From another thread:
When matapule was in graduate school years ago, he met with his colleague students for the first time and almost immediately three of us bonded. One guy, Jorge, was a student from Argentina. Sohrab, was from Iran. And then there was matapule, a local Anglo guy. We were inseparable during our studies. We each brought individual strengths to our studies based on our experience and background. For example, matapule was short on experience in accounting and Sohrab was a whiz kid in accounting. He spent many hours tutoring me in this discipline and matapule would reciprocate with the other two, helping them when they were in need.
We three had many late night conversations about world politics, government, cultures,......everything. We rarely agreed but we all had the same goals. This was the period when the Shah was still in power in Iran. Sohrab hated the Shah but he also talked about the dangerous religious clerics called ayatollahs. I had no idea what he was talking about then but he turned out to be prophetic. Sohrab introduced me to his Iranian friends, customs, and food. It was all good. Matapule was an eager student. Jorge did the same for us. I still have a picture of us three on graduation day in our gowns and mortar boards with arms around each other and big smiles. We called ourselves the Three Musketeers.
We have tried to stay in touch over the years. Jorge's three daughters made their first visit to the States when we hosted the girls one summer and helped them with their English. Each of us became a success in our own way - integrity, honesty, and openness. Three liberals in the classic sense of the word.
Yes, I know from first hand experience that Iranians and Argentinians ARE exactly like us and we are like them. We have way more in common than anyone might guess, especially by those who have no first hand experience. The same applies to all people of the world. I can speak for Tongans and Mexicans too. I am always open to new experiences with other cultures. Matapule finds the experience stimulating and invigorating. An open mind is an open opportunity.
The camera briefly focuses on the Iran fans: they look exactly like us! They ARE exactly like us. Happy smiling people, men, women, kids, waving their flag, cheering on their guy, just like Americans do, or British, or Chinese, etc.
We three had many late night conversations about world politics, government, cultures,......everything. We rarely agreed but we all had the same goals. This was the period when the Shah was still in power in Iran. Sohrab hated the Shah but he also talked about the dangerous religious clerics called ayatollahs. I had no idea what he was talking about then but he turned out to be prophetic. Sohrab introduced me to his Iranian friends, customs, and food. It was all good. Matapule was an eager student. Jorge did the same for us. I still have a picture of us three on graduation day in our gowns and mortar boards with arms around each other and big smiles. We called ourselves the Three Musketeers.
We have tried to stay in touch over the years. Jorge's three daughters made their first visit to the States when we hosted the girls one summer and helped them with their English. Each of us became a success in our own way - integrity, honesty, and openness. Three liberals in the classic sense of the word.
Yes, I know from first hand experience that Iranians and Argentinians ARE exactly like us and we are like them. We have way more in common than anyone might guess, especially by those who have no first hand experience. The same applies to all people of the world. I can speak for Tongans and Mexicans too. I am always open to new experiences with other cultures. Matapule finds the experience stimulating and invigorating. An open mind is an open opportunity.
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