I cannot help but stand with the brave protesters of Iran, who are risking their lives in dissenting their government. Pictures of the Iranian bravery from Tehran and elsewhere are moving and inspiring. Never mind the question of the election’s legitimacy. The right of people to peacefully assemble in dissent of their government is something we should all support. The Ayatollah and his President stand against the protesters, threatening to crush the movement. The people’s President now faces a tough reality: Should he disperse his supporters, return to normalcy, or continue the struggle and risk thousands of lives? Are the Ayatollah’s words simply idle threats? It’s easy for us to say to the Iranians, go! Continue your protests! Be brave Iranians, the world is with you! Give us liberty or give us death, and all that. But our lives are not at risk. I do now know what I would do.
If the Ayatollah were to put down the protests with brutal force, it may backfire, leading to further unrest, maybe even some sort of civil war. At any rate, Ayatollah or not, one day the Iranian people will have what they desire.
