So, if you watch my shared feed (which is available a few ways: twitter via frizzlefryfeeds, facebook, My Google Shared Items, or wikidot.com) you may have noticed that I keep sharing posts about Iran. Which as a blogger I have to recognize the largest nation of bloggers on the planet. Plus I need to express that I hope this whole revolution results in a system better than what came out of their last revolution.
Their struggle for freedom is one that they deserve to win. Once the media ban is lifted, the Internet is opened back up, and cell phone service is restored, people won't have to smuggle videos over the border to get them out of the country. It is also important to note that the volume of blogs being updated online has drastically dropped.
About half of Iran's 70,000,000 citizens are under the age of 25, and vocally oppose the Iranian government. Because this crime is punishable by death, Iran has become the 3rd largest nation of bloggers. In 2005 there were over 700,000 blogs created in Iran, and over 100,000 of them were actively maintained. These blogs are the only safe place to talk about forbidden topics such as: politics, flirting, love, and arranging dates.
Taking the Internet from Iranians was a bad move by the Iranian government, because it took away the last freedom that this generation had. The older generation was willing to accept the 1970 transition form one oppressive regime to another, however the younger generation won't stand for it (plus, you don't mess with Internet access!)
So, I wish the best for the Iranian citizens. I feel your pain, and hope that your freedom is around the corner.
"First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.” -- Mahatma Gandhi
Later,
SteveO
