Who Will Stand With Iranians?
Washington Post / Afshin Molavi
05-Jul-2009 (3 comments)

As Iranians took to the streets to protest a fraudulent election last month, braving tear gas, batons and bullets, pressure mounted on President Obama to take a tougher stand against the Islamic Republic's repression of peaceful dissent. Some said the president's statements were too soft. Others argued that Obama should refrain from picking sides, lest he present a pretext for hard-liners to label the protesters American stooges.

People began to argue: What should Obama do? I'd like them to ask another question: What should ordinary Americans do?

Today, America's Independence Day, it's important to recognize the Iranian struggle for what it is: a grass-roots, vital movement for greater liberty enriched by more than a century of struggle against foreign powers, autocratic kings and repressive theocrats. Iran's rulers would have the world believe that the protesters are a minority inspired by foreigners, but this denies a fundamental piece of Iranian history.

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Ostaad

Monda, you're absolutely right and thanks for pointing out...

by Ostaad on Sun Jul 05, 2009 04:21 PM PDT

the author's name, Mr. Molavi. I don't have the foggiest why I got his name wrong.

I live in the US and I can speak to my personal experience that no nation has helped the Iranian uprising more than the American people. Heck, they gave us the Facebook, Twitter, cell phone technology and last but not leas the ability to USE these technologies. The Iranian people proved to the world they can walk and chew gum. As far as I am concerned, Obama has pursued the correct policy for the US by not getting involved with what was happening in Iran on day-to-day basis.

The uprising brought to the attention of the world that Iranian people have grown politically and take their civic duties, including voting seriously.  Moreover, Iranians proved they can and will stand up to the regime if they sense that blatant electoral violations are taking place. Ahmadinejad's next "term" may prove to be a more "centrist" one because the other center of power, the Majles, is not under his control. I won't be surprised to see a much "kinder and gentle" Ahmadinejdad due to his much weakened position in the government. He is made to look like the guy whose ass was saved by Khameni, and Mahmoud is not the kind of guy who'd like that. But he seems to be taking nicely. 


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Monda

Ostaad

by Monda on Sun Jul 05, 2009 12:32 PM PDT

Your suggestion is wonderful And doable for most of us.

Yesterday I met this Iranian business owner in our downtown with the green banner "where's my vote?" (which he'd downloaded from the Dutch kids' report on IC) posted on his shop window facing the sidewalk. While I was talking to him outside his shop, we must've had at least 10 Americans approaching us to get the latest from Iran. Most were disappointed that the world (US) is so silent and non-supportive of the Iranian people. They all hoped for this incredible movement to remain strong. 

This was the coolest highlight of My 4th of July.

Thank you for your comment.

BTW I thought this article was written by Molavi for Washington Post. 

 

 

 


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Ostaad

I don't think Moaveni is sincere...

by Ostaad on Sun Jul 05, 2009 10:48 AM PDT

This is what I posted on Washington Post in response to Moaveni's piece:

Mr. Moaveni, with due respect if you are really interested in "more support from the ordinary Americans", then stop writing opinions in the Washington Post, which is read by very few "ordinary Americans', go out, stand on a street corner and start talking to those Americans whom you would like to stand with Iranians.

 


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