DITTO - Way to go Dan!

You nailed it!.

Now if the MSM would get off their lazy AH and do some real reporting to the American people so they can have some real understanding of just what is going on and what the real stakes are.

Read my related comment thread over at LGF this morning:

Read More Here

Tell you what. Let me appoint a council to vet Candiates for the 2006 and 2008 US elections. Let me ding any candidate I feel unsuitable.

If Juan's happy to let me do that and promises to slavishly promote the elections' legitimacy with the same fervor he shows here, I'm happy to accept that he has principles that extend beyond reflexive bootlicking apologias for any terrorist or tyrant who shares his hatred of Western Civilization.

Otherwise... I believe "pond scum" is the accepted term of art here. Fits.

just as Juan Cole fits exactly Salam Pax's snapshot of the Hizb-ut-Tahrir Islamists in London.

Prof. Cole wins the No S--t Sherlock Award of the day, with Cannabis Leaf Clusters:

The problem for voters seeking genuine change is that the hardline clerics have found ways to blunt progressive movements.

Gee, you think?

Well to be fair, he does sort of admit that it's the Iranian system rather than Bush that's too blame here:

Post-revolutionary Iranians are nationalistic and determined to maintain their national independence, and all the talk by the Bush administration about regime change, aggressive action against Iran over its nuclear research program [which so far appears to have been conducted within the limits set by the Non-Proliferation Treaty], and the illegitimacy of the Iranian elections themselves, appears to have contributed to the greater success of the hardliners.

But then he sort of swings back around due to the fact that UIA leader Hakim basically said that he was glad that there were cultural and religious benefits found in Iran that didn't exist in other countries (read: religious and political freedoms for Shi'ites, abeit loosely defined) and unleashes this idiocy:

I'm confused. US President George W. Bush more or less put al-Hakim in a leading position in Iraq. Al-Hakim thinks well of Iran and praises its system. But Bush trashes Iran as an execrable dictatorship and theocracy.

I'll leave you to decide what Cole thinks of Iran. If Bush hates the mullahs they can't be that bad, right?

What he ignores, however, UIA got elected in Iraq by the Iraqi people, Bush had nothing to do with it.

What saddens me about Professor Cole is that here's a guy who could be helping who insists on defending a position that has absolutely no chance whatsoever. Am I wrong or is he taking a “leave well alone” position towards the Middle East? That's the one thing we won't do.

Dave, he's invested in the tired old Leftist "Everything is America's Fault" meme. And the only "solution" is some form of int'l socialism. All must be bent to that regardless of the cost.

Dan et al.
I find this "war" in Iraq and our this admin's heavy handed intrusions into the Islamic heartland repugnant on many levels but I prefer to inform my opposition to it with a variety of sources of information, analysis and opinion, including Fourth Rail and Winds of Change. I log on to these sites for Iraq war coverage and comment as well as various foreign press sites because I have no use for the pablum regurgitated by US corporate media and reject the Bush's administration cynical disinformation and propoganda campaign.
My outlook on the current situation in the Middle East is that innocent lives on both sides of the conflict are being lost and ruined (not to mention barrels of worthless paper printed by the Treasury masquerading as US currency wasted)to advance or protect the fortunes and narrow agenda's of a very short list of human beings. You all know who they are and none of them get by on 50K a year like my wife and I. Saudi oil princes, the CEO's of a hundred or so multinationals profiting from the endless cycle of suffering and conflict and their paid agents -presidents, cabinet ministers, chiefs of staff... whatever.
On both sides of this conflict are innocent, ordinary civilians, courageous (though in my view-misguided) combatants and corrupt politicians. The latter, whose appetite for power and/or money serve no public good, are uniquely isolated from the common people upon whose backs they stand and insulated from responsibility for their words and/or actions. On both sides, those fueling this conflict not only propagandize but behave as if they believe their own lies. And anyone regardless of country of origon who refuses to accept the propoganda and ignore the lies is seen as a threat to "national security" or a traitor to the cause
On to the issue of Iraninan elections. Iran is a flawed state and a society ripe for change. Sound familiar? Show me one country that cannot be described thusly. Look at our own country, where our president is publically passing judgement on the electoral process in Iran!? Who fed GW the hype and propoganda about flawed democratic process? Clearly the president or his speechwriters have a tragically underveloped sense of irony. Are there not flaws in our own electoral process? Since when has anyone but a multi-millionaire (or someone married to one) gotten within a whiff of a presidential nomination? Our slate of presidential contenders is winnowed and the eventual candidates vetted by a hierarchy of super rich old white men with the moral fiber of a jar of metamusil. And most of us don't like it and many of our fellow citizens don't vote. In Iran the slate of presidential nominees was vetted by a hierarchy of clerics (whose moral fiber I am less qualified to critically comment on) and many Iranians did not vote.
And in response to the following rhetorical question ".. how many political opponents of Cheney, Feith, or Perle have been ordered murdered?" I would answer, "Only one that we know of, Paul Wellstone. And that was one too many".

Waverider, your ridiculous moral equivalence is quite false as well as offensive.

That the President commented on Iranian elections doesn't mean that he is unaware that King County elections office seemed to create from thin air enough ballots to elect a Democrat governor. And that is not the same thing as the puppet show that was the Iranian elections. No irony need apply.

And your comment about Paul Wellstone's death is pure moonbattery. There is no reason to believe that anything other than poor judgment in flying in bad weather caused the crash of his plane. But evidently that doesn't stop you from slander.

And in response to the following rhetorical question ".. how many political opponents of Cheney, Feith, or Perle have been ordered murdered?" I would answer, "Only one that we know of, Paul Wellstone. And that was one too many".

Were Will Rogers, Wiley Post, Carole Lombard, and Buddy Holly also murdered? Occam's Razor would seem to suggest that small planes are dangerous.

There is no indication today that Wellstone's death was the result of foul play.

Waverider:

Given that your more (*ahem*) extreme views have already been commented on by others, if you think there's no objective difference between the US and Iran you're free to live in the latter and then come back to comment on the moral equivalency. I also must have missed the CIA targeting opposition politicians, anti-government demonstrations ending in bloodshed, or the paramilitary forces ready to act at Bush's command.

You raise the valid point that the US ain't perfect either. I never said it was and one of the great things about a democracy is that it never pretends to be a utopia, which is one of the inherent strengths of the system. Can you say the same when it comes to Iran?

I'll leave you to decide what Cole thinks of Iran. If Bush hates the mullahs they can't be that bad, right?

Or it is that the great Iraq adventure has gone so badly wrong that the US has to allow the transformation of Iraq into Iran-mini. Lets be honest, every sane American man would rather see Saddam than Al-Hakim in power.

"heavy-handed" intrusion into the middle east
"cynical" disinformation and propaganda
"pablum" regurgitated
"endless cycle" of suffering and conflict.

The sequence of these particular combinations of adjectives is suspiciously familiar.

Shouldn't we have heard about "neocrusaders" and "Bush/Rove mindwarps" as well, Fores---, hem hem, I mean, Waverider?

That aside, I'm sorry to say that no change is going to occur in the foreseeable future, Dan, even if the election is a sham. The vast multitudes did not rise up. And the inexorable tick tock towards a nuclear capable Iran continues.

You guys just don't get it. Iranians are not going into the streets. The over 40s are too cautious after participating in a revlolution in the 70s. The over 30s still have stomach pains and other ailments as a result of the stress of 8 years of war. The teens and 20-somethings are mostly pleasure-seekers. And the others are too young to vote. This, of course, is a gross generalization, but it will have to do.

If Iranians vote or don't vote, they are the ones who suffer the most. If they do not vote this Friday then there most definitely will be a change in Iran, and it will not be a change that Iranians like or the rest of the world likes.

Iranians are being forced to make pragmatic decisions based on the every day realities of their lives. That's why so many voted for Karubi: a man who promised them about $60 each. For the most part, Iranians intellectuals and liberals stayed away from last Friday's vote. I don't know if they feel they can afford to stay away from this Friday's no matter what others might think.

To All:

Since we're digressing for a moment back to the Iranian election let me put a plug in for Dr. Zin and SMCCDI. I guess I'm an enternal optomist and believe a few dedicated people can bring about change.

I sent this off earlier today re a comment I sent to Instapundit on the great piece at 4th Rail by Grim that I captioned:

WE ARE WINNING THE GWOT - The MSM just doesn't get it!

[I see Joe has just linked to this 4th Rail piece.]

. . . In short the Blogos now has the power to counter the negativity of the MSM in the GWOT.

[...]

This is the meaningful analysis and education the Am people are lacking from the MSM in order to make informed decisions about the GWOT.

Please remember the Minutemen - it was less than 25% of the Am people who supported our Revolutionary War. We lost 25K in that war which was 1% of the entire population then (FOXNEWS - New Book - 1776)!

We can afford a little patriotism here!

Ron

*****

Prof Reynolds,

Thanks for the mention on the Iranian election. As Dr. Ledeen says more and faster please!

The bottom line is the MSM is not reporting objectively to the Am people on the GWOT. This has major consequences. The Blogos is the only thing that can correct this and get the news/info to the Am people.

I've been linking to the WaPo article you mentioned yst re Gulag vs. Gitmo.[Captain's Qtrs comment #9]

[...]

See the link below at 4th Rail that needs to be heard by the Am people. I've been linking to it in several comments.

[...]

. . . by a Navy intel person at 4th Rail which is deserving of wide exposure to counter the MSM's constant negativity re GWOT and trashing President Bush. By no means is President Bush fautless . . .

*****

[Excerpt from post at Capt's Qtrs]

IRANIAN ELECTION - Massive Fraud and Cooking of the Numbers by the Iranian Regime

Unfortunately the MSM for various reasons is not giving much coverage to the ongoing massive demonstrations that have occurred in Iran over the last several months.

More over the MSM is taking the bait hook, line, and sinker on the turnout in this election. In reality there was massive fraud and cooking of the numbers by the regime. Good PR ploy by the regime. A little more fact checking on the ground is in order – a few good investigative reporters on the ground instead of reporting from the posh hotels of Europe.

The true foreign correspondents are the brave men and women bloggers of Iran who risk life and limb reporting the facts as they occur from their own neighborhoods.

[...]

The Blogos now has the power to convey these messages to the free world and the Iranian people.

Now’s the time for all Americans to either stand up for what is right or shut up and get off the stage and quit whinning about GITMO.

A strategic window of opportunity is now opening to deliver a crushing if not fatal blow to the enemy in the GWOT with the fall of the Iranian Regime. The consequences of the Mad Mullahs going nuclear are unimaginable. This administration will not blink for one moment and will not allow this to occur. Our Euro Weenie “friends” can just shove it!

[...]

[Here's how you can help]

Dr Zin and the SMCCDI can use everyone’s help NOW!

More over the MSM is taking the bait hook, line, and sinker on the turnout in this election. In reality there was massive fraud and cooking of the numbers by the regime...

What, did the exit polls predict an opposition win? Perhaps there were massive lines of voters who didn't get to vote, in opposition districts? Is it possible that regime-allied oligarchs produced the electronic voting machines and are alleged to have rigged the results? Was the Iranian media supine in the face of government propaganda?

Kool-Ade, anyone?

Waverider: Who fed GW the hype and propoganda about flawed democratic process?

I don't know, but my number one suspect would be your sixth grade civics teacher.

a:

Sorry, I must have missed the genocide or drive for racial purity that al-Hakim was promoting.

johnnymozart:

The population didn't rise up because they were expecting a fraud. There is also a certain apathy for political change that comes about from living under a theocracy.

TE:

A couple of points. First, a majority of the population is quite young so the traditional demographic barriers don't exactly apply here. Second, the population has risen up in the past only to be brutally stomped by the regime. As far as Friday's vote are concerned, Ahmadinejad was allowed on the ballot specifically for the purpose of frightening people into voting for Rafsanjani so he can claim a popular mandate. How this is unclear given what has happened to date is beyond me ...

stickler:

If you see little difference between elections in Iran and elections here you're welcome to try the former (see Joe's comment above) and see which you prefer.

"Iranians are being forced to make pragmatic decisions based on the every day realities of their lives"

Well said, very true.

"What, did the exit polls predict an opposition win? Perhaps there were massive lines of voters who didn't get to vote, in opposition districts? "

There is no opposition candidate, there are no opposition districts. The Mullahs choose the candidates. You have your choice of Dirka Dirka Islamic Jihad or Dirka Dirka Muslim Jihad. To put in terms of the hyperbolic black helicopter universe you seem to live in, imagine if the Christian Coalition decided who got to run for president and your choices were Pat Buchannon and Ralph Reed. Ah, now you are paying attention.

Oh, and if you want to write in a candidate, go ahead. You will be introduced to a kind of 'interrogation' not familiar to those out battles the horrors of Guantanimo. Im not sure what the dinner menu or the music selection is, much less the ambient temperature, but you can expect to have your fingernails pulls out, testicles crushed, and head bashed in, before being sent back to your family so they can see what happens to malcontents. Just like here in America right? That Raulph Nader vote ever get you 50 lashes?

OK folks here's something just in re the Iranian situation and why we need to act. I just posted this comment at Jihad Watch:

*****

ZAP - UH OH! Did Someone Mention EMP Weapons?
The Real Danger Poised by EMP Weapons Deployed by Iran with Help of AQ

HT to Jihad Watch. Good link to definition and overview of EMP weapons.

OK folks, you heard it from me before but now it's coming from an official governmental source -

The electromagnetic field pulses produced by weapons designed and deployed with the intent to produce EMP have a high likelihood of damaging electrical power systems, electronics and information systems upon which any reasonably advanced society, most specifically including our own, depend vitally," Wood said. "Their effects on systems and infrastructures dependent on electricity and electronics could be sufficiently ruinous as to qualify as catastrophic to the American nation." [Jihad Watch via G2]

And guess who is doing research on shipped launched EMP weapons - IRAN! It won't take a very sophisticated device. All that is needed is to launch a crude nuclear device a few hundred kilometer up over the US.

Iran has conducted tests with its Shahab-3 missile that have been described as failures by the Western media because the missiles did not complete their ballistic trajectories, but were deliberately exploded at high altitude," he said. "This, of course, would be exactly what you would want to do if you were going to use an EMP weapon. Iran described these tests as successful. We said they were a failure because they blew up in flight. They described them as successful. Of course, they would be, if Iran's intent was practicing for an EMP attack."... [Jihad Watch via G2]

Read More

Dan,

I recognize why they didn't rise up. But my concern is: what will be the impetus for them to? It seems the impetus for change isn't going to exist before the Iranians get the bomb, an that's bad for everyone. I appreciate the work of Dr. Zin et al, but if they do not start to receive recognition from world leaders, if the Juan Coles and the European diplomats of the world continue to lend the mullahs legitimacy, what hope is there? Why wait? What are they waiting for? Weapons? For the moral support of the West that never comes? What will it take?

The scary part about Iran developing the bomb is that it may well put us in the position of having to oppose an uprising. That is an awful, awful realpolitic decision to have to make.

Dan Darling #12,

Given that your more (*ahem*) extreme views have already been commented on by others, if you think there's no objective difference between the US and Iran you're free to live in the latter and then come back to comment on the moral equivalency.

Sorry to pick nits, but he probably wouldn't be free to live in Iran and then come back and comment on the moral equivalency. If anyone needs proof of that society being evil, what better could there be than the fact that they don't allow their people the freedom to leave the country or speak their will? Leaving Iran, like leaving East Germany before the Wall came down, is a challenge - and certainly not the sort of thing the average Joe can walk in and do.

The Iranian people wont rise up because they have seen what the US does to the countries its colonize (see Iraq). But if Iran has the bomb than they can rise up without fear of an US invasion. So Mark i think you are right.
Add to this that they will be very anti religious after a revolution while America is anything but anti relgious.

A,

Hey a, look up the definition of the word "colonize" and get back to us, willya?

Ariel,
I think that was Dan's point.

Dan, Why do you think I see little difference between elections in Iran and elections in America? I see vast differences.

What makes you think I am not in Iran? What makes you think I do not speak from first-hand experience?

There is no uprising in Iran for more than the reason that everyone points out. It is true that the hardliners put down the protests. It is true that although Iranians speak their minds about every topic under the sun, they are only allowed to do so if they do not try to organize.

It is also true that adults did not rally around the students when they were protesting against the government. Adults did not join the protests. Adults stayed home. Iranians are weary and wary.

A friend asked me what can be done to promote free speech in Iran. I told my friend that there is plenty of free speech in Iran. It does not need promotion. It needs protection.

According to wiktionary

Region or governmental unit created by another country and generally ruled by another country.

So is Iraq ruled by the USA? (the plan was yes)

"So is Iraq ruled by the USA? (the plan was yes)"

A, I thought you said the plan was to arm a Shiia army so that we could arm a Sunni army and fight the Shiia army that we created with the Sunni army? For some equally nebulous reason of course...

Mark, that was the plan 8 hours ago. There's a new plan now, I'm sure "a" will enlighten us.

The original plan was to rule Iraq by proxy. That failed miserably. Now there are no plans just developments

Nonsense. The freely elected Iraq government is proof enough of that.

Elections were not the plan. They were forced upon the Americans by the Shiite.

IRANIAN ELECTION COUP: IT WAS A FRAUD

FARHAT QUAEM MAQUAMI

Democracy is a double edge sword used by the ruling class to rule by deceit rather than the naked dictatorial force. Iranian Mullahs are master of this theater of absurd. For centuries their livelihood has come from the reruns Martyrdom Tragedy of Imam Hossien and they are master of theatric illusions.. Americans wanted an election and the clever Mullahs delivered a perfect election. The tragedy of the masses of oppressed Iranians is that the hard liners who chant “Death to America” are the one who are in bed with Americans. As Iranians approach to the infamous 51st anniversary of the CIA coup which crushed their Democracy, their aspiration for social change through democratic means is blown apart by a Mullah Coup which stole the Iranian Election.

It seems that close to the 51st Anniversary of despicable American Coup to topple MOSSADEGH in Iran , American Mullahs have carried a coup dressed in election rhetoric to continue their rule in Iran. They have successfully derailed the reform movement and with the vast propaganda machines have made the world believe that an unknown “pawn” actually won a “legitimate” election in Iran. Mullahs of Iran are the living proof that Democracy and Democratic Elections can be manipulated in the Middle East too. Election fraud is not the monopoly of Americans only. It is becoming clear that Mullah Rafsanjani entered the race for the sole purpose to divide the vote for the reform candidates in order to steal the election for the Mullahs.

It is highly possible that the clever Mullahs of Iran who are master in the art of religious theatrics pulled off the biggest stunt of all, they stole the election and derailed the reform movement in Iran. The world wanted the vote and they had their base organized. They saw the challenge . They sensed the danger. Then cleverly devised an strategy to win the election. Mullah Rafsanjani, entered the race not as a conservative candidate, but as a liberal with his army of call girls and drug pushers to announce the coming of reform. All they wanted to do is to disqualify the reform candidates from the run off. Even Ghalibaf , the conservative front runner candidate, was surprised by the outcome. The secretive Mullah hierarchy had planned and executed an election coup.

If we equate Democracy just with voting, Iranians have gone to polls and in a fair campaign have elected a president. No body should worry about the process of selection, had the system left 1000 candidate to run separately, still the recommendation and approval of the Spiritual leader, Ali Khamenei would have had similar effects. Therefore, we must respect the wishes of Iranians and the nation should unite behind Ahmadi Nejad as the new president. This is how is done in all Western Democracies. But the Government of the oppressed can not continue to be an instrument of oppression. The new government must prove its viability, transparency and authenticity by action rather than slogans.

Now that the ruling Mullahs with a great help from their God father Billionaire Mullah succeeded in pulling a political coup, Mullahs are in unquestionable control of all branches of the government of Iran, there is time for reflection. However, now that the presidency is under the control of "Osool Gerayan"(fundamentalists)the regime could blame no one else for its failure in the past 26 years. Therefore, the regime must come clear and present rapid solution for immediate problems that exist in Iran.

Iran is facing with such fundamental economic and social problems form 26 years of neglect and mismanagement that cosmetic changes and political slogans alone can not fix it. The legitimacy of election would be ultimately decided by actions rather than cosmetic changes. Denouncing the past is not enough if those who in the past 26 years ruled in Iran stay in position of power and privilege and are the root causes of devastation of Iran continue their escapades. Those who caused Iran's problem were not aliens from outer space, they were part and parcel of this failed economic and social system that must be uprooted.

This is a fundamentalist government and must be applauded because the New president has declared that it would take Iran back to the ideals of humanistic socialistic Islam. The Government of the oppressed, by the Oppressed and for the Oppressed with Mullahs as Catalyst not prime beneficiary. This is a fallacious argument since this supposedly new system has been there for the past 26 years. If the fundamentalists claim that Ideals of Islam was hijacked by Rafsanjani and others then they must bring the wart of God on the now otherwise they are hijacking Islam under a new turban. Therefore any claim of legitimacy of this new government directly relates to the question of punishment of the perpetrators of crime against Iran.
Without punishing those who subjugated, rubbed, expropriated resources and transferred our resources to outside corporations this government would be another hollow drum beating to fool the masses for the next 25 years.

SLOGAN VERSUS ACTION

Sons and daughters of many mullahs are spoiled by the loots of their fathers. WEALTH IN THE HANDS OF A FEW DOSE NOT BRING DEVELOPMENT. One fashionable lady in a late model car while millions are forced into cultural slavery is not the sign of freedom. These are facades of the nations, signs of economic corruption and not progress in the Iranian Society. When one sees wonderful lives, Racy Cars, expensive Restaurants, Million dollars Villas , fashionable women with original designer Cloths of an elite , in the midst of poverty , destitution and despair of sixty nine million population, whose average yearly income is below $1800, you have to smell the dictatorship of Mullahs and not the egalitarian ideology of Islam in action.
The Government of the oppressed must introduce progressive system of taxation so the rich would not get richer and the income get redistributed. Fast times for Mullahs and downturns for the masses must end now. Mullahs are facilitators of spiritual and economic relations between the oppressed man and Allah not an agent for transfer of God's natural resources to an oppressor elite. Therefore every body including Rafsanjani family and associates must be brought to justice by forcing to declare how they have acquired their wealth and face the Islamic justice. All fast hand Mullahs who have converted the wealth of the nation must be exposed and punished severly.

In actual 1979 dollar, per capita income in Iran has fallen by 7 per cent, while the wealth of a handful has gone up astronomically. May be in addition to other program the new government must consider, as karrobie suggested, $60.00 dollars month to every Iranian each month.

Inflation in Iran is 25 percent, that means the bankrupt policies of Free Market, that Rafsanjani initiated must be changed. Printing money and spending on consumer goods abroad actually made Iran more dependant.

Capital Flight from Iran, that is money earned from profit or sales of national resources in Iran that is being siphoned out by Mullahs and invested in Foreign corporations, is a minimum of 3 billion dollars yearly. The government must immediately stop any and all sort of capital transfer.

Under economic miss management Iran is actually an importer of refined oil. It pays $2 billion dollars, yearly, in hard currency for its dependency. If this election was not a sham then this process must stop immediately by reinvestment in refineries and accelerating the present projects for development of oil by- production Iran. This would quadruple Iran's revenue from central bank oil and provide the necessary jobs for the unemployed.

In the past 26 years Iranian Rial, that is the sweat and blood money that people get from their hard work, has decreased in value 120 times under 1979 value of the US dollar. That is thanks the Islamic Republic monetary policy the US dollars which has fallen in value through out the world has improved its buying power in Iran. 120 per cent e to s per cent. Never mind the "Death to America" Slogans, this regime has This system has helped the American Dollar holders and not the average honest bread winners in Iran. If the system do not stop printing worthless Rials,does not stop "Capital Flight,” and does not stop Rials Free Fall then it proves that the whole election was a sham.

The economy has not produced enough jobs and the unemployment rate is about 30 percent. Actually, The regime has been actively engaged to purchase factories abroad and transfer the wealth of Iran outside. The Government which was installed in Iran under the deceptive name of Islamic Republic has succeeded in its mission which was the “theft of Iran’s wealth”. All has been achieved under the Rafsanjani’s design and supervision. If this government claims to represent the underclass then must order the arrest of Rafsanjani and his gangs.

Right before the 1979 Shah had plans to un-peg Iran from the US dollars and sell Iran oil in an open market and under the Rafsanjani’s scheme Iranian Oil is being sold below its value of fifteen years ago because it is pegged to a declining dollar. From every gallon of oil actually less than .30 cents go to Iran. This hideous process must immediately be stopped. Any regime which does not stop this wholesale auction of Iran is committing treason against Iranians, no how it market itself. Any regime that screams death to America for propaganda and in practice has condemned Iranians to a slow death, is based on hypocrisy. There is no excuse to sell a gallon of oil less than a gallon of bottled water.

Rafsanjani ‘s fingerprint is all over the blue print of Dictatorship of Terrorist Mullahs who hi jacked the mere social discontent with their nationalistic benevolent dictatorship, to an ultra malevolent reactionary anti-nationalist regime. He has operated this system from the beginning for his American and British masters and if the regime does not expose him , his allies and associates who manage BILLIONS OF DOLLARS of stolen money invested in Canada and elsewhere. No claim of legitimacy is acceptable until the Government of the oppressed rid itself of Rafsnajani , the Godfather of all oppressors, and his lackys. The new president of Iran must breack the shell of his spiritual bondage to those who selected him, be his own man and defend the right of the oppressed masses of Iran who fell for his slogans.

IRANIAN ELECTION COUP: The Mullah Who Stole The Election

FARHT QUAEM MAQUAMI

Democracy is a double edge sword used by the ruling class to rule by deceit rather than the naked dictatorial force. Iranian Mullahs are master of this theater of absurd. For centuries their livelihood has come from the reruns Martyrdom Tragedy of Imam Hossien and they are master of theatric illusions.. Americans wanted an election and the clever Mullahs delivered a perfect election. The tragedy of the masses of oppressed Iranians is that the hard liners who chant “Death to America” are the one who are in bed with Americans. As Iranians approach to the infamous 51st anniversary of the CIA coup which crushed their Democracy, their aspiration for social change through democratic means is blown apart by a Mullah Coup which stole the Iranian Election.

It seems that close to the 51st Anniversary of despicable American Coup to topple MOSSADEGH in Iran , American Mullahs have carried a coup dressed in election rhetoric to continue their rule in Iran. They have successfully derailed the reform movement and with the vast propaganda machines have made the world believe that an unknown “pawn” actually won a “legitimate” election in Iran. Mullahs of Iran are the living proof that Democracy and Democratic Elections can be manipulated in the Middle East too. Election fraud is not the monopoly of Americans only. It is becoming clear that Mullah Rafsanjani entered the race for the sole purpose to divide the vote for the reform candidates in order to steal the election for the Mullahs.

It is highly possible that the clever Mullahs of Iran who are master in the art of religious theatrics pulled off the biggest stunt of all, they stole the election and derailed the reform movement in Iran. The world wanted the vote and they had their base organized. They saw the challenge . They sensed the danger. Then cleverly devised an strategy to win the election. Mullah Rafsanjani, entered the race not as a conservative candidate, but as a liberal with his army of call girls and drug pushers to announce the coming of reform. All they wanted to do is to disqualify the reform candidates from the run off. Even Ghalibaf , the conservative front runner candidate, was surprised by the outcome. The secretive Mullah hierarchy had planned and executed an election coup.

If we equate Democracy just with voting, Iranians have gone to polls and in a fair campaign have elected a president. No body should worry about the process of selection, had the system left 1000 candidate to run separately, still the recommendation and approval of the Spiritual leader, Ali Khamenei would have had similar effects. Therefore, we must respect the wishes of Iranians and the nation should unite behind Ahmadi Nejad as the new president. This is how is done in all Western Democracies. But the Government of the oppressed can not continue to be an instrument of oppression. The new government must prove its viability, transparency and authenticity by action rather than slogans.

Now that the ruling Mullahs with a great help from their God father Billionaire Mullah succeeded in pulling a political coup, Mullahs are in unquestionable control of all branches of the government of Iran, there is time for reflection. However, now that the presidency is under the control of "Osool Gerayan"(fundamentalists)the regime could blame no one else for its failure in the past 26 years. Therefore, the regime must come clear and present rapid solution for immediate problems that exist in Iran.

Iran is facing with such fundamental economic and social problems form 26 years of neglect and mismanagement that cosmetic changes and political slogans alone can not fix it. The legitimacy of election would be ultimately decided by actions rather than cosmetic changes. Denouncing the past is not enough if those who in the past 26 years ruled in Iran stay in position of power and privilege and are the root causes of devastation of Iran continue their escapades. Those who caused Iran's problem were not aliens from outer space, they were part and parcel of this failed economic and social system that must be uprooted.

This is a fundamentalist government and must be applauded because the New president has declared that it would take Iran back to the ideals of humanistic socialistic Islam. The Government of the oppressed, by the Oppressed and for the Oppressed with Mullahs as Catalyst not prime beneficiary. This is a fallacious argument since this supposedly new system has been there for the past 26 years. If the fundamentalists claim that Ideals of Islam was hijacked by Rafsanjani and others then they must bring the wart of God on the now otherwise they are hijacking Islam under a new turban. Therefore any claim of legitimacy of this new government directly relates to the question of punishment of the perpetrators of crime against Iran.
Without punishing those who subjugated, rubbed, expropriated resources and transferred our resources to outside corporations this government would be another hollow drum beating to fool the masses for the next 25 years.

SLOGAN VERSUS ACTION

Sons and daughters of many mullahs are spoiled by the loots of their fathers. WEALTH IN THE HANDS OF A FEW DOSE NOT BRING DEVELOPMENT. One fashionable lady in a late model car while millions are forced into cultural slavery is not the sign of freedom. These are facades of the nations, signs of economic corruption and not progress in the Iranian Society. When one sees wonderful lives, Racy Cars, expensive Restaurants, Million dollars Villas , fashionable women with original designer Cloths of an elite , in the midst of poverty , destitution and despair of sixty nine million population, whose average yearly income is below $1800, you have to smell the dictatorship of Mullahs and not the egalitarian ideology of Islam in action.
The Government of the oppressed must introduce progressive system of taxation so the rich would not get richer and the income get redistributed. Fast times for Mullahs and downturns for the masses must end now. Mullahs are facilitators of spiritual and economic relations between the oppressed man and Allah not an agent for transfer of God's natural resources to an oppressor elite. Therefore every body including Rafsanjani family and associates must be brought to justice by forcing to declare how they have acquired their wealth and face the Islamic justice. All fast hand Mullahs who have converted the wealth of the nation must be exposed and punished severly.

In actual 1979 dollar, per capita income in Iran has fallen by 7 per cent, while the wealth of a handful has gone up astronomically. May be in addition to other program the new government must consider, as karrobie suggested, $60.00 dollars month to every Iranian each month.

Inflation in Iran is 25 percent, that means the bankrupt policies of Free Market, that Rafsanjani initiated must be changed. Printing money and spending on consumer goods abroad actually made Iran more dependant.

Capital Flight from Iran, that is money earned from profit or sales of national resources in Iran that is being siphoned out by Mullahs and invested in Foreign corporations, is a minimum of 3 billion dollars yearly. The government must immediately stop any and all sort of capital transfer.

Under economic miss management Iran is actually an importer of refined oil. It pays $2 billion dollars, yearly, in hard currency for its dependency. If this election was not a sham then this process must stop immediately by reinvestment in refineries and accelerating the present projects for development of oil by- production Iran. This would quadruple Iran's revenue from central bank oil and provide the necessary jobs for the unemployed.

In the past 26 years Iranian Rial, that is the sweat and blood money that people get from their hard work, has decreased in value 120 times under 1979 value of the US dollar. That is thanks the Islamic Republic monetary policy the US dollars which has fallen in value through out the world has improved its buying power in Iran. 120 per cent e to s per cent. Never mind the "Death to America" Slogans, this regime has This system has helped the American Dollar holders and not the average honest bread winners in Iran. If the system do not stop printing worthless Rials,does not stop "Capital Flight,” and does not stop Rials Free Fall then it proves that the whole election was a sham.

The economy has not produced enough jobs and the unemployment rate is about 30 percent. Actually, The regime has been actively engaged to purchase factories abroad and transfer the wealth of Iran outside. The Government which was installed in Iran under the deceptive name of Islamic Republic has succeeded in its mission which was the “theft of Iran’s wealth”. All has been achieved under the Rafsanjani’s design and supervision. If this government claims to represent the underclass then must order the arrest of Rafsanjani and his gangs.

Right before the 1979 Shah had plans to un-peg Iran from the US dollars and sell Iran oil in an open market and under the Rafsanjani’s scheme Iranian Oil is being sold below its value of fifteen years ago because it is pegged to a declining dollar. From every gallon of oil actually less than .30 cents go to Iran. This hideous process must immediately be stopped. Any regime which does not stop this wholesale auction of Iran is committing treason against Iranians, no how it market itself. Any regime that screams death to America for propaganda and in practice has condemned Iranians to a slow death, is based on hypocrisy. There is no excuse to sell a gallon of oil less than a gallon of bottled water.

Rafsanjani ‘s fingerprint is all over the blue print of Dictatorship of Terrorist Mullahs who hi jacked the mere social discontent with their nationalistic benevolent dictatorship, to an ultra malevolent reactionary anti-nationalist regime. He has operated this system from the beginning for his American and British masters and if the regime does not expose him , his allies and associates who manage BILLIONS OF DOLLARS of stolen money invested in Canada and elsewhere. No claim of legitimacy is acceptable until the Government of the oppressed rid itself of Rafsnajani , the Godfather of all oppressors, and its lackys.