Iran dissident's message to U.S.: Don't turn us into another Iraq

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-0609280148sep28,1,7290561.story

Iranian dissident Akbar Ganji rose to star status by stubbornly refusing to be silenced during 6 long years in prison.

Jailed for spreading propaganda against the Iranian regime, among other charges, the diminutive philosopher staged a hunger strike instead of fading into obscurity behind bars. His actions left him emaciated. snip

Now in America on a speaking tour, including visits this week to Evanston and Chicago, Ganji has shunned White House photo ops in favor of a singular message he hopes the Bush administration will hear: Don't bomb, don't sanction, don't turn Iran into Iraq. snip

"If America intervenes, it makes things worse for us," Ganji said ahead of a speaking engagement Wednesday night at Northwestern University. He is scheduled to speak again at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at the International House, 1414 E. 59th St., in Chicago.

[countryjake]

1. Glad that he's still shunning our prez...that'd be a death sentence...

for sure, back home; too bad nobody is much listening to him. Even if we hold off on the sanctions, Israel is still chomping at the bit to begin bombing.

Wasn't this guy over here earlier this summer, during the Lebanon bombardment, or is this still that same speaking tour. He's the one who wants Iranians to boycott their elections.