No Longer Just Cracks

A full month following the fraudulent elections, the spirit of determination in Iran continues. Despite ongoing efforts on the part of the regime to quash communications and mass gatherings, beating and imprisoning hundreds and killing many, holding journalists hostage, and so on, developments from the last few days have included:

• One more successful day of peaceful protest in commemoration of the student uprising in 1999 (successful meaning it was both well attended by protesters and, on their part at least, peaceful)
  
• police showing reluctance to use force (they are going to break ranks, sooner or later)
• planned labour strikes in Kurdish areas
• Ahmed Batebi lambasting Obama
• rallies in support of Iran held throughout the free world

And now, we have this, the most significant event thus far, if you ask me:

Grand Ayatollah Montazeri issued a fatwa against Khamenei and Ahmadinejad, followed by this statement issued by a leading resistance movement organization, The National Council of Resistance of Iran.

This isn't just cracks in the regime. It's a bloody chasm. But it ain't over yet. The question is, will we have a secular Iran or will it remain a theocracy in which leaders are selected rather than elected. I think you know what I want and I think that is what the Iranian people want, too.

The National Council of Resistance of Iran is an interesting organization. Basically a "government in exile" which has been pushing for reform since shortly after the Khomenei revolution of 1979. They must sense they are closer to achieving their goals than ever before.