Between the 2008 election and the current situation in Iran, social technologies have changed politics in very real, very meaningful ways. Now, with these immediate, uncontrolled communication channels available (Twitter, YouTube, Facebook), citizens finally have the ability to share what’s really going on without the media filter. Iranian leaders didn’t anticipate this, but other repressive [...]

Lots has been going on and I haven’t had the time to share it all. Basically what it boils down to is this. The Iranian government is finally starting to crack down for real and the people aren’t standing down. Meanwhile, Obama still hasn’t come out in favor of Mousavi, and that’s drawing criticism stateside [...]

Love it! (h/t: PBH)

The debate has been fast and furious recently, and Obama has struck what I think is the most appropriate tone given the circumstances. Does part of me wish he would throw caution to the wind, back Mousavi and call the election a fraud? Sure. But that part of me would be ignoring evidence that Ahmadinejad [...]

So says a commenter who posted this a couple of hours ago… “We are from god and we will return to him” Great people of Iran It is with extreme sadness that I have learnt of the massacre of the people who had gathered peacefully to defend their rights. I am deeply concerned about these [...]

Then here are 5 simple tips… The purpose of this guide is to help you participate constructively in the Iranian election protests through Twitter. 1. Do NOT publicise proxy IP’s over twitter, and especially not using the #iranelection hashtag. Security forces are monitoring this hashtag, and the moment they identify a proxy IP they will [...]

Looks like they haven’t ejected all the reporters yet. And here’s something significant…video of riot police smiling More as it develops…

In a strong rebuke to the current regime, one of the most powerful clerics in Iran issues the following… In the name of God People of Iran These last days, we have witnessed the lively efforts of you brothers and sisters, old and young alike, from any social category, for the 10th presidential elections. Our [...]

And interesting little factoid in all of this Iran election stuff. From Reuters: WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. State Department said on Tuesday it had contacted the social networking service Twitter to urge it to delay a planned upgrade that would have cut daytime service to Iranians who are disputing their election. Confirmation that the [...]

As well he should. There’s no sense in agreeing to a recount of tainted votes. What they need is a new election, and they shouldn’t stop until they get it. More from NY Times: Speaking at Monday’s huge rally, Mr. Moussavi said he had written to the Guardian Council to complain about the election but [...]

As much as I hate to be fair to a guy like Ahmadinejad, I can’t ignore this story from the Washington Post which shows that he enjoyed a sizable lead before the election. What’s more, the following pollsters have absolutely no reason to lie. In fact, they have every reason to shut up, but they [...]

After a weekend of protests and clashes over the alleged fraud perpetrated by Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s party in Iran, the real powers in Iran are stepping in: State television quoted Ayatollah Ali Khamenei directing a high-level clerical panel, the Guardian Council, to look into charges by pro-reform candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi, who has said he is [...]

These photos are from Tehranlive.org. Amir Sadeghi operates the photo blog and gave me permission to post them in hopes people will look at some of the other stunning images he has. I urge you to take a look. Clearly, the Iranian people are not going to let this election be stolen in silence. All [...]

More and more details are emerging that suggest this whole thing was a sham. From Muhammad Sahimi: At the same time, the reformist newspapers were also informed that they can prepare their Saturday edition to declare Mr. Mousavi the winner, but were not allowed to use the word pirouzi (victory) in their articles, in order [...]

Numbers and accusations are flying fast and furious right now, but the following seem to be the most plausible I’ve seen so far. Do note that the following has been pulled out of a VERY long post with a ton of updates, so the usual caveats apply. From NIAC Insight: We’ve been very hesitant to [...]

I’ve heard many on this blog dismiss the current uprising, but I genuinely think this is the real deal and something that won’t be able to be successfully repressed by the government. Also note around the 2 minute mark that the protesters literally chase away the police so the BBC can continue reporting. More as [...]

I don’t know how powerful these folks are, but it’s encouraging to see some of them speak out. From Tehran Bureau: The Association of Combatant Clerics, which consists of moderate and leftist clerics and includes such important figures as former president Mohammad Khatami, Ayatollah Mohammad Mousavi Khoiniha, and Grand Ayatollah Abdolkarim Mousavi Ardabili, issued a [...]

I missed this yesterday… The international community should not recognize the results of Iran’s 12 June 2009 presidential election, which gives all signs of having been manipulated by government authorities to produce a massive victory for incumbent Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, according to the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran. The Campaign further recommended that the [...]

The more I’ve read about election results coming out of cities that NEVER would have voted for Ahmadenjihad, the more I’m convinced that this one was rigged. And the Iranian people are mad as hell… Here’s more… Not only that, Twitter is being used a ton to get the message out. Andrew Sullivan sums it [...]