Redstate

taking photos of a small handful of protesters at a Rumsfeld speech to pay attention to something like this.

The problem with Iran is a general apathy on the part of the educated middle class. If you could take most Iranians aside, they'd tell you that this is not the government they'd choose. The problem is that they are unwilling to risk their lives in a situation when their families are being cared for and there's food on the table.

I wish I could say that Iran was at or near a tipping point. I don't see it.

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""What's interesting is they're beginning to understand that, with victory comes responsibility..." - Pres. GW Bush

Iranians also look to recent history after the Gulf War where their next door neighbors were left to be slaughtered after rising up against Saddam.

Pulling out of Iraq or having any stigma of defeat there will be disastrous to any empowerment to any group of people rising up against rogue regimes in the future.

If you always find yourself arguing the exceptions rather than the rule you just might be rapidly sliding down your own slippery slope to irrelevance. -CommonCents

1) Supreme Ayatollah http://pajamasmedia.com/2006/12/special_to_pjm_iran_supreme_le.php > now has something in common with the deposed Shah.

2) President Ahmygawdhesanut http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3335628,00.html > has his term shortened to match his stature. Like Tom Daschele, he seems to have come up short.

2006 is done, 2008 is another day and another fight