Comments on: Iranian Election Aftermath Roundup

By: ExiledIndependent

ExiledIndependent — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 14:21:50 +0000

As this situation has evolved, and much talk has been made regarding making sure we don’t anger the current regime, I had a bit of an epiphany. Why? Do we think that by handling the ruling body with kid gloves that when this all settles down they’re going to say, “Wow, thanks for being so magnanimous, Barack. You’re right, we really should scrap our weaponized uranium program.” In terms of the geopolitical world outside of Iran, I think we have a lot of our allies scratching their heads as well.

By: Trescml

Trescml — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 12:52:46 +0000

I think that Obama is smart enough to know that strong statements would only have the effect of angering the current regime and possibly weakening the opposition. It might make us feel more like we are taking the moral high ground, but the impact to the situation would be little than negative.

Of course there are those that think we should invade Iran right now, but fortunately there are too many of those types out there.

By: Chris

Chris — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 11:25:57 +0000

I don’t see why the pres should have to “pick sides” anyway, it’s not like either of them are really that fantastic.

By: Clark

Clark — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 21:19:22 +0000

Leaders that lack supporting evidence almost always use intimidation and repression. If Ahmedinejad truly won by 11,000,000 votes … a new election would yield the same results and no violence would be needed by the Iranian “police”.

President Obama finally comes out with a semi strong statement to ambiguously condemn the Iranian governments tactics. Too bad he didn’t support the protestors strongly prior to the violence. But just one suggestion Mr. Obama … ” when you tell the Iranian government not to use violence or “unjust” methods on the protestors” you might try defining the word “unjust” for them. Because it is obvious that justice under sharia law doesn’t have the same definition as justice in a free society. Because right now, they can say with clear conscience that they are meeting your request to not treat the protestors “unjustly” when they use their own corrupt definition of the word.

By: Agnostick

Agnostick — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 20:05:16 +0000

I have one question… and it’s kind of a devil’s advocate sort of thing…

We see (apparently) hundreds of thousands of Mousavi’s supporters, the “Sea of Green”… everyone in green. Khamenei has claimed that the election results are legitimate, meaning Ahmadinejad’s supporters/voters should easily outnumber Mousavi’s.

So… are they out in the streets, as well? Or are they all being good little boys and girls, and staying home, staying out of the way?

I see all the “greencasting” of avatars on FB and Twitter. Lord only knows what kind of pandora’s box this opens up. I guess come next year, we’ll see redcasting, bluecasting… probably even some greencasting and purplecasting.

Justin, you’ve been doing a great job of keeping up with this raging torrent of events. Thanks!

Agnostick
agnostick@excite.com