War
I don’t like war. I don’t like the thought of sending our young people to war. However, so far as I can see, the war against the Islamic-fascist regime in Iran was perhaps a good idea. I’m not saying that it meets all the standards of a just war, but I do think in high level foreign policy sometimes decisions are made to do the most good but not all the good. The regime in Iran with their allies in Hezbollah and Hamas and previously with ISIS, has been killing Americans and other people for 47 years. Our President decided enough was enough. As a person who doesn’t like foreign intervention it’s hard for me to say these things, but don’t the citizens of Iran deserve freedom and self governance? I’m really shocked it took 47 years to do this. The regime must go and a free Iran allowed to make themselves into what they desire. Iran before the revolution wasn’t perfect, but it was more like an open society than it is now. Women weren’t second class citizens. They worked, and drove cars and dressed as they wished. Those times need a comeback. Hopefully the war helps them come to the 21st century where religious freedom is protected and speech is as well. I pray for peace every day and I want it for Iran and the whole of the Middle East. We cannot support fascist regimes like Iran had, they are too dangerous for the rest of the world. Thank you for reading.
What is it good for?
It’s fair to debate the decisions of both the distant and recent past. I am trying to opt out of that and focus on the question of what we should do now. Not the least reason for this is my sense thst what justifies this war morally is not what justifies in politically or legally. These latter justifications may lack imminence. What justifies it morally, however, is evidenced by the joy of Iranian ex-pats and their tales of brutal oppression. This regime has murdered tens of thousands of Iranians for peaceful protest and brutalized uncounted more. It will be hundreds of thousands murdered if the regime remains in power. This isn’t self-defense. It is defense of others, of the defenseless.
I am not naive enough to believe that is why it is happening. I suspect the answer to that is a complex geopolitical scheme starting with Venezuela and ending with checking China, not to mention vainglory for Trump, but if your leaders are doing the right thing for the wrong reasons, just go with it. I have hope for the Iranian people like I have never dared to hope before. Maybe there will even be Catholics there. And a Middle East without an Islamofascist Iran is also likely one with a much diminished Hezbollah and Hamas, maybe relief for Gaza and improvement in Lebanon as well. I am a dreamer, obviously.