Citerank: (12) 9586Educated and Urban Iranian people ready for thisThe educated and urban Iranian people, as well as several million expatriates, are ready to respond favourably to such an approach.1198CE71, 9587Intelligence reports suggest weak support MullahsAll intelligence reports and polls suggest that educated and urban Iranians are frustrated with the Mullahs and only US sabre rattling sustains the suport for the Mullahs.1198CE71, 9591Apology for the ShahAn apology for the Shah.959C6EF, 9592A consistent demand from Iranians since 1979An apology for the Shah is the one thing that the Iranians have demanded since 1979.1198CE71, 9593Apology is largely costless to the USAn apology of this kind carries little cost for the US.1198CE71, 9594Help moderates regain power in IranA US apology for the Shah might help the moderate, Khatami, to get back into power.1198CE71, 9744Co-opt the best parts of Gingrich's Contract With AmericaThe Obama administration should co-opt the "good parts" of Gingrich's "Contract With America".959C6EF, 9746Laws that apply to the country should apply to CongressThe Obama administration should require that laws that apply to the country also apply to Congress.109FDEF6, 9747Regular audits of Congress for waste, fraud or abuseThe Obama administration should arrange for regular audits of Congress for waste, fraud or abuse.109FDEF6, 9749Limit terms of committee chairs and party leadership postsThe Obama administration should limit the terms of committee chairs and party leadership posts.109FDEF6, 9750Require all committee meetings to be open and publicThe Obama administration should require all committee meetings to be open and public.8FFB597, 9751Guarantee honest accounting of the Federal BudgetThe Obama administration shoudl guarantee honest accounting of the Federal Budget.109FDEF6

Launch a peace and love offensive aimed at Tehran. Think Nixon-to-China. The Iranian people are ready. At least the students and urban folk are, plus several million expatriates. All intelligence info and polls show that they are sick and tired of the mullahs and only Condi Rice's incessant saber rattling has sufficed to drive them into the arms of the islamists time and again. In fact, nothing terrifies the mullahs more than an American charm offensive... starting with the one thing that the Iranians have demanded since 1979 -- an apology for the Shah. (What would it cost us?) Timed and phrased right, this can be done without sacrificing US honor or prestige... and might even help the moderate, Khatami, get back into power. And if we're snubbed? It will hurt us HOW, to be seen earnestly trying for friendship?