[Fergus]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/5199162.stm

WOW. Grand ayatollah Sistani, the big cheese, has had enough. I quote:

"I call on all sons of Iraq... to be aware of the danger threatening their nation's future and stand shoulder to shoulder in confronting it by rejecting hatred and violence," he said.

hes got his own agenda, of course. he wants America out of Iraq. But to actually hear it from a person that carries influence in Iraq is something I never thought I would see.

Could be good news. What ya think?

[rogerhb]

The "Noble Peace Prize" is in the post for Sistani.

The "Manzoni Piece Prize" goes jointly to Bush, Blair and Olmert.

[mekrob]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'C')ould be good news. What ya think?

[Colorado-Valley]

Al Sistani is a thug who refused to join the fight against the U.S. in hopes that the Shiites could take control of Iraq. His word could have made occupation impossible; instead, he let the country fall into Civil War.

A rotten person, that guy ...

[mekrob]

He's a thug because he didn't want massive resistance which would have 'allowed' the US to enact Vietnam tactics in an environment which would have allowed for 10x more casualties? Oh yes, a thug.

[Fergus]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('mekrob', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'C')ould be good news. What ya think?

[rogerhb]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('mekrob', 'H')e's a thug because he didn't want massive resistance which would have 'allowed' the US to enact Vietnam tactics in an environment which would have allowed for 10x more casualties? Oh yes, a thug.

[Colorado-Valley]

Sistani's been saying things like rejecting hatred and violence for years now. He just turned a blind eye to the plight of the Sunnis when the chips were down because he and the Iranians saw their chance.

One word from him and the country could have ousted the occupation through massive (and passive) resistance. But he left the country at a crucial time instead and went to London ...

He left his countrymen hanging when he could have saved the day.

Now he has inherited a nightmare.

[Kylon]

The thing is, I think Sistani is calling for Peace now, because he knows the Americans want to leave. Before, when Bush had virtually absolute power, it didn't matter how peaceful the people were, because that would have simply egged on the current administration, to think the Iraq was weak, and could be easily taken. It might have also allowed the U.S to start using the oil(for which the war was intended), and once the profits started to roll in heavily from the Iraqi oil, there would be a massive push not to lose it.

Now that the American people have finally realized what the Bush Admin is up to, have turned their back on Cowboy diplomacy, and now that the Americans want to leave, then he is calling for peace.

Before, if peace had occured, the U.S military might have been a permanent occupying force. Now, thanks to the violence, the U.S has been trying to create for Iraq it's own, independent, democratically controlled army, as it doesn't want to deal with this mess anymore.

Before, if he had done this, it would have allowed permanent occupation, now it will stabilize Iraq, and provide order to a sovereign Iraqi people.

That's why I think he did this.

Also, you say "He was a coward, he fled to London", what do you think would have happened if he had stayed in Iraq? He might of gotten killed.

Now, since he is a religious/political figure, if he was killed, it would have most certainly been blamed on the Americans. He would have been used as a Martyr, a rallying cry, and a tool of radical terrorist sects, to try and propogate more violence, and thus incur more wrath from Americans. This would have escalated violence, and added to the endless cycle of mindless violence both sides are suffering from. Instead, he preserved his life, and is now using his political force to try and stabilize Iraq.


I'm not a supporter of Islam(I'm a Christian, and an American who supports protecting America's interest), but I can respect the reasons that he has done what he has done.

I think it's in the interest of all Americans, Christians, and Muslims, to try and make sure the people of the nations of Islam hear his message, to try and minimize violence.