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April 17, 2007
News Flash: Freedom of Speech Matters After All
So, I had this crazy idea ...
I was emailing an Iranian friend and I said ...
| Why don't we start up a site where American and Iranian citizens can both sign a statement saying, "we respect each other as humans, we don't want to make each other suffer, and don't support any provocative moves from our respective governments that will lead to war." |
Simplistic ... yes. But doesn't this message need to be heard?
Crazy-wide-eye-optimist that I am, I think we can solve our differences without blowing each other up.
(And, no this doesn't make me a member of the "far left" or the "isolationist right." It just makes me someone who respects life.)
Despite the demonization of the enemy du jour in the media, I'm pretty sure the average Iranian wants what we want.
Or so I'd like to prove.
But maybe I won't get that chance ...
My friend replied that they were afraid that if the effort were to spread, the creator of such a site could be in danger.
| You can't believe how many people have been imprisoned, disappeared, or murdered for standing against the government here. |
Well, say what you will about my United States, but the existence of the blog post you're reading tells me that at least in this moment in time I can speak my mind here without being "disappeared."
"You see! Let's take those evil bastards to war!"
Holster your weapon, soldier.
Listen up ...
Now, I'm no fan of the human rights record of the current government of Iran (or of the US-installed government that preceded it, for that matter), but perhaps it's not as simple as we may think if we take into consideration ...
1. There are approximately 25,000 Jews living in relative peace and freedom in Iran (ref 1 and 2) and they hold a seat on the Iranian Parliament. (The Zoroastrians, the world's oldest monotheist religion from which the Judeo-Christian mythos borrows much, are still alive and well in Iran as well - and also hold a seat in Iranian Parliament.)
2. There are two countries currently under Theocratic rule that already have nuclear weapons. (Can you name them?)
3. Like every country, the government of Iran does not necessarily represent the heart of the people. Should the people be punished for the transgressions of their government?
4. Governments are constantly evolving entities.
5. Governments come and go, but the peoples they are meant to serve live on ...