Sometimes, you have to stand back and let people and countries take care of themselves.
I don’t think allowing a person or a nation to heal themselves is paramount to apathy or weakness.
A delayed or non-existent intervention is not just a matter of self preservation for the United States.
It’s also a matter of mutual respect. In some ways, not interfering illustrates that we have faith in the people of Iran to sort their own matters out in the manner of their choosing… in the way that they think is best for them. Why should we shield them from the trials by fire that a people must endure in order to appreciate truly their right to self rule and governance?
These are a people that have endured thousands of years. I believe they can work this out.
The United States, as a nation, should afford them that dignity. And, of course, fervently hope that their hopes and ours converge in ways that minimizes despair, destruction and chaos. As the situation changes, we can always reevaluate.
But history, especially with regards to this nation, teaches us that our interventions in their affairs have not always been noble and that they have little reason to trust our government’s motives. Even a good choice that may be made as a direct result of our intervention would most likely be questioned to the point of being ineffective.
Watching, in my opinion, is the right thing to do at this moment.
But, it doesn’t mean we don’t see.
I see. I feel for them. I’m sure we all do. And we should let them know.
And, I’m proud of them. Well, some of them, anyway. Obviously not the ones who are acting like petulant children who refuse to share their toys. And who shoot people who disagree with them.
Additionally? I think we should all stop calling New Jersey the Garden State and start referring to it as Bon Jovi Land.
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Avitable Said,
July 1, 2009 @ 1:58 am
I would make fun of you for the horrible title of your post, but you’re in late pregnancy mode and I know you may stab me.
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Faiqa Reply:
July 1st, 2009 at 9:44 am
@Avitable, As someone once said to me, “Jealousy does not become you.”
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Tazeen Said,
July 1, 2009 @ 6:53 am
absolutely loved the title of your post
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Faiqa Reply:
July 1st, 2009 at 9:44 am
@Tazeen, Thanks!
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Traci Said,
July 1, 2009 @ 6:59 am
True dat!
Who knew Bon Jovi was so educated and articulate? I shall now search for deeper meaning in “You Give Love a Bad Name.”
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Faiqa Reply:
July 1st, 2009 at 9:44 am
@Traci, “True dat”???! Come home, Traci. You’ve been in New Orleans way too long.
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Kiefer and Emo Said,
July 1, 2009 @ 9:14 am
Every day we listen to the news and every day we say – “take a magic marker and draw a line from Egypt aaaalllllll the way east to Kashmir, and look two inches up and down from there. Now in that line just let all that space alone. Leave it alone. Walk away. Just. Leave. It. Alone. Buy and trade what you have to buy and trade with them but just don’t touch. Just let them do what they do. And stay out.”
Yes we say that. Every day.
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Faiqa Reply:
July 1st, 2009 at 9:45 am
@Kiefer and Emo, Well. “We” are obviously geniuses.
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Ashlie- Mommycosm Said,
July 1, 2009 @ 9:55 am
Alright – didn’t think I could LOVE Jon Bon Jovi any more than I already did. But, damn. He ROCKS in that clip.
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Faiqa Reply:
July 1st, 2009 at 5:57 pm
@Ashlie- Mommycosm, He’s one of those rare rock stars that actually gets better with time, IMO.
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Finn Said,
July 1, 2009 @ 10:13 am
Excellent! Thank you for sharing this.
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Faiqa Reply:
July 1st, 2009 at 5:57 pm
@Finn, You’re welcom!
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NYCWD Said,
July 1, 2009 @ 10:59 am
I completely agree with your post.
I think this road of isolationism the US is on is a good one.
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Faiqa Reply:
July 1st, 2009 at 5:58 pm
@NYCWD, Annnd, I just dropped over dead from surprise. Not over how you feel, but that we actually agree on something political. Oh. Wait. Were you being SARCASTIC?!
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Hilly Said,
July 1, 2009 @ 11:16 am
This was the best post title I’ve ever seen! Suck it!
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Faiqa Reply:
July 1st, 2009 at 5:59 pm
@Hilly, Well, folks, there you have it.
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whall Said,
July 1, 2009 @ 11:28 am
That sums up how I feel about welfare and Affirmative Action. It’s an insult to able people and a trap.
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Faiqa Reply:
July 1st, 2009 at 5:59 pm
@whall, I can see the parallel.
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Sybil Law Said,
July 1, 2009 @ 12:20 pm
Completely agreed, oh Wise One.
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Faiqa Reply:
July 1st, 2009 at 5:59 pm
@Sybil Law, Thank you, oh Hot one.
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Miss Britt Said,
July 1, 2009 @ 2:26 pm
OK, let’s forget about Iran for a minute because – holy hell too big for me.
I want to focus on this part:
“Sometimes, you have to stand back and let people
and countriestake care of themselves.”What? The hell, you say.
I COULD stand by and let people take care of themselves. But that would be such a waste of my obvious GIFT for showing people how to run their lives BETTER.
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Faiqa Reply:
July 1st, 2009 at 6:00 pm
@Miss Britt, Giggle. I have no idea if you’re being flippant or serious. One of the many things about you that fascinate me.
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Miss Britt Reply:
July 2nd, 2009 at 9:05 am
@Faiqa, Heh.
Serious in that I really do have a horrible time standing back and letting people take care of themselves because I want to help.
Flippant in that I am aware of how unrealistic my illusions of helping someone run their life are. I mean, probably. Because that seems like the classy thing to say.
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Coal Miner's Granddaughter Said,
July 1, 2009 @ 4:12 pm
I want countries to take care of themselves, as well. BUT (and it’s a pretty big but) when people are speaking out, in said other countries, against their leaders, and doing it peacefully, and getting a serious beat-down because of it? Then I think we have every right to say, “Wow, you know? That just ain’t right.”
Because opinions are like assholes. Everybody’s got one and everybody thinks everybody else’s stinks. We’re entitled to say, “Dude, that’s wrong.” And they’re entitled to say, “STFU, we don’t care what you think.” And then we all get on with our day.
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Faiqa Reply:
July 1st, 2009 at 6:05 pm
@Coal Miner’s Granddaughter, We definitely should say “Wow, you know, that just ain’t right…” I would like more information about the demonstrations and elections, though. Although social media outlets are informative, they aren’t necessarily objective or reliable. This situation is complicated by the shady decision on the part of the existing govt to cast out all foreign media and silence their own. Still, until I see more proof I’m going to go with, “Dude, if that is really happening, then that is wrong.” Also? We should prepare ourselves for the potentially depressing news that Ahmedinijad (sp?!!!) was elected fair and square. It’s not inconceivable.
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Coal Miner's Granddaughter Reply:
July 1st, 2009 at 6:26 pm
@Faiqa, And that’s the rub right there and what makes me suspect everything about the Iranian government. It’s that they kicked out the foreign media and closed up tighter than Jerry Falwell at a gay bar. If everything had been on the up and up, I’m sure they would have been all, “Hey! Foreign media! Come on in! Pull up some chairs! Check us out!” But they didn’t. And that makes me not trust anything they say or do. The government, that is. Not the Iranian people in general.
And if Ahmadinejad WAS elected fair and square? Then that makes me sad. Sad that he was elected. Not sad that it was fair and square. Because he scares the piss out of me. But, then again, so does Jerry Falwell, but that’s a whole other can of worms.
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SciFi Dad Said,
July 2, 2009 @ 8:06 am
Nine times out of ten, I think the US should keep its nose out of foreign politics. That one time? When that country is nuclear-capable.
I’ve got no interest in an extra eye because some fucks can’t figure out democracy.
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Faiqa Reply:
July 2nd, 2009 at 10:36 am
@SciFi Dad, See, I, myself, would be wary of going to war with a nation that is capable of inflicting said third eye in the first place.
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tariq Said,
July 2, 2009 @ 10:33 am
Apparently, Bon Jovi has nothing better to do than to make songs about a political conflict of which he probably has very little understanding. What’s he trying to accomplish? Does he truly support one party over another? Does he understand the type of reformist Mousavi is and how he is different than Ahmedinejad? Does he know the type of people who support one candidate over another? Does he understand that people on the streets burning businesses, cars, and destroying public/personal property is not ideally the types of actions a singer should be supporting by singing/translating songs into Farsi.
Cluelessness really bothers me and Bon Jovi tops that list at the moment.
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Faiqa Reply:
July 2nd, 2009 at 10:37 am
@tariq, He loves freedom, man. And DUDE. Show some respect for the guy who gave us such hits as “Wanted Dead or Alive” and “Livin’ On A Prayer.”
But, really, I think you have a good point.
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Finn Reply:
July 2nd, 2009 at 10:39 am
@tariq, How do you know he doesn’t? And really, does it matter? Because I thought the idea was that we are behind the concept of a democratic process, which appears to have been usurped.
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