A Letter to the American People

[legion]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061129/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iran_us

I wonder where he got the idea that he could bypass the U.S. government to make any military action against his country unpopular with the media--I mean "people"?

[Moneyguy1]

Until we cancel the first amendment, I suppose the press and broadcast media have the right to carry a newsworthy article, even if it is unpalatable to many of us. One of the benefits of a free (for now) society.

[widgeon13]

I would hope that when the letter is released it will not be eighteen pages of explanation.

[dd74]

Originally posted by legion
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061129/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iran_us

I wonder where he got the idea that he could bypass the U.S. government to make any military action against his country unpopular with the media--I mean "people"?

He probably got the idea from our recent elections. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is a politician after all, and knows an opportunity to sway public opinion when one arises.

I think he's onto something, actually.

[the]

Originally posted by dd74


I think he's onto something, actually.

Hopefully not this part:

"Ahmadinejad has alienated many Americans by calling for
Israel's destruction and repeatedly dismissing the Holocaust as a myth. He also strongly supports the Palestinian militant group Hamas and the Lebanese faction Hezbollah, which the U.S. State Department lists as terrorist organizations."

[tobster1911]

Originally posted by dd74
He probably got the idea from our recent elections. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is a politician after all,...

Yep, he is the guy that sees which way the crowd is heading and runs to the front yelling, "Follow me".

He sees a general move to get out of Iraq and wants to be the one that "caused" it.

[tabs]

Ahmadinejad for President of the USA in 2008...

[dd74]

Originally posted by the
Hopefully not this part:

"Ahmadinejad has alienated many Americans by calling for
Israel's destruction and repeatedly dismissing the Holocaust as a myth. He also strongly supports the Palestinian militant group Hamas and the Lebanese faction Hezbollah, which the U.S. State Department lists as terrorist organizations."

You'd be surprised how many American Jews, at least in L.A. and N.Y. remain completely dismayed by the Israeli govt's actions in Lebanon this past summer, particularly after Bush became vicariously involved by giving Israel the go ahead to destroy what they could of the country.

At any rate, what the letter is trying to spark is emotion for emotion - Ahmadinejad realizes a majority of the American population is at odds with Bush, as November's elections have shown, and he's seeking to advance his own agenda through that same majority. As the popularity of Iraq plummets, and the military and intelligence officers report that the war is becoming a losing cause, Americans are losing their concern for Hezbollah, Hamas and anyone else the State Department deems terrorists. They simply want the soldiers to leave Iraq and return home.

[dd74]

Originally posted by tobster1911
Yep, he is the guy that sees which way the crowd is heading and runs to the front yelling, "Follow me".

He sees a general move to get out of Iraq and wants to be the one that "caused" it.

No one here in the U.S. is going to "follow" him. But he does see a desire for a "general move to get out of Iraq" which is increasingly the American voters' position.

Given that, why wouldn't he bypass Bush - who is the only one proclaiming "stay the course" and instead appeal directly to Americans?

[dd74]

Originally posted by tabs
Ahmadinejad for President of the USA in 2008...

Insightful as usual.

[nineoneone]

I think there is more to this guy than the rhetoric that spills out of his mouth. He is the instigator of many troubled days ahead, we must be careful not to dismiss what might be happening under the table. More than "read between the lines" he is writing history.

[tobster1911]

Originally posted by dd74
No one here in the U.S. is going to "follow" him. But he does see a desire for a "general move to get out of Iraq" which is increasingly the American voters' position.

Given that, why wouldn't he bypass Bush - who is the only one proclaiming "stay the course" and instead appeal directly to Americans?

I agree except the part about him appealing to the American people. I don't believe that to be his goal at all. I see it as a political play for the people in Iran so that he can later claim hero status.

I would bet money that if/when American troops are pulled from Iraq, he will be shouting from the hilltop that it was HIS letter to the American people that influenced them enough that they forced the administration to withdraw. The typical "claim victory" just like Hezbollah did when Israeli "withdrew".

I don't think he really cares what average Joe American thinks.

[m21sniper]

Originally posted by legion
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061129/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iran_us

I wonder where he got the idea that he could bypass the U.S. government to make any military action against his country unpopular with the media--I mean "people"?

If i had my way i'd be sleeping with that jackals head under my pillow.

[Rondinone]

I read the whole thing. I think it was ghostwritten by Fastpat.