However, they have done much to discredit the Islamic Republic's political standing.
Some, however, question the existence of this shady lobby, and instead wonder if the label is just a useful way to discredit loud-mouthed sex workers standing up for their beliefs.
It is still standing by its partially discredited story but it will now have to decide whether to retract those bits which, in the light of the ISC's report, are no longer defensible.
If Platini were to withdraw from the election, be prevented from standing, or deemed too discredited, it will be fascinating to see whether the FA once again turns to the Jordanian as an alternative.
Call it a campaign because it is a campaign: To discredit Obama's standing with voters by appealing to racial myth, fear and unconscious racism.
Sunnis' traditional powerhouses, whether political or religious, are perceived as standing with the oppressors, completely discredited or silent.
It praised Miller for standing up to Scientologists' attempts to discredit him.
Feeling personally betrayed and institutionally discredited, he arranged an inquisition for the terrified Helen, standing her alone in a room before a jury of eight Perkins officials and himself, all mercilessly cross-examining her.
After months of standing by as Republicans tried to gut environmental laws and discredit his clean energy initiatives, President Obama took the offensive in his State of the Union address.
What that industry does is (in the words of one firm) to "discredit, confuse, shame, combat, infiltrate, fracture" opponents, whether those opponents are rival businesses or, as in this case, groups standing up for democracy, free speech, and government transparency.
