Iran heats up again, and again, and again...

I haven't touched on the subject, mostly because hand wringing over something I cannot do anything about, is not my style. Here you see police literally getting kicked by protesters and on the run in front of them. That's a clear sign people are willing to die in large numbers to get what they want:

FoxNews - "The report said 10 people killed during Sunday's fierce clashes in the Iranian capital were members of 'anti-revolutionary terrorist' groups, apparently referring to opposition supporters.

The other five who died were killed by 'terrorist groups' in a 'suspicious act,' the report said, without elaborating.

Iranian security forces stormed a series of opposition offices on Monday, rounding up at least seven prominent anti-government activists in a new crackdown against the country's reformist movement, opposition Web sites and activists reported."

In addition to being something I mostly can't do anything about, it's half way around the world. But it's getting ugly over there again. We need to be aware of it. We need to pray that God's light shines in through all of this destruction.

Whatever comes out of a potential revolution, it probably won't be a "pro western" government, but it might not be a western "scape goating" government either, which would be better. It stands the good possibility of also being better for the people of Iran. Let's hope, but more than that, let's pray.

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Iranians continue to fight the despots that stole their election

Islam is a troubling faith. Any nation ruled or dominated by that religion is worrisome. One cannot help but support Iran's brave souls though.

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) - "(P)olice and pro-government Basiji militiamen fired tear gas and charges thousands of protesters who chanted 'death to the dictator' and called on President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to resign. Dozens were arrested, piled in trucks and taken away, witnesses said.

Plainclothes Basijis stood in front of a line of riot police and pumped canisters of tear gas, which young protesters with green bandanas over their faces kicked away across the pavement, away from the crowds. Some set a bonfire in the street and waved their hands in the air in victory signs.

The opposition aimed to turn the Friday prayers at Tehran University into a show of their continued strength despite heavy government suppression since the disputed June 12 presidential election.

Opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi, who claims to have won the election, sat in the front row of worshippers, attending for the first time since the turmoil began. Many of the tens of thousands at the prayers wore headbands or wristbands in his campaign color green, or had green prayer rugs.

In his sermon broadcast live on radio nationwide, Rafsanjani reprimanded the clerical leadership for not listening to people's complaints over the election, which was declared a victory for Ahmadinejad despite opposition claims of fraud.

'Doubt has been created (about the election results),' Rafsanjani said. 'There is a large portion of the wise people who say they have doubts. We need to take action to remove this doubt.' "

Iran's rightful ruler is sitting in the audience. The government conducted these elections and have a contract with their people to abide by it's outcome. There was a coup in Iran on election day, and the losers now run the country. Those in the street are demanding only what is theirs.

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One of the more Eloquent Iranian Protests.

One of the more stark protest images coming in reaction to the death of Neda.

Found here.

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Brave Government Thugs in Iran shoot another woman.

Did I miss the "outrage" of other Islamic nations?

Hat tip to the Gateway Pundit, who is all over this.

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Iran Election Fraud Proof.

100% of the vote? All those people in the streets and in 38 districts Ahmadinejad got 100% of the vote? NOT ONE VOTE FOR ANYONE ELSE? President Obama KNOWS this is a fake, but maybe he doesn't mind rigged elections.

Hat tip to Medius Oriens which is turning out to be one of the better English language blogs on the subject of Iran. The writer is growing into the topic and makes some mistakes which are owned up to but seems to be doing the research in the Farsi blogs to bring stuff to the forefront.

The graphic and research comes from "Ayande News."

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The Iranian Streak, "La Dolce Vita" protest?

There is plenty more in the way of gore from Iran. In this case a woman is choosing to make a conscious and life threatening political statement, by baring a little skin and not very much by our standards. Apparently she knows what really gets under the Ayatollah's skin. It could very well get her killed.

It may be coincidence, but it seems our daring woman is a Fellini fan.
It's hard to say what's on her mind but she could have watched "Under the Tuscan Sun" as well.

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Neda's Family Kicked Out

What happens when your daughter is heartlessly and purposely shot and bleeds out in 20 seconds and dies in your arms as the result of Government action in Iran?

The Guardian - "Neighbours said that her family no longer lives in the four-floor apartment building on Meshkini Street, in eastern Tehran, having been forced to move since she was killed. The police did not hand the body back to her family, her funeral was cancelled, she was buried without letting her family know and the government banned mourning ceremonies at mosques, the neighbours said.

'We just know that they [the family] were forced to leave their flat,' a neighbour said. The Guardian was unable to contact the family directly to confirm if they had been forced to leave."

Neda Agha Soltan's family are now suffering for their daughter's purposeless death, beyond just the death part, the dying in front of you part, the dying in gory startling horrifying part. They couldn't go to her funeral (important for a Muslim) and they've been kicked out of town. Any thought that those who rule are legitimate tends to fade with actions such as his in the face of world scrutiny. Clearly, Iran's leaders think they can do and get away with anything. Hat tip to Medius Oriens.

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Now Iranian diplomats can't come, Obama Bolts the Door.

In a classic case of "you can't quit you're fired," the Obama administration has rescinded the Fourth of July invitations to Iranian diplomats. Why?

They weren't coming anyway. Obama bolts the door, after the horse is gone.

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If Guantanamo Prisoners Rights are Important President Obama

Why aren't the rights of Iranians?

You keep telling us, that we are showing what we believe to the world by how we treat prisoners. So why is it that you do not care about the Iranian people?

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Bastards

Hat tip to "Balouch" blogspot.

Two men that I can count are weilding a "Sap" or "Truncheon" while at least the porker on the motorbike has the decency to slap with his open hand. Decency? At least he will feel the pain he inflicts to some extent. It looks like he's had experience, at home.

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What Took You So Long? Obama Edges towards support of Iranian People

What exactly has to happen before you give a rip Mr. Obama? You're not too busy to sign anti smoking bills while you puff away yourself. What TOOK YOU SO LONG?

Yeah, that would pretty much be my question too. From "Townhall," Major Hat Tip to Mr. Garrett and "Real Clear Politics."

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I wonder what the King is doing today?

While he signs the "Stop ME because I CAN'T STOP MYSELF" smoking bill, one wonders what is going through the Smoker in Chief's mind.

While one of the most remarkable revolutions in history is occurring half way around the world, Obama tries to staunch Neda's fatal wounds with an anti smoking bill.

"I wonder what Barack is signing today?
What Cigarette is the Prez a-lighting todat?
The smokers at the court, they never burned as bright.
I wonder what Obama is up to today?
How goes the final signing
As he sees his finest hour
Slipping slowly and finally away?
Well, I'll tell you what the Barack is doing today:
He's SCARED! He's SCARED!"

If you can't remember the tune, here's some help.

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He's not a 16 year old girl, but he's just as dead. Parallels to YFZ and Waco.

A snapshot into the final instants of another life and it's just as ugly. While he may not have the shock value of a beautiful 16 year old girl, on the doorstep of her future, this young man is every bit as dead. Again, hat tip to the Gateway Pundit, and the Iran Press.

There is a parallel here between Iran and my favorite blogging topic, the FLDS. This is not far away for us. We have failed to, as a nation, align ourselves with the FLDS when their rights were trampled. In failing to do so we invite such thuggery in our own nation and it really won't take long to get to that place.

It is strange that the Ayatollah Khamenei referred to Waco and an indictment of our own nation, and he is completely right to do so. Strange though, because he then goes on to use police state tactics on his own people. It was like he was trying to give himself a special dispensation for his own brutality. We should listen to him though, even though he may not be around very long himself. We have this problem here. I find myself wishing he was more up to date, and had mentioned instead, YFZ.

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We've seen Neda after, see her before.

From the Iran Press News, hat tip to the Gateway Pundit.

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Mousavi's open letter to Obama?

Mousavi calls out Obama.

From the Office of Mr. Mir Hossein Mousavi

To the President of the USA, Mr. Barack Hussein Obama:

Dear Mr. President,

In the name of the Iranian people, we want you to know that when you recently made the statement “Achmadinejad or Mousavi? Two of a kind,” we consider this as a grave and deep insult, not just to Mr. Mousavi but especially against the judgment of the Iranian people, against our moral conviction and intelligence, especially those of the young generation that comprises a population of 31 million.

It is a specially grave insult for those who are now fighting for democracy and freedom, and an unwarranted gift and even praise for Mr. Khamenei, whose security forces are now killing peaceful Iranians in the streets of every major city in the country.

Your statement misled the people of the world. It was no doubt inspired by your hope for dialogue with this regime, but you cannot possibly believe in promises from a regime that lies to its own people and then kills them when they demand the promises be kept.

By such statements, your administration and you discourage the Iranian people, who believe and trust in the values of democracy and freedom. We are pleased to see that you have condemned the regime’s murderous violence, and we look forward to stronger support for the rightful struggle of the Iranian people against the actions of a regime that is your enemy as well as ours.

Hat tip to Medius Oriens.

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Iran's Voice Vote

You may have noticed that I have added a few blogs, in Farsi.

Can I read Farsi? I most certainly cannot. The sites have added have a large amount of photo of video content and are worth the visit because of what they highlight.

I have no love for Islam which is the predominant faith even of the protesters in Iran, which is why there is so much green in the protests. In sympathy for Iran, I have added green to my blog header for the time being. I have no faith that if the protesters overthrow the current regime, that it's successor will be a friend of this country or the West in general, I am not rooting for a "pro western" Iran.

What I do know is this. Iran invited elections. They made a compact with their people just as any democratically elected leadership does. They owe their people a fair accounting of those votes. The current regime has not done that. I invite you to do the research that reveals the duplicity practiced by Iran's rulers. They were not believed.

Iran is now conducting a Voice Vote, similar to a call for a voice vote in a legislative chamber. It would appear that with regard to the current government, it's being shouted down. The "nays" have it. We should back them. It's what we as Americans, are all about. Government of the people, by the people, for the people. Iran will never get there denying the will of the people.

This is why I have concentrated in the Iran issue this weekend. I've added a few blogs and sites with the hope that my slightly higher than average internet profile will help boost those sites to greater prominence in this time of uncertainty in Iran. When the AP reports as of this moment, that only one person is dead in the protests in Iran, and I have posted videos of two shooting deaths, the unfortunate "Neda" being one of them, getting the information out, is key in keeping the Iranian Revolution alive. Too many of the traditional big media outlets are compromised. As a citizen of this country I am much more content to deal with the popularly elected Government of Iran, whatever form that may take, than the fraud that now holds power there.

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Neda was (UPDATE-27, NOT 16 WARNING-VERY GRAPHIC)

CNN reports that the Iranian girl who was shot dead, was named "Neda," which means "Voice." Do not click "more" if you are squeamish.

That will be her name symbolically if it is not actually her given name in life. 20 seconds before this still, Neda was alive. It is pronounced "neh DAH."

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Iran Man Down

Just standing there, and then he's dead.

Hat tip to Gateway Pundit.

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The Hear No, See No President

From John Cox.
Who knew we would actually need a Cowboy President?

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Boots on the People

From Nik Kowsar's Nikahang Blogspot.

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