Editor: Myself

Growing out of the establishment

"They are all tailored from the same textile." So a lot of Iranian émigré are saying about the reform movement in Iran. who have long lost touch with the situation in Iran.

But this time, the reformist candidate -- or progressive reformist, as they want to be called recently -- is truly breaking the taboos of the Islamic Republic of Iran. They are not part of the establishment anymore with some of these unusual ideas they are pushing.

They are proudly rejecting the religious authority of the supreme Leader beyond the law. They've announced they're going to use Liberal-Nationalists, long dismissed by the establishment, in their government. They have started to get recognize ethnic and religious minorities and women involved in the decision-making process. They've shown they believe in human rights and freedom of speech.

Although there is still a huge gap between their words and their deeds, but even talking about all of these things are absolutely unprecedented.

We should use this opportunity and not only hold them to all these ideas and promises, but also should push for deeper changes by actively engaging them.

There are still many issues that even progressive reformists are in fact quite fundamentalist about, such as freedom of religion, Hijab, homosexuality, Israel, etc. But this should not stop us from embracing what they are today. There is no way they can reach there by not going through these preliminary stage.

Apealing or adapting to the young voters

Looks are playing a big role in this years election and it's something easily missed by the foreign journalists who are not familiar with the culture.

For example, a foreign journalist can hardly understand why the new appearance of Baqer Qalibaf, the former police chief of Tehran and high-ranking commander of the Revolutionary Guards, is significant. Semi-shaven beard, with brown or white and over-sized jacket , while sporting trendy glasses, Qalibaf is completely different from how he used to appear in public.

Baqer Qalibaf tries to appeal to the youth

Or take Elaheh Koulaie , the reformist candidate's spokeswoman and former MP from Tehran. Aside from the fact that she is the only high-ranking female member of any of the campaigns, she looks completely different from what every female politician has ever looked like in Iran after the revolution. Wearing a colorful scarf and a light, plain dress is in total contrast with what is perceived as the official look of women involved in politics, such as Jamileh Kadivar, another former Tehran MP and a reformist who has always worn a black chador.

Female and colourful: Elaheh Koulaie represents the reformist candidate

Maybe this is why state TV refused to accept her TV appearance the other night. Although the announced reason, according to the BBC Persian, is even worse: She should appear in another panel with only female representatives of the candidates.

Should we expect to see a pretty actress such as Hedieh Tehrani as Qalibaf's representative in the coming days?

From: Iran Scan 2004

Khamenei prefers the young and the restless

When Rafsanjani finally announced that he would run for the president, many in Tehran knew he had just left a private meeting with Khamanei, the Supreme Leader. This, to many, was a sign that Khamaeni not only had supported Rafsanjani's bid, but also had endorsed him as his favorite candidate.

To me, however, it was a bit in conflict with what Khamenei had been saying for long, that the next president must be someone 'young and energetic' who can inject fresh blood to the executive parts of the regime. He one even went far to say that Rafsanjani was sitting next to him, a bit annoyed, during a speech for some influential clerics. Awkward.

Awkwardness: 70-years-old Rafsanjani on the left

At the same time it was pretty clear to me that Ali Larijani, a rather young (48 years of 7age), educated and innovative beaurocrat who had run the state TV and radio for a decade, was Khamenei's favorite. But Rafsanjani's announcement and some of the rumors I was hearing from Tehran were a bit puzzling.

But now I can again say that Khamenei still thinks the same way about Rafsanjani.

In his latest speech during a public meeting with young students, in addition to stressing on the necessity of a high turnout, Khamanei has again said that because the country is young, its government has also to be young.

From Iran Scan 1384

US-VISIT does not hurt U.S. trade and tourism!

I love this:

Will US-VISIT hurt U.S. trade and tourism?

To the contrary, US-VISIT enhances trade and tourism. By making America a safer place to visit and conduct business, US-VISIT enhances our economic security. In fact, US-VISIT sets an international standard in border security, and other nations are in the process of adopting systems similar to our own. Over time, new tools like the worldwide use of biometric identifiers will speed identity authentication, making check-in/check-out faster and more efficient. It is also hoped that better identity matching at primary processing will mean fewer people will be sent to secondary processing.

Now what the hell is US-VIST?

How do US-VISIT entry procedures work?

US-VISIT is part of a continuum of security measures that begins overseas, when a person applies for a visa to travel to the United States, and continues from their arrival to and departure from the United States. It incorporates eligibility determinations made by both the Departments of Homeland Security and State.

Enrollment in US-VISIT for visitors applying for a visa is done overseas at the visa-issuing post where each visitor has his or her biographic and biometric information – two index fingerscans and a digital photograph – captured by a State Department official.

By October 2004, all 211 visa-issuing posts will deploy US-VISIT as part of the visa process. The US-VISIT biometric procedure has already prevented known criminals from getting visas in the first place.

US-VISIT entry procedures are currently in place at 115 airports and 14 seaports. By the end of this year, US-VISIT will expand to the 50 busiest land ports of entry.

Upon a visitor’s arrival in the United States, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer uses an inkless digital fingerscanner to electronically capture two fingerscans. The visitor is asked to put the left index finger and then the right index finger on the scanner. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer also takes a digital photograph of the visitor.

The biographic and biometric data is used to match the visitor with the travel documents and is compared against watch lists. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer asks questions about the visitor’s stay in the United States. At that point, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer either admits the visitor or conducts additional inquiries based on the verification results. These procedures should reduce fraud, identity theft, and the risk that terrorists and criminals will enter the United States undetected.

While in the United States, should the visitor seek to adjust status or extend his or her stay, US-VISIT would be updated with any modifications to the individual’s status.

How does a U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer determine that a person requires additional or secondary screening?

If the data provided indicates possible national security concerns, other law enforcement concerns, improper documentation, or any other ground of inadmissibility to the United States, then the officer will refer the visitor for additional screening or assistance.

Source: Department of Homeland Security official website

The Dangers of Military Intervention in Iran

I'll be in London next week for the folowwing event:

Tuesday 31st May 2005, 6.30 pm
SOAS, Russell Square, Khalili Lecture Theatre

‘The Dangers of Military Intervention in Iran’

Speakers:

Andrew Burgin
Stop The War Coalition

Hossein Derakhshan
blogger Hoder, Internet activist

Sami Ramadani
Guardian columnist and Iraqi political analyst

Elaheh Rostami Povey
Iranian civil society and women’s movement expert

Roudabeh Shafie (Chair)
Founder, Action Iran

Ddiscussion: Should Moin stay in race or leave

An exciting debate is happening now in the Persian weblog community. It's about the next step for Mostafa Moin, the main reformist candidate who is now back in the race as a result of the Supreme Leader, Ali Khamanei's request from the Guardian Council's as to reverse the bar on Moin.

Some bloggers believe that Moin and his team should leave the race, because it's hypocritical to accept the Supreme Leader's not-quite-lawful orders when it's to their benefit.

Kayhan happily announces Khamenei's demand to reassess reformist candidates

Others believe that Moin should restart his campaign no matter what conservatives are trying to say. For instance, Kayhan, a radical newspaper with strong ties to conservatives has tried to weaken Moin's position by saying that he is now only back because of Khamanei's kindness and therefore he owes the Supreme Leader.

Some of the latter group argue that because it's apparently Khamaeni who needs Moin for his big impact on the ultimate voter turnout, the reformist candidate should set serious conditions for his comeback which can include major but small changes in the election laws and vetting procedures.

An online poll that I put yesterday on Editor: Myself , my own blog in Persian, now shows that about 60% of the readers think Moin should get out of the race and 40% believe he should continue.

Both ideas have passionate supporters, but the decision will apparently be announced this Thursday, after a large meeting that the main reformist party (IPF).

From Iran Scan 1384

Khamanei: Qualify Moin

According to Noandish , Ali Khamanei, the Supreme Leader, has asked the Guardian Council to reassess the applications of the main reformist candidate, Mostafa Moin. However it's not confirmed yet.

Update:

ISNA has confirmed the report and has published the letter. It strikes me that Khamanie has lost his grip on some radical factions of conservatives and they've started to publically challenge him.

Shameless Campaigning

BBC Persian reports that a new morning newspaper has published in Tehran titled Amin (means Trusted) in which its editor public ally says it's backing Mohsen Rezai.

It's unprecedented that a newspaper publicly announce not only its political leaning, but also the fact that it's going to back a particular candidate.

Mohsen Rezai is the former head of the Revolutionary Guards during most of the eight year Iran - Iraq in the 80s. He is now a centrist conservative candidate. Rezai has also been running a news website, _Baztab_ for the past couple of years.

From: Iran Scan 1384

Rafsanjani needs the youth vote

Looks as if Rafsanjani's pollsters are worried about his popularity among the youth. Take a look at the pictures he has recently taken during a meeting with some young Iranian boy and girls and you'll know why.

It's worth noting that Iranian officials usually avoid appearing with the young boys and girls who favor a rather more Westernized look over the semi-official look that, for instance, is used by TV anchors. (Men should not wear jeans and short sleeves and women should completely cover their hair and wear Chador.)

Pictures are taken by Fars News which is not quite friendly toward Rafsanjani and seems to be supporting Larijani.

- From Iran Scan 1384

Rear Window Initiative Projects

In case you are interested to know more about the projects I talked wanted to talk about in my presentation in Personal Democracy Forum in New York City, here is a summary about them which I plan to do within the framework of the small organization I'm setting up (and hope to be able to raise fund for), titled Rear Window Initiative.

You may also want to see how blogs are affecting the Iranian society and politics, or to have some background information about Iranian blogs, or to read some of the English blogs by Iranians.

Please also take a look at Iran Scan 1384, a blog focused on Iranian upcoming elections.

From Winnipeg to New York City

I'm at the 27th Canadian Association of Journalists conference in Winnipeg, thanks to Saleem Khan who put me on a panel and a workshop about blogging.

But on Monday I'll be back in New York for the Personal Democracy conference in which I'll get to meet with a lot of influential American liberal bloggers. I'm excited to be back in New York City and to meet all these great people all at once.

But there is another reason I'm excited about this trip which I'll write about later. Here is a hint: Toronto is the dial-up version of New York.

By the way, this wi-fi connection that I'm using right now at the Fort Garry Hotel right now is extremely slow. It's called Hotspot and Telus proveds it.

Outcome of my London trip: One weblog, one news website

The London trip was not only wonderful, but also very fruitful.

First, I suggested the openDemocracy people to start a blog about the Iranian presidential elections in June. They liked the idea and made it possible. So today we lunched Iran Scan 1384 with the help of oD staff, especially their New York office.

Secondly, only two days before leaving, I received an offer to make a complete news website which is run by exile Iranian journalists. It's titled Rooz and was actually lunched last Tuesday. The neat thing about Rooz is that, in addition to the web version, they also make a front page similar to one of a real printed newspaper, hoping that one day they could actually publish a print version of it.

As far as I know, it's funded by a Netherlands organization as a smart way to support Iranian journalists who have recently left Iran due to the unbearable pressure by the regime's judiciary and security apparatus.

Nashville for cool people

Got this list of cool places in Nashville from a few cool freshmen in Belmont university who were studying music and graphic design. It was also confirmed by another cool lady who eats out most of the times and therefore knows all bars and restaurants in the city. It could be useful for you some day:

• On The Rocks
  1530 Demonbreun St, Nashville, 37203 - (615) 254-2227

• Caffine
  1516 Demonbreun St, Nashville, 37203 - (615) 259-4993

• B.B. King's
  152 2nd Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37201 - (615) 256-2727

• Bar Nashville
  114 2nd Ave N, Nashville, 37201 - (615) 248-4011

• BarTwenty3
  503 12th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203 - (615) 963-9998

• Rusan's Sushi & Seafood
  505 12th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203, (615) 252-8787

• Casabona Ristorante Italiano
  317 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203 - (615) 244-7147

Also noteworthy is You Are So Nashville If... Contest and College Survival Guide, both from Nashville's alt-weekly, Nashville Scene.

Blogging tourism: Let's start it with Iran in June

This is really good news: BBC Persian reports that Iran now issues transit seven-day Visas for foreigners in Tehran international airports.

It's really a smart decision which I think should've made immediately after Bush labeled Iran as part of Axis of Evil. Let the world see if Iran is really evil or it's on its way toward a more democratic and open society despite all internal conflicts and problems.

I had long though about encouraging bloggers around the world to visit Iran. Now this is the best chance. Especially after Dave Winer's idea about blogging global tours which is amazing. Simply because blogs can observe and reports things that mainstream media could never do and the voice that bloggers would give, for instance, to the people of Iran is absolutely incomparable to anything else.

Now I'm more confident about the idea of going back to Iran in early June before the election. Would anyone be joining me?

Nashville

Shame on Canadian government that allows the US government profiles people based on their birthplace. Do I have a Canadian passport or not?

Anyway, I missed my direct flight to Nashville yesterday because US Costumes doesn't have a office in Nashville so I could register out when leaving the US. The guy asked me to rebook my return ticket so I could go through a bigger airport in a larger city, which obviously was impossible.

So I missed my ticket and bought a whole new one with a stop in Chicago both ways, hopefully to be paid by the BlogNashville conference.

By the way, we just drove by the Music Square.