No, he wasn't elected democratically. Candidates for president have to be vetted for adherence to islamism by the Council of Guardians - any real opposition is excluded from running for president.

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Blade: "more educated and literate people than Justabubba"

Justabubba: "that would include everyone"

http://politicalforum.com/showthread.php?t=27847

that was not much of a filtering. there was karrubi and moein from the leftists that were their main candidates, but they didn't catch enough vote. karrubi was near ahmadinejad on the first round, but on the second round, ahmadinejad won with 17 millions votes, 7 millions more than rafsanjani. that was because of his false promises about better economic plans and so on. people were fooled, not forced.

I voted Moein first round, and rafsanjani second round, you see, I love ahmadinejad a lot!!!

__________________
I crave therefore I am and that is all I ever feel
I hoped you'd understand, One love, One pain, One enemy
I toast to misery, as I dig into the devil's bone
And for eternity the pain became me
Unholy me alone...

unfortunately yes, I will. I'm gonna defend my country. I believe that anyone in my position will do that. my friends have different feelings, some of them will, some of them like to work in companies and support the war indirectly, and some of them will not. in war times, Iranian people get united more than any other time.
I believe that war is not going to happen and I hope (quite desperately) two countries to be friends instead of foes. killing each other is the worst way to negotiate. human has a big brain, to talk, not to kill.

__________________
I crave therefore I am and that is all I ever feel
I hoped you'd understand, One love, One pain, One enemy
I toast to misery, as I dig into the devil's bone
And for eternity the pain became me
Unholy me alone...

Thanks for your answer and hopefully you dont have to defend your country. I do not think war will be avoided because of our current president.

What types of music do you listen to?
What about the american culture do you and your friends talk about the most.
again thanks for your time and answers.

practically any type. I love rock / metal music. I listen to almost any Rock and metal genre, I also like trance and hip hop.

well, for other people, currently R&B and Rap music are the most popular through iran. trance and techno still have their place among the top.

well, not much for my friends, but west culture has its effect on our culture, even without people discussing it. I myself like to know more about your culture. I like social American movies. you know, there's a huge deference between our cultures.

don't mention it.

__________________
I crave therefore I am and that is all I ever feel
I hoped you'd understand, One love, One pain, One enemy
I toast to misery, as I dig into the devil's bone
And for eternity the pain became me
Unholy me alone...

It sounds to me like Perham is saying exactly what Democrats in this country are saying.

1) Iran is a great hope, and has the capacity to become an ally.

2) If we attack Iran, as Neo-Cons suggest, it will unite the country against us.

Ixtellor

P.S. I think the question, of "Does Iran stone people to death" is a valid one.
While most of the anti-Iran people, are just trolling, that question is valid.

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George W. Bush "I don't think our troops ought to be used for what's called nation-building"

Blasphemy is a victimless crime.

Why would Iran want to use up their #1 export?

Perham, you're correct in avoiding flame-baiters like belestri. They have nothing better to do than hate all day. There's an easy way to tune them out: ignore button.

I have a question. I noticed that you are Muslim. How big of an impact do radical Muslims have on moderate ones like yourself? And how do you view other religions? Also, what are your feelings on people who insult Muhammad or the Qur'an? I guess I'm just interested in how big a part your religion plays in your culture and feelings.

well, there aren't too many of them here. although we have radicals, but they're socialized. they don't do stupid jobs like bombing, etc. radical muslims are ruining the face of islam as a religion of peace.

I read about Christianity, I even read the bible. I liked it. I also read quite a lot about Buddhism and Zen. I don't have problems with them. I also like explaining islam to the followers of other religions. I researched for 5 years to accept islam. I was atheist first, then liked Buddhism and then became a muslim.


well, in the name of freedom of speech, everybody (specially Europians) are insulting our religion. when insulters to holocaust jailed in Europe, it's unfair to let people play with the feelings of a billion Muslims. I don't expect jailing or killing for such behavior, but banning them from spreading their false ideas is the least they can do.
religion plays a great rule in our culture. unlike Christianity, people here live with Islam, and their culture is really Islamic culture. the morals, the laws, what people think, what people do, etc. everything is inspired by Islam. something like (but not the same as) catholic Christianity.

__________________
I crave therefore I am and that is all I ever feel
I hoped you'd understand, One love, One pain, One enemy
I toast to misery, as I dig into the devil's bone
And for eternity the pain became me
Unholy me alone...

Do you believe that Mahmoud wants to destroy Israel? The things Ive read about his particular Islamic beliefs,a war of this nature is necessary and predestined to occur.