Get out and vote this time!

Iranians once again must believe in themselves and the power of THE PEOPLE

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Get out and vote this time!
by David ET
14-Apr-2009
 

It is easy to sit outside and tell those who have to live every day under the current oppressive regime of Iran not to vote. But the undeniable fact is that the Islamic Republic is in power and everything possible must be done to reduce the power of its extremists.

If voting for someone more moderate can help achieve and open the smallest channels to breath even a little more and to help somewhat soften the policies of the government in the international arena, ... that option should be examined. The experiences of the past 30 years have clearly proven that not voting has played directly in to the hands of the least tolerant elements within the regime.

This time around if the other choices are even slightly better than now, we should vote.

After 30 years in power, not voting no longer questions the legitimacy of the Islamic Republic as it has not in the past, but voting for the most moderate elements, in masses sends a strong message to those within and outside Iran that Iranians do NOT approve of extremism and if they are given even a small room to express their true wish, they will.

The talking-heads of Persian Satellite TV's sitting in the comfort of their San Fernando Valley USA garage like studios with a green background, should start minding their own business of selling concerts in Dubai and around the world and let Iranians in Iran do what is best for them.

This time we must do the opposite and vote for the most moderate and vote in masses , then even Khamenei can not deny the will of the people in what they really want. People must exercise their power and SEE for themselves that they can make differences as small as they might be, because only then they will believe in themselves and the power of the people again. We should break this cycle of indifference and extremism that has been promoted by ALL sides from the Islamic Republic of Ghom to the Reza Pahlavi of Washington to the cult of Rajavi and the left in Europe.

And after winning, we should not expect miracles but to stay active and hold the winning candidate fully responsible to his promises. The picture of Iranian students questioning Ahmadinejad in Amirkabir universities spoke a thousand words. If people stay involved and concerned about their destiny using any and all channels available to them, they will re-organize, regain power and eventually make a major difference. Sitting at home does nothing as it has not in the past.

Having control of the ballot boxes the extremists may even change the results but that will not be without public outrage and consequences if millions vote. Either way tactically the people will come out as winners.

Let people exercise their power and use Islamic Republic's own ballot boxes to show that they are fed up with extremism and yes it will still be Islamic Republic under its supreme leader but the message will be loud and clear: NO MORE EXTREMISM!

Iranians once again must believe in themselves and the power of THE PEOPLE and this can be a start. Get out and vote for the most moderate and get the word out.

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more from David ET
 
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KouroshS

by Rok Goo (not verified) on

Sorry for the error that I addressed your reply mistakenly to Rosie. Here is your answer with a little correction of the original text:

David’s piece seems poor on factuality, short on timing, and flawed in argumentation. Comparing with his previous pieces, contradiction and confusion can be conceived. In his previous pieces, he rightfully codemned flagrant human right violations in Iran. He recently did a great job by editing a draft of a democratic and secular constitution for a free Iran.

Now, some time later, he takes the bench to suddently support for a “moderate” candidate of the IRI!

Non-participation is an effective and risk-free struggle experienced in India, South Africa, ex-communist countries with no civilian casualties. Participation in show elections of such regimes is for the naïve people a shot in the dark. And for the variable supporters of the tyrants, each vote is a yes to their tyrannies. Yes, such a vote has no impact on the polical morphology of society; it only favours the tyranny to survive.

As a Human Right campaigner, David knows that the Mullahs’ regime is universally known for its permanent violation on the most basic rights and dignity of its citizens. Politically, we, all freedom-loving citizens of the world, know that Iran is a cuddle of Islamic tyranny.

Hopefully, David is not a turncoat and does not belong to any of the above mentioned groups and can rejoin his people before being pushed into the IRI’s trap.


Daryush

I agree with David

by Daryush on

If you are a superior being who has the advantage of living in the free world and enjoying your daily lives, you should at least have a decency to consider Iranians inside the country and their limited joy of limited room to breath.
I wish for those who think that the hardship makes Iran better, so there would be revolution!! to change the world that they would be forced to live in Iran and see if they still would say what they preach. Nothing could teach some people the lesson but the action. They need to know that the world won't always turn on their behalf. Careful what you ask for, it might happen to you, or your next generation (kids).
Think about it.
I can't stand those who drink beer, with their big beer belly and preach what Iranians should do, while they think Iran is stopped since they left. No aziz, Iran is not waiting for you.
We all need to vote for those who are milder, have more brains and their standards are closer to the will of the people. Whoever you think that would be.
The Islamic Republic does care about its image specially the poor. they are the source of their power and they know it. You think they are powerful because the West supports them? Where do you think their source of power from? That's the realities about Iran that many are ignorant about.


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Rosie Jaan,

by Rok Goo (not verified) on

David’s piece seems poor on factuality, short on timing, and flawed in argumentation. Comparing with his previous pieces, contradiction and confusion can be conceived. In his previous pieces, he rightfully defended flagrant human right violations in Iran. He recently did a great job by editing a draft of a democratic and secular constitution for a free Iran.

Now, some time later, he takes the bench to suddently support for a “moderate” candidate of the IRI!

Non-participation is an effective and risk-free struggle experienced in India, South Africa, ex-communist countries with no civilian casualties. Participation in show elections of such regimes is for the naïve people a shot in the dark. And for the variable supporters of the tyrants, each vote is a yes to their tyrannies.

As a Human Right campaigner, David knows that the Mullahs’ regime is universally known for its permanent violation on the most basic rights and dignity of its citizens. Politically, we, all freedom-loving citizens of the world, know that Iran is a cuddle of Islamic tyrannies.

Hopefully, David is nor a turncoat and does not belong to any of the above groups and can rejoin his people before being pushed into the IRI’s trap.


rosie is roxy is roshan

Koroush, Farah, all (I think this is worth a read..)

by rosie is roxy is roshan on

Farah Rusta called David Etabari a fraud for writing this article, and she used Delara to indict him. David Etabari is suffering right now over that young woman more than anyone here. . And I had every right to say what I said to Farah.

Now, your post to me is extremely flawedm and I could go on and on about why, but there's something far more important here, so I'll just briefly mention one example. You claim that I'm illogical while stating as fact that I don't know the facts about this subject, when you don't know what I know or don't know, and that is in itself illogical;

Now, moving along to what really matters.You wrote:

that is leading you to make allkinds of illogical conclusions.

Now I suspect this is a big part of what's really ticking you off, especially because the nature of those conclusions is the only thing about my post you don't mention. So, just what were my actual conclusions? That David is helping Delara? That Farah called him a fraud? Those aren't conclusions. Those are just facts. My real conclusions were that Farah is doing something which I believe I have often observed others do on this forum. That is:

They use David to spew venom at, a CHRONIC habit, because his presence here reminds them of their own helplessnes, inaction, and GUILF FEELINGS about what they and their families did to their own country. Now if Im correct in believing that there was collective responsibility in 1979--that the people who played dumb about the Shah's tortures; the people who expected beach parties "under Islamic law"; the people who say it was all because of big bad Imam, or Carter...or..France, or Kermit Roosevelt, and even the LEADERS of the United Front were pure as the driven snow; the people still loyal to the USSR after all of Stalin's purges; that all these people share responsility-- I would ask that my postulation of the motives behind this venom against David be very seriously considered.

Because what OTHER reason could there be for this constant crucifixion of the ONE major human rights activist on this forum, if not some kind of symbolic, subconscious projection from the depths of one's darkest sense of shame and despair?

Now that's what REALLY matters, Koruosh. Because if the Farahs of the world can't be honest with themselves, and people like you so dishonestly defend them, and you can't look at yourselves, each other, Iran's history, present and future and your role in it honestly-and you keep using other people as punching bags--IT IS POINTLESS for you to even engage in a discussion about whether people in Iran should or shouldn't vote, or do ANYTHING for that matter. Where they should go on VACATION. So look at yourself Koroush, don't look at me; look at yourself, Farah, don't look at David, and if you can't...you haven't changedd one bit since 1979.

Thank god people like David have.

--Rosie the Uninformed and Illogical

 

 


Hajminator

Farah,

by Hajminator on

It’s so disturbing how you attack and label people so easily. In
//iranian.com/main/blog/parham/please-dis...
You've said:
Sorry Mineum71 but I can't help hiding my contempt for the ignoramous.
I imagine that you should have so much contempt for yourself and come to the adage Love yourself before loving people around.


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Although Ahmadinejad is great

by XerXes (not verified) on

For the poor, I am voting Mousavi this term.
It's stupid to blame the helping poor president for the economical problems of the land, but that's the way people think. Now I am one of them who is, for the sake of "image", what counts in the west only, do the same western thing and vote for Mousavi.
No one here, besides those who just have some stupid propaganda by the Jewish run media really name the "horrible" things that President Ahmadinejad has done. He has helped those who are very weak and poor, and that of course doesn't sit with Capitalist ideology, naturally.


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To rosie and Natalia

by KouroshS (not verified) on

Rosie.

You are being absolutely disrespectful to all of us here by using such a tone. You did not read farah's words carefully and that let you the wrong conclusion. Nobody here is denying Mr. David's Human rights activities. What is being said is, would Delara have voted under such a system, knowing that it is the same system that condemning her to death, without even giving her a second chance to present her case with all the new evidence at hand. You are putting your own Fanaticism and pardon me, your Ignorance of the facts on display by making such accusations. You are getting to emotional for nothing and that is leading you to make allkinds of illogical conclusions.

Natalia

Please don't fall into the same trap as ROsie. You guys need to pay closer attention. Of course she has more to worry about, but had she voted in support of the type of system that has made all kinds of incorrect accusations against her, with a trial far from being fair? ...

Rokgoo jaan.

Very eloquent and wonderful analysis, But how could a non-particpation have any impact on people's fate? That simply and automatically reinstates the same man who is in power! how could it be without an impact??
Would it not be better and as someone suggested, write names on the ballots of individuals whom really deserved to have their names there, or simply leave the ballot blank, all to send a strong message to the hookoomat?


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SUrna

by KouroshS (not verified) on

Excuse me my friend.

But our people have alreay seen and experienced the benefits of science and technology and don't need a dictatorship and an opportunist government to provide that chance for them in the long run.

Farah rusta

I just LOVED your comment. Very beautifully stated. I wish this innocent and beautiful girl well and hope that by some miracle she gets a stay in her excution order. AHSANT.


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Jamshid

by KouroshS (not verified) on

Jamshid

Do you really have that much unwavering faith and trust in the opposition? I guess the question now becomes what has the oppostion done for us lately, how extensively have they involved themselves and what formidable and decisive steps have they taken towards iran's freedom, To deserve such level of trust!!!!!

Effective opposition, NECESSARILY means effective leadership. where do you find that in any of these so called opposition groups? Do you see them as organized factions, with specific plans, or do you deny the fact that in essense, they have turned into a bunch of TV and Radio broadcasters, cheering iranians on and encouraging them to take huge chances and risk their lives, without even lifting a finger to actually pave the way?

Isn't cooperating with the opposition group, considered as conspiring against this regime and the main excuse for arresting and maiming and eventually hanging the young and the innocent? You think that is the way to go??


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R: To David

by Rok Goo (not verified) on

Your pillow fights with Mullahs has sought in your piece to have IRI’s 30 years of brutality towards Iranian people legitimized. The fact is that in a stage of total unpopularity, the regime would not care about your verbal criticism, if even not a Jang-e-zargary, but instead greatly enjoys your core purpose which approaches the IRI’s voting campaign. It practically means that the regime no longer cares if you do not have an Islamic name, a pro IRI writing style, or a bearded or veiled look. It even needs such people as “useful” dissidents.

As some hinted on this thread, the solution is not to side with a "bad” candidate against a “worse” one, but a non participation in any show election which has no impact on the fade of oppressed people of Iran. Any vote to any candidate of the regime means a submissive acceptance that the regime can prolong one or two terms its parasitic life. The regime spends billions of dollars to survive to the detriment of people’s further plight. Mullahs do not only waste national wealth on their repressive machinery, but also on a vast propaganda machinery to buy legitimacy.

In this light, show elections are rigged scenarios to impose some filtered Islamists as the representatives of people. In reality, no candidate has a clean and honourable past and never deserves to represent people. No election has ever been fair and legal since the inception of the IRI.

Of course you are a free individual with personal interests or conviction. Take your IRI passport and vote for your candidate, but please do not fool millions of Iranians who do not have the same interests or conviction.


jamshid

Re: David ET

by jamshid on

Thanks for your reply. You have a few good points. However, I honestly don't think voting or not voting would have any significant impact on the people of Iran. As I said the solution is elsewhere.

I do know that you are completely against this regime and you have the best intentions in mind for Iran. The unfortunate problem that is plaguing us Iranians, besides ghahtie rejaal, is lack of unity and organization and willingness to sacrifice.

Your motto of believe, unite and organize should have a fourth phrase: be willing to sacrfice a little.

On another note, I ask myself what would someone like Mosadegh do if he was still alive today? Would he vote or boycot it?

P.S. I hope they stay Delara's execution. I wonder if there are any last resort actions we can do to help.


Natalia Alvarado-Alvarez

David ET

by Natalia Alvarado-Alvarez on

The link that you provided under the URGENT posted comment keeps sending me to an error page.

It might be my computer again but I just thought I would let you know incase it was not.

Best


Natalia Alvarado-Alvarez

Farah Rusta

by Natalia Alvarado-Alvarez on

What?

 Delara is on death row and you are worried about whom she might vote if x, y and z was in place.

Don't you think that she has better things to worry about?

Your post just does not make common sense to me.

Since you are so concerned about her voting rights: I am sure that you have already sent the letters, so that her life may be spared.

If not then here is the blog to get all the information that you need to do so: URGENT: Delara at immediate risk of execution

 


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Two step forward, three steps back is the regimes MO

by so sad (not verified) on

David et: Unfortunately band-aid solutions like yours, in the long run, will only prolonge the agony of the already disillusioned populace. Your prescription might temporarily lead to some cosmetic gains as it did during Khatami presidency but unfortunately, the regime allows and systematically micromanges this fluctuation between moderate and hardliners. It is a tactical game that the regime had decided to play in order to deceive and pacify people as long as they can. This is in behavior modification jargons called partial reinforcement. Gambling is the hardest addiction to overcome, precisely because of this phenomenon. Gamblers do not always lose, they sometimes win and that makes them get more addicted to the behavior.

Google partial reinforcement, behavior modification, and gambling.


rosie is roxy is roshan

Fara Rusta Rose

by rosie is roxy is roshan on

you're calling ET a fraud. Who's he defrauding? Delara? He's the one who works his fingers to the bone to help people like Delara  Now from my perspective--but what do I know?--you're the fraud. And like so many other people, you spew venom at David because he reminds you of your own inaction..your paralysis, your helplessness, and your guilt feelings over ruining your country (you or your parents, same dif--you're a fanatic, just read yourself back, you're fanatical).  Oh excuse me, maybe I'm wrong. Please do tell me what you do for human rights OR overthrowing the regime if the latter so be your desire. Have you read any of David's blogs about organizing pacifist groundswell movements to do that? Have you written any? Please supply the links.

If you did anything here for Delara, it was through David. And if you didn't, you probably didn't do it anywhere else.

Infamy!!!??? You mean if Delara dies, the blood is on DAVID'S hands. And what's on yours? Attar of roses?

Rosie Redux

sorry david, just couldn't help it.


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Our Struggle

by Aryan-Surna (not verified) on

Ph.D. your comment was long but, I like your opening. It is truly "our Struggle"
Yaghobies control most of the world.

Your argument about Ph.D. focusing on Science & Technology for IRI survival is logical. Indirectly our people could get the benefits.
More science = less superstition = less Semitic culture

Surna


Farah Rusta

Would Delara vote?

by Farah Rusta on

If she could vote, who would she vote for? Would she have approved of voting under the constitution whose judiciary is sentencing her to death? Which one of the major presidential candidates has openly spoken against her impending execution? Would she, could she, trust an electoral system to be honest in "counting" the votes when the other component of the same system has gone against its own laws and senetenced her to death before she was 18? 

Mr ET you are not a fool. But you are a fraud. If Delara Darabi is executed her boold will be on the hands all who vote in this election.

For her sake I hope they'd be spared this infamy. 

FR


David ET

URGENT

by David ET on

I was just informed that Delara Darabi, will be executed in 4 days. 

UPDATE: //iranian.com/main/blog/sce-campaign/urgent-delara-will-be-executed-4-days

 

I will be absent from this discussion for a while... 


David ET

Jamshid: Fair arguments you made, my replies:

by David ET on

 - Most of the so-called opposition have not voted in the past including Khatami's time and it was the moderates and the public who did.

- Those who voted for Khatami , voted with much false hope which was wrong (but that was a different time in Iran and globally too)

- I am not selling any hope and in fact I wrote in the article: "....we should not expect miracles...it will still be Islamic Republic under its supreme leader "

- I have not given up on the current semi-organized opposition such as Pahlavi, Rajavi and alike, because I never believed in them in the first place. 

- and if you are referring to students, labor, women and the people who oppose the atrocities and human and legal rights violations, I am all supportive of them and never have given up on them and in fact I have suggested unity under these principals:


  • Territorial integrity
  • Independence
  • Separation of Religion and State
  • Freedom of Expression
  • Gender Equality
  • Human Rights
  //iranian.com/main/blog/david-et/solutions-iran-road-map   I even have even gone as much as working on an interim model future secular constitution .

//iranian.com/main/blog/david-et/3rd-draft-constitution-republic-iran

Yes I have a dream too but I am not a dreamer because I also have seen and heard the nightmares. It is easy to sit here and give slogans, those mean nothing to those in prison and their families that sometimes I have talked to and if this is called "joining the regime", so be it.

No this is not "working the regime from within". I never have believed in that and I have even questioned Ebadi when she believed in it . But now she knows better and she too wants a secular democracy .

//iranian.com/main/blog/david-et/ebadi-separation-religion-state 

This is about what atmosphere we want to operate under in the next 4 years. If we can use the channels of Islamic Republic against them even a little, so be it, What have we got to lose? Legitimizing the regime? As if it has made a difference and legitimizing to whom? the people have already made up their mind , after 30 years they are either for it or against it.

Is there a popular organized movement of election boycott?  Where? I don't see any? By whom? The scattered voices will not achieve nothing but more of the same.

Here is an important point that many who bring up Khatami experience miss:

Do not underestimate the intelligence of those in Iran. They are learning everyday and they already did learn from that mistake. Look at those in the student movement who voted for him! No more!

and even now few may get caught a little in the excitement of the so called elections  but most know not to expect much of a change in the whole system. They just need more room to breath.

Another point! Remember that once Shah allowed a little opening in his dictatorial rule, and once it got put of hand, he could never regain his control. People need that gap and if and when they are ready, one irreversible spark can change things forever.

But to be ready we first need to : 


  1. BELIEVE in ourselves
  2. UNITE and
  3. ORGANIZE
  Ahmadinejad can go and even a worse person come become president, we don't know but I know those who came in power after the semi-coup-de-tat of 4 years ago had no mercy on anyone and I am not only talking about opposition and political prisoners but no mercy on women who were taken away for showing a little hair or those who were beaten and killed in the name of cleaning up the society.

No my friend, this I believe is an attempt to reduce the human right violations in Iran and to prevent an ugly war and not about joining the regime.

But I agree : voting or not voting "won't significantly change the destiny of the people of Iran. "

ONLY THEY CAN 

Respectfully

 


jamshid

Flawed argument

by jamshid on

David, unfortunately your argument is flawed. One of the major reasons you are using to convince people to vote is:

"What has NOT voting done for us in the past decades with the IRI? What has it accomplished?"

The question is what has VOTING done for us in the past decades with the IRI? What has it accomplished? What did Khatami for example accomplish besides escalating the executions during his presidency?

As you can see your argument is a two edged sword and cuts both ways.

It is sad to see you and many others unknowingly fallen into the hands of the IRI propaganda machine.

There is only one truth regarding voting or not voting. Either way, even en masse, has no significant effect on the IRI or on the people of Iran. Again, Khatami is a good proof. The solution must be elsewhere.

Your opinion seems to come from a man who has (rightfully) lost his hopes in the opposition and sees no other alternative but to join the regime and work it out from within.

This runs in our culture. Our ancestors has done the same many times in our history. From the Arab invasion to the Mongol invasion to the many corrupt dynasties, historically, Iranians have given up quickly and joined the enemy with the hopes of changing them from within.

The easy and safe way out.

I do not mean any offense David. But I had to express my opinion. I don't encourage people not to vote. I don't encourage them to vote either. The entire voting apparatus is a fraud at best and a "soopaap" at most; it won't significantly change the destiny of the people of Iran.


David ET

But ask yourself before asking others

by David ET on

To: Laleh

That is great. Noise , any noise , any kind, all noises all kinds better than NONE. Students have always been in the forefront of movements. Voting will not be a substitute to such noises but in addition to them. Yes we need all the noise we can make, and the wider the scale the better.

to: I wonder

Like I said there can be some power shifts in the s-elections in the last 2 months, we just have to see. Ahmadinejad was Khamenei's #1 puppet for the past 4 years and had his full blessing during and after last election. Even if Khamenei happens to tactically change his support now, a no vote to Ahmadinjad and winning of someone more moderate still will be read as a no to Khamenei and his puppet and no to extremism.

and If Khamenei by any chance ends up last minute supporting a moderate candidate, then that by itself is already a sign of his defeat. Anyone winning who is more moderate than current extremists is a serious blow as far as I can see. 


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Who said Ahmadinejad was/is the regime's choice?

by I wonder (not verified) on

Who said Khameneii was/is firmly behind Ahmadinejad?

Do you guys have factual proof of that?

Now Mohsen Rezaii is preparing himself to step in (of course with Rafsanjani's blessing).


LalehGillani

Ask & You Shall Receive

by LalehGillani on

David asked, "MAKE A NOISE , ANY NOISE." This is the noise Iranians are making. We need more of this:

7tir.com reporting on April 13, 2009


Hajminator

David Et jan,

by Hajminator on

I’m glad that we, living in different parts of this world, have the same idea on this issue. I think that we might have reason somewhere as we didn’t had any prior discussions on this subject.

People here saying to not go to the polls will change nothing on the reality that Iranians living inside the country are all willing to change Ahmadinejad.


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For crying outloud

by Get real (not verified) on

Those who want to go and vote, go ahead and vote, who's stopping you and those who do not want to vote and boycott the elecshow, do not go and vote. who
cares?

BUT please refrain from preaching to others what they should or should not do and don't act so deaperately!

Khamenii and the ruling mullahs are much more worried about their regime's survival than you guys pretending to worry about Iran. Don't worry they have shown their resilience over and over in the last 30 years and know what to do to rescue their regime and themselves.


David ET

Hajminator

by David ET on

 

You so very eloquently summarized the points that I was trying to make. Thank You!

Indeed voting against Ahmadinejad is a vote against Khamenei too.

... and yes the last thing we need is a war which first and foremost will cause unnecessary bloodshed and destruction of Iran's assets and secondly strengthens the regime internally, at least temporarily since Iranians naturally will unite against foreign aggression and internal matters become secondary as it did during saddam's aggression in to Iranian soil.

I just have one comment to add to your points:

If Bush/Cheney/et al were worse during their second term, just imagine how Ahmadinejad and the gang will be the next 4 years? !

Scary thought isn't it?!


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Final Question

by Armeen (not verified) on

Your attempt, even BOROWING an opposition’s terminology, may nomore fool millions of Iranians who won’t participate in IRI’s show elections. You cannot buy legitimacy for an illegitimate regime. Any true Iranian, especially if a t victim of Mullahs, wants ONLY the end of the whole regime, not the end of Aahmadinejad. In the totalitarian Mullahs’regime, President is nothing but a docile custodian of the Mullahs’ regime. Since the regime is itself criminal and illegitimate, its selected president or any official does not represent people.

Furthermore, Mossavi is a PM from the first decade of bloody life of the regime whose office ended at 1988, the year of the massacre of political prisoners in iran.

As an apologist, you wish a normalization between Iran and the West. But your presidential candidate Mossavi cannt alleviate Iran conflict with the West. The Financial Times has recently reported, “Mousavi has ruled out suspending uranium enrichment but would work to verify Iran was not diverting its nuclear programme for weapons”. So, he is not and cannot be different than others. As experienced, no IRI official has ever confirmed the aim of a military use of nuclear program. So, Mossavi is another filtered candidate of mullahs.

As a custodian, whoever the selected president is, ahmadinejad or Mossavi, the Supreme Leader, the Islamic constitution, the fatty bureaucracy of both repressive and religious institutions remain the same to guarantee the survival of Mullahs.

A FINAL QUESTION:

The author apparently carries an IRI passport and can go in a IRI voting section in the US to vote, but what happens to hundreds of thousands of Iranians who do not carry such a passport, would the author propose them AS A RIGHTFUL SOLUTION?


Hajminator

David ET,

by Hajminator on

I totally agree with you on this issue, I’m sorry to repeat myself but as I haven’t changed my views on this matter I’ll say it again.

It is true that in a velayateh-faghuih (VF) - like regime it is effectively obsolete to think that any organ or person except VF has any real power to make final decisions. In this case any vote is considered as an agreement to the status of supreme leader rather than to the candidates running for a given post.

This time things are different for at least two reasons:

First, Ahmadinejad is the first president since Rafsanjani who had the full backup of Khamenei. The notion of VF was questioned many times when Khatami was president. But since Ahmadinejad, the supreme leader is settled as an absolute definition of IRI. Further, Ahmadinejad belongs to the same circle of influence than Khamenei, there were much more oppressions, executions and restrictions on every day freedoms of Iranians – just look at what’s going on right now on the internet access limitations and also the ridiculous trial of Roxana Saberi. Pro-VF mullahs inside the regime will take the re-election of Ahmadinejad as the consent of the ordinary people to all these exactions and, I also think, that it will fortify Khamenei’s position as VF.

At the international level too, if you look at all the provocations spread by Ahmadinejad you see that Oosoolgaryan prefer a confrontation to any mediation. In one hand they want to be accepted as a regional power in ME and enjoy this status. In the other, Iran is feared at the international level but not respected; sanctions that the country is confronted will at least end to a North Korean like isolation that the regime is trying to avoid by all the means. I see two choices left for mullahs if sanctions become harsher, either they change by inside in order to show a softer image of IR or they prefer a confrontation in order to use the patriotic sense of Iranians as a protection against the foreign invasion. The group of Oosoolgaryan to which Ahmadinejad belongs to has preferred the second way and I think that Ahmadinejad’s provocations will end up to a war, strengthening the regime’s grip on the country and the vicious circle in domestic affairs will continue.

A massive vote against the candidate of the regime, will in my sense send a frank signal to Mullahs that the society is fed up of their behavior while no-voting, ending to another 4 years of Mahmoud, will comfort them in their choice.


David ET

Iranyvaliazad

by David ET on

 

 As you see nowhere in the article or comments I have named any candidates to vote for, at least not yet. Unlike US the s-elections in Islamic Republic sometimes take different turns towards the end, as it did with Ahmadinejad last time. 

What I have proposed is to vote for the candidate which has a chance of winning and is more moderate than Ahmadinejad and his revolutionary guard gang. That's all.

If that candidate happens to be Mousavi, so be it, if its someone else we'll see.

Again what I am proposing is a vote against the most extremist and for the one who proposes more moderation, that's all. This is a vote against extremism and a vote for change.

Do not read in to my article and comments more than I have stated. If I was ready to announce a name I would have.

Just remember one thing. If Ahamdinejad and his gang were loud and ruthless in Iran and internationally the first time, just imagine how the next 4 years will be if he gets re-elected and what the consequences including a possible war might be not to mention how they will then deal with any opposition with a confirmation vote behind them.  That is something to be very scared of.

Yes they all are parts of mafia of Islamic Regime , no doubt about it but different families!

I think you need to read my article just one more time to see why I was proposing vote in masses:

"Let people exercise their power and use Islamic Republic's own ballot boxes to show that they are fed up with extremism "

YOU WANT BALLOT BOXES, YOU HAVE THEM. USE THEM TO MAKE A NOISE , ANY NOISE .

THAT IS BETTER THAN STATUS QUO WHICH IS NOTHING BUT:  SILENCE!

 


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David jan: You've lost your

by teapot (not verified) on

David jan: You've lost your moral compass.

As Ghandi puts, paraphrasing; The means determines the end. The means is the end. The means you've been steered toward is immoral. At any rate, I'm saddned to see that you've fallen into this trap.