Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Attack on Iran Would Only Stifle Democracy, Say Iranian-American Journalists
ncmonline.com ^ | Jan 24, 2005 | Donal Brown

Posted on 01/24/2005 6:41:28 PM PST by F14 Pilot

click here to read article


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-29 next last

1 posted on 01/24/2005 6:41:28 PM PST by F14 Pilot
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: DoctorZIn; McGavin999; freedom44; nuconvert; sionnsar; AdmSmith; dixiechick2000; onyx; Pro-Bush; ...

ping


2 posted on 01/24/2005 6:42:30 PM PST by F14 Pilot (Democracy is a process not a product)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: F14 Pilot

Hold on. "an excuse for openly supporting terrorist organizations?" I thought they're already doing that.


3 posted on 01/24/2005 6:44:30 PM PST by wk4bush2004
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: wk4bush2004

Islamic Regime in Tehran denies its involvements in global terrorism...


4 posted on 01/24/2005 6:46:19 PM PST by F14 Pilot (Democracy is a process not a product)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

Comment #5 Removed by Moderator

To: ThoreauHD

Which is why they can't be allowed to have nuclear weapons. The consequences would be disastrous.


6 posted on 01/24/2005 6:47:57 PM PST by wk4bush2004
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: F14 Pilot

But everyone can see right through that. At least I hope so.


7 posted on 01/24/2005 6:48:40 PM PST by wk4bush2004
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: F14 Pilot; MLedeen

I don't read Hersh, but I DO read Ledeen.

Have you seen this thread?
You might be interested, if you haven't.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1325430/posts

It's good to see you. ;o)


8 posted on 01/24/2005 6:51:28 PM PST by dixiechick2000 (President Bush is a mensch in cowboy boots.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: F14 Pilot

The last sound they will hear on the phone will be a sharp whistle.


9 posted on 01/24/2005 6:57:28 PM PST by Eric in the Ozarks
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: F14 Pilot

Whenever a Islamicist says you're about to make a mistake, you know you're on the right track.


10 posted on 01/24/2005 7:01:06 PM PST by Teacher317
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: F14 Pilot
"When we talk of imposing democracy, it is a contradiction in terms," she argues. "Democracy and force do not go together. You cannot bring about changes that conflict with the means used to bring it. The outcome of the Iraqi war is testament to my claim," Esfandiari adds.

Elections there in a week. It's a testament to the falsity of that claim.

11 posted on 01/24/2005 7:06:08 PM PST by Billthedrill
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: F14 Pilot; wk4bush2004

Yes, the regime tries to deny it.
But that's really tuff to do every February when they all get together there, isn't it?
They're like the thief who is caught on video tape stealing, who then goes around telling everyone he's innocent. Why do they bother? Everyone in the world knows they are guilty. It's asinine.


12 posted on 01/24/2005 7:21:03 PM PST by nuconvert (No More Axis of Evil by Christmas ! TLR)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: F14 Pilot

Good article. I agree. Except i think that Iraq is headed towards a democratic regime, however the situation in Iraq is different than Iran. There is absolutely no need or desire for an attack on Iran.


13 posted on 01/24/2005 7:22:45 PM PST by freedom44
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: F14 Pilot

"Writing in the Jan. 20 issue of the New Yorker, leading investigative writer Seymour Hersh.."

The New Yorker?? Seymour Hersh??

Nuff said.


14 posted on 01/24/2005 7:27:05 PM PST by ZULU (Fear the government which fears your guns. God, guts, and guns made America great.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: freedom44

Isn't Iran worse than Iraq? The regime is worse than Saddam. They bascially preach "Death to America" everyday.


15 posted on 01/24/2005 7:28:10 PM PST by wk4bush2004
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: wk4bush2004

The regime in Iran is far worse than Saddam, but the situation in Iran is far different. Iran has a long history of fighting for democracy. There are consistent pro-Democracy demonstrations in Iran - 70% of the population are under 30 - polls put the regimes support at about 15% and the younger generation are pro-American. A revolt works much better when dealing with Iran.


16 posted on 01/24/2005 7:38:18 PM PST by freedom44
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: freedom44

Then maybe what we need to do is weaken is infrastructure of the government to give the Iranian people a chance.


17 posted on 01/24/2005 7:40:49 PM PST by wk4bush2004
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: wk4bush2004

That's definitely the best option. I'm sure we're already doing some things.

Iranian-Americans have satellite tv stations setup in California that reach an estimated 5-10 million homes in Iran. There are currently over 20 Persian Satellite TV stations. They're bootleg operations that are pro-US and pro-Democracy, but have wide appeal and outreach. They're illegal and the Iranian government regularly raids homes, but they simply cannot keep up with the production. They're also instrumental in getting people out into the streets. Iran is no North Korea - the people are well aware of things happening due to these satellite dishes.

The problem is that the 15% loyal hard-liners are *extremely* devout. They feel that they're protecting God himself and will do anything to defend the regime. They'd kill anyone, including themselves to defend the regime.
15% is more than enough to keep power - especially when the world media hardly pays attention and the Europeans, Chinese, Russians and most of the rest of the world are backing you.


18 posted on 01/24/2005 7:45:00 PM PST by freedom44
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: F14 Pilot
SYS0013: Encountered "leading investigative writer Seymour Hersh" where [reliable source] was expected.
19 posted on 01/24/2005 7:45:36 PM PST by Nick Danger (The only way out is through)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: freedom44

Then maybe we should work to eliminate the hard-liners.

Do you think an attack on Iran would trigger a response from Russia and/or China?


20 posted on 01/24/2005 8:02:12 PM PST by wk4bush2004
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-29 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson