The Noble Lie

amen to that, brother

Thanks guys. And you're right Heraldo. Bush V Gore 12/12/2000 I'd say the government response to the peaceful protests over what is obviously a fixed, fraudulent election is doing more to shut down the country than the protesters.

Your gift for sarcasm is such that sometimes I can't tell if we're in agreement or not. I agree that the situation in Iran is tragic, horrific, and bloody. What I have seen has been non-violent protesters being terrorized and brutalized by state supporters. I don't think the protesters in Iran can be blamed for all the violence that has been used against them, any more than protesters in the US could be blamed if we disputed our own illegitimate election and were terrorized and brutalized as a result. I don't mean to sound condemnatory of my fellow American. Hell, I wasn't out protesting myself, and I include myself in the "we" of this post. My feeling is that the people of Iran are right to challenge and protest this illegitimate election. If we had challenged and protested our illegitimate election (a few did), we would have been right, too. The talk among protesters in Iran now is of a general strike, which would really shut down the country. When voices are met with bullets, and using violence isn't an option, submission or non-compliance are the only options left. Both options come with risks and benefits.