Is 2008 the year of election boom? So far we have seen the Russian election, Spanish election, US primaries... What about the Iranian election?
Some things need to be said about the Iranian election. The Western media has been criticising the Guardian Council for not giving some of the reformists green light to contest in the parliamentary election. Media criticism of Iran is not unusual. It remains as biased and speculative as it has been since the fall of the corrupt Shah.
On the election:
Firstly, although the actions of the Guardian Council may seem undemocratic, nobody has a right to say so. In the US, the so-called beacon of democracy, George Bush had cheated to win both elections, and you don't need to watch a Michael Moore documentary to believe it. Everybody knows it. They just don't say it public.
Secondly, these reformists are political polygamists too. I won't be too harsh and call them traitors. However, their goals are not only misleading but also dangerous. The Iranian nation was built upon the glorious foundations of the Revolution, and it should remain that way. The dissidents showed on television are a minority. They are interviewed solely because of the fact that they oppose the government.
Thirdly, those Westerners that are saying reformists must take over from conservatives in Iran are hypocrites. Iran does not say whether the democrats or the republicans should be in power in USA. Iran does not dictate whether the Labour party or the Conservative party should be in power in the UK. Similarly, the Iranian people sign the social contract by choosing their rulers and other nations must learn to deal with it.
Quote: Ibn_Sina
Well, to be honest, Obama winning doesn't make any real difference. US foreign policy will remain the same if you know what I mean.
That is far from the truth. I believe Obama's foreign policy is probably the best of all of them. His theme will be open dialog. Expect with an Obama Presidency the first visit by an American President to Iran since the fall of the Shah. Correct me if I am wrong, but Alamanutjob will be out of office by them.
However, you might see more direct American involvement in Pakistan and the Sudan.
Ghook, from YOUR perspective, it is undemocratic. But you cannot examine Iranian political culture within the boundaries of a Western political framework.
For Iran, The Revolution and its values are more sacred than democracy.
