Her name was Neda, which means “voice” in Farsi. According to numerous online accounts picked up by media outlets worldwide, she was shot in the streets by Iranian state police while protesting today. This is what repression looks like.
(warning, graphic video and images available at the following link)
What you're seeing there is the Basij, a ragtag bunch of militia dudes basically, being stupid and throwing rocks into a large group of protesters. Well, the protesters quickly get tired of their crap, and chase them down the street. I don't want to think about what happened when they caught up to them, but the video cuts out before then.
I've also seen video of people being shot, though I didn't watch the one with Neda. I don't think I could bear it. It'll be interesting to see how this turns out.
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You're probably wondering if I deconverted since my icon has changed. In a way I have, in a way my beliefs haven't changed at all. It's... complicated. You probably shouldn't worry about it... I'm not. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Such issues are always difficult- like, where is the line between legitimate protest and hooliganism?
Violence is never good- but the rule of law must prevail and so even in countries where democracy and free speech are generally respected, police and soldiers must occasionally step in and use physical means to maintain or restore order- how quickly we forget the incredible violence that occurred at the 1968 Democratic Convention in Chicago or in Ohio during the 1970 Kent State massacre or at the Seattle anti-globalization protests.
I think we should be very careful about assuming that the recent elections were a sham- we simply don't know enough about the situation to be able to say for sure. And has already been pointed out- even if the outcome had been different, there is no guarantee that this would have changed much in Iran.
What we should be doing is using all non-violent means possible to encourage Iran to become more democratic and to respect free speech. Right now, the protests and violence are having the opposite effect- giving officials an excuse to clamp-down on Internet use and journalists.
__________________ John 6:33: "For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world."
Last edited by Servant of Jesus; 22nd June 2009 at 03:13 AM.
More like it is what happens to those who attack their own Government while acting as catspaws of a foreign enemy.
I wonder why Republicans want to believe so much that Ahmadinejad actually won? Is it because they want to villify the Iranian people to make it easier to go to war with them?
Seriously, there are plenty of videos floating around where nonviolent innocent people are getting shot and killed for doing nothing but simple protesting, and people are defending this crap?
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You're probably wondering if I deconverted since my icon has changed. In a way I have, in a way my beliefs haven't changed at all. It's... complicated. You probably shouldn't worry about it... I'm not. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
President Obama is being very cautious in his statements and thereby is using the correct long term strategy- never give tyrants the excuse they want to make matters worse or deflect the blame to others.
History has shown that it is extremely difficult to rid the world of tyrannical dictatorships like those in Iran or North Korea. We all need to be united and patient if we are to have any hope of promoting change.
__________________ John 6:33: "For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world."
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