Who needs a bomb?
Iran doesn't need to build a nuclear bomb. Our fear of "the bomb," and the resulting obsession has caused more damage, and "has given the ruling clerics free reign to devastate opposition with all the brutality they can muster."
For the first time in over 25 years, workers in Iran formed a union to negotiate better uniforms and an extra $1 a day for lunch. Government thugs arrested the leader and threatened to cut off his tongue if the strike continues. Where could you find this news? In an editorial piece by Iranian Roya Hakakain in the Wall Street Journal.
This kind of brutality and oppression are a direct result of American foreign policy. The Iranian people elected President Ahmadinejad because he was the candidate who promised to stand strong against Bush. He also promised to help the poor. As it turns out, he ignores civil rights conventions that Iran has signed, and even ignores their own constitution, which allows the formation of professional associations. 
If Bush wasn't name calling and stomping our military around in the Middle East, the Iranian election would have undoubtedly had a much different result. Many people think Iran is next on Bush's list for military action. A better idea would be to wait for the rising student movement to take decisive action, or to fund the movement underground. I know it's unorthodox, but as the Dalai Lama said, "war is outdated" - we need new solutions. There is widespread discontent in Iran and people there are ready for a revolution. Funding the resistance would actually save us a lot of money and potential troops, and the movement may have the strength and support to overrun the clerics and establish a democracy that Iranians could benefit from.
Perhaps we would be seen as a little wiser in the region.
By terra - 3/27/2006
5 Comments:
This is all well and good Terra Milo, but I'd just like to point out a couple of things. First, the behavior and words of President Bush have ticked off even the most democratic-loving Iranians--turning them against anything the United States does. The Iranian people, like many other people around the world, love their nation even if they might hate their leadership (sound familiar democrats?). That's why even the most rebellious of film makers in Iran will support his country's right to seek nuclear energy--in spite of the United States. Iranians are so annoyed with the United States right now, that even NGO's attatched to the United States are dismissed as American cackle-butt. However, very recently, the United States mindblowingly opened up to Iran and asked for talks over the current condition in Iraq--suprised me so much, I tied myself up out back and left the dog to roam freely, which, consequently, is a great story for another post. Anyway, such action by the United States is exactly what the proud country of Iran wants--to be respected and considered an equal. More moves like this might relax the Iranian tension, not to mention give the mullahs less ammo against America, which is what we're trying to do, right?--keep ammo out of the hands of Iran.
Yes, there you go again my hero, Hakos. Saying it like it is. I am sending my husband to the store right now for more beer. We drink to you and your words of wisdom. Dopey.
I don't know if this administration has the amt of credibility required to do Anything in Iran--much less underwrite a revolution..who would trust our intentions? If we could funnel money through another Muslim country towards Iran, perhaps.
I think some diplomatic overtures are in the works, but propaganda in Iran has convinced many it is their right to have nuclear power and weapons...and with the US beginning the next Crusade, who can blame them?
The Dalai Lama is correct, but war lines the pockets of fat white guys..who have yet to realize what their reward will be when they die.
I think it is safe to say that the US is trying to do things through the students and the general population in Iran. I believe that most in Iran would like to see their govt. overthrown, but right now we are not in the position to do it militarily and I would be against it at this time.
I think we have to give the students a lot more credit for starting the change on their own. It's nice to think that the US is behind it, but we're not. They've been trying to overrun the mullahs for a very long time. What they need is support - not ultimatums. As Hakos said, our actions in the Middle East only increase their own nationalism. Even though they hate their leaders, they hate us even more. We need to wait and let the revolution happen. It will be a lot sooner than the 10 years it will take for them to build a bomb.
I hope the public will be come as educated as you guys are on this topic. They seem to be in a rush to war, although we can see how well that is turning out in Iraq. It would be far worse in Iran.
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