These data emphasize the importance of a Western willingness to bring Iran in from the cold in return for a no-nuclear-weapons agreement. The palpable thirst of the people for an end to their isolation speaks volumes about the attractiveness of such a proposition.

* The government in Iran gets dismal ratings. By 52-33, Iranians feel Ahmadinejad has failed to cut unemployment or inflation; by 56-22, they say he has not kept his campaign promise to "put oil revenues on the tables of the average family."

But does this all matter? Do the opinions of the Iranian people count in this dictatorship? Clearly, they do. The data point to a potential for revolution should Iran's global isolation increase. People are fed up with living in a pariah state and want normal relations with the rest of the world - even if it means abandoning their leaders' extremist agenda.

Thus, the recent actions of Florida, Missouri and Louis iana in cutting off all pension-fund investments in companies that do business in Iran takes on particular importance. Their nation's global isolation clearly grates on the Iranian people and stokes their fears and disenchantment with their government.

Divestment legislation is making good progress in Pennsylvania (shepherded by state Rep. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat) and in California and New Jersey. In New York, unfortunately, the Legislature adjourned without taking any action. Divestterror.org, an organization founded by Frank Gaffney of the Reagan Pentagon, is leading these battles.

The Louisiana action is particularly important. The state law - sponsored by state Rep. Pete Schneider, a Republican - authorizes the governor to contract with Wall Street firms to develop a terror-free investment index of companies and mutual funds in which the state can put its pension funds. Once such a fund is developed, the potential for it to become the gold standard for disinvestment i s enormous.