WestCoastRunner Posted February 28, 2016 Report Posted February 28, 2016 Early results indicate moderates with a strong showing in the election. An amazing 60% of eligible voters have turned out. 500 candidates out of 4800 are women. The final results will have a huge impact on relations with the west. I will post the link in a bit. It can be found on cnn. Quote I love to see a young girl go out and grab the world by the lapels. Life's a bitch. You've got to go out and kick ass. - Maya Angelou
The_Squid Posted February 28, 2016 Report Posted February 28, 2016 The Mullahs run the place. Elections don't matter a bit if the elected representatives have no real power. It's a sham. http://www.forbes.com/sites/realspin/2016/02/26/no-real-choice-iran-elections/#3ea4cfd95df3 Quote
WestCoastRunner Posted February 28, 2016 Author Report Posted February 28, 2016 The Mullahs run the place. Elections don't matter a bit if the elected representatives have no real power. It's a sham. http://www.forbes.com/sites/realspin/2016/02/26/no-real-choice-iran-elections/#3ea4cfd95df3 Maybe so however there are plenty of analysis that think otherwise. "Latest polling has suggested that between 70 to 80% voters would turn out, which would be incredibly high for a parliamentary election in Iran. And actually with that turnout, that would be a clear signal that they are supporting the current Rouhani's administration and that will boost his chances of getting reelected in the 2017 presidential elections." I can't post references on my iPhone. However, if you dig deeper, there are plenty of reasons for optimism. Forbes certainly isn't the megaphone on this issue nor is CNN. Quote I love to see a young girl go out and grab the world by the lapels. Life's a bitch. You've got to go out and kick ass. - Maya Angelou
Big Guy Posted February 28, 2016 Report Posted February 28, 2016 Sometimes it is difficult to disprove facts: http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/02/reformists-leading-iran-parliament-vote-160227034528583.html Quote Note - For those expecting a response from Big Guy: I generally do not read or respond to posts longer then 300 words nor to parsed comments.
Argus Posted February 28, 2016 Report Posted February 28, 2016 (edited) Early results indicate moderates with a strong showing in the election. An amazing 60% of eligible voters have turned out. 500 candidates out of 4800 are women. Democracy in Iran. LOL :lol: Iran’s Guardian Council, which vets candidates for elections, has failed to qualify 40% of more than 12,000 candidates for parliamentary elections on 26 February. Reformists told Tehran Bureau that those blocked included the vast majority of their hopefuls. “I predicted that the Guardian Council would massively disqualify the reformists,” said Sadegh Zibakalam, professor of political science at Tehran University. “But the reality is even worse.” According to Hossein Marashi, a member of the Reformists’ Policy Council, which was set up in October to coordinate efforts for the parliamentary poll, out of the total 3,000 reformist candidates, only 30, or 1%, have been qualified. http://www.theguardian.com/world/iran-blog/2016/jan/19/iran-guardian-council-blocks-reformists-february-parliamentary-poll http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/iran/12173429/Iran-elections-Little-choice-for-voters-in-the-Shia-Vatican-where-reformers-are-banned-from-standing.html Edited February 28, 2016 by Argus Quote "A liberal is someone who claims to be open to all points of view — and then is surprised and offended to find there are other points of view.” William F Buckley
WestCoastRunner Posted February 28, 2016 Author Report Posted February 28, 2016 (edited) Sometimes it is difficult to disprove facts: http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/02/reformists-leading-iran-parliament-vote-160227034528583.html "If most of the moderates up for office win seats, that could make it easier for Rouhani to open up the economy to foreign investment. But conservatives refer to reformists as seditionists, and their small numbers ensure that Rouhani is unlikely to get enough backing for most of his goals.""Though opposition activists called the elections a sham, the vote totals could open a small window onto the Iranian appetite for change and Rouhanis political future." Source. Washington Post. Change starts in small windows of opportunity. Edited February 28, 2016 by WestCoastRunner Quote I love to see a young girl go out and grab the world by the lapels. Life's a bitch. You've got to go out and kick ass. - Maya Angelou
CITIZEN_2015 Posted February 28, 2016 Report Posted February 28, 2016 (edited) I have said again and again on this forum that I have had many Iranian friends in my life in unversities I attended (student, teacher)over 15 years as well as work places and they are anything but what has been depicted falsely by CIA and Mossad and western propaganda machines as religious fanatics or even religious. They are very westernized and progressive and the nation of Iran is the most educated in the world with two-thirds of university students being females who spend more per capita on makeups than anywhere in the world (and the west has tried to large extend successfully to depicts Iran like Saudi Arabia where women can't even vote). When the people of Iran vote then they show all the facts above, Even though most of the progressive candidates were eliminated by the non-elected Assembly which consisted of aging elderly mullahs but whenever there is even a slot of opening and the people's votes is legitimately counted and not rigged then the nation of Iran shows their real color (elect those few progressives who may have survived the vetting process). Whether it is a democracy or not is not my point as we have different ways of defining democracy (in my view the vetting process was undemocratic and it appears that the voting process and count was democratic. The Presidential election in 2013 was another display of democracy. Presidents and Parliament have both limited powers in Iran though and the real power stays with the unelected body but on the other hand it is the elected body (the Assembly of Experts) which elects the unelected power. Confusing yes but some may say it is indeed a democracy and many others say not even close. Iranians don't want another revolution (one told me one revolution is enough for a lifetime) or see their homeland turn into another Iraq or Syria. They are progressive and democratic westernized people and they want democratic change through ballot boxes not violence even though it may take a long time to achieve it. The West however doesn't care. It supports its interests even if they have to support the most evil regimes if their interests call they will support and promote it and they have demonstrated this fact again and again. Right now they see their interests go with so called moderates.................. The latest says the so called reformist have taken both the parliament and Assembly!!! At least in Tehran. http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-35681250 Edited April 12, 2016 by CITIZEN_2015 Quote
Shady Posted February 28, 2016 Report Posted February 28, 2016 As has already been stated, the elections are just for show. The ayatollah has all the real power. Electing anyone else under him means nothing. Quote
Big Guy Posted February 29, 2016 Report Posted February 29, 2016 As has already been stated, the elections are just for show. The ayatollah has all the real power. Electing anyone else under him means nothing. And you feel this way because you know from .... ? Quote Note - For those expecting a response from Big Guy: I generally do not read or respond to posts longer then 300 words nor to parsed comments.
Shady Posted February 29, 2016 Report Posted February 29, 2016 And you feel this way because you know from .... ? Reality. The Ayatollah is the supreme leader of Iran. Quote
Argus Posted February 29, 2016 Report Posted February 29, 2016 Reality. The Ayatollah is the supreme leader of Iran. Reality is a four letter word to some of these people. Quote "A liberal is someone who claims to be open to all points of view — and then is surprised and offended to find there are other points of view.” William F Buckley
CITIZEN_2015 Posted March 1, 2016 Report Posted March 1, 2016 (edited) Iran will be a democracy at the end. Struggle for democracy has been going on for over a century and is deeply rooted in their history. The hard liners trying hard to delay the inevitable as far as they can though. Edited March 1, 2016 by CITIZEN_2015 Quote
WestCoastRunner Posted March 1, 2016 Author Report Posted March 1, 2016 Reality. The Ayatollah is the supreme leader of Iran. This dude isn't going to be around much longer. I won't be surprised if Hassan Rouhani becomes the next supreme leader. Quote I love to see a young girl go out and grab the world by the lapels. Life's a bitch. You've got to go out and kick ass. - Maya Angelou
Big Guy Posted March 2, 2016 Report Posted March 2, 2016 As to how nations are honest with each other - does anyone remember the Iran - Contra Reagan debacle? Quote Note - For those expecting a response from Big Guy: I generally do not read or respond to posts longer then 300 words nor to parsed comments.
Hudson Jones Posted March 2, 2016 Report Posted March 2, 2016 (edited) Is Iran a Dictatorship or a Democracy? It's both. Do these elections matter? Of course!Here is a video that gives a pretty good explanation:CLICK FOR VIDEO Edited March 2, 2016 by Hudson Jones Added video link Quote When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they can seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall. Think of it--always. Gandhi
Big Guy Posted March 3, 2016 Report Posted March 3, 2016 Is Iran a Dictatorship or a Democracy? It's both. Do these elections matter? Of course! Here is a video that gives a pretty good explanation: CLICK FOR VIDEO Thank you for the direction towards the video. A very fair and impartial analysis of the Iranian governing structure. Quote Note - For those expecting a response from Big Guy: I generally do not read or respond to posts longer then 300 words nor to parsed comments.
Argus Posted March 3, 2016 Report Posted March 3, 2016 LOL. The reformers of Iran! Torturers and murderers! A confidant of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani (the most celebrated “reformist” of the lot), Justice Minister Mostafa Pourmohammadi has overseen an execution rate during the past three years that exceeds any period since the “Bloody Decade” leading up to 1988. During the mass murders of that year, Pourmohammadi was the interrogator and the ministry of intelligence representative on a “death committee” in Tehran that tortured prisoners, staged “trials” that sometimes lasted only a few minutes, and ordered the execution of hundreds of political prisoners. Another 1988 alumnus, Ayatollah Mohammed Reyshahri, was Pourmohammadi’s boss back in the good old days. A Khameinei pal, Reyshahri showed up in last weekend’s elections on both “hardliner” and “reformist” slates. Other “reformist” winners: Ghorban-Ali Dorri Najafabadi, minister of intelligence during a wave of murders of dissidents in the 1990s, and Ayatollah Yousef Tabatabaeenejad, noted for his approval of vigilantes enforcing the regime’s dress codes on women. http://news.nationalpost.com/full-comment/terry-glavin-irans-fake-reformers-win-bogus-elections Quote "A liberal is someone who claims to be open to all points of view — and then is surprised and offended to find there are other points of view.” William F Buckley
kactus Posted March 3, 2016 Report Posted March 3, 2016 LOL. The reformers of Iran! Torturers and murderers! A confidant of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani (the most celebrated “reformist” of the lot), Justice Minister Mostafa Pourmohammadi has overseen an execution rate during the past three years that exceeds any period since the “Bloody Decade” leading up to 1988. During the mass murders of that year, Pourmohammadi was the interrogator and the ministry of intelligence representative on a “death committee” in Tehran that tortured prisoners, staged “trials” that sometimes lasted only a few minutes, and ordered the execution of hundreds of political prisoners. Another 1988 alumnus, Ayatollah Mohammed Reyshahri, was Pourmohammadi’s boss back in the good old days. A Khameinei pal, Reyshahri showed up in last weekend’s elections on both “hardliner” and “reformist” slates. Other “reformist” winners: Ghorban-Ali Dorri Najafabadi, minister of intelligence during a wave of murders of dissidents in the 1990s, and Ayatollah Yousef Tabatabaeenejad, noted for his approval of vigilantes enforcing the regime’s dress codes on women. http://news.nationalpost.com/full-comment/terry-glavin-irans-fake-reformers-win-bogus-elections And what do you suggest we do? Bomb. bomb Iran? lol We have heard all your moans and complaints about Iranians...I don't think you care much about human rights there as much as you care about how dangerous nuclear Iran is for Israel. Now that issue is resolved you still continue with your anti Iranian rhetorics. Quote
kactus Posted March 4, 2016 Report Posted March 4, 2016 There is a wind of change or hope for Iran's election as the Economist this week seems to suggest. People's voice is being heard by hard-line conservatives: Excerpt: "The situation with the new Council of Experts is equally murky, but crucial. It will hold office until 2024. Since Mr Khamenei is 76, it may well have to choose his successor as Supreme Leader. It, too, has shifted in a more moderate direction, which could presage a battle of critical importance to Iran’s future if the time should come for it to perform its task." Full article: http://www.economist.com/news/middle-east-and-africa/21693937-boost-reform-long-way-still-go-mr-rohaniu2019s-complicated Quote
SpankyMcFarland Posted March 7, 2016 Report Posted March 7, 2016 Iran is changing, moving in the right direction. We don't want sudden transformation which could lead to war and more refugees, It's a bit similar to Cuba. Only the fanatics are unable to see that. Quote
eyeball Posted March 7, 2016 Report Posted March 7, 2016 Iran is changing, moving in the right direction. We don't want sudden transformation which could lead to war and more refugees,/facepalmSo why didn't anyone think this back in 1953? Quote A government without public oversight is like a nuclear plant without lead shielding.
SpankyMcFarland Posted March 7, 2016 Report Posted March 7, 2016 /facepalm So why didn't anyone think this back in 1953? That's one of those big what ifs. Let's hope we don't have anything similar in the next decade. Quote
The_Squid Posted March 8, 2016 Report Posted March 8, 2016 And what do you suggest we do? Bomb. bomb Iran? lol No one mentioned bombing Iran.... but to pretend that their elections are actually part of a democracy is extremely naive. Hopefully the people of Iran can take their country back from the nutbar religious Mullahs... but let's not pretend it will happen because of this election. Quote
Big Guy Posted March 8, 2016 Report Posted March 8, 2016 No one mentioned bombing Iran.... but to pretend that their elections are actually part of a democracy is extremely naive. Hopefully the people of Iran can take their country back from the nutbar religious Mullahs... but let's not pretend it will happen because of this election. Hopefully, the Israelis will take their country back from the Netanyahu Zionist right wing elements and choose to join the world community. Quote Note - For those expecting a response from Big Guy: I generally do not read or respond to posts longer then 300 words nor to parsed comments.
The_Squid Posted March 8, 2016 Report Posted March 8, 2016 Hopefully, the Israelis will take their country back from the Netanyahu Zionist right wing elements and choose to join the world community. Yes... they can choose to do so through actual democratic elections, unlike Iran. Quote
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