Mullahs Join Anti-Mullah Protests
One Candidate Withdraws His Complaint Over Vote
Update: Teheran Tianamen; Massacre?

Above the Fold Update: CNN reports "mousetrap" executed by thugs; protesters beaten "like animals."

Some truly harrowing claims on Twitter. As always, never sure whether these reports are true. Though CNN reports at least some of it is.

they pull away the dead into trucks - like factory - no human can do this - we beg Allah for save us - #Iranelection

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Lalezar Sq is same as Baharestan - unbelevable - ppls murdered everywhere - #Iranelection

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they catch ppl with mobile - so many killed today - so many injured - Allah Akbar - they take one of us - #Iranelection

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in Baharestan we saw militia with axe choping ppl like meat - blood everywhere - like butcher - Allah Akbar - #Iranelection RT RT RT

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reports of street fighting in Vanak Sq, Tajrish sq, Azadi Sq - now - #Iranelection

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rumour they are tracking high use of phone lines to find internet users - must move from here now - #Iranelection

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phone line was cut and we lost internet - #Iranelection - getting more difficult to log into net - #Iranelection

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all shops was closed - nowhere to go - they follow ppls with helicopters - smoke and fire is everywhere #Iranelection

Allah's always a glass is half full kind of guy:

Horrible. But on the bright side, now Obama’s got a conversation icebreaker for that July 4th barbecue.

"You should help us, you should help us, you should help the people of Iran:" An eyewitness to the massacre tearfully describes it, and begs President Johnny Hot-Dogs for Hope and Change.

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Turning point? Or, rather, another turning point?

Ed Morrissey notes they're protesting the corrupt system which gives themselves undue power and privilege -- so they're either really outraged over the regime's behavior, or they realize the best way to maintain their power and privilege is to be on the side of the protesters.

Either way, it's not good for Bammy's BFFs.

Complaint Withdrawn: They're getting to some people, though. Some had hoped this former Revolutionary Guard commander would help divide that organizatiton and keep it on the sidelines, or even assist in removing the mullahs from power.

One of three presidential candidates who challenged Iran's June 12 election said he is withdrawing his complaint, Iran's state media reported Wednesday. Mohsen Rezaei, a former Revolutionary Guards commander, officially captured less than 2 percent of the vote in the disputed election in which President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was declared the landslide winner over his nearest challenger, moderate Mir Hossein Mousavi. Mousavi, Rezaei and reformist cleric Mehdi Karroubi alleged widespread vote-rigging immediately after the election, sparking large-scale protests.

In withdrawing his complaint to the Guardian Council, which oversees Iran's elections, , The Wall Street Journal said.

Now I'm confused -- Did Obama's Cairo Speech inspire this too, or is it only the good stuff?

Graphic Pictures: 17 Year Old Tortured in Iran for Protesting. He says he actually hadn't protested anything, but whether that's true or something he's saying to save his life is beside the point.

Here's what torture looks like, for those confused on the point.

Time: Regime's Tactics Both "Smarter and More Brutal;" Street Protests Dwindling from Hundreds of Thousands to Thousands and then Hundreds: The regime's practice of random brutality is effective. It doesn't produce the massive body count, but lets everyone know that if they're on the street, there is a nontrivial chance they'll be killed.

But that's only reducing the street protests, not the actual resistance. Time guesses that some face-saving compromise may still be reached.

Moderate Defeated Candidate Karoubi Declares Government "Illegitimate:" One candidate withdraws his complaint but another one escalates his opposition.

Update: Teheran Tianamen; Massacre?&bodytext=Above the Fold Update: CNN reports "mousetrap" executed by thugs; protesters beaten "like animals." Some truly harrowing claims on Twitter. As always, never sure whether these reports are true. Though CNN reports at least some of it is. they pull...&topic=world_news"> posted by Ace at 10:51 AM

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