Fri., June 19, 2009

The Big Dog speaks…

EDITORS' NOTE: Reuters and other foreign media are subject to Iranian restrictions on leaving the office to report, film or take pictures in Tehran. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei gives his Friday prayer sermon at Tehran University in this video grab June 19, 2009. Khamenei appealed for calm on Friday and attacked "enemies" questioning the result of a presidential vote that has sparked the biggest street protests in the Islamic Republic's history. REUTERS/IRIB via Reuters TV (IRAN POLITICS ELECTIONS IMAGES OF THE DAY) FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS. IRAN OUT. NO COMMERCIAL OR EDITORIAL SALES IN IRAN (The Spokesman-Review)

Good morning, Netizens...

(AP) Tehran, Iran

The only vote that matters in the Iran election was just cast, although it remains to be seen by those of us in the world whether that will actually end the contention unfolding in Iran. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said protests should cease and the opposition must pursue its complaints within the confines of the cleric-led ruling system.

He said protesters would be "held responsible for chaos if they didn't end" days of massive demonstrations. The unrest has posed the greatest challenge to the system since the 1979 Islamic Revolution that brought it to power.

Khamenei said official results showing a landslide for hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad were beyond question.

"There is 11 million votes difference, Khamenei said. "How one can rig 11 million votes?"

The Big Dog has just shown his teeth, and despite his promises that the highest electoral authority will pursue election complaints, the instability and political contention unfolding in Iran seems certain to continue. As for the question of how one could rig 11 million votes, the answer is simple: invent votes and voters. We have a history of that here in the States that is enviable.

Dave

Posted June 19, 2009, 4:33 a.m.