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June 30, 2009

Seat Al Franken Now!

Finally!

For all of the foregoing reasons, we affirm the decision of the trial court that Al Franken received the highest number of votes legally cast and is entitled under Minn. 32 Stat. § 204C.40 (2008) to receive the certificate of election as United States Senator from the State of Minnesota.

Update: And Coleman concedes at his presser a few minutes ago. Time to move on.

Posted by jnfr at 12:29 PM | Comments (0)

June 26, 2009

Don't forget

Though martial law has shut down the big protests in Iran, the people still mourn for their lost friends and family.

Iran Mourns


Posted by jnfr at 03:13 PM | Comments (0)

June 25, 2009

Michael

I grew up in the shadow of Motown myself, and was a huge Michael Jackson fan for many years. A friend pointed me to this bit of video, which is lovely. Rest in peace.



Posted by jnfr at 05:40 PM | Comments (0)

June 21, 2009

It continues

In the clips I've seen of the protests today, the marchers seem much more determined, fearless, with a controlled fury in their voices. In some they toss tear gas canisters back at the police. In all of them, they refuse to slow or stop, pressing forward relentlessly.

In this clip, they first are shouting "Don't be scared. Don't be scared. We are all together.". And then, clearly, "Death to the Dictator."



Posted by jnfr at 05:58 PM | Comments (0)

June 20, 2009

Things get worse

Today the peaceful protests were met with crushing violence. Follow along via the New York Times and/or Andrew Sullivan. CNN's on-air coverage has been much better this weekend too. WARNING! Very graphic images of violence and death.

protesters in Tehran


Posted by jnfr at 02:48 PM | Comments (0)

June 19, 2009

Waiting for tomorrow

There's nothing I can add to this.

3:09 pm: One of our readers requested that we translate the following blog post: "Tomorrow is a big day, maybe I’ll get killed tomorrow!" http://balatarin.com/permlink/2009/6/19/1625688

"I will participate in the demonstrations tomorrow. Maybe they will turn violent. Maybe I will be one of the people who is going to get killed. I’m listening to all my favorite music. I even want to dance to a few songs. I always wanted to have very narrow eyebrows. Yes, maybe I will go to the salon before I go tomorrow! There are a few great movie scenes that I also have to see. I should drop by the library, too. It's worth to read the poems of Forough and Shamloo again. All family pictures have to be reviewed, too. I have to call my friends as well to say goodbye. All I have are two bookshelves which I told my family who should receive them. I'm two units away from getting my bachelors degree but who cares about that. My mind is very chaotic. I wrote these random sentences for the next generation so they know we were not just emotional and under peer pressure. So they know that we did everything we could to create a better future for them. So they know that our ancestors surrendered to Arabs and Mongols but did not surrender to despotism. This note is dedicated to tomorrow's children…"


Posted by jnfr at 05:01 PM | Comments (0)

June 18, 2009

And again....

I can't tell you how it moves me to see this river of people marching for their rights. In the videos I see, they are marching in almost complete silence. Today they march again, a march of mourning for those who have been killed.

Peace march in Tehran, June 18


Posted by jnfr at 07:52 AM | Comments (0)

June 17, 2009

6-17-09

And again today, the reformers march peacefully in huge numbers, demanding justice.

Peaceful protest in Tehran

Peaceful protest continues


Posted by jnfr at 10:48 AM | Comments (0)

June 16, 2009

More from Tehran

Another huge and peaceful march today.

Al-Alam TV shows peaceful March in Tehran


Photo from AFP, of AL-ALAM TV picture (AFP is not allowed to report directly at this time), taken June 16, 2009.

Posted by jnfr at 01:04 PM | Comments (0)

June 15, 2009

Iran Today

A peaceful march, asking for a review of the vote.

Peaceful march in Iran


Madyar's photo feed has been constantly updating over the past couple of days. The photos from the attacks on the University dorms are frightening.

Posted by jnfr at 09:23 AM | Comments (0)

June 13, 2009

Too much rain

At least the grapevine is happy.

Exuberant Grapevine


Posted by jnfr at 02:53 PM | Comments (0)

June 04, 2009

Blooming

My head is still in the garden more than in politics.

Moonshine Yarrow and friend


Posted by jnfr at 01:41 PM | Comments (0)