Quotes of the day
posted at 9:30 pm on June 13, 2009 by Allahpundit
“I use this chance to honor the emotions of the nation of Iran and remind them that Iran, this sacred being, belongs to them and not to the fraudulent. It is you who should stay alert. The traitors to the nation’s vote have no fear if this house of Persians burns in flames. We will continue with our green wave of rationality that is inspired by our religious learnings and our love for prophet Mohammad and will confront the rampage of lies that has appeared and marked the image of our nation.”
***
“One man passing by told her, ‘You wrote Mousavi, they read Ahmadinejad!’ She responded: ‘They’re illiterate and need to learn reading.’
Then a man in a car moving in the other direction rolled down his window and shouted at her in anger, ‘You whore! Why are you creating conflict between people?’ A basiji (a member of the volunteer paramilitary aligned with Ahmadinejad) charged at her from nowhere with a metal rod and was about to beat her when he was held down and beaten himself by five or six men streaming out of nearby cars.
‘I mean, just look at this! If Ahmadinejad won 25 million votes, which they claim, we should be celebrating, right?’ an onlooker commented.”
***
“One employee of the Interior Ministry, which carried out the vote count, said the government had been preparing its fraud for weeks, purging anyone of doubtful loyalty and importing pliable staff members from around the country.
‘They didn’t rig the vote,’ claimed the man, who showed his ministry identification card but pleaded not to be named. ‘They didn’t even look at the vote. They just wrote the name and put the number in front of it.’”
***
“Washington now faces a newly fractured Iranian polity ruled by a leadership that is willing to jettison its own institutions and legitimacy in its determination to retain absolute control. That does not bode well for Iran’s capacity to undertake serious talks and eventually engage in historic concessions on its nuclear program and support for terrorism. Obama has to be prepared to move forward with diplomacy despite the wholesale setback for Iran’s limited democracy. In the wake of this disastrous election, opportunities for progress on engagement may unexpectedly present themselves. But he should do so in full awareness of the farce that has been perpetrated with this Ahmadinejad ‘landslide’ and of the seething frustration of so many Iranians.”
***
“From a reader: ‘My next door neighbor is an Iranian immigrant who came here in 1977. He just received a SAT phone call from his brother in Tehran who reports that the rooftops of nighttime Tehran are filled with people shouting ‘Allah O Akbar’ in protest of the government and election results. The last time he remembers this happening is in 1979 during the Revolution. Says the sound of tens of thousands on the rooftops is deafening right now.’ It’s almost four in the morning in Iran.”
Blowback
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Doesn’t matter either way.
Moussavi is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. A son of the Islamic Revolution.
And if I’m not mistaken, candidates are chosen by the Supreme Council
blatantblue on June 13, 2009 at 9:33 PM
which makes this playa a lil UNCOMFY with Moussavi
blatantblue on June 13, 2009 at 9:33 PM
I hope the O-bots do not try this in 2010. It would get messy.
Right_of_Attila on June 13, 2009 at 9:36 PM
And my buddy just made a good point to me on FB
What might happen if Iran really starts burning
Any effects on Iraq?
blatantblue on June 13, 2009 at 9:38 PM
Did anyone think Iran was a democracy?!
mjbrooks3 on June 13, 2009 at 9:38 PM
Al Gore in the house!
That’s when you know it’s serious! When a state department uses deeply twice before the obligatory ‘concerned’.
Spirit of 1776 on June 13, 2009 at 9:38 PM
Which ones are the Bloods and which ones are the Crips?
/
Christien on June 13, 2009 at 9:39 PM
Any revolution in Iran will just lead to the same sort of totalitarian, anti-Western regime as is there, now – if not worse. I don’t know what people are expecting, but … give it up. Iran is Iran.
We still owe them brutal beatings for taking our embassy and the hastages, blowing up the marines, blowing up our Lebanese embassy, taking the Western hostages, killing us in Iraq, …
But, I guess that’s just ancient news to many in the US … while we’re talking about a nation, like Iran, that has carried grudges for centuries.
This election was a sham, but the reaction of any in the West who pretend that it ever had the chance to be anything but, is even worse. Mousavi is a dirtbag who was in on the Lebanese barracks bombing (along with many other attacks against us) and should be sitting in GITMO right now, if not relegated to the afterlife. Heads in the sand.
progressoverpeace on June 13, 2009 at 9:40 PM
In these perilous times at least we have a steady hand at the tiller to apologize.
Ted Torgerson on June 13, 2009 at 9:40 PM
Yes it does. The people are screaming for change, even if it’s a baby step.
John the Libertarian on June 13, 2009 at 9:40 PM
Iran having rigged election is expected. ACORN was formed for just that purpose. Its amazimg they are under indictment for voter fraud in so many states and no one even knows who they are. With 4,000,000,000 dollars from the stimulus, they are going to magnify their numbers in an alarming rate. They will know soon.
volsense on June 13, 2009 at 9:41 PM
It’s really sad that our ‘news’ organizations are not covering this potential revolution. Then they wonder why they are losing influence among the American people.
Other than that, I hope the Iranians free themselves from the shackles of the Mullahs oppression.
Oh Roger Cohen, you can suck it.
Lance Murdock on June 13, 2009 at 9:41 PM
America needs a special election, two weeks, 5 campaign ads each, 2 debates, vote, Romney V Obama.
Speakup on June 13, 2009 at 9:41 PM
LOL. Do you know what you’re talking about? A baby step towards what? Tell me.
progressoverpeace on June 13, 2009 at 9:41 PM
Inspired by Cairo Speech Iranians get skulls cracked…
mjbrooks3 on June 13, 2009 at 9:42 PM
Sounds like standard Chicago politics has made its way all the way to Tehran. Obama is shocked….SHOCKED….that the votes just get piled up in a warehouse and a precanned set of numbers get published. Strong note to follow!!!!
Lew on June 13, 2009 at 9:42 PM
I wonder if the Dallas Cowboys, Mickey Mouse, or countless dead people voted.
txag92 on June 13, 2009 at 9:44 PM
Stagflation
Misery Index
Insane Energy Prices
American Embassy Taken Hostage By Iranian RevolutionariesWell, at least 0bama’s got ONE thing that’ll seperate him from being the second coming of Mr. Peanut, if only by default, as we don’t have an embassy there to be over-run these days.
Unless of course Jughead decides to open one there and that’s just the sort of insanely naive thing I’ve come to expect from 0bama so…
SuperCool on June 13, 2009 at 9:44 PM
What if there isn’t much change there?
What if its a charade
blatantblue on June 13, 2009 at 9:45 PM
No worry, hussein will stop by for another “Hope & Change” speech.
christene on June 13, 2009 at 9:45 PM
Turmoil in Iran should help Iraq — it takes away Iran’s focus on fomenting terrorism in Iraq.
AZfederalist on June 13, 2009 at 9:46 PM
I don’t know why you think a new regime would be as bad as this one. I for one, want to believe that the younger generation doesn’t care about regional hegemony. Let’s hope that if the Mullahs are overthrown, Hezbollah, HAMAS and other organizations will wither without their benefactor.
Lance Murdock on June 13, 2009 at 9:46 PM
This is the power of the internet in revolutions. Even the most isolated (except North Korea which doesnt even have enough power for computers) is affected by its power.
However there is also a danger of Islamic counter cultures swinging into a backlash. The Internet can be used for that purpose as well.
The danger now is that Iran doent look like the Islamic paradise it portraited. The last times that a local group became so unpopular with its people that it started international wars was Iraq in 1979 invading Iran and the Taliban Afghanistan of 1993.
The KEY important point is what does this do for Iraq ? Iran was a big instigator of problems there.
Also anyone else recall that the US and Britian had agents formenting problems in Iran during the Bush admin ?
William Amos on June 13, 2009 at 9:46 PM
Is this getting much play in the media? Are they showing what’s going on in Iran? Or can they show what’s going on?
Cindy Munford on June 13, 2009 at 9:47 PM
Laugh out loud all you want, brother. Still doesn’t impress me. They want their voices to be heard. They see a democracy next door, and they want it, too.
John the Libertarian on June 13, 2009 at 9:48 PM
yep yep
So did the French…
Upstater85 on June 13, 2009 at 9:49 PM
Obama is taking notes for 2012.
farright on June 13, 2009 at 9:49 PM
All this makes Obama’s little hissy fit in Cairo look like a hissy fit.
So he jumps up and down over have diplomatic talks with Iran, and now he has to speak with the new head of ACORN! It should go well.
But the real winner in this to me is Netanyahu. Bibi is going to say, “Which Iranian government? The current fake ones who want to kill us, or the mad ones next in line who want to kill us?” I would like to see Obama force a two state joke on him now! Like it was ever going to happen in the first place.
And I am old enough to remember all the embassy and hostage horror. Yes, we still owe them for it. Why, because they still to this day are attacking our soldiers in Iraq. They still export terror like contaminated Chinese toys, and bad sheetrock! And we owe them every bit and then some because you don’t mess with Americans! Or those we once called our allies before this moron was elected.
freeus on June 13, 2009 at 9:50 PM
Surprised the MSM is not wall to wall on this one… it is the weekend though.
mjbrooks3 on June 13, 2009 at 9:51 PM
Who would’ve guessed? ACORN is in Iran.
jgapinoy on June 13, 2009 at 9:51 PM
You’re right, it could be. But I tend to think people on the rooftops and open protest on the streets is never a good sign for the ruling class. I’ve always hoped and prayed the youth in that country would pull the trigger on those crazy mullahs.
John the Libertarian on June 13, 2009 at 9:51 PM
Riots have happened before. They are put down, everyone is arrested and imprisoned, and life continues as before.
Blake on June 13, 2009 at 9:52 PM
Sounds like something David Letterman would say to Palin, honestly.
TheQuestion on June 13, 2009 at 9:52 PM
Krauthammer predicted this would happen.
John the Libertarian on June 13, 2009 at 9:53 PM
I’m with you on certain groups of people in urban areas wanting to get away from what has been going on
I am not suspicious of them — just this Moussavi
blatantblue on June 13, 2009 at 9:54 PM
Yeah, I can see ACORN trying to pull this off in 2010.
Iblis on June 13, 2009 at 9:54 PM
Where the hell have you been….. IT HAS ALREADY HAPPENED!!!
PaCadle on June 13, 2009 at 9:55 PM
I still don’t understand what you think the baby step is. They voted in a “moderate” back in 1997 with Khatami. Do you remember what that led to? Baby step .. indeed.
And do you really think that the Iranians envy the Iraqis? Really? Heh heh heh. Sorry, but that is just funny.
progressoverpeace on June 13, 2009 at 9:55 PM
I don’t trust anyone the mullahs hand pick. But the people want some sort of change, and the mullahs can’t even give them that.
John the Libertarian on June 13, 2009 at 9:55 PM
We too Mousavi! We too!
Christian Conservative on June 13, 2009 at 9:55 PM
ok…this is really hilarious. hahaha
Mommypundit on June 13, 2009 at 9:58 PM
Some video from Canadian TV
William Amos on June 13, 2009 at 9:58 PM
Agreed — certain people in the urban areas are looking for something new
But I doubt they’ll ever get it
Sad
blatantblue on June 13, 2009 at 9:58 PM
Lance Murdock,
well said.
rob verdi on June 13, 2009 at 9:58 PM
………………..uh…………………….
Mommypundit on June 13, 2009 at 9:58 PM
Coming to a theater near you.
katy on June 13, 2009 at 9:59 PM
Yeap………..
…………….. I could see this happening in 2010, 2012.
Seven Percent Solution on June 13, 2009 at 9:59 PM
Well, I don’t trust the people.
We’ve seen what happened with many revolutions where the people got up in arms and threw fire bombs…
Upstater85 on June 13, 2009 at 10:00 PM
What does revolution mean to the Iranians? I am trying to get a handle on this. Would it mean getting rid the current little creep or would it mean the Mullahs would also be taken down? Does the military lean in any particular direction?
Cindy Munford on June 13, 2009 at 10:00 PM
i like you.
Mommypundit on June 13, 2009 at 10:00 PM
I see no proof, at all, that it would be better.
In all of Persian history, when have they not pursued regional (if not global) hegemony? I know when they were unable to achieve it, but I don’t recall a single time in history that they didn’t pursue it, if able.
If the mullahs are overthrown, why do you not think that a Hizboolah type org would replace them?
I just don’t see why anyone expects some organized, civilized rule to emerge from revolution. Except for the US, revolution never leads to civilized rule. Revolution almost always leads to chaos or authoritarianism. Maybe I’m missing something? I’m happy to listen to instances of internal revolutions that delivered free and civilized governments. I just can’t think of any, except for the US.
progressoverpeace on June 13, 2009 at 10:01 PM
They are not upset that the election was rigged. If that was the case, even the pro-Amadinejad voters would be rioting. No. They are upset that their choice for islamic president lost. It is not democracy they want, it is the dictator of their choosing. If another election were held, this time rigged in their favor, they would be more than happy, and the other team would be rioting.
Democracy is the last thing they care about.
keep the change on June 13, 2009 at 10:01 PM
Well J. Q. Abdullah was charged with Voter Fraud in Atlantic City today
William Amos on June 13, 2009 at 10:02 PM
Here’s another question. What is their ideology? Socialists? Fascists? Communists? Theocrats? There’s so many to name.
Upstater85 on June 13, 2009 at 10:02 PM
What’s that old saying nobody seems to give a sh#t about…
Doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result…
Jimmy carter 2.0
katy on June 13, 2009 at 10:02 PM
Nukem’ from orbit…only way to be sure.
jerrytbg on June 13, 2009 at 10:03 PM
prelude to 2012
ctmom on June 13, 2009 at 10:03 PM
Jimmy carter 2.0
katy on June 13, 2009 at 10:02 PM
That’s an insult to Jimmy Carter. :)
txag92 on June 13, 2009 at 10:03 PM
I believe Corporal Hicks is in charge here…
TheBigOldDog on June 13, 2009 at 10:04 PM
It’s a mystery to me, too. All I know is that internal revolutions never leave freedom in their wake, except in the case of the US. And Iran ain’t no US. Sadly, the US ain’t no US, anymore, as we just had a brush with “truth commissions” from the junta here …
progressoverpeace on June 13, 2009 at 10:04 PM
The Iranian guard? Well…they want the bomb. And I think DinnerJacket is chummy with them, so, I think that is the problem.
Mommypundit on June 13, 2009 at 10:04 PM
This is all Bush’s fault, you know.
Felonious Monk on June 13, 2009 at 10:04 PM
I agree with what you are saying, but their were some happy ending revolutions. They happened in Easter Europe. Yeah, these countries aren’t perfect, but at least there is much more freedom in Germany, Poland, Czech Rep. Slovakia, Hungry, etc…
I think we should look at these and determine why they were successful…
Upstater85 on June 13, 2009 at 10:04 PM
Um, isn’t that Arabic? They speak Farsi in Iran.
Big John on June 13, 2009 at 10:05 PM
Don’t expect the Ayat’Allahs or Supreme Council or anyone to go anywhere
Nah, its cool
Yea they’re totally different, but to Muslims they can yell Allahu Akbar. English speaking Muslims do
blatantblue on June 13, 2009 at 10:06 PM
Shortages, and higher prices, of bomb making components.
Freddy on June 13, 2009 at 10:07 PM
The CIA should be blasting this across Iran tonight…….
Seven Percent Solution on June 13, 2009 at 10:07 PM
The French revolution eventually did, albeit after decades of the Terror and Napoleon. There are countless soft revolutions — the Orange, the Cedar, etc. You’re right, they are usually times of upheaval and terror. But what could be worse than those jihadist terrorists currently running the country?
John the Libertarian on June 13, 2009 at 10:08 PM
Roger that. I’ll buy that answer.
Big John on June 13, 2009 at 10:10 PM
Oh I know, but I blame McStain and his moderates for 2008
Iblis on June 13, 2009 at 10:10 PM
Well the Shah was allied with Israel. And in my previous job I worked with an Iranian girl who just moved here from Iran just a few years ago. To make a long story short. She was ambivalent about Israel. Talking with her, she said that the people hated the government and want to integrated with the Western World. And unlike my lefties cohorts, she didn’t hate the Jooos I mean Zionists.
Lance Murdock on June 13, 2009 at 10:10 PM
If the the Ayat’Allahs or Supreme Council don’t go anywhere, then is this just a huge exercise in futility for the citizens? Are they the only ones who don’t realize that regardless of who is elected they are still just a puppet?
Cindy Munford on June 13, 2009 at 10:10 PM
NY Times Thomas Freidman “Bush knocked open the door for change in the Middle east
I am in shock
William Amos on June 13, 2009 at 10:12 PM
AP: Where’s Hot Air’s coverage. Why do need to go the Huffington Post for all the updates?
Lance Murdock on June 13, 2009 at 10:12 PM
I’m not confident that anyone the ayatollahs let run will be someone we can work with. Still wish we had a Repub in office to help nudge the situation, instead of whatever it is Obama decides to do at the moment.
cs89 on June 13, 2009 at 10:12 PM
That ain’t no revolution–that’s just robust debate. Ask the smartest president evah–he’ll tell you.
smellthecoffee on June 13, 2009 at 10:13 PM
Barry’s already said he could give a rat’s ass.
Chuck Schick on June 13, 2009 at 10:14 PM
No no no no no. It was the Cairo speech that did all that. You will correct this in time for the Sunday edition, Mr. Freidman.
smellthecoffee on June 13, 2009 at 10:15 PM
Which, oddly enough, may make this outcome the best possible one.
Count to 10 on June 13, 2009 at 10:16 PM
At the bottom he give Obama credit for being able to take advantage of this “oppotunity”.
William Amos on June 13, 2009 at 10:17 PM
No doubt we will be hearing about the free and fair elections in Iran coming from the Obama admin.
katy on June 13, 2009 at 10:18 PM
Maybe that’s because the American Revolution wasn’t a revolution so much as a provincial rebellion.
Count to 10 on June 13, 2009 at 10:18 PM
Was former USA President Jimmy Carter ther to certify the results? Would explain a lot wasnt he there for Venezuela’s and Bolivias just saying
Kevin43 on June 13, 2009 at 10:20 PM
Maybe, maybe not – the assumption worldwide is that popular elections confer legitimacy, which is a main reason why Iran and other essentially undemocratic regimes go through the motions. A new regime constituted in the wake of a legitimacy crisis would likely be more authentically democratic and more secular, or at least under great pressure to become so if it hoped to gain recognition, aid, etc. In the meantime, an Iran in turmoil would likely be an Iran less able to project power regionally, more vulnerable to sabotage and other measures aimed at de-railing its nuclear program.
That said, there’s a long distance between angry people shouting from the rooftops or getting into scuffles with the cops and a true revolutionary situation, and Moussavi-ism would be a rather flimsy vehicle for a revolutionary movement. None of us here knows – and few over there may know – what the real potential of the situation is.
CK MacLeod on June 13, 2009 at 10:20 PM
depends.
depends what the Majlis Khobegran does
they select the supreme ayat’allah, who chooses the supreme council, if i recall correctly
if they decide to make moves, then things might get interesting
blatantblue on June 13, 2009 at 10:21 PM
I wonder what Obama will be saying in the next few days if the riots continue and the body count rises…………..
…………. after he jumped the shark, and welcomed the
newold dictators back into power?Seven Percent Solution on June 13, 2009 at 10:21 PM
Defeated Ahmadinejad rival arrested in Iran
TheBigOldDog on June 13, 2009 at 10:21 PM
Jimmah was in Palistine getting decorated for being in love with the palistinian people whom he promised to fight for with his dying breath.
William Amos on June 13, 2009 at 10:22 PM
Obama to Ahmadinejad: Don’t let a good crisis go to waste!
TheBigOldDog on June 13, 2009 at 10:23 PM
Exactly.
BTW, I look at the junta in Washington as the second coming of the French Revolution. They are following the French in almost every way, from the attacks on Christianity to the debasement of all tradition to the collectivist idiocy …
We could find out what’s worse. I agree with you that the mullahs set a pretty high bar for lunacy, but I still wouldn’t put any bets on that improving via violent revolution in Iran, unless some outside force were helping and guiding it. Of course, The Precedent just spent his time in Cairo castigating the US for having helped to get rid of the anti-Western slug, Mossadeq, so I’m sure that no one in our CIA would be happy to help The Precedent foment revolution in Iran. On their own, violent internal revolutions are nothing but dangerous.
My main point is that, in the end, what needs to be done to Iran (to protect the free world) needs to be done. Nothing internal in Iran is going to change things. All that will happen is that time will pass to allow Iran to move closer to its ultimate objective, which is not in the interest of any civilized person (which, of course, excludes the savages and morons in the junta in Washington).
progressoverpeace on June 13, 2009 at 10:24 PM
Do these voters know who Mousavi is? Are they voting for him as a Reformer? or do they want MORE action against Israel?
journeyintothewhirlwind on June 13, 2009 at 10:25 PM
News Middle East
West concerned by Iran fraud claims
The US, Britain and Canada have voiced concern about reports of irrigularities following President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s claim of a landslide re-election victory in Iran.
Thousands of protesters roamed through Tehran on Saturday, waging hit-and-run clashes with police and setting trash bins and tires ablaze and accusing Ahmadinejad of stealing an election from Mir Hossein Mousavi, his reformist rival.
Hillary Rodham Clinton, the US secretary of state, said she hoped the outcome reflected the “genuine will and desire” of Iranian voters, responding to claims by supporters of Mousavi that allege that the outcome was rigged to give Ahmadinejad a decisive victory….
TheBigOldDog on June 13, 2009 at 10:26 PM
Yes. I stand corrected. We already had standing governmental structures. I should not have included us, just because of the word of “revolution”. We didn’t take over, but broke free. Thanks for the correction, Count.
progressoverpeace on June 13, 2009 at 10:27 PM
Wouldn’t it be a kick in the teeth if Ahmadinejad turned out to be the more moderate of the two?
TheBigOldDog on June 13, 2009 at 10:28 PM
Reinstalling the Pahlavis would be the best possibility. But we know that’s not going to happen.
progressoverpeace on June 13, 2009 at 10:30 PM
Wait and see what the Majlis wants to do
blatantblue on June 13, 2009 at 10:31 PM
What a mess! I thought that speech in Cario fixed everything. It’s worked everywhere else. /
Cindy Munford on June 13, 2009 at 10:32 PM
I believe the correct term is a Fuster Cluck
blatantblue on June 13, 2009 at 10:33 PM
Are they doing the arresting?
Cindy Munford on June 13, 2009 at 10:33 PM
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