Comments on: Ahmadinejad: Iran Not Walking Toward War

Iranian Leader Tells Scott Pelley His Country Does Not Need Nuclear Weapons

[usflag1]

Isreal is the biggest state sponsor of terrorism. Killing ordinary palestinians everyday. How many people has the Iranian government killed that has been proven. I don''t see Iranian tanks killing people and cdestroying homes, but Isreal does it ever day with impunity. Why do we have to fight Isreals fight. Let Isreal defend itself. We''ve turnd the whole world against us for what? The media has done a great job in brainwashing the American people into thinking that Isreal interests are somehow the same as the US.
I hope we all wake up in this country.

[paradigm19-2009]

MCKEOND...your comment is riddled with inaccuracies. about the terrorism issue...please read william blum''s book "rogue nation" and tell me who is the biggest state sponsor of terrorism abroad. just for clarification, because i don''t expect you to know the difference...iranians are 90% shia. iraq is an overwhelmingly shia majority. the us military is supposedly helping the shia majority in iraq take power. IRAN HAS EVERY DESIRE IN THE WORLD TO WANT THE US TO SUCCEED IN THIS MANNER! i dare you to find one shred of evidence that al qaeda and iran are linked. AL QAEDA IS SUNNI! iran doesn''t like them! next, iran had nothig to do with 9/11 (hmm very similar to iraq)! instead, 15 of the 19 hijackers were saudi arabian, who happens to be our best friend next to israel in the middle east! why aren''t we attacking them? they give us lots of oil, that''s why. and just in case you are wondering what vested stake i have in defending ahmadinejad...none whatsoever. i am not muslim, and everyone in my family was either killed, tortured, jailed, or persecuted in their attempt to escape iran during the revolution 30 years ago by these same extremist muslims who are running iran. i hope it means something that i would rather defend him, than your idiotic brainwashed talking points from fox news.

[usflag1]

Scott Pelly is not a reporter. How dare he speak for all Americans. Is Iran now the new enemy. We''re done with saddam, now we need to find a new enemy? When will the US let Isreal fight it''s own fight. I don''t see any US interest in supporting isreal. Isreal is killing ordinary palestinians everyday and no-one ever hears about it, but God forbid if an Isreali soldier is wounded, the entire american media jumps on it. American Media is no longer reporting the truth, instead they are in the businress of forming public opinion. The interview is proof positive of this. Shame on 60 minutes for calling Scott Pelly a reporter. On the other hand, maybe it will help prove my point.

[paradigm19-2009]

MCKEOND...your comment is riddled with inaccuracies. about the terrorism issue...please read william blum''s book "rogue nation" and tell me who is the biggest state sponsor of terrorism abroad. just for clarification, because i don''t expect you to know the difference...iranians are 90% shia. iraq is an overwhelmingly shia majority. the us military is supposedly helping the shia majority in iraq take power. IRAN HAS EVERY DESIRE IN THE WORLD TO WANT THE US TO SUCCEED IN THIS MANNER! i dare you to find one shred of evidence that al qaeda and iran are linked. AL QAEDA IS SUNNI! iran doesn''t like them! next, iran had nothig to do with 9/11 (hmm very similar to iraq)! instead, 15 of the 19 hijackers were saudi arabian, who happens to be our best friend next to israel in the middle east! why aren''t we attacking them? they give us lots of oil, that''s why. and just in case you are wondering what vested stake i have in defending ahmadinejad...none whatsoever. i am not muslim, and everyone in my family was either killed, tortured, jailed, or persecuted in their attempt to escape iran during the revolution 30 years ago by these same extremist muslims who are running iran. i hope it means something that i would rather defend him, than your idiotic brainwashed talking points from fox news.

[phidda]

As an American, I think it is important for Iranian President Ahmadinejad to visit Ground Zero. For one, there is no link between his country and the 9/11 tragedy. But as an American, I would be outraged if a Saudi Arabian prince or the Syrian Prime Minister were to go to the site. Something tells me the administration would roll out the red carpet for a prince.

So, as an American, welcome to NYC.

[phidda]

As an American, I think it is important for Iranian President Ahmadinejad to visit Ground Zero. For one, there is no link between his country and the 9/11 tragedy. But as an American, I would be outraged if a Saudi Arabian prince or the Syrian Prime Minister were to go to the site. Something tells me the administration would roll out the red carpet for a prince.

So, as an American, welcome to NYC.

[truthheals]

Quoting Kristen Breitweiser:

What I would have preferred was some real statesmanship.

Real statesmanship would be a presidential candidate with the courage to encourage potentially dangerous, misinformed leaders like Ahmandinejad to visit Ground Zero, in the hopes that they might learn something.

Real statesmanship would mean proposing a new dialogue with Ahmandinejad and other Iranian leaders, searching for some common ground between America and Iran while there''s still time to avert disaster.

Real statesmanship would not be intimidated by the O''Reillys and the Ann Coulters of the world. Real statesmanship would not view this kind of diplomacy as weak, but wise. Real statesmanship would not be based on knee-jerk reactions, but on long-term vision.

So far not one presidential candidate has seized the opportunity to do something "out of the box" and important on Iran -- like actually meeting Ahmandinejad at Ground Zero and challenging him to a real dialogue.

Can you get the visual? Extending hands like an olive branch -- saying to the world that it is high time for Iran and the U.S. to join together to end terrorism, root out rogue extremist groups, and combat the injustice that nurtures them? That would be bold action, not cheap, tough talk. It would show the world that we are strong and confident enough to deal directly and squarely with our enemies, inviting them to join these common battles.

[cmerkey1]

I agree with the other individuals commenting that the interview by Pelley with the President of Iran is insulting to all Americans who believe that international relations are important. How dare Mr. Pelley speak for me! I do NOT believe that Iran is a terrorist nation. Get real CBS. The real terrorists of this world wear suits and meet in boardrooms.

[phidda]

As an American, I think it is important for Iranian President Ahmadinejad to visit Ground Zero. For one, there is no link between his country and the 9/11 tragedy. But as an American, I would be outraged if a Saudi Arabian prince or the Syrian Prime Minister were to go to the site. Something tells me the administration would roll out the red carpet for a prince.

So, as an American, welcome to NYC.

[tcoleman12]

He is "Amazed" that a percentage of Americans view him and his country as supporters of terror? Who is this guy kidding? Who cares if he is offended.
I think enriquecalie asked the right question here: is the wreath for the victims or the so called martyrs?

[mckeond]

You can''t visit the site because;
Your country continues to support and finance terrorism.
Your country continues to supply weapons and ammunition that continues to kill American servicemen and women.
Your country continues to act as a safe haven for Al-Qaeda and other terrorist groups.
Your country is one of the main reasons why we have a Ground Zero and why September 11th is now the darkest day in America''s history.
We don''t need or want you to lay a wreath at Ground Zero as you are one of the reasons that nearly 3,000 people do the same each year to honor those took from them on 9/11.
We don''t need or want you anywhere near Ground Zero out of respect for those who died and continue to die as a result of your ongoing support of terrorism.
This has nothing to with safety at the site and until we stand up to Ahmadinejad and others like him they will continue to mock us with these types of publicity stunts while Americans continue to die.
No we do not need or want Mr... Ahmadinejad at Ground Zero, in New York, or in the United States.
If the Port Authority, the Mayor or the NYPD don''t want to pass on this message have them tell him to give us a call we will tell him where we would like him to go.

[Dirty Creature]

"what i fail to understand is why CBS gives a forum to a man who calls for the destruction of Israel, hates America and is the leader of a country that actively undertakes to assist in the killing of American troops in Iraq"

I don''t ''fail to understand'' it. It''s the network of Dan Rather. Who do you expect them to give a forum to, a loyal American?

Sure -- when Columbia University does the same.

[nobodynoone-2009]

Don''t forget that Iranian/Persian people spontaneously held vigils for the victims of 9/11, whereas in Israel and Saudi Arabia, nothing of the sort happened. He should be allowed to pay his respect to the victims, as many of his people did following the attack some 6 years ago.

[nobodynoone-2009]

Don''t forget that Iranian/Persian people spontaneously held vigils for the victims of 9/11, whereas in Israel and Saudi Arabia, nothing of the sort happened. He should be allowed to pay his respect to the victims, as many of his people did following the attack some 6 years ago.

[groesselj]

Mr. Pelley:
First of all, if you are playing devil''s advocate, please say so before asking such close-minded questions to the president of Iran.
And on behalf of those interested in improving international relations: please do not speak for the majority of Americans. Don''t. Why was this approved for airing on the 23rd? Please do not air this interview and apologize to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for insulting him. If he is open to visiting America and New York City, maybe he will be open to establishing peaceful relationships during his presidency.
This interview clip is appauling.

[middleman8]

No way-- Bush and new york city do not want any one cutting in on their propaganda goose.
The dating should read 11/9
Not so poetic, is it?

[syfd124]

I like the idea of asking what the wreath is honoring, & getting Th'' "W" to go with him. If his answer to the first question is even remotely inappropriate, Th'' "W" can respond appropriately...(preferrably with a firmly placed Knee to the groin of said offending Pres. of Iran, followed by a right hook, then a left cross, etc.,etc.,etc.)

[jtswett]

what i fail to understand is why CBS gives a forum to a man who calls for the destruction of Israel, hates America and is the leader of a country that actively undertakes to assist in the killing of American troops in Iraq. He has ample opportunity to preach his hate speech without CBS giving him the resources of 60 Minutes. There are many of us who used to look forward to this show as a beacon of good journalism. What a fall.

[tk4201]

AMEN samii2...with reporters like this moron (Pelley)speaking on our behalf we''ll never improve our relationships with the middle east.

A better response from the US would be to suggest that President Bush goes with President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and tours the site with him.

Mr. Pelly, How many Japanese citizens visit the USS Arizona Memorial every year? How many Americans are infuriate by this? President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is not Osama Bin Laden. Are you using that great "US Intelligence Agency" of ours to tie President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to terrorism? I say, "WELCOME TO NY Mr. President!!"

[enriquecaliente]

Why oh why don''t they ask the most obvious question.
Is the wreath he wants to lay there for the innocent victims of 911 or for the so called martyrs who hijacked the planes and crashed them into the building.???