Towards Freedom

Farah

This regime may not go peacefully.  But depending on how the protests develop and continue in the coming weeks or months, the regime could become paralized and implode or be forced to change its basic nature to the point that it would be nothing like what it is now. For instance if the Bazar joins the dissent, if the labor and their unions officially join or if there is a general strike for a substantial period of time, life would become quite difficult for the Islamic Republic.   The in fightings and incompetences of the regime itself could further weaken it from within.

The Iranian people in their peaceful demonstrations have shaken the foundations of the regime in one week in ways that an armed uprising could not have in a much longer period of time.   They have also established their ligitimacy in the eyes of the world through their courage and non-violence.

In addition, if loss of valuable lives of the demonstrators is a concern, undoutedly there would be by far more lives lost through an armed uprising than a peaceful one.  I have to say again as I am sure you also know that in the comtemporary history we have seen unimaginable political achievements that have been made through peaceful means.  

To me an armed struggle is the most dreaded alternative as I see it to be profoundly damaging to the already fragile social fabric of Iran.  I hope Iranians would not be forced into it.

Mehraban

Please note that I simply questioned if the time is ripe for an armed struggle but I did not call for it.

Also bear in mind that:

1. this regime is most unlikely to make a dignified exit and peacefully and

2. how many more Nedas must be killed by sniper bullets before the the call to arms becomes a necessity? 

FR

Unimaginable things have been achieved

by peaceful resistance in the world.  I find your call to arms at this point quite disturbing.  

وای به وقتی که فاطی امر جهادم دهد

فاطمه کماندوی این وبسایت مسلح شده
لشکر دنیا دیگه بدبخت شده!

You all got me wrong gentlemen !!

David

This is no longer about voting or Moussavi (see my next blog). And that is precisely what I used to advocate from the beginning. These people on the streets of Iran are not risking and losing their lives for Mir Hossein Moussavi. They have brought the entire legitimacy of the regime under question. Is this not what I had insisted upon right from the moment go. Legitimcay of the regime remains at the core of this movement. It could have been achieved with a total boycott of the fake election. That way. Ahmadinejad would have become President without any sanction from the people. Ahmadinejad is still the winner but this time with the people's sanction. Now the regime is still basking about the 85% turn out as a proof of their legitimacy. The 'Vote' campaign gave them this tool - something that even the Western Heads of State are unable to deny. The same result could have been achieved with a substantially low turnout. Thanks to conscious people, the credibility of the entire electoral system is now under question.

As for arming the crowds in 1979, the guerrilla fighters who broke into army barrack and ransacked the ammunitions were armed with AK-47 assult rifles, supplied to them by the liks of George Habash and Co. - not a standard issue of the Imperial Iranian Army!! So facts remain rigth Mr ET.

Capt_Wikipedia_is_all_I_know_Ayhab (aka Yahya)

I STILL the boycott was the right way to go. But as you know (from your Wikipedia database) the same reuslt can be achieved in more than one way. This is why I am now asking if the time is ripe for taking up the gun.

Sorry Yahya , this is one thing you can't find in Wiki (LOL)

FR

capt

I never had problem with those who didnt want to vote, that was their right... but with those who called us traitors and chased us on our blogs and other places as if we were their enemies.

now suddenly another unrelaistic demand of picking guns as if Iranians have arms in their top right drawers!

extremist idealists...moving on...just had to say my piece to one  went too far then and still is

AnonX

No matter the outcome people have won. This regime even if stays will never be the same. NEVER.

and this was direct result of millions votings.

ps: I supported Obama, I still do vesus Bush. I also critisize where I see fit. I guess you don't understand that some of us are not Hezbollahi, Shahollahi, Obamaolahi etc. We support but dont make the ones we have supported holy and perfect, We believe in democracy. Some black and whites just dont get it.

You armed?

do not make us laugh fati comondo . you are the type who were asking for no vote, now go eat s==== and --e

-YT

Re: David ET

David, you are rushing things. The net result of voting and the current events in Iran has not shown its possible final ugly face. There is still a chance that a historic and murderous crackdown will take place where thousands of activists are executed, killed or taken away, at a much larger scale than today.

We are still far from a victory. Far far away. Exitement and hope does not equal victory. Much work remains to be done.

At the end of the day when all is said and done, it could be possible that "not voting" would have accomplished the same but in a longer term and without the bloodshed.

We don't know yet. Let's not jump into saying things like "I told you so" at this stage. It is way too early for that.

In some regards, you rushed to judgement regarding Obama too, only to come back and criticize him later, which shows your commitment to your principles. But by not criticizing others too early right now, you may save yourself from having to take your words back from them at a later time.

It's too early and much work remains to be done. The most important one is holding back our immediate feelings in favor of:

1. Unity,
2. Persistence,
2. Integrity of Iran. (tamaamiate arzi, havaasemoon baayad jam baasheh)

I thought you thought this was all a bad idea

you know well how it started, It started with what you wholehearedtly opposed: voting. 

Your way nothing would have happend. 

Anyway it's never too late to learn from mistakes:  welcome aboard! 

As for arms, in 1979 It was the parts of military that changed sides that brought lots of arms in people's hands and not very very limited weapon resources Mojahedeen and Fadaees. Lets not change the facts

 ::::::::WEAR A GREEN RIBBON::::::::::