Source
r/politics•
Le7

Did anyone else find that they agreed with Herman Cain when he said that we should help the insurrection against the Iranian regime?

I was surprised to find myself agreeing with him even if his reasons are totally different than mine. I consider myself pretty left wing which is why I would support sending aid to Iranian protesters who advocate secularism and a real democracy. I see their struggle as being the same as American secularists, only intensified. Just as American secularists fight to prevent religious law from overtaking our society, Iranian secularists fight to get rid of the religious law that has already overtaken their society.

This is the first and will probably be the only time I've ever agreed with Herman Cain and I'm wondering if anyone else agrees as well or if I'm all on my own here.

Posted Nov 15, 2011, 4:31 PM UTC · edited

010
O_Muircheartaigh•

I'd question the motives of any Iranian protester who accepted aid from the US government.

2
Le7OP•

Why? Among the educated circles (the main group that protest in Iran) there is a strong sentiment of US-Iranian friendship. Of course: people are wary of becoming an american puppet state, but that wariness would likely be the thing that prevents that from happening.

1
O_Muircheartaigh•

Friendship with the American nation is one thing; accepting sponsorship by the government that will probably invade your country in the near future is another.

2
ArgImAPirate•

Yes, it's probably the only thing I agree with Cain on. My view could be skewed as a half-Iranian person, but the things that have gone on and been completely unreported in Iran (as told to me by my uncle and what little video evidence we've seen) is shocking to say the least.

But history suggests that the Iranian people should be weary of Western powers. After decades of exploitation by the British, the Russians (not really the West, but at the time a major foreign power), then the Iranians, which led to the ousting of a Prime Minister. Being a puppet nation led to the general discontent that led to the revolution of 1979 - where a diverse group of peoples wide concerns were hijacked by religious fanatics.

I think Iran is on the brink of revolution again. I think we should help the people of Iran get more freedoms. But I think we should be very cautious and calculated about how we do it. Exposing that America has been funding, aiding, training those seeking to topple the current regime could seriously discredit any rebellion. At the same time, the people need a means to fight back against the Revolutionary Guards and the Basiji.

I will now leave you with a happy video, Iranian protestors beating up police & Basijis: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXevmUJcC1M

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[deleted]•

What insurrection? Was he confusing Iran with Syria?

1
Le7OP•

Every year there are massive protests in Iran that are shut down by police violence.

0
[deleted]•

Big difference between a massive protest and an insurrection.

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bemenaker•

It's very hard for the US to meddle in the internal affairs of Iran and not have it backfire on us. The general populace of Iran wants an open western democracy. They will eventually take it back. It's only a matter of when. If Syria were to fall, expect it sooner than later.

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chicofaraby•

No. The USA should stay the fuck out of Iran. Completely. It is not our business.

0
Le7OP•

Nationalism is never a good thing.

1