I think it is important to ask. How much has the 2008 American Election Inspired Iranians?

[RollWithIt]

If Obama hadn't been elected in the USA would this kind of scene be taking place? I would argue no.

Thoughts?

[Honeycombe8]

1. It HAD to have had an effect. It was an inspiration worldwide. Even for those

who weren't crazy about the results. It was inspirational nonetheless, that the underdog, and someone like OBAMA, could be voted President of the superpower of the world...well, hearts the world over lifted up, as people imagined THEIR longshot dreams coming true.

[RollWithIt]

6. Exactly

That is what I am saying. The idea that a black Christian, with Muslim heritage, mixed racial background, could become President of the Mega Power?

[uponit7771]

2. I believe the Iranian 2008 election would've inspired Post election America 2000....

...with 2 - 4 million people protesting in Iran maybe we would've taken to the streets

[Solomon]

3. You Know It!

[stray cat]

4. The Iranians protesting seem to have an abundance of courage and sacrifice I think Americans lack

maybe we can learn more from them than they may learn from us.

[RollWithIt]

5. So Americans didn't have the courage and intelligence to elect Obama?

Just asking.

[uponit7771]

8. Yes, but if the results turned out like they did in Iran would 5 million of us

...be willing to march in the streets and some few of us be willing to die for him to get into office?

Maybe...

[msongs]

7. iranian elections are not democratic - all contestants are religious dictatorship approved. nt

[uponit7771]

9. So are GOP candidates and last year the DNC candidate was religious asshole approved

...too.

Our acts may be de facto but they're still part of the process none of the less

[PVnRT]

10. Partly, yes

I think part of it is just us kicking out Bush and not replacing him with another religious lunatic (something tells me Palin would have arranged an "accident" to get rid of McCain by now).

The shifting winds here and the new conciliatory, rational foreign policy (for the most part) taken by Obama likely told a lot of young people in Iran that their leaders were playing them for chumps.

[lunatica]

11. And you would be wrong

Believe it or not people in the rest of the world don't hold their breath watching every move we make. As a matter of fact they mostly don't care because they have lives. They love their countries with as much fervor as Americans love their country.

And if they were emulating us they wouldn't be out in the streets after an obviously stolen election the way we weren't.

I know because I spent the first 25 years of my life in another country. The US is held more in contempt that anything else, because it's been arrogant, conceited and rude to other countries during most of its history.

When people rise against their government it's always because they've endured oppression from those governments for many years, and even many generations. People don't put their lives on the line to emulate the US or any other country.