The Oregonian's Endorsed Candidate Goli Ameri: "Refugee" or Elitist?

Great background information on Goli Ameri, anti-war Portland. Great job!

Goli Ameri is everything you state and more. For her to claim the refugee label is like the children of Imelda Marcos doing the same. They benefit by their families privileged position in a US-controlled authoritarian regime, yet cry "victim" when it suits their purpose.

Individually, Goli I think has no association with those who collaborated with the Shah's government. However, to claim or to let stand an assumption that she is in any way a victim of the current Iranian mullahs cannot be taken seriously. Yes, perhaps someone in her family has been hurt, killed even, by the present government. And if they have, then tell us the story.

I believe that Ameri is like so many of the Iranian expatriate community living in the US. Many, if not most, have direct ties to pre-revolutionary Iranian professional and administrative classes. People, families who had and have money and connections. Goli Ameri has never had a day of want in her life.

Ameri does not deserve our sympathy for her life story. She's had it relatively easy.

It just comes down to being a Republican, and one who supports Bush's invasion of Iraq. She deserves no one's vote. Certainly not any from the Amerikan working class.

And remember, millions of dollars from the Iranian ex-pat community, especially in California, reportedly have poured into Ameri's campaign coffers. God only knows what kind of interests she is beholden to.

A rich-witch Republican war monger needs to remain in her Washington County country clubs where she can only hurt a limited number of people.

Get a job, Ameri, and see how the Amerikan working class really lives.

Get a real job.

f a s c i s t .

There are quite a few Iranian monarchist loyalists in the US(and Oregon), who left Iran when the shah was deposed, and it seems as though many are linked together politically. Many of them are wealthy, some are not, and they hope to return to Iranian positions of power, like the former Iranian colonel who lives in Sedona, Arizona, and paints pictures of the Grand Canyon. Their goal(and,it appears, Goli's) is to return the Pahlavis to power in Iran--I believe Reza Pahlavi lives in Los Angeles, and espouses Gandhiian nonviolence(!)on his website. The neocons/libs in Washington are backing this plan up with firepower. And we're all being thrown into a very messy situation.

Perhaps Minnesota Senator Mark Dayton has the solution. Call "Homeland Security's shit, close down DC, boycott the federal government, bring the senators back to their home districts. The people in Congress know all about Goli and the rest of it. They're just faking us out.

"Crunch time" hit the nails on their heads about the Iranian exiled likes of Goli Ameri. You said it: " I believe that Ameri is like so many of the Iranian expatriate community living in the US. Goli Ameri has never had a day of want in her life. Ameri does not deserve our sympathy for her life story. She's had it relatively easy. And remember, millions of dollars from the Iranian ex-pat community, especially in California, reportedly have poured into Ameri's campaign coffers. God only knows what kind of interests she is beholden to.
A rich-witch Republican war monger needs to remain in her Washington County country clubs where she can only hurt a limited number of people."

"Flash" seems to know a bit about the fantasy politics of the Iranian exile types. "Flash" is ABSOLUTELY right that " Their goal (and,it appears, Goli's) is to return the Pahlavis to power in Iran...The neocons/libs in Washington are backing this plan up with firepower. And we're all being thrown into a very messy situation. " But especially after a quarter-century of humiliating exile, this all is such a pipe-dream and laughable that it warms the ayatollahs' stonehearts that they have such stupid enemies in exile backed by even dumber US patrons.

The important issue for us is where does a character like Goli Ameri fit into this puzzle. Is she a Republican for the US only and a Monarchist for Iran? If she is for democracy, which she very well knows cannot come about under another monarchy in Iran, what is she doing collecting money from Iranian Monarchists for her congressional campaign. Proof you ask? How about her own website admitting that a multi-millionaire Imperial Iranian Ambassador and Minister of Economics now living in Houston is patronizing a fundraiser for Ameri in Texas.

To Hell with this "dustbin of history" trash that now pollutes the US and even the congressional race in Portland's 1st District -- poor Oregonians.

sha-han-shahi is a term used to describe the rich, conservative right wing of Iran under the late shah pahlavi. The killed, kidnapped, tortured and publicly executed thousands during thier rule.

Imagine, that the Iranian population chose to overthrow the shah in favor of the even nastier mullahs who have continued the shah's message of intolerance and hate.

remember, The caspian sea holds large untapped oil reserves.

over 70% of the population of Iran is under the age of 35.

according to the governments own census, Azeri/Iranians make up nearly 30 million of Iran's 70 million people (22 million persians). There is increasing unrest in the Azeri provinces in NW Iran as a popular movement to reunite with their brothers and sisters in northern azerbaijan will reach a boiling point within 3 years.

The mullah's and the elitists/monarchists that Ameri represents have backed a policy which would deny this large group the fundemental rights to speak and study their own culture, language and heritage.

forget the shah.

Iran is going to be broken up into pieces like Yugoslavia, Czhekoslavakia, Soviet Union and Iraq.

If the break-up happens the racist campaign of intolerance practiced by the shah and now by the mullahs against the 30 or so minority groups in Iran will end, borders will by defined by ethnic identity and not imperial powers. Althoug they will always have a say through force or politics.

I could go on for days.

say no to Ameri!

I know a lot of the Iranian community around here. There are no royalists that I know of, but then, I don't know everyone. But I know that probably about 75% of this community is against Ameri because of her pro-Bush, pro-War stance. Of all the Iranians in this town, only a handful have privately admitted to supporting Ameri, and when Willamette Week looked for some to go public, they got, what was it, 2 people? But far, far more people in the community are against Ameri, because she is a fake.

Rep. Wu has been very responsive to the progressive community. He has helped immigrant student rights groups. He voted against the Iraq War and took a risk in his district that stretches from West Portland to Astoria. He has been responsive to constituents. He came to our door more than once asking about what issues were important to us. He is often out in public listening to diverse people respectfully. He answers letters quickly and specifically. I talked to many Republicans who are supporting him because he is trustworthy, accessible and effective.

Contrast this with Goli Ameri who will further the Project for a New American Century which proposes wars in the Middle East to conquer Syria and Iran, is against a choice for women, and who will be a real Republican Team Player.

I urge the progressive community to go all out in supporting Rep. Wu.

Just cannot believe that Goli would stoop so low as to bring up something in Wu's life tht happened when he was in college. (almost 30 years ago) Yes it was bad... but come on Goli, I bet we can find pictures somewhere of you having a joint or two and maybe laying on your rich back..

My wife and I were undecided on how to vote for this candidate position. When it comes to the national election, its easy to feel out of the "Loop".Goli has made it a very personal one for us by her vicious attack. Further research on her reveals a real lack of true political experience. Seemingly a voice for the very rich (hence the elitist title). Is she a citizen? A permanent "resident" alien? What is her true status in our country? She has the tactics of a mad dog.Biting and Foaming at the mouth towards all who are around her. Yes; David did a wrong thing. Yes He was indiscrete, but when confronted admitted guilt. What has Goli admitted? She falls dangerously close to being lumped into class of people that I choose to call Rich Terrorrists. Money and A long list of those she is pre-disposed to hate and get revenge on would surely become her agenda.

Goli Ameri reaped what she sowed. Good job Dist.1 voters! Her true colors really showed when she refused to give the customary post election call to her opponent. Goli should crawl back in the hole she came from.

Many of us still clearly remember Nayirah, the 15-year-old Kuwaiti "refugee" who shocked the Congressional Human Rights Caucus in October, 1990, when she testified that she had watched infants taken from incubators in al-Adan Hospital in Kuwait City by Saddam Hussein's soldiers who "left the babies on the cold floor to die."

It turned out later that Nayirah was none other than Nayirah al-Sabah, the daughter of the Kuwaiti ambassador to the U.S., Saud Nasir al-Sabah living in Washington, and her story was proven to be complete fabrication. Nayirah's testimony, however, was able to move large audiences, including human rights organizations and helped convince many to go to war against Iraq.

Today, we are faced with a new face trying to convince the Americans to go to war, this time against Iran. Her name is Goli Yazdi Ameri, an Iranian-American businesswoman who lost the 2004 bid for Congress against Oregon Representative David Wu.

Despite her defeat, Ameri's pro-war rhetoric has greatly appealed to the neo-conservatives in the White House. In March of this year, for example, the Bush administration appointed her as one of the three public delegates to the meeting of the United Nations' Commission on human rights which took place that month in Geneva, Switzerland. On what basis Ameri would qualify as a representative to the Human Rights Commission is quite a mystery. However, it is the writer's opinion, that Goli Ameri is a useful tool that will be used time and again by the Bush administration in its dealings with Iran's Islamic Republic regime.

Just like Nayirah, nevertheless, Goli Ameri is a total fraud. She and her Republican backers have oftentimes lied and misrepresented her in public. For starters, here is how Goli describes her views on the war on the State's electoral website:

"I know why many Americans oppose war. No people in the world are more empathetic, kind, or generous than Americans. But we didn't choose war, the terrorists did. And if we fail to fight it where the terrorists live, our families will never know real safety again. I'll work to provide our men and women in the military the equipment and support they need - including a pay raise."* (emphasis from us)

Looking at hindsight, especially after the "Downing Street Memos", it is quite clear that the Bush administration had decided to go to war with Iraq long before they let it be known to the American public. By now we do know that the administration's story about Iraq's possession of "Weapons of Mass Destruction" was a boldface lie and Saddam Hussein's link to the 9/11 terrorists was another example of people like Bush and Goli Ameri deceiving the public.

Goli Ameri arrived in the United States in 1974 at the time when the Shah's regime was still in power. Yet, she has made the claim (e.g. interview with Oregon Public Radio broadcast on June 16) that she was a refugee from the Islamic Republic regime. Such a statement is quite fraudulent and certainly dishonest, especially in light of the fact the she admitted having gone back to Iran during the Islamic Republic regime - the second time to take part in a telecommunications conference.**

Goli Ameri claims that as a girl, growing up in Iran, she learned about extremism "in ways many politicians never will"***. Those of us, in the progressive movement who look down upon all forms of extremism (be it Islamic, Christian, Jewish, or other), condemn extremism wherever we run into it. In the Middle East, at least, the worst of extremist states are dictatorships allied with the United States. In Saudi Arabia, for example, not only do women have no rights to take part in any elections, they are not even allowed to drive. In the religious state of Israel, Palestinians are deprived of the right to own land in many areas, simply for not being Jewish. In Uzbekistan, torture of the opposition (at times, on behalf of the United States) is routine. In that respect, we challenge Goli Yazdi Ameri to break away with her Republican allies by publicly condemning the Saudi fundamentalist dictatorship as well as the apartheid state of Israel. Would she be honest enough to live up to her claims?

Au contraire, Goli tries to get in the way of any negotiations between the United States and the Iranian regime. "... the regime in Iran is the most offensive and unrepentant sponsor of terrorist activity in the entire Middle East," she claims.

" We must help the people of Iran to do what they desperately want to do: replace this evil regime and make Iran once again a respected and trustworthy member of the civilized world, " Goli states in her letter to former Secretary of State, Colin Powell.****

With a record such as hers, one would quickly reach the conclusion that Goli Yazdi Ameri is an opportunist, trying to advance her career at the expense of the people of Iran. Today, however, with the present US quagmire in Iraq, especially after the most recent revelations about the lies and intrigues of the Bush administration and the neo-conservatives in power, her actions constitute nothing but crimes which the rest of the members of this administration are also guilty of.

An self-proclaimed "anti-extremist" who is endorsed by conservatives extremists such as "the Free Republic" and the Bush administration? Certainly NOT! Rather than endorse her, the majority of the Iranian-American community will be out casting Goli Ameri.

Iranian-American Community (IACUS)
 http://members.aol.com/iaczine/

June 2005

-------------------------------- NOTES ---------------------------------------
* Goli Ameri's views on war
 link to www.sos.state.or.us

** Interview with Portlands Weekly Willamet Week Online
 http://www.wweek.com/story.php?story=4667&page=2).
"I went back for the first time about eight years ago because I wanted my kids to see where I had grown up. And then I went back again about four years ago to give a speech at a telecommunications conference, and that was another amazing experience because so many smart kids were so hungry for jobs and information and education. I don't know if you know or not, but there are now more female university graduates than there are male."

***  link to www.sos.state.or.us
" As a girl growing up in Iran, I learned about extremism in ways many politicians never will. "

 http://www.wweek.com/story.php?story=4667&page=2).
" I was born in a country in the Middle East. I have no romantic notions of what Islamic fundamentalism is all about. And I think I am uniquely qualified to speak as to how important it is that we continue this war on terrorism and that we remain in Iraq."

**** Goli Ameri's letter to Colin Powell
March 4, 2004

Secretary of State Colin Powell

U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20520

Dear Secretary Powell:

It was with great concern I read your recent remarks which seemed to indicate your intent to abandon America's long standing policy against negotiating with terrorists and reopen talks with the government of Iran. From first-hand experience and historical precedence, I can assure you that any such dialogue with the ruling clerics will only lead to more deceit and reinforce their belief that they can pursue their radical agenda without consequences.

One need only look at the sham elections just held in Iran to understand the ruling regime has no interest in playing fair. Over 2,400 candidates for various elective offices were barred from access to the ballot. Other candidates actually served jail time on Election Day. Simply put, we cannot trust the governing clerical regime in Iran.

Worse, the regime in Iran is the most offensive and unrepentant sponsor of terrorist activity in the entire Middle East. The autocratic clerics stand squarely against nearly every value we Americans prize: individual freedom, personal dignity, equal rights and civil decency.

Please, Secretary Powell, do not negotiate with these tyrants. In a world too often scarred by terror, any dialogue that legitimizes this clerical regime jeopardizes the lives of innocents around the globe.

We must help the people of Iran to do what they desperately want to do: replace this evil regime and make Iran once again a respected and trustworthy member of the civilized world.

Sincerely,

Goli Ameri

Even after after Goli Ameri's sound defeat at the hands of David Wu, this posting received a comment from progressive Iranian-Americans who no doubt had noted a post-electoral consolation prize for Ameri from the Bush Adminisration for its most famous war-whore on the West coast. Last spring Goli Ameri was appointed as one of 3 public delegates to the UN Human Rights Commission meeting in Geneva. Then this fall she was appointed as a Senior Adviser to the US delegation to the 60th session of the United Nations General Assembly. Although her appointment requires Senate approval, she was sworn in by John Bolton (who famously is also serving without Senate approval) to immediately begin her newest prostituted position for the Bush Administration.

On another significant, and especially for American Muslims it is noteworthy that the Iranian-born Goli Ameri was sworn-in by Bolton while her husband held the Bible, NOT the Koran (see www.un.int/usa/ga60-ameri%20bio.htm for a photograph of her swearing).

Few will recall a little-promoted but lengthy interview Ameri gave to the New York Sun (May 18th edition) in which she effectively noted that she does not identify with her religion of birth -- but she never outright said that she converted from Islam to another religion. Now the whole world knows that she is so far removed from her roots and therfore another USEFUL IDIOT for the Bush Administration.