Iranian Elections

[Lemur]

While I appreciate the compliments (what prosimian wouldn't?) I'm hardly the only person contributing to this thread.

Great article on what Mousavi's latest communication means:

He acknowledges, interestingly, that his own voice at the beginning was less ‘eloquent’ than he would have wished and that the people were ahead of him in turning the movement green. But now he accepts the “burden of duty put on our shoulders by the destiny of generations and ages” [...]

It is apparent from this statement that Mousavi’s movement — and Mousavi himself — have evolved enormously in the past week. The candidate started as a mild-mannered reformer. After the searing events of the past several days, he has dared to preach a counter sermon to Khamene’i’s lecture on Islamic government. Although he never mentions the Leader by name, there is no overlooking the direct contradiction of his arguments. This open opposition to the Leader by a political figure is unprecedented.

Mousavi has in fact issued a manifesto for a new vision of the Islamic Republic. The repression and disdain of the government has brought the opposition to a place they probably never dreamed of going. And no one knows where any of the parties are likely to go next.

But for outside observers, it is like standing on the edge of a glacier and feeling the ice begin to crack under your feet.

-edit-

Another good one:

ARTEMIS, a 41-year-old Tehra-ni woman, is the proud holder of a law degree, but one who has never been allowed to work. She was clear about why she joined the million-plus men, women and children who took to the streets of Tehran last Monday.

“People want freedom and justice,” she said. “They stole the vote. No one in his right mind believes this result.”

She said she had been afraid to voice criticism before. “The neighbours listen to you, and people go to prison just for what they say, or what they write. But this is contagious. What you are seeing, all these people, this comes from 30 years of oppression and now we have had enough.” [...]

“I was afraid to speak at all before. I thought we were a tiny minority,” said Mona, a 24-year-old software designer in the oversized designer sunglasses favoured by Tehran’s fashionable young women, and a tight red “manteau”, the overcoat that gives a scant nod to the law that women must cover their heads and bodies in public. “But now I feel we are the majority. I am not afraid any more. For me, fear is over.”