[dgun]

In Disney's Aladdin, the Arab characters want to slit throats.

And to think that the Disney corp completely made up that story on their own. *cough*

Were the good guys in that story Arabs?

[QatzelOk]

Were the good guys in that story Arabs?

Robin Williams was the magician, and he's uber American.

The good guys in Aladdin are the products, and consumerism in general, which are represented by flying carpets and the magic lantern.

In some versions of the story, Aladdin is Chinese.

It's pure Orientalism. Disney even got sued for the theme song.

[dgun]

Robin Williams was the magician, and he's uber American.

He was a blue genie.


And I would guess perfectly aligned with you in terms of politics.

[QatzelOk]

And I would guess perfectly aligned with you in terms of politics

I don't read People, so I don't really know what Robin Williams politics are.

I would imagine he supports whatever his handlers tell him is most strategic. Perhaps it is his handlers who are aligning him with me.

Whereas, these Iranian cyclists are authentic. That's why I prefer Iranian cyclist politics over scripted Hollywood celeb politics.

[dgun]

I would imagine he supports whatever his handlers tell him is most strategic. Perhaps it is his handlers who are aligning him with me.

Or maybe he reflects the predominate views of those he associates with, the Hollywood folks. As often as you decry Hollywood, most Hollywood elitists support a world view similar to your own.

Iranian cyclist

I have no idea what you're talking about. This thread is about Arabian folk tales and the actor Robin Williams.

[QatzelOk]

most Hollywood elitists support a world view similar to your own.

Most Hollywood celebs have managers who they depend on to find roles. And these managers tell them a lot more than how much vaseline to put on their capped teeth (which are also manufactured).

Iranian cyclists have only their paniers and skinny rubber tires to carry them.

[dgun]

And these managers tell them a lot more than how much vaseline to put on their capped teeth (which are also manufactured).

But who sets the overall vegetarian, gay, whale saving Hollywood agenda?

*realizes something*

Oh...my...God!

Somehow it all comes full circle.

[QatzelOk]

**epilogue**

So while Hollywood celebs bark out the platitudes that their writers and managers feed them (they're actors!), Iranian cyclists peddle their feet off trying to spread an authentic, from-the-heart message of peace on earth.

It is a stunningly beautiful message that can make anyone find the magic in their heart, an incredible tribute to the redemptive powers of the human soul that lifts you up, and keeps you there for the entire thrill ride.

Two bike-gloved peace-loving thumbs up!

[AmericanPatriot]

Qatz I'm pretty sure everything is a conspiracy to you. Can you not just see stuff at face value?

[Far-Right Sage]

Why is this surprising to anyone?

Iran is a country in which the government is somewhat militaristic(and might I add, unrealistic) in its ambitions, but a sizeable amount of the people do not wish to see conflict between their nation and the United States or the United Kingdom, because it can only spell domestic death and a loss of Iranian influence abroad.

[QatzelOk]

Qatz I'm pretty sure everything is a conspiracy to you.

I guess I would be less paranoid if every second thread wasn't about some horrible thing happening ...in Iran ...involving Iranians... with the support of Iran.

This kind of monolithic view of a particular nation is a type of propaganda that isn't very helpful to the human condition.

On the other hand, here you have two Iranian non-celebs biking for peace. Don't forget that there are more of these types of Iranians than there are Mullahs holding flamethrowers.

[Nets]

On the other hand, here you have two Iranian non-celebs biking for peace. Don't forget that there are more of these types of Iranians than there are Mullahs holding flamethrowers.

Very very true, Qatz. It appears to be the case in the texts that I read that the average Iranian is a very level-headed, progressive sort. Persia has traditionally been a pretty tolerant place.

But the issue is not the make-up of the Iranian people, it is the makeup of the higher levels of the Iranian government, for which the

Mullahs holding flamethrowers

are the certain majority.

[Grunch]

Do Iranian cyclists have the rear brake lever on the left hand side of the handlebars or the right?

I have the front brake lever on the right. It's more intuitive for me.

[Thompson_NCL]

Besides, I don't see this. Iranians speaking out against violence and terror is like Scots speaking out against obesity.

The irony! You realise that the USA is listed as the 9th most obese nation on the planet, and the UK comes in at 28th. And of course, you also have the CIA, Iraq War and so forth.