Fresh Air from NPR has this interview with an author who has written a biography of Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
What struck me at first was how similar a description of a right-wing government in Iran and a right-wing government in the U.S. can be. Substitute Bush and his hard-line buddies for every mention of Amadinejad and his crew in the first 15 minutes or so of this interview, and you’ll see what I mean. These war-making, fear mongers were made for each other. It’s up to the sane people in both countries to vote them out of power.
Of course, that being said, the comparison isn’t perfect. Listen on. Iran in no way has free and open elections like we enjoy in the U.S. So much for Iranians voting their problem children out of power. And how can we forget Ahamdinejad’s holocaust denial antics. What a wacko.
The important thing to keep in mind is fear is powerful, and it can lead nations and people down awfully dark paths. The world has suffered through seven long years of fear and war. It’s time to try something different.
Bill Poorman 