Tehran Times-- America's "specialty" is vote fraud

[TexasLawyer]

http://www.tehrantimes.com/Description.asp?Da=1/19/2005&Cat=2&Num=008

U.S. plans to rig election or orchestrate a coup in Iraq: Leader


TEHRAN (MNA) -- The following is the message of Grand Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei to the Hajj pilgrims, as fully appeared in www.khamenei.ir, run by the Islamic Ideology Dissemination Organization (IIDO).

The message was issued on Zihajjah 7, 1425 (Junuary 18, 2005). The Leader described the present juncture as fateful and sensitive for the Islamic Ummah. He expounded on the dangerous machinations and plots that are being hatched by the United States and the Zionists for the Middle East, North Africa and the whole Islamic world and referred to the likely U.S. scenarios aimed at changing the course of the upcoming elections in Iraq. Ayatollah Khamenei also hinted at the measures that may be taken by the Iraqi people and intellectuals to thwart the U.S. plots. In the Name of Allah, the All-beneficent, the All-merciful O our people! Respond to Allah’s summoner and have faith in Him. He will forgive you some of your sins and save you from a painful punishment.’ (The Qur’an, 46:31)

<snip>

Now there are two great dangers which loom over the Iraqi elections. The first is that of outright fraud and manipulation of the popular vote—something which is a specialty of the Americans. If the Iraqi elite and the country’s educated and politically active youth, working day-and-night, are able to prevent such a fraud and succeed in bringing a popular government into power, there appears the prospect of a second danger: the danger of a military coup and imposition of another dictatorship over the destiny of the Iraqi nation.

This latter danger can also be forestalled with vigilance, timely alertness and courage of the proud and faithful people of Iraq and their genuine and venerable leaders. At this critical historic juncture whose outcome will affect their destiny for decades to come, they should make the utmost use of their faith, courage and solidarity, to hold sound countrywide elections fired with a spirit of enthusiasm and secure the election results with all the power they can command.

<snip>

[Wisc Badger]

1. Yeah Right!!! - Like he has room to talk

considering the openness and fairness of the last Iranian election.:puke:

If as Democrats we sign on to this garbage and lend it even one post of support than we validate the GOP view of us as anti-American and lovers of our enemies.

Iran is not a lover of democratic freedom, and living under a benevolent Iranian Islamic regime does not appeal to me.
:think:

[DireStrike]

2. Yep. -nt-

[keopeli]

3. I have no more reason to believe/disbelieve this than Faux News

That being said, as with any propoganda, there must be some obvious and popular truth in the message in order to carry the falsehoods. In this case, it is obvious that the 'truth' is in regard to the indellible impression that election fraud in the US has left on the rest of the world.

Consider this: were there WMDs in Iraq? At one point, the answer was yes (we sold them to Iraq). At the time of the Iraq War, the answer was no. Yet, this fact did not stop the war. Nor has the lie about WMDs brought down those who peddled this lie.

Now consider this: was/is there voter fraud in the US? There is substantial evidence that the answer is yes, though the extent remains undetermined. Yet, this fact did not bring down those who committed the fraud.

The world at large knows there were no WMDs, and knew it before we invaded. The world at large knows there was/is voter fraud in the US. Unfortunately, it looks like enemies of the US will be able to use this sad fact against us, as is happening in this article.

I hope that I am wrong about these things, and I pray for the protection of all of us against those who would do us harm.

[TexasLawyer]

5. This is just posted FYI

to show that allegations of vote fraud and manipulation in the US are making the rounds in the world's political speeches.

Of course this is Iranian propaganda, and it is not at all probative as to whether vote fraud actually took place in the US. But I suspect that these words might ring truer to the Iranian people if the prospect of US election manipulation seems likely based upon what the world has already percieved in Ukraine, US, Venezuela and elsewhere.

But I am NO fan of radical theocracies. I have the feeling, though, that the ayatollahs didn't have to resort to fraud. Why? They didn't have to. They just barred 2,000 or so reformists from seeking re-election, because they were getting too popular with the people. Can't have that, you know. Iran holds elections, but the people have no real choice.

[David__77]

4. I hope an anti-occupation government is elected.

I have no faith in this whatsoever, but it is clear that this will come to pass if popular sentiment even roughly translates into votes. Iraqis want sovereignty, without foreign subversion.