Neda identified? Update: New details
posted at 7:18 pm on June 21, 2009 by Allahpundit
Share on Facebook | printer-friendly
Word on the street via one Iranian tweeter is that her name was Neda Agha Soltan. That’s also the name circulating on a few websites and now being attributed to her in a hastily arranged Wikipedia bio. The rumor — and it’s all rumor until some newspaper tracks down her family — is that she was 27 years old and a philosophy student. I hope to god this isn’t really her photo because the thought of her being so beautiful and dignified makes the murder somehow that much more obscene.
Two clips below. The second you’ve already seen; the first is a new one circulating today, shot sometime before the moment of truth. The blue shirt on the gray-haired man in the foreground should look familiar. That’s almost certainly her standing to his left, watching the protest, bothering no one. Read this Time piece on Neda by Iran expert Robin Wright afterwards, as it touches on the huge significance of martyrdom not only in Shiite theology but in Iran’s political tradition. If there’s any justice, there’ll be videos like this of Khamenei and Ahmadinejad someday soon.
Update: A Farsi speaker tells HuffPo that this blogger is claiming that Neda was at the protest with her professor and several other students and that the fatal shot was fired by a Basij driving by on a motorcycle. No rhyme or reason; I wonder if he even aimed. The burial, reportedly, was today — and her memorial service was ordered canceled by the regime.
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: « Previous 1 ... 11 12 13 14 Next »
Enough said.
dpierson on June 22, 2009 at 2:58 PM
It isn’t easy for me on issues like this, but your commitment to explain your position rationally helps.
csdeven on June 22, 2009 at 2:59 PM
We know she had a father and a fiance. That’s really it unless you’ve seen some story that we haven’t. And we only know that those bonds existed, not that they had the meaning that we’d attached to them.
For her family and friends, we’re supposed to assume an awful lot, but for her beauty we only need trust our eyes.
But still, the woman was innocent. What if she’d had no friends or family? Would that make her death any less worthy of mourn?
Bridge, this was something started by csdeven, who made several, repeated comments insulting anyone who noticed her beauty. He started this by attacking others, not the other way around.
Esthier on June 22, 2009 at 3:00 PM
slick.
JiangxiDad on June 22, 2009 at 3:04 PM
Over time, yes. If one recognizes it, and think it’s an issue. I rather doubt our perception of beauty rises to the example you give, (but that’s another issue entirely) But in this specific instance, willingly burying our natural prejudice towards beauty is not gonna happen In the long run this is goodness,as will be remembered as a martyr for, well…ever. I don’t think a Janet Reno look-alike would engerder the same passion.
Fed45 on June 22, 2009 at 3:05 PM
Esthier on June 22, 2009 at 3:00 PM
My little niece screams ‘He Started It’ every time she argues with my nephew.
Who cares who started it? I think following through with civil discussion isn’t much to ask, assuming we are all adults here.
We all love to comment and discuss. No need to knock each other’s heads off just because some emotion comes into play.
My two cents. And who cares what I think? Probably nobody. lol, and I’m totally cool with that.
Carry on…
bridgetown on June 22, 2009 at 3:05 PM
I see you’re being self-evident again.
Loxodonta on June 22, 2009 at 3:05 PM
That sounds like something a man virgin would say.
Hening on June 22, 2009 at 3:05 PM
OK, THAT’S IT.. YOU ARE ALL GROUNDED AND YOU’RE GOING TO BED WITHOUT YOUR SUPPER!!!
..just wait till your father’s get home..
GoodBoy on June 22, 2009 at 3:06 PM
GoodBoy on June 22, 2009 at 3:06 PM
LOL!
bridgetown on June 22, 2009 at 3:06 PM
I’m not ten, and that’s hardly my point. You’re turning him into a victim when in fact he is not. That’s all.
Esthier on June 22, 2009 at 3:07 PM
Esthier on June 22, 2009 at 3:07 PM
Okay, now you are freaking me out. How’d you know she was 10 ?!!! whoa.
;)
bridgetown on June 22, 2009 at 3:08 PM
Eh? There’s nothing wrong with being faithful.
Esthier on June 22, 2009 at 3:08 PM
Let’s put it this way: I disagree with you, but I care more about what you have to say than I care about what Blake, who agrees with me, has to say.
MadisonConservative on June 22, 2009 at 3:08 PM
MadisonConservative on June 22, 2009 at 3:08 PM
I appreciate it when people disagree with me. That’s how I grow and learn.
And I like to argue, too. :)
bridgetown on June 22, 2009 at 3:10 PM
I’m all knowing… :) Or I’m lying and really am 10. Those are the only two possible explanations.
Esthier on June 22, 2009 at 3:11 PM
Well, from the picture I saw, you’ve got the height. ;)
MadisonConservative on June 22, 2009 at 3:12 PM
Hey Madison -
From one engaged man to another. Congratulations!
kingsjester on June 22, 2009 at 3:15 PM
Ouch but fair. At Bonnaroo, I kept telling my husband that I couldn’t see hardly any of the shows, and he, at 6ft. or more would always say he did. I kept saying, “we didn’t see the same shows.”
Esthier on June 22, 2009 at 3:18 PM
And also to you, sir! We are two of the luckiest men in the world, sez I.
MadisonConservative on June 22, 2009 at 3:19 PM
WH spokesman Fibbs just said that Obama is “moved” over what he is seeing on TV, especially the women. So do I have this straight?
Concerned
Very concerned
Troubled
Moved
proudteadrinker on June 22, 2009 at 3:22 PM
Not sure if anyone mentioned it (sine there are a bazillion comments, I couldn’t sift through them all), but in addition to chanting Allah Akbar in the beginning, near the end the chant changed to “Death to the dictator”
rogue780 on June 22, 2009 at 3:23 PM
(For the first video)
rogue780 on June 22, 2009 at 3:23 PM
I concur. This is a beautiful time. I hope you both enjoy it, and do not upset her the night before the wedding. Only tears at how beautiful she is will make up for it. True story.
Esthier on June 22, 2009 at 3:24 PM
Many Iranians live in Dearborn, Michigan. Sadly, the Democrats have a stronghold on people there. They will do just as they’ve done to other minority groups in Michigan – teach that big government will solve their problems, encourage a Union Mentality, offer entitlements galore, and demonize the idea of anything Republican or Conservative. I think they put the Koolaid in the public water system. It’s all so very sad on so many levels.
redwhiteblue on June 22, 2009 at 3:26 PM
Always bringing up my name, anklebiter. You’re like csdeven. You can never leave it alone. You just can’t control yourself.
Blake on June 22, 2009 at 3:27 PM
Always throwing names and crying when they get thrown back at you. You’re like…well, a troll.
MadisonConservative on June 22, 2009 at 3:28 PM
You called me a name and I called you the same name back. Poor you!
Blake on June 22, 2009 at 3:34 PM
So you’re both even now. Back to agreeing?
Esthier on June 22, 2009 at 3:38 PM
Spoken just like the liar you are. As usual, I ignore you until you start the name calling. You are the one who starts shit with me – time and time again. Then I am forced to make you cry. Boo hoo hoo!
Blake on June 22, 2009 at 3:38 PM
Whoever gets the last word, loses.
Loxodonta on June 22, 2009 at 3:39 PM
You have a funny way of defining “even.” As I said and as is readily apparent in this thread, he starts crap and never let’s it drop.
Blake on June 22, 2009 at 3:40 PM
We have a loser!
Loxodonta on June 22, 2009 at 3:42 PM
You were the one saying you’d called each other names. I was just going off of that sentence. If you feel you aren’t even, then ignore what I said.
I was just hoping that in the end, we could just find common ground again with Neda. I’m kinda obsessed right now the more I learn about her and what’s going on in Iran.
Esthier on June 22, 2009 at 3:43 PM
Wut?
MadisonConservative on June 22, 2009 at 3:43 PM
You making fun of us vertically challenged people.
I will use my Alaskan skills and come knock your cheddar curd butt down! Then I shall deep fry you!
upinak on June 22, 2009 at 3:47 PM
Well, we can all agree that Neda is larger than all of us. We can, can’t we?
I don’t want the world to forget. Kinda like many Americans have forgotten 9-11.
bridgetown on June 22, 2009 at 3:47 PM
upinak on June 22, 2009 at 3:47 PM
LOL, joo crazy mayn
bridgetown on June 22, 2009 at 3:48 PM
I better invest in some shinguards to protect me from the blows, then.
MadisonConservative on June 22, 2009 at 3:48 PM
Seriously I am a woman. And you are kind of annoying.
Mad.. shin guard won’t protect you from Nanook.. the Polar Bear!
upinak on June 22, 2009 at 3:51 PM
*tosses a bottle of Coca-Cola to the side*
Good polar bear…
MadisonConservative on June 22, 2009 at 3:53 PM
Heh. :)
Esthier on June 22, 2009 at 3:58 PM
upinak on June 22, 2009 at 3:51 PM
heh. I’m here to annoy you. The pleasure is all mine.
bridgetown on June 22, 2009 at 3:59 PM
Someone help me out…where does “moved” rank on the “outrage scale”. Is it more serious than troubled? Less serious? I have no idea what he mean by “moved”. More to the point, I imagine the protesters in Tehran has no idea what he means either. You know, there is a reason their signs are written in ENGLISH!
Also..what’s the over/under on Barry ever uttering the word “freedom” during this crisis?
Fed45 on June 22, 2009 at 4:02 PM
As this thread hurtles towards McDonalds-sized, Carl Saganian numbers in comments, I offer (although it was probably was offered in comment# 651 on page 7) a study in contrasts:
The Left and Liberals wear T-shirts celebrating statist thugs who murder innocents (i.e Che Guevara) or deifying statist thug-wannabees like 0-Bama, whereas conservatives will probably wear t-shirts either honoring this innocent who was murdered by statist thugs or showing their support of the US military.
dmh0667 on June 22, 2009 at 4:03 PM
Recently posted at Wikipedia:
Neda Agha Soltan’s grave.
Loxodonta on June 22, 2009 at 4:03 PM
Flowers speak no words
from Neda Soltan’s grave site
but Iran’s Voice lives
– Haiku in memoriam of Neda
Loxodonta on June 22, 2009 at 4:10 PM
Upinak don’t be letting Bridgetown know where you hang out.
heshtesh on June 22, 2009 at 4:16 PM
Nice spin.
Tell him. As I said and which is apparent, is he is the one who starts shit with me and never let’s it drop. And you’re not that obsessed in that you found time to put in your two biased cents.
Blake on June 22, 2009 at 4:18 PM
Thanks for you foolish statement…I never said any young innocent women is “ugly”.
Youth and innocence is a beautiful thing, and a terrible think to have destroyed.
Beauty of youth has nothing to do with looks, it is the beauty of life, one that has not experienced the pain and heartache of age.
Now look at yourself and see your shallowness…you are talking about physical looks, even about the physical looks of Palin.
What we refer to in talking about youthful beauty, is the soft innocence of a person so young they have not been tainted by what has tainted you.
The hollowness of the cheeks of a young woman dying of cancer, the skin that is dry and pasty…her bones being revealed by the ravages of a despicable disease, is a beauty lost forever.
No my lost friend, it is not the physical beauty that you focus on…it is so much deeper then you can comprehend.
I am sorry you can’t recognize that…
Here is how you view women:
The real woman I know, as I have written about, lives down the street, a dear friend…racked with muscular dystrophy, unable to walk, never will know the wonderful feeling of being held by a man she loves, never feeling the pain of being scorned by the man she loves, never having a child, never losing a child,..she waits to die…a beautiful woman, not by your standards, but by all that meet her.
Grow up austinnelly and learn to read…
right2bright on June 22, 2009 at 4:22 PM
You should sell tickets. I’d pay to watch you kick MadCon’s hiney.
ladyingray on June 22, 2009 at 4:28 PM
Fine then, Blake. Whatever you want it to say. I really wasn’t attempting a spin, but if you don’t believe that, OK.
Blake, I wasn’t just addressing you. The word you is also plural, and that’s how I meant it. Think of me what you already do, but my comment was meant to be completely innocuous.
I haven’t at all attacked you here, but you seem intent on attributing motives to my comments that just aren’t there, so I’m done. Do what you want. Mine was obviously a bad suggestion. Don’t agree, Blake.
Esthier on June 22, 2009 at 4:30 PM
If upinak opened sales to public, she’d be be in the top income bracket.
Cut the national debt in half.
Loxodonta on June 22, 2009 at 4:32 PM
You’re wasting your time.
MadisonConservative on June 22, 2009 at 4:36 PM
A point that some of us have tried to make.
Thank U for loving her.
bridgetown on June 22, 2009 at 4:38 PM
You really don’t believe that a martyr that is physically ugly is not also beautiful by her thoughts words and deeds. The above quote is very depressing.
Herb on June 22, 2009 at 4:38 PM
Yeah and for what though? It’s been a long time since Blake thought much of me, so I can’t say I’m too surprised. I just don’t like it when people twist my words when I meant nothing but respect for everyone here.
So are people who don’t read the comments. This has been discussed at length, even by Allah. If you want to know what he thinks, then please, click a few pages back.
Esthier on June 22, 2009 at 4:42 PM
You’re worried about the machinations of someone far less respected than you here?
You shouldn’t be.
MadisonConservative on June 22, 2009 at 4:44 PM
Herb at 4.38pm
Let me save you the trouble!!!
csdeven on June 22, 2009 at 12:48 PM
csdeven linked to it.
You are in a wasp’s nest here. I did the same thing. God forbid we comment on the actual blog post. I feel your pain. Please read Allah’s rational for this before you get blasted like I did.
peace
bridgetown on June 22, 2009 at 4:44 PM
I shudder at the Hell waiting for this “regime.”
Rest now, Neda. You’ve earned it. May we not forget your sacrifice.
spmat on June 22, 2009 at 4:45 PM
Neda was beautiful. What a beautiful face she had. Just a tragic story. And it doesn’t matter if she was beautiful or not . . . it is tragic that she should die because she was in a place of what should have been peaceful expression just watching. If these protesters had weapons, then there would be somewhat an excuse, but they didn’t. Let this be a lesson for those who want to regulate gun ownership.
Voter from WA State on June 22, 2009 at 4:46 PM
Thanks.
Esthier on June 22, 2009 at 4:58 PM
Get ready for another a-jad analogy to something as silly as a post-soccer match riot. Maybe he’ll say since basij is composed of women as well as men that it was a “cat fight” and shrug his shoulders.
TTheoLogan on June 22, 2009 at 5:02 PM
As righteous as her cause was, political martyrdom does not earn you a spot in heaven.
TTheoLogan on June 22, 2009 at 5:03 PM
Esthier
Your cool in my book :) MC is right.
bazil9 on June 22, 2009 at 5:04 PM
Thanks. It’s good to be here talking about all of this. Hot Air people are good people.
Muslims believe it does. Still, since only she and God know what was in her heart, I’d much rather believe she’s with him so long as I have no contradictory evidence (but then I’m someone who believes all religions provide a path to God should someone choose it; many disagree with me).
Esthier on June 22, 2009 at 5:12 PM
LA Times: Neda’s friends, family describe woman who became an icon
Loxodonta on June 22, 2009 at 5:13 PM
A beam of light can
brighten the darkest of depths
Neda! Beam of light!
– Haiku in memoriam to Neda
Loxodonta on June 22, 2009 at 5:21 PM
I guess we’ll all know how that shakes out some day. Might be some big surprises for everyone. Could turn out just as taught by religious leaders of every flavor in the world. Or perhaps,…. nothing. Wouldn’t that be something to see? The looks on people’s faces if they realized it was all for naught?
a capella on June 22, 2009 at 5:22 PM
Reposting this:
Instead of emotion, I like to use reason and logic when discovering the truth and taking positions on issues.
Here’s a bit of that, being ignored by the useful idiots siding with extremists:
http://www.debbieschlussel.com/archives/2009/06/attention_cluel.html
I don’t necessarily completely agree with her, but do think it’s more a nuanced conflict than most think it is.
jjraines on June 22, 2009 at 5:24 PM
Many have already acknowledged that from our perspective the two are not very different.
And yet what does that have to do with innocent men, women and children being slaughtered by their government? THAT’S what the green is for.
I don’t know and don’t care what Debbie’s problem is.
Esthier on June 22, 2009 at 5:28 PM
Her writing style drives me away. Overly aggressive, patronizing, filled with anger. A real hater. Why waste time on her?
a capella on June 22, 2009 at 5:31 PM
Between Debbie dismissing Fred Thompson as a pan-Islamist, and labeling anyone who liked Watchmen as “depraved” and “sick”, I’ve come to wonder if she really isn’t just a moby blogger.
MadisonConservative on June 22, 2009 at 5:38 PM
Interesting, because if I remember correctly the green “Where is my vote” avatars on Twitter and outrage over the iranelection started long before “Neda” and others were murdered in the streets.
If you support the people you are therefore supporting their cause (which is their support of Mousavi for president, their “faux-democracy protests” as Schlussel puts it, among other things.)
Look, I know these videos and things are nice to get all riled up and emotional, but it doesn’t hurt actually evaluating all the facts (even the inconvenient ones that don’t fit the template that’s been set). All I’m saying is it’s not black and white, and unless you can refute the things she said, you’re nothing but a useful idiot.
I don’t love her either, but she brings up good points here. Why not analyze what she’s saying and see if it really squares with the “We are all Iranians” green mentality you’re all taking?
jjraines on June 22, 2009 at 5:39 PM
I don’t even know who you guys are talking about or why.
But I will pass on a tip for on-line serenity.
Never take anything personally.
Whatever someone posts, reflects themselves.
It’s a truly narcissistic form of communication.
So, keep that in mind, and you’ll all be cool.
AnninCA on June 22, 2009 at 5:47 PM
Talking about defication, how about Obama omniscience over how to handle Iran (at least from his greatest supporter Andrew “I will get you Trig Palin” Sullivan. Of course, Hitchens, in his usual brilliant style deals with that nonsense:
Becuase it really does not matter what you say if the other side is not acting in good faith. So why not say what you mean.
Mr. Joe on June 22, 2009 at 5:48 PM
HA… it doesn’t listen to anyone who doesn’t have a
_________ . Figure it out!
You are going DOWN Cheese Curd!
upinak on June 22, 2009 at 5:54 PM
Which is also about the people, not who they voted for.
You really can’t tell me what I do and do not support. I support the right of people to be free. That’s it.
You can pretend to be above it all the way she does, but the reality of the situation is that what’s happening in Iran is wrong.
If Obama had lost the election and McCain was slaughtering his supporters in the streets, I’d be right there with them in solidarity even though I think Obama is disastrous to this country.
I really don’t care if you think that makes me an idiot.
Esthier on June 22, 2009 at 5:55 PM
I support the people of Iran. I support the Iranian people’s rights to Liberty, Justice and freedom from being brutally oppressed and slaughtered by their own government.
Loxodonta on June 22, 2009 at 5:57 PM
spmat on June 22, 2009 at 5:57 PM
Whey down!
Loxodonta on June 22, 2009 at 5:58 PM
Did you get my email ya buger!
upinak on June 22, 2009 at 6:03 PM
Since this thread is still going and I haven’t seen this yet.
In one of the articles around the interview with her fiance, I read that Neda was not protesting* (primarily). She had been in a car with her music teacher (the older man) and had stepped out for a few minutes because of the heat. Some people on the thread had been speculating about circumstances of her death.
[*] Sorry, best I can do from memory.
gh on June 22, 2009 at 6:04 PM
Actually, that’s in another thread (though I appreciate you posting it).
http://hotair.com/archives/2009/06/22/video-iranian-protesters-rout-police/
Esthier on June 22, 2009 at 6:07 PM
So do I, I just happen to realize what they want isn’t such noble ideals as liberty, justice, and freedom.
Whatever, believe what you want. I’m with all of you in hoping for the best, just not under the illusion that the Iranian people are friendly, nor are their goals.
jjraines on June 22, 2009 at 6:10 PM
In supporting them, you don’t have to support their ideals. All I want is for them to be free to protest. If you can’t even support that, then no, you do not support them.
Esthier on June 22, 2009 at 6:12 PM
And seriously, what’s with this? Do you not realize that the only hope these unarmed students have is that the world will see what’s going on over there? Do you not realize that’s what all the green is about, raising awareness?
You can also hope to win the lottery, but not playing is a sure way to make sure it doesn’t happen.
Esthier on June 22, 2009 at 6:15 PM
It’s an attempt at changing the debate and framing it so that Obama’s inaction is not considered as blatant as it is.
We have heard the
- we simply don’t know what going on behind the scenes while he eating ice cream argument
- He’s eating ice cream specifically to cover up what he is really doing argument
- We should not support the demonstrators with our whole heart because they are really just as bad as the current regime argument
- We can’t mourn the death of a girl because she is good looking argument
All of these add up to an attempt to cover up what is in effect a gross betrayal of this country’s values by our current President.
dpierson on June 22, 2009 at 6:26 PM
Hey AP isn’t it time to get rid of some of these people who are hijacking the blog? Even if you can temporarily do it that might send them a message. Keep them civil and on track please!
wepeople on June 22, 2009 at 6:31 PM
gh on June 22, 2009 at 6:04 PM
Big picture. These people have No regard for Women. I lived in Saudi Arabia for 5 years.
Wait…I should say they have no regard for human life, but I cannot judge all of them by the same token. That would be like judging all Americans by the ideals of ‘Code Pink’.
But I can tell you that women are not worthy in those parts. Not to the ‘extremists’. Not worthy at all. And the more ‘beautiful’ they are, the more they must cover themselves..and the more they don’t cover themselves, the more pain is brought upon them.
So sad.
Neda. RIP. I hope your falling brings more awareness to what women go through in your part of the world.
Please do not judge us by the likes of Nancy Pelosi or Hillary Clinton. We are not perfect, but you can be better. Stand UP for what is right.
bridgetown on June 22, 2009 at 6:45 PM
Why?
I can’t imaging living there as a woman. I can’t even imagine visiting.
Esthier on June 22, 2009 at 6:47 PM
Damn, I look at this young womans face and I see the face of a cousin of mine who is the same age. It’s heart wrenching to think of that happenig to her were our cicumstances different and placed us in Iran instead of the U.S.A.
If only Obama and his followers would appreciate that. I’ve been angered and dismayed by many of Obama’s plans and policies but until this I have never been so thoroughly disgusted by him. Even his statement on Saturday was way too little too late.
Yakko77 on June 22, 2009 at 6:59 PM
Neda Agha-Soltan,
The Voice of Iran.
Loxodonta on June 22, 2009 at 7:41 PM
Typical liberal asshole twisting what someone says to instead of debating the point. You are a loser and a sad pathetic waste of carbon.
peacenprosperity on June 22, 2009 at 10:02 PM
Real Trolls try to pretend they are not real Trolls. But we know you from No Quarter when you were Trolling over there during the primaries and the election and afterward. NQ is a PUMA site and you were definitely NOT a PUMA. PUMAS were for McCain. You were PRO Obama and on this site you lie and tell everyone that you voted for McCain/Palin.
Like JiangxiDad said you are slick.
Geochelone on June 22, 2009 at 10:18 PM
Comment pages: « Previous 1 ... 11 12 13 14 Next »