I don’t always think that’s a bad thing, but I don’t understand why you can’t be for something while still asking questions about it. I don’t think being in support of Mousavi has to mean not criticizing his past or his qualifications or the change he’ll make in Iran. That might be a naive view — I know a lot of people believe that you have to diminish fodder for factionalizing a movement — but I don’t think that’s necessarily responsible journalism, or journalism at all.

Free as independents perhaps, but considering the humongous costs involved with our political system, only the wealthiest and most influential can participate. Fair? This is truly not the case. With millions of dollars being thrown about to shape the discussion and influence the market, fairness is the most remote aspect of our system. Obama invested over $750,000,000 dollars in his campaign and outspent McCain by almost 3:1. Were the best people put forth? Or were they chosen?

We have more in common with Iran than most people would admit. The masses are highly controlled and have very little power. Here, we have the bankers, industrialists and Church. There religious figured rule with an iron fist. Just try having a gay relationship. You’ll find them hanging in the City square. Sure, people will point to all the things we can do here, but stop and think about what choices you have. We may be 100+ years beyond slavery but each and every one of us is owned to one extent or another by the Federal Government. We pay a portion of a our work wages to them and have no say in the matter. Whatever you do you owe the IRS a portion of your hard-earned money. It evokes images of the Sheriff of Nottingham extracting his tax. It used to be only corporate profits were taxed, but in 1913 the politicos made their move and we’ve shackled to the Feds ever since.

For all the talk of revolution, a cute media balloon, there’s not much revolutionary activity anywhere. Considering the power, size and resources of most governments, the populace is grossly over-powered. Freedom and fairness for all may be the theme, but in practice it’s all very tightly controlled and becoming more so by the day. Remember, we ALL live under the force of every new law created. We’re not freer by any means. We’re just told how good we have it and there’s much work to be done elsewhere. We’re being distracted while the pot approaches the boiling point. A happy band of frogs in the pot we are…up until the point when it’s too late.

I appreciate the story because perhaps in Iran’s struggles we can come to see our own plight. Democracy requires constant vigilance, effort and sacrifice. If only we can tear ourselves away from the goddamn computer or sports events perhaps we can actually start to make a difference?

It seems like the Iranians are all for one guy, because he doesn’t suck as bad as the guy who is in power. We’ve seen this before, perhaps even fallen prey to the lure of accepting the mediocre, because we don’t think we can get anything better.

Thanks for the great coverage, keep it up!