spinning reality around the Iranian elections

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By Guest Post • Jun 14th, 2009 at 11:26 • Category: Analysis, Middle East Issues, Newswire, Religion, Resistance

WRITTEN BY MASSOUD NAYERI (art by Reza Abedini)

I'm writing this to my friends who don't challenge my intention on speaking the truth. I'm not a fan nor a follower of Mr. Ahamdinejad, I'm just an independent Iranian thinker who loves both countries Iran and the U.S.

The election in Iran more than anything else was a PRACTICE in democracy by millions upon millions of Iranian people who were determined to take a part in their future. More than 80% of eligible Iranian voters participated in this election. That by itself is a unique and unprecedented phenomenon. This means that the idea of democracy which started in the West, specifically in the European countries almost 400 years ago, now is playing out on the streets of Tehran and Beirut. So far we see nothing wrong with that.

Just 24 hours ago, we witnessed an election in Iran that the principle idea (as I've mentioned) goes back to almost 400 years. In this election, the youth, women and intellectuals in Tehran - the capital - supported Mr. Mousavi the ex-prime minister and a painter. The working people voted for Mr. Ahmadinejad, the current President of Iran. The official result was roughly 60% for Mr. Ahamadinejad with 30% for Mr. Mousavi.

There were more than ten thousand election observers from all parties - both national and international - in this election, so any irregularity would have been obvious and would have been announced and pronounced immediately. But the dispute by Mr. Mousavi ends up in a very limited area in Tehran's streets (the capital) through a physical demonstration.

Although I support the Iranian youth and women's aspiration in Tehran, to me the question boils down to which side to take between INDEPENDENCE or FAKE DEMOCRACY. I, myself, always chose independence.

Below I'm attaching headlines of the major media and how they are spinning the reality:

The Christian Science Monitor:

In Iran, first results give Ahmadinejad commanding lead

His challenger, Mir Hossein Mousavi, is claiming irregularities. Police moved quickly to quell small protests

CNN:

Iran election protests turn violent

Financial Times:

Ahmadi-Nejad win sparks violent clashes Moussavi alleges fraud in Iran’s election

Associated Press:

World reacts cautiously to Iranian's re-election

The New York Times:

Ahmadinejad Re-Elected; Protests Flare

The Village Voice:

Iran Election: Everybody Wins!

The Washington Post:

Ahmadinejad Declared Winner in Disputed, Vote Violence erupts as challenger Mir Hossein Mousavi

The Times:

Protests Greet Ahmadinejad Win in Iran: 'It's Not Possible!'

The Wall Street Journal:

Violent Protests Follow Iran Vote

The Nation:

Iran's Ex-Foreign Minister Yazdi: It's A Coup