[Quix]

Sigh.

When in history has a culture and nation been so persistently suicidal.

Thx.

[kenavi]

When in history has a culture and nation been so persistently suicidal.

Heard a recent talk by Abbas Milani, an Iranian exile and political thinker:

The mullahs don't want to die for their beliefs, they want to stay in power.

There is a growing divergence between the Iranian people and the mullahs.

The Iranian people respect America for putting their interests above economic interests, as the only major economy to boycott mullah-land.

Next to Israel, Iran has the greatest number of blogs in the Middle East,

Unfortunately, the young population is turning to hard drugs as an escape from mullah-world; I believe he cited a U.S. gov't estimate of 7 million heroin addicts.

The Persian exile community is strong economically, controlling companies worth (I believe he said) $90 billion. (I personally know one they founded in so. California that today is worth over $50 billion on NASDAQ.)

[end of citation]

The ABC piece is typical mainstream news with no insight from people who live what is being described.

The truth is far more complex, and there are many opportunities for the U.S. to influence and support the Iranian people.