On December 7, 2009, during a discussion on Twitter, @Coffee_n_Cream asked @Manic77 about his best guess as to the proportion of the “green movement” that wanted a reformed velayat-e faqih versus a secular and democratic government:
@Coffee_n_Cream: @manic77 OK, you’re inside – your best guess: what proportion of green wants reform & what proportion wants secular democracy? (10:59 PM Dec 7th, 2009 from web)
@Coffee_n_Cream: @manic77 Reason I ask: mainstream mass media can’t figure it out, regular ppl here in US can’t figure it out… I know (cont) (11:01 PM Dec 7th, 2009 from web)
@Coffee_n_Cream: @manic77 that you can’t speak 4 all green, but still, you are green & you are active inside. I’d be interested 2 hear your thoughts on this. (11:03 PM Dec 7th, 2009 from web)
@Manic77′s response was as follows (via Twitlonger):
@Manic77: @coffee_n_cream I believe you already know the answer but if not here comes my answer.
We shouldn’t forget that ordinary people have been scared with all rights to speak up their minds in over 30 years. They need some time and encouraging examples to defeat that and it is exactly what’s happening in Iran since the Election. Iranian people have once again refunded their so long lost self-confidence. People have desperately looking for a change during the last 28-30 years and any attempt for more freedom has been crushed.
After the serial arrests/executions of the political opposition in end of 70s and the 80s No opposition worth to mention has excited inside Iran. The reformist movement gave people some hope of improvement and involved the student activists and the students have supported it since the start. It has been the safest way NOT the fastest but again the safest way to implement changes and ideas for the students (and the people) since NOTHING else has been allowed.
The reformist movement in Iran is very complex and includes so many ideas and interests, for its survival it can’t deny the “Valihe Faghih” but been pushing the limits since death of Khomeini. The Students are women right movement, human right activists, socialist and etc… Students are probably most radical supporters of Reformist movement and have paid a high price for that. Elderly people who experienced the Rev 79 & Iran – Iraq war are more cynical, most of them didn’t even want to vote the last 3 presidential elections but each election younger has tried to involve them. The reformist movement has helped to regroup and reorganize a solid opposition at the grassroots level in Iran which has grown day by day despite the crackdowns, arrests and many disappointments.
Something has been in the air in Iran the last couple of years and having AN as president has only intensified it. Majority of people united determined to get rid of AN this summer and dared to hope for a better Iran and The rigged election pulled the trigger.
I can’t speak for everyone but now after 5 months fight with the coup I am curtain that majority of the people lead by the students want to have a secularism Iran. Majority of people have desired a secular democracy Iran for a long time but now they (Greens) know that they can achieve it and the way to do it has been through reformist and will be for some more time and anything else would be stopped quit easily & violently by the coup-maker even more violent than now. You can just hear it through the chants and slogans in every protests that things are changing in Iran. Each slogans includes a powerful message to the Coup, the world but mainly to the other people in Iran. Don’t be afraid we can do this.. Velayate Faghih’s time is over.
We passed the redline June 2009. No return no surrender.We must just keep fighting patiently until the day… The victory will be ours soon …
/Mani
@Coffee_n_Cream: Dear @manic77: Thank you for taking the time to write up this considered response to my question(s). I appreciate it very much. :)
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