The thing that is most surprising to me about the recent election in Iran where the incumbent hardliner won re-election is that anyone would be surprised about the outcome. I mean, come on, this regime in Iran is not exactly known for concepts like democracy or even making decisions based upon data (see Islamic Republic – if it ain’t in the Koran it ain’t happening.)
So there’s all this news coverage spewing all over on this subject and I find myself asking “why is anyone surprised and why is this news?” When the Ayotollah dies and isn’t replaced, then we can see if any real change is possible in Iran. While religious nutjobs run the country, things aren’t going to change without armed revolt.
I have no enmity toward the Iranian people (in fact, some of the most interesting, intelligent, kind, and capable people I know originally hail from Iran – often they’re more oblique indicating they’re from Persia.) Indeed, I hope for their sake, they are able to reach some reasonable accord between their own collective free will and religion. It’s just that the situation that has recently played out had zero promise of that happening.
It’s up to the people of Iran to figure this out and if we’re smart, we’ll stay out of it whilst that happens. The rule of unintended consequences you know…Meanwhile, present-day Iran provides good example of why to keep church and state separate.
I’m not surprised at the election result, but I am surprised at the riots and protests (but not surprised by the oppressive response). What’s both surprising, and encouraging, is that there are so many people in Iran who want change from the current government – and are willing to risk injury, imprisonment or death to say so. And while no one is preaching separation of church and state they are at least trying to move away from the current hardliner approach. Progress is progress and should be encouraged, not mocked.
As for “staying out of it” I disagree. We should definitely stay out of Iran physically, but support can come in other ways. CNN and other news organizations were publicly pressured to cover the story more (or at all) and many people are providing anonymous proxy access to the citizens of Iran so that the stories and pictures can get out at all.
I’m not mocking the progress.
A little perspective is going to be good here. It’s highly likely to be decades before any real change comes to Iran. That the people are showing dissatisfaction is a good start, but it’s only that. There is much blood to be shed before any real change happens.