Barack Hussein Obama has "proven the impossible," or so the saying goes among people who just two weeks ago were swearing up and down that "America will never elect a black man President."
Within foreign policy circles, the conventional wisdom of all the pundits is that people in the Middle East are so racist, or have such a low perception of the American people, that they will be "shocked and awed" by the selection of a black man to the point of capitulation and cooperation with America.
That is wishful thinking for the most part.
I don't think the race issue is or has ever been nearly as extraordinary a factor with the developing world as it is with the developed one. For decades now the rest of the world has seen many diverse faces representing America. From Michael Jordan and Olympic athletes, to American movie stars, to soldiers serving on the ground in Afghanistan and Iraq, to congressmen, secretaries of State and supreme court justices, the world knows about African Americans and their issues in America. To a teenage Iranian who has grown seeing these faces of America, Obama's election probably isn't that big a surprise.
It is mostly the Americans who surprised themselves, along with immigrant communities of all sorts who live in America. This is an unforgettable lesson for the established Iranian-American community, many of whom go to extraordinary lengths to present themselves as ordinary "white", "secular" and "modern" Americans having little in common with rural religious villagers back home. For years they thought that if they just adopt the "white" mannerism and white culture, (and implicity "white" friends, "white" attitudes and "white" skin itself) they can get ahead in life (like they did under the shah) partly because this was a white country.
This explains much of the generational clash among the Iranian diaspora, as well as "recent immigrant"/"established citizen" differences in attitudes and outlook in life and foreign policy.
Therefore, it is a mistake, in my opinion, to try to reduce Obama's achievement to a racial milestone that will have far reaching consequences internationally. President Obama will have an extraordinary opportunity to restore America's prestige and work toward peace in the world. But this is due to the rejection of Bush's policies, a party change in the White House and Obama's stated position on the Iraq war.
If America wants to win Iranian hearts and minds, they have to emphasize Obama's humble origins, not just his skin color. Personal achievement, pulling oneself up from modest economic means and championing the dispossessed have always been rewarded by the Iranian people (living in Iran). Those who are tempted to think that such values have died along with the Ayatollah Khomeini need only look at Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
I saw first hand that in a competitive field of eight candidates who ran for Iranian presidency in 2005, Ahmadinejad was alone in presenting himself as humble, down to earth champion of the poor, while the rest of the candidates were tripping over themselves with pandering, flashy signs and sex appeal. A humble person knows how to instill pride and respect to people, a necessary ingredient to any cooperation.
These are the aspects of Barak Obama that make him attractive to Iranian populace and these are where he would get any authority to influence them should he choose to take America's policy toward Iran in a different direction.
Obama has already made extraordinary but logical statements. Saying he would sit down with Iranian leaders, for example may have played into the hands of the (now fringe) far-right wing during the elections, but it was probably a winner with the Iranian people. Here we have an admission by a major American candidate that Iranians are worthy of having direct and respectful discussions with.
According to the (now fringe) Iranian-American reactionaries and their like-minded neoconservative allies, it would be a mistake to "validate" the Iranian regime through the act of sitting down with them. But what these groups never realized was that quite apart from Iranian issues with their own government, their national pride demanded that they be treated seriously and equally in the international arena.
Another important clue to the change Obama will bring is his declaration on the night he won the election: "To those who seek peace and security: We support you." A simple logical sentence, that if followed with respect to Iran would simultaneously defend America's interests and validates Iranian need for security. It is in a nutshell a bargain (not necessarily "grand").
While this rhetoric is encouraging, the real decisions lie ahead. These are the decisions to be taken in 2009 which would be translated to change of facts on ground. These are decisions that will determine if America is truly moving away from Bush's destructive foreign policy, or simply continuing them under a different paradigm.
We shall wait and see.
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AW
by Kaveh Nouraee on Tue Nov 11, 2008 02:52 PM PSTI already said I respect Obama. Didn't you see?
You must be driving solo in the carpool lane again, too busy looking out for Erik Estrada and missed it. :)
Rush
by American Wife on Tue Nov 11, 2008 02:38 PM PSTain't MY buddy! What an ugly thing to say...:-)
Let's make a deal. Ok? If, say in six months, Obama (on BEHALF OF the Democratic party) gains some respect from yourself, will you be nice and maybe even say... congratulations for selecting the right guy???
If on the other hand, he hugely fornicates up... I'll concede that he's no different than McCain or Bush or another other politician.
Until then... you might be thinking about going Independent... I don't think the GOP is going to survive...:-0
:-X
by Kaveh Nouraee on Tue Nov 11, 2008 02:26 PM PSTThere, I've reprimanded myself.
(Now, does that mean I'll grow hair on my palms?)
I won't deny that GWB has been a total idiot on some things. And yes, his presidential news conferences sound like a scene out of "Deliverance".
And even your buddy Rush Limbaugh (and his oxycontin-laced hemorrhoidal teesoos) has said that the GOP is in shambles, a wreck and so on.
But as a country we're all going to continue to be jerked off, except that it is the other hand doing it.
I respect Obama. It's the Democratic Party that makes me sick.
IRANdokht
by Kaveh Nouraee on Tue Nov 11, 2008 02:14 PM PSTI accepted both the popular and the electoral vote last Tuesday. It's a great system.
Considering how you are so adamant about fighting the results of the Prop 8 vote, you might want to consider taking some of your own advice, and accept the two popular votes on that issue. :)
What!!!!
by American Wife on Tue Nov 11, 2008 02:02 PM PSTWHAT!
Listen... we're just as vocal and opinionated as you are. Always right? Hardly. I've been wrong before. I can't remember the exact circumstances but I'm sure I have been! :-)
So... calm down. I'm going to be pissed off if you don't get reprimanded!!! How unfair. I bet it's because I'm a woman. Right? You can cuss but I can't... how Republican!
JUST KIDDING. God... you'll probably go off the deep end on that one. Or hopefully, laugh it off and agree to disagree.
But... I can't leave without saying this. And Kaveh, knowing you to be as intelligent as you are, you can't deny this. You have to know or to admit that the past 8 years have been criminal on some issues. The abuses that Bush and Cheney have forced on the American people are facts, not suppositions. You know, even if you don't agree, that prior elections have been, shall we say, questionable in their results.
Don't hate the messenger. The news is full of it... from MSNBC to FOX... the Republican party is almost defunct. It's unraveling at both ends. It's a pathetic shadow of it's former (and legitimate) self. I have respect for another party. I have zero respect for Bush and Cheney.
Kaveh
by IRANdokht on Tue Nov 11, 2008 01:24 PM PSTThe landslide victory of the "other party" proved that American lady's statement is actually correct.
I think you, of all people, should accept the popular vote on that issue.
;-)
IRANdokht
AW
by Kaveh Nouraee on Tue Nov 11, 2008 01:09 PM PST"The integrity of the system HAS been violated by the Republican party over the past 8 years"
I know that there is nothing in the world that can possibly convince liberals that the slightest possibilty exists that thay are not always right, but that statement is just plain unadulterated bullshit.
Bijan
by American Wife on Tue Nov 11, 2008 12:26 PM PSTI rather think that that is entirely the point. The integrity of the system HAS been violated by the Republican party over the past 8 years. If anyone, including yourself, has to put a disclaimer before every comment stating that these are their opinions only and not intended to be statement of facts, it's going to get rather lengthy. It's not arrogance to state your strong opposition or support for a candidate or an idea.
I'm not sure if you were referring to me or not, but I've never called anybody anything... and certainly not yourself a "loyalist".
We continue to respectfully agree and/or disagree! :-)
peace out!
Dear Q
by ebi amirhosseini on Sun Nov 09, 2008 02:52 PM PSTWell written article.
sepaas
Recap of 2008 election
by News reporter (not verified) on Sun Nov 09, 2008 09:04 AM PST//www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica...
Exit stage right. We can now bid a not-so-fond farewell to an entire supporting cast of chumps, crooks, liars and scoundrels, as well as to the ideologies, philosophies and rightwing pathologies that animated them. They all became instantly obsolete the moment the sun rose on Wednesday morning.
Dear AW
by Bijan A M on Sat Nov 08, 2008 09:23 AM PSTMy point is not about what I think or what my bias or anyone else’s bias is. The point is if I concede that without a doubt the rule of law has been broken and the constitution of this land has been violated, then I have undermined the integrity of the system that I believe in. This is going back to the basics. I will forgo my bias and give the system the benefit of the doubt to protect its integrity.
I believe in the principle that “you are innocent till proven guilty without a shadow of a doubt”. I can have opinion about guilt or innocence, but opinions are not facts.
Call me naïve, ordinary layman but please don’t label me as a loyalist because of my viewpoint.
With respect, as always.
well, lets see
by American Wife on Sat Nov 08, 2008 12:34 AM PSTOne of the arguments seems to be that an individual has a biased opinion regarding the prior elections. Let's discuss that. I ask you for your honest opinion. Do you consider those elections straight up? Fair and square? Best man won? You're saying there was no cheating, fixing, or rigging? The follow up to that answer will definitely decide in what, if any, direction this debate can go. You gotta deal with the basics first...:-)
Ms. Irandokht
by Bijan A M on Fri Nov 07, 2008 09:26 PM PSTYou may know a lot, but when it comes to economics and financial matters it seems that you are out of your league. So, please refrain from using sound-bites that you will be uncomfortable defending them.
You can criticize or even demonize the Bush administration all you want. That’s your right. It is also clear that millions of other Americans share your sentiments.
However, you have repeatedly made statements about election of republican presidents that undermines the rule of law and democracy of the United States. I’m glad that the election is over and you don’t have any grievance over the outcome. But, to have the attitude that only your choice is the right choice and anyone who disagrees is wrong, lacks intelligence or belongs to a sub-human group, etc…is arrogance.
If you don’t get it your way, then there must be some cheating or stealing, because you are always right. That’s arrogance. To call an election “rigged” if it doesn’t come out your way, that’s arrogance. To look down at those who don’t agree with you, is being elitist. This was the jest of my earlier comment.
Please, don’t let your passionate dislike (or hate) of Bush’s administration blind your judgment.
For your information, I have no loyalty to any group or party and my post is not to defend or condemn any administration. It is just a matter of principle. I didn’t vote Obama, but that doesn’t make me republican loyalist. I voted Al Gore and John Kerry but never called the elections rigged. 9/11 changed my perspective and I think millions of other people. So, please have the courtesy to respect other perspectives.
Sincerely,
Bijan
Jamshid,
by Rosie (not verified) on Fri Nov 07, 2008 07:58 PM PSTrjgoldbird@aol.com
arrogance?
by IRANdokht on Fri Nov 07, 2008 07:53 PM PSTNow the democrats are arrogant? The "decider" is not? The "if you're not with us you're against us" was the democrats' motto? am I missing something? Preemptive wars are not a sign of arrogance especially based on lies? $700 billions of tax payer money going to rescue the corprotations and banks who use it to pay their shareholders dividents is not arrogant?
For the life of me I cannot understand this brand of total loyalty to the ones who destroyed this country in every which way possible! In October alone a quarter of a million people lost their jobs, the economy is down the toilet and getting worse every day, America's prestige in the world is so damaged that it takes a lot of diplomacy to start reviving it.
How much longer do we have to listen to this nonsense and buy the false pretenses of patriotism and prosperity when we can see the destruction in our every day lives?
The blind hate is getting absurd. Give it up!
IRANdokht
Don't wory about Virginia! (to Jamshid)
by Anonym7 (not verified) on Fri Nov 07, 2008 07:07 PM PSTJamshid, as we say in Persian "az in sotoon be on sotoon faraj ast". Even a temporary setback for the reactionary right is very welcome ... may the world have a long break from these disasters (Bushes, and Mccains) however.
Rosie
by jamshid on Fri Nov 07, 2008 03:10 PM PSTDear Rosie,
You seem to be happy you got Virigina and soon even Alabama! My dear, in a couple of years you'd be worrying about loosing New York AND California too!
Like you said, wait and see!
Wrong again, Lefty
by Kaveh Nouraee on Fri Nov 07, 2008 02:13 PM PSTThe Democratic Party is all about arrogance and elitism. It has been their business model for quite some time. Clinton (both of them), Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, just name a few.
But, at this moment, nothing is surpassing the arrogance you display in your last post. (Well, maybe your ignorance.)
Now you are resorting to manufacturing statements and misattributing them! What was said is "Over time it's going to be important for nations to know they will be held accountable for inactivity," he said. "You're either with us or against us in the fight against terror." -GWB
Who is "they"?, Lefty?
Where did the rest of that statement of yours originate, other than your imagination?
And after seeing your spelling and grammatical errors, I'm wondering how you would fare against a third grader.
Beejan
by Lafty Lap poodle (not verified) on Fri Nov 07, 2008 11:50 AM PST"There has to be a limit to arrogance and elitisism
…. "Again and again you attribute neocon's traits to others from Mars or people like Obama. Being arrogance and an elitist is what neocons started with Bush's first term and confirmed it in his 2nd term when they wanted to force their ways on others. When they said you are either with us or against us and even if you are with us since you don't look like us or don't live like us you're nothing and deserve our wrath.
Now here you are regurtitating a word you learned that did not stick to Obama and want to show us that you're still not smarter than a 5th grader ;-)
Blue haired...
by Bijan A M on Fri Nov 07, 2008 11:13 AM PSTTake a break…..Election is over….Your man is now the president and you don’t have to defend him any more. Congratulations. You scream like you have more pleasure from this election than being in bed with Alex Trebek..!!!!
You can’t just talk people out of their fears (uncertainities) about what is to come with a liberal congress, Liberal senate and the possibility of an ultra-liberal supreme court.
Lady, as I posted in my other note, “reading more, does not automatically give you the right to be self-righteous”. Then, quit this nonsense that “this democracy has been hijacked every time a non-democrat (liberal) is elected. There has to be a limit to arrogance and elitisism….
For those of us who love democracy and the constitution that this land was built on, the future remains foggy. I respect my new president but continue to question his integrity. Only time will bring out the truth. I, with all my heart, hope that I am wrong.
Now, would you please quit the propaganda….. It’s not needed…..Can you get a grip?
My final post, to Jamshid...As an American born and raised here.
by rosie's last stand (not verified) on Fri Nov 07, 2008 11:11 AM PSTwww.youtube.com/watch?v=h4ZyuULy9zs
Well, I said I came here to celebrate and now to e-mail me (rjgoldbird@aol.com ) but as usual I can't stand to leave a post directly addressed to me unanswered so I'll answer you here Jamshid...
My friend, there wasn't much in my posts to agree to disagree about. This thread is about Iran but I spoke as an American born and raised in the US, I spoke of blacks and whites hugging each other for dear life in my neighborhood in New York. It happened. I spoke of Freedman's account of a Chinese woman ASTONISHED that a black man could be elected to the Presidency. Freedman told the tale. These things can't be disagreed with.
So the only thing I think we may disagree on is that I said that O was a better candidate than Mac. This seems clear to me but I think not as clear to you, so please e-mail me and let's move the discussion there. I'm very happy that some of my friendships from this website including yours have continued off-site
Jamshid I said O's acceptance speech was diplomatic and I think this can hardly be disagreed with. He didn't state one single country or specific agenda. And, as I said on Khar's blog, just like you--we'll see.
But what you have to understand is HOW MUCh the election of a black man means to many of us WHITES born and raised here, on the profoundest level (to many "Iranicans" of course). I didn't vote for Obama because he's black and I wouldn't have voted for Powell after the Gulf War had he run. Nonetheless one hundred fifty years after the Civil War....the color line still exists but it's a beginning. A cursory look at the electoral map reveals a house still divided (Abraham Lincoln's quote) by region along the historical color line (south, heartland and northwest going to McCain) and the popular vote was BY NO MEANS A LANDSLIDE. And I'm certain race was a large factor.
But "we" got Virginia and it means SO much to us. We hope soon we'll get Alabama too.
We'll see.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnGldf0gt-E
Take care, all. I miss you,
Rosie
Jamshid
by Mammad on Fri Nov 07, 2008 08:25 AM PSTWhat is your evidence, or what are your reasons, for Obama being the second coming of Jimmy Carter?
Mammad
"Islamic Regime in Iran is
by Kablammad (not verified) on Fri Nov 07, 2008 06:51 AM PST"Islamic Regime in Iran is the problem of us Iranians not Reagan, Bush, Clinton or Obama !"
This is the new segment to our program where we ask REALLY??!
You are so wrong my friend! Just like you think Iranians YES WE CAN!
What do you think would have happened if Reagan, Bush (both of them) and Clinton had left Iran all alone and no sanctions or nothing? You think they have not lifted a finger on Iran? You think it is 100% Iran on it's own? WhoTF started the Iran-Iraq war and with whose support and who supported Iraq throughout the war?
It doesn't matter really. It is like singing Yasin to a mule. Iranians YES WE CAN!!
It seems like no one wants to hear the truth
by behmanchea on Fri Nov 07, 2008 05:48 AM PSTAgain, Excuse me but
It seems like no one wants to hear the truth…
You are delusional if you think one man (Obama) can change an empire
The empire will do what empires do …
The Truth is that USA is beyond help.
I will not say any more but instead point you to 2 recent (event) in the news and you be the judge … What the future holds for USA
News from Mainstream, about Main Street and Wall Street…
//www.comcast.net/articles/news-national/2008...
//www.thestranger.com/seattle/SavageLove?oid=...
IR BAYAD BERAVAD
by David ET on Fri Nov 07, 2008 04:49 AM PSTDear Q,
Obama or not, the problem of US -Iran relationship primarily lies in Tehran and not Washington.
Islamic Regime in Iran is the problem of us Iranians not Reagan, Bush, Clinton or Obama !
Although US policies has had many flaws in the past 30 years too but the true cause of the US-Iran relationship after the revolution has been the Islamic Republic.
It was and still is to the best PERSONAL interest of Mullahs to maintain muddy waters with US and ISRAEL , in order to maintain their regime .
It is to the benefit of IR to keep the Iranian public distracted away the internal issues.
In the past 30 years there ahs been 10's of missed opportunities that was presented by US and denied by Mullahs.
US is a natural partner of Iran that has been intentionally ignored by Mullahs In return Mullahs have put their personal self interest, their extremists view of Islam (for some) and interests of terrorist groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah above the national interests of Iranians.
Dear Q,
Obama or not, the problem of US -Iran relationship primarily lies in Tehran and not Washington.
Islamic Regime in Iran is the problem of us Iranians not Reagan, Bush, Clinton or Obama !
Although US policies has had many flaws in the past 30 years too but the true cause of the US-Iran relationship after the revolution has been the Islamic Republic.
It was and still is to the best PERSONAL interest of Mullahs to maintain muddy waters with US and ISRAEL , in order to maintain their regime .
It is to the benefit of IR to keep the Iranian public distracted away the internal issues.
In the past 30 years there ahs been 10's of missed opportunities that was presented by US and denied by Mullahs.
In the matter of US-Iran relationships , Mullahs have put their personal self interest, their extremists view of Islam (for some) and interests of terrorist groups such as Hamas and (Iran made) Hezbollah, etc... above the national interests of Iran and Iranians.
Islamic regime of mullahs must go and YES IRANIANS CAN TOO: //iranian.com/main/blog/david-et/yes-iran...
Bijan - again - did you ever study the citizenship test?
by I Have a Crush on Alex Trebek on Thu Nov 06, 2008 09:59 PM PSTSeriously man, do you know how the government works? If Obama was the anti-christ constitution shredder you fear him to be thanks to your car talk pals Rush Limbaugh etc...there are forces to stop him.
I know why you're scared though. George Bush used the constitution for toilet paper on several occasions and no Republicans like you cried foul. Get real! GET A GRIP.
Rahm Emmanuel is not president
by I Have a Crush on Alex Trebek on Thu Nov 06, 2008 09:57 PM PSTGet that straight. Rahm is a GENIUS at Democratic strategy. Stop making such a big deal. Obama is not a peanut farmer Carter and he's not about to lose anything to a hot tempered Emmanuel.
I love how all of a sudden all these Iranians are political analysts. Let him be president at least then start your boloney machines.
Re: Rosie
by jamshid on Thu Nov 06, 2008 08:40 PM PSTDear Rosie,
I think we can agree to disagree on your comment. However, I believe that in a couple of years we'll both be agreeing on my comments. As everyone else is saying in this blog, we shall wait and see.
Obama is no Clinton, he is more of a Carter the second. The next step is to watch what people he will select for his administration. That would predict many things.
Q jan khasteh nabshid!
by Salamati (not verified) on Thu Nov 06, 2008 07:41 PM PSTIf you had any part in this, Thank you! Thank NIAC and everyone else for your work against the war and bringing down this failed administration. You have saved Iran from BOMB BOMB McCain.
Mr Emanel was a volunteer in Israeli army during the first Persi
by Fazel (not verified) on Thu Nov 06, 2008 07:05 PM PSTan Gulf war. He was guarding Israel border with Lebonon although Lebonon was occupied by Israel. We all know about Mr Obama's father, how about Mr Rahm Emanuel's father. Emanuel's father was apparently in the Irgun, the Zionist movement that used terrorist methods to blow up the King David Hotel in '46 and expel all the Palestinians from Jaffa, and that played a role in the massacre at Deir Yassin.
As for the son, he co-sponsored a Bill defending Israel against a world court advisory opinion in 2004 criticising the route of the military's separation barrier for cutting deep into the West Bank.