How Bad Does This Look?

[Sukerkin]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/8098305.stm

I have to admit that, as someone who has observed the political process in action for decades, this smells to high heaven - if nothing else, the very suprise expressed by opposition voters tells a story of it's own.

Tyranny by the rigged ballot is a tradition long honoured by African despots and it's a lesson the religio-politico zealots (both East and West) seem to be learning too .

 

[Ken Morgan]

I think the opposition in Iran is gaining a strong following with excellent organization. The Persians are not a crack pot Arab country they have a great and long history. I know it’s difficult, but I wouldn’t be surprised if within a decade Iran, through internal “revolution”, is back to it’s old moderate self.

 

[Big Don]

The Persians are not a crack pot Arab country

True. They are a crack pot non-Arab country.

 

[chrispillertkd]

Possible voter fraud, by Ahmadinejad? I'm stunned.

In other news, "I'm shocked, SHOCKED, to find illegal gambling going on here!"



Pax,

Chris

 

[Big Don]

Possible voter fraud, by Ahmadinejad? I'm stunned.

In other news, "I'm shocked, SHOCKED, to find illegal gambling going on here!"



Pax,

Chris

Saddam Hussein supposedly won every election by landslides too...
"Vote for me, or be shot" is a campaign slogan that works every time...

 

[Carol]

I think the opposition in Iran is gaining a strong following with excellent organization. The Persians are not a crack pot Arab country they have a great and long history. I know it’s difficult, but I wouldn’t be surprised if within a decade Iran, through internal “revolution”, is back to it’s old moderate self.

I wouldn't be surprised either. Personally I'd hesitate to describe pre-Ayatollah Iran as moderate, though. I think the people of Iran are often moderate, but the leadership...ot so much. The Shah of Iran was extremely indulgent and corrupt, which lead to the discontent that bred the uprising by the the students.

Iran is not an Arab country, although its frequently (mis)characterized as such. The name itself has a dark history. Persia's diplomats got cozy with Adolf Hitler in the mid-30s, resulting in the country changing its name to Iran, meaning "Aryan" or "Land of the Aryans". Ugh.

 

[CoryKS]

It's only bad if you think the president of Iran is anything more than a puppet dancing on a string for the theocrats that actually rule the country.

 

[Sukerkin]

The article actually does a good job of explaining the way the Iranian system works in a thumbnail sketch - the very last paragraph was quite telling on the point that Cory raises above.

 

[seasoned]

Blatantly embarrassing, and a slap in the face for the Iranian people. I guess it was to be expected.

 

[Ken Morgan]

Yeah the Shah certainly didn’t promote human rights or a free society, but in many ways better then the theocracy they have now. Give and take I guess.

The trick is of course to keep Israel from dropping nukes on them. If that happens, there are no more moderates in Persia, the Arab world or anywhere in the Islamic world, they will all stop what they are doing and march on Israel. It’ll quite literally be a bloody mess that no one will win.

Many in the Islamic world are embarrassed by Iran’s political leadership, but say and do nothing.

If their Leadership wasn’t so wacko I would support them in building nuclear reactors. Most of their Electricity is generated through the burning of fossil fuels, going nuclear for power generation would free up millions of barrels of oil and certainly create less pollution. Maybe one day.

 

[Ken Morgan]

I wnat to say good, riots, but I'm sure if they continue we'll all know how they'll end.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8098896.stm

 

[Sukerkin]

Oh my. A powder keg going up in an already 'dangerous' nation (from our perspective). My thread title is looking more aposite by the report .

 

[Carol]

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration is determined to press on with efforts to engage the Iranian government, senior officials said Saturday, despite misgivings about irregularities in the re-election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/14/us/politics/14diplo.html?ref=world

 

[chrispillertkd]

Oh my. A powder keg going up in an already 'dangerous' nation (from our perspective). My thread title is looking more aposite by the report .

And from the perspective of its own citizens, I might add.

Pax,

Chris

 

[Phoenix44]

Looks about as bad as this:

http://archive.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2000/11/27/51812.shtml

 

[chrispillertkd]

Looks about as bad as this:

http://archive.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2000/11/27/51812.shtml

Pax,

Chris

 

[Bruno@MT]

Saddam Hussein supposedly won every election by landslides too...
"Vote for me, or be shot" is a campaign slogan that works every time...

No hanging chads though

 

[Big Don]

Looks about as bad as this:

http://archive.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2000/11/27/51812.shtml

Uh, no!
Demanding the law be upheld is far from rigging an election. Demanding ALL the votes be counted, rather than just those counties KNOWN to be democratic strongholds, prevents disenfranchising MILLIONS.