The Virtual Union

Tehran, Iran – With more than month since the controversial presidential election in Iran sporadic rioting continues. The debated and frustrated electoral process that sustained Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in power caught the world’s attention as rioters protested the results and by proxy the entire nature of democracy in the country. Those riots were of course punctuated by brutal crackdowns by police and members of the Republican Guard, leading to very public deaths and public outcry across the world. Now a month since the riots first began more than 500 people are still missing and many suspect that the death toll may be significantly higher than the 20 that have been officials reported. Scrape TV

Tehran, Iran –The essential design of democracy revolves around the liberty of the individual. By removing the power of the few and putting into the hands of the many, Democracy has flourished in the modern world. Advances in education standards and mass communication through tools like the internet have given a new life to concepts such as democracy. With awareness of the ability to embrace liberty for the individual becomes more and more widespread, so too does democracy. Scrape TV

Sunnyvale, CA – Like all companies, AMD has suffered through the recession. The company has long been one of the most prominent and successful manufacturers of computer processors but as people’s incomes dry up, so have the fortunes of AMD. Like in many industries the divide between what people want and what people can live without is growing ever wider and that is forcing the company to take drastic and sometimes controversial actions in order to keep the company afloat and employees with jobs. Scrape TV

Tehran, Iran – Almost a week after the much watched Presidential election, Iranians are still pouring into the streets on a daily basis by the thousands. With both sides still firmly convinced of victory the parades and celebrations have continued unabated. Revellers from both sides of the political spectrum have continued to celebrate victory well into the night as politicos still try to work out the details of how the new government will be organized and operate, the party atmosphere continues as both sides party like its 1979. Scrape TV

Tehran, Iran – Politics in Iran haven’t been an easy business for a very long time. Since the overthrow of Prime Minister Mohammed Mosaddeq in 1953 the country has moved from one dictator to another and the appearance of a democratic process which has never been seen as the height of democracy. Since the end of true democracy with the installation of the Shah as leader the turmoil in the country has led to increasingly radical behaviour and, some have argued, a complete perversion of the essence of democracy. Scrape TV

Washington, D.C. – Of all the problems President Obama has had since taking office in January none has seemed as dire as the nuclear sabre-rattling from Iran. From dealing with wars to trying to tackle the economic crisis the new administration has barely had time to breathe. The continued nuisance that Iran has become with their desire for nuclear technology has made the task of keeping multiple balls in the air all the more difficult. Now President Obama has apparently tried to reduce the number of things he needs to deal with and not only allow Iranian nuclear technology, but actively support those ambitions. Scrape TV

Tehran, Iran – Though he never revealed the true meaning behind the lyrics of one of their most iconic songs, Joe Strummer and The Clash struck the perfect chord with the hit ‘Rock the Casbah’. Originally released on their 1982 album ‘Combat Rock’, ‘Casbah’ became a hit across the world when released as a single, helped along by itsnow legendary music video. The mishmash of Middle East politics and catchy beat solidified the band as one of the most important in music. Scrape TV

Vienna, Austria – Though fully aware of the power of their new creation, it is unlikely that the creators of the first Atomic detonation at Los Alamos fully realized impact their efforts would have on future generations. On April 16 1945, as the first man made nuclear mushroom cloud rose over the New Mexico desert, the world changed forever; a turning point that would forever redefine military weaponry, economic power, and the social arrangement of the world. Even now, more than half a century from that test, the shadow of that cloud continues to affect our daily lives. Scrape TV

Cairo, Egypt – Things in the Middle East have rarely gone swimmingly. From the earliest days of human habitation there that small part of the world has seen more conflict and turmoil than any other area of t he world. Conqueror after conqueror has made his way into the region and ultimately been pushed back but that hasn’t stopped people from trying. Of course the latest foreign powers to exercise their muscle in the region have been The United States and Iran and though things seem to be going the same way, both countries keep trying. Scrape TV

Geneva, Switzerland – It doesn’t take a whole lot of effort for Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to irritate other countries. From fiery diatribes to continued nuclear sabre rattling the Iranian leader has perfected to art of annoyance like few before him. That aplomb for provocation was on full display during the U.N. anti-racism conference when Ahmadinejad inspired such irritation that a number of delegates from mostly European countries staged a walkout just as his speech was just getting started., leaving them to miss most of the best parts. Scrape TV