If you have power...
If you have power,
Yes, you can afford to eat until you’re full.
But one day, like Sweden’s King Adolf Fredrick,
Your stomach might rupture from overeating—
And death won’t spare you.
If you have power,
You can say, “Anyone who touches me shall die.”
But think again—
One day, like Thailand’s Queen Sunanda Kumariratana,
You might drown in water,
Caught between life and death,
With no one to save you.
Remember, she was once called “The Wrecked Queen.”
If you have power,
Like Mexican General Santa Anna,
You can declare a national day of mourning
Just because your leg was amputated.
But in the end,
Opponents may dig up your amputated leg from its grave,
Drag it through the streets,
And chant: “Death to the cripple!”
If you have power,
Like the Roman Emperor Caligula (Gaius),
You can make your horse a senator.
But be warned—
One day, enraged conspirators may stab you over 30 times.
(Gaius was the first Roman emperor to be assassinated.)
If you have power,
Like the Hungarian noblewoman Elizabeth Báthory,
You can bathe in the blood of virgins
To try to preserve your youth.
But in the end...
(Elizabeth Báthory is remembered as one of history’s most murderous women.)
If you have power...
If you have power,
Yes, you can afford to eat until you’re full.
But one day, like Sweden’s King Adolf Fredrick,
Your stomach might rupture from overeating—
And death won’t spare you.
If you have power,
You can say, “Anyone who touches me shall die.”
But think again—
One day, like Thailand’s Queen Sunanda Kumariratana,
You might drown in water,
Caught between life and death,
With no one to save you.
Remember, she was once called “The Wrecked Queen.”
If you have power,
Like Mexican General Santa Anna,
You can declare a national day of mourning
Just because your leg was amputated.
But in the end,
Opponents may dig up your amputated leg from its grave,
Drag it through the streets,
And chant: “Death to the cripple!”
If you have power,
Like the Roman Emperor Caligula (Gaius),
You can make your horse a senator.
But be warned—
One day, enraged conspirators may stab you over 30 times.
(Gaius was the first Roman emperor to be assassinated.)
If you have power,
Like the Hungarian noblewoman Elizabeth Báthory,
You can bathe in the blood of virgins
To try to preserve your youth.
But in the end...
(Elizabeth Báthory is remembered as one of history’s most murderous women.)
If you have power...
❤1
Let forget the race and stuff and let's talk abt iran. The story and the Islamic revolution.
👏1
Greatness is joyful! Greatness inspires awe! There have been great peoples—like the ancient Persians!
They don’t like being asked, “Are you Arabs?”
It annoys them!
They respond firmly:
“…We are not Arabs. We are Persians!”
Without them, ancient history would be incomplete! They are one of the ancient peoples with thousands of years of history!
Mathematics is said to have flowed from them,
Medicine with its bitterness was given to them,
They were masters of astronomy and physics,
Chemistry was in their hands,
They were pioneers of architecture and construction!
Religion, philosophy, and science all flourished through them!
The ancient religion Zoroastrianism is theirs!
Around 2,500 years ago, these people had a king named Cyrus the Great!
His empire spanned Asia, parts of Europe, and North Africa!
They don’t like being asked, “Are you Arabs?”
It annoys them!
They respond firmly:
“…We are not Arabs. We are Persians!”
Without them, ancient history would be incomplete! They are one of the ancient peoples with thousands of years of history!
Mathematics is said to have flowed from them,
Medicine with its bitterness was given to them,
They were masters of astronomy and physics,
Chemistry was in their hands,
They were pioneers of architecture and construction!
Religion, philosophy, and science all flourished through them!
The ancient religion Zoroastrianism is theirs!
Around 2,500 years ago, these people had a king named Cyrus the Great!
His empire spanned Asia, parts of Europe, and North Africa!
This king is known by the noble noscript “King of Mercy.”
When he expanded his empire, he didn’t enslave captives!
While U.S. President Abraham Lincoln abolished slavery only 158 years ago, Cyrus had already ended slavery 2,500 years earlier—he was a king with a throne of justice!
While expanding his empire, he ensured the cultures, languages, and values of the conquered peoples were preserved and respected!
This king is mentioned extensively in the books of Isaiah, Ezra, and Daniel!
In the Bible, he is the only non-Jew referred to as “anointed by the Lord.”
It is even said he freed the Jews from Babylonian captivity!
Oh Lord! Who do these ancient Persians resemble today?
They are the modern Iranians!
When he expanded his empire, he didn’t enslave captives!
While U.S. President Abraham Lincoln abolished slavery only 158 years ago, Cyrus had already ended slavery 2,500 years earlier—he was a king with a throne of justice!
While expanding his empire, he ensured the cultures, languages, and values of the conquered peoples were preserved and respected!
This king is mentioned extensively in the books of Isaiah, Ezra, and Daniel!
In the Bible, he is the only non-Jew referred to as “anointed by the Lord.”
It is even said he freed the Jews from Babylonian captivity!
Oh Lord! Who do these ancient Persians resemble today?
They are the modern Iranians!
Many people assume Iran is an Arab country, but Iranians are not Arabs!
They are a distinct people with their own language and culture!
Their language is called Farsi.
99% of their population is Muslim, and the majority are Shia Muslims.
When we hear "Iran" today, many of us think of nuclear weapons, conflict, or radicalism…
But the truth is, their history and identity go far beyond that!
Iranians (Persians) are a highly educated people.
Today, around 4.5 million Iranians enter universities every year!
About 90% of youth are literate and fluent in reading and writing.
They are a distinct people with their own language and culture!
Their language is called Farsi.
99% of their population is Muslim, and the majority are Shia Muslims.
When we hear "Iran" today, many of us think of nuclear weapons, conflict, or radicalism…
But the truth is, their history and identity go far beyond that!
Iranians (Persians) are a highly educated people.
Today, around 4.5 million Iranians enter universities every year!
About 90% of youth are literate and fluent in reading and writing.
Modern Iranian History: A Tumultuous Journey
In the 1940s, Britain was involved in extracting Iran's oil resources. However, Iran was only allowed to receive 16% of its own oil wealth, with the majority being exploited by Britain. The country's oil resources, heavily controlled and plundered by Britain, prompted a change in 1951. Mohammad Mosaddegh, the then Prime Minister of Iran, nationalized the oil sector to ensure its benefits for Iranians and the impoverished population. He expelled the British, who reacted strongly, stating, "I built the refineries, taught them how to extract oil, and now I'm expelled?"
Britain retaliated against the Prime Minister, initially attempting a diplomatic solution, but Mosaddegh refused. Consequently, Britain colluded with the United States to orchestrate a coup against him, leading to his imprisonment. Following this, Britain and the U.S. installed a king who would be amenable to their interests and grant them permission to exploit Iran's oil resources. This king was Mohammad Reza Shah.
As an ally of American and European governments, the Shah initiated unprecedented radical changes in Iran. The country developed, infrastructure expanded, and oil revenues began generating billions of dollars (though the Shah reportedly embezzled much of it). Regardless, these changes transformed Iran into a Westernized nation. Education flourished, women gained the right to vote, and many restrictions were lifted. Iran became like another "America" in the Middle East.
In the 1940s, Britain was involved in extracting Iran's oil resources. However, Iran was only allowed to receive 16% of its own oil wealth, with the majority being exploited by Britain. The country's oil resources, heavily controlled and plundered by Britain, prompted a change in 1951. Mohammad Mosaddegh, the then Prime Minister of Iran, nationalized the oil sector to ensure its benefits for Iranians and the impoverished population. He expelled the British, who reacted strongly, stating, "I built the refineries, taught them how to extract oil, and now I'm expelled?"
Britain retaliated against the Prime Minister, initially attempting a diplomatic solution, but Mosaddegh refused. Consequently, Britain colluded with the United States to orchestrate a coup against him, leading to his imprisonment. Following this, Britain and the U.S. installed a king who would be amenable to their interests and grant them permission to exploit Iran's oil resources. This king was Mohammad Reza Shah.
As an ally of American and European governments, the Shah initiated unprecedented radical changes in Iran. The country developed, infrastructure expanded, and oil revenues began generating billions of dollars (though the Shah reportedly embezzled much of it). Regardless, these changes transformed Iran into a Westernized nation. Education flourished, women gained the right to vote, and many restrictions were lifted. Iran became like another "America" in the Middle East.
❤1
American culture, language, and way of life began to permeate Iranian society. Many viewed this transformation as a process of "Americanization," which angered many Iranians, especially the country's Islamic leaders.
They rebelled, claiming, "The King has sold out his country, he is an American puppet, he is corrupt! He has opened the door for the destruction of Iranian history and culture and the spread of Americanism! Furthermore, he has allowed the country's oil wealth to be plundered, further impoverishing the people!"
They rebelled, claiming, "The King has sold out his country, he is an American puppet, he is corrupt! He has opened the door for the destruction of Iranian history and culture and the spread of Americanism! Furthermore, he has allowed the country's oil wealth to be plundered, further impoverishing the people!"
In 1979, the Shah fled to the United States, where he was granted asylum by then-President Jimmy Carter. Meanwhile, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, who had been leading the popular uprising, returned to Iran from France. In the same year, 1979, Iran became the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Enraged by the King's escape to America and the U.S. government's granted him an asylum, young Iranians stormed the American Embassy in Tehran, the capital, and took 52 Americans hostage. Television screens showed the young people blindfolding and mistreating the American hostages, leading to a complete breakdown of relations between the U.S. and Iran.
Enraged by the King's escape to America and the U.S. government's granted him an asylum, young Iranians stormed the American Embassy in Tehran, the capital, and took 52 Americans hostage. Television screens showed the young people blindfolding and mistreating the American hostages, leading to a complete breakdown of relations between the U.S. and Iran.
After the 1979 Islamic Revolution, the religious leader became the Supreme Leader of Iran. Currently, the Supreme Leader of Iran is Ali Hosseini Khamenei. His decisions are final, and the country's president does not wield as much power as he does.
The United States describes him in strong terms: "...he has money, he has bullets, he has intelligence, the keys to the country's prisons are in his hand, the media is under his control! The legislature, judiciary, and police are under him! He has built his own economic empire! Even the commander of the country's army is him! Iranians are suppressed! The man dislikes the Western world! He views America as a monster! He supports terrorists! He arms Hezbollah and Hamas! He enriches nuclear material! He is a threat to the world!"
The United States describes him in strong terms: "...he has money, he has bullets, he has intelligence, the keys to the country's prisons are in his hand, the media is under his control! The legislature, judiciary, and police are under him! He has built his own economic empire! Even the commander of the country's army is him! Iranians are suppressed! The man dislikes the Western world! He views America as a monster! He supports terrorists! He arms Hezbollah and Hamas! He enriches nuclear material! He is a threat to the world!"
The U.S. began imposing sanctions on Iran 42 years ago, after the embassy hostage crisis. The sanctions imposed on Cuba, Venezuela, North Korea, and Libya combined do not equal the severity of those placed on Iran. The U.S. has prohibited any commercial relations with Iran, prevented anyone from buying its oil, blocked any transactions with Iranian banks and financial institutions, and barred Iranian officials from entering the United States. Even Iranian carpets are not allowed into the U.S.!