Iran

[ionnsaigh]

Lets hope the current leadership remains - seems like a counter- revolution is about to take place. Good old Barrack - no change in US intervention policy - adopted by your former white masters.

[hugh]

Counter-revolution? Thought it was a democratic election? Is repression okay as long it's anti-American repression?

I should stop biting, I really should.

[ionnsaigh]

Counter-revolution? Thought it was a democratic election? Is repression okay as long it's anti-American repression?

I should stop biting, I really should.

Yes funny, I thought it was a democratic election also. Of course Iran is a repressive regime - that requires definite change - and in that context - the middle classes can be seen as progressive and Westernised. However anything - be it a preference for Woman's jeans - or a taste for a Big Mac - are seized by the American Secret Service - as potential allies - and subsequent weapons to be used against radical Muslim Iran.

I love it when you bite

[Govangirl]

Lets hope the current leadership remains

And allow women to continue as second-class citizens in all aspects of life? You do surprise me Ionns!!!!

[Bobbie En Tejas]

Lets hope the current leadership remains - seems like a counter- revolution is about to take place. Good old Barrack - no change in US intervention policy - adopted by your former white masters.

Hmmm.. which former white masters were those? His father was from Kenya and his mother was Caucasian with Irish ancestory... I'm so confused

[Bobbie En Tejas]

I was reading that about 65% of university students there are women, and yet they can't hold political office. Mousavi's wife seems to be quite interesting.. in a place where most candidates' wives are mute and kept in the background, she is prominent in her husband's campaign and very vocal about women's rights.

[ionnsaigh]

" Women are barred from many occupations. They don’t even have the right to enter sport stadiums. According to Sharia law, women are the property of men and have no duty but to serve their male ‘guardian’ and take care of their husbands and children. Women’s right to inheritance is half that of men’s. Women’s testimony is worth half of that of men’s. Women can hardly get a divorce without their husband’s permission yet men can divorce their wives without reason and even without their being present. Women don’t have the right to travel, work, study and more without their male ‘guardian’s’ permission. The marriage of an adult woman is not valid and cannot be registered without her father’s consent. Sexual relations outside of marriage are punishable with death by stoning, the most brutal form of execution. Any protest against sexual apartheid and women’s enslaved position is met with brute force. Moreover, the regime’s propaganda machinery and its officials have made the humiliation and enslavement of women business as usual ". Communist Party Iran.
Middle class reformists all to man - except and uphold the Islamic Republic of Iran - otherwise they would not be allowed to stand for election. Do you really believe that tinkering around the edges of such a brutal regime - would in any way change things. Historically real change comes from revolution - remember the Shah of Persia.

[hugh]

The communist party of Iran?? Where do they hold their meetings then? Australia? Bet they're funded by the C.I.A.

[ionnsaigh]

Apparently they have established offices in London Paris - ( reluctant to mention Rome - makes them sound like a cosmetic firm ) they appear to have various connections - via their web site. Not sure of funding by the FEDS though - however chances are high that CIA has some covert influence - otherwise they would not being doing their job properly
The party suffered from a split - it was active in the days of the Shah. Not to sure of their type of Communism - a wee bit like the difference between - Catholic Protestant / Sunni Shia. I look forward to the day when all countries in the world - throw religion out where it belongs - into the dustbin of time - and concrete testament - to man's evolutionary struggle from barbarity to savagery - to this present stage of civilisation.
The Communist Cosmetic Party of Iran.

[ionnsaigh]

And allow women to continue as second-class citizens in all aspects of life? You do surprise me Ionns!!!!

My contention is that if Iran where to accept a Western style Capitalist economy - then it only replaces one evil with another.
In other words capitalism harms the poor more - than Islam harms women.

[ionnsaigh]

Change of mind after watching the protests - I was surprised at the numbers involved, and the obvious anger manifesting itself on the streets of the capital Tehran. Good to see women in the front line. I'm not fully convinced that claims of election fraud - would have in any way changed the ultimate result though - it does appear that the figures have been massaged, in favour of the ruling theocratic elite. So lets hope the protesters go for it - and help free the world of theocracy's once and for all.
It may be easier to achieve socialism through capitalism, than through theocracy.

[blueboyno1]

" Women are barred from many occupations. They don’t even have the right to enter sport stadiums. According to Sharia law, women are the property of men and have no duty but to serve their male ‘guardian’ and take care of their husbands and children. Women’s right to inheritance is half that of men’s. Women’s testimony is worth half of that of men’s. Women can hardly get a divorce without their husband’s permission yet men can divorce their wives without reason and even without their being present. Women don’t have the right to travel, work, study and more without their male ‘guardian’s’ permission. The marriage of an adult woman is not valid and cannot be registered without her father’s consent. Sexual relations outside of marriage are punishable with death by stoning, the most brutal form of execution. Any protest against sexual apartheid and women’s enslaved position is met with brute force. Moreover, the regime’s propaganda machinery and its officials have made the humiliation and enslavement of women business as usual ". Communist Party Iran.
Middle class reformists all to man - except and uphold the Islamic Republic of Iran - otherwise they would not be allowed to stand for election. Do you really believe that tinkering around the edges of such a brutal regime - would in any way change things. Historically real change comes from revolution - remember the Shah of Persia.

Jeezo ionns and you said the Masons were bad

[Bobbie En Tejas]

Absolutely amazing what is going on over there. The mullahs have joined in the protest against the declaration of the ayatollah, which speaks volumes. I've read that police officers have gone home and changed their clothes to join in also. Hopefully there won't be any more Neda's, that was horrific. It took a lot of courage for these people, especially the mullahs, to take this stand.

[ionnsaigh]

Absolutely amazing what is going on over there.

Yes as much as I hate to be controversial - I must admit, the scenes of police brutality, live rounds - fires and police killings - reminded me of the Los Angeles Riots of 1992. Although from what I could see from the coverage - considerably less looting took place in Tehran.

The mullahs have joined in the protest against the declaration of the ayatollah, which speaks volumes.

They obviously enjoy a great deal of influence - particularly in the villages of Iran. Bearing in mind this is were you will find - a very conservative - undoubtedly poor - and many uneducated Iranians - who voted for the prevailing status quo.
The group of people who stand out for me are the women - they shone as an example to others - so it's to the oppressed women of Iran that deserve mention in dispatches.

South west of Campbeltown ?
Lucky you.

[ionnsaigh]

The whole think is interesting nonetheless - makes one wonder how you would describe - the reaction of the Islamic Republic to the unrest. The holy republic's ideas regarding capital punishment - by any means, is one that I find to be - completely morally repugnant and indeed - highly offensive to Humans.
Oh come on now - is this the best you've got to offer. Is that it - from the religious camp - hardly compassionate is it? It only serves - to bring humans down to the nature of the beast. Jesus Christ - is it not time that the world - woke up ?