I've not turned my Twitter/ Facebook/ Blog picture-icon "Green" - as some have been doing to show their support for the Iranian election protesters.
I am reminded of The Who song: "Won't get fooled again." You know - meet the new boss - same as the old boss....
When I was back at KU (Kansas University) after my stint in the US Navy (1972-1975) - I happened to be on campus during an Iranian student protest - and being a Journalism/Radio/TV/Film major - I had my 35mm camera on me.
I cannot remember if this was in 1977 or 1978 - I cannot find a web reference to this event.
The issue being protested was that there was a supposed SAVAK agent on campus - SAVAK being the Secret Police for the Shah of Iran.
SAVAK was not held in high regard by Iranian students at KU.
I knew some Iranian students back in the late 1970s - and I knew about their view about their homeland and their view about our CIA's involvement in the coup that re-installed the Shah in 1953.
Having just gotten out of the US Navy where I had spent considerable time in The Philippine Islands (The PI) - where another one of our installed leader/friends ran roughshod over the people - Ferdinand Marcos (remember Emelda and all her shoes?) I have a particular dislike for dictator allies of the US.
So this protest march was of interest to me - beyond the photo opp.
This was a long time ago. Before the US Hostage Crisis. Just before that.
So given the real politics of Iran right now - and who runs in their elections and who does not - I cannot get myself all Green with excitement - I won't get fooled again.
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1 comments:
These photos are amazing! Thank you for sharing these. Finishing my communications degree and am writing a paper now about Iran and Twitter. Found your site and turns out we've met before! Small world!
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