Iranian election

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Originally Posted by SzczerbiakManiac

I want to have sympathy for those fighting for democratic reform in Iran, I really do. But when I try, I am reminded how they feel about me--how they would summarily jail and/or execute me just for being who I am. So I'm finding it very difficult to muster up any feelings of good will. I'm not proud of this, I'm just saying how I feel.

I totally dig what you're saying, and I'm glad you brought it up. This is the trap America fell into after 9/11 (and the trap the Israelis and Palestinians have been in forever) - they hate us so let's hate them, they would torture us so let's torture them. It may feel good, but I state unequivocally - this is not the path towards peace.

The "leftists" over there may not be support even the more conservative stances in America, but still, oppression is oppression, and these people are being oppressed. The main issue Mousavi ran on is Freedom of Expression, which is a pivotal way that a group can open itself up to all kinds of ways of life, including yours and mine.

Originally Posted by wendybeth

Iran is a very complicated country- the people are mostly Persian, not Arabic, and although they share a religion it is (or was, prior to the revolution) different enough to be branded 'Persian Islam'.

The predominant religion there is Shiite Islam. Shiites put a lot of emphasis on martyrs, which is why this story is now huge. In 1979, there were demonstrations, and then the martyrs of those riots were celebrated in other demonstrations, which then created more martyrs, and the crowds grew and grew. After a year of this the Shah fell.

[Jazzman]

I've only been half heartedly following the protests, but today I watched the Neda Soltani video, and yeah... I don't think I'll ever be the same. I may have to avoid the news about Iran altogether for a few days now. I pray that some good comes of her tragic end. Just such a waste...