Independent reporting on human rights, environmental and conflict issues

Archive for June, 2009

Reese Erlich Debunks the Foreign Intervention Theory

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Just back from Iran, Erlich scoffs at the notion that the CIA is somehow behind the millions of people in the streets. A highly reccomended read.
“Let’s look at what actually happened on the ground. Tens of millions of Iranians went to bed on Friday, June 12, convinced that either Mousavi had won [...]


Collection of Comics, Iconography & Artworks


Letter to the Supreme Leader

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Here is an excerpt from a letter written to the Supreme Leader of Iran by one of his daughter’s former classmates:
“You, just like the shah, silence the voices of protestors with gunshots. But don’t forget that the shah’s harsh methods undid him and caused his regime to fall…Islam permits irreligious or secular rulers. It does [...]


Police Never Used Violence Against Protesters in Iran

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Here is a clip from Iranian State Press TV. Unbelievable bullocks:

For more infuriating entertainment visit their website


Toontime


Dead or Detained

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The Guardian’s interactive map of those detained or killed during the last two weeks.


Kids in the Streets

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By all accounts the kids are in the streets tonight protesting the Guardian Council’s ruling on the election this evening.  Clashes are reported.
And also this, for comic effect:
Hussein Taeb, commander of Basij forces, claimed today that “according to recent polls 85% of the people trust the election process and the remaining 15% will be resolved [...]


Late Night Bits

Tehran Bureau reports: CALL FROM TEHRAN – [translated] After the 10 o’clock news, when the result of the Guardian Council’s vote count was announced, the sound of Allah o Akbar [protesters chanting 'God is Great'] sounded more loudly than ever before. More and more people are joining those chanting, and people sound angrier than ever.

Mr. [...]


Military Coup Against the Old Clerics?

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Iran’s top electoral body, the Guardian Council, has confirmed the victory of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in the presidential election after a partial recount (10%). CNN reports that what has actually happened is a military coup wherein the revolutionary guard has taken power under the leadership of Ahmadinejad, further militarizing the regime. What’s interesting is that it [...]


The End of the Beginning

Here’s a brilliant read by Trita Parsi and Reza Aslan who argue that….
“Iran’s popular uprising, which began after the June 12 election, may be heading for a premature ending. In many ways, the Ahmadinejad government has succeeded in transforming what was a mass movement into dispersed pockets of unrest. Whatever is now left of [...]


Persepolis Spoof


Mousavi’s Letter to Iranian Ex-Patriots

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Not sure what to make of this but it sounds pretty weak and conciliatory:
1388/4/3
In the Name of the God, The Compassionate, The Merciful
Dear compatriots,
Honorable Iranians living abroad,
Your widespread and energetic presence in this year’s 22 Khordad elections is indicative of your ties to our beloved Iran, and your admirable worries about the future of your [...]


Silence

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(Fact check corrections made)
It started with a man who delivered the heart-rending footage of Neda dying. Some days after the video spread across the globe, a message appeared, one I had a feeling was imminent after he spoke anonymously to the press. Many networking accounts have been hacked. Some of the more reliable sources [...]


Update

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Summary of events on Sunday from a reliable source:
Today’s gathering at Ghoba mosque for the anniversary of those killed in that boming the Khomeini regime plotted 28 years ago.
Moussavi was supposed to show up, didn’t, said was caught in traffice, called from a cell phone, and asked people to be patient/leave peacefully and that he [...]


Protests Continue Today in Tehran

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Footage from today’s protests at Qoba mosque in Tehran, where opposition candidate Karoobi is said to have appeared, show heavy turnout, disproving claims that the street movement has been quashed.


From the Readers

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The tree of liberty is being refreshed with the blood of too few tyrants and too many patriots it would seem.  At least the insurrection in Iran will have inspired (and embittered) so many;  non-violent politics, organizing and demographics will eventually topple the illegitimate theologians and their acolytes.  It’s heartening to see a people [...]


Liberté en Iran!


A Message

© Na Naz
Much of the opposition’s power leverage is now centered on the moral and religious legitimacy of the Ayatollah Khamenei and the Islamic establishment. In the wake of the brutal crackdown on peaceful protesters who gathered in the millions in the streets of Tehran, the propaganda war is on as the country goes into [...]


Letter from Tehran

Hey guys,
I would not be around that much,we have real security issues over here and I have confirmed news that a lot of people are being arrested through Cyber stuff like videos,photos and internet posts.
They r monitoring everything closely now that they are a little bit free.
We will try to somehow pass the news as [...]


Scream of Silence

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Vancouver – Canada


Reza Aslan on the Daily Show

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart
Mon – Thurs 11p / 10c

Reza Aslan

www.thedailyshow.com

Daily Show Full Episodes
Political Humor
Jason Jones in Iran


Another Video from the Events of June 24

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Footage brought to us by Saeed Valadbaygi


Latest Video to Emerge from June 24, 2009 Tehran

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The footage shows a crowd of protesters marching down a street as police flee and just after that they send in the Basij to beat them. Panic ensues as the protestors get stuck between cars and try to escape.


U.S. Senators Seek to Ease Iranian Media Access

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The move by Seantors McCain and Leiberman will only be read by the Iranian Regime as sabotage and help perpetuate the “foreign meddling” propaganda the state is feeding its people. An American Jew trying to bring the Iranian government to its knees. Brilliant move. I’m sure IRNA (Iranian State television) will seize upon this in [...]