On Differences And Such

[erikred]

Let us pretend, for the moment, that we are in the business of spreading freedom and democracy. Having liberated the people of Iraq from the tyrannical rule of that utter despot and inhuman torturer Saddam Hussein, it is natural that we might look around for the next target in our battle to spread freedom and democracy. Fortune, it might appear, has smiled on us, for bordering our first success is a country ruled by repressive theocrats. And as if to prove the point, their Judiciary has just abruptly ended the trial of a state intelligence officer accused of killing an Iranian-Canadian journalist.

Here are clear symptoms of a despotic regime: abuse/killing of members of the press; government cover-ups; and, now, an arbitrary decision from the Judiciary to simply end the trial. Couple this with the elimination of hundreds of reform candidates from the last election, and, hey, what are we waiting for?

At which point I would like to point out a couple of differences: this case did make it to trial; the lawyers prosecuting the case against the intel agent are not being beaten up, coerced to quit, or killed; while some evidence was not admitted, a good deal of evidence was; and while the trial may be over, a very public verdict is expected within the week, following which regular Iranians may yet again exercise their right to assemble and protest.

The government of Iran, with its intolerable Religious Council, does need reform-- if not the abolition of the more archaic elements and a return to the democratic ideals that preceded the Shah. Unlike despotic regimes like Iraq, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, the PRC, and Burma, however, Iran has procedures in place to effect those reforms. Sure, they also have a veto machine set up to protect the current regime's status quo, but at least they have a reform process. In time, with more and more pressure from their own citizens (and less nationalism-inspiring threats of aggression from outside countries), Iran could become the next Turkey of the Middle East. Here's hoping they (and we) don't goof that up.

Comments

[palecur.livejournal.com]

I can't believe you're still listening to Imani Coppola. That girl was so over 30 minutes after that single was released.

[erikred.livejournal.com]

I have a series of compilation CDs set up in iTunes to give me the illusion of listening to a real radio station, and I report the songs as accurately as I can.

I'm now listening to Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, The Ship Song (Live). Mind you, according to your LJ, you haven't listened to music in almost a year.

And you do realize that you left your Slayer's manga here, don't you?

off topic

[hulkhero.livejournal.com]

I just got the full version of UT2004 -- lemme know if ya wanna battle.

Re: off topic

[kenplaysviola.livejournal.com]

What server you play on? IP address?

Re: off topic

[erikred.livejournal.com]

Dude! Can my HP handle UT2004? What are you doing on Friday night?

Re: off topic

[erikred.livejournal.com]

hey, I just got UT2004 for my G5. Tell me where you're playing or when so we can hook up a game.

[narwhale.livejournal.com]

You read China Mieville, you write intelligently about politics, and you rock climb. You have just quantupled the number of cool points needed for me to be stalker-like and friend a random person's journal; congratulations.