There are plenty of civil rights abuses in the US, too. The solution isn't for another country to invade us. It's not a great analogy to draw a comparsion between US and Iran, but, jesus, for what country is war an even decent answer? It sure as hell hasn't worked for Iraq.If you want to do something...I don't know...maybe try setting up a donation fund to an Iran resistence of civil rights group, if such exist. But if not, well, it's not always the case that you, or your country, can affect things for the better.
hey, darnit, that still means you're equating blogging about Iranian civil rights abuses with advocating war! You're probably being silly, but you're still wrong!
Not kidding Michael. Of course human rights abuses should be noted and deplored, but, in the current environment, I'm loathe to add to the trickle of "Iran evil...Iran evil...Iran evil..." that sets the stage for war.
Part of me thinks you're right, that anything hawks can grasp at they'll use to push for war.
The other part believes that all excuses for war among these people are merely rationalizations for what they want to do anyway. The "humanitarian" arguement for war in Iran is ludicrous, and to treat it as if it might have a real basis is a waste of effort.
But then I wonder about how much of the support for a "humanitarian" venture is really genuine? Are people really so naive to believe that this stuff takes place only in Iran? If these people do exist, however, I doubt they read this blog.
(before checking out the link) that really seems like a false dichotomy, ogged.
Posted by Michael | Link to this comment | 02-22-05 1:20 PM
There are plenty of civil rights abuses in the US, too. The solution isn't for another country to invade us. It's not a great analogy to draw a comparsion between US and Iran, but, jesus, for what country is war an even decent answer? It sure as hell hasn't worked for Iraq.If you want to do something...I don't know...maybe try setting up a donation fund to an Iran resistence of civil rights group, if such exist. But if not, well, it's not always the case that you, or your country, can affect things for the better.
Posted by Michael | Link to this comment | 02-22-05 1:56 PM
Michael, the question I had in mind was just: should I blog it, or not?
Posted by ogged | Link to this comment | 02-22-05 1:58 PM
Oh, sorry for misreading. (In my defense, I'm fuggin sick and a bit loopy right now.)
Posted by Michael | Link to this comment | 02-22-05 2:51 PM
(many pills later)
hey, darnit, that still means you're equating blogging about Iranian civil rights abuses with advocating war! You're probably being silly, but you're still wrong!
Posted by Michael | Link to this comment | 02-22-05 7:47 PM
Not kidding Michael. Of course human rights abuses should be noted and deplored, but, in the current environment, I'm loathe to add to the trickle of "Iran evil...Iran evil...Iran evil..." that sets the stage for war.
Posted by ogged | Link to this comment | 02-22-05 7:53 PM
Isn't Somalia still going on?
Part of me thinks you're right, that anything hawks can grasp at they'll use to push for war.
The other part believes that all excuses for war among these people are merely rationalizations for what they want to do anyway. The "humanitarian" arguement for war in Iran is ludicrous, and to treat it as if it might have a real basis is a waste of effort.
But then I wonder about how much of the support for a "humanitarian" venture is really genuine? Are people really so naive to believe that this stuff takes place only in Iran? If these people do exist, however, I doubt they read this blog.
Posted by Michael | Link to this comment | 02-22-05 9:14 PM