Iran: Links Dump and a Few Points to Remember

[violacoye]

Today in Iran, a massacre occurred that is being called Iran's Tienanmen Square. The information is still vague, but reports are coming out of the country about police hacking through protesters with axes, pushing people off of bridges, and bludgeoning protesters with clubs. Just to make this exceedingly clear; THIS IS NOT OKAY. And, no, there is nothing the US can do about it.

First, there are a few troubling comments that I have seen repeated over and over again that I would like to address.

1. The current problems in Iran are not about the US. Please do not try to make them about the US. This is about Iran and the Iranian people. Notice that the US is not in that statement. See Jon Stewart.
2. This is not about Islam. This is not an example of Islam. Yes, the Iranian government is an Iranian theocracy. Islam is the state religion. However, the Ayatollah and his Governing Council are not representative of all Muslims or all of Islam.
3. Yes, you should care about this. People are dying for no reason other than that they expect their vote to count. You should care. But, if you don't, do not make light of the fact that I do.
4. This is not about an election anymore. This is about a state that is massacring its own people as they gather in peaceful protests.
5. Is there anything else I am missing?

Need background information?
This outlines the history of Iran since the 1979 Revolution and provides a timeline of the current election and protests.

Baharestan Square
CNN Phone Call with Protester: Warning this will make you feel incredibly helpless.
ThreatWatch News Story on Baharestan Square Warning: Graphic Picture in article

For up-to-the-minute information on Iran
ONTD_P Live Thread
Live-Blogging on Huffington Post - this is currently my go-to site.
The Guardian UK's Live Blogging - my other go-to site.
Andrew Sullivan's Live-Blogging
Flikr Pictures - be careful, some of these are graphic.

Feminism and Iran
CNN Article on the role of women in the Iranian protests.
Slate Article on how regimes that repress women are inherently unstable. I am not sure I agree, but the article is interesting to think about.
Opinion piece from an Iranian woman now living in Canada. She makes many good points on why we should not see Mousavi as a leader who will bring dramatic change. However, as I mentioned above, this is no longer about the election. Not really.
Feministing Article that contrasts with the above one. Also asks if the use of Neda as a rallying point is just another example of the exploitation of women's bodies.

Anything I am missing? What have you been reading? What do you think?

ETA: Updated Liveblogging links for today.