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Unprecedented soccer boycott, Neda "trailer" embarrases ruling clique

This is a roundup of six items I thought interesting, along with an occasiona comment.   >>>

Ruling thugs openly grind their teeth over new Neda Scholarship at Oxford as Iranians grin

Like the actions of Iranians who enjoy full freedom of press and speech abroad, Oxford's new Neda schlarship has the regime's thugs drinding their teeth. >>>

An act of war?: Iran knowingly makes false espeionage charges against 3 hikers

If Omaba doesn't take strong action after the Khamenei regime knowingly brought false espionage charges it has held long enough already, he will rightly perceived as a weak leader in foreign policy. >>>

A principalist comes up with a workable solution to the current crisis

He suggests that the two election opponents "apologize" to the people, especially the most guilty one.  That's the deal in sum and total. >>>

Potential opposition tactics to give the regime nightmares

Iran needs its Voltaires.  Satire and mockery are especialy effective because they undermine a regime's sense of invulnerability and being in control. >>>

Khatemi will admit rigged election at press conference & install Mousavi as president

What might have satisfied most people a week after elections might not do anymore.   Psychological people have moved on and no longer trust the whole concept of the Islamic Republic after way too much brutality. >>>

The regime may be planning Karoubbi's assassination

There are at least five reasons for thinking so.   Meanwhile, some fascinating analyses and other items have appeared online following the Nov. 4th demonstration. >>>

After the revolution should Iran consider switching alphabets as Turkey did?

From a nationalistic point of view, Iranians have little reason to feel any loyalty to the Arabic and many reasons to feel resentment>>>

The Iranian Republic: How its people are being gradually pushed to the brink

What might have settled Iran's crisis right after the rigged election will no longer pacify Iran's people given the treatment they have received since at the hands of the regime>>>

It's very unlikely that Khamenei personally believes in religion

Islam "works" well for Khamenei much as communism worked well for Stalin.  There is good reason to believe that neither man believes in the official state religion, except as a convenience to justify power and excess. >>>

The Media Fair assault makes Iran's Supreme Leader look like....WHAT?

It was the second such attack.  Like an earlier one, the consequences are once again the reverse of what the regime anticipated. >>>

In key address, Khamenei denounces entire concept of human rights

Khamenei observes that the Iranian people were totally happy with the Islamic Republic until foreign influence corrupted them>>>

Compared to Khamenei, Iraq's high clergy have such a refreshingly democratic attitude

Sistani, who outranks Khamenei as a cleric and is far better qualified to interpret Islam, has a 180-degree opposite view of who should have ultimate power in a state--the people or the clergy. >>>

"Bliss": New film deals with conflict between the old and new in the Islamic world.

The film shows how people in Turkey face a situation similar in some ways to that of Iranians. >>>

Mesbah Yadzi: Afvice on proper methods of raping male and female prisoners under Islam

Yes, apparently there is a proper method which makes everything OK according to the Ayatollah >>>