In a day or so we're going to publish a splendid piece by Mohammad of Vancouver disputing James Petras's argument that Obama is going to attack Iran. Part of Mohammad's critique is a long meditation on the character of the Iranian political structure. Mohammad lived in Iran most of his life, and served in its war, before moving to Canada, so he has solid basis for this analysis. We asked if we could publish that meditation on its own. Here it is:
Thirty years ago this week, the Iranian people chose an Islamic form of government precisely because they were worried about the consequences of rapid modernization and westernization under the corrupt rule of the Pahlavis. This was done with minimal human cost compared to other revolutions. Consider: The brutality of the Iranian Islamic republic has not come close to that of other noted republics in the years following a revolution (France, Russia and China being my references). The Islamic state phased itself in very slowly and learned how to run the state apparatuses without major disruptions. For instance, the Islamic dress code for women was brought in so slowly that the seculars lost a chance of making an issue out of it. Other Islamic provisions were also slow to kick in, and the basic penal code was never canceled but modified with numerous amendments. Iran still has many laws on the books that go back over 50 years.
Iran is not a passive and backward country. The Iranian people created a constitutional monarchy back in 1906 and if it weren’t for the interference of Britain, Iran could have provided a moderating center for the entire Muslim world by creating a perfect blend of European parliamentary tradition compatible with the tenets of Islamic law. Once the promises of this democratic revolution were betrayed by a pro-western corrupt monarchy, and once the nationalists were defeated by USA through the 1953 coup, Iranians slowly came to the consensus that only Islam as a political force could be able to liberate the country from the hands of local tyrants and their international supporters. This was mostly a practical decision rather than an ideological wish. Today, after 30 years of having an Islamic system, Iran can claim to have not only pushed the country forward, but forced a 500 year progress upon a frozen Shie mindset in a short time.
The civilizing nature of the Iranian culture has been able to transform the rough edges of Islam, particularly the Shie Islam, and made it compatible with the challenges to a complex state in the age of globalization and the internet. For those who don’t know, Iran is much more open and democratic than the comparable societies of not only Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan, but also North Korea, Cuba or even Israel (on particular levels, for instance, respect and equality for non Shie or non Muslim Iranians.)
The majority of Iranians--unlike my family and network of friends and acquaintances who are atheists and seculars--are Shie Muslims who feel not only comfortable and safe under an Islamic government but also free and democratic under the practiced Islamic law. Since they are not interested in questioning the tenets of the religion, they get to be free to at least discuss government policies and actions and have a say at the ballot box.
True, Iran is a very limited democracy, but one can argue that the Iranian system is as limited as the famous lone democracy in the middle east we love to adore in the west: Israel. Like Israel, which is a democracy for the Jewish majority, Iran is a democracy for the Shie majority, which gets to have a lot of say in the matters of state. Yes, it’s true, seculars do not get represented in the parliament--in contrast to Arab Israelis, who do get representation-- but they also are not treated as second-class citizens in the society. They can buy land, move anywhere they want, and they tend to exercise a lot of financial and cultural discrimination against religious people in their own circles.
In Iran, you can have whatever opinions or lifestyle that you like, as long as you are careful about keeping them all within the confinement of your private life. This could include your 100 acre home property or your 1000 acre ranch, if you are rich enough to have your own kingdom.
Unlike the IDF forces, the Islamic soldiers would never occupy your home in the name of national security and urinate in your water tanks. If we consider non-Muslims as occupied people under Islamic Republic rule, even followers of the illegal faith of Ba’haism are treated much better than the Palestinians are treated in the Occupied territories.
Iran’s Jewish and Christian communities in particular have a few rights that are not offered to average Iranians, i.e. traveling to Israel and making and consuming wine in their community centers. The Jewish community also acts as a liaison of the last resort between Iran and Israel. Many Iranian Jews have family members up in the hierarchies of the army, MOSSAD; and the Israeli government and the Iranian government and the intelligence network take advantage of these contacts to send and receive private messages from Israel.
Despite the nonstop Western propaganda, both from pro Israeli neoLiberals and the anti-Israeli left wing Marxists, Shie concepts have been proven not only durable, but essential in the Islamists’ conflict with both globalization and the military of USA and Israel.
The Islamic society of Iran has definitely restricted the freedoms of the minority seculars and atheists, but it has expanded the freedoms of the majority religious people. Those who did not allow their daughters to go past high school or get a job now feel safe to allow the women of their families to be socially outgoing. Those who never had a radio, let alone a television, in their homes back in the 1960's and 70's now can easily enjoy such technologies, knowing that the state is guaranteeing that the content of the media does not contravene their Islamic beliefs.
Islamic Republic has not made life easier only for Shie believers. As argued by many religious Jews in Iran, the general religious atmosphere that is guaranteed under the Islamic republic (no bars or night clubs, no porn industry or legal prostitution and the enforcement of modest dress code for both sexes) makes it easier to be a practicing Jew in Iran than in Israel, where the religious community is engaged in an ongoing battle with legal vices. That's why despite cash offerings and other incentives, thousands of Jews prefer to remain in Iran than to emigrate to the Jewish state.
P.S. Responding to a comment on the secular backlash in Iran:
I will respond to everyone, because I understand this to be a controversial position. I am sure Philip would allow me to publish my lengthy response as a new post.
Iran’s balance is why Israel and its “secular” liberal allies (Neocons/Neolibs) want to destroy Iran so badly: it is a successful Islamic state. Zionists and corrupt secular materialist allies much prefer authoritarian states with corrupt dictators that can be bought off who are nominally Islamic but with a strong secular-materialist streak (ie Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Iraq) — but only while they are useful to them, and understand their inferior place in the universe. Once they get too “uppity” and start causing problems for Israel (ie Saddam Hussein) they target them for eradication quickly.
Western money-worshippers, secular extremists, and Christian Zionists have all agreed to use the “safety” of Israel as a pretext for war against any Islamic success, and as cover for their war-profiteering. But note that Israel’s “secular” Western allies don’t object to the concept of a Jewish state. Why? Because deep down they’re Jewish-supremacists all, whether as Christian Zionists, diaspora Jewish Zionists, or liberal Judeophiles.
Authentic peace-loving Christians, secularists in the classical liberal fold, and leave-me-alone conservatives are far more threatened by the Zionist alliance than they are by Muslims in the Iranian mold. The Zionist alliance resembles Communism in its fanaticism and it’s narrow-minded, borderline psychotic authoritarian-universalist demands. Remember that the Communists professed to be advocates of “universal values” as well.
Mohammed your sanguine view of the 1980 revolution clashes with my understanding.
Let us take the issue of the Ba Hai. I have been led to believe that large numbers were executed during this period for being heretics. You mention that to this day they are outlawed. I do have trouble accepting that the Imams are as benign as you might want to believe.
you can hold on to your beliefs and I still respect you.
I am comparing numbers here. large numbers? How large? conpare to what? Iran never forced Bahais out of their homes and towns. My mother was a Bahai supporter atheist. She only hired bahais in her small business. My contact with Bahai persecuation was throguh one of my mother's staff wose husband was in Jail. The only Bahais who were executed in the days of the revolution were those who were involved in "subversive" activities, and after arrest never repudiated their action and their faith. For every bahai who was executed there were hundreds who sign a paper and published they "sorry-letter" (That's what they were exactly called back then) in a newspaper and got out.
of course those were then ostracized by the bahai community and faced other discrimination and had to move etc…
I am only comparing the violence of the islamic revolution with the violence of other revolutions.
And don't forget, the Bahai leaders are Zionists who believe in the establishment of Jewish state in the "holy land" they work well with Israel and through the use of their network and resources inside Iran, they endanger the life of their own community, all of this under the official policy of staying "out of politics"
This is of course a controversial and complicated topic.
Bahais who stay out of politics prosper. I have Bahai friends who own large quantities of farming land in the northern Iran. They practice their faith and stay out of pro US pro israeli direction of the faith's centre in Haifa. Having said that, a lot of Bahai kids are not pro Iran because of identification with Palestinians. they see their situation in Iran comparable to palestinians!! so they are rebelling against their parents who are pro Israel.
Even more complicated than what I used tho think just a couple of years ago.
Iran is a successful Islamic state? They can't even build a gas refinery!
Here are some beautiful pictures of Iran. The Iranian landscape and architecture, Persian art and sculpture, and more. Enjoy!
Amazing Iran!
Mohammad — Thanks for your thoughtful reply. It does give me a better understanding for Iranian politics. What I prefer to happen inside Iran is quite irrelevant. My only question is whether or not Iran is a danger to America's interests (and it is not) so my political position is to work to stop any belligerent acts against Iran and more positively to encourage our country to enter into positive economic and diplomatic exchanges.
Iran can be America's best friend if USA is willing to be fair and drop the regime change plans not just in language but in actuality. Iran wants USA to accept and respect Iran;s form of government instead of plagiarizing it for Iraq and Afghanistan. (they are both are islamic republics but Pro USA). Iran wants islamic democracy in the region instead of theocracy of Saudis or the military dictatorship of Egypt. Iran and Turkey are the future of the Muslim world and America should bring Iran into the fold. It;s Israel that needs to be warned and Isolated and encouraged for a change of attitude.
merica to vote anything but Bush number 2 (Mccain) was to limit moghtada alsadre and empower Maliki via Sistani. Us owes its success in Iraq not because of the surge but because of Iran's willingness to cooperate with USA. If USA start breaking its promise and plan regime change, Iraq would become hot again regardless of surge.
Israel wants to dominate the region through force and war, but Iran's ideas are far more compatible with the culture and the traditions of the region and they include a final settlement to the palestine problem. Iran doesn't even want to eliminate Israel, rather to share the region with the Jewish state. Iran wants to enjoy political and economic advantages ion the region like Israel. However, Israel is not willing to share. Israel, like always, wants it all. And Israel does not want to finalize the palestinian problem in any other way than an ethnic cleansing.
Dan, nice photo collection of Iran.
A recent BBC 4 program, "Rageh Inside Iran", also helps immunize against the Zionist campaign to dehumanize the country.
Mohammed, thank you. This is a very interesting piece.
Mohammed,
Thanks a lot for this article. I am quite interested in Iran, and I've read some very good articles in the *American Conservative* with a position similar to yours.
Overall, I am extremely impressed with Iran, and I would be eager to have good relationships with a truly independent major power in the Middle East. Any country that can launch its own satellites is probably capable of a realist foreign policy.
I agree that Iran is the best hope for a stable, modern, and independent Islamic Middle East. Naturally, the response from the US and Israel is, "We can't let that happen!" WE only want bombed out ghettos like Gaza, or, corrupt client states like Saudi Arabia. If we can't control it, then it is an enemy and must be destoyed.
Thanks for the link, D.
helps immunize against the Zionist campaign to dehumanize the country.
Yes, that's the most important thing, I think, is to spread the humanity of these societies, in order to counter the caricature and outright lie that we have been presented for so long.
ugh…stop proselytizing about how wonderful Islam is…please! You're like a bloody Jehovah's Witness.
As for this: "Authentic peace-loving Christians, secularists in the classical liberal fold, and leave-me-alone conservatives are far more threatened by the Zionist alliance than they are by Muslims in the Iranian mold."
Qualifying it with "authentic" suggests that you could only find 10 people to fit the description. all others being inauthentic in your view, no doubt.
Next!
"Overall, I am extremely impressed with Iran, and I would be eager to have good relationships with a truly independent major power in the Middle East. Any country that can launch its own satellites is probably capable of a realist foreign policy."
Ziba Zahra Kazemi agrees with you, I'm sure.
(omigawd…whatta totalitarian bonehead!)
This is my prediction before I call it a night: We're probably going to have another terrorist attack within the next 10 years…and when we do, Islamist sympathizers like you are kaputsky.
(we'll only hear you screaming about how the zionists did it from behind bars…no biggie)
Zahra Kazemi went to Iran, according to feminist friends of mine who knew her from Toronto, to cause trouble for the Iranian Government. Surely she did.
Her death in captivity is a dark spot on the Iranian judicial system and the government.
At the same time to understand her unfortunate and unjust death, one cannot forget the fact that she was being a militant anti islamic feminist right in front of the Evin prison in a demo screaming profanities about the Prophet obviosuely to provoke an arrest, which she was able to get out of the situation. Should I say that some of my mothers best friends were there that day and saw how, according to them, she was applying "Western militant standards" to an otherwise moderate Iranian demonstration?
Many many more feminists are active in Iran and occasionally they go to jail, but none of them get tortured or die in prison. Those days are over in Iran (1980-1988).
When she was arested she did not stop insulting the profit Mohammed even inside the jail. Unfortunately and or unjustly, either a blow to her head by some criminal guard in the prison kileld her. or falling on the floor because of a blow to her head and cracking her skull, caused her unfortunate and unjust death.
let's remember her, but Suzanne can you please condemn Israel for Rachel Currie's death? how about for BBC's James Miller's death and all other journalists and activists hurt and killed by IDF?
I have no problem condemning the brutal and inhuman practices of the Iranian government. But for you, a blind and irrational supporter of Israel to use these examples to encourage nuking of Iran by USA or Israel is genocidal.
Listen to Suzanne's logic, he predicts something with no evidence, then he he (thats right he) predicts my reaction to it, then he puts me behind bars.. for what? What do I have to do with a possible terrorist attack? huh?
I wish we had a smarter resident Zionist here. I have a lot of Zionist friends. I have some zionist friends who wished Israel ethnically cleansed palestine completely back in 1948. I am still friends with them. I challenge them. I make my points clear, but I don't hate them like Suzanne hates islam and hates me, and I consider them people entitled to their opinion, even wrong opinion. In fact i congratulate their sense of passion for their cause, only that though not the content of their cause.
Suzanne is not only a Zionists (indirect Racist through her belief as a racist ideology), but a truly, shamelessly and directly racist. Suzanne gives Zionism a worse name than it already has.
Larijani urges "realistic" western view on Middle East region
Berlin, Feb 7, IRNA – Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani called on the West to have a "realistic" view on the political developments in the Middle East.
Addressing the 45th Munich Security Conference in Munich on Friday,
Larijani lambasted western policies in the Middle East, pointing to past failed strategies in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"Today we need a reasonable, fair and realistic approach to establish durable security," the Iranian official added.
Referring to western double-standards in the Middle East, Larijani slammed western military aid for Israel, among them 200 nuclear warheads, while the Muslim world was deprived of having access to nuclear energy to generate electricity.
Larijani expressed outrage over the West's harboring of known terrorist groups, alluding to Europe providing safe haven to the MKO terrorist grouplet.
He lashed at the continued western smear campaign against Lebanon's Hizbollah and Palestine's Hamas, saying both groups enjoyed deep public support among the peoples in the Middle East region.
Hamas and Hizbollah are a "reality" which the West has to accept, Larijani stressed.
He lambasted western silence towards Israeli crimes in Gaza, labeling it another example of western double-standards.
Referring to Iran's nuclear standoff with the West, he said the nuclear dispute had no legal grounds but was based on what he called "adventurism."
He harshly criticized the West's "stick and-carrot" approach towards Iran, branding it "unreasonable and wrong."
Larijani urged the US to adopt a "new strategy based on mutual respect and fair behaviour" and accept its past mistakes.
He called for a "comprehensive international security" approach, whereby the focus had to be on regional countries establishing their own security architecture.
OT**1424
End News / IRNA / News Code 342072
Larijani urges "realistic" western view on Middle East region
I've not lived in Iran.
At the same time, I was an alternative journalist in 1980, the period immediately following the 1979 revolution.
I lived in a collective house near the Iranian Students house near Rock Creek Park in DC in 1980.
We attended three press conferences at their center and met and interviewed around 12 people, of varying perspectives.
All had lived in the states for their teenage life, most were Shia Islamic. Their politics was confusing. During press conferences and demonstrations, their rhetoric was very angry, over the top heightened rhetoric, OFTEN referring to "demonic" gamut of enemies.
Then, in interview, the same speakers would often be very quiet, speak kindly of some of the same characteristics and people that 15 minutes earlier they had ranted about.
I couldn't tell if the ranting was drama, or emotions that got the best of them.
I did later discover that the few that were still allowed to reside and speak at the student center, that were Communist or humanist in orientation, were ALL purged and either killed or imprisoned without accountable trial for extended periods.
From very limited correspondence, I take issue with Muhammed's descriptions of the gradual imposition of sharia. My understanding is that around the time of his young childhood, sharia was imposed very forcefully with very punitive consequences.
I had an Iranian Shia landlord in the mid-90's (married to an American and living in the states) who was considerate, very friendly and much more cosmopolitan than the press reports of Iran.
His description of relations with Iranian Jews is somewhat of an embellishment, from what I read as well. He speaks of the Iranian-Israeli link for negotiation through Iranian Jews (siting IDF and Mossad links), but ignores the periodic show trials based ON contact with Mossad, spy trials with public "cultural revolution" style purging of Jews from professional roles.
Another VERY critical concern about Iranian ambitions and political participation in the region, is their support for the arming of militia (rather than states), and their conspicuous escalation of military competency with the implied threats to Israel, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, India.
They can periodically lessen their military/political gaming, but the arms escalations continue.
At a time of very high unemployment in Iran, technical and other difficulties resulting from their isolation, it seems ODD that they would pursue a strategy of emergence that so prominently featured military muscle-flexing.
It is NOT insignificant that Iran is the primary weapons supplier for Hezbollah (which still does not surrender its military capacity to the genuinely sovereign Lebanese), or for Hamas.
Those indicate intention to HINDER the reconciliation that sovereign states can accomplish.
Iran currently is similar to Netanyahu in my reading as far as willingness to reconcile even incrementally.
Israel's activity is much more dangerous to the USA than Iran's. This has been so for a long time. Iran does not have a puppet government subservient to the USA, while the USA government is subservient to Israel. The rest of the world knows this–everybody but the average US citizen.
Successful State? Not with millions of heroin addicts and rampant AIDS. the highest rate of heroin addiction in the world. About 1 in 7 Iranians is a drug addict. Does that sound like a happy country?
link to drugandalcoholblog.com
My experience with Iranians too (there's a mix of Muslim and Jewish exiles here) is that they are cosmopolitan and very cultured. But that has more to do with what Iran WAS before it went down the Islamic Revolution rabbit hole.
Which is not to say the Shah's regime was this wonderful period in Iranian history. But apparently some people are sorry they raged against it and came up with the current alternative.
Everyone seems to have stopped talking about the Iranian student underground in recent years that was jailed and persecuted for plotting a more open and modern society.
Rachel Carrie was a disputed accident. There's been photo analysis that challenges the claim her death was intentional.
Only fanatics hold onto the original claim. I won't be arguing that old chestnut here.
"Israel's activity is much more dangerous to the USA than Iran's. This has been so for a long time. Iran does not have a puppet government subservient to the USA, while the USA government is subservient to Israel. The rest of the world knows this–everybody but the average US citizen."
You keep banking on the "stupidity" of US citizens–which is where your fatal flaw is.
The fact is, Israel has friendly relations with most Western governments–and in fact, my understanding is that Europe buys a lot of its produce etc from Israel. A big importer.
There were a lot of Nazi sympathizers in America leading up to WW 2–so your attitude and posture are not very unique or meaningful.
In response to Suzanne's But that has more to do with what Iran WAS before it went down the Islamic Revolution rabbit hole.
Rabbit hole? I don't think so.
the minute Iran is involved in a post, Suzanne and Richard start filling up overtime forms at the IDF propaganda office.
Does Israel pay you guys per word? Do you get a double rate when u2 defame and rant about iran?
mohammed,
thank you for your activism and for this thoughtful piece.
i can't think of any country that has been more unfairly demonized and slandered than iran.
just about everything we hear about iran in the us is a lie.
under the influence of zionism/imperialism the US demonizes and hitlerizes any state that resists US-israeli domination.
iran is especially odious to zionism/ imperialism because it represents an alternative vision for the near-east.
imagine how successful and prosperous iran would be today if not for the coup d'etat against Mossadeq and the subsequent restoration of the shah and the inevitable revolution to overthrow this puppet and regain sovereignty; and if it had not been under sanctions for 30 years and if it had not suffered the western instigated iran iraq war.
of course a strong and prosperous iran is anathema to zionism/imperialism which needs the islamic republic to fail so it can claim the 'western' model is the only viable one and impose another Shah-like puppets on iran.
a state exists to serve the interests of it's own people not those of the 'west'
resisting westernization for iran is a means of resisting western subversion. in non western states secularisation can be a means of imposing a form of Shock Doctrine a la Naomi Klein and political islam whether we like it or not is probably the only way for iran to resist foreign subversion.
mohammed, do you have any thoughts on what we can do to help resist this slandering and warmongering?
Double pay only counts when we debase Rowan, Martin, Eva, Sam, and چمپسکی
Iran is seeking regional dominance. It regards the Levant as Islamic, and it as the "leader" of Islam. Even as Iran is 800 miles from Israel, it regards that as its turf.
If Iran will not accept diversity in the Levant, then it will remain at war. You can call Israel "war-mongering", but refusing to accept Israel is the actual "war-mongering".
Even if Iran would sign on to the Arab League proposal in earnest, the epithet "war-mongering Iran" would innaccurate.
But, that is NOT the case now. Currently Iran is the primary funder, encourager, trainer and supplier of militias that routinely violate international law.
Suzanne:
There are a ton of Iranian bloggers. They reveal a wide mix of social and political stances, lots of culture and sophistication. Contemporary Iran is no rabbit hole.
Rachel Carrie was a disputed accident? Sure. So was the USS Liberty. And the "disputed territories" are not occupied.
Average Americans are no more or less stupid than any other
–they are kept in ignorance by their government and MSM.
چمپسکی is correct. And look at a map. Iran has the right to secure itself, also to contest the current Israeli hegemony. And to maintain its culture–why would it want, for example, to be a center for the porn industry like Israel or the USA? If you look at the history in the region for the last century you will see Israel is the war monger, not Iran. And, how many violations of international law has Israel amassed?
It would be nice if Islamists and their male chauvinist sympathizers would focus on the oppression of women in Iran (and elsewhere in the Muslim world). In other words–fix your own problems before pointing the finger at the West (Israel, North America, Europe).
Arrest and harrassment of Iranian women
Sexual slavery of Iranian women, are the Mullahs cashing in?
BTW–I asked about the underground students. Seems like Mullah fear of a Velvet Revolution is much larger than that:
Fear of a Velvet Revolution?
A four minute video depicting Iran and its people in all their beauty:
Beautiful Iran
Iran 2009: Decide for Yourself
I see Kelly is posting smoking health issues from Camel, again.
Read the information Kelly is posting from Winston, Kool, and Camel and then decide if it's okay to start smoking. Go on, decide for yourself based on bullshit provided by Kelly.
What I want to know is: Who is the hot Iranian dude Kelly is in love with? Do you have a pic????
I'm sensing there's a passion here that goes beyond the ideological.
On Iranian women: A report, a video, and a photo essay.
Virtual tours, simply extraordinary!
Historical churches in Iran
More truly amazing photos of Iran
Julian,
"RAMPANT" AIDS?
Yes Iran has a number of "health" related demons to deal with, addiction, multiple sclerosis, cardiovascular disease … BUT, it also has burgeoning pharmaceutical industries; it has great medical schools; it is doing research in stem cell treatement, it is spending millions of dollars to tackle addiction from several angles, medical psychological, social and even political!
Hence, it IS a successful state, because it is not paralyzed. And because it is not starving; banging on your doors begging for food!
And you know what? do a little survey and ask Iranians whether they wish to go back to Iran. You will find a majority will say YES.
No many of us do not like the current government; but not very many of us clash with it either. And you know, when Iran's satellite starts orbiting, when the 4000th centrifuge begins running, when we go back to Iran after 10 years to look at the infrastructure set up in only 15 years after a bloody war, when we look at the rate of literacy and availability of college education even in rural parts of the country; we can help but to tip our hat to Iran's government.
Mohammad,
This is a nice essay you have written. Obviously, Iran is a work in progress. Much is to be done.
We must admit, that unfortunately, the responsibility for much of Iran's perils; even as far as the derailing of revolution, rests on Iranian traitors; or those with little foresight or opportunistic agendas. Iranian "fundamentalists" are nto all shiite. Many are very westernized. Many are communists. But we are a new generation; and yes even the most narrow sighted of us has a love for Iran that makes us into a STRONG lobby. Thanks to Zionists, we have well learned from Israel how to cry victim too ;)
It's unfortunate individuals like Suzanne and Richard do not have a web site, where one can trace how they have come about the truth of the statements they make, or at least to get an idea of what their discursive agenda is. As such, they are unworthy of intellectual engagement. I presonally think ignoring these individuals is more effective than wasting "clicks".
Gene, thanks for the links. Beautiful images and pertinent information from a truly remarkable, and greatly misunderstood, society.
Any state that is not secular is problematic. Iran is considered quite a threat by all Western liberal states–and that is why it's so desperately trying to deflect attention onto Israel.
It really is a war between Western secular society and xenophobic Islam–started by Islamists.
The most comical irony for me would be if these punky little leftists exiled to Iran. They'd last about 10 days before they started wailing for Mama America.
I would also add that proof positive there's a war between Islam and the West is demonstrated in how the radical Left has taken sides.
They see it as war and they are riding on the coattails of jihad–hoping that it will topple America.
suzanne says something sensible:
Any state that is not secular is problematic
e.g. The Jewish State!
naj, it's good to see your comments here. always smart and right to the point. i just checked out your blog and it's excellent. of course it's the us and israel that have the clenched fist and iran that has wanted better relations. (eg, post 9/11 cooperation).
Suzanne writes: They see it as war and they are riding on the coattails of jihad–hoping that it will topple America.
One of the most absurd characteristics of über-Zionists is the ease with which they equate 'The Jewish State of Israel' with "The West" & "America". If anybody is riding on coattails here, it's not the 'radical Left' and it's quite obvious why. Toppling America indeed! How about we want on the contrary to protect her and all that she used to stand for?
Note to Dan: You're welcome! I'm glad you liked the pictures. So did I!
Thanks Chimpsky. Something that really puzzles me is how my blog is never attacked by these Cyber-Zionists!