Location Check

Ever wonder what it would be like to live in a place that was a living hell?

A place where your rights were non existant. A place where various authorities and the police might dictate your day to day life. A place where the disclosure of discontent can mean years of prison, or simply disappearing. A place where the authorities are radical and support evil.

Imagine that place looked like any other place. Shopping, schools, universities, art museums and hospitals. All you have to do is tow the line and remain anonymous. Of course, you have to raise your kids in a way that is acceptable, whatever that means, so as not to draw the attention- or ire- of the authorities.

Being different always draws attention. If you're of a different faith, culture or ethnic group, you are a target. You don't know if and when the powers that be will ever come for you- at work, in school or at night, from your bed.

Imagine you belonged to to a group of people that wanted to change the status quo. You had to be careful of course- the consequences of dissent were real and harsh. You worked hard to get the word out, published clandestine newspapers and other forms of communication, to get the word out. You know that as a reformer, your numbers are small, but still you plow ahead. Life and liberty are worth fighting for.

The outside world knew of the conditions, of course- maybe not everything, but they knew.

And the world just watched.

Berlin? Could be, but no, not Berlin or prewar Germany. Try Tehran and Iran, today.

See this and if you have a bit more time, see this as well. Think about it- and pray there are no Iranian girls running away from home tonight.