I am fascinated by America’s interest in the protests going on in Iran right now. The news programs seem to be all Iran all the time. Iran is the top news story from almost every news organization, and “tweet,” and “retweet” have become household words and Neda Iran has been a high profile Google search term for hours, perhaps longer.
I’ve thought a lot about why Americans should even care about Iran. Sure there is the obvious reason that the Iranian regime under Ahmadinejad is hostile to the U.S. But as President Obama said last week, there will be very little difference between an Iran with Ahmadinejad and an Iran with Mousavi. Yet, I think many of us hope that the little bit of a difference between the two men may be enough to lead to peaceful relations. But that is not the main reason for our interest.
We Americans love our freedom and we are not selfish. We want everyone everywhere to share in that freedom. Freedom is so important to us and we are so proud of our culture, with its roots in freedom, that few things make us happier than to see freedom spread. And we love revolutionaries because we are each, in our hearts, a rebel.
President Obama needs to speak carefully about Iran or risk the Iranian regime blaming America for the protests and using that blame to destroy what the protestors are doing. The American people however, are free to express our support for the protestors and our revulsion at the Iranian leaders. Americans want the Iranian people and freedom seekers everywhere to know that your messages are getting through, we see your courage and we salute you. We have an incredible respect for what you’re doing.
Stay courageous and keep the news coming. When you prevail, and I truly believe you will, you will have many friends in the U.S.A.
{ 13 comments }
In America ,we forget, the price paid for the freedom we enjoy everyday. Then something as horrible as the video of a beautiful young lady dying in the street as her father cries in agony. It’s reminds me of 1989 in china. It shows the world the young iranian people want what we all want, we want what this young lady, Neda ,had on the simple sign she carried, it said “Freedom” I have never liked the Iranian politics or people for that matter but i would stand side by side with Neda or anyone else that wanted freedom enough to take the chance of standing up to that kind of terror . My heart goes out to Neda’s family and all the Iranian people that yearn for the freedom I am so lucky to enjoy and cherish even more today.
“President Obama needs to speak carefully about Iran or risk the Iranian regime blaming America for the protests and using that blame to destroy what the protestors are doing.”
It’s an argument that’s been running around since last weekend, and it has merit. Unfortunately, no matter what stance Obama takes, America will be blamed. Before Obama released his first statement, Iranian government press had already begun stories of how the protests and the violent response is a creation of the U.S. and U.K. media. Countries with anti-government protests (violent or otherwise) will always blame America and her leaders for inciting further action from the demonstrators. I think it’s better to leave a strong statement for both those fighting for basic freedoms (such as a true voice in the selection of their government) and future generations looking for a precedent of which path to take – the easy path of diplomatic mutism or the hard path of saying what should be said. America’s precedent has almost always been the latter.
As for who runs the Iranian government – it’s true, they’ll look the same to everyone but the Iranian people. Few Americans really know enough about the two to say who will be better for Iran or the international community, but we all know that a pretense of an election and the subsequent fallout is a far cry from democracy and freedom.
I appreciate your honest post & hope the Iranian people succeed in the fight for their freedom to be heard.
Very well written. As an Iranian-American I very much appreciate this. Thank you.
You all do realize that Mousavi is not suggesting an end to the Islamic Republic right? I love what is happening now, but I don’t expect Iran to be “Free” whatever the heck that means. Mousavi is calling for the restoration of the Republic after a poorly executed election.
Just a thought.
BunE:
You are absolutely correct. And I assure you that what Mousavi stands for I oppose. Further, Mousavi, Ahmadinejad, whoever is in charge, are not the final word – hence the term “Extreme Leader.” If Mousavi comes to power the Iranian girl, Neda, that has become the rallying cry, will still be dead. The Iranians will still hate the west, build nukes, and threaten Israel with extinction. But a change, especially after the riots, might open an opportunity to talk. Maybe; and “Maybe,” is way better than the Ahmadinejad, “no way in hell” style of communication. The word, “Maybe,” means there is a chance.
Brave Iranian youngsters are showing meaning of freedom-loving as a nature of human. Let us support and help them by writing publishing about this movement as much as we can.
Right on to the Iranian people. Freedom is sweet and I know you will taste it soon. God Bless and we are with you!!!!!!!!!!!
One of America’s Founding Fathers said it best:
“God grant that not only the love of liberty but a thorough knowledge of the rights of man may pervade all the nations of the earth, so that a philosopher may set his foot anywhere on its surface and say: ‘This is my country. ‘” – Benjamin Franklin
Obama loves increased government and his form of ideal government is dictatorship with “government run everything system” helping the ‘underprivileged’ of his brotherhood. Why would he then speak against dictators in Iran??
I’m glad our government feels similarly (note sarcasm): http://www.foundingbloggers.com/wordpress/2009/06/the-obama-ice-cream-scandal/
Why should we care? When a group of people suffer an injustice, all humanity suffers. We are all a part of humanity. – This is the bond we all share, regarless of our nationality. This is why!
Why should we care? When a group of people suffer an injustice, all humanity suffers. We are all a part of humanity. – This is the bond we all share, regarless of our nationality. This is why!
Britain loves you too Iran!
PEACE x
{ 1 trackback }