sacred journeys

The closer we get to moving (e.t.a. - August) to Los Angeles, the more I am learning about this city…

Now, for those of you who live there — I am sure that you know this, but I just discovered Iranians everywhere call their largest exile community (Los Angeles) — ‘Tehrangeles’. As at least 500,000 Iranian expatriates have carved out a distinct subculture there in L.A.

If you are a student of world politics at all, you realize the dilemna that the U.S. is facing in how to deal with the mullahs in Iran. Should we try to engage the leaders over there, should we try sanctions, or should we try the military route…

There is a very fascinating article in the NY Times today called “Exiles in ‘Tehrangeles’ Are Split on Iran”
Here is one quote by one Iranian-American, in the artilce: “Sanctions will only harm the ordinary people,” Mr. Samandi said. “If there is a military attack, they will be killing my people. But if they don’t attack, the mullahs will never leave.”

Here is probably the path that I would agree with the most…

“The more they beat the drums of war here, the more Ahmadinejad can shut down the democratic movement,” Professor Milani said, referring to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. He proposes forceful speeches by American leaders that repeatedly call for democracy in Iran and the lifting of most United States economic sanctions so that the government can no longer blame them for its disastrous economic policies. He also wants independent radio and television stations dedicated to beaming serious news and discussion into Iran. Other means of influence would include establishing some American diplomatic presence in Tehran, much like the interests section in Havana, basically used to speak out in support of dissidents. Supporters of the Iran Democracy Project say the United States, by playing the role of a distant, yet supportive and vocal uncle, could galvanize the younger generation in Iran to widen the fissures in the government and change the country.

More than 60 percent of the 70 million Iranians are younger than 35, and they often seethe at the lack of economic opportunity and personal freedom. “I think the youth of Iran will do that job,” said Hamid R. Moghadam, 49, an Iranian-American businessman in San Francisco who helps finance the Iran Democracy Project. “You don’t need the Marines in there.”

Anyway…. interesting article & something learned about Los Angeles.