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Report: Iran Sentences American Pastor to 8 Years in Prison

Jan. 27, 2013 10:56am Madeleine Morgenstern

Report: Iran Sentences American Pastor Saeed Abedini to 8 Years in Prison

Saeed Abedini, seen with his family in this undated photo, has reportedly been sentenced to eight years in an Iranian prison. (Image source: Fox News)

An American Christian pastor has reportedly been sentenced to eight years in prison in Iran on charges of evangelizing, Fox News reported Sunday morning.

According to information from the American Center for Law and Justice, pastor Saeed Abedini was sentenced by Judge Pir-Abassi — known as the “hanging judge” — for “threatening the national security of Iran through his leadership in Christian house churches.” Abedini will serve his sentence in Iran’s notorious brutal Evin Prison.

Fox News reported:

The evidence, the ACLJ reports, was based on Abedini’s activities primarily during the early 2000s, when house churches were not considered a threat in Iran.

Iran’s state news agency reported Monday that Abedini, who was born in Iran but now lives in Idaho, would soon be free. But the report, which came on the first day of Abedini’s trial, was seen by Abedini’s wife, Naghmeh, as just another cruel manipulation.

“This is all a lie by the Iranian media,” Naghmeh Abedini said. “This has been a repeated promise by the Iranian regime since Saeed was first thrown in prison on Sept. 26, 2012. We have presented bail. After the judge told Saeed’s lawyer that bail was back on the table, the family in Tehran ran around in circles today to make sure Saeed was let out on bail. But again the bail officer rejected bail.”

The 34-year-old father of two, a convert to Christianity, has denied evangelizing in Iran and said he only returned to his home country to help build an orphanage. He was attempting to return to the U.S. in August when members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard pulled him off a bus and detained him.

According to Fox, Abedini has been accused of undermining the Iranian government through the Christian house churches and attempting to encourage Iranian youth to abandon Islam.

Related:

American Pastor Has Been Detained in Iran’s ‘Notoriously Brutal’ Evin Prison for 3 Months

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Comments (92)

barber2
Posted on January 27, 2013 at 1:48pm
Outrage from the Obama White House in seven…

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- TH30PH1LUS
  Posted on January 27, 2013 at 3:37pm
  Judge Pir-Abassi ,
  
  How fragile and weak is the national security of Iran, that one single man can threaten it through his leadership in Christian house churches?
  
  Report this comment
- Hammerdown
  Posted on January 28, 2013 at 8:46am
  Since, according to Obama, Hillary is so great, why doesn’t she finally do something about this miscarriage of justice before she leaves her job as traveler in chief. This government has been awol on this whole manner.
  
  Report this comment
- Ditto Head
  Posted on January 28, 2013 at 12:40pm
  If I walk into a jungle full of tigers, and I know it is full of tigers,
  and then the tigers eat me, is it the tigers’ fault that I was eaten?
  
  As sad as it is for this man and his family, he has brought this upon himself.
  He was irresponsible to set foot in Iran in the first place.
  You play with fire, you might get burned…severely!
  
  Report this comment
Salamander
Posted on January 27, 2013 at 1:16pm
We need a ‘reciprocity’ law! It would state that if an American is charged, convicted, sentenced or imprisoned for violation of a law in another country, that we here in America can use that same law to charge, convict, sentence and/or imprison a citizen of THAT country for a reciprocal offense! In this case, WE should charge, convict, sentence and imprison the most loud-mouthed Iranian cleric for “threatening the national security of The United States through his leadership in Muslim house mosques.” How about it Nancy? How about it Harry? Why don’t you do something USEFUL for a change!

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- 1fever
  Posted on January 27, 2013 at 1:27pm
  To bad there is a little thing called the Constitution that would thankfully get in the way of your terrible idea. How about we try and not lower ourselves to their level.
  
  Report this comment
- Seth Patriot
  Posted on January 27, 2013 at 5:55pm
  Ever been in a bar fight 1Fever ? You don’t fight with Marquess of Queensberry rules. You do what you needto do to win.
  
  Report this comment
bemo234
Posted on January 27, 2013 at 12:59pm
There is a holocaust taking place around the world and specifically in the Middle East but this time it is the annihilating of Chris tians and ch urches.

Moo slimes are savage and must be treated that way; they are NOT a religion of peace and people practicing it should not be allowed in the country as they are diametrically opposed to even our most basic ideologies.

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MCLOVINIT
Posted on January 27, 2013 at 12:38pm
“Four dead in Ben-gha-zi”. (Sing to the tune of Neil Young’s “Ohio”…”Four dead in Ohio”)
R.I.P. Ambassador Stevens & three brave American patriots
American pastor sentenced to 7 years in Iran.
“What difference does it make?” – Hillary Clinton

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- RJJinGadsden
  Posted on January 27, 2013 at 12:47pm
  That song is out there in several versions.
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvW4_sABQMk
  
  Report this comment
VoteRightDammit
Posted on January 27, 2013 at 12:33pm
No problem. Just a Christian.

I mean – it’s not as if he was a hiker crossing the border or anything important ………..

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- andyblaze
  Posted on January 27, 2013 at 3:37pm
  or a reporter who strayed over the border…just a Christian…
  
  Report this comment
lhvd6639
Posted on January 27, 2013 at 12:29pm
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want; He makes me lie down in green pastures. he leads me beside still waters; He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of death, I fear no evil; Your rod and staff, they comfort me. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23 Father we ask that you bring peace to Saeed Abedini and to comforted him in the name of your son Jesus Amen

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- toiletclogga
  Posted on January 27, 2013 at 1:07pm
  Amen, amen and AMEN! Lord be with your servant, and deliver him from his enemies. First, I ask that he make a positive impact on his captors, and that he be a beacon of light to others living in darkness. America, and Amercians, you need to turn back to God. If we do, the world will.
  
  Report this comment
- searching for the Truth
  Posted on January 27, 2013 at 2:02pm
  This is a very significant Scripture – ” …. the valley of the shadow of death,…” – should be memorized by all ( those that fear God ). The valley of the shadow. How many know what King David is referring to , I wonder ? Best to memorize the exact Scripture though – otherwise demons will laugh at you and say that they do not know you.
  
  Report this comment
Advection
Posted on January 27, 2013 at 12:25pm
In 2008, the arrogant candidate obama lectured us that he would change the world by offering Iran his hand in friendship. His plan failed, and now Iran is five years closer to unleashing nuclear war on the world.

In 2013, the arrogant president obama arrogantly claims that he can prevent Iran from getting nuclear weapons. Based on his past failures, there is no reason to believe that obama knows what he’s doing. Therefore, an Iranian nuclear war is inevitable.

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Awakening Day
Posted on January 27, 2013 at 12:16pm
Flash! United States sentences American Pastor to 10 years in prison!

If you don’t know Pastor Kent E. Hovind’s story, you should look it up.. It sad when our government can be as oppressive as other countries. Kent Hovind fought to get people to wake up to the science of creation. Even though I’m not of his faith he was a defender of truth.

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- OutofSympathy
  Posted on January 27, 2013 at 1:07pm
  First things first. Hovind was convicted on 12 counts of tax evasion, 45 counts of illegally structured cash deals ( in essence money laundering ), and othe various charges. His convictions have zero, zilch, nada to do with his faith, his preaching, his teaching. So what exactly was your point?
  
  Report this comment
- 1fever
  Posted on January 27, 2013 at 1:32pm
  Err…they sentenced him after he went to court for breaking the law….many times.
  
  Report this comment
chips1
Posted on January 27, 2013 at 11:57am
I know people will hate this, but if Saeed lives in Idaho, he would be in Idaho. The world knows that the muslims thrive on murder, punishment for believing in anything other that their cult and the enslavement of women. He chose to play with the snakes and now he has been bitten. Trying to change an animals normal responses doesn’t work. Instinct is passed down from generation to generation and it’s in their DNA. He new this when he went back to the ME. Sorry, but it’s their culture and changing it is just a pipe dream. Hope he was prepared for his decisions.

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- Fubared
  Posted on January 27, 2013 at 12:24pm
  Well said, concur on all that-
  
  Report this comment
- bluecenterlight40
  Posted on January 27, 2013 at 12:35pm
  I’m not sure if you are aware of this but my savior ( Jesus) was middle eastern. There are many Christians in the middle east, it is kinda where it all started. I think any man who would put his life on the line for the gospel should be applauded not criticized.
  
  Report this comment
- Totally Domestic
  Posted on January 27, 2013 at 3:14pm
  Jesus commanded us to take the Gospel to ALL NATIONS. Chips1……. **** out, this is HIS BUSINESS!
  
  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and
  of the Holy Ghost:
  Teaching them to observe all things I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Matthew 28:19&20
  
  Report this comment
- worldwatcher
  Posted on January 27, 2013 at 11:06pm
  I hate to be the fly in the soup, but this man took a terrible gamble and lost. His mission was to start an orphanage in Iran. Even though he promised the authorities there that he would not be evangelizing, it didn’t matter. Going over to Iran for any reason is , to put it gently, not wise. His wife can’t go over there or they will get her too. He has a little boy and a little girl. Christians everywhere need to be praying for him everyday. He is in the worst prison in Iran. He is a Muslim who converted to Christianity and he is an American citizen. He didn’t stand a chance. All things are possible with God. God be with you Brother Abedini.
  A message to our State Dept. – YOU ARE ALL WORTHLESS!
  
  Report this comment
cdn1979
Posted on January 27, 2013 at 11:53am
let me start by saying the regime that runs iran is upsidedown, backwards, insideout, nutty. in short, not normal. that being said, what on earth are you doing going to a country where converting to christianity is illegal and spreading the gospels is illegal. Not only did you go there, but you did these things. I disagree with those laws. i say live and let live. believe whatever makes you happy. but knowing that is not allowed in iran at this time, don’t go there and do it! now you want the state department and US tax dollars to help you out for being a moron? He only became a US citizen a few years ago. he left that country because if persecution. so why go back knowing you will get in trouble. too bad for him. there is enough wasted tax dollars. this stupidity expense is not needed.

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GlennaBeckski
Posted on January 27, 2013 at 11:53am
Praying for this pastor and his beautiful family.

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GlennaBeckski
Posted on January 27, 2013 at 11:52am
This pastor must have known all too well what the risks were.

My only thought is hopefully he heard the Voice of God instructing him to go and God will use this situation to supernaturally open the prison doors. By doing so muslims will not be able to deny the omnipotence of the One True Almighty God.

I believe in miracles : )

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- LetThereBeLight
  Posted on January 27, 2013 at 1:07pm
  So do I, I was thinking right along those same lines. God use this for Your glory!!!
  
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neverending
Posted on January 27, 2013 at 11:51am
My guess is his family will never see him again.

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- RJJinGadsden
  Posted on January 27, 2013 at 12:55pm
  I heard a report on the news earlier that this particular prison for any length of time is pretty much a death sentence. And, the way the Iranian justice system currently works, 8 years could be far more. It does not mean they will open the gate for this pastor immediately after 8 years have passed.
  
  Report this comment
The_Jerk
Posted on January 27, 2013 at 11:49am
This is becoming an anti-Iran kinda day.

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- RJJinGadsden
  Posted on January 27, 2013 at 12:24pm
  THE_JERK, I was stationed at Bragg when the Iranians first attacked and briefly held our Embassy in Tehran back in ’78. I haven’t liked Iran as a nation since. Furthermore, I really developed a dislike when they again attacked the Embassy in ’79.
  Before you start with the crap that the U.S. installed the Shah, that’s bunk. He instigated a coup that put his father out of office back in the late ’40s, and the British may have assisted, but the U.S. was caught with it’s guard down and merely observed.
  
  Report this comment
- Fubared
  Posted on January 27, 2013 at 12:25pm
  You couldn’t work the Jews into that post? Slipping. Lalalalalalalala.
  
  Report this comment
- RJJinGadsden
  Posted on January 27, 2013 at 12:57pm
  FUBARED, Sorry, I let it slip my mind since the dog was bothering me to take her out to have a Jerk movement over near the woods.
  
  Report this comment
- KidCharlemagne
  Posted on January 27, 2013 at 6:34pm
  RJJinGadsden
  Posted on January 27, 2013 at 12:24pm
  Before you start with the crap that the U.S. installed the Shah, that’s bunk. He instigated a coup that put his father out of office back in the late ’40s, and the British may have assisted, but the U.S. was caught with it’s guard down and merely observed.
  =====================================
  
  This is false:
  
  All The Shah’s Men: An American Coup and the Roots of Middle East Terror – Central Intelligence Agency
  https://www.cia.gov/library/center-for-the-study-of-intelligence/csi-publications/csi-studies/studies/vol48no2/article10.html
  
  Report this comment
- AUsername
  Posted on January 27, 2013 at 6:57pm
  yeah the media trying to make people want to go to war against Iran because of zionist donors and defense companies giving them money and the politicians. resist the war at all costs.
  
  Report this comment
- RJJinGadsden
  Posted on January 27, 2013 at 10:39pm
  KIDCHARLEMAGNE, I beg your pardon. I did make one mistake with what I said. Mohammad Reza Pahlavi is the name of the man who was the final Shah of Iran. He assumed office when his father was abdicated with the assistance of the Soviet Union DURING WWII, not in the late ’40s as I had thought. During the early part of the Shah’s reign his Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh nationalized the oil industry. Until the U.S. and British assisted a coup that opened the oil trade again. Thus assisting the nation’s power to be returned to the friendlier and never removed from office Shah. All that the U.S. and British did in ’53 was assist a friendly leader to run his country again, and regained the property of the U.S. and British interests. It was more like stopping pirates on the high seas. WE had nothing to do with putting the Shah in office regardless what you or The Jerk say. He had been in that position since earlier in WWII. So, you guys need to stop trying to make it seem like the U.S. took over a country and installed a puppet dictator. Yeah, he was friendly to us and funny how that works that we would want to deal with a nation that would be friendly with us.
  
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Motorsports-X
Posted on January 27, 2013 at 11:49am
i say 500 fire breathing steroid injectin’ americans air drop in the prison and get his ass out.

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- CatB
  Posted on January 27, 2013 at 11:56am
  Not going to happen .. remember the Doctor who helped Barry get Osama .. he is now in a prison in Pakistan.
  
  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-18175964
  
  Barry spiking the ball helped out him and get him put there.
  
  Report this comment
getourcountryback
Posted on January 27, 2013 at 11:48am
Well if he is expecting either Hillary the bag Clinton or John the Lying sack of crap Kerry to save them he will die waiting. He will just be another bump in the road for this unholy administration.

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- CatB
  Posted on January 27, 2013 at 12:13pm
  “What difference does it make?”
  
  Hillary Clinton
  
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- snyper99
  Posted on January 27, 2013 at 12:17pm
  You are. right Curious George and friends are too scared to do anything to ANYONE in that part of the world.and these animals know it.You cannot break someone out of jail with a drone!
  
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- john vincent
  Posted on January 27, 2013 at 12:25pm
  catb-
  well played
  
  Report this comment
searching for the Truth
Posted on January 27, 2013 at 11:32am
According to their tenants they should have allowed tribute for the Pastor, which was originally supplied by his endeavor to help the orphans of Iran – much shame upon them, because the leaders of Iran go against the very tenants set out by their Prophet.
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Farwalker
Posted on January 27, 2013 at 11:27am
Americans, STAY OUT OF THAT PART OF THE WORLD!

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- 1HonestInjun
  Posted on January 27, 2013 at 11:55am
  “Bingo!”
  
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- Totally Domestic
  Posted on January 27, 2013 at 3:35pm
  And just give it up to the Devil all together?
  
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gyro
Posted on January 27, 2013 at 11:26am
be very carfull when traveling is strange screwed up places not to brake the strange screwed up laws or you mey get the prison tour at no extra charge

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- truthnstuff
  Posted on January 27, 2013 at 11:58am
  That’s why I try to stay out of blue states.
  
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- chips1
  Posted on January 27, 2013 at 12:04pm
  Like New York? How right you are.
  
  Report this comment
- Joel Knows
  Posted on January 27, 2013 at 12:33pm
  Is the TSA still setting up road blocks in Tennessee? It seems there isn’t too many places left that we can call safe or feel safe. It seems the US hasn’t become as “progressive” as Iran yet in providing security to the state, but they are working on it.
  
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Conservative Humanist
Posted on January 27, 2013 at 11:24am
Under Sharia it is a death penalty offense to convert from Islam to anything else. In Islamic countries it is nearly a crime to be anything but Moslem. A Christian even speaking to a moslem is considered an offense worthy of death, Moslem countries do not want Christians within their borders. These facts are well known and written in Sharia. What level of stupid would drive a non Moslem to go to one of thes countries. They don’t want your help or presence. I am sorry for what has happened to this guy, who probably only wanted to do good, But he should have paid attention to world news before going to any of these stone-age countries. Besides he was a Moslem before converting to Christinity – so he must have known the prohibitions quite well.

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civilwarcometh
Posted on January 27, 2013 at 11:24am
What happen to personal responsibility ? He went to a country that hate’s Christians and Americans. Why is his stupidity our problem? It’s his fault and no one else’s. I am not nor is anyone else responsible for his action’s HE IS.

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- PATTY HENRY
  Posted on January 27, 2013 at 11:58am
  Islam is a CULT. IT is not a religion. THEY DO NOT worship the GOD of ABRAHAM. How about demanding that OUR TAX MONEY no longer goes to these intolerant bastards? That would be a lot better than faulting a man who returned to his homeland to help orphans, don’tyouthink?
  
  This upstarter CULT began 700 years AFTER CHRIST. IT’s GOAL is to ‘rule the world’. It has committed most of the war crimes for 1400 years. IT has -0- to do with GOD, yet we send them money, we allow them to build their ammo dumps uh, Mosques, through out the USA. WE (in our ignorance) call them a RELIGION. I don’t give a damn what they do, I just don’t want any of our money helping them, coppice?
  
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- civilwarcometh
  Posted on January 27, 2013 at 12:31pm
  I have said the same thing on here. Calling a CULT a religion in the first place is the problem. The cult and the communist are working together. Everyone know’s it. This guy was plain STUPID or a FOOL or both…..
  
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- Totally Domestic
  Posted on January 27, 2013 at 3:34pm
  Patty, do you have a bro. named Patrick? Very well said!
  
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strawberry411a
Posted on January 27, 2013 at 11:23am
Amazing. And meanwhile in THIS country our own politicians do all they can to demonize Christians and empower muslims…at our expense. We won’t even confront those islamists who threaten to destroy this country. We deserve what is coming.

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SpankDaMonkey
Posted on January 27, 2013 at 11:22am
.
Where is God and that Lighting Bolt?………..

Or at least some really high water, that place needs to be cleansed………..

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- DADDYWOREAWHITEHAT
  Posted on January 27, 2013 at 11:39am
  We were promised HE would not bring another flood, but a little man made intervention wouldn’t be unheard of. Unfortunately we have fast & furious Egypt & I guess we’re up to fast & furious 13 after Benghazi so fixing this problem does not seem to be what is in the works.
  
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- neverending
  Posted on January 27, 2013 at 11:50am
  Where is the tsunami when we need one?
  
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- AUsername
  Posted on January 27, 2013 at 6:55pm
  doesn’t exist.
  
  Report this comment
momrules
Posted on January 27, 2013 at 11:14am
My prayer list for those being persecuted for their Christian faith by Islam is getting quite long. In fact I pray for all people of all faiths who are being persecuted by the Muslims. The only safe place for a Christian to live in the Middle East is in Israel.

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- himynameisliberty
  Posted on January 27, 2013 at 11:50am
  Amen momrules.When will everyone realize how important Israel is to freedom in that region?
  
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- barber2
  Posted on January 27, 2013 at 1:54pm
  HIM: Am sure that our vocal, anti-Isreal Trolls are comprised of the atheists and the anarchists ..
  
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banjarmon
Posted on January 27, 2013 at 11:06am
Will BHO let this pastor ROT in prison? He Sends in the seals to rescue a doctor…In this case WHAT will he do??

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- BackToTheWall
  Posted on January 27, 2013 at 11:13am
  He will do nothing. O has nothing to gain from it.
  
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- netmail
  Posted on January 27, 2013 at 11:23am
  Nothing. Obama probably thinks the pastor deserves it for going over there in the first place.
  
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- YOURSENSEI
  Posted on January 27, 2013 at 12:12pm
  This is what you must know:
  
  More conjecture from the mindless mind readers.
  
  It is so.
  
  Report this comment
- RJJinGadsden
  Posted on January 27, 2013 at 12:59pm
  Dang WANGO, you’ve yet again perfectly pegged yourself and your statements here. How do you keep doing such prognostication?
  
  Report this comment
- barber2
  Posted on January 27, 2013 at 1:52pm
  If Obama, a man of dubious religious affiliations other then the Chicago Church of the ” chickens coming home to roost , ” would not help an ambassador, why would be be bothered with some religious dude ? Here comes the bus again…
  
  Report this comment

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