Turning Tide #2: “C’mon, Look Happy”

He doesn’t look too comfortable. And everyone else looks concerned, with the possible exception of the man on the right with his head down.
How many of these men will be dead within six months? Two? Three?

from his 2007 visit:
http://www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,1665246_1451923,00.html
Sly Like a Fox
During a video press conference from the National Press Club in Washington, the Iranian President laughs at a question about his plans for re-election.

Notice the complete absence of women in this crowd. Also, the whole business seems to have scared him out of his usual leisure suits and appalachian trail jackets. He is dressed in Western adult garb for the first time — minus the tie. His smile is ghoulish. Without a greater uprising this thing seems to be over for now. With what reprisals we will see….

Look Happy! B’Jesus I am. Have a look at Dennis Ross’s resignation/acceptance speech! Then you will understand why the man to my left is (in need of stitches)!! More time with his family perchance?

What was this occasion, anyway. They all look like they’re waiting for the movie to begin. They may not like the ending.

This looks like a television audience – note the red light of the camera in the back. The TV pundit has just given a zinger about Ahmadinejad, and he’s the only one who can laugh comfortably. The guy on the left is laughing with his head down because he doesn’t want to be photographed. The guy on the right is mortified by the joke; it might have been his idea to bring the president there in the first place.
The guys in the second row are aware that something has been breached but they’re more comfortable with smiling about it. The man in the center is wondering if the comedian really said what he thought he said. Farther back in the audience are party functionaries who realize that you can’t get in trouble for not laughing.
It’s business as usual in Tehran, and these guys know it. Every now and then the people flood the streets to protest something whether there’s a real issue or not. Ahmadinejad isn’t at all worried, and neither is the Stephen Colbert figure making the jokes.

Ahmadinejad looks like an extra from Thriller. same make up