Why I will not vote for Moussavi

The presidential candidates fail to inspire me

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Why I will not vote for Moussavi
by Setareh Sabety
03-Jun-2009
 

I have given up all hopes of a regime change in Iran.  Heck I can’t even change my own regime (in the French sense of diet) far less fathom the fall of the now almighty, clear-winner-of-the-Iraq-war, Islamic Republic of Iran.  I now, once again, think that perhaps reform from within the system is the best solution for Iran.  I was a big supporter of Khatami until he betrayed the students and all the rest of us in the 18th Tir uprising.  I like much of what Moussavi has to say but frankly he bores me.  I just listened to his TV speech and found myself yawning three minutes into it. I do not agree with Ahmadinejad on 90% of issues but the guy certainly has more chutzpah than this diet-coke of a reformist.  

This so called ‘reformist’ does not sound like even he believes in himself.  I have rarely had to suffer through such a lackluster speech!  Do they all sound like opium addicts or is it my imagination?  He talks of bringing joy back to the national arena, of putting color into the every day lives of Iranians.  But frankly the guy looks like a wretched and unhappy fellow who is far from being happy even in his personal life. This is no Iranian Obama.  Moussavi is an old revolutionary, had been, supporter of Khomeini who has stepped in the tired shoes of Khatami.  I don’t care if he has discovered the internet and is following me on twitter.  You can’t bring change to Iran by twittering for god sake!  We have always been great at copying and terrible at innovation.  Karroubi is by far more articulate, eloquent and believable despite being a turbaned establishment mullah.  And frankly something about Moussavi’s denim shirted, flowered rousari-under-the-chador, wife makes me cringe. Color under that symbol of repression does not make it any less mandatory.   

They promise the kind of change we secular minded freedom loving Iranians (westernized ‘soosools’ or dandies to the extremists) love to hear about but they just don’t seem like they can deliver.  They do not appear like they can fulfill the dream of freedom for the individual and respect for her human rights that many of us have been harboring since before the Shah’s fall.  That kind of freedom, the kind Europeans and American’s take for granted, seems to be as far-fetched a dream as truly democratic elections.  A dream denied since time immemorial to those of us unlucky enough to come from that part of the world!  If the simple wish for free democratic elections and respect for human rights is a western concept, then by all means I am westernized.  Westernized and proud of it!  

I agree that any form of elections is better than none and that the debate that these candidates are engaged in is a constructive and necessary one.  The truth is that even if one believes that this regime would benefit from moderate reformists coming to power, it is really hard to bring oneself to vote.  It is hard because it is a vote of compromise.  It is a vote cast in an electoral system with exigencies that make it quasi-democratic at best. A vote in a system where women are still considered unfit to run for high office does not compel me to perform my duty as a citizen.  Until my diyyeh (blood price) is equal to a man’s and I am accepted as a full witness in court I am only half a citizen in my beloved Iran.  Yet I so badly want ‘change’ in Iran that I would vote for a reformist candidate if he was really inspiring.  I would vote if he was another Khatami in the hopes that maybe this time things would change. I would vote hoping for small, snail-like, slow change.  But this Moussavi guy is so un-inspirational and seems so insincere.  Karroubi’s message of ‘freedom of lifestyles’ has much more luster and rings much truer.  His ads are bold and his own speaking style much more confident.  Moussavi is a watered down version of Khatami.  How can anyone in their right mind believe that this guy could achieve what Khatami failed to deliver so miserably?    

The fact is that despite a very animated electoral arena with considerable difference between the candidates these elections are a sham.  No one who does not have Khamenei’s approval will win.  Now it may be that Khamenei wants a reformist as president to facilitate a rapprochement with the Americans that is needed to fix the economy.  I sincerely hope so. But I don’t feel compelled to vote.

I do not want to sound like the LA-cable-TV-monarchists who should have shut up and closed shop after their calls for a boycott of elections failed so utterly four years ago.  I don’t believe a boycott would be effective.  Ahmadinejad, at least, sounds sincere and real.  He actually believes in his own message.  Of course I will never vote for someone who questions the holocaust and believes in halos appearing behind his head at the U.N. of all places.  Nor does the prospect of the election of a ‘reformed’ mullah like Karroubi move me enough to vote.  Although if I had to endorse someone Karroubi would be my pick because he as a cleric will have more legitimacy in an all out struggle over individual freedoms with the rather formidable force of religious conservatives and vigilante Islamists.  

I will not vote.  Not because I hope for a regime change, nor because I have any other solution for Iran. I will not vote because these candidates fail to inspire me enough to vote in a sham election that I do not really believe in in the first place!  This two-faced posturing of the reformists tires me.  I won’t begrudge them a win because it might make things a little easier for all of us but I can’t bring myself to actively support them.  I no longer hope for a regime change but don’t ask me to become a follower of Moussavi either.  I simply will not vote out of sheer ennui with the system.

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American candidates have too much "show"

by Anonymous8 (not verified) on

that must be what this author is used to. in other countries it's not a song and dance contest. it's not grade school.

you vote on issues and consequences, not personal appeal.


Samad_Agha

ناز نفست آقای آریامنش

Samad_Agha


دمت قیژ، خوشم میاد این کاره‌ای و خوب می‌فهمی. اینجا یه مشت مغز نخودی ریخته، یا دوزاریشون آنتن نمیده یا مرید اون رهبر زال ممّدن. معلومه دیگه، اگه با تحصیل خارج، خبرگان اجاز نمیدن نامزد اون زال ممّد شن رایشونم نباید قبول کنن. ولی‌ میبینی‌ که این مزدوران کل عباسی کون خودشون پاره می‌کنن مردم برن رای بدن، فرداشم جعبه آرارو یه‌راست میندازن تو زباله‌دونی. یادشون نیست یا جوونن نمیدونن، شاه میومد امریکا، به دانشجویی ۵۰۰ دلار و پول هتل و اتوبوس یا هوا پیما میدادن بیان واشنگتن هورا بکشن. حالا چه پُلفُسُل چه ته سیگالی، مفت و مجانی‌ میره که به خیال خود سرنوشت ایرونو عوض کنه. امکانش بیشتره آدم با مرده در حال فرار لواط کنه. خدا وکیلی مزدورای شاه اقلاً یه پولی‌ به جیب میزدن. مجازات فرق نکرده ولی‌ پاداش چاپلوسی و تبلیغات این کیسه اَنها شده یُخ. این موسوی میگه چند هفته دیگه برنامهٔ اقتسادیشو بیان می‌کنه، آخه مادر به خطا دو هفتهٔ دیگه انتخاباته. میگن این همه جوون اعدام شد، این همه دانشجو تو زندونن، میگه اون کار قضایی هست و مسوولیت رئیس جمهوری نیست بعد میگه قانون اساسی‌ هم نمیخواد عوض کنه. پس بگو به تخمم خودتو راحت کن دیگه. اینم از اصلاح آخوندی در ولایت فقیر.


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Reason Not to Vote for Mousavi

by Anonymous Joojeh (not verified) on

I will not for him simply because of the way that his beard looks. It's weird. It's patchy and thin...the other guys have beards too, but they look normal. Karoubi's in particular is full and very well trimmed.


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Big Boy

by Jimmy (not verified) on

I did not draw any conclusion from my quick analysis as far voting is concerned. I am simply opposing your claim that Iran is moving forward…

Voting for a reformist is another story. As I explained earlier, Mousavi is not inspiring at all…

And besides, this is all a show. The real power is not with the president, and Ahmadinejad is acting more as a Prime Minister. The armed forces, police, moral police, judicial system, intelligence services, Friday Imams (brainwashers for the uneducated masses), foreign policy making, nuclear energy and all kinds of powerful institutions are under the Rahbar...


Big Boy

Excellent argument.

by Big Boy on

Jimmy, bravo!  You've made very compelling points for change and reform.  For all the reaons you noted, every iranian should vote for change (Mousavi) as Iran cannot afford another four years of Ahmadinejad.  I applaud your insight.  Bravo!

 


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Big Boy

by Jimmy (not verified) on

All of sudden, Iran is moving forward?

Can you please tell me what happened in the reformist camp between 4 years ago and now? We saw Khatami standing for the elections and then moving to make room for Mousavi. All this happened in the past 2-3 months! WOW

Iran had $140-barrel oil revenue and billions of dollars have disappeared in smokes! Ahmadinejad is distributing cash handouts and potatoes to villagers to secure their votes!

We are asked to believe that Iran is moving forward while all signs are showing the opposite: 25% inflation, high unemployment, underemployment, brain drain, less freedom, more executions (350 on average per year).

Iran has basically no friend in the world and 3 rounds of economic sanctions were imposed on Iran in the past 3 years.

A reformist politician is brought back after 20 years of silence, to block Ahmadinejad’s reelection because there is nobody else who can stand up to him, the liar, the cheater, the clown, and all of sudden we are told to believe that the entire nation is moving forward! Of the two other candidates, one is a corrupt mullah who has stolen millions dollars over the past 30 years and one is a former thug on the list of most wanted of international police!

Their programs are just a joke: distribute cash money to Iranians from oil profit!

These young people that go to rallies are bored or seriously desperate, that’s why they turn out in huge numbers. Besides, I can show you the same kind of pictures for Ahmadinejad’s rallies! Balloons, flags, girls smiling and screaming:

//www.payvand.com/news/09/jun/1029.html

You call this moving forward? This is just a show.


Parham

MiNeum71

by Parham on

I disagree with you completely. Iranians are Iranians, no matter where they are. If you are not fighting, it doesn't mean others are not.
Think about that.


MiNeum71

Dear "Parham",

by MiNeum71 on

Just one explanation (the very last respond ;) ), I wrote we are not allowed to choose, but should respect the Iran-Iranians we know and vote. If your relatives, living in Iran, tell you Parham Jan, Rai Nade then you shouldn't vote (I never believed all Iranians will vote), so I think it's very important to respect the opinion of the Iran-Iranians, after all they are the ones who are fighting that war, not you or me. Being affected of the elections is true, but not enough to act the voice of reason, we didn't deserve being such authorities. That's all.

By the way, you selected your location Europe - Other, and as I know (maybe I'm wrong) it's not possible to create an account in Iran.

 

 


Big Boy

?

by Big Boy on

They are...and part of the failed old politics of yesteryear.  You know, getting left behind while Iran moves forward. 


Parham

Big Boy

by Parham on

Why, are they not Iranian?


Kourosh Aryamanesh

No Vote here!

by Kourosh Aryamanesh on

اولندش ماها که خارج از ايرانيم نه تنها هيچ غلطی نکرديم بلکه هيچ غلطی نميتونيم بکنيم . سرنوشت ايران و ايرانی فقط در دست ساکنين اونجا هست و بس مستسنای چند تا سازمان جاسوسی و ضد جاسوسی مثل انگليسيا و الخ

   دومندش توی مملکتی که هيچ نوع چهارچوب سازمان سياسی تو حال و اوضاعش نيست و حزب فقط حزب الله است   چه جوری ميشه رآی داد تازه مگه تو قانون اساسی ننوشتن که آزادی هر حزب سياسی مشروط بر اينکه از حد حزب الله خارج نشود؟ 

  سومندش تو مملکتی که سر دسته دزداش تصميم ميگيره کدوم جلمبری کانديدا بشه اونم فقط برای ابقای طايفۀ آخوند و ملا  و بسيجی و تروريست و عرب پرست چه جوری ميشه رأی داد

  ما ميخواستيم به اون نوجوان دوازده ساله رأی بديم که ميخواست اسراييل و نقل مکان بده به هاوايی( کجاست جناب  گلدوست) ولی از شانس بد ما آقا سيد مردودش کرد و بردش به حجره تا چند تا شعبده بازی و کف زنی يادش بده

لب کلام اينه که فرقی نميکنه کدوم يکی از اين خوشگل ها انتخاب بشه یا ما به کی رأی بديم یا نديم اين خانه از پای بست ويران است و اين رژيم بايد بره 

 


Big Boy

Never!

by Big Boy on

Parham, I would never insult you by suggesting you're either Shahi or MKO.  A cynic you are, but calling you Shahi or MKO would be simply rude.  I like to keep things civil.


Parham

Big Boy

by Parham on

No, I didn't. I'll watch the re-run.

Wasn't there a supposition that I was either a Shahi or MKO?


Parham

MiNeum 71

by Parham on

How would you know if I live inside or outside Iran?
In any case, your logic is flawed: Iranians living abroad do get affected by what goes on in Iran directly and indirectly. Some more, some less. Think about it.
More, they have the right to vote as Iranians, meaning that's actually one thing the IR hasn't taken away from them. Are you saying let's take that away so votes and non-votes don't count there? That would mean you have an even more repressive line than the IR does!

More, it's a fallacy to believe and make people think that all people in Iran will be voting. There will be a lot of boycotters inside Iran too.

See ya.


Nosratallah

Power of Negative

by Nosratallah on

Nosratallah

Iranian in general like NOT TO DO whatever is that they are ordered to DO. This article's title is putting people in a position to DO VOTE ...  for the candidate by sugesting DO NOT VOTE ...

Nice try Mr./Ms. campain manager, it is an old trick we all know about it. This time we all might actually follow the suggestion and DO NOT VOTE ...

Have a nice day


Big Boy

Nope

by Big Boy on

Didn't make any "suppositions", just clarified my reference for you.

Did you watch the Mousavi/Ahmadinejad debate?  Who won?  :)

 


Parham

Big Boy

by Parham on

I actually am a Mossadeghi, so that should tell you something about your initial supposition. :)


MiNeum71

Yeah, Parham

by MiNeum71 on

I will not start a 100 comments thread, so this is my one and only respond:

As long as you are living abroad, you are not part of the population of Iran (nothing to discuss about, population is the whole number of people or inhabitants living in a country), therefore neither you not I (also living abroad) are entitled to choose the next president.

We can't sit here enjoying the different freedoms and giving advises to Iran-Iranians, because we don't suffer the pains they do. It simply is true, we are fair-weather Iranians. I believe, you suffer a lot seeing the circumstances in Iran as I do, but this is not enough, living in Iran is like living in hell.

I have no big head, I respect the opinion of my relatives living in Iran, I vote for the person they want me to vote for, and they will vote for Mousavi. This sounds intelligent to me.

By the way, no non-voter could give me a witty answer, which solution they provide. Non-voting is a vote for Ahmadinejad, also the silliest person in this world can realise this.

 


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Its really working

by Alborzi (not verified) on

I just got back from a trip to Iran. The country is quite different than when I grew up there. The girls are gorgeous, the way they wear there rossari and roupoush is actually very nice and its an art to itself. What I am trying to tell you is the ingenious nation of Iranians are reinventing themselves. The four choices are actually very stark. For the record I liked Karubi, because he has guts, I also think it will be an upset if he finishes better than 4th. The choices are between people who want change and the guy who told USA to stick it where the sun never shines. Its a great election and I think it may have some unintended effects. The Iranians will make it better by being Iranian, they already have. I think they made Americans look at Ahmadinejad and see George Bush.


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The fact is that most people

by Ali1234 (not verified) on

The fact is that most people on Iranian.com are a bunch of Iranians living abroad debating in perfect English over issues that do not effect their lives in any significant way. That's why they attach so much importance to the "symbolic" interpretations of participating or not participating in elections.

People who live in Iran know best what's good for them. And that's why the majority of them are participating in the elections.


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DO NOT VOTE!!!!

by Wow!!! (not verified) on

It is truly a sad day when the victim gives in to the abuser and lives life as dictated within the abuser's realm of reality. When a system is corrupt within its foundation, when elections are a sham and candidates are a different shade of the same color... how can one vote and feel that they have actually helped in a positive fashion. Civil disobedience is within itself a means of fighting back... voting on the other hand is a confirmation of a system. For one to vote, they either have to be delusional to expect change within this corrupt system or truly believe in this establishment. I am neither. I believe Iranians should gather outside of every voting station and sit on the ground and not move... this should be a multi-million symbol of civil disobedience. To so ignorantly or intentionally encourage individuals to vote is similar to forcing a man to decide what method of torture he prefers... after all he might be lucky and get the whip instead of the hot poker.


Big Boy

Learn from history.

by Big Boy on

Hahah...no Parham, just an observer of history.  You know, the Shah was thrown out because he was a brutal dictator, hence the reference to Mossadegh.


Samad_Agha

مینوم خان گل

Samad_Agha


به حرف این آقا پرهام و آقا ایرونمن (اینم اسم شد؟) گوش نده. این آقایون شبیه من و تو تحصیل کرده نیستند، شرط میبندم تا بحال اکابر نرفته‌اند. فقط ما میتونیم به این و اون بگیم چکار کنند، اینا هیچ غلط اینکار را ندارند. اینا یک بار دیگه حرف زدن تو یه فحشی بارشون کن منم انگشت میکنم تو چششون. من یکی‌ که از خوشحالی تو پوستم نمیتونم بگنجم که رای بدم. خدایا این کروبی را رئیس کن، این پنجاه تومن گیرم بیاد.

.


Parham

Big Boy

by Parham on

So, like, you're a "Mossadeghi"? :)


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To khaliband

by Jimmy (not verified) on

Of all the questions that I asked in my comment, you did not respond to ONE, and the only comment you made was a personal attack on me!

What a big achievement.


Parham

MiNeum71

by Parham on

- You grow up
- I am part of the population of Iran
- What Iranians want to do will have direct impact on my life and my family's
- What do you mean "judge on people's opinion"?
Where do you see that here? And why wouldn't I do it?


Big Boy

Feeling left behind and irrelevant?

by Big Boy on

The change in the political environment in Iran is unreal compared with a few years ago (the blind won't see it, because, well, they're blind as in Shahi or MKO types).  Never has there been so much discussion about the future direction of the country, so much criticism of policy, so much open debate...even the Shah never allowed it (dictator?).  Talk about sham elections look at Iran's history all the way up to 1979 (What did they (Shah) do with Mossadegh)? 

But all that is history!  Iran is looking forward and this is quite possibly the most open election in the entire history of the country and man am I excited about this.  A win for Mousavi will set the country on an entirely different path.  The future looks promising.  Get on board or get left behind...in LA and in Paris.


MiNeum71

Dear "eroonman", Dear "Parham",

by MiNeum71 on

What's your problem? Why does it bother you what Iranians want to do? Why do you presume to have the right to judge on people's opinion?

Only the population of Iran is entitled to decide, which person should be voted for. I respect them and help them with my vote.

Never thought of growing up?

 


Parham

eroonman

by Parham on

One small disagreement: I believe Khatami only stepped in and out in favor of Mousavi -- meaning it was just a show to gather momentum for him.


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IT'S VERY SIMPLE....

by babakkhoramdin (not verified) on

the mullahs are making a feeble attempt to convince iranians and the rest of the world that they have "free" elections....GIVE ME A BREAK!!!
this akhoondism is a tree that has rotten roots which was planted by force 30 years ago! nobody wants these butchers and thieves to rule iran for 1 more day.....they will do anything to keep their status quo going- to keep raping iran, and shutting up anyone who questions their crimes.
what is the point of an election when a bunch of stinky footed mullahs pick who can and cannot run...
if they have true cojones, then they would let everyone run, and even leave a challenge open to change the regime, so they can run back to qom or switzerland with their billions of stolen wealth!

and btw, the pictures of these "candidates" makes me laugh so much, they look like hendoneh salesmen or abdarchees in schools before the fiasco of 79....what a disgrace to have morons like these running our beautiful vatan!