Iran: Where is my Vote?

[Ddrak]

Just for you, Garrdor: http://www.youtube.com/user/tooheys

Dd

[Minute]

No Talk of Neda? I figured that it would be blowin up in here.

[Arkaron]

I'm not sure what to think of Neda's death except in the context of what are likely dozens of other deaths that weren't filmed and obtained by Western media. I suppose every 'revolution' needs a face.

[Partha]

Khamenei needs to be worried. Reports are that opposition clerics are damn near close to getting the votes to remove him as Big Kahuna.

[Harlowe]

Why would Neda be blowin up in here? She's one of many unfortunate victims in all this. That she ended up on Youtube doesn't really make her any more or less tragic than all the other victims.

[Alluveal]

Last I heard, Neda's family was told to pay a few grand for the bullets used to take her down.

http://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2009/06/23/76789.html

They finally relented. Smart move on their part.

[Ddrak]

Khamenei needs to be worried. Reports are that opposition clerics are damn near close to getting the votes to remove him as Big Kahuna.

He's elected?

Dd

[Lurker]

Sort of.

[Ddrak]

It would be pretty extreme to dismiss a sitting leader. Is that even possible without the leader being technically incapable of the role? As far as I can read the Iranian constitution, there's no way to vote a supreme leader out.

Dd

[Arathena]

It would be pretty extreme to dismiss a sitting leader. Is that even possible without the leader being technically incapable of the role? As far as I can read the Iranian constitution, there's no way to vote a supreme leader out.

Dd

It is possible.

All they have to do is declare that the Leader is no longer qualified. But that power rests with a 'council of experts', a sort of religious senate.

Iran - Constitution

Article 5 [Office of Religious Leader]

During the occultation of the Wali al-'Asr (may God hasten his reappearance), the leadership of the Ummah devolve upon the just and pious person, who is fully aware of the circumstances of his age, courageous, resourceful, and possessed of administrative ability, will assume the responsibilities of this office in accordance with Article 107.

Article 109 [Leadership Qualifications]

(1) Following are the essential qualifications and conditions for the Leader:
a. Scholarship, as required for performing the functions of religious leader in different fields.
b. Justice and piety, as required for the leadership of the Islamic Ummah.
c. Right political and social perspicacity, prudence, courage, administrative facilities, and adequate capability for leadership.

Article 111 [Leadership Council]

(1) Whenever the Leader becomes incapable of fulfilling his constitutional duties, or loses one of the qualifications mentioned in Articles 5 and 109, or it becomes known that he did not possess some of the qualifications initially, he will be dismissed. The authority of determination in this matter is vested with the experts specified in Article 108.

[Ddrak]

It is possible.

All they have to do is declare that the Leader is no longer qualified. But that power rests with a 'council of experts', a sort of religious senate.

Right, but the procedure for declaring the leader "no longer qualified" is hardly well defined. Is it a vote? Is it unanimous? Is it trial-by-last-man-standing? etc.

Given the secrecy the council of experts maintains, I can hardly imagine they are going to take on something as blatantly self-annihilating as declaring a somewhat popular (among the religious) supreme leader as not fit for any non-objective reason.

Dd

[Arathena]

It is possible.

All they have to do is declare that the Leader is no longer qualified. But that power rests with a 'council of experts', a sort of religious senate.

Right, but the procedure for declaring the leader "no longer qualified" is hardly well defined. Is it a vote? Is it unanimous? Is it trial-by-last-man-standing? etc.

Given the secrecy the council of experts maintains, I can hardly imagine they are going to take on something as blatantly self-annihilating as declaring a somewhat popular (among the religious) supreme leader as not fit for any non-objective reason.

Dd

Who knows? Political will and legality are very seperate things. But, they have the authority to remove him, if neccesary.

[Alluveal]

I would think that a ruler being "elected in" isn't going to mean much to anyone in Iran right now with all the talk of voter fraud going on.

[Kulaf]

Time for some good old fashioned non-violent non-cooperation. That'll show em!

[Partha]

They can't jail them all.

[Embar Angylwrath]

I don't think jail worries the protesters. Bullets are probably more their concern.

[Partha]

You can't kill them all, either.

[Kulaf]

Tell that to.....(insert historical mass murdering dictator here).

[Partha]

Mass purges kill countries, especially mass purges of the young and educated. Very few smart dictators want to go the route of the Khmer Rouge, and if there's one thing the Iranian dictators are, it's not stupid.

[Kulaf]

Didn't you just make the argement in another thread that religions like people dumb? Now you say they wouldn't kill off their "young and educated".