Iran it’s your choice

Bloggers Unite has asked us to speak out for Iranian freedom. My response is that Iranians must decide for themselves and act to achieve those ends. I can only repeat what I have heard and there is simply no way for me to validate the actual conditions or popular thought among the Iranians. I can say that the control of information is suspicious and the Iranian government looks as if it’s hiding something when it forces foreign news out of the country.

Don’t mistake my caution for lack of compassion. I believe in the right of self determination but I also believe that we cannot effectively judge the will of a people. I am concerned about the long term implications of our good-will. The Iranians are a proud people; they are among the earliest civilizations and have a rich heritage. The cultural ideals cherished by many Iranians are difficult for those outside of Islam to understand. A wholly secular government or a law that is removed from Islam is likewise hard for many Iranians to comprehend as good and right. But let me suggest this: how do Americans feel about the French or the Japanese trying to decide for us the president of the United States?

Our support may serve partial utility but it will come with resentment. My support is for the “right of self determination” but it is with the recognition that it is not our right to enforce it. I am not speaking against our inclination to do good or support those who feel oppressed. On the contrary I believe I am facilitating greater respect for Iranians as a whole. I believe a basic national and cultural respect will serve those fighting for liberalization more so than our unconditional support for any singular faction or movement.

Rather than serve as a force of polarization I would advocate no party or person but those basic rights all humans should have.