Perhaps it's the history student in me or maybe my interests in politics and foreign relations, but I find I cannot get enough information on the ongoing protest - revolution? - in Iran. Andrew Sullivan has helped lead the way in getting the story out with amazing coverage of events and often glimpses of the savagery of the government and its henchmen as people are shot or beaten to death on video. As sickening as it is, I believe it is important to witness what is happening for several reasons. *
The first reason is to be reminded of what regimes will do to remain in power - particularly those that claim to have God/Allah on their side. The ruling government in Iran has shown itself to be nothing less than utterly evil and I truly hope that all of this nightmare results in its overthrow and prosecution of those ordering the murders of protesters. Given the brutality being visited on unarmed protesters, I cannot believe any higher power/being would condone such viciousness despite what the demagogues are claiming
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The second reason is to be reminded that these Iranian protesters are the people that Bush/Cheney and their largely Christianist base wanted to bomb and annihilate. The protesters are showing that despite their different culture, they want democracy. Moreover they proving themselves much more willing to risk their lives and die for democracy than many of the falsely pious and self-satisfied haters in this country who look down upon everyone who doesn't look just like them and hold the same religious beliefs.
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Yes, watching the brutality and cruelty is heart wrenching, but in truth every American should be required to watch some of it and learn that people are people be they Christian, Jews, Hindu, or Muslim. Hatred and division based on religion are among the greatest evils in the world. And it's telling that those who claim to be the most religious and pios are the ones most filled with hate and judgment of others.
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