Don Berra:

Any damned fool knows that the quest for freedom is attributed to Obama’s mea culpa last month for the United States CIA meddling in the early 7th century succession plan for the prophet Muhammad.

“Now, there are some who would like to rewrite history - revisionist historians is what I like to call them.”

George W. Bush

I have often said on this site that those arguing for intervention in Iran were not looking at all the dynamics in play in Iran.

The current society structure in Iran was established over 30 years ago and was based on concepts that go back hundreds of years. This comes into conflict with the demographics in Iran. O50% of the population is under 30 years. when you factor in those that were babies or toddlers almost two-thirds of the population was not alive or are to young to remember the establishment of the current form of government. As a result they do not hold the same revolutionary fervor that older Iranians remember.

Instead through a variety of sources they see the freedoms of dress and choices that are in Europe and America and wish to enjoy some of those free choices. Once more they lack the fervor that led to the establishment of the current government.

However, do not get to excited. Most reports show that the difference between the two parties is nothing more than the difference between someone who hates America and someone who really really dislikes America. So no matter who would win there would be little difference in their policy.

Also one should remember that by all accounts the current President does have the backing of half the country, the question really is if he has the support of 40% or 51%.

While the post in question is called President, it is not the same as our President. In fact the position would be a third tier post, there is a religious council and a super religious council. There appears much less opposition to the religious council’s. So in effect it would be similar to the population of St. Louis protesting the results of the mayors office. They would be challenging the mayor without challenging the governor or President.

Then there is the lack of mention of the Iranian Army. The Army appears to be staying out of the argument. The troops mentioned appear to be the equivalent of the Iraqi Republican Guard and the police. This is important in terms that there appears to be no military muscle behind the protestors but there is behind the current government. This is also important because the military and police have to have a large number of young people and yet they are fighting for the government and not the opposition.

There will be changes that come out of this, but unless the government pulls a real mistake such has a mass killing the change will be slight and incremental it will be given to try and quite the opposition. However, it will be important if the increment is followed by another increment. Slowly opposition parties will be allowed to run more openly and in greater numbers. With this they will bring around change.

However, the current problems will not bring about the changes that many believe are about to happen in Iran.

How dare we push Democracy on other countries. Everyone knows just how wonderful and stable Iran is. After all, the way they treat women is ok with those that say dont meddle. Look how they treat the gays over there. Arent we all concerned about gay marriage here? Over there, they just kill gays.

In the mean time, we can watch Obama speed towards Socialism at an amazing rate. Thats what happens when you dumb down the electorate!

Less than super dave

What do you suggest we do over there? Military? If so where do we get the troops? Half the country supports the current President with their military. So do you suggest we give them a reason for cracking down harder on the opposition.

So exactly what do you suggest we do?

Nothing, Bob, we won’t do nothing. No suggestions. The Socialists are running our foreign policy now, we can just sit back and watch the affirmative action Teleprompter in Chief apologize for our past actions. That sure stopped the North Koreans. Hell, we won’t even board the NKorean ship we tracked that has nuclear materials on board. That’s showing the world how nice we are. Kim Jung Il has said he will wipe Amerika off the face of the Earth if we board their ship and our Boy/Child has backed down to their threats.

Apologizing and asking our enemies, enemies that want to kill us, to please not hurt us has worked wonders so far. Iran is killing their citizens in the streets and NKorea has dissed Our Dear Leader.

How’s that hopey/changey workin’ out for ya?

Tango

Great you said what you believe we will not do.

Your answer suggests that there is something that we can do in Iran. Is it military? What exactly would you do? Half the population and the military appears to support the current government. I am sure our military can easily defeat their military, but then would we have another 8 years like Iraq?

Lets also not forget that Iran sits on something like 1/3 of the known worlds oil, so are you ready to disrupt that oil flow for multiple years?

Once again since you are say in a manner that suggests disgust, that we are going to do nothing, it suggests that there is something meaning ful that we can do. SO WHAT IS IT IN YOUR OPINION?

As for the freighter. I agree that N. Korean is a problem. At the moment I have no suggestion. At one time I had hoped when Kim Il … died his successor would be more moderate. That does not appear to be an option. If they are really nuts in N. Korea then if we stop the ship they will attack S> Korea, if they are that nuts. Their artillery is already with range of S. Korea’s capitol. So are you ready to play Russian Roulette with several million lives? Are you ready to commit the troops needed to S. Korea, if so where do you plan on getting them? We have a heavy troop commitment in the Middle East, as the letter writer says “it is Bush’s Fault”, So the Bush strategy his hampering our options in the rest of the world.

We SUSPECT the freighter had nuclear material but we are not sure. If we stop it and there is no material and we trigger an armed conflict with N. Korea how much support do you think we will get from the rest of the world? The UN mandate also does not allow us to use force to stop the freighter. So are we to fire on it?

You seem disgusted but you do not offer any options, so we must assume that you have none to offer.

Sooner or later that NK ship is gonna have to pull into a port to refuel. Put behind the scenes pressure on the host country to inspect it, which is their legal right to do, and which I believe would be (depending on which country it is), their legal obligation to do so, given the UN resolutions. If found not to be carrying anything of consequence, let it go on its merry little way. If so, the cargo and ship may be seized, and the crew sent home.
Speaking of NK, it may be time to just ignore them politically, insofar as trying to get them back to the six party talks, for awhile…cut off any food and fuel imports from anyone other than China…and let them rattle their sabers to an empty audience.

As far as Iran, one thing’s for sure…as long as they have internal unrest going on, it would be difficult for them to keep being a pain the ass stirring up Hamas, Hezbollah, and the insurgency in Iraq. I doubt that there’s going to be a major revolution there anytime soon…Bob hit the nail on the head in his description of the real power in the government and its popular support….but I do believe its in our national interest to keep that pot simmering for as long as we can. I would like to see President Obama continue to rest on the moral high ground, issue condemnations left and right, and keep the spotlight on them, but as far as any direct actions, not sure we can, or should, take any at this point.

Look at a map. Just need our Iraqi and Afgani troops to meet in the middle.