Mirhossein Mousavi-media-Iran-Iranian-elections

Reader comment:

"Are you saying what I'm thinking, that the majority of protestors are protesting the regime itself and that the media is complete missing the big picture? Or did I take it wrong? I've followed Iran off and on since 2005. I know the presidential elections mean absolutely nothing, since all candidates must go through the Guardian Council, the Council of Experts, and Khaemini himself. So, do you think this could be the moment of the regime's downfall? Furthermore, what would be your view on that (positive or negative)?"

I wouldn’t say the media is missing the picture, because I’d paint precisely the same picture myself IF my objective was the legitimization and prolongation of the Islamic Republic. You’ll note that the media and what are presented as “experts” (including many well-known regime apologists) persist in presenting the (eligible) voter turnout at 85%!! They misinform the public that of a population of some 70 million, the Islamic Republicans received over 40 million votes of approval!!

But besides this legitimization of the regime by way of inflating the voter turnout, the media is actively taking sides in a struggle among the various mafia factions which form the Islamic Republic (this incidentally is nothing new; it has done so for the past three decades). This is why it is painting everything in “Mousavi green”, if you will. (Only this morning I saw a picture of another well-known opponent of the Islamic regime by AP, again with an accompanying caption that began with “Mousavi supporters…”!)

What is not being reported is that many of the Iranians on the street view this contention between the various factions of the Islamic Republic as an opportunity to protest against the occupying regime itself. Unlike the Mousavi/regime supporters abroad, if they carry green paraphernalia, they do so to provide themselves with some degree of protection. After all, Mousavi and his ilk have made their position quite clear.

Do I think this could be the moment of the regime's downfall? It depends. The protesters in Iran are fighting empty-handed, all while the media represents them as regime supporters, equating them with regime supporters abroad who are protesting why the votes of their Islamic Republican faction was “stolen” by another. But things could change. Things could get more out of hand. If they do, and millions of others join the protesters, I’d say a good opportunity would then present itself for the overthrow of this three-decade old Islamic regime. In my view, that would of course be positive. The media, however, rest assured, will support the regime to the end.