Mike Pouraryan
OV Week-End: Iran Over the Past 24 hrs
:
Never Lose Hope!!!!
Well, for every Laurel, there truly has to be a Hardy. The past week saw an uproar by Iran's Amen Crowd over the appointment that the "Coup President" made for the position of first Vice President. Khameini ordered the new guy to be "dismissed". The new guy obliged. Now, the "coup President", Mr. Idiotnejad, has appointed the same guy as the head of his office. This is the equivalent position of an Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff. As the "gate keeper", he will yield more power than the First Vice President. I guess family matters in such issues. I would also guarantee that idiotnejad cleared it with the Master anyway to avoid any further issues. So, the Laurel and Hardy of Iranian Politics is hereby presented to the World.
As idiotnejad's new appointment was the headline on the Regime's Mouthpiece, IRNA, the annoucement also came that Iran and Ukraine will begin joint production of a new short range jetliner called the Iran-148 with Antonov of Ukraine. An Antonov knockoff is already being built at a facility in Central Iran. I was checking on the company, Antonov ASTC, that builds the planes. This company peaked my interest when it announced a partnership with Dassault Systems of France. Dassault is the preeminent provider of PLM (Product Life Cycle Management) software to automotive, engineering and Aerospace companies. This collaboration is apparently aimed to insure that Antonov is able to compete with the "big boys"--Boeing and Airbus. I was trying to dig around to see if Antonov had any major clients. The only client I saw was its' own Airline. It is probably supplying Ukraine's National Airline, too. Beyond that, there is nothing. It is also worrying that this new plane that has been agreed to be produced in Iran just had a maiden test flight two days ago. Iran already suffered two air disasters on a Topolov and an Illuysin. Over 180 people died. Although the planes were Russian, the technology is still based on an outdated model that will present challenges.
I have been trying to assess the thinking behind such moves. Although the stated aim of the regime is to be a "player", that will not happen when the people are suppressed, outdated and unreliable technology is brought in and the fundementals are simply ignored for the sake of telling the world to go to hell. Although the regime is trying very hard to push a sense of normalcy, there are clear moves to continue the pressure. The regime has detained Mr. Mousavi's Brother-In-law. When I saw that, my only reaction was: Good Grief!!! The people are not staying silent. The Worldwide Day of Action yesterday was proof that the people will not sit idly by. Too many have died. Too many have been imprisoned for simply asking that their will be respected.
As I thought about the day of action, , I tracked down this YouTube Video that was put together by the Mousavi Campaign:
Although unfortunately, it is in Farsi. the message is one of hope. It begins with Mr. Khatami, the Ex-President, noting that the country is at a new dawn and how he loves the morning. The singer tells the world how Winter is ending and how the glow and the hope of spring is near. It talks about how the hills and valleys are full of flower. The telling images of Iran's heroes of the Revolution of 1905, 1953 and yes 1979 were shown. It shows the images of the terrible war and images of Mr. Mousavi during his time as Prime Minister. It shows Mr. Mousavi's committment to rebuild a government based on competence and a committment to serve.
The struggle to realize this vision and hope is yet to be realized, though. It is not easy when one is trying to face down the barrel of a gun. But, right has always prevailed over might.
