Tehran gripped by worst rioting since revolution

Independent/UK ^ | 10/27/01 | Nick Pelham in Tehran

[FITZ]

This antipathy might be undiscernible by western eyes, but it is profound.

I've known two basic types of Iranians, some aren't particularly religious, they'll dress in a conservative western style and they don't seem to hate Jews or anyone, the ultra religious types are strange people but if anyone hates Iraqis and Arabs, they do, it seemed to me they disliked Arabs about as much as they disliked Jews, and they were pretty intense about the Iran-Iraq war. I can't really imagine that Persians want to see Saudi or Iraqi domination.

[EricT.]

If we airdrop millions of Brittney Spears CDs on them, I think 95% of the young men in Iran will fully support freedom and western values. Who could withstand the temptation of hip-huggers, bellybuttons, and low cut tops in an environment like that?

[FITZ]

I don't think they exactly love the US and I think many are rather bitter that we sided with Iraq in that war because they had considered us an ally in spite of what happened when they deposed the Shah. I think Bush is doing the right thing though, trying not to take on the entire Middle East region, Iran is a divided country to some extent. I've never been to Iran but from what people from there have told me, it's a fairly middle class society and they aren't nearly as backward as the Arab Muslims. One of my co-workers from Iran would always buy CD's and players and other items to take back home, she said the customs agents are supposed to confiscate those but none ever does. They are an Islamic state but it doesn't seem to have that much control over many people.

[Syncro]

"...Girls blew hooters at Islamic vigilantes "

Maybe this loses something in translation...

[willyone]

The question is "Will GW screw this up like his dad did the Kurd uprising against Saddam and the Tienemem student demonstrations?" Aristocrats always seem to stay on the side of authority no matter how corrupt. It is after all an old boys club in which the commoners are not permitted. Flame away but I have lost all hope that the US will ever figure out how to cultivate friends and punish enemies instead of the other way around.

[willyone]

Dopes like you are why we never seem to come out on the winning side. And with the liberal use of "we" I would presume you will be in the first wave of troops invading Iran. Thought not. Just another keyboard commando.

[NeonKnight]

With Turkey, Israel, and Iran as allies, the Arabs would be toast.

[Hillary 666]

You got it. I heard that a few days ago and it cracked me up.

[willyone]

Successful revolutions that achieve what they set out to do with the consent and support of the citizens end. Those that just install one tyranny for another never end. Cuba,Mexico,China for example. It appears that Iran and maybe Russia will finally have theirs end. Had Jimmy the idiot Carter not stopped paying the bribe money to the mullahs because it was immoral the Shah never would have fallen. But then again if Iran doe's change it may well be a better country after seeing what a Islamic nightmare is really about.

[NeonKnight]

US, Turkey, Israel, Iran vs the Arab world. Saudi, Egypt, Syria, Iraq....pick a side. No fence sitters.

[Scott from the Left Coast]

Incredible article (why aren't the U.S. newspapers this good?) (Don't answer that, it was rhetorical).

Congrats on one of the most interesting posts I've read in a good long time.

[alethia]

Interesting post, truth_seeker. I do think that many in Iran are pro-Western. This could be very good for the US in the short-term, particularly if Iran becomes more "pro-western" governmentally again.

We do need to be careful, though. Just because Iran is pro-West doesn't mean they're pro-USA. They are pro-Iran and want to control the tremendous wealth of oil in that part of the world again as they did under Shah Reza Pahlavi.

Essentially, what I'm saying is that we need to watch our backs -- once the terrorist and extreme factions are neutralized -- or at least put on the run -- Iran will make it's move.

Turkey has similar strategies for the long term. Right now, there is much that appears "Pro-Western" in Turkey. Again, caution. Delve into the Turkish prison system, the way it treats minorities, it's ongoing battle with Greece. Don't forget -- Turkey invaded Cyprus just under 30 years ago -- 50,000 Greek Cypriots disappeared.

[LibWhacker]

What in the hell do you mean we never seem come out on the winning side, Wee Willie? While you tremble in fear of the Iranians, just remember: They fought Iraq to an eight-year standstill, a country we absolutely decimated in a couple of short months.

Iran is our mortal enemy, and if you're too GD dumb to have realized that in the last twenty years, you're too GD dumb to fight in ANY war on our side. Please stay home and hide under your bed. America doesn't need you.

[reg45]

There are so many Persians in LA that, among Persian-Americans , it is nicknamed Teheran West!

[reg45]

ultra religious types are strange people but if anyone hates Iraqis and Arabs, they do

The reason for that is that they are part of a different branch of Islam. It split with mainline Islam over a thousand years ago. The split is not unlike the split in Christianity (Catholic vs. Protestant) but far more extreme.

[patent]

Interesting. I wonder where this will go.

patent

[majic12]

Yeah, I disagree.

At the end of the Cold War, many believed that every Soviet citizen held deep resentment towards the west and that they could never be our allies. The fact was that their totalitarian leaders in order to maintain power and control had indoctrinated their people with an ideology of hatred toward the west and they had some success polarizing their people against us. But the average person, didn't understand westerners and deep down they actually were curious about our ways. They, like all people, wanted to have freedom. For an oppressed people, Democracy sells itself... The iranians seem to fit this model. Consider their support of President Khatami, a great leader, who has struggled to reduce the influence of the clerics in the government. These people protesting are the bright light in the region.

[Travis McGee]

No crystal ball here, but it's hopeful.

A Russian poet said in the 60s that if the entire world was paved in concrete, flowers would come up through the cracks.

People want freedom. Always will, in the end.

[chantal7]

Iranians are really great people. The educated ones that didn't succumb to the clerics' lies.

This time, unlike under the previous Shah's reign, if a new government decides to take all the ill gotten land and riches that the clerics have and give them back to the people..that government had better take care of those nasty militant, selfish, money and power hungry, clerics and not let any of them escape.

All good, true clerics shouldn't have to fear anything and should be taken care of and protected by the people. The above paragraph only applies to bad, money and power hungry clerics who twist the word of Allah to suit their own ends and gain. Balli? ;)