Regarding Richard Engel's piece on the role of women in Iran....  I suppose it's relatively easy for you to travel and to live in the Middle East, because you are a man, and because you speak Arabic - but mostly because you are a man.  You can herald the limited reforms that have taken place in Iran all you want, but women - as you showed - are still beaten in the streets; are still made to cover themselves (out of respect for God?  no, because men might be tempted, and want to rape them - HOW RIDICULOUS); are still segregated (self-imposed or not); are still subservient to a male-dominated society.  I realize I come from a Western, American, Christian perspective, so it is difficult for me to wrap my brain around the etiquette of Iranian society, but to imply that it's just great to be a woman in that country is total crap.  Unless you've ever been a woman, you can't know what it's like to be oppressed in that manner.  If I want to be treated like a second-class citizen, I'll just stay right here in the good old U.S. of A.  

Despite all his sophistication, I have always been a big Matt Lauer fan because he seemed to me like "a nice Jewish boy" and I'm a Jewish mother. So it was a shock to see him broadcssting from Teheran on the first day of Rosh Hashanah. I have no idea whether Matt is a practicing Jew or not, but I do think his family is Jewish, and out of respect it might have been better to have Meredith or Ann do this story -- or to do it on another day.

Dear Richard, I really enjoyed your two reports on life in Tehran and the women of Tehran. When you stated about being able to scuba dive, ski in the mountains and other things it was surprising, yet it was nice to hear. The automobile you rode in with that gentleman looked quite expensive and sporty. I wish I owned a car like that one. There are certain rules, but overall it seemed quite pleasant. the other report about the women of Tehran was very interesting. The all female fire brigade I was totally impressed by and I never would have thought of women having that sort of occupation. The part about the plastic surgery I found a little humorous because that occurs in our country all the time. These women are educated and attempting to go beyond the rigorous wearing of the veil. I really admire them for their efforts. As for the actor who is as popular as Brad Pitt. Well, frankly I think your much better looking than he is Richard. That is my opinion and I am sticking to it! Anyway, as a single educated female I take a different viewpoint and say that I have never felt oppressed in any way. Progress can be made for these women. Thank you for your fine reporting Richard! Stay safe as always! Look forward to more great reports! Great to see you on Today! Peace to you and peace to all!  

Good reporting but not showing the truth... What kind of business that Iranian-American do in the US with Iran. Is Iran not under sanctions any more? I liked the fresh prespective of the report but Matt interviewed the wrong people. He should have talked to Trade Union leaders, dissidents and student movement leaders and exposing the crimes of the regime. Btw, bashing president Bush in front of the Iranian regime university professor was the wrong thing.

But I don't hold my breath, afterall it is MSNBC and Bush-Bashing is a must for it.

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