Iran Snubs Obama’s Olive Branch
By Wyatt Earp | March 20, 2009
Wow, I didn’t see that coming. /snark
TEHRAN, Iran — Iran’s supreme leader said Friday that world powers had been persuaded they could not block Iran’s nuclear progress — making no mention of a new-year’s message sent by President Obama to his country, Reuters reported.
Neither Ayatollah Ali Khamenei nor Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad noted Obama’s attempt to make a “new beginning” with their country in recorded messages they issued to mark the Iranian New Year.
Obviously, they are not down with the “HopeyChange.”
Obama released the video Friday to coincide with the Iranian festival of Nowruz, which marks the arrival of spring. In the video, Obama says the U.S. is prepared to end the strained relations if Tehran tones down its combative rhetoric.
“This process will not be advanced by threats. We seek instead engagement that is honest and grounded in mutual respect,” Obama said.
A press adviser to Iran’s president downplayed the video, saying “minor changes will not end the differences.” (H/T – FOXNews)
What exactly did the Obama administration expect? You’re dealing with a president who spent his life as a terrorist, and spent his political career promising the eradication of Israel! Ahmadinejad will accept nothing from the U.S. – except maybe unconditional surrender.
It’s about time Obama realized that. He needs to start acting like the President of the United States, and not a member of Greenpeace.
Topics: Politics | 9 Comments »
March 20th, 2009 at 4:23 pm
But that’s it! Obama is “acting”. I don’t think our dear leader knows a flying crap about world events. He should be in Hollywood, not Washington.
March 20th, 2009 at 4:36 pm
We’re gonna take a hit. Count on it. People like Ahmadinejad can sense weakness, and this administration is the weakest bunch of pussies I have ever seen. And I’m almost 60.
March 20th, 2009 at 5:15 pm
Ky person..and when we do take that hit, the current administrtion will point out all of our faults again to cover for the bad guys (their good guys who are just misunderstood thats all) saying we deserved it etc. etc. etc.
Of course they could blame Bush for not keeping us safe anymore..wouldn’t put that past em:) LOLOL
March 20th, 2009 at 5:21 pm
Elm – Well, he is in front of a camera enough, and has a great love for The Teleprompter.
Ky person – Don’t worry, Hillary will toughen us up. Bawahahahahahahahaha!
Jon – No, Obama will say the attack was a little “Special Olympics.”
March 20th, 2009 at 6:51 pm
Obama is not weak or clueless, he’s simply on Iran’s side. He’s signaling he won’t lift a finger against Iran, that Iran is welcome to dominate the region and wipe Israel off the map. Iran got the message.
March 21st, 2009 at 5:57 am
I believe this might be a bit more nuanced than it seems on the surface.
Norwuz is not an Islamic festival – it goes back before Islam to a time when the calendar was dictated by more than just the moon. (The Islamic is entirely lunar – hence the movement of Ramadan through the seasons by 11 or 12 days per annum.)
Norwuz is simply the spring equinox and hence is determined exclusiovely by the sun and kept on different days of the year in the lunar calendar.
Obama (presumably knowingly and on advice) is therefore congratulating Iran on celebrating a festival linked with its great Persian culture and history and not with modern Iran and Islam. Indirectly he is supporting those dissidents in Iran who look back to their Persian culture, all but destroyed by the strict Islamic government.
I strongly suspect the Iranian govt. knows all about this and is not best pleased! They can hardly complain, howver, when Obama is “obviously” being nice to them!
March 21st, 2009 at 6:21 am
This is real hope and change. I hope everyone that voted for it enjoys the change, at least before the body bags start filling up.
March 21st, 2009 at 11:54 pm
The video of his statement to Iran was sickening. Even with what AlanB said (appreciate the history lesson, btw…interesting), present day Islamic folks are in control of Iran and deal with symbolism and appearances. We appear weak and as though we grovel. That’s never a good thing.
March 22nd, 2009 at 5:57 pm
Peter – And they are probably dancing in the streets after receiving said message.
Alan B – He thinks sunshine and lollipops will win them over. He’s wrong.
Admiral – How many days until the 2010 elections?
RT – Islam relishes the weak. The weak are seen as easy opponents.