Perhaps this should be reason enough TO run a tor node? Not for Burma/Iran... but for those of us in the "first world" who are threatened by police states ourselves? It sometimes takes an unfortunate rude awakening to realize this, but unfortunately there are no real limits to the police in any country.
[snip]
Run a node for yourself, for the society you live in (it needs it), not just for those far off in "oppressive regimes". There is plenty of oppression to go around locally. If they come for you, remember what it feels like to be innocent (assuming that you are); remember that when they come for your neighbor (don't assume innocence or guilt, but consider both), and consider lending your neighbor a helping or comforting hand,
-Martin