Jun 15 2009
Protests Continue in Iran
Iranian state radio reports that seven people were killed during protests today. Azadi Square, also known as Freedom Square, in Tehran was the location.
There have been protests since Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was re-elected as Iranian president Friday. Supporters of main opposition candidate Mir Hossein Moussavi are bitterly upset over the news their man lost by nearly a two-to-one margin.
Moussavi led a rally Monday afternoon and urged calm. That call was not heeded by everyone. Meanwhile, President Obama made his first comments since the election. Although American interests would be furthered if Ahmadinejad was no longer in power, complaining too much about the results would likely do more harm than good in the Middle East. Especially considering Obama made a big speech in Egypt last week and said his nation would not try to dictate democracy to the Arab world.
The biggest demonstration in America this weekend happened after the Los Angeles Lakers won the NBA championship Sunday. Hoodlums in search of an excuse to cause mayhem and get on TV for doing so enjoyed their field day by damaging property. Some others probably figured rioting is the way to “celebrate” a sports title since that’s how most other cities do it.
The demonstration was a black mark on the city of Los Angeles. Tomorrow comes the requisite victory parade. The cost is estimated at $2 million, mostly due to security and cleanup. Usually, winning cities are overjoyed to foot the bill since so few occasions generate public goodwill like sports success.
However, the city of Los Angeles is suffering from a huge budget deficit. Many within the city opposed spending any public money on the parade while debating how many city employees will be laid off.
The point is fair. However, nothing in Los Angeles will stir hundreds of thousands of residents to take to the streets except a Laker championship parade. News late tonight emerged that private sponsors will pay for the parade tomorrow.
Maybe they should be protesting what’s happening in Iran but they won’t do so. Think about it. There was a bigger riot after the Lakers won Sunday than after George W. Bush won Florida in 2000. Then think about what’s happening in Iran.
Hey the supreme leader is reassesing the election results… Who knows what could happen, maybe he will do what the supreme court in the US did and confirm the results of a fraudlent election or maybe he will attempt to do the “Right” thing. Aint no tellin’… But in any event… GO LAKERS!!!! fuck yeah