"In every country where man is free to think and to speak, differences of opinion will arise from difference of perception, and the imperfection of reason; but these differences when permitted, as in this happy country, to purify themselves by free discussion, are but as passing clouds overspreading our land transiently and leaving our horizon more bright and serene."
--Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Waring, 1801.
That is preferable to this:
TEHRAN, May 3 — Only days after Iran’s annual crackdown on immodest dress began in mid-April, with teams of police officers stopping women in major squares and subway stations to warn them about their attire, the security authorities came under fire.
New York Times
Many women who were stopped on the street and told to dress properly reacted angrily. A parliamentary commission complained about the campaign to the chief of police, and the head of Iran’s judiciary warned that a too repressive policy could bring a backlash. Even an adviser to the president urged caution, saying the police “should not go to the extreme,” according to the daily Etemad-e-Melli.
The Tehran chief of police, Ismail Ahmadi Moghaddam, said during the drive that the security forces would single out women who wore only small head scarves or short tight coats and short pants. He also said the police were turning their attention to men in the second phase of its campaign, which began Saturday.
He insisted that the authorities would avoid force — and arrests — and would only talk to violators to urge them to dress appropriately. Still, he said 150 women a day had been taken to detention centers as the crackdown began.
"The Tehran chief of police, Ismail Ahmadi Moghaddam, said during the drive that the security forces would single out women who wore only small head scarves or short tight coats and short pants. He also said the police were turning their attention to men in the second phase of its campaign, which began Saturday."
ReplyDeleteThis campaign is against short scarves, coats, and pants for women, and short beards for men. All of which is, of course, overcompensation for the Ayatollah's short _ _ _ _.
Here in the West we are immersed in sexuality such that we can easily grasp it, use it, and then let it go. In places like Iran, a classic "forbidden fruit" situation is being deliberately stoked, which only creates an overwhelming curiosity that in turn becomes a noose with which to drag the populace around. Frank Herbert passed away in 1986 but he knew! From Heretics of Dune:
Teg knew his history. There were many paradise planets in the Old Empire, probably many more among the people of the Scattering. Humans always seemed capable of trying that foolish experiment. People in such places mostly lazed along. A quick-smart analysis said this was because of the easy climates on such planets. He knew this for stupidity. It was because sexual energy was easily released in such places. Let the Missionaries of the Divided God or some denominational construct enter one of these paradises and you got outrageous violence.
"We of the Sisterhood know," one of Teg's teachers had said. "We have put a flame to that fuse more than once with our Missionaria Protectiva."
Doug said...
ReplyDeleteTrish, you are showing your ignorance, lack of integrity, and contempt for those who serve!
(I'm practicing to be like Allen)
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Addressed to M. Simon:
(but of course similar pompous diatribes have now been delivered to most of us!)
"Your insinuating that a single person could be responsible for bringing about the Haditha matter confirms for me both your ignorance of military justice and your contempt for those who serve."
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Well whoop de friggin do!
Hard to imagine an adult feeling entitled to regularly go around addressing other adults this way
desert rat said...
ReplyDeleteA midrange retired officer, doug.
Pompous in his certitude.
Always talks down to subordinates, he's entitled, by his own air of superiority.
Ass gas, my kid used to call it.
Fri May 04, 09:58:00 AM EDT
DR:
ReplyDeleteOn the Who is "Tzipi Livni", you said:
Another Israeli Minister that can trace their political and genetic lineage to the Terror bombing of the King David Hotel.
Another form of nepotism?
Please explain what you meant.
DR:
ReplyDeleteOn the Who is "Tzipi Livni", you said:
Another Israeli Minister that can trace their political and genetic lineage to the Terror bombing of the King David Hotel.
Another form of nepotism?
Please explain what you meant.