that nation. However, we also don't need to exaggerate those faults in order to have an appropriate worldview in which we believe that all people are equal regardless of which nation they belong to. Why can't we just be as realistic as possible? I realize that is difficult with the press being the way it is, but I think it is important to try.
Political Islam is the reason for the divide...over-empowered belicose superstition. Otherwise, the Iranians are great. There are 1/2 million Iranians living and melting into to the secular American landscape. In Iran, when Americans are caught hiking at the unmarked border, or held as embassy hostages, then you get the reciprocal treatment...in solitary confinement.
The problem with Iranians having nuclear weapons is again, the judgemental caprice of the religiously deluded can lead to world-wide instability and threats.
Ummm...any Iranian who "accidentally" hikes across a border and enters into the US without a visa would be arrested too..and sent to GItmo, where he would be LEGALLY tortured. Get real.
Did these hikers not have visas? I find that hard to believe. I don't remember reading that.
to hass
everything you say is poison and unbelievable lies. by the way, how is the weather over there in Tehran?
Islam is the enemy, because it rejects interest. The bankers rule the world and you are all slaves paying interest for money that banks create out of nothing. Connect the dots.
We, the 99% American People, have ZERO CONTROL over our government that has been INFILTRATED with "HAND-PICKED" political puppets like exlax ETCH-A-SKETCH & John Bonehead by the corrupt Republican corporates put in front of us to elect, WE DON'T GET TO SELECT WHO TO VOTE FOR! So, we're at their mercy and their CAPITALISTIC GREED comes BEFORE US! We're LAST and ONLY USED to help with their capitalistic greed! We are working hard on change, but it is an increasing uphill battle! It's them against the 99% American People! We know what we want and that is a TRUE DEMOCRACY OF the People, BY the People and FOR the People as our Constitution is SUPPOSED TO UPHOLD and it hasn't!
Vote 100% STRAIGHT DEMOCRATIC, the lives we save WILL be OURS & our CHILDREN!
Off topic much?
All I can say is WOW!! Someone has issues.
The American foreign policy system has been BOUGHT AND PAID FOR by ISraeli agents and AIPAC. This is no longer debatable, it is established fact, and even AIPAC officials boast of their influence peddling openly.
roseII,
Since you can't keep to the topic at hand:
"...our government that has been INFILTRATED with "HAND-PICKED" political puppets..."
NONE more deserving of that title then polosei and napalitano who couldn't think their way out of a paper bag. Talk about parrots and political trash!
"...We know what we want and that is a TRUE DEMOCRACY OF the People, BY the People and FOR the People as our Constitution is SUPPOSED TO UPHOLD and it hasn't!".
Where have YOU been? Living under a rock? Since when is this country's political system "of, by and especially for the people"? You OBVIOUSLY don't deal with the political environment that exists in this country today.
Hey 'TR' Rose II, your tin-foil hat fell off.
TR - skip the CAPITAL SHOUTING and maybe people would read you more..
Depends on the candidate not the party. Both parties leave me nauseous. They only see black & white and never the gray.
Most Americans, myself included, would love to have normalized relations with Iran. I suspect there is a considerable amount of human potential being wasted in Iran, to the detriment of Iran and the world, as a result of the repression imposed by the Iranian leadership. The problem is not the Iranian people but the Iranian leadership. On the one hand they say they are not pursuing a nuclear weapons program, but on the other they vow to persist and state that sanctions will not stop their program. While at the same time, the evidence continues to mount that they, indeed, are pursuing a nuclear weapons program. While at the same time also vowing to wipe out Israel, etc...
There really is a rather simple answer to the whole problem. Given that the Iranian leadership wants the world to believe that its program is for medical and fuel purposes only, why not simply allow full unfettered continuing inspections of Iran's facilities so that all concerned can verify the nature and extent of Iran's program.In fact, if they did so and the program was as they claim it to be, they could expect to receive a great deal of cooperation from the nations and industries of the west in reaching their goals. However,the fact that the Iranian leadership refuses to do so, and is willing to run the risk that Iran will be attacked and innocent Iranians killed , speaks volumes about their true intentions. If they give it up, we can and will get along.
Iran has allowed all the inspections that it is legally required to allow, and has allowed more inspections than even that. The site at Parchin, for example, was inspected in 2005 - TWICE -- even though Iran was not obligated to allow any inspections at all. In fact, even the US doesn't accuse Iran of having a hidden nuclear program but instead accuses Iran of having the "intent to obtain the capability" to make nukes -- which is a nonsense charge that can be equally applied to 40 other nations on the planet which according to the IAEA have the same nuclear "capability"
trust but verify. it works
hass
Please be more informed. Iran has been trying to build centrifuges to enrich uranium beyond the levels needed for nuclear energy. Duh. Also they tried to buy the uranium needed to build a nuclear bomb from Russia. Thank God Russia declined. Also it is known that they have built their facilities four stories under ground. You don't need to hide what you have not lied about.
The Islamic republic of Iran is a state sponsor of global terrorism. A portion of their GDP is sent to groups Like Hezbollah, Hamas, and other Shiite extremist groups. Not to mention now the Taliban since they are fighting America. So in all this many people have lost their lives, innocent people. Yes even Americans. You need more facts wowza.
KingK, are you upset that once Iran has nukes we won't be able to rape and plunder Iran the same way we do with the rest of the world?? Cry baby cry. Every sovereign nation deserves to have a nuke to potect itself from the United States.
“I don’t think we should be talking to the Americans because ultimately they want our demise,” he said. “Throughout history, they have interfered in our country, only harming us. We have nothing in common.”
Don't talk to us Canadians either we do not tolerate stupidity and backwards thinking. Your true misinformation and low IQ shine brightly in that comment.
What "misinformation" would that be? That the US armed Saddam Hussein with chemical weapons responsible for the deaths of 100,000 Iranians? Is that "misinformation"?? LOL
Chemical weapons don't kill people. People kill people.
hass-892438
Take your outright hatred elsewhere I for one could not give a rip about anything you say in here, it falls on deaf ears, you speak only what you hear, judging by your comments you either live in Iran or Iraq or some other whacked goverment repressed s**thole where hatred is bred into the family as much so as religion at an early age, get out of your canvas tent and go somewhere that you are not surrounded by hate, till then stfu.
Lets remember a teensy little fact: The United States of America was DIRECTLY COMPLICIT in the mass murder of over 100,000 Iranians who died as a result of US-backed chemical warfare conducted by US-armed Saddam Hussein. And yet the Iranian people still don't hold any resentments against average American people. Says a lot, doesn't it?
Ok, but the problem is not the Iranian people it's their leadership. See post 11 below for yet another example of their bankrupt way of thinking.
Really? Shall we compare that to what Isaeli Rabbis have been saying about how it is perfectly acceptable to kill non-Jewish babies?
Rabbi Yitzhak Shapira, an Israeli
settler who lives in the illegal West Bank colony of Yitzhar near Nablus
and heads the ultra-fundamentalist Od Yosef Hai Yeshiva that has received
a massive amount of funding from the Israeli government. In November
2009, Shapira published “The King’s Torah,” which – according to Ha’aretz
- “describes how it is possible to kill non-Jews according to halakha
(Jewish religious law).” Maariv reported that “the book contains no fewer
than 230 pages on the laws concerning the killing of non-Jews, a kind of
guide for anyone who ponders the question of if and when it is permissible
to take the life of a non-Jew..”
hass-892,
Your issue with the Isrealies is about the same as the world has with "peaceful" Islamic religion. Any one in that "religion" can yell "jehad" and it's on. Therefore one should not throw rocks if one lives in a glass house.
Blah blah blah ya we should of let Saddam gas another 5000 of his own people huh? Or let the hit squads kill indiscriminately, you need to get an education. Worlds a better place without him. I think you are jealous you live in some loser country and do not enjoy the freedoms of a democratic society. We have heard all what you say on CNN 5000 times please get a better source. How many people did Saddam kill of his own? That you do not know or even care about its all about hate the Americans, so go play in traffic or somthing you hateful prick.
I suspect that the Iranian people are very friendly, although the dentist did not want to give his name. I also suspect that their government keeps a tight leash on them. As far as him being upset about the sale of an Ipad in the US....Well, big deal, then maybe she should have went online and bought it off this guy who sells them in Tehran. I suspect if they get the bomb, and they will, that it won't take much for them to use it against Israel. If and when that happens, I suspect that paranormal investigators will be hearing, "but I thought we were going to get rivers of honey and 72 virgins." I feel bad for the Iranian people, not their government that is based solely on religion......Bad idea!
Their government is doing all it can to protect their people from the exploitation of the United States.
Another reflection of the mind set that rules Iran. Please, people of Iran get rid of them so we can all live in peace together. We don't need neanderthal's on some wacked out religious quest wielding nuclear weapons.
Rabbi Yitzhak Shapira, an Israeli
settler who lives in the illegal West Bank colony of Yitzhar near Nablus
and heads the ultra-fundamentalist Od Yosef Hai Yeshiva that has received
a massive amount of funding from the Israeli government. In November
2009, Shapira published “The King’s Torah,” which – according to Ha’aretz
- “describes how it is possible to kill non-Jews according to halakha
(Jewish religious law).” Maariv reported that “the book contains no fewer
than 230 pages on the laws concerning the killing of non-Jews, a kind of
guide for anyone who ponders the question of if and when it is permissible
to take the life of a non-Jew..”
The book includes hundreds of sources from the Bible and religious law,
includes quotes from Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook, one of the fathers of
religious Zionism, and from Rabbi Shaul Yisraeli, one of the deans of the
Mercaz Harav Yeshiva, the stronghold of national-religious Zionism located
in Jerusalem, and was praised and endorsed by influential rabbis such as
Yitzhak Ginsburg, Dov Lior and Yaakov Yosef.
Shapira and his co-author Rabbi Yossi Elitzur write, “In any situation in
which a non-Jew’s presence endangers Jewish lives, the non-Jew may be
killed even if he is a righteous Gentile and not at all guilty for the
situation that has been created…When a non-Jew assists a murderer of Jews
and causes the death of one, he may be killed, and in any case where a
non-Jew’s presence causes danger to Jews, the non-Jew may be killed.”
Is this your way of trying to justify the position of the morally bankrupt Iranian leadership? Are you saying it is acceptable for the Iranian leadership to threaten Jews and other non-Muslims because some crack pot elsewhere does the same? If so, you sir are as morally bankrupt as they are and your credibility is zero.
Moreover, the Israeli leadership has never called for the destruction of Iran and has always sought to live in peace with all of their neighbors and has exercised amazing restraint, in the face of repeated attacks, in doing so. Where are the Iranian leadership's proposals for peaceful coexistence with Israel? They don't exist! Why do they continue to arm Hezbollah and Hamas with rockets etc.. to be launched at Israel? When will they set aside their religious bigotry and learn to live in peace with peoples of all faiths? Answer= Not until the radical Islamist, that have hijacked and corrupted Islam and debased and abused the name of Allah, are removed from power.
KingK, do you really think United States does not threaten anybody??? Do you really think United States is working towards equality, justice, freedom for all? Or are we simply seeking new markets and sweat shops for our corporations and bring democracy only when the King does not do our bidding and we replace him with the best president money can buy?
Most of you are living in an illusion.
We installed Shah in Iran. We support the Saudi "Kingdom". We are the supporter of dictators around the world. We are the enemy of the true democracy and an informed public.
He's lucky his is not a dissident or someone who doesn't like his leaders. There is NO room for opposition or protest or alternative candidates or parties in Iran. Those in charge have arrested, tortured, killed, or chased out any one who dares challenge the rule of the Imams and Clerics who run that country. Just like those in Soviet Russian and Maoist China who WERE ALLOWED to speak, this man IS ACCEPTABLE to the dictators. If he WERE NOT ACCEPTALBE, the secret police would have raided his home by now, in the middle of the night, and dragged him off to a dungeon to be tortured or killed. So whatever he has to say is worth NOTHING because ONLY those ACCEPTABLE to the DICTATORS are allowed to speak.
It is rather hypocritical to ignore international law to invade Iraq and yet accuse Iran of not following it. Helping overthrow an elected government in favor of BP Oil and have the cia train a secret police isn't too hot either. Then we get upset about an Embassy yet we bombed the Chinese Embassy in Belgrade. It must have been about spare parts because Reagan promised to sell them to them for their aircraft they bought from us. Carter rather testily mentions they released the Embassy employees about 5 minutes after Reagan was sworn in. Why? Could it be Carter helped inspire Iraq to go to war with Iran? Finally we shoot down an Iranian passenger plane in Iranian air space in 1988 and yet we say it was their fault. The US product label is in tatters but so far some of our products are not but products are becoming multi-national so they don't imply national identification any longer plus the rich stockholders come from all over the world.
Then there is the thing about helping arm Iran and Iraq and then saying we hope they kill each other off.
444 days. Hostage specialists who encourage the likes of Shabab, the Phillipines MILF + the cowardly Abu Sayyuf, Al Queada, The Taliban and an Islamic religious elite that calls all the shots in life and death matters will probably face further sanctions .For ten years I have not believed the U.S. should be in Afghanistan, but neither should Iran continue its pitiful sabre rattling against Israel. We got problems.
I met an Iranian student at the University I was attending named Siamek who was studying physics and math when the shah was in power. His assertiveness,grace and analytical skills was amazing. Most of all his broad understanding of world affairs and his intuitive ability to do the right thing served as a testament of the rich Iranian culture and its people. The Western media only takes snap shots events and countries and use those snap shots to shape public opinion towards imagined adversaries.
Things have changed a lot in Iran since the Shah was in power.
There is no doubt in my mind there would be peace in the world if it were not for religious zealots.
That just happens to be who runs the governments in the Islamic Republics.
Hate is the name of their game, if they couldn't preach hate they wouldn't be as important, it's their rallying cry.
People of the world need to turn their back on those that preach hate and support those that teach peace, harmony, education and tolerance.
Only then can the world move forward in a constructive manor.
You don't really think if all religion were to disappear, everyone would start respecting and being nice to each other, do you? Yeah, I know that's what you just said but I'm just making sure. Looking at it that way, I now think John Lennon had a little fantasy land going on in his head, too.
Read / see "Not Without My Daughter." An eye-opener about daily life in Iran.
LOOOL is that what you know about Iran my friend??? a book written in 1982 (30 years ago)by some one who had a bad marriage and book/movie to sell.
Oh wait we know how accurate Hollywood is about everything and they never do anything untruthful.LOL
Look at a daily life in iran, watch " Tehran Persian nights " and " 3 minute trip to Tehran " then come and tell me about what you know about Iran/Iranians.
Americans forget all the things we have done to Iran - It started back in the 50's when we tried to stage a coup to over through the prime minister because he wouldn't do our bidding. Yes they held some americans hostage, but they released. As much as their government is corrupt, the heart of the people is good, they just want to live good lifes as much as americans do. Our government is not perfect either, I do not agree with the sancations they are putting on Iran, I do not think Iran is trying to obtain a nuclear weapon, but even if they were so what! We have them, Israel has them - so does a number of other countries. Who are we to dictate who gets them and who doesn't! And if they are doing what they was and are just using it for power good for them. I do wish relations were better, I would love to go ther and visit and see some of the historical sites, it is a beautiful country.
“Why are there sanctions against Iran?” he said. “Wasn’t it America that helped Iran fire up its nuclear program 35 years ago? The sanctions just hurt ordinary people.”
LOL ROFL
i thought this guy lived in iran!!!
is he this stupid he doesnt know why we are against their nuclear program???
rofl when your president preaches wipe countries off the face of the earth
we sit here and say about irans gov what a bunch of crazy nut cases
this alone dictates why iran cannot be trusted
plus past record of the last 40 years tells how the iranians really feel about alot of countries
again i sit here and say nuuuuuutsy
ya no particular reason for our attitude just your crazy ass president and government
and good luck now knowing you are probably on the list of residents of iran that need to be stoned to death because of your beliefs lol
gl with that one
something about freedom that makes a place cosy
and um oh you know
KEITH BIODROWSKI-1213062
Freedom in the US? You can't be serious or must be blind and deaf.
Government aproved drones over YOUR backyard. The Patriot act. Home land security etc. etc.
If you do not realize that you have given up more and more freedom in past years then you are either a dumd tea party red neck or just truly stupid that not to see that the US is having a 2 party dictatorship that is ruled by the corporations, Wall Street, lobyists and AIPAC.
The US government i.e both parties have as much interest in the common mans well being as many other dictators.
Still have job? Can you still afford your healtcare payment? Mortgage payments up to date. Got the money for your kids education? Been raiding your 401K to keep your head above water?
The dentist believes that one reason for misunderstanding between America and Iran is that Americans have little real information on Iran.
We know enough to understand you have to remain anonymous, I wonder why that is?
Sounds like paradise. *rolls eyes*
His office sounds nice. I hope he has plenty of parking for the camels.
Check Tehran watch " 3 Minutes trip to Tehran " on youtube. compare it to Denver.
LOOL enough said ... that is how much you know which is NOT much yet you comment.LOL
Must be a slow news day.
Our first president George Washington wisely advised us not to meddle with foreign governments or get involved in foreign entanglements. We did not heed that advice and now the world is disgruntled with us.
The Iranian government is dedicated to the destruction of The State of Israel. They invaded the U.S Embassy and held our diplomats hostage. They continually lie about the intentions of their nuclear program.That said,I am sure there are peace loving and decent private Iranians. Nevertheless,as long as the current government remains in power.....frak Iran. They are the enemies of The USA and our allies and if they threaten the security of any of us, we should deal with Iran decisively...... once and for all.
NY J** liberals.....took another seat in their dental school away from an American kid and gave it to some foreigner. thank god the American empire is in decline. will china give their university seats away in the same manner........don't count on it. only thing they want from us is english teachers.
globalists and citizens of the world unite lol. when will this liberal mental disorder end?
We'd be a pretty small country if there were never opportunities for foreigners here. In fact, we wouldn't exist. I'll assume you're of native heritage since nobody in your family's history has obviously ever taken advantage of opportunity in a foreign country (LIKE THE MOTHERTRUCKING U.S.A). I sure am glad my grandparents chose here instead of anywhere else in the world, and I sure am glad there were reasonable people who let them in back then. Ever see Gangs of New York? You remind me of Bill the Butcher with that comment.
Your second comment made the post worth responding to. I think it'll end when it ends everything else.
Please,go to what ever dump of a country that you feel is doing the correct thing and on the way out give up your U.S. passport and file notice of your intent to never return...I for one will not miss you....:o)