The Safavids
24-07-2006, 12:28
Isfahan
Thousands of hard-line Shi'a protesters have assembled in the main square in downtown Isfahan, adjacent to the Peacock Throne-room (the Shah's palace) and the city's largest mosque. From the steps of the mosque, the head Mullah began listing off grievances against the Shah's government, about how it is fundamentally hypocritical by dressing itself up as a liberal democracy, whereas the Shah and his entourage retain true power. The Shah decided to break this up the only way he knew how: to go out there and sort it out himself. Without protection and without arms himself, he walked out from the front door of the throne-room and observed what was going on. He dutifully took notes on the arguments being presented, and near the end if the Mullah's speech, he made his way to the front of the crowd and at the end if the speech, asked if he may speak. Naturally, he was allowed to, despite the jeering of the protesters.
"The past abuses of power that have arisen when power has been given directly to the people are notorious, and have spawned many a despotism soon afterward. The fact I am still in power is a show of popular support, otherwise more would take to the streets than have done so today. I will put controls in place to safeguard the liberties of the people, while making it more democratic. As for the institution of the Shah itself, I hope to see it delegated to a ceremonial role within my lifetime. Rule whose legitimacy by one ruler was needed to transition from the earlier revolution to where the country is today. As per what appears to be popular demand, this transition shall be expedited. But remember this: " at that point, the Shah had a bit of a brain fart, his expression changed from one of stoic determination to one which was a bit uncertain. "vendor falafels tend to cause gas." He decided to end there, since he seemed to have run out of steam, and returned to the palace. This was indeed a sign of things to come in the Safavid Emirate...hopefully a sign of a velvet revolution in which no blood would be spilled.
Thousands of hard-line Shi'a protesters have assembled in the main square in downtown Isfahan, adjacent to the Peacock Throne-room (the Shah's palace) and the city's largest mosque. From the steps of the mosque, the head Mullah began listing off grievances against the Shah's government, about how it is fundamentally hypocritical by dressing itself up as a liberal democracy, whereas the Shah and his entourage retain true power. The Shah decided to break this up the only way he knew how: to go out there and sort it out himself. Without protection and without arms himself, he walked out from the front door of the throne-room and observed what was going on. He dutifully took notes on the arguments being presented, and near the end if the Mullah's speech, he made his way to the front of the crowd and at the end if the speech, asked if he may speak. Naturally, he was allowed to, despite the jeering of the protesters.
"The past abuses of power that have arisen when power has been given directly to the people are notorious, and have spawned many a despotism soon afterward. The fact I am still in power is a show of popular support, otherwise more would take to the streets than have done so today. I will put controls in place to safeguard the liberties of the people, while making it more democratic. As for the institution of the Shah itself, I hope to see it delegated to a ceremonial role within my lifetime. Rule whose legitimacy by one ruler was needed to transition from the earlier revolution to where the country is today. As per what appears to be popular demand, this transition shall be expedited. But remember this: " at that point, the Shah had a bit of a brain fart, his expression changed from one of stoic determination to one which was a bit uncertain. "vendor falafels tend to cause gas." He decided to end there, since he seemed to have run out of steam, and returned to the palace. This was indeed a sign of things to come in the Safavid Emirate...hopefully a sign of a velvet revolution in which no blood would be spilled.