On July 8 , 2009
At 12hr 34 minutes and 56 seconds, the time and date will be
12:34:56 07/08/09
At 12hr 34 minutes and 56 seconds, the time and date will be
12:34:56 07/08/09
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
This will never happen in your life again??!!!!
Friday, June 19, 2009
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Rumbles in Iran
More than half of Iran's population is under 28 years old. This means that those in this demographic were born after the Islamic revolution in 1979 which was a disruptive moment in Iran's history. These youth have been chafing under the strict Islamic grip of the revolution. Iran both in pre-Islamic and post-Islamic times has been more liberal minded with a long and rich history of refined culture, excellence in the arts, architecture and discourse. The youth of this country are more pro-western than the revolution's founders. They sought to take their country back in this recent election voting for candidates they perceived as bringing reform after the rigid, extremist rule of Ahmadinijad and his backers. They may have succeeded but for the perfidy of the Islamic establishment. The hardliners may have under estimated the extent of dissatisfaction and frustration among this generation and the impact of stealing the election.
The seemingly blatant vote rigging and alteration of vote tallies seems to indicate that Ayatollah Khamenei (the supreme leader) and his coterie might have miscalculated. The continuing demonstrations on the streets and the support from various sections of what could be considered the "establishment" indicates that there are deeper fissures within the Iranian polity. Khamenei may be sitting on a volcano that is beginning to rumble.
Interestingly Moussavi, the so called reformer was the prime minister at the beginning of the revolution under Ayatollah Khomeini. He presided over a regime that executed thousands of people including the youth of Iran. How much of a moderate he might really be is open to question. Anyone I suppose might be better than Ahmadinijad.
The situation might swing either way and the Obama administration has been wise to express support while not seeming to denounce or interfere in what is going on in Iran right now. If the hardliners prevail, they will still have to be brought to the negotiating table. If the liberals are allowed to claim their right, it may be the start of a new beginning. The US should try to express solidarity and support on a low or covert level as it has been doing through Voice of America and the internet engines such as Twitter. Non Governmental foundations and organizations might also be useful interlocutors in this process.
Iran is an ancient, proud and civilized culture. Hopefully, its young will be able to take their country back and establish genuine freedom, liberty and democratic principles within their cultural and religious boundaries. We wish them the very best and stand by their struggle.
More than half of Iran's population is under 28 years old. This means that those in this demographic were born after the Islamic revolution in 1979 which was a disruptive moment in Iran's history. These youth have been chafing under the strict Islamic grip of the revolution. Iran both in pre-Islamic and post-Islamic times has been more liberal minded with a long and rich history of refined culture, excellence in the arts, architecture and discourse. The youth of this country are more pro-western than the revolution's founders. They sought to take their country back in this recent election voting for candidates they perceived as bringing reform after the rigid, extremist rule of Ahmadinijad and his backers. They may have succeeded but for the perfidy of the Islamic establishment. The hardliners may have under estimated the extent of dissatisfaction and frustration among this generation and the impact of stealing the election.
The seemingly blatant vote rigging and alteration of vote tallies seems to indicate that Ayatollah Khamenei (the supreme leader) and his coterie might have miscalculated. The continuing demonstrations on the streets and the support from various sections of what could be considered the "establishment" indicates that there are deeper fissures within the Iranian polity. Khamenei may be sitting on a volcano that is beginning to rumble.
Interestingly Moussavi, the so called reformer was the prime minister at the beginning of the revolution under Ayatollah Khomeini. He presided over a regime that executed thousands of people including the youth of Iran. How much of a moderate he might really be is open to question. Anyone I suppose might be better than Ahmadinijad.
The situation might swing either way and the Obama administration has been wise to express support while not seeming to denounce or interfere in what is going on in Iran right now. If the hardliners prevail, they will still have to be brought to the negotiating table. If the liberals are allowed to claim their right, it may be the start of a new beginning. The US should try to express solidarity and support on a low or covert level as it has been doing through Voice of America and the internet engines such as Twitter. Non Governmental foundations and organizations might also be useful interlocutors in this process.
Iran is an ancient, proud and civilized culture. Hopefully, its young will be able to take their country back and establish genuine freedom, liberty and democratic principles within their cultural and religious boundaries. We wish them the very best and stand by their struggle.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)