Meanwhile, In Iran Over the Last Few Days....
The "Coup President" (aka Idiotnejad) has gotten the bulk of his cabinet approved by the Majlis (Parliament). I have decided to refer to him as the Coup President by taking my queue from Mr. Mousavi and Ms. Rahnavard in their postings on their facebook page.
I had been monitoring the so-called "debate" over the last few days. The Majlis basically rubber-stamped cabinet, although for instance the Oil Minister-Designate only got 147 votes. The Coup President wanted his Cabinet to project unity because he felt that they were the best persons for the job. How can, for instance, someone who has never worked in the Oil Industry is chosen to lead it? I also like to understand the rationale behind the nomination of a man wanted by Interpol as Defense Minister.
What is clear is that the firm grip of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp is complete. The Coup President is their frontman. But, what is quite gratifying is how the people continue to resist. Such resistance continues on in subtle ways. The State Broadcaster's viewership is apparently down by almost 40%. The economy seems to have grinded to a halt. Not withstanding the "happy talk" of unity and continuity, the reality seems to be different. There is also the sanctions that are starting to bite too. How long this farce will continue to go on is another question.
As the comedy show that is Iran's Government continues on, there is the continued psychological war on the opposition. I nearly fell off my chair when I read that Mohammad Ali Abtahi, the former Vice President and leading opposition figure, was allowed to write on his weblog from prison!!! I'd love to see what Jon Stewart makes of it all.....
I had been monitoring the so-called "debate" over the last few days. The Majlis basically rubber-stamped cabinet, although for instance the Oil Minister-Designate only got 147 votes. The Coup President wanted his Cabinet to project unity because he felt that they were the best persons for the job. How can, for instance, someone who has never worked in the Oil Industry is chosen to lead it? I also like to understand the rationale behind the nomination of a man wanted by Interpol as Defense Minister.
What is clear is that the firm grip of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp is complete. The Coup President is their frontman. But, what is quite gratifying is how the people continue to resist. Such resistance continues on in subtle ways. The State Broadcaster's viewership is apparently down by almost 40%. The economy seems to have grinded to a halt. Not withstanding the "happy talk" of unity and continuity, the reality seems to be different. There is also the sanctions that are starting to bite too. How long this farce will continue to go on is another question.
As the comedy show that is Iran's Government continues on, there is the continued psychological war on the opposition. I nearly fell off my chair when I read that Mohammad Ali Abtahi, the former Vice President and leading opposition figure, was allowed to write on his weblog from prison!!! I'd love to see what Jon Stewart makes of it all.....
Mike Pouraryan
