The fall of Iran? New Updates…

Thank goodness of the courage of the Iranian people. To take such bold actions following the (fraudulent) election results from this previous Friday, which gave current Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad a resounding victory and another four year term. I talked a little bit about the election in a previous entry and described both my disbelief in the results and my disappointment in the Iranian people for submitting themselves to such scrutiny as Ahmadinejad’s actions will provide. I think I put it like this:

And THIS was Iran’s chance to tell the world truly what they think. And to tell us what to think on the outside. This election could have reintroduced the world to Iran, a modern country with more than just a narrow perspective. The promise of a revitalized (and, dare I say, better respected) Iran, starting over fresh with the energy of the Revolution but today’s mindset, was in this election. [...] I am a little disappointed. When you have the chance to end such hateful rhetoric and actions, even if it is only every four years, would you sacrifice that chance and support hate?

Time would certainly prove me wrong about the strength of these great people! Days of domestic violence and civil strife (I know I have heard those two items together before) have plagued the country, leading to today’s revelation from the (irresponsible/tyrannical/biased) Guardian Council to recount disputed votes. In such a country as this, what a power the people hold. To add, the ayatollah has already confirmed Ahmadinejad’s victory…and, yet, the Iranian people press on still to seek justice. Well done.

It does not escape my judgment that this recount will do little to change the outcome of the election. While I am sure Mousavi had plenty of the vote, the election is NOT being redone. All those lost ballots will never be found, and the disenfranchised would-be votes for him will never be counted or submitted to the Council’s review. But pacifying these citizens is vital now to the stability of the government, I suspect. We shall see how things progress.

In the meantime, a narrative through headlines on the BBC:

• June 16- Iran clamps down on foreign media: The authorities announced tough new restrictions on foreign media, requiring journalists to obtain explicit permission before covering any story. Journalists have also been banned from attending or reporting on any unauthorised demonstration.
• June 16- Seven killed during Iran protest: The reports said the deaths came after “thugs” attacked a military post. The radio report said the attack occurred at the end of the “illegal” rally as people were heading home “peacefully”. “Several thugs wanted to attack a military post and vandalise public property in the vicinity of Azadi Square,” the radio said referring to the site of the protest.
• June 15- Tensions high in Tehran: Hundreds of thousands of opposition supporters have taken to the streets of the Iranian capital.
• June 14- Iran reformists held after street clashes: Up to 100 members of Iranian reformist groups have been arrested, accused of orchestrating violence after the disputed Presidential election.

The fall of Iran?…

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

Many news organizations are confirming Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s victory in the Iranian Presidential election that took place on Friday, which will extend his tenure in office another four years. A Reformist and the main opponent to Ahmadinejad, Mir Hossein Mousavi, has already claimed the occurrence of voting irregularities, asking the Guardian Council to repeal the results. Mousavi believes there was a lack of election monitors at polling stations, resulting in the disenfranchisement of many Iranian citizens. The conservative-controlled Guardian Council, which vets Presidential candidates based on the uniformity of their Islamic law values, is unlikely to invalidate the results, particularly with the Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s call for an end to the race.

Since his narrow defeat of the reformist candidates in 2005, Ahmadinejad has brought his country an unprecedented amount of publicity and, more often than not, criticism. His denial of the Holocaust, his consistent refusal to close Iranian nuclear research facilities, and his belief in Israel’s extermination (not to mention a particularly aggressive hatred towards the United States and “the west”) have all contributed to his being on the United States’ shit list. Within his own country he has attempted to do some good (decreasing dependence on oil, using oil money to assist home buyers and young couples, etc). But many of his ideas have entirely collapsed upon implementation.

And THIS was Iran’s chance to tell the world truly what they think. And to tell us what to think on the outside. This election could have reintroduced the world to Iran, a modern country with more than just a narrow perspective. The promise of a revitalized (and, dare I say, better respected) Iran, starting over fresh with the energy of the Revolution but today’s mindset, was in this election.

And it is now gone. All that promise is lost.

A report from the BBC tells the following in a day’s aftermath:

“On the streets of Tehran, police have sealed off Mr Mousavi’s campaign HQ, preventing his supporters from holding a news conference.

There have been reports of police deploying on the streets of Tehran and beating people with truncheons as small groups gather to protest.

One opposition newspaper has been closed down and BBC websites also appear to have been blocked by the Iranian authorities.”

I am a little disappointed. When you have the chance to end such hateful rhetoric and actions, even if it is only every four years, would you sacrifice that chance and support hate?

Two opinions on Susan Boyle…

Susan Boyle

What an exponential climb to celebrity Susan Boyle has made, becoming yet another facet of pop culture that will consistently be associated with 2009 and oh-remember-when moments of our histories. From relative obscurity, this Scottish singer appeared on Britain’s Got Talent and all over internet connections becoming an overnight sensation about the globe. Further, with an unconventional look, a story to tug at the heartstrings, and a little dramatic flair for exhaustion,  she followed the Britney-laid path: before her 15 minutes were up, she was already in the mental health hospital. Poor gal. I imagine that life under the world’s microscope could be overwhelming.

Ms. Boyle did sign herself up for the contest, though, and that is where my trouble with the whole situation begins. She did place herself in this situation no matter how improbable the resulting fame seemed at the time.  That makes things very difficult. Can we blame anyone for the endearing train wreck that her life in the spotlight has become? The media has blown it out of proportion, for sure, but such was she discovered.

What is our obsession with this woman? I am quite sure that I cannot point out the reason of her success. Can you?

I do not mean to imply that she lacks talent. She is really quite good: few nerves, decent breath support, and a vibrato many Broadway belters would be jealous of. I enjoy listening to her more each time I play one of her videos, and it is one of those inexplicable things that the reason for it eludes me.

And yet, I think I know why. As the judges have said, it is the juxtaposition of the voice and the package. It should not matter. And it does. Why does the dissonance between the two enthrall so much? It is not a beauty issue AT ALL. I think it is more about the whole idea of her, the entire package: older woman, no job, charitable, seems to have a little crazy in her, and possesses a gorgeous and previously undiscovered voice. That is what is amazing about her.

For the other side of things (said more plainly and more hilariously than my own words), here is a funny vid from Current TV. He is right: who will remember the real winners of the show in a year?

Personally, I am waiting for the “LEAVE SUSAN ALONE” video a la Chris Crocker. I hope she gets well and using that lovely voice before that needs to happen!

Leave Susan Alone!

Russia vs. the West: Round 2…

With a worldwide economic recession, fears of terrorism & violence, and a dangerous revival of 90’s fashions, one would assume that Russia could hold off on making any strategic moves to take over the world….at least for a few years. The USSR fell less than 20 years ago, and an agenda to reestablish many of their policies and ideals is already reemerging, creating worries for the west.

Russia's Gazprom

An article from BBC News, [A MUST READ] which sounds as though it was pulled from a Cold War newspaper, details the newest attempts made by the Russian energy company, Gazprom, to destabilize any control European countries may have had over their energy independence.

In what sounds like a pointed threat to the west, the deputy chairman of Gazprom said, “Only three countries can be suppliers of pipeline gas in the long-term – Russia, Iran and Qatar. So there is no other choice than to deal with these suppliers. [...] Europe should decide how to handle this situation… and if Europe doesn’t need our gas, then we will find a way of selling it differently.”

What a horribly undiplomatic and unprofessional thing to say. While most likely correct, the entirely rude manner this man uses reflects very poorly on the country that potentially (in all likelihood) controls Gazprom. Suddenly, heating one’s home becomes a politically contentious issue. If you cannot be friends/allies with this, that, or the other, you cannot heat your home.

How appealing it would be to simply turn to Qatar for energy, which now seems the only country on friendly terms with the west. Or even more appealing to tell the whole group to bugger off and BE energy independent. But that cannot be the case, sadly. Instead, Europe is at least 25% in Russia’s possession, with 7 nations entirely dependent upon it. And this is expected to increase: by 2020, Russia expects to provide 33% of Europe’s energy.

If we needed yet another reason to spend more for research into alternative energies, there it is. Energy is power.

Briefly on Alitalia & Air France…

Air France-KLM nows owns 25% of Alitalia

Air France-KLM now owns 25% of the plagued Alitalia, Italy’s formerly state-controlled airline. The remaining 75% of the newly privatized company will be controlled by 25 investors who comprise the Italian Air Company. Previously Air France-KLM, a French and Dutch corporation, had attempted to buy out all of Alitalia and seize control of the company. There was also interest from Germany’s Lufthansa airline.

Alitalia went brankrupt this past August 2008 and has been purchased for a reported $1.4 million. Air France-KLM will pay approximately €322 million in both cash and equity for their stake in the new Alitalia.

My question is why?

My experience on Alitalia was far from stellar, and now I purposefully look for alternative airlines to utilize when getting to and around Europe.

I first took Alitalia in August 2007 for a semester I spent abroad in Florence. Butchered by peer review sites, I was immeditaely fearing that my luggage would be lost, as so many MANY more before me. While my luggage was luckily intact when I had arrived in Florence (after a lengthy connection in Rome), I was not. The meal service was absolutely repulsive: I still cannot tell whether I had chicken or fish on that flight. The seating was stiff and undersized, as well as cheaply decorated in spotted evergreen material that felt like denim against the back of my neck. Attendants were not rude, but they were also not very friendly. Televisions were scattered about the cabin and often broken. Moreover, the entire airplane felt out of date and rickety.

No mi piace Alitalia

Unfortunately, I had purchased a return flight with Alitalia for coming back state side that December after the conclusion of my semester abroad. Along with 400+ other students from NYU’s Florence program alone, I feared an impending strike that was being threatened by Alitalia for the day we were all to return to America. Apparently, this unreliability of flight staff (caused by strikes and the threat of them) was a major reason for the airline’s filing of bankruptcy. Luckily, once again, they were pacified by the Italian government, and we all made it home safe. Not all with our luggage, though: I had my own, but many of my friends did not.

So why does Air France-KLM want to become involved with this plague known as Alitalia? I have absolutely no idea. Here is hoping that they bring it up to Air France’s much-preferred standards.