dagblog - Comments for "30 Years of Revolution: There and Back Again in Iran"

One of the biggest problems

atticus1104 — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 21:49:25 +0000

In reply to 30 Years of Revolution: There and Back Again in Iran

One of the biggest problems facing Iranian and U.S. relations, is that under the Bush administration we looked at Iran as monolithic. Everyone is radical and backward. we are seeing that couldn't be further from the truth.

Dr. Brzezinski, on Morning Joe, does a great job debunking this false representation of Iranian society.

A must watch clip.

http://progressnotcongress.org/?p=1853

One thing keeping them from

matyra — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 07:18:43 +0000

In reply to 30 Years of Revolution: There and Back Again in Iran

One thing keeping them from that role has always been us. Always marginalizing. Getting other countries to sanction them with us. Always meddling. Supporting Iraq against them during war. It seems to me that one of our goals in recent memory has been to keep Iran from becoming a major power in the Middle East. "Axis of Evil" was just the latest push.

A secular Iran that is allowed to prosper on its own, may well become the power you say. And with a strong Turkey, maybe Egypt would be the next to go secular. And then what? (uh oh, I'm probably drinking the Kool Aid here. But what's wrong with optimism? Of course I'm ignoring Hezbollah, and Israel, and Syria, and Iraq, and the little thing called Palestine).

The mullahs may have long

PacificGatePost — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 04:09:13 +0000

In reply to 30 Years of Revolution: There and Back Again in Iran

The mullahs may have long feared that change would eventually come in reaction to their abuse of the population. Many have moved the proceeds of their pilfering offshore, “just in case.” Some have built themselves Los Angeles and West Vancouver mansions, in anticipation that the gun might eventually not suppress the crowds in Tehran.

The potential for change is directly conditional on the persistence and endurance of the youth filling the streets of Iran. It will be unstoppable if the demonstrations move to the poorer rural regions of the country.

http://pacificgatepost.blogspot.com/2009/06/new-dawn-for-iran.html

This genie is out of the bottle. Change may be slow in coming, nevertheless, it will come.

I am trying to fully wrap my

Libertine — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 03:46:04 +0000

In reply to 30 Years of Revolution: There and Back Again in Iran

I am trying to fully wrap my brain what it is happening now and why. Is it because they feel more secure now that Saddam no longer poses a threat? We're they emboldened to try to affect change after President Obama's victory here? Has a society which has always preferred secular rule grown weary of the religious tyranny? I have a feeling it is a convergence at this time in space of a number of different factors to explain "Why now?". But the best thing for us, the US, to do is stay out of it.

I wonder what is being thought in Saudi Arabia? They have always been worried about the ramifications of a strong secular Iran. Iran is poised to become the premier regional power as they historically have been.

Thanks Lib! We can certainly

oleeb — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 03:10:16 +0000

In reply to 30 Years of Revolution: There and Back Again in Iran

Thanks Lib!

We can certainly hope.

But if the Iranian people do not reach their goal we know that the blame lies ultimately not in Iran and not now but in Washington in 1953 where we so shortsightedly decided to kill the baby democracy we should have nourished and encouraged and which by now might have become a mature, strong, shining example for other nations. Just think what would not have occured and how different and better a world we might be living in had the hubris filled fools in the CIA not toppled Dr. Mossadegh.

The amount of pain, death, suffering and just plain evil that has come from that covert action has not ended even today. In fact, when you think about it, of the known attempts (successful or otherwise) by the CIA to destroy foreign governments, and of the covert ops we are aware of that they carried our and of the strategic operations like Afghanistan in the 80's there is not one single bit of good that has come of any of it. Now, we find ourselves fighting two wars we never should have had to fight and all the troubles that motivated our involvement are, in the end, of our own making. We brought all this upon ourselves which is bad enough, but we have forced uncounted millions in other nations to suffer and die as well. It is appalling.

VERY well written oleeb and

Libertine — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 02:40:53 +0000

In reply to 30 Years of Revolution: There and Back Again in Iran

VERY well written oleeb and highly rec'd.

I think it captures the intracacies of what is happening in Iran and especially what got Iran to where it is today. Like I said in another comment post earlier I think, in terms of cultural mores, the Iranian people are closer to the secular Turks than they are to the Islamic Saudis. I think they well know of Mossadegh and his vision of how Iran should be governed and that is what they are striving for.

Will they be successful against the very entrenched despotism currently in place? Yes...even if not now eventually it will happen.

Well your Iron Law wont copy

dickday — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 02:20:37 +0000

In reply to 30 Years of Revolution: There and Back Again in Iran

Well your Iron Law wont copy and paste, but the Beetles and the Who and a host of other bands and poets have included the concept in their work.

It is just that Russia kept it going for seventy some years and China is still workin on a similar script. Castro is still goin strong thru his brother.

LET US PRAY.

BUT LET US KEEP OUR MISSILES AND TROOPS THE HELL OUT OF THERE.

oleeb,I really enjoyed what

matyra — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 01:39:17 +0000

In reply to 30 Years of Revolution: There and Back Again in Iran

oleeb,I really enjoyed what you had to say. I'm curious what would exist in Iran's place had we not intervened. Heck, 'intervened' is not the right word when we've been constantly pressuring them in one way or another for decades.

Thanks for the thought-provoking post.

Well said. Well said

letthesunshinein — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 00:35:12 +0000

In reply to 30 Years of Revolution: There and Back Again in Iran

Well said. Well said indeed.

'...I wish them the best of luck and hope fervently this represents a turning point for them that will lead to a return to the vision of a modern, democratic Iran by and for Iranians and one where their government is remains independent from foreign influence so the people and society of this ancient and accomplished culture can reach its full potential at home and on the world stage...'