A thought that will not leave my head as I prepare for bed this evening, hoping and praying for a good outcome for those many brave souls who have agonizing decisions to make this morning in Iran.
I guess this will not be a proper diary, the hour is late and I've no time to link all my assertions or historical facts. It is just an expression of the thought I had and wanted to get down, on paper, or at least cyberspace.
The courageous and principled stance taken by millions in Iran should inspire us. The bravery of risking arrest, beatings, and death by protesting what they believe to be a sham election should inspire us. Not only the courage, but the fortitude to do so peacefully, sometimes even silently. It should inspire us to do a little more for the causes we care about. To fight to protect our freedoms. Our rights. When they are willing to risk so much, can we not do a little more?
Not only that, but their behavior should also serve to instruct future behavior, and shame us at some of our behavior in the past. A brief discussion beyond the jump.
Inspiration.
We often salute the bravery of our troops abroad, and rightly so. But I often worry that the courage of many others is not celebrated as it should be. Doctors who put their lives at risk by treating patients, from any side, in a conflict zone. Relief workers. Red Cross.
Chief among this group are peaceful protesters standing up against tyranny with nothing but numbers, beliefs, and each other vs. clubs and bullets.
Again, no matter how things turn out today, and in the days that follow, that kind of courage and adherence to principle should inspire us to do more to stand up for the things we believe in, and to stick to our core beliefs.
Instruction.
All such protests have not ended the way we, and the protester's, have hoped. Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Tiannanmen Square, Burma, and Bhutto. However, one should note that when real democratic change does transform a nation, it is usually done through an organic, home grown, peaceful protest. India and Ghandi. Eastern Europe and the fall of the Soviet Union. Mandela and South Africa. King and the Civil Rights movement. Alice Paul and women's suffrage. If it isn't, the change doesn't stick. Like in Algeria, or Iraq.
Who should take note?
Palestine. Though this method does not guarantee success, it is the most proven way. It is just are courageous, if not more so, to do it this way. And more noble. And more successful.
The GOP. Democracy imposed at the end of a gun doesn't work. And attempts to rattle sabers or demagogue an entire nations as the "axis of evil" are counterproductive and just plain wrong. Look into the streets of Iran and tell me there are not kindred spirits there. How many would have been killed if American or Israeli bombs were being dropped?
Democrats. Remember the track record, and our principles, the next time someone wants to start dropping bombs, or start a war, or take away our civil rights, or torture. Stand up for our principles and beliefs the way they are standing up for theirs.
Which leads me to...shame.
As Americans, we should feel a lot of it. If not for us toppling their democracy in the 1950's, would they even be in this mess? Would we? Still, it is undeniable that our putting the Shah in charge is what led to the revolution, and theocracy. We are partially responsible for the mess those brave souls find themselves in. And we rarely even acknowledge it, much less apologize.
Democrats should feel their fair share of shame as well. And Obama. I do. Look at what those people are willing to risk for the freedoms we willingly surrendered over the past 8 years. Look at the courageous stand taken to uphold their principles, while we cave in on ours so easily.
Votes never counted in Florida. We let it go. Habeas corpus taken away. We let it happen. Spying on American people, and American troops. We let it continue. Torture and murder of detainees. We cover it up under false claims of executive privilege and national security. Not even an investigation, much less a prosecution. The 9th Ward still lies in ruins, we can't get it rebuilt, or sufficiently protected. Tens of thousands dying unnecessarily every year because they don't have health care, and we can't get it passed. We don't have the courage to cast a VOTE. We're not talking about risking life and limb. We should be ashamed.
Whatever happens, the way they are behaving should remind everyone that human beings are human beings the world over. There are not whole nations of people plotting to kill Americans, though there are small groups within those nations. There are whole nations yearning to be free. We should act accordingly in our foreign affairs.
Their courageous stance should both inspire us to do better where our courage and resolve has faltered in the past, and where it is faltering right now. If inspiration can't spur us into action, then maybe shame can.
Peace, and hope be with us all this day, and for all the days to come. Every day can be a day of destiny.