The Iranian government has continued its crackdown on protests, including the arrest of dozens of university professors for merely meeting with opposition leader Hossein Mousavi. Senior cleric Ayatollah Ahmed Khatami has called for the execution of some protesters and harsh treatment of all leaders of the protests.
At Friday’s sermon at Tehran University, Khatami called for blood in the name of the almighty. He told supporters: Anybody who fights against the Islamic system or the leader of Islamic society, fight him until complete destruction. . . Anyone who takes up arms to fight with the people, they are worthy of execution . . . We ask that the judiciary confront the leaders of the protests, leaders of the violations, and those who are supported by the United States and Israel strongly, and without mercy to provide a lesson for all.”
Khatami left no question that to protest the Iranian government is to be “at war with God.” In the meantime, Mousavi has been isolated as the government arrests his staff and supporters. He appears to be backing away a bit under the pressure of shootings, beatings, and arrests.
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Jill, Jill, Jill.
See it is all Jill all the time, all over the place, making statements on sites all the time.
Keep going. LOL.
Yes, and they can keep them in detention forever because the evidence was later found to be “tainted” but the Iranian govt. knows they’re dangerous! It’s really a win-win for both nations.
Thanks for the post, Jill. If these people have any brains, they will secure the confessions utilizing only those enhanced interrogation techniques approved by Bush and Cheney. They can then claim that they learned valuable information about acts of treason without having to resort to torture, and cite US rationale as justification.
Here’s an update I found from a poster on GG blog:
“Iran: Detained political leaders at risk of torture, possibly to force “confessions”
29 June 2009
Amnesty International is gravely concerned that several opposition leaders detained in the wake of the 12 June elections may be facing torture, possibly to force them to make televised “confessions” as a prelude to unfair trials in which they could face the death penalty.
“If our fears are born out, this would be an appalling tactic on the part of the security services to silence high profile political leaders once and for all, and to send a clear message to others with dissenting views that they should expect dreadful consequences if they speak out,” said Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui, Deputy Director for the Middle East and North Africa Programme.”
http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/news/detained-political-leaders-at-risk-of-torture-20090629
Is not a fundamental disagreement termed a protest? Then, I would wait for the selective enforcement. Kinda like, GeoI and Noriega and GeoII and Saddam.
Bones AK; Excellent observation but Ayatollah Khatami’s viewpoint is probably too narrow for irony to fit therein.
“Anyone who takes up arms to fight with the people, they are worthy of execution”
It IS his side that has taken up arms against the people
http://www.hereandnow.org/
Sorry for all the poor spelling. I’m hurrying and angry!
I too am pissed off that something involving life and death issues and the abuse of others most basic rights is barely covered in our news. Look these Ayatollah’s are no doubt pediphiles as well. It bothers me that the media is ready with a complete disection of anything and everything to do with MJ,– they are really investigating his death. I wish they would apply this same number of people and actual investigation to what is going on in Iran. The only way these protestors have a chance is with outside media coverage.
I did hear how we can turn our computers into a proxy server so it will be more difficult for their govt. to shut communication down. Here’s a clip and a link.
“The Use of Proxy Servers in Iran
The Iranian government has blocked parts of the internet, but Iranians are turning to proxy servers which let them access restricted websites. We’ll discuss this technology with Ronald Deibert, director of the Citizen Lab at the Munk Center of International Studies at the University of Toronto, he’s also vice president of the proxy service provider, Psiphon.”
ttp://www.hereandnow.org/
you know, I had hoped the network news would have some info about Iran instead of MJ but no such luck. I just had to blurt out “Losers” as the footage of the grieving crowds was played. The Supreme Leader of Iran is calling for blood and there are no demonstrations in solidarity for the Iranians that make the news-
MJ’s loser fans constitute larger gatherings than when our leaders mess over the Bill of Rights. This days (and last nights)news kind of puts things in perspective. Bah Humbug.
On topic only tangentially:
conversation fragment with the better half:
“I think the Mullah’s had him (Jackson) killed to take the spotlight off the revolution.”
“Sanford is a Governor, not a Mullah”
The better half is a keeper.
What Mike A. said.
These decisions will confirm among most Iranians that peaceful demonstrations are only acceptable in that regime when conducted in support of government policy. The Iranian leadership will eventually pay a heavy price and a deserved one.
Of course, Mr. Mason, there is no anthropomorphic god (gawd), only an ever-morphing mindseye apparition.
Spilling blood using God’s will as your justification. How unusual.
Wouldn’t we all be better off if God called a summit meeting and told these, and other religious lunatics (including our own) to just knock it off?