Mike Pouraryan
Iran's People Power: Today & Tomorrow
June 18th 2009 05:05
:
Can it be stopped?
In a little while, the fifth day of demonstrations will begin in Tehran. Mr. Moussavi has called for a day of mourning for the victims of the past few days. I was amazed at the reports of the demonstrations yesterday. People were marching in silence. They did it not to provoke. While the people are continuing their peaceful protests, the regime continues on the war path. It came out swinging. It has warned foreign governments, curbed foreign media and reminded the world that Iran is a lot more Democratic than others. Yaaaaaaah right!!??!!!!
The strategy today is a page out of Gandhi's book. I remember a scene in Richard Attenborough's Film. The setting is a meeting at Mohammad Ali Jinnah's House. They're discussing the new "Terrorism" legislation. Jinnah's immediate reaction is "it is time for direct action". Gandhi listens in silence and then seeds the sow of non-violent resistance that was indeed the inspiration for Dr. King and others throughout the world. He called for a day of prayer and fasting. Of course, the whole of India shut down that day. That was the beginning of the end for British Rule of India.
The continued concern here is the role of the Revolutionary Guards. They have thrown down the gauntlet that they will defend the Revolution at all costs. One further hopeful sign is the statement by Grand Ayatollah Montazeri. The split in the spiritual heartland of the Country, Qum, is something further that should be closely followed.
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The Revolutionary Guards seem to have studied the role of the Red Army in China and the role of the Indonesian Army before Suharto was overthrown. The Revolutionary Guards are everywhere. This is one of the many unknowns right now. But, as Reza Aslan pointed out in an interview with MSNBC's Rachel Maddow, the men who are leading the opposition (Moussavi, Karoubi, Khatami) right now have been here before and know what to do. Karoubi's letter is a fascinating read in telling the people that nothing less than a new election will not be acceptable. Rezai's letter to the Minister of Interior I wrote on earlier is also a fascinating read The parallels with 1979 are unmistakeable. The difference is that the people are more aware and will not be fooled again. The question is whether the Government will up the ante further.
The strategy today is a page out of Gandhi's book. I remember a scene in Richard Attenborough's Film. The setting is a meeting at Mohammad Ali Jinnah's House. They're discussing the new "Terrorism" legislation. Jinnah's immediate reaction is "it is time for direct action". Gandhi listens in silence and then seeds the sow of non-violent resistance that was indeed the inspiration for Dr. King and others throughout the world. He called for a day of prayer and fasting. Of course, the whole of India shut down that day. That was the beginning of the end for British Rule of India.
The continued concern here is the role of the Revolutionary Guards. They have thrown down the gauntlet that they will defend the Revolution at all costs. One further hopeful sign is the statement by Grand Ayatollah Montazeri. The split in the spiritual heartland of the Country, Qum, is something further that should be closely followed.
.
The Revolutionary Guards seem to have studied the role of the Red Army in China and the role of the Indonesian Army before Suharto was overthrown. The Revolutionary Guards are everywhere. This is one of the many unknowns right now. But, as Reza Aslan pointed out in an interview with MSNBC's Rachel Maddow, the men who are leading the opposition (Moussavi, Karoubi, Khatami) right now have been here before and know what to do. Karoubi's letter is a fascinating read in telling the people that nothing less than a new election will not be acceptable. Rezai's letter to the Minister of Interior I wrote on earlier is also a fascinating read The parallels with 1979 are unmistakeable. The difference is that the people are more aware and will not be fooled again. The question is whether the Government will up the ante further.
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Comment by Damo
At this stage I am putting my money on a recount as a delay tactic.
Comment by Mike Pouraryan
Outsider Views:
Smooth Political
Kitten Politics
It is history indeed.....