Slashdot Mirror


Iran Tries To Pacify Protesters With Lord of The Rings Marathon

Iranian state television's Channel Two is playing a Lord of the Rings marathon in an attempt to keep people inside watching hobbits and not protesting in the streets. Normally, people in Tehran are treated to one or two Hollywood movies a week, but with recent events the government hopes that sitting through a nine-hour trilogy will take the fight out of most of the protesters. Perhaps this was not the best choice in films if you want your people not to believe that "even the smallest person can change the course of the future."

419 comments

  1. Drivel by oneirophrenos · · Score: 5, Funny

    Bah, I didn't like those movies at all. If I was in Iran, I'd probably be so pissed off that they're showing me such garbage that I'd take to the streets and wreck at least a couple of cars.

    1. Re:Drivel by lawnboy5-O · · Score: 0

      Gandalf?

    2. Re:Drivel by conspirator57 · · Score: 4, Interesting

      LoTR is allowed in Iran? I thought it was too secular, or blasphemous, or something.

      --
      "If still these truths be held to be
      Self evident."
      -Edna St. Vincent Millay
    3. Re:Drivel by rkoot · · Score: 1

      I completely agree. My general state during the movies was "Die Hobbits Die!!!" which they regrettably failed to do which ruined the movies for me. Wrecking some cars or throwing some bricks at cops seemed like a proper emotional response after 9 hours of torture.
      they should have used pr0n....

    4. Re:Drivel by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Yes - what the heck do you want Dodo..,or Frodo or whatever your bloody name is you fresh-faced little twerp?

    5. Re:Drivel by thebheffect · · Score: 1

      That's what I like. No-skin-all-burka pr0n.

    6. Re:Drivel by Loadmaster · · Score: 3, Funny

      If this movie doesn't work they'll have to give them the newest Hollywood movie: Bruno. That should fly well over there.

    7. Re:Drivel by ShakaUVM · · Score: 1

      My general state during the movies was "Die Hobbits Die!!!" which they regrettably failed to do which ruined the movies for me.

      Yeah. My wife kept yelling, "Go Orcs!" during the premieres.

      Damn, I love her sometimes.

    8. Re:Drivel by OnlineAlias · · Score: 2, Funny

      Iranian 1: "DEATH TO AMERICA!"
      Iranian 2: "Hey, they make the movies on Channel 2."
      Iranian 1:"Oh, wait..."

    9. Re:Drivel by Chris+Mattern · · Score: 1

      I thought it was too secular

      Of the many words that could be used to describe Lord of the Rings, "secular" really isn't one of them.

    10. Re:Drivel by GameMaster · · Score: 1

      No-one ever said that it was translated faithfully. Or, perhaps, it was translated to be full of "faith"...

      --

      Rules of Conduct:
      #1 - The DM is always right.
      #2 - If the DM is wrong, see rule #1
    11. Re:Drivel by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

      Only sometimes? May I suggest a marriage counselor?

    12. Re:Drivel by StickansT · · Score: 1

      "I'd take to the streets and wreck at least a couple of cars."

      I'd do the same but in enjoyment that there showing LOTR on TV. Even though I have the extended editions sitting in my DVD rack.

    13. Re:Drivel by osu-neko · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Most Iranians love Americans, love Hollywood, etc. They just hate our government.

      In that respect, they're a lot like most Americans...

      --
      "Convictions are more dangerous enemies of truth than lies."
    14. Re:Drivel by conspirator57 · · Score: 4, Informative

      with relation to Islam, yes it is.

      Also, i recall an interview with Peter Jackson in which he described reconciling his worldview with Tolkien's in the context of remaining faithful to the artistic vision of LoTR. He (in my view) misapplied a Tolkien quote dismissing allegory by claiming that LoTR couldn't have Christian or theist themes buried in it. My guess is that if Tolkien considered it (which is likely given his rigor elsewhere) he may have perceived God as a universal entity and had no reason not to include theism in his fantasy. I also find it hard to believe that Tolkien hated allegory all that much given his life long friendship with Lewis, an admitted writer of allegory. One might say that allegory was the majority of Lewis' work. Yet I've not seen any criticism of Lewis' allegory in their correspondence.

      --
      "If still these truths be held to be
      Self evident."
      -Edna St. Vincent Millay
    15. Re:Drivel by Stargoat · · Score: 2, Informative
      --
      Hoist Number One and Number Six.
    16. Re:Drivel by eggnet · · Score: 5, Insightful

      I think the Iranians hate their own government more than the US government, by a lot.

    17. Re:Drivel by Marxist+Hacker+42 · · Score: 2, Insightful

      It's not secular- it's overtly Catholic. So you KNOW things are getting bad when the Mullahs would rather people watch 9 hours of myths inspired by Catholic theology than protest in the streets.

      --
      SJW: a person who perceives an injustice, and while correcting it, commits a greater injustice.
    18. Re:Drivel by Knara · · Score: 1

      Yeah but that doesn't mean he wrote LotR or created the world with the intent to make it a Christian allegory (as opposed to C.S. Lewis).

      Arda may in fact be created and encompassed by a single deity, but the rest of the theistic structure doesn't really match.

    19. Re:Drivel by Tolkien · · Score: 4, Funny

      Naw, I'm agnostic. :)

    20. Re:Drivel by Joce640k · · Score: 1

      Ummm.. I think this one was made in New Zealand.

      --
      No sig today...
    21. Re:Drivel by conspirator57 · · Score: 1

      i'm sorry, you're applying argumentum ad logicam inappropriately. the correct response is to appeal to emotion like the GP.

      --
      "If still these truths be held to be
      Self evident."
      -Edna St. Vincent Millay
    22. Re:Drivel by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Bah, I didn't like those movies at all. If I was in Iran, I'd probably be so pissed off that they're showing me such garbage that I'd take to the streets and wreck at least a couple of cars.

      Well, you'd need to be awake first. These movies have all produced an amazing tranquilizing effect. I was usually asleep after about 20 minutes.

    23. Re:Drivel by conspirator57 · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Whether and/or the degree to which Tolkien used allegory is a fairly contested subject. Thus the reason i included both secular and blasphemous as possible adjectives. But even if you were right, that would fall under the heading blasphemy from an Islamic perspective.

      --
      "If still these truths be held to be
      Self evident."
      -Edna St. Vincent Millay
    24. Re:Drivel by conspirator57 · · Score: 1

      but the people selecting the movie are, aren't they? which is what surprised me.

      --
      "If still these truths be held to be
      Self evident."
      -Edna St. Vincent Millay
    25. Re:Drivel by jeffasselin · · Score: 1

      Arda, his created world (of which Middle-Earth and the events of Lord of the Rings are but a part), was not built as an allegory of christianity, but Tolkien was directed in his efforts by his catholic beliefs, and it was part of his intention to make his world one compatible with Catholic theology, and infused by his christian ideals.

      --
      If he explores all forms and substances Straight homeward to their symbol-essences; He shall not die.
    26. Re:Drivel by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0


      Like 'em or not, bread and circuses has been proven to calm the masses over the centuries.

    27. Re:Drivel by monsterinlaw · · Score: 5, Interesting

      Most Iranians love Americans, love Hollywood, etc. They just hate our government.

      In that respect, they're a lot like most Americans...

      Well, I am an Iranian and I'd say using the word "love" carries a bit of exaggeration. I think Americans are as cool and any other nationalities including Israelite. Actually, my best friends where I live are Americans, not because I love them but because we have common concerns. Also "hate" is exaggeration. I personally see Obama's administration a legitimate thing and his policies seem much wiser than Bush's. And AFAIK most educated Iranians agree with me on those things. In fact as someone else has put, I mostly hate my own governors than those of any other country.

    28. Re:Drivel by calmofthestorm · · Score: 2, Interesting

      I think most Americans hate the Iranian government more than theirs, by a lot. I know I do.

      --
      93rd rule of Slashdot: No matter how obvious my sarcasm is, my comment will be taken seriously by someone.
    29. Re:Drivel by Tybalt_Capulet · · Score: 1

      "For the Shire! Wait, no, FOR FREEDOM!"

      --
      Has the old saint in his forest not yet heard of it? That God is dead?
    30. Re:Drivel by Tybalt_Capulet · · Score: 1

      I think they hate our coorperations more than anything, they believe that we're trying to ruin their culture or some thing.

      Plus all countries hate American tourists, can you blame them?

      "Do you speak English? Do you accept the dollar? No? WTF! THIS PLACE SUCKS !!!1!1!!0!3"

      --
      Has the old saint in his forest not yet heard of it? That God is dead?
    31. Re:Drivel by zig007 · · Score: 1

      I think governments hate their own citizens more than Iranians hate the US government, by a lot.
      The opposite would apply as well.

      --
      Baboons are cute.
    32. Re:Drivel by Schemat1c · · Score: 1

      I think most Americans hate the Iranian government more than theirs, by a lot. I know I do.

      Well, considering it was my government (American) that put into motion the events that caused this other government (Iranian) to occur, I'm not sure which one to hate the most.

      --

      "Nobody knows the age of the human race, but everybody agrees that it is old enough to know better." - Unknown
    33. Re:Drivel by rhennigan · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Except many Iranians hold the US responsible, at least in part, for their many government problems they currently experience.

    34. Re:Drivel by Farhood · · Score: 1

      I just got off the phone with my grandparents in Iran....I asked if they were watching LoTR....they said no: Comcast was down. :-(

    35. Re:Drivel by H0p313ss · · Score: 1

      I think the Iranians hate their own government more than the US government, by a lot.

      That is certainly true of all the Iranians I know personally... (However none of them actually lives in Iran and one of them actually fled the country)

      --
      XML is a known as a key material required to create SMD: Software of Mass Destruction
    36. Re:Drivel by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      People will just riot harder when they realize Tom Bombadil's scene was cut so that 15 minutes of additional homoerotic hobbit frolicking could be tacked to the end.

    37. Re:Drivel by MaskedSlacker · · Score: 1

      My life for Aiur...er...I mean Nerzhul...

    38. Re:Drivel by Talthybius · · Score: 1

      Iranian 3: DEATH TO AMERICA, but New Zealand is okay!

    39. Re:Drivel by shutdown+-p+now · · Score: 1

      I mostly hate my own governors than those of any other country.

      Do your opinions represent that of the average Iranian, though? Or are you in a minority?

      I always wonder about that stuff when I see those huge pro-Ahmadinejad demonstrations with people chanting "Death to America" etc. Of course, it may well be organized from above (as similar stuff in my own country usually is), but then again maybe not. It's hard to tell. What would be your take on it?

    40. Re:Drivel by ScrewMaster · · Score: 1

      Except many Iranians hold the US responsible, at least in part, for their many government problems they currently experience.

      The question is, do they blame the average American citizen, or do they blame an errant Administration? I don't believe that all Iranians are evil, I certainly don't hate them ... but I really don't like their government. Hopefully they can make the same distinction.

      --
      The higher the technology, the sharper that two-edged sword.
    41. Re:Drivel by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Yes don't let the fact that the UK had a lot more to do with it than the US. Nor let the fact that the US involvement didn't exist in a vacuum, the USSR and other Middle Eastern and European politics had nothing to do with the current Iran at all. Nah it was all the small amount of involvement the US had, yeah that has to be it.

      Was the US partially responsible, yes. However for these morons like the poster above; that act as though if the US had just not had any involvement everything would be unicorns and rainbows in Iran. I have to question your intellectual honesty in evaluating the historical events.

    42. Re:Drivel by CarpetShark · · Score: 1

      Where did you get "Death to america" from? Iranian citizens are rising up about their OWN GOVERNMENT, not America. If America has anything to do with it, it'll be that western governments are trying to encourage the uprising.

    43. Re:Drivel by CarpetShark · · Score: 1

      he may have perceived God as a universal entity and had no reason not to include theism in his fantasy.

      So gray wizards performing an ultimate act of sacrifice by fighting a demon, and coming back as a pure white wizard is not theology?

      I haven't read the book, but if that's in it, and given the overall theme of innocent/pure creatures doing their best to overcome evil forces, I think it's clearly theological. Especially given documentary I saw which said that Tolkien was a preacher's son, and wrote in the context of Nazi germany's spread across europe, his perception of it as an evil force, etc.

    44. Re:Drivel by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      One can be good friends with people one disagrees with, and it is possible that tactful friends will not criticize each other's preferences in their professional lives. I don't like Audis, but I don't make fun of my friends who only buy them, despite my strong feeling that they lack any kind of worthwhile driver's experience in comparison to other, better cars, but to each his own.

    45. Re:Drivel by MillionthMonkey · · Score: 2, Insightful

      However for these morons like the poster above; that act as though if the US had just not had any involvement everything would be unicorns and rainbows in Iran.

      That's your own straw man. He implied that U.S. involvement prevented unicorns and rainbows in Iran, but not that the unicorns and rainbows would necessarily show up if the U.S. were not involved.

    46. Re:Drivel by adavies42 · · Score: 1

      Yet I've not seen any criticism of Lewis' allegory in their correspondence.

      you haven't been reading the right sources. try this search and read the first few links.

      that said, anyone who's read the silmarillion and missed the obvious paradise lost influence in the ainulindale is a moron. moreover, the whole world is massively influenced by the medieval "everything was perfect, then there was the Fall, now it's all going to pieces" worldview. (concisely expressed in the phrase "arda marred", as seen in, iirc, the last few sentences of the silmarillion.)

      --
      Media that can be recorded and distributed can be recorded and distributed.
      -kfg
    47. Re:Drivel by amirulbahr · · Score: 1

      Shows your prejudice. Not your fault I guess. The many years of brainwashing by Hollywood and the news media are to blame. Before making these sorts of highly inflammatory remarks, perhaps it is worth doing a little bit of your own research first.

      This video might help you understand why you think the way you do, even though Iranians are not actually Arabs, but I guess that distinction would be lost on you anyway.

      FWIW, it is plausible that the elections were not rigged. Also, rigged or not, it is most probable that Ahmadinijad would have won anyway.

    48. Re:Drivel by magarity · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Except many Iranians hold the US responsible, at least in part, for their many government problems they currently experience
       
      Iranians blam the USA for their own government? Let's make sure we have the sequence of events in order:
       
      1: The Carter administration urges the Shah's government to NOT crack down on the fundamentalist uprising.
      2: Fundamentalists overthrow the Shah without much opposition because the USA did NOT intervene.
      3: Fast forward several decades to: Fundamentalist rule, many times harsher than the mildly harsh Shah, has not only wrecked their economy but also removed pretty much all of even what few rights they had under the previous system.
      4: Iranians protest and complain when the USA invades a neighboring ultra-harsh dictatorship and attempts to set up a parlimentary government.
      5: Iranians hold responsible, and are mad at, the USA for the fundamentalist rule in Iran?
      6: WTF did they really want the USA to do at what point? (There ain't no profit step)
       
      Are they mad at having to wait so long for their turn at liberation? Why wasn't there a counter-revolution back in the 70's before the fundamentalists became so entrenched? Are they mad the Carter adminsitration didn't urge the Shah to violently crack down on the revolution? Wouldn't that be a catch-22: The USA would be the bad guy for beating up on religious freedoms or somesuch. There's just no way to win sometimes.

    49. Re:Drivel by initialE · · Score: 1

      Iranian 1: "DEATH TO AMERICA!"
      Iranian 2: "Hey, they make the movies on Channel 2."

      ...

      Iranian 2: "DEATH TO AMERICA!"

      --
      Starbucks, Harbuckle of Breath.
    50. Re:Drivel by Trepidity · · Score: 1

      The part most vociferously objected to isn't the US's role in 1979, but in 1953. Many Iranians think that if the Shah hadn't been installed in the US-backed coup in 1953, Iran would've developed into a modern, secular state, rather than enduring 26 years of repressive rule that set the stage for a revolution.

    51. Re:Drivel by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

      Excuse me, sir, but I believe you missed the most important event on your list.

      0. The Eisenhower administration ordered the CIA to overthrow the democratically-elected government of the Iran through terrorist acts. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_ajax

      I sincerely believe that Iran would still be a constitutional monarchy if the US didn't bereft democracy from the Iranian people back then.

    52. Re:Drivel by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      A slight majority, at most. Certainly not enough for a generalization.

    53. Re:Drivel by SlothDead · · Score: 1, Informative

      You should watch the movie "Persepolis", it gives you a good overview of Iran (And it's also a cartoon and highly entertaining!)

    54. Re:Drivel by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Except many Iranians hold the US responsible, at least in part, for their many government problems they currently experience Iranians blam the USA for their own government? Let's make sure we have the sequence of events in order:

      0: In response to democratically elected Prime Minister Dr. Mohammed Mossadegh nationalising Iran's oil reserves, President Eisenhower initiates Operation Ajax, overthrows the democratically elected government of Iran and installs Mohammad Reza Pahlavi as Shah. The Shah turns out to be a brutal thug.

      1: The Carter administration urges the Shah's government to NOT crack down on the fundamentalist uprising.

      In late 1977, the Carter adminisration did make some endeavor to improve Iran's human rights record, including the right to free assembly. This was, however, a far cry from actually fixing the mess that the US had made in the first place. In spite of this, several student demonstrators were still killed.

      2: Fundamentalists overthrow the Shah without much opposition because the USA did NOT intervene.

      One of many possible explanations as to why the US did not intervene militarily (the USA did give the Shah political support until November 2008), is that the USA thought the revolution to be unstoppable. &nbsp Either way, I hardly think this is something you can boast about.

      3: Fast forward several decades to: Fundamentalist rule, many times harsher than the mildly harsh Shah, has not only wrecked their economy but also removed pretty much all of even what few rights they had under the previous system. 4: Iranians protest and complain when the USA invades a neighboring ultra-harsh dictatorship and attempts to set up a parlimentary government.

      Hmm, look how well that turned out for you. Maybe the Iranians knew something the USA didn't?

      5: Iranians hold responsible, and are mad at, the USA for the fundamentalist rule in Iran? 6: WTF did they really want the USA to do at what point? (There ain't no profit step)

      It may be that Iranians are mad at the USA for overthrowing their democratically elected prime minister back int he 1950's, which started this whole chain of events? Of course you made no mention of this important event in your summary of the facts...

      Are they mad at having to wait so long for their turn at liberation? Why wasn't there a counter-revolution back in the 70's before the fundamentalists became so entrenched? Are they mad the Carter adminsitration didn't urge the Shah to violently crack down on the revolution? Wouldn't that be a catch-22: The USA would be the bad guy for beating up on religious freedoms or somesuch. There's just no way to win sometimes.

      Don't meddle in the first place.

    55. Re:Drivel by Eivind · · Score: 1

      USA is a democracy. It makes sense, to some degree, to blame the American people for letting someone like Bush come to power, and to make them, to some degree, responsible for the foreign policies of same.

    56. Re:Drivel by oliderid · · Score: 1

      Yes...Clearly, you notice too that during the last episode, the troops joining Mordor for the last fight have distinct traits and costumes inspired by middle east culture. I would pay a fortune to see their Mullah face once they will heard the famous

      "Hold your ground, hold your ground! Sons of Gondor, of Rohan, my brothers! I see in your eyes the same fear that would take the heart of me. A day may come when the courage of men fails, when we forsake our friends and break all bonds of fellowship, but it is not this day. An hour of woes and shattered shields, when the age of men comes crashing down! But it is not this day! This day we fight! By all that you hold dear on this good Earth, I bid you *stand, Men of the West!"

      Well this is clearly the kind of speech you need to keep fighting, isn't it.

      The scene: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GgSdiX0kDI

      There are revolution which have been launched because of an Opera performance (Belgium 1830 -> The Mute Girl of Portici). Poor choice indeed.

    57. Re:Drivel by PMBjornerud · · Score: 1

      Do your opinions represent that of the average Iranian, though? Or are you in a minority?

      Dude, read his post:

      And AFAIK most educated Iranians agree with me on those things.

      --
      I lost my sig.
    58. Re:Drivel by RoboJ1M · · Score: 1

      I think the Iranians hate who they are told to hate.

    59. Re:Drivel by lawnboy5-O · · Score: 1

      read the book - maybe it will instill some creativity and imagination... start with Baum, move to CS lewis, then go to Tolken.

    60. Re:Drivel by fugue · · Score: 1
      Yes! Throw them into Orodruin!

      Seriously, I'd like to open a discussion on the similarities between cars and the One Ring. Or will nobody except bike commuters even understand what I'm talking about?

      --
      "The biggest problem with communication is the illusion that it has taken place."
    61. Re:Drivel by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You are correct. Tolkien never denied that the narrative was metaphorical. He only rebuked assertions that Lord of the Rings was allegorical. Especially so when people said that Sauron was Hitler and The One Ring was the atomic bomb, etc. The narrative and its characters were certainly influenced by Tolkien's religion, experiences in WWI, and by seeing the countryside he enjoyed as a boy being developed into urban centers of housing and industrial centers

    62. Re:Drivel by conspirator57 · · Score: 1

      from the top result from your search:

      It is true that Tolkien had a distaste for the 'allegorical impulse', particularly the tendency to read every story as an allegory. But, again, I can't recall that this fits with anything Tolkien actually says about the Narnia books; and one could just as easily say that Tolkien's tendency to dislike allegorical reading would have led him to be irritated by those who insist on reading the Narnia books only as an allegory -- it isn't necessary, and many people don't, for the very good reason that the books are not properly allegories at all, except in the sense that any book making extensive use of certain kinds of imagery will have allegorical tones, which can as a matter of art be explicitly harnessed. In that sense Tolkien himself does the same thing, and admits it: his descriptions of Galadriel are influenced by the imagery of the Virgin Mary, etc. It doesn't follow from these things that The Lord of the Rings is an allegory. (Eliot's Middlemarch taps into the imagery of earth and vegitation; it doesn't follow that Middlemarch is an allegory for the earth. Pullman's His Dark Materials series makes rather extensive use of Miltonic imagery, as interpreted by Blake. It doesn't follow that it's an allegory for a Blakean worldview, just that the imagery is supposed to have Blakean-Miltonic tones in acting on the reader.) Lewis denied (quite rightly) that the Narnia works are allegories in any proper sense. He was trying to write books that will strike readers the way MacDonald's books struck him, namely, those that 'baptized his imagination' in giving him an imaginative sense of Something More; but his mode of writing wasn't particularly allegorical -- he started with a few striking pictures in his head and wrote about them. The allegorical associations just followed from that. Further, the above description of Tolkien's complaint is very implausible; Perelandra, which is a re-telling of Paradise Lost, is even more easily read as allegory than Narnia, and Tolkien loved it. Tolkien's complaint was not about the content, but about the art: he thought the works weren't serious enough.

      --
      "If still these truths be held to be
      Self evident."
      -Edna St. Vincent Millay
    63. Re:Drivel by ScrewMaster · · Score: 1

      USA is a democracy. It makes sense, to some degree, to blame the American people for letting someone like Bush come to power, and to make them, to some degree, responsible for the foreign policies of same.

      Then you don't really understand our form of government. First off, we're a democratic republic: we are not a direct democracy as many seem to assume. Furthermore, we can influence our government's policies to a certain degree, but as the level of corruption and overall unconcern with the Will of the People has increased, that ability has been reduced proportionately. Blaming the average citizen of this country for the actions of a George Bush is insane: our political system presents us with two candidates every four years, invariably forcing us to choose between the lesser of two evils. Obviously, given that there are almost 300 million of us, I'm sure we could find better ... but the two parties would have us believe that they, and only they, have the power to choose wisely.

      --
      The higher the technology, the sharper that two-edged sword.
    64. Re:Drivel by The+Grim+Reefer2 · · Score: 1

      USA is a democracy. It makes sense, to some degree, to blame the American people for letting someone like Bush come to power, and to make them, to some degree, responsible for the foreign policies of same.

      I understand that it's really cool to bash G.W. Bush, but at least do so for something that makes at least a little sense. If there is any president to point the finger at for why Iran hates the US so much it's Eisenhower. He's the one that allowed the CIA to go ahead with the 1953 coup d'etat and overthrow the elected PM of Iran at the time. If the current government falls in Iran, then perhaps you can blame Bush for actually being right about spreading democracy in the Middle East.

    65. Re:Drivel by The+Grim+Reefer2 · · Score: 1

      Especially since the US-backed coup to put the Shah in place meant the democratically Prime Minister Mohammed Mosaddeq was removed. This was basically because he wanted to nationalize the British owned Anglo-Iranian Oil Company which has since become BP.

    66. Re:Drivel by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      First democracy and republic are othogonal property. What do you think is UK? It's a monarchy and a democracy. Stop assuming that all people thinks "direct democracy" when they say "democracy"
      without prefixing it by representative.

      USA is a republic. USA is a federation. USA is a representative democracy.

    67. Re:Drivel by Chris+Mattern · · Score: 1

      ...but the rest of the theistic structure doesn't really match.

      When you realize that the Valar and Maiar are angels, making Morgoth Satan, and Sauron and balrogs devils, it matches fairly well.

    68. Re:Drivel by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Except many Iranians hold the US responsible, at least in part, for their many government problems they currently experience.

      - You forgot ".. And rightly so".

    69. Re:Drivel by Knara · · Score: 1

      Except that Balrogs and Sauron aren't even really the same type of creature. You could make an argument that Morgoth is an "ultimate evil" sort of figure (I'd disagree), but Morgoth is long gone, the Balrogs are not Maiar, and so Sauron is Lucifer, pt 2?

      If you look long enough you can find similarities between anything, but in this particular case, it doesn't work so great once you get to the details.

    70. Re:Drivel by masmullin · · Score: 1

      How is it Catholic?

  2. Hmmmm. by SatanicPuppy · · Score: 4, Funny

    Well, speaking for myself, I wanted to kill people on the exit from 2 out 3 of those movies, so this may not achieve the intended effect.

    --
    ad logicam Claiming a proposition is false because it was presented as the conclusion of a fallacious argument.
    1. Re:Hmmmm. by StickansT · · Score: 1

      Same here but it was with swords and bows rather than AK-47s. So a bit more manly imo.

  3. Wonderful! by voss · · Score: 5, Funny

    Lord of the rings in the original farsi! Can someone tape it for me?

    1. Re:Wonderful! by conspirator57 · · Score: 4, Funny

      Everyone knows that Tolkien was Klingon. Just like Shakespeare.

      --
      "If still these truths be held to be
      Self evident."
      -Edna St. Vincent Millay
    2. Re:Wonderful! by diegocgteleline.es · · Score: 1

      Don't miss this oportunity, they will probably cut all the ads so you won't need to FF :)

    3. Re:Wonderful! by Tolkien · · Score: 1
    4. Re:Wonderful! by teh+kurisu · · Score: 1

      But have all the badger scenes been fully restored? http://www.weebls-stuff.com/toons/special+edition/

  4. No TV and Beer make Homer Something Something by ZirbMonkey · · Score: 3, Funny

    Since beer is already off the list for Iranians, that leaves only one option.

  5. Not original. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    They're just copying the American Way (TM) to pacify their serfs. Barrage them with movies, commercials, and scantily clad women.

    1. Re:Not original. by guyfawkes-11-5 · · Score: 1

      They're just copying the American Way (TM) to pacify their serfs. Barrage them with movies, commercials, and scantily clad women.

      And every so often you get a Tea Party!

    2. Re:Not original. by nizo · · Score: 1

      Wait, where is my barrage of scantily clad women? And are they sending them via catapult or what?

  6. That will get them to fall sleep by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    The epic bore of the century is guaranteed to achieve that.

  7. No Extended Version? by Space · · Score: 1

    I'd be pissed that the were only showing 9 hours instead of 14

    --
    I Don't Work Here
    1. Re:No Extended Version? by Megane · · Score: 5, Funny

      It's probably in pan-n-scan too.

      JIHAD!

      --
      #naabhaprzrag, #sverubfr-000, #agi-fcbafberq, negvpyr[pynff*=' negvpyr-ary-'] { qvfcynl: abar !vzcbegnag; }
    2. Re:No Extended Version? by conspirator57 · · Score: 1

      this made my entire office laugh.

      --
      "If still these truths be held to be
      Self evident."
      -Edna St. Vincent Millay
    3. Re:No Extended Version? by BetterSense · · Score: 5, Funny

      One does not simply Jihad into Mordor.

    4. Re:No Extended Version? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      They had to delete all of the capitalistic, christian enuendo

    5. Re:No Extended Version? by GameMaster · · Score: 1

      It's, probably, also "creatively" translated to eliminate any "questionable" themes and add in some pro-regime themes. My understanding is that that's a pretty common practice in a lot of the more opressive countries.

      --

      Rules of Conduct:
      #1 - The DM is always right.
      #2 - If the DM is wrong, see rule #1
    6. Re:No Extended Version? by Nerdfest · · Score: 1

      No kidding. 9 hours? They're not even showing the extended editions. Talk about begging for civil unrest.

    7. Re:No Extended Version? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Sauron: You see, Jihad is just not offensive warfare. It is merely the spreading of islam, it doesn't have to be violent. If there was a way to change the entire world into a barren blackened wasteland with every normal person enslaved, I would most certainly not use violence.

      Interviewer: You are such a victim ... Is there anything we can do to help ? After all, we wouldn't want to act intolerant to islam.

      Sauron: Your head will do fine ... After all decapitating unbelievers is a great virtue. (turns to his 3-year-old toddler) Would you like to do it ? Gotta grow up to be a good muslim ...

    8. Re:No Extended Version? by JTsyo · · Score: 1

      How does that work with copyright laws? Sovereign immunity?

    9. Re:No Extended Version? by itsdapead · · Score: 1

      It's probably in pan-n-scan too.

      Look on the bright side - when a guy on the subway suddenly yells "Jihad!" and blows himself up, its too fast for anyone to do anything. However, if they go into a long rant about Tom Bombadil and Elves fighting at Helms Deep and how they made Farramir look weak and missing out the Scouring of the Shire and how Frodo was too young and... then there will be plenty of time for the passengers to overpower them.

      --
      In a survey of 100 programmers, 111111 thought that duck-typing was a good idea.
    10. Re:No Extended Version? by Miseph · · Score: 1

      Lack of jurisdiction and complete inability to enforce whatever ruling is made. Where would you sue them? How would you make them pay up? Since neither of those questions has a particularly obvious or workable answer, suing them for copyright violations is pretty much a non-starter.

      --
      Try not to take me more seriously than I take myself.
    11. Re:No Extended Version? by vishbar · · Score: 1

      Something like this: "Either you do it with your own Farsi subtitles and make $0 from Iran, or we allow you to sell it and you use OUR Farsi subtitles."

      --
      Ride the skies
    12. Re:No Extended Version? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Probably also removed all the innuendo.

    13. Re:No Extended Version? by magarity · · Score: 1

      One does not simply Jihad into Mordor
       
      In fundamentalist Iran, Mordor jihads you.

    14. Re:No Extended Version? by plover · · Score: 1

      If I was a batshit crazy Islamic fundamentalist and random people on the train started ranting about Tom Bombadil not being in the film, I'd probably blow myself up just to shut them all up.

      --
      John
    15. Re:No Extended Version? by GameMaster · · Score: 1

      Like vishbar said, you refuse to allow the studios to do business in Iran unless they agree to use your officially sanctioned subtitle script.

      --

      Rules of Conduct:
      #1 - The DM is always right.
      #2 - If the DM is wrong, see rule #1
  8. This may not be a bad thing. by dilip · · Score: 3, Funny

    Maybe the Iranian censor board will be able to cut out anything unneeded and make the movies more compact and watchable. I love the movies, but they can induce numbness to the posterior if watched more than one at a time.

    1. Re:This may not be a bad thing. by Smivs · · Score: 1

      I love the movies, but they can induce numbness to the posterior if watched more than one at a time.

      Yep ! I did all three ( extended versions no less ) in one day once, morning session - part 1, afternoon - part 2 and part 3 in the evening. Take a break after each disc and eat between the parts, with 'head-refreshments' along the way and it's do-able, if you're a sad nerd like me. Was it worth it? Hell, yes! A long day in middle earth is an experience never to be forgotten.

    2. Re:This may not be a bad thing. by jeffasselin · · Score: 1

      I've watched all three movies (theatrical versions) once in a theater in one day, for the release of RotK. I watched all three movies (extended version) at home the day they released the extended version of RotK. It was great, but I wouldn't do it again. Since then, I usually watch one disc per day over a week or so when I want to watch them.

      --
      If he explores all forms and substances Straight homeward to their symbol-essences; He shall not die.
  9. This will end well.. by p1r4t3 · · Score: 1

    I can just see the planners of the revolution getting all giddy about the kind of pulling together against evil these movies can inspire. LOL

  10. Yeah dude! Bring it back! by Gizzmonic · · Score: 1

    This blonde dude surfs on a shield, and he stabs these goblins in the eye with arrows! Dude's so hardcore he don't even need a bow! Yah dude, those lords of the rings are righteous! I totally don't wanna overthrow the Ayatollah anymore after watching that...I just wanna lay back and burn some 'hobbit leaf,' know what I'm sayin', bra?

    --
    (-1, Raw and Uncut is the only way to read)
  11. This is what WTO IP Treaties buy us? by iluvcapra · · Score: 1

    I suppose I could make some joke about how Soviet Russia fell because they tried to pacify the public with a Sergei Eisenstein marathon and a special once-in-a-lifetime uninterrupted screening of Dziga Vertov's Tchelovek Skinoapparatom. But what are we to do when totalitarians have access to high-quality Hollywood content!

    They've probably re-dubbed the movie in Farsi to make Sauron the good guy. This has happened before; when Mr. Smith Goes to Washington was screened in Eastern Europe, it was only in a dubbed version that made Taylor and Senator Paine into capitalist oligarchs, with Smith fighting for his worker's soviet back home.

    --
    Don't blame me, I voted for Baltar.
    1. Re:This is what WTO IP Treaties buy us? by Megane · · Score: 1

      Actually, in Soviet Russia, protesters pacify YOU!

      --
      #naabhaprzrag, #sverubfr-000, #agi-fcbafberq, negvpyr[pynff*=' negvpyr-ary-'] { qvfcynl: abar !vzcbegnag; }
    2. Re:This is what WTO IP Treaties buy us? by blitzkrieg3 · · Score: 1

      They've probably re-dubbed the movie in Farsi to make Sauron the good guy.

      Nah, it's easier to keep him the bad guy but align him with the demonstrators:

      Then there is the sly nod to Ahmadinejad. Iranian films are dubbed (forget the wretched dubbing into English in the U.S.; in Iran dubbing is a craft) and there are plenty of references to "kootoole," little person, the Farsi word used in the movie for hobbit and dwarf. "Kootoole," of course, was, is, the term used in many of the chants out on the street against President Ahmadinejad. He is the "little person."

    3. Re:This is what WTO IP Treaties buy us? by lecanucker · · Score: 1

      Everyone knows Russia quit the cold war after watching a delta force marathon. Iran is one step closer to achieving a Chucktatorship. If only LOTR had more roundhouse kicks....

      --
      What we gonna do today Brain?
    4. Re:This is what WTO IP Treaties buy us? by Plekto · · Score: 1

      Actually, in Soviet Russia, protesters pacify YOU!

      No, they just get shot.

    5. Re:This is what WTO IP Treaties buy us? by JCSoRocks · · Score: 1

      Maybe if the Iranians are lucky the gov't downloaded a pirated copy of the trilogy from the Internet. Don't worry Iranians, no fighting necessary! The MAFIAA will take out the government for you!

      --
      You are using English. Please learn the difference between loose and lose; they're, there, and their; your and you're.
  12. Freedom! by mcvos · · Score: 4, Funny

    Where is my vo... Ooh! Legolas!

    1. Re:Freedom! by Quiet_Desperation · · Score: 4, Funny

      But they don't have elves in Iran. Achmandinnerjacket said so at the university talk. It was elves, right? Something like that.

    2. Re:Freedom! by amicusNYCL · · Score: 1

      No, no, no, they *do* have elves, but they're just not the same as the elves in the US. They don't go around telling people they're elves. That's what he meant.

      --
      "Our two-party system is like a bowl of shit looking at itself in a mirror." - Lewis Black
    3. Re:Freedom! by tzjanii · · Score: 4, Funny

      No no, they have elves, it's the fairies that they're missing. :-P

      --
      Slashdot is a pretty cool guy eh posts dupes and doesn't afraid of anything.
    4. Re:Freedom! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      But they don't have elves in Iran. Achmandinnerjacket said so at the university talk. It was elves, right? Something like that.

      You're thinking of fairies.

    5. Re:Freedom! by StreetStealth · · Score: 1

      Where are the hundreds of thousands of millions of tax dollars in bank bailouts that could have gone to help pay my overpriced healthcare pla... Ooh! Kelly Clarkson!

      --
      Your mind is clear / The things that you fear / Will fade with how much you / Believe what you hear
    6. Re:Freedom! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      No no, they have elves, it's the fairies that they're missing. :-P

      Oh FFS! The fairies aren't missing! They're just off getting stoned.

    7. Re:Freedom! by Rakarra · · Score: 1

      But they don't have elves in Iran. Achmandinnerjacket said so at the university talk. It was elves, right? Something like that.

      No, they have elves, they're just not the twinking fey elves that Achmandinnerjacket wouldn't like. Their elves are pretty manly with stubbly chins and rippling muscles that they cultivate by working out in the gym all the time. Those manly elves are definitely straight.

  13. Bore tehm to sleep? by EkriirkE · · Score: 1

    People will just turn this on, go bored out of their minds and start rioting the broadcast stations

    --
    from 09 F9 11 02 9D 74 E3 5B D8 41 56 C5 63 56 88 C0
    to 45 2F 6E 40 3C DF 10 71 4E 41 DF AA 25 7D 31 3F
  14. Link by Slash.Poop · · Score: 2, Informative

    What kind of link is that? It brings me to Salon.com's main page.

    1. Re:Link by raju1kabir · · Score: 4, Informative

      Try this one: http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2009/06/24/tehran_seven/index.html

      P.S. Is Slashdot's CSS just going to get weirder and weirder until the site can't used at all? Now the comment field is about 3cm wide.

      --
      "Patriotism is your conviction that this country is superior to all other countries because you were born in it." -- GBS
    2. Re:Link by Slash.Poop · · Score: 1

      In other news...

      After I hit "Read More" the link bring me to the story.
      Things that make you go hmmm....

    3. Re:Link by basementman · · Score: 1

      Lucky, I can't even see the comment field thanks to the header changing colors every time I click an article.

    4. Re:Link by Frosty+Piss · · Score: 2, Funny

      P.S. Is Slashdot's CSS just going to get weirder and weirder until the site can't used at all? Now the comment field is about 3cm wide.

      Slashdot's CSS is optomized for FF on Slack. You must be using WinBlows... "Get a real OS"

      --
      If you want news from today, you have to come back tomorrow.
    5. Re:Link by maxume · · Score: 5, Funny

      Calling it optimized is a bit much. Maybe it accidentally works better there, or something like that.

      --
      Nerd rage is the funniest rage.
    6. Re:Link by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Strange. The comment field is completely resizable. (Safari)

    7. Re:Link by 427_ci_505 · · Score: 1

      That would explain why it looks like ass on Firefox in Fedora and Ubuntu, then.

    8. Re:Link by wiredlogic · · Score: 1

      Considering it usually looks like shit and is bog slow on Windows Firefox it would appear that they should jump off the web 2.0 bandwagon and go back to being Perl hacks.

      --
      I am becoming gerund, destroyer of verbs.
    9. Re:Link by raju1kabir · · Score: 1

      I'm using FF on OSX. I thought that was the trendiest fashion statement I could make.

      --
      "Patriotism is your conviction that this country is superior to all other countries because you were born in it." -- GBS
    10. Re:Link by 2names · · Score: 1

      it looks like ass on Firefox in Fedora and Ubuntu

      I am not a religious person, but AMEN TO THAT.

      --
      "I'm just here to regulate funkiness."
    11. Re:Link by blhack · · Score: 1

      Even better, wtf is this?

      fail

      goddamnit slashdot, stop changing the fucking website! It works! It is popular! It is not broken!!!!

      --
      NewslilySocial News. No lolcats allowed.
    12. Re:Link by lugannerd · · Score: 1

      Definately need to get rid of css - more posters pls - this sucks and slowwwwwwww

    13. Re:Link by raju1kabir · · Score: 1

      fail

      The weird thing is that it's been going on for at least a month. Nobody with write access to the server notices this? Bizarre.

      --
      "Patriotism is your conviction that this country is superior to all other countries because you were born in it." -- GBS
    14. Re:Link by MaskedSlacker · · Score: 1

      Preach it Brother!

    15. Re:Link by selven · · Score: 1

      It's intended for lynx, you GUI-requiring morons.

    16. Re:Link by hurfy · · Score: 1

      Thank goodness i am not the only one seeing that crap. I saw no forum or whatever to ask tho :(

      The comment section
      in Idle has been
      annoying for
      even longer
      than that
      however.

      They figured they only needed room for "LOL" perhaps :(

    17. Re:Link by hurfy · · Score: 1

      Interesting.
      After posting my other comment i hit back button a couple times to get back to the same spot.

      And got twice as many bars and dots :/ Let's see if i can obscure EVERY post...

    18. Re:Link by Rakarra · · Score: 1

      That would explain why it looks like ass on Firefox in Fedora and Ubuntu, then.

      It looks fine to me in Firefox on Fedora.

      It's just f@#$%!ing slow.

  15. Hey MPAA! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Funny

    Did they get the rights to that?

    1. Re:Hey MPAA! by Eric_Scheirer · · Score: 3, Informative

      Iran is not a signatory to WIPO. They do not respect copyrights of works produced in other countries.

      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iran_and_copyright_issues

    2. Re:Hey MPAA! by JumperCable · · Score: 1

      OP isn't redundant. I just checked the prior posts. Plus I think it's funny.

    3. Re:Hey MPAA! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Well...in that case...how can we just sit on the sidelines?!?! WAR! WAR! WAR!

    4. Re:Hey MPAA! by cashman73 · · Score: 1

      A couple of MPAA & RIAA attorneys sent to Iran will solve two problems, then! =)

    5. Re:Hey MPAA! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      So that's one thing me and Iran have in common!

    6. Re:Hey MPAA! by funkatron · · Score: 1

      Well at least they got something right. Shame about the election tho.

      --
      "Welcome to our world. We are the wasted youth. And we are the future too." Yes, I know these are stupid lyrics.
    7. Re:Hey MPAA! by mike260 · · Score: 1

      "Tonight at 9 on Channel2, don't miss the network premiere of The.Lord.of.the.Rings.Trilogy[Xvid-AC3-5.1-SweSub]-aXXo.torrent"

    8. Re:Hey MPAA! by MaskedSlacker · · Score: 1

      Shouldn't that be FarSub?

    9. Re:Hey MPAA! by initialE · · Score: 1

      www.thepersianbay.com

      --
      Starbucks, Harbuckle of Breath.
  16. Exactly by dmesg0 · · Score: 1
    "even the smallest person can change the course of the future."

    Of course! Have you noticed Ahmadinejad's height? He is as tall as a hobbit, so they try to portray him as the savior of the world! Not sure if his feet are hairy, though.

    1. Re:Exactly by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      He's ethnically Persian.....so yes, his feet are hairy.

  17. Re:Can't have it both ways by SatanicPuppy · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Uh yea. Blatantly rig an election, and people tend to get pissed off. It's about more than just lining up in front of the cute little box. They had substantially more votes than people in more than 10(?) districts, and the race which was predicted to be very close, turned out to be a complete landslide. Every observer called the election rigged, even some of the internal ones.

    And you're wondering why they're pissed?

    --
    ad logicam Claiming a proposition is false because it was presented as the conclusion of a fallacious argument.
  18. What will happen by pudge · · Score: 5, Funny

    "A day may come when the courage of men fails ... But it is not this day! This day we fight! By all that you hold dear on this good earth, I bid you stand, men of ... Iran! Allahu Akbar!"

    1. Re:What will happen by geekoid · · Score: 2

      "Akbar"

      Wait, is it "Lord of the Rings", or "Star wars"?

      --
      The Kruger Dunning explains most post on /. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect
    2. Re:What will happen by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Isn't Hollywood and "Western culture" supposed to be detestable to Iran's political leaders?

      I'm confused.

    3. Re:What will happen by efudddd · · Score: 1

      men ... and women of ... Iran! Allahu Akbar! And not sure which of the two I'd rather face in battle: those are fierce women.

    4. Re:What will happen by Loadmaster · · Score: 5, Funny

      Either way It's a Trap!

    5. Re:What will happen by Jason+Levine · · Score: 4, Insightful

      It is when it runs counter to how they want things done. But when they see an opportunity to use Hollywood and Western culture to their advantage, they won't shy away from it. In the end, they are just politicians. Highly corrupt, brutal politicians, but politicians nonetheless.

      --
      My sci-fi novel, Ghost Thief, is now available from Amazon.com.
    6. Re:What will happen by ajs · · Score: 3, Funny

      They're probably redubbed that bit to:

      "The filthy British and American orcs have us pinned down with their green-hued protests, but we must rise up and smite them all, even if it means our deaths!"

    7. Re:What will happen by CodeBuster · · Score: 1

      Presumably the film(s) were formatted to fit their screen(s), compressed to run in the time allotted, and of course edited for content . I wonder if they paid Universal for a license to broadcast those films? I am betting that they probably did not. If so, Hollywood should file a lawsuit against Iran without delay for unauthorized public broadcast of a copyrighted film(s).

    8. Re:What will happen by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Won't do any good. Iran will just put a jihad on Hollywood.

    9. Re:What will happen by petermgreen · · Score: 1

      under what law? afaict iran doesn't have a copyright treaty with the USA.....

      --
      note: i'm known as plugwash most places but i screwd up registering that here somehow in the past and now can't register
    10. Re:What will happen by Jaysyn · · Score: 1

      You'd be pissed too if you had to wear a canvas bag over your head everywhere you went.

      --
      There is a war going on for your mind.
    11. Re:What will happen by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The Star Wars marathon is tomorrow

    12. Re:What will happen by shutdown+-p+now · · Score: 1

      Gandalf the White Mullah?

      They'll have some trouble with Eowyn, though - stereotype mismatch.
      Then again, maybe not - just need to add the burka.

    13. Re:What will happen by powerlord · · Score: 2, Funny

      under what law? afaict iran doesn't have a copyright treaty with the USA.....

      Doesn't matter. I still say we send as many lawyers to Iran as the MPAA needs to argue the case (the more the better). In fact, I might even be willing to pay a tax just to send them there (they can use the money they win litigating to get back).

      Of course I can see one or two ways this could backfire ...

      Apr 1, 2012, CNN:

      "And in todays news, the MPAA deployed another brigade of Lawyers to Iran, equipped with new Arbiter Mk-V Summons Dispenser. bringing the total Amicus count to 24,000. The Lead Attorney on the case reports they expect closing arguments in Tehran to be done by the end of the month, but they expect the trials to drag on in the outlying cities." :shudder:

      --
      This space for rent. All reasonable inquiries will be entertained at proprietors discretion.
    14. Re:What will happen by jonadab · · Score: 1

      I'm telling you, Han will have that shield down. We have to give him more time.

      --
      Cut that out, or I will ship you to Norilsk in a box.
    15. Re:What will happen by Paracelcus · · Score: 1

      Shoud've shown Squidbillies, specifically the episode featuring the alien named Lerm, the one that screams "death to America" in a basso-profundo voice more or less at random during the show when he's not blowing things up and crashing his spaceship into little shacks.

      --
      I killed da wabbit -Elmer Fudd
    16. Re:What will happen by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      No, it's a diversion!

    17. Re:What will happen by jadin · · Score: 1

      The extended edition would keep them off the streets for 12 hours! instead of 9.

    18. Re:What will happen by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Ah yes, the Great Copyright Crusades. I remember the stories from my childhood; it's a story very few remember. It's said entire fleets of intellectual property lawyer were lost, and the vultures of Persia grew fat on decades of attorney carrion. Of course, without all of the lawyers, the world has enjoyed a thousand years of peace.

    19. Re:What will happen by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Star Wars has no character named Akbar, you stupid non-Star-Wars-obsessed twats! (It's Ackbar, you're welcome)

    20. Re:What will happen by maglor_83 · · Score: 1

      In the end, they are just politicians. Highly corrupt, brutal politicians, but politicians nonetheless.

      You could have just left it as 'they are just politicians'.

    21. Re:What will happen by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Which proves that all politicians, race, creed, gender, nationality, are all the same:

      Selfish, greedy, slimy assholes.

    22. Re:What will happen by pudge_confirmer · · Score: 1

      I predict the democracy-loving people of Iran will not allow any fraudulent election of their leader[s] to stand.

      I know people from Iran, people who left after the Shah was overthrown, and SAVAK dismantled. I find them to be rightly proud of their history, and ready to right a wrong when they see it. And quite knowledgable about where their country is, and how it got there.

      So, I wish them all gook luck and god speed.

      Regards,

      p_c

  19. This being Slashdot... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

    This being Slashdot, and given the topic that consumes so much of our time these days, my question is...

    Since they obviously pulled this out of the hat in a rapid series of decision to help quell the masses, did they properly secure rights to be showing them?

    1. Re:This being Slashdot... by superstuntguy · · Score: 0

      In the article: "Movie mad and immunized from international copyright laws, Iranians are normally treated to one or two Hollywood or European movie nights a week." So no, but they don't really care anyways.

    2. Re:This being Slashdot... by Midnight+Thunder · · Score: 1

      Since they obviously pulled this out of the hat in a rapid series of decision to help quell the masses, did they properly secure rights to be showing them?

      Does it really matter, since after all the "Islamic revolutionary government" has final say over the law in Iran? Its not as if a WTO breach would make much more of a difference to the Iran-USA relationship.

      --
      Jumpstart the tartan drive.
  20. Sic by Trikenstein · · Score: 1

    the RIAA on the Iranian government.
    Problem solved.

    1. Re:Sic by NotWithABang · · Score: 1

      Yup, the Iranian government would have the RIAA butchered and slaughtered in no time. The problem would most definitely be solved.

      Not so much for the Iranians though.

      See what I did there? :)

      --

      ... I must be new here.
  21. Wrong movie by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    They should have showed 300 instead.

    1. Re:Wrong movie by K.+S.+Kyosuke · · Score: 1

      I would *love* to see 300 with Farsi audio, but I'm afraid it would be too farcical.

      --
      Ezekiel 23:20
    2. Re:Wrong movie by Chris+Mattern · · Score: 2, Insightful

      A fair number of Iranians have seen 300. "Not amused" would be fair description of the average reaction.

    3. Re:Wrong movie by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I would *love* to see 300 with Farsi audio, but I'm afraid it would be too farsical.

      fixed that for you ;)

    4. Re:Wrong movie by mdarksbane · · Score: 1

      Exactly. Imagine the reception about how amazing of a victory "Pearl Harbor" was for Japan and you'll get a bit of the idea.

    5. Re:Wrong movie by Sponge+Bath · · Score: 1

      As long as it does not have Ben Affleck I'm cool with it.

    6. Re:Wrong movie by Knara · · Score: 1

      Interestingly enough, Japan, on the other hand, seems to rather like WWII games imported from the US.

    7. Re:Wrong movie by Anarchduke · · Score: 2, Interesting

      300 would have been a good choice, but I would have loved it if they had shown Braveheart.

      William Wallace: There's a difference between us. You think the people of this country exist to provide you with position. I think your position exists to provide those people with freedom. And I go to make sure that they have it.

      William Wallace: Aye, fight and you may die. Run, and you'll live... at least a while. And dying in your beds, many years from now, would you be willin' to trade ALL the days, from this day to that, for one chance, just one chance, to come back here and tell our enemies that they may take our lives, but they'll never take... OUR FREEDOM!

      --
      who prays for Satan? Who in 18 centuries has had the humanity to pray for the 1 sinner that needed it most? ~Mark Twain
    8. Re:Wrong movie by adamchou · · Score: 1

      Isn't 300 about the Persians (modern day Iranians) getting defeated by 300 Greeks (modern day Westerners)? I don't think they want to convey to their people that they're a bunch of pussies when it comes to Westernized people.

    9. Re:Wrong movie by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Isn't 300 about the Persians (modern day Iranians) getting defeated by 300 Greeks (modern day Westerners)? I don't think they want to convey to their people that they're a bunch of pussies when it comes to Westernized people.

      Not quite, but it's almost that bad from the Persian perspective. The movie is about 300 Spartans holding off an army tens of thousands of Persians long enough for the rest of the Greek city-states to gather an army which will defeat the Persians. Oh and the event was also a rallying cry for said Greek army, much like "Remember the Alamo!" was for the Texans. But you don't have to take my word for it.

    10. Re:Wrong movie by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Don't fall for this person's tricks. They started their post with "Interestingly..." I almost modded it Interesting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    11. Re:Wrong movie by Rakarra · · Score: 1

      Perl Harbor was not a terrible movie when most of the plot is cut out and you just have the attack.

      That version (the only one I've seen) was about half an hour long and was quite exciting! It still had too much Affleck, but it was still ok.

  22. the one by Timberfox · · Score: 2, Funny

    one islamic regime to rule them all

  23. Sex sells... by denzacar · · Score: 5, Funny

    and scantily clad women.

    You've said it!
    You should see some of the new burqas and chadors they are shipping to the stores. Sexy as hell.

    You can almost see the eyebrows.

    --
    Mit der Dummheit kämpfen Götter selbst vergebens
    1. Re:Sex sells... by m.ducharme · · Score: 4, Informative

      Oh dude, you have no idea.

      --
      Rule of Slashdot #0: You and people like you are not representative of the larger population. - A.C.
    2. Re:Sex sells... by SupremoMan · · Score: 1

      Who rated this funny?

      Someone with a sense of humor I'd wager.

    3. Re:Sex sells... by denzacar · · Score: 1

      I was actually going to write a broader reply to your troll, but I have more important things to do.
      I'll just instruct you to read Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi which should hopefully help you to realize how nearly any (progressive) Iranian woman finds chadors and maghnaeh a burden and a joke.

      I for one laughed WITH them.

      --
      Mit der Dummheit kämpfen Götter selbst vergebens
    4. Re:Sex sells... by Rakarra · · Score: 1

      Who rated this funny? Its the oldest god damn joke around. "Hey look! Its a different culture.. lets mock it! a hahahhaha".

      Fuck.

      Someone with both a sense of humor and a realization that the religiously arch-conservative culture deserves the deep mocking that it gets.

  24. American meddling huh? by Garbad+Ropedink · · Score: 5, Insightful

    So the tyrants of Iran are blaming this whole mess on the American media, then they're tying to placate the protesters with American media? A movie trilogy about a bunch of people banding together to overthrow an evil tyrant no less. Nobody could draw parallels between things like the dark riders and the police riding motorcycles beating people with clubs.

    The sense of irony is weak with the Iranian dictatorship...

    --
    And that was the last Terry Fox run I ever participated in.
    1. Re:American meddling huh? by H0p313ss · · Score: 3, Funny

      So the tyrants of Iran are blaming this whole mess on the American media, then they're tying to placate the protesters with American media? A movie trilogy about a bunch of people banding together to overthrow an evil tyrant no less. Nobody could draw parallels between things like the dark riders and the police riding motorcycles beating people with clubs.

      The sense of irony is weak with the Iranian dictatorship...

      Or the Iranian leftist media just managed to *WHOOSH* the evil overlord.

      --
      XML is a known as a key material required to create SMD: Software of Mass Destruction
    2. Re:American meddling huh? by Chris+Mattern · · Score: 2, Funny

      Nobody could draw parallels between things like the dark riders and the police riding motorcycles beating people with clubs.

      It's all in who you regard as the good guys. How about paralleling the motorcycle-riding police with the Riders of Rohan?

    3. Re:American meddling huh? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Maybe they voice-over Sauron as an American.

    4. Re:American meddling huh? by Dan+Ost · · Score: 1

      What lines does Sauron have?

      I don't remember any...

      --

      *sigh* back to work...
    5. Re:American meddling huh? by Bazman · · Score: 1

      American media? A film directed by a New Zealander, based on a book by a Brit, shot in New Zealand, post-production in England....

    6. Re:American meddling huh? by dogmatixpsych · · Score: 1

      To be fair, it was filmed and made in New Zealand. Who doesn't like New Zealand? :)

    7. Re:American meddling huh? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You've seen the Iranian version?

    8. Re:American meddling huh? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

      So... this would be the "dictator's cut" that they're watching...

    9. Re:American meddling huh? by Minwee · · Score: 1

      American media? A film directed by a New Zealander, based on a book by a Brit, shot in New Zealand, post-production in England....

      And who made it all happen?

      New Line Cinema Corporation
      888 7th Ave., 19th Fl.
      New York, NY 10106

    10. Re:American meddling huh? by sanguisdex · · Score: 1

      Isn't the book English, and the movie kiwi?

    11. Re:American meddling huh? by CopaceticOpus · · Score: 1

      They should have chosen one of those popular movies in which the small group of rebels are the bad guys and the entrenched, oppressive rulers are the good guys.

    12. Re:American meddling huh? by Bazman · · Score: 1

      Noo, they're listed as distributor. Middle-men. Take it from the producers and put it in the cinemas. They could have sat on their fat corporate butts and done nothing and the movies would probably still have been a success :)

    13. Re:American meddling huh? by steelfood · · Score: 1

      The sense of irony is weak with the Iranian dictatorship...

      Mixed up I think you have your movie trilogies.

      --
      "If a nation expects to be ignorant and free in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be."
    14. Re:American meddling huh? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Reading from the article, there are a lot of obvious references that an Iranian would catch in the movie. It seems obvious that it was a voluntary attempt to disrupt the government plans. It seems to have worked, too - Iranians are getting the message that the fight isn't over yet.

    15. Re:American meddling huh? by juan2074 · · Score: 1

      New Zealand ain't American anything.

    16. Re:American meddling huh? by justinlee37 · · Score: 1

      I realize you were being sarcastic, but you raise an interesting question ... is there ANY movie like that in the history of cinema?

    17. Re:American meddling huh? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      So the tyrants of Iran are blaming this whole mess on the American media, then they're tying to placate the protesters with American media? A movie trilogy about a bunch of people banding together to overthrow an evil tyrant no less. Nobody could draw parallels between things like the dark riders and the police riding motorcycles beating people with clubs.

      The sense of irony is weak with the Iranian dictatorship...

      The ones doing the placating is actually American media, nobody else. They're placating a couple of sporadic protests with a hypothetical "dictatorship" and "tyranny". The American media is hand-in-glove with American government. They write bad about China, North Korea, Iran or whoever is on the list of America's targets. Using media to generate hatred and to make America's military action more digestible to Americans.

    18. Re:American meddling huh? by grahamd0 · · Score: 1

      Starship Troopers?

    19. Re:American meddling huh? by justinlee37 · · Score: 1

      That's not exactly what I was picturing but I bet it would be way better for Iran to show right now than LotR. Anything where the rebels are humans, though, and not literally aliens?

    20. Re:American meddling huh? by smegged · · Score: 1
    21. Re:American meddling huh? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Australians?

  25. Re:Can't have it both ways by jedidiah · · Score: 1

    This isn't about the election, this is about how the Iranian regime treats it's political rivals.

    The election is just a red herring at this point and just a lame excuse to avoid addressing the real issue here.

    --
    A Pirate and a Puritan look the same on a balance sheet.
  26. Re:Can't have it both ways by geekoid · · Score: 1

    "the race which was predicted to be very close, turned out to be a complete landslide"
    that's not really an issue. It can happen perfectly legitimately.

    Yeah, the rest of the fact clearly point to vote fraud.

    I mean, when they say Yes, there were more votes then people, but no there wasn't vote fraud.
    I mean WTF?

    --
    The Kruger Dunning explains most post on /. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect
  27. At least they're not Christian by T+Murphy · · Score: 1

    Or else at mass when they get the host they'd all go "more Lamdas bread... *sigh*".

    1. Re:At least they're not Christian by Kozz · · Score: 1

      I do believe it's lembas , friend. [/geek]

      --
      I only post comments when someone on the internet is wrong.
  28. US is cast as Gandalf by jollyreaper · · Score: 1

    Bunch of meddlesome twats, right? Yeah, Iranian people. You get the comparison, right? Because nobody likes Gandalf, the same way nobody likes America!!!

    Heh. This is the most tone-deaf thing I've heard about since the operation to capture Saddam. Codename for that one? Red Dawn. What did they use as identifiers for Iraqi positions around Saddam? Wolverine 1, Wolverine 2, etc. If you're going to make allusions to movies, try not to pick one where you're comparing yourself to the Soviets.

    --
    Kwisatz Haderach
    Sell the spice to CHOAM
    This Mahdi took Shaddam's Throne
    1. Re:US is cast as Gandalf by tnk1 · · Score: 2, Informative

      In Soviet Iraq, Saddam captures you?

  29. One by Hognoxious · · Score: 1

    One does not walk into Tehran.

    --
    Confucius say, "Find worm in apple - bad. Find half a worm - worse."
  30. A little trick they learned from us by transporter_ii · · Score: 4, Funny

    After they saw how they lost sleeper cell after sleeper cell here in the US:

    http://www.theonion.com/content/news/after_5_years_in_u_s_terrorist
    .
    .

    --
    Doctors destroy health, lawyers destroy justice, universities destroy knowledge, religion destroys spirituality
  31. Showing them LOTR?! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Great choice, show everyone they need to stand up and fight against evil forces trying to gain power over everyone. Yes that'll really Pacify Protesters.

    Perhaps tomorrow they can show everyone George Orwell's 1984.

    1. Re:Showing them LOTR?! by fuzzyfuzzyfungus · · Score: 2, Funny

      If they wanted to see a boot stomping on a human face they wouldn't really need to stay inside watching TV...

  32. Panem et circenses by Itninja · · Score: 0, Troll

    Taking a lesson from the American government it looks like. Keep giving people food and entertainment and maybe they forget how their rights are being trampled on.

    --
    I judt got a nre Kinesis keybiartf so please excusr ant egregiou typos.
    1. Re:Panem et circenses by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Voting for the next American Idle will solve everything wrong with the US!

      Forget the economy, the NFL is on!

      Buy some more lotto tickets!

      How about a diamond mined with forced child labor? It shows LOVE (tm)!

  33. Re:Can't have it both ways by JumperCable · · Score: 5, Informative
    Is it really to much to ask them not to kill their own citizens in the streets and abduct them from their homes for torture & potential death?

    http://iran.whyweprotest.net/news-current-events/2327-green-brief-8-a.html

    1. The event of the day was the protest held at Baharestan Square in the late afternoon. Although the exact number cannot be fully known, my sources claimed somewhere between 5,000-10,000 people tried to join the rally. Things got violent when security forces that had been waiting there for hours moved in as soon as a small crowd had managed to gather. They used force to brutalize the protesters and scatter them faster then they could regroup. Police were also patrolling the areas around Baharestan and people were attacked even as they fled Baharestan and go to the outer edges of the area. This continued for at least two hours.

    2. Force was utilized without discrimination; however, media reports about a complete massacre cannot be confirmed by my more reliable sources. What I can confirm is at least 3 people were killed; the police used batons to beat people quite viciously - leaving dozens injured, not just in Baharestan but also in the areas around Baharestan. Shots were also fired and at least 2 of the fatalities were as a result of gunfire. Tear gas was also used to disperse them. We cannot confirm the use of axes on protesters. It could have been isolated incidents. But a wide-spread use cannot be confirmed. There were reports of killings at Lalehzar as well. Lalezhzar is a park in Tehran which has been completely taken over by security forces and is being used as a quasi-de fact base. Pictures are scarce and videos cannot be confirmed at this point either. The police were checking cell phones throughout the area as well as in other parts of the city and deleting images or videos or confiscating the phone altogether.

    3. The area was surrounded also by vans and cars belonging to the security forces. Injured protesters and those protesters the police could hold onto were promptly thrown into these vehicles and moved to undisclosed locations. It has been suggested that Evin prison is being used to house most of the prisoners, but the sheer number of protesters easily could mean that make-shift prisons have been built around Tehran to house these people. Some sources indicated as well, but this cannot be confirmed right away. Most shops around Baharestan were closed so people had nowhere to hide. Cell phone service was also jammed so no help could arrive for those stranded and the vicious and wide-spread beatings and arrests could continue.

    4. The security forces were being heavily helped by helicopters. They flew all over the city and informed security forces of places where people had gathered. Security forces arrived in minutes and dispersed crowd. However, people were extremely persistent. Gatherings and small rallies took place in several places and the quicker they were dispersed the quicker more sprang up. This continued late into the night until people dispersed on their own. The sheer tenacity of the protesters is heartening and many twitter sources indicated that no matter what happens they will go to streets and protest. Hezbollah e Ansar were also spotted from time to time. Plainclothesmen also did their part of the arrests as they drove around the city in motorcycles.

    5. There were also other arrests in Iran today. At least 70 university professors and other professionals held a meeting today with Mousavi at the end of which, all of them were arrested as they exited the meeting area. Reports also confirm that Mousavi's chief lawyer, Ardsher Amir Arjman has also been arrested. There is no real confirmation of whether Mousavi has been arrested or he's free. However, there are strong indications and SOME sources that claim he is currently under house arrest. For a partial list, please click here: List

  34. Don't worry ... by powerlord · · Score: 1

    From the Fine Slashdot Summary: "Perhaps this was not the best choice in films if you want your people not to believe that "even the smallest person can change the course of the future."

    Fortunately in the version edited for Iran and translated into Pharsi, the Hobbits are working to combat the idolators, and re-establish Sharia in Middle Earth.

    --
    This space for rent. All reasonable inquiries will be entertained at proprietors discretion.
  35. Eagles? by Carl_Stawicki · · Score: 5, Funny

    Maybe the Iranians can figure out why Frodo didn't just ride the eagles to Mt. Doom in the first place.

    --
    This is my signature.
    soid st egr.hyTa rsiugm usnin
    Any questions?
    1. Re:Eagles? by Guysmiley777 · · Score: 1

      The Iranians don't have Eagles, they have old Tomcats.

      --
      Coding with assembly is like playing with Legos. Coding an application in assembly is like building a car with Legos.
    2. Re:Eagles? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Well obviously the thrust to weight ratio would have fallen too low as they approached the volcano.

    3. Re:Eagles? by Experiment+626 · · Score: 4, Funny

      Frodo is not level 70, and is thus unable to use a flying mount.

    4. Re:Eagles? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      For all we know that was the original plan, but Frodo waltzed off on his own before anyone could tell him about it.

    5. Re:Eagles? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Well obviously the thrust to weight ratio would have fallen too low as they approached it.

    6. Re:Eagles? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Technically Gandalf, or Mithrandir as he was called, was one of the Istari, and one of the most powerful Maiar. He alone could most likely have defeated Sauron, who was just a weak Maiar of Morgoth / Melkor. The series never even needed to start.

    7. Re:Eagles? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      NazgÃl, dumbass.

    8. Re:Eagles? by fdicostanzo · · Score: 2, Insightful

      The eagles didn't do their deus ex machina until after the ring was destroyed and mordor made (relatively) safe. Presumably Sauron would have noticed a flock of giant eagles heading over..

      --
      Synergies are basically awesome, and they're even better when you leverage them. -PA
    9. Re:Eagles? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Umm, because of the nine flying lizards with teeth and mounted swordsmen?

      You would never have reached Mordor.

    10. Re:Eagles? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

      The Eagles didn't want to get involved because it didn't directly effect them at first. Once they saw that the Humans, Dwarves, Elves, Ents and Hobbits had done most of the hard work and it looked like Orcs would probably be after their eggs pretty shortly they turned up to help out. Oh sure they helped out in a non-combat way up till that point, saving Gandalf and providing equipment. However they demanded a hefty price that set back the Shire years technology wise and really helped boost their own post war economy putting them in a very favorable position while the rest of Middle Earth tried to rebuild. They really fell out of favour with the rest of Middle Earth in the years after Sauron was defeated because they just wouldn't shut up about how they defeated Sauron all by themselves.

      That wasn't very subtle was it?

    11. Re:Eagles? by virg_mattes · · Score: 1

      I don't quite remember all the details of the timeline, but it seems that flying the eagles into Mordor would just have resulted in the eagles coming under attack by the Nazgul. By the time the eagles flew in and got Frodo and Sam, they'd already disposed of the Ring, thereby wiping out said Nazgul and clearing the flight path.

      I know, it's fiction, but I always got the idea that it was the very fact that Frodo and Sam were off by themselves that made it possible for them to get there without the Ring having the opportunity to turn on them.

      Virg

    12. Re:Eagles? by spire3661 · · Score: 1

      Until the next patch that is.......

      --
      Good-bye
    13. Re:Eagles? by Carl_Stawicki · · Score: 1

      Winner.

      --
      This is my signature.
      soid st egr.hyTa rsiugm usnin
      Any questions?
    14. Re:Eagles? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      That's not right... Middle Earth != Outland.

      He has to talk to the gryphon master at Mt. Doom before he can fly there, duh...

    15. Re:Eagles? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      ...or lacks 1k gold :^(

    16. Re:Eagles? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Ahem, they are seagulls, it would be a Convocation of Giant Eagles...

    17. Re:Eagles? by Knara · · Score: 3, Interesting

      The history is a little more complex than that: http://www.glyphweb.com/arda/s/sauron.html

    18. Re:Eagles? by DarthVain · · Score: 1

      For fear of being eaten by a Nazgul I figure. At the end of the movie they would all be gone, so clear skies. I am only speculating. It also makes for a more epic 12 hour movie if you have to walk and can't take Giant Eagle Airlines.

      Mr Anderson: Welcome to Rivendell Frodo!
      Frodo: Oh Hai! Can Eagles fly me to Mt Doom?
      Mr. Anderson: (shrug) Sure...
      Eagle: Squaack!
      Frodo: Weeee!
      Frodo: Hai Mt Doom! (drop)
      One Ring: (Plink, Hisss)
      (Roll Credits)
      The End.

      Est. Runtime 23 seconds.

    19. Re:Eagles? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Maybe the Iranians can figure out why Frodo didn't just ride the eagles to Mt. Doom in the first place.

      What if they'd just use a strand of creeper?

    20. Re:Eagles? by mike260 · · Score: 3, Funny

      Would those be African or European eagles?

    21. Re:Eagles? by kehren77 · · Score: 1

      Fly? One does not simply fly into Mordor.

    22. Re:Eagles? by vikstar · · Score: 1

      They realized that it was taking Frodo too long to get to 70, so in the third patch they just created an FP to Mt. Doom.

      --
      The question of whether a computer can think is no more interesting than the question of whether a submarine can swim.
    23. Re:Eagles? by PMBjornerud · · Score: 1

      Frodo is not level 70, and is thus unable to use a flying mount.

      What are you talking about? Legendhood is level 25, where you get a focus and can call an eagle.

      MUME is the Tolkien game on the Net, whippersnappers!

      --
      I lost my sig.
  36. Iran hopefully welcomes ... by galego · · Score: 4, Funny

    their new hobbit overlord.

    Oh wait! That's North Korea ... my bad!

    --

    Que Deus te de em dobro o que me desejas

    [May God give you double that which you wish for me]

    1. Re:Iran hopefully welcomes ... by tnk1 · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Excuse me. If you are referring to the Dear Leader, Kim Jong Il, you need to realize that he is the smartest, most clever and most physically fit.

      It's just that no one else seems to realize it.

    2. Re:Iran hopefully welcomes ... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      so ronnery

    3. Re:Iran hopefully welcomes ... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Holy Moley! I was just thinking how Ackmydinnerjacket's big head reminded me of gollum... Was that kind mean? I am sorry... my precioussss.

    4. Re:Iran hopefully welcomes ... by DigiShaman · · Score: 1

      Thanks. I needed the laugh.

      --
      Life is not for the lazy.
  37. They will also show free HBO previews by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Hung has been reedited and retitled to Hung Zionist.

  38. Re:Can't have it both ways by MightyMartian · · Score: 1

    Um, if the election was rigged, then they didn't give the people what they wanted. They in fact defied the public will.

    I mean, that is rather the point of these protests.

    --
    The world's burning. Moped Jesus spotted on I50. Details at 11.
  39. Go people of Iran go! by otopico · · Score: 1

    I hope the films inspire the people not already out in the streets to join the ones that are. The new revolution will be twittered.

    1. Re:Go people of Iran go! by tnk1 · · Score: 1

      I hope the films inspire the people not already out in the streets to join the ones that are. The new revolution will be twittered.

      I'm not sure that this gives me a lot of hope for their revolution.

      ALLAHU_ACKBAR (9:01AM): Headfing out to make a difference, got my "Where's My Vote?" sign.
      ALLAHU_ACKBAR (9:02AM): Really excited about getting out to make a difference! Got my green headband!
      ALLAHU_ACKBAR (9:03AM): Breakfast not agreeing with me. Ran into shop to find bathroom.
      ALLAHU_ACKBAR (9:04AM): Taking dump.
      ALLAHU_ACKBAR (9:04AM): Still taking dump. LAWL!
      ALLAHU_ACKBAR (9:06AM): Still feeling sick. Heading home to watch Lord of Rings on TV. I luv Legolas!1!

    2. Re:Go people of Iran go! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Man...they have Twitter there too?

  40. Naah... by denzacar · · Score: 1
    --
    Mit der Dummheit kämpfen Götter selbst vergebens
  41. V for Vran by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    If they want people to stop, V for Vendetta would have been a much better choice IMO.

  42. What about Mel Gibson marathon? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    The enemy of our enemy is our friend? Then, they hear out everybody's windows.... FREEDOM!!!

  43. This will cause trouble... by MiniMike · · Score: 5, Funny

    From what I've heard, most people voted for a Star Trek marathon, not LOTR. The Guardian Council denies anything is wrong with the vote count, despite the official count being 17 billion votes for LOTR vs -8 for Star Trek.

    I wonder if this is going to cause any trouble...

    1. Re:This will cause trouble... by Chris+Burke · · Score: 1

      Oh man, and here I thought the Iranian government couldn't get any craftier. You think it hurts the reformist movement to associate them with America? You just wait until they associate the protesters with Trekkies!

      --

      The enemies of Democracy are
    2. Re:This will cause trouble... by edheler · · Score: 1

      It is true that -8 is greater than 17 billion since they computed it on a 32 bit machine. (-179869184 == (int)17 billion)

    3. Re:This will cause trouble... by jd2112 · · Score: 1
      Someone in Iran answered the followig Craigslist ad:

      For Sale: Election equipment, used only once, excellent condition. If interested contact the Florida Department of Elections...

      --
      Any insufficiently advanced magic is indistinguishable from technology.
    4. Re:This will cause trouble... by MiniMike · · Score: 1

      Except in Iran, a "hanging chad" is a guy named Chad who complained about the government...

    5. Re:This will cause trouble... by jd2112 · · Score: 1

      I don't want to know about the Iranian version of a pregnant chad.

      --
      Any insufficiently advanced magic is indistinguishable from technology.
    6. Re:This will cause trouble... by Elbowgeek · · Score: 1

      And oddly enough, the results of the poll were announced before polling began...

      --
      Who is this delectable creature with an insatiable love of the dead?
  44. Another movie perhaps? by mtmra70 · · Score: 3, Funny

    How about Star Wars then....

    1. Re:Another movie perhaps? by StickansT · · Score: 1

      Thats next week.

    2. Re:Another movie perhaps? by Tybalt_Capulet · · Score: 1

      Or Braveheart.

      --
      Has the old saint in his forest not yet heard of it? That God is dead?
    3. Re:Another movie perhaps? by flyingsquid · · Score: 1

      Well, that depends. If the ayatollahs show the original trilogy, it could work. But showing the prequels would possibly result in the overthrow of the regime.

  45. Precious election. by fenring · · Score: 1

    "They're thieves, they're thieves! They're filthy little thieves! Where is it? Where is it? They ssstole it from us... my precioussss. Curse them! We hates them! It's ours, it is, and we wants it!"
    That's what iranians will say about the election after the movies.

  46. Edited for Content by sloomis · · Score: 1

    Come on, do you seriously think they are seeing the theatrical release. No way in hell, shit the version of the trilogy they get is 20 minutes of drama before Sauron gets the ring and 8 hours and 40 minutes of Sauron enslaving everyone.

    1. Re:Edited for Content by maxume · · Score: 1

      And since 'they' are all childish caricatures of 'real' people, they will eat up with their baby food spoons.

      --
      Nerd rage is the funniest rage.
  47. Iran is finally learning... by Ummite · · Score: 0, Troll

    Doing as Fox news is already doing for years, they will slowly learn how to control the masses with television. Nice work Iran.

    1. Re:Iran is finally learning... by Eli+Gottlieb · · Score: 1

      Hello, it's a film series about brave little heroes overthrowing an evil overlord? Do you not see the irony here?

  48. Sometimes by n30na · · Score: 1

    Life really is stranger than fiction. This is hilarious, the onion would be hard pressed in besting it. Seriously. A LOTR marathon to distract people. I wonder if it would be funnier if it actually worked, or if it didn't...

  49. Obligatory One Ring Post by zannox · · Score: 1

    One Movie to Rule Them All...
    One Movie to find them...
    One Movie to bring them all and in the darkness bind them!

    --
    I've nothing of importance to say, now go away before I taunt you with a second sig!
    1. Re:Obligatory One Ring Post by cashman73 · · Score: 1

      Replace "Movie" with "Trilogy" -- LOTR is three movies, remember?

    2. Re:Obligatory One Ring Post by mdenham · · Score: 1

      You don't need to replace it - I see three movies mentioned there.

  50. Hollywood by lcoscare · · Score: 1

    The Iranian protests are as scripted as Lord of the Rings. The CIA should have hired Peter Jackson since he's not going to direct The Hobbit. I'm sure CNN would have donated some $$$ for their 24 hour coverage.

  51. Why did they need Frodo? by Kupfernigk · · Score: 1

    An eagle that can pick up Hobbits at the extreme of its range and return them should be able to manage a magic ring or two on its own. If Lord of the Rings was science fiction, Frodo and the hobbits would have distracted the Nazgul while the eagles disposed of the Ring, it would have been one volume, and I wouldn't have wasted two weeks reading it all when I was 15.

    --
    From scarped cliff or quarried stone she cries "A thousand types are gone, I care for nothing, no not one."
    1. Re:Why did they need Frodo? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Yes, but are they immune to Magic Rings? An eagle with a Magic Ring, now there's a scary thought... evil invisible flying creature!

    2. Re:Why did they need Frodo? by virg_mattes · · Score: 1

      The problem here is corruption. The Ring corrupted everyone who touched it, except for Tom Bombadil. If Frodo had given the ring to one of the eagles, it would simply have done the same and then we'd have a eagle version of a Nazgul, and the Ring would be flown directly to Barad-Dur.

      It would have been one volume, but the ending would have been a bit less pleasant.

      Virg

    3. Re:Why did they need Frodo? by geekoid · · Score: 1

      If you bothered, you would know there are reasons they didn't send the Giant Eagles.

      Clearly you didn't pay attention while you where reading it.

      --
      The Kruger Dunning explains most post on /. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect
    4. Re:Why did they need Frodo? by Knara · · Score: 1

      Even Gandalf was afraid of the corrupting influence of the One Ring. The Eagles couldn't carry it, and even in the end, Frodo had been corrupted by Its will. Only Tom Bombadil (and Sauron, of course, who had become corrupted much earlier than the creation of all the Rings, so its a moot point) was unaffected, but Tom is an odd guy (and wasn't in the movie, too boot).

  52. Re:Can't have it both ways by amicusNYCL · · Score: 2, Informative

    They had substantially more votes than people in more than 10(?) districts

    Even the Guardian Council now concedes that the total number of votes cast exceeded the population in at least 50 cities. According to Iranian PressTV, it was "only 50" cities. Here's a glimpse of Iranian TV footage:

    http://www.cnn.com/video/data/2.0/video/world/2009/06/23/nasr.iran.tv.3.million.votes.cnn.html

    --
    "Our two-party system is like a bowl of shit looking at itself in a mirror." - Lewis Black
  53. Re:Can't have it both ways by phantomfive · · Score: 4, Funny

    Every observer called the election rigged, even some of the internal ones.

    Russia has recognized the elections as fair.

    In completely unrelated news, Russians have been campaigning for a return to the methods of Stalin. Not a joke.

    --
    Qxe4
  54. Re:Can't have it both ways by powerlord · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Is it really to much to ask them not to kill their own citizens in the streets and abduct them from their homes for torture & potential death?

    Short Answer: Yes.

    Long Answer: If you have to ask the above question then I suggest you re-read the definition of "Tyranny" http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tyranny.

    I suspect that your original question was rhetorical, but look at the bright side. At least there are reports of arrests of Mousavi and Co. rather than just disappearances (although I'm sure those are happening also).

    The sad truth is that in most of the rest of the world, revolution is the only effective means for a change of government. The advantage of Democracy (so far at least) as practiced in places like the U.S. is that it allows for changes in government to take place without the nasty "war-like" side effect that most revolutions entail. The down side is that changes are USUALLY slower to take place.

    I hope that:

    1) Iran transitions into a government that truly reflects the wishes of its people without bloodshed (alright, that moment is past. Without the need for FURTHER bloodshed).
    2) The wishes of its people are for a government that will interact with the rest of the world in the tolerant and open fashion that the rest of the world has come to expect from most modern countries.

    --
    This space for rent. All reasonable inquiries will be entertained at proprietors discretion.
  55. first by supermegadope · · Score: 0

    Just let my 8 year old son watch the fellowship lat night for the first time.... Fun trying to get him to sleep last night, lol

  56. Play them in reverse order by spookymonster · · Score: 3, Funny

    That way, Frodo starts out near-death from exposure to the outside world, but ends up happy at home, blissfully ignorant of what's going on outside the shire, while his ancient and powerful Supreme Leader takes care of all that messy 'freedom' stuff....

    --
    - Despite popular opinion, I am not perfect.
  57. look at a map of middle earth by circletimessquare · · Score: 1

    if the rest of the map is europe, mordor is pretty much persia

    --
    intellectual property law is philosophically incoherent. it is your moral duty to ignore it or sabotage it
  58. Following today's showing of LotR by Cruel+Angel · · Score: 2, Funny

    Braveheart?

    --
    Two Rules For Success:
    1) Never tell people everything you know.
    1. Re:Following today's showing of LotR by gbjbaanb · · Score: 1

      followed by Aeon Flux, Equilibrium, Brazil, Brave New World, Pleasantville and Hookers in Revolt

      Ok, one of those might get cancelled (I'm guessing it'll be Brazil).

    2. Re:Following today's showing of LotR by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Braveheart?

      Then TEAM AMERICA

  59. This will work, really by captainbeardo · · Score: 1

    Of course this is a good idea, why do you think every mini-van in america comes with DVD players and TV's. It's the easiest way to get kids to stop fighting.

  60. Follow up suggestion by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    It will take more than 9 hours of programming, try for at least 12.

    I would suggest next showing 300 followed by V for Vendetta. That should pacify them.

  61. Amateurs! by GodfatherofSoul · · Score: 1

    Don't you know that when you want to stop riots, you do it with a Godfather of Soul concert!

    --
    I swear to God...I swear to God! That is NOT how you treat your human!
  62. So much negativism toward LOTR... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    It's always funny to watch a bunch of nerds trying to pass as jocks.

    Guys, you're not fooling anyone!

  63. Frodo lives! by newgalactic · · Score: 1

    Will we see "Frodo Lives!" in Farsi now?

  64. Fighting the Great Satan by ILongForDarkness · · Score: 1

    by bombarding the population with the Great Satan's dwarfs.

  65. well thats one way... by binaryseraph · · Score: 1

    "GIVE US OUR VOT- wait Frodo don't go in there! NOOOOOOOOOOO"

  66. Re:Can't have it both ways by jchawk · · Score: 1

    Wait are we still talking about Iran?

  67. nitpicking by commodoresloat · · Score: 5, Funny

    Come on; it doesn't matter which U.S. state the film was made in; the point is it's all American media.

    1. Re:nitpicking by don.g · · Score: 4, Funny

      Typical American lack of geography. Everyone knows that New Zealand is a state of Australia.

      --
      Pretend that something especially witty is here. Thanks.
    2. Re:nitpicking by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It was originally part of New South Wales.

    3. Re:nitpicking by powerlord · · Score: 1

      Thats one of the ones in the "lower 62" right?

      --
      This space for rent. All reasonable inquiries will be entertained at proprietors discretion.
  68. why is this american in your mind? by circletimessquare · · Score: 1

    the practice of bread and circuses goes back to ancient times, in all world cultures, and has been in continuous use since forever. you even use the goddamn latin words to describe the practice, showing you know it was once roman in convention, but apparently you're hatred of the usa is such that you can't even make the superficial connection

    you know its ok to hate the american government. you are 100% vindicated and it is your right to do that. there is plenty to hate about the usa. fuck the usa. i am not defending the usa

    all i ask from you is some logical coherence: if you want to at least pretend that you stand for some sort of principles, rather than simply being a blatantly transparent antiamerican tool, you should try to apply the principles you stand for equally to all world governments

    in other words, its actually ok to hate the us government AND hate the iranian govt at the same time. imagine fucking that. hating the usa does not mean you have to love iran or view it as a victim, and visa versa

    the enemy of your enemy is not really necessarily your friend. that is, unless you are simply trying to be yet another braindead partisan player in the geopolitical games that create so much of the suffering in this world. suffering you probably loathe. and yet you play the game, all the same, by taking sides. a hypocrite, rather than actually taking the principles you say you stand for to heart, and hating all the players in the game

    --
    intellectual property law is philosophically incoherent. it is your moral duty to ignore it or sabotage it
    1. Re:why is this american in your mind? by Itninja · · Score: 1

      Yikes. Calm down buddy! I was just making a point that the Iranian government was blatantly giving people something 'extra fun' to entice them from speaking up for themselves en masse. Imagine if, on election day, the American government had a 'one day only free XBox giveaway'. Of course you would have to skip the electoral process to participate (doesn't really apply because of the absentee concept, but you get the idea).

      I made a bit of a flippant remark to be sure, but I hardly indicated a 'hated' of any government. I think you need to take a look in the mirror when it comes to inferring hatred. You clearly have some rage issues that need some attention.

      --
      I judt got a nre Kinesis keybiartf so please excusr ant egregiou typos.
  69. While U.S. Pacifies Its Residents: by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    with Walmart, The Big Story, and American Idol.

    Yours In Communism,
    Kilgore Trout

  70. Obligatory puns by timeodd · · Score: 2, Funny

    "One does not simply walk into Tehran..."

    "The great "eye"atollah is ever watchful..."

    "Riders! In burqas!"

    "Do not meddle in the affairs of Muslims, for they are subtle and quick to anger"

    "The battle for Iraq is over, the jihad for Middle-east is about to begin..."

    "The bomb will not save Iran. It only has the power to destroy..."

    "Authority is not given to you to deny the votes, Mahmoud" "The rule of Iran is mine! And no other's!

    "In the land of Iran, in the fires of Mosque Doom..."

  71. Shallow by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I bet this means that president ape is the hobbit who wants to change the world!

  72. Re:Can't have it both ways by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    You assume one vote per person.

  73. Clever. by jonadab · · Score: 1

    That's actually pretty clever. Show LOTR because people will actually want to watch it, and then once you get them inside watching television you can follow it up with a Star Wars marathon and then you gradually work your way down the quality meter until you've got them watching Jerry Lewis telethons and My Mother the Car. By then they'll be too lethargic and braindead to even remember to vote, much less want to bother. Problem solved.

    --
    Cut that out, or I will ship you to Norilsk in a box.
  74. On the other hand ... by Wrath0fb0b · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Perhaps this was not the best choice in films if you want your people not to believe that "even the smallest person can change the course of the future.

    On the other hand, it does reinforce the notion that brown people are a fallen race of brutes that are incapable of even the most basic language, let alone organized self-government. If the Iranians start believing that canard, then there goes the revolution.

    Then again, JRRT's solution is that a nice little white dude from England will come fix it up for you because he's so damned pure of spirit and incorruptible by evil (hah). Of course, he will bring with him some elves and dwarves (also white), a wizard with the surname "the white" and some other random white dude that claims the right to be King because his daddy was King and he has a nice looking sword (that apparently being a perfectly good reason to assert your right to absolute authority).

    Somehow, I don't think the Ayatollahs want that conclusion sinking in either.

    1. Re:On the other hand ... by phantomfive · · Score: 3, Informative

      Man, do you have to bring race into everything? Seriously, how many 'brown skinned' people do you think are going to look at orcs on the screen and say, "oh, that is me."

      The idea is ridiculous. Tolkien wasn't racist.

      Not only that, Persians are white caucasians. Check it out. Please be gone with your weird racial ideas.

      --
      Qxe4
    2. Re:On the other hand ... by shutdown+-p+now · · Score: 1

      On the other hand, it does reinforce the notion that brown people are a fallen race of brutes that are incapable of even the most basic language, let alone organized self-government

      More likely, it reinforces the notion that some people are willing to find their own stereotypes in anything, regardless of whether it is actually there, and then cry wolf in the name of political correctness.

      What else? Are you going to complain that there are no LGBT characters in LotR, perhaps (as some people have done)?

    3. Re:On the other hand ... by laddiebuck · · Score: 1

      Nice theory but for the fact that the orcs and goblins and the pirates are white too. So are Sauron and Saruman -- and for that matter, Saruman was the White and Gandalf the Grey until he became White. Radagast the Brown was a very decent chap, though in no way central to the plot.

    4. Re:On the other hand ... by CannonballHead · · Score: 1

      You can pick racism out of anything if you leave out enough.

      Or do I need to remind you that Saruman, who went to the "dark" side, used to be Saruman the White, that Sauron wasn't exactly "brown skinned," that there were evil "men of the north" (white), that Gondor's wacko Steward was white, etc.

      Besides. According to Tolkien, he wanted to write mythology for England. England happens to be a land of white people. Middle Earth, IIRC, was supposed to be pre-current-England England. So most of the people are white. Because England is.

      But you can think it's racist if you want, I guess. I have a hard time believing that Tolkien, who was in the war fighting against the white supremacist wacko Hitler, was writing from a ... Aryan point of view.

      Incidentally, mythology of England, since England was a monarchy for quite some time, would have to have some monarchist elements, no? Unless we would like to just rewrite history while we write the "fairy tales" of a long time ago. I'm sure they could have voted Sauron out of office. :)

    5. Re:On the other hand ... by Wrath0fb0b · · Score: 1

      Besides. According to Tolkien, he wanted to write mythology for England. England happens to be a land of white people. Middle Earth, IIRC, was supposed to be pre-current-England England. So most of the people are white. Because England is.

      And part of the prevailing culture of England at the time was an attempt to justify imperial policies as being in the best interest of the colonized (often dubbed "the white man's burden"). So it's not just that you have white people, it's the message that it is the solemn duty of the white person to intervene (at times by force) in the affairs of others because he is the only one morally pure enough not to be tempted to evil by the power to rule them.

      It's mythology with a very specific political and cultural message to it -- that the world needs white people to save them from their own inability to control themselves. I wouldn't really dub it racist, it's more of an interventionist-imperial thing really: -- the last thing that Tolkien would suggest that the people of the Shire do is mind their own business and not go mucking about having adventures in other peoples' countries.

    6. Re:On the other hand ... by bogjobber · · Score: 1

      You're stretching the race metaphor beyond comprehension. Even if you accept LOTR as an allegory, the "brown people" would have been Germans.

      And Iranians are mostly pretty white. In fact, the word Iran is a cognate of Aryan, literally meaning "land of the Aryans".

    7. Re:On the other hand ... by Wrath0fb0b · · Score: 1

      [Note: this was a response to another, similar, reply to my OP -- yours got modded up, so I'm just copying the response with some edits to get more visibility. I don't know the proper etiquette for dealing with this situation.]

      And part of the prevailing culture of England at the time was an attempt to justify imperial policies as being in the best interest of the colonized (often dubbed "the white man's burden"). So it's not just that you have white people, it's the message that it is the solemn duty of the white person to intervene (at times by force) in the affairs of others because he is the only one morally pure enough not to be tempted to evil by the power to rule them.

      It's mythology with a very specific political and cultural message to it -- that the world needs white people to save them from their own inability to control themselves. I wouldn't really dub it racist, it's more of an interventionist-imperial thing really. IOW, it's not about which race is better than which, it's about the fact that you should take it into your own hands to go fix the evils in the world. That last thing Tolkien would want to suggest is that the people of the Shire should mind their own damned business instead of going on "adventures" in other peoples' countries in a misguided (but noble, of course, nothing here imputes the intentions) quest to rid the world of evil.

      So much evil has been done by those with good intentions but poor understanding that believed they knew how to solve the world's problem. The obvious one is US intervention in the middle east: supporting the Shah against Mosaddeq, supporting the Taliban against the Soviets, supporting Saddam against the Iranians, supporting Kuwait against Saddam, removing Saddam. To me, it's quite clear that every time we try to rid the world of some obvious evil (and, let's face it, Saddam was a seriously evil human being, as were the Soviets in Afghanistan and the Ayatollahs in Iran) we only end up making things much worse.

      Of course, I freely admit that I'm something of an isolationist (at least when it comes to military force, I'm all for the free trade of ideas and goods) so of course I'm biased like that.

    8. Re:On the other hand ... by Rakarra · · Score: 1

      On the other hand, it does reinforce the notion that brown people are a fallen race of brutes that are incapable of even the most basic language, let alone organized self-government. If the Iranians start believing that canard, then there goes the revolution.

      I can't wait until they screen the adaptation of the last book in the Chronicles of Narnia series, The Last Battle.

      "You see, every time you were doing good in the name of Allah, you were really doing it in the name of Christ without realizing it. And whenever you were deceitfully doing evil works in the name of Christ, you were unwillingly doing it in the name of Allah. This is because Chist is pure good and Allah is pure evil, and you can't do a good deed in the name of an evil god. See how easy that is?

      Whoops, did I say Chist and Allah? I meant to say Aslan and Tash. Sorry."

    9. Re:On the other hand ... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I didn't see the orcs as brownskinned. Only rather unhygenic. I mean, born out of dirt, never bathing, not once even plunging into a river. How could anyone TELL what color they were?

    10. Re:On the other hand ... by Fenbeast · · Score: 1

      Brown-skinned? How can you tell? Orcs were born in dirt, never bathed, never so much as jumped into a river past their knees. Not so much brown-skinned as unhygenic, I'm thinking.

  75. Team America Oblig. by Theoboley · · Score: 1

    Hurka Durka Muhammad Jihad

    --
    Stupidity only gets you so far, then you've gotta try
  76. Panem Et circensus by nevillethedevil · · Score: 1

    I see they have adopted the US form of population control.

    "Give them cheap food and cheaper entertainment and you'll be able to do whatever you want."

    --
    Be gone from my sight or prepare to feel my flaming wraith!
  77. Queued up next... by gstein · · Score: 1

    ... Braveheart.

  78. iran officially protested that movie to the UN by circletimessquare · · Score: 1

    another movie they protested: alexander

    also: the wrestler

    why?

    one of mickey rourke's opponents in the ring is called "the ayatollah". nevermind the fact that in the movie "the ayatollah" is actually the wrestler's good friend when they are out of the ring. the irony of nationalism being a superficial game for the sake of ridiculous shallow spectacle apparently escapes a real ultranationalist iranian

    http://carpetbagger.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/12/16/wrestling-with-the-ayatollah/

    --
    intellectual property law is philosophically incoherent. it is your moral duty to ignore it or sabotage it
  79. Re:The Grotesquely Ugly Truth by vishbar · · Score: 1

    After the Kremlin exited Eastern Europe, the peoples of each nation in Eastern Europe rapidly established a genuine democracy and a free market. Except for Romania (where its people killed their dictator), there was no violence.

    And now they're getting rid of it again. Whether it's corruption in Ukraine or Putin's iron fist in Russia, democracy is dying over there.

    --
    Ride the skies
  80. Read the Silmarillion by Lilith's+Heart-shape · · Score: 1

    If you read the Silmarillion, it's pretty obvious that Melkor/Morgoth is an analogue of Lucifer/Satan.

    1. Re:Read the Silmarillion by Knara · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Gee, a mythology where a theological figure falls from grace? That ONLY happens in Christianity!

    2. Re:Read the Silmarillion by Fatalis · · Score: 1

      Given the historical context of when LotR was written, and that Tolkien was Brittish, it's even more "obvious" that Mordor was Nazi Germany and the whole story was an allegory for WWII. On the other hand, Tolkien has denied this, and arguing against the author doesn't make too much sense. I'm not sure he's denied Christial allegories too, but woudln't be surprised, even though Tolkien himself was an ardent Christian. Maybe someone can clarify.

      --
      Deus est fatalis
    3. Re:Read the Silmarillion by Lilith's+Heart-shape · · Score: 1

      If LOTR was an allegory of WWII, the ring would not have been destroyed, but reverse-engineered. Barad-dur would not have been destroyed, but occupied.

  81. Re:The Grotesquely Ugly Truth by conspirator57 · · Score: 3, Insightful

    The Iranians bear 100% of the blame for the existence of a tyrannical government in Iran. We should condemn Iranian culture and its people.

    i agree with you except for this. our past and current interventions both in Iran and with its neighbors have directly contributed to the rise and sustainment of the current Iranian government.
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Ajax

    --
    "If still these truths be held to be
    Self evident."
    -Edna St. Vincent Millay
  82. Why LOTRs? by hesaigo999ca · · Score: 1

    They could have used a better trilogy then that to pass time...STAR WARS comes to mind in the most hours passed behind a TV!
    I myself would have maybe done the Band of brothers.....oh wait a minute...!

    1. Re:Why LOTRs? by selven · · Score: 1

      LotR is about 300 people owning 10000 of the stupid masses because the masses are just that stupid and incapable of defeating the glorious king and his men. Star Wars is about rebels bringing down the evil empire. Which message do you want the Iranian public to receive?

    2. Re:Why LOTRs? by hesaigo999ca · · Score: 1

      Yes...I can see it now.....darth vader = ???

    3. Re:Why LOTRs? by Rakarra · · Score: 1

      They could have used a better trilogy then that to pass time...STAR WARS comes to mind in the most hours passed behind a TV!
      I myself would have maybe done the Band of brothers.....oh wait a minute...!

      Hmmm, didn't the evil Emperor come to ultimate power through fraudulent elections or something close? Deceitful at the least.

    4. Re:Why LOTRs? by hesaigo999ca · · Score: 1

      Yes.....come over to the dark side, my son......join me!

  83. Braveheart by Phoenix666 · · Score: 2, Funny

    is the only movie that would have pushed the irony meter higher.

    --
    Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.
  84. Warsaw Pact Vs. Iranian Despot by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful
    The Soviet Union brutalized Eastern Europe for 40 years. Allied with the army of the Kremlin, the authoritarian governments of Eastern Europe, from 1950 until 1988, killed their own citizens as they tried to flee. For 40 years, the Eastern Europeans suffered under the brutal yoke of oppression.

    Then, after the Kremlin exited Eastern Europe in 1989, the peoples of each nation in Eastern Europe removed their authoritarian goverment and rapidly established a genuine democracy and a free market. Except for Romania (where its people killed their dictator), there was no violence.

    That is how people act when they want freedom and free markets.

    In 1979, after the Iranian people overthrow the despot whom the Americans supported, the Iranians immediately established a brutal, authoritarian theocracy.

    That is how people act when they reject both freedom and free markets.

    Cultures are different. Eastern-European culture and Iranian culture are different. The Iranians bear 100% of the blame for the existence of a tyrannical government in Iran. We should condemn Iranian culture and its people.

    1. Re:Warsaw Pact Vs. Iranian Despot by mikerz · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Why "condemn" ? Yes, the people are ultimately responsible for their government. But condemnation is entirely unnecessary, and frankly degrading.

    2. Re:Warsaw Pact Vs. Iranian Despot by conspirator57 · · Score: 1

      they weren't rejecting free markets, they were rejecting colonialism.

      --
      "If still these truths be held to be
      Self evident."
      -Edna St. Vincent Millay
    3. Re:Warsaw Pact Vs. Iranian Despot by magarity · · Score: 1

      If the Iranians were 'rejecting colonialism' then weren't the Poles, Czechs, etc, when throwing off the Soviet Union? What was the Soviet Union if not colonialism? That term is not exclusive to European powers exerting control over non-Eropeans.

  85. mindless ethnocentrism and partisanship drives me into a rage

    sorry (not really)

    --
    intellectual property law is philosophically incoherent. it is your moral duty to ignore it or sabotage it
  86. Plan B? by kheldan · · Score: 1

    I guess jingling his keys at them and driving them around the block over and over again didn't work, so he's trying this.

    --
    Are YOU using the TOOL, or is the TOOL using YOU? Think about it!
  87. Re:The Grotesquely Ugly Truth by Daimanta · · Score: 2, Insightful

    "In the absence of an external interfering force (e. g., army of the Soviet Union), the fate of a nation is determined by its people. Period. "

    No country operates in a vaccuum. Period.

    --
    Knowledge is power. Knowledge shared is power lost.
  88. Anonymous Coward by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Iran is involved in a sort of tech war of information. Are the Iranian leaders buying into the stereotype that all geeky/nerd types are Sci/fi fans? But knowing how much I like the trilogy it could work over here in the states. Damn you Peter Jackson!

  89. Iranian leaders read Calvin and Hobbes? by Davorama · · Score: 1

    Calvin: It says here, "Religion is the opiate of the masses."...What do you suppose that means?
    TV: ...It means Karl Marx hasn't seen anything yet...

    --

    Davo -- Free speech, free software, AND free beer.

  90. Just had to by xednieht · · Score: 1

    One Achmed to rule them all, One Achmed to find them, One Achmed to bring them all and to their camels bind them

    --

    Hope is the currency of fools
    1. Re:Just had to by david.emery · · Score: 1

      One Achmed to rule them all, One Achmed to find them, One Achmed to bring them all and to their camels bind them

      I knew somewhere buried in the (300, when I read this post) comments, there would be something significantly funny. Please mod parent up.

    2. Re:Just had to by xednieht · · Score: 1

      Geez tough crowd tonight LOL

      --

      Hope is the currency of fools
  91. Re:The Grotesquely Ugly Truth by calmofthestorm · · Score: 1

    Hobbes is that you? I'm not sure I agree that someone can make a social contract on behalf of his children and their children, for all time.

    There was a time when an overwhelming majority of Iranians supported this government, yes. But do they still? Clearly not all do.

    --
    93rd rule of Slashdot: No matter how obvious my sarcasm is, my comment will be taken seriously by someone.
  92. Re:Can't have it both ways by jitterman · · Score: 1

    Yes. The Ayatollah got his one vote - thus the outcome.

    --
    For conscience is the wound, and there's naught to staunch it
  93. Oh yeah, this is gonna help. by dwiget001 · · Score: 1

    The scenes where Frodo is looking longingly into Sam's eyes (after the ring is destroyed and just before Frodo ships out with the elves) would be enough to get people on the streets, protesting that the government put such crap on TV!

  94. Punctuation! by Tetsujin · · Score: 1

    "In the absence of an external interfering force (e. g., army of the Soviet Union), the fate of a nation is determined by its people. Period. "

    No country operates in a vaccuum. Period.

    A sentence that is an ordinary kind of statement should usually end with a period. Period.

    --
    Bow-ties are cool.
  95. Re:The Grotesquely Ugly Truth by conspirator57 · · Score: 1

    i wasn't consigning anyone to an eternity of anything. i was correcting the misapprehension that we are innocent with respect to Iran. I was also pointing out that our continued interventions in the region have been and still are counterproductive.

    --
    "If still these truths be held to be
    Self evident."
    -Edna St. Vincent Millay
  96. Much easier to dream about rebellion by Fantastic+Lad · · Score: 1

    Hits all the same neural pathways and you don't have to risk life or limb.

    TV has killed us. This is not a funny story. It's a pathetic foot note.

    Think: If everybody went on strike for one week, clear across the country, the government would beg us to go back to work. They'd give us anything. It works in France. The government coffers won't last long without regular tax uptake.

    Let's all strike. Eat out of cans for ten days. Block the streets. No violence. Just a total shutdown. Let the Rich people's toilets stop flushing and see how long it takes to close Guantanamo.

    Of course, it won't happen if you own and watch a TV. (Though it'd be funny trying to see Fox spin the whole thing like the desperate stuffed shirts they are.)

    -FL

  97. Re:The Grotesquely Ugly Truth by Chris+Burke · · Score: 5, Funny

    No country operates in a vaccuum. Period.

    Well, except for Moonistan.

    --

    The enemies of Democracy are
  98. I challenge the geekdom of this article's author by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    What kind geek would watch the 9 hour version when there is a 12 hour version?

  99. Re:Can't have it both ways by xednieht · · Score: 0

    "In completely unrelated news, Russians have been campaigning for a return to the methods of Stalin [reuters.com]. Not a joke."

    But of course... they see how much fun Americans are having with Stalin's methods, not a joke either (sadly).

    --

    Hope is the currency of fools
  100. Hmmmm... by viyh · · Score: 1

    It's funny that now they are influencing their own people with Western Influences. FRODO AKBAR!!!

    --
    "I have never let my schooling interfere with my education." --Mark Twain
  101. Depends... by ZarathustraDK · · Score: 1

    Is it an african or european eagle?

    --
    If you quote this signature there'll be 72 copies of Windows ME waiting for you in Heaven.
  102. V for Vendetta next? by spacefiddle · · Score: 1

    People should not be afraid of their government. Governments should be afraid of their people.

    You know, the Iranian people seem to have achieved this.

  103. Cast by ZarathustraDK · · Score: 1

    Hobbits, Gimli & Legolas : The people who got cheated out of their vote.
    Boromir : Some weak polititian.
    Gandalf & Aragorn : Mir Hossein Moussavi.
    Saruman : Ahmadinejad.
    Sauron : Khameini.
    Orcs : The revolution guard.
    Other supporting villains : Basij militia.

    --
    If you quote this signature there'll be 72 copies of Windows ME waiting for you in Heaven.
  104. That's not all it teaches by Nekomusume · · Score: 1

    It also teaches you to do what the crazy old man with the long beard tells you, no matter how insane it sounds at the time.

  105. Next up: The Daily Show by Zarhan · · Score: 1

    Although they probably know it already well enough...

    (Check last 30 secs if nothing else)

  106. Re:The Grotesquely Ugly Truth by LostInTaiwan · · Score: 1

    Cultures are different. Vietnamese culture and Iranian culture are different. The Iranians bear 100% of the blame for the existence of a tyrannical government in Iran. We should condemn Iranian culture and its people.

    I don't think the Vietnamese government was elected, either democratically or through vote rigging. You are confusing economic progress with democratic progress. In terms of advancing democratic ideas, given what we've seen in the last weeks, Iran is far ahead of the pacified Vietnamese population.

    Since you are assigning blame on a percentage basis and I don't know your lifestyle, so it'll have to be a self assessment, how much blame do you deserve for buying and using products that originated from places ruled by tyrannical government?

  107. Re:The Grotesquely Ugly Truth by MaskedSlacker · · Score: 1

    Copy and paste much? Grow some testicles and post under a name or GTFO.

  108. Comment field size {was: Re:Link} by TrebleMaker · · Score: 1

    Now the comment field is about 3cm wide.

    Not for me, it isn't.

    (and it does work with 3.5RC2 if you hack maxVersion in install.rdf)

    --
    In Soviet Russia a beowulf cluster of these things imagines you welcoming your new, neural-network overlords.
  109. This is inspiring (to the nefarious) by SandiConoverJones · · Score: 1

    Oh wow! I always hope for rain on election day to keep the lazy voters home, but I hadn't thought of using TV...

  110. Re:Can't have it both ways by shutdown+-p+now · · Score: 1

    Stalin's methods would be Obama lining up all Reps and half of Dems against the wall.

    On the other hand, I'm sure it would be something most Americans would genuinely cheer to, so maybe you're not that off...

  111. Re:Can't have it both ways by shutdown+-p+now · · Score: 1

    In completely unrelated news, Russians have been campaigning for a return to the methods of Stalin.

    It's Russian Communist party, which has been getting a steadily declining percentage of votes in every election. Last time they were somewhere around 15%, I believe. So whatever they do, it's rather irrelevant.

    They're mainly voted for by pensioners and otherwise old people who were generally better off in USSR days.

    The reason why Russia recognized Iran elections as fair is because last Russian presidential and parliamentary elections have also seen widespread fraud. It wasn't that major mostly because they had a fair majority anyway - the only reason why they went for the fraud is to secure a supermajority for the ruling party in the parliament (to be able to amend the Constitution), and to avoid the second round in presidential elections (and allow Medvedev to claim that, with 70% of the votes, he has "a clear mandate").

  112. Djanhadarh!!! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    One does not simply Mordor into Iran

  113. Yep by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I always thought Saruman looked like Khomeini. Betcha he fed on man flesh too.

  114. Mod parent up by Saysys · · Score: 1

    This is exactly why the world hates us, the corrupt governments of the world point to our corrupt government and says "It's not MY fault I'm this way!"

  115. This is by Prune · · Score: 1

    genuinely funny, even in the sad context of violence and oppression.

    --
    "Politicians and diapers must be changed often, and for the same reason."
  116. O RLY?!? by crhylove · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    Who killed JFK, and what happened to Building 7?

    Our government is totally better.

    --
    I hold very few opinions. I hold information based on observation and fact. If you wish to disagree, please use facts.
    1. Re:O RLY?!? by ScentCone · · Score: 1

      Who killed JFK

      The mob. They hated him and his brother.

      what happened to Building 7?

      Fatigued superstructure from the shower of massive pieces of the collapsing adjoining buildings and the fire from generator fuel.

      Of course, you know that. Nice troll, though!

      --
      Don't disappoint your bird dog. Go to the range.
  117. Has this story been hacked somehow? by PapagenoX · · Score: 1

    It's showing up all screwy compared to other /. stories.

  118. Re:The Grotesquely Ugly Truth by selven · · Score: 1

    He said vaccuum. With 2 Cs.

  119. Re:The Grotesquely Ugly Truth by CarpetShark · · Score: 1

    No country operates in a vaccuum. Period.

    Well, except for Moonistan.

    Actually, Moonistan operates in a cheese-grater. Bhagistan, now that operates in a vaccuum. Except when you take it out to replace it.

  120. dept tag rocks by adavies42 · · Score: 1

    upvoted for the awesome dept tag. nice to see someone else likes the hobbit cartoon!

    --
    Media that can be recorded and distributed can be recorded and distributed.
    -kfg
  121. Re:The Grotesquely Ugly Truth by magarity · · Score: 1

    No country operates in a vaccuum.
     
    Of course not, they've all upgraded to solid state.

  122. Re:Can't have it both ways by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    "the race which was predicted to be very close, turned out to be a complete landslide" that's not really an issue. It can happen perfectly legitimately.

    Yeah, the rest of the fact clearly point to vote fraud.

    I mean, when they say Yes, there were more votes then people, but no there wasn't vote fraud. I mean WTF?

    I read that the official explanation was that in Iran, you don't need to vote in the district where you are registered, so travelers would account for the discrepancy.

  123. Obama did the same by daemonenwind · · Score: 1

    Several states had more votes than voters in the 200 presidential election.

    I wonder why Obama is having a hard time criticizing the Iranian ruling structure, at the same time that Acorn added, "International", to their name.

    As Arsenio Hall was fond of saying, it's just a thing that makes you say, hmmm.

    1. Re:Obama did the same by SatanicPuppy · · Score: 1

      [citation needed]

      --
      ad logicam Claiming a proposition is false because it was presented as the conclusion of a fallacious argument.
    2. Re:Obama did the same by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The US has about 1600 years less history than you think it does.

  124. Fake, Fake, and more Fake by siriuskase · · Score: 1

    come, on, this story has gotta be fake. I know this is Iran, but how could anyone think this film series could ever calm down the hordes in the street? I mean even black robed persian women are rational, aren't they?

    --
    If you must moderate, please moderate as irrelevent, not something bad, because I'm sure someone will find this interest
  125. Re:Can't have it both ways by bogjobber · · Score: 1

    There have also been reports of "disappearances" of many people, although of course those claims haven't been verified.

  126. works by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Oh man, that would -so- work on me.

  127. Tolkien's reaction by dugeen · · Score: 1

    It could be argued that Tolkien, being a dyed-in-the-wool legitimist, would have supported the duly constituted Iranian government in suppressing protests. But I disagree with that - his letters show that he took the Fascist anti-government side in the Spanish civil war.

  128. Bread and AD&D by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    This is funny. They should pull off a star wars marathon as well !

    Bottom line, people want peace, we all love each other, our masters are the ones who make us fight.

  129. Re:Wow. by ground.zero.612 · · Score: 0

    Leave it to /. moderators to completely fuck up a moderation... Whoever modded this, do you really think Ayatollah Ali Khamenei isn't trying to pacify Iran's people? Do you think stupid shit like this never happen(s)(ed) in the USA? Exactly how was that a troll? I think modding this post -1 Troll is a troll.

    --
    "Be prepared, son. That's my motto. Be prepared." --Joe Hallenbeck
  130. You will laugh but that's exactly what happening by S3D · · Score: 1

    Seriously, how many 'brown skinned' people do you think are going to look at orcs on the screen and say, "oh, that is me."

    Russian LOTR readers quite often identify with orcs or easterlings. People under the red sign, from the east, to whom "free people of the west" want to bring just rule, proper king or maybe just exterminate. There is a lot of fan-fiction written from point of view of orcs, or simpatizing to orcs, most notable of wich are Perumov's "Ring of Darkness" and Eskov's "The Last Ringbearer"

  131. Re:The Grotesquely Ugly Truth by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    you said cuum... hehehehehe

  132. Ayatollah Sauron by masmullin · · Score: 1

    Ayatollah Sauron opposed this viewing.