Matthew Gray Gubler, the actor who plays Spencer Reid on Criminal Minds, has made a series of short films which he's posted on YouTube under a pseudonym. I never knew self-deprecation could be so damned hilarious...I hurt myself laughing.



Parts 2-5 under the cut
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Basij beating a protester, gunshots fired into crowd.




Canadian television interview with one of the protesters:

Once again, so many people in my life are having a difficult time. I wish I could make it all go away, my loves. Since I can't, I'd like to share with you one of my very favorite songs. Sometimes, it helps.

The Kinks, Better Things

So many of you, my friends, my true family, are going through hard times. Some of you feel alone. Some want to give up.

I wish there was something, anything, I could say or do to make everything all right.

All I can do is share with you a song that has given me comfort so many times.
This is Danny Elfman back in the Oingo Boingo days, and I'll tell ya...that boy can sing me a lullabye any old time he likes. *Sigh* There aren't nearly enough gorgeous red-headed geniuses around...

Anyway, my dears, please remember...you're not alone, you are loved, and the world would be a far darker place without your light.



Everyone says sooner or later you'll reach the end of the line
When things get rough some think it's easy to jump the ship . . .
You decide

I say--don't throw it away
There's about a million reasons why
Though you've heard them all before
And you're getting very tired
Lay your head on my lap and I'll sing you this lullaby

CHORUS
Don't you know
That everyone around you
Has felt the pain you feel today
You're out of control yeah--and you want someone to tell you
When you wake up in the morning it'll only be a dream
You're out of control . . .

There's a cloud-rollin' overhead and it seems to rain on no one else
There's a black sun--casting a black shadow,
and I know you feel so all alone
You're out of control--and you want the world to love you
Or maybe you just want a chance to let them know
That you live and breathe and suffer
And your back is in the corner and you've got nowhere to go

Nothin' for nothin'--everything's right at your fingertips--for a price
Who ever said that life on this planet would ever be paradise
I say--don't throw it away, you've got too many things to say
If you throw your life, if you throw away your life . . .
THe world will never be the same

CHORUS

You're out of control--and you move without direction
And people look right through your soul
You're out of control--and you want someone to tell you
When you wake up in the morning it'll only be a dream
And I wish that I could tell you, it'll only be a dream

This video is the perfect example of why we need to support the protesters in every way possible.

A group of riot police have been cornered by an angry mob of protesters. Other protesters step in front to protect the police, saying "We are all Iranians."

That sort of decency and courage deserves our support, our compassion, and our attention.



Here's another example from a different day. This, my friends, is what it means to be human.

The rift in the Iranian government is growing, which makes the possibility of a democratic free Iran more likely.

Here's one magnificent bastard risking death or worse to speak his mind in front of a gathering of the Guardians Council. I hope he survives this...someday, I want to visit a free Iran and shake this man's hand.

Please, please watch this. It's important, kids...history in the making.



ETA: Correction: This video was made on June 16...after the election, before the protests. He was addressing the Majlis (The Consultative Assembly). He is a member of the Guardian Council, which is where I got confused.
The Ayatollah "Balls of Steel" Alikhani, famous for speaking out against injustice, has not been seen or heard from since this speech. If possible, please keep him in your thoughts and prayers...he might need them.

Her name was Neda, which means "voice" in Farsi. Her voice has been silenced. We all have a duty as humans to not forget, to not have her death be in vain.

In case anyone's missed the full video, here it is. CNN et all are pixelating it, and it loses some of its immediacy.

WARNING: EXTREMELY GRAPHIC AND TRIGGERY
http://www.youtube.com/verify_age?&next_url=/watch%3Fv%3DMrdRwOlmIxI

I fear this video will be all too appropriate today, but it's the only thing which seems fitting.