Reuel Marc Gerecht notes that the most respected Iranian cleric may live in Iraq. And is a supporter of democracy, not theocracy.

More support for the idea of Iraq the Model—the idea behind the removal of Saddam Hussein and making democracy an option in the Middle East. Despite cynical predictions from the American and European left, it continues to have a ripple effect.

In an otherwise admirable long piece, Gerecht includes this howler: “With the possible exception of Khamenei, who does not appear to be personally corrupt, Rafsanjani is the richest man in Iran.” [Emphasis mine]

In what moral universe does a cleric become the richest man in a country, whose main source of wealth is nationalized, and do it by legal means? Khamenei got his the same way Castro got to be the richest man in Cuba.

The process is enrichment by revolution. Those who use this process are rightly known as thieves.