Parting Ways With #IranElection

This blog to date has been actively supporting the uprising in Iran. We have done so, motivated by the conviction that any trouble sending the regime off its nuclear collision course with history, can only be a good thing. Another motive was based on the off chance that a Jeffersonian democracy might actually spring up on Cyrus the Great's real estate. This seems more unlikely by the day.

Neocon scholar and author Francis Fukuyama published an article this week in the Wall Street Journal, "Iran, Islam and the Rule of Law". It is giving fuel to an impression, gathered from the various commentaries on Twitter and elsewhere on the Internet: there seems to be no awareness at all among the activists of a very crucial point; namely, that if the current Islamofascist regime is replaced by a softer version - or by a Leftist one for that matter - the result will not be freedom, but the replacement of one oppressive collective with another.

Make no mistake - it is not Leftism or Rightism that defines freedom - both do not. Neither does some watered down, culturally determined form of 'democracy' based on inequality among groups (related to gender, race, religion or otherwise). The pre selection of candidates in accordance with the ruling elite's idea of political correctness does also not constitute a free democracy.

Relativists among us tell us not to expect Jeffersonian democracies to blossom everywhere around the globe. They assure us that democracy is merely a sort of general recipe, and that the end result is to be determed by racial, religious, historical or cultural considerations.

Implied in this is a preunderstanding that, whatever the outcome, we will accept this entity as a 'democracy' or that at least, that we will consider it morally equivalent to a democracy.

Spoken like a true nominal relativist: the Left have performed this labelling trick before: in the German Democratic Republic and in the political abomination known as Social Democracy. In their book the prefix 'democratic' makes it synonymous with the real thing, a clear case of Orwellian double speak!

Those who look beyond labels know that what constitutes freedom, are individual rights, rather than the temporary privileges bestowed on subjects by the state. That said, it helps a great deal in establishing the state of freedom if rights are derived from God or Nature, placing them well beyond reach of the long arm of the state, whose temporary privileges can be revoked at a moment's notice.

While this blog will continue to endorse regime change in Iran, I believe the time has come to part ways with the revolutionary forces of the green wave. Sadly there's this tendency to turn against the western allies at the drop of a hat. The capitalism versus socialism dualism is never far of. Religionism is good at confusing their heavenly collective with a temporal one. I wish them God's speed and loads of wisdom. 

We will also continue to translate Afshin Ellian's posts, which often contain important inside news from the region - as it does today. 

The Iranian regime is more dangerous than North Korea

Yesterday the assassination of Neda Agha Soltan was commemorated in the Iranian cities of Tehran, Isfahan, Shiraz, Rasht, Mashhad, Tabriz, Sari. The young philosophy student [ed. who might have been a Christian* (click the link for an enlarged image)] was shot in broad daylight before the eyes of the world.

Other students who were killed by the regime were also commemorated. In Behshte-Zahra thousands of citizens were gathered for this purpose. Later on they were abused by the troops of the Ayatollahs and dispersed. Also on Wanak Square the regime acted harshly against innocent civilians. Shots have been heard.

But not everyone is engaged in rallying for the cause of freedom. Some solely occupy themselves with money and treasure.

This week state controlled media reported that 18,5 billion dollars have been confiscated by the Turkish Government. They were forced to disclose it, because Turkish TV had beat them to it. The Turkish PM remarked that in these times of crisis help is forthcoming from the 'invisible world', in this case the Islamic Republic Iran.

Take note: Turkish customs confiscated an unknown number of trucks in which 11 billion dollars worth of gold bullion and 7,5 billion dollar in bank notes had been loaded.  (...) Iranian state media reported the treasure belongs to the Iranian business man, Ismail Safarian.

Which business man in the world owns 11 billion dollars worth of gold bullion? Which business man in the world carries bank notes by the truck load? If it's true, this money belongs to a state or a state-person who wishes to transfer capital abroad for fear it might not be safe if left in the country. This is ironic, because the last Shah of Persia also transferred 15 billion dollars abroad before he was forced to leave.

Another explanation is that this money was earmarked for the reinforcement of terrorism. What do I mean? The Islamic regime must divert attention away from the situation in the region. Tehran made a deal with the Obama administration in the runup to the elections [sic]: in exchange for the American-Iranian journalist Roxana Saberi a number of Revolutionary Guard members were released from Iraqi jails. (...)

- Cartoon: Cox and Forkum - 

The guardists got a hero's welcome in Tehran. They were arrested a few years ago for terrorist activities. Five of them were so-called diplomats. Actually they were officers of the Revolutionary Guard who got themselves arrested in Arbil (Iraqi Kurdistan).

Now the situation has changed again. Creating unrest will shift attention to other areas and if the Americans plan to take counter measures, that would also be welcomed as a diversion. At this stage we don't know what the purpose of the money was. What we do know, is that the Revolutionary Guard is more active outside Iran's borders than in the past.

Terrorism and the Iranian regime are two sides of the same coin. Every year much treasure is funneled to southern Lebanon, Hamas, Iraq, the Gulf states and also Sudan. Iran has allies and friends in almost all Arab states. Taking hostage innocent civilians is a method by which Tehran negotiates with other countries, especially Western ones. During the 80s on the orders of Tehran the Lebanese Hezbollah held scores of Westerners hostage. After years of negotiations between the UN and Rafsanjani they finally were released.

Europe also needs to be on the alert. The regime has a vast network of spies and intelligence people at its disposal in Europe. If cornered, they can get exceedingy aggressive.

That is why I keep hammering on the need for the West to support the democratic movement in Iran. This regime is extremely violent and dangerous. Even more so than North Korea. Iran has funds, whereas North Korea has not.

Iran also has regional and international ambitions that North Korea lacks. North Korean leaders just want to survive. The danger of the Islamic state would increase exponentially if those in power have a number of nuclear devices at their disposal.

The transfer of billions of dollars abroad, whatever its purpose, should convince anyone that things are getting pretty serious indeed.


* It has been reported on Atlas Shrugs that on an original photo Neda Soltan is wearing a crucifix; curiously it was later cropped out of existence. It occured to me that the Cross may also be a Zoroastrian symbol. It may have merged with the Christian Cross in Roman times; many Roman soldiers appeared to have converted to Mithraism, a Zoroastrian off shoot.

#Silly Week: a short supply of self deprecation

Believe it or not, the 'moderate' Palestinian terrorist gang, the Al Aqsa Martyr's Brigade, has actually taken the bait: unable to place satire into context, and even more incapable of performing an act of self deprecation, the terror group is shaken to the core with outrage over Brüno's apparent lack of respect in the face of its awsome respectibility (in the sense of the mob: respect from the barrel of a gun).

- Caption: "Islamic Rage Boy" by The Nose on Your Face - 

Well, some intrinsic largess is required before the art of self deprecation can be mastered. A beginning of a sense of humor would also come in handy.

Yes, it is terrible that "the interviewee", as some commentator put it, has been put "in mortal danger". But is that a reason to appease the mob? Or reverse the morality and blame Brüno's perverted sense of humor? Or Western 'laissez faire'? 

Hell, no! The comments appears to be in reference to the head mobster having associated himself with a homosexual (the character Brüno), a fact that might well persuade his enlightened Muslim brethern to take a box cutter to his neck!

There's nothing like a dose of humor to pull the plug on self important, sad suckers. Watch here Sacha Baron Cohen making morons out of a bunch of idiots (graphic).

The entire episode stands symbol for the confusion and silliness of our time! Read it all ... a few gems are hidden away in the comments too. 

Watch Sacha Baron Cohen discussing the idea of interviewing a real live terrorist on Letterman:



Times Online: "Terrorist threat to Sacha Baron Cohen over Brüno ridicule"  (includes the scene of wrath)

Sacha Baron Cohen has stepped up his security after being threatened by a militant Palestinian group angered at its portrayal in the film Brüno.

The al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades, a coalition of Palestinian militias in the West Bank, said in a statement released to a Jerusalem-based journalist that it was “very upset” that it featured in the film starring Baron Cohen’s homosexual fashionista alter ego.

“We reserve the right to respond in the way we find suitable against this man,” it said. “The movie was part of a conspiracy against the al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades.”

The London-born comic is taking the threat seriously and has improved security for himself and his family in preparation for violent reprisals. (...) >>>

Related:

ACT!: "Humor is not Just for Entertainment"

Obama, the President of Shoddy Philosophy?

After the Bush administrations' adoption of the extraordinary neocon idea that the spread of democracy would bring peace and prosperity to all - including the recalcitrantly authoritarian Middle East - opponents ended up vilifying not just everything about George W. Bush, but also both the policy and the principle of democracy itself. A typical case of throwing the baby with the bath water ...

But democracy, embodyment of the values of the Enlightenment, traditionally always has been a Liberal enterprise, not a Leftist one. Leftism (as well as Rightism) grew from a 17th and 18th century counter movement. Set aside those who rejected violent revolution on principle, like the Fabians, it was only after the many failed revolutions of the last century that Socialists took another look at their ideology and adopted the epithet Democratic (as in Social Democrats, and as opposed to 'authoritarian' Socialists).

Present Postmodernists are the ideological heirs of said counter movement. It is therefore no small wonder that the original, pre democratic roots are again moving center stage with the present occupier of the White House, who is the quintessential Postmodernist. Clever politicians as they are, they're sacrificing democracy on the ethical platform of "social justice". If nothing else, the scions of the Counter-Enlightenment always appear to be spreading their lethal ideals with the best of intentions.

Here you can read who have already been thrown under the post democratic Obama bus ... Six months into the pomo administration and the record is already quite impressive.

The new motto of foreign policy seems to be "transnational peace through friendship among potentates".

The only doubt benefiting Obama, is the question whether he truly harks back to basics, or if he is merely pushing the softer Postmodern option of ethical relativism ("who are we to meddle (in Iran), we - the West - don't have the monopoly on truth (democracy)" - or alternatively "absolute truth does not exist" - or alternatively "truth is merely a subjective construct".

The world may consider itself lucky if official policy is merely shoddy, accidental moral equivalence, or the inability to understand that the fulfilment of positive rights is the result of the state respecting negative rights. In other words, oppression (fear) and starvation are the result of a lack of freedom, always.

It's all explained in detail and with great clarity in ...

Commentary Magazine: "The Abandonment of Democracy", by Joshua Muravchik

The most surprising thing about the first half-year of Barack Obama’s presidency, at least in the realm of foreign policy, has been its indifference to the issues of human rights and democracy. (...) The new president signaled his intent on the eve of his inauguration, when he told editors of the Washington Post that democracy was less important than “freedom from want and freedom from fear. If people aren’t secure, if people are starving, then elections may or may not address those issues, but they are not a perfect overlay.”

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton followed suit, in opening testimony at her Senate confirmation hearings. As summed up by the Post’s Fred Hiatt, Clinton “invoked just about every conceivable goal but democracy promotion. Building alliances, fighting terror, stopping disease, promoting women’s rights, nurturing prosperity—but hardly a peep about elections, human rights, freedom, liberty or self-rule.” (...) The State Department’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor has put out 30 public releases, so far, and not one of them has discussed democracy promotion. Democracy, it seems, is banished from the Obama administration’s public vocabulary. (...)  >>>

- Filed on Articles in "The Pomo Presidency" - 

United4Iran Day Protesting the Mullahs

Footage and reports from around the world should be coming in momentarily. Flickr's very active with great photo material being uploaded from Australia and Asia where the sun has already set.

CNN iReport has also been asking for material. Some will be posted there as well as night settles on the world after a day of protesting the anti human, collectivist regime of Islamofascism.

Participating cities: 

Altamonte Springs - Amsterdam - Ann Arbor - Atlanta - Austin - Bagnacavallo - Barcelona - Beirut - Belfast - Berlin - Bishkek - Bogota - Boston - Boulder - Brighton - Brisbane - Bristol - Brussels - Budapest - Cairo - Calgary -  Canberra - Caracas - Castelldefels - Charlotte - Chicago - Cincinnati - Cologne - Columbus - Copenhagen - Dallas - Dayton - Detroit - Dortmund - Dubai - Dublin - Dusseldorf - Edinburgh - Frankfurt - Geneva - Glasgow - Gothenburg - Halifax - Hamburg - Hanover - Helena - Honolulu - Houston - Innsbruck - Irvine - Istanbul - Kabul - Kansas City - Krakow - Kuala Lumpur - Lahore - Las Vegas - Lausanne - Lincoln - Lisbon -  London - Los Angeles - Luxembourg - Madison - Madrid - Malmo - Manchester - Manila - Melbourne - Miami - Milan - Minneapolis - Montreal - Munich - New Delhi - New York - Oslo - Ouagadougou - Palencia - Palma de Mallorca - Paris - Phoenix - Portland (ME) - Portland (OR) - Prague - Raleigh - Revine Lago - Rome - Salt Lake City - San Diego - San Francisco - Sao Paulo - Seattle - Seoul - St. Kitts - St. Louis - Stockholm - Stuttgart - Sydney - Syracuse - Tempe -  Tokyo - Toronto - Tucson - Urbana-Champaign - Valencia - Vancouver - Victoria - Vienna -  Villeneuve-les-Avignon - Washington DC - 

Official site United4Iran, on Twitter, on Facebook, on YouTube, on Flickr.

The Left Torn by an Irreconcilable Rift (since 1750)

It took me three hours to write an analysis here, only to find it removed by some technical glitch. I am not going to do it again. I've jotted it down many times in these pages. It comes down to this.

Freethinkers, like Condell clearly is, never had any business being Leftist in the first place. They are the custodians of Classical Liberalism.

Through their own moral relativism and distance from Natural Law they have been taken for a rather prolongued ride by collectivist subjectivists - now known as Postmodernists - who have no problem forging a close alliance with Islamists, with whom they share all the important traits.

Freethinkers like Condell, need to wake up, make a proper analysis of the contents of their minds, and finally see that their Liberal (capital L) brothers have now taken up root on the political Right.

That's it!

Old Politics as Usual: the Offer You Can't Refuse

Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf last Saturday published an explosive story, throwing a potentially damning light on European politics. It involves threats, blackmail, extortion, broken promises and piles of unpaid bills.

The article answers the hitherto obscure question how come Libertas, the pan European party founded by conservative Euroskeptic Irishman Declan Ganley, floundered on the brink of victory in the  European Parliamentary elections last June. 

Ganley had promised to pay 1,1 million Euros towards the campaign in the Netherlands alone, but funds dried up and the public perception was that the party had disappeared into thin air. Libertas did best in France where it scored a single seat.

Ganley was the driving force behind the referendum on the Lisbon Treaty which was voted down by the Irish after its predecessor, the so-called "The European Constitution" had already been rejected by both the Dutch and the French. The Treaty in effect puts an end to the member states' national sovereignty.

The Irish referendum victory inspired Ganley to go pan European with his Libertas movement, which is in principle pro European, but skeptic on the execution and operations side of the project.

Since the election defeat, Ganley never publicly offered an explanation for his extraordinary behavior of not paying the bills and abandoning his political movement. Dutch Chapter leader Eline van den Broek - rooted in the Edmund Burke Foundation - only last week sat down with De Telegraaf to talk about the explosive story behind the events.

According to Van den Broek Ganley and his family were receiving death threats. Van den Broek sat at the multimillionair's kitchen table just a few days prior to the elections on May 28 when he told her about it. These threats originated in the world of business, in which Ganley is an important player. He was also told his business would not continue to flourish, should he hold on to his political ambitions.

It is unknown what the financial damage is of all these abandoned campaigns. In Spain, Greece, Portugal, France and in central and north eastern European countries, Libertas committees piled up millions of unpaid bills that Ganley had promised to pay. No one dares talk publicly, says Van den Broek.

Van der Broek is in touch with Ganley on an almost daily basis. He says he was leaned on by businessmen as well as politicians and pressured to stop his 'crusade' against Brussels. Enormous interests are at stake, linked up as they are with the Treaty of Lisbon. The latter is in effect the ressurected but already rejected European Constitution: a monument for contempt of democratic principles (vote on it until you get it politically correct)!

Undoubtedly smear campaigns have been launched from various quarters, notably by the federalistic, postmodern Left as well as the not so very Left, but equally pathologically obsessed heirs of Hegel: it could be they'd been talking through their tin foil hats, but some were actually convinced Ganley was funded by and was acting on behalf of the CIA and 'American interests'.

Now his, his wife's and his family of four's lives are under threat. In De Telegraaf interview Van den Broek assures the paper that the devoutly Catholic's love for his family is Ganley's Achilles heel. Yeah, and don't they know it ...



Related:

- "Bring Ganley Back"
- "Declan Ganley and Libertas" (a critique, to put it mildly)




- Filed on Articles in "Ruled by the Mob" -

Somebody Hand the Pope an AK-47!

Yet another day into the Green Counter Revolution, and another post in Elsevier authored by Dutch-Iranian refugee and Leiden University lecturer, Afshin Ellian puts a fascinating light on the ideology of pieces.

Try imagine Pope Benedict delivering Sunday Blessings at Rome's St Peter's Square holding a Kalashnikov. Laughable? Are you one of those who are convinced that "religion is never violent"? Try Islam! Well, perhaps it is not a religion, but a political ideology masquerading as one.

After all, until well into the last century almost all thought systems worth their weight were based on a theological structure - even one as innocent as Naturalism - simply because to many it was the only frame of reference available. Sit down for this one:


An Imam, a Prayer and a Machine Gun

Before the Iranian Revolution a majority of Iranians didn't know what Friday Prayers was. Well, it's like Sunday Service [or Mass]. In the time of the Shah it was held in a few mosques on a limited scale. But after the revolution Imam Khomeini appointed Friday Imams in all Iranian cities. Tehran has four of them. The University of Tehran was named as the official site for Friday Prayers to be held.

The Friday Imam holds a two part sermon while he touts a weapon, a kalashnikov or another machine gun. Yes, even for us that was a extraordinary sight to behold: an Imam, a machine gun and a Prayer.

I suspect in Saudi Arabia an Imam holds a sword. Can you imagine a vicar holding a gun while delivering his sermon? It's hardly imaginable. It's a clear example of one of the violent aspects of Islam.

Imam Khomeini defined Friday Prayers as a deed of worship as much as a political act. Ultimately, it is a political act more than anything else.

After a while Friday Prayers became less popular. Only the established order attended, and there weren't that many. This is why soldiers and officers (in plain clothes) are brought in on occasions the world needs to be impressed.

Last Friday was different. All kinds of people attended Friday Prayers because of its political connotation. Finally it became a mass demonstration against the regime.

The Friday Imam, Rafsanjani (the regime's second man) was openly crititical of the Government. According to Rafsanjani the regime is in an unprecedented crisis, the result of the way in which this Government treats its citizens. He took the opportunity to make known his displeasure with the performance of the security services towards the citizens. Rafsanjani concluded that the Islamic regime has lost its credibility when the citizens no longer trust the apparatus of state.

Iran is an Islamic Republic. Rafsanjani concluded that the Republican aspect of the regime is in danger and therefore the regime itself. It's a correct conclusion, but it comes rather late in the day. For the last thirty years he has helped into being a regime that certainly has nothing to do with a free Republic. Now that his own existence is in jeopardy, he suddenly sings the praises of the Republic.

And yet, Rafsanjani got response almost at once from another Ayatollah. Ayatollah Yazdi is one of the pillars of the current regime. Yazdi said that Rafsanjani's statement helped its opponents.

According to Yazdi, Rafsanjani has also made a theological-political mistake. What is that crucial fallacy? The Islamic regime is in the first place an Islamic state. Not the will of the people, but the satisfaction of Allah is the legitimacy of the Islamic state, says Yazdi. But how do we know if Allah is satisfied? Elementary: if you practice the laws of Allah, Allah is satisfied.

Because the continuation and the existence of the Islamic state prevails over the will of the people Yazdi has a theological point. A free Republic can never be Islamically pure. Conversely a true Republic can never be Islamic either.

But the Iranian people have already made clear they do not want to live Islamically pure. They want a Republic, a free Republic. This is why they're losing their children. This uprising is a Republican Revolution contrary to Sharia law.

Therefore many, men side by side with women, went to Prayers at the University of Tehran. According to many Ayatollahs this flies in the face of Allahs wishes.  Men and women shouldn't be praying side by side. They must be separated, also during prayers.

What do the people want? Do they want to 'protestantize' Islam? What is happening in Iran is great! No, it's unbelievable.

- Filed on Articles in "Ellian Blogs" - 

The World Wide Awake

Someone please switch off the lights.

The Novelty of Liberal Values

Who would have thought that in our enlightened times the freedom of expression needs an army of defenders! Of course, those who are not blind enough to see, may have noticed we've been sliding into a postmodern form of fascism the last few years. 

Yesterday we were overjoyed to be able to report on the policy U-turn performed by the new British Home Secretary, Alan Johnson, the long awaited successor to Jacqui "Jackboot" Smith. He has decided to scrap his predecessor's hate list of people banned from Britain – a list that included US talk show host Michael Savage, along with an untold legion of Islamic hate preachers and terrorists. Savage was going to sue for libel, but he may review in the light of this encouraging news.

But the case opens questions on another matter, the British ban on Islam critic and Dutch MP, Geert Wilders. Although the barring of an MP from another EU member state is unheard of and techniquely even worse than the banning of Savage, the Labour Government of Gordon Brown remains unrepentant where Wilders is concerned.

At least that is what we must assume, given the fact that only a few weeks ago Wilders was also barred from attending the first session of his appeal. Today we find confirmation in an article in Dutch 'paper' De Pers, one of those free publications the early commuter might pick up from one of the world's metropolitan railway stations. Most of them, teetering on the brink of rather commendable public school bulletins, barely deserve the epithet.

This particular rag contains an interview with the Chair of the Birkenhead Society, a staunch defender of frank opinion and open debate even if they themselves happen to disagree with it. The article is an eye-opener in more ways than one: the author pretends to be confronted with such a principle for the first time in her life! She registers - perhaps - feigned surprise at such novelties as reason, laissez fair, Enlightenment, and liberal values; and whatever has the freedom of speech got to do with democracy!

It beggars belief that by now a generation has come of age that was raised in an atmosphere of "shut tf up because I say so, you moron!" - in which the natural choice in the face of intimidation is appeasement.

Here are a few of the highlights:

De Pers: "If Wilders loses, so does the Britain"

The British decision to bar Wilders from entering the country is "a threat to democracy" [!], opines the Birkenhead Society. [The author signals her surprise of such a notion.] The Society will assist Wilders in appealing the Government's decision. 

Abhijit Pandya (30), Chairman of the British Birkenhead Society cannot stress enough that the freedom of expression is at the root of our [Western, liberal] society. Wearing a grey suit and tie [to Pragmatist collectivists that's relevant!] the chairman delivers a fiery speech about liberal society in which everyone is free to offer an opinion and people seek open debate. [Again: 'feigned' surprise!]

The organization has some 60 members.  (...) Upon learning of the British Government's decision they offered to help Wilders with his appeal. (...) The Birkenhead is funded by member contributions, gifts and legacies.

What Wilders says is not the point. They would have done the same for an extreme Left politician [as opposed to this extreme Right specimen - note the absence of quotations marks], says Pandya ... even though the Birkenhead's own talking points - the burqa, immigration, integration, national identity - are in reasonable approximation of the Wilders' agenda.

- Caption: Lord Birkenhead portrait on the front cover of Time Magazine, circa 1920 - 

This isn't about Muslims either. Wilders' British lawyer stems from a family of Sheffield Muslims. It's about the discourse. "The Koran was written in a certain period of our history. That fact should be debated. We must be able to talk about its meaning and proscriptions."

Abhijit Pandya discusses the Wilders's case in legal and philosophical terms. He speaks of reason and Enlightenment, about debates and Galileo. Throughout history people who spoke the truth have been tortured and killed, he states passionately. That doesn't mean, that Wilders - whom he hasn't met - speaks the truth. "But if you silence him, you're killing the debate. We must stop protecting [the sensitivities] of minorities."

Wilders' British allies believe in ultimate laissez fair in social discourse. There should be no prohibitions, says Pandya. Not of [Hitler's book] Mein Kampf, nor of a terrorist's cookery book for bombs. (...)

The young conservative founded the Birkenhead four years ago with a small circle of friends. It followed a bout of social unrest caused by a play in Birmingham in which a Sikh woman was raped. Hunderds of furious Sikhs took to the streets and the play was cancelled. Pandya is still upset about it. "That's bowing to violent intimidation by a minority".

- Caption: Vanity Fair portrait of Lord Birkenhead circa 1900 - 

The same is true in the Wilders case. The Government feared rioting and had him barred. The next session in the legal procedure of Wilders versus the Secretary of State, is on October 12 and 13 at the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal in Londen. Much is at stake, asserts Pandya. "I'm afraid we will lose, and that would be a severe loss for Britain."

The Birkenhead is proud of the British heritage. Churchill, Thatcher, Enoch Powell are their heroes. The organization fights political correctness and positive discrimination (affirmative action). "Great Britain is much too protective of the feelings of minorities", says Pandya, the child of an Indian mother and an Ugandan father. "If someone gets racist to me, I tell him he's an idiot. That's it. We cannot shield ourselves from the opinions of others. Mature people ought to debate each other on the basis of arguments."

Does he see the irony in the offspring of immigrants defending an anti immigration politician? Pandya responds annoyedly: "I'm not a racist? Shouldn't we take his case because he's white? That's not the point. The freedom of speech is at stake."

- Filed on Articles in "In Defense of Liberty" -

The Great Unraveling Begins

Watch also a NewsMax interview with Barbara Howard, Chair of the Florida State Congress of Racial Equality and a Governmental Relations Consultant.

Of the Freedom Fatwa, Political Consciousness & Tumbling Turbans (cc the leader)

How important the present uprising in Iran is, as it is aimed at toppling a rabid, nuclear trigger-happy regime of Islamofascist apocalyptic cheerleaders, and just how this dovetails with geopolitical forces, is born out by today's post in Elsevier authored by Dutch-Iranian refugee and Leiden University lecturer, Afshin Ellian.

We are in uncharted territory! Here be dragons ...

Just a few days ago we witnessed a prominent cleric, Grand Ayatollah Hossein Ali Montazeri issue a Jeffersonian Fatwa for Freedom! The mainstream press kept it under wraps, or perhaps they just missed it, busy as they must have been covering Obama's completion of the US Supreme Soviet, or frantically reporting of the latest narcissistic socialight's transgressions.

After giving you the translation of Ellian's post we will wrap this up with another enlightening interview on the same topic, published recently on Front Page Magazine.


"The West Must Support the Iranian People"

"They've killed my son. For 26 days they've told me that my son was in Ewin Prison. You all know who the murderers are. No one can stop me, no one can stop us. They've killed my boy."

Those words were spoken by the mother of Sohrab (19) at his funeral. She wanted to become one with the soil. [ed. Read what happened to Sohrab in "Allah's Sons Keep Up the Killing in Iran"].

A few days ago Mousavi and his wife visited Sohrab's family. The mother explained to Mousavi that the people will not be stopped. In that part of the city thousands of protesters shouted "death to the dictator". It can all be watched on YouTube [links below].

Last Friday [yesterday] once again hundreds of thousands of people  hit the streets. According to several witnesses Tehran's streets contained a million people and more. The BBC states the people shouted: "Azadi, azadi (freedom); Mousavi, we support you."

YouTube video: Tehran, July 17 2009 - Part I

This really was the most historic Friday prayers in Iran. It was crowded, because Rafsanjani (Iran's second man) was giving a sermon. That's why the protesters addressed him: "Rafsanjani, if you are silent today, you are a traitor."

YouTube video: Tehran, July 17 2009 - Part II

Also present were Hezbollah types. They were ferried early morning with buses to the enclosed prayer site. Only once did they dare call for "death to America, death to Israel". The masses outside yelled: "Death to Russia; Russia shame on you, let us in peace".

YouTube video: Tehran, July 17, 2009

This is just unbelievable. The people have a political consciousness. Yes, the Americans and the Israelis have nothing to do with the situation in the country. But Russia does. The Russians and the Chinese are loyal allies of the regime. They were among the first to congratulate and acknowledge Ahmadinejad as President. The people know the security forces are trained principally by the Russians. [Watch a Russian flag burnt in effigy ceremony here].

The Russians are doing this, because they truly make lots of money from the moronic ayatollahs. All Russian produced airplanes are sold to Iran. It is old junk that isn't worth a dime. But it has killed 2500 people over the course of 20 years. Russia also sells nuclear technology and weapons to Iran. Moscow must understand that if the people succeed in toppling Ahmadinejad's and Khamenei's regime, such dealings will be over. 

Rafsanjani's sermon was not broadcast on state television, but through the international media everyone knows what was in it: "The regime is in an unparalleled crisis. The people do not trust the Government. The Government must release political prisoners." He also talked about the victims of the uprising.

These words were spoken by the regime's second man. It would seem that even Friday's sermon isn't safe territory anymore for the established order.

Well informed sources have told me that on June 15 Rafsanjani took delivery of a letter sent by the Revolutionary Guard's High Command. The letter consisted of eight lines, conveying two messages: (a) There's still a red line that must not to be crossed. (b) This goes for Rafsanjani as well, and if he joins Mousavi, the Revolutionary Guard (RG) will act mercilessly. The letter was signed by Jafari (Supreme Commander of the RG). 

The letter ended: cc Ayatollah Khamenei. I've never heard of such a thing in my life! Cc the leader. This means that real power is no longer in the hands of Khamenei. In power are a number of very radical ayatollahs and the RG.

I hope Western Governments are aware of that, because it is with these people, and not with Khamenei, that they must negotiate Tehran's nuclear ambitions. This is a club that wants a nuclear device very badly indeed. Almost everyone in the enlightened world is aware of that.

If the West should make the wrong choice like Russia did, it will be punished by the Iranians. That is not in the interest of the West. It is clear that the people will take this to the very end. And the West must support them.

Also Karoubi, the other Ahmadinejad rival, took part in Friday prayers. In full view of everyone he was attacked by plain clothes scum. His turban tumbled. Isn't that ironic? Even the clergy are no longer safe in Iran. A theocracy is the least safe system for clergymen: there is no separation of judge and prosecution. Sinister, isn't it?

The turban tumbled! Isn't that symbolic for the Islamic regime itself? Islamofascism without a turban! Perhaps the end of Iranian Islamism is neigh.


Front Page Magazine: "Russian Intelligence and Islamic Terror", by Jamie Glazov

Frontpage Interview's guest today is Konstantin Preobrazhenskiy, a former KGB agent who became one of the KGB’s harshest critics. He is the author of seven books about the KGB and Japan. His new book is KGB/FSB's New Trojan Horse: Americans of Russian Descent.

FP: Konstantin Preobrazhenskiy, welcome to Frontpage Interview.

Is Russia America’s ally in fighting Islamic terrorism?

Preobrazhenskiy: No absolutely not. And this is one of the many American prejudices and misunderstandings of Russia.

Americans generally believe that Russia is as afraid of Islamic terrorism as the U.S. is. They are reminded of the war in Chechnya, the hostage crisis at the Beslan School in 2004 and at the Moscow Theater in 2002, and of the apartment house blasts in Moscow in 1999, where over 200 people were killed. It is clear that Russians are also targets of terrorism today.

But in all of these events, the participation of the FSB, Federal Security Service, inheritor to the KGB, is also clear. The FSB’s involvement in the Moscow blasts has been proven by lawyer Mikhail Trepashkin, a former FSB Colonel. For this he was illegally imprisoned in 2003.

A key distinction between Russian and American attitudes towards Islamic terrorism is that while for America terrorism is largely seen as an exterior menace, Russia uses terrorism as a tool of the state for manipulation in and outside the home country. Islamic terrorism is only part of the world of terrorism. Long before Islamic terrorism became a global threat, the KGB had used terrorism to facilitate the victory of world Communism.

FP: Give us the background of Soviet involvement with Islamic terror. (...) >>>

For more on the use of terror as a form of coercion in totalitarian systems, see our file "The Unholy Alliance".

Update:

Oh oh ... NYT reporting fallout from Rafsanjani sermon today. Get this: "Ayatollah Muhammad Yazdi, a conservative member of Iran’s Guardian Council and the former head of the judiciary, lashed out at Mr. Rafsanjani, saying the former president did not have the right to call for the release of arrested protesters. He also said Mr. Rafsanjani had exaggerated the role of democracy in Islamic government and thereby diminished the importance of divine sanction. “Legitimacy and acceptance are different in Islamic government,” Ayatollah Yazdi told the semi-official Fars news agency. “Votes alone do not create legitimacy.”"

- Filed on Articles in "Ellian Blogs" - 

Allah's Sons Keep Up the Killing in Iran

In order to get out the message and for as long as the uprising in Iran is in progress, we will continue to post translations of relevant articles published in Elsevier, written by Dutch-Iranian refugee and Leiden University lecturer, Afshin Ellian. They are collected in a dedicated file as specified at the bottom of each post.

Reminding you of a post published yesterday by blogger NiteOwl on "Anonymous Iran" who has been able to piece events of the last few days together on the basis of tweets.


Nega Agha Soltan, who died before the eyes of millions of people, was the first symbol of the Iranian resistance against the Islamic regime. She is now accompanied by a new symbol of innocence: nineteen year old Sohrab Arabi.

An innocent young man who went with the Persian, green flow. One morning he said goodbye to his mother. Then he took to the streets to fight for the Republican ideal of liberty. It unavoidably clashed with the Islamic Caliphate. He never returned home.

His mother went to Ewin Prison. She was told her son had been arrested. But last Saturday (July 11) - almost one month later - she learned from Mortazawi, the Officer of Justice of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran - that her son may be dead. As stated, Mortazawi earlier indicated Sohrab had been arrested.
She was sent to the Security Department where she was shown the photos of some sixty corpses. Her son was in one of those pictures. Yes, the assassinated Sohrab was one of them.

Like Neda, Sohrab had been hit by a bullet close to the heart. We don't know if perhaps he had died of torture and was shot afterwards. Why had Mortazawi declared earlier that Sohrab had been arrested? It's also possible that - like Neda - he was shot in the street in broad daylight.

The family was allowed to bury him in Tehran. But political demonstrations were forbidden. To make sure, officials of the Security Services attended the funeral. It is truly heart-wrenching to hear the mother wail at the burial. 

Mourners carried this texts:

The boy is this picture is missing. His mother is crying day and night.

The boy in this picture has huge eyes and a clenched fist forever.

Standing on the tarmac, he screams. His bossom is a garden of strange tulips.

The boy in this picture gave his life on Wishing Street [sic].

I'm going to tell his mother: I am the boy in that picture.

How many protesters are being killed in Iran by the sons of Allah? The exact figure is unknown. Over five thousand! How many injured? Several thousand.

Will it withhold the people from demonstrating? No. Last week, July 9 thousands of people again hit the streets of Tehran, Tabriz, Shiraz, Isfahann, Ardebil, Kurdistan Mas'had and other cities to commemorate the 1999 student uprising. These demonstrations are well documented. How long will they keep it up? No one knows.

But Sohrab's mum? She embraced her child, the child of the green wave of freedom. She embraced Sohrab's grave. Oh, it is unbearable if your innocent child is murdered by the state. A state, made up of criminal beardmen. Guys, this is unbearable.

We must also remember all the other mothers of missing and murdered children. We must not forget they're fighting for and are being killed for the values we in the West think of as normality.  But the mother of Framarz, my uncle's son, was not even allowed to bury her child. My uncle died two days before the elections. He had to mourn his missing child in silence. Now all of Iran is mourning her missing children.

Oh, it is unbearable.

Update:

Harry's Place announces a new movement launched from Britain's House of Lords, "Iran Solidarity". Link to the Declaration.

- Filed on Articles in "Ellian Blogs" - 

Confessions of a Rebel: "Why I Strayed"

The following is a free translation of a post written by Dutch-Iranian refugee and Leiden University lecturer, Afshin Ellian, published earlier today in Elsevier - a confession, as promised: "Why I strayed".


In the name of the merciful and forgiving Allah,

Hail to the Great Khomeini, the spirit of Allah, the sword of imam Ali, et cetera;

Hail to the Great Leader Khamenei, the righteous and clever shepherd of this people, et ectera;

Hail to Mohammed, the last, most beautiful and, yes, the cleverest Prophet of all time, and his many women and concubines, et cetera;

Hail to the martyrs, their brave (benefits eligible) family members, asses and goats;

Brothers and sisters,

While I stem from a family of godfearing people I have betrayed you, Islam, and Islamic Iran multiple times. Some of my family may have drank scotch, but that was the fault of the Shah, who was destroyed by his infidelity. In spite of the fact that I have participated in the greatest wonder in the history of Islam - the Islamic Revolution - I became a Leftist and resisted the laws of Allah. What infamous behavior! Please judge me if you will, but pray for my damned soul.

- Caption: Hat Tip "Difficult Images" - 

Emprisoned, thanks to the efforts of the brothers of Intelligence, I discovered that prayers and recitation of the Koran could be beneficial to my sinful spirit. I fear I cannot divulge how the brothers have pressed that insight upon me. But I can tell you that it hurt. With this I mean of course, that the truth hurt. Of course the brothers haven't laid a finger on me. Allah may do so in the future. Because without Allah's pain there is no salvation. "Allah is merciful", promises the Koran.

Although when I was nineteen I learnt that the roads of Marxism, neo Marxism, Leftist totalitarianism, and all other forms of Leftism lead nowhere, I didn't see the light of Allah and the imam Khomeini.  I even rebeled against the Stalinists, which is the reason I had to take refuge in the west.

Why didn't I see the light of the Prophet Mohammed? Had infidelity blinded me at a tender age? Why didn't I see at the age of nineteen that the road to truth leads not to Amsterdam, but to the Ewin Prison? Please, judge me!

While I have had time and space to read the Koran and return into the warm embrace of the Islamic state, I chose the road of incredulity. I started reading the works of a number of Jewish philosophers, Hannah Arendt and Karl Popper. Isn't that odd? Why did I remain a little Leftist? Why didn't I see the absolute truth of the true Islamic regime? Please, judge me!

When I saw in Afghanistan how rotten the Soviet Union was, I chose an even more corrupt civilization, namely Western liberal democracy. In those days the immortal imam Khomeini wrote an open letter to the last Soviet leader and invited him to convert to Islam. He warned the Soviet leader not to choose liberal civilization. I should have scrutinized the letter more closely, but I didn't. Instead I studied the books of Spinoza, also a Jew. Please, judge me!

As I arrived in Europe at twentythree I should have realised the superior quality of Islamic civilization. Women walking the streets half naked! That alone should have brought me to my senses. Alas, it didn't happen. The West adores male as well as female gods. They call that the freedom of conscience. The liberty to insult the most holy and dear they call the freedom of expression. And then there's equality among men and women, hetero sexuals and gays. I've befriended gays. Yes, it's terrible. How can I explain this to Allah and his armed angels? I can't. Please, judge me!

As I was studying law and philosophy I should have seen that the godless Europeans know nothing of such fields. The fact alone that in the Netherlands the trial of a murderer can take over four years proves the irrationality and the injustice of the system.

According to the laws of Allah such a trial should be short and forceful. In a case of murder witnessed by two men and four women, the perpetrator must be killed. If so inclined, he can be hung from a crane. And if the state decides not to prosecute, the victim's family members have the right to claim the life of the assassin.

An unfaithful spouse may be simply stoned to death. If they'd only do that in Europe, women wouldn't roam the streets half naked and act like harlots. And philosophy? What has Martin Heidegger taught me? The fundamental question of the meaning of life is an error. In reality the vital question is the meaning of death and life after death. I am so shamed! Please, judge me!

I'd learnt of course that the Prophet had warned us against Jews. Even the good ones, the ones with the other voice, had warned me. But I befriended them anyway. No,  this is really too serious to reiterate. I must be punished. Please, judge me!

Although I knew that the Western media are the enemies of Islam and the Islamic state, I started collaborating with them. Elsevier, a Dutch newspaper, The Wall Street Journal and Der Spiegel are all in the enemy tank. The Editors work for the intelligence services. They are executing the Zionist plan against Islamic Iran. Shame! Please, judge me. I deserve the severest punishment. No need to pray for me.

The camera was switched off. I asked the interrogator: "Was that okay?" "Almost, we have to do it again, because I want you to talk with a western accent. And this confession comes across as far too romantic: say you worked at NATO. The audience needs to hate you. Cut the crap about the Left. Everyone was Leftist at the time, I was. You have to prove you're a spy", said the nice inquisitor. Another brother said: "Mention the names of the Editors-in-Chief".

"But I forgot", I exclaimed at once. "No problem", exclaimed Saied Mortazawi, the Officer of Justice at the Revolutionary Court of Tehran. "You'll remember fast enough after fifty lashes". The lights went out.

- Filed on Articles in "Ellian Blogs" - 

Tehran Senenade ...

MightierThan.com: "Iran: The Rooftop Project"

One of the most compelling elements of the continued uprising in Iran has been when each night under the cover of darkness Iranians chant themselves hoarse from the rooftops, balconies, and windows of their homes. This is done to express resolve, hope, frustration, and probably more than anything else, to provide a way that people can be together in spirit and in their cause. As long as the sound of voices echoes through the night, Iran is not yet free. It is the soundtrack of revolution.

This is meant to be the most complete possible collection of recordings of nighttime protest in Iran since the beginning of the uprising. (...) >>>

Here's just one example recorded July 3.



An oppressed people can get enormously creative in finding ways to express themselves in the face of brutality. It reminded me of the small acts of defiance in Europe during Nazi occupation.

But a certain evolution can be discerned in the chants. The one recorded last night - July 9/18 Mir has a quality of almost desperate audacity. Watch and hear the entire collection at MightierThan.com.

Today in Iran: updating throughout

- ..... RT @IranRiggedElect BREAKING NEWS: Plainclothes attacked Amirkarbir Univ Dorm: http://bit.ly/eZZ8p #iranelection

- ..... HI world news, u hear us? @ABCNews @CBSNews @foxnews @NBCNews @CNN @nicopitney @BBC RT #iranelection RT PLZ

- ..... After guards couldn't control streets around enghelab, they called for help and they sent 3 vans full of guards #iranelection

- Here is a list of solidarity rallies world wide, as compiled by Mousavi’s facebook page:

Iran: Everywhere-all day
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=95846014620
Los Angeles: Federal Building- 7pm
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=205998615525
Washington DC: Freedom Plaza- 6pm
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=101536187539
Munich: Neuhauser- 7pm
Hamburg: Ganseuarkt- 6pm
Vancouver: Vancouver Art Gallery- 6pm
NY City: Washington Square Park- 7pm
Berkeley:UC Berkeley -6pm
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=134121448384
Seattle: WestLake Center- 6pm
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=118220654399
Boston: Copley Square- 6pm
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=118780114777
Berlin: Breitscheidplat- 6pm
Denmark Odense: Munike Mose- 0pm
Toronto:Mel Lastman Square -8pm
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=99237022630
Los Angeles:Federal Building in Los Angeles -5pm
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=205998615525
Irvine: Jamboree & Barranca -6pm
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=110507658054

- Los Angeles Times: "Protesters, officers clash violently in Iran's streets", by Ramin Mostaghim and Borzou Daragahi

Over 1,000 demonstrators gather in Tehran, continuing to protest the June 12 presidential election. Security forces fire tear gas and beat protesters. Many people wear masks to hide their identities. 

Reporting from Tehran and Beirut -- Violent clashes erupted today in downtown Tehran between more than a thousand determined young men and women chanting, "Death to the dictator" and "God is great" and security forces wielding truncheons.

The screams of a woman being beaten could be heard from nearby buildings, a witness said. Business owners could be seen hustling protesters into their buildings to shield them from plainclothes officers and anti-riot police who fired tear gas canisters. (...) >>>

- Tehran Bureau: "Udates from 18 Tir" (July 9)

On Thu, Jul 9, 2009 at noon (US Eastern) “I just spoke to my friend who was there. He didn’t want to speak on the phone, so I just asked him: “On a scale of 1 to 10 , 10 being the worst, how bad was it?” and he said: “7″.

The other thing he said was that there were a lot of people around the university where he was, there was tear gas everywhere, and two basij militias badly beat the guy right in front of him (blood and everything), but that the guy was helped by those around him. The two militias ran away though before anyone could get to them.

Apparently there were basij militias scattered beating the heck out of people with batons and then running, but there were no gunshots heard. (...) >>>

Here is video update Part 28:



You can find them all on this YouTube channel

Tweets:

- ..... ppl and basijj clash@Enghelab square ppl outnumber basij by 10 to 1-Clashes@Tehran Univ & Vanak Sq-ppl joining Imam Hossein Sq 2 Enghelab Sq

- ..... chants are more radical this time: "Death to Khamenei" #iranelection

- ..... Protests mutating to urban street fights in side streets.


- Bloomberg: "G-8 Condemns Iran’s Crackdown, Shies Away From Sanctions Threat"

Group of Eight leaders condemned Iran’s violent crackdown on protests against President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s reelection, while avoiding the threat of sanctions. The G-8 statement, following President Barack Obama’s trip to Moscow to “reset” ties with Russia, illustrated the difficulty of winning Kremlin backing for new steps to isolate Iran. (...) >>>

- Reuters: "Iran won't back down "one step" in atom row"

... Let's build some confidence then, say G8 to Iran regime, currently cracking skulls in Iranian cities ... 

- ..... Tehran-streets leading to Enghelab full ppl at least 8to10 thousand...all clapping and sign of Freedom fingers #iranelection #iran #gr88

- Heavy Clashes near Azadi Sq. at least 3 people get shoted by Sec. forces...#iranelection

- ..... This news spreads so fast(still unconfirmed):"Police(not IRG) fire at Basiji militia.#iranelection

- ..... Basij forces mercilessly beating people. In Shiraz Basij and Police force suddenly stormed by protesters #iranelection #iran #gr88 #tehran

- ..... #iranelection Guardian Council admitted the electoral result tactic of "Blatant Theft" has not reaped the benefits they had hoped for

- Mousavi expected to appear at Mosque in Tehran this evening - have no other details. #iranelection

Today in Iran: the anniversary of the 1999 student uprising

Another day, another great post by Afshin Ellian.  Protests will be held today in London and Oslo. Today is also the anniversary of the 1999 student uprising that shook the Islamist regime in Iran ten years ago.

A  key leader of the uprising, Roozbeh Farahanipour (37) was jailed for several months and tortured extensively.  Earlier this week he returned to Iran clandestinely and plans to lead today's nationwide protest. NewsMax yesterday published "Opposition Leader Returns to Lead Protests in Iran", an article by Kenneth R. Timmerman on the subject.

Dutch-Iranian refugee and Leiden University lecturer Afshin Ellian posted this article earlier today on Elsevier. The following is a freeish translation of "On the usefulness of the turban for ayatollahs".

Ayatollah Khamenei, the supreme sacred and secular leader of Islamic Iran, has closed the file on the rigged elections. This is strange, because every night around 10PM the sky of Tehran is filled with the sounds of "Allahu Akbar, death to the tyrant!"

On the highest echelons of power there's still speculation whether to depose the selfproclaimed President Ahmadinejad and supreme tyrant Ali Khamenei. The regime is split about the way in which Khamenei exerts power.

For the first time in the history of the Islamic Republic there's division and strife between fatwa eligible ayatollahs. A number of respected ayatollahs have fatwahed Ahmadinjad's presidency illegal. And some have declared the actions by the Revolutionay Guard and the paramilitary haram (forbidden). Yet Khamenei declares the protests ended.

Khamenei makes a crucial mistake. He is not the people's leader, nor the clerics'. He's just the leader of killers and fawners. He's not eligible to proclaim the protests ended. Reality is entirely different.

Recently in Mashad, one of the holy cities of Iran, one of Mir Hosein Mousavi's representatives died as a result of torture.

Hated state television showed a number of protesters making public confessions. 

- Caption: Hat Tip: "Tehran 24" - 

The president of the judiciary, ayatollah Sharoudi, ordered the Courts and the Prosecution to work with the secret services to act harshly against persons who cooperate with the free media.

But what is cooperation? Broadly interpreted:

1. Those who put critical material at te disposal of the foreign media and on the Internet. Material includes giving interviews to CNN, or to the present site.

2. All who use the free media and the Internet.

So, whoever reads this post is guilty of a crime. If the file is closed on the protests, why is it necessary to act so harshly and openly against civilians? Because the file isn't closed. Millions are still trying to get in touch with the free media.

Sharoudi is the president of injustice. On his watch innocent people are tortured and killed. Say, Iran has truly changed. What advice should we give Sharoudi? Simple: given the nature and the extent of his crimes Mr Sharoudi should hang himself instantly with the aid of his turban. His Nazi predescessors weren't that lucky. But an ayatollah is a lucky criminal: he has a turban.

A majority of [Dutch] Parliament is willing to support an initiative in which scientific institutes and corporations will put free computer capacity at the disposal of the Iranian opposition.  I ProxyIran is a great initiative. Parliament is even willing to allocate human rights funds. [Check it out! "It costs next to nothing to do and requires little effort but is of tremendous importance for the Iranians' capability to organize themselves without the fear of detection."]

The association of journalists also needs to spring into action. A great number of them are in Iranian custody. They need to get in touch with their European colleagues and write to the EU Presidency and the Secretary General of the UN.

Listen up, Khamenei. The case isn't closed. You'll see this week how Iran commemorates the murder of scores of innocent students in 1999. The green wave of freedom is hard to suppress.

Post Scriptum - Iran state television showed public confessions, people confessing to being traitors. I want to do the same. Next Saturday you can read it here.

- Filed on Articles in "Persian Power Play" -