Kos, I love this site, but you are so wrong when you say
What's happening in Iran is an internal battle, and it's theirs to fight and sort out. If turning the site green would help, then perhaps, but it'd merely feed that narcissistic desire some people have to "do" something.
You are wrong. And here is why.
Yes, this site is dedicated to electing more and better Democrats. It is not primarily a news site, though there is plenty of news to go around. Nor is it primarily a feel-good community forum, though there is no shortage of pootie, food, gardening, IGTNT, and other various non-political diaries. We want to elect Democrats. Great. But it begs the question: Why?
After the last 8 years, there should be no question why we need more and better Dems at all levels of government, especially the highest. The whole nation cringed at Bush's attempts of foreign interaction and engagement. We stood aghast when we went to war under false pretenses. Every time a Repub. opened their mouth, crap came out. Crap that was truly narcissistic. "Either you're with us or against us" "Axis of Evil" "Freedom Fries" No wonder the rest of the world has turned its back on the US.
After 9/11, the world rallied behind us in spectacular fashion, even if most of it was merely symbolic. It felt good knowing that many, many people all over the world supported us and sympathized with us. We repaid that support with nationalistic rhetoric and a show of arrogance and hubris that still boggles the mind. Shrub behaved exactly like a little boy who is bullied, defended by his friends, and then needs to "prove" he is macho by becoming a bully himself. This country was set on the wrong track and we have been paying the price.
We elect Democrats because they stand for us, the people. For all people. Dems support foreign aid, as well as aid for the neediest in our own country. We're the ones who promote human rights, who help shed light on atrocities around the world. Repubs only care about themselves, about the very top of their ranks, at that. Like Newtie Boy said "I am not a citizen of the world".
Well, I am. I am connected to this planet the same as any Iranian, Iraqi, Afghani, or any other human being. We are all connected together. As a species, we rise or fall together. Democrats know this. Republicans do not. Over the years, it has been US policy to meddle in the affairs of other countries. We Dems knew this was wrong. It's why our current President has adopted just the right approach in staying back, letting the people of Iran decide their own fate, while still expressing concern over the violence committed by the government against its own people. It is the right tone after 8 years of tone deafness from The Cowboy and his minions.
Kos says that a small gesture like greening the site for a few days is worthless to the Iranians. I say BULLSHIT!! The world has been waiting for the US to come to our senses and quit overtly trying to influence events globally and to just offer support and solidarity for basic human rights. It has nothing to do with who wins or loses, or whether a theocracy is a good form of government or not. We have no say, rightly, in whom the Iranians vote in to lead them. If Ahmedinejad had legitimately won, but was declared the loser, and Iranians marched to have their voices heard, we would still support them. Right? As Dems, we understand that this is not about the winner, it is about a nation's people being oppressed and basic rights trampled. Iranians are not asking for help, except perhaps to keep communication channels like Twitter open. They ARE asking for the world to witness and provide moral support while they battle oppression. They want us to aknowledge their struggle. We can do that. Going green for a few days is a clear, unambiguous statement of support. As any sportsman will tell you, cheering from the sidelines is not an idle pursuit. It has a direct impact on the players. When they hear the crowd, it pumps them up and helps them perform at peak. It rejuvenates and sustains. It is not worthless.
How many Iranians visit Dkos is probably unknown. Those who do surely see the support they have on this site. They are not the only ones watching, though. The world is watching, waiting to see how the US reacts to this global situation. And I do mean global, for while it is up to Iranians to pick their leader, their choice DOES impact the world. And the world knows all too well how the US has reacted in the past, and could have reacted if a certain senior and his mooselady-friend were in power instead of the calm and collected big-eared dude and his megawatt-smile sidekick.
So yes, Kos can do whatever the hell he wants with his site, even though the majority of its members want the opposite. This site is not a democracy, after all :) However, I think it is disingenuous of Kos to say that a small symbolic gesture does not make a difference. I say it makes a HUGE difference, both to the Iranians who need all the moral support they can get, and to the US, to prove that we are not uncaring assholes who rush into everything guns blazing and mouths flapping.