Rick's Cafe Americain

As long as we’re asking questions, what exactly is Dear Leader’s plan to deal with the situation in Iran?  Other than this, of course.

personally, i am happy the bush administration is not doing much with iran.  they screw up everything they touch.  iran is one of the last remaining countries in the region with a populace that is very pro-u.s. (even though the government is pretty hostile).  the last thing we need is a little attention from the incompetents who run our country

Yeah, I think I agree with that.  My impression of Iran is that they have a not so nice government, but that a large segment of Iran’s population is pro-West and pro-U.S. (though I am curious if that has shifted in the last two years).  My hope would be that eventually that large segment can win out.

I’m sure the war hawks out there will call that wishy-washy liberalism, but I don’t think invading is such a good idea either.

I do agree, however, we need to watch their nuclear program.  If they actually get close, then we may have to do something Bush like.

You are both a little optimistic. Iran has a significant educated, brave, vocal, pro-West minority. There isn’t really evidence to support your belief that a fair election in Iran would produce a reliable Westernized ally.

Certainly no more evidence than the Bushies had for saying that the Iraqis would greet the ‘liberators’ with flowers and candy.

“significant educated, brave, vocal, pro-West minority.” Are you describing Iran, or the U.S.?

Notice, by the way, that “large segment” does not equal majority (nor imply it).  My point is that while I don’t have warm fuzzy feelings about Iran, I also don’t view it as an imminent threat, but do view it as a country that, over time, might emerge as a productive member of world society without being invaded.

I think it’s about time that EVERYONE in this country gets used to the idea that there are some countries that hate us, have always hated us, and always will hate us.  And going in and invading or “liberating” these countries isn’t going to reverse decades of their anti-American indoctrination.  We’re better off simply telling them to “Leave us alone, don’t bomb us or any of our allies, and we’ll leave you alone”. 

Just about every president has been in love with the idea of “liberating” some repressed area of the world, and democratizing them.  Maybe they’re thinking about their statue in the new capital city..., that always elusive “legacy”.  Sheesh, let’s clean up our country before worrying about how we’re perceived in the third world, shall we?

Sheesh!  Now I agree with him again!  TC, you’re making me dizzy.

BTW, how is this non-action on Iran consistent with the “Bush doctrine”?

Are you admitting that there are rational, educated Republicans out there that might not be tied to the right-wing caricature of God, gays, and guns?

I never said there weren’t.  They’re just rare in the blogosphere.  Remember, we tend to get our RedState news and views from Spot On.

actually, i would believe there is a pro-american majority among the populace in iran--at least there was prior to bush’s idiotic “axis of evil” speech.  the government-sponsored “death to america” annual rallies attracted less than 20 people in tehran prior to january 2002, whereas in 1998 and 1999 the pro-democracy demonstrators carried american flags and numbered in the tens of thousands.

and iran has regular fair elections.  the problem is not the elections, its the pre-election vetting of candidates by hard-line clerics.  every single candidate running on a platform of improving ties with the u.s. has won the popular vote in iran.  the ruling clerks have responded by disqualifying everyone who remotely suggests reapproachment with america. 

until early 2002, at least, it was actually the opposite of what todd is saying.  a vocal minority was anti-american in iran.  unfortunately, they held (and hold) ultimate power under the revolution-era constitution.

where the majority of the populace is now is hard to say.  after the 2002 SOTU speech, some iranians apparently rallied around the government.  there was an outbreak of anti-government demonstrations a year later, but american flags were more absent than they were in 1999.  we shall see what the next national election brings.