The infamous Iranian Basij militia cracked down on the use of satellite dishes by confiscating 100,000 dishes in Tehran. Iranian prosecutors insisted that dishes expose families to UnIslamic influences and are “morally damaging.” The dishes were destroyed in a triumphant ceremony before General Mohammad Reza Naghdi, head of Iran’s Basij militia. Most people view Naghdi’s crackdown as a pathetic and laughable example of religious orthodoxy that still strangles Iranian society. However, Naghdi heralded the latest achievement of his extremist forces.
Iranian law bans satellite equipment and subjects distributors and repair shops to fines.
Naghdi responded to the growing outcry over the law prohibiting dishes, which give Iranians access to the outside world: “The truth is that most satellite channels… deviate the society’s morality and culture.” He insisted that knowledge of outside influences only confuses good Muslims and that what “these televisions really achieve is increased divorce, addiction and insecurity in society.”
In a rare expression of public disagreement, Culture Minister Ali Jannati has argued for a reconsideration of the ban and noted that 70 percent of Iranians violate the law. His statement led to a public condemnation by Naghdi and suggestion that Jannati was not a good Muslim. Naghdi warned that officials in charge of cultural affairs “should be truthful with people rather than following what pleases them.” He again cited a wide array of evils from being exposed to unIslamic influences: “Most of these satellite channels not only weaken the foundation of families but also cause disruptions in children’s education and children who are under the influence of satellite have improper behavior.”
Once again, you have to wonder how secure the Iranian Revolution must be — or by extension Islamic values — when a simple satellite dish is such a threat to stability and morality.
What is the difference between Iran and Google manipulating results or Amazon blocking wiki server?
Nick
And Reagan, and………pathetic
I’m starting to think that the Matrix was based on Islam.
Perhaps they have observed the destructive nature of the US epidemic of obese couch potatoes. If their programming is no better than the choices we have on TV, they aren’t missing much.
The theocratic oligarchy of Virginia seems to be moving towards the the Iran model also.
Saturday Night Satellites Live on NBC. Wait. We can’t get NBC in Iran. So. I ran. And I came to Greece. On a boat. A boat that wouldn’t float. I came to learn religion. I learned that Iran is between a rock and a hard place. And so is Iraq. And so is all of the middle east. And so is a lot of Europe. NYC is a real odd place. They speak English but with a turd accent. So I left there. And I went West. I live in Ferguson. People are nice. It is integrated. The schools are good for the kids. The cops are nice. The only one’s who are bad are the one’s who come in from NYC from either the media or from some guy named Al Sharpton to stir up other outsiders to burn our stores. So I want to send the Yorkies to Iran.
And Obama and Kerry got snookered by these idiots.
I think Squeeky From got this one nailed.
I don’t see what’s so sensational about this. A government exists for the good of society, and it has been determined by them that pornography is damaging. Any fool knows that pornography is used by the oligarchs as a form of political control. Wise up, people.
Well, I look for Bill Clinton to give a $500,000 speech to DirecTV and then somehow the dishes get returned, and HRC’s brother gets oil rights in Iran, and the Head of the Basij Militia gets appointed to the board of the new oil company, while Sidney Blumenthal gets his own channel on DirecTV and. . .
Squeeky Fromm
Girl Reporter
It’s very sad that Iranians live in a theocratic state. The Persian empire hijacked by mullahs. I have always wanted to visit Iran – I love their food, films and poetry. And the Iranians I have met without exception have been lovely people. Still hoping that they can restore democracy there. If we hadn’t overthrown Mossadegh it would be a very different country.
Sounds like Russia after the revolution.
Squeeky – in 9 months we can expect the hospital maternity wards to overflow.
Well, that will kickstart the birth rate in Iran.
Squeeky Fromm
Girl Reporter
As I am sure you are aware, Professor Turley, this is part of the broader struggle that the two ruling factions within the ruling Islamic Republic currently have..another pathetic example was about a month and a half ago where the National Police Spokesman said that over a 24 Hr period, 20,000 vehicles were cited for what is best described as “conduct unbecoming”..and if they did not address, there were other implications as Rouhani is dealing with some profound challenges at home……