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Saturday, September 25, 2010
I am concerned

Concerned, as a matter of fact, that we, as a country, may be fucked.

The economy is still very rough for a lot of people, we're mired in a couple of very costly wars, oil rigs are tipping over and exploding, and I can't think of a snappy way to end this sentence.

In the past, when I felt a little down about the state of things, I'd take a step back from it all, remind myself that this country has been in rougher spots, and we always managed to tighten the belts, pull together, and do what was necessary to stop the ship of state from sinking. We'd emerge stronger, wiser, and the next generation would be on its way to doing better than the current one.

Not this time. I can't see it happening. Why? There are a lot of reasons.

First of all, I think we have a fascism problem that needs to be addressed. Some of you are probably smirking in a knowing fashion. "A-ha! He sees Obama for what he really is!"

Sort of. You're right, but for the wrong reason.

Fascism is not when men in garish uniforms stand at podiums demanding racial purity or national superiority. Fascism is much more an economic theory than a political one. Essentially, when the government and corporations collude to determine national policy, that's Fascism. Corporatism would do equally well as a description.

So, when you cry that Obama is a Fascist, it's because you think he's coming after your guns and Christianity. He isn't. If the president has Fascist leanings and policies, and he does, you should at least be somehow content that it's only because he is allowing corporations to write law and policy at the federal level, whether they are good for the citizens of the United States or not.

So, stop calling Obama a Fascist, unless you're actually concerned about the creeping corporatocracy that is ruining the country.

But ignorance of the meaning of the word brings me to another equally large problem that makes me think we're going to have a tough go bouncing back this time: We are getting dumber by the year.

We may live in the information age, but most people only want the information that jibes with what they already believe. The world is only 6000 years old? Of course it is, hundreds of websites and my pastor say so! You can cut taxes and reduce deficits? I've found an entire cable news channel and one-and-a-half major political parties in the US who insist it's so! Evolution is a myth? Damn straight, otherwise monkeys would have human babies, right?

Check and mate.

I can almost live with the willful ignorance. I mean, people are taught a lot of really dumb things as children, and bad wiring is tough to rip out once that house is built. If you were taught that the Bible is a literal record, there's always the possibility that you may, upon reaching maturity, understand that they are loosely historically-based fables. Many have good morals, some have really bad ones, and you can still manage to believe in your deity without worrying too much about whether to eat shellfish, or selling your daughter into slavery.

We're past willful. We've moved on to prideful ignorance.

These are the people who will stick their fingers in their ears, screaming how climate change is a myth, even as reams of data rolls in about the continuing streak of hottest years on record. You show them fossils, they trot out Genesis and stories of how dinosaur bones were put in the ground by Satan to fool us. What great things can you hope to accomplish with dependence on people like this?

So, we're ignorant, and dumber. What else? Lazy.

Now, I don't think it's so much a lack of work ethic. People in this country work hard, many because they take real pride in doing good work and earning their pay, although more do it because they're afraid if they don't crush it every second, they'll find their asses fired.

Our problem is that a lot of us want to believe that there is a magic bullet to solve our problems. Crumbling infrastructure? Someone will fix that, the free market, most likely. We're fat, so instead of eating better and exercising, we wait around for science to invent a pill that will allow us to do whatever we want and stay thin, and erect for more than 15 minutes, but less than four hours.

I don't believe we have the will to pull together and achieve anything important anymore. Could this country, as it exists today, build the Interstate Highway System, electrify Appalachia, the South and West, or send a man to the moon? How could we hope to manage them, when everyone is so insistent that things be done the way they want, common good be damned?

Which brings us to intolerance.

We've actually spent a good hunk of the summer arguing about whether or not American citizens with spotless criminal records should have the right to build a community center on a city zoning-approved site they own, two blocks from where some radical religious assholes knocked down buildings nine years ago.

THIS IS THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

The First Amendment is very clear about this. The government doesn't get to decide how or where you pray. A local government can pass restrictions about types of construction allowed, and usage of areas of land, but if you pass muster on the zoning, you get to have your prayer shack.

Why isn't anyone getting in the ass of the greedy capitalist that sold "sacred ground" (near the strip club), to these awful weirdos, who, let me remind you, had nothing to do with any terrorist attacks on American soil, or anyplace else?

"Well, turning a profit on real estate is as American as apple pie."

And so it is. A corporation made money on the sale, investors were enriched, and the wheel keeps turning, greased in the same manner we all understand.

Greased, not with the tens of millions of gallons of oil that flowed into the Gulf, while government stood by impotently, as BP was allowed to control beach access and the airspace over the disaster, because they've got more flex than any government agency. The feds couldn't stop it, and it turned out that the almighty corporation didn't have a plan for such a contingency, either.

No plan for trouble was needed. The government trusted the corporation to do the right thing. And BP will deliver on that promise, larger profits when all of this blows over.

Which will be sooner rather than later.

This country lacks the will to achieve anything much greater than finding a more comfortable way to watch television. It will be built in China, and it will be paid for with a credit card.

There are still things to be thankful for, of course. I am mostly thankful that I won't be alive in a hundred years to see how bad it gets.

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posted at 11:57 PM

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Monday, September 28, 2009
Don't call it a comeback
Monday in Tehran, students at the University were out in force, chanting slogans against the president, such as “Death to dictator!” and “Ahmadi, Ahmadi, this is the last message, the green movement is ready for uprising!”


Reuters reported that the website Norooz put the crowd at around one thousand.


Ahmadinejad was supposed to make an appearance at Tehran University today, but did not, and no official excuse was offered for the absence.


Reports that demonstrations may take place again Tuesday to celebrate the birthday of Mir Hossein Mossavi.

It's so important right now for the people to show the world that Ahmadi and Khameini do not represent the will of the Iranian people, especially in light of the recent revelations about Iran's nuclear program, and the recent missile firings. Keep spreading the word, stay aware, and stay strong. Illegal regimes cannot stand forever.

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posted at 9:36 PM

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Friday, August 07, 2009
"Unlikely to serve full term"

The Italian news service, ADNKronos, published an analysis of the situation in Iran. Ali Ansari from the London-based think tank Chatham House, and co-director of the Institute of Iranian Studies at St. Andrews University in Scotland told AKI:

"I would not want to predict a revolution but I definitely do not think Ahmadinejad will fulfill his full term."

Government opponents pledged to continue their protests after the swearing in of Ahmadinejad this week and there is speculation that the government may be unable to repress the simmering opposition, particularly as the economy is weak.

"I think they are in a very difficult position and unless ultimately they find some compromise, I think they will have serious problems," said Ansari.

"I mean the underlying thing you have to bear in mind about Ahmadinejad is he is taking over a country whose political and economic health is not good. So if you wait long enough, the economy will basically bring him down."

Suzanne Maloney, a senior fellow at the Saban Center for Middle East Policy at the Brookings Institution in Washington, also gave insight:

"The firebrand president's allies among the political elite distrust him profoundly, his cabinet is in shambles, and conservative rivals in the parliament have threatened a no-confidence vote," said Maloney, in a report published this week.

A hundred people are facing trial in Tehran on various charges, including conspiracy, rioting and vandalism allegedly committed during the street protests after the poll.

Defeated opposition presidential candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi and Iran's former reformist president Mohammad Khatami, have denounced the hearings, that were due to resume on Saturday.

"Though battered and detained, the opposition remains energised and appears to be prepared to wage a long-term mutiny against the regime's effort to stifle any dissent," said Maloney.

Keep up the support!

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posted at 1:01 PM

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Thursday, August 06, 2009
Kianoosh Asa - 40 Days

Protesters marked the 40th day since Kianoosh Asa was found murdered after disappearing for 10 days into the hands of security forces. Here's the video:



The video was shot in Asa's hometown, Kermanshah.

Also, Iranian blogger, Mehdi Saharkhiz, has posted some incredible photos on his blog, click here to see protests near Modares Highway in Tehran.

As a frame of reference:


View Larger Map

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posted at 10:10 PM

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Video - 6 August

Shot late in the day Thursday:



Marg bar diktator!

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posted at 10:05 PM

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Catching up

Twitter being under attack all day severely limited information getting out of Iran on Thursday. Here's what I've found:

Reuters reports that:

The renewed protests come despite a heavy police presence and the mass trial of some 100 leading reformers accused of fomenting the unrest that has continued for eight weeks since disputed June 12 polls returned hard-liner Ahmadinejad to office.

"Hundreds of people are in Vanak square, chanting 'death to the dictator'. Others are also honking car horns," said the witness. "Hundreds of riot police are there as well."

The witness said riot police tried to disperse protesters.

"They are telling protesters to leave the area or face being arrested," the witness said.

Some video up next.

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posted at 9:59 PM

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Association of Iranian Journalists shut down

Late Wednesday night, a group of armed men stormed the offices of the Association of Iranian Journalists in Tehran.

A member of the press group, who requested not to be named, was quoted in the report as confirming, "It is true, it has been closed down."

The International Federation of Journalists was quoted in the report as condemning the raid, as well as calling for the Islamic republic to release over 40 journalists currently held in prison.

"Government actions against media and journalists erode further the credibility and standing of the Government in national and the world opinion," an IFJ statement read.

Full article from the Jerusalem Post available here.

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posted at 11:37 AM

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Could it be...SATAN?!?

Today (Thursday), Iran's hardline newspaper, Kayhan, congratulated Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for standing up to Western countries, and warned that the Islamic Republic would stand up against American plots.

From the AFP article:

"The US is not going to give up its plotting against Iran," said Iran's leading hardline newspaper Kayhan, which last month criticised Ahmadinejad over a number of controversial political decisions.

"But it has clearly understood it can't stand against a powerful Islamic Iran which saw 85 percent turnout in the election. It has realised that adopting its old methods is useless," said the paper, whose editor is appointed by supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

"But what is unfortunate is that some reformists are not learning from the lessons from the Satan who has deceived them," the paper said referring to Ahmadinejad's rivals who have refused to acknowledge his victory.

It's noon in Tehran, I've not found anything yet about the protests that were being rumored for today.

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posted at 12:40 AM

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Wednesday, August 05, 2009
NO to Nokia

If anyone thinks that the vast opposition in Iran has forgotten about Nokia/Siemens role in selling equipment to the regime which helped to track down dissidents, well, you'd be wrong.


With video goodness:



Reports that people are trying to get action together for Thursday, I'll pass it along as I hear of it.

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posted at 4:09 PM

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Eyewitness account

The Guardian translated the text of a Farsi blogger named Mehdi Saharkhiz, who wrote earlier today about the level of force used by security in attempting to break up demonstrations today.

I was sitting in the Metro. While approaching Imam Khomeini Square, the driver said very politely: “We have to follow police orders, so we can’t stop at Baharestan and Mellat.” People started whispering.

When I emerged from the Metro the streets were full of military forces. Some had masks. Imam Square was full of special forces. Civil police were in the other streets, especially outside the mosques. They had closed Ekbatan Street.

Suddenly we heard an argument. A woman was running away. A man was chasing her and kept kicking her, until she dropped to the ground. I was very frightened. The kind of scene I witnessed make people insensitive, deaf and blind.

The woman being harassed made people boo and shout, while moving towards Jomhurii Street. They were shouting out slogans, such as “God is great” and “Death to the Dictator.”

Then we saw plain-closed police coming on their motor bikes, filming us, and pouring spray on us. We ran into an alley. A woman’s hands were burnt from the spray.

One woman shouted: "death to Khamenei". Boys as young as 15 were carrying lashes.

There was another gathering around 15th Khordad Square. and then towards Naser Khosro, people shouted "Merchants support us".

One old seller shouted to us: "American bastards!"

Someone asked "Why doesn't Bazar support us?" Another answered "because it would cost them too much".

The Bazar was as crowded and tense as Baharestan. It was full of plain-clothed police.

Back in the metro, a man asked: " Where are we supposed to gather in the evening?"

What an inauguration morning!

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posted at 3:59 PM

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"Brave Iranians Back us Up!”

Video shot Wednesday in Tehran, with the chant “Back us up! Back us up! Brave Iranians Back us Up!”

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posted at 3:54 PM

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Rafsanjani to deliver sermon again

Sheyda Jahanbin Tweeted that Iran’s former president, Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani will deliver the sermon again on Friday 14 August.

Friday August 14th’s prayer will be by Rafsanjani again. Hope to see another big turn out.

The last time Rasfanjani gave the sermon, it was a momentous day in Tehran...

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posted at 2:17 PM

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Murder to be investigated

A member of the Iranian parliament's investigation committee claims that parliament intends to look into the death of Ali Reza Tosali, according to the National Iranian American Council.

Tosali, who was 12, was at the demonstrations which took place last Thursday at Behesht Zahra cemetery, and got separated from his father. At some point, he was clubbed in the head by a police baton, and died from his injuries. Ali is believed to be the first child to die as a result of the unrest.



Government authorities refused to return his body to his family for four days.

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posted at 1:18 PM

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Karoubi speaks out

Defeated presidential candidate, Mehdi Karoubi, has called on the government of Iran to stop squelching democratic protests.

"Using frightening methods to suppress people will bear no result. Allow people to protest in the streets and to chant slogans ... an imposed state of security will harm our national security ... mass arrests of moderates and having such mass trials will endanger the country's national interests."

Full story from Reuters is here.

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posted at 12:39 PM

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Back story

If there is still a great deal that you want to learn about Iran's recent history, there is a really fine three-part series by the BBC that really goes over it in depth.

You may stream or download it here, and the other two parts can be linked from the same page.

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posted at 10:28 AM

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Gibbs revises statement

White House spokesman Robert Gibbs, said yesterday that Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was "Iran's elected leader." From a Reuters interview aboard Air Force One:

"Let me correct a little bit of what I said yesterday. I denoted that Mr. Ahmadinejad was the elected leader of Iran. I would say that's not for me to pass judgment on," Gibbs told reporters aboard Air Force One.

"He's been inaugurated. That's a fact. Whether any election was fair, obviously the Iranian people still have questions about that, and we'll let them decide about that."

The Obama administration has been walking a very thin line, wanting to support the Iranian opposition, while at the same time dealing with the reality that Ahmadinejad is likely to be the face they must look at in any diplomatic overtures, at least in the short term.

Hopefully, this eases, at least a little bit, the minds of all who want to see real change in Iran.

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posted at 10:08 AM

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"Share the Shah's fate"

The Associated Press observed today's protests outside of the Iranian Parliament.

Hundreds of protesters chanted "Death to the Dictator" before security forces broke up a demonstration near parliament, striking people with batons and blasting them with pepper spray, witnesses said.

Some of the protesters wore black T-shirts in a sign of mourning and others wore green — the color of the opposition movement. A middle-aged woman carried a banner warning Iran's leaders if they do not listen to people's demands, they will face the same fate as Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, who was toppled in the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

It's a very thorough article, definitely worth a read.

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posted at 10:00 AM

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Try harder, will ya?

There is just no propaganda like state-sponsored propaganda.

Iran's PressTV, reporting on the swearing-in ceremony today, also analyzed the activity outside Parliament, which was fascinating, even though there wasn't any.

Parliament News reported that more than 5,000 security forces were guarding the downtown block while other reports said officers with sniffer dogs patrolled the area searching for possible bombs.

All shops and businesses in the area were ordered to close. Security forces had cordoned off the neighboring areas near the Majlis hours before the ceremony began, reports said.

In a separate move, Head of Tehran's metro company Jafar Rabiyi said the authorities ordered the trains not to stop at two stops near Parliament -- Baharestan and Mellat stations -- until the end of the inauguration ceremony.

Rabiyi stressed that the move was not due to any technical problems and was only because of the swearing-in ceremony, announcing that the trains would stop at regular stations after the event.

Despite the heavy security presence, opposition supporters held sporadic demonstrations in protest at the inauguration of President Ahmadinejad, who garnered almost two-thirds of the vote, repots said.

Several people were arrested and police used tear gas to disperse demonstrators, according to the reports.

However, Iranian deputy police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said the inauguration ceremony was held in a peaceful environment.

"Despite mass propaganda by satellite TV channels and foreign media calling on the people to gather in front of Majlis, no illegal protests were held [in the area]," Radan said.

Sporadic demonstrations were held, and there were no illegal protests in that area. Which is it? Or were these legal protests, and if so, why are you beating and arresting people?

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posted at 9:52 AM

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More protests

Reuters is reporting that there are protests all over Tehran today, and the crackdown is still in effect by security forces:

"I was beaten by police who wanted to disperse protesters," said a witness, who declined to give her name.

Another witness said dozens of protesters gathered at the vicinity of Tehran's Bazaar.

"They were chanting Allah-u Akbar (God is greatest) and Mousavi we support you. But riot police dispersed them," said a witness from southern Tehran, where the Bazaar is located.

Police arrested at least 10 protesters, witnesses said.

Some of the reports I have read place the number of arrested much higher. This video looks to have been taken outside of Parliament, in Baharestan Square:

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posted at 9:43 AM

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Protests @ Tehran's Bazaar

Crowds of protesters have gathered in what looks like the bazaar in Tehran, take a look:



In this other video, the people are still angry about Russia's fast acceptance of the fraudulent June 12th election results:



And rightly so.

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posted at 9:38 AM

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