We Had a Democracy Once, But You Crushed It

[Rhiannon12866]

In Thursday's Washington Post, Condoleeza Rice, the President's National Security Advisor, writes the following:

"Our task is to work with those in the Middle East who seek progress toward greater democracy, tolerance, prosperity and freedom. As President Bush said in February, ‘The world has a clear interest in the spread of democratic values, because stable and free nations do not breed ideologies of murder. They encourage the peaceful pursuit of a better life.'"

Now, if we only had a nickel for every time Bush, or Rice, or Colin Powell, or Paul Wolfowitz or Dick Cheney or Richard Perle or Donald Rumsfeld talked about bringing democracy to the Middle East.

Talk, talk, talk.

Here's something you can bet on: Rumsfeld and Wolfowitz will not hold a press conference this month to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the U.S.-led coup of the democratically elected leader of Iran -- Mohammed Mossadegh.

Rice and Powell won't hold a press conference to celebrate Operation Ajax, the CIA plot that overthrew the Mossadegh.

That was 50 years ago this month, in August 1953.

http://www.commondreams.org/views03/0810-06.htm


I thought this article was an important one because I had only been vaguely aware of the history of U.S. involvement in Iran. Iran was a democracy until a U.S.-led coup crushed it and installed the brutal Shah. The Islamic revolution began as a reaction to this repressive regime. This article chronicles the shameful events surrounding all of this. It made me angry enough that I wanted to share it.:mad:

The history of Iran that I am familiar with involves the taking of U.S. hostages and the Iran-Contra scandal, events I watched unfold. Given the U.S. government's penchant for ``regime change,'' this is hardly surprising, but it speaks to the blatant hypocrisy of the current administration when they say that they want to ``bring democracy'' to Iran, as well.:grr:

They are once again headed that way and just may make it, if the U.S. can be persuaded not to interfere. Again. Thoughts?:shrug:

on edit: added quotation marks

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

1. One can only imagine what the middle east might be today but

for that event. Thanks for posting this.

[Rhiannon12866]

3. I know! It took my breath away

And made me unspeakably sad for all the people on this region forced to live under repressive regimes because of U.S. interference.;(

You're welcome! :hi:

[Old and In the Way]

2. Thanks for posting......

Similar to my thoughts about what our country would be like if Kennedy(s) hadn't been murdered.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

4. Welcome home young man!

:hi: missed ya!

[Rhiannon12866]

6. Interesting analogy

I hadn't thought of that, but it does resonate with me. I'd also add Martin Luther King Jr. to that list.

You're welcome and yes, it's great to see you!:D

[Terwilliger]

5. No no no

We have decided that Iran is a threat to our way of life, and because they're in bed with Stalin, we have to work to secure "our vital interests" in the region.

:nuke: