Thoughts on the current Iranian protests?

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I'm not expecting something truly monumental to happen -- sure would be nice, though -- but I am very taken by these posts and messages here, even if they've been mediated. Anyone have better sources?

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Sunday, 15 June 2003 13:06 (twenty-two years ago)

there's some crazy stuff on that board

"I absolutely reject the concept of "democracy" and "freedom" as nakedly false phantoms of the west. Who would ever want to be "free" when they could instead live in the glorious order and sanctified grace of Sharia? Why does anyone need to have an opinion for himself?
Shahin Shahida, Iran"

blimey

― DG (D_To_The_G), Sunday, 15 June 2003 13:21 (twenty-two years ago)

That actually put me in mind of some of Momus's thoughts on 'human rights' as a concept...

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Sunday, 15 June 2003 13:33 (twenty-two years ago)

They should collaborate.

― amateurist (amateurist), Sunday, 15 June 2003 14:08 (twenty-two years ago)

haha the international islamic internet troll! Hooray BBC

― Millar (Millar), Sunday, 15 June 2003 14:49 (twenty-two years ago)

Anybody who thinks that these are grassroots protests without MAJOR input from US spooks needs to have his right to vote revoked immediately.

― Colin Meeder (Mert), Sunday, 15 June 2003 14:49 (twenty-two years ago)

Don't hold back, Colin. ;-) Wouldn't it make more sense to say that they're a blend of both, though?

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Sunday, 15 June 2003 15:25 (twenty-two years ago)

Well shit, I hope the United States is supporting the protestors somehow. It'd be nice if we were actually encouraging grassroots democracy somewhere in the world.

This can obviously go in a lot of different directions. Tianenman Square is the cautionary tale, but from what little I know of modern Iran, I think it would be harder for the government to effectively crack down the same way the Chinese military did. It would be nice to believe this is more like South Korea 15 years ago -- part of an inevitable movement toward liberty and individual rights.

I wonder how enthuasiastic the Bushie-cons really are about democratization in Iran, though. A free-thinking, freestanding Persian republic could still be a pain in the ass for American power mongers, even without all the "Great Satan" stuff. Anyway, I think the protests are a heartening sign. I just hope there are no bloodbaths forthcoming.

― JesseFox (JesseFox), Sunday, 15 June 2003 18:04 (twenty-two years ago)

There is a grass roots pro-democracy movement in Iran, but the timing and style of these protests have me smelling American bacon.

― Colin Meeder (Mert), Sunday, 15 June 2003 18:53 (twenty-two years ago)

Of all the things the CIA could be (and is) covertly supporting, pro-democracy demonstrations in Iran seem like one of the better options. Of course, the "American instigator" argument is probably much in circulation among the clerics too, so I'm cautious about buying into it too heavily. It also kind of denigrates the courage and hard work of the demonstrators.

― JesseFox (JesseFox), Sunday, 15 June 2003 19:58 (twenty-two years ago)

I've been away from news the last few days... so I don't know exactly what's going on.

Iran's democratic development is always to be welcomed.

This is perhaps not the best moment for mass protests against the regime... with the country being menaced by the USA it could be easier for the mullahs to get away with a crackdown.

― DV (dirtyvicar), Monday, 16 June 2003 08:03 (twenty-two years ago)

nine years pass...

There are no major current protests. Activists are locked up or have left since 2009. There's another election in Jone 2013.

http://www.npr.org/2013/02/01/170823724/irans-2009-crackdown-resonates-with-exiles-in-turkey

― curmudgeon, Friday, 1 February 2013 20:52 (twelve years ago)

June

― curmudgeon, Friday, 1 February 2013 20:54 (twelve years ago)

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