Election Crisis in Iran! (ongoing thread)

[piasabird]

The Kurds in northern Iraq would probably love a chance to invade Northern Iran and would probably love a chance for revenge against the hateful treatment of the Kurds in Northern Iran.

 

[StageLeft]

If the current regime is about to be overthrown, why not take a few of their hated neighbors with them?

Because then you die.

Obama made a BIG mistake in handling Iran. The ENTIRE POINT of Obama's stance, or lack there of, was to not give a hint the the USA is "meddling" in the election. Mr. Supreme Leader blamed the west/USA anyways, despite Obama's lack of taking a position. He just made it all up. Now, not only has Mr. Supreme Leader accused the USA of "meddling" but Obama has also alienated the "revolutionists" by not even taking stance against the human rights abuses.

So he made it up and had to talk about Waco from God knows how many years ago. If he didn't have to make it up, he'd have been taken more seriously. If the people are so indoctrinated to believe outright lies, it's not likely anything Obama can say would matter.

 

[Craig234]

Originally posted by: sciwizam

Originally posted by: Craig234

Originally posted by: alchemize
I bet he (Mousavi) pusses out.

What an odd phrase for not idiotically getting exiled.

NPR had a good guest explaining some of this, incuding that Mousavi is a long-time rival to the current leader, is the richest man in Iran, and greatly outranks the 'Supreme Leader' in religion, as a 'Grand Ayatollah', of which there are not many. He said to watch the 'mourning days' - the same device used to overthrow the Shah. They call for mourning days, which are used for massive rallies that result in violence and casualties and more mourning days. He said this is just getting started.

He also indicated the same people who overthroew the Shah are now in the position to do the same thing to this government.

Some Corrections: Mousavi is neither one of those.

The richest man mentioned was Ayatollah Rafsanjani, and the Grand Ayatollah mentioned was Grand Ayatollah Hossein-Ali Montazeri

Thank you for the correction. I couldn't remember the man's name, and from the context, chose to make an assumption, being lazy, figuring it'd be corrected if wrong. Oops.

 

[piasabird]

Just fly over a few predator drones to see what is going on and purposely target them with Spy Satelites and see what they do.

Also keep some corridors of escape open for people who want to leave Iran. If they want to relocate lets build them a base of operations.

I think the leadership in Iran is scared, weak and afraid to come out into the open. Just assasinate Im-A-Nut-A-Job.

 

[seemingly random]

Originally posted by: Patranus
I watched the speech live on CNN.

Mr. Supreme Leader is pretty scary. He makes good points but uses "facts" to prove his points. An example of this would be a Waco Texas reference. Mr. Supreme Leader said it was Ms. Clinton and the Democrat's fault and then went onto say that it was a human rights issue and don't lecture Iran on Human rights issues. While Waco Texas did happen under President Clinton and Democrat control I would hardly call the deaths the fault of the Democrats. You *might* be able to make an argument that the standoff was the fault of the Democrats but I really don't think ANYONE wanted 50 people to die. Not to mention that it happened 15+ years ago.

I wish that I knew if the people of Iran actually believe Mr. Supreme Leader. Without access to any other news source other than the state run media it troubles me that the "revolutionists" are able to get the real news.

Obama made a BIG mistake in handling Iran. The ENTIRE POINT of Obama's stance, or lack there of, was to not give a hint the the USA is "meddling" in the election. Mr. Supreme Leader blamed the west/USA anyways, despite Obama's lack of taking a position. He just made it all up. Now, not only has Mr. Supreme Leader accused the USA of "meddling" but Obama has also alienated the "revolutionists" by not even taking stance against the human rights abuses.

Obama has really been missing out not having you as his closest advisor. Just think, with your advice, he could look just like bush/cheney. But then I guess that's a good thing, not a wimpy thing.

 

[Acanthus]

We will find out Mousavis decision in the early AM if he chooses to stay.

 

[miniMUNCH]

Obama is being surgical... we need a unified message starting from congress on up to condemn human rights violation and we are getting it going as I type.

Then the voice of our government, the voice of the people, starting with congress will decry the human rights violations occurring in Iran.

It will show our democracy, our appreciate for consensus and process against their dictatorial mandates.

 

[JEDIYoda]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/ml_iran_election

TEHRAN, Iran ? Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei sternly warned Friday of a crackdown if protesters continue their massive street rallies, escalating the government's showdown with demonstrators demanding a new presidential election. In reaction to Khamenei's address hours later, cries of "Death to the dictator!" and "Allahu akbar!" ? "God is great!" ? resounded from rooftops throughout Tehran after dark ? similar to other nights this week following rallies supporting reformist candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi.

Khamenei told tens of thousands of people at a Friday prayer service at Tehran University that the balloting had not been rigged, and he sided with hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, offering no concessions to the opposition. He effectively ruled out any chance for a new vote, lauding the June 12 election as an expression of the people's will.............................
#####################################

See everybody!! I knew these election were 100% honest and no hankypanky was going on!!
This dued Ahmadinehjad is a beloved figure of Iranian Politics!

 

[Phokus]

Imagine if Obama had been more forceful in his condemnation, khamenei would have been able to more easily pivot to Obama as meddling in Iranian affairs. Now all he can do is sputter with B.S. that nobody in their right mind would believe.

 

[Corn]

Originally posted by: Craig234
Thank you for the correction. I couldn't remember the man's name, and from the context, chose to make an assumption, being lazy, figuring it'd be corrected if wrong. Oops.

Good sig material, thanks.

 

[bamacre]

From an Iranian twitter..

"Khamenei said he will not tolerate any more protesters & rallies, so tomorrow's rally is completely against his will as the supreme leader"

"it means tomorrow's demonstration is the first that will actually defy supreme leader's orders & probably himself"

"Khatami's Facebook: join Mousavi, Khatami and Karoubi tomorrow at 4pm from Enghelab Sq. to Azadi Sq. in Tehran for a crucial green protest"



So, tomorrow we may see this turn a new path. The Iranian government has some tough decisions to make. It seems like the protesters and Mousavi have already made up their minds.

 

[Michael]

If there is a protest I would expect the government to unleash the military And the militia.

This is a government that supports terrorist actions across the world. I can't think of a reason why they would not use force now.


Michael

 

[frostedflakes]

Oh boy. The rallies are still on it seems.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8110582.stm

 

[al981]

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
Time for the someone to assassinate the ayatollah?

Get him out of the picture, and I think you might have a successful chance at revolution in Iran.

I put you in charge to hatch a plan with britain to assassinate and overthrow the leaders of iran, natural elections be damned. take over their oil, install a "shah" or two, and tell the american people it was for "freedom" :laugh:

 

[al981]

Originally posted by: JEDIYoda
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/ml_iran_election

TEHRAN, Iran ? Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei sternly warned Friday of a crackdown if protesters continue their massive street rallies, escalating the government's showdown with demonstrators demanding a new presidential election. In reaction to Khamenei's address hours later, cries of "Death to the dictator!" and "Allahu akbar!" ? "God is great!" ? resounded from rooftops throughout Tehran after dark ? similar to other nights this week following rallies supporting reformist candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi.

Khamenei told tens of thousands of people at a Friday prayer service at Tehran University that the balloting had not been rigged, and he sided with hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, offering no concessions to the opposition. He effectively ruled out any chance for a new vote, lauding the June 12 election as an expression of the people's will.............................
#####################################

See everybody!! I knew these election were 100% honest and no hankypanky was going on!!
This dued Ahmadinehjad is a beloved figure of Iranian Politics!

sounds just like how the republicans screwed over gore in 2000. but when iran does it, it must be bad amiright.

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: al981

Originally posted by: JEDIYoda
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/ml_iran_election

TEHRAN, Iran ? Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei sternly warned Friday of a crackdown if protesters continue their massive street rallies, escalating the government's showdown with demonstrators demanding a new presidential election. In reaction to Khamenei's address hours later, cries of "Death to the dictator!" and "Allahu akbar!" ? "God is great!" ? resounded from rooftops throughout Tehran after dark ? similar to other nights this week following rallies supporting reformist candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi.

Khamenei told tens of thousands of people at a Friday prayer service at Tehran University that the balloting had not been rigged, and he sided with hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, offering no concessions to the opposition. He effectively ruled out any chance for a new vote, lauding the June 12 election as an expression of the people's will.............................
#####################################

See everybody!! I knew these election were 100% honest and no hankypanky was going on!!
This dued Ahmadinehjad is a beloved figure of Iranian Politics!

sounds just like how the republicans screwed over gore in 2000. but when iran does it, it must be bad amiright.

If this is just like Gore losing in 2000 and his loss being confirmed by the supreme court, I guess mousavi's people have nothing to bitch about.

 

[Acanthus]

There are reports of hundreds of Iranian police massing at the 2 sites that were planned areas of the protests.

I havent heard anything either way on whether people are showing up or not.

 

[Acanthus]

I havent heard much from any reliable sources.

Just heard on Twitter that there may have been an explosion at a shrine.

RT @oxfordgirl Khomeini shrine has been hit with bomb, many ppl injured.

Now on Yahoo!

English-language state TV says a blast at the Tehran shrine of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini wounded two people. The report could not be independently confirmed.

The witnesses say some 3,000 protesters chanted "Death to the dictator!" and "Death to dictatorship!" near Revolution Square in central Tehran. Police confronted them by using tear gas and water cannon.

Witnesses say thousands of police and plainclothes militia members filled the streets to prevent rallies.

 

[Acanthus]

Massed police forces in iranian squares an hour or so ago.

Pics: 1 2

Edit: Minute by minute blog. It appears there is shooting going on.

http://shooresh1917.blogspot.com/

1st Video

*New* *Video* Basij Militiamen fire on unarmed protesters

Iranian people driving back police forces

 

[Acanthus]

Unconfirmed report:

Ahmadinejads political headquarters is on fire.

Another blog with some new images

*video* Student Protester Shot *NSFW*

Another Unconfirmed report:

Two reports coming from Tehran about helicopters pouring boiling water on protesters.

Would that even work? I would think the water would cool on the way down.

Edit: It is now being spread around that the helicopters are dropping some kind of chemical agent on the crowds to disperse them.

 

[ProfJohn]

Originally posted by: surfsatwerk

Originally posted by: Patranus

Obama made a BIG mistake in handling Iran. The ENTIRE POINT of Obama's stance, or lack there of, was to not give a hint the the USA is "meddling" in the election. Mr. Supreme Leader blamed the west/USA anyways, despite Obama's lack of taking a position. He just made it all up. Now, not only has Mr. Supreme Leader accused the USA of "meddling" but Obama has also alienated the "revolutionists" by not even taking stance against the human rights abuses.

Seriously, do we really need to be invading another Muslim nation for the sake of "democracy" right now?

Why do so many people think that the only thing we can do is invade???

Obama could go out and give a nice speech about human rights and peaceful protest and get his message out to the Iranian people that we stand behind them.

Hell even a throw away answer at some press conference would do the trick "I think the Iranian people deserve a government of their own choosing."

 

[ProfJohn]

Good work with the updates.

Let's pray that we get this revolution.

The elimination of the mullahs and the hard liners would be a HUGE step forward towards world peace. Iran is the number 1 supporter of terrorism and violence in the world. Eliminate them and watch what happens.

 

[Acanthus]

Al Jazeera English is apparently reporting on this now.

http://www.livestation.com/cha...s/3-al_jazeera_english

 

[Budmantom]

Originally posted by: ProfJohn

Originally posted by: surfsatwerk

Originally posted by: Patranus

Obama made a BIG mistake in handling Iran. The ENTIRE POINT of Obama's stance, or lack there of, was to not give a hint the the USA is "meddling" in the election. Mr. Supreme Leader blamed the west/USA anyways, despite Obama's lack of taking a position. He just made it all up. Now, not only has Mr. Supreme Leader accused the USA of "meddling" but Obama has also alienated the "revolutionists" by not even taking stance against the human rights abuses.

Seriously, do we really need to be invading another Muslim nation for the sake of "democracy" right now?

Why do so many people think that the only thing we can do is invade???

Obama could go out and give a nice speech about human rights and peaceful protest and get his message out to the Iranian people that we stand behind them.

Hell even a throw away answer at some press conference would do the trick "I think the Iranian people deserve a government of their own choosing."

Yeah that's what we need a good speech, he can engage the mullahs with meaningful dialogue and he can get these issues resolved.

He IS the great communicator and he can be a source of reason and calm.

 

[Lemon law]

If the Iranian protesters turn violent, they will lose the support of the people and the same is true for the Mullahs if they use unwarranted violence to repress the protests.