And then the Iranian Apologists and Truth Benders come out
WaPo has published a comical op-ed by Vali Nasr, a professor at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy of Tufts University, and the author of "The Shia Revival: How Conflicts within Islam Will Shape the Future."
Meet 'The Decider' of Tehran. It's Not the Hothead You Expect.
Sunday, December 9, 2007; Page B01
When most Americans think of Iran, they probably think of its incendiary president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Since his election in 2005, Ahmadinejad has gleefully shocked the world with his defiance over Iran's nuclear programs, his ravings about a Shiite messiah, his jeremiads against Israel and his denial that the Holocaust occurred. But while Ahmadinejad is surely the regime's face, he's not its boss. Since Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini's death in 1989, the real power in Tehran has belonged to Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Ahmadinejad makes the noise, but Khamenei pulls the strings.
Nasr then goes on to inform us how moderate and temperate and reasonable is the man who REALLY leads Iran.
The supreme leader is an enigma even to most of Iran's 70 million people. In fact, he's far more cautious, conservative and pragmatic than the bellowing Ahmadinejad. Khamenei wants a "Goldilocks" kind of Islamic Republic -- not too hot, not too cold.
Sorry, Mr. Nasr. but, here's a few samples of the words and thoughts of the 'hidden' Khameinei:
The caricatures amounted to a "conspiracy by Zionists who were angry because of the victory of Hamas," he said, referring to the Palestinian movement that won a landslide victory in last month's elections.
Khamenei, who has the final word on all matters in Iran's Islamic system, was speaking at a ceremony to mark the air force's decision to join the Islamic revolution in 1979. His speech was broadcast on state radio.
-
FARS: Supreme Leader: Iran to Continue Support for Palestinian Resistance TEHRAN (FNA)- Supreme Leader of Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei underlined the significance of the Palestinian issue for Iran, and stated that Tehran will...
- Good News And Better News .. Ahmadinejad Is Duking It Out With Khameinei For Power
The better news?Ahmadinejad allies charged with sorceryIranian power struggle between president and supreme leader sees arrests and claims of undue influence of chief of staffNo reallyClose allies of Iran’s president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, have been...
- The Big Day Is Thursday - Get Ready To Be Stunned
Iran anniversary ‘punch’ will stun West: Khamenei From Vlad Tepes Blog: Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Monday that Iran is set to deliver a “punch” that will stun world powers during this week’s 31st anniversary...
- So Much For The Moderate Mullah Theory
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has, during his tenure as President of Iran, proven himself to be an apparent madman and an anti-Semite to the extreme. Many people have theorized that the Mullahs secretly disliked Ahmadinejad and considered him too brash and over-the-top...
- Know Those Stories About Ahmadinejad's Power Waning?
Iran's Khamenei losing control; Ahmadinejad gains power Gertz: Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei has lost all but his title. Ill and aging, Khamenei's authority is rapidly fading amid infighting over succession. ...