mur-c-mi

Take a stand

It is been very unnerving to see the unrest unfold in Iran this last week. On one hand I'm very relieved that there a lot of people who are saying they ARE NOT approving of the incumbent candidate/regime staying power. Over and over I have heard people say it is not revolution they want. They want their vote to count. They want an evolution of thoughts and ideas. Of course that is a threat to the government that is grasping at control whatever it costs. It seemed to me like the people were just taking a stand for what is right. They were given the opportunity to cast ballots and they wanted them to count.

Last week after several days of up rising I couldn't help think what would have to happen here for us to take to the streets. Would out cable TV/Internet need to be taken away or us not be allowed to attend a major league sporting event? Maybe this is a bit harsh, but really. I know there has been times where there have been demonstrations about the Iraq war, but it seems like we don't care. I thought the same thing last year when demonstrators in Thailand shut down an airport which put tremendous strain on the government in power at the time. If I recall the demostrators were successful in bringing about the change the sought beside getting recognition.

Maybe it isn't that we don't care, maybe we don't think it will make a difference anyway? Have we become jaded after decades of revelations of misconduct in the lives of the people we elected to represent us. I'm sure it's much more complicated than that.

Then today I saw a video of a young woman in Iran named Neda who was gunned down while she stood observing the demonstrations in the streets. This story has apparently rocked Youtube this weekend. I'm sure this will bring a whole new fervor as the image of her lying in the streets spreads around the world. Truly things likely this have happened countless times down through the ages. Of course it has happened on US soil people have been struck down when they have chosen to demonstrate peacefully around issues of voting rights and civil rights. I guess I wonder what it would take for us to take to the streets. Would we be in unity? Siiiiiigh there is just so much to this. I guess I all I can say is I'm very shaken by the events of the last few days.

posted by kt @ 6/22/2009 10:25:00 PM