Reality Unwound

I have heard so many people say that Iran should be our ally, that they have a liberal, americanized culture and it is only a small group of hardline leaders that make them seem like our enemy. It is funny that as we see the evidence of that, and millions of people take to the streets to show disatisfaction with thier leadership that you would decide to post this.
I’m not sure it’s the right time to start telling everybody how they’re all so terrible and evil and simply cant be reasoned with all over again. I’ve seenpretty good evidence the last few weeks to the contrary.

I think Jason was referring to the Iranian government which, as you point out, is oppressive to its people. But I do think this demonstrates how the line is often blurred between a country’s government and its citizens. We must be very clear when we are speaking about our “enemy,” who exactly we’re talking about. Especially since, up until a couple of weeks ago, most Americans thought the Iranian people and their government was one in the same. Here’s a link to an op ed in the NY Metro paper that illustrates, humorously, the thinking of most Americans on Iran.
http://www.ny.metro.us/us/article/2009/06/19/01/3124-82/index.xml

Well then lets hope that the missles and sanctions that the rightires are advocating only hit the government and the “people” dont even notice.

I’m very excited by what I see from the students in Iran. I think their protest & courage is a beacon of hope in the mid-east.

I posted the video as a visual contrast between a strong leader & our current President.

I think the U.S. President should be a vocal advocate of freedom in the world, rather than checking the direction of the wind first.

He’s pretty & he reads a speech well, but leadership would be a better quality at this point.

and I’m pretty sure it’s not the righties advocating sanctions. It’s the weak lefties that want to negotiate with those who would destroy America.

I also don’t think it’s a completely safe leap to say that b/c those in Iran are fighting for freedom that they are pro-american.

we should fight for freedom (I never said anything about missles. that would be foolish) b/c it’s right (it is), not simply b/c it will create a national ally (it won’t).

Freedom is a worthy end in itself, even if Iran doesn’t get warm & fuzzy on the U.S.A. The fallacy is that by not addressing real problems in Iran, they will be our friend. Appeasement never works, & it never appeases, so we might as well have a free people.

So then what is your proposal for this stronger stance?