The Spirit of Man

No More Vote

2009-07-13T13:49:00.005-04:00

Managed to talk to some in Iran via phone last night. A few of these people are either apolitical or at times sympathetic and loyal to regime's reformist parties. These have participated in elections held by the regime in the past many years and think (or thought) they could change the direction of the country by participating in regime's election, be it sham or not. I talked to them to get a feeling among the regime's loyal opposition. These people never wanted a regime change of any sort and like I said, thought the way forward is through regime's approved channels for reform and moderation. To give you a better background on these people I talked to, I must even say that they've taken trips to Mecca & Najaf as pilgrims and are devout modest Muslims or come from religious backgrounds. Typical middle class family with firm religious and spiritual beliefs but not hostile to the west or foreigners. Most have families outside of the country but they are among the ones who helped bring Khomeini to power in 1979 by taking parts in demos and rallies.

In a weird turn, now I am told that they'll never participate in any election as long as this fraudulent leadership is around. They told me that they've participated in post election rallies because they also felt the regime has stolen their votes and been dishonest with them. They've been very upset with the violence against the people. And most notably they were freaking angry at the regime's lack of concern for what it happens to its own people or even the Chinese & Chechen Muslims. They were upset that the regime is constantly caring for the rights of Palestinians or a radical Egyptian immigrant killed in Germany but not its own people. All in all, the mood I got from them was of disbelief in the system and shock/rage at the regime. I did not ask them what they want or seek but I was indirectly told that now the majority of people boldly want to have this system/establishment changed for good. They've no faith in the regime any more. One told me they've seen poor people (supposedly portrayed as pro-Ahmadinejad) rooting for the protesters and want Mousavi. These guys have also taken to the streets to protest the election results but they also realized that this is no longer about the votes. This is about the system's survival.

If this is a widespread mood among the regime loyal opposition forces, then it should be celebrated. It definitely means the regime loosing its supporters one by one. The feeling I got from talking to these people was that the people now feel confident and do not fear the wrath of a crazy government any more. The question is: Who Can Exploit This Sense of Confidence and Maturity? Sporadic protests will drain the energy of people and will not lead to anything substantial. Something big has to happen soon. Otherwise the regime will stand longer than it should simply by using excessive violence and suppression tactics.

Begging you to go!

2009-07-11T04:08:00.009-04:00

This is an interesting short video clip from July 9th protests in Guisha neighborhood , West of Tehran where near the end of the day people have gathered in groups. It's risky for people to even stand together in today's Iran. Well, almost 32 seconds into the clip, you can hear the regular Police officer in charge of anti-riot forces saying: "I beg you my dear to go home. I humbly beg you to disperse/leave. Give yourself a big round of applause and buy yourself ice cream in my name. Please leave". (Buying ice cream refers to a common statement ordinary Iranians use for each other in times of happiness or excitement - weird, I know!). And near the end of the video you can also hear people saying: "Police Force, Thank You! Thank You!"

I've heard/read so many times about police officers not wanting to beat up people or engage in street clashes. I've heard/seen that only Basijis and plain-clothed thugs attack and kill people mercilessly. And what we see in this short clip may confirm that police do not want to be violent. These regular police agents live in that country and I doubt that things happening around them have started to affect them as well. They're underpaid and not well taken care of. Their main body is consisted of conscripts and they hate their jobs for all I know. They live in the very same country and they can not be against the will of their brothers and sisters. I hope these signs of crack among regime's security apparatus grow bigger and deeper. Only if regular army starts to protect people next time Basijis shoot into the crowds or IRGC refuse orders to massacre people. That'll be the end of the mullahs.

Of course the protesters need to show wisdom and kindness in dealing with regular police and security forces. They should not treat them harshly or impolitely. What matters is that protesters need to hit the police where it hurts most: Their emotions and their national pride. Need to shame them by being polite and silent. We've to tell them beating innocent people is shameful and a sin. You know, those kinds of things some of these people may be sensitive to. We'll see where this is going... For all I can feel, the people have become stronger and more united and the regime is suffering from a big divide. That division need to be exploited further. The question is 'WHO' can do it first.

Important Update @ 5am ET: As I was writing this piece, dissident Grand Ayatollah Montazeri has issued series of Fatwas against the regime and ahmadinejad in particular. He's called the system "Oppressive" & "Illegitimate". He says "Fearing the god's subjects is equal to doubting the existence of god/infidelity". He's compared the regime's actions against unarmed people to those of "Stalin's" & other "Fascist systems". It's extremely important to note that Montazeri does not recognize Khamenei's jurisprudence on Islamic affairs. He never believed Khamenei is an Islamic scholar qualified to be the leader and for that he's been under house arrest.

Good Reporting

2009-07-10T19:14:00.004-04:00

Apparently Al-Jazeera English has done surprisingly good in its coverage of Iran. I am told by our fellow UK based blogger Azarmehr (now a regular guest on their Iran programs) that they're the best when it comes to the coverage of recent anti-regime protests. I blogged about their great piece on Obama's failing strategies regarding Iran here a few days ago. And I'm beginning to like their work vis a vis Iran. The above video was sent to me by a reader. Enjoy!

Updated: I wonder if the French citizen detained in Iran is the one who produced this one.

18 Tir Protests

2009-07-09T01:42:00.007-04:00

I talked to a few friends inside of Iran tonight. Every one seemed ready/edgy for something to happen today in Tehran and other major cities. The protests may take place around 4 pm (7:30pm ET) in major intersections and squares of Tehran. It may not be as big as what we saw in the past 2-3 weeks but any protest against this regime is better than nothing at all. It keeps Iran in the news headlines and that's what Mullahs hate. The external coverage of the ongoing unrests against the regime is essential to boost the confidence of those brave people who go out on the streets and confront the thugs.

The UK's Times Online and LA Times have filed similar reports about the possible protests in Iran while the Guardian paper reports that Khamenei's son has been tasked with commanding the militia forces. Stay Tuned!

Update: Clashes in Tehran.

CTV News has an update. And here are several pictures from today's protests in Iran courtesy of BBC Persian. Gooya News has more photos which shows people really do not fear the mullahs any more. That's a big step!

Updated @ 4:30 pm ET: Times of London has videos and reports from Iran.

This pic taken today in Tehran shows a protester holding a banner that reads: RUSSIA, IRANIANS WILL NEVER FORGIVE YOU!

July 9th Uprising

2009-07-07T21:18:00.007-04:00

Thursday is July 9th. Ten years ago on that day, the regime security forces raided several university campuses in Tehran to crackdown on an uprising against the regime. As many as 17 people died in the unrests and for almost a week the whole country witnessed a surge of unprecedented anti-regime activities. [1], [2]

There may be protests across the country in commemoration of 18 Tir uprising (9th of July). Several locations have been announced for rallies and gatherings. I'll keep you posted as things unfold in Iran. It's important to notice that so many things point to the nervous nature of the regime days before the 10th anniversary. Most notably, regime has shut down the city of Tehran due to pollution but people have interpreted that as an early indication that regime is trying to prevent people from gathering.

Paranoia Sets In

2009-07-06T16:40:00.008-04:00

The Iranian regime's paranoia just set in. The French president Sarkozy says the Iranian people deserve a better leadership then a few hours later, the mullahs kidnap a French citizen. Add this to the Canadians, Americans, Brits, Greek and other foreign nationals held in Iran's custody. These are hostages. I expect more foreigners will be kidnapped in the next few days. A regime that kidnaps its own citizen, has no problem kidnapping others. This is a dangerous time to be in Iran. These western morons will be used as bargaining chips with their respective governments. If you care about the people of Iran, leave the country or do not go there. ((The fact that the terrorist Iranian regime announces her detention just now means they might have more of these westerners in custody and will use them as heads of western governments will speak against the regime in the coming days))

My advice to all foreign citizens and dual nationals in Iran:
GET THE HELL OUTTA THERE.

امروز رییس جمهور فرانسه اعلام میکنه که مردم ایران سزاوار رهبران بهتری هستند و ساعتی بعد شهروند فرانسوی به جرم جاسوسی دستگیر میشه. این رو به لیست کاناداییها ، امریکاییها و انگلیسیهای ربوده شده در ایران اضافه کنید. توصیه من به همه افرادی که پاسپورت خارجی دارن: به سرعت ایران رو ترک کنید

Raid Is On

2009-07-05T03:10:00.004-04:00

Saudi Arabia will let Israeli jets use its airspace to fly and bomb the Iranian regime's nuke making facilities:

"The Saudis have tacitly agreed to the Israeli air force flying through their airspace on a mission which is supposed to be in the common interests of both Israel and Saudi Arabia."Coupled with the Iranian people's anti-regime uprisings in the past few weeks, this could be the end of the crazy criminals in Tehran. I don't think people would get behind a regime that showed no mercy to them when they came to the streets to protest peacefully. A little push from the outside can topple the mullahs once and for all.

Updated: The famous slow Joe Biden gives green light to Israelis to strike the regime's nukes.

GOP with Iran

2009-07-04T22:26:00.002-04:00

Senator McCain addresses the Iranian protesters on the occasion of July 4th. Where's the DemoNRatic party? Ah, I forgot their charlatan in chief Obama stands with Mullahs. GOP stands with Iranian people.

Staying sane

2009-07-04T20:47:00.003-04:00

U2 stands withe freedom seeking Iranian people during their latest concert in Spain. The Persian sentences above the stage on that big screen are famous poems of Iranian philosopher and poet Rumi. The whole world stands with us... It's time to seize this moment and bring freedom to Iran.

*The clip may help you stay sane during these turbulent times*

Happy Bday USA

2009-07-04T00:56:00.002-04:00

Happy Birthday America!

Released photos

2009-07-03T06:00:00.007-04:00

Apparently the Iranian regime's news agencies are slowly releasing the photos they've taken during the past few weeks anti-regime unrests across Iran. Here are some of the images taken by IRNA & Mehr News:

First set of photos and here's the 2nd set of pictures. You can also see some photos showing Basij HQ seized and set on fire. Mehr News photos. And here's some more.

Warning: Their website may try to re-adjust the size of your browser. Exercise caution!

Updated: As I was writing this entry BBC News announced that the detained British embassy staff in Iran will face trial. Maybe this will make the useless European Union member-states to act and isolate the Iranian government. Political sanctions coupled with financial sanctions can be very helpful at this point.

My Homeland

2009-07-02T23:33:00.001-04:00

In support of the freedom seekers in Iran.

Who's the thug?

2009-07-02T00:01:00.000-04:00

A good piece by Reporters Without Borders about one of the butchers employed by the mullahs:

"The man who has been orchestrating the crackdown on journalists and demonstrators since 12 June 2009, Tehran prosecutor general Said Mortazavi, has had a long career as a human rights predator."In a free and democratic Iran, this thug has to be tried for his crimes against the innocent people and dissidents.

Show Your Gratitude

2009-07-01T03:42:00.003-04:00

First off, I'm sorry for being away for a day or two.

Second, I'm witnessing that the people of world literally have come to the aid of our compatriots in Iran through any which way they can. Some decent individuals in the mainstream media and almost every one on the social networking websites have literally been on our side. This type of support could have only materialized if Iran was struck by a natural disaster (Actually the Iranian regime has always been a disaster). We shouldn't forget this incredible show of support and solidarity. We must show our gratitude to these people who at our hour of need came to our rescue. This is a very important matter. A big deal!

I've seen people writing to European companies working with the Iranian regime, like Nokia, Siemens, Shell... on behalf of us urging them to stop cooperating with the murderers. I have had friends calling the White House urging the sitting coward in there to be more forceful on mullahs. I have witnessed first hand when people on twitter and facebook got upset by watching the videos showing the regime brutality. I have had people donating money to this weblog. I've received encouraging emails & calls of solidarity and appreciation from 4 corners of the world. All these are our capital in the long war against the mullahs. Do not let this go to waste! We earned it and we should keep it as a valuable asset in our arsenal.

The mullahs have dug their graves. They'll go away sooner or later. I've no doubt about that and we all know that truth finally prevails. What matters now is not to alienate our world wide supporters but to embrace and employ them. This is our strength. Mullahs have no base of support in this world. Yes, China and Russia still buy their oil but that's about it. Remember to thank your local friends in your home/host countries and tell them that their support goes a long way. When you make calls to your relatives in Iran, tell them that the whole world is behind their cause. Make sure to encourage those who live under the occupying regime of Iran not to give up hope. This is going to be a long war....

از زمان اغاز تظاهرات علیه رژیم جنایتکار و دزد ایران بسیار شاهد همدردی و حتی حمایت مالی دوستان خارجی از حرکت ملی مردم ایران بوده ایم. از این دوستان که در این ساعت نیاز به داد ما ایرانیان شتافتند تشکر کنیم. حکومت اخوندهای اشغالگر دیر یا زود از بین خواهد رفت. حقیقت پیروز خواهد شد. در این زمان بیاییم از دوستان و همکارانمان در کشورهایی که ساکن ان هستیم تشکر و قدردانی کنیم . هر زمان که با دوستان و اشنایان در داخل ایران تماس برقرار میکنید به انها گوشزد کنید که حمایت معنوی تمام دنیا پشت سر انهاست. این دلگرمی برای هموطنان داخل کشور بسیار مهم است و انها باید بدانند که دنیا انها را فراموش نکرده

Do Pigs Fly?

2009-06-29T21:30:00.003-04:00

Of all places Al-Jazeera TV being critical of Obama? Obama's strategies failing in Iran:

Am I seeing this right? Do pigs fly? WoW! I guess the western media need to catch up then.

Does O get it?

2009-06-29T20:42:00.007-04:00

Michael Ledeen wants Obama to bring down the mullahs but I am not sure if O gets it at all. Obama's clueless.

Iran's pro-reform leader Mousavi campaign has issued a list of 11 countries which have already recognized Ahmadinejad as president of Iran: 1- Tajikistan, 2- Russia, 3- China, 4- Venezuela, 5- Qatar, 6- Pakistan, 7- Oman, 8- Armenia, 9- Azerbaijan, 10- Turkey, 11- Afghanistan.

Hiring a leader

2009-06-29T00:49:00.010-04:00

Charles Krauthammer gets it right on:

"As Mousavi hovers between Gorbachev and Yeltsin, between reformer and revolutionary, between figurehead and leader, the revolution hangs in the balance. The regime may neutralize him by arrest or even murder. It may buy him off with offers of safety and a sinecure. He may well prefer to let this cup pass from his lips. But choose he must, and choose quickly. This is his moment, and it is fading rapidly. Unless Mousavi rises to it, or another rises in his place, Iran's democratic uprising will end not as Russia 1991, but as China 1989."And today I heard his spokesman in Europe, Mohsen Makhmalbaf, asking Mousavi on behalf of millions of Iranians to lead people in doing what they should be doing these days: CHANGE, RESISTANCE, MASS STRIKES...etc But I guess Mousavi does not want or can not cross the line. Time will tell but the fading democracy movement in Iran is now hiring a capable leader. Any one?

Updated: As I was going to bed, I received some messages from a friend in Tehran asking me to mention these four points. 1- The SMS service is still shut off and internet access is not available in most parts. 2- Uniformed police presence in Tehran has been less visible these days but plain clothed agents and Basijis keep a close eye on every one. 3- Basijis run check points every night at major intersections or streets of Tehran. 4- People still chant anti-regime slogans on their rooftops every night.

War Zone

2009-06-27T18:19:00.005-04:00

This new video from BBC Persian service shows coward Basijis shooting at people from the rooftop of a mosque in west of Tehran during the last week election riots. Tehran, I've heard, looks like a war zone these days. Same video in English. You can hear people filming this asking each other "How can they do this" and a woman can be heard responding "Well they're Basijis". In Iran being a Basij member means you can cross the laws or kill/detain people without being questioned. Basijis (Khamenei's white shirts) are given a mandate to protect the establishment at any cost and that's why they kill people with free reign. They're criminals and act like Nazi brown shirts.

Update: I am informed that the mosque shown in these videos was later set on fire by the brave protesters resulting in death of 8 of these coward Basijis.

An Evil System

2009-06-27T01:29:00.005-04:00

Only an evil regime can order the execution of peaceful protesters and its opponents. The question is whether the international community, especially corrupt Europeans and naive Americans, will continue to talk to this evil regime or not.

The future of Iranian people's democratic movement from now on also rests with the behavior of the western powers towards the criminal regime of Iran. Any negotiation with this evil system will spell death and misery for the people of Iran. The current regime of Iran is not the legitimate representative of the will of its people and therefore should not be recognized or dealt with. There are reports that more than 2000 people have been detained in the past 10-12 days and many have been forced to appear on TV to confess to crimes they have not done. This is a system that is capable of taking its own people hostage and therefore it should be treated as a respected member of the international community. Furthermore such a criminal entity has no right to have nuclear power, peaceful or not. This regime is evil and you do to evil what it deserves: Total annihilation.

More Iran News

2009-06-26T00:33:00.008-04:00

*** While Mousavi has announced he won't back down, more and more people were taken to custody in Tehran and other major cities of Iran. Tehran has been quiet for most of these past few days but I'm also reading and hearing about the shift that anti-regime campaign has made. Regime has also claimed that 8 of his criminal thugs have died at the hands of people. There's so much confusion within Iran that confirming any of these would be terribly difficult.

*** Just talked to a relative who said it is really hard to access Persian news channels of VOA and BBC through satellite receivers. Most channels are jammed for most of the day and internet is basically shut off. Some SMS services are restored and city of Tehran looks like a combat zone with thousands of Basiji militias roaming the city arresting or harassing any one who could appear like a protester or a trouble maker.

*** There's an unconfirmed story that regime has created a camp south of Tehran to house hundreds of detainees of the recent unrests in Tehran. That'd be great if someone could try to take a photo of this place. link in Persian here

*** The criminal regime of Iran has tasked infamous killer/butcher judge Mortezavi to be the lead investigator on post election unrests. Which, to me, means more and more innocent people will be killed and jailed on this butcher's watch.

*** Iranian dissidents: Dear Israeli Brothers and Sisters - Help Us!. Surely, the US is not willing to help. I guess it makes the room for EU, Canada and Israelis to come to our aid.

Keeping Sane

2009-06-25T21:15:00.005-04:00

Here's another piece of sad news today. I grew up with Michael Jackson's tunes and music in 1980s and 90s in Iran. We had a hard time getting his latest albums, CDs or tapes. I remember watching his stuff when VCRs and CD players back in Iran were banned. Michael Jackson really kept us sane in those days. I remember the first VHS tape we played in our brand new illegal/banned VCR machine was a tape full of Jackson's recent tour clips a friend had brought from Germany. I think many in Iran lived with Michael Jackson's music secretly and I personally admired his talents so much. Too bad such a talented man went to waste by doing all those weird stuff later. I'll resume posting the news on Iran shortly.

Remember you can contribute to my 'Coffee Fund' to keep me awake for further reporting, if you like. Stay tuned!

Heart breaking

2009-06-25T17:38:00.001-04:00

Interview with the doctor who rushed to help Neda. This is heart wrenching. So Sad!

Charlatan in Chief

2009-06-25T15:11:00.004-04:00

Obama is Charlatan in Chief and I agree:

This is a man who embodies the opposite of the courage to act. His appalling ignorance of history prompted him to claim at his press conference that "the Iranian people … aren't paying a lot of attention to what's being said … here." On the contrary, from their jail cells in the Gulag, Soviet dissidents took heart from what was being said here--as all dissidents dream that the leader of the free world will be prepared to speak and act in their defense.

Obama has sided with tyranny all the time and has now emboldened the criminal regime of Iran in its brutal crackdown of Iranians. This is a guy whose friends included a raving racist priest and terrorists. How can we expect him to side with liberty and freedom seekers? Shame on this idiot charlatan in the white house. His Islamic middle name says it all..... More here

ننگ بر حسین اوباما

This makes my 1500th post here on this blog. Thanks for visiting!

Like Animals

2009-06-24T22:45:00.005-04:00

Today security forces beat people like "animals". The mullahs treat the Iranian people like 'animals'. Where's PETA?

Since reports came out yesterday that a number of IRGC commanders are suspended after failing to carry out their orders to shoot at people, the regime TV has shown several of them in different locations and dates to make the impression among people that such reports are untrue. This definitely confirms that these honorable guys have refused to take part in massacre of their own countrymen.

It's refreshing to see that Swiss and the Danish gov'ts are siding with the people of Iran while Dear Leader Obama is not yet sure whom to side with.

How could any one sleep at night knowing defenseless people are being savagely murdered and beaten on a daily basis. As the caller says in the following video "it is time to act".

4 days

2009-06-24T02:31:00.004-04:00

Just got off the phone talking to some of my contacts in Iran around 3 am ET. I've to stay up late to be able to catch them after they wake up, just due to time difference. It's been 4 days since I talked to any one in Iran. I feel better now knowing all I know are safe even though they were beaten badly. Okay, these are subjects they all emphasized on and I am giving you a summary of them here. Please remember I have talked to a variety of people with different opinions. Some are pro-reform, some are for total regime change. Here you're with what I gathered from talking to these brave people:

1- Majority of people now openly express their desire to have a new regime in place.

2- Ordinary people are very angry with the regime and are tired of it.

3- People no longer have confidence in the regime. Regime no longer holds people's trust.

4- Regime has severely lost its legitimacy especially after the bloodbath that was this past Saturday. People want to take revenge.

5- People inside of Iran are mourning the loss of Neda so much. It has angered people further.

6- One thing holding some people from wanting to have regime change is the poisonous propaganda by the regime that Iran's enemies want to split up the country and make it look like Balkan states of 1990s. Some fear this BS and therefore don't seek regime change.

7- Regime has complete control over the flow of information inside of Iran. People are scared to send text messages or communicate with each other about further rallies. No one I talked to knew anything about the exact death toll, news of IRGC commanders being detained... etc

8- International support is necessary. Political isolation of the regime is of utmost importance.

9- Tehran is now a garrison full of security forces. Armed thugs and Basijis run checkpoints at major intersections of the city.

10- Emotionally speaking, people are outraged and very sad. It's some sort of collective depression.