Comments on: And Iran’s President Would Probably Blame It On The Jews

By: CaseyL

CaseyL — Tue, 23 Jan 2007 02:12:41 +0000

Iran’s a lot more democratic than at least one of our key allies in the ME.

The warhounds here eagerly lap up any vague and unsubstantiated rumors about Iran’s nuclear development program. In order to do so, they have to ignore certain “minor details” – like basic engineering facts, which specify how many centrifuges are required in order to enrich enough uranium to build a bomb; and the fact that Iran doesn’t have anywhere near enough of ‘em. Not enough centrifuges = not enough enriched uranium = no bombs.

It’s quite the laugh, seeing the same people who ignore basic scientific facts now dismiss the workings of Iran’s internal politics. Ahmadinejad’s candidates didn’t just “lose” in the recent elections; 90% of them lost – hardly a ‘subtle sign’ from shadowy figures in the deep background. Anyone who considered Bush’s 51% victory in 2004 a “mandate” has a lot of nerve calling a 90% rout anything but a resounding repudiation by the Iranian people.

I don’t know what makes the warhounds here so eager to go to war with Iran, whether it’s because they’re scared of their own freaking shadows or because they get off on mass death and destruction. One thing I do know: the war fever’s got nothing to do with any real threat to the US.

By: Kim Ritter

Kim Ritter — Mon, 22 Jan 2007 23:50:45 +0000

Rudi’s got a point- we are ourselves moving towards a theocracy- what Republican candidate has a chance if they don’t court the leadership of the religious right? Of course it is not on the level of Iran—but isn’t Iran no more or less democratic than other moderate Arab countries in the region? We just downplay their human rights abuses because its convenient to do so.

By: Rudi

Rudi — Mon, 22 Jan 2007 22:15:46 +0000

If Dobson approves of McCain does that make him the Republican Guard’s annoited candidate. The world is flat, 2000 years old and life created by Intelligent design according to the Dobson Right.

By: carpeicthus

carpeicthus — Mon, 22 Jan 2007 19:56:33 +0000

But that doesn’t make Iran a democracy. It’s a theocracy.

By: Kim Ritter

Kim Ritter — Mon, 22 Jan 2007 18:51:11 +0000

Rudi- is correct- look at the “free elections” in Egypt, a key regional ally, where the president’s political opponents end up jailed and tortured along with pro-democracy bloggers, and members of the Muslim Brotherhood. Demonstrations against the government are crushed by force.

The countries that we call moderates in the ME are not democracies. We have enabled dictators there for 60 years. The only difference is that their leaders support the US, while Ahmadinejad spouts off with anti-Western rhetoric whenever he gets the urge.

By: Rudi

Rudi — Mon, 22 Jan 2007 17:15:53 +0000

Tully Please show some citation for your assertions. Are the elections in Kuwait, Algeria and Saudi Arabia anymore legitimate. The regime in Iran is a problem, but the Cheney spin isn’t working again.

By: Tully

Tully — Mon, 22 Jan 2007 16:25:21 +0000

Don’t mistake the “democracy” of Iran for anything like what we think of as democracy. “Elections” in Iran are carefully orchestrated, not free. Ahmadinejad’s poor showing in the elections was an organized warning to him from more “moderate” mullahs and their factions. With Khamanei in reportedly failing health, a shift in power is approaching.

The two things that most worry the ruling elite in Iran are probably the threat of American military action against their major fixed assets (oil!), and the threat of EU/UN sanctions. Many of the mullahs think Ahmadinejad is playing with fire, but they know it won’t just be him that gets burnt.

At last report, the Sunni regimes in the ME were starting to also lean on Tehran. The Saudis and such know who will be in the crossfire if the American mission in Iraq fails. They’ve sat on the sidelines for the last few years and let us do the heavy lifting, but the threat of potential pullout is also notice to them that they must also do some lifting.

By: Laura

Laura — Mon, 22 Jan 2007 16:20:38 +0000

Seems Democracy is working in the ME

Only if you consider a country run by fanatical, genocidal, apocalyptic mullahs to be a democracy.

By: Laura

Laura — Mon, 22 Jan 2007 16:18:22 +0000

This is just an attempt to buy time. Iran has no intention of giving up its nuclear weapons ambition.

By: Kim Ritter

Kim Ritter — Mon, 22 Jan 2007 15:41:45 +0000

Most likely they do not want American-style “democracy”, which we have introduced to Iraq to be brought to Iran! Time will tell, and of course I do hope that they decide to take a more moderate approach, but it will be a long time before we interest moderates in the ME in “liberation” at our hands again.

By: Rudi

Rudi — Mon, 22 Jan 2007 15:38:11 +0000

LOL The Iranian Parliment is looking to IMPEACH the Iranian President for his hawkish ways leading to sanctions and hardship for his people. IMPEACH AHMADINEJAD Seems Democracy is working in the ME.