The just completed election for President in Iran involved four candidates. Over 200 originally applied to run, but the vetting process by the mad mullahs reduced that number to four. These were the theologically and politically acceptable candidates. The differences in policy and program were minute and the “moderate” candidate was no friend of the United States or freedom by any definition of the words.

Still, the very rich mullahs of Iran seem to have underestimated the situation. Current President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has been announced as the winner but the results are so out of variance with the experience of the people that protests have erupted.

This is not the first time there has been rioting and no one should believe that this is a movement that will succeed in the short term. The majority of the protests are centered around universities and neighborhoods where the losing candidates were popular.

There is no sign that the police or security forces are joining the protests. Indeed, they seem just as enthusiastic as ever about breaking heads and arresting protesters. Without the support of the security apparatus, no protest can succeed at this time.

The Internet is enabling the exiled Iranian community world wide to see what is going on in their homeland. It is allowing interested non-Iranians a view into a society most have little comprehension of.

Here are a few sources where you can obtain the latest information:

Twitter hashtag #iranelection

Google RSS feed on Iranian election

Photos:

• Green Wave
• vnnb2′s photostream
• ZhuPix’s Election photos
• Iran Election protest in San Francisco
• Khordad Protests in Iran