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Calculus Meets Khamenei
Via Andrew Sullivan, here's a story that got a lot of play among Iranophiles over the weekend:
In a stunning move, Mahmoud Vahidnia (pictured right), a student from the prestigious Sharif university and winner of the International Math Olympics,
directly confronted Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei during the question-and-answer portion of a conference that was being held. When Khamenei asked if the audience had any questions, Vahidnia stood up and answered, "Yes, I have some words with you.”
....Khamenei dodged the questions and instead called Vahidnia dishonest. He claimed that he receives (and is receptive to) criticism every day, and that he always adjusts his behavior to account for errors. Soon thereafter, Khamenei departed behind a curtain before first receiving praise from a Basiji student in attendance. The prayer that Khamenei was scheduled to lead at the end of the ceremony did not occur amid his hasty departure.
Actually, Vahidnia doesn't even seem to have been on Iran's IMO team, let alone a winner, but whatever. Apparently he really did deliver a 20-minute critique of Khamenei and his administration in front of a considerable audience. Why Khamenei allowed something like this to happen is a little hard to fathom, but it goes to show that the shockwaves from this summer's demonstrations still haven't died away.
I hope he's ok. That kind of
I hope he's ok. That kind of bravery is truly rare. I could never do it.
Uh oh
Mr. Khamenei clearly could not make it happen in front of a national audience... but, in spite of the uprisings of the summer, I fear that Mr. Vahidnia will be dead before long.
he won what ?
Maybe they meant the Putnam. I mean he is in a university so not eligible for the olimpiad.
Hasn't Lieberman always been
Hasn't Lieberman always been kind of a contrarian, even before 2006? I distinctly remember him in the 1990s arguing that Bill Clinton should resign and Democrats should stop filibustering Republican legislation.
Does anyone have any idea
Does anyone have any idea why MoJo censors math jokes? I guess you guys favor weak induction too and couldn't stand anyone mocking that.
in spite of the uprisings of
in spite of the uprisings of the summer, I fear that Mr. Vahidnia will be dead before long.
Interestingly, had Mr Vahidnia been an American who strongly opposed the policies of then-president Bush, he would a) not have been allowed into the Presence and b) had he got in somehow, would certainly have been hustled out well before the 20-minute mark.
Americans cannot recognize
Americans cannot recognize democratic participation in a nation so thoroughly demonized by their toady press.