Close allies of Iran's president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, have been accused of using supernatural powers to further his policies amid an increasingly bitter power struggle between him and the country's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Several people said to be close to the president and his chief of staff, Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei, have been arrested in recent days and charged with being "magicians" and invoking djinns (spirits).
Ayandeh, an Iranian news website, described one of the arrested men, Abbas Ghaffari, as "a man with special skills in metaphysics and connections with the unknown worlds".
The arrests come amid a growing rift between Ahmadinejad and Khamenei which has prompted several MPs to call for the president to be impeached.
Sorcery, WTF?
I find myself torn between excitement over the idea that Ahmadinejad might be impeached, and being a little freaked out that Iran's policy decisions are impacted by charges of dabbling in magic.
Even if Ahmadinejad gets ousted there is no telling what kind of leader might be chosen to replace him. It could be somebody worse. Hell he could be a goat who the Iranians believe is possessed by the spirit of Ayatollah Khomeini. Though that might not be so Baahh'd. (Sorry could not help it.)
Clearly this is a country which would benefit greatly from a little nudging toward the 21st century. Or maybe even just a little nudging toward the 19th century.
Sorcery, eh? Hmm ... that sounds familiar ...
ReplyDeleteOh yeah, the Grifter's African witch doctor.
And people wonder why we compare the Dominionists with other extreme lunatics.
Since it disappeared I take it to mean that the picture of Sarah at the buffet table was dated incorrectly?
ReplyDeleteCan you imagine the embarrassment of all the intelligent Iranians students educated abroad who have to claim that country as their home?
ReplyDeleteSarah for President! Of Iran!
ReplyDeleteSeriously, I fully expect the Teabaggers to start screaming witchcraft and sorcery to explain their plummeting influence and the disastrous results of their meddling in things about which they know nothing. I predict mainstream Republicans will join in for fear of being labeled witches.
ReplyDeleteSame as $arah's witch doctors, just dressed up under a different kind of name. It's all the same hocus pocus though. BOOO!
ReplyDeleteI'madinnerjacket is to the Iranians and the world as $arahPaymePaylin is to the USA and the world. Same snake, different sex parts.
ReplyDeleteSorcery? Is that the same as the witchcraft Sarah Palin practices?
ReplyDeleteI'm just curious about the Case of the Disappearing Post.
ReplyDeleteDon't cheer too fast. Ahmadinejad is not the power here. Khamenei is, and its clear that his power is continues absolute. It is Khamenei and the council of Imams that have the final word in Iran, and they are very conservative. Look at the charges against Ahmadinejad if you don't believe me. I don't know what started this current struggle, but Ahmadinejad has been serving at Kahmenei's pleasure.
ReplyDeleteWhile here in the good ol' rational U.S., TX governor Rick Perry issued to his constituents a Proclamation For Days Of Prayer For Rain In Texas.
ReplyDeleteNot too far fetched, considering Nancy Reagan used an astrologer to influence St. Ronnie.
ReplyDeleteOlder_Wiser
Elizabeth is correct. Iran is a theocracy ruled by the Ayatollah and his council. The President is just window dressing used for publicity.
ReplyDeleteThe missing post is explained in the comments for the post titled
ReplyDelete"Republicans trust Sarah Palin, more than ANY other GOP Presidential candidate, when it comes to National Security. I'm sorry, what did I just type?"
". . ."magicians" and invoking djinns (spirits)"
ReplyDeleteThey have been watching too many re-runs of I Dream of Jeannie. Wonder if the djinn was blue. hee hee
When intelligence is not an option, use witchcraft. Just ask Sarah.
ReplyDeleteIran is having it's Harry Potter moment. These accusations are actually no worse than some of the crap the teabaggers spew.
ReplyDeleteMaybe Christine O'Donnel can find a place for herself in Iran...
Religious extremism of any flavor is dangerous to humans and other beings.
You're right...19th century. Baby steps!
ReplyDeleteWow, when you sit back and think about how lucky we are in this country (US), we have a good (dare I say great) President, we pretty much do what we want in the personal freedom department. Yeah, the economy sucks, and the "haves" are out to destry the "have nots" AND the middle class (which is really short sighted of them), but it will get better. We will get 6 more years of this administration. Look a the milestones we have crossed in only two!
It doesn't matter whether Ahmadinejad or or some other guy is president of Iran. The real political power rests with Khamenei. One clue would be that Khamenei's title is "supreme leader." Supreme leader trumps president in my book. In Iran, the president serves at the pleasure of the supreme leader. And apparently, Khamenei isn't very pleased at the moment.
ReplyDeleteWhoops, I spoke too soon. Elizabeth and xZata3 are on it.
ReplyDeleteWill ignorance and superstition solve our problems in Iran?
ReplyDeleteWhy not? It's done wonders here...