Enquiring Minds Want to Know...

Image courtesy ffffound

So I've been reading (rather voraciously) different news sources to try and find as much information about the trial of the 7 Bahá’ís in Iran.... I'm happy to say that most major news sources are reporting on on this issue. While quickly scanning through BBC (online version) today with my morning coffee, I found a really lovely article in support of the Bahá’ís - and I also found a somewhat perplexing article titled 'There Is No Such Thing as Safe Cocaine'.

Let me explain.

I am a child of the 80s, and as such spent most of my formative years in the grip of Nancy Reagan's anti-drug campaigns. So for me to read an article - presented as though it were breaking news - “if you take cocaine – you could (wait for it… wait for it…) die”.

I don't know... maybe I just didn't understand the article. Or the research. Or the fact that this is meant to clear up some major misunderstandings in the European party circuit.

...because no one ever says "I want to be a junkie"

Updates...

The trial is in progress....

It is, despite requests from family members and lawyers, a closed trial.
Of the 3 lawyers who represent these people, only 1 is present: one has been exiled from Iran, and one is in hiding, himself a victim of persecution.
Your prayers and positive thoughts for justice are very welcome. Thank you!

Breaking News...

If you've been keeping your ear to the ground, you'll know that things in Iran aren't going very well - particularly from a human rights standpoint. And if you've been reading between the lines, you'll know that things are looking especially grim for the Bahá’í community in that country. 7 Bahá’ís have been held in the notorious Evin Prison in Tehran, Iran since spring 2008... 13 more were arrested on Sunday - 3 January 2010. Since that time, 3 have been released - but the remaining 10 are in Evin Prison.
Iranian officials, under pressure from human rights watch groups and the international community, have been quick to mention that these people have not been arrested because they are Bahá’í - specifically: On Friday, several news agencies reported that Tehran's general prosecutor, Abbas Jafari Dolatabadi, said the Baha'is who were arrested on Sunday "were arrested because they played a role in organizing the Ashura protests and namely for having sent abroad pictures of the unrest."

The 7 Bahá’ís who have been in prison for almost 2 years on false and unsubstantial charges and denied counsel with their lawyers, including Dr. Shirin Ebadi, are scheduled - after several delays - for trial tomorrow.

Friends and Family... please, I ask that you continue to pray and be the voice for these innocent souls. Thank you.

Each According to the Dictates of His Own Conscience...

Norman Rockwell

Propositional Phrase...

I largely suspect that there are some things that can only happen to me.... Take Friday, for example. My sherut (a minivan-like cab) driver literally propositioned me. I was coming back from getting my hair done for the wedding (remember that? good...) and was running late because of shabat but mostly because I'm aimee piper…. Anyhow, so the guy seriously asked me – once we were alone in the sherut – if Bahá’ís could date. *I knew he was really asking if I could him* So I told him no. He said – “oh, so you just marry?” Yes.
Then he asks how old I am. At this point I decide to be truthful and I tell him that I'm 31. He doesn’t believe me (I was only kind of flattered as he's 24). But then he asks if I'm a virgin.

The record literally skipped, friends.

I was like “uhhhhh… I don’t see how that’s any of your business”. It gets better: “my wife needs to be a virgin”.
Naturally I reply – “well, are you a virgin?” [Sidenote: I have zero time for double standards]
HAHAHAHA. Then he got frustrated and asked why I didn’t answer his first question. THEN he tells me “in my village (of course he’s a dahotti – bechareh) I have to marry a virgin”.
But he didn’t want to discuss things anymore when I asked if he was a virgin. Good thing – we were at my stop! Hahahahaha.
Conjunction Junction, it most certainly was not. But it takes 'FANBOYS' to a whole new level, huh?

Keep It Classy...

So... weekend wrap up. As you may recall, my friends Mona & Vahid were married on Friday - 1 January 2010! A new day, year, decade and life - all in one fell swoop! Congratulations M&V! Mae & Aimee

The wedding was amazing - perfectly simple and elegant - it really captured their whole relationship, I think. And the best part was how calm and collected they were. Naturally we all had an amazing time dancing the night away - the father of the groom has some serious dance moves. I'm talking skills, kids!
Oh! Also... at the guest book table was a mini-polaroid camera; by which I mean that it shot out miniature pictures, not that the camera was tiny. It is so cool! I totally want one!
Hope y'all had a great weekend, too!

Happy New Year, And Stuff...

This song has been on near-constant replay for nearly a week... I trust that you're all intelligent & imaginative people so I won't break it down ('it' being the how's and why's of my obsession with this song) - but I hope you like it.

I just feel so tough & yet pretty when I hear it.
...or when I sing along. But you know, what ever gets you through the day - or the New Year.

Head's up: courtesy MaSovaida