Last Drop

Bucket of sorrow bursting at the seams

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Last Drop
by Setareh Sabety
02-Jun-2011
 

I have become a Facebook and twitter addict. Today I went online to post a tweet/status about how happy I was to be picking up my son at the airport. My maternal glee transformed into sorrow and horror when I saw the news posted by the women’s rights group, The Feminist School on Facebook. The 54 year old daughter of Ezzatollah Sahabi, an esteemed opposition figure who had served prison terms during both the Shah and the Mullah’s reigns. Haleh, herself a women’s rights activist and member of Mother’s for Peace, had been arrested in the protests after the contested 2009 elections. She was given leave from her two year prison term to attend her father’s funeral. According to reports from eyewitnesses as well as oppositions sites, Haleh Sahabi seems to have died of heart attack after a scuffle broke when pro-regime plainclothes thugs tried to take away the corpse. One account claims that she was punched in the abdomen and chest as she refused to put the picture of her father down. All sources tend to agree that it was the violent conduct of pro-government thugs that caused this mourning daughter’s death.

There is no shortage of horrifying and sad news from Iran. An activist and twitter/ fb junkie, like me, who has followed and written about events in Iran most of her adult life, should not be so upset at yet another piece of atrocious news. But, I can’t help it. I had never had the privilege to meet Haleh or her father but today, the day I have been awaiting for almost a year to see my son, the day I’m supposed to be overjoyed with maternal love, I weep.

There is something especially depraved about beating a daughter up or causing a scuffle at her father’s funeral. This kind of behavior is especially shocking coming from so-called Shiites who have made a religion out of mourning! What saddens me about this news though is not the horridness of the act or surprise at the appearance of a ‘new low’ for the Islamic Republic of Iran. What angers me, what I mourn is my own impotence or rather our collective paralysis vis a vis this regime.

Our failure to unite, our failure to accept our differences and rally under one flag, our failure to create a viable leadership for the opposition, our failure to meet the courage of those who have more of it than we do, our failure as an united opposition is responsible for her tragic death. It is this that I mourn. This helplessness that I feel, this paralyzing distance that separates me from the hallowed ground on which Haleh and others have shed their blood is why I weep.

And they tell me but this depraved behavior of the regime thugs will push people to the point where they will revolt once and for all. But I know better. I know that without an organized opposition putting every pressure on this regime from inside and out we will never avenge the blood of our heroes. The only way that this death will lead to any positive change is if we let it become our battle cry to unite and create an effective force of opposition that can shake the Islamic Republics foundations and once and for all rid us of its poisonous presence.

Now more than ever, we need to create an umbrella that covers our many wishes and ideologies with the fabric of the urgent need for democracy and respect for individual rights. We should be ready to shake hands and join voices; we should slow down or speed up in order to walk in unison so that we may be the formidable force that we need to be in order to fight this shameless foe that is the Islamic Republic. We must be willing to forget the outdated dialogue of the past, the ideological bickering that our children do not grasp only serve to slow us down. We have enough in common. We all believe in some form of democratic governance and respect for individual rights. Let us unite under that. Under the wish to have fair elections, fair trials and equal opportunities we can bring together millions. Every leader and member of the opposition to this regime which, now I believe, includes most reformists, should be thinking today of ways of rallying us into a united opposition front. If we don’t mourn by organizing and reaching out to one another we have not really mourned the death of Haleh Sahabi, the last drop in our bursting at the seams bucket of sorrow.

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more from Setareh Sabety
 
Veiled Prophet of Khorasan

Omeedvar Jan

by Veiled Prophet of Khorasan on

 

I have explaind many times my position on MEK. I wish there was a place I got to post it once and not have to repeat it. Here we go:

  • The MEK leadership is very possibly guilty of treason. At the minimum an Iranian post IRI court needs to decide what to do with them.
  • The rank and file should in my opinion be pardoned. But it is not up to me. Again it would be up to an Iranian post IRI court.
  • Anyone who is not guilty of a high crime should be allowed to run for office and win or lose on merit.

MEK as an organization is beyond hope. They have not and will not reform. However the ideas of Marxism may be expressed in a new party which anyone may join. If Iran gets freed and democratic then an Iranian court should decide what to do not me or you. However I stated my position above. I want MEK disbanded; most of the low level members pardoned and the leadership tried. If a court finds them guilty then the court must decide what to do not me.

 


omeedvar

VPK Aziz

by omeedvar on

Funny that you want kakhs and jobs for yourself and accomodations for your ammeh, amu and baba. After the revolution, in some Iranian consulates like Switzerland and Canada, they had brought their baba and other family members, to work there as siahi lashkar!

Joking aside, If we want to work together democratically, why eliminate one group or other. A couple of representatives from MEK or any other group, in a 50+ assembly members, can not get the power to run the country!


Veiled Prophet of Khorasan

omeedvar

by Veiled Prophet of Khorasan on

I am all for an organization. But drop MEK because they will never give up power. There are a few who probably give up power willingly if they get it. One would be Shirin Ebadi. I make no secret that she is not my faviotire. But given the crop we got she is one of the better ones. The other is Reza Pahlavi. Either one is fine with me. I will also be willing to take job if forced to however I require at least two Kahkhs as my residence. Plus a house a southen France :-) Not to mention appropriate accomodations for my ammeh; amu and baba.

omeedvar

Dear Setareh Khanom

by omeedvar on

I agree with you that we need a council of trusted people to coordinate different views and activities abroad, and not an individual leader. Because we can hardly find a leader who not only is accepted by the majority of people, but once in power, like mandela pass it to elected representatives.

Council members can be chosen from various groups, organizations, and disciplines. for example, a few lawyers from the Iranian American Bar Association. a few chosen people from each group of scientists, academia,   technologists, businessmen, civil rights activists, NGO's, various Iranian minorities, Monarchist, JM, MEK, other political groups, writers-poets-art specialists; as well as people like shirin Ebadi, Ganji, Lahiji, Mehrangiz Kar, Amir Entezam, etc. The council members' number should be enough to represent various Iranian groups and organizations(40-100). After they were chosen, they can cooperate and communicate with each other through online meetings, and when necessary in live meetings.

They can communicate with Iranians through the media, internet, email and other hi-tech facilities. This will be a first practice of democracy for Iranians, using the experience of the past few decades, to discuss their ideas, and select the best to create a secular democratic regime in Iran.


Literary Critic

Google oodles

by Literary Critic on

 

I know that at times I am the most unwelcome presence on certain blogs but for my sins I have an eye for the "odd" usage. This does not mean that I am perfect but I can see imperfection in others better than in myself.

Oodles is a funny and informal word.  Therefore its usage is not a matter of serious substance. Out of curiosity I Googled "charisma by the oodles" and I came up with only two results (barring the identical ones) one of which was due to this very page.

A more acceptable way of saying the same thing is: "charisma in oodles" which results in five (barring the identical ones) records. 

Perhaps the most acceptable form in this case is: that young man has oodles of charisma.

My advice to our prize winning writer(s): avoid lofty rhetorics.


Setareh Sabety

page needs updating,

by Setareh Sabety on

vpk, the page says it will be "archived" if you do not update the format! Shushtari and omidvar thank you for kind comments. One of the projects of an umbrella organization can be the writing of a constitution or list of demands. the ten demands of the five intllectuals was a good start even though it stopped short of condemning velayat faghih. what was good about it was that it was broad enough to include everyone and gave the proper rights to achieve democracy. The problem was that even the five intellecutals started bickering amongst themselves shortyly after. We do badly need leader(s) that people will trust and follow. Or the ones we have should get together and form a council. Too bad majid tavakoli is in jail that young man has charisma by the oodles.


Veiled Prophet of Khorasan

Dear Amir

by Veiled Prophet of Khorasan on

IIC is the "International Iranian Council" *not* to be confused with NIAC. It is a fledgling organization that propose a Secular Government. Ramin Tork; myself and a number of others founded it:

//www.facebook.com/pages/International-Iranian-Council/311355667444#!/group.php?gid=263222071382

We are not much now but may become something if people join. Please click on the "overview" to find out more. We welcome all Iranians who are opposed to IR and advocate a Secular Government. Please read it.

 


amirparvizforsecularmonarchy

What is IIC? VPK

by amirparvizforsecularmonarchy on

What does it stand for and mean?

 


Veiled Prophet of Khorasan

Responses

by Veiled Prophet of Khorasan on

 

Dear Rea: No problem I do feel your pain. It is horrible to see your nation ruinsed or worse dissappear. I don't know what to say except to wish you the best.

 

omeedvar: I agree there is enough in common to work together. I do not think we are out for ourselves. Rather we have strong opinions and refuse to see the common parts. Yes we need a Secular constitution. But it is only as good as people who enforce it. Without that it is just a piece of paper. Maybe we need a "Government in exile". With elections; and a judiciary system. Perhaps made of Iranian lawyers and judges who had to leave Iran. They could hold trials for people like Khamenei.

All dealings and agreements with IR should be declared void. This will form a basis for a new regime. Other nations should be warned that making a deal with IR is invalid. So do not waster their times. It will also protect Iran against Mollahs giving away Iranian property. It will allow us to review and overrule the sentences against political prisoners. It will also allow a way to deal with MKO rank and file. Give pardons to the low level ones while holding the leaders responsible.

The "Government in Exile" should welcome all decent people including: JM; Monarchitsts; Marxists; of course there would be many Muslims. But no Islamists i.e. no political Islam that wants to base the constitution on Islam. 

If we do that we are taking the first step. Until then all we got is a bunch of fractured groups with no real power. Lobbying is powerful and we need to get USA on our side. Not as a military put as a political force.

Obama has plans for the ME. We better be involved and make sure those plans are our plans. Not those of MKO; Israel; Britain or some other non-Iranian group. What do you say to this?


omeedvar

Setareh Khanom

by omeedvar on

I agree with you that, "We have enough in common. We all believe in some form of democratic governance and respect for individual rights. Let us unite under that."

During the past century, Iranians tried a couple of times for a democratic regime, but each time, after blood shed, the new constitution was prepared without the approval of the majority of people, and the Islamic laws were a major componant of it.

We should not wait until this regime is removed, to prepare a new constitution under unpredictable situation. We can use some part of the US Constitution that has survived for two centuries, or of other free world constitutions, that will be suitable for us.

I suggest those who believe in a secular democratic Iran, propose a few sentence that can be discussed, and when agreed by majority, be included in a new constitution. I propose: Separation of religion and state, Individual right to life, liberty, and due process, Equal rights for women and minorities, Freedom of religion, freedom of speech and press.

Whether a constitutional monarchy, democratic republic, or other forms of regime should be discussed, since there are good and bad example of each form. I believe a constitutional monarchy like Sweden, Spain, and many other European countries are better suited for Iran. But a strong constitution is necessary to prevent a dictatorship.


Rea

vildemose, VPK

by Rea on

Didn't mean to sound pessimistic.

Upon rereading my comment, I'd say I'd just projected my own experience, unconsciously though.


shushtari

setareh jaan...

by shushtari on

you're absolutely CORRECT.

I, for one, come across a LOT OF NONSENSE ON THIS site.....arguments from 'islamists' which I do not agree with....

but at the end of the day, we, as iranians, should unite and take our vatan back.....that has always been our weakness, that depsite our vast talents, our community is fractured....and everyone is out for themselves.

 

here's to a free iran 


vildemose

RG: I appreciate your

by vildemose on

RG: I appreciate your optimistic views. Your words are indeed encouraging and depict a more positive picture of what's going on the ground. I do need to summon more patience..thank you for sharing your hopeful outlook on this site. We need more optimists like you.


Veiled Prophet of Khorasan

Rea

by Veiled Prophet of Khorasan on

 

The nation of Iran has gone through a lot for 3000 years. I am upset about IR. But Iran will remain and persist. We are not going anywhere. No one will have to mourn what was "once" Iran.

We put up with the Arab invasion; Mongol butchery and worse. We shall remain. I am sure of that one. Iran may be in hell right now. But it is that 3000 year history that will pull us through. 


Roozbeh_Gilani

vildmose: you are neither hopeless, nor helpless!

by Roozbeh_Gilani on

I know, looking at it from Iranian.com perspective, the regime has many, many barve, supporters (read user ID's!) ready to lay down their lives for it right in front of their computer monitors! It has  got jews on the run and kills Iranians because, well,  it has the right to do so!

But, Please take note of what is happening back home:

Back home , in fact different factions of opposition are merging and in the way discarding the ones who simply dont matter. industrial/labour strikes up as never before, apart from the very small, shrinking core of regime supporters, the rest of population want the regime to go. That coupled with a divided regime, for the first time under attack both externaly and internaly. I believe things are moving in absolutely correct direction. We all have to learn to remain patient , yet very focused.

"Personal business must yield to collective interest."


vildemose

In extreme cases, they

by vildemose on

In extreme cases, they unite when it's already too late and nothing left to do but mourn a loss of what was once their country.

Rea, the above statement  hit me like a lightening, and  I think we already mourn the loss of our country in a way. We are hopeless and helpless.


Rea

Terribly sad story

by Rea on

As for countries with difficult past, their diasporas often tend to have difficulty in uniting. Precisely because of the past.

In extreme cases, they unite when it's already too late and nothing left to do but mourn a loss of what was once their country.


Veiled Prophet of Khorasan

Past vs. Present

by Veiled Prophet of Khorasan on

 

Dear Friends like Mehrdad; Amir; Vildemose and others. There are two parts to our situation: Past and Present. Both matter but should not be confused with one another or make us opponents..

Our past makes us what we are. We may and should argue about it. Was Dr Mossadegh a wise leader? Was Shah an autocrat or a dictator; did JM make a mistake by not supporting Bakhtiyar. These are valid. But they won't change the present.

We may disagree on the past but still work together for the future. There is nothing that stops JM; Monarchists and others from working together. I be willing to work with anyone who supports a Secular half way decent regime in Iran.


vildemose

bavafa: I concur. Couldn't

by vildemose on

bavafa: I concur. Couldn't agree more.


Veiled Prophet of Khorasan

Russia

by Veiled Prophet of Khorasan on

 

I want to note one thing. When Putin went after the oligarch BBC went nuts. Putin was rightfully leashing them back down. When he went after Mikhail Khodorkovksy BBC went nuts.

They used all their power to try to rally public sentiment against Putin. BBC failed miserably. Because people saw no reason why some SOB named Mikhail Khodorkovksy should be supported. 

BBC is one of the greatest tools of the West to keep other down. They use their supposed impartiality to advance their agenda. I warn Iranians not to trust it.That was the agency that made Khomeini the "Imam".


Veiled Prophet of Khorasan

amirparvizforsecularmonarchy & Mehrdad

by Veiled Prophet of Khorasan on

 

I am in sufficient agreement with both of you. Therefore I see myself working with you both. 

  •  amirparvizforsecularmonarchy: You have a good point about Russia. West used "democracy" to put a drunken fool in charge of Russia. Thankfully for Russians Putin came along and fixed the problem. We could use a Putin.
  • We have IIC is that a start? It has not done a whole lot but it does exist and is neither fascist nor Islamist. So what do you think about it? Or do you prefer something other than IIC. If so I am open to ideas.

I am not so sure about a one party system. I won't fly because Iranians want more Anyway let us keep on talking.


amirparvizforsecularmonarchy

People that want secular democracy for Iran should cooperate.

by amirparvizforsecularmonarchy on

If they do work together they can win... in the runnng of the country and handling corruption and problems their sacrifices will have been in vain I believe, but at least we did something and we will get closer to a solution that works for us.

Personally, I'm for secular one party liberal autocracy with a king or queen being the arbitror of the parliament, the pursuit of freedom, justice and peace for all being the goal.  Like Austro-hungarian Empire.  Like Rome, when Augustus came to power.  Like the shahs time.

People for Secular Autocratic Monarchy need to cooperate too, we have a tested vision, which has brought Freedom, Justice and Peace.  We need our own Charismatic Leaders, preferably not a part of the future royalty, but like Rostam working in the royalties interest and service, which is ultimately the national interest.

 


Bavafa

VPK:

by Bavafa on

Just look at IC community as a very small sample of Iranians and we have :

Monarchs, Green movement, NIACs group, nationalist, JM, …. which all have supposedly one goal in mind, i.e. secular democracy for Iran and yet they are constantly at each others throat.

Look at all the blogs and articles that they write which often time generates pages of response yet an article to honor and deplore the treatement of our brave ones in IRI jail may get a handful of response.

We need to stop this in-fighting and focus on the enemy which is killing our young and brave.

Mehrdad


amirparvizforsecularmonarchy

Lack of Iranian Cooperation is what keeps us Chained

by amirparvizforsecularmonarchy on

I will work with any group with the the exception of politically extreme groups ie communist, fascist and islamist.  It is okay for us to passionately disagree about the past, but in order to move forward with one voice we need to agree with our general drection for the future.

We can't do that if many of us continue to lie about the past or what is possible for the future.  I like Reza Pahlavi and many others, but I think they are dreaming that we can create democracy where people respect majority rule, since I see our people are not there.

If the goal is Freedom and Justice for all... then I believe we need to rally around a patriotic leader and we will have to put the goal of democracy on the side and bring it in gradually, first through a one party system then over time via multiparty.

The reason I say that is because democracy can be a tool to prevent freedom and justice especially with foreign meddling.  In Russia it was not until Putin came to power and reversed democratic move and pushed forward against the West that Russians lives started to improve, they are on track to be the worlds 5th most wealthy nationin only 9 years time, in return  Russians will be freer than the people in almost any democracy.

So the issue is how do you get freedom in my opinion, ie the possibility of all people to enhance their lives withe the ability to stand up to unfair adversaries and defend yourself.

If we begin with the end in mind, we will get there, if we just begin, we'll be worse off than we are today, as hard as that is to imagine, picture Iraq swallowing up one part of Iran under US control, the caspian region under russian control, the east and baloochestan in pakistans hands under UK control.  Back to where we were before Reza Shah took over Iran. 

I believe Iranians want to go forward, they discovered the way before 1979 and were deceived from their path.

How long will it take for Irans democrats first to admit they made a huge mistake is anyones guess, but insisting on democracy first will not lead Iran forward.  Freedom and Justce first will.

 


Veiled Prophet of Khorasan

Mehrdad

by Veiled Prophet of Khorasan on

 

I am afraid you are being to vague. Tomorrow I will get up and go to work. Then come home; have dinner help the kids with homework and sleep! What do you propose we do different?

As long as that is all I do nothing will happen. Posting on IC is not going to dent IR. Should we just sit here and hope our brethren in Iran do the job? Some hope America will "free" us. I don't know what do to; I am open to concrete suggestions.


Bavafa

VPK: As they say "If we lead, leaders will follow"

by Bavafa on

Until each of us take responsibility for our own share of inaction, our share of contribution to this lack of credibility, mistrust, etc nothing will be done. It will start with each of us at the individual level to decide if we want unity, cohesion and fight for a free Iran.

Why do we need to decide first who would be our leader  (RP, NIAC or who ever) if we put our own bickering aside, those leaders may learn to set aside their differences and focus on their commonalities.

But we can first take responsibility for ourselves and not allow to be lured down into conversation that creates divisions.

Mehrdad


Veiled Prophet of Khorasan

Mehrdad

by Veiled Prophet of Khorasan on

 

We all seem to agree that we must organize. However no one agrees on the organization! Some want Reza Pahlavi to step up but he seems to lack the ability. There is NIAC but a lot of people mistrust them and think it is an IR front. What do we really have? 


Bavafa

VPK jaan: Merci for clarifying your point

by Bavafa on

I agree, specially about the need for action. But also any action absent of an unifying front will have little to no affect.

So, we need to unite first and foremost.

Mehrdad


Veiled Prophet of Khorasan

Mehrban I agree

by Veiled Prophet of Khorasan on

 

What about Hoveyda; or Ms Parsa? Why is it that people so easily dismiss their murder. If murder is wrong then it applies to them as well. What about General Rabii and all the other generals? The list is too long to mention.


Veiled Prophet of Khorasan

Mehrdad

by Veiled Prophet of Khorasan on

 

You misunderstand me. I am saying that mourning is not going to bring anyone back. I take no joy in his death and am horrified at the death of his innocent daughter.

However mourning has become our national pastime since the Safavids. We mourn Hossain. We mourn Karbala. All we ever do is mourn. What is needed is action. That is my point.