Hoder, It will amuse you to hear that the airport security is biased to cause US military to get the additional search every flight. I have been in the Army for 19 years, and get the extra lovin' at the airport every dang trip. Sorry you got caught up in it, because you're obviously one of the good guys, but frankly we know who we are at war with and it is really frustrating to be a 19 year Army officer, getting patted down while "security" has to not search Arabs so as to not appear to be profiling. In the dock with me was a eighty year old woman who set off the magnetometer with her fake knees. As far as I recall, no airplane has been hijacked by either eighty year old women, or card-carrying members of the US military. They are putting passengers at risk by wasting time on known non-risk passengers while ignoring people who fit the profile. ridiculous. Hawkpilot
- By: hawkpilot on October 23, 2005

I am a student who attends North Carolina A&T State University. This is a bit late but I wanted to hear your session at convergesouth. I was very disappointed that the US gave you such a hard time. Thanks for your efforts though.
- By: Nita on October 20, 2005

Iam an american citizen and i agree with you. you should not be treated differently because of your race after all you are not all alike
- By: Hector Ramos on October 18, 2005

Hoder, I was very sorry that we had to miss you at ConvergeSouth, and sorry more that we all suffer under the Bush regime. Thanks for what you do. Keep on.
- By: ae on October 15, 2005

To make you feel a tad better, I am a permanent resident in the U.S. (i.e. green card owner). I work here, live here and pay taxes here. I travel to Toronto every other weekend with a Canadian passport, yet I end up getting shit by the boarder every time because I was born in Tehran. May I add that I am a girl and I don't cover my hair yet I am considered a terrorist! Sooo just want to warn you that you might be treated the same even if you go through the registration process!
- By: S. on October 13, 2005

Dear Hossein, It's not easy to be Arab or Muslim in Canada or the US. It's harder to be a Christian or American in the Muslim countries. I suppose that if countries like Iran and Saudi Arabia let up on Christians, Canada and the US might return the favor. I just can't see that happining either way. What do you think?
- By: David Rice on October 13, 2005

thank you John
- By: gina on October 12, 2005

I just want to point out that calling it "neo-racism" is in no way accurate. The groups you mention do not share in race, and there is nothing new about hatred or xenophobia.
- By: Boris Anthony on October 11, 2005

Sorry to have missed you at ConvergeSouth. We are trying to do here in the USA what you do for Iran - bring in the light.
- By: coturnix on October 11, 2005

When Hindu kill 3000 americans in a few minutes and when Hindu radicals wage a war against the US, then the same thing will happen to them. I assure you of that. However, I think you are over egagerating the issue. I am an Arab and went to the US many times after 911 and didn't experience anything. So please be unbiased for a single moment of your life.
- By: AA on October 11, 2005

Go through the special registration I guess. Unless you don't care about moving freely within the US. Does sound like a pain, but its not going to go away anytime soon, if ever.
- By: Ford Duesenberg on October 10, 2005

I know what you are talking about Hossein Jan. I have been trapped inside the US for 5 years now just because I am not sure if I leave the country, I can come back and continue my studies. I wish we could do something.May be through bloggers? Something similar to what you guys did to National Geographic? At least we should increase the awareness level. I recently lost a great opportunity just because I am from Iran and the gov. is under embargo:( Why I have to pay the price?
- By: shahab on October 10, 2005

"Terrorist," if you please, Mr. Editor. :)
- By: John the spelling fanatic on October 10, 2005

Don't go to US if you REALLY REALLY don't have to. Stop arranging conferences or businesses in US, (have it here in Canada instead). Let them suffer economically. That is the ONLY language they "might" understand. Treat the country/government (not the people) for what they are. Fascists of 21 century.
- By: spike on October 10, 2005

Well it's America's loss. Even though you wouldn't find India's name on the list, it is difficult for a normal Indian to get a visa. In India's case, it helped to shift a lot of R&D work to India. Research work that should have benifited USA. So I guess that in the long run it is USA that is hurt by this form of discrimination. That's good justice.
- By: SloganMurugan on October 10, 2005

It's an understatement for me to say that I am disappointed in "my" government's racist totalitarian policies. It's extremely clear to many of us that they are destroying the very principles they claim to be defending. I hate that you (or anyone) were treated no unfairly. I was disgusted when I heard the news from Ed Cone that you wouldn't be attending ConvergeSouth, and I posted immediately on my blog: http://lotusmedia.org/no-hoder Hope to see you here next year!
- By: Ruby Sinreich on October 9, 2005

I agree and I'm sorry we missed you at Converge South. There were many of us who hoped to meet you and hear you speak and Bush's BS had to go and ruin it for us.
- By: Billy The Blogging Poet on October 9, 2005

when I post something here it says Your comment was denied for questionable content. what does that mean
- By: Javad Ghorbati on October 9, 2005

Ha Ha, finally somebody treated you as you deserve it!! LOL! Rooto ziad kardeh boodi? Fekr kardi khar too khar ast?!
- By: Maryam on October 9, 2005