According to International Herald Tribune:
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/04/14/afric…

Iran's most senior dissident cleric has lashed out at the country's ruling Islamic establishment, accusing it of imposing dictatorship and violating the rights of its people in the name of Islam.

The 1979 Islamic revolution toppled Iran's former monarchy to bring freedom and end despotism, but that supposed liberation never happened, Grand Ayatollah Hossein Ali Montazeri said in comments released by his office.

Montazeri is one of just a few Grand Ayatollahs — the most senior theologians of the Shiite Muslim faith.

For a reality check on Iran, see
http://www.bibijon.org/iranimage/

We would like to hear a young Guest Voice from Iran who doesn't face government reprisal for his views. Unfortunately there are none.

Of course, the conflict's roots were in oil, the control of oil, the grasping of oil…

I would advise sitting down at the table with Russia and apologizing first for the Bush administration's impingement on the Middle East. Then I would advise coming to the table with a very detailed plan to withdraw not only troops from the Middle East, but our overuse and dependance on the oil there. The russians are right, we are demanding more than our fair share of that pie on the playground. If we demonstrated we could withdraw our need for so much, conflict will be avoided.

Also, we must demonstrate to them and the world that we will hold BushCo culpable. It's as if their egos need this to feel vindicated for the wrongs perpetuated by the outgoing administration. I think if we do those two things: come to the table with alternative energy plan showing strategic “straw-withdrawel”..lol.. from Middle East reserves of crude, as well as strategic troop withdrawel and an across-the-table disarming of missiles on both sides of the border of Poland, AND the prosecution of those culpable in the Bush Administration, we will see a restoration of our world standing and the propogation of peace.

Otherwise, put on your seatbelts, it's going to be a bumpy ride.

*prepares to get called crazy and told to take meds.*

Not kidding, I have these dreams only once in a great while. This one was very brilliant, very specific and went on all night long. I would wake up, roll over and the damn thing would start up exactly where it left off and continued for about 4 or five hours this way. I've had about half a dozen of these my whole life and every single one has come true to the letter.

*prepares for more haranging*

*ducks*

I felt goofy writing this here, but I feel even more compelled as to what would happen if I didn't..? It's a strange feeling.. One I don't altogether like.. My reputation vs what will happen if I don't speak up. Well, what the hell. Nancy Reagan consulted a voodoo queen or whatever. I guess I could have a prophetic dream once in a blue moon?