Iranian Pen Pal

Iranian Pen Pal

Dear Amir,I've been hearing just a bit about how you guys are having some kind of revolution going on. Hope that goes well for you. We had one of those here in the states awhile back. I think it was the Civil War, you know, when Franklin Roosevelt was president. Things are really cool here. My parents just bought me a big screen T.V. to put up on my wall in my room. I love watching MTV and American Idol and Bachelorette. Life is just too good.

My uncle told me about your trouble there in Iran. He is always watching the most boring channels, like FOX News.I got some new CDs last weekend. I love listening to "Hoedown Throw Down" by Miley Cyrus. I also love Lady Gaga.

I don't know if I could even survive if it wasn't for my cell phone. I bet I talk 4 or 5 hours a day. Just don't let my parents know. Speaking of parents, do you know they want me to get a job!! Are you kidding? I'm only 17. Why would I want to give up a whole summer of goofing off with friends to work. Besides, they give me all the money I need anyway. Maybe I'll do the job thing after I get out of college.

Amir, my uncle tells me that some Iranians are dying in the streets. Man, thats crazy. Just stay inside until the trouble passes. Why would anyone risk going to one of those silly demonstrations. My corny uncle admires those Iranians who have died in the streets...you know, he thinks they are noble or something. Like dying for freedom is the greatest thing. Dumb, man! Why would anybody do that? I just don't get it!!

Hey, man. I just got a call from one of my friends. He has been harvesting some ditch weed and he wants me to come over and fire up.

Later, Jeremy.

Amir never received this letter. He sits in an Iranian prison because he expressed his desire for freedom and fairness. His future is uncertain.

(I wrote this to try to express my concern that a younger generation seems to be oblivious to the fact that thousands died to purchase freedom for future generations of Americans. We take their sacrifice for granted. We dangerously assume we will always be free and I fear these attitudes will never change until we have freedom taken from us.

U.S. policy: We won't get involved lest the present regime accuse us of inciting those who want freedom. Why are we more concerned about what a corrupt regime thinks of us rather than liberty for the oppressed??)

They want legitimate democratic participation.