Comments on: Iran at a Crossroad: Mr. President, Where Are You?

By: Dave

Dave — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 09:27:36 +0000

The Iranian hard liners would love to paint the protests as US meddling, and therefore not sincere, valid protests by the Iranian people. President Obama placing the US in the midst of this would have several horrible effects;

– Providing the Iranian regime with the ability to paint the protests as a CIA inspired acts, not real protests that need to be listened to. The stance some in the GOP are advocating would give the regime exactly what they need to paint the picture.

– It would sway center right Iranians would are considering taking up the protester's cause to have second thoughts. Iranian's who may be inclined to side with the protesters, but hate "the great satan" would think twice if they suspect this is a US supported / sponsered movement.

By: El_Gordo

El_Gordo — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 17:06:47 +0000

Ahmadinejad knows he cannot win the support of the people, period. That is why people are shot, arrested and tortured. You think the Iranians will suddenly forget that they are brutally oppressed? Because Obama says something? You are the prime example of a navel-gazing American.

"At the end of the day the demonstrations is about the Presidency and not the theocracy."

It is about the system. Any more just and responsible regime that emerges, even if it develops nuclear weapons, will be less of a threat to us than the current one. And since Obama has decided to do nothing about the nukes, this is the best hope we have of staving off disaster.

"We need to maintain a level head and as I said before be seen and not heard…"
We are seen doing nothing. We are heard mouthing platitudes.

By: El_Gordo

El_Gordo — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 16:57:47 +0000

We know from history that any movement that goes up against a brutal regime needs international support. The Left knows this: it was very loud in its condemnation of the Shah.

Your assumption that Iranians are driven mostly by their relationship to the US is pretty naive for such a self-professed intercontinental guy. That may be true of your left-wing ilk, but unlike them, the Iranian people have bigger problems. Real problems, not just stuff that happens in their head.

Nothing so parochial as an American liberal.

By: El_Gordo

El_Gordo — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 16:51:42 +0000

I live in Europe. Not sure if it makes me smarter. Where have you been, you arrogant schmuck?

By: El_Gordo

El_Gordo — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 16:50:32 +0000

Irrelevant. The protests are not only pro-Moussavi. They target the system. They have to use this opportunity because, as you say, there is no organization they could rally around. That is hardly new. Brutal regimes don´t allow them. Brutal regimes have fallen or been forced to reform nevertheless.

If Moussavi wins power carried by a pro-Democracy movement, he can hardly go back to business as usual. The nature of the regime inevitably changes. And any more representative, just regime will be friendlier towards us as well, even if we continue to have differences.

By: El_Gordo

El_Gordo — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 16:39:56 +0000

I don´t mean to defend the oppressive elements of the Shah regime – but he was good compared to the Mullahs. He left the country instead of ruining or massacring his people. The Left in Europe and the US was very vocal in their opposition to the Shah. And back then international support made a difference. Now the Left makes excuses not to do anything about the theocratic rulers of the same country. Very telling.

By: El_Gordo

El_Gordo — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 10:48:26 +0000

We are so refined and nuanced that we simply cannot speak out against evil without some self-bashing and navel-gazing. History tells us that international support is important for any movement trying to go up against a brutal regime. But history is only important when it serves the progressive cause and besides, being against evil – even using the word without cringing – would be so "Bush-like".

Insane, yes.

By: El_Gordo

El_Gordo — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 10:41:48 +0000

Who are "these people" you are talking about?

By: El_Gordo

El_Gordo — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 10:40:20 +0000

Historically, international support has always been important to movements trying to reform brutal regimes. The idea that we would "make it worse" by speaking out can only come from a parochial American liberal or anti-Western ideologue. Speaking out against evil is so "Bush" and that is what they really worry about.

By: El_Gordo

El_Gordo — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 10:30:07 +0000

To call every protester a supporter of Moussavi is boneheaded. There is no organized opposition precisely because they are all thugs, so people take the best opportunity they get. Still doesn´t explain what would be so wrong to speak words of support for the people. History tells us that movements trying to reform brutal regimes need international support.

The truth is: Even before the protests, Obama never rhetorically separated the people from the regime because he doesn´t give a damn.