6 Iranians Arrested for being 'Happy' to Pharrell Williams Song

originally posted by: jheated5
a reply to: WCmutant

Nude beaches exist you know, there is an avenue for people to do those sorts of things. Weird that porn is legal but walking around nude is not, no? Stupid laws, don't twist it around, religious or not we have the right to do what we want as to not offend or hurt others... Of course we have stupid laws here and I would urge people to fight them, just like in Iran, don't be obtuse...

I didn't twist it around. I was providing examples of how different countries are. We are dealing with primarily Americans and Europeans examining the Iranian culture from OUR point of view. European countries having a much different view of nudity and sex than the USA has. Just like we have a different view of women's clothing and dancing than Iran has.

We think what they did was just fine. I don't disagree with that... from MY point of view. But I am not Iranian and I don't live in Iran, nor am I Muslim.

I've seen plenty of videos of "happy" Iranians not dancing or singing the "Happy" song, just being generally happy. So, I decided to get to the heart of the matter (it's what I try to always do) and figure out what it was really about.

I can almost guarantee they wouldn't have been arrested if...
1. The women wore head coverings of some kind
2. They didn't dance WITH the men

But we can just keep repeating what the MSM tells us... "Six Iranians were arrested for making a 'Happy' video" (not exactly true). Or as Pharrell Williams tells us "It is beyond sad that these kids were arrested for trying to spread happiness."

originally posted by: WCmutant
these kids were arrested for trying to spread happiness."

They were trying to spread happiness.
The Iranian laws stopped them from being able to do it in this manner.
They aren't stopped from spreading ALL happiness.
But they are stopped from spreading THIS happiness.

Is that a more accurate way to describe it?

a reply to: NavyDoc

The kids did look very happy and carefree. Hopefully the youth movement in Iran will expand and kick out the Muslim hardliners.

I sure hope so. The old farts will die, eventually...

it seems that for some Muslims, it's practically illegal to be HUMAN. For crying out loud, how miserable does a person have to be for them to be satisfied??
IF there IS a Creator - why would it want us to be miserable?
Stupid.

Good story, Horrible song. I was Happy to hit the off button after a minute of that nasty assault on my ears. No wonder they were arrested - I'd hang em High LOL. Kidding .. about the hanging, not about the song being horrible. IT IS.

Anyway.. yeah this really sucks that Iran is so bassackward they will ruin the lives of their young people just because they want a little breathing room to be happy. These kids live in a powder keg region with stresses up to the hilt - they deserve to blow off some steam.

Tell me again how the fundamental extremist Muslims are not Evil - I won't buy it. This should even make real Muslims sick.

originally posted by: FlyersFan

originally posted by: WCmutant
these kids were arrested for trying to spread happiness."

They were trying to spread happiness.
The Iranian laws stopped them from being able to do it in this manner.
They aren't stopped from spreading ALL happiness.
But they are stopped from spreading THIS happiness.

Is that a more accurate way to describe it?

Yes, there is a more accurate way to describe it. I've already done it. Here, I will say it again:

1. They were stopped (arrested) for making a video where they broke Islamic law/societal taboo

This has nothing to do with happiness. This has to do with Iranian/Islamic law that westerners do not understand and can't comprehend because we kinda/sorta finally got over own Puritan roots, even though American stayed fairly stuck in the Victorian Age.

Go back to the 1960s, and you will see sweeping societal changes in America that many of us now just accept as the "norm." Most people take it for granted now. I hope that more Iranians continue to disobey and dance, sing, and make videos... to "Happy" or anything else. Just like our 1960s, it's the only way they can change their society.

I don't disagree with these kids for making the video and dressing the way they did. But I also believe they KNEW the consequences if they were caught or someone found out. Again, the MSM is skipping over the real reason - Iranian/Islamic laws. They are peddling a narrative that apparently you want or need to buy into.

originally posted by: WCmutant

I can almost guarantee they wouldn't have been arrested if...
1. The women wore head coverings of some kind
2. They didn't dance WITH the men

So that makes it OK then? Feel free to be happy and dance, but you have to wear a headscarf and you can only do it with members of your own gender?

Where do these religious freaks get off on trying to proscribe normal human behaviour? This isn't an anti-Islamic rant: just about all religions have these stupid rules aimed at keeping people in line and stopping them living their lives to the full. You only have to look at the vitriol aimed by Christians at gay marriage: God forbid that gay people should be happy! (But let's not derail the thread in that direction).

This quote sums it up:

"Puritanism: the haunting fear that someone, somewhere is having a good time." — H. L. Mencken.

a reply to: WCmutant

I'm sure everyone is aware that they were arrested due to the insane laws in Iran and that the laws don't come out and say 'you will be arrested if you try to be happy'. That being said, I was very careful to make sure the title of this thread reflected that they were arrested due to the urban 'Happy' and not the emotion 'happy'.

a reply to: Rob48

Rob, I completely agree with all you have said. Your second post about religion and misery in the world.

I never said it makes it right. But we are viewing their society through the lens of our own. Just like they view our society through their lens. It's why we have such a problem with other countries and cultures.

Islamic Law (no matter the country) is very much like Puritanism.

Many Islamic countries frown on mixing genders - schools and social gatherings. The religious indoctrination Islamic or Puritanical have always argued for the segregation of males and females. The obvious worry is that it would lead to bad things (sex).

Hell, until the 1980s there was a town in Oklahoma that had a ban on dancing - perhaps most of you thought the movie Footloose (1984) was solely fiction? This town had heavy Southern Baptist influence.

I am going to say it one more time - this is MSM distraction fodder for the youth and sheep of America. "Here, be outraged that Iranians were arrested for "Happy" video, but don't get involved in politics to change your own corrupt government." It's more important we be outraged by some other countries social issues than to get involved and change your own.

I hope Iranians change their government if it's what they want, but ultimately I don't care. This is a distraction!!

Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain.

a reply to: FlyersFan

Other 'Islamic' countries who are 'Happy' and aren't getting arrested ...

You really believe your words, here?

These are ex-pats, tourists, or fakers...come on, use some common sense...

As for the Iranians, first, I'm sure they were quite aware of their actions/consequences, but chose to rebel anyway...families had money to bail 'em out right? IF this story is even true..?

Second, IIRC, there was a rebellion at the beginning of this us admin, where the youths of Iran were begging for help but were largely ignored...

a reply to: WCmutant

You keep saying we're looking through lenses of our own. what does that mean???? Last time I checked, we were both human beings that share the same emotions... The only thing debatable here is the law, not human nature! We're saying these people have the right to be HUMAN not AMERICANS..

originally posted by: WCmutant



I am going to say it one more time - this is MSM distraction fodder for the youth and sheep of America. "Here, be outraged that Iranians were arrested for "Happy" video, but don't get involved in politics to change your own corrupt government." It's more important we be outraged by some other countries social issues than to get involved and change your own.

I hope Iranians change their government if it's what they want, but ultimately I don't care. This is a distraction!!

Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain.

Hmmmm, I'm not sure. They could also be saying, "Make sure we stay diligent and never let this happen in our country. Don't let government control every aspect of our personal lives. 'Cause if we let our guard down, this is what could happen to us." Could that also be the message here?

a reply to: WCmutant

Here is where that falls down about being in public. They were INSIDE and on top of a building that was a private residence. The law says when outside IN PUBLIC. i didnt see anyone else around that could a been called the public did you?


All this is is Khomennnis hatred of anything even a hint western that could becoem a isue for him to take care of one day. He is a Old goat screwing scumbag who is prolly a closet case mommas boy who molest young boys because girls are icky.

I also hope that if any iranians are here who know the great leader tell him what i said and dare him to come at me bro.

a reply to: yuppa
Apparently the Iranian thought police require women on television to wear the hijab, even if it is recorded in a private setting.
I think this case was acted on because it hit Youtube.

originally posted by: Darkblade71

I think i just found my new Avatar. Tehran, here I come...

a reply to: WCmutant

They are smiling and happy. They are not hurting anybody. This has everything to do with "happy."

"Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness"

It is not up to the government to decide what makes somebody happy or not. It is the governments job to protect the god given right for citizens to pursue their idea of happiness as long it does not interfere with anybody else's right.

You get one life to live (physically) on this particular planet. To have someone tell you how to behave is beyond stupid. Even for Iran this is pretty crazy. There basically saying you can't be happy in private or public. This is going to backfire on Iran terribly. You really can't tell young people what to do, no matter what country they're in.

Hey, they knew the law and they broke it. They deserve whatever punishment they get.(in the annoying tone of so many here on ATS who spout this nonsense off again and again)

a reply to: Oannes

This is going to backfire on Iran terribly. You really can't tell young people what to do, no matter what country they're in.

This is exactly what I was thinking. It will backfire on them - domestically, AND internationally...and just when they were starting to seem civilized (the leadership/govt - NOT the kids).

It did provide some insight into how the youth of Iran live, beyond the grim Islamic oppression that many of us tend to 'assume' is their daily life. Yeah, you can't control young people. Hell, I never even really outgrew my oppositionality...
growing up in the 60s and 70s, rebellion r us. Yes, every generation has their way of rebelling against authority.

And sometimes, it sticks. As someone said above - our nation changed dramatically with the Vietnam era, civil rights, peaceniks, environmentalists, etc. Yet still there are blue-hairs fighting it all the way. I only wish MORE of my generation's 'hippies' had taken an interest in politics, and we wouldn't be saddled with the monstrosity of the Government 'personnel' that we have now.

Ugh.

There was NOTHING even REMOTELY obscene or vulgar in that video. (Which is something I can NOT say for Miley Cyrus.) I'd like to hear what the member Muslims think about it. As for it being "the law" - well, some "laws" are just stupid.

So far all I see is stories from the usual suspects, the mainstream media propaganda machine.
I think the whole thing is a hoax meant to demonize Iran.
Someone just spliced together bits, probably from a normal news interview with officials, then a shot of the actors all by themselves turned towards a wall.
Just ridiculous and I wish people on this forum were not so easily taken in by fabrications like this.

I repeat, this has NOTHING to do with happiness. - See more at: www.abovetopsecret.com...

Scream it at the top of your lungs, it will only condemn you as an apologist. when the pitch forks are out its hard to for the screaming crowd to hear any logic.