Politicians on Iran

Politics and I will never mesh even if I do love to keep up with it to see the faux pas many politicians make. Many of them are a funny lot. They dance around a problem and by the time they make a decision, it is too late. And that’s not the only thing that frustrates me but rather their uncanny stupidity. Here is an example: “A European Union-wide proposal to coordinate aid for the wounded Iranian demonstrators is expected to be discussed Wednesday in Stockholm, Ministers said” on Monday.

Now, let me get this straight. In Iran, people are bleeding to death from left and right. What is there to discuss? By the time they make their decision, the majority of the wounded will be dead. Let’s put it this way – any sane person with a heart who sees someone lying on the gravel, stabbed with a knife, blood gushing out his guts is pushed to think quickly and figure out a way to help. But many politicians worry more about their country’s pocket than human life. Should we do it or should we not?

What if the protest fails and Iran ends up once again with a hard-line government? We would be out of the game – the game of making obscene amounts of money. We need to be careful because we want to do business with them. So, in the process human lives get sacrificed over politics.

Another Stupid comment: “Sweden said it cannot grant asylum” to the Iranians. And my answer to Sweden is what makes your government think that Iranians would want need your Asylum? You are a tiny little country with bad weather. Iran on the other hand has thousand years of history, culture and breathtaking scenery.

Of course let’s not forget Norway’s embassy in Iran which didn't lift a finger to help the injured. To them I say, where are your heart? Now to be fair, here is a kind good hearted comment by the Italians – The Italian government said it instructed its mission in Tehran to assist ‘where there is a request or need for help from injured demonstrators. Well, all I have to say is this – Bravo Italy and a big kiss to you for making one of the most humane gestures I have seen so far.

Oh and before I end this article, I have to say that I am also grateful to the United States government for asking Twitter not to shut down for its scheduled updates in order to keep the communication open.

In Memory of Neda who was brutally assassinated in Iran, I am observing a day of silence and will not be posting anything on this blog.

Government cracks down

Two weeks ago I was proud of the Iranian government for giving certain freedoms to their citizens. And now I have nothing to say to them. I search for words but I feel empty. How can I say anything good when there is nothing good to be said? Everywhere I turn I see policemen beating those who are frail. Everywhere I look, I see pools of blood. Every noise I hear is a scream of a peaceful protester being dragged out of his or her home, beaten and then thrown in jail.

CNN today reported 400 parents showed up in Iran at court asking after the health of their children and they were told to come back a month later. I watched an Iranian woman get shot today. Her eyes slowly drifted away and in seconds her body gave up. Where is the mercy? How can they kill so many innocent people? It takes special people to kill – the kind with no hearts.

They are peaceful protesters with no weapons. Guards in plain clothes go after them as if they are hunting for their next meal. They beat them with heavy sticks and drag their bodies against the grave. The helicopters flying above the crowds spray acid on the protesters. Their bodies burn with pain and yet they continue with their march toward freedom. I will never forget the events of the past 8 days and the days to come. The images of the dead and tortured will be branded in my memory for as long as I am alive and as each day passes, I find it harder and harder to smile.

Iran

The Arab governments which include countries such as Saudi Arabia are watching Iran, scared of a revolution coming their way. Many of their activists are looking closely as well, wondering about the outcome of millions of people gathering in Tehran, Isfahan, Ahwaz, Shiraz, Gorgan, Tabriz, Rasht, Babol, Mashhad, Zahedan, Qazvin, Sari, Karaj, Shahsavar, Orumieh, Bandar Abbas, Arak, and Birjend.

In order for anything to change, there must be risk. People like me who are afraid of taking certain risks will live under oppression for the rest of their lives. It is the braves of the world who pave the way for the rest of us cowards. They risk getting tortured and killed so that the generations ahead of them can live a better life. As Martin Luther King Junior put it - Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed.

In Iran, many students have been shot to death. The numbers have not yet come out because the foreign media has been barred from reporting on the Iranian revolution. And since they cannot verify the numbers, they are unable to report it. I watched a video showing a man who got shot. Blood was gushing out of his wound and someone else was trying to get the bullet out of him with his fingers. Iranian hospitals are full. Even the military hospitals where the ambulances are supposed to take the injured protesters to be healed and punished later are full. Obviously, the death toll is well over the 7 people that were previously reported.

Iranian authorities have broken into activists’ homes and work, confiscated their properties and broken their computers and other belongings. They have arrested foreign ambassadors and reformists and have threatened websites that report the news on Iran. I guess what I don’t understand is why is the Iranian government holding everyone else responsible but not themselves. And why are they angry at the rest of the world for reporting the news? Reporters are simply doing their job – covering the news. They have done nothing wrong. The news is coming out and people are curious to read and watch it.

This revolution is not about foreign governments interfering with the Iranian government but rather it is about the will of people against the will of a government that refuses to annul the previous election and start fresh.

Life is a gift

I found this poem by Mother Theresa and wanted to share it.

Life is an opportunity, …. benefit from it.
Life is beauty, …. admire it.
Life is bliss, …. taste it.
Life is a dream, …. realize it.
Life is a challenge, …. meet it.
Life is a duty, …. complete it.
Life is a game, …. play it.
Life is a promise, …. fulfill it
Life is sorrow, …. overcome it.
Life is a song, …. sing it.
Life is a struggle, …. accept it.
Life is a tragedy…. confront it.
Life is an adventure, …. dare it.
Life is luck, …. make it.
Life is too precious, …. do not destroy it.
Life is life, …. fight for it.

Iranian Protest

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I'm not surprised that Ahmadinejad won. It was to be expected just as it was expected when George W. Bush won when he ran against Al Gore. Except that good old Al should have fought harder but he didn't. Americans should have protested but they didn't. And so, we all lived under the Bush dictatorship for 8 years. Americans going about their day. Foreigners, scared to speak up in fear of getting kidnapped in the middle of the night and being shipped off to some secret prison and tortured by the likes of Rove, Chainey and Rumsfeld. What can I say? Life is unfair and I am politically incorrect. But writing is my only escape from this chaotic world.

I'm not sure what will be the outcome of the Iranian protests. I read a report by the Associated Press that one person has been killed and three injured. The Iranians are brave for getting on the street and fighting for justice. They are are tired and want their freedom and hopefully they will get it someday very soon.

As for me, I am not sure who I am anymore. Iranian? American? Does it matter? After all, we are all the same - human beings who love our families and want to live peaceful lives free of oppression and Tyranny.