Iran leader denied on WTC wreath request

[smoke20 0]

political or whatever it is. i feel it would be an insult to everyone involved in our side of 911 (victims,families,resque workers,counselors....everyone) to allow a leader from a country that sponsors terrorism a cheap photo op. when it is disingenuous to say the least.

[Jenn! 918]

Who cares what his stock is doing.

You don't think we should be concerned about growing resentment towards the U.S. in Iran?

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Who cares what his stock is doing. The man is a pig and shouldn't be allowed to set foot in the USA. I think he should be arrested as soon as he got off the plane.

Condi cares...

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice introduced a new strategy in her February 15 testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, emphasizing the tools of so-called soft diplomacy. She called for ramping up funding to assist pro-democracy groups, public diplomacy initiatives, and cultural and education fellowships, in addition to expanding U.S.-funded radio, television, and Internet and satellite-based broadcasting, which are increasingly popular among younger Iranians. While stopping short of calling for regime change, Rice said “we are going to work to support the aspirations of the Iranian people for freedom in their country.”

....

Is this a significant departure from previous U.S. policy toward Iran?

Yes. Experts say it is a shift in Bush administration strategy toward Iran, which has previously been defined by diplomatic isolation and sanctions; last year, the program began but with only a $3.5 million budget. Further, the program would mark the first major coordinated pro-democracy effort by the United States in Iran since the seizure of American hostages in the 1979 Islamic revolution, which prompted the United States and Iran to sever formal diplomatic ties. “This idea of surrogate radio [radio broadcasts focusing on local developments], television, Internet sites, scholars back and forth—this is a new approach,” says Abbas Milani, co-director of the Iran Democracy Project at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution. Until recently, Milani adds, “there were several centers of policymaking competing with one another.” Others suggest this new program indicates a more moderate posture by the White House. “It’s no longer all threats,” says William Rugh, a former U.S. ambassador who’s authored several books on soft diplomacy in the Middle East. “Softening [their stance] might open some doors and encourage others [in Iran’s government] to help moderate the policies there.”

http://www.cfr.org/publication/9904/us_sof...cy_in_iran.html

[smoke20 0]

Who cares what his stock is doing.

You don't think we should be concerned about growing resentment towards the U.S. in Iran?

do you think letting him have his "haha look at me" moment will do anything to improve the Iranian view of America?

[Jenn! 918]

Who cares what his stock is doing.

You don't think we should be concerned about growing resentment towards the U.S. in Iran?

do you think letting him have his "haha look at me" moment will do anything to improve the Iranian view of America?

Maybe not, but not letting him have the moment certainly will increase negative opinion. So relatively speaking, yes.

Edited September 20, 2007 by Jenn!

[smoke20 0]

well we're going to have to disagree on this one Jenn!. *back to my self righteousness*

[DeadPoolX 9]

I do see where Steven is going with this, though.

I don't think Steven actually thinks any more highly of Ahmadinejad than the rest of us. However, what he's saying is that if the U.S. publicly snubs him, he can then use that as fodder to fuel the fires of hatred against the U.S. back in Iran. Granted, there's probably very little anyone in the U.S. government could do to make those who despise Americans happy (with the exception of withdrawing all support for Israel and then surrendering our entire country over to the Islamic extremists), but I doubt it'd take a whole lot of effort for Ahmadinejad to spin this story to his advantage in Iran and get tempers flaring -- even in those who didn't initially revile America or perhaps, have any particular opinion on this country at all.

I'm not suggesting that we "hand over the keys to the country" to him (or any other foreign leader, for that matter), but considering the relatively hostile and unstable situation Iran is and that Ahmadinejad is an excellent orator, the U.S. probably doesn't need to give him any extra ammunition to work with.

[mawilson 2,133]

Who cares what his stock is doing. The man is a pig and shouldn't be allowed to set foot in the USA. I think he should be arrested as soon as he got off the plane.

Yep - NYPD can take care of him.

Better still, they should let that angry cop from St Louis do it.

Who cares what his stock is doing.

You don't think we should be concerned about growing resentment towards the U.S. in Iran?

We're looking for a confrontation with Tehran, so growing resentment is a good thing.

[Fandango 1,440]

Ooooh, let's succumb to their every whim so everyone likes us!

Can't have resentment now!

[Caladan 19]

I wonder if we accepted a wreath from Saudi Arabia?

[Jenn! 918]

Ooooh, let's succumb to their every whim so everyone likes us!

Can't have resentment now!

Why has diplomacy become such a dirty word?

[Fandango 1,440]

Ooooh, let's succumb to their every whim so everyone likes us!

Can't have resentment now!

Why has diplomacy become such a dirty word?

There's a difference between diplomacy and takin it up the backside out of fear of 'ooooh, they'll hate us more!'

** em!

[DeadPoolX 9]

Ooooh, let's succumb to their every whim so everyone likes us!

Can't have resentment now!

Lisa, you've got it all wrong.

A smart move would've been to "play up" to the Iranian government. Lure them into a false sense of security. Then when they least suspect it -- we annihilate them.

It's always easier to defeat your opponent when their guard is down. That's a lesson we should have learned from 9/11 (among others).

[mawilson 2,133]

A smart move would've been to "play up" to the Iranian government. Lure them into a false sense of security. Then when they least suspect it -- we annihilate them.

I like it!

[Dr. A ♥ O 203]

####### for Tat.

It's a formidable gesture and the mear mention of the gesture accomplished it's aims in the media.

There's more in depth details and history in this video then some like to dig.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=87...h&plindex=0

Edited September 20, 2007 by OlivianWaleed