Access a static variable by $var::$reference
<p>I am trying to access a static <em>variable</em> within a class by using a variable class name.  I'm aware that in order to access a <em>function</em> within the class, you use <code>call_user_func()</code>:</p>

<pre><code>class foo {
    function bar() { echo 'hi'; }
} 
$class = 'foo';
call_user_func(array($class, 'bar')); // prints hi
</code></pre>

<p>However, this does not work when trying to access a static <em>variable</em> within the class:</p>

<pre><code>class foo {
    public static $bar = 'hi';
} 
$class = "foo";
call_user_func(array($class, 'bar')); // nothing
echo $foo::$bar; // invalid
</code></pre>

<p>How do I get at this variable? Is it even possible? I have a bad feeling this is only available in PHP 5.3 going forward and I'm running PHP 5.2.6.</p>
