Kaveh Alipour

Another government-inflicted murder happens in Iran:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124571865270639351.html

Apparently, Kaveh Alipour was non-political and was just waiting at an intersection:

He had been alone. Neighbors and relatives think that he got trapped in the crossfire. He wasn't politically active and hadn't taken part in the turmoil that has rocked Iran for over a week, they said.

This might be the work of the Basij, a volunteer paramilitary force that's similar to Germany's former SS. A significant percentage of Basij are allowed to have firearms, and I think the Iranian government has supplied more of them with weapons since the uprising.

I remember being in Iran many years ago. I was a teenager, and it was a hot day. I lifted my shirt and exposed my chest to the slight breeze. My friend worriedly told me not to do that. Under Islamic law, both men and women must dress modestly when outside the home. I realized later my friend might have been concerned about the Basij bothering us.

Neda jan

Neda Agha Soltan is Iran's undisputed hero. The most inspirational heroes are almost always the unintentional ones. For more on her story, see this excellent Time magazine (Robin Wright, June 21, 2009) link:

http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1906049,00.html

It is over for the current Iranian regime. The only reason more Iranians aren't revolting right this second is because not all towns have internet access, so not all Iranians can see the government-sponsored violence and killings. America had a similar moment with Kent State. This is Iran's Kent State. It took several years after Kent State before America withdrew from Vietnam, but the moment the government shot American students, it lost credibility. It might take a few more years, but the current Iranian government has lost legitimacy. May the current Iranian regime burn in hell for the violence it has inflicted on innocent, courageous protesters.

Update on June 24, 2009: CNN has a wonderful article on Neda:

http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/06/23/iran.neda.profile/index.html