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Support Irans opposition...........
Condemn it...........
Or have your foreign relations GOD Biden say something about it......
But standing on the SIDELINES is NOT what the UNITED STATES is all about.
Regime change in Iran..........BY the PEOPLE of IRAN is a good thing.
Later,
Geo
[QUOTE=GeoFisher;372434]Support Irans opposition...........
Condemn it...........
Or have your foreign relations GOD Biden say something about it......
But standing on the SIDELINES is NOT what the UNITED STATES is all about.
Regime change in Iran..........BY the PEOPLE of IRAN is a good thing.
Later,
Geo[/QUOTE]
You know........when Reagan was faced with a VERY SIMILAR thing.........he said "Mr Gorbechev..........TEAR DOWN THAT WALL"..........
And don't DOUBT one bit that this uprising in Iran is JUST AS IMPORTANT for world affairs.
Later,
Geo
While I certainly agree that a regime change in Iran would be a good thing, I don't think the US meddling in it will be useful. Could be quite the opposite. If folks think that the US supports the opposition and is helping them out, it could well backfire on us. There are a lot of folks over there who would switch from the opposition if they thought the US was behind it. Why do you think Amadedajad (or however his name is spelt!) supporters are trying so hard to show that we are meddling in Iranian affairs? Better to let the Iranians fight amongst themselves and we (possibly) showing support for the victor after its all over.
Andrew
[QUOTE=apb;372495]While I certainly agree that a regime change in Iran would be a good thing, I don't think the US meddling in it will be useful. Could be quite the opposite. If folks think that the US supports the opposition and is helping them out, it could well backfire on us. There are a lot of folks over there who would switch from the opposition if they thought the US was behind it. Why do you think Amadedajad (or however his name is spelt!) supporters are trying so hard to show that we are meddling in Iranian affairs? Better to let the Iranians fight amongst themselves and we (possibly) showing support for the victor after its all over.
Andrew[/QUOTE]
So, the United States "meddling" with the Soviets in the 80's wasn't Helpful???
I'm sorry...........Anytime democracy takes hold is a GOOD thing.......and spreading democracy..........any way possible is a good thing.
Something to the fact that we support their right to gather and protest........whatever.
And don't kid yourself..............THEY WANT us to say something.
All the signs you see are not written in Arabic.......are they.
Later,
Geo
Comparing the Soviets/1980's and Iran is like comparing apples and unicycles. They are waaaay different.
If we jump in the middle of the Iranian problems right now we'll see things go south in short order. We will not like the outcome. Last time we got in was in the 50's when we helped prop up the Sha in that coup. Thats part of why there is not much love for the US with many Iranians now. We don't need a repeat. While greater democracy in Iran would be in our interests, pushing too hard will increase the chances of a larger mess.
Andrew
I am of the belief that we should stay out of their bidness as long as we can. Take care of us and ours then worry about these countries that fight us all the time but want our help when it's convenient for them.
Agree with Andrew, you're missing the target on this one Geo. Last thing we need is to slap that tar baby.
[QUOTE=Devils Horse;372587]Agree with Andrew, you're missing the target on this one Geo. Last thing we need is to slap that tar baby.[/QUOTE]
Well........I know when China did the same thing a few decades ago......the WORLD denounced it......the WHOLE WORLD.
I guess in this case, Great Brittian, and Germany can say something, but we can't??
A simple statement from the gubment about FREEDOM is all that is needed.
AND again......who do you suppose the IRANIAN people want to see this.....ALL the signs that you see on the news, are written in ENGLISH, not French, not GERMAN, not ARABIC......not Spanish......ENGLISH.
They are reaching out..........This is probably the BEST time in nearly 30 years to reach out and ENGAGE, and instead we sit on the sidelines.
HM.
And BTW..........this is a FAR CRY from my normal call to turn the whole **** area to glass :) :) :)
I'm getting soft in my old age.
Later,
Geo
There have been several comments from Obama on the election and allowing people to have a dissenting opinion and refraining from violence. Yes, I am sure there are people over there who would like to see the US and Europe involved in some capacity. Conversely, notice how the current regime is blaming the protests on US meddling? That is just an excuse that they'll use to authorize a crack down. Right now they look foolish by claiming the US is meddling as there is no evidence. Best not to give them any real evidence.
It’s not a simple, cut and dry issue. I certainly agree that the opposition party MIGHT be a little easier to deal with than their current administration. However, there is no guarantee. Remember, it's the ISLAMIC REPUBLIC of Iran. That part will not be changing. The only potential change is that the opposition may not hate us as much as the hardliners who are currently in power. If we stay on the side lines, once the dust settles there MIGHT be a chance for diplomacy. If we stick our necks in there right now, we run the risk of reliving history with the Shah (that’s part of the root of the current problems).
Andrew
I heard an interview yesterday that Israel actually thinks the opposition dude might be worse than AmadinaNUTJOB.........
Maybe my original though of turning the entire region to glass isn't such a bad idea....
HM........
Later,
Geo
[QUOTE=apb;372615]There have been several comments from Obama on the election and allowing people to have a dissenting opinion and refraining from violence. Yes, I am sure there are people over there who would like to see the US and Europe involved in some capacity. Conversely, notice how the current regime is blaming the protests on US meddling? That is just an excuse that they'll use to authorize a crack down. Right now they look foolish by claiming the US is meddling as there is no evidence. Best not to give them any real evidence.
It’s not a simple, cut and dry issue. I certainly agree that the opposition party MIGHT be a little easier to deal with than their current administration. However, there is no guarantee. Remember, it's the ISLAMIC REPUBLIC of Iran. That part will not be changing. The only potential change is that the opposition may not hate us as much as the hardliners who are currently in power. If we stay on the side lines, once the dust settles there MIGHT be a chance for diplomacy. If we stick our necks in there right now, we run the risk of reliving history with the Shah (that’s part of the root of the current problems).
Andrew[/QUOTE]
Basically I agree with your sentiments, but the Shah was ousted over 30 years ago and I don't think that's got much to do with the current problems. Now your statement about them being the Islamic Republic of Iran is another story. Long as a culture believes there's a bus load of virgins waiting in the afterlife for every suicide bomber, they're going to create problems for the rest of the world.
DH, Basically a trust thing. Iran remembers the US backing the Shah and didn't like how that turned out. Like many countries over there, they want their own leaders not someone who is a puppet of the US. Can't really blame them.
Andrew