Dear Honorable Senator Obama:
Due to your common-sense and logical disposition on many national and international issues, I have taken the liberty of writing you this letter as a friend and concerned citizen. As an American–Iranian and journalist, I see too many similarities between the current United States and Iran’s governments and very few differences. But, as usual, we tend to focus on our differences but not on our similarities.
Throughout my life in Iran and America, I have witnessed many important events in the late 20th century and early 21st century.
In Iran, I witnessed:
· Firsthand experience of Islamic Revolution, when I was a sophomore student in the journalism school;
· How the Islamic Revolution changed Iranians’ life and Iran while I was working as a journalist in Iran for more than 15 years;
· The Saddam Hussein’s war against Iran which lasted for 8 years and I was in the battleground for its first 2 years;
· How conservatives used the war as a pretext to limit the people’s rights and freedoms;
· The Reform Movement in Iran and how a moderate candidate (Mohammad Khatami) injected some hope into the society and brought many first time voters to the polls; and
· How conservatives defeated the reform movement and finally were successful in consolidating their political power.
In the US, I witnessed:
· Mr. George W. Bush becoming President of the United States — only 10 days after I arrived in the US as a permanent residence;
· The tragic terrorist attacks of the September 11, 2001, the largest terrorist attack in the history (after having lived in the US for only 20 months);
· The tragic Iraq war and saw clearly how the Neoconservatives mislead the Americans;
· How the September 11th attacks changed America and its widely envied Constitutional freedoms;
· How the war and national security were used as pretexts, by government, to limit the freedoms and rights of Americans.
· How a country with less than three centuries of history and a shameful record of slavery, is preparing itself to have the first elected African-American President in the White House;
· How, as a candidate, you have injected hope and new energy into the American’s life; and
· How conservatives and neoconservatives aggressively try to stop you in order to consolidate their political power in Washington.
Dear Senator Obama,
· Your views and your campaign remind me of the former president of Iran, Mr. Khatami. He was running against the conservatives, as you are today.
· He was under pressure by the established and corrupt politicians as you are today.
· He was running his campaign based on a very hopeful (and for some, harmful) message of “Change and Reform” as you are doing today.
· He was too good to be a part of the highly entrenched conservative government, as you are today.
· In Iran, Conservatives did whatever they could to derail and discredit him and I see that the American conservative faction is doing the same to you today.
Dear Senator Obama,
· You have become the symbol of “Hope and Change” for most Americans, including the youth, elderly, Black, White, Jews, Christians, Muslims, Immigrants, and others.
· I think you are going to win this election and that’s why I have some concerns. Although The Reform movement in Iran gave Iranians a “taste of freedom,” but once in power, they failed to deliver the promises that they had made. Hence, they lost people’s trust. I am afraid, this could happen here too!
· As you know, many analysts in the US and Iran have been saying that George W. Bush and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad are very similar, in terms of political policies, worldviews, and religiosity. I agree with them, but the good news is that there are many similarities between you and Mr. Khatami as well.
· I know you have too many advisors that can tell you or already have been telling you this and that, but I feel obliged to share my concerns with you as a friend and supporter—I really want you to succeed!
· In my view, if you win the election and then fail to deliver your promises, there is a high chance to see people’s hope and wishes for “Change and Reform” will vanish—similar to what happened in Iran.
Dear Senator Obama,
· You‘ve said in the past that you would talk to the Iranian president. There is no better time to break the ice between the US and Iran than during your term in the White House. Nearly 30 years of useless animosity between the two countries is enough! It’s advantageous to both countries to establish a constructive dialogue and resolve their differences.
· Today, we are witnessing that “The Rise of the Rest” will culminate in a New World Order.
· The disastrous state of world affairs and failed policies (political and economic) should force us to revise our old policies and perceptions, vis-a-vi the Middle East and beyond. The combination of the new realities on the ground, Iran’s request for direct talk with the US, and your position on foreign policy issues, require major changes in Washington’s tone towards Iran.
· To support my suggestions, I would like to use three points based on Fareed Zakaria’s excellent article (The future of American power) in May/June 2008 issue of the Foreign Affairs magazine:
1. Americans often talk about the appeal of their culture and ideas, but “soft power” really began with Britain.
2. We are now living through the third great power shift of the modern era–the rise of the rest.
3. The U.S. Political system has lost the ability to accept some pain now for great gain later on…A can-do country is now saddled with a do-nothing political process, designed for partisan battle rather than problem solving.
Finally, I believe bringing change to Washington policies toward Iran is impossible without making fundamental changes in the Voice of America’s mission and function.
You see, the British seem to understand the value of the “Soft Power” and know how to use it. They changed the BBC functions from a “Propaganda Machine” to a “Professional News Organization” with a high level of credibility as a fair source of news and information. The US government seems to still adhere to the outmoded 19th century mindset about the media’s role in global affairs. From its very beginning, VOA has remained a part of the US government propaganda machinery, while the British government has pursued a hands-off policy regarding BBC.
If we believe in the freedom as the fundamental value of our global society, we should accept some pain now by changing the VOA’s functions. I am sure you and your running mate, Senator Joe Biden, will make the world a better place by changing the way US perceives and deals with “others” around the world. Your desire to change America’s global perception, likewise, is another crucial issue that requires careful thinking and planning. Your stance, along with Senator Biden’s long experience in foreign affairs and his approach toward Iran, is a sufficient reason for me to cast my vote for you, hoping that we will have a better tomorrow for all Americans and all peoples around the world.
Best wishes,
Farid Adib
