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Only 3 Options for Iranians
09-Jul-2010
A recent discussion led me to consider that in fact today, given the state of affairs vis-vis freedom and the relative lack of it in Iran, we as Iranians really only have 3 options.
As an Iranian today, we are infamous fence riders, unwilling to pick our position on anything, choosing to remain pridefully irrelevant as a people when faced with life's difficult decisions. I mean look, here we are talking incessantly about Iran without doing anything about it. I'm as guilty as the next. I don't even dare unmask myself. I mean, who do I think I am, HODER?
Aside from the obvious Stockholm Syndrome (sympathy for the hostage-taker), we apparently have Reverse Turrets as well. Reverse Turrets is that disease where you can't seem to say anything about everything.
Although many are talking a lot these days, the simplicity is lacking. Specificity too.
For example, there has been a lot of discussion about the Green Movement, but simply put, in the end, the Green Movement wasn't really one. What it was (based on accomplishment) was an impulse reaction by the political party supporters of Mousavi, the candidate, who were greatly disappointed in the recent (still? recent?) election result. The Green Movement wasn't about freedom. Given Moussavi was merely Larry the stooge candidate approved by Khamenei to run against Mo. Certainly, admit it, Moussavi was by no means a Peach.
But, many Iranian activists, academics, YouTube, radio, and TV show hosts mostly encouraged by the Western Media's mis-interpreted excitement around the Green Movement (probably because they thought the color was the same Green they are used to here) have built it up as this second revolution that sadly failed. Obviously (as it never achieved it) it must be said that the Green Movement failed. It isn't a process, as is often suggested by "experts" and "pundits" and those whose now reputation rides on the level of the "expertise on Iran". No amount of wearing green wristbands and appearing solemn and unshaven on CNN or the Daily Show will bring the Green Movement back. I mean this is all obvious now, right? Are we done? Can we move on?
Back to simplicity.
Regardless whether you were fooled by the semblance of change, thought the Green Movement was one, or that you were innocently naive as you marched in San Francisco trying not to get blown by the wind as you carried your 48 inches of banner across the beach hoping to avoid the dog poop, regardless of all that, you should by now be at a pivotal point in your life as an Iranian. Let me know if you're not, because I and the rest of us who screamed "Don't Vote!" can wait for you to catch up.
But if you are good and done with it all, and are finally on this side of reason, here is the simple truth and the simple choice you need to weigh in on. It is both hard and easy. Hard because you're going to have to choose and won't be able to wriggle around it like you're used to. And easy because once you choose, the rest of the way is blissfully obvious and you'll never have to look back again. Unless of course, you pick the wrong or least popular choice.
The simple choice ALL Iranians have to make, or for lack of a better metaphor, the Virtual Referendum we must all weigh in on now, is this one.
Pick One:
1) I am FOR the current system of governance in Iran, and I think it could actually work after another 30 or so years, so I think we should KEEP IT.
2) I am AGAINST the current system of governance in Iran, and would respectfully and without being executed or shot or maimed or tortured or arrested or beaten, or intimidated in any way shape or form whatsoever would suggest that we GET RID OF IT.
No excuses, no hemming and hawing, no excusable avoiding answering the question, spit it out, pick one and the rest is easy. There is no in-between. And you can't say, I want this system and I want change.
It's Barg or Koobideh, there is no Soltani. (my way of making a smart ass reference to a Monarchy)
Of course, choosing will most certainly ruin your vacation plans to Tehran for the summer either way, but your kids didn't really have fun last year when you went back to visit your Cousins, especially when you got into that big fight about how you should be paying for everything since you live a privileged life in the US and earn Dollars.
"But what about option 3?", you might be asking.
Option 3 is too radical for Iranians to contemplate at this stage of their evolution, so I am removing it from the choice for now. First get past your 2, then we can talk about Option 3.
But trust me Option 3 is a really good option!
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Abarmard: You are confused
by AMIR1973 on Fri Jul 09, 2010 08:46 PM PDTHow hard is to communicate that rights are more important than the form of government?
How hard is it for you to understand that the only form of government that accords people their full rights is a democracy? IRI is not a democracy and will never be one. Hence, if you want Iranians to gain their full rights, the only possible path to that is regime change.
Option 5, Jeannie will make the Mullahs disappear...
by Everybody Loves Somebody ... on Fri Jul 09, 2010 06:59 PM PDT//www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RUNW-J4PM4&feature...
//www.youtube.com/watch?v=XELze7CXKjk&feature...
Actually there is only one option for any Iranian.....
by fooladi on Fri Jul 09, 2010 06:23 PM PDTWith minimal sense of humanity and patriotism:
Removal of the islamic regime and all it's apparatus and it's replacement with a secular democratic Iran where every citizen regardless of his/her race, religion, gender has equal right and voice.
Anybody who disagrees with this is either a shameless apologist and agent of the islamist regime and/or has completely lost touch with reality
I go for option 4 (previously posted) in 4 parts
by MM on Fri Jul 09, 2010 06:04 PM PDTMeanwhile, let's first start by discrediting IRI as the legitimate representatives of Iranians in the UN.
//iranian.com/main/blog/mm/request-un-credentials-committee-reject-islamic-republic-representatives
Option 4; Practical Path Towards Democracy, in 4 parts:
I see a lot of independent actions and lines of thought as what to do to reach one faction's goal of whatever they are preaching. Others are screaming for a referendum, but as long as IRI is in charge/power, they will never accept to put a referendum of yes/no to the Islamic Republic. Here is a practical path towards democracy in Iran, the way I see it, of course. I appreciate feedback and any other practical suggestions that do not ask for physical foreign interventions in order to make this "Made in Iran by Iranians".
//iranian.com/main/blog/mm/practical-path-towards-democracy
1. Unification of Opposition: The first step in a practical path towards democratization of Iran is the unification of the opposition democratic forces in Diaspora followed by a bridge of dialogue with the Iranian voices. Shadi/Ganji//RP/Shirin & others (?) need to put differences aside and have a "bring democracy to Iran" meeting to coordinate efforts.
2. Pressure on IRI via ......: The Second step in the path is to put pressure on IRI via demonstrations/strikes (oil strikes in particular). See Prof Sharp's "198 tactics for civil disobedience" article in Farsi. International pressure thru the UN, the EU, the Amnesty International and other democratic voices are included here. Boycotts as well as sanctions on Sepah/IRI leaders/Ghods/Basij arms abroad as well as freezing the accounts of stolen Iranian money by IRI leaders abroad are also included here. See, e.g., reports in Iran Proud and also ireport in CNN on the stolen money in bank accounts abroad. The unified forces in #1 can play a major role in coordinating efforts here as well as #3.
3. Increase in violence: I am sorry to say that I do not see IRI just going away peacefully, since they do not have any place to go and hide. We just saw this escalation of violence leading to victory in Kyrgyzstan too. As the only legitimate armed entity in Iran, we need to pay attention to the real armed forces of Iran to back the opposition.
4. Referendum: Discussion of various democratic constitutions followed by a referendum.
Marjaneh:
by Bavafa on Fri Jul 09, 2010 05:23 PM PDTthe psychotic manic was just calling to Nuke part of Tehran just yesterday, so you can hardly be surprised by this, yet another psychotic wish.
Mehrdad
I go for
by David ET on Fri Jul 09, 2010 05:23 PM PDT3
Marjaneh, I am dead as in 'mordeh' serious!
by pastor bill rennick on Fri Jul 09, 2010 05:16 PM PDTHomicidal maniac as you just called me is too kind of a description! I would not hesitate a second to pull the lever, if I were given the opportunity!
Great blog, I can't wait for option 3
by Bavafa on Fri Jul 09, 2010 05:07 PM PDTmeanwhile I will go with (as before) with option 2, never believed this system can reform itself, with the only one caveat that what ever action taken must by Iranians and no foreign interference (i.e. no war on Iran)
Mehrdad
So, what you're saying Abarmard
by Onlyiran on Fri Jul 09, 2010 04:58 PM PDTis that 31 years after a popular and bloody revolution which you no doubt supported, Iranian people should begin their struggle for rights at the same level that African Americans did. You do know that it took African Americans more than a century after the Emancipation Declaration to gain equal rights, right? So, you're suggesting that Iranians should just be patient, be "satisfied" with what they have, and slowly but surely, perhaps after a hundred years or so, they may be granted some rights by the Islamic Republic.
Pastor, are you serious?
by Marjaneh on Fri Jul 09, 2010 04:58 PM PDTIf yes, you sound like a homicidal maniac and quite frankly really quite dangerous, obviously insane and in need of treatment.
"I still have my own teeth. 'Just can't remember where I've put them."
Only Iran
by Abarmard on Fri Jul 09, 2010 04:50 PM PDTIf you can't think of one right that Iranians should gain, then you can rest and let it go. That is not my message. How hard is to communicate that rights are more important than the form of government?
Concept is focus. Step by step gains. In the US women and African Americans gained rights by going through violence and imprisonment. Eventually they gained it. Europe is full of these kinds of demands for certain rights.
No land had ever got all they wanted because people said so. United for cause that society sees important is a better way than voting a guy into office and hoping that he would have mercy on us.
eroonman, very funny!
by Fatollah on Fri Jul 09, 2010 04:41 PM PDTyour 2. option is too long and incoherent, simplify it [as the 1. option] and you may get several posts/replys.
To sum up Abaramard's comment
by Onlyiran on Fri Jul 09, 2010 04:38 PM PDTwe should continue the culture of "geda parvari" and "haghir parvari" and be "satisfied" with what we have. Small changes here and there will be sufficient. Nothing big. For example, if women are allowed to show one strand of her more than what they can now, they should be satisfied and call it a day. :-)
Option 4, blockade IRR from air, land, and sea followed by
by pastor bill rennick on Fri Jul 09, 2010 04:21 PM PDTdropping of precision bombs on the following locations:
This option has always worked and the only way to get ride of mullahs.
Interesting blog
by Abarmard on Fri Jul 09, 2010 04:18 PM PDTThere are many corners of the Islamic Regime that are not compatible with modernity yet I am not sure if for or against would be good choices.
Here is what I have been trying to pass on. The issues must be based on rights rather than system. Specially for Iranians who reside outside of the country. To push for better rules and rights, to notice and force policies that empower Iranians, would help gradually shape the overall mindset of the nation to their desire place.
Iranians generally look to extremes. Most of the issues are based on steps that can get us closer to what we desire, regardless of the name that the system carries. If the system is not fit to reform, the system will collapse, once the society has taken the right path to reform it.
Look for steps that we all consider important. I will try to write in detail about this idea and pass it on to NIAC, which I find the most powerful and legitimate voice of Iranians in the US.
For now, just think that what guarantees our gains if the system goes. With what level of cerntainty can anyone stand and declare that we will be free? Who holds the military and natural resources of our land would obey the constitution?
What if we are worse than today similar to the last revolution? Our bet therefore is to focus on rights and social awareness and let the rest fall in its place. If I could suggest to Iranians a path, I would ask all to pick one specific policy, such as "hejab" to name one, and fight against it. All forces focus on one right. Many things comes once we win the first fight! You'll be surprised.
However, opposition in the US and in general is focusing on changing the system rather than gaining rights.
Alter number 1 to simply
by Sargord Pirouz on Fri Jul 09, 2010 02:22 PM PDTAlter number 1 to simply read "I accept Iran for what it is, politically and socially".
The rewards: Attachment to the Meehan. Peace.