A proper obituary: Neda’s relatives remember her to the LA Times
posted at 4:55 pm on June 22, 2009 by Allahpundit
“She was a person full of joy,” said her music teacher and close friend Hamid Panahi, who was among the mourners at her family home on Sunday, awaiting word of her burial. “She was a beam of light. I’m so sorry. I was so hopeful for this woman.”…
The second of three children, she studied Islamic philosophy at a branch of Tehran’s Azad University, until deciding to pursue a career in the tourism industry. She took private classes to become a tour guide, including Turkish language courses, friends said, hoping to some day lead groups of Iranians on trips abroad.
Travel was her passion, and with her friends she saved up enough money for package tours to Dubai, Turkey and Thailand. Two months ago, on a trip to Turkey, she relaxed along the beaches of Antalya, on the Mediterranean coast.
She loved music, especially Persian pop, and was taking piano classes, according to Panahi, who is in his 50s, and other friends. She was also an accomplished singer, they said.
But she was never an activist, they added, and she began attending the mass protests only because of a personal sense of outrage over the election results.
Follow the link for her last words and a description of the scene in the Agha-Soltan family home after the murder. Her friend claims she warned her not to go to the protests, to which Neda allegedly responded, “Don’t worry. It’s just one bullet and its over.”
It’s not over, though. Take it away, Maverick.
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The only proper “obituary” would be the death of tyranny in Iran, and of Socialism here.
OhEssYouCowboys on June 22, 2009 at 4:58 PM
Oh Allah **Hugs**, please keep your chin up.
upinak on June 22, 2009 at 4:59 PM
Gee. Good thing we dodged a bullet on that McCain guy.
zerosheep on June 22, 2009 at 4:59 PM
The McCain clip was Presidential. Anyway since he suffered at the hands of thugs and risked his life for his nation, I suspect he feels a great deal of sympathy for people dying for freedom.
rob verdi on June 22, 2009 at 5:02 PM
If obama gave that speech it would be vapid platitudes sprinkled with talking points.
rob verdi on June 22, 2009 at 5:03 PM
McCain gets it. Not only is the USS McCain doing it’s job, so is Sen. McCain.
“Neda died with Open eyes. Shame on us who live with closed eyes.”
Thank you sir. You still continue to surprise me.
portlandon on June 22, 2009 at 5:03 PM
Question:
What would a regime that does these things do with an atomic weapon?
Answer:Use it.
rob verdi on June 22, 2009 at 5:04 PM
Its moments like this McCain really shines, having fought and suffered for freedom he knows what he is talking about. Compare that to the idiotic platitudes of the O.
I am ashamed of my president, but I will never be ashamed of my country.
dpierson on June 22, 2009 at 5:05 PM
It’s too bad for Iran tha McCain did not win. He would have done so much more to support them.
RedSoxNation on June 22, 2009 at 5:05 PM
McCain supports the Iranian people and is presidential here.
On the other hand we have an idiot who was elected by drones and ACORN; busy playing golf, eating ice cream, and playing footsie with the Ayatollah and his minions.
jencab on June 22, 2009 at 5:06 PM
And what makes it worse, he couldn’t do it without the teleprompter. This was a speech from the heart and well done by McCain. Take notes Obama, this is sincerity at his greatest.
sherry on June 22, 2009 at 5:07 PM
The comments section on that video’s YouTube page makes me want to vomit up an organ.
fusionaddict on June 22, 2009 at 5:08 PM
Speaking of McCain, did anyone besides me get an e-mail asking for monetary support in his re-election campaign? Tasteless, and why would I want to give money to get him elected in Arizona? Using his mailing list from RNC?
Very sad for her family. With all they’ve put up with from this regime, now losing their daughter. RIP Neda.
24K lady on June 22, 2009 at 5:08 PM
Eh, McCain was just one heart attack away from being dead thus leaving the country in complete and utter turmoil.
Thank Gaia we have the Spine of Steel leading the nation instead, a man of unquenchable determination, steely resolve and a heart of iron.
*guffaws*
Bishop on June 22, 2009 at 5:08 PM
Wish you were prez instead maverick.
blatantblue on June 22, 2009 at 5:09 PM
Obama would need a Soul transplant. He is an empty vessel.
portlandon on June 22, 2009 at 5:09 PM
Thanks, Allah.
Esthier on June 22, 2009 at 5:09 PM
Maybe I’m getting a little sappy, but as soon as I clicked the WAAN link and read the comment by the woman who decided to name her child Neda, I teared up. I hope that as her daughter grows up, she and everyone she meets will know who she is named after and recognize the message of freedom she stands for.
Siobhan on June 22, 2009 at 5:10 PM
This is so damn tragic, yet murdering their own people is all too common a practice for tyrannical and opressive regimes to use against those that yearn for true freedom.
As we all know freedom isn’t free and unfortunately this young, vibrant, and intellient woman paid the price. No one will ever know what she would have contributed to her people and the people of the world as she was not given the chance, however her death should not be in vain!
She should be held up as the valiant warrior for liberty and freedom for all the people of Iran and the world and by doing so through the people of Iran she can become the symbol of their struggle for true freedom, liberty, and justice!
Do not let her death be in vain Iran, stand up to your opressors and tyrants in her name!
Rest in peace Neda and may God bless you and give your people the strength to fight for the freedom and liberty that is their given right as human beings…
Liberty or Death on June 22, 2009 at 5:10 PM
Well spoken, Captain, and thank you for using the “f word” (“freedom”) in your speech, something Waffle Cone has yet to say.
Thanks for another good post, Allah.
Fallen Sparrow on June 22, 2009 at 5:10 PM
I wonder if the killing of a pretty young means crap to most Muslims? Women are livestock to them, so I doubt the establishment gives a hoot in a rain barrel.
These people are lost.
saiga on June 22, 2009 at 5:10 PM
Kind of off topic, but I take it she wasn’t a “student” in the traditional sense of the word? I’m getting so sick of the media calling everybody from Iran a student…like some kind of blanket descriptive element they use in all of their stories. Lazy s.o.b.’s. Glad to see they’re finally finding out a little about the actual person this poor woman was.
Interweb Troll on June 22, 2009 at 5:10 PM
Allah, many have said it, and I’ve said it, but I’ll say it again: You’ve done a wonderful job keeping the events of this travesty available to the public.
A side note: I don’t care if you think the resolution is worthless. Ron Paul’s schtick is really getting old. Yes, he has integrity in being willfully indignant for the sake of being different. It doesn’t amount to much.
MadisonConservative on June 22, 2009 at 5:11 PM
Why should Obama give a damn about Statism in Iran? He is of the same ilk as they are. The only difference is Iranian Statism is based on Islam, while Obama’s is based on Socialism. Both versions dictate State control over the People. State domination of the People.
Statism is Statism – and it is the enemy of every freedom loving People.
OhEssYouCowboys on June 22, 2009 at 5:11 PM
Jeez, what more do you wingnuts want? Obama said it was “unjust.” Should he go nuclear and call them “mischievous”?
Jim Treacher on June 22, 2009 at 5:12 PM
That was a fine job, Senator McCain.
Someone on Twitter was criticizing McCain’s eulogy of Neda, saying he would use it call for war. Some people just don’t get it.
Bob's Kid on June 22, 2009 at 5:14 PM
We have troops on both sides of Iran, and the caspien sea to the north. Wouldn’t it be rich if Obama put the military squeeze on them?
saiga on June 22, 2009 at 5:15 PM
There’s a better chance of my becoming well-versed in quantum mechanics. If you knew me, you’d understand how absurd that would be.
OhEssYouCowboys on June 22, 2009 at 5:17 PM
نتذكرُكِ نيدة
blatantblue on June 22, 2009 at 5:17 PM
For the President, such is the consequence of validating oppression with weakness and false hope.
Lay down with the Devil, get the Devil’s due.
Speakup on June 22, 2009 at 5:17 PM
If only McCain/Palin had won…if only.
Today, at a press conference in Washington, the son of the late shah of Iran, Reza Pahlavi, produced an image of the slain protester from his pocket alongside pictures of his family.
“I have added her (Neda) to the list of my daughters. She is now forever in my pocket,” the former crown prince of Iran told AFP, fighting back tears.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zv5VMShOyk
djn on June 22, 2009 at 5:17 PM
If McCain’s euology to Neda were to be put through O’bamas teleprompter, Chris Matthews would demand it be printed in school textbooks.
portlandon on June 22, 2009 at 5:18 PM
He couldn’t leave out the chance to bash Bush and the Republican party either.
4shoes on June 22, 2009 at 5:19 PM
I wanna second what somebody else wrote up there in the comments section. Allah (on twitter as well) and HA have definitely done a great job on Iran. Y’all keep it up. It’s a sad sad thing going on there, at least we know it’s going on.
youngO on June 22, 2009 at 5:19 PM
It’s at moments like this that I really, really wish he had won the election. We’d at least have a leader in the White House, not a metrosexual wuss.
irishspy on June 22, 2009 at 5:20 PM
sherry,
from the heart, well said.
rob verdi on June 22, 2009 at 5:20 PM
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, that’s being ignored by the useful idiots siding with extremists:
jjraines on June 22, 2009 at 5:21 PM
I read some of the comments there, the left is pathetic.
rob verdi on June 22, 2009 at 5:21 PM
The video of her is heart-wrenching, as is this article. I wish we had a president who’s spine rivaled titanium instead of jell-o.
Dopavash on June 22, 2009 at 5:24 PM
For the left the only just causes are the causes they pick.
dpierson on June 22, 2009 at 5:24 PM
What’s up with the nuts on Tommy Christopher’s new site? Jeesh!
Blake on June 22, 2009 at 5:26 PM
Careful. Neda was Muslim and believed in her faith (from everything I’ve read). She wouldn’t want that kind of defense.
I second what Madison said. AP has been brilliant on this topic.
Translation?
Esthier on June 22, 2009 at 5:26 PM
Natadhakar neda
it’s what I put before
“we remember neda”
blatantblue on June 22, 2009 at 5:30 PM
This is great and everything…but did you see what Michelle was wearing today?
johnnybgood on June 22, 2009 at 5:32 PM
Thank you.
Esthier on June 22, 2009 at 5:33 PM
Too bad this man is not president instead of that empty suit we got stuck with.
Terrye on June 22, 2009 at 5:33 PM
Charming.
Has it occurred to you that a dispiriting event like this for millions of Iranians could lead to a disengagement with politics that sets back genuine reform in Iran for decades?
Yes, they didn’t make the leap to liberal democracy in one election cycle, so we’re all stupid for suggesting the parties to that election aren’t on morally equal footing.
This is akin to the assertion that until America is Sweden, we don’t have the right to defend ourselves morally, militarily or otherwise.
What is with the creeping moral blindness in the trolls here?
DrSteve on June 22, 2009 at 5:34 PM
John McCain is the true embodiment of an American hero.
SnarkVader on June 22, 2009 at 5:36 PM
In your wildest dreams. An SEM (scanning electron microscope to you non science geeks) couldn’t find his pair.
chemman on June 22, 2009 at 5:37 PM
Finally, a man who speaks from the heart and not the teleprompter. I can only hope that some of the 52 million idiots that voted for Obama (including many I know) are starting to think they voted for the wrong guy.
McCain is a class act.
redfoxbluestate on June 22, 2009 at 5:37 PM
A candle in the night,
to brighten the darkness of Iran,
a single beam of light,
voice of a nation, a young woman,
Neda!
Loxodonta on June 22, 2009 at 5:38 PM
Good thing we elected Obama instead of
“McShamnisty”this man. This is what we get when we have people who believe that the best way of proving you are a “conservative” is electing a malignant narcissist, socialist appeaser.Boxy_Brown on June 22, 2009 at 5:39 PM
Still, days later, no less heart wrenching.
ronsfi on June 22, 2009 at 5:40 PM
Agreed. However, were he in Obama’s position, I still have little faith he’d have done more than President Rocky Road would have.
MadisonConservative on June 22, 2009 at 5:41 PM
Esthier
I’m a bit tired so my transliteration was off
it’s
natadhakaruki neda
blatantblue on June 22, 2009 at 5:41 PM
Mr. McCain where was that passion during the campaign?
fourdeucer on June 22, 2009 at 5:42 PM
I don’t believe a President McCain would have sent signals to his supporters that they should ignore what’s happening in Iran, explain it away, or promote indifference to the plight of the Iranian people.
Loxodonta on June 22, 2009 at 5:44 PM
You already posted that on the other Neda thread, complete with source. Why did you leave Debbie’s link off it this time?
a capella on June 22, 2009 at 5:46 PM
Dear Allahpundit: Yes, Neda’s death is unbearable, heartbreaking, infuriating. Thank you very much for bearing up though this and honoring Neda with your work on the Iran crisis.
Loxodonta on June 22, 2009 at 5:48 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
Obama could never speak with that kind of passion about anything other than himself. In so many ways, he’s an empty shell.
CarolynM on June 22, 2009 at 5:48 PM
Jesus. Double click on the YouTube video of McCain and go to the YouTube site and scroll down and read the comments. The libtards are roasting him there unmercifully, screaming that he’s ‘draping himself’ in the blood of this young woman to display his ‘jingoistic politics’.
They are stark raving insane.
manofaiki on June 22, 2009 at 5:55 PM
thank you Senator….
alexraye on June 22, 2009 at 5:56 PM
This is so pathetic. Not one person here knows or has ever known this woman, and her death is being trivialized as it is being used to fuel our own little democratic frenzy. Please, everybody get over yourselves and stop abusing this woman’s death in the service of abstractions and liberalism. Everyone here sounds like they are part of some AIDS or breast cancer campaign where we all congratulate ourselves over how caring we are. Stop caring about Iranians that are thousands of miles away who you will never meet or particularly care about.
I am rather happy that Obama hasn’t yet joined this democracy orgy of which most of the “conservatives” on this site are a part. Leave it to modern conservatives to worship liberal democracy louder than any Marxist ever could.
Innocent Smith on June 22, 2009 at 5:56 PM
Nice eulogy, but doesn’t lessen my personal distaste for McCain.
Grayson on June 22, 2009 at 5:57 PM
What a sickening complacency that consumes your mind!
Leave to the braindead like yourself to give credence to radical regimes that are pursuing nuclear weapons.
Suck a fat one
blatantblue on June 22, 2009 at 5:59 PM
Get that, people? Only care about people next door or maybe someone in your state!!!! So sayith Innocent.
Esthier on June 22, 2009 at 5:59 PM
I haven’t congratulated myself.
I don’t speak for others, but I don’t recall them doing the same.
Suck a fat one.
blatantblue on June 22, 2009 at 6:00 PM
LOL, now I’m a troll for re-posting some inconvenient truths about this conflict. Sorry the facts don’t fit the perfect template you’ve all set with the good guys vs bad guys. [I accidentally left the link off, it’s Debbie Schlussel http://www.debbieschlussel.com/archives/2009/06/attention_cluel.html
I’m with everyone else in HOPING this leads to true change and reform, but don’t forget that before the violence this was all about Mousavi not winning the election (who is an extremist no different than Ahmedinejad, and it’s dangerous to claim otherwise).
And like I said in the other thread: Unless you can refute what she’s saying — that this is a battle of extremists on all sides, and this “democratic revolution” is anything but — than you’re a useful idiot blind to reality.
Sorry I’m trying to honestly evaluate the situation with reason (like a conservative), instead of emotion (like a liberal). I’m no expert but from what I’ve learned, it’s less than black and white. You’d all do yourselves a favor, and before you slap on that green avatar, learn a little more about who these people are and what they’re really about.
jjraines on June 22, 2009 at 6:00 PM
The left wants to sweep this “little” uprising in Iran under the rug so their Emperor in Chief can get back to profusely apologizing but let looting rioters burning down buildings because a court verdict didn’t go there way be molested in any way shape or form and see what happens.
Speakup on June 22, 2009 at 6:00 PM
Yea — Obama sits idly while an enemy regime slaughters people, contributes to the death of US soldiers, and chases nukes.
He should be speaking up, if not as a member of a “democratic frenzy,” but as a geopolitical tactician.
blatantblue on June 22, 2009 at 6:01 PM
For the first time in my life, I am ashamed of America. Look what you’ve done. Shame, shame, shame.
redwhiteblue on June 22, 2009 at 6:01 PM
Next time a 9/11 occurs on our soil, I’m sure you’ll remember to warn them not to care about it.
blatantblue on June 22, 2009 at 6:02 PM
Ah, whatever.
Crisis brings out the best in man, the worst in man, and a whole lot of jerks.
blatantblue on June 22, 2009 at 6:02 PM
Hah you said it – and he never will since his is a cult of personality.
dpierson on June 22, 2009 at 6:02 PM
You’re a troll for pretending this is news. Read a little, gosh.
Esthier on June 22, 2009 at 6:03 PM
Marxists believe in liberal democracies? Who knew?
CarolynM on June 22, 2009 at 6:05 PM
Innocent Smith on June 22, 2009 at 5:56 PM
Careful Mr. Smith that hatred you let consume your heart and mind can consume your soul.
fourdeucer on June 22, 2009 at 6:05 PM
They’re human beings peacefully protesting and being slaughtered for it.
Anyone need to know anything else to know who to cheer for?
Esthier on June 22, 2009 at 6:05 PM
Blatantbblue, it is not conservative to propose the America bother itself with the internal politics of other countries. Say what you want, but you are supporting pure liberalism. Why don’t you mind your own business and leave the Iranians to theirs.
Innocent Smith on June 22, 2009 at 6:06 PM
Yep, because all the self-righteous, self-important, self-congratulatory morons on twitter know that the “freedom fighters’ in Iran are islamofascists on the other side of the coin. Right.
jjraines on June 22, 2009 at 6:08 PM
Too ironic for words.
jjraines on June 22, 2009 at 6:08 PM
Innocent smith
the strength of the Iranian regime affects our Nat. Sec.
blatantblue on June 22, 2009 at 6:09 PM
Esthier on June 22, 2009 at 6:05 PM
+10
Americans are the most generous nation in the world. When a disaster strikes we give more than the rest of the world combined, when we see injustice we side with the underdog. That is a tradition I am proud of. I don’t care if the demonstrators bring in Sharia Law – Lite, I see them as the underdog and my instinct says to support them.
Arguments like this never even get made when a liberal cause is on the table. What do you think the poor people getting killed in Darfur would create as a state if they were able to do so? USA 2.0 – no – but that never gets brought up when liberals want is to intervene.
dpierson on June 22, 2009 at 6:10 PM
Do you think you’re on Twitter?
Exactly, conservatives. We’re not the party of helping the little people. When we see a man beating his own child, we leave that to him and his family. It’s none of our business.
Esthier on June 22, 2009 at 6:11 PM
Here’s a very moving and powerful compilation of the week long protests done to the very fitting (and one of may favorite) Pat Benatar songs “Invincible” It’s dedicated to Neda…a must watch, very moving and powerful!
My thoughts and prayers are with Neda, her family, friends, and the people of Iran…stay strong!
Liberty or Death on June 22, 2009 at 6:12 PM
Conservatives stand for values like freedom, liberals stand for anything that has the word me in it. Now you figure out why conservatives are in support.
dpierson on June 22, 2009 at 6:12 PM
McCain frustrates me. How he can give a speech such as this one, full of passion and vigour, yet run such an appalling election campaign is still driving me insane.
Maybe he wouldn’t have been much better than Ogabe, but at least we would have had two gritty fighters standing for this country, not an ice cream sucking pretend best friend.
Hey, AP, keep it together fella. We may not agree on everything, but you deserve all the plaudits you are getting. I know I’ve written about this in a previous thread, but it bears repeating. Thanks mate.
Dino64 on June 22, 2009 at 6:15 PM
Who knew, conservatives are collectivist group-thinkers too. Shame on me for bringing up an alternate viewpoint.
Don’t misunderstand, I absolutely sympathize with the people and hope for the best. Of course it’s good they are standing up against the fascist thugs they have for a government, and maybe a better system can come out of it. All I am saying is it’s not so clear cut as being represented; what the West thinks they’re fighting for, isn’t all that accurate.
jjraines on June 22, 2009 at 6:16 PM
Good job,Sentor.Where were you during the Pesidential campaign?
Neda will not be forgotten.Nor Sarah,Amina,Aqsa,or any of the human sacrifices to the Religion of Pi$$.
Unfortunately,people still thik that Obama has America’s interests at heart,when in fact he is nothing but a shill for the mullahs.
DDT on June 22, 2009 at 6:17 PM
Whatever they claim to be, they are working on behalf of Obama’s cause: devaluing the taking of innocent life, disrespecting those that mourn such losses, sowing dissension, and attempting to suppress talk and shift the debate to reduce the any scuff marks on Obama’s shine.
They function like grave robbers, bursting in on memorial threads, attempting to steal the attention from the dead. They are vultures, jackals and ghouls.
Loxodonta on June 22, 2009 at 6:18 PM
Credit to Senator McCain, a truly marvellous tribute to a brave young woman.
May her spirit live on and inspire those who fight now for Iranian freedom.
And shame on you Mr Obama
Defector01 on June 22, 2009 at 6:20 PM
Quit pretending like we’ve never heard that before. Hell, our own president made the same point already, and it’s been covered multiple times by Hot Air.
You’re not some loan voice in the wilderness. You’re at a site that has been very thorough about this from the beginning.
Then do more than hope. Try to raise awareness, like those you call idiots. It’s the only hope unarmed people have, public sympathy.
Esthier on June 22, 2009 at 6:20 PM
Innocent One… It’s people with your attitude that cause me concern about the big umbrella theory.
redwhiteblue on June 22, 2009 at 6:23 PM
The term is “useful idiot,” gosh don’t you read? And those cute little green avatars everywhere do nothing but make oneself feel better and say “I care.” For once I may agree with Obama here, and standing back for now and seeing how it unfolds may be the best avenue to take.
jjraines on June 22, 2009 at 6:23 PM
Thanks for that, Senator McCain. Well done.
scalleywag on June 22, 2009 at 6:23 PM
You sanctimonious arrogant little twat.
Seems to me that both you and Debbie Schussler need to learn more about who those people are in the streets risking their lives to be able to have a little liberty and human rights inside their own country.
This is how freedom begins. It wasn’t that long ago that it was no big deal in certain areas of our own country to walk pass a black person swinging from a rope in a tree. It takes a generation to stand up and say they are no longer going to tolerate it and have the guts to force the change. THAT is what is happening. I don’t think anyone here has any illusions about what is happening in Iran and who the players are. BUT as Americans who stand for FREEDOM, LIBERTY and DEMOCRACY, we are not living our principles when we do not stand for those you are crying and dying for it.
BTW, you’re like a child having a tantrum because no one is listening to you. Sad really.
Allah, I’d like to join the others here and offer my thanks for all your hard work in keeping us informed. You’ve done yoemans work on this. And yes, this is unbearable. I wonder how many more Nedas there are and will be that we may never know about. God rest her soul and their’s.
McCain.. that was beautiful.
Texas Gal on June 22, 2009 at 6:24 PM
A useful idiot is still an idiot, or did you think the word somehow transformed it into something else?
Except he’s not doing that. He’s legitimizing those who think it’s OK to kill innocent women who were peacefully protesting.
And if that’s how you feel, then your hope is worthless, and you very obviously don’t care.
Esthier on June 22, 2009 at 6:26 PM
State Dep’t: Iranian diplomats still welcome to celebrate July 4th with U.S.
Those trolling this thread are welcome to celebrate with their president and representatives of Iran’s tyrants.
Don’t worry, Neda Agha Soltan will not be attending.
Loxodonta on June 22, 2009 at 6:27 PM
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