More Proof
December 21st 2006 12:20
This was sent to me by my friend, Youranter. It's good to hear a voice other than my own speaking out.
National Post
Published: Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Last week, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad made headlines by hosting an international conference devoted to Holocaust denial. Countless politicians and pundits in the West attacked Mr. Ahmadinejad for this latest expression of radicalism and hatred. But Mr. Ahmadinejad doesn't care what we think. He is a populist whose stunts are aimed at a domestic audience. By posturing against the United States, Israel and Western civilization in general, the President has wagered, he can make Iranians forget the unemployment, corruption, stagnation and theocratic repression besetting their nation. But with local elections winding down across the country, there is evidence that Iranians aren't as easily duped as Mr. Ahmadinejad thinks. Early results suggest candidates aligned with Mr. Ahmadinejad did not fare well in many races. In a number of key cities, the President's hardline allies apparently were unable to win even a single seat. Of course, the results mean little in regard to actual political decisions in Iran. The country's "Supreme Leader," Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, ultimately dictates the nation's policies. But the mullahs know they cannot ignore the will of the people entirely. As their own Islamist movement demonstrated in 1979, when followers of Ayatollah Khamenei forced the Shah from power, no autocracy lasts forever. For all their pretensions of divine guidance, Ayatollah Ali Khomeini and his ruling clique of Shiite clerics have remained in power by maintaining a delicate balance: enforcing the forms of an Islamist state in the public sphere, but permitting citizens to drink alcohol, watch satellite television, blog and otherwise behave like infidels in their private lives. Mr. Ahmadinejad has destroyed that balance, shutting down reformist newspapers and persecuting Iranians deemed insufficiently pious. He has also pursued a reckless foreign policy, calling for Israel's destruction as he simultaneously insists that his country's nuclear program has only peaceful uses. Many Iranians no doubt share their President's hatred of Israel. But a majority likely question whether prosecuting this hatred is worth turning their nation into an international pariah. Years from now, we may look back at these days as the beginning of the end for Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and the beginning of a movement toward reform in Iran. If so, the President's setback this week would be a great victory for peace.
National Post
Published: Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Last week, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad made headlines by hosting an international conference devoted to Holocaust denial. Countless politicians and pundits in the West attacked Mr. Ahmadinejad for this latest expression of radicalism and hatred. But Mr. Ahmadinejad doesn't care what we think. He is a populist whose stunts are aimed at a domestic audience. By posturing against the United States, Israel and Western civilization in general, the President has wagered, he can make Iranians forget the unemployment, corruption, stagnation and theocratic repression besetting their nation. But with local elections winding down across the country, there is evidence that Iranians aren't as easily duped as Mr. Ahmadinejad thinks. Early results suggest candidates aligned with Mr. Ahmadinejad did not fare well in many races. In a number of key cities, the President's hardline allies apparently were unable to win even a single seat. Of course, the results mean little in regard to actual political decisions in Iran. The country's "Supreme Leader," Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, ultimately dictates the nation's policies. But the mullahs know they cannot ignore the will of the people entirely. As their own Islamist movement demonstrated in 1979, when followers of Ayatollah Khamenei forced the Shah from power, no autocracy lasts forever. For all their pretensions of divine guidance, Ayatollah Ali Khomeini and his ruling clique of Shiite clerics have remained in power by maintaining a delicate balance: enforcing the forms of an Islamist state in the public sphere, but permitting citizens to drink alcohol, watch satellite television, blog and otherwise behave like infidels in their private lives. Mr. Ahmadinejad has destroyed that balance, shutting down reformist newspapers and persecuting Iranians deemed insufficiently pious. He has also pursued a reckless foreign policy, calling for Israel's destruction as he simultaneously insists that his country's nuclear program has only peaceful uses. Many Iranians no doubt share their President's hatred of Israel. But a majority likely question whether prosecuting this hatred is worth turning their nation into an international pariah. Years from now, we may look back at these days as the beginning of the end for Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and the beginning of a movement toward reform in Iran. If so, the President's setback this week would be a great victory for peace.
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