Video: Murder in the Isfahan dorms
posted at 6:22 pm on June 16, 2009 by Allahpundit
Share on Facebook | printer-friendly
As with any Iranian video making the rounds on Twitter, I can’t prove that it is what it claims to be but it’s certainly plausible. Reports of students being killed by regime goons have been steady since the weekend, with 60 kids supposedly detained at Isfahan U. and others allegedly thrown out of upstairs windows. Clips of their injuries were being uploaded as early as Sunday but the one below takes it to a whole new level. Strong content warning, needless to say.
If you’re hungry for analysis, this short Laura Secor piece at the New Yorker about how well and truly Khamenei has crapped the bed is worth your while. I know I’m a broken record about this but I still can’t understand why he would have thrown his own credibility so quickly and fully behind Ahmadinejad given the odds of mass protests at the result. The prudent thing would have been to endorse the vote-rigging secretly, wait to see how the public reacted, and then play the innocent naif who’s shocked, shocked at the fraud if an uproar erupted. That way he gets to pin the whole thing on Ahmadinejad. As it is, the two are now joined at the hip. There’s really no imaginable scenario by which Ahmadinejad goes but Khamanei stays on untarnished. Either the regime is toppled or it’s a gloves-off autocracy forever. Some choice.
Incidentally, if you haven’t been following Jim Geraghty today, go see how much fun he’s having digging up old (and not so old) quotes from idiot liberals about how “shrewd” the regime is and what a “sweet hipster style” Ahmadinejad has. (Actually, argues E.M. Zanotti, he practically is a hipster.) In fact, if not for his Holocaust denial, he would have been much more popular as an icon of revolutionary chic. I know it plays well in the region, but so nutty is it and so quintessentially the hallmark of an anti-semite that even leftists otherwise inclined to spin for Iran could never really embrace him, even though he’s become the face of anti-Americanism abroad. For most Bush-haters — but not for all — it was simply too much, sweet hipster style notwithstanding. Anyway, here’s some of the hipster’s handiwork. Brace yourself. Click the image to watch.
Update: There’s some weirdness with the vid. Sometimes it says content unavailable, other times it plays. Try refreshing the page after you click the image or else click the “Student Dies After Police Shooting in Isfahan’s student’s dorm” link (second one from the top) here.
You must be logged in to post a comment.


















Blowback
Note from Hot Air management: This section is for comments from Hot Air's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that Hot Air management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment just because we let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with our terms of use may lose their posting privilege.
Trackbacks/Pings
Trackback URL
Comments
Comment pages: 1 2 Next »
i can’t watch that.
i probably should make myself, but i can’t.
toenail on June 16, 2009 at 6:26 PM
yes, by all means, let’s legitimize this regime and negotiate without preconditions.
homesickamerican on June 16, 2009 at 6:27 PM
The more these videos get out, the harder it will be for Obama to stay neutral.
promachus on June 16, 2009 at 6:28 PM
Is this Obama’s “robust debate”?
Honestly, I’m not sure for which side to hope to win.
eforhan on June 16, 2009 at 6:29 PM
No words…. just sorrow.
txag92 on June 16, 2009 at 6:29 PM
I don’t know. Perhaps the more of this that gets out will make some people realize that Obama is a cold man for remaining neutral and then begging them for a summit. But then the narrative will become that cold is cool.
myrenovations on June 16, 2009 at 6:30 PM
This content is currently unavailable
Dudley Smith on June 16, 2009 at 6:30 PM
Shocking. We need our Commander in Chief to stand up and formally condemn what’s going on under the direction of Ahmadinejad. No more appeasing.
NTWR on June 16, 2009 at 6:30 PM
stopped at 20 seconds, too much.
rob verdi on June 16, 2009 at 6:30 PM
think about those useful idiot students at Columbia.
rob verdi on June 16, 2009 at 6:31 PM
Managed 10 seconds. Absolutely hideous. Can’t understand how if these goons are strangling someone to death, why are they letting someone videotape it?
J.J. Sefton on June 16, 2009 at 6:32 PM
I watched the video. I have to say, I am deeply troubled.
Mark1971 on June 16, 2009 at 6:32 PM
I thought A-jad was this generation’s Che. Guess I should send back the cool T-shirt.
Cicero43 on June 16, 2009 at 6:32 PM
What a horrible 42 seconds.
blatantblue on June 16, 2009 at 6:33 PM
goddammit. dammit dammit dammit dammit dammit.
i swear if Obama recognizes this regime im through. those are kids out there, they’re my age…my generation, getting cut down for supporting freedom. goddammit if my government can’t get behind them they’ve lost my support for good. thats it. no more. goddammit they’re murdering these kids, my generation. id sign up today if i knew id go to iran to end this regime my damn self. all they want is their votes counted…all they’ve done is reach out to the world.
we can’t ignore them.
Obama, don’t recognize this f*cking regime.
ernesto on June 16, 2009 at 6:33 PM
And Obama votes present.
TheQuestion on June 16, 2009 at 6:33 PM
+1,000. Ironic comment of the week. Then again, they were the same Columbia students who tried to beat up on the Minutemen. The hypocrisy is radiant.
J.J. Sefton on June 16, 2009 at 6:34 PM
The student had been shot in the neck- they were trying to stop the bleeding, not strangle him. Wound was visible toward the end of the clip.
NTWR on June 16, 2009 at 6:34 PM
OK, came through that time. I like the comment: “United Nations, where are you?” I think a lot of immature lefties are growing up this week.
Dudley Smith on June 16, 2009 at 6:34 PM
they’re not strangling him. he got shot in the neck, they’re trying to keep the poor kid from bleeding out or drowning. goddammit.
ernesto on June 16, 2009 at 6:34 PM
Allah this post reminds me of the hypocrisy of the leftists:
I wonder how the left is reconciling their love of the students when lefty darlings Hezbollah and (Carter is great) Hamas have been confirmed to be riding around with the Basijis bashing heads in Tehran on behalf of Ajad? Square that circle.
elduende on June 16, 2009 at 6:34 PM
I stand corrected and feel foolish. Still, it is very tough to watch. Where is the United States. The world wonders…
J.J. Sefton on June 16, 2009 at 6:35 PM
i thought that the victim was shot or stabbed in the neck and those people were trying to stop the bleeding.
i can’t bring myself to watch it again to verify…
homesickamerican on June 16, 2009 at 6:35 PM
Let’s hope the good guy wins, whoever that is.
JiangxiDad on June 16, 2009 at 6:36 PM
Acorn educational video.
the_nile on June 16, 2009 at 6:37 PM
and john ensign had an affair — just saw it on fox. sorry for the O/T.
f*ck these republicans.
blatantblue on June 16, 2009 at 6:37 PM
It is inappropriate to meddle…. Unless we meddle with the JOOOOOOOOOOS
Kuffar on June 16, 2009 at 6:38 PM
i though i could never feel any sympathy for iran or it’s people, i was wrong, very very sad thing.
SHARPTOOTH on June 16, 2009 at 6:38 PM
Shades of ‘56 Hungary.
No Hope & Change for you.
Sapwolf on June 16, 2009 at 6:39 PM
A true under estimation of the situation by khomeni. He’s screwed the pooch and he now knows it, but it’s a bit late in the game to back out so he has to do the kabuki dance trying to pretend to satiate the public’s desire for justice.
It’s like eating air though, it isn’t going to satisfy.
THIS is what America need to collectively remember in the face of it’s own totalitarian wannabee fascist piece of crap in the white house and all those do nothing socialist idiots int he house and senate. We need this as much as the Iranians do. Perhaps the Iranians having a taste of freedom through communications have an idea of what they have to gain and what they stand to lose.
America has forgotten the sacrifices made to make it free, and are handing the whole pie off to the fascist in chief as if it were no big deal, with only a token complaining around the edges.
It’s time to wake up and be American again.
Spiritk9 on June 16, 2009 at 6:39 PM
The unspeakable are committing unspeakable crimes.
But Obama is willing to speak with them without condition.
Beneath contempt.
Loxodonta on June 16, 2009 at 6:41 PM
Just heard on Glenn Beck that Carter is lobbying King (Barry) Hussein to drop Hamas from the terrorist list. I hate Carter.
J.J. Sefton on June 16, 2009 at 6:41 PM
No, you’re not a broken record, I don’t understand it either. Also, as far as Obama is concerned, he continues to talk about this as if it were an Iranian “election” issue. What has happened there since the “election” has moved this way way way past that point. Obama is messing this up beyond FUBAR. The longer he stands behind this “I don’t want to meddle” crap – especially when he has inserted himself into everything else – the more he looks like someone who is horrifyingly indifferent.
Weight of Glory on June 16, 2009 at 6:42 PM
If these protestors are put down and Obama grovels for a summit with Ahmadinejad, don’t expect them to ever have any sympathy for us when the boot gets applied to our necks.
myrenovations on June 16, 2009 at 6:42 PM
Geraghty just gave Hot Air a hat tip on Hewitt w/r the Reagen post.
WisCon on June 16, 2009 at 6:42 PM
Reagan.
WisCon on June 16, 2009 at 6:43 PM
Khamanei was counting on the election to sooth the troubled masses. They obviously weren’t placated. He merely tried to ’spin’ the election. The public isn’t buying it.
Isn’t the first “ultimate” ruler to fuck up.
GarandFan on June 16, 2009 at 6:43 PM
Hey, all you kids bleeding and dying in Iran…Barry wants you to know he’s “concerned” and “troubled” by what’s going on over there. Oh, and he doesn’t want to meddle and get all up in your business…so good luck and all.
Wyznowski on June 16, 2009 at 6:44 PM
I guess elections do have consequences…………
………… think of this the next time you want to sit one out.
Seven Percent Solution on June 16, 2009 at 6:44 PM
I’ll take your word for it. I can’t watch it. The description is enough. I have college-aged kids.
Obama is fence sitting. I hope he falls into the septic tank.
Beaglemom on June 16, 2009 at 6:44 PM
It’s pure leftist socialist propaganda fed to this Obama freak in his mother’s milk, along with untold millions of others.
IT’S ALL RELATIVE. WE’RE NOT BETTER THAN THEM. EVERYONE CAN DO WHAT THEY WANT. WHO ARE WE TO TELL THEM WHAT TO DO?
JiangxiDad on June 16, 2009 at 6:45 PM
These deaths in Iran are exacerbated by leftist ideology in the west. The liberal West has blood on its hands. Obama is doing what he believes–not interfering.
JiangxiDad on June 16, 2009 at 6:46 PM
You just broke my heart.
DrMagnolias on June 16, 2009 at 6:47 PM
i didnt think it would take something like this, so soon, for me to lose any and all respect for Obama. i’d held out a hope that got tested daily by sharp minds here, but after this…if obama can’t stand with the most obviously just cause to come around in a long time…then he’s utterly worthless, a waste and a stain on our collective judgement as a nation.
ernesto on June 16, 2009 at 6:48 PM
Been saying “I told you not to do it” since 1970! Had a brother in-law who was a released convict out of Nevada. He was a thief and a liar and completely worthless in all regards except when it came to growing hair. Seems like he was an Iranian. Seems like he and his equally useless wife had Al-Fatah posters all over their house. Seems like they hated the Shah. Seems like they made a few mistakes. Went by the name (last) of Janati-Atayi. Saved his toe nail clippings. Hell of a guy. Had a position at Portland State U (OR). Curious. He’s probably a bit older now than Ahmadinejad but still made out of the same crap. Allah Ahkbar!
LarryG on June 16, 2009 at 6:48 PM
“Hey Israel, stop building settlements!” -President Obooba.
“Uh, we must respect Iran’s, uh, sovereignty,” -President Obooba.
Akzed on June 16, 2009 at 6:48 PM
I normally click on the morbid stuff but I can’t/won’t watch a college kid getting whacked. I have kids this age.
FireBlogger on June 16, 2009 at 6:49 PM
Hello Ernesto.
FireBlogger on June 16, 2009 at 6:51 PM
The economy, the culture, the socialism, foriegn embarrassments … and now this horror in Iran …
It’s truly tragic that we were all so completely right about Obama. With stuff like this, we need so very badly to be proven wrong.
I want to be wrong. I really do. I want him to prove to be a worthy leader in times of crisis. I don’t want him to fail. I want – in issues like Iran, at least – him to rise above his mediocrity and become the grand Messiah that his followers daydreamed up.
But its not happening. We were right about him. And I hate it. People are dying because American voters were stupid and easily led and couldn’t see what we all saw.
Professor Blather on June 16, 2009 at 6:51 PM
They may be deeply indoctrinated in an intolerant Islamic culture, but the Iranian people are still human beings and don’t deserve to be treated worse than Americans treat animals in our slaughterhouses.
If these were animals being treated in this manner in America, Democrats would be screaming about it and trying to stop it. But Barry has put out the talking points, so the terror in Iran is to be ignored or excused.
Loxodonta on June 16, 2009 at 6:51 PM
And the sheeple plod on and on praising the glory of the ONE, lead us to the promised land where manna comes from (DC) and milk and honey are in abundance, where health care is free and the starving masses are fed. FU OBAMA!
hip shot on June 16, 2009 at 6:51 PM
I don’t even know how to describe the video
just
weird
it isn’t even looking at this young man’s body
its the screams of his friends that are the worst
blatantblue on June 16, 2009 at 6:51 PM
Thank heavens they don’t waterboard or make people wear orange jump suits. Now that is torture.
Hening on June 16, 2009 at 6:51 PM
What not to do during an emergency.
However, without quick access to medical help, not much they could do. Anybody know why they were shooting in a dorm room?
Blake on June 16, 2009 at 6:51 PM
That’s just the problem ineedadinnerjacket IS the new Che.
Meet the new Che.
Same as the old Che.
Blacksmith8 on June 16, 2009 at 6:52 PM
Wow! I’m not surprised his stooge and role model Carter has suggested it. I wouldn’t be surprised if this has been the plan all along I mean Obama pledged $900 million dollars to Hamas already did he not?
Well I’m kinda hoping it happens because the political damage that Obama would incur would be worth it.
elduende on June 16, 2009 at 6:52 PM
It’s because he is indifferent. He is cold. He showed it towards his grandmother; he showed it towards aborted babies. He shows it in his candid remarks, like, “don’t think we’re not keeping score.”
Anything that looks good is just an easy charm, and self-love. I would say that’s 90% true, anyway.
Alana on June 16, 2009 at 6:55 PM
I’m sick of us and other countries pouring money into Gaza that just gets used to fund terrorism. You lose a war — you suffer. After Israel pulled out years ago, billions of money poured into Gaza and they turned it into shit.
Blake on June 16, 2009 at 6:56 PM
If these protestors are put down and Obama grovels for a summit with Ahmadinejad, don’t expect them to ever have any sympathy for us when the boot gets applied to our necks.
myrenovations on June 16, 2009 at 6:42 PM
i agree,but it does not mean we should be the lesser people.
SHARPTOOTH on June 16, 2009 at 6:56 PM
Well,whats really amazing is that twitters and videos
are getting out of Iran,and at this rate,these young
protesters are being slaughtered!!
Now is the time to de-capitate the Mullahs,and Revolution
ary Guards Compounds,if only thye students could get their
hands on ordanace to equal the playing field so to speak!!
canopfor on June 16, 2009 at 6:56 PM
Remember, you heard it here first,you’ll see US troops shooting US citizens before Obamas first term is over.
This will look surprisingly the same.
Jeff from WI on June 16, 2009 at 6:57 PM
And I just heard that tool Juan Williams say that the reason Obama doesn’t want to come out too strongly in favor of the pro-democracy demonstrators is because he wants to maintain a position whereby he can resume “negotiations” on nukes with the current regime if they prevail. Pathetic. So over in the middle east, we continue to become weaker.
Meanwhile, to the west of us, North Korea continues to make Obama look like an idiot.
I never knew Barry liked taking it at both ends.
D2Boston on June 16, 2009 at 6:58 PM
This world can be a sick, dark, cold, and evil place. The problem is that the left side our politics has this misbegotten notion that the dark evil can be reasoned with, and brought around.
Violence and warfare may not in every instance be the appropriate response. However, there are some in our society that strongly believe it is NEVER the appropriate response. There are some people and ideas that will never be reasoned with, and MUST be put down.
JamesLee on June 16, 2009 at 6:59 PM
D2Boston on June 16, 2009 at 6:58 PM
it’s just more liberal spin, there all clueless.
SHARPTOOTH on June 16, 2009 at 7:01 PM
The Basij have been raiding Universities across the country for 4 days. The pro Democracy movement is based around the Universities.
elduende on June 16, 2009 at 7:01 PM
I do not believe that for a moment. My husband is in the military, and there is no one I have met–including the black troops who were excited that Obama was elected–who would consider such a thing. If there is something resembling a civil war or guerilla behavior, it will come from brain-dead Obama supporters in the cities.
DrMagnolias on June 16, 2009 at 7:01 PM
I’m sorry, I was not clear.
I meant that they will not have sympathy for us because of the attitude of our leader and the lack of support. I believe that there are many wonderful people in Iran. I’ve had sympathy from them since Carter brought on the mullahs.
myrenovations on June 16, 2009 at 7:01 PM
So few wanted to know anything about him, and still don’t. They were complicit with him in keeping his past secret, and his personality hidden. He looked like what they needed, to satisfy themselves. If they could see underneath the mask, they’d be repelled, as we are. But they don’t want to know, so they won’t look.
JiangxiDad on June 16, 2009 at 7:02 PM
I would never of believed I would see U.S. tanks used on American citizens either. But we all saw that at Waco.
Jeff from WI on June 16, 2009 at 7:03 PM
Again, I appreciate you’re consistency on this issue. People with differing political beliefs will disagree on many things, but how can anyone not decry the brutality as is happening in Iran this past week? Yet, Obama can.
If you didn’t read the post by JellyToast in the Reagan thread, comparing Ronnie’s speech about Poland and Barry’s speech about Iran, I recommend it. The comparison is jaw-dropping.
I don’t believe there is anything we can do to actually stop the violence in Iran. And I have no doubt that if the so-called “moderates” win this struggle, we might be hard-pressed to find their moderation toward Israel, America, Jews, Christians other non-Muslims, or Muslim women. Yet even if Obama won’t, we can speak out and decry tyranny, instead of ignoring it, or worse, appeasing it.
Loxodonta on June 16, 2009 at 7:05 PM
Make that if you lose a war that you provoked by thousands of hostile acts — you suffer.
Blake on June 16, 2009 at 7:05 PM
Juan is a nice liberal man who doesn’t want to do harm, but he’s a lightweight. He just said that Obama wants to compromise/negotiate/get along with evil, but doesn’t want it defeated. I don’t think Juan understood what he said, or the fact that Obama is also an evil that the rest of us here and abroad are having to negotiate with.
JiangxiDad on June 16, 2009 at 7:05 PM
I feel bad for these students who are screwed either way
Moussavi or Ahmoody.
blatantblue on June 16, 2009 at 7:06 PM
I meant that they will not have sympathy for us because of the attitude of our leader and the lack of support. I believe that there are many wonderful people in Iran. I’ve had sympathy from them since Carter brought on the mullahs.
myrenovations on June 16, 2009 at 7:01 PM
and once again i agree, and carter man oh man, what a tool he’s at it again. this time with hezz bull crap, this can’t end well.
SHARPTOOTH on June 16, 2009 at 7:07 PM
The prudent thing would have been to endorse the vote-rigging secretly, wait to see how the public reacted, and then play the innocent naif who’s shocked, shocked at the fraud if an uproar erupted. That way he gets to pin the whole thing on Ahmadinejad. As it is, the two are now joined at the hip. There’s really no imaginable scenario by which Ahmadinejad goes but Khamanei stays on untarnished. Either the regime is toppled or it’s a gloves-off autocracy forever. Some choice.
Pundits on NPR yesterday strongly felt this was a way of letting the Iranian people know, once and for all, they are in an autocracy.
And why not? Obama isn’t interested in how Iran runs itself, he has clearly stated (and Gibbs reiterated today) the US interest in Iraq is twofold:its nuclear program and its support of terrorism.
Remember, Obama was against removing Saddam Hussein who did this murderous crap all the time. Nancy Pelosi is happy meeting with Assad. Hillary Clinton announced that we aren’t all that concerned any more with China’s human rights record. The left yearned for a “strong man” leader in Iraq for the past 6 years and now they run our government.
If you were an autocrat-in-waiting, why wouldn’t you make your move right now?
MayBee on June 16, 2009 at 7:08 PM
How would you feel that if by decrying the brutality, you help the guy they are all supporting come into power?
Would you want a terrorist who among other murders is responsible for the murders of 241 US Marines to be allowed into this country every time he wants to address the UN?
Blake on June 16, 2009 at 7:10 PM
Obama hasn’t done a single thing, in this situation, or any other, that many didn’t expect him to do. His reaction here is predictable. That we have such a man representing America, and failing to decry tyranny as you put it, is the fault of those voters who didn’t care to know much more about him beyond the color of his skin, and the hopey-changey bs that he peddled like so much candy.
JiangxiDad on June 16, 2009 at 7:11 PM
The students are also rabid muslims who want a theocracy. Don’t be fooled.
Blake on June 16, 2009 at 7:12 PM
good stuff.
JiangxiDad on June 16, 2009 at 7:12 PM
We should cease negotiations, then air-drop those protesters some arms, set up training and other support from over the Iraqi border, insert a few teams…
Or we could do as Newt suggested when he was talking about Iran when they kidnapped those British sailors – tell Iran that if they don’t straighten out We’ll blow up their oil refinery and blockade their ports – that their whole country would be walking within 30 days.
…or I guess we could just poll it!
Dork B. on June 16, 2009 at 7:13 PM
Absolutely pathetic that ‘Bambi is even attempting to take the high road and not become involved in what could become a slaughter of innocent civilians. He’s a COWARD. Appeasement doesn’t work with thugs, but then, coming from Chicago via wherever else he hails – that speaks volumnes. He’s got his own agenda and damned with the rest of the world. He’ll try and make peace with the survivor…err, he’ll try diplomacy, just in case that works.
24K lady on June 16, 2009 at 7:13 PM
I understand your point, but I think those circumstances were unusual. As I recall, it was the ATF that laid seige to the Koresh compound (if I am wrong and it did involve troops, I apologize–my memory is certainly not a perfect thing). And, the premise was that children were being abused in a religious cult, wasn’t it? I recognize that our government seems comfortable lying as an excuse to do what they want, but I don’t believe our military would turn easily on civilians.
DrMagnolias on June 16, 2009 at 7:13 PM
But someone in the White House must have seen that and understood exactly how it sounded and what it meant.
One day, hopefully, books will be written by the insiders about this time period. I cannot wait to read how they justify this and explain their coddling of evil.
myrenovations on June 16, 2009 at 7:14 PM
This is what happenes when,a Liberal President is elected,
lets just cut to the chase,and get right down to the point!
As GaffeBiden said,a few days ago,about Iran,and Dinnerja
ckets inflammatory rhetic,
“Is it for domestic consumption,or Foreign consumption”!
Thas exactly what President Obama is doing,screw the world,
for their is no LEADER OF THE FREE WORLD,and as such,this
planet will drift into global chaos,as were witnessing,in
North Korea,as well as the murdering of Iranian citizens,
who are expressing their anger at an election ruse by the
Mullahs!
Obama is laserbeamed on the domestic,stimulus spending,car
manufacturing take-overs,and now healthcare,and nothing is
going to get in the way of Obama’s Liberal agenda!!
Elections do have consquences,and as Liberals are basically
Anti-War activists at their core,they have always had no use
in Foreign Policy,period!
Obama has made it abundantly clear,that he give’s a rats #ss
about the world!
Obma’s world,is his version of Silky’s other America!
God help,Israel,South Korea,and the people of Iran,who truly
want democracy,and freedom!
Just WORDS from Obama,and the WORLD is LEADERLESS!!!!
canopfor on June 16, 2009 at 7:15 PM
Yeah, funny if the patrician appeaser Obama gets compared with the patrician appeaser Neville Chamberlin. What a legacy.
JiangxiDad on June 16, 2009 at 7:17 PM
AP, it’s called comfortable sloppy. I’ve seen it before with government contracts. To me it’s an indication that Khamanei and those who he depended on to rig the election have gotten so comfortable with their practices that they don’t fear being discovered or the consequences of being discovered. Seems they also underestimated the voter turn out. It would be good to know how many of them were first time voters. Didn’t they announce on election day or the next to those in the streets protesting now not to get their hopes up and not to congregate after the results were announced. Sounds like they got wind of what was happening as they began to see the real results and knew that extreme measures were going to be needed.
I suspect this is going to go on a while since Khamanei now says only selected districts will be recounted.
Texas Gal on June 16, 2009 at 7:17 PM
Ripped off from the comments of another blog.
“Well, it all sounds terribly exciting. But what is Iran supposed to be on the edge of?”
Naturally, we hope that those millions of Iranians we see demonstrating get the freedom they want and deserve. However, let’s not kid ourselves that all of them oppose Islamic government. Some do, but certainly not all.
And we can’t ignore the fact that there are also many millions of Iranians who are willing to defend Islamic government with awesome force as well as with their lives.
In the last six years I’ve been to Iran around a dozen times. I’ve seen a side of that country which I think many people ignore. On my extensive travels there, except for northern Tehran, I’ve seen a country, which is overwhelmingly and devoutly Muslim.
Islamic government can only end when the majority of Iranians are willing to reject Islam. (Unless of course, Islam is suppressed with the type of force used by the Shah, Saddam and Attaturk.)
So nothing fundamental will change. A ‘moderate’ Islamist might replace a hard-line Islamist. People might enjoy a little more freedom. These are the only possible choices for the Muslim world. Some level of Islamic government and sharia law, or a powerful and brutal secular dictatorship which suppresses Islam.
Depressing I know, but history and current events support this conclusion.
Blake on June 16, 2009 at 7:18 PM
Hopey-changey, from Buenos-Aires to Timbuktu. They all wanted him. The despots knew he was a bro, and the morons thought he was a god. Reap what you sow.
JiangxiDad on June 16, 2009 at 7:18 PM
A Moussavi regime would have to get the benefit of the doubt, as even if they moderate on nothing, they won’t have murdered their own sons and daughters in cold blood on their college campuses…in their homes. Reading the Reagan statement on Poland makes me sick, knowing our president today couldn’t muster half of what Reagan expressed. Over this long weekend, our government established itself firmly as one of cowardly schemers. adequately skilled, but of inadequate courage and conviction.
ernesto on June 16, 2009 at 7:19 PM
Our only concern should be making sure Iran doesn’t get nukes — no matter how many students are killed.
Blake on June 16, 2009 at 7:21 PM
Thank God for the Internet. Otherwise, these likely would never see the light of day, not that I know if I can watch it, but it’s good for them to get out.
Esthier on June 16, 2009 at 7:21 PM
Why can’t we worry about both?
Esthier on June 16, 2009 at 7:23 PM
Time to stir the pot.
This is what happens when democrats go on diplomatic missions when we have a war going on with people of the same ideology as the dictators they are trying to appease for political purposes
The democrats are the cause of this mayham in Iran because the regime knows that we won’t do a thing!
Vince on June 16, 2009 at 7:25 PM
We can worry about both.
We just need to lend support to the protestors while we actually put muscle into stopping the nukes.
myrenovations on June 16, 2009 at 7:28 PM
The AFT doesn’t possess M-60 main battle tanks. That was National Guard. I saw them destroy buildings with the tanks. I saw them crush the tunnels to get out. It was a hit piece pure and simple.
The Posse Comitatus Act of 1878 is a joke to our government.
Jeff from WI on June 16, 2009 at 7:29 PM
Allahpundit: I know I’m a broken record about this but I still can’t understand why he would have thrown his own credibility so quickly and fully behind Ahmadinejad given the odds of mass protests at the result.
I am confused. Exactly what credibility does Obama have? Do you mean credibility, as in: believability, integrity, reliability, or trustworthiness?
Or, do you mean credibility, as in the spray wax they put on cars that covers everything in a nice shine but is only millimeters thick?
Loxodonta on June 16, 2009 at 7:30 PM
FU**** AYE 7% …
This very video, as sad as it is, may be the one poignant video to come out of this whole damn mess to drive your very well said point home. God damn it!!!
Benjamin9 on June 16, 2009 at 7:30 PM
My God…We all ought to email that link to the White House to the Appeaser in Chief.
PattyJ on June 16, 2009 at 7:31 PM
I am not going to watch that. I will take your word for it.
Terrye on June 16, 2009 at 7:33 PM
Blake:
I get your point regarding the students being extremists too who would just install a different islamofascist thug if they were to win this struggle. However, it is still wrong for a government to brutalize and murder unarmed dissenters in this fashion. It falls upon decent people everywhere to speak out against such behavior on the part of any government.
aero on June 16, 2009 at 7:34 PM
Comment pages: 1 2 Next »