Ex Iranian Hostages Support........

[cptau 169]

I don't see the need to afford Iran any leeway here. They are who they are. They held Americans hostage for 444 days. That's the honest and TRUE fact of the matter.

And why is it that Iranians had such a negative attitude toward the U.S. to begin with? Is that because we are who we are?

Pulling up American/Iranian history to demonstrate how inherently evil they are is laughably ironic.

The RAND corporation's survey indicate the Iranian negative attitude has more to do with Obama

http://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/technical_reports/2011/RAND_TR910.sum.pdf

Summary

The RAND Corporation conducted a phone survey of Iranian public opinion in order to

gauge Iranian attitudes on critical issues affecting U.S. interests. Respondents constituted a

nationally representative sample of 1,002 members of the Iranian public, age 18 and older,

who lived in households with landline telephones, spoke Farsi, and were willing to participate.

These respondents participated during December 10–28, 2009.

1

The survey’s goal was to gauge

Iranian attitudes on a number of issues important to American analysts and policymakers,

including U.S.- Iranian relations, the effects of sanctions, and the Iranian nuclear program.

The survey demonstrated that Iranians were divided on certain issues at stake between the

Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States, such as the development of nuclear weapons.

But on other issues, including the economy and the prospect of reestablishing U.S.-Iranian

ties, respondents expressed more-unified opinions. Our key findings are that

•

A majority of respondents view the economy as being “average” or better,

though

many may have hesitated to express their dismay with the economic situation.

•

A majority of respondents did not view sanctions as having a negative effect on the

economy,

though a significant number viewed sanctions as having a negative impact.

Women, poorer respondents, and those most comfortable with the survey rated the

impact of sanctions as most negative.

•

Respondents were divided on the issue of nuclear weapons, with a significant por-

tion favoring their development.

Those most comfortable with the survey, men, and

those with the highest level of education expressed the most opposition to development of

nuclear weapons. The lower classes and those with the lowest level of education supported

the development of nuclear weapons.

•

A majority of respondents expressing an opinion opposed the reestablishment of

ties with the United States.

Women and less-educated respondents were least likely to

favor the reestablishment of diplomatic relations, but those most comfortable with the

survey were more likely to favor such reestablishment.

• In general, gender and education level were important predictors of attitudes. Women

and less-educated respondents tended to voice views on security and overall relations that

were unfavorable to the United States.

Men and those with greater social means tended

to be more favorably inclined.

•

Views of historical and current events in U.S.-Iranian relations did not correlate sub-

stantially with attitudes toward the reestablishment of relations.

Rather, personalized views of the American people and the Obama administration played a more- significant

role in preferences regarding the reestablishment of relations with the United States.

The findings suggest that many of the Islamic Republic’s policies, including opposition

to U.S. interests and the pursuit of a nuclear civilian and (possibly) nuclear weapon capability,

were supported by a significant portion of the Iranian population. It should be noted, however,

that a portion of respondents appeared uncomfortable with participating in the survey, and

these respondents tended to express views sympathetic to the Iranian government and its inter-

ests.

Those who felt most comfortable with the survey tended to express views sympathetic to

U.S. interests

. Had a larger portion of respondents felt comfortable with the survey, more of

them might have expressed support for policies favorable to U.S. interests.

2

The extent of popular support for Iranian government policies revealed by respondents

may be due to

the Islamic Republic’s consistent efforts to sway public opinion through its

control of most forms of media. The survey revealed that Iranians were highly reliant on state-

controlled media and educational sources and did not have extensive access to other sources

of information that may provide a positive picture of the United States.

3

U.S. broadcasts to

Iran and the provision of antifiltering technology to Iranian web users may be beneficial in

this regard. In addition, we recommend that policymakers not call particular attention to

more-distant historical events in their communications with the Iranian population,

as I

ranian

public opinion tends to focus on personalized images of the Obama administration and of the

American people rather than on past events.

4

Our results also suggest that it is worth consider-

ing how opinions differ across subgroups of the Iranian population—such as men and women,

those with different educational backgrounds, and those of different classes—when craftingcommunications meant for the Iranian public

1

xi

http://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/technical_reports/2011/RAND_TR910.pdf

[homersapien 11,393]

I don't see the need to afford Iran any leeway here. They are who they are. They held Americans hostage for 444 days. That's the honest and TRUE fact of the matter.

And why is it that Iranians had such a negative attitude toward the U.S. to begin with? Is that because we are who we are?

Pulling up American/Iranian history to demonstrate how inherently evil they are is laughably ironic.

The RAND corporation's survey indicate the Iranian negative attitude has more to do with Obama

Surely you aren't suggesting that Iran's antipathy toward the U.S. started with the election of Obama?

That poll is simply a reflection of how the relations are currently being portrayed by the Iranian government. I was really referring to the hostage taking and the strong hatred of the U.S. during and following their revolution.

And I find this argument to be somewhat ironic considering how Obama is so often characterized as being pro-Islam on this forum.

[GiveEmElle 1,559]

Wait...you mean to tell me that people that were held hostage hold a grudge against their former captors? Well, that's completely shocking.

Before you right of center wingnuts get your knickers in a twist, I don't trust Iran either but this is just...pathetic.

First, Lmao!

Second, par for the course "right of center wing nuts" rhetoric.

[Proud Tiger 4,261]

Elle......so I am a wingnut?

That's what bammers called Coach Tuberville.

[GiveEmElle 1,559]

Elle......so I am a wingnut? :)/>

That's what bammers called Coach Tuberville.

I'll wear my orange and navy colored glasses when you're around, so you'll look fine.

[Proud Tiger 4,261]

:)