Iran - British Woman Held....

[agchristie]

for watching a men's volleyball match.

http://m.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-29189038

[Zacs-Master]

Ok good. I have no sympathy for those who put themselves in a 'far less fortunate position'.

[naomi24]

Fair enough. That's your choice.

[DTCwordfan]

Zacs, I too agree with you there and usually naomi makes erudite and considerate remarks, one may or may not agree with them - but trying to turn this one into a p-ssing match and one that borders on rudeness is so atypical.

I could also add that she has no idea of my life too and work on aspects of Sino activity, of which there is plenty of 'downside' just like the Middle East - oh, by the way, having travelled extensively through that area earlier in my career inc the likes of Yemen, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq and Iran.

[Zacs-Master]

No, it's my opinion. And it's exactly those one liners you keep coming out with which aren't 'you'. Where's the reasoned, educated debate we're so used to?

[agchristie]

Zacs - does that extend to the journalists and aid workers who put themselves at risk?

[Zacs-Master]

Absolutely.

[Baldric]

It's a dreadful Regime, but it's going to take an awful lot of effort to change it!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2750684/British-woman-Ghoncheh-Ghavami-jailed-two-months-Iran-trying-watch-men-s-volleyball-match-Tehran.html

[DTCwordfan]

It's a good point that you make, agc. However, I think that there is a difference. On one hand, this woman has crossed swords over a minor thing like a volley ball game, when she probably knew better, unless she was out to make a political stand for female rights in the changing environment that Iran is experiencing, versus folk who put themselves on the line in the name of journalism and in bringing balanced correspondence, opinion and even the truth out from what is implicitly an increasing dangerous region to be in.

[naomi24]

Zacs, ok, if you prefer, I'll rephrase that. It's not your opinion, it's your choice. I accept an honest answer, but in a situation like this, jokes are misplaced. (I don't see that if one-liners are all that's required that they are not conducive to educated and reasoned debate).

Baldric, you’re right - it will take an awful lot of effort to change it - but unless someone begins to attempt to make that change, it's never going to happen – and actually, I think those who care enough to risk their personal safety in challenging such antiquated regimes are brave in the extreme.

[Zacs-Master]

I agree they are very brave but they must also accept the consequences of their actions should the brown stuff hit the spinning thing.

[DTCwordfan]

Right, I am going to bed but one thing, seriously.

I do muck around here, jokes, japes, stirring things occasionally, from time to time some creativity, but I can also have my serious side and that is what you have failed to discern, naomi. Yes, the former may in part be a protective skin as well, but I think it's pretty obvious when my mind turns more to debating matters. I would have thought that out of all ABers that you would have picked up on this before many on here.

Enough said. Night (though I see you have just added a contribution).

[agchristie]

DTC - whoever or whatever the intentions are, Zacs has stated that he has no sympathy for those who place themselves in a far less fortunate position.

[Zacs-Master]

I have. But what does that have to do with DTs post?

[DTCwordfan]

agc, the work that the correspondents do, male and female as there are a fair number of the fairer sex out there is fraught with danger and, as has been said, often very courageous, not only for what they communicate but just even existing there, a very different cup of tea, prima facie to the volley-ball woman's situation, unless she is making a deliberate stand for rights.

[naomi24]

Zacs, Indeed - but in this instance, it's not being concealed behind closed doors as it usually is - we're talking about it - and that has to be a positive thing.

Night DT - and all.

[Zacs-Master]

It has. Good night all, it's tomorrow already. ;-).

[agchristie]

DTC was making a distinction between the woman's intentions and those of journalists/aid workers i.e the latters cause has more merit.

[agchristie]

Night all