Irshad Manji

i'm ready to help with my freedom of speech

Actually I was totally speechless to comment on her great perseverance. Definitely a positive role model.

i will too, but i see so many people talking about the journalists in jail, what about what's happening to the baha'is in iran, 7 baha'i have been in jail since may 2008 without a trial. trial dates keep getting set but get posponed. what do we do to support them, we don't get up and use our free speech then, baha'i have been arrested, tourted and ... See Morekilled because of their faith.
look what happend to mona, at 16 hanged for being a baha'i.

tell me why we should all defend the press, when we don't defend the right of religion in iran. when we don't defend the people who only wanted to practice their religion, and teach people to do good toward others.

I agree with Phillip - it seemed words were inadequate, and all things I had to say felt childish and naive.

Jila, you are an inspiration of truth and courage; speaking and writing the stories for the voiceless. You are selfless in your service to humanity. May your husband return to you...stay strong. Thank you...

Indeed, “speechless... See More” is the right word.
However, I’m not surprised at her story. There are so many courageous journalists and reporters just like her. I think all journalists have the responsibility to risk their lives for their passion.
Well…Bravo Jila! Keep up the good work! God bless you and your husband!
Irshad, is there any concrete things that we can do to help? Not just her, but literally to make the world a better place? Why do I feel hopeless and helpless? Why is there an ENDLESS battle for peace, justice, and equality?

I believe that only through the efforts of people like herself, is there any hope for people to come together in a common goal of being Human Beings. She has my respect and I loo forward to seeing a positive resolution to her story !!

I had the DVD of BARAN http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0233841/ Majid Majidi who is banned in Iran. But I find that Ahmadinejad supporters outside Iran are more dangerous than Ahmadinejad himself.

What a magnificently strong woman. The days of the Iranian theocracy are numbered.

great person wi;ll learn from her

Being a journalist myself, I apologize. I've been under stacks of books trying to become a better
reporter and maybe even schooled enough to be a negotiator in foreign policy. So, my silence is not silence, it is preparation to better amplify our voices.

I was trying to think of a suitable poem or song, since she clearly thrives on such food for her soul. One that comes to mind is an old chestnut for western feminists: Helen Reddy's "I Am Woman":

I am woman, hear me roar
In numbers too big to ignore
And I know too much to go back and pretend... See More
'cause I've heard it all before
And I've been down there on the floor
No one's ever gonna keep me down again

CHORUS
Oh yes I am wise
But it's wisdom born of pain
Yes, I've paid the price
But look how much I gained
If I have to, I can do anything
I am strong
I am invincible
I am woman

You can bend but never break me
'cause it only serves to make me
More determined to achieve my final goal
And I come back even stronger
Not a novice any longer
'cause you've deepened the conviction in my soul

CHORUS

I can totally relate to Alex's comment. I admire Jila and Irshad, of course, for their bravery,but at the same time I feel so hopeless. I introduced Irshad's blog to lots of friends of mine but only two responded by giving positive feedback and joining the group (thanks Diah & Arum!). Others just couldn't care or less. It is very disappointing to ... See Moreknow that my own friends have become so self-absorbed that they don't realize whatever issues Indonesia is dealing with at the moment have been made worse by the people's own ignorance. They don't speak now, they won't speak later. :(

I support this woman all the way I wish her the best;the question is:how can the situation in some of these islamic countries be change without military intervention or economic sanctions that is well known that always affect the poorest and weakest of the population?Sometimes even those who we want to to help.Bottom line is people:I believe all of you have the best intentions but I dont trust any of these western goverments who use force instead diplomacy.

This one goes to all oppresed:"usually when people are sad they don't do anything.They just cry over their condition.But when they get angry they bring about the change." Malcolm X

Now that, Matias, is a very good question! How can change happen without military intervention and sanctions?

example: Ghandi was able to drive the needed civil rights and freedom changes b/c the time and method to influence the British was perfect. To make such passive resistance today in some countries will land a person in jail at best - ... See Moredeath at worst. It was change driven from within the country by the masses of people of civil disobedience. Zero violence from their side.

Brainstorm people! Any other examples that worked like Ghandi's? How can they be modified to the unique situation of whatever country in question?

So Phillip,you would say that you dont believe in military intervention from foreign countries?Man:maybe we could be friends now,jaja.I thought I was talking to a CIA agent:))).I believe that the only way is change from within.

I believe lines must be drawn and action taken when diplomacy fails. When to do so and how is a very tricky question to answer, otherwise (e.g.) we still might be discussing today what to do in the Balkans to stop Bosinian Serbs from killing Bosniaks, and reciprical killings. Vicious cycles of hate - How does one break the cycle and how does one prevent it from spilling over in to other places?

How does one break the cycle and how does want prevent it from spilling over in to other places?Lets bomb those places and if innocent people die..well,sorry,but we are trying to save you guys,What?aren't you thankful?

Jila, your strength, honesty, and integrity are infinitely inspiring. You're a shining example of the very meaning of Moral Courage. My heart goes out to you and your husband during this time.

i do want to offend anyone i am just honest and i am learning at same tim, but Phillip makes much more sense than Matias :)
best wishes to both of you:)

sorry i meant i do not , I do nowant to offend anyone i am just honest and i am learning at same tim, but Phillip makes much more sense than Matias :)
best wishes to both of you:)

Dont worry Fleanta,I dont get offended:I do get offended when I see NATO bombs killing civilians in Afghanistan and Iraq,also known as "collateral damage";I got offended when Bush said "god is on our side" before he sent his Marines to invade two countries in the name of freedom and democracy;those are the things that should offend anyone;but it seems like people like Phillip and you support all of the above,that is why Phillip "makes much more sense".:)

"They switched from the old,open colonial,imperialistic approach.They came up with some benevolent colonialism,philantropic colonialism,humanitarianism or dollarism." Malcolm X on USA intervention in Vietnam.

I am getting soft:INVASION was the right word instead of INTERVENTION.

" I am anti-imperialist.I am opposed to having the eagle put its talons in any other land." Mark Twain

"Get your facts first, and then you can distort them as much as you please."
Mark Twain

For Fleanta: Since you describe yourself as learning. Remember there are 3 sides to every coin. Use terms correctly. Read multiple from multiple sources (and then ask yourself what wasn't mentioned by the author(s) ). Differentiate fact from biased statements (cut out fluff words and words that are emotional or have no basis in the information ... See Morebeing presented). And don't make connections that don't exist.

"In religion and politics, people's beliefs and convictions are in almost every case gotten at second hand, and without examination."
Mark Twain

Phillip:that was the best quote on self-criticism I have ever read;but dont be harsh on yourself:))

I dont think that Fleanta needs a teacher like Phillip since he is as biased as everybody.There is no such a thing as non biased statements.What is going on here is a US citizen who doesnt want to hear,from some of his most articulate countrymen,what his goverment,which he supports,has been done against other countries during the las century;it cannot be coincidence taht Martin Luter King,Malcolm X,Mark Twain,James Baldwin,etc,were all against US foerign military aggression.

even IRSHAD MANJI knows that what Uncle Tom's boys are doing in Afghanistan is wrong.

I meant Uncle Sam...jaja,Perdon.

" I am anti-imperialist.I am opposed to having the eagle put its talons in any other land." Mark Twain...I know some people dont like the word empire used here,but I call it how I see it.:)))

Indeed, and I am sure you will agree that there was a Soviet Empire too.