There are two theories about what is happening in Iran.

A number of observers and political activists, who spoke to InsideIRAN.org on the condition of anonymity, believe that the ruling establishment is trying to trade in the reformists and the Green Movement for a moderate conservative alternative.

1.    These moderate conservatives include senior Iranian officials such as Larijani, Mohammad-Reza Bahonar, the deputy speaker of parliament, and Mohsen Rezaei, the former commander of the IRGC and candidate in the June 12 presidential election, and others.

All of those mentioned above come from a conservative political line with close ties to the bazaar and traditional clerics. They are more moderate in their criticism of the opposition and at times voiced their dissatisfaction about the government’s treatment of protestors and the handling of events following the June 12 election. Some even called for national unity suggesting that the elders of the tribe meet to discuss the current crisis. Two weeks ago, Rezaei wrote a letter supporting a statement issued by Mir Hossein Moussavi and asked the Supreme Leader to lead the country in the direction of unity and closure. Rezaei’s letter, which was written with ultimate respect to the Supreme Leader, received an angry response from the radical wing of the Islamic Republic.

According to these observers, the Islamic Republic is waging an orchestrated effort to introduce viable anti-Ahmadinejad alternatives to the public in order to diminish the influence of figures such as Moussavi and Mehdi Karroubi. Arab governments have taken similar steps to boost the popularity of Islamists they support who then become rivals to more established Islamic groups opposed to the state.

2.   The second theory advanced by a number of political commentators revolves around the notion of “regime survival.” Members of this group believe that some conservatives, who do not approve of Ahmadinejad’s radicalism, are genuinely worried about the survival of the Islamic Republic. Moderate conservatives also fear that their fate might soon mirror that of the reformists, who have been tortured and imprisoned.

The Ahmadinejad wing and the IRGC have dramatically expanded their sphere of influence in all three branches of government. The executive branch is now entirely in their hands, while many members of parliament have close ties to the IRGC and belong to the pro-Ahmadinejad faction. In the judiciary, the appointment of IRGC Brig Gen. Zolghadr to the post of Advisor to Chief Justice was an unprecedented move. Zolghadr, who has no legal experience, is one of IRGC’s most radical generals with close ties to Supreme Leader Khamenei.

Moderate conservatives in Iran are concerned. Their ideological differences with the reformists bars them from forming a viable coalition with them. At the same time, they fear the policies of the radicals can gravely jeopardize their political survival, and the survival of the Islamic Republic.

Tags: #Iran #Ahmadinejad #Green #IranElection #Tehran

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An Iranian female prisoner makes a call in a corridor in the Evin prison in Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, June 13, 2006. Iran boasted Tuesday that it protects human rights more than any Western country as officials led international media on a tour of the country's most feared prison in the capital Tehran. The tour of Evin prison, the first such visit by international media, came amid accusations by human rights groups that Iran has violated human rights. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

Iranian prisoners work in a kitchen in the Evin prison in Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, June 13, 2006. Iran boasted Tuesday that it protects human rights more than any Western country as officials led international media on a tour of the country's most feared prison in the capital Tehran. The tour of Evin prison, the first such visit by international media, came amid accusations by human rights groups that Iran has violated human rights. (AP Photo / Vahid Salemi)

Iranian women prisoners work at a tailoring workshop in Tehran's Evin prison June 13, 2006. Iranian police detained 70 people at a demonstration in favour of women's rights, the judiciary said on Tuesday, adding it was ready to review reports that the police had beaten some demonstrators. REUTERS/Morteza Nikoubazl (IRAN)

Female prison guards walk along a corridor in Tehran's Evin prison June 13, 2006. Iranian police detained 70 people at a demonstration in favour of women's rights, the judiciary said on Tuesday, adding it was ready to review reports that the police had beaten some demonstrators. REUTERS/Morteza Nikoubazl (IRAN)

Iranian female prisoners in their cell in the Evin prison in Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, June 13, 2006. Iran boasted Tuesday that it protects human rights more than any Western country as officials led international media on a tour of the country's most feared prison in the capital Tehran. The tour of Evin prison, the first such visit by international media, came amid accusations by human rights groups that Iran has violated human rights. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

A prison guard stands along a corridor in Tehran's Evin prison June 13, 2006. Iranian police detained 70 people at a demonstration in favour of women's rights, the judiciary said on Tuesday, adding it was ready to review reports that the police had beaten some demonstrators. REUTERS/Morteza Nikoubazl (IRAN)

Tags: Iran Prison

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Tags: AHmadinejad

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Tags: Iran #SOG

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Although recycling is crucial to the future of our planet, it still contributes to pollution. Recycled waste builds up and produces toxins when melted down. By precycling, you lower the amount of products that need to be recycled. This involves purchasing products with minimal packaging and maximum reusability. When you precycle, you save waste from landfills by reusing, repairing, and donating what you already have.

Learn how to precycle with these simple lifestyle switches:

Carry reusable bags. Bring your own bags when running errands. If you forget your bags always choose paper over plastic. Paper bags can be reused and can be recycled much easier than plastic ones. Some grocery stores will even enter you into a weekly drawing for free groceries if you bring your own bags. Who doesn’t want to be a winner? Baggu make an amazing assortment of reusable shopping bags in more than 30 colors.

Pick products with minimal packaging. Avoid buying items that have multi-layer packaging bigger than the product itself. In most cases you can’t avoid packaging all together, so purchase products made from recycled materials.

Refuse junk mail. Be the boss of your mailbox with services like Tonic Mail Stopper and Proquo.

Give away, don’t throw away. Donate old clothing, toys, and electronics to your local Goodwill or community center. If you have old magazines and books you want to get rid of donate them to local hospitals and libraries.

Repair broken items. Always try and repair before you throw away. How to Mend It is a wonderful resource for how to fix just about anything. For further repair advice, read Platform21’s Repair Manifesto.

Drink from refillable bottles and mugs. Kick your water bottle addiction by buying a Sigg. If you buy a coffee every morning, bring your own reusable mug or try I’m Not a Paper Cup for coffee shop trips.

Dispose your disposable habit. Eliminate the use of one-time use products such as razors, plastic eating utensils, and cigarette lighters. Instead buy reusable, refillable, and washable items.

Rent it, don’t buy it. Borrow or rent tools you wont use everyday. Many hardware stores have the rent option instead of buy.

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• The word Iran means the ‘Land of the Aryan’s.
• The official name of the country is ‘Islamic Republic of Iran’.
• The former name of Iran was Persia, which was in use till 1935.
• The capital city of Iran in Tehran
• The currency of Iran is Iranian Rial.
• The largest desert in Iran is Dasht - e - Kavir.
• Iran ranks second in the world in natural gas and third in oil reserves.
• Tehran suffers from severe air pollution, known as smog.
• Iran has borders with ten countries, namely Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Iraq and Turkey.
• The largest ethnic group of Iran is Persian, constituting about 51 percent of the population.
• Majority of the population of Iran is Shiite Muslim.
• As per the latest census, Iran has a life expectancy of 69 years and literacy rate of 79 per cent.
• Major languages spoken in Iran are Persian, Turkic, Kurdish and various local dialects.
• Iran is one of the world's oldest continuous major civilizations, with historical and urban settlements dating back to 4000 BC.
• Iran ranks seventh among countries in the world as regards number of World Heritage Sites recognized by UNESCO.
• Iran's Mausoleum of Maussollos was identified as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

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Did you know:

14 billion pounds of trash is dumped into the ocean every year,

5 billion aluminum cans are used each year.

84 percent of all household waste can be recycled.

Billions of used batteries are thrown away each year in the United States.

Only 10 percent of every landfill can be cleaned up.

Please don't send your unwanted items to landfills and precycle them. You can list them on a 100% green website, dedicated to saving the environment.  Please show you care and join our cause by becoming a member of our group on www.PrecycleOnline.com.  Please get your friends and family members to join too.  One man's trash is another man's treasure.  Thank you. 

Please checkout www.PrecycleOnline.com. 

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Sometimes the best way to get people fired up about a cause—be it environmental, political, or anything else—is to get them angry. But instead of trying to piss citizens off, a Brazilian environmental group is trying to get the country’s residents to, well, urinate in the shower.

The group says that if a single household flushed the toilet just one fewer times a day, it would save a whopping 1,157 gallons of water each year. The organization has even come out with a video touting the idea. Urine is sterile, so peeing in the shower is harmless (except if someone has a disease that can be transmitted through their pee, such as hepatitis).

The AP reports:

The spot features cartoon drawings of people from all walks of life - a trapeze artist, a basketball player, even an alien - urinating in the shower.

Narrated by children’s voices, the ad ends with: “Pee in the shower! Save the Atlantic rainforest!”

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Refuse what you don't need
Reduce what you do need
Reuse what you can't reduce
Recycle what you can't reuse
Rebuy (buy recycled) whenever possible.

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