Human Rights watch, in my view, a semi credible institution. They have been caught, on numerous occasions, inflating figures to prove a point (RE: refugees, murders, civilian casualties). That being said, anecdotal evidence such as these specific reports are probably verifiable. Here, for example, is an article reviewing some of the allegations of execution of homosexuals. It cannot be denied, however, that the Iranian government pursues anti-homosexual policies, just as the Bush administration does.

A well reasoned argument is like a diamond: impervious to corruption and crystal clear - and infinitely rarer.

Here, as elsewhere, people are outraged at what feels like a rigged game -- an economy that won't respond, a democracy that won't listen, and a financial sector that holds all the cards. - Robert Reich