The most influential moderate Shia leader in Iraq has abandoned attempts to restrain his followers, admitting that there is nothing he can do to prevent the country sliding towards civil war.

Aides say Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani is angry and disappointed that Shias are ignoring his calls for calm and are switching their allegiance in their thousands to more militant groups which promise protection from Sunni violence and revenge for attacks.

"I will not be a political leader any more," he told aides. "I am only happy to receive questions about religious matters." It is a devastating blow to the remaining hopes for a peaceful solution in Iraq and spells trouble for British forces, who are based in and around the Shia stronghold of Basra.

from http//www.crooksandliars.com/

of FAR more importance!!!

Sorry for Tomfoolery!

Cruise apologizes to Brooke for rant

BY ADAM NICHOLS
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER

Tom Cruise ended his War of the Worlds with Brooke Shields by saying he was sorry for blasting her for her use of anti-depressants, the actress said.
The "Mission:Impossible" star swallowed his pride to visit Shields' home on Thursday, and ended the dispute he'd dragged her into during an anti-psychiatry, anti-prescription drugs rant.

"He came over to my house and he gave me a heartfelt apology," Shields, 41, said on NBC's "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" Friday night. "He apologized for bringing me into the whole thing and for everything that happened."

Cruise, 44, had criticized Shields on NBC's "Today" show for taking anti-depressants for postpartum depression following the birth of her first child. His comments echoed the teachings of his Scientology religion.

But Shields, who wrote a book, "Down Came the Rain," about her struggle, had previously dismissed Cruise's remarks as a "ridiculous rant" and a "disservice to mothers everywhere."

Yet she told Leno she accepted the apology. "Through it all, I was so impressed with how heartfelt it was," she said. "I didn't feel at any time that I had to defend myself, nor did I feel that he was trying to convince me of anything other than the fact that he was deeply sorry. And I accepted it."

Cruise's spokesman confirmed the celebrities had made up - though he took the chance to further knock psychiatric drug use.

"It is true that his friendship with Ms. Shields has been mended," flack Arnold Robinson said, adding that Cruise "has not changed his position on anti-depressants."

Har!

Now, let's send Tom Cruise over to South Lebanon and sort out that situation...

This is why I say we should just disband Israel...then the Muslims can all live together in peace and harmony.



Until they start killing each other, that is.





Come to think of it, maybe Bush is smarter than I give him credit for....