let me specify what I meant. An Israeli attack can widen the crack inside the regime, IRGC commanders jumping ships, backstabbing, chaos and disorder, it can create a power vacum, a void that can be exploited either by, Hashemi or the green movement, it can help the people topple the regime.

cheers mate

Regarding what the article says about South Tehranis getting involved in street protests, “Several times this year, they’ve (the Basij) managed to catch, beat, imprison and kill South Tehranis for doing this. They’re expecting another round of the chanting a week Monday.”, I think you will enjoy this delightful piece from 31 August on Tehran Bureau, Street Fightin’ Soosool: http://tinyurl.com/yzo88dx

Don’t worry, nobody on this board supports these violent actions against innocents. Samuel is probably being paid to do what he does. I don’t understand how he lives with himself either or what he expects in the afterlife, but that is his problem. The truth is nobody actually supports this except for a very small clique that controls Iran’s oil money and nominally controls the armed forces.

But I have a more serious comment for Shangool. No, Israel will not knock this regime down. It is important that Iranians understand that while outside forces may undermine the regime in various ways, and may actually strike at certain military targets, only the Iranian people themselves can overthrow this regime. That is the only reason I support Obama’s relatively hands-off approach to Iran’s crisis. It is very important to disavow the Iranian people of the notion that Israel, America, or any other power is going to swoop in and save the day.

The Iranian people have the numbers and the support to overthrow this regime now if they chose to confront the regime in an organized way. The numbers that came out for the Green protests in the days after the election were more than enough to overthrow any regime. Organize, unite, and strike at the heart of this dictatorship.

I will assume a few things first. These women are mothers – so are probably older people. They are probably reasonably “conservative” people – as older people often are. They were not violent or threatening violence?

Assuming these things, for the security forces of ANY country to assault these kind of people (and a largish group 150 of them) in PUBLIC view with tear gas is inconceivable to me. I would think that anywhere else in the world, the surrounding people would rise up!! and at least attempt to stop the assault.

It is very difficult for me to understand how some who frequent this Forum could support these things and the Regime that does it – do they have no heart??

Barry

Thanks for that article. Perhaps there is hope yet – as long as the main thrust of that article is indeed true.

One thing I do believe strongly – is that one of the main things today that was missing in past years is the ready availability of TV in poorer countries. Decades ago, poor people of the world accepted their lot because they did not know any better. Today, ready access to to TV allows them to see other places of the world – and they can then easily see what they are missing. Iranians can easily see the day-to-day freedoms that other parts of the world have and which they do not. One simple thing (but important) amongst these is the right to dress as they please – and not to be told by religious what clothing they can’t wear.

Barry

The Friday Prayer Leader was Ayatollah Mohammad Emami Kashani and he mostly spoke about the Basij.

English summary of Karroubi’s interview on Duch TV:
“Karroubi: I did not expect this level of violence”
http://www.zamaaneh.com/enzam/2009/11/karroubi-i-did-not-expect.html

Iranian Progressive Youth (IPY) are organising a “Focus Iran II” Conference at Delft University in the Netherlands in collaboration with the student union in Delft (VSSD) on December 5, 2009. Some prominent Iranian student activists and progressive artists have been invited to create a comprehensive and impartial picture of the student movement in Iran. List of speakers and further info:
http://www.payvand.com/news/09/nov/1284.html

And the ubiquitous Mohsen Makhmalbaf was in London this week being interviewed on Aljazeera English by the increasingly geriatric Sir David Frost:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jon0HTlY874
For those of us who had our doubts, all falls into place after Sir David asks Mr M what drove him to become “the opposition’s official spokesman around the world” (starts at 02:45) :-)