President Ahmadinejad interviewed

[fastpat]

Compared to George W. Bush, the man is the heart of rational thinking.

TIME: What were your impressions of New York during your visit to the U.S. last year?

Ahmadinejad: Unfortunately we didn't have any contact with the people of the United States. We were not in touch with the people. But my general impression is that the people of the United States are good people. Everywhere in the world, people are good.

TIME: Did you visit the site of the World Trade Center?

Ahmadinejad: It was not necessary. It was widely covered in the media.

TIME: You recently invited President Bush to a televised debate. If he were sitting where I am sitting, what would you say, man to man?

Ahmadinejad: The issues which are of interest to us are the international issues and how to manage them. I gave some recommendations to President Bush in my personal letter, and I hope that he will take note of them. I would ask him, Are rationalism, spirituality and humanitarianism and logic�are they bad things for human beings? Why more conflict? Why should we go for hostilities? Why should we develop weapons of mass destruction? Everybody can love one another.

TIME: Do you feel any connection with President Bush, since he is also a religious man, a strong Christian?

Ahmadinejad: I've heard about that. But there are many things which take place and are inconsistent with the teachings of Jesus Christ in this world.

TIME: Why do your supporters chant "Death to America"?

Ahmadinejad: When they chanted that slogan, it means they hate aggression, and they hate bullying tactics, and they hate violations of the rights of nations and discrimination. I recommended to President Bush that he can change his behavior, then everything will change.

TIME: How do you think the American people feel when they hear Iranians shouting "Death to America" and the President of Iran does not criticize this?

Ahmadinejad: The nations do not have any problems. What is the role of the American people in what is happening in the world? The people of the United States are also seeking peace, love, friendship and justice.

TIME: But if Americans shouted "Death to Iran," Iranians would feel insulted.

Ahmadinejad: If the government of Iran acted in such a way, then [the American people] have this right.

TIME: Are America and Iran fated to be in conflict?

Ahmadinejad: No, this is not fate. And this can come to an end. I have said we can run the world through logic. We are living our own lives. The U.S. government should not interfere in our affairs. They should live their own lives. They should serve the interests of the U.S. people. They should not interfere in our affairs. Then there would be no problems with that.

TIME: Are you ready to open direct negotiations with the U.S.?

Ahmadinejad: We have given them a letter, a lengthy letter. We say the U.S. Administration should change its behavior, and then everything will be solved. It was the U.S. which broke up relations with us. We didn't take that position. And then they should make up for it.

TIME: Does Iran have the right to nuclear weapons?

Ahmadinejad: We are opposed to nuclear weapons. We think it has been developed just to kill human beings. It is not in the service of human beings. For that reason, last year in my address to the U.N. General Assembly, I suggested that a committee should be set up in order to disarm all the countries that possess nuclear weapons.

TIME: But you were attacked with weapons of mass destruction by Iraq. You say the u.s. threatens you, and you are surrounded by countries that have nuclear weapons.

Ahmadinejad: Today nuclear weapons are a blunt instrument. We don't have any problems with Pakistan or India. Actually they are friends of Iran, and throughout history they have been friends. The Zionist regime is not capable of using nuclear weapons. Problems cannot be solved through bombs. Bombs are of little use today. We need logic.

TIME: Why won't you agree to suspend enrichment of uranium as a confidence-building measure?

Ahmadinejad: Whose confidence should be built?

TIME: The world's?

Ahmadinejad: The world? The world? Who is the world? The United States? The U.S. Administration is not the entire world. Europe does not account for one-twentieth of the entire world. When I studied the provisions of the npt [Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty], nowhere did I see it written that in order to produce nuclear fuel, we need to win the support or the confidence of the United States and some European countries.

TIME: How far will Iran go in defying Western demands? Will you wait until you are attacked and your nuclear installations are destroyed?

Ahmadinejad: Do you think the u.s. administration would be so irrational?

TIME: You tell me.

Ahmadinejad: I hope that is not the case. I said that we need logic. We do not need attacks.

TIME: Are you worried about an attack?

Ahmadinejad: No.

TIME: You have been quoted as saying Israel should be wiped off the map. Was that merely rhetoric, or do you mean it?

Ahmadinejad: People in the world are free to think the way they wish. We do not insist they should change their views. Our position toward the Palestinian question is clear: we say that a nation has been displaced from its own land. Palestinian people are killed in their own lands, by those who are not original inhabitants, and they have come from far areas of the world and have occupied those homes. Our suggestion is that the 5 million Palestinian refugees come back to their homes, and then the entire people on those lands hold a referendum and choose their own system of government. This is a democratic and popular way. Do you have any other suggestions?

TIME: Do you believe the Jewish people have a right to their own state?

Ahmadinejad: We do not oppose it. In any country in which the people are ready to vote for the Jews to come to power, it is up to them. In our country, the Jews are living and they are represented in our Parliament. But Zionists are different from Jews.

TIME: Have you considered that Iranian Jews are hurt by your comments denying that 6 million Jews were killed in the Holocaust?

Ahmadinejad: As to the Holocaust, I just raised a few questions. And I didn't receive any answers to my questions. I said that during World War II, around 60 million were killed. All were human beings and had their own dignities. Why only 6 million? And if it had happened, then it is a historical event. Then why do they not allow independent research?

TIME: But massive research has been done.

Ahmadinejad: They put in prison those who try to do research. About historical events everybody should be free to conduct research. Let's assume that it has taken place. Where did it take place? So what is the fault of the Palestinian people? These questions are quite clear. We are waiting for answers.

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1535777,00.html

[fastpat]

I'm not surprised you think so...

http://memritv.org/Search.asp?ACT=S9&P1=1222

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad: I hereby declare that this sinister regime [Israel] is the banner of Satan. It is the banner of the Great Satan. All it does is to implement the orders of the criminal America and England. They think that the peoples are the same as they were 100 years ago. They are not aware that things have changed in the world. Today, all the peoples have awoken. The Iranian people is the standard-bearer of this awakening for all the peoples. As we can see, from the southernmost point in South America to the easternmost point in Asia, all the people are shouting a single cry. With placards in their hands and clenched fists, they shout: Death to Israel.

Crowd: Death to Israel.

Death to Israel.

[rcecale]

Blah, blah, blah...

Move along people, nuthin' to see here.

Randy

[cegerer]

[RoninLB]

[fastpat]

Originally posted by Noah
Pat, why don't you move to Iran?

Next time you go to Israel, don't come back. We want Americans here, not Israeli's posing as Americans when they're here.

[fastpat]

Originally posted by Noah
Pat, would you like me to wear one of those yellow Star of David arm bands while I'm in the U.S., you know, to properly identify me?

Noah, I'm pretty sure you identify yourself where ever you are located, to anyone who will listen, essentially donning the star yourself.

Just like you do here.

[fastpat]

Originally posted by Noah
I think my horns give me away. As I'm sure you know, Jews have horns.

But seriously, Pat: you never answered about my offer to raise money to cover your relocation expenses to Iran. Being that you seem to have a natural affection for Ahmadinejad and his brand of revolutionary Islamism, the place seems like a natural fit for you. I think that most people, if they hated America as much as you do, would move.

Or do you just like staying in America because you enjoy the opportunity to rant and rave like a lunatic, without being locked up and tortured, such as in every Middle Eastern country except Israel?

Noah, I'm staying in America because I'm an American, loyal to the American revolution and idea.

You, of course, are not loyal to either of the above. I have no idea why you're here, other than to participate in the Israel lobby.

[fastpat]

Originally posted by Noah
Oh no, you found me out!

No, Noah, you told me.

[fastpat]

Originally posted by Noah
Shoot, now I guess I'm no good to the Zionist Conspiracy with my cover blown and all.

I don't know about them, but you're not good for Judaism and Jews in America or Isreal, that's for certain.

[lendaddy]

I think Pat said you Jews could camp in his yard, but no Jews in the house.

[fastpat]

Originally posted by Noah
I've never heard of this country you keep mentioning ("Isreal"), although I have heard of a similar-sounding country called "Israel."

But anyway, being that I'm no good for Judaism and Jews in America or "Isreal," and my cover in the Zionist Conpiracy and the "Isreal" Lobby has been blown, I guess my life has no purpose.

What should I do now, Pat? Can I join your Confederate Uprising group? You take Jews, don't you?

Here you go, think nothing of it.

[NICKG]

I hate to admit it but I do agree with Fastpat on this...the guy IS definetly trying to boost his country. This whole mess has been a cluster**ck, we should have engaged the Iranians and brought them in on the whole process in Iraq (Syria too). We need to have talks and hammer out our problems. Iran is absolutley the place we need to concentrate our efforts to stabilize that area. All they see is that we always side with Israel. dobn't get me wrong, I think they should be supported, but we need to extend the olive branch to ALL of these countries. That is the only way to stabilize the area.And this is not just on Us, Russia, France the UN should be deeply involved in these places to help re-educate and build infrastructures for a modern society.
Bush needs to have face to face talks, bottom line it has to happen. Iran is a credible country and it is a terrible snub to them not to give the respect that WE would demand of us.

[fastpat]

Originally posted by lendaddy
I think Pat said you Jews could camp in his yard, but no Jews in the house.

No, there's no one from Michigan in the house, or in the yard, just on the chain gangs out on the road.

[fastpat]

Originally posted by NICKG
I hate to admit it but I do agree with Fastpat on this...the guy IS definetly trying to boost his country. This whole mess has been a cluster**ck, we should have engaged the Iranians and brought them in on the whole process in Iran (Syria too). We need to have talks and hammer out our problems. Iran is absolutley the place we need to concentrate our efforts to stabilize that area. All they see is that we always side with Israel. dobn't get me wrong, I think they should be supported, but we need to extend the olive branch to ALL of these countries. That is the only way to stabilize the area.And this is not just on Us, Russia, France the UN should be deeply involved in these places to help re-educate and build infrastructures for a modern society.
Bush needs to have face to face talks, bottom line it has to happen. Iran is a credible country and it is a terrible snub to them not to give the respect that WE would demand of us.

Exactly. Every nation needs to be treated equally as far as the US government is concerned. George Washinton and Thomas Jefferson, which were political opponents, both were emphatically opposed to entangling alliances with any country, particularly with one country at the expense of other(s).

[bryanthompson]

Every nation needs to be treated equally...

You honestly believe this? We should be treating Iran the same way we treat our Australian or British friends? THat's total fking nonsense, paste eater. Do you trust the Iranians, or North Koreans with a nuke? Since you're not exactly sane in the first place, I doubt your answer will surprise us.

[fastpat]

Originally posted by bryanthompson
You honestly believe this? We should be treating Iran the same way we treat our Australian or British friends? THat's total fking nonsense, paste eater. Do you trust the Iranians, or North Koreans with a nuke? Since you're not exactly sane in the first place, I doubt your answer will surprise us.

You think the above is either adult or sane? It's childish gibberish.

[Rich76_911s]

A person is defined by their actions not the words they speak.

I personally have no trust or faith in this mans word. If you want to believe his word you are as much a fool as the man who believes the words that come out of President Bush.

[fastpat]

Originally posted by Rich76_911s
A person is defined by their actions not the words they speak.

I personally have no trust or faith in this mans word. If you want to believe his word you are as much a fool as the man who believes the words that come out of President Bush.

That's right.

[gaijindabe]

Originally posted by NICKG
Iran is a credible country and it is a terrible snub to them not to give the respect that WE would demand of us.

Pope has joined US crusade, says Iran

John Hooper in Rome
Tuesday September 19, 2006
The Guardian

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei yesterday accused the Pope of committing the world's biggest Christian church to what he claimed was a "crusade" launched by President Bush against Islam.




An ancient country and culture sitting on top of a pile of oil right in the cross roads of the world. Important? Yes. Credible regime and worthy of respect? See above.