Will the violence in Iran turn into another Hungary 1956?

The news out of Iran today is both stunning and joyous.

Shouting “death to the dictator,” Iranian protesters took to the streets again yesterday and today. In response, the government crackdown has become more violent — there’s tear gas in the streets, helicopters monitoring the scenes in the streets, burned out cars, and up to nine deaths. Reports say that soldiers fired upon unarmed dissidents. As the picture above shows, these are not scattered incidents, but large, organized groups of Iranian citizens willing to sacrifice their lives for their cause.

During the past few months, I admit that I read the news of the on-going protests with some skepticism. My cynical side told me that the protests would not last, that the iron claw of tyranny would have its way in Iran. Today’s news stories have convinced me that the protests are not going away. This is a confrontation that will either end in a bloody civil war or the ultimate overthrow of the religious fanatics controlling Iran.

Here’s my question for all those who opposed the Bush policy of regime change in Iraq: If the Iranian protesters ask for our help, should we intervene? Or should we do as we did in Hungary in 1956 and let the forces of tyranny crush this revolution?

Here are some incredible photos and videos of the Iranian protests as published today by the Los Angeles Times.

Faint praise from Politico as Hillary’s poll numbers soar.

With an approval rating some 24% higher than Barack Obama’s, you’d think that Hillary Clinton would get some credit for the great job she has done as U.S. Secretary of State.

Not gonna happen. At least not from Politico.

To read Politico’s report on the new poll, you’d think the only reason that a high percentage of voters approve of her is that she’s been hiding away in Chappaqua, New York. The reason Hillary is more popular than the president, says Politico, is that the president has been in the limelight tackling the tough issues while Hillary has been sequestered from the public eye.

Somehow that ignores that fact that the Secretary has traveled some 200,000 miles on behalf of the Administration. With one or two minor exceptions, observers agree that her performance abroad has been exceptional. Indeed, during the past year Americans have come to appreciate her unflappable work ethic and the realpolitik that informs her behavior on the world stage.

It’s also the case that Obama, try as he might, has had few victories either at home or abroad. That certainly will change, but for now the low approval rating correlates with his poor performance as president (the B+ grade he gave himself on the Oprah Winfrey special must have been based on a very generous curve).

According to the poll of self-avowed news hounds, Hillary’s favorability rating is at 75%, compared to 51% for her boss. Given her more balanced perspective on world events, a high percentage of Republicans — some 57% — also expressed approval of Hillary. The percentage of independents showing support was 65%.

The poll of 800 self-identified “news watchers” was conducted by the nonpartisan Clarus Research Group from December 7th to the 12th. An earlier poll conducted in October also showed Hillary with a higher approval rating than Obama’s.

Hillary brokers peace between Conan O’Brien and Newark Mayor Booker.

Did you miss this?

In case you did, here’s a video of Hillary offering her services as Secretary of State to resolve the on-going dispute between talk show host, Conan O’Brien, and Newark, NJ, Mayor Booker.