[billorites]

I wonder what effect this disaster will have on Iran politically?

Borders have been opened to Western aid agencies, even the U.S. announced intentions to send relief despite our tenuous diplomatic relations.

This all has to have consequences for internal politics.

[templar]

..."This is the Apocalypse. There is nothing but devastation and debris,"

Not even close. When the Apocalypse comes, this event will seem like the good old days; something we will look back on with longing.

[Vineyard]

When I first heard of this horrible catastrophe, my first thoughts were of compassion for the Iranian people. My second thought was to compare our national reaction (offers of help, prayers, etc.) to the reaction of the "Arab street" when they heard of the 9/11 terrorism incident.

BIG DIFFERENCE.

But then, maybe they know more, because they belong to a religion of peace < /sarcasm >

Mike

[SkyPilot]

We have helped them before during past earthquakes. The Iranian Government sold some of the medicine and blankets, and there was nothing but hostility towards the US in the wake of our aid.

Sad--because those people need help. But I don't expect Iran to change. They are captive to the death cult of Islam.

[MarkL]

No, the Apocolypse for Iran will occur shortly after another September 11 style attack on the US if it turns out that Iran really is hosting Bin Laden and Zwahiri.

Mark

[matrix2225]

Good Lord, what a grief and pain.

[headsonpikes]

Apparently rebar is against their religion, although it is untainted by pork.

[Flint]

Wonder how long before all the Dems running for pres will be blaming Bush for not having forseen this, stopping it and not being prepared to deal with it?

[Cicero]

I would differentiate pretty sharply between the Iranian people and the fanatical Mullahs who are in power. Regretably, the Muslim onslaught destroyed the great Persian civilization a thousand years ago. But the Iranians are still more civilized than most of their Arab neighbors. And they aren't Arabs.

[Publius6961]

Iran appealed for international help and promised to waive visas for foreign relief workers.

Isn't this big of them? And I suppose they will waive import duties for relief supplies?

For all except Israelis?

What cosmic losers!

I wouldn't **** on them if they were on fire.

[Publius6961]

With hospitals in the area destroyed, military transport planes had to evacuate many wounded for treatment to Kerman, and even to Tehran.

It's hard to generate any sympathy for these animals from mars. Had they spent their time and energy preparing mobile hospitals and other emergency means of caring for their own people (this is not the first earthquake in Iran forpete'ssake) instead of rockets with which to threaten Jews, might not hundreds if not thousands of additional people might have been saved?

It's impossible for rational minds to comprehend such absolute and focused senseless self-destructive hatred.

[monkeywrench]

"The government appealed for international aid and said it would waive visa requirements for foreign relief workers."

Oh, oh, who knows who could slip through.

"Authorities had new trouble to deal with Saturday. About 800 convicts escaped from the Bam prison, guard Vahid Masoumpour told The Associated Press. The prison lies outside the city and its walls fractured or collapsed without killing any inmates."

Political prisoners, maybe?

[ellery]

God bless and comfort these poor people.