# Iran earthquake (no idea where this may go) **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [December 30, 2003, 8:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-earthquake-no-idea-where-this-may-go/221735 "2003-12-30T08:50:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![duffer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duffer/32/1026_2.png) [@duffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duffer)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2003, 8:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-earthquake-no-idea-where-this-may-go/221735/1 "2003-12-30T08:50:46Z")
Disclaimer : I lost both my parents, and grandparents, and my brother when he was 2. I understand how painful it is to lose loved ones. I guess I can only do this step-by-step. So here goes. I can’t cite the countries, but there are many offering help. One of these countries is “The Great Satan”. I guess 1979 doesn’t matter when the Ayatollah’s need help. (Stay with me on this, I don’t hate Iranians) That said, Isreal offered help (financial and manpower) to Iran. President Khatami said Iran wouldn’t accept any help from Jews. Think of that, Iran’s gov’t has sworn the names of Jewish mothers for decades, yet the Isrealies are offering free help. This is getting into a rant, I OP’d here thinking it would end up here anyway, so I might as well go off. To continue, I need to remind Iran they have a SHITLOAD of oil, but you need nuclear power for electricity? I call bullshit. (OK that was off-topic, but I stand by it) I’m an American, and Goddamn proud of it. Do I lord it over others? Of course not, I’m not in position to. I understand why some countries hate us. Based on what we are and what we stand for, many people still look to us for hope. But, like Iraqis, Iranians, North Koreans, Afghani’s et. al. some people are just taught from birth to hate the US. I can accept that. I have a cable modem and can understand how info and change should happen RIGHT NOW!! I want to use the term “benevolent” for America. But that won’t fly on this board. The point I wanted to state in that assertion, was that America will bail you out. It’s too easy to bring up France. So I’ll mention the current crisis. “The Great Satan” is sending millions of dollars (that Howard Dean says we can’t afford) and many, many people to rebuild. Use the fucking oil to build something that won’t crumble when a fly farts! _Off to take my meds_ ---
**Author:** ![Boo\_Boo\_Foo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@Boo\_Boo\_Foo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boo_Boo_Foo)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2003, 9:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-earthquake-no-idea-where-this-may-go/221735/2 "2003-12-30T09:09:38Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by duffer \* > \*\*Use the fucking oil to build something that won’t crumble when a fly farts! > > _Off to take my meds_ \*\* That truly was in poor taste. Honestly. ---
**Author:** ![Desmostylus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c57346/32.png) [@Desmostylus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Desmostylus)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2003, 9:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-earthquake-no-idea-where-this-may-go/221735/3 "2003-12-30T09:10:37Z")
Bit more Valium next time. Or maybe a bit less. Hard to tell. ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2003, 9:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-earthquake-no-idea-where-this-may-go/221735/4 "2003-12-30T09:22:48Z")
You’re right that the countries offering aid to Iran are good, despite the fact that Iran’s government are a bunch of fucking barbarians. You’re right that refusing aid from Israel was a phenominally assholish thing to do. But the rest of it just reads like the nonsensical rambling of a drunken subway hobo, so I will withhold judgment until either you or I sober up. ---
**Author:** ![Lola](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ed655f/32.png) [@Lola](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lola)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2003, 11:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-earthquake-no-idea-where-this-may-go/221735/5 "2003-12-30T11:09:21Z")
A truly offensive posting. Between 20000 and 50000 people die and you want to take the opportunity to score a few points? Jesus. ---
**Author:** ![gluteus\_maximus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f17d59/32.png) [@gluteus\_maximus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gluteus_maximus)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2003, 11:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-earthquake-no-idea-where-this-may-go/221735/6 "2003-12-30T11:51:50Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by duffer \* > \*\* > Use the fucking oil to build something that won’t crumble when a fly farts! > \*\* While you may very well be familiar with the power of a fly’s fart, you obviously have never experienced a strong earthquake. Considering that the death toll estimates are currently hovering around _ **28,000** _ (!:eek:!), **duffer** , your opening disclaimer, and the rest of your OP, is incredibly lame, and heartless. As far as help goes, why should the Iranians accept second-hand aid from Israel, when they already have the offer of direct aid from the U.S.? ---
**Author:** ![duffer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duffer/32/1026_2.png) [@duffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duffer)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2003, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-earthquake-no-idea-where-this-may-go/221735/7 "2003-12-30T11:55:09Z")
Yes Friedo, it was rambling rhetoric. I trust you knew (even unimplied) that it was a rant. If that wasn’t clear, it’s my fault, Lola, that post was offensive? 2 things to remember, 1. This is the PIT! This is where you go to rant about these things. (Unless I’m wrong, can we a get a mod ruling?) 1. I think I was pretty clear that I wasn’t pitting people. Only a government. If anyone took my Op as a flame, it wasn’t supposed to be that. But this gets me to a new thought. When did we get so thin-skinned that we take offence to an idiot with an internet connection? ---
**Author:** ![Desmostylus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c57346/32.png) [@Desmostylus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Desmostylus)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2003, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-earthquake-no-idea-where-this-may-go/221735/8 "2003-12-30T12:04:20Z")
You’re new here, **duffer** , and I guess you were trying to attract some attention. You’ve attracted it. A word to the wise: Don’t try to attract more at this stage. Things might not go so well. ---
**Author:** ![clayton\_e](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c57346/32.png) [@clayton\_e](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clayton_e)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2003, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-earthquake-no-idea-where-this-may-go/221735/9 "2003-12-30T12:12:34Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by duffer \* > \*\*When did we get so thin-skinned that we take offence to an idiot with an internet connection? \*\* Right about when some asshole with a telephone tried to sell me something. Doesn’t matter how the idiots talk, they always do. Don’t expect to say something… anything… like what you posted above and not have people be unhappy. ---
**Author:** ![Crusoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/49beb7/32.png) [@Crusoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crusoe)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2003, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-earthquake-no-idea-where-this-may-go/221735/10 "2003-12-30T12:17:04Z")
As far as I can tell, the OP was a poorly disguised crowing attempt (“Ha! They hate us, but we still bail 'em out!”). The line about buildings crumbling was also fairly unnecessary. ---
**Author:** ![duffer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duffer/32/1026_2.png) [@duffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duffer)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2003, 12:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-earthquake-no-idea-where-this-may-go/221735/11 "2003-12-30T12:22:23Z")
Gluteus, yeah the bug fart was uncalled for. I was just using hyperbole. I was trusting Dopers would see that. Like I said, as most Dopers have, I lost very close relatives. I understand the pain of losing a loved one. If I forgot to do it, I meant to say I sympathize with the Iranians killed. Since 1972, over 70,000 in Iran have died because of earthquakes. My OP was was only to slam the government, NOT as I said the Iranian people. And Christ Almighty, if Isreal wants to come in and help them out, and they refuse to let Jews into the country, where is the outrage from Dopers over the leaders not allowing help? OK, they hate Jews. I get it. I was trying to find out why Dopers (still the smartest damn people on Earth) don’t see the irony of a government, facing tens of thousands of corpses, refusing help from Isreal, but gladly accepting help from “The Great Satan”. Look, I may be wrong. This argument, as well as the OP is 99% opinion. There’s a reason I started it in the Pit. I just have a problem with the Iranian administration refusing help for thier families. ---
**Author:** ![duffer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duffer/32/1026_2.png) [@duffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duffer)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2003, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-earthquake-no-idea-where-this-may-go/221735/12 "2003-12-30T12:26:36Z")
OK, I’m wrong. One question though (maybe this should be in GQ) how many posts and how many months does it take to avoid the “you’re new” responses? That is a fair question. And I will follow the rule. ---
**Author:** ![gluteus\_maximus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f17d59/32.png) [@gluteus\_maximus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gluteus_maximus)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2003, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-earthquake-no-idea-where-this-may-go/221735/13 "2003-12-30T12:30:21Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by duffer \* > \*\* If I forgot to do it, I meant to say I sympathize with the Iranians killed. > > Since 1972, over 70,000 in Iran have died because of earthquakes. My OP was was only to slam the government, NOT as I said the Iranian people. \*\* Yes, you “forgot” to say that you sympathize with any Iranians, living or dead. You merely stated that you don’t hate them. As far as I know (sorry, no cite), no nation’s government has yet succeeded in preventing earthquakes. I hadn’t noticed, but did you also pit Governor Arnold for the quake in California? ---
**Author:** ![Crusoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/49beb7/32.png) [@Crusoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crusoe)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2003, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-earthquake-no-idea-where-this-may-go/221735/14 "2003-12-30T12:33:49Z")
I wouldn’t worry about the ‘you’re new’ responses. They’ll go as soon as you get to know people or prove you know your stuff (depending on which boards you frequent most). Welcome aboard. ---
**Author:** ![gluteus\_maximus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f17d59/32.png) [@gluteus\_maximus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gluteus_maximus)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2003, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-earthquake-no-idea-where-this-may-go/221735/15 "2003-12-30T12:35:48Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by duffer \* > \*\*OK, I’m wrong. One question though (maybe this should be in GQ) how many posts and how many months does it take to avoid the “you’re new” responses? That is a fair question. And I will follow the rule. \*\* “You’re new.” means you’ve been cut some slack, not that attracting attention in this way will be tolerated more after you’ve posted a certain number of times. ---
**Author:** ![duffer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duffer/32/1026_2.png) [@duffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duffer)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2003, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-earthquake-no-idea-where-this-may-go/221735/16 "2003-12-30T12:40:55Z")
See how fast an OP can be twisted? I never said Khatami (or any leader) could ever stop an earthquake. But he CAN prevent free help from a country he doesn’t like. Whoops, Iran hates America, yet they’re taking US cash. I’m not going to bother typing this out again if you don’t see where I was going, Isreal offered help and Iran refused the help because they are Jews. Melt it all down, and that was the crux of my OP. I just don’t know how to describe this better. I’m not trying to start a fight. I’m just pissed that the Iranian government is REFUSING help because they’re racist. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2003, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-earthquake-no-idea-where-this-may-go/221735/17 "2003-12-30T14:48:00Z")
Actually, building a nuclear power station is a **good** idea. That oil isn’t going to last for ever. Using the power station to produce materiel for a weapons program is **not a good** idea. ---
**Author:** ![gluteus\_maximus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f17d59/32.png) [@gluteus\_maximus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gluteus_maximus)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2003, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-earthquake-no-idea-where-this-may-go/221735/18 "2003-12-30T17:00:28Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by duffer \* > \*\* > > I’m not trying to start a fight. I’m just pissed that the Iranian government is REFUSING help because they’re racist. \*\* Actually, they’re not refusing Israeli aid because they are racist, but because they are enemies. Saying the Iranians are racist against the Israelis is like saying the Irish are racist against the British. Here’s a tip: Next time, try to keep your pit rant to one topic instead of all that “hyperbolic” rambling you did in the OP. Then, you won’t have to spend so much time explaining and leading us all to your true point. Also, next time, try picking on someone who isn’t suffering. ---
**Author:** ![Lola](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ed655f/32.png) [@Lola](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lola)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2003, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-earthquake-no-idea-where-this-may-go/221735/19 "2003-12-30T17:12:23Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by duffer \* > \*\* > > Lola, that post was offensive? 2 things to remember, 1. This is the PIT! This is where you go to rant about these things. (Unless I’m wrong, can we a get a mod ruling?) > > \*\* Yes, you patronising gobshite, it was offensive, as you must be realising by now. ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2003, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-earthquake-no-idea-where-this-may-go/221735/20 "2003-12-30T20:38:45Z")
Well, remember when Guiliani turned down that check from that Prince Alwaleed bin Talal guy from Saudi Arabia after 9/11?There’s no such thing as a “string-free” offer of assistance when it comes to international affairs. I’m not saying anti-semitism or assholishness isn’t driving Khatami’s refusal, but it’s not fair to call him an asshole simply for refusing aid…even though the people dying under rubble probably don’t care where the assistance comes from. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-earthquake-no-idea-where-this-may-go/221735.md?page=2)