Baby steps are better than sitting on your ass. I hope something good comes out of this.

Indeed. You can look back and say "Wow...what a shit storm they shouldn't have bothered" However, history has proven that a free democratic country does not come freely. We had to fight multiple wars to get ours. A lot of nations had to fight the british/french/spanish to get their freedom. Now a days its turning to civil wars for a country to become a democratic state. I think Iran is headed in the right direction. However, i think they need to do it on their own, everytime a nation steps in, there is always a problem between the people that step in to help, and the people that are taking over. Even though it wasn't a real election, it was a step in the right direction. It's too bad we are in Iraq, a lot of people agree that Iran was the bigger threat. My brother-in-law is going on his second tour to Iraq in july. He said it's hard to fight there when you know it's not helping a lot, and the country is getting better, but even the Iraqis don't want to help themselves, they just want the Army to do everything for them. To me it seems like there are more people in Iran that would be ready to help change their country for the better.

Apparently Iranian women are streetfighting badasses.

It's not really clear that this is the case. Thus far he hasn't made any public statement, he hasn't even been seen in public. His home and/or offices were attacked sometime within the past 48 hours. Maybe he is making a power play behind the scenes, or maybe he is on the run or imprisoned or dead. It's not really clear wtf is actually going on. Odds are good though, he is the wealthiest man in Iran by many estimates and reformists turned into revolutionaries are a good weapon if you can aim them right.

[color=blue]Iranian Blog: IRGC Tehran Commander Fired

An unidentified Iranian blog, Cherikonline, reports that Ali Fazli, commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) in Tehran, was fired yesterday from his position for only "minimally" following instructions from Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei to put down the June 20 demonstrations together with the Basij.

The blog states that IRGC members refused to participate in putting down the rioting, and that senior IRGC commanders were compelled to use alternative forces.

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Showdown Iran: Election Stands As Rev Guard En-Route
The Guardian Council has ruled that there were no significant election difficulties to warrant an annulment of the vote, the election will stand. The NYT's reports the Obama administration claims to be strugglingfrom a lack of information from on the ground in Iran. They are unsure of the size of the anti-government push and as regards any potential government rifts. One can thank the Dems for not wanting much of a CIA field capability over decades for that.

Michael Ledeen reports that a caravan of Revolutionary Guard troops are en-route to Tehran. Also, that protesters are striking at the Basiji in hit and run attacks, catching them alone, or in small groups. Khamenei is said to have left Tehran for a mountain retreat, while giving the Rev Guard carte blanche to put down the revolt. Read more at link.

Supporters of Ahmadinejad are planning to gather for a protest at the British Embassy. Those protests could spread to the German and French embassies, as well. Iran is also recalling its UK ambassador from London for consultations.

While anti-government forces are calling for those arrested to be released unconditionally, the government is promising that the judiciary will teach them a lesson. It's show down time in Iran.

As of now, no reports on a general strike that was said to have been planned for today, including in the oil fields, markets and elsewhere.


I think it's coming to a head

Without sword, she falls.
Beautiful eyes seeking truth.
What have they done here?