The Political Fish

Giving credit where credit is due — Props to President Obama for accurately calling the Detroit Briefs Bomber Incident exactly what it was: an unmitigated “screw-up“.  America got lucky on December 25th, and that’s all there is to it.

Here’s the issue:  We will not be so lucky next time around.  We’ve just concluded the most active year for jihadists since 2001.  As a matter of fact, a whopping one-third of the terrorist plots against Americans since 2001, occurred in 2009.  The terrorists, evidently, have not been swayed by the new American climate under our new American President.

One of those terrorist plots, the Fort Hood Massacre, succeeded.  The Briefs Bomber (yes, I just thought of that), almost did.  The reason?  Our government missed the warning signs.  We had files on these jihadists, yet, we did not act.  Maybe that’s because our government was waiting for the “smoking gun“.  But therein lies the problem: the Feds can wait for the “smoking gun” when you’re dealing with the criminals like Bernie Madoff, of some drug runner.  With terrorists, all-too-often, the “smoking gun” comes in the form of a smoldering city.

But by then, it’d be too late.

Let us pray it doesn’t come to that.

Finally, the leader of the free world stands up for the freedom of those brave Iranian citizens. Check out his words today.

A mostly symbolic show of solidarity to the plight of the Iranian people. It showed that we are watching and are supporting as a nation, now officially from the top down, the Iranian dissent that has grown ever more prevalent in the recent few days and weeks.

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, as his usual self, was defiant towards the West declaring that Iran is united.

TEHRAN – President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has warned the West that it must not assume that Iran is a divided society as the country faced some demonstrations following the June presidential election.

“The Western politicians think something happening in Iran and Iran has become weakened. That is a mistake. They do not know Iran. The people of Iran are united and they would certainly defend rights and interests,” Ahmadinejad explained.

The president also added the West must not think that Iran’s position has been weakened in defending its legal rights as it faces some opposition at home by some groups.

“There are different views that exist in this country. There are differences of opinion, there are rivals, competitors and they are serious. But the majority of the nation is united and they are determined to protect their independence,” the president said in an interview with Britain’s Channel 4 News broadcast on Wednesday.

Two days ago, I published a heart-wrenching letter from an Iranian student as she prepared herself to march forward into a historic day in the life of her country. She mentioned her willingness to die for her cause, as well as clearly stating her fears in doing so. Yesterday, on the same blog, this letter was found. Many of you, if not all have seen the pictures of the girl known as Neda, who was brutally murdered by the Iranian Basij as she innocently observed the chaos in her city. Read this letter here.

Yesterday I wrote a note, with the subject line “tomorrow is a great day perhaps tomorrow I’ll be killed.” I’m here to let you know I’m alive but my sister was killed…I’m here to tell you my sister died while in her father’s hands
I’m here to tell you my sister had big dreams…
I’m here to tell you my sister who died was a decent person… and like me yearned for a day when her hair would be swept by the wind… and like me read “Forough” [Forough Farrokhzad]… and longed to live free and equal… and she longed to hold her head up and announce, “I’m Iranian”… and she longed to one day fall in love to a man with a shaggy hair… and she longed for a daughter to braid her hair and sing lullaby by her crib…

my sister died from not having life… my sister died as injustice has no end… my sister died since she loved life too much… and my sister died since she lovingly cared for people…

This young woman Neda could become the rally point around which the revolt in Iran is now centered. The video of her death, caught by a man who tried to help her is heart-wrenching to say the least, and very disturbing to see. Please be warned that the video you are about to watch is not pleasant. However, it shows the reality of what has now become life in Tehran.

The Iranian government must understand that the world is watching. We mourn each and every innocent life that is lost. We call on the Iranian government to stop all violent and unjust actions against its own people. The universal rights to assembly and free speech must be respected, and the United States stands with all who seek to exercise those rights.

As I said in Cairo, suppressing ideas never succeeds in making them go away. The Iranian people will ultimately judge the actions of their own government. If the Iranian government seeks the respect of the international community, it must respect the dignity of its own people and govern through consent, not coercion.

Martin Luther King once said – “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” I believe that. The international community believes that. And right now, we are bearing witness to the Iranian peoples’ belief in that truth, and we will continue to bear witness.

Appropriate for now. The invocation of Dr. Martin Luther King is powerful symbolism recognized aroumd the world, symbolising peaceful protest. The justification that we don’t want to be seen as meddling is ok, except the Iranian regime is going to use that regardless…this is a tight-rope to walk, there are so many variables to consider. But he stated unequivocally that we support the Iranian peoples right to assemble, and denounced the violence. For that he should be commended. (I cant believe I just said that!)

Iran has descended into the hell we all hoped it would not.  In defiance of the warning issued yesterday by Ayatollah Khamenei, the Iranian people came out in force today to demonstrate in the streets. This has moved beyond complaints of the election, the people now seek freedom. They seek the end of an oppressive regime. The establishment will not accept, and will hold on to their power through brute force.

You can see a live stream of events happening in Tehran here.

Reports streaming in from twitter are reporting riots all across the country. Tabriz, Isfahan, Mashad, Ahwaz all have reports of rioting along with Tehran. Iranian government forces including IRG, the Basij and police forces are using brute force to attempt to crush the protests. The people are not rolling over.

This open letter to the Lebanese people was posted on  an Iranian blog.

Dear Lebanese friend

I am sure you have seen the awful images circulated on the news and internet, images captured by millions of Iranians and sent out to the world, so at least someone could hear their side of story as well. Images and video shots that are ignored by the government run TV!

I hope  you have seen the massive demonstrations in Tehran, people risking their life to come out and demand their constitution right. The right to a fair and free elections.

These people you see in the videos protesting are my borders and sisters, my family , my classmates, my childhood friends, they were born, raised and studied in Iran under the Islamic Republic. They are tired of  a government that is policing their thoughts and dictating an ideology. An ideology witch doesn’t even match Islam !

We have heard multiple reports from all over Iran indicating that some of the police force that are hitting and killing peaceful protectors and break peoples cars and personal properties speak arabic, and they don’t even know farsi!

Yesterday it was confirmed that Hezbolah has sent 5000 troops to help Ahmadi nejad take over power in Iran. This troops were sent before the results of election was out! It clearly shows that Hezbollah and Ahmadi Nejad planned to take over Iran with the back up of Khamanei!

My dear Lebanese friend , hitting and killing defenseless people is not humane and defiantly not Islamic.  When we heard your Prime Minister Fouad Siniora’s congradulation statment to Ahmadinejad , it felt  like  being stabbed from the back!

Ahmadi nejad has sure tried to mislead a large group of people with his way of talking, and I admit he is good at this, but please open your eyes and your hearts see for yourself. this traitor is calling the protesters nothing but “dirt and dust” and opens fire in to peaceful protesters. His shameless police force even attached dorm rooms in every city killing defenseless students, and the burning the place down.

I am asking you to please send letters to your government and pressure them to condemn Ahmadinejad actions in Iran. Please write to Hezbolla’s members of parliaments in Lebanon and ask them to call back the 5000 troops. Ahmadi nejad is a criminal , don’t participate in his crimes.

Please help circulate this letter. This is a call for peace and a call for freedom

ARABIC Translation :

وأنا واثق من رأيتم النكراء على تعميم الصور والأخبار والإنترنت ، وصور التقطتها الملايين من الايرانيين وأرسلت إلى العالم ، وذلك على الأقل ما يمكن أن تستمع الى جانبهم من القصة أيضا. لقطات الفيديو والصور التي يتم تجاهلها من قبل الحكومة التلفزيون!

وآمل أن تكونوا قد شهدت تظاهرات حاشدة في طهران ، ويتعرض لحياة الناس للخروج على الدستور والطلب. الحق في محاكمة عادلة وحرة.

هؤلاء الناس تراها في الفيديو هي رسالتي احتجاج على الحدود والأخوات ، وعائلتي ، وزملائي ، وأصدقاء طفولتي ، ولدوا فيها ، والتي طرحت ودرست في إيران في ظل الجمهورية الاسلامية. انهم تعبوا من حكومة تكون الشرطة أفكارهم ويملي أيديولوجيا. أيديولوجيا لا بل ساحرة المباراة الإسلام!

لقد استمعنا إلى تقارير متعددة من جميع انحاء ايران مشيرا الى ان بعض قوات الشرطة التي ضرب وقتل السلمية حماة الشعوب وكسر السيارات والممتلكات الشخصية يتكلم العربية ، وأنهم لا يعرفون حتى الفارسية!

كان بالأمس أن Hezbolah ارسلت 5000 جندي للمساعدة على تولي احمدي نجاد السلطة في إيران. هذا وقد تم ارسال القوات قبل الاعلان عن نتائج الانتخابات! فإنه يبين بوضوح أن حزب الله وأحمدي نجاد يخطط للاستيلاء على ايران مع دعم من خامنئي!

يا صديق لبنان ، وضرب وقتل أناس لا إنسانية وبتحد غير الإسلامية. الخاص بك عندما سمعنا رئيس الوزراء فؤاد السنيورة في بيان congradulation لأحمدي نجاد ، فإنه يرى أن طعنها من الخلف!

أحمدي نجاد متأكد قد حاولوا تضليل مجموعة كبيرة من الناس في طريقه من الكلام ، وأعترف أنه في هذا جيد ، ولكن رجاء افتحوا أعينكم وقلوبكم لترى بنفسك. هذا الخائن تدعو المتظاهرين سوى “الاوساخ والغبار” ، ويفتح النار على المتظاهرين المسالمين. وقال إن قوات الشرطة وقح حتى تعلق بالمبنى المكون من غرف في كل مدينة مما اسفر عن مقتل الطلاب العزل ، وحرق المكان.

وإنني أطلب منكم الرجاء إرسال رسائل إلى حكومتكم والضغط عليهم لإدانة الأعمال أحمدي نجاد في ايران. يرجى الكتابة إلى Hezbolla أعضاء البرلمانات في لبنان ، ونطلب منهم ان الدعوة دعم 5000 جندي. أحمدي نجاد هو مجرم ، لا تشارك في جرائمه.

الرجاء المساعدة على تعميم هذه الرسالة. هذا هو دعوة للسلام ودعوة للحرية

A message from a reader in Tehran who also wrote that he wished to remain anonymous for his safety. It was written in response to an earlier post.

i’m sending this message from tehran-iran . i was present at the heart of many protests , i was one of the incalculable angry protesters , we were faced by wild and wicked violent behaviour getting done by police and many unofficial forces . the government forces answered our legitimate requests about the elections result with knives , guns and beatings … we are so pissed off , so angry . we cant tolerate this any more . i hope u can help us by reflecting our thoughts … we are not terrorists … we r fighting against the dictatorship in IRAN till the very last breath . as an protester i’m not safe to write about it any longer … this is a critical situation ,,, they are everywhere , and they will do anything to keep our mouths shut ! they r beating women and young girls … oh ! god , help us

Earlier reported was the violence that erupted as the Basiji (Iranian paramilitary) began firing into the crowd that had gathered in Azadi Square. Warning: Video and pictures are graphic.

Reports confirmed at least one man had died, unconfirmed reports have it listed as high as 10. These people are fighting fascism and tyranny. In their attempt to peacefully demonstrate, they are met with brutality on the part of the paramilitary organization loyal to the theocracy. Sickening to say the least.

The eyes of the world are on you. March on, Fight on.

A twitter feed from a student in Tehran.

Students & people fighting back a large group of police & Basij right now at university of physics! I’m going to join them. #iranelectionabout 2 hours ago from TwitterFox

is there any end to police’s motorcycles?! how much more we should burn?! #iranelectionabout 2 hours ago from TwitterFox

Karoubi speaking right now with people in front of his office. I hope nothing bad happens #iranelectionabout 2 hours ago from TwitterFox

http://bit.ly/2temyZ God! I really hate him! #iranelectionabout 2 hours ago from TwitterFox

@jeff_w44 we called the “lebas shakhsi” (wearing no uniforms) ,you could say they are regime’s undercover agents.about 2 hours ago from TwitterFox in reply to jeff_w44

From Enghelab square my friend just called me, Police & unknown forces beating everybody for no apparent reason! #iranelectionabout 2 hours ago from TwitterFox

Gordanhaye Ashora (IRG’s Elite infantry division) seen at Narmak in standby & fully armed with military equipment. #iranelectionabout 2 hours ago from TwitterFox

@Olive648 it was impossible to reach there! it is near ministry of national security & they have a small army protecting it!about 3 hours ago from TwitterFox in reply to Olive648

Security forces are now gathering a large force near university of physics #iranelectionabout 3 hours ago from web

I’m feeling angry & also depressed seeing him lying so easlly & wearing OUR COLOR on TV #iranelectionabout 4 hours ago from web

Ahmadynezad now calls himself “seyed” (bloodline of prophet mohammad) & wearing a green shawl on state TV! unbelievable! #IranElectionabout 4 hours ago from web

http://i40.tinypic.com/oiha… Vali-Asr street #IranElectionabout 4 hours ago from web

From Qom: Reformist grand ayatolah Saneyi is in house arrest and his office phones lines answered by ministry of Intel #iranelectionabout 4 hours ago from web

Karoubi does NOT recognize Ahmadinejad as President, and declares the election VOID & urges people to stand #iranelectionabout 4 hours ago from web

President Potato showing his evil powers on national TV right now! speaking of peace & justice! #iranelectionabout 4 hours ago from web

IRG’s helicopter flying low on yousefabadad Amirabad Gisha right now creating a devastating sound and making windows shake #IranElectionabout 4 hours ago from web

http://gharinaz.persianblog… #Iranelectionabout 5 hours ago from web

We can’t just risk loosing mousavi because it could be a trap! his core support was always us students! #IranElectionabout 12 hours ago from web

I’m going inside the building to inform the others, I hope we can get out peacefully with university’s bus, we must be there at 12:30about 12 hours ago from web

I guess we should all go, after all he is the real president #iranelectionabout 12 hours ago from web

Conservatives in this country  have risen up in the recent months to protest a government that has grown by leaps and bounds, and is totally out of control. They have done a slash and burn to Constitutional protections and rights, slowly whittling them away with legislation being pushed through below the radar. Mass media refuses to cover these issues, and so the governmental machine continues to grow and aquire unprecedented amounts of power and control over the American people. They are on a course to bankrupt this country through a burgeoning national debt, soon to be hyper-inflation, and an assault on manufacturing and business, all in an effort to gain control over the populace. The ultimate ponzi scheme is going to slowly but surely kill the prosperity of our nation.

These are all excellent reasons to rise up as a population and protest. Many people can see the writing on the wall, the path to destruction is becoming very clear. But I ask this one question, are we being hypocritical?  Can a government by the people and for the people really be expected to change course, when the society that it represents has itself become morally bankrupt?

In this country in the past decades, we have made abortion legal and subsequently murdered over 30 million babies under the guise of womens rights. In this country we have embraced a welfare state, where those that can manipulate the system will, and the system will continue to allow it and will foster more misuse. Crime and violence on our streets has gotten totally out of control.  Our schools do not teach kids about steering clear of sexual relationships, we teach our kids to “be safe”. As a result, STD’s are on the rise and the nation continues to struggle through the AIDS epidemic. Our educational system has outlawed prayer of any sort within the public schools, our President gives speeches in a religious facility and demands that pictures of Jesus Christ are covered. He has seen fit to embrace radical Islam all the while shunning Christianity which is the very foundation of our country. The administration that we elected has decided to change long-standing US policy, and shun our relationship with Israel, all but abandoning them in the face of great evil and danger. In some states, they have decided to shred the idea of traditional marriage, and demonize a beauty queen who strongly believes in it. We are forced to embrace and appease a gay agenda through the media and through government intervention, even though it represents a minute percentage of the overall population. All these things have torn apart the moral fabric of this nation. We have become a nation of excess, gluttony and greed, all the while living a hedonistic lifestyle.

If we the people want true change in our country, it will need to start in the hearts of the individual citizen. Change will come when the people of this great land deny the idea of tolerance at the expense of morality. If we cannot change, then how can a representative government be expected to change.