Posted on 10/14/2010 9:55:20 AM PDT by nuconvert
The best way to avoid a nuclear showdown with Tehran is to support its democratic opposition and human rights.
The recent decision by the Obama administration to sanction some of the Iranian regime's worst human-rights abusers is a welcome if belated step in the right direction. But it falls far short of what could be done on this front to further isolate Tehran. The European Union, meanwhile, hasn't even decided yet whether to consider at all human rights sanctions against the Islamic Republic.
This failure is nothing short of astonishing. Apart from the obvious moral reasons for supporting human rights in Iran, such a policy would undermine the regime and thus help the West in its nuclear standoff with Tehran. Iran's illicit atomic program is a danger principally because of the regime's aggressive nature. If the opposition were to topple the revolutionary Islamist leaders, Iran's nuclear project would be instantly less threatening. Regime change is the best way to avoid a showdown with Tehran.
Western democracies therefore ought to target the regime for its human-rights record, bolster the country's internal opposition, and speak directly to the Iranian people over the heads of their brutal regime. After the Islamic Republic rigged last year's presidential elections and crushed the ensuing protests, the veneer of order has returned to the country. But underneath, the embers of revolt still burn. Western democratic institutions and civil society can stir them to keep the flame alive.
(Excerpt) Read more at iranenergyproject.org ...
“...is to support its democratic opposition and human rights.”
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Now how are you going to support the democratic opposition of a totalitarian regime short of air-dropping arms and heavy weapons? Remember, no 2nd Amendment in Iran.
pong
When the outside world was shut off from those in country, they had no way of knowing if there was any support, either by word or gun, for their cause. Just knowing if they made the move to out the Mullahs from their perch, who was going to be there to support them defensively from outside interference until they got up on their feet.
While they still had a smidgeon on stuff like facebook and twitter they rose up against the regime. When in concert with those links effectively cut, Obama refused to support the Greens, it took all of the air out of an outright revolution which was needed but all the people saw was the US turning its back on them and only the allies of the regime being carted in to put them down.
I was there when the revolution got its start against the Shah and the people didn’t have guns then either. It was only after the army defected in what they thought was support of the Carter Administration that the Mullahs had their chance.
Thanks for the ping.
>It was only after the army defected in what they thought was support of the Carter Administration that the Mullahs had their chance.<
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Which only proves that, in a muslim state, the Imam is the boss. I don’t think that the present army will defect from the rule of the Imam. Do you really believe that the people in Iraq, Iran and Afghanistan will ever be free from the rule of the Imam?
Your next question will probably be: “Then what are we doing in those countries?”
My answer to you:”I don’t know, you tell me?”
Your inclinations are wrong. The actual history of the revolution is that the people were tired of the monarchy and striving for democracy. The people we came to know saw us as a model of how they wanted to live. I was there. I lived it.
Carter and his oil goons determined they wanted a slice of the oil pie there and delivered the Shah a deal (ultimatum) to give up a portion for their continued “protection”. He refused and then the goons offered the same deal with the Mullahs in that they were to usher in the democracy the people wanted.
And now you know the rest of the story.
“Do you really believe that the people in Iraq, Iran and Afghanistan will ever be free from the rule of the Imam?”
Short answer...yes.
I shall believe your answer only after I see Islam disappear in Europe and America.
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