[canuck_conservative]

"Let's begin with Iran, a boiling cauldron of hatred for everything associated with Western civilization. "

That's not entirely true - some of the aging leadership might be described that way, but there's also some moderates there. And the mid-to-younger generations love their cellphones, satellite TVs, internet, and nightlife as much as their Western counterparts (and much to the annoyance of their elders).

[luvbach1]

Yes, and those moderates were to have overthrown the mullahs by now.

[wtc911]

And the mid-to-younger generations love their cellphones, satellite TVs, internet, and nightlife as much as their Western counterparts (and much to the annoyance of their elders).

======================================

Please provide proof of your assertion.

[Tammy8]

I went to college with Iranians and I can tell you they hated every single thing America stood for. They were happy to come to our country and get a first class education and to take advantage of all modern conveniences and technology. Their hatred of the United States and Americans was chilling. I graduated from college in 1979, but I don't consider myself to be "aging" I do hope you are right about the younger generation of Iranians; but it is really hard for me to believe.

[Windsong]

That's not entirely true - some of the aging leadership might be described that way, but there's also some moderates there. And the mid-to-younger generations love their cellphones, satellite TVs, internet, and nightlife as much as their Western counterparts (and much to the annoyance of their elders).

High tech can't compete with old morality. The U.S. Constitution, Declaration of Independence, Federalist Papers, etc etc all have direct (or indirect) links to Christian doctrine, despite what some atheists claim. Iran, even if converted to a "Western" type democracy would not give up Islam, which is the root of the problem. If you get poison ivy, and keep going back to the plant that gave you the violent itching in the first place, how will that solve the problem?