tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post785824170807069000..comments2023-10-03T07:01:41.144-05:00Comments on Always On Watch: Semper Vigilans: About IranAlways On Watchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08192688822955022541noreply@blogger.comBlogger54125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-44652673176138793222012-07-14T21:48:30.791-05:002012-07-14T21:48:30.791-05:00If Sam Huttington is suggesting that America withd...If Sam Huttington is suggesting that America withdraw its embassy from Iran, I think it is a good idea. Anyway, if any country is unable to protect its own interest or unable to improve diplomatic relationship, there is no point having any embassy. <br /><br />I agree with Sam Huttington, Paladin and Louis H regarding the pompous ass Damian Charles. <br /><br />And regarding Z query (though not directed to me) regarding Iranian student revolution. I think Iranians should not expect any support or intervention if they want to start any type of revolution. Iranians should sort out their own Iranian problems.<br /><br />WLILAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-75164552526430820352012-07-14T05:53:59.860-05:002012-07-14T05:53:59.860-05:00Walter,
In short, the very idea of having rational...Walter,<br /><i>In short, the very idea of having rational talks based on reason with those of this regime in nothing bur foolishness and folly. </i><br /><br />Thus, is the State Department's brand of diplomacy.<br /><br />In 2009, I had occasion to speak with an ex-patriate from Iran. She told me some personal details about the rapes of girls in Iran. Grim stuff, to put it mildly.Always On Watchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08192688822955022541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-8693976037466149632012-07-13T15:58:21.672-05:002012-07-13T15:58:21.672-05:00This Islamic regime of Iran is so cruel that Reza ...This Islamic regime of Iran is so cruel that Reza Kahlili in his book A TIME TO BETRAY noted in the first chapter of this book said that he observed Iran's Revolutionary Guards who "paraded teenage girls " who were inoccent in eveyway and "bearly out of their childhood, barely old enough to think for themselves" taken to a place to be raped and then murdered. To think that Obama and some other leaders of the six world powers even think that they may be able to have any worthwhile <br />"talks" based on reason or anykind of shared values with the wicked fiends who are in power in Iran is both fooliahness and folly.Walter Sieruknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-87801471581070410612012-07-13T15:47:18.127-05:002012-07-13T15:47:18.127-05:00It's an act of futility to try to have talks b...It's an act of futility to try to have talks based on reason with the dictators and officals put in office by them in Iran. This is because they are all hard core dyed in the wool Islamic fanatics. It's impossible to reason with religious fanatics. They will not respond to reason. in any so called "negotiations" they will be very disingenous and will only dissimulate. They will fake being instrested in geniune dialogue to get as much sanctions lifted as possible. Not to make life more easy for the Iraian people but so they may hasten in the wicked quest for W.M.D. that is what they really want to obtain. Either by going nuclear or by any other means. This is because in their religious delusion they are not rational. The want W.M.D. for use because they believe that is the way to make their Mahdi come. that is their irrational deluded Islamic mindset. They also want W.M.D. because the hate the State of Israel, which they call the little satan. They hate the United States, which they call the great satan. They also hate all the other countries of the West in all the non-Muslim people in them.<br />In short, the very idea of having rational talks based on reason with those of this regime in nothing bur foolishness and folly.Walter Sieruknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-64605826505326366542012-07-12T13:48:10.297-05:002012-07-12T13:48:10.297-05:00Damien Charles,
Ahmadinejad is indeed more politic...Damien Charles,<br />Ahmadinejad is indeed more political than religious in many respects.<br /><br />I recall when he first came on the election scene in Iran and spoke of "Westoxification."<br /><br />From what I have gleaned, most Iranians would like him gone.Always On Watchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08192688822955022541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-2475489984198438422012-07-12T13:43:45.676-05:002012-07-12T13:43:45.676-05:00Walter,
Just a note to thank you for stopping by a...Walter,<br />Just a note to thank you for stopping by and to let you know that I am seeing your comments -- even if I don't respond to each of them.<br /><br />The schedule here in this household has been particularly busy the past few days and will remain so at least through the weekend.Always On Watchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08192688822955022541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-47304203691107585412012-07-12T12:47:07.137-05:002012-07-12T12:47:07.137-05:00Walter,
With all respect, I suggest you actually ...Walter,<br /><br />With all respect, I suggest you actually look a little into the subject and perhaps your analysis will change accordingly.<br /><br />For a start, are you are aware of the political make up of government in Iran? A bit of reading will tell you that there is a make up of a Supreme Council and then there is the Presidency followed by a Parliament. The Supreme Council is theologically driven and thus they are religous Ayatollahs. You will almost never see them making public speeches but when you do it is mostly on religious basis.<br /><br />All the rhetoric you see comes from the President, Ahamdinjad. Just a cursory glance will gain you the knowledge that he is more political than religous. He is a troublesome hardliner in the political sense, akin to say Hugo Chavez. He currently runs the party that is make up of the Revolutionary Guards, the group that took over the US Embassy back in 1979. It is a safe-bet that any desire to have nukes would be from his party.<br /><br />Further research, easily found on-line via news items, will point out that there is a huge difference between the goals of the Ayatollahs of the Supreme Council in comparison to those of the Revolutionary Guard. Previously any dispute was kept behind closed doors, both groups have given up on that and it is very public now.<br /><br />Interestinly, and in sharp contrast to your comments, the ideo of actually having WMD is totally counter to the policies, instructions and religous decrees of the Supreme Council. You may dislike them, hate them, consider them all sorts of things, but theocratically they are not hypocrits, even issuing a fatwa against having nukes. Simply put, it is Ahamdinejad, not the Supreme Council.<br /><br />Walter, in light of some reality checks, it becomes a bit futile to follow the outdated and questionable lines about "Islamic delusions", the Mahdi and even about Israel. Though run by theoligists, the rhetoric about Israel is simply all political simply because the Revolutionary Guard requires a boogey-man and a vain (really vain) attempt at garnering Arab symapathies by playing the pro-Palestinian card.<br /><br />The Israel issue is in fact another tit-bit that is forgotton and lost, especially to those on the bloggosphere - given half a chance and a coup, Iran would open an embassy in Tel Aviv almost instantly considering the history of commerce between Iranian Bazaaris and Jewish traders. This, yet again confirms that it is almost totally political and not actually anything to do with religion.<br /><br />Now having eliminated the foolish notion that somehow because of "Islamic delusion" that Iran cannot be talked to, constructive engagement with Iran is in fact the only logical and workable solution - unless one actually wishes to have a conflict. The best example is that even the hint of such a reproach the last time actually caused the still recent student-revolution.<br /><br />Cheers<br /><br />Damien CharlesAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-65304736364683087912012-07-12T09:57:49.342-05:002012-07-12T09:57:49.342-05:00Trying to have "talks" with the offical...Trying to have "talks" with the officals of the Islamic "Republic" of Iran in nothing but an act of futility. This is because the dictators and offical put in offic by them are all of the same hard core dyed in the wool Islamic fanatical mindset. It is impossipme to reason with religious fanatics. They will; not respond to reason. They will only fake being interseted in genuine dialouge with officals ofthe six world powers or IAEA for that matter. They will be very disingenous and will dissimulate. They will do all this not only to stall for time to work to obtain W.M. D. but alos to get as much sanctions lifted as possible. Not to make life more easy for the Iramian people but so that they may hasten in the evil schemes foe W.M.D.. That is what they really want either by going nuclear or by some other means. This is waht they want because in their Islamic delusion they believe that this is the way to get their Muhadi to come. They also want W.M.D. because they hate the State of Israel, which they call the little satan. They also hate the United States, which they call the great satan. They also hate all the other countries of the West and all the non-Muslim people in them. <br />In short, even the idea of trying to have worthwhile constructive negotiations with the officals of this Islamic regime is both foolishness and folly.Walter Sieruknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-69342661483091356962012-07-10T15:10:23.752-05:002012-07-10T15:10:23.752-05:00AOW,
Wilde is interesting, his penmanship amazing...AOW,<br /><br />Wilde is interesting, his penmanship amazing and nobody can deny his gifts.<br /><br />I quoted Wilde because of what he wrote.<br /><br />The majority who like Wilde and quote him either do so for what he wrote or because of the irony of his bad side, such as the legal profession in England due to his being Irish, anti-establishment and that he was put in jail for buggary.<br /><br />Having said that, almost every women that has ever met Wilde found him to be a true Gentleman in his politiness and when annoyed in using his wit and not his fists and as most would testify, beware of Wilde's wit.<br /><br />I put no more and no less in my using his quotes.<br /><br />DCAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-44668571754721919982012-07-10T15:06:36.979-05:002012-07-10T15:06:36.979-05:00AOW,
there is no evidence either way if Wilde was...AOW,<br /><br />there is no evidence either way if Wilde was following that behaviour.<br /><br />As for James Michener, he most certainly concentrated his background information in Iran and further east. <br /><br />Such a link to Islam itself is simply nonesense and as usual it is confusing what is cultural to what is religous and attempting to read one into the other. If we go to actual Islamic scriptures, sodomy is considered amongst the most abhorent of crimes. All references, other than the confused argument about Aisha, puts marriage of children in 7th century Arabia to equate to modern day marriage ages in developing countries.<br /><br />It all comes down to the point of what is Islamic and what is cultural practice.<br /><br />Iran and Afghanistan historically well known for the rich to have both the wife and a young boy in the same bed. Dancing boys in Afghanistan and Pakistan is well known, but the media forgets to point out that they exist also in INDIA and NEPAL.<br /><br />This sad subject is cultural, not religous, that is the point.<br /><br />Life of a good looking young boy in Greece has since the times of Alexander always been risky.....<br /><br />Damien CharlesAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-30001731594859487342012-07-10T03:19:38.476-05:002012-07-10T03:19:38.476-05:00Louie,
I deduce Wilde belonged in an institution.
...Louie,<br /><i>I deduce Wilde belonged in an institution.</i><br /><br />That may literally be so.<br /><br />In some respects, <i>The Picture of Dorian Gray</i> makes the reader wonder, "Does this author have two personalities?"<br /><br />One doesn't get that same feeling from Stevenson's <i>Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde</i>.<br /><br />Overall, the women in some of Oscar Wilde's writings are disgusting creatures -- and mental midgets to boot.Always On Watchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08192688822955022541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-33278697788781194522012-07-10T03:16:36.441-05:002012-07-10T03:16:36.441-05:00Damien Charles,
I have read some of Oscar Wilde...Damien Charles,<br />I have read some of Oscar Wilde's works. No doubt he was witty.<br /><br /><i>an openly gay man at the wrong time who perhaps even used it to push his freedom of expression</i><br /><br />He may have been more than that. <br /><br />Was he also a pederast? I googled Oscar Wilde + pederast and found <a href="http://www.familyresearchinst.org/2010/07/frr-jun-2010-western-gay-rights-islamic-pederasty/" rel="nofollow">THIS</a>, among several other hits in the search. I know you won't like that the essay discusses Islamic pederasty as well as Oscar Wilde, but that essay is on the list. Sources for the essay do not include "Islamophobes" as far as I can tell. Indeed, James Michener wrote a bit about the matter in <i>Caravans</i>, published in 1963. I has been ages since I've read Michener's novel, but I believes that he referred to "the dancing boys of Afghanistan." <i>PBS</i>, among other venues, have also <a href="http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/dancingboys/view/" rel="nofollow">covered</a> that matter.<br /><br />Just to be clear....Pederasty isn't exclusive to Islam. Not by a long shot. History shows a very ugly trail of that perversion.<br /><br /><b>Caveat:</b> I am not accusing you of being a pederast.<br /><br />However, referring to Oscar Wilde as "a gentleman" may not be wise. Just sayin'.Always On Watchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08192688822955022541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-82984997229244368022012-07-09T21:27:47.737-05:002012-07-09T21:27:47.737-05:00Mr. Wilde wrote of socialism where, “…each member ...Mr. Wilde wrote of socialism where, “…each member of the society will share in the general prosperity and happiness of the society." We can forgive him this error because in Wilde’s time, most of society had yet to recognize socialism as a stain upon mankind. We cannot be as forgiving toward its modern adherents, of course: they are snow blind.<br /><br />I do think Mr. Wilde, in comparing Jesus of Nazareth with Karl Marx or Vladimir Lenin, was a bit disingenuous. Additional proof of his mental abnormality is that not long after reading the work of George Woodcock, Wilde promptly declared himself an anarchist. Had he feasted upon a DC comic book, he may have even declared himself Superman. We must not be surprised to learn that according to D. Charles the entire legal establishment of the United Kingdom adores the laggard, and write each other clever notes while sitting on the toilet. No doubt, they are doing this while on the public dole.<br /><br />I deduce Wilde belonged in an institution. Given his views of subordinating all of society to [his] art, the man was obviously deranged. <br /><br />~LouieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-77646904424150508972012-07-09T18:50:08.183-05:002012-07-09T18:50:08.183-05:00AOW,
we all know who Oscar Wilde was.
If I may b...AOW,<br /><br />we all know who Oscar Wilde was.<br /><br />If I may be so bold as to summarize, a brillianet writer, someone who provokes thought, a perfect example of a period in late Victorian English social enlightment and personally an openly gay man at the wrong time who perhaps even used it to push his freedom of expression.<br /><br />My posting his quotes and my comments about how the legal system in Britian actually enjoyed them - was the dry and very blunt expressions of what is right and wrong. Remember that the Victorian Era has the most impact on British law and law enforcement even to this day and Wilde poked fun at it.<br /><br />When he was carted off to jail after that court case because of his love affair with Douglas (the son of the Marquiss of Queensbury) he was heard by the mobs (supporters and those who wanted to linch him) singing in the back of the paddy wagon "chum, chum and swaddle" which is cockney for "friends, friends and corruption" - reminding everyone that it was because of the Marquiss that he is going to jail, not for anything else. It is ironic that he sang it in London's street language considering that he is Irish and spoke French, German, Italian, Latin, Ancient Greek and very good Spanish.<br /><br />Cheers<br /><br />Damien CharlesAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-90629907014489200282012-07-09T03:51:46.588-05:002012-07-09T03:51:46.588-05:00Damien Charles,
Oscar Wilde, huh?
Context!
See ...Damien Charles, <br />Oscar Wilde, huh?<br /><br />Context!<br /><br />See football hooliganism + Oscar Wilde, as well as Oscar Wilde + anarchism -- particularly for the latter <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Soul_of_Man_under_Socialism" rel="nofollow">"The Soul of Man under Socialism"</a>.Always On Watchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08192688822955022541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-40270049892862296392012-07-08T21:11:06.366-05:002012-07-08T21:11:06.366-05:00Sam,
I would repeat the first quote again except ...Sam,<br /><br />I would repeat the first quote again except that even you can go back and read it and contemplate.<br /><br />Oscar Wilde, as abrasive as he was, understood very well what is the nature of a true Gentleman and correctly, who deserves to witness it.<br /><br />Adding to your sad and feable attempt at a quib, I should point out that in my early days working at the Luton Council Chambers that the "L&B Loo" (the toilets for lawyers, barristers and magistrates) had a photo and list of quotes of Wilde in each cubicle. <br /><br />In fact the legal profession simply loves it and I would not be suprised if in fact every British judge worth his salt can quote him down to the letter. It probably comes from the fact that Wilde was Irish and was imprisoned.......!<br /><br />"Rumors are carried by haters, spread by fools, and accepted by idiots."<br /><br />Damien CharlesAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-59228170100619329302012-07-08T08:42:12.290-05:002012-07-08T08:42:12.290-05:00No one who would quote Oscar Wilde about gentleman...No one who would quote Oscar Wilde about gentlemanly behavior knows Oscar Wilde, or gentlemanly behavior. Nor could anyone find his way to the Queen’s Council who is not a gentleman.Sam Huntingtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14780557316548397352noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-58895843898247490062012-07-06T21:12:24.248-05:002012-07-06T21:12:24.248-05:00Louis H,
your consistant contribution and debate ...Louis H,<br /><br />your consistant contribution and debate has been most exhausting and worthwile....<br /><br /><br />"A gentleman is one who never hurts anyone's feelings unintentionally. " - Oscar Wilde<br /><br />"An optimist will tell you the glass is half-full; the pessimist, half-empty; and the engineer will tell you the glass is twice the size it needs to be." - Oscar Wilde<br /><br /><br />"The only people mad at your for speaking the truth are those living a lie." - anon<br /><br />Damien CharlesAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-47614748924632514472012-07-06T20:45:14.181-05:002012-07-06T20:45:14.181-05:00Sam, if someone does not behave as a gentleman, th...Sam, if someone does not behave as a gentleman, then he is not a gentleman. This is probably not Damien Charles’ fault because it is impossible to be a gentleman and an arrogant ass at the same time.Louis H.https://www.blogger.com/profile/18301694575991500936noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-70304570458167619202012-07-06T20:22:23.839-05:002012-07-06T20:22:23.839-05:00Sam,
I make no apology for my comments, they are ...Sam,<br /><br />I make no apology for my comments, they are in fact written for a purpose.<br /><br />As for tactless, I would call much of the comments and some of the items (I point out which ones) are not only tactless but I can add without context, blatantly illogical and in some cases borderline bigoted.<br /><br />Yes this is not my blog, but since it is open to the public for comment - that is what I do.<br /><br />I should also add that if we wish to talk about being civilized, then childish rants like Obama being a Muslim plant is most definitly far from it and I would consider that only a boorish and pissant lout would even go down that track such as snake-oil salesman and anyone else who tries to pronounce make condmenations and pontifications on something that they obviously have no idea about.<br /><br />With respect I am doing them a favour, trying to point out that they look stupid going down a particular path. Then again, they can and mostly do ignore me and as you like to point out, it is their blog.<br /><br />Manners requires a goal, what is yours?<br /><br />Damien CharlesAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-86695946335434452262012-07-06T18:09:43.426-05:002012-07-06T18:09:43.426-05:00@Damien Charles...Here's a joke for you ol cha...@Damien Charles...Here's a joke for you ol chap ----> What you call an Englishman 50 feet up in a tree ? Ans : A branch Manager ! Thats what you should stick to ol chap ! Cheerio ! :)PALADINhttp://paladin.typepad.com/blog/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-9729868733319893212012-07-06T15:18:24.882-05:002012-07-06T15:18:24.882-05:00Mr. Charles wrote, “My advise[sic] and opinion, of...Mr. Charles wrote, “My advise[sic] and opinion, of course, is simply stick to subjects you actually know about.” <br /><br />This is a very good example of tactless behavior. It is difficult to imagine making such comments while a guest at someone else’s blog. Really, Mr. Charles, where are your manners? Shame on you for such loutish behavior; for all of your claims to the contrary, you do not behave as a gentleman.Sam Huntingtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14780557316548397352noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-13978667562489990172012-07-06T14:58:06.757-05:002012-07-06T14:58:06.757-05:00@Z …
If diplomacy was simple, progressives could ...@Z …<br /><br />If diplomacy was simple, progressives could do it. This may explain the abomination of Obama foreign policy. In fairness, however, it is difficult to credit previous administrations, either. As one example, you may recall Dr. Rice decided it was time the Palestinians embraced democracy. We offered the PLO too many millions of dollars so that they would embrace democratic ideals. What did the Palestinians then do? They overwhelmingly elected a terrorist organization to lead them. They must have been laughing all the way to the bank. How insufferable was Dr. Rice’s arrogance to suggest that “American democracy” is a panacea for problems in the area of Palestine? In my view, this was an epic FAIL in American foreign policy. And by the way, did Dr. Rice not understand that Yasser Arafat was a terrorist of the first magnitude? What did she think the Palestinians would do?<br /><br />Mr. Bolton is not the bull in the china shop that Mr. Charles suggests. Given his resume, I seriously doubt State Department “area experts” would have known John Bolton well enough to make such assertions. If anything, Bolton realizes these two things: there must be an American position from which we will not move, and successful diplomacy comes from strength, not weakness. Whether he embraces the concept of a moral high ground, I can’t say with any degree of certainty. As regards Iran, Mr. Bolton knows that few nations in the world are as experienced in diplomacy as the Iranians are. He also knows when the Iranians are using delaying tactics. He knows the Iranians are masters of the bluff. He knows that Ahmedinejad is two bubbles off plumb. He suspects that the Middle East will become a miniaturized version of the cold war should Iran develop nuclear warheads and a reliable delivery system. <br /><br />That said, I do not think the situation in Iran warrants force, or even threats of force. I wish he would stop suggesting such things to the state-run media.<br /><br />Nations ought to keep to themselves information concerning the likely use of force against other nations. This is what I meant earlier about quiet diplomacy. Making public statements about such possibilities does little more than push Iran toward an obstinate position, which on its face defeats the notion of diplomatic relations. Even if we assume Iran has a nuclear capability presently, how will an increase in tension foster resolution of our differences? <br /><br />Successful foreign policy will result when Iran knows they can depend on American integrity and resolve. If our policies shift every four or eight years, then we play into the hands of our adversary. Make no mistake: all foreign nations are “adversaries.” This notion of having “friends” is naïve. Our closest allies only remain so for as long as their relationship with the USA is mutually beneficial. Finally, I do not desire a president so idiotic as to sign the death warrant of a useful resource (Dr. Afridi). I do not desire a Secretary of State who will gloat publically over our attack against Iranian computers.Sam Huntingtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14780557316548397352noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-29507348723967928852012-07-06T14:42:35.131-05:002012-07-06T14:42:35.131-05:00Z,
sorry I missed the question and am happy to gi...Z,<br /><br />sorry I missed the question and am happy to give my view.<br /><br />yes I think that the student/middle-class revolt was abandoned and the pressure should have been kept up. An opportunity was lost.<br /><br />The argument was that any more support would have resulted in bloodshed and that there was still too much support for Ahmadinejad in the areas that he targets (the poor, industrial and rural voters). In political terms, Ahmadinejad is pretty similar to Hugo Chavez.<br /><br />Though that argument sounds logical nevertheless it was the support from the US that encouraged much of that revolt and thus they must take some responsibility for the failure of it.<br /><br />Also that failure strengthened arguments used by Ahamdinajad about foreign influences, targetting, unjustified sanctions etc.<br /><br />On the positive side, it pushed him into a corner that the Supreme Council was uncomfortable with and that level of brovado Ahamdinjad used put him into direct conflict with them.<br /><br />I still think there is a chance to bring down the pressure and deal with Iran if they push the correct buttons. Deal with the country in a fashion that is suppported by the Supreme Council and play-up how Ahmadinejad as the danger to the country and embarassing them. The SC does actually have some moderates (well they call them moderates whom wish to normalised relations with the west) that hate Ahmadinejad. If they can get rid of him and the door is open to economic and social ties then nobody in Iran can stop that commerce and the influences that it brings to that country - even if it takes ten or twenty years. Do not forget that the older generation of Iranians remember life beforee the 78-79 revolution and the teenage population is hungry for change.<br /><br />A last comment - those Iranians in the west whom hunger for a return to the Shah are almost all the wealthy class that benefited from them. I have seen at least three debates and studies that show that an almost total majority of Iranians would shudder and reject such a notion that life was good under the Shah. He simply was worse than Saddam or Ghaddafi.<br /><br />However, the previous royals that were "taken out" by the Pahlavis in 1925 have supposively a support base of about 20 per cent of Iranians (look up Qajari Dynasty)<br /><br />Damien CharlesAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-74215580871188680352012-07-06T14:18:15.876-05:002012-07-06T14:18:15.876-05:00Z,
you say "because they're tough, belie...Z,<br /><br />you say "because they're tough, believe in American exceptionalism, and don't suck up to terrorism."<br /><br />Frankly speaking they were not tough they were partisan political hacks pushing a line that run the wrong way with everyone. They insulted those that disagreed and put back American diplomacy decades that your hard working State Department employees are trying to patch up.<br /><br />American Exceptionalism is a concept that frankly is arrogant and even to other western countries makes America look like the international "big jerk" rather than anything else or more positive. We should add, of course, that the term is laughable as it is illogical (considering that it is most certainly not exceptional except in some believing it is).<br /><br />As for them being "hard against terrorism", Bolton's rhetoric has actually done more damage to the war on terror than in fighting it. Every single bigoted, naive, condescending and spiteful phrase he made only galvanized the arguments put up by terrorist supporters about westerners and in particular Americans orchestrating a clash of civilizations, crusade and desire to exterminate Muslims. In the end even the Republican leadership under bush realised that the jerk Bolton was a walking lunatic that made hawks look like doves.<br /><br />Condaliza Rice is a good piano player, articulate and dedicated, I have no doubt, but she was also an Administation hack who did not care about the effort or advice State employees gave her and she insulted her way around the globe.<br /><br />Damien Charles<br /><br />ps, re Iran and the students, a separate answer is merited.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com