http://www.couscousglobal.com/id/3909 2009-06-24T12:01:21+02:00

<p>Yes they do. Just like in that (somewhat old) popular movie. I expected that I fulfilled all my duties and obligations at this place. The situation took a different turn and wel... here I am! But I'm sure happy to be here since I simply can't stand the fact that someone else would drop his lines over here. This is my spot yo! There's a slight difference though: I'm writing this from the comfort of my own home.</p>

<p>So what's new? There are a whole lot of people that have joined our community in the time I wasn't present. Not that that's a bad thing, we bid you welcome! Youcef Aissaoui, Michael Gold, Young Moses, Ruth Howard, Ibiyemi Anthony, Rohama Bruk, Adeline Lee, Janine, Zainab Daniju, Romana Qureshi and Susan Benn. Welcome I say!</p> <p>One place on the globe has certainly made the news the past few days: Iran. Maartje has received lots of emails from our friends there, know that our thoughts are with you. There's not much what we can do from here except for trying to spread the messages we receive. Let me take this oppertunity to throw in my two cents.</p> <p>The Iranian government can squeek all they want about fair elections but I'm not buying it for a second. I believe that Iran had a reasonable image when it came to elections; Iranian gouverners stated that their country is (or should I say was) one of the few democracies in the Middle East. That image has been smashed to shreds. </p> <p>The thing that makes me scream 'FRAUD!' is the fact that Facebook, probably the biggest online social network on the planet, was blocked shortly before the elections by the authorities. If you'd ask them why, they'd probably say something like: 'immoral' or 'American' (and therefore bad!) But let's be fair: Ahmadinejad's opponent, Mir Hussein Mousavi, used or wanted to use it to reach and or mobilize his followers. This is a clear case of a 'I'm in charge and I'm gonna make things as difficult as possible for my opponent' type of thing. Arguments like 'it's immoral' don't sound very credible in situations like this. You're just attempting to take down your political opponent.</p> <p>A highly influential councel in the country has stated that there was some fraud during the elections in some cities. The result: onehundred percent (thats 100%!) of certain cities' populations went out to vote. BUT! This fraud didn't affect the outcome. Yeah, and I want to fly like Superman. Sadam Hussein was elected by onehundred percent of the population in 2002 and he was a dictator! Ahmadinejad claims that he was elected fair and square but even if he was you wouldn´t have a phenomenon like this. It´s highly irregular... Has a thing like this ever occured in human history!? Never found it in a historybook when I was in high school.<br/> <br/> The fact that the government won't allow a recount of the votes is another sign that the elections were rigged and there are probably many more arguments out there to support this claim. If it was up to me: RECOUNT! I think this is the smartest thing they can do since it will imply that they have nothing to hide for just a bit longer. Their facade will eventually collapse and crush (SONGTITLE AGAIN!) but at least they will - especially Ahmadinejad - have some dignity left. If you don't you might just find yourself in the middle of the biggest crapstorm in a long time. You can't surpress your people forever, if you deny them their voice they will revolt. And it's aleady happening. From this perspective you're either damned if you do and damned if you don't. So... Which one do you choose?</p> - ARTICLE news