It is wonderful to see this article by Ms. Esfandiari who was herself a recent victim of the tension she describes. Fortunately for the world, she was released from prison in Iran and lives to continue her work.

While describing the repression in Iran, she also describes US policy that has led to some of the Iranian reactions. Iran has been threatened by the US which has invaded Iraq without cause. It was one of the states called the "Axis of Evil" by the Bush regime. The US media have colluded with the regime to misinform the US public about the true situation in Iran. I know personally intelligent Americans who believe that Iran is poised to launch a nuclear attack on the US or Israel, when in fact they can't so much as turn on a light bulb with nuclear energy and have permitted inspection by the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad speaks abusively. Unlike George Bush, however, he has not yet led his country to attack another without cause. Words are not the same thing as actions. He is responsible for vicious repression in his own country and clearly that is intolerable. It is not a cause for attack by the US, nor indeed any country. What is needed are true leaders who can find peaceful solutions and make human rights a reality everywhere.

I admire beyond my ability to express it the restraint visible in this article by Ms. Esfandiari. If political leaders were as courageous and wise as she, the world would look very different.

Nancy - I could not agree with you more. thank you for expressing my thoughts so well! Ms. Esfandiari is a hero.