The Strength of Silence

500,000 Iranians marched through the streets of Tehran today. It stretched for miles.

But the numbers were not the striking thing about this protest.
It was non-violent.
It was almost completely silent.

And it is growing.

Many average Americans don't follow mid-east events because frankly, it's complicated and they don't understand America's role. For those under 30, it's somewhat abstract.

All you need to understand is this, the basics:
In 1953 President Eisenhower was enticed by mutual interest to cooperate in a covert mission with the British government--Operation Ajax, which would effectively overthrow the then-current Shah and install one that was more receptive to Western interests, which was especially important considering America's Cold War problems with Russia. The then-current Shah didn't have a lot of support because he supported secular government, so he wasn't difficult to depose. However, the Shah that was then installed was particularly brutal, and ruled for the next 26 years. This isn't something many young Americans remember, but it's a living, breathing part of Iranian history not soon forgotten.

So idiots like John McCain and Eric Cantor, who like to think they understand foreign policy and love that sweet ascent to their high-horses they stand so proudly on display their ignorance for all to see when they suggest that the U.S. should publicly condemn the bogus Iranian election and stand behind the Iranian people. They say Obama hasn't said enough, but the problem is, they need to take a lesson from him--he at least has a clue about when to keep his mouth shut. Even with what little, noncommittal language he has used thus far, the Iranian government is whining that the U.S. is meddling in Iranian affairs. If we are seen as meddling, it lends legitimacy to Ahmedinejad's government and strips it away from the Reformist movement (every one of the protesters you see pictured here). WHY would we want to sabotage the very thing we're saying we support?

Once again, this very dumbed-down, completely oversimplified, black and white, and frankly ignorant perception of mid-east affairs is part and parcel of how we ended up in Iraq in the first place. It's a symptom of disease, and that disease is lack of education paired with mediocre talent. These problems aren't so complex that we cannot grasp them. We have the ability, just no desire. We're too busy watching Speidi on "I'm a celebrity, get me out of here!" and sipping our Starbucks' lattes while texting our BFFs.

America's priorities are so f*cked up.






(Photos courtesy of http://www.flickr.com/photos/fhashemi)