Special to WorldTribune.com

By Sheda Vasseghi

NORTHERN VIRGINIA, USA — “I love Obama!”

“But I don’t love any politician.”

The professional young man with a promising career defended his statement by claiming that people are blaming Obama for some of the things that are happening around the country. But it’s the Congress that makes most of these decisions, he explained.

I reminded my young colleague that just this week the Obama administration broke another law with the Taliban prisoner exchanges — an act that was done behind the Congress’ back. And Obamacare was passed as law against the wishes of the majority of Americans. The young man nodded in agreement.

Thus, I pointed out that loving Obama was idol-worshipping which the young man immediately rejected. I explained that one may admire someone for any reason such as a successful career, but that is not interchangeable with loving the person.

The young man’s eyes brightened up and he said with a smile “I admire” Obama. Once his views were balanced, I was able to explain that admiring someone does not mean giving them a free pass and not holding them accountable. By following blindly and refusing to see the realities surrounding that person then an idol has been created. I concluded by stating that Obama is authorizing actions that my intelligent, ethical young colleague would not do himself if in the same position. The young man did not object.

As an adjunct professor of history specializing in Iran’s affairs especially the connection of Iranian heritage to world history, I often ponder how a prospering nation on its way in joining the top 10 economic powers in the world could suddenly, in 1979, turn 180 degrees against its own national foundation, interests, and way of life that had preserved the nation for over 2500 years in following an unknown, radical, exiled Islamic Imam (i.e., idol) whose reflection was allegedly seen on the moon when ancient Iranian reformist and philosopher Zoroaster warned people to choose their “poets” wisely.

I never thought I would find the answer to this decades-old, mind-boggling question in a 2014 America. As a truth-seeker one is naturally a root-seeker and connections are often found in unlikely or forgotten places across time. Shifts do not happen overnight. History is continuously evolving and, as a mentor once said, history is the study of transfer of power. Thus, that element should be written on the margins when note-taking. If politics is about transfer of power, then, in historical studies, one notes how a movement shifts power. That is, to whom, when, how, and why.

I am often surprised at the lack of knowledge and/or interest about America’s foundation when the question is posed to students.

What was the reasoning behind this “American experiment”? Why has it been successful? What elements turned America to the land of opportunity or “Camelot”?

Interestingly, these questions may be directed at Iran where the first world empire was established in 6th c. BCE known as the Achaemenid Persian Empire in launching world history. There are many similarities between the two nations. Some notables view ancient Iran as “Camelot.” In this regard, one may recall “Vou-me embora pra Pasargada” or “I will go away to Pasargadae,” a 1930 poem by Brazilian poet Manuel Bandeira (see the video; see the English translation).

Lacking basic knowledge about national history and foundation, many are confused. This confusion is clear when one depicts personal ethics, ambitions, and motivations that do not match the profiles of elected officials they support.

It appears there is an internal contradiction or struggle for many Americans today that has clearly developed over time by being exposed to two opposing forces that do not mesh — a development that may be traced to individuals entering the standardized education system, a mainstream institution. This struggle or “duality” – a concept attributed to ancient Zoroaster and adopted by others as “good vs. evil” – is the common denominator that serves as a catalyst for the confusion.

Despite an inherent awareness of “buyer beware,” many suffer from “headline syndrome” whereby following mainstream headlines eventually become imprinted mental realities so that the person assumes some views are self-generated when they most likely have external roots.

From where did the statement “I love Obama” arise? If love is based on virtues, then to what virtues in President Obama is this love directed? Certainly none were expressed by my young colleague during the conversation except to place blame for what may be wrong in a 2014 America on others. Could it be that idols are created in one’s image — a thought that points back to self-evaluation and emotional vulnerability?

The “headline syndrome” may be cured if one is aware that the priority of mainstream media and institutions is to form public opinion, not educate.

Public opinion is a key ingredient in “democratic” societies in which the majority has overcome the tragedy of illiteracy and has “representatives” in government bodies. If the majority can read and write and want to exercise their right in voicing their political views in guiding the direction of their nation’s political life, then the content of materials that is provided to the masses – or lack thereof — is the key to causing the confusion and lack of knowledge in swaying public opinion without timely detection.

So how does a 2014 America give clues to bizarre turning events in a 1979 Iran?

Many Iranians in late 1970’s, like young Americans today, were disconnected from their native heritage.
A widespread interest in Iranian values and historical presence has taken shape after a brutal Islamic takeover of the nation. Back in the 1970’s they had a skewed view of religion (specifically, the dominant religion Shiite Islam) and its place in social and political matters. Further, many in mainstream media, educational institutions, and students abroad were pushing ideologies.

It may be opined that the common ground between a 1979 Iran and a 2014 America may be the lack of knowledge and/or interest regarding national history and founders; lack of discernment between conflicting values; following mainstream talking points and headlines as educational in nature; emotional vulnerability; and falling for the age-old trick of a promise of Utopia where all is equal without asking for a definition of “all is equal,” let alone feasibility or desirability.

I have yet to run across “A” students willing to lower their hard-earned grades to a “B” in order for all to have a “B” in a course.

In finding some answers in comparing an Iran that was downgraded — to say the least — by political actions taken in 1979 to hearing Americans wanting to give up their citizenship, one may note the following from a Nov. 12, 1923, proclamation by Iran’s Prime Minister and Minister of War Reza Khan (the future Reza Shah, founder of Pahlavi dynasty 1925-1979, a/k/a, “Father of Modern Iran”):

“There are two sorts of misfortunes either one of which, if not remedied, is able to destroy the national identity of any deteriorating race or people. These are domestic disorder and insecurity and chaos of thought, ideas and morals.”

Sheda Vasseghi is on the Board of Azadegan Foundation and is a regular contributor to WorldTribune.com and FreePressers.com on Iran’s Affairs. Visit “The Official Site of Sheda Vasseghi” on Facebook.

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