John -
As always, thank you for your careful attention to what I write, and more specifically the words I use.
To be honest, I didn't mean to say
Novus ... to be even more honest, it hadn't even occurred to me to make that connection. Dammit!
I'd read reports today that the Shiite factions likeliest to win the elections have come out and said that they will put secular Iraqis in the seats of power -- and NOT Imams, Ayatollahs or other "Turbans" -- their word, not mine. I think that's an amazing stipulation on their part, and one Shiite rep said that on a recent visit to Tehran, Iranians (quietly but unanimously) said it was the right approach, as the holy men tend to corruption in positions of secular power!
"The Hell you say, Ahmed?!?"
JP