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Not Voting IS Voting
05-Feb-2009
Now that the recent election in the US is over with, there is another important election on the horizon. Namely the election of the next President of Iran.
Once again this coming June 12th (oddly enough George Bush Sr's birthday), Iranians are forced to once again contemplate their unwinnable dilemma of staying away from the polls, or voting. Staying away seems unpatriotic. But voting means having to pick the lesser of 2 equally evil choices, courtesy of the all knowing and all seeing and all self involving theocratic dictatorship that really runs all of Iran's affairs from behind those scantily see-through skirts of the mollahs.
In the last election, Ahmadinejad played his hand perfectly, fooling everyone into thinking he was a simple civil engineer, and therefore a reformer. In one campaign interview on TV, he said, "What business is it of the government to control what music people listen to, or what kinds of clothes people should wear?", implying he was going to get the government out of the morality business, and grant young Iranians, their God-given youth for a change. That and it suggested the briefest glimmer of freedom on the heels of a less then disappointing Khatami.
His opponent was none other than the revolution's original veteran mollah, and past president, Rafsanjani. His thinly veiled attempt at a coup, was more transparent than the latest design of mollah-wear, and the establishment wasn't being fooled for a minute. Rafsanjani had also in the past, consequently and quite clearly stated that if he ever got nuclear weapons, he would most certainly fire them at Israel. And so he funneled the substantial personal fortune he had been amassing through his family's monopoly over the Iranian pistachio market into his campaign. His wealth was now made even more substantial, thanks to Clinton's relaxing of the US embargo, and which now allowed pistachios to be exported to the US once again. Pistachios have a huge global ingredient market, used in baked goods, and as flavorings and other industrial food uses. And Iran makes some of the purest pistachios on the planet. But of course.
And all of this, the poser, and once-was valet of Ayatollah Khamenei the supreme leader, who became the once-was former mayor of Tehran, now reinvented and repackaged himself as a secular reformer, and the Buddha smiling mollah with a heart as his opponent, they both masked the far bigger lie. A far far bigger lie.
Few people know of the great swindle of Iran's constitution. Fewer than that, have actually read Iran's original constitution. And fewer than that it seems, including Condoleezza Rice, have bothered to read Iran's current constitution. No one other than Ganji apparently, has bothered to note the rather obvious changes in the constitution that funny enough, were put into place after Khomeini died. Changes that are now apparently sacrosanct. Cementedly horrifying sacrosanct.
The shocking changes to the constitution, have now firmly sealed Iran into a back alley of no return. The constitution cannot be amended or changed, because the previous constitutional amendment procedures which were pesky for the hardliners, were simply taken out. So it is illegal to change Iran's constitution. The wide ranging powers granted to the guardian council, who are made up entirely of mollahs, are protected with this very big poison pill. The only way to change Iran's constitution appears to be the unmentionable. And that is conveniently illegal too.
To counter Rafsanjani's rook to bishop attempt to gain favor and influence with like minded guardian council members, and with the obvious ultimate aim of unseating Khamenei and gaining Rafsanjani's own grip on the council, Khamenei put his substantial weight behind, and endorsed Ahmadinejad. Bishop takes rook, Ahamdinejad won the election. Checkmate. Rafsanjani, piss off to your pistachio farm.
After the election was over, the government officials that conducted the militia guarded election, counted the ballots, and surprise, surprise surprise, announced the glorious results. That an "overwhelming percentage" of Iranians had voted, adding that this percentage was coincidentally more than the percentage of US voters (So, Ha! Ha!), and that the results were undeniable. Almost holy in their divination of the next new shiny yet unshaven, scruffy, unwashed, and most importantly undeodorized, Iranian president.
Many people in Iran went to the polls just to get their Identification cards stamped. They placed their ballots in the box unmarked. It's survival, and they don't want to get hassled if their ID doesn't show the right stamps in it. Many people who did not go to vote, said privately and off the record, that they felt that the turnout at the polls appeared far lower than previous elections, certainly less than when Khatami ran, and that in many cases the polling stations were utterly empty. But that's always a problem, when you have a government that runs it's own election, counts it's own ballots, and then announces it's own results. Which is probably why Ahmadinejad and Iranian officials in general, never seem to stop compensating for their lack of credibility.
So this June, it rolls around again. The same charade. The same empty promise. The same feigned respect for a system that is ultimately rigged. Entirely and utterly in favor of the system. And it absolutely has to be rigged. And beautifully so. Because they know that the system of governance in place in Iran today, cannot stand up to the scrutiny of a free people. Or even God. Which is precisely why the votes are counted, and the results announced promptly by the government. As long as they think that they control the masses, they will continue to do so. When they see they no longer have control, they will put all their foolishness away. That's the way a bully operates. A bully stops being a bully only when the entire schoolyard stops being afraid. Even if just one snot-nosed kid fears him, he will continue to be a bully.
So not voting in this upcoming election, is actually a very good way to protest the rigged system of the bullies. Abstaining, is voting, it is a silent vote. It is a vote of no confidence. It doesn't mean you are raising your voice, or intend to do anything to play into their waiting hands. But by raising no voice, and not voting, Iranians can exercise a freedom they seem to forget that they have had all along. The freedom to ignore.
Even though they will most likely try to silence that too. I for one would love to see them try. How do you make free people stop ignoring you? How do you silence silence?
So let's all pledge that as Iranians, in or out of Iran, we will declare the 12th of June, Ignore the Bully Day. For one whole day, we will completely ignore them, and blank them out of our minds. Don't mention them. Don't think about them. Imagine they simply don't exist. And above all, don't fear them, and don't vote for them.
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Kidding?
by MiNeum71 on Fri Feb 13, 2009 05:09 PM PST"Alien force"? Are you kidding? Khomeini was Iranian, Khamenei is Iranian, Akhoondha are Iranians, Pasdaran are Iranians, Basijis are Iranians, ...
AND, also something else ist sooo typical Iranian: wallowing in self-pity ("Elahee Bemeeram") and fishing for pity ("Gonah Daram"). Iranians consider themselves as victims, and thinking that they deserve compassion makes them to easy victims again.
Iranians are their own worst enemies: The Islamists torturing the inhabitants in Iran, the Monarchists longing for the continuation of the past brutal dictatorship, the diaspora living in their own dream worlds and giving half-witted adivises to people trying to get rid of a hell.
If you want to know what can be done for a change, the only thing which never worked was staying at home "Mesle Bache Koocheek Ghar Kardan" and "Chert o Pert Goftan". Feel free to learn history:
//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iranian_Revolution
//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_rights_movement
//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soviet_Union
//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berlin_Wall#The_Fall....
//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venezuela
MiNeum71 Imagine Iran
by alimostofi on Fri Feb 13, 2009 11:05 AM PSTMiNeum71
Imagine Iran occupied by an alien force. Would you go and play their game?
Ali Mostofi
//www.alimostofi.com
Mr. Alimostofi
by MiNeum71 on Fri Feb 13, 2009 08:40 AM PSTThis is SOOO typical Iranian, so typical, really so typical; if something doesn´t work, then they retreat into their shell just watching what the others are doing. And this habit is so silly and childish. Total abstention? So typical Iranian, "Ghar Kardan", this is so ridiculous, and the most foolish way of answering to a problem, and sooo typical Iranian.
Iran´s problems? Not the Islamic Republic, Iran´s problems are the Iranians, uneducated ("Bee Savad"), stubborn ("Lajh´baz"), weak in the knees ("Ghar Karde") and uncivilized ("Vah´shee").
Not voting makes the rulers stronger (and it proves that Iranians will deserve this system another four years). If you don´t know the difference between the years 1997-2005 and 2005-2009, then get a move on, go to Iran and talk to the people.
And stop giving silly advises. It doesn´t matter to you anyway, you are living abroad, writing half-witted comments and having a good life. It matters only to the people living in Iran. "Boro Ghar kon Dobare."
A .. 1387 says "The guys
by alimostofi on Thu Feb 12, 2009 02:07 PM PSTA .. 1387 says "The guys running the show will have to answer".
These people have the guns, murder people everyday, and they are not interested in answering to anyone. They think they are Seyyeds and descendants of Mohammad, and only they deserve to rule over secular Iranians.
That is why the freedom loving people of Iran owe it to their dignity to not be suckered again. Like the past two charades, we will watch and count them, and know who they are, so that we know what to do with them when the time comes.
Ali Mostofi
//www.alimostofi.com
And NOT voting proves what?
by Anonymous1387 (not verified) on Thu Feb 12, 2009 05:08 AM PSTlets see, the scheme only works under one condition - that the masses DO NOT vote.
However, there is a flaw in the scheme, should the masses actually VOTE, and then find their candidate at a loss; the guys running the show WILL have to answer. They obviously couldn't pull their schemes during the two elections where Khatami voted.
So do this, VOTE. the very little right that we are being give by the current regime, we should use it and abuse it to the extent to not give them any way to void our voices.
VOTE - another 70% voter turn up in favor of the correct candidate can not by any means be overturned. The masses will have something to say.
Quite frankly the
by alimostofi on Mon Feb 09, 2009 03:56 PM PSTQuite frankly the Seyyeds/Theocrats do not care what the secular Iranian think. Once in a while they pretend to the world that their Theocratic Democracy works and the world press that supports them, gives them the benefit of the doubt.
Why is it that the world press falls for the Seyyeds/Theocrats? The answer is simple. We do not have an alternative voice that is the main channel of opposition that is focused. We have the exact opposite. We have the third largest blog community in the world.
Each blogger now is more knowledgeable about Iranian politics than you can imagine. This force is massive and IR can do nothing about it. Once we all say boycott, we mean boycott and then we will all watch all the government employees go and vote.
One day we will all say, "shut down" and watch no one deliver food to them and stay at home. This threat will appear in the media that will put the Theocrats on the spot. They cannot force 65 million people to work for them.
One day Iran will be silent. The Iranian silence will put shame in this feeble pathetic alien and force him to step down in hunger.
Ali Mostofi
//www.alimostofi.com
Most important debate
by Mehrban (not verified) on Mon Feb 09, 2009 09:44 AM PSTMost important aspect of participating in a blog is exchange of ideas. The issue of voting or not voting in the July elections is a very important debate that Iranians of all walks are rightfully involved in. I ask that both sides of the argument to stop trying to silence the other.
It is short sighted to call Iranians unworthy or not understanding of the democratic process if they choose not to vote to voice their dismay and distrust of the Islamic Republic.
At the same time we should fully examine the potential outcome of the Iranian voters staying at home.
I have heard this arguement that Ahmadinejad was elected president as a result of Iranian moderates not voting. Ahmadinejad was elected A) because he was the supreme leader's preferred choice at the time, B) people viewed Rafsanjani deeply corrupt.
I want to hear all reasonable voices no matter which town they come from . These decisions are not that simple.
Great Advise
by MiNeum71 on Mon Feb 09, 2009 05:11 PM PSTI´m sorry for writing this but not electing demonstrates the incapability of the Iranians living in a democratic system. Iranians want a democratic system, but they don´t have the culture for that. 8 years ago they thought Khatami could change everything in 4 years, and 2005 they stuck their heads in the sand and didn´t vote. They don´t know that "Democracy has a price". I´m still wondering first what my family members expected and then how the reacted.
Khatami is is not a liberator, but he can be another step towards
Iranian Glasnost, and the next generation can be the reason for the
Iranian Perestroika.
We remember what happened last time when Iranians wanted a liberator
changing their political lifes. A sustainable societal improvement
requires the participations of all the members of the society. Khatami can now be the right person, not strong, but intelligent, and I think that
he is the only one who can make most of the the people taking part in
that civil society. I hope the Iranians jump at that opportunity and
have patience with him (but I know Iranians don´t have a great passion to
patience).
Besides: Sitting in Europe/USA and writing "Not Voting IS Voting" is not the most intelligent alternative. Drinking a cappuccino in Vienna or a manhattan in LA doesn´t qualify anyone telling people in Iran what they should do or not.
Anyway: It would be nice seeing Iran one day as a free country, where people can live their individual liberties.
what a joke....
by ali144 (not verified) on Sun Feb 08, 2009 10:40 AM PSTdoes anyone believe that the akhoonds actually run a fair democracy???
how the heck is that even possible when the original constitution has been written off and replaced by a bunch of bs that has a wacko as the ultimate ruler??
how is that democracy?? like farhad said, this is just a buncha bs to pretend the akhoonds are ruling a republic....the reality is that from day one this has been a hoax....when that dog khomeini and his pasdars claimed that the people chose a islamic republic!
all of this is bs....they only way to free iran is to force the mullahs on a boat, take them out to the arabian sea, and sink the boat!
only then can we have iran become the paradise it once was...i can't wait to celebrate eid back home!
Delicay: If one day...
by abol danesh (not verified) on Sun Feb 08, 2009 07:28 AM PSTIf
One day
I become
The president of imperial government of iran
For five years
To discharge my duties
On behalf of Cyrus the great
The first thing I will do
Is to give an altimatuim
To all opium users regardless of age
To quit their unproductive lazy behavior
That goest against the interest of iran children
In one month
And that if they still persist in their behavior
I will invite them all
In the guise of
Cruise entetainment for one week in the indian ocean
With expenses paid by iranian people
And then when the ship reaches the middle of ocean
I will throw them all onto the sea
So all the ocean sharks
Have a lavish meal for a day or so
For since Mao Tese Tong's war on opium in china
It has been quite a long time
The sharks in sea have not had
This rare once in a while delicacy
The second thing i will do ...
The ... thing i will do...
Abol the Kaboul!
;)
Shirazi3 do you seriously
by alimostofi on Sat Feb 07, 2009 01:43 PM PSTShirazi3 do you seriously believe that if we did not think that the democratic process in Iran: is being run honestly and not fiddled with; with international representatives to monior its authenticity; then millions would go and vote to get rid of the IRGC's man?
Fact is that the democratic process cannot really fail or be abused. Because at the end of the day, abstention is a vote of resentment against the whole process.
So far we have had to massive abstentions by the Iranian population.
We Iranians have shown in a civilized manner how to win non-violently. The Seyyed/Theocratic despots know that they are stuck in their bunkers of state.
As I said earlier, what is clever about all this, is that the world press does not make hoo haa about it, because they are quite happy for US to have a sparring partner.
One day when the world press challenges these aliens, with questions along the lines of, "what would you do if the masses opt for a non-voilent general strike?", then these despots will be tongue-tied and legless and leave in shame.
Ali Mostofi
//www.alimostofi.com
fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me
by shirazi3 (not verified) on Sat Feb 07, 2009 12:21 PM PSTfool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me. look what the "let's not vote" slogan got the people last time around! the best gift for ahmadinejad and the regime hard-heads is for those in the opposition to abstain from voting, and hand them the next 4 years on a silver platter. because you can be assured that there are plenty that support him and they will vote for him no matter what. the pro-israel lobby would also love such a development. because ahmadinejad's exit would rob the "let's bomb 'em" crowd of their golden boy. so, let's think twice. let's stand firmly, but logically, against the "don't vote" crowd this time.
The only way for Iranian to
by alimostofi on Sat Feb 07, 2009 07:05 AM PSTThe only way for Iranians to topple this regime is to threaten them with total abstention. The media in the world, the heads of states, do not use this as a bargaining tool in their negotiations with the regime.
No one says to Khamenei, "stop your nuke activities or we will report that there have been mass abstentions, and the people of Iran will feel the world is with them and then go for a general strike".
The people of Iran do not want bloodshed, and the world press is not interested in anything less tantalizing than a civil war. So basically there needs to be physical conflict for the media to write to take pictures.
So even if the whole of Iran heeded our advice, and stayed at home, the cameras will make it look good.
So the problem is media.
Ali Mostofi
//www.alimostofi.com
Election in a Dictatorship system
by Iranyvaliazad on Fri Feb 06, 2009 07:38 PM PSTAsh-e kashk-e khalat-e ... bekhory pat-e, nakhory pat-e
Clerical regime contstitution clearly states that the system is based on rule of ONE person, an unelected moslem cleric ... everything else is KASHK. They clearly say that, they don't hide anything, however, the way they present the system to "fools" who believe in invisible creatures does make the "fools" believe that they actually are participating.
12 years ago, Khatami, a not so known molla showed up out of no where to calm the angry feelings of that era ... he achieved his goals. I remember telling my friends in Iran that moslem clerics will replace Khatami with a MAD DOG (Sag-e haar), just to tell Iranians that hey we let you listen to radio in your cars and move the scarves 2-3 cm back on your women's heads ... be grateful and happy and if you are not grateful we throw this mad dog at you.
Do you think Iranians are grateful with the table scraps that moslem clerics throw at them? If yes, then a so called reformist will be next puppet and if Not then Sag-e haar will continue his act.
Iranians are Arabs. Persia
by true persian (not verified) on Fri Feb 06, 2009 05:08 PM PSTIranians are Arabs. Persia does not exist. The proof is that the Iranians embraced the Arab culture in 1979 and then they actually voted for the "Islamic Republic" and they have been voting for the Islamic presidents eversince. People say not much when their brothers and sisters are being imprisoned , maimed, tortured, raped and beheaded in Iran. Do you call this the persian spirit that existed in real Persia long ago.
Iran has embraced the Arab culture as much as Egypt, Syria and other countries in the region,except that the Iranians are more Arab than the Arabs themselves. Where in the Arab world you see the craziness that is going on in Iran right now? Which Arab country rather than Iran creates,supports terror groups in and out of the country? Hamas, Islamic jihad, Hezbollah. You name it. All supported by the Arab government of Iran elected by Arab people of Iran. There is no such thing as Iranian people and true Persians unless you are a real intellectual athiest like myself. Persian cup of tea pot doesn't make you Iranian. Your thoughts and actions count.The thoughts and actions of people in Iran makes them more Arab than the Arabs themselves.
farokh2000, Peyman, Anonymousx, Anonymous23233
by eroonman on Fri Feb 06, 2009 05:07 PM PSTF2k; You are of course right. But it is illegal for you to even say what you just said. I just want to make sure you completely understand the exact unacceptable position you have been placed in, by not having the freedom to talk or think.
Peyman and Anonymousx and Anonymous23233; You don't appear to understand how participating doesn't achieve anything except sanction the system. It doesn't matter if you vote or not, the election is always going to be constitutionally rigged in favor of the mollahs. By pressuring you to vote, they are convincing you to participate in and sanction their system. By not voting, you are at least letting them know that you do not sanction this system. That makes them wonder. And that is a form of unpunishable protest. But choosing the lesser of 2 evils (and you are given the 2 by the mollahs) is still voting for evil. Don't be afraid to think and consult your heart about what is true, what is right, and what is just. If you can do this, you should see what they are doing.
Farhad Kashani; You sir can move to the head of the class! You have officially broken free from the Matrix. I will call you Neo!
To misquote Chomsky with respect to American elections
by Anonymous23233 (not verified) on Fri Feb 06, 2009 04:19 PM PSTVote against Ahmadinejad but without illusions.
This is not an election,
by Farhad Kashani on Fri Feb 06, 2009 02:25 PM PSTThis is not an election, this is a scheme. Just a show to fool the world to think this is a "Republic"!
Eroonman,
by ganselmi on Fri Feb 06, 2009 09:51 AM PSTNice piece.
Not voting is a bad idea
by Anonymousx (not verified) on Fri Feb 06, 2009 09:29 AM PSTLast election many decided not to vote and we got Ahmadi. People should vote either for Khatami (if he is running) or Ghalibaf or any other reformists.
Don't Agree at all
by Peyman (not verified) on Fri Feb 06, 2009 08:35 AM PSTIn my openion mullah looking for such idea . They won in last elections becasue people follow this. At perent there are some people that care about our country and our future like us. So we must choose the best and donot let this idea bring Ahmadi.. or somebody like him to the power.
Just my friends : Change needs time / it is not reveloution.
Many thanks
Great idea but do they care?
by farokh2000 on Fri Feb 06, 2009 07:56 AM PSTVery nice piece here. I agree with you 100% but do the Mullahs care if you and other people who oppose them don't vote at all?
They have total control of the system now after 30 years of brutal attacks on people that they probably don't even care if angry people don't vote, as long as they get votes from their own puppets, they can show to the whole World that people voted and they got reelected.
Just remember who actually brought the Mullahs back to Iran, it was CIA that hid and protected Khomini in Iraq for over 25 years, for that exact purpose of bringing him back to Iran when they needed to get rid of the Shah after his usefulness had expired.
To me the only way to get rid of them is to have an internal revolution that would be real, by the real people for the real people of Iran.