Folks who insist on consoling themselves can take the long view that events such as this and Tianamen Square, to name a few, are important events along the way on a morally inevitable march towards freedom and democracy.

My very personal mileage is that I no longer allow myself such romantic philosophical notions. This is clearly and simply the brutal repression of the human urge for freedom by another ruthless pseudo-paternal government, this time a theocracy. As always, such a government thinks it can justify its actions as in the best interests of its people who are not ready for more freedom.

This is always the justification, and history suggests its just about always no more than a convenient lie. For history shows us that such repressive governments never step back voluntarily and gradually to grant more freedom as the people get used it. Instead, such freedom is always wrested from the government by the people, or else the people are squashed.

Sadly and for various reasons, my sense is that this squashing stands a very good chance of succeeding.