This Weeks Editorial Cartoons 3 October 2009

From Denny: Cartoonists have been busy this week! So much in the news to lampoon - G20 meeting and protestors, swine flu fears, new "no texting while driving" law, Iran's empty promises about nuclear weapons, the current status of job seekers in America, trying to marry off Rush with the Truth but he won't have a shotgun wedding and President Obama juggling world affairs, two wars and vying for the 2016 Olympics to come to Chicago (they lost out to Brazil, congrats Brazil! South America has never hosted the Olympics.)

Swine Flu Fears - so powerful you no longer need a handgun in America...



Sad news of recent tragic deaths due to distraction from texting while driving prompted a new federal law to prohibit it:



The latest pastime trend to find meaning in life among jobseekers:



The latest desperation among job seekers to find any or full time employment. These days big companies like Exxon only employ people for up to 32 hours so they don't have to pay them any benefits. Even the U.S. Post Office does the same; only 4% of them are full time employees:



These two cartoons talk about how much the President has on his plate:






This one depicts how the Democrats and the President are beginning to look like they are attempting to take on too much in the field of multi-tasking and starting to look ridiculous.

Well, I guess, someone has to make up the work load that President Bush and Cheney sloughed off because they went to bed early and vacationed for a month at a time on a whim. The government started grinding to a halt so I guess the Dems have to speed things up just to make up lost ground:



Then there's everyone's favorite: Iran. They always seem to have a surprise-in-a-box or so they believe themselves to be that clever.



Loved the Kooky Jar one as it sums up the world belief system about the ruthless crass leaders of Iran. You have 7th century hearts and minds in charge of nuclear energy. Are you kidding? That's like asking a three-year-old to play with matches near a gas jet.



The one of the Secretary of State says it all about how Iran continues to screw over world leaders with deception after deception after lie after lie.



The G20 meeting of world leaders and their protestors, opinion of big banks:





While the world of truth-tellers keep trying to marry off the liars in a shotgun wedding...

Busy Week in World Politics Challenging Governments

Image via Wikipedia

Update, 9 AM: I come back a few hours after writing this post at 4 AM and what do I find for an ad by Google? Condoms by Trojan! Apologies to anyone who may be offended.

Actually, it made me laugh as it was a precursor to the "Richard Craniums" running the Iranian regime in the news story below. Gee, if I had known that Google would oblige me with a flashing ad I wouldn't have bothered to look around for a photo to include on the post! :) Richard Craniums? Polite, amusing term for the obvious... a girl has to keep her General Audiences rating.

From Denny: There has been a lot of political unrest around the globe this week, focused in the Middle East and Asia. Here are the latest developments.

Iran: Iran' opposition has been asking for help from the ruling council to deal with the Supreme Leader's decisions. Seems they are making headway as the Council has fractured in its unity, even to the point of declaring their views publicly, a bold move in a harsh regime of which they have helped build. Even they are beginning to wonder how they enabled this imbalance.

Of course, the government is not without it's pushback. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard has cracked down on the protestors to prove who's boss. They managed to scare off the thousands of protestors who dwindled down to a handful of a few hundred. The Guard also knocked on protestors' doors in the middle of the night, drug them out, imprisoned them without recourse or notification to families and tortured them while in custody.

Well, news of the torture ticked off the public sentiment to a new outrage high. So the Supreme Leader figured he was magnamimous by letting go 140 protestors of the thousands he rounded up. The public outrage clearly unnerved the Supreme Leader and the Council to fear for their own lives.

The government has swung back to the stupid meter area and decided to begin its first trials of the protestors they still have in custody. They wrung false recorded and televised confessions out of tortured imprisoned protestors and then let that group go "free" in the hopes of killing the opposition movement. All it did was fuel the fire in the whole country. With the trials coming up we can only imagine the coming developments in this now volatile situation.

This week the opposition movement did try to mourn the militia attacked woman who was killed during the first week of protests, Neva. The harsh hard line Revolutionary Guard broke up that demonstration. The opposition continues to find new ways - and excuses - for being out in public to protest, any anniversary will do. You have to admire their resiliency and determination against a proven brutal oppressive government that desires to grab all power at any cost.

The protestors have been successful at cracking the unity of the Council, caused the country to doubt the once infallible Supreme Leader and showcased the very reasons why its important to separate church and state when it comes to a national government: so no one can grab absolute power and wield it without question.

This week begins the protestors' trials - now labeled rioters by the government - on charges of "rioting and conspiring against the ruling system." We all can accurately predict the negative outcome of this rigged dog and pony show for television. The government wants the Iranian people to watch their government in action, not to prove how fair they are but rather to prove without a shadow of a doubt they have complete control over the quality of - and future of - every citizen's life. They hope to strike fear into everyone's heart, rounding up the anger, turning it into fear and respect and return to the way things used to be. That will never happen, not after so much abuse has happened. Stay tuned and expect interesting developments.

Malaysia: Just minutes ago there is rioting in Kuala Lumpur against the Internal Security Act. It was originally enacted during the British colonial era to guard national security. However, the protestors maintain that since that time, successive governments have used it to jail government critics and muzzle dissent.

Sounds like their current government is going the way of the Bush grab for absolute power too by enforcing this Act, not a pretty imitation either. The people are protesting the government's supreme ability to flex its muscles any time - which allows the imprisonment of people regarded as security threats, no questions asked.

That's how it started in Iran. That's how it started here in America and we still have our own political prisoners eight years later in legal limbo because we don't have enough evidence to charge and try them in closed or open court. Going down this road is a real mess and Malaysia continues to step squarely into the same stink. What has changed is the people's position and the desire to do something about this old law.

The protestors call themselves the Reformasi and by several news accounts they are about 20,000 strong today. The riot police used not only tear gas but also chemical-laden water to disperse the crowds. So far about 150 - 200 people have been detained by police since the protests began - by both the opposition and police accounts. "Undermining public peace" is the official reason the Prime Minister gives for not allowing the protests and giving police permission for a brutal crackdown.

Over the years small human rights groups within the country have challenged this law but never drawn the protest level until today when opposition parties' leaders sent out a call to their supporters to come out in force and the people responded forcefully.



Malaysia, Middle East, Iran, Kuala Lumpur, Breaking News, Prime Minister, Iranian Revolutionary Guard, Society and Culture, international politics, protestors, Supreme Leader

Video: Iranian Protestors March on 10th anniversary

From Denny: The now underground Iranian protestor movement surfaced today for a street demonstration and rally to mark the 10th anniversary of their 1999 student uprising, a huge threat then as now to the Islamic regime. The protestors used this anniversary as an excuse to resume their protests.

This was not a huge gathering - about 3,000 people compared to the 25,000 for the election protest - but large enough to cause some consternation from the irritated government promising harsh and ruthless retaliation. Of course the psychopathic Basij militia was out in full force like Hitler's brutal SS during WWII, savagely beating those who dared to protest at "an illegal rally." The government still doesn't understand just how determined this movement truly is; now they've been driven underground, well, all bets are off. We can expect anything from here on out.

What was the 1999 student uprising about? It was 200 students and they demonstrated against the closing of a reform newspaper, Salaam, which supported President Mohammed Khatami, a moderate. Anniversaries are big in this part of the world because embedded in them is strongly attached emotion and, therefore, reverance. That reverance brings to the table a dominating psychological factor against the enemy.



Basij Iran Protestors Society and Culture Islam Demonstration Mohammed Khatami CNN video

Video: Mideast Conflict of Israel and Palestine

From Denny: While this may be a simplistic overview with an interesting twist - it really is a good video to familiarize you with the focus of what people are thinking and feeling in the Middle East. As someone who grew up in the American intelligence community it did give me an ironic smile to see they used the demographics from the CIA's World Factbook. Well, the CIA has been the clearinghouse for world statistics for decades now and practically invented the discipline of demographics.

Demographics is a good way to track trends and that is what these reporters are talking about: How the population trend among the Palestinians can possibly push the Israelis to a new stance on the two-state solution. Of course, what no one mentioned as to the reason for the Palestinian uptick in population is that they tend to die young - and violently - therefore creating greater fertility.

Any time a population, human or animal, faces a harsh march to achieving adulthood or a long life, they tend to have a lot of offspring - in the hopes some of those offspring achieve full flower. Let's hope and pray both sides get their heads screwed on straight, their hearts emptied of hate and revenge and get truly serious about a lasting peace effort.


Watch CBS Videos Online

CIA demographics Israel Palestine CBS Two-state solution Middle East statistics America population trend World Factbook

Iran Headlines 28 June 2009

From Denny: It's getting more and more difficult for Iranian protestors to get news out or into the country. People around the world are carefully forwarding news reports - from different sites other than the official international news sites - in the hope folks in Iran can connect, finding out how much of their message and truth is reaching other parts of the world.

Feel free to send out what headlines posts are here at The Social Poets to someone you know - who knows someone - who knows someone, you get the idea. Hopefully, as bloggers we can fly under the radar for a while before the regime catches on to our support! :)

Remember, keeping this story high profile - while the mainstream media runs around with its head cut-off worrying about Michael Jackson - real people in Iran are suffering for lack of intense coverage. You can help save lives by keeping the heat on the public pressure on the Iranian regime, and, in turn, circling back to forcing mainstream media to carry more coverage.

World leaders stand united against Iran violence

Thousands demonstrate silently in Tehran

Iranian police clash with up to 3,000 protesters

Report: Hospitalized Iranians seized

Iran Crackdown Continues



“Punished mercilessly” – Is this Islam?

Sunday last day for Iran candidates to file complaints

Iran still interfering in Iraq, top Army general says

Iran detains eight local British embassy staff

Britain blasts arrest of embassy staffers in Iran

Iran's security council tells Moussavi to back off

Where is Rafsanjani?

Iran Headlines 27 June 2009

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

How Quarreling Ayatullahs Affect Iran's Crisis

Iran pledges 'crushing' response to US critiques

Iran's Crisis Posing a Problem for Its Mideast Allies

Iran: New audience for obscure U.S. scholar's non-violent protest guide

Iranian cleric urges executing some protesters

Key Players: Who's Who in Iran's Political System

Web awash in tributes to slain Iranian protester Neda

Tehran Tweets: Mourning Michael Amid the Crisis

Iran Headlines 26 June 2009

Image via Wikipedia

From Denny: This headline is laughable as Iran's desperate gov't tries to say it was the CIA boogeyman who killed Neda. Sorry, guys, but the whole world knows no CIA agent has been on the ground in Iran since 1979 to gather human intelligence - let alone carry out a killing. Dream on. What happens in your house is your stink this time!

Besides, as far as their logic goes: If the CIA were really behind it their gov't would have fallen long ago and the populace would be armed to the teeth. Neither has happened so this is the usual Arab deceptive misdirection so common in the Middle Eastern culture.

Iranian envoy: CIA involved in Neda's shooting?

From an Arab news network written in English:

Iranian clerics seek supreme leader alternative

Top cleric warns unrest may uproot Iran govt

And from the bizarre world of Hugo Chavez in Venezuela (some of the comments on the story are just as bizarre):

Venezuela accuses "imperial hand" of Iran unrest

Side note about Arab culture – France Banning the Burka (which I favor - how else are these cultures going to grow up and come out of the Stone Age unless they see women as more than subhuman?):

Muslim imams say burka not obligatory in Islam

Iran Headlines 25 June 2009

Getty Image from CNN

Ahmadinejad calls Obama meddler, likens him to Bush

Iran ambassador: Protesters represent a minority

Khamenei urges tolerance, Iranian media report

Obama administration rescinds July Fourth invite to Iranians

Iran Headlines 24 June 2009

Clerics join Iran's anti-government protests

Violence flares again in Tehran

Iranian women stand up in defiance, flout rules

Video: Iranian women standing up in defiance

CNN's Ivan Watson talks to a 19 year old woman in Iran about the clashes with government forces.

Video: Iran Charging Bullet Fee for Retrieving the Slain

From Denny: Just when you think the Iranian regime could not get any more sadistic they impose a "bullet fee" for retrieving the slain protestors' bodies from the morgue. A bit gruesome to basically tax a dead person. This bizarre weird news has been all abuzz on Twitter but just in case you missed it here is a good video from NBC News. I guess about now Las Vegas is placing bets on how long these clerics that run Iran can stay alive as clearly these guys are going to be killed in their sleep by the entire outraged country...

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Iran Headlines 23 June 2009

Obama: World 'appalled' by Iran violence

Feared Basij militia has deep history in Iranian conflict

Iran expels 2 British diplomats, refuses new vote

Gauging Reaction Across Europe to Iran's Protests



Twitter Revolution: Role of Twitter in Iranian protests catches the eye of the Pentagon

Video: Bad U.S. Scenarios if Iran Intervention

From Denny: Yet another smart person who understands why America should not try to inject itself into the Iranian political unrest. He and Olbermann discuss the possible scenario outcomes if President Obama did what the Republicans demand.

The Republicans must stand down from their destructive political position. It is becoming increasingly evident they don't care how many lives are lost in Iran if we were to follow their unwise course. Yet again more "wisdom" from the guys who brought us the global economic depression and an unwanted war in Iraq...

Keith Olbermann over at MSNBC is a lot like Fareed Zakaria over at GPS @ CNN - he gets smart people who actually know what they are talking about and allows them to speak for longer than a snappy "me first, vote for me!" political soundbite. They usually are not politicans. Take a look! If, for any reason the video fails to play, just click on the title link to take you directly to the page.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

3 Kinds of Men to Honor

Peace sign Photo by Steve Rhodes @ flickr

COURAGEOUS

Today is Father’s Day on the calendar and I will be thinking of them throughout this week, we choose this day to honor the good examples of quality men who have influenced our lives beneficially. Most people reflect upon a father, a brother, an uncle, a grandfather, a husband, a good and trusted friend, even a mentor.



Neda killed by the police - Photo by Steve Rhodes @ flickr

Iran Protestors

Considering the political unrest in Iran going on I reflected upon the good men in Iran. These are men who are standing up against injustice and working toward a quality and trustworthy government, willing to give their lives in that pursuit. As a woman, and knowing the negatives in their harsh culture, what has impressed me the most about the male protestors was their willingness to march along side the women (termed the Lipstick Revolution). They also are willing to advance women’s rights.

Even more so, in a public demonstration, they have chosen to go to the defense of women that are strangers to them and not family related. In other words, they choose to be compassionate for the literally downtrodden, for the current harsh regime has ordered their police to target the women first and beat them savagely, kill them as well.

There have been video and cell phone photos released of men running to aid the women as they died. Now that’s a class act and certainly touches my heart for their public courage risks their own lives and that of their families. Yet, they chose to be heroes because someone was vulnerable and in need.



Soldier with peace symbol in hand Photo by Jayel Aheram @ flickr

Troops in Iraq and Afghanistan

I think of our American troops in this protracted war the public wants us to end and how this too long of a stressor has taken a huge toll. Suicides are way up the past year from returning troops and those still in the field. PTSD is rampant and difficult to treat. These men (and women) are someone’s parent, spouse, brother (or sister), uncle (or aunt), best friend and mentor.

They also deserve our thoughts and prayers to sustain them during their tough life test. Spiritual testing is often longer than we think we can endure yet eventually we come out on the other side. These troops have the courage to go on when they think they cannot move another step and yet they move forward anyway. Human beings really are not hard-wired for long-term stressful situations like war.



Contemplation Photo by alicepopkorn @ flickr

COMPASSIONATE

Today I also reflect upon a wonderful European friend I met while on my travels a decade ago. He is a Carmelite monk by the name of Brother Peter in Austria. What is unique about him is that he works tirelessly with the folks who fall between the cracks of the social network be they refugees (Islamic or Christian) or locals who can’t pay the rent because the husband has a gambling problem. Most of all he spends intensive hours battling the severe rampant depression of suicidal people in his area. He works without notice for what will not bring him status or riches in the world.

Brother Peter is joined with the local Jewish community to help reestablish the Jewish population in Austria that was decimated during WWII and works toward improving Christian and Jewish relations. He is a humble man, a kind man, a sincere man. Most of all he is a loving man like the true Jesus he follows.

I’ve always had a soft spot for monks. They are the global intercessors for Peace. They pray FOR people of all races, religions and misunderstanding - not AGAINST them. As an intercessor I can relate to my Carmelite monk friends and well understand the importance of their life long mission.

Brother Peter had a birthday in April but somehow Father’s Day seemed more appropriate a day to honor his service to others. The man would make a great Pope as he definitely has a heart for the people. I count him a treasured friend!



Father and infant son asleep Photo by *clairity* @ flickr

NURTURING

Recently, I happened upon a new blog by a father of ten children. What a treat! The Mommy blogs are popular and prolific, many a delight to read. This blog is a unique perspective from the dad, one with a huge brood of children. Take a look at his amusing and clever blog post that was published in a local newspaper: Father of 10 Turns Bathtime into a Career.

While I could go on with many other wonderful examples like my cool paternal grandfather whose spiritual legacy I carry with delight, a Taoist spiritual master in Taiwan where in his culture they never trained women, especially teenage Americans - he proclaimed me his student of a lifetime, quite an honor - and the tough guy military mentors I had growing up – the kind that don’t like women but took a shine to me, adored my hutzpah and chose to train me in the unorthodox, hence, the name “Warriors’ Pearl,” I’ll save those stories for another time. Know that you are all in my heart as treasures…

Why President Obama is Smart in Low-Key Iran Response

Photo of Iran Protest Poster by Gary Burge @ flickr

From Denny: Where do I begin? America has a long smutty history of over-involvement with Iran, like over-throwing their government in the past (1954) and installing our own puppet. That’s the big rub with the people of Iran against America. I doubt any American would appreciate an outside power coming here and suddenly telling us we were now going to do things their way or die.

Of course, around here all the yahoos with gun collections and ammunition shops would be out for blood to overthrow the oppressors. If such a dire situation came to America count me out there at the "tip of the spear" with the yahoos. Someone has to organize them and create a smarter idea and winning strategy than just charging down the hill at the opposition. :)

Presidential Timing

The President must remain low-key in his public response for the time being – until the Iranian regime begins the harsh crackdown. THEN you issue the public response to THEIR wrong-doing. For now it is best to work behind the scenes to help the opposition. One of my favorites was our government asking Twitter to move their 2 AM site maintenance to 2 PM our time so the Iranian protestors could have viable communication. Now that was smart!



Photo of harsh regime developing nuclear power by azrainman @ flickr

Wisdom vs. Missteps

There is a wise process of steps in this dance where one step must occur in proper order before the next step. The (Bush-Cheney-Rove) Republicans are notorious for missteps - and wrongly-timed steps - both in foreign policy and domestic issues.

Right now the (American) Republicans are pressing Obama to get public and spout their style of idiot irresponsible and damaging rhetoric. They hope to accomplish two things: one, to reassert Republican dominance (a legend in their own minds) and two, to get Obama’s words to backfire on himself (the Republicans are legendary on the forked tongue blowback).

The situation in Iran is going to continue to foment until the current regime backs off and gets smart (which, of course, dictators rarely do). If they had an ounce of sense they would do a vote re-count, allow Moussavi (pronounced Moose-ah-vee) to come into power and then order him around like they do the current puppet. But no one said these guys are smart or wise.

Why a Low-Key Obama Response

Why does Obama need to remain low-key on his response? Here’s why: If America is perceived as meddling even a little bit publicly it can touch off a firestorm in Iran and throughout the Middle East. What firestorm? The firestorm of unity is where the Iranians will forget all about their rage against the current dictator and rally against America, an historical outside threat. Pretty much the idea of “we hate him but you can’t tell us what to do.” People always rally around their own as opposed to an outside culture no matter how odious their own leaders prove to be. The President avoids that scenario coming into mob reality if he remains quiet or tepid in response.

Foolish Analysts Get People Killed

Too many analysts, politicians and American media complain that President Obama is missing a golden moment to stand up for America. They also complain he is not vocal enough to declare America’s opinion, like that really matters to the world. These analysts and Republican politicians seem to be oblivious to the fact that this current Iranian Revolution is not "all about us" (America).

Too many of these so-called "analysts" have no people skills, don't even like other people and really don't care about other people. The end result is that their oracle predictions and strategies are always wrong. If you don't like or care about other people then you are too immature and incapable of understanding them from the inside out to accurately predict their actions.

As usual, most of the media guys are trying to look at a foreign country through the limited prism of the American mindset that doesn't study world history; we don't even read or study our own young country's history. I call it clueless. We think by reciting a series of concrete separate but related events constitutes critical thinking and understanding of the evolving and long-term situation. Real life cannot be reduced to 10 second sound-bites for the headlines and the cameras.



Photo of injured protestor by .faramarz @ flickr

The Protestors' Accomplishments and Strategy

The protestors in Iran are fully aware this is their moment, not anyone else’s. They are also aware they must press on, even through a violent crackdown. To stand down now ensures their deaths and imprisonments. To press forward with their demands - and challenging the dictator – will actually save more lives in the long run.

By pressing on with the protests in a protracted manner they are wearing down the dictator, the Guardian Council and the Republican Guard. For every day the protestors continue in their fight for vote count and more, they psychologically wear on the regime participants. The longer it goes on the more the regime folks will suddenly realize it is really their lives that hang in the balance. There are cracks in the regime’s alliances; that much has been achieved in only a week of protests. What more can be achieved if they fight on?

How Do We Best Support the Protestors?

The best support we can give them from America is through grassroots venues like blogging and IT help to get their message out. Let the official governments tone it down. We want to hear the voices of the people for they are the ones who have been wronged.

The reason the protestors hold up signs in English is that they want us to know what is happening. They want our support in the way of the notice of witnessing their trial. They aren't interested in what we have to say as much as they want us to pay attention to the new way of over-throwing a bad government: regime change from within, preferably through a democratic vote rather than the old ways of imperial governments to do the work for them, then installing foreign-friendly puppet governments. Basically, if it's going to be a puppet government then it will be one of our own choosing.

Tell the Media & Political Opportunists to Stand Down: Causing More Harm than Good

It's time the political attitude and the media "grow up" in America. Quit measuring another country's progress against the American standard. It's like comparing apples and oranges; some things never correlate.

Acquire the common sense - and wisdom - to know you can only compare the Iranians against the Iranians. Compare their progress today with what happened a decade ago with another generation. Compare their progress today against what today's generation is doing. Quit trying to predict "the point spread" like it's a sports game. This is no game but rather real life in motion. These are real living breathing people - not statistics to enhance your bonus money for your paycheck.

Political Change and Progress in Iran

Change in Iran and other similar Islamic republics will be small and incremental. It will not be change American style. It’s time America, the politicians and the media of self-important attitudes trying to call this political unrest like it is a sporting event get responsible, knowing thousands of lives are at stake. Wake up and accept that Iran is not America and may never be.

Written by Denny Lyon

The Latest on the Iran Protests

Image by youngrobv (Rob & Ale) via Flickr

From Denny: Here's a great link to a story over at CNN about understanding the scope of the protests in Iran with a question and answer format discussing the political history that led up to today's present unrest - definitely 30 years in the making.

Iran 101: Understanding the Unrest

Iran's unrest has sparked global protests. Here's CNN's photo gallery link. (Two of the photos are graphic - just so you know...
Photos #8 and #11 depict bleeding people wounded by the police crackdown. #8 shows a man's face covered in blood - a bit sickening. #11 is a man's elbow bleeding. Other than that the photos depict the huge rallies.) I like the photo that shows a protestor holding up the sign, "Where's my vote?"

Here's a cool CNN video about how Moussavi's wife has emerged as Iran's version of our Michele Obama. Women are increasingly at the forefront involved in the protests. Toward the end of the video is where Ahmadinajed lies (again, what a surprise...) to Moussavi about Moussavi's wife's credentials to teach. The look on Moussavi's face says he'd like to rip the guy's face off but can't in that government repressive atmosphere if he wants to stay alive and fight another day. Take a look!

If video does not show (as it did not in the preview for posting, here's the link: http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/world/2009/06/17/dcl.costello.iran.women.cnn

Update: Read the Iranians Twitter Stream on the Latest News!

Image by Salon de Maria via Flickr

Update: BTW, here's Change_for_Iran @ Twitter, written in English, with over 21,000 followers. Twitter was asked by the U.S. gov't not to go down for maintenance as the Iranis are using Twitter to communicate among themselves. This Twitter stream reads like a the military out in the field coordinating efforts! Wow!

Save Lives in Iran: Blog About Their Situation

Photo by .faramarz @ flickr

From Denny: Save lives in Iran! It's important to keep up the international pressure. Keep the glaring public spotlight on these despicable leaders in Iran. If we don't blog about this people will die: the opposition leader and his main supporters. It's only a matter of time before they are imprisoned or worse.

As fellow bloggers you can get the word out since the mainstream media no longer can. Make your words count and you can save lives. As an American I've lived in third world countries with cavalier governments like this. I know how quickly what you think is your life can turn on a dime.

Write posts about the current situation in Iran. Already, with media pressure, there has been some movement by the government. If nothing else, their insincere public words of promised limited election investigation, are a sign they have stalled at killing the opposition leader - for now.

Get out there in the blogosphere and live out loud! The people of Iran need us to speak out for them since our international media got kicked out of the country. The government has begun its lockdown mindset. Bloggers have succeeded before; we can succeed now!

Feel free to go to the article link reposted below, quote it or this post, put the article or this post up on social sites. Put a fire under fellow bloggers to shout out to help protect lives in Iran!



Let me know when you make a post for change in Iran and I'll put it up here in a links box on the sidebar as well as support you on social sites. We have to do something and writing is what we do. Opinions count; make your voice heard around the world!

Thanks for visiting! Getting off my soapbox for now... :)

Update: BTW, here's Change_for_Iran @ Twitter, written in English, with over 21,000 followers. Twitter was asked by the U.S. gov't not to go down for maintenance as the Iranis are using Twitter to communicate among themselves. This Twitter stream reads like a the military out in the field coordinating efforts! Wow!

Dishonor: Cheated Election Results in Iran: "The current Iranian leaders of Ahmadinejad, the harsh petty clerics and this fearful politically foolish Supreme Leader all have deluded themselves into the belief they can squash dissent and control the populace. Good luck; it will never succeed.

When the will of the people is so cruelly oppressed for decades like in Iran then it will develop a more violent outlet. If Iran continues on this North Korean style track of cavalier “leadership” they will find themselves looking down the barrel of an assassin’s gun. It will be a homegrown domestic terrorist hell bent on freeing their country of tyranny."

By Denny Lyon @ HubPages

Dishonor: Cheated Election Results in Iran

Photo by Shahram Sharif @ flickr

Dishonor: Cheated Election Results in Iran: "Current Iranian leaders move into a dangerous era: clerics may become an endangered species in Iran and political assassinations will become the order of the day if the will of the people continues to be suppressed."

By Denny Lyon @ HubPages

From Denny: Wrote this on Sunday as the people in Iran weighed heavily on my mind. My heart really goes out to them during this time. Just click on the title to take you to the article. It's a little long to put up on the blog. Thanks for visiting!

This Week: Roundup of Sunday Funnies - Extremists Can Be Very Fickle

From Denny: And from our late night comedy show friends here is their latest silly banter to keep you entertained! Start your work week off right with a grin!

Late Late Show

Craig Ferguson: It's another busy day for President Obama. He's over in the Middle East. Don't worry because Joe Biden is running the country.

The Tonight Show

Conan O'Brien: North Korean dictator, Kim Jong-Il is in the process of deciding who is going to be his successor and the most likely person is his youngest son Kim Jong-Un. He's excited but realizes he's got some awfully big women's sunglasses to fill.

Late Late Show

Craig Ferguson: [Presdident Obama] took a tour of the pyramids. When he saw those massive structures that no longer serve any purpose, he offered to give them a bailout.

The Colbert Report

Stephen Colbert: If we conservatives try to stand up to this reverse racism, we're going to lose crucial Latino votes. Just as GOP leaders were beginning their outreach to Hispanics! Many have even asked their gardener what his name is!

Jimmy Kimmel Live

Jimmy Kimmel: His speech for the most part has been very well received. [Obama:] 'America is not and never will be at war with Islam.' (Tape of actors dressed as extremists in audience taking off weapons.) [Obama:] 'We will, however, relentlessly confront violent extremists who pose a grave threat to our security.' (Tape of actors dressed as extremists sighing, putting on weapons.) Extremists can be very fickle.

Photo by Tansan @ flickr

Blogger Interviews Porn Queen Stormy Daniels While Waiting on Jury Duty

Image via Wikipedia

From Denny: Been on jury duty since Monday and the days are getting longer so not able to post much. Maybe tomorrow will be a shorter day!

Looks like Cheeky Quote Day is sidelined for today. Will a true story of what happened to me today do in its place? I'm up for a second-degree murder case. Probably will sit around all day waiting to be rejected. That's what happened today after 10 hours of jury selection.

I did get to chat up the staff. Talked to a sheriff who the local news station had promised to interview about his time in Iraq but didn't - clearly he needed to talk about it - so as any good blogger with a journalism degree, well, I jumped on the interview, duh! He's with the Army 239th, an MP and just got back from Iraq a few months ago. He proceeded to tell me about what it was like serving over there.

Real sociable guy and it sure surprised me when he started talking but I figured it was good for him to get the stress out. I mean, how many warriors actually tell you how many kills? And worse, how many were Iraqi children, armed with hand grenades and ordered by their parents to come kill Americans? Sad but true tale.

While he acknowledged it was a tough decision to choose self-defense and claimed it didn't bother him, I figured it did upset him and that's why he was telling me all about it. Soldiers from many wars often start talking around me and I hear the most amazing stories of personal trauma.

It isn't always what people tell you as true but rather the fact that they are talking about something so horrific while claiming it doesn't bother them. Of course it bothers them, why else would they need to talk about it? I don't waste time judging, just accept and listen. Talk about a lot to process for them.

***

Now the highlight of today's jury service was going to lunch at a little eatery known as The Roux House. We noticed the local TV news crew outside, went in and there was a big commotion at the back of the restaurant. We peeked in and it turns out a new politician was announcing her candidacy.

Who was it? Turns out it's the porn queen, Stormy Daniels, who was the regular prostitute for years for Louisiana's Senator David Vitter. Yep! The former pro is running against her customer!

I found it amusing. On her way out she stopped to talk to everyone at the few tables and so I took the time to interview her about her candidacy. Turns out ABC News was there too. I asked some very easy questions to give her a chance to prove herself. I'll try to blog tomorrow about the interview. What a hoot! When was the last time you had the opportunity to interview a porn queen AND attend a bizarre event in the weirdest world of Louisiana politics? It was a definite two-fer! :)

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