h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I am a bit surprised that SWL hasn't picked this one up

<< http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/6596933.stm>>

I know that we have been here before - a length, butI am not surprised that The Iranians don't want the story , or TV footage to get out.

What on earth does this 'say' about that country and it's attitude to 50% of it's population?

Novo

I'm not sure it says very much about the attitudes of the majority in Iran, frankly. Indeed:

>>But Iranian TV has reported that an opinion poll conducted in Tehran found 86% of people were in favour of the crackdown - a statistic that is surprising given the strength of feeling against this move.<<

Impressive journalistic restraint shown by whoever refrained from putting scare quotes around the word 'surprising'.

>>Boutique owners are furious<<

The fact that Tehran has boutiques in the first place is rather more of an eye-opener, I'd say - not quite Oceania after all, then?

"Iran benighted oppressed hole shock".

Who cares? I have no sympathy here at all. Despite whatever Western journalists may say about opinion polls, this is clearly what the majority of people in Iran want. They HAD a moderate government. Then they had an election, and the current fundamentalist loony won. Whether we like it or not, those people actually are like that. Where's our respect for their different culture?

Then again, if the women don't like what their culture is 'forcing' on them, well, they're not a minority, are they? Plus, how about withholding, shall we say, 'intimate favours' until the situation is more to their liking?

SoRB

It's not just women, it's fellas too:

"Young men are being cautioned for wearing short sleeved shirts or for their hairstyles.

Morad - a hairdresser whose gelled hair is made to stand straight up - says it's necessary for him to look like this to attract customers.

"These last few days I don't dare walk down the main roads looking like this case I get arrested," he says.

"I use the side streets and alleys." "

I don't get that. Basically he's trying to advertise a hairstyle that will get you arrested. Surely he can't have many takers?

"Hey kids! Get your hair cut like this! It looks great! You won't be able to actually go out though..." Some advert.

SoRB

Sorb,

<< They HAD a moderate government. Then they had an election, and the current fundamentalist loony won. Whether we like it or not, those people actually are like that. Where's our respect for their different culture?

You could say that about 1930's Germany, in which a certain Adolf Hitler came legitimately to the Chancellorship.

I am not concerned about Iran's dress code either, they can wear what they like , or what they can get away with. What is a concern, given the geopolitics of the region, is the kind and degree of 'enforcement', assuming the reports are a true reflection.

I'm a tad surprised at your reference to the boutiques, after all, when it was Persia the culture was all embracing. Wasn't Tehran known as the Paris of the East?

Novo

I'm actually going there in a month or so... Better pack the conservative suit and get a haircut...

I'd hope that the next election turn the pendulum once more - and that nobody shortcuts that system and cracks down on elections...

I wish you a safe journey, and hope for an 'eye-witness' account on your return.

Novo
x2

Its kind of sad. Can you imagine how boring these people must be that the best can find to do with their time is to worry about how much skin a mannikin is showing?

Hmm; surely it was a wommikin, since they demanded the boutique owner chop its boobs off?

zdt

Yes, they obviously have boobies.

"<< They HAD a moderate government. Then they had an election, and the current fundamentalist loony won. Whether we like it or not, those people actually are like that. Where's our respect for their different culture?

You could say that about 1930's Germany, in which a certain Adolf Hitler came legitimately to the Chancellorship."

No you couldn't. The Nazis never won a controlling vote, Hitler was soundly defeated in the Presidential elections and was APPOINTED Chancellor by Hindenburg on the advice of von Papen, which is when he started scaremongering to get emergency powers (Reichstag fire, et al). That's different to him winning an election.

Some countries try to ban 'hoodies' and others try to make them compulsory. Strange innit?
Mary Quant haircut and the mini-skirt will soon be back in fashion Mrs LL tells me.

Yes, the hoodie thing has occurred to me too!!!

As for Mary Quant & haircuts, i believe she was famed for introducing a certain type of heart-shaped haircut. I assume CCTV won't bark commands at the general public to ensure they are conforming to this trend?



zdt

Apologies. You are correct, though I would suggest that the political success Hitler achieved, put him in a position where his nomination was possible. Given the circumtances at the time one could argue that his rise to lead the second largest group was near enough to an election.

A bit like the forthcoming coronation of The son of The Manse, without an election

Novo
2

Morning Novo,

And Douglas-Home, Jim Callaghan and John Major

For that matter we didn't hold a General Election when Lloyd George or Winston Churchill first became PM. We don't vote for a PM, we vote for our local MP.

Sorry to raise your hopes Terri and Yoda - I stand corrected. Mrs LL tells me that what she said was that if I thought she was going to get an MQ haircut and a mini I'd got another think coming. In truth Mrs LL is a basic blouse and jeans kind of gal and has long blonde hair.

"What on earth does this 'say' about that country and it's attitude to 50% of it's population?"

What it says to me is that over a quarter of a century after the Islamic Revolution the Iranian people still have minds of their own. Otherwise the Islamic hardliners wouldn't find it neccessary to keep running these campaigns.

This article by Johann Hari in this morning's Independent is disturbing in that it reports what is happening to womens's rights in Europe as we pursue multi-culturalism. It's dissapointing that we are not moving further and faster away from extreme religous practices as in Iran.

http://comment.independent.co.uk/columnists_a_l/johann_hari/article2496657.ece