"Iranian cleric says protesters wage war against God" by Thomas Erdbrink and William Branigin, Washington Post | June 27, 2009
TEHRAN - An influential Iranian cleric told worshipers yesterday that those stirring unrest in connection with the recent election should be punished “ruthlessly and savagely’’ and convicted for waging war against God, a crime that under Shi’ite Islamic law is punishable by death.
In Washington, President Obama condemned recent violence against protesters as “outrageous’’ and dismissed a demand by Iran’s president that he apologize for similar previous comments. Obama suggested that it was President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad who should be apologizing to Iranian victims and their families for the violent actions of security forces.
And YOU, sir, should be APOLOGIZING to the PAKISTANIS onto which you are unloading missiles!!!!
In a sermon at Tehran University broadcast live to the nation, Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami amplified the ominous tone that the state has adopted this week....
A spokesman for the Guardian Council, Iran’s electoral watchdog, reiterated yesterday that the council has found no fraud or significant problems with vote-rigging in the disputed election, in which Ahmadinejad is said to have beaten challenger Mir Hossein Mousavi by nearly 2 to 1.
“After 10 days of examination, we did not see any major irregularities,’’ Abbas Ali Kadkhodai told the official IRNA news agency....
In his sermon yesterday, Khatami also harshly denounced Western news media, leveling accusations of false reporting. He singled out Britain for special criticism. The cleric, a member of the Assembly of Experts and a supporter of Ahmadinejad, said that protesters were responsible for the slaying of a young woman, Neda Agha Soltan, who has become an opposition icon since she was shot June 20 on a Tehran street and cellphone cameras captured her dying moments.
I green that because it is TRUE!
See: Who killed Neda Agha-Soltan?
CNN: Iranian envoy: CIA involved in Neda's shooting?
Khatami asserted that “evidence shows that [protesters] have done it themselves and have raised propaganda against the system.’’ Witnesses said Soltan was shot by a member of the progovernment Basij militia.
With a HUGE BOOST from the Zionist-controlled AmeriKan apparatus!!!!
Speaking at the White House after a meeting with Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany, Obama praised the Iranian demonstrators’ “bravery in the face of brutality,’’ adding: “The violence perpetrated against them is outrageous. And despite the government’s efforts to keep the world from bearing witness to that violence, we see it, and we condemn it.’’
But NOT the PROTESTERS VIOLENCE that I have documneted in my Iran file. And WHERE was THIS LITTLE PUSS-BUCKET when ISRAEL was WMDing GAZA and KILLING CHILDREN?
He said the Iranian people would be the ultimate judges of their government’s actions. “But if the Iranian government desires the respect of the international community, then it must respect the rights and heed the will of its people,’’ he said.
He's a fine one to talk. And WE WILL JUDGE YOU, one-termer!
Later, in response to questions, Obama said that Mousavi appears “to have captured the imagination or the spirit’’ of those in Iran who were “interested in opening up.’’ He indicated that direct US engagement with Iran on the issue of Tehran’s nuclear program would have to wait until the situation in Iran becomes clearer.
And CUI BONO, 'eh, ISRAEL?
On Ahmadinejad’s demand for an apology, Obama said, “I don’t take Mr. Ahmadinejad seriously about apologies, particularly given the fact that the United Stats has gone out of its way not to interfere with the election process in Iran.’’
So he is JUST AS MUCH of a BALD-FACED LIAR as the LAST GUY, huh?
SOME CHANGE!
He said Ahmadinejad should “think carefully’’ about his “obligations to his own people,’’ notably the “families of those who have been beaten, shot, or detained.’’
And WHAT ABOUT YOUR PROMISES to WIND DOWN the WARS, puss-bag?
Of course, HE is thinking ISRAEL!
On Thursday, Ahmadinejad lashed out at Obama, warning him against interfering in Iranian affairs and demanding an apology for criticism of a government crackdown on demonstrators protesting alleged electoral fraud....
LASHED OUT -- with words.
--more--""Iran vows ‘crushing’ response to US critiques; Ahmadinejad questions motives of administration" by Michael Weissenstein, Associated Press | June 28, 2009
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad vowed yesterday to make the United States regret its criticism of Iran’s postelection crackdown and said the “mask has been removed’’ from the Obama administration’s efforts to improve relations.
I agree.
Ahmadinejad all but dared Obama to keep calling for an end to repression of demonstrators who claim the hard-line leader stole reelection through massive fraud....
Where were you guys in 2004?
Ahmadinejad has no authority to direct major policy decisions on his own - a power that rests with the nonelected theocracy. But his comments often reflect the thinking of the ruling establishment.
Then why do we get the jew booga-booga so often?
The cleric-led regime now appears to have quashed a protest movement that brought hundreds of thousands to the streets of Tehran and other cities in the greatest challenge to its authority in 30 years. There have been no significant demonstrations in days.
Until today: Iran protesters, police clash
Days of relatively restrained talk from both Washington and Tehran appear to be returning to a familiar pattern of condemnation and recrimination despite Obama’s stated desire to move away from mutual hostility.
As long as there is NO WAR!!!
Iran and the United States still appear interested in negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program, but the rising rhetorical temperature can be expected to slow progress toward a deal, experts said.
I will ALWAYS PREFER TALKING to FIGHTING! ALWAYS!
“The political feasibility of pursuing it, and the likelihood of success has changed,’’ said Trita Parsi, president of the National Iranian American Council. “I have a hard time seeing any real engagement taking place for at least four to six months.’’
By that time the war will have begun; Israel will have attacked by then.
Obama acknowledged Friday that Iran’s violent suppression of unrest would hinder progress, saying “There is no doubt that any direct dialogue or diplomacy with Iran is going to be affected by the events of the last several weeks.’’
Obama struck a conciliatory tone toward Iran after taking office, sending a video greeting for Persian New Year that used the government’s formal name - the Islamic Republic of Iran - in a signal that the goal of regime change had been set aside. He even avoided strong language as Iran began suppressing street protests, saying he wanted to avoid becoming a foil for Iranian hard-liners who blame the United States and other Western powers for instigating internal dissent.
Isn't it sad that OUR "ENEMIES" are the ones TELLING the TRUTH?
But Obama decried Iran’s crackdown more vigorously as amateur videos of beating and shootings began flooding the Internet....
Oh, NOW they notice the INTERNET! Where were you guys in JANUARY?!!!
Iran also had been stopping short of its normally harsh language about the United States, mostly blaming Britain and even France and Germany as Mousavi’s supporters demanded a new election. Ahmadinejad had made relatively few appearances in an apparent attempt to avoid inflaming the situation.
The protests dwindled to scattered clashes as riot police and Basij militiamen put down the unrest using batons, tear gas, water cannons and, in at least 17 cases, live ammunition. Mousavi said Friday that he would seek official permission for any future rallies, effectively ending his role in street protests.
Ahmadinejad appeared self-assured and even invigorated yesterday in the face of the previous day’s personal challenge from Obama. “We are surprised at Mr. Obama,’’ Ahmadinejad said. “Didn’t he say that he was after change?’’
Yeah, he did SAY that.
He still appeared to leave some opening for dialogue, saying Iranians officials “have expressed our readiness’’ and still want the United States to “join the righteous servants of humanity as well.’’
Except WE SERVE ISRAEL!
--more--"
Oh, yeah, the Globe calls it a success (which must mean the covert shenanigans will continue):
"The new era in Iran
EVEN IF Iran’s rulers clear the streets by killing and beating citizens protesting a fraudulent election, they cannot undo the damage done to their political system. Millions of Iranians, women and men alike, called the democratic claims of the regime a lie. By their panicky reactions, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad betray an awareness that they have lost whatever legitimacy they once had.
The hypocritical chutzpah is almost too much to take.
No mystery why I skip most Globe editorials!
The unforeseen drama in Iran presents President Obama with a challenge and, perhaps also, an opportunity....
I'm NOT LIKING THAT WORD ONE BIT!
Rice: 9/11 an “enormous opportunity”
Rumsfeld: "Why Not another 911"Something like this to be blamed on them?
Obama practiced restraint in his initial responses to the aftermath of Iran’s June 12 presidential election. The wisdom of that stance was confirmed last week when Ahmadinejad pounced on the opportunity to castigate Obama for his recent, harsher statements, comparing him to George Bush, warning him to “avoid interfering in Iran’s affairs,’’ and insolently commanding him to “express your regret in a way that the Iranian nation is informed of it.’’
Just wondering why you CENSORED that article, Globe?
I mean, if you are going to editorialize on it?
--more--"
