RE: In my humble opinion, rebuttal to Mr. Agha Moji's article

[Reza Shirazi]

Mr. Moji please read this article from the 5th section which starts form

Regime Change in Iran

http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=16535
 

Reza Shirazi 

 

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Date: Sun, 20 Dec 2009 21:08:54 -0800
From: moji...@yahoo.com
Subject: RE: In my humble opinion, rebuttal to Mr. Agha Moji's article
To: reza...@gmail.com; la...@googlegroups.com; mojg...@yahoo.com; mas...@gmail.com; alains...@gmail.com; shafa...@yahoo.com; trait...@yahoogroups.com; di...@iic.org; bettym...@embarqmail.com; bkh...@yahoo.com; drmos...@iic.org; kam...@googlegroups.com; dana...@gmail.com; iranp...@gmail.com; sor...@earthlink.net; tpa...@niacouncil.org; casmii-d...@yahoogroups.com; b...@phoenixts.com; sep...@yahoo.com; mahva...@gmail.com; dd...@iic.org; reza.va...@gmail.com; mani...@gmail.com; esfandiar...@gatech.edu; laal....@gmail.com; sid_ba...@hotmail.com; roya...@msn.com; firs...@live.com; man...@mansouransari.com; ima...@yahoo.com

Mr. Shirazi,   I think the best response to Ms. Jones' rebuttal to my essay herein: http://votersforpeace.us/press/index.php?itemid=2264   is to state --per the end section of my article-- that if Ahmadinejad had indeed secured 2/3 of the vote (i.e., if the election was honest and not stolen) his government would have eagerly agreed to a re-run of the election long ago.   I urge her/you to re-read what I wrote--in which I could not "back-up" every assertion, becuase doing so would turn the already long essay into a thick book.   Moji Agha ***************************

[Reza Shirazi]

Moji please see Carolyn response to your article

Reza Shirazi 
 

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Date: Sun, 20 Dec 2009 17:03:58 -0400
Subject: In my humble opinion, rebuttal to Mr. Agha Mojo's article
From: reza...@gmail.com

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Carolyn Jones<firs...@live.com>
Date: Dec 20, 2009 4:41 PM
Subject: In my humble opinion, rebuttal to Mr. Agha Mojo's article
To: Reza Aboosaiedi <reza...@gmail.com>

Dear Reza:
I read the article that somehow made it's way to my email (???). It's surprising to me that an Iranian living and working in the US can make such assertions without backing them up better than he does. As an American reading the essay of Mr. Agha-Moji, I found several points unanswered and basically ignored with all his highly specified (even though he repeatedly states that he is simplifying and summarizing!) commentary.

Point number 1: Although he states that he is attempting impartiality, the author repeatedly states that the election is rigged and fraudulent, while at the same time I have read numerous articles that have a US based/non-Muslim author citing the polls which calculated the results and claim that AN truly got the numbers that were publically announced (see http://www.newamerica.net/publications/articles/2009/iranian_people_speak_14706   or  this  one http://www.newamerica.net/publications/articles/2009/ahmadinejad_won_get_over_it_9278).

Point number 2: I am not a political scientist and don't pretend to fully understand what transpires in the Middle East in general nor Iran in particular. However, Mr. Agha-Mohi's blatant white-washing of Mr. Hashemi-Rafsanjani of any connection to the situation and turning him into a benign and benevolent "elder statesman" is a bit much to be swallowed, even by someone as naive as myself. Mr. Rafsanjani's involvement in Iranian politics after the establishment of the Islamic Republic through the days of the 2009 election when he basically bankrolled the MHM campaign is very well known and for him to be left out of all the conjecturing of the author, until the very end is really taking "simplifying and summarizing" out of all control.

Point number 3: If I only read the article as the source of my understanding the situation, Mr. Agha-Moji doesn't support several of his facts. While he spends a great deal of time delving into past Iranian politics and history with the accompanying reactions to modernity and colonialism (admittedly, most of which I'd leave undisputed), his modern day assertions go un-documented. Yes, there is a bazaari class in Iran which is very active in shaping the country's policies. Yes, there is a Hujati party who take the "do-whatever-it-takes-to-hasten-the-appearance-of-Imam-Mahdi,-even-if- that-means-letting-vice-and-corruption-run-rampant-in-our-society" line. And yes, I'm sure that there are plenty of members of the elite Revolutionary Guard who have sold their souls to the Devil and are on the take, an act which endangers both their own souls as well as  security of the only Islamic Republic that the modern world knows. However, he fails to provide any detailed evidence that would connect the dots from point to point.

 

On 12/20/09, Mr asi <ima...@yahoo.com> wrote:

--- On Sun, 12/20/09, man...@mansouransari.com <man...@mansouransari.com> wrote: From: man...@mansouransari.com <man...@mansouransari.com> Subject: fyi To: "Muhammad H" <ima...@yahoo.com> Date: Sunday, December 20, 2009, 8:41 AM Dear abu Ibrahim, ASA This is a long article and, by now, you and to a lesser degree, I, have heard just about every idea, good, bad and ugly, from iranian dissidents, opponents, analysts, etc.  But I think it may be time well spent for you to see this article by an obviously noteworthy observer of Iran politics. Mansour --- On Tue, 7/21/09, Reza Shirazi <roya...@msn.com> wrote: From: Reza Shirazi <roya...@msn.com> Subject: Re: [ufpj-iran] ufpj-iran Digest, Vol 29, Issue 40 To: "ufpj...@lists.mayfirst.org" <ufpj...@lists.mayfirst.org> Date: Tuesday, July 21, 2009, 3:09 AM Dear Moji agha, thanks for your informative Essay i will finish it all later but my question to you is that i thought this forum is about not letting US to go to war with Iran and not Iran's Internal issues, whether Ahmadi or Mousavi the purpose of this forum should not change at least mine wouldn't.   i know some of US official would've prefer Mousavi since they all hate Ahmadi but we should not control what other countries do from here otherwise they see that as an US interference in their business and makes it harder to open the talk with whomever is in power.   i don't know what are you trying to achieve by convincing us that there has been some Fraud in Iran's election? did Iran interfered in US election or the result of Bush and Al-Gore dispute, who gives us the right to be the police of the world here?   don't you think is better to take your Iran's Issues in Iranian Forum and let this forum do it's own job regardless of who is in power in Iran.              Reza Shirazi    > From: ufpj-ira...@lists.mayfirst.org > Subject: ufpj-iran Digest, Vol 29, Issue 40 > To: ufpj...@lists.mayfirst.org > Date: Tue, 21 Jul 2009 02:22:58 -0400 > > Send ufpj-iran mailing list submissions to > ufpj...@lists.mayfirst.org > > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit > https://lists.mayfirst.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/ufpj-iran > or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to > ufpj-ira...@lists.mayfirst.org > > You can reach the person managing the list at > ufpj-ir...@lists.mayfirst.org > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific > than "Re: Contents of ufpj-iran digest..." > > > Today's Topics: > > 1. Re: Roots of Ahmadinejad Coup--My Essay: The Supreme Iranian > Counter-Coup (Yoshie Furuhashi) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Tue, 21 Jul 2009 02:22:43 -0400 > From: Yoshie Furuhashi <critical...@gmail.com> > Subject: Re: [ufpj-iran] Roots of Ahmadinejad Coup--My Essay: The > Supreme Iranian Counter-Coup > To: UFPJ-Iran <ufpj...@lists.mayfirst.org> > Message-ID: > <cd351fdc0907202322x1e1...@mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252 > > One question, Moji. From a purely legal standpoint, does the > President actually have the power to call for a referendum even if the > Leader and the Guardian Council oppose it? It would seem to me that > wouldn't be up to Ahmadinejad alone. > Yoshie > > On Tue, Jul 21, 2009 at 1:57 AM, Moji Agha<moji...@yahoo.com> wrote: > > Hi All. Please feel free to forward, share, post-to-blogs, forward for > > publication, etc. this essay (below?& attached) as long as it is not ultered > > and it includes my name and info as its author. Thank you. > > > > Moji Agha > > ---------------------------- > > > > --- On Mon, 7/20/09, Moji Agha <moji...@yahoo.com> wrote: > > > > Salaam all. > > > > I thank Ms. Homayouni for posting the link to the "intellectual"-sounding > > essay by Milani, the perpetual neo-con opportunist--who is now, > > SICKENINGLY,?trying to colonially co-opt our?"green movement" --? which > > I?have tried not to allow, as you can see in this essay. > > > > I also thank Mr. Mostarshed for posting below the link to Dr. Beeman's > > essay, and I am sorry to see that he has been partially mis-educated by > > Milani's "scholarship." > > > > Not knowing about Milani's?zionist-pleasing?handywork (as always) I had been > > working within the past?week on an essay of my own,?to?give (real as opposed > > to fabricated) context to the roots of what is happening these days (and the > > coup) in Iran. It is entitled: The Supreme Iranian Counter-Coup. > > > > 'I am attaching it herein-- as well as by pasting it below; while you can > > also find it as "comment # 19" (under my own name) at the?bottom of the New > > Republic's Milani Article: > > http://www.tnr. com/politics/ story.html? id=cd438858- 9a24-4214- > > aa53-645c7fe476c 7?(besides # 19, some of the comments before mine have > > exposed this Neo-CON-man's shallowness too.) > > > > Moji agha (Mojtaba Aghamohammadi) > > > > --- On Sun, 7/19/09, M. Homayouni wrote: > > > > The New Republic > > The New Democrats by Abbas Milani > > An intellectual history of the Green Wave. > > Post Date Wednesday, July 15, 2009 > > > > http://www.tnr. com/politics/ story.html? id=cd438858- 9a24-4214- > > aa53-645c7fe476c 7 > > > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > > From: Shahram Date: Sun, Jul 19, 2009 at 2:29 PM > > Subject: [CASMII-Discussion] Iran?s Current Turmoil Has Deep Roots > > > > "Even if the current controversy dies down, and Ahmadinejad assumes a second > > presidential term, the crisis will continue. Supreme Leader Khamene?i has no > > obvious successor, and with the majority of Grand Ayatollahs opposing the > > very existence of the office, it is unclear who will be found to fill it." > > Prof. William Beeman > > http://news.newamericamedia.org/news/view_article.html?article_id=21980efc72e558f09f07f8f0b79e111d > > ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- > > > > > > > > The Supreme Iranian Counter-Coup > > > > By Moji Agha > > > > July 18, 2009 > > > > Much has been said and written about Iran's June 12, 2009 presidential > > elections, and the still unfolding aftermath of this historic event. What is > > critically significant, however, is to understand, as thoroughly as > > possible, the reasons, the CONTEXT, for the events that happened, and in > > particular immediately before and after the polling stations closed the > > night of the vote , about six weeks ago. > > > > In this essay I will try to answer and CONTEXTUALIZE this seminally > > important set of questions as accurately as I can. Thus, I have no choice > > but to give a relatively lengthy (but nonetheless highly selective and > > cruelly summarized) historical, spiritual, and socio-economic context, as to > > what is likely to have happened?and WHY? > > > > Before we start, please note that: > > > > a) While I voted for Mir-Hossein Mousavi, and hence cannot claim total > > impartiality, I will nonetheless be as unbiased in this essay as I can > > possibly be; and, > > > > b) In order to properly understand the information and analysis herein, one > > needs to have at least some familiarity with Iran's history in the past 200 > > years. > > > > Four Reactions to Modernity > > > > To start, let us go back to the Iran of mid-1800s, to the assassination of > > the Qajar dynasty Premier, Amir Kabir, mainly due to his resistance to > > colonialist interference, especially the British. This is the era in which > > the Iranian society was being increasingly exposed to European modernity, > > which of course was not "indigenous" to the country, with its various > > traditional cultural and religious identities and practices, pre- and > > post-Islamic. > > > > This alien ?modernity? was not a benign phenomenon, however. Instead, it was > > deeply "poisoned" by the mostly hidden divide-and-rule racist and hegemonic > > agendas of colonialism, which encountered the inevitable reactions of the > > Shi'a Islamic religious leaders, who had been, in a sense, the ONLY "check > > and balance" to the absolute power of the Iranian kings for about 1,300 > > years -- and prior to Islam this "protector" role was more or less played, > > also by the Zoroastrian religious leaders, going back at least to 2,500 > > years ago. > > > > Not being a historian or an expert in religious studies (and having to > > summarize lots of information herein, rather mercilessly, in the interest of > > brevity), I can see at least four basic reactions to this "invasion" by the > > colonially-poisoned modernity (evolving from mid-1800s to the present) among > > the Shi'a religious leaders--at least in Iran: > > > > 1- Those who surrendered fully and were absorbed and transformed by > > modernism, and hence colonialism. > > > > 2- Those who tried to limit modernity's "secularizing" (thus colonial) harm > > to the spiritual essence of the Shi'a Islamic teachings and traditions, by > > protecting it from politics -- thus joining the first group in causing the > > society to lose its only "check and balance" protection against the abusive > > injustices of absolute and arbitrary monarchical (hence > > colonially-manipulated or dictated "modern") power. > > > > 3- Those who tried, in essence, to retain and bring back the > > above-referenced check and balance, thus attempting, as I would like to put > > it, to take the colonial poison out of this imposed alien modernity, by > > trying (consciously or not) to make it "indigenous" -- leading eventually to > > the abolition of the colonially-servile pre-modern institution of monarchy, > > and hence the founding of the "Islamic REPUBLIC" by the Grand Ayatollah > > Ruhollah Khomeini--whom I personally respect very deeply for having done so; > > thus calling him ?Imam Khomeini,? as do millions of others. Let us call this > > history-making transformational group as those who are in the "Path of the > > Imam? (as they are generally known inside Iran). And finally, > > > > 4- Those who experienced the "thoroughly corrupting" anti-God invasive > > influences of modernity as signs of the approaching "end of times," but > > tried to help this colonially-poisoned modernity's injustices spread even > > faster, instead of resisting it. Why? By purposefully exacerbating its > > "corruption on Earth," they tried (and continue) to ?HASTEN? the "rescuing > > re-appearance" of the Hidden (12th Shi'a Imam) Mahdi, and hence the Day of > > Judgment -- as if the ALMIGHTY needs puny human help! > > > > Active and Passive Awaiters > > > > I call this group the "active awaiters" of the Hidden Imam, in contrast to > > the 2nd and especially the 3rd group above, who (in line with the > > overwhelming majority of the Shi'a Islamic religious leaders in the past > > 1300 years or so) could be considered as "passive awaiters" ? who believe > > that Imam Mahdi would re-appear when humanity is sufficiently "perfected" to > > be ready for his transformational arrival. The Sufi parallel to this (per > > Rumi, Hafiz, etc.) is that the "Beloved" will show "her" face, when the > > "lover/seeker" is sufficiently grown spiritually, to be able to handle and > > join such a "union." > > > > As we come one step closer to the present events, indications are that this > > 4th group seems to provide President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad with his religious > > (and thus political/ideological) orientation; Namely, the radical teachings > > of the present master of what used to be called the "Haqqani Seminary" (and > > prior to that, he is said to have been a member of the ?Hojjatieh Circle?), > > the Qom-based Ayatollah Mohamad Taghi Mesbah Yazdi, who apparently does not > > believe, fundamentally, in the "republican" pillar of the Islamic REPUBLIC > > of Iran, the historic contribution of the 3rd group above (namely the Imam > > Khomeini's path), and its present "reformist" political leaders, including > > the former Presidents Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani and Mohammad Khatami, and > > presidential candidates Mehdi Karrubi (A former Head of Iran's legislative > > branch/parliament), and of course, the former Prime Minister, Mir-Hossein > > Mousavi--who has expressed openly, that his MAIN reason for re-entering > > Iranian politics is because he has found the Islamic REPUBLIC to be in real > > "danger" under Ahmadinejad's presidency. > > > > Quite critically, as to which of the 3rd or the 4th group the "Supreme > > Leader" Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, may lean toward (and I will try to further > > contextualize the significance of this later on), his real > > affiliation/orientation is not fully clear as of yet--at least to me. In > > other words, and despite all the mostly contradictory indications and > > signals, the question remains, as to whether the Supreme Leader is > > ultimately a "centrist" figure, historically-speaking (like Rafsanjani, > > Khatami, and certainly Imam Khomeini himself), or if he is a > > religio-political extremist, more like Ayatollah Mesbah Yazdi--apparently > > the ?source of emulation? for Ahmadinejad? > > > > Khomeini's Victory vs. Mossadegh's Defeat > > > > The other significant context that this analysis needs is at least some > > information (relevant to our subject herein) about the 1953 CIA coup, in > > which Iran's democratically-elected Prime Minister, Mohamad Mossadegh was > > overthrown, restoring the despotic colonial puppet, Mohamad Reza Pahlavi, > > the last Shah of Iran. > > > > While this may add to the length of the essay somewhat, let me preface this > > section by stating my belief that when any human society is seriously > > threatened or invaded (or conquered/occupied, as in today's Palestine, Iraq, > > or Afghanistan, for example), there are ultimately two "defense mechanisms" > > that it can turn to, in order to resist the ?existential threat? or to repel > > the actual invader: > > > > 1- Patriotism, or the love, preservation, and defense of the "homeland," the > > ways of the ancestors, the national/tribal identity, heritage, etc. And/or, > > > > 2- Religion/Spirituality, or the love, preservation, and defense of that > > which the society holds to be sacred. > > > > Again cruelly summarizing (and indeed simplifying) this incredibly complex > > matter, it is accurate to say that in order to liberate Iran from the > > colonial yoke, Mossadegh tried in early 1950s to use/mobilize the > > far-from-fully ?modernized? Iranian patriotism--which some call > > ?nationalism.? While by contrast, in 1978-79 Imam Khomeini successfully > > appealed to and mobilized the somewhat modernized, but still very deeply > > (indigenously Iranian) familiar Shi'a Islamic religion/spirituality, which > > was far more acceptable to the Iranian society, especially in that > > revolutionary context. > > > > The other historic lesson that the Founder of the Islamic Republic learned > > from Mossadegh's 1953 defeat, was that he recognized that in order to be > > successful, the anti-colonial (and transformational) leader needs to have a > > loyal "Revolutionary GUARD," so that the rebellion is not crushed so easily > > by colonialism--not withstanding the fact that since the fall of their > > puppet in 1979, the colonial/zionist foes have done their utmost to punish > > Iran for going "rogue," by imposing and fomenting separatist agitations and > > terrorism, an 8-year-long war, the manufactured "existential fear? of Iran's > > non-existent nuclear weapons program, crippling sanctions and > > econo-political isolation, deceptive colonialized human/women/minority > > rights (and of course "democracy" and "freedom") pretexts and pressure > > tactics--thus further "poisoning modernity" -- either to restore colonial > > slavery, or to make an example of Iran for the people in the region (and > > beyond), just as in 1953. > > > > Looking to the East? > > > > A relevant question to ponder at this point is: What has happened to the > > Revolutionary Guards since 1979? > > > > It is quite important to note that, mostly as a result of the > > above-mentioned financial, technological, and military-industrial pressures, > > sanctions, and isolation (especially during the colonially-imposed Iran-Iraq > > war), the Revolutionary Guards, and to some extent their underling force, > > the Basij volunteer militia, had to resort to economic and financial > > activities, in part to become financially self-sufficient; And this has had > > a very significant consequence, which is quite relevant to the subject under > > consideration herein. > > > > As we move closer to focus on what has been happening in Iran in the past > > two months or so, we need to look more carefully at what has happened to the > > Revolutionary Guards and the Basij forces, and their relationship to the > > apparently unfolding current show-down between the "republican" and the > > "Islamic" pillars of the Islamic Republic. > > > > Before we enter this realm any further, let me state that a part of the > > information I will share herein is the result of my consultations (and > > arguments) with Dariush Sajjadi, a U.S.-based Iranian > > journalist?www.sokhan.info. > > > > *** > > > > Now, going back to how the Revolutionary Guards have evolved since the > > founding of the Islamic Republic, it seems that their extensive entry into > > profit-making economic, military-industrial, and financial activities may > > have caused at least a significant faction among the Guard's high- and > > mid-level commanders (and the entities they have come to own or control) to > > become "corrupted," and quite significantly, apparently ?addicted? to the > > status quo "politico-economic anti-Westernism" of the Islamic Republic's > > post-revolutionary system--profiting, ironically, from the West's sanctions > > regime?and thus, perhaps consciously preventing Iran's relations with the > > U.S. (in particular) from moving toward normalization; and also therefore, > > trying to find, effect, and institutionalize a "Look to the East" doctrine > > (relying heavily on Russia and China, primarily) in Iran's strategic > > politico-economic global orientation. > > > > In trying to do so, this economically active ?faction? of the Revolutionary > > Guards (and the Basij militia) may have found common ground and/or > > ideological partners (genuine or opportunistic) among the "active-awaiters" > > of the Hidden Imam Mahdi (4th group mentioned above), including of course, > > their radical behind-the-scene master, the Ayatollah Mesbah Yazdi, and his > > apparently ardent follower, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. > > > > Therefore, and very significantly, they have become economic rivals to the > > religiously conservative and traditional Iranian "bazaar" (which funded the > > "Path of the Imam" Islamic Revolution) and thus was/is anti-colonial, but > > also highly pragmatic--and not necessarily "genetically" anti-Western, per > > the revolution's "neither East nor West" (i.e., middle-of-the-path) > > foundations, safeguarding the Islamic Iran's "non-aligned" sovereignty. > > > > This original "Path of the Imam" (?passive awaiters?) coalition -- which > > includes Mousavi, Khatami, Karrubi, Rafsanjani, etc. -- is supported by a > > still very significant, but ?quieter,? faction of the Revolutionary > > Guards--and even the Basij--partially symbolized by the presidential > > candidacy of a former Commander of the Guards, Mohsen Rezai, opposing > > Ahmadinejad. > > > > Due to its fidelity to the revolution's ?neither East nor West? foundations, > > this still strong coalition is profoundly disturbed by the above-mentioned > > strategic "Look to the East" doctrine, as a radical "diversion" from both of > > the Islamic Republic's "fundamental pillars" (Islamic-ness and > > republicanism), which seems to be aggressively pursued by the "active > > awaiter" (4th group) coalition, which apparently wants to transform the > > Islamic REPUBLIC to what I would call an "Islamic [Shi'a] Imamate" (akin to > > a Sunni "Caliphate") enshrining the ?ABSOLUTE RULE? of the ?representative? > > of the 12th Imam, i.e., the Imam Mahdi, while he is still in the Hidden > > state. It is reasonable to assume that the Ayatollah Mesbah Yazdi may wish > > to see himself as this ?Ultra-Supreme Leader.? > > > > Supremely Uncharacteristic > > > > This being the apparent sketch of the Islamic Republic's still brewing > > ?ultimate show-down,? we are finally ready to look at what may have actually > > happened in the presidential elections, especially after the votes had been > > cast, on the fateful night of June 12, 2009. > > > > As mentioned above, given conflicting indications and signals (especially > > recently), it is not clear toward which of these two camps does the > > Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the present Supreme Leader gravitate? Since his > > securing the position 20 years ago, he has tried to imitate Imam Khomeini's > > leadership style, by remaining calm, deliberative, at least overtly > > even-handed, and generally above the fray?which seems to be consistent with > > his apparent overall temperament. > > > > This makes what happened immediately after the election night, whereby the > > Supreme Leader jumped in uncharacteristically hastily, favoring one-side, > > especially unprecedented for him, despite all the emerging controversies and > > possible electoral fraud. His defense of Ahmadinejad's alleged re-election > > so vociferously (even before the counting of the votes were finalized--let > > alone the elections outcome being formally certified by the Guardian > > Council) is VERY PUZZLING, and certainly worthy of in-depth consideration as > > to WHY? > > > > Before stating what I believe (may have) happened, I think we still need a > > bit more context: > > > > In the 4 years since Ahmadinejad has become Iran's President, we can see an > > apparent competition, if not disguised hostility, between him and the > > Supreme Leader (partially reflecting the above-referenced jockeying for > > power), especially in matters that have to do with which of the above camps > > would get the upper hand, in how Iran's strategic relationship with the U.S. > > (or lack there of) would evolve. > > > > In this connection, Ahmadinejad has so far been able to assert the power of > > the camp to which he seems to belong, especially through his successful > > attention-seeking behaviors in the nuclear energy and the "holocaust" > > controversies, both of which were appreciated (for demonizing and > > dehumanizing purposes) by the Bush Administration, and of course by Israel, > > which were more than happy to exploit such needless savior-is-here > > grandstanding, to justify (in propagandistic mis-representation) why Iran is > > "unpredictable, dangerous," etc. > > > > Prior to the Iranian elections last month, with the still new American > > administration, there had been a shift away from overt "regime change" > > policies (being resisted, especially by the Likudnik Israel) as expressed in > > Obama's famous New Iranian Year (Nowruz) message. > > > > Strikingly uncharacteristic was Iran's response to this diplomatic ?olive > > branch,? in that it was delivered IMMEDIATELY, and by the Supreme Leader > > himself, as if trying to communicate who is the real boss in Tehran; which > > leaves the question as to WHY he felt so compelled to assert his authority, > > so blatantly and so immediately? The answer seems to be that the Leader > > might have felt the need to prevent Ahmadinejad's camps' will-to-power from > > further eclipsing his supreme authority, especially in such a definitionally > > strategic area, namely, the ?Axis of Evil? Islamic Republic's relationship > > with the "Great Satan." > > > > The Coup and the Counter-Coup > > > > It is this apparent "insecurity" that may be the ultimate clue, as to the > > Supreme Leader's HIGHLY UNUSUALL post-election posture, while even the ink > > on the ballots had not yet fully dried. Again, to cruelly summarize (if not > > simplify) the events, the following is perhaps what happened: > > > > Despite all their apparent "election engineering," after seeing that > > Mir-Hossein Mousavi was actually winning outright (or at least he would most > > likely win in the second round run-off against Ahmadinejad), the > > above-described "active awaiters" (4th group) coalition, which apparently > > did not wish to lose power no matter what, seemed to have felt the panicked > > need to spectacularly alter the election results in the late night hours > > after the voting. > > > > In other words, the Ahmadinejad coalition may have committed a > > once-and-for-all power-realignment "palace coup" -- made possible with the > > crucial backing of the ?Look to the East? economically active faction of the > > Revolutionary Guards and the Basij militia. Thus, a ?Russian Coup? (as some > > Cold War addicts have put it, ignoring China!) not just against Mousavi, > > ?The Path of the Imam" apparent winner of the elections--who would likely > > normalize the U.S. - Iran relations in conjunction with Obama--but perhaps > > more significantly, an ultimate coup against the Supreme Leader himself, > > putting him in the position of either accepting the new order--thus being > > reduced to a figurehead ?Supreme Leader? -- or else. > > > > What these coup engineers had apparently not anticipated was the Supreme > > Leader's astute response, or in other words, his ?counter-coup? (as I would > > like to put it) by "going to their right" -- and immediately and > > vociferously, but highly uncharacteristically ? taking their side, and then > > some, no matter what the costs. WHY? > > > > Perhaps--and quite ironically?in part to defend the "republican" pillar of > > the Islamic Republic, while also highlighting who is still the real boss, > > AND also saying, in a sense, that Ahmadinejad's "re-election" powers were, > > after all, due to the people's (even though rigged) votes. And of course, > > how could the thus check-mated people behind the coup say or do anything to > > oppose him? > > > > What About the Huge Protests? > > > > Here another obvious question arises: What role did those spectacular > > millions strong peaceful protests play? > > > > I believe that, in a sense, ?allowing? those revolution-size rallies to go > > forward, i.e., letting highly visible public expressions of massive protest > > to proceed (events that were inevitable, given the likely fraudulent > > declared election results, and also given the highly inflammatory and > > insulting way the authorities behaved--including Ahmadinejad--and especially > > Khamenei's own ?shocking? post-ballot conduct) without immediately starting > > a HARD and immediate crack-down, is likely to mean at least two things: > > > > 1- That the Supreme Leader may have purposefully intended to use the > > legitimacy-robbing spectacular powers of these huge public protests, to > > indirectly humiliate and punish--before the amazed eyes of the world?the > > ?re-elected? President, and perhaps more significantly, the > > politico-military coup engineers behind him. And, > > > > 2- That there is another quite strong (but quieter) faction within the > > Revolutionary Guards (and even the Basij), still loyal to the > > previously-mentioned "Imam's Path? foundations of the Islamic Republic, > > ?checking and balancing? the intentions and power of the "Look-to-the-East" > > coalition, with its radical "active awaiter? (sincere or opportunistic) > > religious allies. > > > > Thus, the overall result of this apparent counter-coup seems to be that, > > rather than Ahmadinejad and his ?new order? allies having the Supreme Leader > > as their virtual ?hostage? (to then replace him, in time, by their own > > "source of emulation," namely the Ayatollah Mesbah Yazdi) now a humiliated > > and put-in-his-place ?re-elected? President--who fully owes his second term > > to the strong and highly costly patronage of the Ayatollah Khamenei--seems > > to have no choice but to accept being reduced to the Leader's "SMASHED > > obedient servant," as was put, apparently quite accurately, by an Iranian > > observer the other day. > > > > As to the crucial role of the still powerful Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi > > Rafsanjani in all this, I believe that his so far ?middle-of-the-path? > > posture is quite likely to continue to be informative (and as usual > > intriguing), but ultimately constructive?and he exhibited this, again, as > > the Prayer Leader (before a million plus people) in Tehran's historic Friday > > Prayers of July 17, 2009. > > > > By essentially calling for re-opening indigenous dialogue, for an OPEN and > > PUBLIC debate (including on state radio and TV) to begin the process of > > resolving the country's election ?CRISIS,? he carefully preserved his own > > position as an elder statesman, a mediator and healer. This is while he > > neither challenged the Supreme Leader too bluntly, nor he backed down from > > his support for Mousavi (and the ?green movement) namely, the principled > > position that the June 12th presidential ballot was widely "doubted" and > > highly problematic, i.e., lacking practical legitimacy. > > > > Clearly, Rafsanjani's survival at the expense (though not totally) of > > Ahmadinejad's camp, speaks to the remaining strength of the pragmatist and > > reformist political forces in Iran, along with their allies among the > > commanders of the Revolutionary Guards (and even the Basij) who are loyal to > > the original "Path-of-the-Imam" -- including their traditional "bazaar" > > economic partners -- all of whom wish to remain faithful to the revolution's > > ?neither East, nor West? ethos; thus preserving Iran's ?sacred? sovereignty > > (politico-economic, cultural/spiritual, and scientific/technological) while > > not being necessarily opposed to the eventual normalization of the country's > > relations with the West, in general, and with the U.S., in particular. > > > > While it is far too premature to declare the June 12th coup's possible > > defeat (and the counter-coup's victory), it may seem not too unreasonable to > > assume that Rafsanjani may emerge, yet again, as a significant power-broker > > and mediator, in this mother-of-all conflicts within the Islamic Republic. > > > > A Face-Saving Solution? > > > > Finally, and for the record, I believe there STILL IS a "win-win" > > face-saving solution to this supremely Iranian crisis and impasse; however, > > I doubt it would be adopted: > > > > Whether there was actual or clearly widely-perceived fraud in this > > tumultuous presidential elections, it is clear that Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's > > second-term legitimacy is severely damaged, fairly or not. Perhaps > > ironically, nonetheless, the ?triumphant? but wounded President himself may > > hold the healing key in his hands: He is in the unique and only > > constitutionally appropriate position to VOLUNTARILY withdraw his claim to > > ?re-election? victory, thus allowing a fair and unbiased re-vote to occur. > > This grand volunteer ?sacrifice? would be like a symbolic ?out-of-court? > > settlement, so it would not create a potentially dangerous legally binding > > precedent for the future. > > > > If the ?humble servant of the Hidden Imam Mahdi? is ?RE-re-elected? -- given > > his supposedly unassailable 30% victory margin over his nearest rival (IF > > the June 12 ballot was legitimate), then President Ahmadinejad's claimed > > victory would be greatly vindicated, and he would gain an unrivaled > > historical legitimacy as well as an undying good name; and if he loses, he > > can always say that he did not want to commit the ?gravest sin? of imposing > > himself upon the people, as an ?unjust ruler.? In either case, allowing such > > a re-vote would be an undeniable overall win-win solution for this > > profoundly painful conflict, and it is STILL POSSIBLE. > > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > > > An Iranian-American bilingual poet, and a peace, civility, and Earth > > activist (trained as a cultural psychologist) Moji Agha, a.k.a. Mojtaba > > Aghamohammadi is the Founder/Director of the Project on Culture and Conflict > > at the University of Arizona, and also the International Institute to Study > > Climate Change in the Islamic World -- www.iiscciw.org. He can be reached > > at: moji...@gmail.com > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > ufpj-iran mailing list > > > > Post: ufpj...@lists.mayfirst.org > > List info: https://lists.mayfirst.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/ufpj-iran > > > > To Unsubscribe > > ? ? ? ?Send email to: ?ufpj-iran-...@lists.mayfirst.org > > ? ? ? ?Or visit: > > https://lists.mayfirst.org/cgi-bin/mailman/options/ufpj-iran/critical.montages%40gmail.com > > > > You are subscribed as: critical...@gmail.com > > > > > > > ------------------------------ > > _______________________________________________ > ufpj-iran mailing list > ufpj...@lists.mayfirst.org > https://lists.mayfirst.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/ufpj-iran > > > End of ufpj-iran Digest, Vol 29, Issue 40 > *****************************************   -----Inline Attachment Follows----- _______________________________________________ ufpj-iran mailing list Post: ufpj...@lists.mayfirst.org List info: https://lists.mayfirst.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/ufpj-iran To Unsubscribe         Send email to:  ufpj-iran-...@lists.mayfirst.org         Or visit: https://lists.mayfirst.org/cgi-bin/mailman/options/ufpj-iran/mansour%40mansouransari.com You are subscribed as: man...@mansouransari.com

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[Sid Badakhsh]

I totally agree.  If the evil plans that America and Israel have for Iran were not as clear as they are, then I would pay some attention to grievances from someone like Moji.  Unfortunately that is not the case and the only reason I can think of for the behavior of Moji is that he is being paid by the enemies of Iran to continue with his activities which is nothing new when one looks back at the contemporary history between Iran and the U.S.  America's successful coup in Iran was carried out by elements from within Iran in 1953 and the recent activities by America in promoting disturbances by internal elements is not any different from that period.  Before it was "Shaa-boon bee mokh" who took the lead in agitating the Iranian society using his hooligans and today it is someone like Moosavi leading these spoiled Iranian youths doing the same job for America.   

Thanks,
Sid

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Date: Mon, 21 Dec 2009 07:21:32 -0800
From: shafa...@yahoo.com

Subject: RE: In my humble opinion, rebuttal to Mr. Agha Moji's article

To: reza...@gmail.com; la...@googlegroups.com; mojg...@yahoo.com; mas...@gmail.com; alains...@gmail.com; trait...@yahoogroups.com; di...@iic.org; bettym...@embarqmail.com; bkh...@yahoo.com; drmos...@iic.org; kam...@googlegroups.com; dana...@gmail.com; iranp...@gmail.com; sor...@earthlink.net; tpa...@niacouncil.org; casmii-d...@yahoogroups.com; b...@phoenixts.com; sep...@yahoo.com; mahva...@gmail.com; dd...@iic.org; reza.va...@gmail.com; mani...@gmail.com; esfandiar...@gatech.edu; laal....@gmail.com; sid_ba...@hotmail.com; roya...@msn.com

I don't understand why you guys waisting your time with Mogie his position long known pro US and Israel   AZITA

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[Sid Badakhsh]

************** DROPPING DISC ******************
Dear Dr Ala,
I just can't imagine someone to be so confused not to be able to expand his/her horizon and see the entire picture before showing such level of animosity against his/her country. Shouldn't Moji and others who show so much anger towards Ahmadinejaad take the following factors into account before displaying such behavior that benefits the enemies of Iran:

1. America's interest in the Middle East that has already shown itself to be diametrically opposed to the interest of the Iranian people. (1953 Coup of Mossadegh)
   
2. The interest of the Zionists similar to America's interest as stated above.
   
3. The justifiable opposition that Ahmadinejaad has expressed against the treatment of the Middle Eastern people by the United States and the Zionists. (Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Palestine, Gaza strip, Lebanon, Syria, Complete domination of the corrupt Arab countries such as the Gulf sheikdoms, Saudi Arabia, Egypt)
   
4. Instability and division among Iranians working right along with the objectives of      Divide and Conquer strategy by CIA/Mossa.
   
5. Point blank declaration of purposeful over-activation of on-line mechanisms for spreading misinformation right before and during Iranian election. (Twittter, Facebook, and other stupid and downright useless kiddy stuff like them)
6. Similar "Color Revolutions" orchestrated by the CIA in countries where America's influence now dominates their internal and external policies.  Dr Ala and others, is this what you are looking for?
   
7. Hunreds of millions of dollars allocated and being spent to destabilize the Iranian government by the U.S. government for another "Regime Change" in Iran.  Dr Ala and others, are you oblivious to this fact? 
   

Just yesterday I watched an interview of Ahmadinejaad by Diane Sawyer of ABC news where she was introducing some propaganda report about Iran's alleged intention of building a nuclear bomb.  In this interview, she kept bring up the so-called disturbances in Iran by the Twitter folks.  However, at the end of the segment her  comment was the following: 

"Of course aside from the current demonstrations going on in Iran, THE MAIN CONCERN BY THE UNITED STATES, EUROPEAN COUNTRIES AND ISRAEL IS IRAN'S PURSUIT OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS."  

In other words, we don't really care about what goes on in Iran, all we care about is Iran's alleged nuclear weapons program.  Dear Dr ALA and others, let me break it to you plain and simple.   Here we go:

The United States of America, the European governments, those who are in charge of Israel and any other entities that have you so impressed as people with such advanced cultures......
 
do not care if you live or die. 
do not care if you are well or diseased! 
do not care if you are rich or poor. 
do not care if you have a roof over your head or not. 
do not care if you are treated well or mistreated.
do not care if you are hungry or well fed!
do not care if you see or can't see!
do not care if you are deaf or if you can hear!
do not care if you feel or if you are numb!
do not care if you are cold or warm!

they simply do not care about you!  Period!

If they did care about you, they would not have orchestrated the overthrow of a government that was freely and democratically elected by your people! 

I am sorry but I can not put it in any other terms that would turn the light bulb on for you.  I am hoping that putting in these simple terms would finally sink in! 

Thanks,
Sid

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Date: Mon, 21 Dec 2009 19:56:49 -0800
Subject: Re: In my humble opinion, rebuttal to Mr. Agha Moji's article
From: alains...@gmail.com
To: sid_ba...@hotmail.com
CC: shafa...@yahoo.com; reza...@gmail.com; la...@googlegroups.com; mojg...@yahoo.com; mas...@gmail.com; trait...@yahoogroups.com; di...@iic.org; bettym...@embarqmail.com; bkh...@yahoo.com; drmos...@iic.org; kam...@googlegroups.com; dana...@gmail.com; iranp...@gmail.com; sor...@earthlink.net; tpa...@niacouncil.org; casmii-d...@yahoogroups.com; b...@phoenixts.com; sep...@yahoo.com; mahva...@gmail.com; dd...@iic.org; reza.va...@gmail.com; mani...@gmail.com; esfandiar...@gatech.edu; laal....@gmail.com; roya...@msn.com

Dear Sid;

 

Once again, you have resorted to personal attack(s).  In the following e-mail, you accuse someone for being paid by the enemies of Iran. . . .  This is serious accusation.

 

Please refrain yourself unless you have an evidence to prove it.

 

Thanks.

 

Mohammad Ala

On Mon, Dec 21, 2009 at 1:51 PM, Sid Badakhsh <sid_ba...@hotmail.com> wrote:

I totally agree.  If the evil plans that America and Israel have for Iran were not as clear as they are, then I would pay some attention to grievances from someone like Moji.  Unfortunately that is not the case and the only reason I can think of for the behavior of Moji is that he is being paid by the enemies of Iran to continue with his activities which is nothing new when one looks back at the contemporary history between Iran and the U.S.  America's successful coup in Iran was carried out by elements from within Iran in 1953 and the recent activities by America in promoting disturbances by internal elements is not any different from that period.  Before it was "Shaa-boon bee mokh" who took the lead in agitating the Iranian society using his hooligans and today it is someone like Moosavi leading these spoiled Iranian youths doing the same job for America.   

Thanks,
Sid

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Date: Mon, 21 Dec 2009 07:21:32 -0800
From: shafa...@yahoo.com

Subject: RE: In my humble opinion, rebuttal to Mr. Agha Moji's article

To: reza...@gmail.com; la...@googlegroups.com; mojg...@yahoo.com; mas...@gmail.com; alains...@gmail.com; trait...@yahoogroups.com; di...@iic.org; bettym...@embarqmail.com; bkh...@yahoo.com; drmos...@iic.org; kam...@googlegroups.com; dana...@gmail.com; iranp...@gmail.com; sor...@earthlink.net; tpa...@niacouncil.org; casmii-d...@yahoogroups.com; b...@phoenixts.com; sep...@yahoo.com; mahvash.na@gmail.com; dd...@iic.org; reza.va...@gmail.com; mani...@gmail.com; esfandiar...@gatech.edu; laal....@gmail.com; sid_ba...@hotmail.com; roya...@msn.com

[Soraya Sepahpour-Ulrich]

Interesting that Sid has been removed in favor of Moji.  Things never fail to amuse me!

 

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From: DrMosade...@iic.org [mailto:DrMosade...@iic.org] On Behalf Of Sid Badakhsh
Sent: Tuesday, December 22, 2009 8:29 AM
To: M Ala
Cc: Azita Shafazand; reza...@gmail.com; la...@googlegroups.com; Mojgan Jana; Massy Homayooni; trait...@yahoogroups.com; bettym...@embarqmail.com; Ben Khosrovani; DR Mossadegh; kam...@googlegroups.com; dana...@gmail.com; iranp...@gmail.com; Soraya Sepahpour; tpa...@niacouncil.org; casmii-d...@yahoogroups.com; b...@phoenixts.com; sep...@yahoo.com; mahva...@gmail.com; ddi...@iic.org; Reza Vatandoust; mani...@gmail.com; Esfandiar Bakhtiarnejad; Mohammad Purqurian; Reza Shirazi
Subject: RE: In my humble opinion, rebuttal to Mr. Agha Moji's article

 

************** DROPPING DISC ******************

CC: shafa...@yahoo.com; reza...@gmail.com; la...@googlegroups.com; mojg...@yahoo.com; mas...@gmail.com; trait...@yahoogroups.com; di...@iic.org; bettym...@embarqmail.com; bkh...@yahoo.com; drmos...@iic.org; kam...@googlegroups.com; dana...@gmail.com; iranp...@gmail.com; sor...@earthlink.net; tpa...@niacouncil.org; casmii-d...@yahoogroups.com; b...@phoenixts.com; sep...@yahoo.com; mahva...@gmail.com; ddi...@iic.org; reza.va...@gmail.com; mani...@gmail.com; esfandiar...@gatech.edu; laal....@gmail.com; roya...@msn.com