1,500 Americans Died To Turn Iraq Over To An Iranian-Born Grand Ayatollah

[Mark E. Smith]

AP (3/16)

Sistani at Forefront of Iraq Constitution

CAIRO, Egypt - As Shiites ascend to power in Iraq and turn toward writing a constitution, the key role expected for their enigmatic spiritual leader, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, is once again a subject of mystery and debate.

Top aides say al-Sistani, who remained sequestered at his home in the holy city of Najaf during the Weds opening session of the Iraqi parliament, has no desire to push for a constitution that turns Iraq into an Islamic republic.

But they say the 75-year-old al-Sistani will not sign off on a document that condones violations of Islam's basic tenets, including, for example, women's place in public life and laws governing divorce.

The broader question is whether al-Sistani, the largely unseen hand that has guided the country's Shiite majority since the fall of Saddam Hussein two years ago, will influence Iraqi politics in the future.

Some believe he might eventually seek a place as the country's ultimate source of power, the way Ayatollah Rubella Khomeini once was in Iran.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20050316/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_sistani_s_hidden_hand_1



Face it, if you were al-Sistani, wouldn't you be paying lip service to Iraqi democracy right now? After all, it is what the narcissistic leader of the foreign power with over 150,000 troops in the country so obviously needs to hear. His strategy seems pretty clear to me: Allow the foreigners to hear what they want to hear, work to solidify your political power internally, and then just wait until things change in a year or two and the Americans get the hell out.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

1. In LBN you have to post the actual title of the article

[The_Casual_Observer]

2. "the Americans get the hell out" Don't kid yourself

The Americans are staying there in force for at least 20 years. Nobody invests hundreds of billions of dollars and then walks away. It makes no sense and it just isn't done that way.

[Rockerdem]

4. The US will have no choice if Sistani turns on it

Its tough on US troops now, but impossible if the Shiites decide its time for us to go.

Last year I expected it would have already happened by now, and Sistani's man would have been ensconced in Baghdad. For reason(s) unknown, Sistani is going along with the occupation. Maybe the reluctance is part of a pose, to leave the audience begging for more. Or maybe its his unspoken desire for the US to pound on the Sunnis for a few years. No one - absolutely no one - knows.

[Straight Shooter]

3. I notice that Sistani enjoys the "halo" effect, too.

But I like the rays better than the nimbus which bush usually wears. Perhaps bush would like rays of light emanating from his visage, also?

Sistani is smart, cunning, and he's working on a puppy which will grow up and bite us all in the a**. Gee, thanks, bush. You frickin' idiot.

[Moderator]

5. Mark E. Smith

When posting in LBN, please use the title of the article for the title of your post.

"Sistani at Forefront of Iraq Constitution"

Thanks.