This is a Twitter liveblog report.
2:59:44 PM: Considering how judicial nominees have to make sure they do NOT answer questions, you’ve got to ask what good are these hearings???
Taylor Marsh has been writing on line since 1996, with the archives provided here a representation of that work.
Tag Archives | twitter
The JFK ‘X’ at Dealey Plaza
This is a Twitter liveblog report from Dallas.
9:58:36 AM: After a lifetime of research and one woman show on JFK, finally standing where he was murdered.
10:01:43 AM: Down Houston St., past jail, left on Elm @ the Book Depository; 2 ‘Xs’ on Elm pavement mark the shots.
10:04:15 AM: The Grassy Knoll is so much nearer the street, JFK.
10:15:03 AM: Fence @ Grassy Knoll, writings: ‘Back and to the left’, ‘Obama the new JFK’.
10:16:32 AM: Zapruder had *the* view. Sobering sight even all these decades later.
10:23:56 AM: Street vendors offer a more realistic historic tale than Arlen Specter’s insane “magic bullet theory.” Captivating JFK historians.
10:26:50 AM: What were they thinking when they mapped out that 90 degree turn @ 5mph? Absolutely NO way Oswald made the ‘kill’ shot. NO possible way.
10:42:37 AM: All these years later cannot dampen the ominous sights, including where the bullets ricocheted off the overpass. Still chilling.
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J. Stephen Simon, The Exceptional Oil Man
Cross-posted and featured on Huffington Post, Business Section.
J. Stephen Simon, Director, Senior VP of ExxonMobil (now retired) dies. That will be the official line. But he was simply the man who married my sister; the man who was always there for me.
From the time I was old enough to remember, when I thought of my sister Susie, it was always in conjunction with Steve. That’s because they fell in love in 9th grade and stayed together the rest of their lives.
That is until this past week when this dynamo of a man had a massive heart attack, leaving his family, his beautiful daughters, all of us in slack-jawed disbelief. Gone.
J. Stephen Simon didn’t start at the top. He worked his way up, all the way. When he married Susie they definitely couldn’t afford some fancy honeymoon. It was a quick celebration after an amazing December wedding, then off to work Steve went. Nothing given, all earned, with Susie by his side every step of the way. The noble quest of acquiring all you have through hard work, dedication, love of family, and staying true to your humble Missouri roots. Steve never forgot where he came from and always remembered how hard he and Susie worked to get what they achieved. With the only thing that ever really mattered to him was making Susie happy. That he did, more than they could ever have dreamed might manifest.
Others might remember J. Stephen Simon from congressional hearings. Let’s just say his testimony was animated, which is why I chose this shot. Steve was larger than life.
Stephen Simon, Senior Vice President, Exxon Mobil Corp. reiterated that point. “Imposing punitive taxes on American companies will discourage the investments needed to safeguard our energy security. The pursuit of alternative fuels must not detract from investments in oil and gas,” he said.
Markey hammered Exxon’s Simon over the company’s investment in renewable energy. “Why is Exxon Mobil resisting the renewable energy revolution?” asked Markey.
Simon said Exxon has given $100 million to Stanford to study renewables. “$100 million?” said Markey. “But you made $40 billion last year.”
When pressed, Simon said Exxon believes the current generation of renewable energy options will not be able to significantly meet demand.
… ..Exxon has long said it is in the business of oil, and that it prefers to leave renewable energy up to the renewable energy companies. Although the company has received some praise – even from its critics – for its investments in cutting-edge battery technology.
I remember when I wrote to Steve and my sister about working on the side of Al Gore on climate change (also Robert Redford). He respected my decision, then sent me an information packet filled with data. We never engaged in a fight over energy or ExxonMobil. As was fitting given my conflict of interest on the subject, I didn’t cover anything that incorporated ExxonMobil and little on the oil industry, writing disclaimers about it to explain the emails asking why I wasn’t. Knowing Steve, it taught me why demonizing people through politics on issues because of what they do, especially when it’s a commodity that’s been instrumental in our country’s history and national security, never tells the full story when it’s a man as good as Steve. I learned that story through my family.
ExxonMobil has many enemies on the progressive and activist side, but I can say with pride and without equivocation that J. Stephen Simon was one of the most honorable, decent, dedicated American patriots you’ll ever find. Yes, even an oil man can be a patriot.
Steve and I had several conversations on politics, though not nearly as many as I would have liked. It was tough given his position and my work. I’ll cherish what he told me in confidence, because you can imagine the access he had. I don’t think he’d mind now me saying this much on one subject. Thumbs up on Hillary. On John McCain…. um… not so much. But you had to know Steve to appreciate the color he added when politics was the subject. Steve’s mental brilliance made for a razor sharp wit.
Yes, he graduated number one from his class at Duke; and number one when he got his MBA from Northwestern. … .. Served in the Army.
However, this isn’t what I’ll remember most about Steve.
It’s the moments Steve was there, like when I was a little girl and dad had died, and he stepped up (as did my hero bro, as always). Then there was Steve’s unending understanding when a rift turned into a divide until I flew to Italy, where he was president, Esso Italiano, Rome. Telling the story of a personal family tragedy, Steve crying along with me as he helped us put the past where it belonged. What he did for me throughout my life, his generosity, the sibling trips he and Susie treated us to, where we all landed in a city taking in the best theater, then barnstorming the best restaurants, where the good food and wine flowed, with so much laughter you cried. Treating me to a fabulous, first-class ticket to Venice on the train, as well as one of the finest hotels on the Grand Canal. It also didn’t surprise me when I walked into my room to see long-stem red roses waiting. That was Steve… and Susie.
So, the loss… it’s all so crushing.
It just seems wrong that “life goes on.” It should stop. Everyone should stop. … .. if just for a moment when someone this good, this remarkable, this dedicated to his family passes from the earth plain.
Steve and Susie. From the time I can remember, there wasn’t one without the other. It was simply the greatest of love affairs.
___________________
The Pratt School of Engineering at Duke University has established the J. Stephen Simon Scholarship Endowment Fund. Memorial contributions to the J. Stephen Simon Scholarship Endowment Fund may be made to Duke University in care of Judge Carr, 305 Teer Engineering Building, Box 90271, Duke University, Durham, NC 27702.
____________________
TM NOTE: I’m off to the wake and funeral. I’d so appreciate everyone pitching in and putting important stories “In the News”. I’ll check in when I can. You can can follow me on Twitter, which will be a bit easier for me than posting over the next couple of days.
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Milbank to Pitney: ‘You’re such a d—’
Now, boys. That’s what Pitney reports Milbank whispered to him before the show began. Classy.
But give it to Howard Kurtz, he gets to the meat of it straight out.
“Do you think there’s some jealousy involved by the media establishment in the fact that you got that second question?” – Howard Kurtz
It’s old media being one upped by new media in the most obvious way, with old media fearing for its very life because after being thrown out of Iran the only avenue to talk to the world and get out what’s happening in that country is via the Internet, Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, all things new media, as old media is left in the dust.
Pitney’s question reveals this frightening new reality.
This was so painfully obvious you’d think Milbank would have some humility about it, especially since Pitney had access through the outreach at HuffPost to get an Iranian to talk to the president. But that’s really the rub. What’s old media to do? Watch silently as we pass them by?
Milbank not only sounds foolish on Kurtz’s show, bringing forth his silly little list of grievances, but a bit like a school bully (representing old media) who doesn’t know how to act after he’s been bested by the smart kid (new media).
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News Around the World
–updated–
An eerie stillness has settled over this normally frenetic city. … “People are depressed, and they feel they have been lied to, robbed of their rights and now are being insulted,” said Nassim, a 56-year-old hairdresser. “It is not just a lie; it’s a huge one. And it doesn’t end.” – In Tehran, a Mood of Melancholy Descends
Iran remains in limbo, with people facing a regime that offers no out, no way forward, only more walking into the past. As the regime crushes all dissent, they’ve created much bigger problems for themselves than citizen protests, as the Guardian lays out:
The power struggle inside Iran appears to be moving from the streets into the heart of the regime itself this weekend amid reports that Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani is plotting to undermine the power of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Rafsanjani’s manoeuvres against Khamenei come as tensions between the speaker of the parliament, Ali Larijani, and President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad also appeared to be coming to a head.
One very disturbing development is that @persiankiwi has gone silent. Her/his tweets have been instrumental in this fight. Sullivan notices it as well. Nico Pitney has much more.
Another potentially history changing story comes from the Middle East in the voices of the women. It’s inspiring, but more importantly, it’s a potential crack in the dynamics, a new way forward if it’s supported and protected. Obviously, that’s a big if.
… “This is our time, women’s time,” said Khoulod Al Fahed, a Saudi businesswoman and blogger. “It is the time for women to speak up and demand the rights that have been stolen from us in the name of religion and culture.”
Middle Eastern women have long played active roles in the struggle for democracy and human rights. In recent months, women have won small yet unprecedented victories. In Kuwait, four female lawmakers were elected to parliament last month, the first time women have won seats in the nation’s legislature. In Egypt, election law was recently changed to give women a quota of 64 parliamentary seats. Palestinian women have launched protests to free prisoners held by Israel, while Egyptian women have organized labor and pro-democracy strikes in recent years.
Iran’s making the thugocracies sweat:
Out of fear that history might repeat itself, the authoritarian governments of China, Cuba and Burma have been selectively censoring the news this month of Iranian crowds braving government militias on the streets of Tehran to demand democratic reforms.
Between 1988 and 1990, amid a lesser global economic slump, pro-democracy protests that appeared to inspire and energize one another broke out in Eastern Europe, Burma, China and elsewhere. Not all evolved into full-fledged revolutions, but communist regimes fell in a broad swath of countries, and the global balance of power shifted.
Jose Maria Aznar weighs in very critically on Obama regarding Iran.
Delayed public displays of indignation may be good for internal political consumption. But the consequences of Western inaction have already materialized. Watching videos of innocent Iranians being brutalized, it’s hard to defend silence.
In Afghanistan, a new U.S. policy on opium.
At home, the climate bill inches forward, with a push from Pres. Obama, as well as this from Al Gore:
The American Clean Energy Security (ACES) Act is one of the most important pieces of legislation Congress will ever pass. This comprehensive legislation will make meaningful reductions in global warming pollution, spur investment in clean energy technology, create jobs and reduce our reliance on foreign oil.
The next step is passage of this legislation by the Senate to help restore America’s leadership in the world and begin, at long last, to put in place a truly global solution to the climate crisis.
We are at an extraordinary moment, with an historic opportunity to confront one of the world’s most serious challenges. Our actions now will be remembered by this generation and all those to follow – in our own nation and others around the world.
CQ Politics has the party vote breakdown. Rep. Boehner was reduced to ineloquence.
Included in the news unfolding around the world is the drama of Michael Jackson’s death, which continues to play out. The doctor, who has retained counsel, which is prudent in a case like this, is getting some scrutiny.
With Jackson’s death Thursday at age 50, investigators have turned their attention to a new figure in his life, cardiologist Conrad Murray of Las Vegas, whom Jackson called his personal physician. Murray was in Jackson’s rented mansion at the time he collapsed from an apparent heart attack.
People can argue with each other about what news isn’t getting covered, but the truth is that many people care more about this story than anything else. The magnitude of MJ’s passing has rippled across the world, shocking many who just didn’t get what he meant to so many, but also the impact of his stratospheric talent, which is bringing a flood of sales to the Jackson estate.
In honor of Stonewall, Frank Rich has written a piece that I’ll let you judge for yourself. Rich long ago lost me.
UPDATE: Military coup in Honduras.
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Flynt Leverett Gets Roasted
“Picking up on this gentleman’s well made point that first do no harm should be the premise of this and any other panel. ..I take your point, Mr. Leverett, that you’re a policy adviser and indeed you were in your prior incarnation. But at the moment you are a part of the global media, and when you dismiss a revolution by saying basically that it’s over, get over it. I wonder if you consider, as you must know that your advice is no longer limited to a room in the White House or the NSC, but that it is indeed all over the Internet. Whether you considered what the impact of such airy dismissal of people who are willing to risk their lives for something they believe in. Did you consider the impact that that headline might have on them and you proudly admitted that it was indeed your headline.” - Kati Marton (NAF board member, during yesterday’s event)
So many stories over the last days have touched our hearts, with every day a new story out of Iran. Flynt Leverett is here to tell us that none of it matters, because nothing has changed.
Kati Marton took the words right out of my throat. I didn’t catch her name at the time, with Steve informing me in an email. She also happens to be married to Richard Holbrooke. No doubt Mr. Leverett felt that one directly, because it hit the mark. The headline to which she refers was Flynt Leverett and Hillary Mann Leverett’s Politico piece entitled “Ahmadinejad won. Get over it.”
So when Nicholas Schmidle, the moderator, teed it up for Mr. Leverett, the stage was set.
“I do still stand by that (Politico) story,” Leverett said flatly, with a little defiance in his voice. He continued, also proclaiming the “demonstrations are dwindling away.”
Leverett went on to take the heart out of what we’ve all been seeing play out over these last 10 days or so and reduce it to less than nothing.
Schmidle, also the author of To Live or to Perish Forever: Two Tumultuous Years in Pakistan, commented at one point that after last week, with Flynt’s comments that he was sure Ahmadinejad would win, and Ballen’s poll, which stated he’d win 2 to 1, New America Foundation was pegged as “closet Ahmadinejad supporters.” That brought laughter from the standing room only crowd who came to see something happen. They weren’t disappointed.
Interesting that Ken Ballen came to make an opening statement, then basically was silent the rest of the time. This was about explaining Leverett’s take on the Iran election, but particularly the post election drama, which seemed to him to be a waste of time.
At one point at the event Hillary Mann Leverett, who was sitting in the front row, took a moment to hand her husband Flynt Leverett a note, which he proceeded to read immediately. It was a nice gesture on her part. Unfortunately, what the man needed was a life line.
The event had the aura of a David Mamet foreign policy play unfolding, because you weren’t quite sure if what you thought was happening was actually the plot or your imagination. It was fascinating, particularly since it was all so polite.
Disagreements flying. No one sniping. Frank debate. Stunning diversity of voices.
“This is not a system on the verge of collapse,” Leverett said with finality, also stating emphatically that the Supreme Leader is not damaged at all by what’s unfolded since the election results were announced. Needless to say, others disagreed, with Nader Mousavizadeh making the point that the reaction of senior clerics prove something has happened. “Flynt ignoring last 10 days is wrong.” That would have been the general opinion, I bet, if Ballen would have polled the room. But I’m just guessing.
Whatever cold calculation Leverett brought, Afshin Molavi, author of Persian Pilgrimages: Journeys Across Iran, countered with heart, starting off with mentioning Neda. The martyred woman who has become like an anthem for Iran.
Mind you, none of this phases Mr. Leverett, at least as far as he’s willing to share in these forums.
The quote of the event came from Steve Clemons, which is nothing unusual, but this one was a beauty.
“Flynt’s the crack cocaine of realists.” – Steve Clemons
Harsh. Unforgiving. Lethal.
But also unwise to ingest, which goes double for Leverett’s cold eye, even if he turns out being right. Because in reducing the Iranians to failures in the midst of the eye, he breaks into an energy wave that could catch fire, who knows where?
As Clemons asked quite smartly, “What does this struggle do for other hot spots?”
Flynt Leverett had to sense the energy coming his way, especially when Mrs. Kati Marton spoke her mind, saying what many were thinking.
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Live Report on Iran Election @ NAF #iran election
–updated–
Color also available.
3:19:21 PM: Participants @ New America Found. event (video/audio at link): Clemons (who spoke about Twitter fraud, i.e, British embassy rumor re: taking in wounded), Molavi,
Mousavizadeh, F Leverett, Ballen. #iranelection
3:41:23 PM: Full house. Schmidle moderating. Ballen begins: most imp thing in pre-elec poll is that Iranians want democrcy. incl Ahmad sp #iranelection
3:46:19 PM: Molavi’s book: Soul of Iran moving up on Amazon big. He begins w Neda’s story. She was tkng on cell phone @ the time. #iranelection
3:51:26 PM: Molavi says Neda is part of Iran’s “burnt generation.” See Chatham Hs. #iranelection
3:57:10 PM: Leverett: “I do still stand by that (Politico) story.” The “demonstrations are dwindling away.” #iranelection
3:59:37 PM: Leverett: “This is not a system on the verge of collapse.” He does not see SL damaged. #iranelection
4:05:54 PM: Mousavizadeh: “The President has said too little too late.” #iranelection
4:07:19 PM: Mous.: “Things can b tru even if said by Charles Krauthmr and Paul Wolfowitz” #iranelection
4:12:56 PM: Mous.: “Overlearning of lessons” from the Bush years. “Unique momnt slipping thru our hands.” #iranelection
4:17:02 PM: Clemons: Don’t agree w Flynt + Hillary that it’s our duty to dismiss what’s happening in Ia
4:18:43 PM: Clemons: “don’t agree w Flynt + Hillary” and it’s not our job to inject ourselves. #iranelection
4:21:00 PM: Clemons: “What does this struggle do for other hot spots?” #iranelection
4:22:35 PM: Clemons: “Death to America” has been replaced by “death to the dictator.” “Flynt put himself way out.” #iranelection
4:29:58 PM: Schmidle: After last week, with Flynt and Ballen’s poll NAF was pegged as “closet Ahmadinejad supprtrs.” (laughter) #iranelection
4:36:14 PM: Mousavizadeh: Other senior clerics reaction prove something has happened; Flynt ignoring last 10 days is wrong. #iranelection
4:38:42 PM: Clemons: Biden wanted “common cause” w Iranian protesters; Obama has played it right w one misstep. #iranelection
4:53:53 PM: NAF board mmber asks Flynt abt “airy dismissal” of “People willing to risk their lives” on wht they believe in. #iranelection
4:55:05 PM: Clemons: in light moment says “Flynt is the crack cocaine of realists.” (laughter) #iranelection
LAST ENTRY… Bottom line: F Leveverett took heat for his dismissal of what’s happening on the ground. IMHO, he should. That’s a wrap.
(Anything in parenthesis was added to the live Twitter feed below, as were links.)
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Second Monday in Iran
UPDATE (11:52): According to MSNBC “breaking news,” the British Foreign Office is evacuating families of their staff from Iran.
UPDATE (11:45): Set your Twitter clocks… It’s take 2 of Ken Ballen’s TFT election polling (here’s the first report I filed and the LiveTwitter feed). So, I’ll be reporting live from the New America Foundation event with Ken Ballen and Flynt Leverett, as well as Steve Clemons, and others, as they analyze and break down what’s been happening in Iran since the election. It begins @ 3:30 p.m. eastern time.
UPDATE (11:28): Tehran Bureau has a list (partial?) of journalists and politicians who have been detained in Iran.
UPDATE (10:35 a.m.): Via Andrew Sullivan, an interview of Matthew Weaver talking with Iranian YouTube user named Hamed who captured Neda being murdered and what evolved into her powerful symbolic martyrdom. (NOTE: This audio has been deleted, as it was causing tech troubles.)
UPDATE (10:17 a.m.): FT Iran headlines: Hundreds of Moussavi backers arrested. Also
Rafsanjani ally calls for ‘political bloc’
A political party affiliated with Akbar Hashemi-Rafsanjani, the former president and key member of the Iranian regime, on Sunday called on Mir-Hossein Moussavi, the opposition leader, to form a “political bloc” that would pursue a long-term campaign to undermine the “illegitimate” government. Hossein Marashi, spokesman for the Kargozaran, stayed clear of directly challenging the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, but told the Financial Times in a telephone interview that Mr Moussavi was now the leader of an opposition that was not without options.
_________Original post below__________
Italy is willing to open its embassy in Tehran to wounded protesters in coordination with other European nations, the Italian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Monday.
Italy’s initiative follows Sweden’s move to look into whether European Union nations can coordinate a plan to open their embassies to demonstrators, the ministry said. - THE LEDE
From the sound of the Republicans, it’s very clear they feel they’ve found their issue: Obama is not speaking out forcefully enough. Dan Senor, former Green Zone Bush flak and Campbell Brown’s husband, was on “Morning Joe,” expounding on this, while out of the other side of his mouth he explained how he’d supported Obama on other things. This became the drum beat starting last week, through the Sunday shows, continuing today. Of course, Senor and other Republicans never say what their end game is. Hey, but at least they’re being heard on something as they try to sound relevant.
via Neda Facebook memorial page
http://audioboo.fm/boos/32498-iranelection-interview-with-neda-youtuber.mp3
In Iran, nice headline: Guardian Council: Over 100% voted in 50 cities. …and this is considered a “normal phenomenon.
“Statistics provided by the candidates, who claim more than 100% of those eligible have cast their ballot in 80-170 cities are not accurate — the incident has happened in only 50 cities,” Kadkhodaei said.
Kadkhodaei further explained that the voter turnout of above 100% in some cities is a normal phenomenon because there is no legal limitation for people to vote for the presidential elections in another city or province to which people often travel or commute.
According to the Guardian Council spokesman, summering areas and places like district one and three in Tehran are not separable.
Conservatives use this as a way to invoke “Chicago-style vote counting,” as well as “Acorn… in Iran.” Another delighting in the Basij getting beaten, an act that brings little sympathy considering their own behavior, that’s for sure.
Dangerous land for journalists, even the well known, and this is just one story about a famous person, not the bloggers and local voices who are among the disappeared.
Bahari is a well known figure in Iran. In addition to writing for NEWSWEEK, he is a documentary filmmaker, with at least 10 films to his credit, and a playwright. His movie Along Came a Spider, about a serial killer who was murdering prostitutes in the holy city of Mashad, was the first Iranian documentary to be aired on HBO. He is active in the Iranian Documentary Filmmakers Association, and has worked closely with young Iranians who aspire to be filmmakers. In 2007, the International Documentary Film Festival in Amsterdam organized a retrospective of his work.
While Neda continues to hover over Iran.
The Web site of another reformist candidate, Mehdi Karoubi, referred to her as a martyr who did not “have a weapon in her soft hands or a grenade in her pocket but became a victim by thugs who are supported by a horrifying security apparatus.”
Pres. Obama will continue to get hit on Iran as the days pass, with right-wing radio no doubt taking the lead. Republicans have nothing else and they are nothing if not relentless.
The Iranian government has their own plans.
State-run TV in Iran is showing demonstrations in other countries such as the US, however, with some serious editing. They are not broadcasting the majority of people standing and shouting in solidarity with people in Iran. Rather, they show images of demonstrators who shout, “Death to the Islamic Republic,” while they hold pre-1979 Iranian flags, which have come to symbolize the monarchy. – niacINsight
This post has been updated.
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For Neda, Iran
In the name of God
We all come from Him and will go back to Him
The great and dignified Iranian nation:
With much sorrow I was informed that, during peaceful rallies to defend their lawful rights, the great Iranian people have been attacked [by the security forces], beaten, and bloodied, and killed. While expressing my condolences for this painful event and the losses, and feeling the pain of the nation, I declare Wednesday [June 24], Thursday and Friday days of national mourning. I express my strongest support for the Muslim nation [of Iran] in their defense of their rights in the framework of the Constitution that recognizes republicanism [direct and free elections, and respect for the votes] as one of the pillars of the [political] establishment, and declare that any action that would harm the republicanism of the system is not permitted [is against religion]. Every one of our religious brothers and sisters must help the nation in defending its lawful rights. Based on this principle, any resistance in this direction [against people who are defending their right], particularly use of violence, beating, and killing of [the people of] the nation is acting against the Islamic principle that the nation must decide its own fate and path and, therefore, I declare it to be religiously haraam [the worst sin].
Hossein Ali Montazeri – Tehran Bureau
Watching the video you can’t help but lose your own breath watching her die.
via The Lede: A screengrab from a video uploaded to YouTube of a woman, referred to as Neda, dying after an apparent gunshot wound to her chest.
Shiite mourning is not simply a time to react with sadness. Particularly in times of conflict, it is also an opportunity for renewal. The commemorations for “Neda” and the others killed this weekend are still to come. And the 40th day events are usually the largest and most important.
“Neda” is already being hailed as a martyr, a second important concept in Shiism. With the reported deaths of 19 people Saturday, martyrdom also provides a potent force that could further deepen public anger at Iran’s regime.
With the passing of Neda, Ahmadinejad’s power diminishes to a whimper, but the one truly impacted is Supreme Leader Khamenei. Because Neda not only symbolizes the fight; she represents the real impact Iranian women have had in the elections, but also the post election rising up that continues, regardless of the ruthless brutality being unleashed, especially at night.
Neda. Her name now said as a prayer unto itself, an anthem for Iran.
Via Twitter, Ann Curry is trying to reach out to her family, her friends.
How I felt yesterday after seeing it.
A statement from Mir-Hussein Mousavi.
Journalists are now being hunted in Iran, including one of Newsweek’s:
Maziar Bahari has not been heard from since Sunday morning, Newsweek said. A journalist and filmmaker, Bahari has been living in Iran and covering the country for the past decade, according to the statement.
… .. A good aggregate for Iranian news.
As the Iranian parliament makes a mockery of the fight with their statement today:
Iran’s Parliament warned US and some European countries on Sunday not to interfere in the country’s internal affairs otherwise Iran will respond them in other fields. The Islamic Iran has borne heavy pressures imposed by foreign states against the nation’s will in order to keep its political independence, said Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani.
Stances adopted by US President, Britain’s Prime Minister, Germany’s Chancellor and France’s President over Iran’s presidential elections and its developments showed other aspects of their adventurism when it comes to Iranians, he said. It is embarrassing that the US which has resorted to every cruelty on Iran’s nation over half a century including backing the toppled Shah’s regime inhumane brutalities against people and imposing Iraq war on Iran, is now worried about Iran’s territorial integrity and human rights, Larijani added and directed the US, “you showed the deceitful meaning of change too soon.”
“We Iranians know the way to resolve our differences very well, there is no need to your opportunistic and imperialistic gestures,” he asserted. Larijani then emphasized Iran’s Parliament warns the US President, Britain’s Prime Minister, Germany’s Chancellor and France’s President to avoid meddling with Iran’s domestic affairs and doing things that makes Iran respond in other fields. He also called for the National Security and Foreign Policy Commission of the Parliament to revise relations with these countries.
David Miliband responds:
“I reject categorically the idea that the protesters in Iran are manipulated or motivated by foreign countries.” – David Miliband, British Foreign Minister
Mousavi now being branded a “criminal.”
Iranian government media Sunday launched a campaign against Mir Hussein Mousavi and his supporters, calling the leader of the protests over Iran’s disputed election a “criminal” and comparing demonstrators to members of a hated terrorist group.
Faces of the Basiji, via Demotex.
Update | 9:32 a.m. The BBC reports that Iranian authorities have asked its Tehran correspondent, Jon Leyne, to leave the country within 24 hours. The BBC said its Tehran office would remain open despite the departure of Mr. Leyne, the broadcaster’s permanent correspondent there.
The BBC adds: “Iran has singled out Britain and the BBC in its widespread condemnation of what it calls meddling by foreign powers in its affairs. In the days following the 12 June election, BBC Persian TV was disrupted by “deliberate interference” from inside Iran, the corporation said. In response, the BBC increased the number of satellites that carry its BBC Persian television service for Farsi-speakers in Iran, Afghanistan and Tajikistan.”
What happens next?
This post has been updated.
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While Dipnote Slept
I thought I’d end this saga with a little snark. Thus the title. Because considering what’s playing out in Iran, this issue doesn’t register on the map. But the ineptitude of it all has reduced State’s “official” blog to a joke, which is another reason the title is fitting.
Via HuffPost: An image grab taken from Iran’s satellite English-language official Press TV station shows a burning bus during a demonstration in Tehran on June 20, 2009.
Considering the story is unfolding online through Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and the blogs, it does render judgment on Dipnote. It’s irrelevant. Because as human rights violations play out in Iran, with Pres. Obama offering his strongest statement addressing this subject to date, which I posted earlier, Secretary Clinton’s “official” State Dept. blog remains silent on all things Iran.
The news blackout on Iran has been a continual embarrassment at Dipnote, which I’ve addressed several times.
The first tweet I did on Iran and Obama was on 6.15, with a post follow up. With nothing showing at State’s blog, I followed up with quite a few tweets on the issue, with the ridiculousness of the situation irresistibly inspiring a little snark; then finally asking Howard Kurtz, Stephanopoulos and Gregory if they had an answer, because… well, I couldn’t resist.
When Obama made his first statement from the White House it was broadcast across the globe. As of that moment, my YouTube page was more current on the Iranian crisis than the State Dept.’s “official” blog.
No one expected a political statement from Dipnote. But if State is going to have a blog it should at the very least keep up with earth shattering news out of the Middle East, especially on Iran. Instead, State maintained an Iran blackout throughout the most historic moment in Iran’s history since 1979.
I also believe HRC is likely not hands on with Dipnote. But considering this is a huge human rights story you’ll excuse me if I ask why not?
To have State’s “official” blog in censorship mode over Iran during a “cyber revolution,” while Secretary Clinton is being touted as Ms. Tech SoS is laugh out loud hilarious.
I have continued my tweets and tweaking State on the subject that ended up in a back and forth that included a very lame response from someone at DipNote that sounded strangely like diplo-speak 101.
I’ve also tweeted @Clintonnews about it, twice, but they were… well, unresponsive.
So, if or when State responds to the historic Iranian drama playing out, it will be the last blog on planet earth to acknowledge a “cyber revolution” that happened while Secretary Clinton’s official State Dept. blog slept.
It’s at this point you’ve really got to ask: What’s the purpose of Dipnote? Easy. It doesn’t have one.
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Iran ‘Riot’ Police Out in Force
UPDATE (2:41 p.m.): Statement from President Obama:
The Iranian government must understand that the world is watching. We mourn each and every innocent life that is lost. We call on the Iranian government to stop all violent and unjust actions against its own people. The universal rights to assembly and free speech must be respected, and the United States stands with all who seek to exercise those rights.
As I said in Cairo, suppressing ideas never succeeds in making them go away. The Iranian people will ultimately judge the actions of their own government. If the Iranian government seeks the respect of the international community, it must respect the dignity of its own people and govern through consent, not coercion.
Martin Luther King once said – “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” I believe that. The international community believes that. And right now, we are bearing witness to the Iranian peoples’ belief in that truth, and we will continue to bear witness.
UPDATE (2:00 p.m.): Graphic video — warning – of woman shot murdered on the street. TheLede got an email from someone who attached description from another FB page that explains the Basij carnage:
Basij shots to death a young woman in Tehran’s Saturday June 20th protests At 19:05 June 20th Place: Karekar Ave., at the corner crossing Khosravi St. and Salehi st. A young woman who was standing aside with her father watching the protests was shot by a basij member hiding on the rooftop of a civilian house. He had clear shot at the girl and could not miss her. However, he aimed straight her heart. I am a doctor, so I rushed to try to save her. But the impact of the gunshot was so fierce that the bullet had blasted inside the victim’s chest, and she died in less than 2 minutes. The protests were going on about 1 kilometers away in the main street and some of the protesting crowd were running from tear gass used among them, towards Salehi St. The film is shot by my friend who was standing beside me. Please let the world know.
More violence here (via NicoP @ HuffPost).
UPDATE (1:33 p.m.): Via @LaraABCNews tweet, continued here:
Per Mousavi FB msg (in Persian) he did speak today at Jehan st, says people converged on Saadet and Satakhan (areas of Tehran) #Iranelection
Mousavi Msg cntd: people no longer have fear. If I am arrested people should engage in an indefinite strike. I’m ready to die #Iranelection
UPDATE (1:04 p.m.): Bedlam on tape, from BBC.
UPDATE (12:54 p.m.): RT (re-tweet) continually reappearing, see the beginning @mousavi1388, RTs here, here… here… here…:
Mousavi: “I’m prepared 4 martyrdom, go on strike if I’m arrested” #IranElection
UPDATE (12:45 p.m.): More evidence that the world is getting around Iran’s media crackdown. Look at the picture at the link; take a look at the credit: “Tehranreporter, via Demotix.” Meet the new Getty, AP resource, your average Iranian on the street.
“If they open fire on people and if there is bloodshed, people will get angrier,” said one protester, Ali, 40. “They are out of their minds if they think with bloodshed they can crush the movement.”
UPDATE (11:11 a.m.): Christiane Amanpour now reports that the bombing at the Grand Ayatollah’s mausoleum was a suicide bomber. … to add… Mousavi did not show up at Guardian Council meeting and no one knows why, according to Amanpour: “The big rallies that we saw over the last days have not materialized.” Mousavi “does face danger” today, with “leaders held responsible” for any demonstrations or violence. The question has been: Would there be a defiance of that or would the leaders take heed of Khomenei’s warnings?
UPDATE (10:25 a.m.): From the Guardian:
I speak for Mousavi. And Iran
The man Iranians want as their leader has been silenced. This is what he wants you to know
I have been given the responsibility of telling the world what is happening in Iran. The office of Mir Hossein Mousavi, who the Iranian people truly want as their leader, has asked me to do so. They have asked me to tell how Mousavi’s headquarters was wrecked by plainclothes police officers. To tell how the commanders of the revolutionary guard ordered him to stay silent. To urge people to take to the streets because Mousavi could not do so directly. …
UPDATE (10:20 a.m.): Women in Iran protest for change:
Like thousands of other Iranian women, Parisa took to Tehran’s streets this week, her heart brimming with hope. “Change,” said the placards around her.
The young Iranian woman eyed the crowd and pondered the possibility that the rest of her life might be different from her mother’s. She could see glimmers of a future free from discrimination — and all the symbols of it, including the head-covering the government requires her to wear every day.
“Thousands” of Iranians are “in the area” trying to protest, but they’re meeting regime authority.
The psychological war has begun, with Khamenei and Ahmadinejad intent on scaring protesters away from the street and from protesting, as “riot” police, Basij and others are now reportedly using tear gas and “water canons.” Both CNN and MSNBC have this report.
Iranian tv confirms that people “by the thousands” have taken to the streets. They also confirm a “blast has hit” Ayatollah Khomeini’s mausoleum in south Tehran, with at least two injured.
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Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Announces ‘Definitive Victory’
UPDATE (4:49 p.m.): Steve Clemons has a post from an “Iranian internationalist” that’s worth pondering.
UPDATE (2:46 p.m.): MSNBC just sent out a “breaking news” blast that states: “Tehran residents shout from rooftops in defiance of Iran’s supreme leader.”
UPDATE (1:23 p.m.): Iranians to Obama: Hush…
But in conversations with friends and relatives in Tehran this week, I’ve heard the opposite of what I had expected: a resounding belief that this time the United States should keep out. One of my cousins, a woman in her mid-30s who has been attending the daily protests along with the rest of her family, viewed the situation pragmatically. “The U.S. shouldn’t interfere, because a loud condemnation isn’t going to affect Iranian domestic politics one way or the other. If the supreme leader decides to crackdown on the protests and Ahmadinejad stays in power, then negotiations with the United States might improve our lives.”
UPDATE (11:08): Tweet of the day @elilake:
Shorter Khamenei: Ajad won, u are all going to take it, if u don’t my goons will murder u.
UPDATE (10:58 a.m.): Dread sets in, as the reach tightens, via niacINsight:
Iran’s Seda o Sima (State TV) internet site was hacked today. The title was changed to state: “When will killing brothers end?” Below is states: “Mr. Ahmadinejad, how long do we have to stand these images? The kids of the people are getting killed day by day. How long do you plan on carrying out this carnage? For the sake of power, you have stepped on the dignity of the nation. What will be next after you have killed and scarred the kids of this land?” The website is currently down.
UPDATE (9:32 a.m.): Video of Mousavi’s speech, at least one part, subtitled in English (via Persiankiwi).
UPDATE (9:13 a.m.): Thanks to Marc Ambinder, re: Twitter #followFriday.
UPDATE (8:52 a.m.): Reaction from Iranians over Khamenei’s speech: Many of those protesters have been quick to criticise the ayatollah’s tone, with several telling the BBC their protests would continue.
UPDATE (8:34 a.m.): Full transcript of Khamenei’s speech (from GeoT “In the News”).
UPDATE (8:11 a.m.): BBC has video w/ translation of part of Khamenei’s speech today.
UPDATE (7:50 a.m.): Google now translates Persian, including tweets. Talk about timing. See Mousavi’s news site that now translates immediately.
UPDATE (7:40 a.m.): Brzezinski took on the Republicans indirectly this morning (see this post). He said that if Obama follows the Republicans, he will fall into Ahmadinejad’s hands, also citing their failures on Iraq, harshly criticizing Obama critics.
“There are two Irans… the Iran of Tehran. Berkeley and California, a very modern Iran, like Turkey. That Iran, it is in our interest, should not be crushed. If we encourage a showdown, if we become over involved, if we become imprudent, as some are advocating, the end result could be the crushing of that Iran. …” - Zbigniew Brzezinski on “Morning Joe”
UPDATE (7:06 a.m.): Khamenei went all the way this morning, obviously telegraphing that he and the regime feel a great threat to the very structure of the Iranian government. According to NBC’s reporter Ali Rouzi in Tehran, say’s he expects a serious “clamp down” of any demonstrations, which will be seen as going against the regime. Rafsanjani spoke today, but whether he will challenge Khamenei, especially since his son and daughter have been banned from leaving the country is uncertain. Much still to play out…
________Original post below________
Iran’s supreme leader on Friday rejected opposition claims that last week’s presidential elections were rigged, describing President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s win as “definitive” and calling for an end to days of protest.
Khamenei also blamed the U.S. and the U.K. for the claims that there could be any fraud in Iran. He also said that his views were closer to Ahmadinejad than Rafsanjani, while criticizing the former for the harsh words said in the debate.
What this will mean for the demonstrators is one thing, but for Mousavi, if he defies Khamenei, it will be a dangerous move.
From the Guardian, live reporting of Khamenei’s speech:
Khamenei appears to threaten the protesters. “Rioting after the election is not a good way. It questions the election. If they continue [the consequences] will be their responsibility.”
… “The competition for the election was very clear. Enemies and dirty Zionists tried to show the election as a contest between the regime and against it. That is not true, all four candidates support the regime.” [He lists the government positions of the opposition candidates]. All of the candidates are part of this system and regime. Zionists and the bad British radio said it was a challenge to the regime.
“The issue is inside the system. The dispute is not against the revolution. The dispute was among candidates and there was a positive and negative effect. People were able to judge, they felt part of the system. All views were available to the people.
“The result was clear. They selected candidates they wanted. These disputes and conversations among candidates went to the streets and houses of the people. This gives strength to the system. This should not be misunderstood. The people should be ready to answer critics.
“Rumours spread that were not true, and gave a bad image to the previous government. Calling the president a liar is that good? This is against the truth. The 30 years of the revolution was turning black.”
Khamenei talks about the rumours about Hashemi Rafsanjani. He praises Rafsanjani as “close” to the revolution. “The youth should know that… He was at the service of the revolution. I do have some difference with him, but people should not imagine something else between him and the president.
“We don’t claim there is no corruption in our regime. But this is one of the most healthy systems in the world. Zionists claims of corruption are not right.
“The competition for the election was very clear. Enemies and dirty Zionists tried to show the election as a contest between the regime and against it. That is not true, all four candidates support the regime.” [He lists the government positions of the opposition candidates]. All of the candidates are part of this system and regime. Zionists and the bad British radio said it was a challenge to the regime.
“The issue is inside the system. The dispute is not against the revolution…
“My dear people, June 12 was a historic event. Our enemies want to cast doubt on it and portray it as defeat for the regime. The presidential campaign has finished. All of the four candidates are among the Islamic system. The people have trust in the revolution and the republic. The Islamic republic is not cheating against others. There is no cheating inside the election system – it is well controlled. There may been mistakes but 11 million [votes] is not possible.
“The guardian council has said that if people have doubts they should prove them. I will not follow false allegations. In all elections some are winners and some are losers. Correct legal procedures should be followed to ensure trust in the process.
“The candidates should be careful about what they say and do” [Mousavi doesn't seem to be there].
“Some diplomats from the west are showing their real face and that they are enemies. The worst are the British.
“The street is the place of living and trading. Why are you taking to the streets? We have had the election. Street demonstrations are a target for terrorist plots. Who would be responsible if something happened?
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PODCAST: Iranian ‘Cyber Revolution’… with Blackout at State Dept. Blog
–updated below–
“TM-DC” Podcast of Iranian “Cyber Revolution”
… and State Dept. Blog Epic Fail… and more
Day five and still no post from the State Department’s “official” blog, DipNote. Seriously, why have a blog if you’re going to institute a blackout on the biggest international story that happens to be playing out in cyberspace. EPIC. FAIL.
On Twitter, I have been engaged in a couple of back and forth tweets, one with someone associated with State’s Twitter travel feed, who took issue with my critical post. Tough. If you read the post it is accurate in every detail.
In fact, the State Dept. blog hadn’t mentioned Iran at all, not even on Twitter, until someone @dipnote made a reply to YearoftheBlogger who had RT’d (re-tweeted) my post from yesterday. This is DipNote’s response, which automatically was uploaded in the right hand margin Twitter section of the blog. However, no post on Iran followed.
Ready for some irony?
The following was written June 14th as the Iranian “cyber revolution” was unfolding, while State Dept.’s blog was evidently under a gag rule: Hillary Clinton Turns State Department Tech-Friendly.
Meet Hillary Clinton 2.0—the tech-friendly, Web-savvy version of the former candidate and New York senator who’s pushing what insiders call 21st-century statecraft: enhancing diplomacy through technology.
“She pushes us to think big and to take big chances and to try new approaches,” says Alec Ross, an Obama techie Clinton tapped to be senior adviser for innovation at State. “She’s sort of the godmother of all of this,” he adds of Clinton, who’s used her personal BlackBerry since 2006, though not inside the security-sensitive walls of State. The secretary of state especially likes using cellular phones to connect people around the globe. “Particularly in the developing world, people are increasingly getting their information through mobile phones,” explains Ross. “So we at the State Department are thinking about how that can be a distribution channel for good information.”
Who said irony is dead?
Then late yesterday I received a “direct message” via Twitter from someone @dipnote. Now, they could have used @taylormarsh, but they didn’t. That would have been public and linkable. Sending it “direct,” meant I’d have to cut and paste it to share it, without a link. So, here you go:
Thanks for your Tweets Taylor. We hear you and recognize your concerns.
about 22 hours ago
Excuse me? What sort of rubbish is that to send to me? Idiots.
But since Secretary Clinton answers to President Obama, I’d like to know what the hell the Administration is thinking. You don’t have to appear like you’re “meddling” to simply state the U.S. position on the State Department’s “official” blog. Instead, the official policy of the Obama State Department under Clinton is to IGNORE THE IRANIAN ELECTION, THE DRAMA UNFOLDING and that the United States stands with all people trying to manifest free elections, even as we respect Iran’s sovereignty. Is this so hard? For the Obama-Clinton team, yes, it is. Or, rather, on Iran, NO THEY CAN’T.
So State obviously didn’t “hear” me and have not “recognized” squat.
Five days and counting and we’ve still got blogging silence from State.
UPDATE (9:55 p.m. eastern) What’s this? The State Dept.’s Twitter feed is now using the “I” word. See here and here, posting tweets after this post appeared. But it’s important to note, Twitter feeds disappear. If we could only get State’s “official” blog to actually use the “I” word in a post, the actual voice of any “official” blog. If we could get someone over at State’s blog DipNote to actually post something about Iran IN THE BLOG ITSELF we might actually have a baby blog in bloom. Seriously, who’s editing this crap? Pitiful. They’re linking to statements via Twitter, while their “official” blog remains muzzled? Sheesh, absolutely clueless.
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On the Eve of the Iranian Elections
cross-posted on Huffington Post (world section)
–updated below–
Earlier this week I was at an event at the New America Foundation revealing the latest polling on Iranian public opinion as relates to the election tomorrow. As I do with much of the foreign policy reporting I do now that I’m in D.C., I liveblogged it via Twitter.
According to the polling done by Terror Free Tomorrow: The Center for Public Opinion and the New America Foundation, Kenneth Ballen of TFT reported that 34% of Iranians plan to vote for Ahmadinejad. However, there is anecdotal evidence, especially since the contentious debate, that the energy has shifted towards Mirhossein Mousavi. This isn’t hard to imagine, because Ballen also reported that his polling revealed 27% undecided. Ballen said “a run-off is likely.” Not surprisingly, most polls are monitored by the Iranian government, with Ballen’s TFT actually independent. Full results are here.
One thing you won’t hear talked about much in the U.S. is the degree to which the Iranian people passionately desire a more open society and government. Right-wing radio goes out of their way to say just the opposite, with a lot of misinformation from Fox News Channel to back it up. Ballen’s polling found Iranians favor a system where they can even vote for the Supreme Leader; with the economy, assuring a free press and free elections their top priorities.
As for nuclear weapons, the issue came in last in importance, though Iranians polled by TFT support nuclear energy. These same people have no problem with inspections.
Azadeh Pourzand, another person on the panel, who has been following the election fervor through Facebook, the blogs, YouTube, etc. (she speaks and reads Farsi), said Ahmadinejad’s reported lead is surprising to her, given what she’s heard and read. She also mentioned 1/3 of Iranians have access to the web.
One entry in my live reporting feed might surprise you: Iranian people polled have a 71 percent favorable opinion of Sunnis; 49 percent favorable opinion of Jews.
Ballen and Amjad Atallah, of New America Foundation, wrote an article for CNN that outlines other important aspects of pre-election Iranian public opinion.
In a new public opinion poll before Iran’s critical June 12 presidential election, by large margins, most Iranians said they support an American-Iranian rapprochement for bringing a new era of peace to the Middle East. Surveyed on a wide range of issues, Iranians overwhelmingly favor better relations with the United States and greater democracy for Iran.
The poll shows that the Iranian public remains far removed from the stereotypes of apocalyptic fanatics commonly asserted in some circles in the United States. The survey suggests that Iranians instead are a people with self-confidence and hope in a more democratic future.
It also reveals a population with a strong awareness that the United States is as much a potential ally as it is now seen as a current threat. This holds much promise for U.S. national security interests in the region. …
At the event, Flynt Leverett, an expert on the Middle East, added quite a bit of context, as he always does. His belief is that there is an opportunity for a “grand bargain,” if only the Obama administration would make it clear they’re open to it. He commented that anyone who thinks this cannot be done doesn’t know what he is talking about when it comes to Iranian foreign policy. “Flynt, tell us what you really think about Dennis Ross,” quipped Steve Clemons. That brought a chuckle from everyone.
During the question portion, I asked Azadeh Pourzand to comment on Mousavi’s wife, Zahra Rahnavard, who has become such an inspiration in the elections, as well as the brunt of Ahmadinejad’s fury, which prompted her to demand an apology or she’d sue him for libel. She’s been referred to as “Iran’s Michelle Obama,” so when I mentioned this everyone sort of chuckled. Ms. Pourzand lit up and then explained that she’s become important. Rahnavard really has ignited young voters. She and her husband hold hands, something never seen before during elections from a candidate and his spouse. Her strong presence is a new development, according to Pourzand. But one thing unexpected is that Rahnavard used to wear mini-skirts! In fact, she gave what was considered an important speech, Pourzand said, detailing that her shift to traditional dress for Iranian women was a real movement and more organic due to where she once stood on dress. Her presence has helped her husband, Mirhossein Mousavi, a lot.
In the end, Flynt Leverett said he believes that whomever wins in Iran, few things will change. The fact remains, as he sees it, that Iran has “no strategic depth” in national security, with asymmetric action a focus and nuclear weapons their only option, but that all of these are only “defensive in nature.” He also believes that neither Gates nor Clinton believe in Leverett’s coined phrased, “a grand bargain,” and he isn’t sure at all Pres. Obama will push for it.
Steve Clemons was more optimistic, saying Obama’s confidence reveals he “is his own national security policy.”
As for my thoughts as Iran gets ready to vote, reviewing all the independent study I’ve done, as well as what I’ve learned from the experts, the information reveals one thing. Maybe Iran’s policy will stay the same even with a change of leadership at the top, but the perception created if Ahmadinejad loses can’t help but be powerful. As in Lebanon, it will be more evidence of “the Obama effect” and that just maybe the tide is turning.
Just maybe.
UPDATE: Also see follow up forum where Clemons nails Flynt Leverett as the “crack cocaine of realists.” Live tweet feed here.
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Liveblogging Iran Pre-Election Public Opinion Results
–updated–
TM NOTE (after the event): CNN gets the headling correct. At least according to the people who actually commissioned the poll. Of course, it’s delivered by Ken Ballen and Amjad Atallah, two people who know what they’re talking about. During this discussion at New America Foundation, Kenneth Ballen of Terror Free Tomorrow took issue with the AP article on his polling that is entitled: Poll: Few Iranians see US favorably, despite Obama. He says this article gets the entire polling analysis wrong, because Obama wasn’t figured in any part of the polling at all. Ballen seemed truly mystified that the AP would deliver this verdict in their headline.
______________________
12:15:11 PM: No surprise, “plurality of Iranians said they would vote for incumbent” Ahmadinejad: 34 percent.
12:18:15 PM: Results from survey by Terror Free Tomorrow, New America Found., KA Europe SPRL
12:20:51 PM: Mir Moussavi is at 14 percent, with 27 percent undecided; 89 pcnt plan to vote.
12:31:30 PM: Ballen (TFT): most polling is monitored by gov; poll shows Iranians want dem process; free elections, better US relations.
12:33:28 PM: Ballen says Ahmadinejad lead is likely overstated, race closer. A “run off is likely.”
12:37:08 PM: Iranians favor a system where they vote for Supreme Leader. Econony, assuring free press + elections are top priorities.
12:38:54 PM: Nuclear weapons issue came in last; nuclear energy program fully supported, as are inspections.
12:40:37 PM: Side note: looking around the room, five men are cat napping.
12:45:02 PM: Iranian people have a 71 percent favorable of Sunni;49 prcnt fav of Jews.
12:50:46 PM: Pourzand: follwing Facebook, blogs etc, Ahmad’s lead is surprising. No official parties; 1/3 have access to net.
12:57:51 PM: Leverett: no incumbent pres has been defeated; Ahmad has 12 mill+ reliable vote; “surge” for Mousavi reported
1:05:08 PM: Lev: Iran has “no strategic depth” in nat sect, with assymetric, nukes their only avenues. These are “defensive in nature,” the “essence …
1:10:24 PM: Lev: After 9/11 Iran reached out, helped in Afhan. and made Bonn conf success. Bush labeled them “axis of evil.” Iran wnts “real deal.”
1:14:21 PM: Lev: Are we prepared for “grand bargain” w Iran? No matter who wins a ‘gb’ is possible.
1:15:39 PM: Clemons: Flynt, tell us what you really think about Dennis Ross. –Laughter–
1:18:13 PM: Clemons comment ref Leverett saying anyone who thinks Iran not ready for ‘gb’ doesn’t know Iran foreign policy.
1:23:43 PM: Ballen takes issue w AP analysis bcuz they focus on BO influence, which is not in polling.
1:33:47 PM: I asked (Pourzand) about Mousavi’s wife: pop w young; used to wear mini skirts; they hold hands, new dev (in Iran politics), she’s important.
TO ADD: Couldn’t fit this in the orginal tweet of this entry, but when I asked the question I premised it on reports that Mousavi’s wife was referred to as “Iran’s Michelle Obama,” asking her to comment. Everyone laughed, with Pourzand getting quite animated on the question, as Rahnavard really has ignited the voters. As to the mini skirt issue, Zahra Rahnavard, Mousavi’s wife, gave a speech that was quite popular, where she said she changed her dress when she became more aware of the importance of the traditional coverings, which made her decision even more important. Her presence is helping Mousavi a lot.
1:42:31 PM: Who’s listening to Leverett? Lev: Clinton doen’t believe in ‘gb’, Gates same. No evidence BO will push it.
FINAL ENTRY… Clemons: Still hopeful. Believes Obama “is his own nat security policy.”
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Liveblogging CSIS Journo Panel: Afghanistan – Pakistan
Reporting from CSIS
Listen/watch taped event
–updated–
5:40:58 PM: Bob Schieffer, moderator; Edward Luce, Nancy Youssef, Rajiv Chandrasekaran, David Sanger.
5:45:00 PM: Schiefer: Bush saw it as 2 policies; Obama sees it as one.
5:47:40 PM: Sanger: Obama policy says nothing about “democratization,” it’s about getting al Qaeda, which is in Pak.
5:49:42 PM: Chandra.: Nothing much has changed so far under BO. When will broader new strat link up?
5:52:51 PM: Youssef: From Pentagon perspective, Iraq to Afghan hasn’t transferred. Equip needs differ.
5:56:34 PM: Luce: When Carter gave Zia millions, the Pak said “it was peanuts.” (Laughter) Kerry-Lugar “ambitious.”
6:00:06 PM: Sanger: People nervous about “materials.” Insider threat, “2,000″ who have knowledge, which could be recruited.
6:01:41 PM: Luce: “Vulnerability (of weapons in Pak) has been exaggerated” by some in the media.
6:04:12 PM: Chandra.: Afghans can’t get police to help w/o bribe, so they turn to the Taliban. Police corrupt.
6:06:35 PM: Youssef: Some US troops going into SAfghan, the heart of poppy prod. Poppy minimal work; wheat not. Tal threat
6:10:26 PM: BO policy that diff from 43? Sanger, no; Chandra, funding coming thru, Karzai relations arm’s distance.
6:13:26 PM: Youssef: biggest diff is BO calling Afghan “the good war”: Luce, India’s elections; Kashmir
6:19:46 PM: Chandra: Delinking policy from Karzai; “local, decentralized strategy.” Youssef: more bottom up; Iraq more linear.
6:26:43 PM: Chandra: Agriculture has “vaulted to the top” of Holbrooke’s list in Af-Pak. Poppy plant an “agricultural system.”
6:28:08 PM: Youssef: Wheat would arrive then sit by the road. When asked, soldiers didn’t know what to do with it.
6:29:28 PM: Youssef: ISAF seen as “I saw Americans fighting.”
6:32:40 PM: Chandra.- McKiernan: “Drummed out of the military,” others have not been. (1st fired since McCarther.)
6:34:41 PM: Chandra: Can Pak do COIN? Local Afghan security?
FINAL ENTRY (Added, Twitter didn’t load it) – Youssef: balancing Afhan and Iraq. Will Iraq go bad slowly? Navigating this. End of Event.
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Notes from Session with British Foreign Minister David Miliband
The live Twitter feed during the event didn’t load to the blog today (though you could follow it on Facebook). Have no idea why. So, notes, with some expansion of Twitter liveblogging, is below. Steve Clemons has a post up on the event, including some of the new media attendees. (TM UPDATE: Talk about tech troubles; the Liveblogging Twitter feed just now appeared. Choose which you’d rather read. I give up on this weirdness, though the notes below have a few more data points.)
//NLB// Liveblogging Brit Foreign Minister Forum @ NAF
Sitting next to and chatting w/ George Stephanopoulos. Edwards bombshell topic. (TO ADD: Told him some pundits bellyaching that he didn’t put the staffer stuff on TV, instead only the blog. “I did,” he responded.)
FM Dave Miliband “out Obama’d Obama,” introduces Steve Clemons via Skype from Germany.
Align gov, biz @ citizens, says Miliband, you get surge that makes change.
Miliband: “Feeling a new America being built.”
Taboos (Obama is dealing with today, according to Miliband): Iran talks; 2-state in MidEast; NPT. Can’t “bring world to heel.”
Nuke disarmament ? from Joe Cirincione, directs an attack at Stephanopoulos on SRice interview. (TO ADD: JC says even though GS one of the “best journalists” in America –cue the incoming– in his interview with SRice he ignored the NPT issue in the news, instead choosing to talk about North Korea. As an aside, NK had just launched a missile. Steve Coll chastised JC a bit for making it a personal back and forth, hoping, obviously, to keep this all on point.)
David Corn asks on global warming. “Econ/social justice ?” says DM. UK emissioins down (because of Kyoto), and because it’s demanded in budget; US, no.
GSteph re: MidEast to MB, asks him to talk about situation and tensions as Netanyahu prepares to visit: not a 2-state solution, 22-state solution. Don’t “prejudge” Netanyahu. “Stakes are too high.” (TO ADD: Before his question GS pushed back on JCir. charge that he didn’t cover NPT issue, stating that covering NK was covering it, as well as the fact he addressed it in discussion.)
Clemons asks DM about new media. “Just getting started.” “My blogging isn’t so exciting.” Hard when you’re FM.
SColl asks about Sri Lanka, horror that’s getting no attention.
Question on torture didn’t log on Twitter, which had lots of problems for me today. DM refused to get involved in domestic US issue, which brought laughter after his I’m Not Touching That One response.
After the event I ran into David Corn. Talks briefly, said one of the places I post is on Huffington Post. He made a point to tell me he doesn’t read HuffPost. “Too many blogs.”
Terrific opportunity to hear Foreign Minister Brad Miliband. Thanks to Steve Clemons for the invite.
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Pelosi, EIT and the Briefing
As I said on Twitter last night, ABC doesn’t have the story they think they do. Greg Sargent offers some proof that this analysis is correct. The following graphic is from Greg:
It clearly reveals that Pelosi was briefed on EITs (enhanced interrogation techniques), but the specifics are left out.
Nevertheless, breathless with a breaking fever, people have decided to report that Pelosi was briefed on EITs, assuming waterboarding was part of the package. There is absolutely no proof or actual conclusive evidence that Speaker Pelosi was specifically told that waterboarding would be used in the torture of prisoners. As of today there simply isn’t, though this is still unfolding, so we don’t know where it will lead.
Reports do prove that although Pelosi was indeed briefed on EIT, the specifics were missing in the single briefing she had.
…The CIA declined to comment on why the chart does not make it clear whether waterboarding was covered in the Pelosi briefing. But a federal official familiar with the list indicated that the agency’s records may not have been that specific.
[...] Although the records describe early briefings on the CIA program, they also indicate that the operation was shielded from the vast majority of lawmakers for years. It wasn’t until September 2006, four years after Goss and Pelosi initially were briefed, that the agency’s interrogation program was described to the full House and Senate intelligence committees.
Porter Goss pontificating on what should have been deduced means nothing if the specifics weren’t delineated. People are now assuming that a briefing on EITs automatically means that Pelosi knew that waterboarding was being used on prisoners.
There’s another wrinkle to the Pelosi story from Sargent as well. The CIA doesn’t even know if the notes of the briefings are accurate.
(U//FOUO) This letter presents the most thorough information we have on dates, locations, and names of all Members of Congress who were briefed by the CIA on enhanced interrogation techniques. This information, however, is drawn from the past files of the CIA and represents MFRs completed at the time and notes that summarized the best recollections of those individuals. In the end, you and the Committee will have to determine whether this information is an accurate summary of what actually happened. …
Pelosi was briefed in September 2002. Abu Zubayda, as we now know, was waterboarded the previous month over six dozen times. You’d think if the Pelosi briefing included waterboarding numbers like this would certainly have stuck in the Speaker’s mind. It’s not something you’re likely to forget.
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Field Trip to Ray’s Hell Burger
**This is a live Twitter feed*
–updated–
O-Biden yesterday at Ray’s Hell Burger
4:08:05 PM: Orders placed at burger joint made more famous by the O-Biden lunch yesterday.
4:22:40 PM: Ordered burger w/ white cheddar, dill pickles, charred jalapenos. Hubby: burg w/ works.
4:33:18 PM: Burger on toasted Brioche bun w/ poppy/sesame seeds. Easy to cut and share!
To add, one huge complaint I do have is that the tater whatevers are dreadful. Seriously, no fries? Mind you, I don’t regularly eat fries, or a burger that isn’t charbroiled because I can’t abide the fat content or the calories, but not having fries, at least to nibble, on a 10-alarm burger splurge is disappointing. I also can’t imagine the place when packed. We caught it on off hours, which made for a relaxing treat.
TM NOTE: The preceding live Twitter reporting is compliments of someone who has guest blogged around here, Mash, who developed the plugin anyone can utilize, which I do regularly from my BlackBerry. I’ve said it before, but thanks Mash!
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Obama’s 100 Day Presser
8:05:08 PM: BO: H1N1 virus alert: 1.5b to fight it. Takes budget pass lap.
8:10:38 PM: AP on closing border. BO: “Akin to closing the barn door…” Horses out, farm answer to dumb ?
8:13:27 PM: BO now playing dad. Wash your hands, cover your mouth. Gives Bush a nod on drugs. Not what u think.
8:21:30 PM: Tapper, did W torture? BO: Wbrding is torture. Rambling answer, WChurhill. “Legal rationales” mistake
8:23:15 PM: 2nd ? On torture. BO: does it make us safer? No info so far to make me think it does.
8:26:09 PM: Duck! Here goes Chuck (Todd): “Pak appears to be @ war w Taliban inside their own country.” D’oh!
8:28:14 PM: Todd then asks if we can secure Pak’s nukes. How’d he get his job? Seriously.
8:30:58 PM: BO: Pakistan obsessed w India as “mortal threat is misguided.” It comes frm inside.
8:36:53 PM: ChipReed on Specter + dead GOP walkin’. BO luvs Arlen. BO best w/o tprompter.
8:42:58 PM: EHenry on Freedom of Choice Act: BO thnks abortion is about more than women’s freedoms. Circular babbling.
8:45:38 PM: Zelny wants 100 day narrative. Insert laughter here. Eye roll optional.
8:49:28 PM: BO on enchanted part of Zelny’s ask, uses military, then backs out. Good thing, bad fit.
8:53:41 PM: I want a cocktail; a luxury when you Twitter presser near where libations are @ reach.
8:58:45 PM: MSherer asks real ? Should prez be able to “derail entire lawsuits” on st secrets. BO flounders.
9:03:57 PM: What a press corp. Not one ? on MidEast, Netanyahu, or Iran. Sherer only solid challenge.
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