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September 26, 2007

Ahmadinejad Speaks at Columbia University

Filed under: Commentary — alex @ 10:25 am

September 25th, 2007

Can’t They Find a Better Spokesman?

I watched Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s speech at Columbia University yesterday and I was less than impressed. With the whole world watching, Ahmadinejad had an opportunity to undo the media’s de-humanization of himself and his people. He could have made a convincing case for peace and understanding. Instead, Ahmadinejad evaded questions and engaged in ridiculous rhetoric that only further undermined his credibility. (“Iran does not have homosexuals”) That said, just because he is an idiot doesn’t mean that he deserves to have his country bombed. His denial of the holocaust was particularly disturbing, however, that does not mean that Iranian civilians deserve to be murdered by the US Air Force. Despite the rhetoric, Iran is no threat to Israel. We must remember that Israel is armed with hundreds of nuclear warheads: many of them are pointed squarely at Tehran. Those who want war with Iran are bloodthirsty savages. It doesn’t matter what they say to package or justify their position, Pro-war means pro-murder, pro-dead children. May all those who argue for war take up arms and do the butchering themselves.

Misplaced Outrage

Those who are upset about the Iranian President’s visit must either be ignorant of what Iran is, or unwilling to look in the mirror. I do not defend the regime in Tehran. The Iranian government is guilty of reprehensible human rights abuses. However, those who were outraged that Mahmoud Ahmadinejad wished to visit the site of World Trade Centre should be reminded of the following. Iran did not participate in the September 11th attack, officially, the attacks have been blamed on a gang of Saudis called Al Qaeda. Iranians are leftist Shia Muslims. Al Qaeda are right-wing Sunnis. Al Qaeda hates Iran, they are mortal enemies. Also, those who say that the President’s visit is unacceptable because Iran sponsors terrorism are guilty of gross hypocrisy. Again, I do not defend the Iranian regime. I ask why…? When Hezbollah launched rocket attacks on Israel last year it was called terrorism. When the US bombed Iraqi civilians during the “Shock and Awe” campaign it was called progress. When Iran passes weapons to Iraqi Shia militias it is called terrorism. When the US passes weapons to former Saddam henchmen in Anbar province (or a private militia of mercenaries called Blackwater) it is called progress. They are guilty of doing what we have done. We have backed them into a corner, and of course, they feel threatened. Ahmadinejad is an idiot, but so is Bush. Neither deserve to have their people bombed. Shame on all who want war.

Why Doesn’t Iran Trust the US?


PBS Documentary from 1986

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