2004: One Year Closer to Nineteen Eighty-four Thank you for your comments. Yet, again, my gender is male.

2004: One Year Closer to Nineteen Eighty-four This is Nima Shirali, author of the article. Before asserting my response to some of the written comments, I must mention two preliminary points. First, my gender is male. Secondly, I am not Muslim, as one commentator apparently thought.

For those who believe I`m an advocate and supporter of Islamic fundamentalism, I advise a quick look at my other work, especially the article entitled ``The Islamic Republic of Iran and the Question of Palestinian Statehood`` (www.merecforum.org). As a victim of Islamic fundamentalism, I have exhausted all my abilities so far to undermine this violent ideology that has justified many vicious acts against humanity. This article was meant to deal with another issue and Islamic fundamentalism was not the topic. Hence, criticizing the work by saying ``the writer failed to speak of fundamentalism`` is parallel to criticizing a mathematics book for not containing chemistry.

Moreover, we need to realize the reality that 9/11 was not without provocation. Decades of intervention in other nations` affairs (i.e. the CIA overthrow of Dr. Mossadegh`s government in Iran--a democratically elected government that nationalized oil, support for dictators like [ironically] Saddam Hussein, etc) have caused inexplicable resentment towards the US. Some of you sound as if you may be concerned about the Third World. If you are, you need to become cognizant of the effects that US-implemented economic sanctions have had in places like Iran, Cuba, and (formerly) Iraq. The UN has estimated that between 300,000-500,000 children under the age of five died as a result of the twelve years of US-backed sanctions.

This is not about being ``left`` or ``right`` wing. It is about considering the facts and making logical conclusions that are not based on CNN news reports. Years of being in war as a child and of living in the impoverished Third World have had their effects on my views. Now, I feel a moral obligation to challenge the oppressors, defend the weak, and speak independently.

The objections of those who defend war, oppression, violence, and killing innocent Iraqi children only serve to strengthen my conviction.