The Right's Historical Amnesia

History according to the right, with apologies to Pastor Martin Niemöller:

"First they installed Reza Shah Pahlavi. I did not speak because I really couldn't care less.

"Then they installed his son Reza Mohammed Pahlavi. I did not speak because he did our bidding.

"Then they overthrew a democratically elected leader. Mohammed Moosadegh. I did not speak because my source of cheap oil was protected.

"Then Reza Pahlavi created SAVAK. I did not speak because he was our s.o.b.

"Then he spent lavishly on himself and his Pharaonic projects while so many were unemployed. I did not speak because oil was still cheap.

"Then he was overthrown. I spoke up because they took our citizens hostage.

"The Iran was invaded by Iraq and Ronald Reagan became a supporter of Saddam Hussein who was committing war crimes by using poison gas against Iran. I did not speak because everything Reagan did was correct.

"Then Reagan sold weapons to Iran - considered by his own administration to be a terrorist state -  to finance an illegal war in Central America. I did not speak because was incapable of ever doing anything wrong.

"Then George Bush invaded Iraq, strengthening Iran in the region. I did not speak because Saddam had suddenly become a bad man after invading Kuwait and of course Reagan still could do no wrong.

"Then Mahmoud Ahmadinejad participated in a farcical election and the people who I had joked about bombing, whose nation I was foaming at the mouth to invade needed only our president to verbally challenge Ahmadinejad and he would fold like a lawn chair because a show of testicular fortitude would make him cringe.

"But then there was no on left to listen because everyone saw it for the cheap and rank bit of political opportunism that it was."

Comments

[Akaky]

Who installed Reza Shah Pahlavi? And stop splitting infinitives.

[Randinho]

He essentially installed himself, despite a desire by some to move towards a republic. Coolidge was president IIRC.

[Akaky]

So the they is a he. And we know Cal had nothing to do with it; Cal did nothing in the White House, but as Will Rogers said, that's what the people wanted down. Not enough presidents take Coolidge's example to heart, I fear.