Election Crisis in Iran! (ongoing thread)

[ModerateRepZero]

Doesn't surprise me that it's not going well for Iranian protesters/reformers

 

[yllus]

The protests seem to be dwindling quickly. Without an effective medium to use to organize, they don't have a chance.

Iran's Crisis: The Opposition Weighs Its Options

Iran's political crisis would end pretty quickly if the opposition went toe-to-toe with the security forces ? and no matter how courageous and determined the demonstrators are, the likelihood of them toppling the regime on the streets right now is pretty remote.

Although at least 17 and perhaps many more opposition supporters have been killed and hundreds have been arrested, the regime has used only a fraction of its capacity for violent suppression, and its security forces show no sign of wavering or splintering.

The authorities have warned that defiance of bans on demonstration will no longer be tolerated, and reports out of Iran on June 23 suggested that the regime may be moving to arrest opposition presidential candidate Mir-Hossein Mousavi.

The days following the election saw more than a million people protesting in Tehran, but by June 20 that number had reportedly been reduced to 3,000, and on June 22 just 1,000 were said to have made it to the demonstration. But the dwindling crowds on the streets doesn't mean the opposition is beaten.

...

The regime appears to have adopted crowd-control measures that are at once smarter and more brutal. Security forces and allied militia simply take control of the streets before demonstrators do, and prevent opposition protests from achieving a critical mass by beating, teargassing and in some instances shooting at those who are trying to congregate.

 

[Jaskalas]

Originally posted by: ModerateRepZero
Doesn't surprise me that it's not going well for Iranian protesters/reformers

It is a contest of will, and of means. The will to kill, and the means to do it.

In this contest, the Iranian regime will school its people.

 

[bamacre]

Even if the Iranian gov't can reign in on and dwindle the protesting down to a level of insignificance, they can't do the same to the desires of their people for change. They will just have to look for another opportunity, and other means. But the hope will remain I think. The Iranian gov't can kill some protesters, but ideas really are bulletproof.

 

[irishScott]

Not looking good. If this continues to escalate, should be interesting to see which way the military swings.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8117242.stm

Iranian riot police are reported to have clashed with demonstrators defying government decrees to stop street protests over disputed elections. Eyewitness reports say there have been clashes near the parliament building in the capital Tehran, in the streets around Baharestan Square. Reporting restrictions in Iran mean the BBC cannot verify the reports.

The new protests came hours after Iran's supreme leader said he would "not yield" over the election result. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei again said the result would stand, despite days of protests in which at least 17 people are reported to have died.

The ayatollah has repeatedly demanded that the protests stop, but his calls have gone largely unheeded. Witnesses told the Associated Press that police beat protesters with batons, fired tear gas and shot into the air to disperse the crowd on Wednesday.

Although some demonstrators fought police, others fled to another square about 2km (1.2 miles) to the north, the witnesses said.

12 June Presidential election saw incumbent Mahmoud Ahmadinejad re-elected with 63% of vote. Main challenger Mir Hossein Mousavi called for result to be annulled on grounds of electoral fraud. Street protests saw at least 17 people killed and foreign media restricted.

Another witness told Reuters that the crowd had been dispersed by tear gas, but did not know of any casualties. The main protest leader, former prime minister Mir Hossein Mousavi, has not been seen in public for days, but his website quoted his wife as saying the protests would continue. Zahra Rahnavard was also quoted as demanding the release of people detained since the election. They include 25 employees of her husband's newspaper. "It is my duty to continue legal protests to preserve Iranian rights," she was quoted as saying on the website. President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was declared the winner of the 12 June poll. Mr Mousavi alleges the election was rigged and is demanding a re-run. The ayatollah had earlier agreed to extend by five days the amount of time allowed to examine complaints of electoral fraud. But Iran's state-run Press TV channel said on Wednesday that a partial recount of the vote had verified the result, although it did not give details.

In other developments, another defeated candidate, the moderate Mehdi Karoubi, reportedly denounced the new government as "illegitimate", Reuters reported on Wednesday.
"I do not accept the result and therefore consider as illegitimate the new government. Because of the irregularities, the vote should be annulled," he is quoted as saying on his website.
Iran has placed severe reporting restrictions on the BBC and other foreign media which mean many reports from the country cannot be verified.

 

[StageLeft]

This will have long lasting implications, but it is more and more obvious that this little revolution of theirs is being put on its back, as most of us thought would happen. With the violent response from gov, only the most brave will be out there now, so you see much smaller numbers of protesters.

 

[irishScott]

Originally posted by: bamacre
Even if the Iranian gov't can reign in on and dwindle the protesting down to a level of insignificance, they can't do the same to the desires of their people for change. They will just have to look for another opportunity, and other means. But the hope will remain I think. The Iranian gov't can kill some protesters, but ideas really are bulletproof.

Depends. China seems to have successfully used bullets to suppress democratic ideas for decades. I fail to see why Iran should be any different in this regard.

And since we're quoting famous works, "Force is violence. The supreme authority from which all other authorities are derived."

 

[K1052]

Originally posted by: irishScott

Originally posted by: bamacre
Even if the Iranian gov't can reign in on and dwindle the protesting down to a level of insignificance, they can't do the same to the desires of their people for change. They will just have to look for another opportunity, and other means. But the hope will remain I think. The Iranian gov't can kill some protesters, but ideas really are bulletproof.

Depends. China seems to have successfully used bullets to suppress democratic ideas for decades. I fail to see why Iran should be any different in this regard.

And since we're quoting famous works, "Force is violence. The supreme authority from which all other authorities are derived."

Unless Ahmadinejad can turn the economic situation he created around they're gonna be back here in another 4 years (or sooner) except the Iranian populace is going to be so pissed off by then there will be no stopping a revolution.

Positive economic development is the Chinese government's absolute paramount concern and their actions back it up.

 

[Aimster]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/new...-fanatical-rulers.html


^
Iran's Shah tried violence, what happened? His regime fell.
You can't kill everyone.

 

[Shuxclams]

The people who fled when this started will be OK. the people who started to fight, who voted for the opposition if they stop fighting, or if they are stopped from keeping this going will be hunted down, jailed and or killed. Better at this point to fight and die then wait to be slaughtered.



PS: Too bad there wasn't a 2nd Amendment in their constitution!




SHUX

 

[silverpig]

Originally posted by: Shuxclams
The people who fled when this started will be OK. the people who started to fight, who voted for the opposition if they stop fighting, or if they are stopped from keeping this going will be hunted down, jailed and or killed. Better at this point to fight and die then wait to be slaughtered.



PS: Too bad there wasn't a 2nd Amendment in their constitution!




SHUX

They have a similar clause stating they have the right to peaceable public gatherings provided no weapons are present. A piece of paper means jack shit in a time like this.

 

[silverpig]

Some tweets from a few of the accounts I follow. They're pretty reputable:

RT in Baharestan we saw militia with axe choping ppl like meat - blood everywhere - like butcher - Allah Akbar

RT phone line was cut and we lost internet - #Iranelection - getting more difficult to log into net - #Iranelection

RT Today in Baharestan not only tear gas was used, they also severely attacked people with batons & cables.

RT Iran: we must go - dont know when we can get internet - they took 1 of us, will torture and get names - we must move fast -

RT PLEASE, world needs to know of the atrocities and massacre at Baharestan Sq. & lalezar sq., ppl butchered today

RT Video TODAY Baharestan Sq. massacre. http://bit.ly/jct9U

RT Extreme Police Violence in Tehran http://bit.ly/JoZsN

Some pretty messed up stuff.

 

[theeedude]

http://englishrussia.com/?p=3015
Looks like a modern society beneath the robes ready to shed the cocoon.

 

[Harabec]

One important thing was accomplished. The Iranian government lost all legitimacy for existing. As of now, they rule only by fear of their weapons - they won't last long, one way or another.

 

[EagleKeeper]

Originally posted by: Harabec
One important thing was accomplished. The Iranian government lost all legitimacy for existing. As of now, they rule only by fear of their weapons - they won't last long, one way or another.

How long has NK been around?

 

[Fear No Evil]

Why won't Obama stop meddling?!?!

LINK

Despite Obama's attempt to vote present on Iran. The Iranians are STILL saying we are meddling. Obama is looking like a complete f--king fool. Can someone get Hillary on the phone please?

 

[Red Dawn]

Originally posted by: Fear No Evil
Why won't Obama stop meddling?!?!

LINK

Despite Obama's attempt to vote present on Iran. The Iranians are STILL saying we are meddling. Obama is looking like a complete f--king fool. Can someone get Hillary on the phone please?

Well Imadinerjacket is about as full of baloney as you are.

 

[Fear No Evil]

Originally posted by: Red Dawn

Originally posted by: Fear No Evil
Why won't Obama stop meddling?!?!

LINK

Despite Obama's attempt to vote present on Iran. The Iranians are STILL saying we are meddling. Obama is looking like a complete f--king fool. Can someone get Hillary on the phone please?

Well Imadinerjacket is about as full of baloney as you are.

Well of course he is full of boloney - But he may as well say it, Obama is not going to do anything to upset him.

 

[Red Dawn]

Originally posted by: Fear No Evil

Originally posted by: Red Dawn

Originally posted by: Fear No Evil
Why won't Obama stop meddling?!?!

LINK

Despite Obama's attempt to vote present on Iran. The Iranians are STILL saying we are meddling. Obama is looking like a complete f--king fool. Can someone get Hillary on the phone please?

Well Imadinerjacket is about as full of baloney as you are.

Well of course he is full of boloney - But he may as well say it, Obama is not going to do anything to upset him.

You mean Obama won't over react? Now if he were to apologize I would be pissed but I don't see that happening.

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: Common Courtesy

Originally posted by: Harabec
One important thing was accomplished. The Iranian government lost all legitimacy for existing. As of now, they rule only by fear of their weapons - they won't last long, one way or another.

How long has NK been around?

And republicans?

I kid!

 

[seemingly random]

Originally posted by: Fear No Evil

Originally posted by: Red Dawn

Originally posted by: Fear No Evil
Why won't Obama stop meddling?!?!

LINK

Despite Obama's attempt to vote present on Iran. The Iranians are STILL saying we are meddling. Obama is looking like a complete f--king fool. Can someone get Hillary on the phone please?

Well Imadinerjacket is about as full of baloney as you are.

Well of course he is full of boloney - But he may as well say it, Obama is not going to do anything to upset him.

It's been undeniably proven by fox news and others that Obama likes mustard on his sandwiches. Does this man that he spreads mustard all over himself in secret? This should be investigated!