Cleric: Iraq Vote Legitimized Occupation (al Sadr speaks)

[bemildred]

NAJAF, Iraq -- A radical anti-American cleric says he will stay away from Iraqi politics as long as U.S. troops remain, and he condemned senior Shiite leaders and the government for embracing this year's elections that "legitimized the occupation."

In a rare interview with a Western news organization, Muqtada al-Sadr also criticized the desecration of the Quran by interrogators and guards at the U.S. prison camp in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, telling The Associated Press their action was criminal.

"God willing, whenever the tyranny's blows increase in frequency, our own courage and strength increase, too," Muqtada told the AP late Sunday as he sat on a cushion in his home in this holy city south of Baghdad. "Islam has lost nothing from this crime."

Al-Sadr indirectly criticized Iraq's top Shiite cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, for promoting the process that led to the formation of the country's Shiite-led government.

WRAL

[Karmakaze]

1. Gotta love that propaganda!

"God willing, whenever the tyranny's blows increase in frequency, our own courage and strength increase, too," Muqtada told the AP late Sunday as he sat on a cushion in his home in this holy city south of Baghdad. "Islam has lost nothing from this crime."

When was the last time you saw something like:

"We are winning the war on terror." Said Mr Bush as he sat on a chair in his office?

Why the reference to the cushion? Does it make any difference where he was seated? For propagandists it does - they have to paint him as the "other", the guy who is different from you, the radical.

It's so obvious nowadays.

[bullimiami]

2. Said Mr Bush as he sat in his 3000 dollar hand tailored suit, one of many

in his wardrobe.