Iranian President Missing after Helicopter Crash

[silverscreenselect]

A helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, his Defense Minister, and various other government officials has crashed. The crash occurred in a remote, mountainous part of the country during heavy fog. Raisi was supposed to commemorate the opening of a new dam near the Azerbijan border. Two other helicopters in the same convoy carrying other officials arrived safely. Air rescue is impossible due to the weather conditions, although they appear to have located the wreckage site in a heavily forested region. Right now, it's getting dark in Iran, and ambulances are on the way. No word on any casualties or Raisi's condition. There are also no reports of any possible foul play causing the crash.

[jarnon]

Thoughts and prayers for their survival.

Why is this in the political lounge? Do you think maybe it wasn’t an accident?

[Beebs52]

Thoughts and prayers for their survival.

Why is this in the political lounge? Do you think maybe it wasn’t an accident?

Question, do you offer prayers in general? Regardless of whatever, whoever they represent? Just confused.

[Beebs52]

My sarcasm meter is faulty today.

[silverscreenselect]

Why is this in the political lounge? Do you think maybe it wasn’t an accident?

No one has any reason to believe this was anything other than an accident caused by a helicopter flying in very bad weather conditions. But the possible political implications of Raisi's possible death for both the U.S. and Israel are considerable. (The main power in Iran lies with Ally Khamenei, the de facto head of state, but Raisi has been widely speculated as Khamenei's successor.)

[silverscreenselect]

Iran's State Radio has confirmed that Raisi has died, along with the Foreign Minister (who I incorrectly stated was the Defense Minister in my original post in this thread). For a large number or reasons including an abysmal human rights record, his death rates an RIH.

[BackInTex]

Iran's State Radio has confirmed that Raisi has died, along with the Foreign Minister (who I incorrectly stated was the Defense Minister in my original post in this thread). For a large number or reasons including an abysmal human rights record, his death rates an RIH.

A modified version of one of my favorite lawyer jokes.

What do you call a helicopter full of Iranian leadership crashing in the mountains?

Spoiler

A good start.

[jarnon]

Statement by Matthew Miller, State Dept. spokesperson:

The United States expresses its official condolences for the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Amir-Abdollahian, and other members of their delegation in a helicopter crash in northwest Iran. As Iran selects a new president, we reaffirm our support for the Iranian people and their struggle for human rights and fundamental freedoms.

In other words, the U.S. government feels as bad as everyone on the Bored does. Democrats and Republicans can agree on this.

[jarnon]

More from Miller, in response to questions at his press briefing:

Let me say a couple of things. One, we have been quite clear that Ebrahim Raisi was a brutal participant in the repression of the Iranian people for nearly four decades. He was involved in numerous horrific human rights abuses including playing a key role in the extrajudicial killing of thousands of political prisoners in 1988. Some of the worst human rights abuses occurred during his tenure as president, especially the human rights abuses against the women and girls of Iran. That said, we regret any loss of life. We don’t want to see anyone die in a helicopter crash. But that doesn’t change the reality of his record, both as a judge and as the president of Iran — the fact that he has blood on his hands. So, I think most importantly, our fundamental approach to Iran has not changed and will not change. We will continue to support the people of Iran to defend their human rights, their aspirations to an open, free society and democratic participation, and we will continue to confront the Iranian regime’s support for terrorism, its proliferation of dangerous weapons, and its advancement of its nuclear program in ways that have no credible civilian purpose.

I’m not going to get into details, but we were asked by the Iranian government for assistance. We said that we would be willing to assist, something that we would do with respect to any government in this situation. Ultimately, largely for logistical reasons, we were unable to provide that assistance.

The United States offered condolences when Hugo Chavez did, when Joseph Stalin died, people with whom we had great disagreements, It is a step that the United States takes, recognizing that people have families, in no way at all undermining our fundamental view of the Iranian regime and its crimes against its own people and our support for the Iranian people.

I can certainly understand why people inside Iran would feel that way [celebrating] when you look at the brutal oppression that happened under President Raisi’s tenure, especially when you look at his oppression of women and girls.

[Beebs52]

Thoughts and prayers for their survival.

Why is this in the political lounge? Do you think maybe it wasn’t an accident?

I'm still confused. They are designated a state sponsor of terrorism. I don't care if our govt offers condolences, that sucks. I'm glad they were"unable to assist".
Why offer prayers for their survival? Offer prayers for whatever normal Iranians, but why them?

[jarnon]

Thoughts and prayers for their survival.

Why is this in the political lounge? Do you think maybe it wasn’t an accident?

I'm still confused. They are designated a state sponsor of terrorism. I don't care if our govt offers condolences, that sucks. I'm glad they were"unable to assist".
Why offer prayers for their survival? Offer prayers for whatever normal Iranians, but why them?

My thoughts and prayers weren’t sincere. I don’t mind in the least that they died.

The government’s condolences are a standard statement whenever a foreign leader dies. Nobody is actually sorry.

[Beebs52]

As I said, my sarcasm meter was faulty. Mea culpa.

[Weyoun]

Iran is at a crucial juncture. It’s very likely that their president was assassinated by those within his government, as Khamenei appears set to make his son the new president.

It’s too bad we don’t have a lot of ability to win hearts and minds right now. Granted, Biden is not very dynamic, but we had Trump right now, he would bluster and blow things up, if only to double down on winning the Jewish vote.

In my opinion, the American presence in the Middle East should be a positive and in favor of human rights. While I understand those support Israeli democracy, when Israel occasionally kills civilians, it doesn’t seem like much of an exemplar. When its far right leader undermines the judiciary, it doesn’t seem very democratic. When it plays fast and loose with settling the West Bank, it doesn’t seem very democratic.

I think more positive approach is appropriate at this point, which requires some distancing from Israel. I understand others, such as flock, simply want a bunch of brown people dead, but that is how I view it.

[flockofseagulls104]

I understand others, such as flock, simply want a bunch of brown people dead

Really? Just fuck you and the horse you rode in on. That is all.

[silverscreenselect]

It’s very likely that their president was assassinated by those within his government, as Khamenei appears set to make his son the new president.

I hadn't heard this, but I'm not surprised. Autocratic minds think alike and this sounds like a page straight out of Vladamir Putin's playbook. Knowing how much Trump looks up to autocrats like Putin, I fear for the safety of any planeload of Democratic senators or representatives should Trump be re-elected.

[flockofseagulls104]

From now on, the response to ignorant, hate-filled ad hominem comments like the one from our esteemed supposed doctor will be a resounding FYA THY RIO. (see above post.)

If someone is willing to show their utter lack of restraint by posting something like that, there is no point to responding with anything else. I've responded by going down to his level. Now I need a shower.

[BackInTex]

It’s very likely that their president was assassinated by those within his government, as Khamenei appears set to make his son the new president.

I hadn't heard this, but I'm not surprised. Autocratic minds think alike and this sounds like a page straight out of Vladamir Putin's playbook. Knowing how much Trump looks up to autocrats like Putin, I fear for the safety of any planeload of Democratic senators or representatives should Trump be re-elected.

Your fear should be he would use his power and authority over the criminal justice system to send his political opponents to prison by charging them with fake crimes and, oh wait, wrong guy. Sorry.

[Weyoun]

It’s very likely that their president was assassinated by those within his government, as Khamenei appears set to make his son the new president.

I hadn't heard this, but I'm not surprised. Autocratic minds think alike and this sounds like a page straight out of Vladamir Putin's playbook. Knowing how much Trump looks up to autocrats like Putin, I fear for the safety of any planeload of Democratic senators or representatives should Trump be re-elected.

Yes. As additional information comes out about the crash, it seems more and more suspicious. The Red Crescent, for example, did not see evidence of the fog that supposedly caused this helicopter crash, but not the other two.

Regarding the succession, it appears that Raisi Was referring himself as ayatollah, which made Khamenei unhappy. He went out of his way to speak of Raisi In more modest terms at the funeral.

[Weyoun]

It’s very likely that their president was assassinated by those within his government, as Khamenei appears set to make his son the new president.

I hadn't heard this, but I'm not surprised. Autocratic minds think alike and this sounds like a page straight out of Vladamir Putin's playbook. Knowing how much Trump looks up to autocrats like Putin, I fear for the safety of any planeload of Democratic senators or representatives should Trump be re-elected.

Your fear should be he would use his power and authority over the criminal justice system to send his political opponents to prison by charging them with fake crimes and, oh wait, wrong guy. Sorry.

That’s funny. I thought it was the other guy who actually argued at the Supreme Court that he theoretically could be allowed to murder his opponents if he was president. Do you remember that sequence? Trump’s attorney was asked, by Alito I think?, if the president simply kill a political opponent, and the lawyer replied, “well it depends on the context….”

[Weyoun]

From now on, the response to ignorant, hate-filled ad hominem comments like the one from our esteemed supposed doctor will be a resounding FYA THY RIO. (see above post.)

If someone is willing to show their utter lack of restraint by posting something like that, there is no point to responding with anything else. I've responded by going down to his level. Now I need a shower.

You regularly defend the death of Gazan children. And yet you’re the one who is telling people to fuck off?

[tlynn78]

From now on, the response to ignorant, hate-filled ad hominem comments like the one from our esteemed supposed doctor will be a resounding FYA THY RIO. (see above post.)

If someone is willing to show their utter lack of restraint by posting something like that, there is no point to responding with anything else. I've responded by going down to his level. Now I need a shower.

You regularly defend the death of Gazan children. And yet you’re the one who is telling people to fuck off?

Not "people" - just shit human beings who are race-baiters. To be perfectly clear, yourself. Grow the hell up.

[flockofseagulls104]

From now on, the response to ignorant, hate-filled ad hominem comments like the one from our esteemed supposed doctor will be a resounding FYA THY RIO. (see above post.)

If someone is willing to show their utter lack of restraint by posting something like that, there is no point to responding with anything else. I've responded by going down to his level. Now I need a shower.

You regularly defend the death of Gazan children. And yet you’re the one who is telling people to fuck off?

I do no such thing. FYA THY RIO. You need to schedule appointments with another doctor with a different specialization. Immediately. For the sake of your supposed patients.

[Weyoun]

From now on, the response to ignorant, hate-filled ad hominem comments like the one from our esteemed supposed doctor will be a resounding FYA THY RIO. (see above post.)

If someone is willing to show their utter lack of restraint by posting something like that, there is no point to responding with anything else. I've responded by going down to his level. Now I need a shower.

You regularly defend the death of Gazan children. And yet you’re the one who is telling people to fuck off?

Not "people" - just shit human beings who are race-baiters. To be perfectly clear, yourself. Grow the hell up.

Shouldn’t you be over in the thread about the Trump film, downplaying the rape it alleges?

[Weyoun]

From now on, the response to ignorant, hate-filled ad hominem comments like the one from our esteemed supposed doctor will be a resounding FYA THY RIO. (see above post.)

If someone is willing to show their utter lack of restraint by posting something like that, there is no point to responding with anything else. I've responded by going down to his level. Now I need a shower.

You regularly defend the death of Gazan children. And yet you’re the one who is telling people to fuck off?

I do no such thing. FYA THY RIO. You need to schedule appointments with another doctor with a different specialization. Immediately. For the sake of your supposed patients.

You mean like a veterinarian? I assume you’re referring to that poor horse

[flockofseagulls104]

You regularly defend the death of Gazan children. And yet you’re the one who is telling people to fuck off?

I do no such thing. FYA THY RIO. You need to schedule appointments with another doctor with a different specialization. Immediately. For the sake of your supposed patients.

You mean like a veterinarian? I assume you’re referring to that poor horse

Even a vet could help you. You are sick.