Iran Trumped by Sex, Death, and Schadenfreude
Suddenly the Iran news is way back of the attention of the networks. I wondered if it is the legendary short memory span of the average American viewer. Or is it that protests against the funny vote-counting have sputtered, as Khamenai and his Revolutionary Guard tighten their grip on the streets of Iran.
I tend to give a big part of the credit (or blame) to sex and politics.
Take the strange case of stimulus-hating Governor Sanford (R-South Carolina) and his Argentine travels and travails. The television anchors agreed on the first day that they will not spend much time on it, then proceeded to do exactly what they promised not to do. Then today comes the sad news about Farrah Fawcett, owner of the most beautiful set of teeth I have ever seen. This was followed with the sad news about Michael Jackson’s cardiac.
The Iranian people don’t have a chance: they are now fighting not only against the might of their own police and military. They also have to contend with the insatiable appetite of the American viewer for scandal and sex (maybe it is schadenfreude). Today they have to compete with the sad early deaths of two icons of modern culture.
Now it looks like they will have to continue their quest for change, or face a quasi-militaristic regime. With a heavy heart, I might have to say to the Iranian people: welcome back to the real Middle East. It is not clear what is exactly happening inside, and I hope I am wrong.
Cheers
mhg
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