When Bush Comes to Iran: The view of American tough talk from Tehran (Barf Alert)

Slate ^ | September 3, 2007 | Reza Aslan

[2ndDivisionVet]

My cousin Kamran is a successful software engineer in Tehran with a house, a thriving business of his own, and a brand new Peugeot, which he likes to show off by careening through the city's clogged streets at maniacal speeds. Like most of Iran's young and highly educated population, he must rely on other means to make ends meet. So, in addition to running his software business, Kamran tutors neighborhood children, raises chickens on his aunt's farm, hires himself out as a guide and translator for tourists, dabbles in real estate, and occasionally sells imitation designer handbags out of the trunk of his car.

"What kind of life is this?" he confides in me. "I have a master's degree. I fought in the Iran-Iraq war. I have my own business. But here I am forced to sell purses out of my car to feed my family?" He laughs to hide his shame. "I tell you, when Bush comes, things will be different."

When Bush comes. It is a popular joke in Tehran, akin to saying, "when pigs fly." Of course, behind every joke lurks a genuine sentiment. Sure, Kamran laughs when he says it. But then he grips the wheel and, for a brief moment, glances up at the sky, as though expecting an American fighter jet to zoom overhead.

I can't blame him. There is a palpable sense among many Iranians that the United States might start dropping bombs on them at any moment. After all, Iran is literally surrounded by American troops: The U.S. maintains military bases in Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. A fleet of heavily armed American warships is conducting military exercises in the Persian Gulf.

[2ndDivisionVet]

Again with the so-called "moderates" in the Iranian regime. They don't exist, as previous U.S. administrations found to their embarassment and displeasure.

[George W. Bush]

Any signs of Bush Derangement Syndrome in Iran is a Good Thing, I guess.

But such expectations are a way for the population to avoid freeing themselves from the theocracy. It would be so much better for them as a country to eliminate their own dictators and establish a democracy.

[Carry_Okie]

The accusations of Iran's meddling in Iraq are no doubt true. But consider this: According to a report released by the New York Times, of the 60 to 80 fighters who enter Iraq each month to join al Qaida in Mesopotamia, half are from Saudi Arabia. The majority of suicide bombers are Saudis, as are about 45 percent of all foreign militants targeting U.S. troops and Iraqi civilians. And nearly half of the foreign prisoners in U.S. custody in Iraq are from Saudi Arabia. Yet, far from threatening to confront Saudi Arabia's murderous activities, Bush has just offered to supply billions of dollars in advanced weaponry to that country. Why? According to State and Defense department officials, to help ward off Iranian influence.

Well Mr. Aslan (dipwad), it's like this: Infiltrating Iraq and joining Al Quaeda is not a policy supported by the Saudi government, unlike Iran...

...AND unlike Iran, Saudi Arabia affords its citizens sufficient freedom to do such evil things on their own. America assists the Saudis with the process of culling these evil thugs without mercy, a mutually agreeable outcome if there ever was one.

That's what we call "distinctions with a difference." Drawing them is that of which you "analysts" are supposed to be capable.

[Bulldawg Fan]

They should be watching the sky. The latest news stories about the three day blitz is another effort to rattle their nerves and cause them to crap like babies all over themselves. After all, they’ve earned it.

[ClaireSolt]

I don’t think I would ask the guy selling purses.

[Nathan Zachary]

"What kind of life is this?" he confides in me. "I have a master's degree. I fought in the Iran-Iraq war. I have my own business. But here I am forced to sell purses out of my car to feed my family?" He laughs to hide his shame. "I tell you, when Bush comes, things will be different."

When Bush comes. It is a popular in Tehran, akin to saying, "save us" Of course, behind every dream lurks a genuine sentiment. Sure, Kamran laughs when he says it. But then he grips the wheel and, for a brief moment, glances up at the sky, Hoping that American fighter jets zoom overhead, and bombs the Mullahs straight to hell.

That's the sentiment he feels. Amazing how lefties spin it around.

[Leo Carpathian]

My cousin Kamran is a successful software engineer in Tehran with a house, a thriving business of his own, and a brand new Peugeot, which he likes to show off by careening through the city's clogged streets at maniacal speeds. Like most of Iran's young and highly educated population, he must rely on other means to make ends meet. So, in addition to running his software business, Kamran tutors neighborhood children, raises chickens on his aunt's farm, hires himself out as a guide and translator for tourists, dabbles in real estate, and occasionally sells imitation designer handbags out of the trunk of his car.

"What kind of life is this?" he confides in me. "I have a master's degree. I fought in the Iran-Iraq war. I have my own business. But here I am forced to sell purses out of my car to feed my family?" He laughs to hide his shame. "I tell you, when Bush comes, things will be different."

Something doesn't jive here. I think he is only missing his 72 virgins. But for selling fake hanbags he is bound to meet 72 goats.