Iranian Reformist Newspaper Shutdown; Government Crackdown

The BBC reported on a story today about the Iranian government “closing down” the “country's -circulation reformist newspaper, Etemaad, accusing it of breaching media laws.” The BBC also reports that the Iranian government also shutdown “Iran Dokht” which is a reformist newspaper, because of the “political activities” of the managing director’s father.

If anyone has been following the news regarding Iran’s activities over the past year, this is not the first time that the Iranian government, headed by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, has “cracked down” on non-governmental supporters and revolutionary leaders.

In June, 2009, Iran held elections to determine whether incumbent Ahmadinejad or revolutionary leader Mir Hossein Mousavi would be the next “president” of Iran. As is often the case with “dictatorship”, pseudo-democratic countries, Iran’s recent elections were plagued by allegations of corruption and unfair practices, and riotrs occurred in support of the “defeated” candidate which was that or Mr. Mir Hossein Mousavi, a former prime minister of Iran.

The recent story regarding the closing down of the newspaper as well as the memories of seeing the riots unfold on TV last year really struck a nerve with me. I am totally against any form of tyranny by any governing body whether it be in this country of ours or abroad and when I see things like this happen, it makes me cringe. Quite obviously Ahmadinejad has cracked down on the “anti-government” people in order to maintain his and the religious clerics control over the country regardless of the voice of change that the people or Iran were crying out for last year.

We as American’s live in a country where, no matter what you believe, you have the constitutional right to speak out against you’re the American government without fear of government retaliation (for the most part). This ability is what sets America apart from most other countries where the people are ruled by a dictator of whom does not allow them to voice their ideas. This ability is the very reason why American is the most prosperous nation in the world. The ability of individual citizens to have a say in governmental affairs is a liberty that most of the other citizens of the world do not have and perhaps envy.

Regardless of how you feel about how the country is being run now (healthcare debate, government spending, etc.) how it has been run in the past (wars in foreign lands, handling of foreign affairs, etc.), it should be clear that we as American citizens are very lucky to live without the constant fear of persecution from the very body that is supposed to govern and protect us.

The next time you feel fed up with the American government, look around the world and see how these other people live in tyranny and strife and think to yourself just how “bad” you have it. It is sure to change your perspective and make you value the life in which you are able to live.

Take a look at the following links to see pictures of the riots and violence:

http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2009/06/irans_presidential_election.html
http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2009/06/irans_disputed_election.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8544420.stm

-Chris Laatsch