| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
On the other hand
Joined: 19 Apr 2003 Location: I walk along the avenue
|
Posted: Fri Aug 18, 2006 1:35 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Quote: |
My logic went something like this...
Iran has elections and is something of a democracy. Open voices of opposition indicate the chance exists for a change in administration under the normal workings of an election. The more voices of opposition, the more likely a new administration with new policies will come to power in a short time. Neither the Taliban nor Saddam looked like they were going to lose power any time soon. Therefore, force seemed defensible. The more likely Ahmadinejad is to be voted out, the more difficult it would be for the pro-preemptive surgical strike faction to get their way.
|
Yeah, that's kinda what I thought you meant. Thanks for the clarification, though. |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
On the other hand
Joined: 19 Apr 2003 Location: I walk along the avenue
|
Posted: Fri Aug 18, 2006 1:47 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Quote: |
In any case, Khomeini's grandson -- whether he is in Iran and talking with exiles in the U.S., or whether he is traveling and meeting with them here, or whether they are taking what he might say and presenting it to U.S. policymakers to bolster whatever arguments they may be making for Washington to support their cause -- should have no voice whatsoever and should not be permitted to influence U.S. policy in any way.
|
Yeah, like I said, it's bizarre that anyone is giving this guy a hearing. It would make at least a modicum of sense if he were the Shah's grandson, because then you could say that he's heir to the throne or whatever. But he's Khomeini's grandson, so the only thing he could possibly represent in that capacity is the Islamic Revolution, which was anti-American almost from the get-go.
I'm half-guessing the guy was sitting at home one day, reading the paper, and said to himself: "hey, the Americans are pushing regime change in Iran, and I've got a famous last name. Think I'll call my agent." |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Joo Rip Gwa Rhhee

Joined: 25 May 2003
|
Posted: Fri Aug 18, 2006 2:35 am Post subject: |
|
|
The US is of course looking to make contacts with Iranians who don't agree with the way Irans' government does things.
He may be an apologist for his grandfather- but that is understandable -IN HIS CASE. What is more important is that he believes in democracy and tolerance. |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
On the other hand
Joined: 19 Apr 2003 Location: I walk along the avenue
|
Posted: Fri Aug 18, 2006 2:52 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Quote: |
He may be an apologist for his grandfather- but that is understandable -IN HIS CASE. What is more important is that he believes in democracy and tolerance.
|
Fair enough. But why does he have any particular credibility? What exactly are his accomplishments? I am not an expert on Islam, so I'm wondering if being the grandson of an Ayatollah automatically confers some sort of special prestige on him. |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
bucheon bum
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
|
Posted: Fri Aug 18, 2006 1:22 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| On the other hand wrote: |
| Quote: |
He may be an apologist for his grandfather- but that is understandable -IN HIS CASE. What is more important is that he believes in democracy and tolerance.
|
Fair enough. But why does he have any particular credibility? What exactly are his accomplishments? I am not an expert on Islam, so I'm wondering if being the grandson of an Ayatollah automatically confers some sort of special prestige on him. |
nothing really. He's a descendant of the prophet though, so he has a little more prestige than your avg. joe |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
|