#IranElection June 22, 2009

Video: Tribute to Neda from Fausta’s Blog

Roger L. Simon Iran: Siemens and Nokia should jam their own equipment - or be boycotted

The Wall Street Journal is reporting extensively on the sale of advanced web monitoring equipment to Iran by a joint venture of Germany’s Siemens and Finland’s Nokia.

Interviews with technology experts in Iran and outside the country say Iranian efforts at monitoring Internet information go well beyond blocking access to Web sites or severing Internet connections.

Instead, in confronting the political turmoil that has consumed the country this past week, the Iranian government appears to be engaging in a practice often called deep packet inspection, which enables authorities to not only block communication but to monitor it to gather information about individuals, as well as alter it for disinformation purposes, according to these experts.

Much of this technology comes from the joint venture, which now has blood on its hands. Siemens has “been there and done that” (profited from fascism) and should have known better, but it didn’t.

Drew M @ AoSHQ has more details on Neda

More details are emerging about the 26 year old young woman whose cold blooded murder was captured on video and quickly became the face of the Second Iranian Revolution.

The BBC Persia (via HufPo, it’s worth the click) has an interview with Neda’s fiance. Needless to say, it’s well worth the read. (scroll down to 1:03pm update for full interview)

Hot Air Britain pulling embassy families out of Iran

In times of overseas crisis, nations will issue travel advisories and remove non-essential staff if the situation deteriorates. The UK has decided to evacuate the families of its embassy staff and warn its citizens against travel to Iran as the regime cracks down on protesters:

Hugh Hewitt See ‘The Stoning of Soraya M’ and send the Mullahs a message

“How can we support the demonstrators in Iran?”

When Americans see tragedy at home or abroad, the immediate response of millions of them it to want to help. Thus the outpouring of private relief efforts after the Dec. 26, 2004, tsunami in the Indian Ocean, the surge of volunteers and donations into New Orleans after Katrina in August-September, 2005, and the outpouring of support for the rural poor of China after the devastating earthquake of May, 2008.

There are other examples too numerous to mention, and every day sees groups of Americans doing good works around the globe.

Now, as the theocratic fascists of Iran strike back at the protestors in Tehran and around the country, the pictures and videos from Twitter and other social media show mayhem, murder and great suffering.

Americans are again asking “How can I help?” In this case, though, the government wants exactly the opposite of help for the suffering. The regime wants to increase the pain of the people, not alleviate it. Khamenei and Ahmadinejad want to punish, imprison and eventually execute those who call on the West for help.

Since open contact with a dissident can bring the Basij to the dissident’s door, what’s an ordinary American to do?