Iran leader's request denied...
By anniepa
@anniepa (27955)
United States
September 20, 2007 2:51pm CST
I'm not going to attempt to spell his name because it's not right in front of me so let someone else do it...LOL...anyway, the Iranian President wanted to visit Ground Zero and place a wreath there for the victims of 9/11 but he was denied permission to do so. I understand where some people are coming from, saying he's ruthless and only looking for a photo-op but, what the heck, why can't we as a nation accept a thoughtful gesture even from someone some of us consider an "enemy"? I'd like to see us start somewhere on the road to truly resolving some of our differences in a peaceful diplomatic matter. We are already thought of as arrogant by much of the world, why add fuel to the fire? OK, I'm ready for the dissenters, let's discuss it!
Annie
1 person likes this
5 responses
@xfahctor (14118)
• Lancaster, New Hampshire
21 Sep 07
"I'd like to see us start somewhere on the road to truly resolving some of our differences in a peaceful diplomatic matter"
So am I, but how do you do that with someone who has openly claimed to be a prophit reborn who must wipe out isreal in order to make way for the fullfilment of a prophecy? how do you do it with a man who is sending his troups in to KILL our troups in iraq? KILL OUR TROUPS. The same souls who in another thread you claimed to have great respect and love for. Well, this man is KILLING our same troups. this would have been tatemount to allowing hitler to vist the pearl harbor memorial.
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@xfahctor (14118)
• Lancaster, New Hampshire
21 Sep 07
I would aslo like to add that he didn't need permission to go down there, he is here on a visa and has the ability to roam about. What he was requesting was police protection from the NYPD. They said logistcaly there was no waythey could spare the enormouse police enourage needed for him to do this, simply put, they would not be able to protect him.
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@anniepa (27955)
• United States
21 Sep 07
Hey, I'm not defending the beast (although I don't think it's been proven he's responsible for any of the killing in Iraq) I was simply stating sometimes it doesn't hurt to take the high-road and accept a gesture at face value, pure and simple. It wouldn't mean we condone any of the horrible things he's done. I hadn't heard he was asking for protection but if that's the case it does make sense but don't all those world leaders have some sort of body guards or police protection while they're here?
@xfahctor (14118)
• Lancaster, New Hampshire
21 Sep 07
"although I don't think it's been proven he's responsible for any of the killing in Iraq"
Actualy it's been proven beyond the shadow of a doubt:
http://mypetjawa.mu.nu/archives/189276.php
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/25/world/middleeast/25iraq.html
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,124835,00.html
These are but 3 of many accounts of this. Iran has great interest in iran, the shia ties in some cases are very strong. Numerous shia leaders were in iran at points durring the husein rule. He has stated openly that he wants iran to fill the void if and when america leaves. (do we really want 2 irans?) I have to honest, as much as I would like to be able to take the gesture at face value, and iran did in fact lose several citizens in the towers on 9/11, I simply cannot take anyhting this man does at face value, I wish we lived on a planet where things were that flowery and nice and feel goody, peace love, bean sprouts and all but the fact reamins we live in a world full of people who want to kill us, iran is one of those people. It nausiates me that we even allow him on our soil, but i guess we have to because we are the host for the headquarters for the hate america club, excuse me, i mean the U.N.
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@TheCatzMeow1 (579)
• United States
21 Sep 07
Ohhhh, this is a real toughy! I agree that we need to start somewhere on the road to resolving our differences. I just don't think Ground Zero is the beginning of that road. I went to New York City last year and we stopped by Ground Zero. We learned a bit more about how much it affected their community as a whole. I can't even discribe what I felt just by being there and learning more about what we didn't see or hear about on tv. From where we were, there was a road leading to the area. No traffic is allowed through without a thorough search of each vehicle. They take what happened very seriously. Given what I learned and felt that day, I think it was a good call. Why support terrorism (or even have your hands in it) and then go show respect to the area that was victimized by your people. If he's truly wanting to pay tribute to something like that, then he should of been fighting to stop terrorism all this time. I think he has something else in mind for wanting to visit Ground Zero. It would be like inviting a terrorist into your home.
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@4ftfingers (1310)
•
20 Sep 07
I'm looking at this objectively, and really can't decide whether he should have been allowed to.
In the first way he may be genuinely wanting to show commpassion. And it looks bad of those who refuse to allow him to do that.
On the other hand, what if it is just a way of taking the p*ss - a private joke between he and other anti-westerners.
It's kind of a loose-loose situation for our side, but probably a safer bet to not allow him all together.
But I agree with you in that these sort of things, if genuine, would do American PR a lot of good. You just have to be carefull who it's coming from and for what intention.
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@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
20 Sep 07
I have given this much thought since I first heard about it, anniepa, and I have mixed feelings about it. I think that the overriding reason they have given(true or false), about not allowing ANY head-of-state to tour the area is suspect. I really couldn't recall whether I had heard of any previous ones having visited the site. I also feel that our country has already made the decision to go to war with Iran because I have been hearing this a lot recently. The man obviously needs to be dealt with-I'm just of the opinion that starting another war is not the answer. I also feel that it would place us in an awkward position with Israel were we to extend such a courtesy to their sworn enemy.
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@prettygirl_80650 (306)
• United States
21 Sep 07
I think that they should have let him. Yes i know he was probably looking for the oppurtunity to boost his reputation but i think the united states would have a reputation boost. I am an american and i personally dont want to be known as being snobs like other counrties. we are supposed to be the land of the free and who ever steps foot on our soil also gets that luxury so i say let him.
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