What I Have Witnessed- Page 2
What I Have Witnessed
#25what i have witnessed
Posted: 6/20/09 at 12:16pm
A Tweet from Iran at 11.40 am EST:
Mousavi: I Am Ready For Death.
And one from 12.02 pm.
Mousavi tells he's bathed [ritually] for martyrdom.
#26what i have witnessed
Posted: 6/20/09 at 12:24pm
I am surprised that Mousavi has been able to generate this kind of passion, especially in the youth. I wonder if it is really him, or he is just a strawman for all of the pent up anger?
He was a part of this government, and was somewhat conservative, not known as a reformer. Yet now, he is on the cusp of being the face and force behind a revolution.
This is fascinating. And frightening. And, I fear that papa is right, this will be bloody (and make Tiananmen Square look like a square dance). Thirty years for the script to switch completely.
#27what i have witnessed
Posted: 6/20/09 at 1:24pm
I think you're right: He will become a martyr for the feelings of the young, despite his earlier views and actions--and I think he knows that.
What is important is that he stood up against the Regime, and by doing so, he inspired millions to do the same. And however bloody today is, and no matter that the Regime will blame him, the Regime will be tarnished.
When Ahmadinejad comes out of hiding, he will look like a puppet of a brutal fascism and Mousavi will inspire a new generation.
#28what i have witnessed
Posted: 6/20/09 at 2:07pm
somewhat conservative? he was one of the leaders of the islamic revolution in '79. this is not so much about freedom as it is about corruption and internal politics. and while he may have better views than imadinnerjacket on the holocaust, it was no accident they chose green as the color.
...global warming can manifest itself as heat, cool, precipitation, storms, drought, wind, or any other phenomenon, much like a shapeshifter. -- jim geraghty
pray to st. jude
i'm a sonic reducer
he was the gimmicky sort
fenchurch=mejusthavingfun=magwildwood=mmousefan=bkcollector=bradmajors=somethingtotalkabout: the fenchurch mpd collective
#29what i have witnessed
Posted: 6/20/09 at 2:11pm
You mean all this green isn't about showing solidarity with the gals who've played ELPHABA!?!
NOW you tell me...
#30what i have witnessed
Posted: 6/20/09 at 2:22pm
Papa, I don't know his politics well enough to know whether his views have moderated since 1979. I do not that he is not as hard line as those currently in control. Sorry if the use of the word "somewhat" got you all hot and bothered. But, it is not clear to me whether the politics in Iran have shifted to the point of what was once conservative now is seen as more moderate. Maybe not from our perspective, but from within Iran.
It sounds like you view this the same way as Obama does - that there is not a huge distinction for the US's strategic interests between the two (which some disagree with).
Borstalboy
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/9/04
#31what i have witnessed
Posted: 6/20/09 at 2:26pm
I can't bring myself to post them--I could only handle watching one--but videos are popping up on Youtube of people being shot and dying in the streets.
And yet the New York Times quaintly reports this as a "clash with police".
Borstalboy
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/9/04
#32what i have witnessed
Posted: 6/20/09 at 2:39pm
Here's a live blogging link...but be warned, some of these videos are vomitous
#33what i have witnessed
Posted: 6/20/09 at 2:40pm
papa--I have sympathy and enthusiasm for the people of Iran despite the fact that I read today that one of the insults they are hurling at the brutal Basiji militia is "Israelis!"--which apparently is derogatory Farsi slang for "very violent people."
Oy vey.
As offensive as that is to me (like American teenagers using "gay" as an insult), it is infinitely better than calling for them to be wiped off the face of the earth.
With the mullahs and Ahmadinejad in charge, there can only be nuclear war between Iran and Israel.
With Mousavi in charge and the spirit of these young people guiding the country--and talks between the Israelis and the Palestinians and a cessation of the spiraling violence--perhaps there could be peace.
At any rate, that's why I'm dressing like Elphaba.
#34what i have witnessed
Posted: 6/20/09 at 4:15pm
Mashable.com has the ten most important videos that document the revolution, including the one of the shot girl dying. I haven't been able to bring myself to watching it yet.)
http://mashable.com/2009/06/20/iran-youtube/
#35what i have witnessed
Posted: 6/20/09 at 5:00pmThe GOP's call for sabre rattling shows just how out of touch they are. While Obama can't remain silent, he absolutely take a hawkish approach at this moment. They last thing we need is to give the Iranian hard liners a scapegoat, and an interventionist American president would be just what they need.
#36what i have witnessed
Posted: 6/20/09 at 6:54pm
A historic statement from Mousavi
In the name of God, the kind and the merciful...
#37what i have witnessed
Posted: 6/22/09 at 10:07ami do agree with obama on that ywiw. i also think he struck the right tone in his statement. we cannot be seen as interfering, but we have to offer our support. i don't envy him right now.
...global warming can manifest itself as heat, cool, precipitation, storms, drought, wind, or any other phenomenon, much like a shapeshifter. -- jim geraghty
pray to st. jude
i'm a sonic reducer
he was the gimmicky sort
fenchurch=mejusthavingfun=magwildwood=mmousefan=bkcollector=bradmajors=somethingtotalkabout: the fenchurch mpd collective
#38what i have witnessed
Posted: 6/22/09 at 11:19am
I thought he struck the right tone as well - for the exact reasons you cited.
Some in the GOP especially seem to have no understanding of history, and US involvement in overthrowing a democratically elected government and installing the Shah. To compare this to Eastern Europe is a mistake. Our attempt to help those currently clamoring for more freedom will only provide justification for the charge of US interference, and undermine the true nature of this movement. McCain, Graham and Grassley should know.
#39what i have witnessed
Posted: 6/23/09 at 8:15am
on the other hand, i think he can get away with rescinding this offer without too much of an international incident.
hey, iran, when you're done killing your citizens we got hot dogs grillin'!
...global warming can manifest itself as heat, cool, precipitation, storms, drought, wind, or any other phenomenon, much like a shapeshifter. -- jim geraghty
pray to st. jude
i'm a sonic reducer
he was the gimmicky sort
fenchurch=mejusthavingfun=magwildwood=mmousefan=bkcollector=bradmajors=somethingtotalkabout: the fenchurch mpd collective
#40what i have witnessed
Posted: 6/23/09 at 9:30am
Yeah, unless they were being offered Dodger Dogs, then it would be a real international incident...
But, bad form to keep the invite with what is going on.
#41what i have witnessed
Posted: 6/23/09 at 10:27am
and a person who gives this kinda response does not inspire confidence in our diplomatic corps:
"there's no thought to rescinding the invitations to iranian diplomats," state department spokesman ian kelly told reporters.
no thought is right.
...global warming can manifest itself as heat, cool, precipitation, storms, drought, wind, or any other phenomenon, much like a shapeshifter. -- jim geraghty
pray to st. jude
i'm a sonic reducer
he was the gimmicky sort
fenchurch=mejusthavingfun=magwildwood=mmousefan=bkcollector=bradmajors=somethingtotalkabout: the fenchurch mpd collective
#43what i have witnessed
Posted: 6/24/09 at 3:01pm
From Mousavi's Facebook status:
Guns versus ?the greatness of God?; armed forces versus mobile phones, batons versus mourning, lies versus cameras, state-run television versus twitter, bullets versus Facebook, power versus dignity? who wins?
#44what i have witnessed
Posted: 6/24/09 at 3:35pm
hot dog diplomacy
i guess they're "thinking" about it now
...global warming can manifest itself as heat, cool, precipitation, storms, drought, wind, or any other phenomenon, much like a shapeshifter. -- jim geraghty
pray to st. jude
i'm a sonic reducer
he was the gimmicky sort
fenchurch=mejusthavingfun=magwildwood=mmousefan=bkcollector=bradmajors=somethingtotalkabout: the fenchurch mpd collective
#45what i have witnessed
Posted: 6/24/09 at 3:49pm
The invites have now been rescinded:
"WASHINGTON — An offer for Iranian envoys to attend U.S. embassy Fourth of July parties has been rescinded as the violent crackdown in Tehran continues, the White House said Wednesday.
"Given the events of the past many days, those invitations will no longer be extended," presidential spokesman Robert Gibbs said."
No Dodger Dogs for You!
Updated On: 6/24/09 at 03:49 PM
#46what i have witnessed
Posted: 6/25/09 at 1:05pm
The HuffPo coverage mentions a show of support for the people of Iran - releasing green balloons into the sky tomorrow. Doesn't say what time.
"Ok, now all the world are going to show their supports to Iranians... This Friday, We all are going to send GREEN BALLOONS to the sky to show that now ALL PEOPLE OF THE WORLD ARE IRANIAN. On 9/11 everybody was American, NOW THE WORLD IS IRANIAN."
#48what i have witnessed
Posted: 6/25/09 at 3:04pm
Mir Hossein Mousavi's latest facebook status:
??? ???? ????? The Living voice of the Movement was heard again:"Allahu Akbar".This Friday, We all are going to send GREEN BALLOONS to the sky to show that IRAN BELONGS TO THE WORLD. On 9/11 we were all Americans, now THE WORLD IS IRANIAN .???? ???? ???? ??? ??? ?? ?? ??? ????? ???? ???? ???. ???? (???? ?) ????? ????? ?? ??? ??????. ????????? ??? ????? . ???? ???? ???? ???????????? ?? ???? ?? ??? ???????? ??????? ????.?
...global warming can manifest itself as heat, cool, precipitation, storms, drought, wind, or any other phenomenon, much like a shapeshifter. -- jim geraghty
pray to st. jude
i'm a sonic reducer
he was the gimmicky sort
fenchurch=mejusthavingfun=magwildwood=mmousefan=bkcollector=bradmajors=somethingtotalkabout: the fenchurch mpd collective
#49what i have witnessed
Posted: 6/25/09 at 3:15pm
You may have heard that several Iranian soccer players were dismissed from their national team for wearing green wristbands. There is an initiative underway to get other international soccer players to wear similar wristbands to show their support. Yesterday the US Men's soccer team scored a huge upset of world #1 Spain to advance to the finals of the Confederations Cup. I think it would make an important statement for our players to participate in this. I have written to US Soccer to express my support for this initiative. If you'd like to do the same, you can use the link below.
http://www.ussoccer.com/contact/index.jsp.html
Videos