1. The moment a teenage girl was stoned to death for loving the wrong boy

Comment #38578 by rooz on May 8, 2007 at 4:34 pm

71. Comment #37864 by Stuart Paul Wood on May 6, 2007 at 4:01 am

Why would you want to actually see the stones land on her and hear the noise they make? I should imagine it goes for a long time.

Stuart, while I understand your reluctance to view this video--personally, I felt I had a responsibility to view it. This kind of atrocity must be made known. While you can get the story from the article, the visceral impact of this poor girl's last moments can only be experienced by seeing it. I felt sick after doing so. I still feel sick. And words cannot convey the pure malevolence I feel towards the criminal cowards who did this. The world must see what is going on. Her heart rending death cannot be glossed over. I weep for her. As should we all.

Rooz

2. Iran arrests 300 'insufficiently veiled' women

Comment #35546 by rooz on April 27, 2007 at 2:58 pm

Manfred,

I have seen various internet sites reporting on the situations in Iran, but I am never sure if they are reliable--other than the major publications, of course.

I must say, it is not often that I encounter Iranian atheists. I am fairly certain that I am the only one in San Diego. It is quite refreshing. While most of my family is not very religious, they are definitely not atheists. In fact my mother wasn't very pleased about it when she found out.

Where did you go to grad school and what did you study?

Rooz

3. Iran arrests 300 'insufficiently veiled' women

Comment #35516 by rooz on April 27, 2007 at 12:33 pm

Manfred,

First let me start off by saying that I am an Iranian man who currently lives in San Diego, CA. I came to the U.S. when I was but a nine month old boy, so I have been rather Americanized. Add to that my parents divorced when I was young and both married non-Persians. This has all left me feeling a bit culturally disassociated and a bit sad because of it. But I digress.

After reading your posts, I get the impression that you came to the U.S. when you were young as well. Is this the case? If so, how do you stay so connected to the climate in Iran? Please understand, I am not doubting you at all; I am just curious. Do you have many friends and family still there? I suppose that would be an excellent source of info.

As a final note--regarding the reform movement: I had a tremendous amount of hope that it would gain some serious traction several years ago. I remember reading articles where the younger generations were standing up to the old(er) conservatives and actually getting away with it. I remember watching a soccer game between the U.S. and Iran several years ago--the first in many years. Afterward, the two teams embraced and all posed for a picture. The symbolism was inescapable. I felt that my two worlds, so long at odds, were actually beginning to come together. Then Ahmadinejad got elected. While not quite back to square one, it was close enough. Is the govt in Iran simply suppressing the enthusiasm of the young for more amicable relations with the west, or has that enthusiasm simply cooled? I hope it is, well, neither. I fear that it may be both.

Rooz

4. New Planet Could Be Earthlike, Scientists Say

Comment #35481 by rooz on April 27, 2007 at 10:05 am

I am sure I used to know the answer to these questions, but why are creationists so sure that there is not life on other planets? And why if we do find it will this be strong evidence against the creationist position?

5. Fighting Words: A wartime lexicon

Comment #35232 by rooz on April 26, 2007 at 4:20 pm

jshuey "Indeed, I would ask those who support public funding of this (or any such) research to point me to that clause in the Constitution of the U.S. which authorizes Congress to spend public funds on any such undertaking."

Well, that would be the taxing and spending clause Article 1 Section 8. Congress has broad--in fact plenary--authority to tax and spend for the general welfare.