Posted on 06/18/2009 7:56:48 PM PDT by nuconvert
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is no longer above criticism from voters and theologians
Forget the threat posed to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad by the political unrest that has swept Iran this week. It is Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the regime's Supreme Leader, who should really be sweating about his future.
For the past two decades, the 69-year-old has been the ultimate source of power in Iran. A middle-ranking cleric who was elevated by his mentor, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, during the final months of his life, Mr Khamenei exercises enormous influence over the way the country is run. But when he delivers today's sermon at Friday prayers in Tehran, which is normally broadcast nationwide, he will be fighting as much to save his own position as that of his beleaguered president.
To date, the anger of the protesters, who yesterday observed a "day of mourning" in memory of those killed, has mostly been directed against Mr Ahmadinejad, who is widely believed to have rigged the election result. But the longer the protests continue, the more Mr Khamenei's own role is being called into question. It was Mr Khamenei who backed Mr Ahmadinejad's meteoric rise from being a junior city councillor in Tehran to his election as president in 2005.
(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...
pong
May this megalomaniac get hung by the neck until he is dead. He richly deserves it.
The theocracy are the guys with the guns, the tanks, the bombs and the jets. They're not going to let it go without a fight. And, that's the kind of fight they'll win.
So, how would we get out of that situation?
Mo-ga-di-shu
Mo-ga-di-shu
Mo-ga-di-shu
Drag him until disassembled.
Where has ‘I’m-uh-need-a-job’ as of late? Not a peep.
I don't think that they'll have a permanent grip on the country. In fact, these are the signs that their grip is slipping. As they age, and as the thirst for self-determination by the young grows, it will eventually reach a critical mass.
But, I still think when that point comes, it won't be without bloodshed. The only hope for a minimally bloody mess, is the fact that the Army is comprised of young people as well. And, unlike Iraq, I don't think you'll have the sectarian or tribal violence that fueled the Iraqi insurgency. It will be a modernists vs. traditionalist split, and the traditionalist are already a minority.
Of course, our own CIA couldn't foresee the fall of the Soviet Empire, so who really knows what's going to happen.
Khamenei speech Fri. about noon Iran time - that’s about 4 hrs and 15mins from now
Why should WE get out of any situation? We have no dog in that fight. The Iranians either solve their own problems or we have to get in, guns blazing. What do you prefer? I don’t think that Obama favors that last option.
As I’ve said before — Obama may be in favor of the status quo and have the mullahs remain in charge of Iran. One headache less for him.
He was in Russia. He’s back
Sorry, I always assume others can read my mind.
So, after America becomes a dictatorship, how would we get out of the situation?
If America becomes a dictatorship the Iranian people will find themselves even deeper in sh*t — Obama will do anything in his power to keep the ayatollah in charge. By that time America will be just like Iran.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a woodchipper would be fine by me.
Regime is said to be busing in thousands from villages outside Tehran for the Fri Prayer & Khamenei’s speech
You take it for granted that the military is going to side with the theocracy.
Interesting shift, today nutjob backed down on calling all the demonstrators thugs and holligans. He said he was not referring the vast majority of peaceful protestors, but only the ones who burned things and did other violent acts.
Li-ber-ta-te!
Li-ber-ta-te!
Li-ber-ta-te!
Li-ber-ta-te!
Li-ber-ta-te!
Li-ber-ta-te!
Li-ber-ta-te!
Li-ber-ta-te!
“It really depends on what the army wants.
The regular Army is not considered to be nearly as ideological as the Revolutionary Guard. I bet, once the bullets fly in earnest, they’ll side with the people. This is getting very interesting.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.