# Iran proposes badges for Non-muslims **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [May 19, 2006, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-proposes-badges-for-non-muslims/357416 "2006-05-19T16:06:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![even\_sven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dfb087/32.png) [@even\_sven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/even_sven)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2006, 7:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-proposes-badges-for-non-muslims/357416/21 "2006-05-20T07:04:59Z")
Yeah. When we start invading Iran. how many of our family members and co-workers are going to say “Well good. Those monsters made Jews wear yellow badges just like the Nazis.” Stories like this are big when people think they are true, but their retractions slip past our attention. Very useful for people or group with an agenda. ---
**Author:** ![Henry-Finland](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e99b99/32.png) [@Henry-Finland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Henry-Finland)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2006, 8:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-proposes-badges-for-non-muslims/357416/22 "2006-05-20T08:24:10Z")
Some 15 hours ago, Google News had **“all 22 related”** about this spin. Now it is **"all 84 related**" > **[Google News](https://news.google.com/search?hl=en-US&q=Iranian%2Bparliament&gl=US&ceid=US:en)** > > Comprehensive up-to-date news coverage, aggregated from sources all over the world by Google News. The spin is on! Henry ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2006, 8:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-proposes-badges-for-non-muslims/357416/23 "2006-05-20T08:34:50Z")
> [@even sven](#): > > Yeah. When we start invading Iran. how many of our family members and co-workers are going to say “Well good. Those monsters made Jews wear yellow badges just like the Nazis.” Stories like this are big when people think they are true, but their retractions slip past our attention. Very useful for people or group with an agenda. Didn’t really work this time, though. The item hasn’t reached any of the mainstream news outlet. If it had been planted by professional’s I’d expect a bit more traction. ---
**Author:** ![Sevastopol](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cdc98d/32.png) [@Sevastopol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sevastopol)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2006, 8:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-proposes-badges-for-non-muslims/357416/24 "2006-05-20T08:35:17Z")
Juan Cole thinks Conrad Black is behind it. ---
**Author:** ![Mops](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mops/32/16494_2.png) [@Mops](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mops)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2006, 9:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-proposes-badges-for-non-muslims/357416/25 "2006-05-20T09:01:05Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > Didn’t really work this time, though. The item hasn’t reached any of the mainstream news outlet. If it had been planted by professional’s I’d expect a bit more traction. I expect it to become a widely ‘known’ ‘fact’, though - you don’t need the continuing support of major news outlets for that. A year ago or so there was a story unemployed women in Germany forced into prostitution by the unemployment office, and I still see this cited as fact in minor media and in blogs. ---
**Author:** ![Henry-Finland](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e99b99/32.png) [@Henry-Finland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Henry-Finland)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2006, 10:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-proposes-badges-for-non-muslims/357416/26 "2006-05-20T10:08:48Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > Didn’t really work this time, though. The item hasn’t reached any of the mainstream news outlet. If it had been planted by professional’s I’d expect a bit more traction. I do not know if hese all are “mainstream”, but it sem that the proffessionality of checking sources are quite low: **Globe and Mail Los Angeles Times Seattle Times Jerusalem Post (3 stories, (of course) New York Post Kansas City Star Washinton times NewsMax (of course) UPI Forbes** All together, there is now about 100 stories spinning in Google News. > [@](#): > > So far, at least **MSNBC and Fox News Channel have mentioned the story** , and it has been **the dominant story of the day in the blogosphere**. > Right now, mid-afternoon, many news outlets are in a scramble to find out if it is true. The Iranian embassy has denied it, and Mohammad Mohammadi, press officer at the Iranian mission to United Nations, told CBS News Radio the story is “completely untrue.” > > \*\*The Drudge Report \*\*has had a link to the story at the top of its page all day. **[CBSNews.com](http://CBSNews.com) has not mentioned it.** > “It’s potentially an explosive story but we won’t touch it until we have some sort of concrete confirmation, and we haven’t come close to that,” says Dan Collins, senior producer for [CBSNews.com](http://CBSNews.com). > > **CBS News Radio has also decided against running the story** , according to Exective Producer Charlie Kaye. _ **"There are too many red flags here,"** _ he says. > “The best we can determine is this has originated with Iranian dissidents in Canada. We have spoken to a CBS News correspondent just back from Iran and her producer, we’ve spoken to the Iranian mission to the UN, we’ve spoken to our State Department Reporter Charlie Wolfson, and at this point we’re not comfortable putting it on the radio.” > The story has run on WCBS 880 local radio news here in New York, however. I agree that this is not the work of proffessionals, but it also shows that the media is not very professional. With exceptions of course, but if it did not been so clumpsely done, the spin would orbit much wider and faster. The result is the same: The neo-con believers will add this to their _"Bible of truths that never will be forgotte **n".** _ Directly after the WMDs and all the successful wars. :smack: Henry ---
**Author:** ![Henry-Finland](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e99b99/32.png) [@Henry-Finland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Henry-Finland)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2006, 10:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-proposes-badges-for-non-muslims/357416/27 "2006-05-20T10:10:05Z")
I forgot the linky: [http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2006/05/19/publiceye/entry1637037.shtml](http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2006/05/19/publiceye/entry1637037.shtml) Henry ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2006, 10:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-proposes-badges-for-non-muslims/357416/28 "2006-05-20T10:38:03Z")
It’s amazing how shit sticks, especially if it’s vaguely believable. Now the idea’s out there, this will persist. I’d lay money on this “fact” being used in argument on this very board at some time in the next year, or at least in a round-robin mailabout. (On preview: I see **tschild** has already said the same thing. Oh well, I’ll post it anyway.) ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2006, 11:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-proposes-badges-for-non-muslims/357416/29 "2006-05-20T11:07:34Z")
> [@](#): > > IMHO we definitely should be surprised and horrified if any modern nation tries to single out its religious minorities with mandatory forms of public identification. Horrified - yes, surprised - only if you had your head in the sand. ---
**Author:** ![Una\_Persson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/una_persson/32/346_2.png) [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2006, 12:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-proposes-badges-for-non-muslims/357416/30 "2006-05-20T12:10:24Z")
> [@Henry-Finland](#): > > I do not know if hese all are “mainstream”, but it sem that the proffessionality of checking sources are quite low: > **…Kansas City Star…** That’s no surprise. The Kansas City “Scar” is one of the worst newspapers in all newspaperdom. Feature articles are filled with spelling and grammar errors, the paper has a clear and unashamed political bent, and the worst, most pushy, Ponzi-pyramid-like sales force I’ve seen. ---
**Author:** ![Henry-Finland](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e99b99/32.png) [@Henry-Finland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Henry-Finland)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2006, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-proposes-badges-for-non-muslims/357416/31 "2006-05-20T15:52:33Z")
> [@Una Persson](#): > > That’s no surprise. The Kansas City “Scar” is one of the worst newspapers in all newspaperdom. Feature articles are filled with spelling and grammar errors, the paper has a clear and unashamed political bent, and the worst, most pushy, Ponzi-pyramid-like sales force I’ve seen. And, let me guess, they sell well? Just as our tabloids here in Finland. Henry ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2006, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-proposes-badges-for-non-muslims/357416/32 "2006-05-20T16:12:03Z")
> [@Una Persson](#): > > That’s no surprise. The Kansas City “Scar” is one of the worst newspapers in all newspaperdom. Feature articles are filled with spelling and grammar errors, the paper has a clear and unashamed political bent, and the worst, most pushy, Ponzi-pyramid-like sales force I’ve seen. Does Rupert Murdock own it? Because you just described The New York Post-- except for the sales force part. ---
**Author:** ![cookeze](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e19b73/32.png) [@cookeze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cookeze)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2006, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-proposes-badges-for-non-muslims/357416/33 "2006-05-20T16:20:47Z")
I had been under the impression that in the past, it had been common practice in Muslim countries to require non-Muslims to wear distinctive clothing or badges. Looking around I found this: [http://www.dhimmi.com/dhimmi\_overview.htm](http://www.dhimmi.com/dhimmi_overview.htm) "Jews and Christians had to walk around with badges or veils identifying them as Jews or Christians. The yellow star that Jews had wear in Nazi Germany did not originate in Europe. It was borrowed from the Muslim world where it was part of the apartheid system of Dhimmitude. " ---
**Author:** ![Minotaurus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ee59a6/32.png) [@Minotaurus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Minotaurus)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2006, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-proposes-badges-for-non-muslims/357416/34 "2006-05-20T16:29:17Z")
Iranian Embassy in Canada denied it! > [@](#): > > Experts say report of badges for Jews in Iran is untrue > > Several experts are casting doubt on reports that Iran had passed a law requiring the country’s Jews and other religious minorities to wear coloured badges identifying them as non-Muslims. > > The Iranian embassy in Otttawa also denied the Iranian government had passed such a law. [http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/news/story.html?id=6626a0fa-99de-4f1e-aebe-bb91af82abb3](http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/news/story.html?id=6626a0fa-99de-4f1e-aebe-bb91af82abb3) This source is part of CanWest Media owned by Asper family, founded by Israel “Izzy” Asper (Canada’s most important media owner). Zionist never lies. Of course. [http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/asper/](http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/asper/) ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2006, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-proposes-badges-for-non-muslims/357416/35 "2006-05-20T16:33:55Z")
> [@Minotaurus](#): > > Zionist never lies. Of course. Excuse me? ---
**Author:** ![Minotaurus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ee59a6/32.png) [@Minotaurus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Minotaurus)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2006, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-proposes-badges-for-non-muslims/357416/36 "2006-05-20T18:09:41Z")
asimilar case > [@](#): > > Israel Marked Helmets of Arab Workers > > By RAMIT PLUSHNICK-MASTI, Associated Press Writer > > JERUSALEM - Israeli Arab workers building a new wing at the Israeli parliament had their helmets marked with red paint to help security guards distinguish them from foreign laborers, parliamentary officials confirmed on Tuesday > > Parliament Speaker Reuven Rivlin ordered the markings removed after learning of the practice from a report in the Maariv daily. The newspaper ran a photo Tuesday showing five workers with white helmets, three of them marked. Two of the workers had simple red lines on their helmets, and the third bore a large “X.” [http://www.mafhoum.com/press6/184S67.htm](http://www.mafhoum.com/press6/184S67.htm) ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2006, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-proposes-badges-for-non-muslims/357416/37 "2006-05-20T18:26:30Z")
The story has been discredited and retracted. It was false. ---
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2006, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-proposes-badges-for-non-muslims/357416/38 "2006-05-22T05:12:35Z")
OK, so the labels are a hoax. It was already clear to me that the American media are playing the same propaganda game with Iran that they did with Iraq a few years ago. It’s all too easy to take something out of context & demonize the whole country as a way to stir up pro-war sentiment. As for the insistence on modest dress for nationalistic reasons. Anyone want to tell the Ayatollah that the full-body covering for women is Mesopotamian in origin, not Iranian? ---
**Author:** ![Rune](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e68b1a/32.png) [@Rune](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rune)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2006, 8:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-proposes-badges-for-non-muslims/357416/39 "2006-05-22T08:14:26Z")
> [@foolsguinea](#): > > OK, so the labels are a hoax. It was already clear to me that the American media are playing the same propaganda game with Iran that they did with Iraq a few years ago. It’s all too easy to take something out of context & demonize the whole country as a way to stir up pro-war sentiment. Somehow I never counted Canadian media as a whole as insufferable propagandistic and pro-Bush leading up to the Iraq war, apparently I was mistaken. But do you always read big neo-con conspiracy theories into all goofed media-reports, or is it only those whose backlash plays into your hand? Anyway, when you have a soon to be nuclear armed president with apocalyptic leanings who on weekly basis goes public with promises to wipe Israel off the map and other such delightful things, there really aren’t that much need for a sinister neo-con demonization campaign as Ahmadinejad is managing that quite well by himself. ---
**Author:** ![SentientMeat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/43a26b/32.png) [@SentientMeat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SentientMeat)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2006, 9:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-proposes-badges-for-non-muslims/357416/40 "2006-05-22T09:22:21Z")
As in any thread about the supposed evils of Iran, it must be pointed out that good old allies [Saudi Arabia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Status_of_religious_freedom_in_Saudi_Arabia#Abuses_against_freedom_of_religion) make them look like angels. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-proposes-badges-for-non-muslims/357416.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-proposes-badges-for-non-muslims/357416.md?page=3)