Jordan Sekulow
Jordan Sekulow is a human rights attorney and Director of International Operations at the American Center for Law & Justice.

Jordan Sekulow

Jordan Sekulow is a human rights attorney and Director of International Operations at the American Center for Law & Justice.

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A plea to Muslims: Join American Christians in supporting a free Iran

By Jordan Sekulow

The Middle East is the center of three Abrahamic faiths -- Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Over the centuries, conflicts have arisen between the people of these faiths, often violent. Separating out the element of faith -- religious conflict -- from the ethnic, political, and territorial disputes can be difficult. Is it better to ask a broader question, where are the religious and political leaders of these faiths leading their people?

Influential Christian and Jewish leaders around the world are calling for and praying for peace in the Middle East. There is a shared hope that one day all people, wherever they reside, will experience true religious and political freedom without the fear of government-backed retribution.

The direction of political and religious leaders in Iran is much more troubling. Rather than joining international efforts to promote peace, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and the Ayatollahs who rule Iran are fomenting violence, funding terrorist activities, and corrupting tenets of Islam all while systematically persecuting citizens of the Islamic Republic. Ahmadinejad has a record of violence against his fellow Muslims and countrymen. After stealing the Iranian elections from reformers in 2009, Ahmadinejad and Ayatollah Khamenei brutally suppressed the brave Iranians who peacefully took to streets in support of the Green Revolution.

As the Iranian government clamped down on any who dared to oppose the election results, Ahmadinejad said in his swearing-in statement that he would "protect the official faith, the system of the Islamic revolution and the constitution." In doing so, Ahmadinejad justified murdering peaceful protesters, stealing the election, restricting the press, and silencing the speech of his fellow Muslims. This was all done to "protect" Islam and the revolutionary government bearing its name.

Ahmadinejad leads the regime that is the top state sponsor of terror in the world. He is justifying his actions, which include accusing the United States of being behind the 9/11 attacks, denying the Holocaust, calling for the destruction of Israel, supporting terrorist activities aimed at Israel, and building nuclear weapons capability, in the name of protecting the Islamic faith.

I have joined with a group of Christian leaders who have lobbied Congress to pass sanctions on the Iranian regime and called on President Obama to do everything in his power to stop Ahmadinejad and the Ayatollahs from possessing a nuclear weapon. Christian Leaders for a Nuclear-Free Iran represents 30 million Americans from various Christian organizations, denominations, and backgrounds.

There is a serious question remaining for our Islamic brothers and sisters and their religious and political leaders: will they, too, speak out against the corruption of their faith? Will they, too, seek to contain virulent leaders like Ahmadinejad? Or will they allow him and others to speak unchallenged in a way that corrupts their faith internally and externally while leading their fellow Muslims down a path of violence and destruction?

My hope is that, like the brave protesters in the Green Revolution, Muslims worldwide will encourage one another to rise up in protest of leaders like Ahmadinejad. It's time to show the world that you are not afraid to condemn those who persecute and terrorize in the name of your faith. We ask you to put aside political and religious differences and join us in support of a Free Iran.


Jordan Sekulow is an attorney and Director of International Operations at the American Center for Law & Justice.

By Jordan Sekulow  |  September 30, 2010; 4:07 PM ET Save & Share:  Send E-mail   Facebook   Twitter   Digg   Yahoo Buzz   Del.icio.us   StumbleUpon   Technorati  
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Evidence of election fraud in Iran. The Iranian people protest against Fraudulent election . . .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHyDqrfjCSE

Posted by: Montana_Miles | October 5, 2010 1:44 PM
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We are at war; We must go into WWII status and ask all Muslims who are not citizens or have dual citizenship to leave the USA or be locked up in suitable quarters, such as closed military bases. until the war is over. If we have an attack by any Muslim group, then we should require all Muslims to declare alligence to the USA or leave the USA , or join the ones in confined quarters. This is my comment and no others and I stand by it, alone.

Posted by: abeljfa | October 5, 2010 12:14 PM
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Dear Jordan,I am writing to encourage each one of us Born Again Christians to continue to stand with Israel and her people during this difficult time and in the reality of being attacked with Nuclear Weapons that could destroy America,Israel within seconds of detonation here on American Soil and overseas. and secondly we nedd to teach and train Muslims on how to Biblically and effectively in Islam 102(Holy Jihad)from within Muslim Communities here in the United States of America and in Islamic Countries around the World e.g. Iran,Syria,Turkey,Afghanistan,Irag,Saudi Arabia,Jordan,Pakistan,etc.Thank you very much for your time and consideration.Sincerely,Mr.Michael William Sochacki Senior.

Posted by: sochackimichael | October 5, 2010 11:16 AM
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wolfyghalkhani's comments are detailed, accurate and I recommend all read them.
As for NOBODYLOVESME's comments, I can see why. He expands on more TAQIYYA lies. The Shah was not hated. Iran was starting to experience some new freedoms under his MONARCHY. Carter betrayed him and even paid for the ayatollah khomeini's return to Iran to take it over. Carter has received over $20 million from Saudi Arabia, which would explain his anti-Israel positions. As for all Americans needing to review their history, those of us commenting here do know our history, reason why we know you are lying, more TAQIYYA! You talk about not sharing hatred, but would behead us in a minute if you thought you could get away with it, so please spare us the dribble. We are on to you! All Christians need to keep their hand off of other nations' affairs? Like the muslims do? Please, your hypocrisy is too obvious. Your fellow murderers need to stop trying to dominate the world, either by terrorist jihadist=your soldiers, or by stealth=growing populations, building RABATS (mosque for training raiders=terrorist), trying to overthrow the Constitution of the US, the law of OUR land to replace it with sharia law. So please, just spare us your dribble. We are on to you.
I recently heard and ex-muslim state that islam must CHANGE or be CRUSHED. I like CRUSHED!
And to FARNAZMANSOURI2, so two wrongs make a right? How silly you sound! Perhaps if you mature a bit, your country may have a chance at liberty. Don't take offense. That applies to all of us.


Posted by: babybugalu | October 5, 2010 6:23 AM
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Their current leader is a nut job and if people think that there is no threat, well it's just a matter of time before the truth be known, and a painful one at that.There is no greater gift then the ability to live under freedom,and no greater cost that comes with achieving it.I hope the people of Iran will have the chance.

Posted by: matthewamccormick | October 4, 2010 10:52 PM
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The government of Iran is preparing for war as the rest of the world is pushing for peace. The Iranian government is nothing more then a terrorist organization running a country. The Mullahs of Iran are really fronts for the real power in Iran which is the Revolutionary Guards. The Revolutionary Guards, operate civilian led front, and dupe companies, which raise money for, procure arms for, and carry out executions of both domestic and foreign critics and threats to the regime. The government of Iran, needs to be brought down by the international community, before it causes more terrorist activities and nuclear instability in the region and the world.

Posted by: MrCool1 | October 4, 2010 10:40 PM
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It is true that the Iranian people desire to be free to exercise their believes. Under the Sha they got a taste of the freedoms that we the Americans are thankful to have. Sharia law is boundage and contradics every man and woman's God given sence of true liberty. Let's pray that they'll find the freedom they seek after. Viva America and freedom forever!

Posted by: vegarecovery | October 4, 2010 5:54 PM
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Thank you for your insightful article on the complex issues in the Middle East. I must disagree with one point though: You refer to violent Muslims as those who are corrupting the roots of Islam. The "convert or die" history of Islam clearly shows that radical Muslims are not corrupting their faith; they are living out the tenets of the Koran and the Hadith.

Muslims need to see the transforming love and truth of Christ in action in order for there to be any substantive change.

Posted by: larrynlori | October 4, 2010 2:55 PM
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Muslims have always prayed for peace. Unfortunately, it is peace on their own terms, complete surender to all the tenents of Islam, total submission to Sharia law as dictated by Muslim clerics and acceptance of totalitarian government. Muslems are tought from childhood that there can be no true or lasting peace with non-Muslems. Mohamoud tought by his actions and writings that peace talks, negotiations, and temporary peace initiatives are to be used as weapons to gain time until Muslims have sufficient power to forcefully take over a people, nations and the world. Once in power they offer acceptance of Islam or death.
Peace for Muslims only comes with world- wide submission to Islam.
As a Christian, I pray for world peace. However, we must read the Quran and study Muslim history to understand their current culture and motivation.
Islam will not allow Muslems(even 'moderate' Muslems) to rest until all bow to Allah(who is definately not the God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob).
I am afraid that we will not see true democracy in any Muslim nation, including Iran, Iraq and Afganistan. The clerics rule these countries. There is zero tolerance for opposing views. There is certainly no freedom of religion, speech or many of the basic rights we hold dear here in America.
I pray for these poor oppressed people.

Posted by: 4Christtruth | October 4, 2010 2:44 PM
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yes

Posted by: blogger421 | October 4, 2010 2:33 PM
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Why do Christians work so hard to accomodate a religion that has done so much harm in the world? Obviously, Christians don't do their homework and they need to or else they will face destruction. Islam is not a religion of peace. It's a religion of war. Muslims don't believe in peace like we do. They believe that peace can only be achieved if everyone is a Muslim or submits to the Muslim under Dhimmi status. If Americans really want to save Iran then praying for peace isn't going to do anything unless we back it up with sincere support. Lots of emotional support will do it. America did a lot of bad things to Iran in the past. Most of it was due to ignorance, and listening to England. Today, ignorance is no excuse. Iranians have always loved and looked to America for support. Maybe this love is due in part because ancient pre-islamic Iran was like an ancient America. you can measure a country's wealth by how it treats its women and ancient Irani women enjoyed a wealth of rights such as the right to own land, and the right to divorce. Sadly, the Muslims invaded and slaughtered millions and millions of Zorastrian Iranians, and Iran was never able to recapture what was lost.
Islam ruined Iran. Unlike Christianity, Ruin has been the case throughout Islamic history- everywhere it gains power. AMERICA BEWARE.
So if we really want to help Iranians regain their country, lets do our homework. Read the "Iranians" at least twice. Learn about Morgan Shuster and the very brave Harold Baskerville, both Americans. Read "From the holy mountain" -eye opener!!
Learn about Muslim history- read Bernard Lewis. Don't be taken aback by the foul mouthed Muslims who lie so much they actually believe their own lies. don't be intimidated by the -look at what the Christians did- argument. Nothing the Christians did compares to the evil acts of the Muslims- over 150 million people murdered in the Balkans,India, Asia Minor, North Africa and other areas. Islam is a religion that was founded by theives and murderers. Christianity was not. Mo. raped and murdered. Jesus did not.
Islam is a religion of Sloth. Christianity is not. Islam created the Ottoman empire (25 million Christians murdered by the sword) Christianity created Western Europe and the one and only USA- the prize all Muslims have their eyes on. Islam is a religion that can only bring poverty, famine, despair, and tyranny to the west. I studied Persian history for many years. I've been in Persia and that is what I saw.
Iran is a country that was beaten up and never got back up. Now, the illegal gov't of Iran is conspiring to use nukes against Israel. They don't care if Iran gets hit. they don't care about their people. they only care about Islam.
Keep this in mind, Christian, when you reach for the Muslim's hand to pray. He is not your brother or friend. When dealing with the Muslim, think like a Muslim. Look at the Muslim like he looks at you. You'll save yourself a lot of grief

Posted by: wolfyghalkhani | October 4, 2010 2:23 PM
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OK all of you Muslims out there, ESPECIALLY YOU WOMEN, here is a chance of a lifetime to show your "peace filled" ministry to the world. Just do it.

Posted by: sjsg46 | October 4, 2010 1:55 PM
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Thank you Jordan for bringing some sort of rationality to this discussion after the irrational hatred displayed by Mr Ahmadinejad. His rantings are obviously not connected to any actual facts. We all know and experienced the Holocaust and 9/11. He is so filled with hatred that he has become dillusional. And such a person is moving ever closer to putting his hand on a nuclear trigger? That would be a true nightmare for the human race.

It is best to remember that any chance for peace must rely upon the fundamentals of human dignity, freedom, justice and the rule of law, concepts that are far removed from Mr Ahmadinejad's thinking, if we can even call it thinking.

Looking at the situation of Israel now reminds me of West Berlin after WWII, surrounded by the forces of totalitarian communism. America cannot join the bullies against the underdog, anymore than we could join the irrational hatred toward the Jews of Adolph Hitler and his band of ruthless cutthroats.

History will judge us severely if we do not pray and work for justice and help to protect the rights to life and liberty of all men whether they are Jewish, Iranian, or American. The reason we do not accept Mr Ahmadinejad's claims to nuclear power, he has just fully demonstrated. He would not act responsibly with them. He already has blood on his hands and has expressed criminal intent.

I wonder how many people remember that on previous 9/11s in history, the Muslim invaders of Europe were defeated. Could that have anything to do with their selecting that date to try to conquer the world - again.

No one who has tried that in the past ever succeeded, but they sure caused a lot of misery in trying. Why wouldn't the true peaceloving Muslims join us in prayer. It could be the start of something very good, and move us in the right direction. It cannot hurt anyone - except the apostles of hate.

Posted by: paullang | October 4, 2010 1:43 PM
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The US has no business interfering with the affairs of other nations, Iran included. The Iranians have suffered under many years of US meddling dating back to the unwarranted usurpation of Mossedegh in 1953 by the CIA and the UK; this was followed by years of support by a leader, the Shah who was hated by the Iranians until the 1979 revolution. All Americans need to review this history in order to understand why the Iranians distrust us today. And Christians need to keep their hands off of other nations' affairs and focus upon the one legitimate mission bestowed on them by Jesus - share God's love with others, not hatred.

Posted by: nobodylovesme | October 4, 2010 1:26 PM
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I stand with you, Mr. Sekulow. All who stand for the common good will be persecuted and maligned; take no notice of that. What we need to take notice of is this fact; so few who support "freedom and justice for all" ever enter into public debate. Let us not remain silent, let us raise our voice for truth. We can take the heat!

Posted by: hearnoevil | October 4, 2010 12:49 PM
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Hey Hassani, you are so full of it.

Posted by: sam60 | October 4, 2010 12:36 PM
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Hey Hassani, you are so full of it.

Posted by: sam60 | October 4, 2010 12:34 PM
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I have noticed Muslims only condemn or get riled up if a non-Muslim criticizes Muslim or Islam. But a Muslim leader can kill and imprison hundreds or thousands of Muslims- there will be no condemnation from Muslims.

Posted by: kathy523 | October 3, 2010 8:20 AM
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"Keep in mind,Neo-Con Jewishmen also support Islamists."
_____________________
That is interesting. I hadn't heard. Which neo-con Jews support Islamic extremists?

Posted by: FarnazMansouri2 | October 2, 2010 3:17 AM
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*Will Muslims condemn Ahmadinejad ?* No,no.Forget it.

Muslims never condemn islamists.There is no Self Critique in islam,but,only Submission.You shall submit and shall not question anything,otherwise,it's a Mischiefmaking.

Dear Farnaz,

Mossadegh was 60 years ago,do you still stick Case of Mossadegh ?
Yes,you are right,Green Belt Theory pushed Iran to Islamism,but,if Iranians were Prudents,they wouldnt follow in Dictators.
If Iranians educated by *two women equals one man* or *Darius was a muslim*(Do you know Ancient Iran History) they can not create Contemporary Civilization.
Mossadegh was not Core Issue/Cause for Present Iran.Cult of Desert,this is Matter.

Keep in mind,Neo-Con Jewishmen also support Islamists.

Have a great day.

Posted by: halozcel2 | October 2, 2010 3:00 AM
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Frankly, I don't think it fair to ask Muslims to condemn Ahmedinjehad, although many have.

WE have not asked Catholics to condemn Isabella the Catholic, Adolf Hitler, et al, and they are just the beginning when it comes to Jew killing. We have not asked Protestants to condemn the English who brought concentration camps to the world during the Boer Wars, the Protestants who led the regimes of Rhodesia, South Africa. WE have not asked Christians to condemn slavery in the United States, etc.

WE have not asked Christians to condemn George Bush for mass murder in Iraq and Afghanistan. WE have not asked Christians and Catholics to condemn themselves for their ongoing relegation to "reservations" of the Native Americans they mass murdered.
And for their atrocities they steal my tax dollars.

MOst Iranians want a secular Iran. Please remember that it was the Protestant English assisted by the American Protestants who, for the benefit of BP, ousted Mossadegh, the secular, democratically elected leader of my country, Iran, and replaced Mossadegh, a good, good man, with "Shah." If you want to start asking religious adherents to condemn regarding Iran, begin with the Protestants.

Jews, Catholics, Protestants, Muslims, Hindus, atheists, Pagans, Animists, agnostics, B'hai, et al pray and hope for peace.

That is enough.

Posted by: FarnazMansouri2 | October 1, 2010 9:22 PM
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Read the psycho post of the psychotically named Esther_Haman for answers to questions concerning religion and psychoses.

Then, take a breath and eat a hamentasch, if you can find a bakery that sells them now or if you can bake.

If neither case obtains, wait until Purim, and visit a good Azkenazic Jewish bakery.

Posted by: FarnazMansouri2 | October 1, 2010 9:11 PM
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Sadly, the U.S. foreign policy decisions, especially in the Middle East, seem to be driven not so much by broad national interests as they are by narrow (but powerful) special interests, not so much by “peace dividends” as they are by “war dividends.” These powerful special interests, represented largely by the military-security-AIPAC forces, tend to perceive international peace and stability, especially in the Middle East, as detrimental to their nefarious interests. Instead, they seem to prefer an atmosphere of war and militarism in order to justify their lion’s share of our national treasury, or their occupation of Palestinian land. This explains, perhaps more than anything else, the unjust demonization of Iran and the relentless preparations for an all-out war on that country. If this argument sounds like a conspiracy theory, it is not because it is false; rather, it is because the U.S.-Zionist policies in the Middle East are so evil that they defy tender logic, civilized comprehension, or decent human intuition.

Posted by: Esther_Haman | October 1, 2010 4:01 PM
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Free North Korea!
Free Burma!
Free Cuba!
Free America from Teabaggers!
Free Willy!
But no free lunch!

Condemn Chavez!
Condemn Ahmadinejad!
Condemn the Burmese Junta!
Condemn Microsoft!
Condemn Google!
Condemn Facebook!
Condemn Obama!
Condemn Sarah Palin!
Condemn nuclear proliferation!
Condemn invasion and occupation on false premises!
Condemn Chavez for not condemning Ahmadinejad!
Condemn Muslims for not condenming when I want them to condemn as I do!
Condemn folks who are not with us, with them and don't give a twit about taking sides in our quarrels!

Lots of things to condemn and to be free from.....

Posted by: Jihadist | October 1, 2010 9:49 AM
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Will Muslims condemn Ahmadinejad?? What for?? I actually happened to see Ahmadinejad on Fox News by someone who looked more like a college dropout country bum than a journalist. I think Americans should be ashamed of the de-generation of the basic norms of extending respect to your guests (remember the outburst by the President of Columbia University, supposedly one of the finest in US). They could learn a lot from Iran in that regard. Perhaps the fact that Iranian civilization is amongst the oldest and lot more sophisticated than the US also contributes obvious difference in mannerisms. I loved the way AJ schooled this stupid journalist from Fox. Heck he schooled Larry King! Ahmadinejad is a scholar, a PhD, I dont think there is a single person smart enough to interview and dominate him in the US. Here's the
link to the fox interview;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IJpMfGgszY

Posted by: yasseryousufi | October 1, 2010 1:41 AM
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Very interesting Mr Sekulow. You mentioned in your article that christian and jewish leaders are praying for peace. Did you mean that the muslim leaders are praying otherwise? I bet you thought you almost got away with that one.

Posted by: Kingofkings1 | September 30, 2010 11:36 PM
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Very interesting Mr Sekulow. You mentioned in your article that christian and jewish leaders are praying for peace. Did you mean that the muslim leaders are praying otherwise? I bet tou thought you almost got away with that one.

Posted by: Kingofkings1 | September 30, 2010 11:23 PM
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Every once in a while, the war mongering corner comes in unisom promoting their war agenda against Iran. Then when that doesn't work, they come back a few weeks later with some other excuse and then when that doesn't work they come back with something else. The mindless brain midget who has written this article has no clue what he is talking about. He has cut and pasted some stuff to make himself sound tough. He wasn't even born the year when Iranian revolution happened and somehow has no balls to come and just say what he is proposing, a war on Iran that could easily turn into a nuclear war. I doubt this wimp, has ever been anywhere close to a war zone, let alone in a war. What does "do everything mean?", come and say it. Who are the christian leaders who supposedly want Iran with no nuclear weapons but somehow don't mind other nuclear weapons. Where have they learned their christianity?

The so called "christian" leaders of the mold of this author, his father, and Pat Robertson, should seriously consider staying out of the political non-sense they believe they have created to promote more war on behalf of Israel. This type of mindless warmongering could soon become a civilizational war between the Islamic and Christian world. We thought we were done with that a thousand years ago, we the people don't care if Iran has nukes or doesn't have nukes. By all indication they don't and don't want to. We don't want you mindless people drive us bankrupt again with another make belief excuse for war. Israel can go f..ck itself, they have nukes themselves they just need to make peace with themselves and Palestinians. Why should I pay my taxes to them. I want every penny of my tax dollar that goes to Israel back, and if it comes from your or any other christian zionist paycheck I would seriously give half of it back to government to spend it on the unemployed.

Posted by: mbintampa | September 30, 2010 10:10 PM
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I would like to say that we need Iran to go through the ugly duckling phase and it should emerge as a democratic state. The more The US interferes the longer the Ugly duckling stage will take.
I suggest that you start work on Egypt Saudi Arabia and the rest of the gulf dictator ships, which have no or totally staged elections with winners chosen before the election.
The Iran’s may have had bad elections, but there were no indications that the current government would lose. The only mistake of the current government was to try and show overwhelming support where there was just a simple majority.
I think the Iran people will change their government for the better all by themselves.

Posted by: thetruth_2010 | September 30, 2010 9:48 PM
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I would like to say that we need Iran to go through the ugly duckling phase and it should emerge as a democratic state. The more The US interferes the longer the Ugly duckling stage will take.
I suggest that you start work on Egypt Saudi Arabia and the rest of the gulf dictatorships, which have no or totally staged elections with winners chosen before the election.
The Iran’s may have had bad elections, but there were no indications that the current government would lose. The only mistake of the current government was to try and show overwhelming support where there was just a simple majority.
I think the Iran people will change their government for the better all by themselves.

Posted by: thetruth_2010 | September 30, 2010 9:47 PM
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Oh and by the way, about 1/3 to 1/2 of AMERICANS too think that the US government was behind the WTC bombings.

Posted by: hassani1387 | September 30, 2010 5:18 PM
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Sorry to break the news to you Jorden but Iran's nuclear program is massively popular amongst iranian people of all political persuasions, and there has never been any actual evidence of election fraud.

Posted by: hassani1387 | September 30, 2010 5:16 PM
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