Let's hope they don't bring out the army tanks

Iran’s government keeps digging holes for themselves. The more they try to silence journalists, photographers, and protestors, the more they’ll have to answer later.

Should the Islamic Republic want to continue, they need to at least appear concerned and interested in the welfare of their people, especially the protestors. If over 60% of Iran’s population is less than 30, the Iranian government needs to do more to appeal to them. They are more technologically savvy, more exposed to Western culture, and are too young to remember the revolution or were born after the revolution and can only rely on their parents’ memories and ideals.

Rather than roll out the tanks, Ayatollah Ali Khameini should be bolder and simply state that there were flaws that need to be addressed during the ballot count. A partial recount sounds ridiculous and a shameful way to appease the discontented crowds. The legitimacy of the Islamic Republic is already tarnished. But should Ayatollah Ali Khameini bring a hard crackdown on the protestors, the Islamic Republic will face an even bigger problem on their hands, that is, a new revolution.

Nobody wants to see college students crushed by tanks. More force will only create more disenchanted Iranians and even worse, a disenchanted generation of young people ready to fight back.

Overall, it's a hot mess:

“It is a very complicated situation,” said Abbass Abdi, a political scientist in Tehran. “People feel humiliated because they came and voted in large numbers. On the other hand, it is very difficult for the establishment to admit fraud because its legitimacy would go under question. - "Protesters Defy Iranian Efforts to Cloak Unrest," NYT, 06/17/09

The legitimacy of the Republic is already under question. But I doubt the authorities are even thinking about relinquishing their power. But, let us not forget: "The truth is incontrovertible, malice may attack it, ignorance may deride it, but in the end; there it is." -Winston Churchill