Leave Your Broad Brush At Home Posted by Michael Cohen

I'm really befuddled, and a little annoyed, about what George Packer has written here:

It’s remarkable how difficult it’s been for writers of many different ideological persuasions to say that scenes like this (referring to attacks on demonstrators in Iran) are shameful. The reason, of course, has everything to do with the wars of the Bush years, at home and abroad, which have left so many thoughtful people incapable of holding onto the most basic thought. But it’s a mistake to let your attitude toward historic events be shaped and deformed by the desire not to sound like a neo-con, or to sound like a neo-con reborn. Trust the evidence of your eyes.

This is both untrue and unfair. Most everyone agrees that Iranian behavior is shameful, but what many on the left disagree about (and I won't speak for the conservative commentators here) is what the US should be saying in support of the demonstrators in Tehran. Surely Packer understands (and he seems to concede as much) that the calls for the US to avoid sticking its nose too directly into this battle are based on a fear that it could play into the hands of the ruling clerics and that the US image in Iran - not to mention our history of meddling in Iranian domestic affairs - might undermine our case. 

Packer argues, "being called agents of America is among the least of their (the demonstrators) worries, which may be why, in the days since Saturday, more and more of them (and of their Iranian supporters abroad) have been asking the world at least to speak up." Well I'm not so sure that's accurate and much of what I've read suggests the opposite. But does Packer really believe that the words of the US President are going to tip the situation in the demonstrators favor? He seems to be advocating fulsome rhetoric on democracy . . . for the sake of fulsome rhetoric on democracy.

The simple fact is that there is a huge difference between what Barack Obama said today (which Packer praised) and what John McCain is advocating.  One sounds like a neo-con, the other doesn't. I would imagine that many of the folks Packer attacked as being caught up in Bush over-compensation syndrome, like Stephen Walt and Spencer Ackerman, would associate themselves with the President's smart words.

So I'm not sure I understand Packer's point other than drawing overly broad and suspect assumptions about the motivations of liberals. Surely he must understand that those of us who are advocating for the US to keep its powder dry are doing so not because we are afraid to speak up in support of democracy . . . its because we are worried that specifically speaking up in the wrong way about democracy in Iran could have a deleterious impact. 

Maybe we're wrong about that, but I think Packer has a responsibility to differentiate between knee-jerk anti-Bushism and an argument based on a sober analysis of Iranian politics and US rhetorical influence.

Comments

[Peace]

What Packer seems to miss is the memory of the 1953 coup in Iran which has soiled the reputation of the United States in that country. Obama seems to have taken seriously how Iranians view the coup since he mentioned it in his Cairo speech. If the United States does take a proactive role in supporting the Iranian moderates than it could reawaken fears of American involvement and thereby strengthen the hands of the hardliners.

[Dan Kervick]

But it’s a mistake to let your attitude toward historic events be shaped and deformed by the desire not to sound like a neo-con.

My understanding is that the neocons were rooting for an Ahmadinejad victory, so if my chief personal concern were not to sound like a neocon, I would be jumping on the Green Revolution bandwagon.

What I really don't want to sound like is a romantic liberal interventionist. I've had enough of rose-colored idiots like Packer and Sullivan, and their reckless and guileless attractions to heroic outpourings of violence.

My disposition in these situations is to stay sober, seek information and avoid being caught up in the intoxicating sights and sounds of revolutionary sturm und drang, with its classic and crude old world categories: "the students", "the regime", "freedom", "oppression", the slogans, the hand gestures, etc., etc.

Packer seems not to grasp the depth of the damage the last eight years have done to the credibility of all political and broadcast discourse. It's not just fear of "neocons". It's a generalized skepticism about all the versions of reality delivered by political authorities and organized groups, on one side or the other, engaging in various forms of propaganda and spin.

I can't escape the feeling that this whole "revolution" is some planned put-up job. And I hate being conned. I have a broad suspicion of Jacobins and revolutionaries anyway, and anything that smells or sounds or looks like radical chic.

On the other hand, since I think Ahmadinejad is a moronic and xenophobic bumpkin, I will be happy if some of the other powers that be manage to find a way to replace him - and Khamenei - in a broadly peaceful and constitutional manner, since the replacement is likely to pursue a more realistic and open policy with the outside world, and engage in less public venting of ignorant conspiracy theories.

But the more people like Packer talk or write in favor of something, the less disposed I am to support. If he is for something, I would immediately inclined to be suspicious of it. The same is true of the whole crowd of Truman Democrats, "Good Fight" liberals and "With All Our Might" permanent revolutionaries who I hold hugely responsible for the stupendous slaughter of the Iraq War. They can go to hell. I'm not on their side.

[true religion jeans]

This is a great piece. Very thought provoking. I like the sort of ending that leaves it opn to personal input. Makes it ork for just about everyone I think. Nicely done! I’ll subscribe.

[cheap jordan shoes]

Great site and I am really pleased to see you have what I am actually looking for here and this post is exactly what I am interested in. I shall be pleased to become a regular visitor

[nike sb]

I wonder if there is an underlying variable that affects both the dependence on trade and the social safety net. Perhaps some aspect of culture or geography might be responsible for both.

[cheap coach handbags]

Thank you for your sharing! I like i very much!

[cheap coach bags]

Great comments! You are so nice, man! You never know how much i like'em!

[cheap coach purses]

Yes, that's cool. The device is amazing! Waiting for your next one!

[SesliChat]

I wonder if there is an underlying variable that affects both the dependence on trade and the social safety net. Perhaps some aspect of culture or geography might be responsible for both.

Thank You For sesli sohbet seslisohbet Sesli Chat

[iedge]

We should not forget that George, a writer living in New York, made the remarkable decision to go to Iraq and see for himself what was happening. He made repeated prolonged visits to the country, bravely living for months outside the US security perimeter as the violence intensified, befriending both Iraqis and American soldiers, and writing some of the very best journalism from the front.

[sesli sohbet]

I can't escape the feeling that this whole "revolution" is some planned put-up job. And I hate being conned. I have a broad suspicion of Jacobins and revolutionaries anyway, and anything that smells or sounds or looks like radical chic.

On the other hand, since I think Ahmadinejad is a moronic and xenophobic bumpkin, I will be happy if some of the other powers that be manage to find a way to replace him - and Khamenei - in a broadly peaceful and constitutional manner, since the replacement is likely to pursue a more realistic and open policy with the outside world, and engage in less public venting of ignorant conspiracy theories.
seslisohbet
seslichat

[TıkLa-SohbeT]

SesLiSohbeT siteleri arasında ekol bir adres SesTonum hemen sohbette başlamak icin SesTonum 'tıklayınız..! SesLiSohbeT Ve SesLiChaT adreslerinin gözdesi hemen tıklayarak SesLiSohbeT yapmaya başlaya bilirsiniz..!

SesTonum
SesLiChaT
SesLiSohbeT

[FFXIV Gil]

Are you fighting in Final Fantasy XIV for FFXIV Gil or Final Fantasy XIV Gil?
Can you suffer yourself being called newbie in FFXIV Gil game?
Are you seeking unofficial Buy FFXIV Gil cheats or Final Fantasy XIV guides in order to make Final Fantasy XIV Gil faster?
Can you get millions of Cheap FFXIV Gil in one day?
Even if you know how to farm Buy Final Fantasy XIV Gil you have to prepare enough Final Fantasy XIV Power Leveling first to buy height class Final Fantasy XIV Items, to upgrade your Final Fantasy XIV characters.
FF14 Gil Then why not Buy FFXIV Gil from us?
In Final Fantasy XIV it's the fastest way FF14 Gil,for you to get rich. We are online 24 hours a day ready and 7 days one week to power up your FFXIV Gil accounts with FFXIV Gil. Here is the best place for the Final Fantasy XIV Online players to buy your Final Fantasy XIV Gil.
We are the professional website in FFXIV GIL sale.FFXIV GIL here,We are professional FFXIV Power Leveling online. We update price every single day to make sure we are the lowest in the market.(we don't compare price with scam sites which uses unbelievable low price to deceive.)
Our slogan:Cheapest price, Fastest delivery, Best service! Final Fantasy XIV GIL
In the 2 years we are in this field , FFXIV GILbuilt many business with tens of thousands of customers. They are very satisfied with our service.So if you want to get a log of Cheap FFXIV Gil ,no doubt ,come to our website to buy. Our customer service is ready for you on line now!(GM MMO)

[burberry scarf]

Nice post! Your article is full of guider wisdom and really constructive.

[wholesale replica handbags]

i am glad to study your opinion. m41414 Keepall 55, m41416 Keepall 50, m41522 Speedy 40, m41528 Speedy 25, 219704, m40249 artsy mm, m40259 artsy gm, M45257 Messenger Bag, M40156 Neverfull MM, m40144 Tivoli GM

[coach bags outlet]

More than four decades ago, did anyone here notice when Sayyid Qutb was executed? No, but we notice today. And it is now too late.

[thomas sabo angel wing]

Thanks a lot for this article, very useful. Just thought I should say thank you for creating your site, I found the info very useful.

[replica jewelry]

Its interesting. I would like to know more about this…I really wanted to know how this works can you please help me out…….Thanks for sharing.