A Mousavi supporter holds a toy gun in his hand to intimidate police and militia

ap ^ | 6/22/09 | ap

[Flavius]

TEHRAN, IRAN - A Mousavi supporter holds a toy gun in his hand to intimidate police and militia during a demonstration on June 20, 2009 in Tehran, Iran.

[Billthedrill]

Yep. He's got a plastic gun in his hands because it's all he's got. And he's scared to death - I would be - and he's out there anyway because he can't not be.

This is not the guy the thugs want to see with a real gun in his hand. At that point he'd be the most dangerous man in the world. And they know it.

[Chode]

i'm gonna order another set of books for loaners as this set will never leave my book shelf and i'm gonna look into getting a set for the library if they will take them.

[sockmonkey]

The point is, he has shoved ALL of his freedom chips into the middle of the table. He is “all in.”

I have been impressed by the Iranians Freedom Fighter's Tweets. One said, "Being brave, doesn't mean you are not afraid. It means you are willing to step out for freedom even when you are afraid.

[FreepShop1]

He looks worried because he is being phtographed. He is now rather certain to be recognized, arrested, and sent to a concentration camp.

Tragically, you are right. This Iranian was merely photographed on The Economist's front page in 1999, and it cost him 9 years of torture in prison before his release.

[Bobalu]

Yes, and even cheap, stamped metal automatic weapons would be enough...remember the WW2 Sten Gun?

[Travis McGee]

Amen and thanks.

[Travis McGee]

If nothing else, he’s serving as a public diversion, while others do more quiet, secret work.

If nothing else, he is keeping the torch of the freedom fight lit for one more day, wearing out the mullahs, refusing to heed their call to go home.

A lot of dogs died in the game of “bear baiting.” But to doubt their courage? Never. Would it be my tactic? No, but I”m not a disarmed slave fighting for my first breath of freedom.

[Travis McGee]

Yes, and I salute them all, who are still on the streets, wearing down the police, wearing down the mullahs.

There are rumors that the “supreme leader” Khamanei has fled Teheran. Is it true? Who knows? But such rumors give the freedom fighters more fuel, and wear down the dictators.

Every day of street protests and street fighting shortens the days of the regime.

Remember Rumania? They had the toughest security forces, and they brought in “Basenji” type thugs to crack heads.

But when Rumania shattered, it happened with lightning speed, because freedom-thirsting Rumanians kept up the pressure day by day, even at great risk.

[Travis McGee]

Yep, wait until these guys get a few guns. If any police or military units flip, it will be a new ball game.

[Tainan]

Darwin Award candidate.

[Tainan]

"Never attract attention to yourself...it bothers those around you"...et al.

[Eaker]

Do some research on the requirements for a Darwin Award and then think about how ridiculous your post really is on so many levels.

[Travis McGee]

There have been charges by soldiers, many times in history, where there were not enough firearms to go around.

Often unarmed men went right along on the attack, to give the armed men a better chance of surviving to kill the enemy, simply by being a target.

And of course, they had a chance to pick up a weapon, “when one became available.”

They were brave too, but less than this man, because they were at least soldiers, under military discipline. This architect or doctor or teacher could be at home hiding under his bed, but look at the risk he is taking.

Nobody argues it’s a great tactic. But to deride the man’s courage is ignorant. He is doing his own part to spread disinformation to the security forces, to be a living diversion, to keep the flame of rebellion alive for one more hour.

And that’s a lot.

How many of us would have his courage, during a one-sided rebellion of the unarmed freedom-seekers against an armed dictatorship?

[Eaker]

I agree with what you have posted.

I disagreed with what Tainan posted as “Darwin Award candidate” is stupid.

[Travis McGee]

I'm sorry, I was agreeing with your disagreement with the critics of this brave man. Their ignorance of what courage means just amazes and disappoints me. The guy in the picture looks like some office dwelling professional, not somebody who has studied military guerrilla warfare tactics. He's just doing what he thought might help, at total, absolute risk to his life.

The tactical wisdom is a separate discussion. His courage is above reproach.

[HotLead61]

Speak for yourself.
_______________________________________________________

My thoughts exactly!

I’m at least as feisty as those Iranians, when push comes to shove. (Maybe not quite as brave yet, but that’s developing.)

[Travis McGee]

We can learn another definition of courage from these unarmed freedom fighters.

[Tainan]

Well, I guess its easy to respond with a knee-jerk and insinuate that my post is one made from a lack of knowledge...which you obviously possess. But lets look at what the actions of this man represent.
Yes, he is making a noble gesture. One born out of frustration and fear. Frustration with his current government no doubt. And fear for his safety and the safety of those who are taking to the streets to protest this sham of an election.
But look what he has done?
He has taken a fake weapon out with his march. This will surely attract the attention of the security people and Revolutionary Guards who are looking for any and all reasons to rain down unholy havoc on the protesters heads. He is drawing the attention of the bad guys. This is not a wise thing to do.
To hell with 'good or noble' intentions. He is endangering himself and any other person around him with this antic.
This is not a smart move. Yes, I can understand what may have motivated him to do this...but its not a good move.

So, go ahead and make your comments. But don't think your view, or mine, are the only opinions possible and worthy about this incident.

I can only hope that this man is still around to be interviewed when this all sorts itself out.

[Pikachu_Dad]

>>>>>>>>> How many of us would have that amount of courage, in a similar (disarmed rebellion) situation? <<<<<<<<<<<

I don’t know, but I would like to think that I could find a better weapon than a toy plastic gun.

A kitchen knife? A hoe? A large wrench? My car? SOMETHING.

[Eaker]

This post at least makes some sense. The “Darwin Award” post still doesn’t.