Posted on 06/21/2009 5:22:09 PM PDT by ventanax5
Having been in transit during the start of the Iranian election protests, I've taken a little time to come up to speed on the issue. Scanning English-language (UK) papers in airports, I will say that my initial reaction to the euphoria I saw breaking out all over the West -- especially the US? -- to the obtusely labeled "green" revolution was, Why should we be so happy about Mousavi? When I learned that Mousavi was Mullah Rafsanjani's boy, that A-jad was Mullah Khameini's boy, my wonder deepened, as in: What's the diff? When I read John Bolton's piece at Politico noting that nobody runs for president in Iran without the express approval of the mullahs, my gut reaction was bolstered by some real facts. Here is Bolton's cheat sheet rundown:
First, only candidates screened and approved by the mullahs in the Guardian Council could run — in this case, exactly four presidential candidates out of nearly 500 who applied. Second, Iran’s highest official is not the president but, rather, the supreme leader, currently Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Third, Iran’s election officials are not independent but rigorously controlled by the supreme leader. Fourth, the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps and other security forces stand ready, willing and able to preserve public safety if the “wrong” candidate appeared to win or protestd in defeat.
(Excerpt) Read more at dianawest.net ...
Even this little bit of choice (Mousavi promised to make the religious police less intrusive) is being rigged away from the Iranians.
I believe we could see the birth or republicanism in Iran, but it may very possibly become much more bloody before it is over. The Basij and many in the Revoultionary Guard are not likely to go quietly.
The key is, "What will the regular Army do?" And will they (say, Like Washington) be willing to take part in ending the Islamic tyranny and then hand it over to a new, true Republic?
At this point, the people may not accept anything less.
One thing is sure...it is Bush's direct engagement, support of liberty, and policies that are driving this. Still bearing fruit. Obama is trying like crazy to spin this to his advantage, but we cannot let him lie and try and steal it. His policies would have made this impossible...just as they would have made Iraq impossible.
...and that is precisely Obama's problem.
George Bush's legacy and fight endures in the Mid East, despite, and in spite of Obama, and THAT is Obama's real dilema.
It was George Bush's policy of direct engagement and support of liberty that has led to the people of Iran seeing the measure of freedom now established on both sides of them in Iraq and Afghjanistan...and desiring it for themselves.
Obama cannot possibly go too far in recognizing that, or he absolutely repudiates himself and his entire foreign policy.
...but the fight in Iran is far from over, and is getting brutal.
Young Woman (Neda) shot to death in Terhran. 6/20/2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjQxq5N--Kc
Crowd Hunting Basij, Man shot. 6/20/2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYaL4mA-bSY
URGENT: HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT IRANIAN PROTESTORS RIGHT NOW...ON TWITTER
AMERICANS SUPPORTING IRAN LIBERTY
AMERICANS DON'T NEED OBAMA SPEAKING FOR THEM, WE'RE FREE AND CAN SPEAK FOR OURSELVES
POEM FOR THE ROOFTOPS OF IRAN - INCREDIBLY MOVING
You can follow me on twitter if you want.http://www.twitter.com/Jeff_Head
Might be a really good time for Israel to wipe out Iranian’s nuclear capability, as well as take their military down a few pegs.
If the whole revolution thing is just about whether Thug A or Thug B wins, why not?
She is right - but things have changed somewhat. It may be that the protesters have changed what Mousavi wants. The thing is, nothing will change if nothing changes.
finally some thoughtfulness on the issue. I hadn’t read Bolton prior to this but he obviously very close to my position on this
I don’t think people are so much pro-Mousavi as pro-Iranians who who want to live in a decent, non-repressive society with unrigged elections.
It sounds like Ms. West still hasn’t come up to speed.
This stopped being about the election days ago. The crowds are shouting “Death to Khamenei”.
Who says this is going to result in a permanent Mousavi government? These aren’t campaign riots, they’ve gone far beyond that. Bolton was writing before this thing kicked into high gear. We’ve reached the end of mapped territory. Here there be monsters.
I believe this too. I know about Mousavi, but this is more than him.
‘If the whole revolution thing is just about whether Thug A or Thug B wins, why not?’
These riots aren’t a choice between Thug A and Thug B. This is about the citizens of a country who have tired of being screwed by thugs for the past 30 years. The fraudulant election was just the final straw, the tipping point. It’s not the sole (or even main) reason for the protests.
>> These riots aren’t a choice between Thug A and Thug B. This is about the citizens of a country who have tired of being screwed by thugs for the past 30 years. The fraudulant election was just the final straw, the tipping point.
To the extent that what you say is true (and it may very well be), I wish them well and pray for their success.
If it’s NOT the counterrevolutionary tipping point that you and others are confident of, and if the result of whatever machinations occur is a nuclear armed Muslim thugocracy, I hope Israel takes advantage of the confusion to deal Iran a staggering blow.
Mousavi may not make much of a difference in Iran’s approach to the US, but I think the Iranians wanted him because they felt there would be positive domestic changes. He has promised to relax restrictions on women, for example, make improvements to Iran’s disastrous economy, and he is in general not as totally nutty as Ahmadinejad.
So I think what people are supporting is their right to change their government, even if it will make little difference to Iran’s foreign relations. However, it probably will affect that, too, because Ahmadinejad has been running all over Latin America trying to spread the “Islamic revolution” with buddies such as Chavez and Correa, and I get the impression that Mousavi is less interested in doing this.
The issues involved went right over Diana West head. This isn't about the candidates anymore.
What exactly would Ms West like the media to “take a break & rethink? Reporting on the largest protest rallies in 30 years since the ouster of the Shah??
It’s not about Mousavi anymore - it’s about the regime.
Take a pill, Ms West. Rent a movie if you’re tired of hearing about it.
The media has ignored so many demonstrations in Iran in the past. It’s about time the Iranian people got the attention they need & deserve.
Hopefully, this is the beginning of the end of this murdering regime.
ventanax5,Why are these people fighting.I have been trying to figure it out?
I agree, it’s not about Mousavi.
Young Iranian dissident, Amir Fakhravar, formerly jailed protestor in Iran. Says protests are about freedom, are against the supreme leader (they have no particular love for Mousavi).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzNr5alD_TQ
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