Iran erupts as voters back 'the Democrator' - Robert Fisk - The Independent »
Posted By gamahuche 5 months, 2 weeks ago in NewsA smash in the face, a kick in the balls – that's how police deal with protesters after Iran's poll kept the hardliners in power
First the cop screamed abuse at Mir Hossein Mousavi's supporter, a white-shirted youth with a straggling beard and unkempt hair. Then he smashed his baton into the young man's face. Then he kicked him viciously in the testicles. It was the same all the way down to Vali Asr Square. Riot police in black rubber body armour and black helmets and black riot sticks, most on foot but followed by a flying column of security men, all on brand new, bright red Honda motorcycles, tearing into the shrieking youths – hundreds of them, running for their lives. They did not accept the results of Iran's presidential elections. They did not believe that Mahmoud Ahmadinejad had won 62.6 per cent of the votes. And they paid the price.
"Death to the dictator," they were crying on Dr Fatimi Street, now thousands of them shouting abuse at the police. Were they to endure another four years of the smiling, avuncular, ever-so-humble President who swears by democracy while steadily thinning out human freedoms in the Islamic Republic? They were wrong, of course. Ahmadinejad really does love democracy. But he also loves dictatorial order. He is not a dictator. He is a Democrator.
Read Full Story at independent.co.uk »
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gamahuche
"I would rather be a square peg than fit in a pigeon hole" -
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gamahuche5 months, 2 weeks ago
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A belated intoduction..
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I seldom post "alternative' stories to those that my friends post but I felt that this was a necessary complement to RFE's story which he posted earlier here: http://www.propeller.com/story/2009/06/14/stealing...
The difference being that Robert Fisk was very much on-the-ground and his account is an extremely [perhaps for some with weak stomachs overly] blood-and-guts account of the appalling follow-up to what became a totally flawed election. Apart from the shocking description of the brutality against individuals there is the - possibly - even more horrific,definitely more politically undemocratic action of attacking and shuttering the campaign headquarters of the parties opposing Ahmadinejad.
Apart from everything else this will make it very difficult for any politician of another country to enter into legitimate dialogue with such an illegitimate government. Of course the fact that whoever is Prime Minister is only a cipher in the game which is being run with virtually no accountability by the "hidden" Ayatollah Khamenei makes any deal with Iran virtually irrelevant, regardless of the legitimacy or lack thereof of the "elected" government.-
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Natureboy5 months, 2 weeks ago
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Those who remember what happened at both the "Democratic" and Republican conventions last year, or who particitated in the anti-WTO demonstrations in Seattle or Miami, will realize the real truth here -
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The police violence in Iran is very familiar, very American.
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gamahuche5 months, 2 weeks ago
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As I sit and seethe about this I'm feeling acutely distresed ESPECIALLY because of the optimism that was evident in iran prior to the election. There must be an incredible degree of bitterness amongst the people and perhaps - in the very long run - this might finally create a tipping point and Iran will undergo the revolution that it needs. in the meantime the whole world will remain a much more dangerous place.
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ur-land-is-my-land5 months, 2 weeks ago
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In the past thirty years of Islamic Republic , no president has been elected by fraud in voting. Ther has always been some irregularities but not enough to change the outcome b much but...this is first time that presidential election in Iran has been rigged, has been corrupted and has been stolen by no one other than AHmadinejad and people around him. This election fraud, according to some staff of the interior ministry which handles the election was designed and planned months ago after a secret poll conducted by interior ministry showed Ahmadinejad was losing.
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This is how it worked, was the head of the interior ministry, Mahsouli, fired many of the staff and personnel in interior ministry who thought of being problematic and sympathetic to other side. They also had a FATWA from Ahmadinejad’s mentor Ayatollah Msbah Yazdi that if you think interests of Islam (read it :his group’s interest) is in danger, you should do what you have to do (meaning cheat on election) and this way they justified the remaining staff and personnel in the ministry to go along with their “election engineering”.-
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Edmar145 months, 2 weeks ago
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You know for a fact that every previous election had no fraud? You know for a fact that the supreme leaders didn't have their hands in the election? Iran is an Oligarchy, a democracy in name only. It is not only plausible, but very likely that those who hold the true unelected power had their hands in the election. If they didn't, they would be the only Oligarchy in the world which didn't. If there was fraud in this election, what makes you think that there wasn't fraud in previous elections? You are either very naive or you have your head buried in the sand.
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ur-land-is-my-land5 months, 2 weeks ago
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As it is this has back fired and Mousavi , Karoubi , the other two candidates whose votes were stolen have asked their supporters not to give up, there has been planned demonstrations, there has been pleas to Grand Ayatollahs, there has been street violence and more may come…there is a lot of dealing and wheeling going on behind the scenes in order to prevent more violence and even a civil war.Shame on Ahmadinejad who disrespected the will, choice and feelings of millions of voters especially the ones who had decided to vote after many times boycotting it before
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What could come is a wild guess. Ahmadienajd and his mentor Mesbah could be arrested and jailed and tried for treason. It could go other way and Assembly of Experts whose task is to pick and can unseat the Supreme leader , could impeach Ayatollah Khamanei, the supreme leader if he is found to be involved in this Coup d’etat . Events are unfolding pretty fast and it could go from really good to really bad. Those who orchestrated this fraud should be prosecuted for vote fraud and treason and it could happen pretty soon . Mousavi has asked his supporters to go on roof and chant Allaho Akbar. A planned demonstration is for 12:30 PM Iran’s time in Tehran-
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Thinker225 months, 2 weeks ago
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It seems that this is the end of the first (and, possibly, the last) Islamic democracy. The chances of Ahmadinejad's removal from power now are slim and become slimmer by the minute. His election (fraud or not) mean continued Iranian efforts to achieve nuclear weapons, intensification of anti-Israeli thetoric, increase in terrorist activities all over the world and a very real possibility of a large scale war in the Middle East.
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Radiofreeeuropa5 months, 2 weeks ago
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I suppose the "good news" is that at very least there is a tipping point of sorts...all eyes on what happens here next. One thing is for certain, and this does not apply only to Iran, the reigns of power are grasped tightly and are not easily given up.
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Spadecaller5 months, 2 weeks ago
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This is certainly a disappointing outcome to an election that could have been instrumental in finding resolve between Iran and the West.
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If the vote... and "if" is the only truthful word to use to characterize the validity of the vote count announced by the state that gave Ahmadinejad his landslide victory, but if the vote was fair, it is a sad day for Iranians. That they chose an unprincipled man obsessed with power and contempt would be a shameful reality.
Despite my personal beliefs that the Iranian election was a complete fraud, if it were a true reflection of the Iranian people's will, then this was nothing less than a tragic day.
With all Iranians and the world witnessing the brutal arm of Ahmadienajd's armed guard beating down the protestors, the realization for those who voted and supported this totalitarian regime had to be a rude if not belated wake up call.
"What have we done?" With that twisted sense of abandoned hope, I can imagine those words haunting many of those who supported this crazed power hungry dictator. Seeing their fellow citizens carted away beaten and bludgeoned by the state militia is proof enough of the grave mistake of enabling Ahmadienajd to govern Iran for another term. With that in mind, how could Iranians continue to honor the so called enlightened Ayatollah Ali Khamenei?
Hopefully, it will be this election and its brutal aftermath that will inspire Iranians to eventually revolt and oust the leaders of this corrupted government.-
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Thinker225 months, 2 weeks ago
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> Despite my personal beliefs that the Iranian election was a complete fraud, if it were a true reflection of the Iranian people's will, then this was nothing less than a tragic day.
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I tend to agree with you that this election was a complete fraud. If, however, it was a true reflection of the Iranian people's will then they've got what they were asking for. After all, Iranians KNEW what to expect from Ahmadinejad, did not they? -
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3rdForce5 months, 2 weeks ago
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Here's the necessary theme for the coming Iranian Revolution: In 1953, the U.S. CIA overthrew the legitimately-elected government of Mohammed Mossadeq by coup and replaced him with the dictatorship of Shah Reza Pahlavi. Now, in 2009, the non-elected Supreme Leader & Guardian Council has done PRECISELY the same thing: overthrowing BY COUP the legitimately-elected government of Mir Houssain Mousavi and replacing it with an ILLEGITIMATE Shiite religious dictatorship with Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as its front man. THIS should be the theme (used again & again) for all those who seek to bring Iran to a better future.
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Thinker225 months, 2 weeks ago
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> In 1953, the U.S. CIA overthrew the legitimately-elected government of Mohammed Mossadeq by coup and replaced him with the dictatorship of Shah Reza Pahlavi. Now, in 2009, the non-elected Supreme Leader & Guardian Council has done PRECISELY the same thing...
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WHOM are you going to hold responsible for the COUP this time, the U.S. CIA, FBI, Mossad? If's pretty obvious that the Iranian powers can not be blamed for the COUP today as they COULD NOT be, apparently, blamed for it 56 years ago. After all, who cares that the Shah Pahlavi and all his soldiers and supporters were Iranians? It's much more convenient to blame the U.S. CIA for it and even to use the 56-year-old Iranian coup to justify terrorist attacks against American civilians today...
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Radiofreeeuropa5 months, 2 weeks ago
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Fascinating, if not mournful on many levels. I have had a perception for quite some time now that Iran, in a sense, (I know you'll have to bear with me on this...) is somewhat similar to the US in terms of it's electorate being divided into the malleable followers of ideologues and the more free thinking - modern leaning, often younger, and well educated people. It strikes me that those in power will not yield, not as long as they command militias. The will of the people must be admirably but dangerously strong to stand up against skunks. (Hey, skunks are dimwitted creatures with poor sight who are formidably armed...seems like a good analogy.)
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MILITA5 months, 2 weeks ago
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Good for the people of Iran. Last night, on
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the Evening News with Lester Holt, he compared
it with the 1979 Islamic Revolution. That said,
what these protestors are doing, in my worldview,
is exalted, and second only to The Great COmmission given by Jesus Christ.
Phyllis Kunz -
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Natureboy5 months, 2 weeks ago
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FTA about Mousavi
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"On the domestic front, the 67-year-old architect and painter urged a return to the "fundamental values" of the Islamic Republic's founder, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. He advocated economic liberalisation, and pledged to control inflation through monetary policies and make life easier for private business. He has also promised to change the "extremist" image that Iran has earned abroad under Mr Ahmadinejad and has hit out at his profligate spending of petrodollars and cash hand-outs to the poor"
This is the guy American liberals are cheerleading???
Wants to return to the values of the Ayatollah? Favors economic liberalization (i.e., economic neoliberalism?) Friendly to business, but not so friendly to the poor?
What are you thinking? -
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Mutainia5 months, 2 weeks ago
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Call me Mr. Conspiratorial, but, I think this election of the Mullahs was an attempt to see who is for them, and, who needs to be put away. So, they created this "Democrator", made it look like he could win, and, that way, it coaxed out those who might be a problem in the future IF something were to happen to Obama. The Mullahs possibly feared something might happen to Obama and that the next US President might try to arm the Iranian opposition to over-throw them, keeping the ancient 12 year old from coming up out of the well, so, the created this farce election to get rid of the oppostion. I mean, hey, the Mullahs might be crazy, but, they aren't stupid. Chess was developed in Iran.
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tehranchik5 months, 2 weeks ago
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huche and radio both submitted very knowledgeable pieces. Cole and Fisk are educated and 'up to the minute' on middle eastern affairs. Both have opinions and views of what is unfolding in Iran. Listen to both of them. They are both correct from where they stand.
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Numbers have been skewed and the voters have been blindsided by the outcome. If you've read any of the articles on the results - the numbers change from piece to piece.
Reformists are now being arrested - not a good thing for ahmadinejad to do. This will create more anger towards his regime whether it's legit or not.
Iran's people have been oppressed for too long and they are ready for change. If there is to be a new revolution I will be there in spirit with them.-
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Natureboy5 months, 1 week ago
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"If there is to be a new revolution I will be there in spirit with them."
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Your own government is corrupt, and visits far more ill on the world than Iran does. Are you prepared to overthrow your own government?
Revolution, like charity, begins at home.
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jevtar995 months, 1 week ago
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The "supreme leader" there needs to be ousted for real change. This story for some reason reminds me of Patrick Henry. I dont know why? I also am with the Iranian people in spirit, and hope they one day get the leader that they chose, not the one chosen for them.
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ingodsfaith835 months, 1 week ago
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This is more CNN and FOX news propaganda.
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Ahmadinejad is a good and honest man.
The US and Jews want Iran invaded and dead.
Israel is even talking about attacking Iran even though they have done nothing wrong.
People wake up, I am an American Patriot, and I'm telling you the same Clinton-Bush-Obama government is lying to you.
Wake up! Obama is no different then bush.
The president does not run nor represent the people for over 70 years.
Big business groups are conquering the world for money and sales.
Say no to a one-world-empire.
Big business people not only dictate our elections, they are also trying to dictate other countries.
Iran does not belong in the pocket of the US-Empire.
For more go read the news at http://news.ronatvan.com/-
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Thinker225 months, 1 week ago
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> Ahmadinejad is a good and honest man.
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Of course... So WHY is he talking about DESTRUCTION of Israel? WHY is he LYING to his people that the mass murder of Six Million Jews in Europe was a "fraud"?
> The US and Jews want Iran invaded and dead.
Why would the US and the Jews be willing to do such horrible things against PEACEFUL Iran? The "good and honest man Ahmadinejad" repeatedly declared that he wanted Israel invaded and dead but I do not recall any Jewish, Israeli or American oficials making such declarations about Iran. Do you know better than I do?
> Israel is even talking about attacking Iran even though they have done nothing wrong.
Israel is only talking about fighting back in case the "good and honest man Ahmadinejad" will decide to make true of his threats to invade and destroy Israel. While he (and YOU) may think that destruction of Israel is "nothing wrong" Israelis, probably, disagree.
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TheNewsseeker5 months, 1 week ago
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The only thing seperating Ahmadinejad from being a "real dictator" is his will to hide behind democracy. He wants to appear legitimated and he knows that political terror without a certain base doesn´t work very long. He didn´t only make promises during his electoral campaign, but also made gifts, which didn´t fail to have the expected effect: "Why should we wait for someone who speaks of necessary reformations, when there is a president, who acts and helps us immediately with deeds and and not only with words?" I am sure that the reported result isn´t correct, but, I am afraid to state this, great parts of the rural population have voted for Ahmadinejad, because they expect him to be the one to change their financial situation. Concerning Iran´s nuclear policy, only some intellectuals utter their critique. The majority share´s the opinion of the old and new president: "Why shouldn´t Iran have the same rights as any other nation when it comes to the civil use of nuclear power?" Nobody actually wants to interdict them to produce nuclear energy, but Iran must permit independent control, which, up to now, was the neuralgic point in this conflict!
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