Protesters Return to Tehran Streets

The opposition chose yesterday to commemorate the 10th anniversary of student-led protests against the closing of reformist newspapers by conservatives during the Khatami presidency. Andrew Sullivan and others are back to relying on Twitter for updates. According to the LA Times over a thousand protesters turned out in Tehran, and they have been met with violence by the Basij and regular security forces. In an attempt to thwart protest organizers, the government has cut off cell phone access for the last few days, although they apparently released 2,000 who had been arrested after earlier protests. On Tuesday, Ahmadinejad called the election, the “freest ever,” which alone was probably enough to push the opposition back into the streets.

Iranian protesters galvanized by sermon
From the LA Times.

Photos of yesterday's massive crowds at Demotix

Dr. Nasir Khan: Live Blogging From Tehran
QUOTE People shouting in streets , I am ready to die to get my vote back. UNQUOTE

American supports Iran's protesters

Job-Hunting Is Not A Job

Between the two of us over the past few months Charlie (my dear husband of nearly 30 years, also known as my "DH") and myself have managed to be downsized (him) and finalize the sale of my book of business (me- I was a Series 6, 63 and 65/life-annuities-variable contracts registered representative) - to the tune of $5,000 owed in taxes last month, at a time when nearly zero income has been a-coming in.

We are viewing this turn of events philosphically and I have found contentment in doing both respite care for the disabled child of a friend, taking on new volunteer responsibilities, and canvassing for progressive non-profits. He and our youngest daughter are spending every dollar that we have (her college money, our scant savings) to launch a jewelry store/art gallery.

We both looked for jobs for a while and decided that the ratrace has seen quite enough of us.

From the LA Times, by Barbara Ehrenreich (the author of "Bait and Switch: The (Futile) Pursuit of the American Dream" and "Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America.")

Trying to find a job is not a job

QUOTE Picture it: People across America rising at the usual time, suiting up in full corporate regalia and setting themselves down at their laptops to fiddle with resumes, peruse Monster.com and pester everyone on their address lists for leads. Some people have no doubt found jobs in this manner, but there have been no scientific comparisons of the technique with, say, printing a resume on a sandwich board and parading around Times Square. UNQUOTE
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