[Ghost in the Machine]

The Shah was "Pro-Shah" first, and "Pro-USA" second (after we installed him in a coup in the late 50's). He was a dubious ally, human-rights-wise, and Presisdent Peanut was throwing "those kind" overboard left and right, to the great detriment of our own country.

Carter "lost" Nicaragua the same way....

[ClearCase_guy]

He was a dubious ally, human-rights-wise

I won't completely deny that, but it was primarily the Left that was shouting that the Shah was a monster. The evidence of his monstrosity was never overwhelming. When Khomenini came to power, the smackdown in Iran was much greater, with a large body count. But the human rights concerns vanished.

The Shah's single biggest crime was being pro-American.

[Avenger]

If the Shah would have stayed in power, Iran would likely be a democracy today. In spite of his flaws he is much better than anything that Middle East or Iran has today perhaps with the exception of Jordan. In any case, he was overthrown not because of his human rights abuses (which have been wildly overexaggerated by the current regime in Iran) but because he was promoting silly "western" ideas like women's rights, etc. Needless t say, this did not go over well with the radicals. Also, I don't think his failing health helped matters much.

Having said that, Carter really f'd upped on Iran and completely misunderstood the intentions of the clerics. That was the beginning of the war that we are currently fighting.