Teetering toward Iran
November 5, 2007
ALTHOUGH I share the passion of letter writer Deborah Silverstein for an end to human suffering, the reality in Iran is not so one-sided as she was told by a fellow rider on the MBTA ("By the way, there was an antiwar rally," Oct. 30). As an Iranian-American, I know that the Islamic government of Iran officially recognizes the faith of Christians, Jews, and Zoroastrians, and that these groups enjoy the right to practice their religion as Muslims do. I also know that there is discrimination against Baha'is in Iran. But let us not forget that if war were an ideal solution to human rights abuses, Washington would have bombed the shah instead of giving him every kind of support.
There are many people, like Silverstein, who listen to biased statements such as "Eighty percent of the population in Iran is praying for a war to bring down the government," as George Bush accepted the assumption that Iraqis would welcome the Americans with sweets and flowers. However, to say the least, witnessing the atrocities that the Bush administration has committed in Iraq, it is preposterous to assume that Iranians are blind and foolish enough to pray for the same.
MASSOUDEH EDMOND
Arlington
A NOTE of advice to Deborah Silverstein and her Baha'i traveling companion: If 80 percent of the Iranian population so intensely detest their government as to wish for its downfall, there surely are mechanisms to bring it down from within, instead of dragging the whole region and two world powers into a conflict with unforeseen consequences. Silverstein can remove that "No war in Iran" poster from her kitchen counter and put it to good use.
ANDRE HUZSVAI
Boston
