Iran (cue singing of 'Tehran is On Fire' to tune of Sex On Fire)

[Govinda]

We could be seeing a transformation in the region, from the results in Lebanon to a possible overthrow of government in Iran. It is pretty stunning what a speech can Cairo can help accomplish.

Do you really think Obama's speech had something to do with this? Isn't it more the fact that 70% of the population are under 30 and pissed?

[Walter Sobchak]

Do you really think Obama's speech had something to do with this? Isn't it more the fact that 70% of the population are under 30 and pissed?

Of course the demographics were more of an effect. I leave the notion of speaking in absolutes to superheroes and clergymen. However, when you look at the results in Lebanon versus what many people expected (a takeover by Hezbollah), a variety of observers have given Obama's speech some credit.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/09/wo...09lebanon.html
Lebanon feels the Obama effect | Simon Tisdall | Comment is free | guardian.co.uk

So you logically have to take it one step further. Anyone who has followed the riots knows that the youth who have supported Mousavi have been connected through technology, whether it has been texting or the Internet. Surely such a savvy group has been a witness to the speech, as well as the results in Lebanon.

After all, the only real public opinion poll done in Iran had Ahmadinejad leading by a margin of 2 to 1, but as time went on analysts began to expect a Mousavi victory. Some of that was due to campaigning, as Mousavi's name spread across the country, but the President from the West who was not threatening to bombard them with belligerent soldiers, kill their sons, and rape their daughters had a hand in such an outcome.

Iran election scrutinized for 'Obama effect'
Wildcard in Iran election: Obama | csmonitor.com

Your Scottish standoffness may lead you to deny such ideas, but surely the high spirits that come to you as a result of your birthday will help you understand my conclusion.