USA V IRAN

 In January 1979, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi left his home and never returned. Pahlavi, also known as the Shah of Iran was deposed by the religious clerics of Iran, including Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.  Iran and Iranians were plunged into the dark ages, where women cannot show their face in public and have little rights. Homosexuals are persecuted, prosecuted and killed. Religion trumps reason and science and a cult personality rules without democracy. Seems familiar in way, doesn't it? 

But back in 1979, a young Rumpole in high school woke up one day no longer the top science, mathematics, physics, and chemistry student in his high school. The educated middle and upper class fled Iran, and all of a sudden there were 25 or more students in Rumpole's high school speaking Farsi, and doing differential equations in AP calculus and Rumpole was put out not to say the least. 

Thus began Rumpole's lifelong interest in Iran and the Iranian people, not to mention his ability to curse fluently in Farsi, which once sent an AUSA in California in a loop, when during a break in a heated trial Rumpole told him in Farsi that he smelled and needed to take a shower. 

Today the USA and Iranian football/soccer teams meet on the pitch in Qatar during a world cup match. The winner will advance to the knockout round of 16 and the loser will return home. 

Persia and Iran are the seat of history, education, religion, and humanity. Learn to separate the wonderful Iranian people from Iran and its lunatic religious rulers. We did in 1979 and formed long lasting friendships. 

While we are rooting for the USA, we are also rooting for the Iranian players, whose refusal to sing the national anthem at the start of their first match in this world cup was both dangerous to them personally and inspiring.