Tuesday, June 16, 2009
How Different are the U.S. and Iran?
The West is rightly horrified by the scenes of police violence against protesters in Iran*.
But how different is American?
According to Department of Defense training manuals, protest is considered "low-level terrorism". And see this.
An FBI memo also labels peace protesters as "terrorists".
Indeed, police have been terrorizing children, little old ladies and other "dangerous" people who attempted to protest peacefully.
And just as the Iranian government is cracking down on journalists, a 2003 FBI memo describes protesters' use of videotaping as an "intimidation" technique, even though - as the ACLU points out - "Most mainstream demonstrators often use videotape during protests to document law enforcement activity and, more importantly, deter police from acting outside the law." The FBI appears to be objecting to the use of cameras to document unlawful behavior by law enforcement itself.
The Internet has been labeled as a breeding ground for terrorists, with anyone who questions the government's versions of history being especially equated with terrorists.
And the state of Missouri tried to label as terrorists current Congressman Ron Paul and his supporters, former Congressman Bob Barr, libertarians in general, anyone who holds gold, and a host of other people.
But There Hasn't Been Mass Police Violence in America
You will no doubt argue that comparing the U.S. to Iran is nonsense, as there hasn't been mass violence in America like we've seen in Iran.
Well, there were the Kent state shootings.
And at the RNC protests last year, police fired rubber bullets, teargas, pepper spray and concussion grenades at protesters, then arrested them en masse.
But I think the most important reason that police violence against protesters appears to be less in American than Iran is that the Iranian protests threaten to become a mass movement, while the Americans have largely been cowed into quiet complacency. If American protests were large and aggressive, the police would use at least as much violence as the Iranians are using.
I'm not trying to single out the U.S. The UK, Italy and other countries are becoming more violent well.
Of course the U.S. tortures people at least as brutally as Iran, but that's another story.
*Note: I'm not taking any position on who really won the Iranian election, as I have no insight into this issue. Also, as stated above, I obviously condemn the Iranian police brutality.
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Interesting position on this matter. Well, I can see what you mean, but order must be maintained when protests get out of control. American Police violence is justified when the riots are violent. In Iran, the protests may be peaceful, but the dictatorial regime is cracking down on all it's opponents and rigging the elections.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stating the obvious. Sometimes it needs to be stated for people to see what's really been going on.
ReplyDeleteBushco Neocons?
ReplyDelete2-3% of population
extort blackmail bribe
the chosen the superior
perception management
aipac’s israel-first dual-nationals
liars or truthers
anthrax cover-up of 911
the non-federal reserve w/no reserves
I agree completely with "the Americans have largely been cowed into quiet complacency". It makes me sick to think that "protests" are considered "unpatriotic".
ReplyDeleteIn a democracy, there is a time for peaceful talks. Then there is a time for peaceful protests. Then there is a time for disruptive protests. Finally, all that is left is a time for real action/rebellion.
I believe Iran is caught somewhere between the last two options of democracy. Who wouldn't be mad about a stolen election (except Americans).
Excellent post Mr. Washington. I would add, most acts of violence here & in other nations are done by paid provocateurs, often police or groups of 'anarchists' who roam the streets unhampered by law enforcement. Anarchists lived in abandoned buildings during the WTO protests in Seattle.
ReplyDeleteIran is no different. Anything mainstream media promotes as a 'democratic uprising' should be examined. Henry Kissinger is calling for regime change in Iran 'from the outside'. Therefore a nicely arranged 'color revolution' is in order. Perhaps Iranians are fooled?
Always look for this connection.