Saudi Science Secrets?
Announcements Friday, September 19, 2003 . This is a SciScoop post by Ricky James
Nah, go out and buy a copy of this month’s Vanity Fair with George Clooney on the cover to see why. (If nothing else, it’s got great articles about anthrax and the Concorde.) America only worries about nukes in the hands of Arab and Persian countries whose name begins with I, not Jewish ones or Hindu ones. What a tangled web we weave, when first….
Options
Previously: « Seaweed is Red, Violets Are Blue
- Next:Dances With Extinction »
Comment Form
About
SciScoop Science News is a forum for news, views and controversial conjectures. Please contact us if would like to submit a guest post.
SciScoop Top Authors
- Total posts: 3177
- David Bradley (416)
- Bunyip (35)
- Chad (85)
- Drog (407)
- DV8 2XL (25)
- Wayne Goode (69)
- Gpmap (27)
- Ricky James (1367)
- Mertero (22)
- Mtigges (34)
- AP Smith (171)
- Sweetwind (64)
8 Responses to Saudi Science Secrets?
Anonymous
September 19th, 2003 at 1:59 pm
I was not aware that Iran was an Arab country. Fifty million Iranians are also, I believe, unaware of the fact. I think they are going to be dismayed to find out, this late in the day (after thousands of years of Persian culture), that they are in fact Arabs.
“Why were we lied to all this time?” they will ask. “We were always told we were a Indoeuropean people, an ancient culture into whose land the Arabs came to conquer and be civilised” they will protest.
Poor Iranians. Oh well! The truth is bitter, but it must be told. We’re lucky to have competent journalists who know what they’re talking about, and are not afraid to speak up.
Anonymous
September 19th, 2003 at 4:07 pm
The confusion between racism and religionism is blurring with every day and those who can see clearly through it should try to bring the difference into focus. It’s important for understanding issues and agendas properly.
rickyjames
September 19th, 2003 at 7:28 pm
You are of course correct. Culturally, Iranians are not Arabs like the Iraqis but are instead Persians. Religiously, both groups have strong ties to Islam. A starting point to learn more is here, where I begin my penitence. I don’t claim to be a competent journalist that always knows what he’s talking about, only an opinionated individual that is not afraid to speak up and admit it when I am wrong. Sorry.
Anonymous
September 20th, 2003 at 3:19 am
Unfortunately the way the western press deals with all matters pertaining to the Middle East makes it very difficult for the average individual, who doesn’t have a personal interest in the region or it’s issues, to have a clear idea of anything there. The confusion arab-muslim, for example, is specially galling, and specially common. As is the confusion arab-iranian.
I apologise for the tone of my first comment. It’s a sensitive point for me, I am far too used to seeing uninformed drivel in the press.
Anyone can make a mistake, but not everyone has the honesty to admit it and learn. Hats off to you, mate.
Alan Von Fan
September 20th, 2003 at 3:24 am
to admit to having erred, commendable.
rickyjames
September 20th, 2003 at 4:22 am
I actually thought the tone of your initial comment was rather witty. There is in my opinion far too little wit in the world, and it’s always nice to see more. And believe me, the only thing I want out of Sciscoop more than me posting words that OTHERS learn something from is for others to post words that teach ME something. Yours did. Thanks.
Moondancer
September 23rd, 2003 at 1:19 am
…but the mistake was clearly that of an Anonymous Poster. Ricky’s link specifically said, “… Arab and Persian countries whose name begins with I…” which would include Iran. And while we’re on the subject, I was under the impression that Ricky is a hobbyist who maintains this site mostly because he loves Sci-Fi and Sci-Fact (and to have his own Soapbox, of course). Take a deep breath, check your facts and have some confidence in what you have to say. If you don’t, why would anyone else?
rickyjames
September 23rd, 2003 at 3:14 am
The original link didn’t have the word “Persian” in it. I edited it after the fact, 1984- Ministry-of-Truth style. Yet another example of “don’t trust everything you see” in the media – even SciScoop.