Iran a nation decides.

[Sickbag]

The current president of Iran is proof if ever it were needed of why University lecturers should never be in positions of any real power.
The question is will he be replaced by a more progressive thinking Mousavi?
Is Mousavi more forward thinking in his international outlook?

[Verbal]

There's no anti-Zionist tantrum in your post. I don't get it.

[Sickbag]

There's no anti-Zionist tantrum in your post. I don't get it.

I kmow you're american so your geography can't be expected to be A1, but really, thats shocking.

[Verbal]

I kmow you're american so your geography can't be expected to be A1, but really, thats shocking.

Didn't we kick Lancashire's ass when they nuked Pearl Harbor in World War I?

[Sickbag]

Look to get back on topic its the possiblity of important political changes in Iran we are talking here.To put it in context If Mousalavui defeats Ahmadinejad it would be like Dick Cheny replacing Russ limbaugh as President of America.

[Verbal]

Quite the choice. I marvel at the tales people tell of the openness and friendliness of the Iranian people. Contrast that with the types of people the Iranians elect to office.

Couldn't we just give Cheney and Limbaugh to the Iranians instead?

[Sickbag]

Limbaugh wins!
And in celebration of this great democratic triumph all opposition newspapers and meetings are banned and all external internet connections blocked and cell phone text facilities disabled throughout Iran.

Which reminds me of a great Iranian saying:
"No matter who you vote for, the Supreme Leader always wins"

[ZeroAltitude]

Limbaugh wins!
And in celebration of this great democratic triumph all opposition newspapers and meetings are banned and all external internet connections blocked and cell phone text facilities disabled throughout Iran.

Which reminds me of a great Iranian saying:
"No matter who you vote for, the Supreme Leader always wins"

Shi'ite happens

[David Hilditch]

Quite the choice. I marvel at the tales people tell of the openness and friendliness of the Iranian people. Contrast that with the types of people the Iranians elect to office.

No-one would say that Iran is a flourishing democracy in a formal sense, and the aftermath from this election seems to confirm that for sure. But the country has a very vigorous tradition of debate, discussion, curiosity and political activism. It has a political depth and activist tradition way in excess of major Arab countries (except for Lebanon). It is a society open to Western media, technology, texting, twittering and all that. It is largely pro-American. I think they are developing the institutions necessary for a more pluralist society and freer democracy down the track. There are several competing power centers, only one of which is the Ahmadinejad/Khamenei grouping, though this certainly wields enough power to fix elections if it wants to.

But my point is that to say the Iranians are not open and friendly is a misunderstanding of Iran and its people - and probably reflects Western media demonization and simplification. This is a product of decades of Western interference in Iran but was inflated by Bush policy and rhetoric. If you call them extremist and evil, how do you expect they'll respond ? I'm no great defender of Obama's foreign policy as a whole, but maybe his idea of outreach to Iran is just what is needed to achieve more political moderation. OK, it may not have worked this weekend, but look at Lebanon this week, a development which I take it has rather embarrassed the current Iranian leadership.

[Sickbag]

... but look at Lebanon this week, a development which I take it has rather embarrassed the current Iranian leadership.

A lebanon government now sponsored by the Saudis instead of the Iranians.LOL
Democracy and moderation marchs on!

[Sickbag]

Hundereds of thousand possibly millions on the streets of Terhan today,if you believe the BBC.

Maybe Iranians will get their revolution back from the mullahs?

[David Hilditch]

... but look at Lebanon this week, a development which I take it has rather embarrassed the current Iranian leadership.

A lebanon government now sponsored by the Saudis instead of the Iranians.LOL
Democracy and moderation marchs on!

Well, quite, and it's true that the Lebanese Sunnis have deep pockets, but aren't they only part of the winning coalition ? It seems to me that the important aspect of the Lebanese election, however, is the rather meek way the Hizbollah led opposition have accepted defeat, but that is against the assumption of a fair election in the first place.

[Ancient Mariner]

Quite the choice. I marvel at the tales people tell of the openness and friendliness of the American people. Contrast that with the types of people the Americans elect to office.

Couldn't we just give Cheney and Limbaugh to the Iranians instead?

Fixed.
Per