Foxy and Ironbutt,
Fair comments gents, I have to agree with both of you.
I wasn't condemning a whole country but you can't tell me that the governance of Iran is really acceptable in the 21st Century and even though the people may be the kindest and most friendly in the World you cannot ignore the way the place is run; which is why I personally wouldn't consider taking my family there.
Also I'm astonished that you can compare the actions of a few UK soldiers (whose behaviour is a disgrace) and put them along side the atrocities of a regime such as exists in Iran. The prisoner abuse cannot be defended in any way and those responsible should get the harshest punishment but that incident is nowhere near the appalling number of state killings that routinely have taken place in Iran, I'm sure you can appreciate the significant difference between the two............
If in doubt visit the 'Holycrime' website for details of the vast numbers of people who have been executed since the Ayatollah came to power in 1979. And just last week the fatwa (order to kill) against the author Salman Rushdie was re-affirmed. I don't give a damn about him personally but I fully defend his right to express his views in his books without fear of being brutally murdered - its called freedom and its a priviledge I really appreciate and will defend.
So to sum up - whilst I agree that the people may be wonderful (all Iranians I've ever met have been delightful) I couldn't personally exist there. If others want to then thats great for them, I hope they are very happy there.
Vne - I mean you no offence and apologise if any was taken however I'm sure you would agree that your homeland has seen better times..........