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First they came for the Iranians

scottaaronson.com

131–140 of 460 posts

Re: First they came for the Iranians

#131

I am an Iranian CS student. I had a fully funded PhD admission at one of the US universities. I was admitted for the Fall 2016 semester. I am currently in Iran due to my visa not being issued despite the 7 months I have waited for it. I was able to defer my admission to Spring 2017 semester, but then _this_ happened. I am quite sure that I will never be able to attend this program. I had very high hopes for my future…

I'm sorry to hear about that, and as unfair as it is, if it's your dream, there are other options worth exploring. If you can get a PhD position at almost any EU university, it is always fully funded (and in fact paid). Many countries (the Netherlands as an example) have almost all CS PhD programs in English, so language wouldn't even be an issue - and there are plenty of Iranian students who are welcomed here.

Re: First they came for the Iranians

#132
post #41
post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Can't mess with the Saudis. But we sure can ban the people they are bombing to hell, you know the Yemenis with British made bombs no less. And ban all the other people whose countries we helped destroy, you know just to add insult to injury. Really the best way to make people think we the vanguards of freedom. I am sure though Trump has some business dealing with the Saudis, I think there is a Trump hotel in Dubai. h…

The US gets only 8.1% of its oil from Saudi Arabia now, and that's dropping each year. The US is at last in a position to tell Saudi Arabia where to get off.

Isn't it true, that the second US tells Saudi Arabia where they can stick their oil, they will become best friends with Russia? And isn't this the reason why US tries to keep good relations with them,despite the whole country being a cancer of humanity?

Re: First they came for the Iranians

#133

I am an Iranian CS student. I had a fully funded PhD admission at one of the US universities. I was admitted for the Fall 2016 semester. I am currently in Iran due to my visa not being issued despite the 7 months I have waited for it. I was able to defer my admission to Spring 2017 semester, but then _this_ happened. I am quite sure that I will never be able to attend this program. I had very high hopes for my future…

I can't say much more than I'm sorry. Remember: Donald Trump does not represent the will of the American people. He won the electoral college, but around 2.8 million more people voted for Clinton than voted for him. He does not represent our values, our morals, or our view of where the country should be going. He represents those straight white males who don't want to adapt to the future, who don't want to give up th…

Trump very clearly represents the will of an immense number of people and may represent the will of the majority of Americans in fact. For both Clinton and Trump that representation is far beyond those that actually voted. Clinton's camp will be the first to tell you that supposedly a lot of her supporters didn't vote in the election.

You say Trump represents straight white males (you imply that's all he represents). Trump won the vote of 53% of white women.

Trump won the popular vote in 30 of the 50 states. The popular vote in just two states - NY & CA, neither of which Trump could have ever competed in - determined that popular vote gap.

The facts don't support your premise at all.

Re: First they came for the Iranians

#134

My father successfully brought over two of our relatives from Iran during the Obama presidency (thanks Obama). They were a doctor and a professional soccer player. However, the other application for his older sister and my mother's brother has been processing for nearly 20 years. She's nearing her 70s. And my mother's brother has all but lost hope. Looks like it's not going to ever happen under Mr. Trump. Oh well. I…

That penultimate paragraph. Jesus Christ.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Escalation_of_commitment

Re: First they came for the Iranians

#135
It's amazing that some nations are deemed terrorist by American government, which itself is responsible for the deaths of most innocent civilians over the last century. Starting with dropping the atomic bomb in Hiroshima, funding Mujhadeen on Afghanistan, installing Shah in Iran, toppling Saddam Hussein, Indirectly funding terrorism in Kashmir, and all the mess in South America. What's the best guess ? 10 million innocent civilians killed ?

Re: First they came for the Iranians

#136

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Where did that come from? Who's a threat? If there really was a threat it would be reasonable for you to want less immigrants. But there isn't, that's straight up racism. You might as well say you don't want a jew stealing your baby.

Who decides for me what's a threat and what is not? Isn't there the same sort of people who during Communism decided whether I need any sausage or can go without?

You never defined a threat

Re: First they came for the Iranians

#137

I am an Iranian CS student. I had a fully funded PhD admission at one of the US universities. I was admitted for the Fall 2016 semester. I am currently in Iran due to my visa not being issued despite the 7 months I have waited for it. I was able to defer my admission to Spring 2017 semester, but then _this_ happened. I am quite sure that I will never be able to attend this program. I had very high hopes for my future…

On behalf of my fellow Americans, please allow me to offer you our deepest apology. Please know that most of our country doesn't hate or fear you. We will continue to do everything we can to fight this policy and others like it.

of course you don't, political elite never represents common folks out there (that includes supposedly evil places like North Korea, Iran, Iraq etc.). americans are, by my personal experience great people.

america's loss, some other place gain (judging from OP description, he won't have big troubles getting someplace else).

to OP - don't worry, seeing where US us steadily going after 9/11, without any attempt to even slow down, there are much better places to live, if you value things like true freedom. as somebody coming from Iran, I would presume so...

Re: First they came for the Iranians

#138

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Trump's base right now are people who have never met an Iranian, and would probably be quite happy to see your coworkers sent to Guantanamo. Trump's policies will stand because his base stands by them, and because the GOP rank-and-file fear Trump, and his people in the midterm elections. If you want to do something, use your political awakening to help change some minds. At both the top and bottom of the power chain,…

I think that's a naive view of Trump "supporters". For instance, it seems like Iranian-Americans were split on Clinton v. Trump [0][1]. I've also talked to quite a few people who voted for Trump but do not agree with his stance on borders or immigration. Finally, depicting all the people who voted for Trump as ignorant rednecks is probably not conductive to dialogue. [0] http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/el…

I really truly do not care at all about the sensitivities of Trump supporters at this point.

Re: First they came for the Iranians

#139

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Are you seriously equivocating the US Military which has specific RoEs and people who deliberately target civilians as a means to achieve their goals? That argument does not pass the smell test. Iran has been sponsoring and supplying if not actively participating in terrorist attacks going back decades. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iran_and_state-sponsored_terro... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quds_Force#Activities…

I am not saying Iran is not involved, I am just saying US is doing the same thing. Keep in mind, Iran is not doing the bombing herself, it supports groups that are doing the attacks. US is supporting groups and governments that killd lots of people. How they are different?

You specifically called out the US Military in this case and now you're applying your comments to the entire US. Which one are you actually criticizing?

Broadly speaking the US does some shady shit no doubt. Last I checked though we don't train people to walk into markets and blow themselves up. Arguing that because the US has blood on its hands, that makes it morally equivalent to people who actively support people who use non combatants as human shields and so on is some real weak tea.

Re: First they came for the Iranians

#140
post #111
post #54

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Saudi is a big buyer of US weapons. Considering how hard Trump tries to please and borrow influence from military, I doubt he is going to do anything about it. Race and religion matters, if you are not in the league, you better make sure you have power or money, or something to offer. At least to me, that is what Trump believes.

Why would the US military care about selling weapons? They are made by private companies.

The US military can sometimes get their weapons cheaper, if there are a lot of foreign buyers to share the cost in various ways.

If Lockheed is successful and able to fund itself well, fund new weapons programs, the military is happier for obvious reasons. Not to mention the crossover between the public and private spheres when it comes to careers.

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