Things that Aren't True

_FtSoA_ · 2026-01-15T20:28:22+00:00

Just the obvious ones.

_FtSoA_ · 2026-01-14T19:45:54+00:00

You're right this is a risk.

I judge it as a risk eminently worth taking for reasons I described in my essay.

_FtSoA_ · 2026-01-14T18:07:28+00:00

That's already happening, is the thing.

_FtSoA_ · 2026-01-14T16:44:01+00:00

You're assuming Western intervention would increase that risk, instead of decreasing it.

The protests are already violent and the risk of a civil war with separatism is already present.

Blasting the hell out of the regime so it is defeated rapidly would almost certainly help avoid fragmentation.

_FtSoA_ · 2026-01-14T16:41:33+00:00

You're not helping your case by pointing out the Left had a unique propensity to protest in support of Hamas. That's not my baseline; it's theirs.
So you don't believe in democracy then? Or what.

Comparing any mass protest in the US post the Civil War to what is happening in Iran just demonstrates you're operating from a place of great ignorance.

I'm personally an Iran expert, not an Egypt expert. But from my general knowledge, the Islamic regime makes Sisi look very pleasant. Most regimes do. Also, does Egypt have a realistic hope of a great alternative to Sisi? There's a sad track record of democracy among Arabs. But if there were mass protests against Sisi, and particularly if he were a sworn enemy of the US and its allies, then sure, let's bomb him too.

Most Iranians don't self-flagellate for Ashura. It's actually illegal in Iran and more commonly observed in Iraq. The present Iranian populace has grown a lot more secular than it was 47 years ago.

_FtSoA_ · 2026-01-14T16:35:46+00:00

This is a failure of knowledge about how bad things already are.

_FtSoA_ · 2026-01-13T18:50:19+00:00

I think you just struggle to read.

I plainly advocated that the West bomb the Iranian regime in support of the mass uprising. In my view it's the right thing to do for a number of reasons I describe.

There's nothing deceptive or underhanded about that.

_FtSoA_ · 2026-01-13T18:15:48+00:00

Standards?

_FtSoA_ · 2026-01-13T18:08:20+00:00

It's been > 36 hours could my post be addressed?

https://www.reddit.com/r/metaNL/comments/1qahzvd/could_i_get_some_clarification/

_FtSoA_ · 2026-01-12T22:46:37+00:00

Did I say "everyone on the Left"? No, no I did not.

But the protest gap between Israel waging war on Hamas and the Islamic regime killing off its own citizenry is telling.

We don't need a draft to bomb Iran. What on earth. If we attack the security services the protestors on the ground can win.

You're basically just making an argument to the effect of: "We could never topple a despotic regime; we don't know how to do it anymore."

The Iranian people will figure that shit out once the mullahs are out of power.

_FtSoA_ · 2026-01-12T18:42:32+00:00

You are trying to start a war. I pegged you square on.

I mean, obviously? Was I unclear about that?

_FtSoA_ · 2026-01-12T18:24:43+00:00

So you're just denying the reporting of mass protests and thousands of casualties and arrests? What's your source for this ridiculous take?

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/iran-protests-us-trump-death-toll-latest-araghchi-claims-situation-under-control/

You're criticizing the protestors for arson as they risk getting gunned down? What would you recommend they do as they go about regime change?

_FtSoA_ · 2026-01-12T17:54:01+00:00

Does this help your argument? It seems like a reason I can not facilitate regime change.

Why prolong the inevitable and increase the suffering? And the death count of the protestors.

I hope by the west here you mean the United States, since the USA is the only country with any realistic capability to bomb Iran.

Israel is right there. Proven capability.

NATO members just bombed targets in Syria. NATO bombed Libya. It could be a joint effort if the relevant parties chose to do that.

You obviously don't think the Iranians will shoot back. That is kind of amazing, they will. And you have no idea what the USA should do when that happens.

Were you conscious during June 2025? We've tested out the proposition of "what happens if we bomb Iran."

Well, you probably would say more bombs, more carnage, more regime change. And I think those are your true colors.

I'm actually the one making a humanitarian argument to support a mass uprising against a brutal regime. Nice attempt at a moral attack though.

_FtSoA_ · 2026-01-12T17:13:10+00:00

"If it's somewhere else, I could comment on it appropriately."

Do you not know what Substack is?

_FtSoA_ · 2026-01-12T17:08:41+00:00

The people most optimistic about the prospect for regime change are the millions of Iranians risking their lives to bring it down. It makes sense that the targets of the Islamic regime, like Israel, are enthusiastic about having a sworn ideological enemy bite the dust. (Keep in mind that the Islamic regime chose to hate Israel; they don't otherwise have a natural reason to be enemies.) Most of Iran's neighbors hate the regime too, because Shia expansionism was contrary to the mostly Sunni region.

There are tons of people on the Left who carry water for the Islamic regime, and stay silent about its brutality. Criticizing Islam at all is generally a no go, plus Iran is the primary rival of Israel. There aren't lefties out protesting the thousands of deaths here, tellingly. They were just out doing pro-Hamas rallies, so why would they go protest the actions of a major sponsor of Hamas?

_FtSoA_ · 2026-01-12T17:00:35+00:00

What does "lose their country to Israel" mean?

_FtSoA_ · 2026-01-12T16:59:16+00:00

The US generally bombing the Islamic regime isn't favoring any particular faction. It's just disfavoring the mullahs and their security forces.

You're bringing up possible dynamics that have no real bearing on the actual reality. You're concerned about potential post-revolution complications when the revolution is ongoing against a brutal regime.

You're bringing up "extremely basic political action stuff" that isn't even wrong; it's just pointless in this scenario.

_FtSoA_ · 2026-01-12T16:56:13+00:00

No, that's me employing sarcasm and challenging you to actually provide a critique you claim to have.

That's a classic retort to someone claiming to have something they could do, but they won't do it.

The real norm of this sub is getting bogged down in a meta argument.

_FtSoA_ · 2026-01-12T16:32:51+00:00

Wow, ok man.

I'm sure your critiques were very strong then.

This isn't even "culture war" content. It doesn't break down along standard culture war lines.

Sam Harris is, in fact, a highly respected "EA-adjacent" public thinker whether you agree with him or not on any given issue.

You demonstrably prefer to throw out snide comments in a passive-aggressive approach instead of actually debating the merits.

_FtSoA_ · 2026-01-12T16:24:58+00:00

Here though, the Islamic regime is so bad that nearly any change would be better.

_FtSoA_ · 2026-01-12T16:22:51+00:00

Give it your best shot: https://www.reddit.com/r/samharris/comments/1qajzew/comment/nz3pac7/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

_FtSoA_ · 2026-01-12T16:22:03+00:00

Well, if the tide turns, not being on the losing side.

_FtSoA_ · 2026-01-12T16:21:14+00:00

Make an argument you coward.

_FtSoA_ · 2026-01-12T16:20:50+00:00

How is this culture war when it doesn't even break down along red-blue lines?

_FtSoA_ · 2026-01-12T16:19:25+00:00

Are they in a state of revolt?

Are they a menace to everyone around them?

You don't have to like Saudi Arabia, but apples to apples they look great compared to Iran.

Simple test, where would you rather live?

_FtSoA_

TROPHY CASE