Bad Combo: Religious Zealot or Fanatic Leading Any Country

Iranian "Supreme Leader" Ayatollah Ali Khamenei 

(1st Supreme Leader photo in background as reminder)

I

This headlines got me wide awake and my juices flowing at warp speed: "Iran says warships sailing towards US: agency" ...

(Reuters) - An Iranian naval officer said a number of warships had been ordered to approach U.S. maritime borders as a response to the stationing of U.S. vessels in the Gulf, the semi-official Fars news agency reported on Saturday. “Iran's military fleet is approaching the United States' maritime borders, and this move has a message,” the Fars agency quoted Iranian Admiral Afshin Rezayee Haddad. Further the official news agency, Fars, said the plan was part of “Iran's response to Washington's beefed up naval presence in the Persian Gulf.”

So, this is what to expect in the near future vis-à-vis dealing with Iran – they can sail into our waters and protect their rights? Um... interesting mindset. So, who is leading in Iran anyway, if “leading” is the correct word to use.

This excellent PBS gives some perspective on that here:

“On the surface, the U.S. and Iranian governments have much in common: a president who is popularly elected, a boisterous legislature, and a powerful judiciary. The obvious difference lies in the fact that Iran is an Islamic theocracy, and that one man, the Supreme Leader, exerts ideological and political control over a system dominated by clerics who shadow every major function of the state. While Western governments welcomed the election of Mohammad Khatami -- a forward-thinking cleric known for his moderate views -- to the presidency in 1997 (and again in 2001), there are areas of the Iranian power structure over which he has virtually no control, including the armed services.”

Continue on this at the PBS link to find out more about the key components of Iran's government and political system.

I leave you with this quote I remembered from a long time ago: “It will take a lot longer for the sun to burn out than for the last zealot with a sword to render the last infidel saved.” — Author Unknown

Then I would add, and to do so falsely in name of God or Allah, or good or evil, or right and wrong, or just and unjust – take your pick A lot more come out on this story over the next few weeks I am sure. Stop back by and do the checking yourself. Thanks.