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Iran is an easy enemy for the US government to offer to its citizens. Because of the fairly harsh anti-US rhetoric circulated by the Iranian government to its

by ethbro 8y ago

Iran is an easy enemy for the US government to offer to its citizens. Because of the fairly harsh anti-US rhetoric circulated by the Iranian government to its citizens since the revolution (itself because of our previous support of the Shah and current support of Israel) for purposes of maintaining power, it's easy to say "Look, Iran hates America." The Shia / Sunni distinction is largely lost on the average American. And just as a personal note, almost every Iranian I've met in the US has been an awesome person. They've got a fascinating history and culture.

Alex3917 8y ago
> almost every Iranian I've met in the US has been an awesome person Yeah because most of the ones here are the kids of the high-level government officials from before the revolution.
rayiner 8y ago
To be completely fair about the last point, immigrants you meet in the US are not a representative sample. I say this as an immigrant myself. The Bangladeshis and Pakistanis I’ve met in the US are educated and relatively liberal, having gotten through our immigration filters. But the beliefs and attitudes of people back in the country are totally different. For example, American muslims are slightly more liberal than americans as a whole on homosexuality, and 60% of Americans say society should accept homosexuality. In Pakistan it’s 2%: http://www.pewglobal.org/2013/06/04/the-global-divide-on-homosexuality http://www.pewglobal.org/2013/06/04/the-global-divide-on-hom...) Also relevant: https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwiM2aSRw67fAhXHpFkKHUYGAhYQzPwBegQIARAC&url=https%3A%2F%2Fen.radiofarda.com%2Fa%2Fshiraz-mp-accuses-rouhani-suppressing-iran-history%2F29558964.html&psig=AOvVaw2WossgQlvRLbpJ4tYATlJX&ust=1545399294800903 https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwiM...
- ethbro 8y ago
  Granted. I was going to include a note, but didn't want to get too long winded. Non-representative sample, self-selected according to dominant migration obstacle (e.g. financial or educational).
- selimthegrim 8y ago
  (Some) Pakistani-Americans I’ve met who’ve grown up here have told me that my parents should be executed for being Ahmadis once an Islamic State has been established (but graciously offered them a one time chance to repent). So much for the immigration filter.

by ethbro 8y ago

Alex3917 8y ago

> almost every Iranian I've met in the US has been an awesome person Yeah because most of the ones here are the kids of the high-level government officials from before the revolution.

rayiner 8y ago

To be completely fair about the last point, immigrants you meet in the US are not a representative sample. I say this as an immigrant myself. The Bangladeshis and Pakistanis I’ve met in the US are educated and relatively liberal, having gotten through our immigration filters. But the beliefs and attitudes of people back in the country are totally different. For example, American muslims are slightly more liberal than americans as a whole on homosexuality, and 60% of Americans say society should accept homosexuality. In Pakistan it’s 2%: http://www.pewglobal.org/2013/06/04/the-global-divide-on-homosexuality http://www.pewglobal.org/2013/06/04/the-global-divide-on-hom...) Also relevant: https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwiM2aSRw67fAhXHpFkKHUYGAhYQzPwBegQIARAC&url=https%3A%2F%2Fen.radiofarda.com%2Fa%2Fshiraz-mp-accuses-rouhani-suppressing-iran-history%2F29558964.html&psig=AOvVaw2WossgQlvRLbpJ4tYATlJX&ust=1545399294800903 https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwiM...

ethbro 8y ago
Granted. I was going to include a note, but didn't want to get too long winded. Non-representative sample, self-selected according to dominant migration obstacle (e.g. financial or educational).
selimthegrim 8y ago
(Some) Pakistani-Americans I’ve met who’ve grown up here have told me that my parents should be executed for being Ahmadis once an Islamic State has been established (but graciously offered them a one time chance to repent). So much for the immigration filter.