Comments on: Obama’s Sideline Strategy May Signal Shift in U.S. Democracy Policy

By: Dear Bill Keller | byJoeyBaker

Dear Bill Keller | byJoeyBaker — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 03:07:24 +0000

[...] there was nothing in that piece I couldn’t get [...]

By: marb

marb — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 00:10:08 +0000

An alternative policy:

Why would the regime suppress the change at this moment? My guess is they fear for their own lives if change comes.
So, if only there was a western country (or, any country) that would offer full amnesty to the supreme council in Iran and all members of the establishment that would want to make use of the same arrangement. Offer them a safe escape and an option to leave the country with their families, absolutely sure that they won't be harmed in any way. Then, if they don't have to fear change, they won't feel the need to order the revolutionary guard to suppress the people!

Change could come without any repercussions for anyone, and I believe, the fastest way to change, with benefits for all... Amneschange!

If you also believe this might work, and support this strategy, please spread the word, now is the momentum!!

By: PLAFstudiesDotCom

PLAFstudiesDotCom — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 12:22:01 +0000

No matter what irresponsible senators say, no one has proven this election was rigged. Imagine Sen. John McCain and his followers not accepting the election result in the USA and going to the streets to protest and promote chaos. Do you know why this does not happen in the Us? Because democracy is pretty much older than in Iran. Otherwise…

By: Five for Fighting (Tehran Edition) | Martial Sciences

Five for Fighting (Tehran Edition) | Martial Sciences — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 17:31:19 +0000

[...] * Iran signals new turn in U.S. democracy-promotion? [...]

By: Chris Herz

Chris Herz — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 15:33:00 +0000

What unspeakable arrogance! Just now we are getting a civics lesson in our own city, watching the formal government, bought and sold, serving corporate interests in defense, health, and just about anything else.

Fortunate for our rulers that Hugo Chavez, for instance doesn't use his money here the way we use ours there.

Chris Herz, vheadline.com

By: sara waugh

sara waugh — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 06:24:35 +0000

Obama said... he was “deeply troubled” by the Iranian regime’s willingness to resort to violence, ...

The Mosavi supporters demonstrations this week have been without permit. I know from 40 years of peace work in Washington, DC, that if one holds a demo without permit, the police will break it up and take those who resist to Jail. The Iranian government allowed all demonstrations to go om amd omly respomded to theose who rioted, burned buses and attacked police and police stations and all around damage to publc property in Tehran. These individuals did not submit to police, but faught the police and in the struggle and vilent fighting, 8 people have been killed and 29 injured on all sides. This violence started and continued by these rioters and the police in Irn has shown tremendous restraint, which i have never seen in the US. let's not forget the shootings at kent state done to peaceful studentden demos on a university campus.
let's not forget the violence conducted against people of color in New Orleand after the horrible fdestruction they had suffered, let's not forget that a journalist thrpwing a shoe at Bush in Iraq, where USA has imported democracy, was dragged to jail, tortured and is still in jail.

In a country without freedom of speech such open presidential campaign with 100.s of thousands of people in ralliws during and after the election, would not be possible.
why is it that president Obama, for who, I campaigned and voted, does not speak about total dictatorship in Saudi Arabia and Egypt, the 2 friends of the US in the middle East?

By: Spencer Ackerman

Spencer Ackerman — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 20:30:49 +0000

Quite an elegant statement. Thanks.

By: Hooshmand Kalayeh

Hooshmand Kalayeh — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 19:31:41 +0000

We Must Neither Be Silent nor Forceful
Our forefathers planted the seeds of freedom, equality, and justice in the heart of Americans 222 years ago. But in the garden of humanity, these seeds have not yet blossomed into flowers. Our principles have been compromised so many times during our adolescent era. However, Barack Obama’s presidency must be a turning point for an era of maturity toward our ultimate destiny. We Americans must be champions of liberty, equality, and justice for all humanity. Our principles must never again be compromised by self-interests. Otherwise, all of our principles will be empty words. Hypocrisies around the world have been the cause of injustice everywhere. It is easy to give a great speech about promoting liberty, equality, and justice around the world. However, in the middle of storms, we hide behind these great words and instead promote our self–interests around the world diplomatically, politically, and militarily. We must not silently or forcefully kill people in the name of democracy, religion, or self-interests. The heart of humanity cries for freedom from bondage of hypocrisy. In order to free humanity from this bondage, we must be who we say we are.” Hooshmand Kalayeh

By: revere

revere — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 18:49:27 +0000

there were nevertheless “universal values” like “free speech, the ability of people to peacefully dissent” that the regime needed to respect

would that be the american or iranian regime?
im smelling a pot/kettle & black moment

By: “Facilitating” democracy in Iran

“Facilitating” democracy in Iran — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 15:42:59 +0000

[...] commentator Spencer Ackerman notes some Democrats’ concern at the Obama administration’s cautious response to events [...]