He turned me into a newt!

[BlackCat]

Have they really successfully conned you into believing they're better?

Where the hell have you picked up the crazy idea that I think one of these religious lunatics are better than the other ?

[SlowwHand]

Awww, your mother was a lizard.


If you never saw the movie "Willow", with the Brownies, that comment will be lost on you.

[Zevico]

One uses the tools one has available.

If this is true, it may be a sign that Khamenei is favoring a more moderate stance than the "**** the world insanity of afterdinnerjacket" (which would be a good thing despite Boris' "feelings" on the subject)

Or it may simply be a power play between Khamanei and Ahmadenijad signifying no particular change in policy at all.

More to the point is the fact that we simply don't know what this could mean. The inner workings of the regime are more or less a mystery to us.

That, of course, assumes that this rumor has any basis in fact.

[SpencerH]

Or it may simply be a power play between Khamanei and Ahmadenijad signifying no particular change in policy at all.

More to the point is the fact that we simply don't know what this could mean. The inner workings of the regime are more or less a mystery to us.

That, of course, assumes that this rumor has any basis in fact.

First thing I do after reading any news from the Guardian is to look for confirmation. At this point, there seems to be no doubt that Khamenei and Afterdinnerjacket are having some type of power struggle. I agree that fact alone does not imply any policy change. I've even seen an article suggesting that it is Afterdinnerjacket who is covertly reaching out to the west.

What does not seem to be included in the analysis I've read though is the timing of this struggle. Why now? It seems to me that this struggle may be linked to the current revolutionary strife in the arab world. Since Khamenei's power is more linked to the people, he may be countering another potential revolution (that might remove him from supreme power) by replacing Afterdinnerjacket with a more moderate President.

[Boris Godunov]

Where the hell have you picked up the crazy idea that I think one of these religious lunatics are better than the other ?

You're the one who started arguing with me. What else should I think since you picked the fight?

[MOBIUS]

I too thought this was Ogie nailing his colours to Gingrich after he put his hat in for President...

[OneFootInTheGrave]

so cute

[Ogie Oglethorpe]

I too thought this was Ogie nailing his colours to Gingrich after he put his hat in for President...

Continuing your streak of wrongness

[BlackCat]

You're the one who started arguing with me. What else should I think since you picked the fight?

Erhm, no, it was you that made a stupid comment about evil religionistas persecuting an innocent president. I just pointed out that he's just as crazy.