The silent revolution

The protesters in Iran just knock me out. Their commitment, courage and the discipline it takes for hundreds of thousands to tacitly agree to march in silence is awe inspiring. It gives me goosebumps. I only wish Americans would take their example to heart. There's no reason we couldn't do this. We have much less to risk. Apparently the violence against the protesters is much greater in the more rural areas outside of Tehran but our government doesn't issue shoot to kill orders here.

Meanwhile, the political ramifications of the ongoing demonstrations become more interesting every day. From a emailer to Juan Cole:

As I mentioned in my previous email, today made it very clear that the dynamics of the movement are constantly evolving. From the first march where the only focus was on Mousavi/ people’s vote to Mousavi, today’s slogans touched on issues of freedom/justice/innocent people dying for a just cause. The posters of Mousavi of day one have given way to posters expressing deeper themes, and the deeper problems that exist in this country. “Democracy does not equal Dead Student”, “Stop Killing Us”, “We are not rioters”, “Silence is not acceptance”, “The key to victory: Calmness, Hope and Patience”.

If only we weren't so disgustingly complacent here, we could challenge the corruption in our own system too and very probably win. Sadly, Americans don't seem to put much value on the greater good as long they feel personally secure. In a way it's too bad we ousted the GOPers. If they were still in power, the country would be so thoroughly screwed up that it might have driven those who are now still comfortably off, into the streets too.


[More posts daily at The Detroit News]