Media makes a story

Well, it happened like I predicted: Iran is out of the spotlight. Michael Jackson's death is still the number 1 topic in the media and only the coup in Honduras is catching up on it. But I guess nobody here knows (or cares) a lot about that country and the media figured quite fast, that it doesn't sell so well. So they don't push it that hard as they did with Iran and Swine flu.
At this point, they're still rummaging up all kinds of things from MJ's life, from his old days to the most recent: He's not the biological father, there will be a big fight over the custody of his children, where will he be buried, how much money will be made with his music now, will there be songs released...
It's a neverending story. Of course it's much more interesting than Honduras or Iran., because these are hard topics to deal with. Protests, beatings, killings, surpression... who wants to watch these images all the time? It's summer. People are in vacation mood, they want to take a break from horrible stories, enjoy the warm weather, switch off their brains. That's understandable. That's why these breaking news don't sell so well in summer (July & August), because it's the best part of the year for people living in the northern hemisphere.
To return to Michael Jackson: Did you see his awsome performance just 2 days before he died? Man, this could be the comeback of the year or maybe even one of the best comebacks of all time. He was so energetic, his moves were perfect, almost as if it was the old MJ from the times when he was perfectly fit... but I guess it just wasn't meant to be. All things in life happen for a reason. He will live on in his music and be remembered as one of the greatest pop artists of all times. At least the part of his life, where people tried to defame him and exploit him for his money, is over. His genius remains. People will forget the scandals, because they are by far outnumbered by his great albums, performances, videos, concerts and even charity. Hope he found the peace he always sought.

[Photos: Source]

Two standards and two choices

[Photo: Source]

Watched CNN's Wolf Blitzer having an interview with the ambassador of Syria to the USA, Imad Moustapha. He was asked about the Iran election, the protests and killings. Of course Iran and Syria have very good relations like USA and Israel.

Wolf Blitzer asked him if he condemns the killings and if now the relations between Syria and Iran would change, but the ambassador was evasive and turned the question to Wolf by asking, how come that Israel could kill more than 1000 people in Gaza and the US relations with Israel did not change? How come the Western media was being so focused on these events in Iran, but when Israel killed so many Palestinians during the Gaza War in 2008, that was not the case?

Well, that made me think. Does our media have double standards? Of course it does! And not only ours, it's every media. We could also say why the Syrian media extensively reports about Palestinian casualties and condemns Isreal, but does not focus as much on the killings of Iranians by their own regime. Double standards? I guess so. This has multiple reasons and I don't want to go into all that, because it could be a whole new post. Let's view the whole thing from another point.

I think we just don't buy everything the media says these days. That's why the internet became so big and more important than the TV in recent years (TV is dead.) We choose the source of our news, we read tweets and blogs to make up our minds. So, the ambassador was right about the media's double standard. But I guess he meant the old media, the news channels and news papers, who are mostly biased and unbalanced. I'm far from claiming netizens, and especially bloggers are journalists, but we do tell our opinion and we debate and we affect readers far more than the old media (at least that's my impression). That's people who put some effort in their blogging.

Suddenly everyone has something to say and to share. We are no more mere viewers. We are engaged. Besides blogs, we have forums, Facebook, Twitter, You-Tube and Wikipedia, sources where we can check, if someone is trying to sell us bullshit. And the mainstream media realized that and now they have i-reports, they're reading tweets and showing You-tube videos. They are totally clueless about how another universe (online) is thriving, while their profession is losing it's quality and influence. They are struggling to survive and unless they become more balanced and less biased and sensational, they will lose this battle. The future of the news is the internet.

Has Michael Jackson ended the Iranian uprising?

So, there we go. Unfortunately, I was right. My theory about the Iranian post-election protests was, that the regime will harden, tighten the security, put more police and military on the streets and sooner or later, there will be something else in the news. And now, Michael Jackson is dead: Who's following the Iran protests now? The momentum is lost, the media has now diverted it's focus and we will get less and less information out of Iran. Soon there will be summer holidays, we will all forget Iran and Michael Jackson and go to the sea side or pools, swimming and barbecueing and enjoying life. That's human nature! Nobody can convince me otherwise.

As I said many many times, if people in Iran, who want change, don't grab guns and start shooting back at those bastards in the riot police and defend themselves with equal means, nothing will change. Be real. Nothing will change and you know it. This brutal regime survived 30 years, you can bet it has means and measures to sustain itself. Peaceful protests won't do anything, the regime doesn't understand peace, it's ruthless and hateful. Stone throwing won't help either. You need to give the regime what it exports to other countries: Suicide bombers, martyrs, mujahedin. Give them a taste of their own medicine. Turn Tehran into Bagdad and they will see, if they still have that smirk on the face like they used to have, when USA couldn't secure Iraq.

But I guess all that won't happen. Now the media will only focus on Michael Jackson, they will go through all his ups and downs, scandals and medical conditions. Many celebs will share their opinions, even Barack Obama will be expected to say something. There will be a funeral, there will be non-stop reporting for at least 2-3 weeks. What will LaToya say? What will Janet say? What will Liz Taylor say? There's so much to come. It's a big shocker and of course Michael Jackson deserves the attention. He was one of the last big superstars, probably THE last superstar (Madonna is nothing comparing to him). So, it's understandable... But quite bad for Iranians. Bad timing, but as I said, even if Iran was the number 1 topic in the media, it still wouldn't make any difference.

How does it feel to be the designated savior of the world?

Yes I can.

Yes we can!

How do You release Your stress? North Korea, Iran, Afganistan, Pakistan, recession, bailouts, budget, reforms, Republicans, media, FOX news, kids, wife? You're only human, You can only do so much. Where do You take Your strength from? Amazing!

[Photos: HuffPost]

Iran: Real apathy or fake sympathy?

I said I won't be rambling about Iran anymore. But it's just impossible! Iran is everywhere! People turn their Twitter icons into green to show their support and solidarity, it's non-stop in the news, it's the topic number one (like swine flu used to be a while ago). What troubles me is some Iranian people who commented on my blog and bluntly insulted me or people who tweeted @ me and complained about me or Westerners or USA... I don't know wheather these are the protesters or some people infiltrated on Twitter by the government. They're becoming nastier by the day. It's annoying.
What started as a movement where all the protesters had one goal - to repeat the elections or recount the votes or proclaim Mousavi as the winner - turned into a protest against the Iranian ruthless regime. After the killings and beatings and after so many journalists were silenced, more and more people became nervous and the whole movement seems to have been derailed. I remember when I first linked to my blog posts about Iran, I recieved very good comments and tweets, people were energized and optimistic. Now it seems they are demoralized and highly strung. And same goes for the rest of us in the West and everywhere else around the world. You can be supportive and interested only for a certain period of time. After a while, it's no big news anymore, it does not have any shocking moments and more and more people become apathetic. There was hope up until the Grand Smurf had a speech and crushed the whole movement. We knew this will happen. And as I said before, the Iranian regime only understands crude force, so unless these people get guns and start shooting the riot police (like they are shooting them), nothing will change! Nada. Niente. What we will get is something like Tibet. Iran will be even a bigger police state, they will blame the West on everything, most of the communication in Iran and from Iran will be censored. So it's only in the hands of Iranians. Either they go until the end and are willing to die for their freedom, or they give up and there probably won't be elections any time soon.
The point is, sooner or later we will all become apathetic about Iranians. Let's face it! Weren't we so supportive of movements in Burma and Tibet, when monks stood up to the regime that surpressed and still surpresses them? Yes! It was all the time in the news. And now? Many people were killed, imprisoned or chased out of their homeland. Where's the support now?
We are a media-driven society! And mostly we are apathetic to all the cruelty in the world, unless we see pictures on TV or online all the time. But we can take only so much! How about millions dying in Darfur or Kongo? Not in the news, no solidarity, no sympathy. Who cares about slaves in Brazil, famine in Tahiti or riots in Timor? Not in the news, no solidarity, no sympathy. Anyone changing their Twitter icons to whatever color in support of kids in India who are enslaved as stonecutters? Anyone? Yea, I thought so. Not in the news, no solidarity, no sympathy.
Unless you go to that country and protest with the people or help people out of their misery, I highly doubt that your supportive cheerful tweets or posts are helping anyone of for that matter are any better than someone's apathy. The one who's apathetic is at least honest. Yes, I do support Iranians in their struggle for freedom. But what does this statement mean? It means I wish or I hope they will be free and unharmed, but I know (with all my honesty) that after this is passed, after the media finds an new topic for that will run on TVB non-stop, I will be apathetic and most of other people, who now change their Twitter icons into green, will be, too.
I won't care about the daily struggles of Iranians when these protest are over. Same as I seldom think about Tibetans or Burmese or people in Kongo or Darfur. Let's be honest, do you? If you are any better than me, I commend you. I congratulate you. You're an exceptional human being. If you are no better than me, then please stop with your phony bullshit, don't insult me and leave me alone. I've done my best to express my solidarity with Iranian protesters (read my blog), but that's the best I can do. And most of those now so sympathetic people are like me. We just absorb whatever the media feeds us and do nothing. That's the sad reality of the year 2009.

[Cartoon: Source (writing in the cloud by me), Photos: Source]

Support Iranian people! Obama, speak out!

How? How can I support Iranian people? I mean, we knew how bad it was there for years, for decades! These protests are not a shock for the rest of the world. Sooner or later every surpressed people protest and fight for freedom and justice. But what can I do? My words won't change anything. And Obama's words won't change anything, too! As if those retarded mullahs will listen to me or to Obama or to anyone else! These people are nuts! So stop harrassing me and Obama with your calls for "a tougher stance" against the Iranian regime. George Bush tried that tactic and it only strenghtened the regime. Unless USA wants to start another "liberating" war, nothing will change! Iranians can only help themselves. America is broke and I'm sure even if it was filled with money, Obama still wouldn't start a war to liberate the Iranian people. He's got the brains! And how phony: The whole world always blames USA for MEDDLING into other countries' affairs! Now that Obama DOES NOT want to meddle, the world COMPLAINS again. Seems like whatever USA does, it's not right. I think Obama is doing great! Whatever will happen later, let's say in a month, in half a year, he will have to deal with that regime, wheather he likes it or not. He clearly wanted to change the policies towards islamic countries and if you demand of him condemning the Iranian regime, then demand from him condemning the regime of Saudi Arabia, that surpresses women like the nazis surpressed Jews. But no, Saudi Arabia is Americas oil-buddy... I mean ally. Whatever. Words don't matter! Try to talk some sense into Ali "the Grand Smurf" Khamenei or Kim Jong-effing-il. These rogue regimes only understand crude force! Talking to them or threatening with UN resolutions is like talking to walls or slapping yourself with a dead carp. That's why I decided I've said enough already and I'm really sick of everything regarding these countries. I need a break from them. It won't be easy, because they won't let me rest - they're in the news every day! But I need to stop them bothering me. It's giving me Spock-ears!

[Photos: Source]

Obama can't do everything! He can't fix Iran!

I'm sick of those petty criticisms of Obama, coming from the left and right. He can't do everything! He can't please everbody. It seems like whatever he does, he get criticised for it. Either he does too much at the same time or too little. I know that criticism applied to Bush, too. But not in his first year, much later after Iraq became a big blunder. It's understandable that people are frustrated these days. We're living in some pretty dark times. Obama was seen as a kind of messiah, who will snap his fingers and the whole recession will go away. But in the end, he's just human. He's placed in a rigid system, where he only has small room to do something he's proposed last year. He must overcome all the obstacles at home and abroad, deal with a world that's partly in shambles. He fixed a lot, he will fix a lot, but he can't fix everything. And the latest petty criticism comes from people who want him to do more or say more on the Iranian election and events after. Why? Should he give a fiery speech like George Bush would do, talking about axis of evil and urging the regime to give the power to the people? If he does so, the regime will use it to fire up the nationalists, who support Ahmadinejad and they'll repeat that America is behind everything, America wants to put Iran in shambles... It's much more smart to be cautious and let the events unfold without meddling. What could America do anyway? Start another war? Impossible. So there's two options left: Be pragmatic and stay in the background, let Iranians solve the issues with their government or try to interfere, give strong speeches, threaten with sanctions. Well, I think he's doing great so far. I rather see him not go out there up front and start another conflict. And ain't it funny, if he doesn't do it, there's nobody else who would wanna play a 'George Bush'. You have the French president, the British prime minister or German chancellor - they are all quiet and observing the events in Iran to unfold! Is that the new pragmatism? Or just a normal common sense? I don't know for sure, but what I do know is, we have enough conflicts in this world and the West can't solve all of them. Middle East, Afganistan, Pakistan, China, Korea, Burma, Darfur, Kongo - we're living with these problems and we'll have to live with them for a long time and the US president won't be able to solve them, the West won't be able to solve them - the people there will have to solve it themselves.

[Photo: Source]

Iranian brutal regime kills people, destroys computers

Mr. president, please answer me: Is your Iran a peaceful country? Or is it peaceful only when you, the regime, brutally surpress the people by intimidation and force? Do you really need to send riot police and the Basij militia to kill people, beat them up, destroy their property and send them to jail, where you will torture them or kill them anyway? Islamic nation of Iran is in shambles and ruins, because people don't want to buy your bullshit anymore. Islam is peace, you like to say. If that was true, why do you behave in such a non-islamic way? Give power to the people, who cast their vote and want their voice to be heard. Stop the violence now. Let's put you and Khamenei to jail, you are crooks and criminals! What would your god want? Violence? A rigged election? Unhappy people?

These photos tell the truth:

Tear down the regime! she possibly shouted.
[check more stunning pics of the protests here]

Women helping a man beaten by the militia! [source]

A government's shot in the monitor! [source]

Government's university dorm raid! [source]

Government destroys communication! [source]

Dear protesters, we're with you! Don't stop fighting for your freedoms and human rights! Fight for democracy, Iranians. Tear down the dictatorship that makes your life a living hell! Now is the time. The momentum is here! They can't stop you if you won't stop! Keep going... and best of luck to you!

Netizens of the World

Iranian regime showing its ugly face

These are some of the craziest times of modern history

Iranian protester on the streets of Tehran.

So, Iran! Where's your big mouth now? I'm talking to those in charge there, not to the surpressed people. Where's your 'death to America' and 'death to Israel' now? Your fasho-islamic dictatorship is shaking, your people are showing to the rest of the world how rotten your regime is [Photo above: Source], how you rigged the elections and how they wanna have an actual democracy, not a phony one. I'm sure even if Mousavi had won, nothing would've changed. He and Ahmadinejad are puppets in the hands of few clerics called ayatollahs. It's just nice to have a fool like Ahmadinejad in the forefront doing the dirty work, while those long-bearded "wise men" pull the strings behind him. That's why people who protest today, protest the whole rigid system, not only the recent elections. I guess they need a bit more than a sack of potatoes to be calmed down.
So how does your own medicine taste, Iran? That's what you exported to Bagdad, Beirut and Jerusalem. Now you have it at home in Tehran. What goes around comes around! I'm realistic enough to know that with these protests your brutal dictatorship won't fall apart. But it's a start and I hope it'll become a movement. Maybe in my lifetime I'll see some of those ayatollahs tried and convicted in a new democratic Iran, where elections will be the reflection of the people's will and not just a puppet theater for the masses.

Power to the people!

Elections in Iran are worth a sack of potatoes

People rioting in Teheran (Photo: AP, Politico). The elections were rigged. The ugly dictatorship showed it's true face: Sending police on the street who are beating everyone senseless who doesn't look like he voted 'properly' (that means 'for Ahmadinejad'). That clown can declare victory, continue to spew his nonsense and hatered, while making his country even a bigger joke, but I feel bad for those young Iranians who honestly wanted change. They are influenced by the West, they wanna be part of the world, but have a brutal regime with almost no freedoms (it's basically not allowed that a man and a woman say 'hello' on the street unless they're married). And did you see on TV how Ahmadinejad campaigned? When he came to the country side, people greeted him with 'death to America' shoutouts. And to convince them to vote for him, he was giving some of them sacks of potatoes and cash. Unbelievable! Countryside Iranians can be so stupid sometimes. And if you ask me, these elections are one big fat joke, too!