Elections in Iran

[Aristodemus]

After the upheaval in Iran in 2009 after the Presidential election one would have thought there would be a major interest in the parliamentary elections scheduled for March 2nd this year. However there isn't. The reason is pretty obvious that any serious opponent of the regime is unable to stand for election. This is because, what passes for democracy in Iran, would not pass muster in any true democracy.
All prospective candidates have to be approved by the Board of Guardians which means if you fail their test of being an obedient muslim you cannot stand. The situation is now that there are opponents of Ahmadinejad running in the elections but they are more conservative and out of touch than him! The election is a farce and the result will be a fiasco.

[eoghanacht]

Sorry but your point is?

I don't think anyone is under the illusion that Iran is a bastion of Democracy.

Are you advocating an invasion?

[Kevin Doyle]

Sorry but your point is?

I don't think anyone is under the illusion that Iran is a bastion of Democracy.

Are you advocating an invasion?

He's also never considered that maybe the majority of Iranians want it that way.

[Kevin Parlon]

Sorry but your point is?

I don't think anyone is under the illusion that Iran is a bastion of Democracy.

Are you advocating an invasion?

That's a bit shrill Eoghanact. I think that sometimes in the hysteria surrounding the supposed invasion of Iran (won't happen) you might be forgiven thinking that some posters have convinced themselves that Iran is a shining beacon of democracy. To spring from that to asking if the OP is advocating an invasion is a bit silly TBH.

[Kevin Parlon]

He's also never considered that maybe the majority of Iranians want it that way.

But we would never know would we Kevin? Because they don't have a say. Only someone who's never had a real chat with an Iranian would come out with such arse.

[Kevin Doyle]

But we would never know would we Kevin? Because they don't have a say. Only someone who's never had a real chat with an Iranian would come out with such arse.

Bollock mate, Only someone who's never set foot in the place would dismiss the notion on second hand info.

[Third Recount]

Dont worry. Robert Mugabe is sending a number of election observers from Zimbabwe to Iran to ensure a free and democratic election.e

[eoghanacht]

That's a bit shrill Eoghanact. I think that sometimes in the hysteria surrounding the supposed invasion of Iran (won't happen) you might be forgiven thinking that some posters have convinced themselves that Iran is a shining beacon of democracy. To spring from that to asking if the OP is advocating an invasion is a bit silly TBH.

I genuinely can't see what the OP is asking Kevin.

Are we now advocating attacking sovreign countries just because they aren't demodracies?

[Kevin Doyle]

I genuinely can't see what the OP is asking Kevin.

Are we now advocating attacking sovreign countries just because they aren't demodracies?

you should modify that to "friendly" democracies

[Clanrickard]

I genuinely can't see what the OP is asking Kevin.

Are we now advocating attacking sovreign countries just because they aren't demodracies?

Certainly invasion should be on the table in the most egregious cases but definitely free nations should let it be known that non-democracies are outside the pale of normal sovereign relations until they become proper democracies. Unfortunately for all kinds of sordid reasons that is unlikely to happen.