Comments on: Iran’s Tiananmen: 5 Reasons We MUST Support Iranian Citizens on Saturday

By: Kaveh

Kaveh — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 19:23:23 +0000

As an Iranian-Canadian, I must admit that it’s true the Iranians want change and are unhappy with their government. BUT, it is also VERY true the more meddling foreigners do on ANYTHING political related to Iran, the lesser the chances are of a viable democratic revolution happening.

Iranians don’t want your opinions about what is happening in Iran. They know better than anyone. What they need is your silent support, not the loud media making up b/s about their country to sell more newspapers. That’s the wrong way, and it’s the reason why so many people voted for Ahmadinejad (including myself).

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By: syd

syd — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 19:39:33 +0000

my heart is with you iranian free people.
I hope i a world with people like you.
love.

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By: B

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 09:02:15 +0000

Hello..

I am an Iranian, and am lucky enough to have made it back alive to London where I live. I was in Iran before, during, and after the elections were going on. The news all over the world unfortunately cannot grasp the full amount of damage the government is really doing to the people. Yes it was completely rigged. When the poles closed at 12:00 am, all the tV stations at 1:00 said that Ahmadinejad was ahead by 70%. That had to be impossible since every store, car, and people on the street had signs of Mousavi. Isn’t it strange that that percentage hadn’t changed all night since 1:00 am! So infront of my home, Mousavi supporters and Ahmadinejad idiots were screaming at eachother all night till the next morning, and throughout the day. As you have seen on the news it hasn’t stopped. The people living over there have no say, they would rather die than go through life like this. We take for granted the privileges we have being free.. these people do not have that freedom. So support is what they need.

I am happy to hear others outside of my country to want to support the Iranian people because the judgement that is being placed on us is completely false, yes there are some fascists, but mostly they are not what Ahmadinejad protrays.

I hope some who write that this article is false should rethink what they say, even though yes you are completely entitled to your opinion so do not be offended, and that someone coming from outside of Iran and writing this is doing a very good job discussing what is really happening over there.

Thank you for writing this regardless of what some might say. Best of luck.

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By: Jeevan

Jeevan — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 21:49:52 +0000

Iranians must stand united to over throw this government. Don’t expect the western powers to step in because it’s all internal matters and it’s in the hands of Iranian citizens.

If all Iranians stand united then they’ll stand tall above all. Stick together and good luck.

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By: Melina

Melina — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 22:30:02 +0000

I think those are really good reasons. I have a lot of relatives who are living in Iran and they’re protesting. I worry about them a lot. I’m only 15 but I believe without our help, they won’t have what they are wishing for. It really breaks my heart when I have a cousin call me and tell me that they were protesting and got tear gas in their eyes. If I could change Obamas mind I would do it in a heartbeat. I mean, when he says he doesn’t want to get involved is he considering the lives that are being lost and the tears being shed?

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By: Julie Schwietert

Julie Schwietert — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 00:13:22 +0000

Ryan- Thanks for your thoughtful, balanced response.

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By: Ryan Van Lenning

Ryan Van Lenning — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 23:19:37 +0000

It seems that one of the larger questions arises out of these discussions is the extent to which people should get involved with the political issues and problems of other countries. I for one am against raising the heights on already unnecessary boundaries and borders that separate people across the world. So when I hear people urging others to stay out of the business of other nations my hackles are raised.

That being said, I would raise a couple points. I think it is important to distinguish types of “meddling” that people are referring to. On the one hand there is the meddling aka coups, military intervention, sanctions, etc. On the other hand you have people expressing opinions and raising voices in solidarity. I agree it is extremely problematic for the US president or officials to get involved to say the least. It can play into the hands of the Iranian leadership, the cause and effect is difficult to predict.

I agree with Tom and others on at least one point: there are always political and social complexities that non-citizens of a country will never understand. This situation in Iran is even more delicate because of our history of meddling there and the mistrust that characterize US-Iranian relations. But I agree with Marissa’s point questioning Tom’s suggestion that one would have to be in or of some particular place to be able to voice an opinion on it. I think that is rarely true. I for one side with those yearning for greater freedoms and against oppression, regardless of whether I have been there or not. I have not been to Burma but I’d like to think that I prefer to not side with the military regime. I have not been to Gaza, but I voice solidarity with people who are suffering as a result of the siege and occupation. When I am so far from a situation, I do my best to inform myself and like anybody else try to critically examine information. By the way, I encourage people from other nations to do the same when my own government is wrong or oppressive. It matters to me.

Despite my ignorance with regard to the political complexities of many countries, I would ask what the value of purportive objectivity is–as if you have to weigh on equal terms a military dictatorship or riot police armed with batons and guns on the one hand and the people on the other while withholding judgment because you are not native.

I am not neutral.

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By: Marissa

Marissa — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 18:45:33 +0000

Are you suggesting that it is necessary to actually be somewhere in order to form an opinion on the situation in that location? Most of us aren’t able to do that and have to get our information on what’s going on in the world from outside sources, but that shouldn’t prevent us from thinking about it, discussing it and using our best judgement to settle on a viewpoint, even if it changes later.
I thought Ross’ piece was a good read and I’d look forward to your article, should you write it, as well.

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By: Rob

Rob — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 14:31:30 +0000

In what way is America any different?? I do not recall mass protests when the 2000 election here was robbed by what became, arguably, the worst and quite possibly, deadliest regime that has ever been put forth on this earth.

Are you serious? Stalin, Mao, Hitler, Pol Pot, believe me I could go on. I’m not a Bush supporter, but bring a little something to the table, jeeeez.

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By: Alex

Alex — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 18:42:04 +0000

As much as I think it’s great that the reformers have been making great strides, Ahmadinejad is not necessarily the person they have to center all of their efforts against. Remember, it was the Ruhollah Khomeini who overthrew the shah in Iran back in the late 70’s (Who America established as Westernized puppet government before the revolution.) Ayatollah Khomeini’s clerics still hold a great deal of political power, and are still a major part of the Iranian ruler ship, and who have always backed Ahmadinejad. In many ways they still maintain influence over Iran and despite the idea of Mousavi being the new President, it should also be imperitive that the reformers strip the power from the Ayatollahs themselves as well, or I don’t think a lot will change as far as a political influence and foreign relations. However this is just my opinion based off of the history I do know about Iran.

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