The “revolution” occurring in Iran right now will provide a vivid example, as Tianamen Square did in 1989, of how freedom must be earned by those who wish to enjoy it.
Non-violent protests work as long as protestors are willing to die and they fight a regime not willing to commit wholesale murder (normally because the regime has some respect for individual life and the rule of law).
The Indian independence movement against the British is a classic example: if Gandhi had tried the non-violent approach against Hitler’s Germany the outcome would have been very different.
If protestors in any country are not willing to die the unrest will come to a violent but swift end.
If they are willing to do die, face a ruthless regime, and are not willing to kill, they will be slaughtered until the protests stop.
Iranian protestors have shown a willingness to die.
The Iranian government has shown a willingness to kill.
If the killings continue Iranian protestors must fight back with force if they wish to be free.
There is no other way.
Governments willing to slaughter their own citizens in mass in order to maintain power cannot be reasoned with: they must either be obeyed or destroyed.
As the saying goes, freedom is not free.
Good luck friends.
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
And so it begins:
“Iranian police use force to break up protest.”
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090622/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_iran_election