Sunday, July 13, 2008

Just in from Tehran

I was talking to a friend of mine who has recently returned to Iran and before his departure I pressed him to send me fresh updates from inside of Iran mostly on attitude of people towards a foreign military strike, economy and people's demand for more social and democratic freedoms. I can't say I was pleased to hear what he told me and it basically surprised me. He has talked to friends, relatives and ordinary people he has met so far and this is the summary of my recent conversation.

First of all, he mentioned that the first thing people complain about is the astronomical rate of inflation. That every one is unhappy about the terrible status of an oil rich country. The price of basic necessities sky-rocketed and less and less people can afford to meet their daily needs. And the question people keep asking is "where does oil money go?". The ordinary people appear to be very angry at the level of corruption within the government.

The other thing I asked him about was the attitude of people he has met over the possibility of any US or Israeli air strike against the regime's nuclear plants. The answer he got so far was the military strike is not going to happen. Unfortunately, it seems the Iranian regime's effort to brainwash the masses has been really successful since almost every body has told my friend that US or Israelis are too weak to attack Iran or the Islamic regime is too strong for the weakened Americans to handle. This could stem from what AEI's Michael Rubin has constantly warned us about: Iran's over confidence. The regime has basically taken advantage of people's naivety and has made them believe that Iran, a country of corruption and repression, is superior and no one can touch it. The slightly positive part of what I heard though, was the deeply negative attitude of people about the current president of Iran. There my friend could not find any one to say a positive thing about him. Although the president in Iranian regime is a powerless figure, the ordinary people are angry at how the government has ruined the country.

The other weird thing he mentioned was how disorderly and wild the society has become since he left Iran 5-6 years ago. That most people can get agitated quick and tend to be vicious or aggressive. The signs of sadness and depression can be seen every where, my friend observed, and the illicit drug use is on the rise. And those using drugs seem not to be embarrassed about it any more. And as for democratic demands, well, he says people are stuck with the day to day demands of their lives that democracy doesn't mean much to them any more. Not that they don't want it but it is not their first priority, and with economy in shambles, the ability to provide for their families is the most important task for the Iranians these days. One told my friend that hungry people are unable to care for democracy. ((Little he might have known that freedom and democracy can bring about a better economy)). [+]

These are signs of a broken, repressed and failed religious society. I'll keep talking to my friend back home and will keep you posted. In the mean time you can also ask him any questions you might have. Just leave your questions in the comment section and I'll redirect those to him and get you the answers. Please stay tuned for more updates from inside of Iran.

Updated: This entry is now Featured on Reuters news agency

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

There is a verse in the Bible, "hope deferred makes the heart sick" and that is what the situation in Iran sounds like from what your friend had to say. We heard reports in the past of the hope of the Iranian people that they would be helped - rescued - but now it seems they are losing heart.

It took some desperate farmers to make a stand on a green field years ago to fire the shot heard around the world, bringing the USA into existence. At some point, Iranians need to stand up as well, and we know there are many who would like to do so. We are praying for them to find the right time to rally around their own flag of freedom.

It is a sad state of affairs when the people within the wonderful nation of Iran are reduced to hardly more hope than the people of North Korea, which is currently so badly oppressed by another insane leader. May God bring Iran freedom soon. Thanks for your blog post.

Anonymous said...

Oh, great info thanks (I picked this up from the LGF spinoff links). Yes, I do have a question I would like to to relay if you don't mind.

ARE THERE ANY SANE MULLAHS OVER THERE THAT CAN RID THOSE POOR PEOPLE OF DINNERJACKET?

Thanks,

wahabicorridor

Don M said...

Alas, Dinnerjacket was hand picked by the people who really run Iran. In Iran the Islamic Supreme Court reviews candidates for president and filters out the ones they don't want. Dinnerjacket was elected with only 7 percent of the voters voting for him. Most stayed home.

Only half or so of Iran is of Persian ancestry. The Persians are not having children at a rate anywhere close to replacement. Kurds, Arabs, Turkmen, and Ajerbajanis are very close to a majority now, and in a few years will certainly be a majority.

The same old problem of empire. To keep the empire, you have to tax the ruling people. When the ruling people are taxed, their birth rate decreases.

(Iran Zamin) said...

It is so sad when I hear people in Iran are in poor state of mental health.

It is terrible that drugs are gaining ground in our society.

It was a good report from Iran, welcome to global village.

Apache Man said...

I been saying that Iran is on it's last legs for awhile now. The strident noise comming from the "supreme council" was the first clue. Apostacy is up, income is down and inflation is outa sight. The mullahnazis are like a golfball on the tee and don't seem to know it yet.

Anonymous said...

boring


Iranians have been complaining about the economy since probably 500 BC


Nothing really new here

Anonymous said...

Winston, I was hoping you could translate the video at Gateway Pundit of the Iranian students march on the university.Can you post what they were chanting towards the end of the video?

Winston said...

Mike W, I can't really understand what they're saying. Thought it appears they are saying: Resistance, Resistance. I could very well be wrong. It's hard to understand the chants.

Anonymous said...

Winston. Thanks.

Anonymous said...

Winston,

Please tell your friend that when he is asked "where does oil money go?" that the correct response is "Nuclear technology, even for peaceful purposes, is very expensive."

Winston said...

Kafir, I think that's also half true. The money will either go to terrorist groups or be stolen by the regime officials.

SERENDIP said...

Winston: Congrats. The most concise and accurate report so far anywhere in the media. Thanks.

SERENDIP said...
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