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Take a Breath on Iran
http://www.dianawest.net/Home/tabid/36/EntryId/931/Take-a-Breath-on-Iran.aspx ^ | Diana West

Posted on 06/21/2009 5:22:09 PM PDT by ventanax5

Having been in transit during the start of the Iranian election protests, I've taken a little time to come up to speed on the issue. Scanning English-language (UK) papers in airports, I will say that my initial reaction to the euphoria I saw breaking out all over the West -- especially the US? -- to the obtusely labeled "green" revolution was, Why should we be so happy about Mousavi? When I learned that Mousavi was Mullah Rafsanjani's boy, that A-jad was Mullah Khameini's boy, my wonder deepened, as in: What's the diff? When I read John Bolton's piece at Politico noting that nobody runs for president in Iran without the express approval of the mullahs, my gut reaction was bolstered by some real facts. Here is Bolton's cheat sheet rundown:

First, only candidates screened and approved by the mullahs in the Guardian Council could run — in this case, exactly four presidential candidates out of nearly 500 who applied. Second, Iran’s highest official is not the president but, rather, the supreme leader, currently Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Third, Iran’s election officials are not independent but rigorously controlled by the supreme leader. Fourth, the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps and other security forces stand ready, willing and able to preserve public safety if the “wrong” candidate appeared to win or protestd in defeat.

(Excerpt) Read more at dianawest.net ...


TOPICS: Government; Israel; News/Current Events; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: andrewbostom; ayatollahkhomeini; dianawest; iran; islam; johnbolton; terrorism; wot
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To: Jeff Head

Bush went to Iraq to establish democracy in the middle of the terrorists and look how many years it’s taken. Now Obama and his supporters are trying to take credit for what’s going on based on one mostly baloney speech in Cairo.

I know this is true because I just talked to someone who claimed this revolution wouldn’t be happening if W were still President. Sooooo many deluded people. My reply was that how much the Iranians have felt watching Iraq’s free election while theirs was a joke. No response yet....


41 posted on 06/21/2009 6:39:04 PM PDT by Aria ( "The US republic will endure until Congress discovers it can bribe the public with the people's $.")
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To: AdmSmith; Berosus; bigheadfred; Convert from ECUSA; dervish; Ernest_at_the_Beach; Fred Nerks; ...
Why should we be so happy about Mousavi? When I learned that Mousavi was Mullah Rafsanjani's boy, that A-jad was Mullah Khameini's boy, my wonder deepened, as in: What's the diff? When I read John Bolton's piece at Politico noting that nobody runs for president in Iran without the express approval of the mullahs, my gut reaction was bolstered by some real facts. Here is Bolton's cheat sheet rundown...

42 posted on 06/21/2009 6:39:09 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/__Since Jan 3, 2004__Profile updated Monday, January 12, 2009)
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To: fatima

?? How did you infer that from my post?

NutJob is claiming a very high vote, when in reality it was probably very low. The ballots were created in a way that votes met for Mousavi could be twisted and given to NutJob. The people are very aware of this and at the very least would like a re-election. But they are being told that’s not going to happen.

If there were a high number of supporters for NutJob, IMHO, I don’t think you’d see the numbers protesting that we’ve been seeing.


43 posted on 06/21/2009 6:42:24 PM PDT by Ladysmith (The trouble with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money - M. Thatcher)
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To: yazdankurd

the horse is out of the barn-things will heat up as people are trying to arm themselves (publicly and privately). If it’s true Basij Headquarters is down or has fallen , this is just ONLY the beginning. Those Basij are the most awful.


44 posted on 06/21/2009 6:42:54 PM PDT by MissDairyGoodnessVT (Mac Conchradha - "Skeagh mac en chroe"- Skaghvicencrowe)
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To: Ladysmith
Actual election results as reported to Khamenei

It's a letter by the Interior Minister, Sadegh Mahsouli, to Khamenei informing him of the steps taken to declare Ahmadinejad the winner of the election.

The letter also includes the actual results as follows:

Total votes: 42,026,078

Mousavi: 19,075,623

Karroubi: 13,387,104

Ahmadinejad: 5,698,417

Rezai: 3,754,218

Invalid votes: 38,716

45 posted on 06/21/2009 6:47:02 PM PDT by meadsjn
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To: Ladysmith
God Bless we are talking about two different things.
46 posted on 06/21/2009 6:48:40 PM PDT by fatima (Free hugs today :).)
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To: meadsjn

Thank you! That’s exactly what I saw but didn’t bookmark it.


47 posted on 06/21/2009 6:52:02 PM PDT by Ladysmith (The trouble with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money - M. Thatcher)
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To: HokieMom

That’s what I took away from it. The two are the same, she didn’t see it as getting rid of the Mullahs.


48 posted on 06/21/2009 6:52:15 PM PDT by Current Occupant (The FIVE branches of Gov't: Executive, Judicial, Legislative, Indoctrination and Propaganda.)
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To: cripplecreek

“We’re happy that the iranian people are demanding change.”

You mean like Obama?

Hank


49 posted on 06/21/2009 6:55:51 PM PDT by Hank Kerchief
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To: Current Occupant

She said the watchers in the West are projecting and hoping. Yet, perhaps the students and others are too fearful to appear too pro-Western at this point.


50 posted on 06/21/2009 6:57:11 PM PDT by HokieMom (Pacepa : Can the U.S. afford a president who can't recognize anti-Americanism?)
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To: meadsjn

Whoa, the percentage of NutJob is lower here than what I saw reported elsewhere. It’s 13.5% if your link, and I had read elsewhere that it was about 25%. IIRC, NutJob was claming over 75% of the vote.

Oh well, lesson learned. Bookmark all relevant information for future reference.


51 posted on 06/21/2009 6:59:58 PM PDT by Ladysmith (The trouble with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money - M. Thatcher)
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To: fatima

LOL. Sunday night, I’m tired and should be in bed. Take care.


52 posted on 06/21/2009 7:00:49 PM PDT by Ladysmith (The trouble with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money - M. Thatcher)
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To: yazdankurd
V for victory Image and video hosting by TinyPic
53 posted on 06/21/2009 7:02:57 PM PDT by deks
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To: Ladysmith

Stay up.:)(((((((Hugs)))))))


54 posted on 06/21/2009 7:04:20 PM PDT by fatima (Free hugs today :).)
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To: Hank Kerchief

The election was just a catalyst. Earlier messages coming out from twitter from the protesters indicated that the majority of citizens (who are Persians) are fed up being ruled by Islamic mullahs from a “desert trash religion”.


55 posted on 06/21/2009 7:07:34 PM PDT by meadsjn
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To: meadsjn

Has there been ant word from the late SHAH,S SON.I believe he is in the US.


56 posted on 06/21/2009 7:12:42 PM PDT by Unicorn (Too many wimps around.)
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To: meadsjn

Reference Mark


57 posted on 06/21/2009 7:13:39 PM PDT by 2111USMC
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To: fatima

LOL! Still here. ((((fatima)))))


58 posted on 06/21/2009 7:13:45 PM PDT by Ladysmith (The trouble with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money - M. Thatcher)
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To: fatima

Yes, Mousavi is a “bad guy” too. However, I think this has gone beyond him at this point. My Persian friends said at the very beginning that both candidates had to be thoroughly vetted by the clerics before running, but he was at least somewhat less evil than A-jad.


59 posted on 06/21/2009 7:13:53 PM PDT by left that other site
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To: Hank Kerchief

In the case of Iran the people are demanding change and actually have expectations.

Here Obama promised change, never said what it would be, and the sheep went along with whatever it was.


60 posted on 06/21/2009 7:14:21 PM PDT by cripplecreek (The poor bastards have us surrounded.)
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