Many in Iran welcomed the Ayatollah Koumeini and the overthrow of the Shah. Do these same people now advocate the overthrow of the present regime? What percentage of Iranians would welcome the overthrow of the present regime? What percentage would welcome it but would remain Muslim if given a real choice of religions? What percentage would be open to conversion to Christianity? To Zoroastrianism?
Is the situation similar to Oliver Cromwell's insane regime in 17th century Britain? Many welcomed the establishment of puritanism, but, after a few years of his murderous regime, were eager for the restoration of the monarchy, the return of Charles II, and the condemnation--for many, including me, the permanent condemnation--of puritanism.
I still condemn fundamentalist puritanism in its various forms, including the insane and murderous Islamic fundamentalism and the equally insane, if less murderous, neo-puritanism of the Western Left, which finds so much in common with Islamic fundamentalism and the other various versions of puritannical extremism.
How many in Iran share my disgust with insane, murderous, puritannical, and un-Godly(!) extremism and would be willing to put an end to it once and for all?
The percentage of the population is important, but, that aside, such people will find loyal allies, throughtout the world and, of considerable importance, throughout the United States.
Supposedly, clandestine polling indicates 80% of the people of Iran would welcome the overthrow of the Ayatollahs. I do not have a direct link to this, but you might check any post by DoctorZIn on FR, or go to his web site here:
Regime Change Iran
His site is excellent. You might find his comments on Turkey, posted today, quite relevant to the overall situation as well.
It is the children of the hostage-takers/revolutionaries that are growing more and more discontent with the present regime, and are probably sickened by the present bile emitting from the mouth of Ahmedi-nijad. There was a ping list here a while back documenting the student demonstrations that were taking place. Ominously, I haven't heard a thing from them since Ahmedi-nijad rose to power.