Iran's Youth Push Islamic Limits

[democratic]

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/01/25/eveningnews/main669223.shtml

(CBS) The Iranian students storming the U.S. Embassy in Tehran in 1979 became icons of worldwide Islamic revolution.

Twenty-five years later, Iran's youth is rebelling again. But as CBS News Correspondent Elizabeth Palmer reports, this time against the Islamic government itself.

Fully 60 percent of Iranians are under the age of 30, and they have had enough of strict Islamic rule. Everywhere there are signs that the religious authorities are losing control.

"Our young people are as well informed as young people in China or Britain or America. Anyone who tries to limit them is bound to fail," he says.

The hardliners can always launch another temporary crackdown. But in the end, the 1970s Islamic revolution seems certain to be undone by its own children.

[ElectroPrincess]

1. Propaganda ... no, they won't rise up and do Bush's dirty work for him ...

time to tap down that Neo-Con wet dream, aye?

[Name removed]

4. Deleted message

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[ElectroPrincess]

6. Well seeing that I was BORN in Tehran, that's a pretty stupid

question to ask of me. From the moment you arrived here you've shamelessly promoted an "invade Iran" agenda. However, I do not deserve your insults.

My father was on special assignment with the US Army Corps of Engineers 40+ years back. My Mother (Pregnant with me) went along and I ended up being born in a US Army Clinic.

Now let's see? Although my Mom was born in Nebraska and my Dad was born in South Dakota, what are the odds that I will have a full body cavity search as soon as I present my Passport "Born in Iran"?

Don't you dare give me you're self righteous attitude claiming that you visit Iran FIVE times a year and are a native.

IMO bullshit! I get a strong impression that you are attempting to be a low level Chalabi for an Iranian invasion.

I'm an American citizen although I was born in Tehran. In fact I served for four years in US Army Intelligence.

My point: When the rubber hits the road IRANIANS will choose "nationalistic pride" over USA's so call overtures for freedom through a capitalistic society. The Shah was a murderous and thuggish Monarch placed into power by our CIA. It gives me chills to view his son trying to garner Neo-con favor.

Bottom Line: We (the USA) have no moral or legal right to invade the country of IRAN.

[Maple]

2. Humans are strange

These young people are risking their lives to gain the freedoms their parents risked their lives to get rid of.

What goes around comes around, I guess.

[The_Casual_Observer]

3. And the CIA/Pentagon didn't provide the information for this little

story?

[enki23]

5. we'll put a stop to that when we start bombing them

.

[ElectroPrincess]

7. You got that right! I already see the gears being put into motion ...

I don't know about the rest of America, but I'm afraid. Although I love the USA and my ancestors served in the military back to our Civil war, people like me are considered unpatriotic when we speak out against immoral war.

Welcome to 1984.

[democratic]

8. Nice to know

That you lived in Iran.

However, let's clear a couple of things up.

1) I fully agree that the Shah was a murderous thug, but the Ayatollahs are even worse.
2) The people rioted against the Shah's dictatorship for freedom and democracy they did not expect another dictatorship to replace him
3) No Iranian supports an invasion of Iran
4) Moral support for pro-Democracy Iranian students does not equate to support for the war in Iraq and/or Bush's doctrine
5) Since when is CBS a neo-Con publication?
6) Reformist polls close to President Khatami show the regimes support at about 15%.
7) The only time Iranians voted was in 1953 and they supported a secular democracy under Dr. Mossadeqh which was overthrown by the CIA/MI6, so what makes you think modern day Iranians would in anyway support an Islamic Dictatorship?
8) Please do not resort to in 1979 the regime is installed. People make mistakes. In the 1960's the KKK was widely supported by Americans, is it fair to say that Americans today largely support the KKK?

[AtTheEndOfTheDay]

9. " In the 1960's the KKK was widely supported by Americans,"

Where did you get that idea? It's incorrect.

[ElectroPrincess]

10. Gee, you're back ...

and here I was hoping against hope that this thread would mercifully die a natural death. ;)

No disrespect intended, but when you accused me of racism, I felt a need to bluntly convey to you THE TRUTH = that I was born in Tehran and up until the age of 25 y.o. I could have choose to become a citizen. My birthplace, US Army Clinic Tehran, Iran, in and of itself required an extended waiting period for me to receive my clearance for Military Intelligence service. Therefore, it should come as no surprise to you that I have taken it upon myself to become much more familiar with Iran and the Persian Culture than the average American Citizen.

To the point: I don't know how to respond to the hyperbole that's inherent within your points above.

Suffice to say that I understand much of the religious and political dynamics involved within Iran and have reason to be less than trusting of ex-patriots claiming they know what's best for the TRUE "on the ground" Persian citizens.

Best wishes for working within your personal contacts for a more democratic Iran, but I will NOT sign-on to your belief that the "Youth will take over" Iran philosophy. I fully believe, like myself (patriotism toward the USA), their (the Youth of Iran) sense of Nationalism will override any half-a**ed attempt by FOREIGNERS to spur an uprising.

Regards

[Name removed]

11. Deleted message

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[ElectroPrincess]

12. Don't go there ...

You are speaking out of embarrassment because your accusation of racism did NOT stick. I have no reason to lie and unlike a lot of others on the Net, I do my best to play it straight. My rationale is that one should be open and honest when expressing opinions and gleaning knowledge from others.

I am very skeptical of your person also. You said in another thread that you travel to Iran FIVE (5x) per year? That sounds a little excessive unless you are independently wealthy. It's none of my in-depth business, but if you are wealthy - then you impress me as Chalabi's counterpart in Iran.

Whatever you are up to I'm confident that the American people will not be duped into another senseless war.

To put it in other words, "The second verse will not be played out - the same as the first."

Yes, I was born in Tehran, Iran. My mother left me with an Iranian Nurse to care for me during the day while she worked for the US Embassy. But I have nothing to prove to you.

I am not a racist and you are not playing it straight with me.

[Name removed]

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[ElectroPrincess]

16. Thomas Friedman?!?

Friedman's understanding of globalization is in fact extremely narrow, one-sided and misleading. His frequent and vociferous denunciations of those protesting against neoliberal globalization, and the arguments which Friedman advances in his book, are singularly ill-informed, poorly reasoned and, in many cases, demonstrably false.

http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/maxpages/faculty/merupert/Anti-Friedman.htm

-------------

democratic,

All malice aside - honest - you need to stop now while you're treading water. You're making this far too easy and I don't enjoy figuratively kicking someone's butt who's not a mean spirited soul. Because I know deep down you're a likable guy who does NOT believe I'm a racist, please consider going your own way?

[democratic]

13. Nicholas Kristof

EDITORIAL DESK | May 5, 2004, Wednesday

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F00B1EFE35590C768CDDAC0894DC404482

Those Friendly Iranians

By NICHOLAS D. KRISTOF (NYT) Op-Ed 740 words
Late Edition - Final , Section A , Page 27 , Column 5

ABSTRACT - Nicholas D Kristof Op-Ed column on emergence of strong pro-American feelings in Iran under rule of mullahs who despise America; says anything American is revered, partly as way to swipe at regime; warns Bush administration to avoid inflaming Iranian nationalism and uniting populace behind government in addressing issue of nation's quest for nuclear arms; holds Islamic revolution, left to its own devices, is headed for collapse (M)

[ElectroPrincess]

15. A Rebuttal to Nicholas D. Kristof

A Rebuttal to Nicholas D. Kristof
Who Dast Call Him Liar
By BEN TRIPP

http://counterpunch.org/tripp06302004.html

As part of an experiment to see if anybody can read the New York Times more than three times a month without developing brain cancer, I occasionally read the column of Nicholas D. Kristof. I should know better. Modest, learned, and brimming with virtue, a man whose words and accomplishments unblushingly suggest the Christ on one of His better days, Kristof makes me sick.

[Name removed]

17. Deleted message

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[ElectroPrincess]

18. Wow, reality is stranger than fiction ...

Well I know that I'm leveling with you and if he could Agent Mike (or Mary) would back me up on my statements above. <g>

No, I have nothing to hide. The best advice I ever received is to own up to all you have accomplished and failed in life.

Best wishes to you democratic albeit you continue to slander me. Although I sincerely hope that Iran will make concerted steps toward Democracy, I also know that it's not for the USA to impose it on your people.

I still have a beautiful necklace my Iranian Nurse gave me. It has a verse from the Koran on it and the symbol on the other side that has been translated by an Iranian friend of mine as "Allah is all."

No democratic, I love the Persian people and hope they make THEIR OWN strides toward a more representative government.

Later ... like let's agree to make it much later? <warm smile>