This Guy Restores Some Of My Optimism

[Comrade Tribune]

Originally posted by lord of the mark
which iranians have the problem with the US? 70% of Iranians voted for Khatami, who wanted to improve relations with the US.

Khatami wants to improve Iran/US relations from 'icy' to 'neutral'. That doesn´t mean he (or his voters) are very fond of the US. Few people in Iran are.

[Comrade Tribune]

Originally posted by macaskil
As far as Comrade Tribune is concerned, it is a mistake to assume that what happens in the Middle East is of no concern to us in Europe. Until we find an alternative to oil, we have to be interested. If you play civ3 you will recognise the situation of civs trying to grab the last oil square. The one that ends up with no oil does not last long.

You totally misunderstand my argument. What I am saying is we have no problem with the Iranians keeping their current system.

I wonder if CT subscribes to the view, popular in the UK, that ANY anti-American government is OK even if it consists of woman-hating medieval fascists?

Hypothetical. And silly. Who says Iran is currently governed by woman-hating medieval fascists? That caricature has nothing to do with reality.

By the way, I am a socialist. I just happen to think that religious fundamentalism - whether Muslim, Jewish or Christian - is dangerous and that any nation has the right to defend itself if attacked. As members of NATO European countries are obliged to assist, as the US would have helped had the Soviets invaded.

No one has invaded the US. Perhaps they should, but afaIk, it hasn´t happened so far.

If we don't like this arrangement we should just get out of NATO.

Austria is not a member of NATO. And I hope it will never be.