Rejoice or Despair?
From one of our friends in Iran:
"Everyone is so energized and pumped up but no one knows how it will all end so enthusiasm and anxiety are inseparable and unavoidable. The city is burning with equal doses of energy and rage and thugs who look like they've been unleashed from the city jail roam the streets wielding sticks and batons. The contrast between the civility of yesterday's mass protest and the brutality of the thugs (they don't even deserve to be called police or security) is almost unbearable. We cannot decide whether to rejoice or despair. "
Totalitarian governments need
Totalitarian governments need popular support by the scared or the duped to exist. History has shown that, without this simple social dynamic, they vaporize like chimera -- but not at some cost, given it's the governed vs. armed police. Force and injustice and murder always fail in an educated population, no matter the culture. From the courage of the protests, the news blackout, the world now knows Iran in a different light than the one its "unpopular" president pretends. His days are threatened. He knows it. As Mr. Smith says, keep sending.
I thought this from AP
I thought this from AP worthwile...
"...At CNN, more than 2,000 reports from "citizen journalists" related to Iran have been received since the day after the election, and more than 80 "fully verified" videos and photos have been aired, spokesman Nigel Pritchard said."
Turi: Be strong. The whole
Turi:
Be strong. The whole world is watching your country. Please blog when you can and it is safe. We want to know.
Tom
Turi: We all await the
Turi:
We all await the outcome. Zealots will always fall when they ignore the people. That is true in Iran, UK, or U.S.
I know you are busy so hang in there. Perfect reason for Demotix.
I'd like to apologize to all
I'd like to apologize to all Iranians who are bravely fighting back against their government. Obama's cowardice is embarrassing and not reflective of the attitudes of Americans. You should know that we support your efforts even if our leadership remains silent. We are sick of Ahmadinejad and hope that you are successful in putting in place a leader who represents you rather than a powerful leadership. Don't give up.