Where is my leader?

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Bijan A M
by Bijan A M
29-Dec-2009
 

It is heartbreaking to see bloodied faces, and dead bodies on the streets. You feel the urge to grab a gun and shoot every one of those bastards who know well, their end is near. I comfort myself by the prospects of IRR’s demise but remain apprehensive about what’s next?….

Who is the leader of this revolution? There is little doubt that this is a revolution (no matter how much the likes of Sargord and other IRR agents try to undermine the significance of this movement). It could be my wishful thinking, but I don’t get the sense that this movement is about Mousavi or Karroubi, or reforming of the IRR. I feel this is about a true democracy. Of course true democracy and secular democracy are synonyms (at least in my book).

If the real driver of this revolution is secularism, who is (are) the leader(s). I had high hopes that some name(s) would emerge as leaders of the secular movement.

Those of you who have access to (or contact with) other non-metropolitan cities and rural parts of Iran, do you see any support for secular democracy? Do they (and for that matter people in major cities) perceive secularism as “anti-religion”? Would they join the opposition and scream “Death to velayat-e vaghih”? Because, that’s when this revolution will succeed.

I still don’t know if the guy who is kicking the basiji in the face and risking his life is after a secular democracy or not? It is not my intent to downplay the significance of this revolution as it raises my blood to its heights. My blood boils watching these videos, but, who is leading this movement?. I’ve heard of “leaderless revolutions”.  The turn of communist soviet to its current state was pretty much leaderless. But, most, any revolution has succeeded with a charismatic and motivating leader with the support of a good organization.

Of course, in current age with advantages of Internet and sophisticated technologies, the requirement of a leader may not be as essential as it used to be, but, considering how widespread these technologies are in Iran, I believe there is a desperate need for a unifying leader. That’s the person I’m looking for. Please come out and let us know who you are. I beg you...

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more from Bijan A M
 
ramintork

You are your own leader

by ramintork on

Join my facebook group and become your own leader. Use the facebook group flashmob for freedom of Iran to organize your own events in your local area.

Organize rallies, marches, flashmob events, write letters to student union groups and ask them to join your March, get a few friends together and organize an evening for Iran.

Raise the profile of the Iranian campaign and try to grab media attention. Write to your political representatives and ask them to put the Iranian Human rights first.

Perhaps doing all this we would reach our objective of putting Iranian Human rights first and when the time is right we would use our own democratic power to find our leaders. If you read my Blogs of the last five weeks all this would become more clear.


Hovakhshatare

Dear Bijan, you raised many good concerns originally & ask good

by Hovakhshatare on

questions now.  I hope my comments did not somehow minimize them as I do value your insights as well. Every single question you raise is a valid concern. At the risk of expanding this subject further I think there are many unknowns that can be added to those you raise. Let me start by saying if there ever was a time to show our love of country this is it. I dearly believe it is our very heritage at the balance of this WAR with Erteja'.

The 'green' movement has many unknown elements including funding and widespread communication capability indicating a hand (foreign or domestic) has a role in it. It is also clear that original green was/is content on keeping islam in the future formula. I also believe, that the movement has moved and expanded beyond whatever the original objectives were and became 'Green', not by choice but by force of circumstance and evolved to a full fledged democratic demand and end islamic regime in totality. The students leading this movement seem extremely sharp and clever to me and that is where I rest my best hopes. I would not be surprised if we discover a well prepared leadership team emerge from among them even though I do not know that to be a fact. Once Seda & Sima is taken (see a link I posted on what next) as a next step IRR is officially done with. We are not there yet but it may happen sooner than we all think. Too much speed at this point is not good, however, as the length of IRR fall will allow for filtering of some garbage.

People have sensed the weakness of this regime and unlike many I believe we as a nation have learned from the past 103 years and cannot be easily fooled again. I'm not a fan of RP or Mousavi or Kahroubi but they are the most prominent and commonly accepted faces of Iranian politics. With Mousavi the clear front runner, as long as he follows the will of people. That is good because the movement can focus its demand on them. The reality is people are ready and can take over what they want. Your broader point is quite valid and my concern as well, that the 'leadership' is not keeping pace with the regime. In other words, had RP & Mousavi been in sync, the orders could start flowing now and regime be done with next week. I'm not underestimating the brutality and intentions of IRR but they are extremely weak right now and indeed timely action could even prevent a mass killing by the regime before it is gone. Once gone, replacing the top people with temporary appointments from among many activists (Osanloo and the like come to mind) is not difficult. The key undertaking within the next month or so is Mousavi/RP and other potential contenders declaring agreement on government of Unity, stating its transitional nature and powers, outlining key components of a new constitution they support and outline the transition steps that will include process of education & awareness on new constitution, refinement period, referenda, and then elections. I forsee this as a 8-16 month process that will provide sufficient time to do plenty of filtering by Iranian people.


Bijan A M

Dear Hovakhshatare

by Bijan A M on

I sincerely appreciate many of your contributions to this site and respect your views very much. I am no expert in any of this revolution business (i.e from academic standpoint), but my common sense raises many questions that I don’t have a clear answer for. Maybe you and other well informed people on this site can shed some light:

-What happens after the protesters takeover the communication pulse of  IRI (seda o sima) and millions upon millions jubilantly pour to the streets? 

-Would the armed forces remain apolitical and commit to maintaining / protecting law and order?

-Would there be a power vacuum leading to take-over of one mafia by another mafia in a lawless land?

-After we take over the government buildings and every industrial complex from oil to food, to manufacturing, etc… who would run those industries?

Don’t you think the revolution needs a core leadership organization? A group who is unified in their objective i.e. prevention of anarchy and creation of safe environment to establish democracy? Such leadership organizations (IMHO) are usually led by a unique individual. In your response you eluded to a hypothetical form of such organization by referring to coalition of RP/Mousavi.  

I am a firm believer that leadership is the key to the success of any enterprise, be it corporate, war, revolution or running of a country. And this is what I meant when I posted, where is my leader?


Bijan A M

Mr. Nur

by Bijan A M on

Thank you for your inspiring, and spiritual lecture. I am not a theorist in the theory of revolutions but count on your insights. Thanks for visiting my blog.

 

Problem solved.


Hovakhshatare

Secular democracy is part of the solution not the driver

by Hovakhshatare on

The drivers are many and not complicated. A people who were doing relatively well and ready for the next 'level' got duped into the mistake of 79 and the rest we have witnessed for 30 years. People from metros to far out villages see lawlessness, Erteja', suffocation, destruction of future, hope, and disrespect of just about everything they hold dear. The younger generation wants a future and 'normalcy'. The middle age regret what has transpired and destruction of their dreams, the elderly see annihiliation of deceny and as whole the country has observed a level of theft, kolahbardary and hoghebazi that baffles the sane mind. The perception of what will work and what 'road' Iran must take is as varied as all the beautiful colors and tendencies of Iranians. Some may not be able to articulate what it is but they all know that it can not be what it is and what cannot hold anymore.

The distributed leadership (or lack of a singular leader), is a strength of this movement and it is a process that must run its course. Even Mousavi/RP... (certainly not MKO) coalition can only be an interim government. IRR is collapsing and within the next few months movement will gel into a transitional government of unity that will work on an unambiguous and 'secular' constitution to address basic demand of people that can then evolve into referenda, elections and First post IRR government. Is this certain? No. But it is likley and we cannot be shaky because we made a mistake 30 years ago. I see tremendous positive signs and intelligence in the current movement. There are many pitfalls and enemies (foreign and domestic) lurking in all corners. But no one ever said this world be easy and the outcome is certainly not guaranteed. Iran is on its 3rd attempt at democracy and that in itself is a promising sign as is the very generation that started this movement born and raised under IRR. This is a test and we better pass it and I for one am rather confident Iran will get there. If she does not, the world will have much bigger problems to contend with.


Nur-i-Azal

Be your own leader

by Nur-i-Azal on

How are we going to have a hope of implementing genuine democracy in Iran when people are still looking for leaders to lead? We are the leaders. The collective will must take collective responsibility while each individual remains a leader on to themselves.

Government of the people, for the people, by the people, right?

 


Bijan A M

Dearests wildmoose & atessa

by Bijan A M on

I’m a little more hopeful (granted that it could be wishful thinking) than what your posts might suggest. Many are of the opinion that in such uprising a person or a group of people will emerge as leaders. However, it is my humble opinion that once those leaders surface, the oppressive regime will be quick to silence them. Therefore, any effective leadership (IMHO) should initiate outside in the free world.

Marches and strikes can be coordinated from the safe haven of diaspora. If we could just identify those charismatic, intelligent and dedicated leaders and throw in everything we have in their support and provide them a bunker (sangar) in a safe place, then our dreams will come true.

We, out here, have a lot of resources. It’s just a matter of how to utilize them for he right cause. I am just looking for the right destination for this support.

I personally can vouch for “Fair” (a patron of this site) as a leader of secular movement. Only if we could properly introduce him to the people in Iran. There are many Iranians out in the free world who can provide at least the framework and the first draft of a secular parliamentary constitution. It is just a matter of uniting and organizing.

I remain hopeful. If not in my lifetime, hopefully in my children’s lifetime.  


I Have a Crush on Alex Trebek

faramarz i have told you this before

by I Have a Crush on Alex Trebek on

the record is the past. the leadership pool is much wider now. the information age is here and it's not like 1953 or even 1979. In a second the news gets out to make and break candidates. Let's just wait and see! In the mean time go and draft some business plans. I would only say that your concerns are warranted IF and only if Masoud rajavi raises from the dead. Now there is a snake that needs to be strangled.


Faramarz_Fateh

Bijan jan, I have been asking the same

by Faramarz_Fateh on

question since October of this year.

Every time, reactionaries and Islamist attack; their question is how dare anyone poses a question.  As if our record of chosing our leaders is strong.

Thanks for the blog.


Atessa1

Truth be told,

by Atessa1 on

 

Let see what alternative we have.

 

Mousavi: Allegedly ex-prime minister of IR responsible for as much sorrow and injustice as those he is challenging today and not to forget a fervent supporter of Islamic Republic (not one word less, not one word more)…Very democratic indeed!

 Rajavi: The guy never cared neither about Iran nor about people. They way he treats his own…leaving them helpless and hopeless to Iraqi’s mercy while enjoying his safety and fortune in Paris.  

Reza Pahlavi: So far he is only guilty of being the son of the late Shah, but then our ever lasting comrades “we know it all & we did it all” are repeating the same slogan as in 1979…No to Shah even if we should have Khomeini instead…goes without saying that they helped the Revolution and welcomed Khomeini to Iran to Rape, Kill and torture only to leave Iran for the safety of foreign lands as soon as they could. Those who remained in Iran paid and continue to pay for the ignorance of our so called well informed intellectuals.

So be it, all of us, including myself, are just busy with the great task of undermining ourselves. We still know it all and will do it all.

Well, the bad news is, if we do not agree on someone as our leader soon, (RP, Rajavi, Mousavi or else) those who have introduced Khomeini to us, will find us another saviour. Short of time and hope, we will all close are eyes and agree, not because we did not have another choice, but because we did not care to make one before our ever lasting Brits and American Friends.     


vildemose

From a comment section of

by vildemose on

From a comment section of another site. I think it sums up our predicment pretty succinstly.

 

"" It has always struck me how Iranians are highly articulate and intelligent, but their ability to put this into meaningful collective action is stunted by fear, suspicion and censorship. Having had some involvement with Iranian human rights and opposition groups, I’ve observed how quickly this weakness leads to mutual recriminations between people who have far fewer differences between each other than they have with the regime they are supposed to be fighting. In the end, this breeds factionalism and inevitable accusations that one or the other is in the pockets of VEVAK/Mossad/CIA/MI5/Shah/Satan, something that the regime exploits to the fullest.

It has made me rather pessimistic about the chances of street protests emerging into something more coherent that can both topple a very well-armed and fanatical regime and develop a credible alternative. The danger is that this will all fizzle out like the 1999 student protests, crushed under the weight of brutish state violence.

Desires for nebulous concepts of justice and freedom are not enough; every revolution needs a vanguard and Mousavi others are falling well short of providing leadership in the same way as Khomeini did when he took the opportunity to take control of what was a broad-based movement.

I feel the best anyone can hope for is a ‘reformist’ (my personal preference is Karroubi) government that can tip the balance of the political system away from the Supreme Leader and towards the Majlis and prise open a role for civil society. But even this will require a massive effort. At times the regime looks like a house of cards that can quickly topple due to its inherent contradictions, but it has persisted and endured major challenges.

 

 Maybe the threat of revolution can prompt gradualist moves towards democracy. Tensions will continue, but the regime may be forced into making a few concessions to allay the concerns of its more powerful critics – at the expense of those brave young people who spilled their blood under the green banner.


Bijan A M

Hi Marge

by Bijan A M on

I was away for a while and feel sorry for that. I'm not sure if I can stick around for too long but it's good to see you.

I'm not sure if I use the word "powerless" in this situation. It is more like "foggy" as what's to come. The power is there, but, it's foggy as how it will be applied what will come of it.

Happy new year, lady.

 


I Have a Crush on Alex Trebek

i was wondering where you were!

by I Have a Crush on Alex Trebek on

welcome back. 

your leader = oil. Someone must come and stand in for it and hold it up for the foreign corporations who want to profit from it. I am hoping for a miracle and no one exploits this movement, whomever the leader turns out to be. I don't pray, so please pray Bijan.

I feel so sorry for us Iranians. Our leaders hold our fates. Here in the US, I feel so fortunate that regardless of who is president, my life stays the same for the most part. In Iran, when our shah, who was supplied and backed by the US, grew his hairy balls, he was taken out. Now this sh*tty experiment with IRI is turning out the same. I wish this movement could be protected from exploitation. I wish I had the power to help. You just feel so powerless when you're just watching this!