Replies

Something that puzzles me about all of these demonstrations...I wonder what the labor laws are like in middle-eastern countries? On top of vacation and holidays, do workers receive 2 months off for ani-USA/Israel demonstrations? It seems like at the slightest event, thousands upon thousands are always out protesting. To me it seems that these demonstrations are favorite pastimes. I can just imagine the following dialog:

boss: Hello?
Ahmed: Hey boss, this is Ahmed. I won't be coming into work today.
boss: Why not? You have used up your vacation and all of your sick leave as a result of your grenade incident...
Ahmed: I know, but I am not asking off for vacation or sick leave. Today is "bash effigy of Bush" day me and some of my buddies want to go burn an effigy of Bush.
boss: Didn't you burn an effigy of Bush last week?
Ahmed: Uh, umm, uh...I'm sorry, I was reading my calendar wrong, today is USA flag burning day...Can I still get a protest day off?
boss: Very well, you have used up 15 protest days so far this year, you have 30 more protest days remaining.
Ahmed: Thanks boss! I'll see you at next weeks Bin Ladins beard shavings worship revival.
boss: Ok, see you then...Hope you are adjusting to your new wooden leg...Bye. Allah-akbar!!!

Re #10

I am reasonably certain that Iranian government can bring up all people under government payroll or direct control. Government employees, military, police, security service, public companies(utility, transportation, etc), schools, and lots and lots of students. You can give a fraction of these people a day off and bring them to a large rally. They will come in thousands. First, they have no choice and second, it is a day-off. All they have to do is to pretend to listening to anti-American diatriabes without falling into sleep and fall off a chair. Chant a slogan or two on cue. Then go home and tell your family how you made easy money today or skipped school thanks to stupid mullahs. You can see yourself on TV news footage if you are lucky(unlucky) depending on your circumstance.