What is your problem? Just because we don't have titles in the US, we can't acknowledge those of people who come from a different tradition? Thomas Jefferson is not God, and his war propaganda does not apply to the whole world for all time. The American way is not necessarily what is best for any other country. If royalty and titles are part of a country's culture and traditions, as they are part of Iran's, then that should be respected.
I suppose you think all the Americans who have enthusiastically followed the British royal family over the years, and to whom titles obviously mean something, have "chains in their brains." Whatever.
No problem. I'm just a free person.
Unless that is, you think my lacking of a compulsion to bend at the knee to a fancy title is a problem.
Just because we don't have titles in the US, we can't acknowledge those of people who come from a different tradition?
Exactly. We don't. Other "traditions" allow for all sorts of injustices. In some cultures, slavery is a time honored "tradition". If one of those slaves comes to the U.S., should we "honor" their title and make sure they have their freedoms curtailed? It's the same thing as honoring the title of prince, except coming from the other direction.
Here in the U.S., we have our own "traditions". Ones we have earned through our own genius, blood, and sweat. We only honor titles that have been earned, such as Doctor, Master of Science, or Captain. Titles aquired through accident of birth have no meaning here. We bow to no one. Our commander in chief is called Mr. President. While Mr. Reza Pahlavi is here, as a guest of this country, he will follow our traditions and remain Mr. Reza Pahlavi, because, here in the United States, the title of Private First Class holds more weight and meaning then "Crown Prince Anything".
Thomas Jefferson is not God,
If you think I was implying that or basing my argument on that, then you hust don't Get It.
and his war propaganda
And if you think his writings on the Rights of Man were mere war propaganda, then you really don't Get It. You neither understand his words, nor comprehend the rights he described. Tell me (I am assuming you are in the U.S.), do you enjoy those rights and freedoms his writings described and we fought two bloody wars to protect?
does not apply to the whole world for all time.
I disagree. Be that as it may be, though, Mr. Reza Pahlavi is not "out there" in the "whole world". He is here, in the United States. And our traditions of individual equality and liberty do still apply here (despite the best efforts of the democrats).
The American way is not necessarily what is best for any other country.
I beg to differ. However, you may be right. It could be that not everyone out there is capable of handling the awesome burden of freedom and liberty. It definitely appears that, at least on this message board, there are some people who would prefer to be comfortable little slaves and subjects rathern than stand up, grow up, and be free.
If royalty and titles are part of a country's culture and traditions, as they are part of Iran's, then that should be respected.
If Iranians want to practice the folly of respecting royalty and inherited titles, that is their business. We, as free people, are obliged to no such subservience.
I suppose you think all the Americans who have enthusiastically followed the British royal family over the years,
I tend to view American followers of the british royal family as falling into one of three groups: the gossips, the academics, and the slaves.
The first group are no different from Americans who read the tabloids and follow the lives of hollywood celebrities. The second group are those for whom the study of the british royal family is a hobby, much like trainspotting or stamp collecting. They are similar to those Americans who have deeply studied the fantasy works of J.R.R. Tolkein. Their study and knowledge may be very exacting and comprehensive, but it is of a subject without any real truth to it, and only has meaning and importance to other Tolkein or british royalty scholars.
and to whom titles obviously mean something, have "chains in their brains."
And this brings up the third group. These are the true believer monarchists. You call yourself one, yes? These are the ones who actually want to be subjects, or peasants, or slaves (it's just a matter of degree). They crave a position in an artificial heirarchy because they lack the capacity to stand tall, free, and equal. Freedom is scary, after all. They do not appreciate the sacrifices spent by those who gave so much to forge the liberty and freedom they now enjoy. They should go back to England (or wherever) and hold their tongues when they speak to free people (who, in this case, probably are their betters). Their words are without meaning for free people, and their desires are an insult to all the good free people who have sacrificed so much for the freedoms they so lightly cast away.