Why did Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad want a “photo op” at Ground Zero? Doesn’t he hate the United States and everything it stands for? If not, then perhaps he aims at peace more than we assume?
As I always say: Look at what people do, not at what they say. When the two conflict, the truth is revealed by what they do. The government of Iran not only openly and proudly sponsors every anti-American terrorist it can; it often openly states its intentions to do everything in its power to make sure that American interests, from Iraq to the U.S. itself, are threatened in the most powerful way possible, including nuclear. Compared to the rest of the world–good guys and bad guys alike–the Iranian regime is remarkably lucid, clear and consistent in both words and action.
Anyone who thinks Iran’s regime is anything other than a mortal threat, with whom diplomacy is a possibility, is more than out of touch with reality. To evade a threat of this kind is to declare one’s intention to desire personal suicide and homicide against millions of other people: meaning, you and I.
I wish the American refusal to let this man anywhere near American soil was stronger. The New York Port Authority cites security concerns and legalistic technicalities. The Bush Administration whimpers that it’s really New York’s decision, but they find the “photo op” a little curious.
Where’s the outrage? Even Adolf Hitler didn’t have the nerve to demand photo ops on American soil, although if he had made it closer to victory, he would likely have done so. We’re dealing with a very dangerous and “sophisticated” enemy here–but only because our lack of nerve and clarity makes him that way.
File this article away. When–not if–Iran makes its first strike along the lines it has stated it intends to, remind yourself that you were warned here first. Actually, Iran has been warning us since 1979. Only a few of us are actually listening.
