Scary stuff in Iran

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's accomplishments these past few weeks have been vast and unmistakable. By securing the unconditional support of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei for his power grab, Ahmadinejad killed three birds with one stone. He ensured that the clerical hierarchy in Qom - which is dependent on Khamenei for its financial stability - acquiesced to his authority. He expanded the Revolutionary Guards Corps' control over the country by making it the indispensable guardian of the revolution. And he effectively transformed Khamenei from the "supreme leader" into a creature of Ahmadinejad's will. The moment that Khamenei gave Ahmadinejad his full support and gave a green light to the Revolutionary Guards to repress the protesters, Khamenei tied his own fate to that of his president.

Revolution inside the Revolution

Decked out in his signature blue-collar jacket, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, looked completely at ease as the camera bulbs flashed. "I am the president of all Iranians," he told the gathered reporters last Sunday. Dismissing fraud allegations as not important and claiming the elections were free and real, Ahmadinejad likened the ongoing street protests in the Iranian capital to the unrest after a soccer match. "Some people are emotional and get upset if their team didn't win," he said with a quick smile. "Well, your team didn't win."
Mahmoud, there is a bit more to this than just the sulking of the losing team supporters; and I have a feeling that you will find this out the hard way. There is a groundswell in Iran that will continue to build until it reaches critical mass. Then there will be a new revolution and you and your dictatorial cronies will be swept away with the tidal wave, just like 1979, when the Shah was toppled. If there was no fraud in the election why is there so much unrest and rioting? Could it be that the ordinary man and woman in Iran feels that they have no say in how they run their lives, and that despite the teachings of the Quran, they have almost no real freedom?