Ahmadinejad reacts to Obama's interview

[Wakey]

Baby steps I guess!

Iran wants 'profound changes' in US policy | ajc.com

Iran wants 'profound changes' in US policy
By ALI AKBAR DAREINI
Associated Press Writer
TEHRAN, Iran — The Iranian president called for "profound changes" in U.S. foreign policy during a speech Wednesday, saying the Islamic Republic would welcome a real and fundamental shift from the new American administration.

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's comments in the western city of Kermanshah come as Obama has indicated a new willingness to reach out to Muslims and the importance of engaging with Iran, a country the Bush administration often singled out as the most dangerous in the region.

Without mentioning President Barack Obama by name, Ahmadinejad Wednesday repeatedly referred to those who want to bring "change," a word used often in Obama's election campaign, and indicated that Iran would be looking to see if there would be substantive differences in U.S. policy.

"We will wait patiently, listen to their words carefully, scrutinize their actions under a magnifier and if change happens truly and fundamentally, we will welcome that," Ahmadinejad said, speaking to a crowd of thousands.

But the Iranian leader also criticized the United States, saying it should apologize to Iran for past misdeeds.

"The change will be to apologize to the Iranian nation and try to compensate for their dark records and the crimes they have committed against the Iranian nation," he said.

The hardline president also called on Washington to withdraw its troops from around the world and stop supporting Israel.

"Change means giving up support for the rootless, uncivilized, fabricated, murdering... Zionists and let the Palestinian nation decide its own destiny," he said. "Change means putting an end to U.S. military presence in (different parts of) the world."

In an interview with Al-Arabiya news channel that aired Tuesday, Obama condemned Iran's threats to destroy Israel and its alleged pursuit of nuclear weapons, but said "it is important for us to be willing to talk to Iran, to express very clearly where our differences are, but where there are potential avenues for progress."

Later Tuesday, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told reporters that the U.S. administration is undertaking a wide-ranging and comprehensive survey of U.S. foreign policy options toward Iran.

Clinton also said Iran had a "clear opportunity" to demonstrate some willingness to engage meaningfully with the international community.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Mehdi Safari, speaking in Athens, Greece, said Tuesday that it was too early to say whether relations with the United States would improve with Obama as president.

Washington is at odds with Tehran over Iran's nuclear program and its Mideast policy that seeks to destroy Israel and supports the militant groups Hezbollah and Hamas.

The U.S. and some of its allies accuse Iran of seeking to build nuclear weapons. Tehran denies the charge and refuses to give up uranium enrichment, saying it has the right under the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty to produce nuclear fuel.

The U.S. broke off diplomatic relations with Iran after hardline students stormed the U.S. Embassy in Tehran in 1979.

[flylooper]

I"m just going to throw this out for the hell of it.

Ahmandinejad (assuming he speaks for the real power in Iran) makes valid point. When you think back to American influence in Iran (I'm thinking of Mossadegh's murder and the installation and support of the Pahlavi regime by the CIA) these people are rightfully pissed off at us. I think an "apology" might be a pretty magnanimous gesture, just as an opener to talks.

[Wakey]

Originally Posted by flylooper

I"m just going to throw this out for the hell of it.

Ahmandinejad (assuming he speaks for the real power in Iran) makes valid point. When you think back to American influence in Iran (I'm thinking of Mossadegh's murder and the installation and support of the Pahlavi regime by the CIA) these people are rightfully pissed off at us. I think an "apology" might be a pretty magnanimous gesture, just as an opener to talks.

That's plausible but are they going to apologize for the 52 hostages?

Neither will happen but looney toons needs to back down on his Israeli rhetoric.

[Wakey]

Damn, look at the banner on this page

[F&D]

Originally Posted by flylooper

I"m just going to throw this out for the hell of it.

Ahmandinejad (assuming he speaks for the real power in Iran) makes valid point. When you think back to American influence in Iran (I'm thinking of Mossadegh's murder and the installation and support of the Pahlavi regime by the CIA) these people are rightfully pissed off at us. I think an "apology" might be a pretty magnanimous gesture, just as an opener to talks.

Yes, by all means, Obama should bow down to Ahmadinejad and the Islamic world to beg for forgiveness.

Fly, the next time an American is killed by Islamic terror, the blood is on your hands and everyone who voted for this President. If we get hit again in this country, I hold you personally accountable for weakening our country with your vote and surrendering to a psychotic death cult.

They are "rightfully pissed off at us"? Fly, I am rapidly beginning to perceive you as a sympathizer and domestic enemy.

[F&D]

Originally Posted by Wakey

Damn, look at the banner on this page

Holy crap! Did you follow-through to the linked site? What a riot! The incredible thing is, there are probably going to be people who are actually stupid enough to believe this.

[SXSMITH]

Originally Posted by Wakey

Damn, look at the banner on this page

I likes free money!

And never have to pay it back. Part of the new stimulus plan!

Hooray!

You guys were right. Obama is fantastic!

Where's my $200,000 check?

Edit to add: Dang, the banner ad is now, "Meet Persian Singles". With my luck, it will be Shah!

[gtramontelli]

Originally Posted by F&D

Yes, by all means, Obama should bow down to Ahmadinejad and the Islamic world to beg for forgiveness.

Fly, the next time an American is killed by Islamic terror, the blood is on your hands and everyone who voted for this President. If we get hit again in this country, I hold you personally accountable for weakening our country with your vote and surrendering to a psychotic death cult.

They are "rightfully pissed off at us"? Fly, I am rapidly beginning to perceive you as a sympathizer and domestic enemy.

Wow. Really?

[83729]

Originally Posted by gtramontelli

Wow. Really?

Do you think he will start turning board members in to Homeland Security?

[gtramontelli]

Not sure, but I can't imagine how someone might type that, then read it, and still think "Yeah, this sounds about right."

[F&D]

Originally Posted by gtramontelli

Not sure, but I can't imagine how someone might type that, then read it, and still think "Yeah, this sounds about right."

Sadly, yeah. I'm not happy about it. I don't like feeling this way about fellow citizens, and really wish I didn't. But when I hear stuff like this, I don't know how else to interpret it.

I'm not begrudging Fly his right to voice his opinion. But I don't have to agree with it, I do view it as terribly dangerous to this country, and I know this sort of quisling sentiment does nothing but encourage aggression against us.

A question for you, gt: do you think an apology to the Islamic world would satisfy them, gain their respect, and reduce the likelihood of them hitting us again?

My opinion is that it will have the opposite effect. Only time will tell, I guess. If Obama apoligizes and I'm wrong; if the Islamic world suddenly starts to love us and they start acting like reasonable, civil world citizens, I'll apologize to Fly and admit I was wrong. But until then, I have no choice but to view this kind of response as a dangerous invitation to hostility.

[eye speed]

Originally Posted by F&D

Yes, by all means, Obama should bow down to Ahmadinejad and the Islamic world to beg for forgiveness.

Fly, the next time an American is killed by Islamic terror, the blood is on your hands and everyone who voted for this President. If we get hit again in this country, I hold you personally accountable for weakening our country with your vote and surrendering to a psychotic death cult.

They are "rightfully pissed off at us"? Fly, I am rapidly beginning to perceive you as a sympathizer and domestic enemy.

Funny, i was thinking, "when i read stuff like this i dont quite know how to interpret it".

Oh wait, I do. Youre a fucking idiot.

Everytime you post, everyone else on the board with a functioning brain gets stupider.

[F&D]

Originally Posted by eye speed

Funny, i was thinking, "when i read stuff like this i dont quite know how to interpret it".

Oh wait, I do. Youre a fucking idiot.

Everytime you post, everyone else on the board with a functioning brain gets stupider.

And I have the same opinion of your writings.

If you don't like what I write, don't read it. Put me on ignore. Remain ignorant. See if I care.

[cacapants]

Originally Posted by Little Johnson

Do you think he will start turning board members in to Homeland Security?

Paul Blart: Message Board Cop!

[Baldrick]

Subtlety of thought and critical mental faculty are not F&D's strong points, by an stretch. Diplomacy is a game of extreme subtlety, so his black/white, yes/no binary way of looking at the world can't grasp Flylooper's point about historical events and their influence on current animosities. Typical deep Right Wingnut. Ahmedinejad's influence in Iran and the region will likely decrease, if we are reasonable in our dealings with Iran, rather than giving him all sorts of amunition for his diatribes. But that's too logical for F&D to understand, I guess, so Fly must be a "Terrorist Lover" (tm), or a traitor...