Friday
Sep182009
Qods Day: The Discussion Continues
Friday, September 18, 2009 at 19:28
The Latest from Iran (18 September): Qods Day
NEW Iran Video: Qods Day Protests (18 September)
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Buy Us A Cup of Coffee? Help Enduring America Expand Its Coverage and Analysis
First and foremost, a big thanks to each and everyone of you for making this the best day in Enduring America's history (and possibly a good day in Iran's history, but that's for you to debate). Response has been so great that this space is now opened up to continue discussion --- earlier debate is in our Update thread.
NEW Iran Video: Qods Day Protests (18 September)
Receive our latest updates by email or RSS SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FEED
Buy Us A Cup of Coffee? Help Enduring America Expand Its Coverage and Analysis
First and foremost, a big thanks to each and everyone of you for making this the best day in Enduring America's history (and possibly a good day in Iran's history, but that's for you to debate). Response has been so great that this space is now opened up to continue discussion --- earlier debate is in our Update thread.
Reader Comments (79)
I was out for a bit. Catching up, at first glance, I'm not seeing news of Pasdaran/Basiji action. Did they back off today?
There were comments in the first thread about police releasing people arrested by Basiji. Were those reports confirmed?
Khatami's Confrontation: Does anyone else thinks its significant that the riot police stepped in to defend former President Khatami from pro-regime demonstrators (basij)?
Check out the photos:
http://www.parlemannews.ir/index.aspx?n=3695
Khatami's confrontation with the right today was much different than Mousavi's. First, Khatami starts out surrounded by supporters flashing the opposition V sign with several wearing green. Second, Khatami looks comfortable and confident. He even has a smiling interaction with one of the riot cops.
Then, the opposition march runs into a bunch of pro-regime demonstrators carrying "Down with USA" signs and they attack Khatami. According to news reports, and the photos seem to back this up, the riot police join the opposition protesters in protecting Khatami.
How big a deal is this?
Scott, I just came back home!!! Im overwhelmed by all these news! It seems that it had been a great day for the people! Thank you and everyone who helped for your efforts!
V
Bendix,
Extremely signficant. It is what happened in 1978-79 as the Shah's forces turned more and more to the revolution. It puts the Rev. Guard coup supporters in a bind if they think they need to use force, because other forces can turn on them.
To everyone in Iran: GOOD JOB.
White King: one move to the right out of Check.
Green Knight: goes for a walk. Check.
@ Thomas
A more appropriate color would be dark festering black for the other king. White is so pure. Although in Iranian mythology white is the duality and opposite to green, I fear that AN / Pasdaran / SL don't deserve it....
P.S. Reminds me of movie Reservoir dogs and fighting for the color scene.
@ M
I was just looking through the videos. When your internet connection gets back to normal, you will have a lot to smile about.
In the videos I saw there seem to be more chants for Karoubi & not so much for Mousavi.
The Karoubi chants should give the regime cold chills. It's clear who the people believe about the rape and torture allegations.
Copied from a comment from the post with videos I made earlier.
I simply want to thank EA and all those who contribute commentary to the site for creating an environment which brings people from all across the world for a common cause. I feel a part of a community greater than myself and any one individual. While myself and many commenting on this site are not in the streets, together we show a united voice to support the movement in Iran.
Confrontation with the police:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxGBJ--GoIw
@ whereismyvote
ha ha ha ha.. so are you nominating A.N for Mr. Pink?
@Amy
Actually I did hear alot of chants for Mousavi. He was still very much the leader (symbol of Green)
another good video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVKTsiftB_Y
Thanks Af
I should have qualified the comment with: I don't speak the language-- Who knows what I'm missing. Sometimes I embarrass myself, but somehow live on to tell about it.
What a great day!!!
Where is my Vote and Afshin,
White King = Mahmoud Div. The White Div and Rostum. Since this all started I've been reading Ferdowsi's The Shahnameh to get a better understanding of Persian culture. Also read to 2 anthologies of Jalal Din al Rumi.
Green Knight= People on the street.
@ Bendix/ Thomas
Dont sell the Bears skin before its killed. It could be that they had orders to make sure no casualties would fall today, which makes perfect sense to me. If someone was to die today (let alone Khatami be-ing hurt) than we could allready put in our agendas the next day of protests in exactly 40 days.
And, Green Knight= the iranians on the street.
Jashar
I like your #11 video. What are they singing toward the end? At least I got the coup d'état part in the middle :)
Afshin,
I agree that Mamhoud did not want to go to NY next week with a massacare on his hands. But I also don't think the Coup has complete support of the security forces. And it seems (you and WIMV can correct me) that even though this started a few years ago it was a Top down operation. Would a truly idealisitic Rev guard solider blindly support some of these actions (torture, etc.)? What about mid level officers? Eventually your own humanity will question your soul.
Yes there is much dissatisfaction but to act on it is something else. Specially when done so systematically. It was like they were all on the same page. So for today I think this was ordered to keep deaths to zero.
At the same time, one could argue that some of the police were kinda enjoying their new role and there is a danger in that.
Since a few hours ago, the government has almost cut off the country's internet access; Now, even Gmail & Yahoo Mail are blocked.
This could be a last-minute response to the huge flow of footage that's getting out. But it also could be sign of a second round of arrests (possibly Musavi & Karrubi).
What frustrates me the most, is that no foreign news outlet is covering this internet blockade story. Giving it a little bit of coverage, will certainly make it more difficult for government to perform a second crack down.
It would be helpful if anyone has a friend who has a friend who has a cousin in the Guards (enlisted/Low level officer) to find out what the attitude is there. Also how well respected are Jafari and the senior leadership. Is their commercial greed & politics interfering with military forms and responsibilities? Also in the coming days, how are the neighborhood Basjii actions and morale?
I understand your caution Afshin.
@ Thomas
I talked to a reliable source yesterday who has MANY MANY friens within the Guards, according to his sources most people within the Guards are against what is happening, But again to act on it is something else.
@ Afshin
I prefer him to be Mr. Blond. Mr. Pink I am not sure what happens to him at the end of the movie. Does he live or does he die or does he escape.
Also Mr Blond is a sadistic Psychopath killer who kills indiscriminately and has no remorse. Closer to the character of our President, wouldn't you say?
@ whereismyvote
Yes, absolutly true, yet I think he'll hate to be Mr. Pink. He'd probably think of him self to be less of a Moslim if he was named Mr. Pink. Infact it would be great to give him a Pink jacket to match..... He can wear it during his US visit where he can announce again that we have no gay people in Iran...
Afshin,
Was 15 when the first revolution happened, delivered Pittsburgh paper in a small town in West PA. Saw this once before, it is a slow process, so far less violent, next up is Assembly of Experts meeting. When is next schedule public ceremony in Iran?
@Thomas
Could very well be coming sunday (End of Ramadan).
Also dependent on how the guards re-act in the next 48 hours.