STOLEN
In the WSJ Amir Taheri writes:
“Mr. Ahmadinejad was credited with more votes than anyone in Iran’s history. If the results are to be believed, he won in all 30 provinces, and among all social and age categories. His three rivals, all dignitaries of the regime, were humiliated by losing even in their own hometowns. This was an unprecedented result even for the Islamic Republic, where elections have always been carefully scripted charades.
Many in Tehran, including leading clerics, see the exercise as a putsch by the military-security organs that back Mr. Ahmadinejad. Several events make these allegations appear credible. The state-owned Fars News Agency declared Mr. Ahmadinejad to have won with a two-thirds majority even before the first official results had been tabulated by the Interior Ministry.”
The results belay all reason, not only did Ahmadinejad beat Karroubi in his base of support, he crushed him beyond all recognition. Karroubi’s share of the vote in Lorestan was cleaved by a factor of ten, and in only two other of the provinces did he break above 1%. Even with a consolidation of conservative support, and possible defection of Karroubi supporters to Mousavi (who was likely perceived as the candidate more likely to win) this large of shift is hard to imagine.
So how does the pro-democracy West respond? “It’s not productive given the history of U.S.-Iranian relations to be seen as meddling,” Obama said when asked about the election results today.
The real issue seems to be the brazen nature of the election results. A reasonable despot (if such a thing exists) would have changed enough votes to assure victory but to create a result which amounts to a landslide victory demonstrates a complete disregard even for how things look to the outside world. There is not even a glimmer of concern over the appearance of impropriety in the election as evidenced by the Potatos for Votes move the Iranian government engaged in for the past few months. The practice came to light first at a rally in March when spuds were handed out from trucks to supporters in a ploy to draw potential voters. The government initially denied involvement but amid a flurry of similar giveaways at government offices, universities and hospitals at which 20kg sacks of potatoes were being sold for just 60c the government responded by claiming a surplus of potatoes which are a major part of the Iranian diet.
Shame on you I’maMadmanaDinejad!
