NOT In Our Name
Don't confuse Iran or its citizens with the unpopular clerical government.
Since the hostage crisis of 1979, a state of undeclared war between Iran and the United States—begun by the mullahs—has become ever more bitter and intense. Militant anti-Americanism has become the central core of Tehran's foreign policy, as its rulers have opposed the interests of Washington and its allies everywhere—most notably in the Muslim world.
The result of almost three decades of hostility, exacerbated by Iran's nuclear ambitions and its agitation in places like Iraq, Lebanon, Palestine and Afghanistan is that conflict in the region seems possible once more.
Should war break out, those likely to suffer most will be the people of Iran, who have long borne the brunt of their government's policies, which have isolated, brutalized and impoverished them.
Although the regime boasts of having held numerous elections, not one has been fair or free, with people's candidates able to avoid endless obstructions. Ahmadinejad's own election was such a sham that even some of his handpicked opponents, including a former president and a Speaker of Iran's Parliament, accused him and his supporters of cheating.
It is essential, therefore, not to confuse Iran with the clerical dictatorship. The cult of death and superstition that personifies the Islamic Republic has not conquered the spirit of our nation, especially its women and youth, who make up some 70 percent of the population.
Having squandered popular support, the regime today faces the most serious international crisis in its history and a number of sharp internal challenges, due primarily to the faltering, corruption-ridden economy. The mullahs' only hope for survival is to use the nuclear threat to black-mail the outside world into inaction while brutalizing their people at home.
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Member Comments
Posted By: Hope4Change2008 @ 10/22/2008 1:02:33 PM
Comment: I am an American married to an Iranian, so I visit there fairly often. What I want to say is that Iranians DO NOT hate American people and my overtures of friendship are always returned enthusiastically. The belief that Americans hold that Iranians are hateful toward them begets hate of Americans, and so on. What we have here is a failure to communicate, and to have a clue about each others culture and people.
Many Iranians I have met are anxious to share with me how unhappy they are with the regime and about how they miss the Shah, pointing to the great things the Shah built or accomplished and how they were free citizens then. But America was saying just the opposite about the Shah at the time of the Revolution, and assisted greatly in the demise of his leadership. So why do Iranian citizens seem to think as an American that I understand their love of the Shah (even though I do?) And why is it that America, who helped the Islamic Republic come to rule, is so blatantly against the Republic?
I believe that America had no business then or now interfering in the affairs of Iran. On that point, I agree with Ahmadinejad. America's interference is what I believe is really the cause of both the breakdown of diplomatic relations and also the "hate" of America. And if we are honest with ourselves, that interference hurt Iran terribly. I agree that the "third way" - to empower the people to revolt, is the only way.
Neither my husband or I can fully fathom how it is the Shah's rule could have ended. To this day we visit his childhood home that the Republic took away after the Revolution. I asked why the Shah's descendants could not return to power if the people wanted. The fact is they do not have a voice...
I am convinced of ulterior motives on the part of America not yet revealed. And I think the same of the Islamic Republic. My hope is that people striving to get the word out will educate Americans about the REAL Iranian people and despite political problems, Americans will understand and respect, and maybe like me, even love its people.
Posted By: nawawimohamad @ 01/17/2008 10:39:56 PM
Comment: Reza your father was just a brainless puppet of the US government. Please accept that and keep your big mouth shut!
Posted By: Saggezard @ 12/17/2007 2:08:13 AM
Comment: If there was a real election in Iran with Reza Pahlavi running, he would be elected in a landslid, because Iranian were exponentially better off before 1979, and yes it is true he does represent what existed then which were a growing and stable economy, a growing and educated middle class and fantastic prospects which were inexistent in that period of cold war in any third world country. The Islamic republic on the other hand represents a dark age mentality, growing poverty, totalitarianism, corruption and belligerence most of all towards the people of Iran. There is no comparison between the Islamic republic and its predecessor, not at all.