1. Saturday’s Crackdown: I’ve been saying that it was bound to happen and now it’s happening. The footage of the crackdown coming out of Iran is massively disturbing, especially the one covering the death of a girl named Neda. I have to warn you, the video is traumatic. See it here but only if you have the stomach for it. Here’s another troubling video of attacks occurring at night at people’s residences, presumably punishment for participating in protests earlier. And here’s a video of a man killed. Here’s al-Jazeera’s coverage of Saturday. But be warned, the violence Iran saw yesterday is nothing compared to what the regime is capable of and is willing to do. It’s just a taste of what’s to come, should the protests continue.
2. World Solidarity in Support of The Demonstrators: Here’s a video/photo essay chronicling world solidarity (30 cities)Â in support of the people in Iran.
3. The Internal Power Struggle: The internal power struggle is brewing. Reports suggest that Rafsanjani has been busy rallying clerics in Qom against both Ahmadinejad and Khamenei. Here’s an al-Jazeera video updating us on that power struggle. Furthermore, 5 of Rafsanjani’s family members have been arrested, including his daughter Faezeh. They have all been released but reports indicate that Faezeh may still be in custody. All of this shows the severity of the internal showdown.
4. Khatami Criticizes Khamenei: “Prohibiting people from expressing their demands in a civilized manner will have dire consequences… Linking the healthy movements of the people with foreign interference is a flawed political practice, which leads to alienating the people from the government…”
5. iPouya Featured in the Harvard Crimson: I usually don’t have anything important to say, and when I do, the interviewers leave out the important stuff in favor of my trivial words, but I stand by this one sentence of mine: “He adds that he believes the massive media coverage of the election in the West, though not always accurate, is ultimately a good thing, considering that a lot of democratic movements in the Middle East are not reported at all.”
6. Lack of Leadership: In another stark contrast between 30 years ago and now: “The BBC’s Middle East editor Jeremy Bowen says there is an apparent absence of strong leadership of the protests. ‘The protesters have got so many options at the moment of course but we just don’t know how the actual leaders of the protests will react,’ one Tehran resident told the BBC. He said the defeated presidential candidates and leading politicians who had been associated with the protest movement – Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani and Mohammad Khatami – were ;’taying in the background’. ‘I think this is possibly a negative sign for the opposition,’ he said.”
7. Protest Slideshow with Rage Against the Machine’s Music: See the video here.
8. NIAC Calls for Re-vote: For everyone that wrongfully accused NIAC of being a tool of the Islamic Republic, they have just publicly demanded a re-vote and condemned the violence and the killings.
9. 3 Days of Mourning: One of Iran’s most senior religious leaders and dissident clerics has called for 3 days of mourning in solidarity of those who died on Saturday.
To you, the new ‘expert’ on Iran
By Yaman
A guest post by Mohamed of The Traveller Within, republished with permission
Yes, you.
Who, until this morning, thought that ‘Shiraz’ was just the name of a wine
Who’s beaming with pride you can now write ‘Ahmadinejad’ without copy-and-pasting it from a news website
Who only heard of Evin prison when Roxana Saberi was there (Roxana who?)
Who changed your Facebook profile picture to a green rectangle saying “Where’s my vote?“ even though you don’t actually vote in Iran
Who actually thinks that Mir-Hossein Mousavi is a secular
And that his election means that Iran will give up its nuclear claims
And allow you to visit Tehran for Christmas
Who joyfully makes Azadi/Tiananmen square comparisons
Who first heard of Azadi square last Sunday
Who’s quick to link to articles you haven’t read, debunking other articles you’ve barely heard of
Who has just discovered that Iran has a (quasi-)democracy, and elections, and the like
Who blinked in disbelief at the images of women – oh, they have women! and they’re not in burkas! – demonstrating
Who has never heard of Rezai or Karroubi before (hint: they ran for election in a Middle-Eastern country last Friday)
Who staunchly believes that the elections have been stolen – either by ballot box stuffing, (14 million of them!) or by burning some ballots, or both (somehow?), regardless of the absence of any proof (yet)
… But who nevertheless
Has been tweeting, and re-tweeting, and polluting cyberspace with what is essentially hearsay, rumours, and unconfirmed truncated reports or falsification coming from people who actually know about the realities of Iran’s political world and have an agenda:
You know nothing. Abso-fucking-lutely nothing about what happened, or is happening across Iran at the very moment. Most of us don’t, actually. What we see is a tiny slice of reality, mind you, what is happening on the main squares in the big cities, under camera lenses.
I hear your objection though:
Yes, you are entitled to an opinion, to formulating it, to blog it, and to discuss it. I do that too. (this my blog after all).
But do everyone, and you first and foremost, a favour.
Learn from the people who know a thing or two about the issue at hand.
Be selective about you read, listen to, and watch. A simple way is to follow an Iranian friend’s updates and the links they put up.
(Even the State Dept is reading tweets from Iranians.)
Ask questions more than you volunteer answers.
And when you get a tweet that says UNCONF or ‘can anyone confirm?‘, for Pete’s sake, that says “This is potentially bullshit“. Don’t spread nonsense. Don’t spread unconfirmed or unsourced information.
And rather that getting all excited following live some current events taking place in a country you probably cannot place on a map, read analysis of what it means, what the candidates actually stand for, and what the result will mean for the Iranians and the world.
Then, I would be delighted, truly, to read what you have to say.
Until then, please, pretty please – SHUT UP.
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-
As for what I think? I don’t know. I think the results could be fake – and they also could be real. We probably will never know.
And I don’t think we’re watching a Ukraine ‘04 redux or a ‘Green revolution’.
And I think that the people on the street will tire of getting beaten up by a government that is currently revoking foreign media licenses and will forfeit. We’re – well, Iran is – likely stuck with Ahmadinejad for four more years.
And while the troubles on the street are unlikely to lead to a change of government, they’d have had the benefit of showing the Iranian people in a new light – they’re normal people, only with more courage than most of us have.
http://www.kabobfest.com/2009/01/if-canada-launched-rockets-at-us.html
THIS IS FOR THOSE WHO READ AND WRITE FARSI AND ARE WITHIN IRAN: http://www.facebook.com/ext/share.php?sid=94663939451&h=bseHx&u=iKF-R
You know the real blame for all this belongs with rafsanjani, he was preparing for this for a long time. Its Ironic, the two people who where “favroites” of Imam Khomenie, Mossawi and Rafsanjani. Are potentially bringing the whole system down to advance thier illusions of grandeaur. Watch if the unlikely scenario happens that Khamenie falls, and thier are protests.. you will see how Rafsanjani cracks down on it.
Hey stop this non-sense please. This is Iran, Iranian people and their will. Yes, we could look at the actors involved, but Nedas who are dying in the street are fighting for freedom. How dare you people smash their names through labeling them supporter of an actor. IRAN HAS WOKEN UP AND THEY ARE FIGHTING FOR THEIR FREEDOM. They all have united for the same cause, and this is where things are going. It is Unification of forces in Iran. THEY ARE NOT FIGHTING FOR ISRAEL, U.S, OR ANY OTHER GROUP. THEY HAVE SIMPLY UNITED TO REGAIN THEIR FREEDOM. EVEN IF THEY DON’T ACHIEVE ANYTHING, EVEN IF THINGS GET A LOT WORST, AT THE END THEY HAVE TRIED. I SALUTE EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THOSE BRAVE MEN AND WOMEN FOR THEIR FIGHT AND COURAGE. It is easy for us to sit here million miles away behind our computers and read some news and make some statements trying to blame a person for this and that. If any of you guys are men enough, get on a stupid plane and go do what they are doing even for an hour.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjViAyT37YU
here is a video for thsoe who can read farsi again, and I cannot agree more. This is from a blogger in Iran who is a friend of mine and he is a university student. Mehdi, I REALLY HOPE WHERE EVER U R, U STAY SAFE AND I SALUTE YOU.
Arash, when Reza Pahlavi flies to Iran, you can sit beside him and be his aide, ok? Unless there’s some other post you’d prefer? Israeli liason? I bet you’re having happy dreams these days.
Dear Arash,
We are not a “million miles away” from them. Iran isn’t Saturn. Also, no one is blaming these protesters. We’re blaming the idiots who are exploiting them.
It’s also ridiculous for you to be concerned about this group’s freedom, while defending the occupation and oppression of another (and participating in it, if what I’ve read is true). I wish you could see how pathetic and inhumane your views are.
I used to be like you Arash. I used to say “Palestine isn’t even a country.” I’m not proud of that, but I’ll admit it. Then I read and I used my own judgment, regardless of whether the Jerusalem Toast or my friend agree or not. I know it is nice to feel apart of a group or a fighting brotherhood, but realize this, you are no better than those Basij who you denounce here and other place on the web.
Nazanin, khaily beghairti! that’s all I got to say to you. I am not arguing Israel/Palestine situation.
No body is exploiting anybody, Iranians are simply fed up with what is going in Iran, and what a beghairat you are that you are minimizing their roles through defaming some actors. Take a good look at the pictures in Iran, your beghayratness is sooo vast that you try to justify your position through Israeli/Palestinian conflict. YOU MY FREIND ARE A BEGHAYRAT! Even me, who is detached from Iran feels something when I see those videos, and yet you are simply trying to justify ur position by blaming the leader. You want Iranian to live under repressive regime because you simply don’t like Mousavi or you think Mousavi is exploiting them? Iranians have been exploited for decades and now you think Mousavi is going to do it? There is a small glimps of hope in Iran and beghayrats like you are trying to ruin it through defaming the movement. Unbelievable! I’m speechless. Who said anything about Shah’s son going back to Iran? Who will even accept him in Iran? No body has even mentioned anything about him in Iran or Iranian movement. There is one goal in this movement, which is freedom! AT THE END, WE HAVE A SAYING IN FARSI: nazanin & nahido bayad be gari bebandand. You 2 are biggest beghayrat who shed more tears for freigners than your own people. Go play w/ your beghayrat holocaust denying friend nahid because it seems like you two have a lot in common. BEGHAYRAT!
Arash, why are you attacking me by saying you “feel something” when you watch those videos. I do too. I’m a daughter, and I can’t imagine what Neda’s father will have to live with after witnessing his precious child killed right in front of him. It is a tragedy, especially considering that Iranians have to rely on a man Mousavi the butcher to promise them rights and freedom. But let’s cut the bull.
Please don’t use this dumb “you cry for Arabs but not for Iranians.” Humanity is humanity. I think that Palestinians are also exploited by their leaders, like Iranians. But who cares, eh? I brought up Israel because the images of violence I see from there never seem to make you blink. Why? How can you tune out certain crimes but not others? I am not going to question your humanity, and I’m sure you have it in you to see that it’s not the same. It’s just a question of personal bias and old school prejudice.
I am not a Holocaust denier and nahid just happened to support Ahmadinejad too. Don’t try to write some passionate appeal about Neda to say I’m beghayrat. That’s such a cheap argument to fall back on.
Well, Nazanin, what you are doing is exactly what politicians have been doing for ages. Humanity is humanity! I will not drag this conversation into Israeli/Palestinian conflict, but the fact of the matter is you brought it up to somehow discredit my argument with regards to Iran. Then you managed to make a pathetic claim that Israel is happy and I am happy and all bullshit like that.
First and foremost, if you knew anything about politics you know israel WILL NOT gain anything from election of Mousaiv. Israel has quietly been saying that they would like Ahmadinejad to win. At the same time, Israel will not benefit from the unrest either. So please stop the whole celebration thing or the fact that I am happy. IT IS NOT IN ISRAEL INTEREST FOR MOUSAVI TO WIN THE ELECTION. But again, I am going against what in Israel’s interest and supporting the people of Iran. Therefore you cannot really resort back to my affiliation for Israel.
You are a beghayrat, because you are down playing, defaming, and minimizing the efforts in Iran. In the begining, you were shedding tears for the stores that are destoryed in Iran. Then you called them party-goers, and now you are saying you are a daughter. You are blaming the Mousavi for what happened to Neda by saying it is Mousavi that put her in danger. Yes, but now you are blaming the victim for the rape. I am nto saying Mousavi is the victim rather I am saying you are blaming Neda. HE PULLED THE G-D DAMN TRIGER? It was the same guys who love the man that you chose as your president. Don’t you dare comparing the situation of Neda to Israeli/Palestinian situations because Neda was unarmed, and nobody was shooting from behind’s Neda position. Nazanin, if you really are not bright enough to see a pattern here, betwene supporting Ahmadinejad, supporting what he is standing up for, seeing the only person who agrees w/ u is retarded Nahid who openly denies holocaust, then you really should look within yourself and find answers.
with regards to Palestinians dying, how do you know that I tune out other crimes? How could you even compare Israeli-Palestinian situations to situations in Iran? This is a tactice, a decietful tactic w/ malicious intent to distract the attention from the main port.
ANOTHER ISSUE: DON’T YOU ****** DARE TALKING ABOUT PREJIDUCE CUZ YOU VOTED, SUPPORTED, AND STILL BACKING A DANCING MONKEY WHO OPENLY DENIES HOLOCAUST AND IS SIMPLE OF RACISM AND HATRED AROUND THE WORLD. JUST DON’T GO NAZANIN BECAUSE YOU WILL BEAT UR OWN ARGUMENT FOR ME.
Arash,
Netanyahu was on nbc today and he stated that “as a person who deeply loves democracy” (he kept a straight face) he was very happy to see Iranians demanding their rights/votes. He didn’t say anything about the election result, but he said that he would like to see Iran policy change. Great! Then he said “Iran has threatened to wipe Israel off the map. They want nuclear weapons,” trying to remind people that their war effort was totally justified.
I did not bring up Israel to discredit what you said about Iran at all. I just see a contradiction, but you only see “Islamist mafias”.
Why do you have to keep saying monkey? You idiot, many Iranians look like that. Grow up.
Seriously? many iranians look like that? hahahahha come on, even iranians inside iran are calling him a monkey and no he does not look like average iranian.
Netanyaho is B.Sing, he is a politician, of course he needs to say that. At the same time, this is your best proof? ARE YOU KIDDING ME? Ok, then here is something for you: Israel’s Mosad Chief said it in a debriefing to Israeli cabinet that situation in Iran is not in Israel’s benefit. 2 days after the whole thing broke out, it is better to see Ahmadinejad as president and with Mousaiv, things will get really complicated with Iran.
Another issue: you only see a contradiction…let me tell you why you see a contradiction, you are not genuine in “seeing contradiction”, the reason is simple: you want ahmadinejad to be the president, therefore you will use any tool at your disposal to somehow defame the movement. I have seen your posts and it smells a lot like you really don’t want them to succeed.
Another line of reasoning: so because Israel or I am saying that Iranians are doing a good thing to stnad up for their freedom, then these protesters should be convicted, jailed, or killed? Based on your analogy, basically if israel says they want Iranian people to succeed, you want the same Iranian to fail in their quest to achieve fundamental rights? come on beghayrat, YOU CARE MORE ABOUT FOREIGNERS THAN YOUR OWN PEOPLE! NOW WHO IS MOTIVATED BY PREJIDUCE AND PERSONAL BIASED? gee wait a second, who did you vote? I forgot, you voted for the symbol of racism, the monkey who openly denies holocaust. I couldn’t expect anything less than this from you.
I did not vote for Ahmadinejad because of his views on the Holocaust. I know you are narrow minded and purposely stubborn, but that’s just not it. This was a terrible election and the choices weren’t good. But if you think that Mousavi was who he said he was, you’re the monkey.
Let me reiterate: I do not think that because you and Israel are happy, it’s bad. I just quoted BN because I find it interesting that he needed to defend the warmongering policy before the election chaos ensued. He had to cover his butt somehow, I guess. You don’t know me, so don’t talk about “expectations”. Do you think Mousavi was a fan of Israel? That he was ready to shake hands and say goodnight to any of the Iran-Israel policies? Dream on. The man is a butcher. He was an Iranian Saddam and the post of PM was so blackened by him that they just took it away.
Voting for him doesn’t change the past, and his history of opportunism is no secret – he set up his post at the Humanities Council so he could appear sympathetic to civil society.
Now, compare this record to Ahmadinejad, who just said a bunch of stuff that upset you, but caused absolutely no war. In fact, no one was even paying attention to Iran until A’jad came to be president – I wonder if it has to do with the dirty secret of Israel and MEK? Their lust for a war, excuse me SURGICAL STRIKE?
Arash, you’ve lashed out at me plenty here, and that’s fine. But you have an obvious way of getting defensive when someone points out your hypocrisy.
First of all, I would not have voted anyways. At the same time, it doesn’t matter whether it was Mousavi or Ahmadinejad or who was running, the problem is that the Iranian people are angry because their vote was stolen. No need to call anybody monkey, the monkey so far is the one who stole the election. I know you didn’t vote for him for views for holocaust, but i think his views on holocaust should have prevented you to vote for him, because DO YOU REALLY WANT A GUY WHO OPENLY DENIES A HISTORICAL FACT TO REPRESENT YOUR COUNTRY? IF YOU DO, THEN THERE IS A CLEAR PROBLEM THERE. AHMADINEJAD HAS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO SHOW IN HIS PAST 4 YEAR REPORT CARD, THEREFORE THE CHOICE SHOULD HAVE BEEN SUPER EASY.
But again, my point is that Iranian are angry because the election was stolen, and they are angry at the past 30 years and now they are voicing their anger, but according to you, since it is mousavi who is the candidate, the Iranian blood that is being spilled is worthless and the the protests should stop. I am still amazed at the fact that how could any reasonable prudent person (who by the way crimes humanity and all that crap of course for others) could support ahmadinejad. If you want to talk about contradiction princess, woop there it is!
By the way, thanx for the personal insult, but it was not me who named him a monkey, it was the people in iran that called him that. AND YES, HE DOES LOOK LIKE A MONKEY AND I HAVE MORE RESPECT FOR A MONKEY THAN I HAVE FOR THAT KILLER.
Arash,
So Netanyahu is “just a politician” and “he’s just saying this and that” and it’s not a big deal. But when an Iranian president says something you don’t like well then it’s a totally different standard. I don’t care if you call A’jad a monkey. I don’t care who else does. But it reflects on you and where you have to resort when someone points out your hypocrisy.
“Do you think Mousavi was a fan of Israel? That he was ready to shake hands and say goodnight to any of the Iran-Israel policies? Dream on. The man is a butcher. He was an Iranian Saddam and the post of PM was so blackened by him that they just took it away.”
Didn’t I just say that in this case, I am not putting Israel’s benefit ahead of Iran?! Mousavi or Ahmadinejad, would not have made a bit of difference in Iranian nuclear issue. For Israel, Ahmadinejad would have been better and everybody (almost everybody) agrees to that. It would have made life for Israel a lot simpler by trying to convince Obama and West to put pressure on Iran. At the same time, I am not supporting any candidate, I am supporting the students who are running the streets. If their choice is Mousaiv, the Mousavi it is, they have the right to have their voice heard.
“Now, compare this record to Ahmadinejad, who just said a bunch of stuff that upset you, but caused absolutely no war. In fact, no one was even paying attention to Iran until A’jad came to be president – I wonder if it has to do with the dirty secret of Israel and MEK? Their lust for a war, excuse me SURGICAL STRIKE?”
so now you are trying to quiet the protesters by portraying Ahmadinejad as a good guy who Israel and MEK don’t like and that is why it is happening. I really really don’t know anything about MEK, neither do i believe in them, neither do i support them, but would you care to elaborate what the hell does ahmadinejad know that it would be soooooo “dirty secret” and it would make israel so agittate about him? Please, I am dying to know. On a different note, Israel does not care about Mousaiv, or Ahmadinejad; that little monkey who can’t even speak like a president has murdered a lot of people (and no, not just MEK, a lot of opposition) did this to himself because the idiot is a true racist and hateful person.
can you confirm if this is true or not, very important:
http://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2009/06/21/76650.html
thanks
Ahmadinejad’s words about Holocaust is hateful, and they are dangerous. Ahmadinejad’s words were followed by a convention in Iran dedicated to deny holocaust, ahmadinejad’s words followed by a competition about cartoons w/ regard who could deny holocaust better. It created a safe heaven for all the holocaust denying racist morons around the word; Netanyahoo’s words did not do anything, it simply said that we’re happy to see how iranians are fighting for their freedom. In case you cannot tell teh difference, let me elaborate for u, one is expression of feeling (happy sadness or some sort of feeling-people’s opinion and they are entitled to it-i know you support ahmadinejad and expression of feeling should be denied) and the other one is stating a fact: holocaust is a myth, it never happened bla bla bla…CAN YOU SEE THE DIFFERENCE NOW PRINCESS?
At this point Arash, the election is meaningless. Khamenei has cancer. This is a swan song. Mousavi was a hitman and he knew what hell the basij would unleash. The deaths are very sad and yes, mousavi is responsible just as the triggerman. I hope that when the regime falls, there isnt a war or factional fighting.
Was that a metaphor about khamenei having cancer? or does he medically have it?
Interesting, I think those unleashing hell on the protesters are the ones to blame for the death.
I usually like Asad Abu Khalil but he is really pissing me off with his election coverage (link below) its almost as if he HAS to find something wrong with the movement due to the fact that the American media covering it. Its starting to make me question people with his line of reasoning…do you support progressive movements because you believe in human rights or purely for the sake of being against the status quo?
http://angryarab.blogspot.com/2009/06/western-media-sickening.html
also
http://angryarab.blogspot.com/2009/06/western-media-coverage.html
No it was not a metaphor. Khamenei has cancer. Just like the shah did. (sound ominous music!)
what your basis for making that statement about the cancer.
Rafsanjani has issued a letter that is signed by 86 clerics. It charges that Khamenei wants to have monarchy (this just gets better and better) because his SON will be the next Supreme Leader, instead of Rafsanjani Aziz. Peiknet had this letter first last night. Now it’s on Huffington Post
http://www.peiknet.com/1388/09tir/01/PAGE/41RAFSANJANI.htm
my bad. it’s been signed by 40 clerics of the 86 member coucil.
http://kashanhami.blogfa.com/post-664.aspx
http://www.kabobfest.com/2009/06/che-guevaras-got-good-genes.html
Ahmadinejad’s populism is a double-edged sword. If carried too far, it may undermine the legitimacy of the regime, which included corrupt sections of the clerical establishment. But Ahmadinejad is a clever politician. He has certainly grown while on the job these past four years. Although he self-portrayed with gusto as a locomotive that charges ahead without brakes or reverse gear, he knew where to stop and when to glance over his shoulder. Thus, he hit at many corrupt practices and threatened to bring key figures to justice, but stopped short of landing the big catch. The big question is whether Ahmadinejad will cast his net wide in his second term.
The most amazing thing is, a blogger at FAITHFREEDOM got this whole thing right back in 2005!! Holy crap! Good job FF.
http://www.faithfreedom.org/oped/PotkinAzarmehr50715.htm
yeah, although its probably not the demonstrators intentions, Rafsanjani is using them to achieve what he couldn’t at the ballot box 4 years ago, And possibly this time via mossawi. I think when Rafsankani first ran, he wanted to use the presidents office as a pedestal to challenge Khamenie. Or prepare himself for his succesion when he dies.
It should also be noted that Rafsanjani failed to even win a seat in the Parliment in 2002, yet since then he gone on to consolidate more and more power. And know that someone finally wants to hold him and his family accountable for their corruption he willing to create chaos to preserve it all. Again I not saying thats why people are demonstratingm they have thier motives, but someonle else is reaping the benifits.
Time for Shirin Ebadi to be President of Iran. She puts all these Rajavis and Pahlavis to shame.
Nazanin, the rumor of Khameni having cancer has been floating around for almost 15 years now. Are you sure that he really does have cancer?
and can anybody plez tell me why is Shah’s son making statement to media? Who the hell is he in the middle of all this and why is he acting as an expert? how he is connected to these protesters?
I have not seen a single picture that anybody ever mention anything about Shah, monarchy, or him, so please someone tell me why is this guy making statements.