Monday, January 12, 2026

Meanwhile, Actual Oppressed People Actually Fight For Actual Freedom.

 https://x.com/detahmineh/status/2009680255091405074?s=51&t=cLq01Oy84YkmYPZ-URIMYw

 

 "The Western liberal media is ignoring the Iranian uprising because explaining it would force an admission it is desperate to avoid: the Iranian people are rebelling against Islam itself, and that fact shatters the moral framework through which these institutions understand the world. Ideally, to cover an uprising is not just to show crowds and slogans. It requires answering a basic question: why are people risking death? In Iran, the answer is simple and unavoidable. The people are rising up because the Islamic Republic of Iran has spent decades suffocating every aspect of life—speech, work, family, art, women, and economic survival—under a clerical system that treats liberty as a crime. There is no way to tell that story without confronting the nature of the regime. Western media refuses to do so because it has fundamentally misunderstood Islam. Or worse, it has chosen not to understand it. Islam, in Western progressive discourse, has been racialized. It is treated not as a belief system or a political ideology, but as a stand-in for race or ethnicity. Criticizing Islam is framed as an attack on “brown people,” Arabs, or “the Middle East,” as if Islam were a skin color rather than a doctrine. This confusion is rooted in historical illiteracy. Western liberal media routinely collapses entire civilizations into a single stereotype: “all Middle Easterners are Arabs,” “all Arabs are Muslim,” and “all Muslims are a monolithic, oppressed identity group by white European colonizers.” Iranians disappear entirely in this framework. Their language, history, and culture—Persian, not Arab; ancient, not colonial; distinct, not interchangeable—are erased. By treating Islam as a racial identity rather than an ideology, Western media strips millions of people of their ability to reject it. Iranian protesters become unintelligible. Their rebellion cannot be processed without breaking the rule that Islam must not be criticized. So instead of listening to Iranians, the media speaks over them—or ignores them entirely. There is another reason the Iranian uprising is so threatening to Western media is economic issues. As you know, Iran is not only a religious dictatorship. It is a centrally controlled, state-dominated economy where markets are strangled, private enterprise is criminalized or co-opted, and economic survival depends on proximity to political power. Decades of price controls, subsidies, nationalization, and bureaucratic micromanagement have obliterated the middle class and entrenched corruption as the only functional system. The result is not equality or justice. It is poverty, stagnation, and dependence on government’s dark void of empty promises. Covering Iran honestly would require acknowledging that these policies are harmful. They have been tried. They have failed. Catastrophically. This is deeply inconvenient for Western media institutions that routinely promote expansive state control, centralized economic planning, and technocratic governance as morally enlightened alternatives to liberal capitalism. Iran demonstrates where such systems lead when insulated from accountability and enforced by ideology. It shows that when the state controls livelihoods, non-conformity becomes existentially dangerous. That lesson cannot be acknowledged without undermining the moral authority of those who advocate similar ideas in softer language. Western liberal media prefers not to hear this. Acknowledging it would require abandoning the lazy moral categories that dominate modern discourse: oppressor and oppressed, colonizer and colonized, white and non-white. Iranian protesters do not fit. They show that authoritarianism is not a Western invention imposed from outside, but something many societies are actively trying to escape. That is what terrifies Western liberal media. And that is why the Iranian people are being ignored. So the silence continues."

 

 

28 comments:

Marshal Art said...

It seems we're witnessing the end of Jimmy Carter's legacy.

Dan Trabue said...

Unsure of what this author means about "liberal media..." I am, of course, aware of the protests and clamping down of protests in Iran. And WHY am I aware? Because I read about it in the media.

Just like I'm aware of the clamping down of protests and the attacks on civilians and immigrants (legal and not) protesting ICE. We should remain opposed to ALL gov't efforts to shut up protesters, especially when they use deadly violence, as ICE repeatedly has.

Would that conservative bloggers would speak out against the ICE assaults on free speech.

Dan Trabue said...

Also, this:

They show that authoritarianism is not a Western invention imposed from outside, but something many societies are actively trying to escape.

? Does this author TRULY think that progressive types do NOT recognize the authoritarianism that has come from places like China, Iran, Russia, North Korea, Nicaragua (currently), Venezuela (currently)? OF course, authoritarianism is not unique to colonialist powers. This is precisely why we reject this current administration as a promoter of authoritarian-leaning actions... Because that is NOT what the US should be about.

I think you all read and fail to understand our actual positions.

Anonymous said...

Well, Dan jumps in right on time with a complete BS false equivalence. Because some anti-ICE protesters being limited, and one shot due (at least in part) to her own actions is exactly the same as thousands of Iranians dying in an attempt to overthrow their theocratic government.

Anonymous said...

I think y’all “realize” it on some level, but y’all just don’t say much negative about the left wing oppressors. That you’re more concerned about Trump and his faux “authoritarian actions”, than with Iran, Nicaragua, China, Cuba, and the left wing oppressors tells me all I need to know. That you’ll almost certainly ignore or downplay the Muslim theocracy angle is also to be expected.

Anonymous said...

It’s gratifying when you play to type so perfectly and make my points all on your own.

Dan Trabue said...

The pervert felon is OUR responsibility to deal with. A wise person once said, first, remove the plank from your own eye...

Craig said...

Well, we saw how y'all choose to "deal with" people like Trump and Kirk, so maybe that's not the best stance to take.

Strangely enough, you get pretty worked up abut stopping "genocide" in Gaza, and managed to blast both Israel and Trump (although not Biden) at the same time. Now, however, you just can't work yourself up to protest ICE officers doing their jobs (Remember Good died protesting that arrest of an illegal alien who is by any definition is vile human being), engaging in (one) shooting that seems to be within both state and federal guidelines for use of force AND support the Iranian resistance bravely trying to overthrow their oppressive Muslim overlords. Got it.

How many people have ICE agents killed, compared to how many people have been killed by illegal aliens or the Iranian theocracy?

Again, thank you ever so much for doing exactly what you always do.

Dan Trabue said...

we saw how y'all choose to "deal with" people like Trump and Kirk, so maybe that's not the best stance to take.

IF you're suggesting that "WE" were the ones involved in harming anyone, bullshit. In Kirk's case, at least, that was a boy raised in a conservative home who appears to have mixed allegiances (IF the arrested man is even the one who did the shooting, which remains to be seen).

IF conservatives would stop the devastation and anti-human rights/anti-American, fascist-leaning activities of the Felon, then this would not even be an issue. So, truly, this is all on you all and the lone actors who were involved in any violence. This man has NO business being in the White House or, truly, even outside of prison.

Dan Trabue said...

The facts remain: The author of this article suggesting that the media isn't covering Iran is just stupidly false.

The suggestion that progressives don't care about other fascist/authoritarian/theocratical oppressors in other nations is just stupidly false.

The idea that a people are responsible, first and foremost, with dealing with their own misdeeds/the misdeeds of their own nation is rational and even biblical, if one is concerned about following biblical teachings.

Additionally, we have limited options on how to force other nations to comply with our better ideals. Hell, we can't even get conservatives in the US to comply with our better ideals. Conservatives (and moderates, too) have demonstrated how difficult/impossible it is to effectively create successful regime changes and policy changes in our independent nations.

Along those lines: Will you ever speak out against Trump suggesting he's taking over Greenland? Of him assuming that he is the "acting president" of Venezuela? Of taking over Cuba or Colombia or the whole of the Western Hemisphere?

Are there NO atrocious, outrageous threats by this moral deviant that you can find the courage and moral rectitude to condemn?

You all have zero moral or rational credibility until you take a stand against this fascist-wannabe.

Craig said...

I'm suggesting that "YOU" in the broad generic sense were absolutely involved in both shootings. I'm suggesting that in both cases, the shooters agreed much more with your political philosophy/worldview that that of their victim or us. I'm suggesting that constant referring to one's political opponents as "NAZIs, Fascists, evil, MURDERERS, perverts, and all of the rest of the phrases your side (and you) regularly use absolutely creates an atmosphere where shooting a "NAZI" becomes an acceptable course of action.

I do love it when you latch on to conspiracy theories when the known facts don't fit your narrative.

Again, thanks for making my point.

Craig said...

If we add the response from the ASPL (your political tribe) to the shooting of Kirk and the attempted assignation of Trump and compare that response to the conservative response to the MN legislator shootings (from a Walz appointee), the Annunciation shooting (a "trans" kid), and the Good shooting (which seems to meet both state and federal guidelines for use of force, my point is only reinforced. By all means show me the conservatives calling for the death of Good's children or "wife" or of the Hortman's children.

Enforcing US law is NOT by any definition "devastation of "anti anything" (anti criminal to be sure). In the Good case, part of the problem is due to the State/Counties/Cities of MN choosing to not only fail to do their job in dealing with illegal aliens who are convicted of other crimes, as well as the MPD's refusal to provide a buffer between ICE and protesters. Let's remember that Good was shot trying to protect a sex offender, and multiple MPLS city councilmen were engaged in protesting the arrest of those involved in drug smuggling and human trafficking. Y'all choosing to protect those who've been convicted of crimes which harm innocents seems strange, yet you do go all in on exactly that.

Craig said...

By all means, show the comparison of the amount of time, column inches, and electronic posts/stories of Iran v. MPLS and prove your claim. I'll wait.

The problem is that it's easy to claim to "care" about all sorts of things, yet when y'all choose not to address those things, no one ever knows what you "care" about when you're quiet/silent.

"Limited" is certainly not zero. But whatever. I do think that you saying that you would like to "force" others to adopt your "ideals" is a bit strange coming from Mr "self determination". Strangely enough, Starlink is providing FREE support for the Iranian rebels, and Trump seems to have several ideas about how to support them.

As Greenland (and Venezuela) are examples of Trump trying to take strategic actions that buttress US interests (and harm China and Russia), it seems premature to rush to judgement about hypotheticals. I literally saw the swearing in of the actual president of Venezuela, and we have ample evidence of the intent of facilitating the actual, legal, president of Venezuela as soon as feasible. I'm not going to indulge your hypotheticals or conspiracy theories as serious.

I've condemned many things Trump as engaged in, and have been doing so since 2015.

"Fascist", I don't think that the word means what you think it does. The very existence of these groups of protesters violating federal law, by interfering with legitimate federal LE activities, is prima facie evidence that the "fascist" hysteria is overblown.

Again, I've "taken" multiple "stands" against various things Trump has done or said over the last 10 years. It's not like I haven't done so in places where you have access to what I've written. But don't let reality get in the way of your overblown faux outrage.

Dan Trabue said...

Craig...

" I don't think that the word means what you think it does. The very existence of these groups of protesters violating federal law, by interfering with legitimate federal LE activities, is prima facie evidence that the "fascist" hysteria is overblown."

1. That we are "allowed" to protest as long as we comply with their commands, and if not, we may be executed, that kinda IS fascism, by definition.

2. "Legitimate " is very much in question. That you all insist we bow down to aggressive, violent, oppressive behavior and comply, OR YOU MIGHT BE EXECUTED undermines your claim.

Dan Trabue said...

On fascism, authoritarianism and concerns about this administration...

Some common themes in authoritarian and/or fascist cultures/regimes...

Cult of personality
Claims of the Victimization of privileged class (that is, the repeated false claims that the poor white traditionalist are the "victims," the ones losing power and "their" country)
Blaming of foreigners and outsiders
Dehumanizing rhetoric
Glorification of violence
Friends of other authoritarians
Veneration of loyalty over expertise

We see all of that in this administration/Cult of power.

www.pbs.org/newshour/amp/show/how-trumps-rhetoric-compares-to-historic-fascist-language

And other sources.

Dan Trabue said...

I've "taken" multiple "stands" against various things Trump has done or said over the last 10 years...

You strain out the gnat and swallow the camel.

Craig said...

1. Protesting, while following applicable law, not some grand "fascist" conspiracy. The problem with many of the recent left wing protests is the notion that breaking the law will not result in negative consequences. That Good was not "executed" for protesting doesn't seem to register with you at all. I understand that the "fascist" narrative is important for y'all to cling to, but we've seen how protesters are treated in actual fascist countries, and this isn't it. I'm curious, what is the percentage of "false" detentions by ICE agents? What is the "success rate" of ICE arrests?

2. For example. the fine upstanding gentleman that Good died trying to defend was a sex offender with a legitimate deportation order and a long criminal record. Are you suggesting that removing someone like this from the US for his crimes is not "legitimate"? No one is insisting that you "bow down" to anyone. This is rich coming from one who takes precisely zero personal risk. Just like your choice of "MURDER"/"MURDERED" got your comments aborted earlier, any further use of the term "EXECUTED" will result in your comments being aborted. You don't get to make these pronouncements.

Craig said...

I'm seeing reports that the ICE agent struck by Good was treated at a local hospital for (among other things) internal bleeding. Obviously, we'll see if these reports are True, but if they are it would be damaging to the narrative.

Craig said...

FYI, there are a bunch of variations of a "flyer" with directions of what to do if you are stopped by ICE. These are produced and disseminated by the various groups organizing and supporting the protests. Good chose not to follow the instructions of those who "trained" her.

Strangely enough, we keep seeing pleas from various folx on the left begging for the protesters not to engage in violence. I wonder why those pleas are so necessary.

Craig said...

This is simply stupidity at a very high level.

It's hilarious that you use ONE biased source, then add "And other sources" as if that small afterthought magically adds these other mystery "sources".

I get it though, this narrative is very important to you and your ilk, I can see why you cling to it so fiercely.

We saw a "Cult of personality" with P-BO
The entirety of the BLM rioting was based on "Claims of Victimization", as is the whole kerfuffle over enforcing immigration laws.
BTW look at the various high profile claims of victimization of "racism" (Smolette, the NASCAR driver, the "nooses", etc) and tell me how many of those were debunked.
If you mean that holding people responsible for failing to follow US immigration laws, then I guess.
Because calling people "NAZI, fascist, racist, rapist, oppressor, evil, bitter clingers, deplorables", and shooting or assassinating political opponents isn't "dehumanizing".
Who on the right is glorifying violence? Did you miss the multiple left wing riots post 2014? CHOP/CHAZ? The Kirk assassination? The violent response to the Good shooting? The attempted assassination of Trump? Violent threats against the children of Kirk and various politicians?
Because Castro, Maduro, Hamas, etc aren't "authoritarians"?
As if loyalty to the administration one serves hasn't always been a huge factor in success.

We've seen this in other recent administrations as well as in the flames of various burned cities in the US since 2014. Yet virtually none of it was on the "right".

Craig said...

What are you even rambling about? This is simply you doubling down on a false claim despite ample evidence to the contrary. I've written posts here, and hundreds of comments here and elsewhere standing against both policies and statements from Trump.

Dan Trabue said...

Craig...

It's hilarious that you use ONE biased source, then add "And other sources" as if that small afterthought magically adds these other mystery "sources".

These ARE common identifiers of fascism/totalitarianism, do you disagree? I'm not stating some weird conspiratorial outlier position. A cult of personality, demonization of others, appeals to the "poor oppressed" ruling class... these are just common identifiers of authoritarian/fascist rulers. WHAT is "hilarious?"

So very strange.

The entirety of the BLM rioting was based on "Claims of Victimization", as is the whole kerfuffle over enforcing immigration laws.

The difference is that the poor, immigrants, people of color, women, LGBTQ folks... these people HAVE traditionally been oppressed, harmed, abused. The police and legal system HAVE historically been more abusive of people of color. As a matter of record.

On the other hand, middle class, working class, WASP Christian white people - especially white males - have long been the Deciders in how things are run in our nation. To try to claim that THEY are now oppressed simply because they don't get to have everything their way, that's just actually hilarious. If that's what you're saying.

Open your eyes and mind. You're blinded to your partisan allegiances and clearly I can't help you.

I'm out.

Anonymous said...

Your ability to so spectacularly miss the point is impressive as always.

But interesting excuse for justifying billions of damage, massive fraud, and dead/injured people by pretending that a false narrative justifies action.

But I do appreciate your commitment to the bit, no matter what.

The problem you seem to have is in believing that my eyes aren’t open simply because I see things differently than you.

Anonymous said...

https://x.com/cbsnews/status/2011466240527655076?s=51&t=cLq01Oy84YkmYPZ-URIMYw

Now it’s being reported by a source of “real journalism”, so it must be True.

Unfortunately for the narrative…

Dan Trabue said...

I repeat:

These ARE common identifiers of fascism/totalitarianism, do you disagree?

I'm not stating some weird conspiratorial outlier position. A cult of personality, demonization of others, appeals to the "poor oppressed" ruling class... these are just common identifiers of authoritarian/fascist rulers. WHAT is "hilarious?"


My concern that your eyes aren't open is due to you somehow finding it hilarious noting the reality of basic fascist tendencies.

Anonymous said...

Excellent job. You can repeat yourself, I’m very impressed.

Yet, you still seem to have missed the point. Yet you seem so confident in making assumptions about me.

Dan Trabue said...

You don't seem to comprehend the very basic concept of QUESTIONS. I'm making no assumptions. I'm asking very reasonable questions which YOU are not answering.

These ARE common identifiers of fascism/totalitarianism, do you disagree?

I'm not stating some weird conspiratorial outlier position. A cult of personality, demonization of others, appeals to the "poor oppressed" ruling class... these are just common identifiers of authoritarian/fascist rulers. WHAT is "hilarious?"

Anonymous said...

No, I get that you have on opinion and that you want me to validate your opinion by asking questions which are unrelated to my observation.

What’s hilarious is that you don’t seem aware that those things are much more descriptive of movements/groups/ideologies that you support/excuse than of the Trump administration.

But hey we have more left wing protester violence last night, Walz making ridiculous threats, and Frye and the MPD chief pointing out that the protesters are violating the law.

While Frye was whining about the MPD only having 600 cops, he’s ignoring the reason why the MPD shrunk so much since 2020. As if he, his policies, and the “defund the police” crowd have nothing to do with the current predicament.