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Sun, Jan 18th 2009, 17:56

Member deleted

Personally I love the BBC America channel. The United Kingdom has such a wonderful way of making very fun, intriguing and adventurous movies without all the Hollywood explosions and chase scenes. Of course my personal favorite is Doctor Who, the time traveler problem solver and U.K. version of MacGyver. Their recent creativity has presented a kind of Charles Darwinian evolution what if show called Primeval where time portals called anomalies open and creatures from the past and future walk through. A special science team supported by special ops teams and high tech equipment has to investigate and solve each case. As they say in the U.K. these shows are Simply Brilliant.

I think the BBC Persia channel will be a success. Especially when you consider the Persian people have a rich culture and wise history. Here are a few ancient Persian poems which explain Persia’s ancient beginning and the discovery of fire, weaving and writing.


THE SHÁH NÁMEH

KAIÚMERS

According to the traditions of former ages, recorded in the
Bastan-námeh, the first person who established a code of laws and
exercised the functions of a monarch in Persia, was Kaiúmers. It is said
that he dwelt among the mountains, and that his garments were made of
the skins of beasts.

His reign was thirty years, and o'er the earth
He spread the blessings of paternal sway;
Wild animals, obsequious to his will,
Assembled round his throne, and did him homage.
He had a son named Saiámuk, a youth
Of lovely form and countenance, in war
Brave and accomplished, and the dear delight
Of his fond father, who adored the boy,
And only dreaded to be parted from him.
So is it ever with the world--the parent
Still doating on his offspring. Kaiúmers
Had not a foe, save one, a hideous Demon,
Who viewed his power with envy, and aspired
To work his ruin. He, too, had a son,
Fierce as a wolf, whose days were dark and bitter,
Because the favoring heavens in kinder mood
Smiled on the monarch and his gallant heir.
--When Saiámuk first heard the Demon's aim
Was to o'erthrow his father and himself,
Surprise and indignation filled his heart,
And speedily a martial force he raised,
To punish the invader. Proudly garbed
In leopard's skin, he hastened to the war;
But when the combatants, with eager mien,
Impatient met upon the battle-field.
And both together tried their utmost strength,
Down from his enemy's dragon-grasp soon fell
The luckless son of royal Kaiúmers,
Vanquished and lifeless. Sad, unhappy fate!

Disheartened by this disastrous event, the army immediately retreated,
and returned to Kaiúmers, who wept bitterly for the loss of his son, and
continued a long time inconsolable. But after a year had elapsed a
mysterious voice addressed him, saying:--"Be patient, and despair
not--thou hast only to send another army against the Demons, and the
triumph and the victory will be thine.

"Drive from the earth that Demon horrible,
And sorrow will be rooted from thy heart."

Saiámuk left a son whose name was Húsheng, whom the king loved much more
even than his father.

Húsheng his name. There seemed in him combined,
Knowledge and goodness eminent. To him
Was given his father's dignity and station.
And the old man, his grandsire, scarcely deigned
To look upon another, his affection
For him was so unbounded.

Kaiúmers having appointed Húsheng the leader of the army, the young hero
set out with an immense body of troops to engage the Demon and his son.
It is said that at that time every species of animal, wild and tame, was
obedient to his command.

The savage beasts, and those of gentler kind,
Alike reposed before him, and appeared
To do him homage.

The wolf, the tiger, the lion, the panther, and even the fowls of the
air, assembled in aid of him, and he, by the blessing of God, slew the
Demon and his offspring with his own hand. After which the army of
Kaiúmers, and the devouring animals that accompanied him in his march,
defeated and tore to pieces the scattered legions of the enemy. Upon the
death of Kaiúmers Húsheng ascended the throne of Persia.



HÚSHENG

It is recorded that Húsheng was the first who brought out fire from
stone, and from that circumstance he founded the religion of the
Fire-worshippers, calling the flame which was produced, the Light of the
Divinity. The accidental discovery of this element is thus described:--

Passing, one day, towards the mountain's side,
Attended by his train, surprised he saw
Something in aspect terrible--its eyes
Fountains of blood; its dreadful mouth sent forth
Volumes of smoke that darkened all the air.
Fixing his gaze upon that hideous form,
He seized a stone, and with prodigious force
Hurling it, chanced to strike a jutting rock,
Whence sparks arose, and presently a fire
O'erspread the plain, in which the monster perished.
--Thus Húsheng found the element which shed
Light through the world. The monarch prostrate bowed,
Praising the great Creator, for the good
Bestowed on man, and, pious, then he said,
"This is the Light from Heaven, sent down from God;
If ye be wise, adore and worship it!"

It is also related that, in the evening of the day on which the luminous
flash appeared to him from the stone, he lighted an immense fire, and,
having made a royal entertainment, he called it the Festival of Siddeh.
By him the art of the blacksmith was discovered, and he taught river and
streamlet to supply the towns, and irrigate the fields for the purposes
of cultivation. And he also brought into use the fur of the sable, and
the squirrel, and the ermine. Before his time mankind had nothing for
food but fruit, and the leaves of trees and the skins of animals for
clothing. He introduced, and taught his people, the method of making
bread, and the art of cookery.

Then ate they their own bread, for it was good,
And they were grateful to their benefactor;
Mild laws were framed--the very land rejoiced,
Smiling with cultivation; all the world
Remembering Húsheng's virtues.

The period of his government is said to have lasted forty years, and he
was succeeded by his son, Tahúmers.



TAHÚMERS

This sovereign was also called Díw-bund, or the Binder of Demons. He
assembled together all the wise men in his dominions, to consider and
deliberate upon whatever might be of utility and advantage to the people
of God. In his days wool was spun and woven, and garments and carpets
manufactured, and various animals, such as panthers, falcons, hawks, and
syagoshes, were tamed, and taught to assist in the sports of the field.
Tahúmers had also a vizir, renowned for his wisdom and understanding.
Having one day charmed a Demon into his power by philters and magic, he
conveyed him to Tahúmers; upon which, the brethren and allies of the
prisoner, feeling ashamed and degraded by the insult, collected an army,
and went to war against the king. Tahúmers was equally in wrath when he
heard of these hostile proceedings, and having also gathered together an
army on his part, presented himself before the enemy. The name of the
leader of the Demons was Ghú. On one side the force consisted of fire,
and smoke, and Demons; on the other, brave and magnanimous warriors.
Tahúmers lifted his mace, as soon as he was opposed to the enemy, and
giving Ghú a blow on the head, killed him on the spot. The other Demons
being taken prisoners, he ordered them to be destroyed; but they
petitioned for mercy, promising, if their lives were spared, that they
would teach him a wonderful art. Tahúmers assented, and they immediately
brought their books, and pens and ink, and instructed him how to read
and write.

They taught him letters, and his eager mind
With learning was illumined. The world was blest
With quiet and repose, Peris and Demons
Submitting to his will.

Sun, Jan 18th 2009, 19:59

Member deleted

Here is the ancient Persian poem about how technology and a respect for God started.

The reign of Tahúmers lasted thirty years, and after him the monarchy
descended to Jemshíd, his son.

JEMSHÍD

Jemshíd was eminently distinguished for learning and wisdom. It is said
that coats of mail, cuirasses, and swords and various kinds of armor
were invented and manufactured in his time, and also that garments of
silk were made and worn by his people.

Helmets and swords, with curious art they made,
Guided by Jemshíd's skill; and silks and linen
And robes of fur and ermine. Desert lands
Were cultivated; and wherever stream
Or rivulet wandered, and the soil was good,
He fixed the habitations of his people;
And there they ploughed and reaped: for in that age
All labored; none in sloth and idleness
Were suffered to remain, since indolence
Too often vanquishes the best, and turns
To nought the noblest, firmest resolution.

Jemshíd afterwards commanded his Demons to construct a splendid palace,
and he directed his people how to make the foundations strong.

He taught the unholy Demon-train to mingle
Water and clay, with which, formed into bricks,
The walls were built, and then high turrets, towers,
And balconies, and roofs to keep out rain
And cold, and sunshine. Every art was known
To Jemshíd, without equal in the world.

He also made vessels for the sea and the river, and erected a
magnificent throne, embellished with pearls and precious stones; and
having seated himself upon it, commanded his Demons to raise him up in
the air, that he might be able to transport himself in a moment wherever
he chose. He named the first day of the year _Nú-rúz_ and on every
_Nú-rúz_ he made a royal feast, so that under his hospitable roof,
mortals, and Genii, and Demons, and Peris, were delighted and happy,
every one being equally regaled with wine and music. His government is
said to have continued in existence seven hundred years, and during that
period, it is added, none of his subjects suffered death, or was
afflicted with disease.

Man seemed immortal, sickness was unknown,
And life rolled on in happiness and joy.

After the lapse of seven hundred years, however, inordinate ambition
inflamed the heart of Jemshíd, and, having assembled all the illustrious
personages and learned men in his dominions before him, he said to
them:--"Tell me if there exists, or ever existed, in all the world, a
king of such magnificence and power as I am?" They unanimously
replied:--"Thou art alone, the mightiest, the most victorious: there is
no equal to thee!" The just God beheld this foolish pride and vanity
with displeasure, and, as a punishment, cast him from the government of
an empire into a state of utter degradation and misery.

All looked upon the throne, and heard and saw
Nothing but Jemshíd, he alone was king,
Absorbing every thought; and in their praise,
And adoration of that mortal man,
Forgot the worship of the great Creator.
Then proudly thus he to his nobles spoke,
Intoxicated with their loud applause,
"I am unequalled, for to me the earth
Owes all its science, never did exist
A sovereignty like mine, beneficent
And glorious, driving from the populous land
Disease and want. Domestic joy and rest
Proceed from me, all that is good and great
Waits my behest; the universal voice
Declares the splendor of my government,
Beyond whatever human heart conceived,
And me the only monarch of the world."
--Soon as these words had parted from his lips,
Words impious, and insulting to high heaven,
His earthly grandeur faded--then all tongues
Grew clamorous and bold. The day of Jemshíd
Passed into gloom, his brightness all obscured.
What said the Moralist? "When thou wert a king
Thy subjects were obedient, but whoever
Proudly neglects the worship of his God,
Brings desolation on his house and home."
--And when he marked the insolence of his people,
He knew the wrath of Heaven had been provoked,
And terror overcame him.

Mon, Jan 19th 2009, 03:32

Colette Grace Mazzucelli, Hofstra University / New York University, Platinum Contributor (333)

Thank you, Jeff, for including these poems.

This is a potentially significant development to watch. The Iranians now have a second media outlet to communicate. As I understand, its society is quite active on Internet blogs to express differing points of view.

It is the extent to which media is free of state control that allows for the presence of an informed citizenry. This is an important evolution in the run up to the spring 2009 elections in Tehran, particularly if oil prices remain low and the government cannot turn the public's attention away from the disappointments in the performance of the domestic economy.

The timing is critical not to give the public a nationalist rallying point around the current president, Ahmadinejad. The contribution by Marek on January 11 in "Evaluating the Bush Legacy" speaks directly to this matter. A strike against Natanz or any other facility would rally the nation around the Iranian leadership very quickly. The political costs are potentially more enduring than the impact of the overt actions. Military strikes are likely to slow down, not stop, an uranium enrichment process that the Iranian government has well underway.

I just finished reading the opening chapters of The Inheritance by David E. Sanger. It will be revealing to watch the manner in which the Obama Administration approaches Iran and Israel in its opening year and the reactions, particularly among the Iranian youth in country, to the evolution of American policy in the Middle East.

I am interested to hear your comments. Greetings from New York, Colette Mazzucelli

Tue, Jan 20th 2009, 16:05

Member deleted

Thank you Colette:

By any standard president Ahmadinejad is an intellectual, macho and technology savvy leader. Does he pretend to be a good Christian leader like US politicians? No. Does he demand everyone else become Muslim republican? No. Does he or anyone else have the best solution for the Israel Palestine conflict? No. I think the most difficult part for the world to accept about President Mahmud Ahmadinejad is that, he says what he means And he means what he says. He does not try to create a George Orwell 1984 big brother is watching you society. Although, he does want people to obey the law and be contributing members of society. What you see is what you get with this president.

The Persians understand and give plenty of room for cultural differences up to a point. They can also be very loyal friends and if they perceive a friend in danger they may certainly come to fight alongside that friend. It may be interesting to know the USA, Russia and Germany have very nice business relations with Iran.

Persia also understands technology and in both ancient and modern history has accepted and furthered technology from other countries. Take into consideration the technology or computer age that we are adapting to, then realize the demand for extra electricity and it becomes obvious some new sources of energy are required to support the electronic age in Iran. That brings us to the current situation of which energy sources do they adopt. Wind and solar are the emerging technologies with growing use in the US and EU, with coal and nuclear as the standard up to this point. Then there is the science fiction sources being developed by France (super lasers to generate extreme energy) and United Kingdom with super plasma (contained and heated by magnetic force fields). So which do they choose?

Acceptance:
Ancient Persian story about a teacher named Mullah.
In ancient times teachers had to travel around and teach eager groups of people. A teacher named Mullah traveled with his young son and a donkey.
Upon arriving at the first village they were walking beside the donkey. The villagers said: Why are you not riding the donkey? It is a waste of a perfectly good mode of transportation. If you don’t want to ride it, then give to us, we will ride it.
Upon arriving at the second village they were both riding the donkey. The villagers said: Why are you both riding the donkey. You are putting too much weight on the donkey. Let the boy ride and you, a strong man can walk.
Upon arriving at the third village the teacher was walking and the boy was riding the donkey. The villagers said. Why is that boy riding the donkey? That will make him lazy. Make him walk beside you so he will grow up to be strong like his father.