"The Inertia Option"
New York Times / Roger Cohen
20-Dec-2009 (4 comments)

by Roger Cohen Op Ed Columnist NY Times Dec 17, 2009

The main difference between Moscow 1989 and Tehran 2009 is that the Islamic Republic is still ready to open fire. The main similarities are obvious: tired ideologies; regimes and societies marching in opposite directions; and spreading dissent both within the power apparatus and among the opposition.

Yes, the Islamic Republic has not arrived at a Gorbachevian renunciation of force. It is not yet open to compromise, despite calls for moderation from prominent clerics and now, it seems, from some senior army officers. It is still, in the words of the opposition leader Mir Hussein Moussavi, sending its Revolutionary Guards and Basiji militia to chase “shadows in the street.”

I don’t know how long this situation can endure. Anyone who claims to be able to tell the Iranian future is lying. But it seems clear that the “political clock” has now outpaced the “nuclear clock.”

Iran has been messing around with a nuclear program for some four decades. Pakistan went from zero to a bomb in about a quarter that time. Setting aside the still debatable objective of this Iranian endeavor (nuclear ambiguity or an actual device?), it’s not in the midst of the current political turmoil that Tehran is going to break out of its back-and-forth tinkering. Inertia is always strong in Iran ’s many-headed system. Right now it’s stronger than ever — hence the risible, blustery confusion ov... >>>

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Brian Appleton

Something to think about?

by Brian Appleton on Sun Dec 20, 2009 03:55 PM PST

I am reminded of a few months ago when I ventured an opinion on Facebook to some Pro Lifers who were imposing their views on us. I mentioned very briefly that quality of life was as important as right to life...for that I was treated to a barrage of accusations of being a Nazi and a seriel murderer.

 What concerns me is that when public debate descends to the level of name calling, accusations and outright lies that many people with differing opinions will not want to be subjected to this kind of hazing and will not voice their opinions.This is not conjecture on my part as I am aware of several people who were once regular contributers to Iranian.com who have stopped for this very reason. I have already received hate email at my personal email address as a result of the articles I wrote and yes I removed them mainly to shield my friends from attack... Whether my critics are willing to admit it or not they are engaging in a form of bullying which is in fact obstructing and interfering de facto in Freedom of Speech. It is a disturbing trend which I have seen on the rise throughout the internet. It has become a great refuge for bullies and trolls.  So my critics go ahead and criticize me if that brings you some joy but please be careful, you are beginning to resemble your enemies... Don't worry I will never be as good a fighter as a lover...you win!

 Happy Shab e Yalda, Happy Hanukah and Merry Christmas!

 


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KB

Unlike some "BOZDELS" Roger C was in Iran.

by KB on Sun Dec 20, 2009 03:28 PM PST

Unlike some coward who speaks/writes with forked tongue here (and is worried about revealing his identity), Roger Cohen was in iran last June and witnessed things first hand, and reported on it well aware of the danger that he may be in. So he has a lot more credibility that you ever will.

There is no need to attack Cohen because he disagrees with your warped agenda mate. The article makes an important and a valid point which you clearly missed in your haste to shoot him down.

 

 

 


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Fred

Wrong example, again!

by Fred on Sun Dec 20, 2009 01:18 PM PST

Wrong example as in the blog which was deleted by its author, Roger is as clueless as they come, here in his own words:

June 14,

 “I’ve also argued that, although repressive, the Islamic Republic offers significant margins of freedom by regional standards,”

June 23,

“I erred in underestimating the brutality and cynicism of a regime that understands the uses of ruthlessness.”

“Whatever happens now all is changed in Iran. Opacity, a numbing force, has yielded to a transparency in which one side confronts another."

 

And now he is back to the gibberish in his latest article. Howard Baskerville he aint. Baskerville joined Iranians in their fight agains their oppressors, folks like clueless Roge, the conjoined twin lobbies and their followers advocate leaving Iranians to themselves to fight it out alone against a cutthroat Islamist Rapist regime.  


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vildemose

I love Roger Cohen. You're

by vildemose on Sun Dec 20, 2009 01:31 PM PST

I love Roger Cohen. You're no Roger Cohen nor is Q, your hard-core Ahamdinejad supporter buddy.


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