The photos, news articles and continual storm of chaos sprouting from Iran have been soul crushing. A couple days ago, a friend linked me to a video of a 16-year-old girl who was standing by and watching a peaceful protest when a soldier of the Basij (the Iranian military ordered to suppress the dissenters) shot and killed the innocent passerby. In a little under twenty seconds a girl’s life ended on those streets where cries of freedom are muffled by the sickening sound of gunshots hitting skin or tear gas searing the eyes.
I hope Americans are keeping a watchful eye on this crisis, which will undoubtedly grow worse now that any hope for recount has been quelled, despite evidence pointing to the tampering of votes. As I watch the ticker tape on news channels flash more tragedy and anger from Iran, I can’t help but draw parallels between the Iranian election and the U.S. Election.
I ask myself “what if Obama had not won”? Americans were certainly itching for a change after two terms of He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named, and the charismatic newcomer from Chicago gave the public a campaign driven on hope and the firm promise of “change.” On November 4th, I stared at the TV and waited for the painfully slow updates of election results, ready to cry out of joy or disappointment at any moment. But if McCain had won how would the young people, who gave so much heart, soul, and energy to the Obama run, have reacted? How would all his supporters show their sorrow?
A part of me wishes there would’ve been rioting in the streets or some sort of organized march, but I’m sure none of this would’ve happened. So you guys tell me – what would the country have looked like post-election if Obama was still a senator from Illinois and McCain was posed to swear in as President of the United States?