Is anybody else enjoying watching what is happening in Iran?

[Cow Poke]

The neocons prefer Ahmy as president. He’s their favorite whipping boy in Iran. ‘The latest Hitler.’ Things like that.

It doesn't seem like what the protests are about, even in part, though.

OK, so enlighten me. What, exactly, are the protests about?

[Augustine2004]

To an unknown extent, the protests are the results of US meddling.

[Cow Poke]

To an unknown extent, the protests are the results of US meddling.

I see

[Firelung]

I see

Oh it's true! <Insert lewrockwell link here>

[Eeset-Shadowgrl]

I see

Just out of curiosity how many people in this discussion have ever been to Iran? I have been there.

[Cow Poke]

Just out of curiosity how many people in this discussion have ever been to Iran? I have been there.

So share your insight, already!

[Eeset-Shadowgrl]

So share your insight, already!

Well, to begin, the perceptions of any who have never been there are typically incorrect about the basic fabric of the society. Iran is a complex culture with beliefs and a heritage that predates both Islam and Christianity. Iran is the center of the Persian world predating even Moses. The bazaars have existed for many thousands of years. Commerce and commercial loyalties are very powerful and whatever the ruling authority at any point in time it cannot exist without the support of those interests. The mistake the Shah made was to go against these interests. The current regime has erred more and more in recent years in the same way.

We, in the "western world" seem to have been fed the impression that the country is in the iron fist of the Mullahs. Not so. You are witnessing an attempt by the temporarily tolerated government to supplant the real powers beneath this society. Those attempts will fail tough they may or may not seem to succeed in the near term. My sense of things is that the religious regime may have over played its hand at this point. Whatever the near term outcome their power will be diminished if they are allowed to retain it. The outward appearances may be different. It will be interesting to see what is orchestrated in the coming days.

[USIncognito]

Just out of curiosity how many people in this discussion have ever been to Iran? I have been there.

I lived in the Tehranpars section of Tehran back in the mid-70s and have developed friendships with several Iranian ex-pats in the U.S. and UK over the years. I went to see an Azar Nafizi book tour speech for "Reading Lolita in Tehran*" and wound up in the signing line with two Iranian women and we talked for an hour about my childhood remembrances, what Tehran was like before the Revolution and politics since then.

Far too many Americans, especially those on the religious and political right, discount the modernism and discontent amongst the young, middle class and educated and rely on the Axis of Evil character we've known since '79. I've set my Facebook status to read "The Revolution will be socially networked."

* An excellent and wonderful book that I recommend highly, especially right now.

Here's a photo of me, some neighbors and the door to door dung salesman.

[Augustine2004]

Lew Rockwell & Co. says that neocons love to paint Ahmy as the Mideast Hitler.

[Pilgrim]

AND, they are quite unhappy... some analysts even believe this is a rejection of the Islamic system... though that's a bit optimistic, IMO....

I DO think that a large number of Iranians are really tired of hearing their "leader" further isolate themselves from the world.

I don't know. The protesters are apparently starting to chant things like "death to Khameni"

[Cow Poke]

I don't know. The protesters are apparently starting to chant things like "death to Khameni"

Understood - a couple things at work here...

A) we have a 24 hour news cycle in CNN and Fox News and MSNBC... they need to talk about "something", and that gets filled often with speculation.
2) at the very beginning of this thing, we knew it was "huge" (or at least *I* thought so!) but had no way of knowing which way it would unfold
C) and I don't think even the "experts" on Iran have any idea what's actually going on - much information is coming from "citizen reporters" and the situation appears very complex

It WILL be interesting, but I think we can agree it's not just a "flash in the pan". It does appear to have some aspects of a rejection of the religious leadership, but i'm still watching.

[USIncognito]

I don't know. The protesters are apparently starting to chant things like "death to Khameni"

Their actions are actually speaking louder than their words. Don't forget that on Friday Khameni told everyone to sit down and shut up and they haven't. The protests have continued and hopefully will continue until the regime is overthrown.

I just wish the military and police, who are largely conscripts, would stand with their fathers, mothers, sisters and brothers and fight against the Basijis and Revolutionary Guards.

[rogue06]

Khamenei is not held in the same regard as his predecessor Khomeini. There is the real possibility of a real shake-up in Iran but even so you can expect to see one Islam-based government to be replaced with another though one that is a bit more open and tolerant. The likelihood of another Turkey style democratic form of government seems very slim and the likelihood of a replay of Tiananmen Square far more probable.

[Augustine2004]

My guess is that the Irani people still believe that the government can do more good than bad. Also, if there's a regime change, opportunists will be there to seize power. I'm not optimistic about things changing for the better in Iran. The people are not capitalists like the Chinese.

[USIncognito]

My guess is that the Irani people still believe that the government can do more good than bad. Also, if there's a regime change, opportunists will be there to seize power. I'm not optimistic about things changing for the better in Iran. The people are not capitalists like the Chinese.

And you have this insight because you visited/lived in Iran for how long? Or do you have Iranian friends who have told you this?