It’s great to see the Iranian people fighting back. They easily outnumber the thugs on motorcycles. Unfortunately, HRC’s response can be summarized as “the U.S. will standby and do nothing.” At least her Canadian counterpart said he was “troubled.”
I don’t think there’s really anything useful that she (or Obama) could say right now. The problems in Iran are about Iran. Not the US. Might be appropriate to say something, later, but right now, it would just be gasoline to the fire, I think.
Iranians ultimately don’t trust the U.S. when it comes to physical intervention on behalf of their desire for democracy. The U.S. backed coup d’etat against Mossadegh–in favor of the then young Shah–in 1953 thwarted the one true effort for a democratic Iran and set in motion the wheels that led to people turning to the clerics, revolution in 1979, etc. to today’s events. Verbal condemnation? Sure. Meddle in our affairs actively? No, thanks–I don’t think I’d want to risk what that would result in, 50 years from now…
Amit, fwiw, not saying anything (in general, not just this) can also be taken advantage of as provocative verbal ammo. by whoever comes out/stays on top. That’s what false propaganda, especially in what is essentially a dictatorship with controlled media, is about: you don’t actually have to have a valid source for what you’re paraphrasing or quoting.
Amit
although scary it also gives some comfort there is such a backlash against Ahmadinejad
freewheel
It’s great to see the Iranian people fighting back. They easily outnumber the thugs on motorcycles. Unfortunately, HRC’s response can be summarized as “the U.S. will standby and do nothing.” At least her Canadian counterpart said he was “troubled.”
MB
I don’t think there’s really anything useful that she (or Obama) could say right now. The problems in Iran are about Iran. Not the US. Might be appropriate to say something, later, but right now, it would just be gasoline to the fire, I think.
Peej
Iranians ultimately don’t trust the U.S. when it comes to physical intervention on behalf of their desire for democracy. The U.S. backed coup d’etat against Mossadegh–in favor of the then young Shah–in 1953 thwarted the one true effort for a democratic Iran and set in motion the wheels that led to people turning to the clerics, revolution in 1979, etc. to today’s events. Verbal condemnation? Sure. Meddle in our affairs actively? No, thanks–I don’t think I’d want to risk what that would result in, 50 years from now…
Amit
right now it is best to say nothing. anything we say will be used as ammunition for the “winning” party. can someone please tell Biden to shut up?
Peej
Amit, fwiw, not saying anything (in general, not just this) can also be taken advantage of as provocative verbal ammo. by whoever comes out/stays on top. That’s what false propaganda, especially in what is essentially a dictatorship with controlled media, is about: you don’t actually have to have a valid source for what you’re paraphrasing or quoting.