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| Syria-Lebanon-Iran |
| 'Millions' of Iranians Celebrate Bush Victory |
| 2004-11-04 |
| On the streets and in the gathering places of Iran, millions celebrated the re-election of President Bush with congratulations and discreet V for victory signs to each other. The Student Movement Coordination Committe for Democracy in Iran (SMCCDI) Web site reports that not just a few, but millions of Iranians hoping for reform in that country are excited about President Bush and his promises of democracy for the whole region. However, SMCCDI reports, "As Iranians and especially the younger generations have become happy, those affiliated to the Islamic regime are seen deeply worried about their future." It says the ruling regime in Iran, and all of its lobbyists and apologists, spent piles of money hoping for a Bush defeat. They even organized a celebration in Tehran of the day the American hostages were taken in Iran in 1979, but could only manage a "few thousand professional protesters" from a city of 12 million inhabitants. The site reports that "commemoration of one of the main Islamist act [sic] of terror ecountered another massive popular rejection." |
| Posted by:Anonymoose |
| #2 Whoa. A little skepticism here. The student movement is telling us the news that we want to hear. Again. I'm not going to buy it, at least I don't believe it's as wide spread as they report. In the past, they had me believing and hoping that Iran was on the brink of a counter-revolution. Now I'm not so optimistic even if there is widespread disenchanment with the Mullahs. The past 3 years should teach us that dissidents and defectors are not always the most reliable sources - especially in the Middle East where they have different cultural mores (face culture) when it comes to speaking directly and literally. The last 3 years should teach us that though the people in the Middle East and Persia on the whole may revile their leaders and their own oppressors, they are not quite ready to stand up, forget their grudges toward the West and embrace liberty. Kudos to these students and others who are, but I doubt that this feeling is as universal in Iran as they want us to believe. |
| Posted by: John in Tokyo 2004-11-04 10:27:05 PM |
| #1 Could we hope for more this week. In the last week (and the coming week) we've seen/will see: * Castro bust his a$$ going onstage for a speech. * Arafish on his deathbed. * Bush re-election. * Howard re-election in Aussieland (well, that's a little bit older history). * The sale of bunker busters to Israel (Contingency Plans, anyone?). * Now this (Iran ready to topple w/o much help!). * Gloves off in Fallujah. * Karzai finally announced winner of election in Afghanistan. What a GREAT month or two for freedom. We truly are watching history unfold before our very eyes! |
| Posted by: BA 2004-11-04 10:03:02 PM |