Sean Penn's Visit to Iran

**PatrickHenry** · 30th August 2005, 03:21 AM

I started reading this over on truthout and it was so interesting I thought I'd share it with you folks, my friends and opponents of volconvo.

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2005/082805E.shtml

In June, Sean Penn and two friends traveled to Tehran. It was Penn's first trip to the country. What he found was a culture in conflict. Although the nation is ruled by a very conservative, tradition-bound government, Penn talked to many younger Iranians who have a strong interest in Western culture and want their own country to liberalize its policies on individual rights. Beginning today, The Chronicle will publish a five-day series of his reports from Iran:

**GodBlessAmerica** · 30th August 2005, 03:59 AM

I know someone who got back recently from Iran and "SUPPOSEDLY" there are these young people somewhere trying to make these changes in the news, but this guy and his family couldn't find any of them.
These people who just came back reported to me they were scared of what they found there. The place is more off the hook than before and there are lots of nuts speaking terrorist rants. Their prediction to me was that we will have to be at war with them because Iran is going to make big trouble in his opinion.

You wouldn't really call their politics conservative as the political philosophy presented by English statesman Edmund Burke., it is an orthodox Islamic theocracy in power there. Islamism’s use of the word conservative means not wanting change from Sharia law.
Iran calls themselves an official Republic and they have a President, but behind the scenes, it seems to be run with the iron hand of a theocracy.
If there is a movement in a few areas IMO, I would say it is to democratize the place, not liberalize it.

The deed to be done in Iran to make change would be to remove the theocracy. Until you see that, nothing is going to change anything about Iran.

Somebody got an ex American hostage taker elected President.
His name is Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and he is very traditionally Islamic and was one of the leaders who took all those Americans hostage back in the 70s with Carter at the helm.
Mahmoud is credited with assassinations of leaders in other countries and after his election he proclaimed “Thanks to the blood of the martyrs, a new Islamic revolution has arisen and the Islamic revolution of 1384 [the current Iranian year] will, if God wills, cut off the roots of injustice in the world,” he said. “The wave of the Islamic revolution will soon reach the entire world.”

Soon to reach the entire world!!!!!
Iran could be big problems.
I'd love to see their kids overthrow the current government, but don't hold your breath.

**Matt W** · 30th August 2005, 04:05 AM

The deed to be done in Iran to make change would be to remove the theocracy. Until you see that, nothing is going to change anything about Iran.

Somebody got an ex American hostage taker elected President.

What, and install someone like the Shah? Didn't you try that one already? :rolleyes:

As for the 'ex-hostage taker' BS, that's been disproved many times over. Source your allegation.

**PatrickHenry** · 30th August 2005, 04:09 AM

I was kinda looking for some comments on Sean Penn's visit, not really a rant on the dangers of Iran. Penn had some interesting experiences, GBA. You might try a read rather than a listen to Savage talkradio.

**Mr.Vicchio** · 30th August 2005, 04:15 AM

I really don't care to read the rantings of an ego hound like Senn Penn. I don't need propoganda from hollywood.

Sorry PH.

**tinybear** · 30th August 2005, 04:17 AM

I don't get it. What's the big deal about Sean Penn visiting Iran?

**PatrickHenry** · 30th August 2005, 04:33 AM

Quote by: tinybear

I don't get it. What's the big deal about Sean Penn visiting Iran?

He is a well known American, an activist against the Bushwars, and he made a trip to Iraq in the months before the invasion and siezure there, December 2002. The right went nuts because they were in the midst of an intensive demonization campaign against Saddam, to legitimize their upcoming war. He also went back there a year later into the war zone and wrote a series of his experiences.

Penn is a man of integrity, IMO and his visit to Iran was a little disconcerting for him, it seems.

**PatrickHenry** · 30th August 2005, 04:34 AM

Quote by: Mr.Vicchio

I don't need propoganda from hollywood.

FOXNews, and WorldNetDaily, and Drudge suit your propaganda needs, hmm, Vicchio?

**tinybear** · 30th August 2005, 04:39 AM

What's the purpose of Penn's visits to Iraq and Iran?

**GodBlessAmerica** · 30th August 2005, 04:48 AM

Quote by: Matt W

What, and install someone like the Shah? Didn't you try that one already? :rolleyes:

As for the 'ex-hostage taker' BS, that's been disproved many times over. Source your allegation.

I think if like Patrick H said, that there is a movement looking for freedom. they are looking to imitate the west, not reproduce the past. So I don't think they will go for another theocracy, Shaw or King. I think a form of Democracy makes most sense.

It's so hard for me to know what to believe about Iran now. I know what people have directly told me, and yet we get these stories that there could be an overthrow in the works.

We DO know the new Iranian President is a problem and I can guarantee you the USA and UK governments are keeping close tabs on Iran's leader.

Palestinian terrorist today just launched three dud Iranian missiles into Israel. Could be Israel is going to have to take out Iran's nuclear plant and kill more Palestinians for sending missiles their way.

It's a difficult world at this time.

PS: I had direct evidence of real Iranian terrorist in the United States who were boasting at a party of getting ready to make a major terrorist attack. I sent it to the FBI for our protection. I do believe especially after my experiance that they are radical now more than ever.

**GodBlessAmerica** · 30th August 2005, 05:32 AM

Quote by: PatrickHenry

I was kinda looking for some comments on Sean Penn's visit, not really a rant on the dangers of Iran. Penn had some interesting experiences, GBA. You might try a read rather than a listen to Savage talkradio.

I can't stand Savage for five minutes, he rants like the typical liberal.

Sure, we should focus more on Sean.
His printed opinion showed he thought there was a lot of problems there in Iraq, detailing a little of the extreme limitations of the culture and the women.

Iran is the pits.