NEW YORK, Sept. 19, 2006

Iran President: Our Nukes Are Peaceful

In U.N Speech, Ahmadinejad Accuses U.S. Of Abusing Security Council

  • Play CBS Video Video World Leaders Address U.N.

    The world's most powerful leaders will meet for the last time this week under the direction of U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan. Jim Axelrod has the latest.

  • Video Bush: 'Stand Up For Peace'

    President Bush urged world leaders to "stand up for peace" and pushed for support for efforts to expand democracy in the Mideast during his address to the U.N. Alison Harmelin reports.

  • Video Bush Addresses Mideast At U.N.

    CBS News RAW: At the United Nations General Assembly, President Bush called on Iran to abandon its nuclear weapons' ambitions, and on Hamas to abandon terror tactics.

    • President Bush addresses the 61st session of the United Nations General Assembly at U.N. headquarters, Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2006. Photo

      President Bush addresses the 61st session of the United Nations General Assembly at U.N. headquarters, Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2006.  (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)

    • President Bush arrives with U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan, left, for the United Nations General Assembly at U.N. headquarters in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2006. Photo

      President Bush arrives with U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan, left, for the United Nations General Assembly at U.N. headquarters in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2006.  (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow)

    • Sheikha Haya Rashed Al Khalifa, president of the 61st session of the U.N. General Assembly, presides over the General Assembly on Sept. 18, 2006. Photo

      Sheikha Haya Rashed Al Khalifa, president of the 61st session of the U.N. General Assembly, presides over the General Assembly on Sept. 18, 2006.  (AP)

    • Empty flag poles frame security personnel while scanning the area with binoculars from a roof at the United Nations building, Monday Sept. 18, 2006. Photo

      Empty flag poles frame security personnel while scanning the area with binoculars from a roof at the United Nations building, Monday Sept. 18, 2006.  (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews)

    • Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad addresses the 61st session of the United Nations General Assembly at the U.N. headquarters, Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2006. Photo

      Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad addresses the 61st session of the United Nations General Assembly at the U.N. headquarters, Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2006.  (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

    Previous slide Next slide
  • Interactive United Nations

    For more than 60 years, the United Nations has struggled to forge peace, end poverty and heal the world.

  • Interactive Bush Presidency

    The president's agenda, plus facts, figures, major events and key personalities.

  • Interactive Battle For Iraq

    The government, the insurgency, key players, background and photos.

(CBS/AP)  Iran's nuclear activities are “transparent, peaceful and under the watchful eye” of United Nations inspectors, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad told the U.N. General Assembly.

In a speech Tuesday, Ahmadinejad accused some permanent members of the U.N. Security Council — an apparent reference to the United States — of using the powerful U.N. body as a tool of “threat and coercion.” He reiterated his nation's commitment to the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty.

“All our nuclear activities are transparent, peaceful and under the watchful eyes” of inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency, the U.N. nuclear watchdog, Ahmadinejad said.

His speech was sharply critical of the United States and Britain, and focused in large part on what he said was their abuse of the Security Council, on which they are both permanent members with veto power.

“If they have differences with a nation or state, they drag it to the Security Council and as claimants, arrogate to themselves simultaneously the roes of prosecutor, judge and executioner,” Ahmadinejad said. “Is this a just order?”

White House Press Secretary Tony Snow said in a press gaggle today that Bush did not watch Ahmadinejad's speech last night, and would not engage in point-by-point rebuttal of it.

The U.S. and Britain played central roles in helping craft a U.N. Security Council resolution passed in July that gave Iran until Aug. 31 to suspend uranium enrichment and asked the IAEA to report on Tehran's compliance, dangling the threat of sanctions if Iran refused. Tehran made clear even before the deadline expired that it had no intention of suspending uranium enrichment.

"Clearly, Ahmadinejad's speech was an attempt to rally the developing world, not mentioning Iran's role in terror and, on the contrary, scolding the U.S and the U.K, for oppression in Iraq, Palestine, Lebanon and Iran itself," said CBS News foreign affairs analyst Pamela Falk from the U.N. on Tuesday evening.

"Although Ahmadinejad's attacks on the world powers may ring true with the developing world and it may buy Iran some more time with negotiations, the Security Council is likely to continue to press for sanctions if Iran does not return to a suspension of its nuclear programs."

The speech comes a few hours after President Bush used his U.N. platform to try to quell anti-Americanism in the Middle East by assuring Muslims that he is not waging war against Islam, regardless of what “propaganda and conspiracy theories” they hear.

Mr. Bush also pressed Iran to return at once to international talks on its nuclear program and threatened consequences if the Iranians do not.

Continued



©MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Video and Galleries from Politics

Add a Comment See all 104 Comments
by clestes-2009 September 18, 2006 2:09 PM PDT
He hasn't even opened his mouth and already I know he is going to be an embarressment to himself and to us.

I realize that Iraq and terrorism are important and need to be discussed, but no more of the flag waving, cheer leading, please. That was old 2 years ago. We need real discussions based on real facts of what is happening, not some rose colored fantasy that only the Bush Admin seems to see.

And refusing to talk to the Iranian president is just plan stupid. Treating the man with this kind of contempt is only going to increase the impression that Bush thinks he is God in cowboy boots and President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is some bad guy out of a Grade B western. I don't think that is going to impress anyone and will probably isolate the US even more.

Reply to this comment
by bigal321321 September 18, 2006 3:41 PM PDT
Congrats clestes, you have hit the nail right on the head!
Reply to this comment
by amazedd September 18, 2006 7:50 PM PDT
The Rules of Engagement in armed conflict, which is what the Geneva Convention tries to address, apply to wars were parties adhere to said convention. Thus, if one party cheats the other can call foul and bloody murder.
A covenant is only worth anything if parties respect it. Should one of the parties fail to do so, an appeal can be launched at the International Courts, to do justice.
That said, it would be sheer folly to play by the Geneva Convention with an enemy who, not only has no regard for the GC, but, moreover, would benefit from having an opponent who does; interpreting it as yet another sign of western weakness.
Terrorists, it has been said many times, don%u2019t strike with honor and valor, they%u2019ll strike wherever they can, or are allowed to do so, either by inaction or ineptitude; any sign of weakness will only encourage them, seeking to outdo each other in a gruesome game where the victims are innocent men, women and children.
Whereas valiant warriors are emboldened by injustices, of any kind, terrorists are emboldened by pampering attitudes. Treating terrorists with exquisite courtesy will only encourage their young acolytes to do the same; madness! How can you possibly apply the GC to an enemy who decapitates captured soldiers, women and innocent civilians, seriously?
Reply to this comment
by amazedd September 18, 2006 7:50 PM PDT
To imagine that by bending over backwards, in consideration for terrorists who try to blow us to kingdom come, hoping that, in return, they%u2019ll gratefully go away or strike at our neighbors instead, is reckless, insane and puts us all in grievous jeopardy. Proponents of such treatises aught to be treated to the Geneva Convention.
Respect is mutual, never one-sided. One-sided respect for the enemy is fear, or worse!
Reply to this comment
by patriotic9 September 18, 2006 9:17 PM PDT
Why U.S will demand other countries to recognize Israel.Recognizing Israel means recognizing injustice and racism.All the human beings living in this world are GOD NEGLECTED PEOPLE becuase of not being born ina race choosen by God and that's why they've not been promised a single penny from God.Whereas,the European invaders in Palestine are GOD CHOOSEN becasue of being born in a race choosen by God and that's why have been promised a land in the Middle East.This Ideology is called RACISM and INJUSTICE.Why don't we Americans elect somebody who is loyal to USA,it's people and it's constitution which separates church from state instead of these enemies of US who want to support Israel on the cost of American money and American lives because Americans are GOD NEGLECTED and the EUROPEAN INVADERS IN PALESTINE are GOD CHOOSEN.
Reply to this comment
by patriotic9 September 18, 2006 9:34 PM PDT
Freedom and democracy is the main tool against all the injsutice.The most important thing we need to do is to get rid of those enemies of freedom and democracy who don't believe in the constitution which separates church and state.Who want to make the US foreing policy which favors second coming of Christ.Who believe that when Jesus'll be back,all the democratically elected govenments'll be collapsed and the whole world'll be ruled under the dictator ship of a dictator named God who will take the freedom of the people going to strip clubs,having parties,fun and enjoyment in their lives away from them just like the Radical Talibans.
Reply to this comment
by siddin-2009 September 19, 2006 1:42 AM PDT
What we don't understand, we fear. What we fear, we destroy." - Chief Dan George
Reply to this comment
by ya_mahdi September 19, 2006 3:57 AM PDT
Perhaps the US truly do have good intentions for the middle-east.Although they do not have a clue about the mentality,culture,and voluntary religious influence Islam has on its people. The people who want freedom in the shape of the West in their own country remains a minority. There would be outrage if for instance Sharia Law was taken out of Saudi,in cities such as Mecca and Meidina people would vigorously attempt to overthrow it,people would not embrace freedom.

Look at the popularity of Ahmadinejad,yes he has domestic political rivalries, but the popularity of Khomeini cannot be discarded, and the Iranian people love Ahmadinejad as he carries on Khomeini's legacy. One thing is for sure,he is more popular in Iran, then Bush in the US, and Blair in the UK,even with his 'oppressive regime'.At least he doesnt have problems like high abortion rates,child abuse,drunken violence,drug abuse,rape,teen pregnancy and crime,compared to what rates are like in the West.

Your conduct is poor,removal of Saddam was necessary,but so was international approval,not your we are above the law attitude.Abu Ghuraib is a disgrace,186% appreciation in Iraqi oil exports to raised eyebrows. Why not allow an impartial international force in?What would be your objection?What did attacking Afghanistan achieve?With your wealth,do good,many countries are poor,offer assistance,serve your own people by extending healthcare to all US nationals,$100,000 in wheat to aid Lebanon was disgraceful.
Reply to this comment
by sharncedar September 19, 2006 8:10 AM PDT
"That said, it would be sheer folly to play by the Geneva Convention with an enemy who, not only has no regard for the GC, but, moreover, would benefit from having an opponent who does"

The Japanese mistreated prisoners of war in WWII. We did not. We won that war. Why did we win? Because of our moral highground, a group of German scientists wrote a letter to the President of the US, informing him of the amount of energy possible in fission of Uranium which they had just amazingly discovered through some calculations. They could have written to the Japanese, or the Germans, but they chose the United States. They thought it was the only country that could be trusted with the atomic bomb.

It is a fantastic story, read it if you get a chance, my friend. It was our moral high ground, our refusal to be petty and violent, that gave us victory in WWII.
Reply to this comment
by clestes-2009 September 19, 2006 11:23 AM PDT
Protraying democracy as the instrument to combat terrorism does nothing to address to root of the problem. Bush & co are avoiding the real issue here by spreading the blanket of democracy over all and hoping it covers up the stupid mistakes made in US foreign policy which IS THE ROOT of all the terrorism attacks. Starting way before gw the US has had a policy of interfering in the governments of middle east countries. The CIA has overthrown democratically elected prime ministers, it has imposed sanctions that cost the lives of 100,000+ babies. These are just 2 of the US foreign policies towards Iran and Iraq. It should be no great surprise to anyone that the middle east has responded by resorting to terror tatics. They have been putting up with this meddling in their political processes long enough.

If Bus & co really want to battle terrorism, they will STOP AT ONCE all the covert activities of the CIA, they will pull the troops out or Iraq and they will join with the UN to bring international attention to the problems of the middle east.

If this were to happen (which I doubt because it would mean the US will lose what hold it has over their oil) I guarentee that the threat of terrorism attacks would drop dramatically. Sure their would still be resentment, but it would be against the world, not just us.
Reply to this comment
by vikezupa September 19, 2006 1:07 PM PDT
President Bush hit a homerun. Bush is the only world leader who refuses to brown-nose extremists and terrorists. Extremists who are molly-coddled by ***-by-ya leftist in the U.S. and France. By their inaction, the liberals in the U.S. and France have blood on their hands, no doubt.
Reply to this comment
by ronniehm September 19, 2006 1:18 PM PDT
Clestes, you act as though the US just imposes sanctions on countries for no apparent reason. If you're really looking for the root cause of terrorism (though it seems you're looking for a way to say we deserve it), you can't just point to sanctions. Sanctions are punishments. So punishments for what? You're looking for the root and you're halfway up the tree.

And I can't imagine what would happen if we shut down the CIA and pulled out of Iraq. The death toll would be astronomical, both in Iraq and in America. We saw that in Vietnam. No, the only way to solve anything is to assume that most citizens of the world aren't terrorists and put them in power. Democracy. These countries, whether they like it or not, are part of the world community. We're not living in the 14th century any more. It's time for these countries to evolve or find another planet. I'm tired of sending aid to oil-rich countries.
Reply to this comment
by ronniehm September 19, 2006 1:21 PM PDT
I listened to most of that speech, vikezupa. It was a pretty good one. It didn't have a cowboy attitude, just a good strong speech.
Reply to this comment
by hrdstonewall September 19, 2006 1:24 PM PDT
To say that the US should submit to the UN and trust this submission will bring the end of terrorism, peace to Middle East and elsewhere is just unspeakable foolishness. Those who oppose the US not only hate freedom and democracy but they were raised by that same hate in their own families. There are countries in which the degradation, mutilation and murder of women of all ages is not only allowed, but encouraged. When will a population raised in hate will recognize moral values such as compassion, respect and humility? Never. Humanity has lived in hatred. UN, was supposed to end all hatred between nations but has done little; no one wants to compromise saying violence will be shut down by suppressive means. What have the UN done for places like Darfur, Somalia, Congo, Chechenya, Lebannon or India, Nobody in history has ever called to end violence world wide and when GWB tried, was called a war monger. Other presidents, such as Roosevelt have dealt with ethnic cleansing, just ask native Americans- no one called him any names for that. Why is Jimmy Carter a political advisor when Iranian insurgents mocked him on TV before US hostages? My heart tears apart at the news, because thanks to this selfish, immoral and corrupt society that the whole world is creating and making worse everyday, our children will have a much worse place to live in when we finally leave it to them. If everyone in the world thought of that, this world might have hope for better days. God help us all.
Reply to this comment
by clestes-2009 September 19, 2006 1:32 PM PDT
Ronnie, agreed that the sanctions were done with other countries. The US was a big mover and shaker behind the sanctions, however. But the point still remains.

This is the fault of US foreign policy towards the middle east over the last 50 years. I am not even blaming gw for all of it. This problem goes back to Ike. However, shrub has made a bad situation even worse by the invasion of Iraq. The time has pasted where the US can simply meddle in another country's affairs and not have serious trouble for it.

We must re-evaluate our foreign policy from the ground up and work more with and through the UN. Simply claiming that democracy will heal all is naive and takes no account of current political situations and differing cultures.
Reply to this comment
by clestes-2009 September 19, 2006 1:40 PM PDT
To hrdstonewall and all others who think radical Islam hates our freedoms, here is a news flash.

They hate OUR FOREIGN POLICY OF INTERVENTION.

Shrub & co have done a job of diguising this by making everyone feel that all the rest of the world wants to be like us. THEY DON'T. They would be happy to live as they want WITHOUT THE INTERFERENCE OF THE US IN THEIR POLITICAL AFFAIRS.

Reply to this comment
by aesop2-2009 September 19, 2006 1:44 PM PDT
If Mr. Bush is so desirest of peace he should make the first move, leave the middle east and it's problems for those who live there and understand it's social and political structure to solve their own problems. It is time for those of western culture to cease trying to remake the world in their image.
Reply to this comment
by ronniehm September 19, 2006 2:12 PM PDT
clestes, they want to kill the Pope. Why is that? His policy of intervention? They blew up an embassy because of a cartoon? Why? Denmark's policy of intervention? Again, sanctions why? Intervened why? A reaction is not a root cause. The world needs to wake up to the root cause - we're not muslims -- and intervene like our lives depend on it. Look at the list of countries that have been the victims of muslim terrorist attacks over the last 50 years. They want to kill EVERYONE.
Reply to this comment
by clestes-2009 September 19, 2006 2:23 PM PDT
You are making the mistake of lumping all terrorist in the same group. That is like saying all Asians are the same because they come from the east. Of course there are the nuts who are using this to wage some private agenda.

But read about US foreign policy. Don't think it is dry and boring. It is really interesting stuff and will help with the understanding of the root problem.

I am not making this stuff up. I have a lot of reading (not as much as some) but enough to know that this policy of constant interfering with other countries is not a good idea.
Reply to this comment
by clestes-2009 September 19, 2006 2:30 PM PDT
If Bush desires peace he should stop making unprovoked war.
Reply to this comment
by ronniehm September 19, 2006 2:55 PM PDT
I would hardly call ignoring 12 UN resolutions and shooting at planes in the no-fly zone unprovoking. If you think the war is not the appropriate response, then fine, but unprovoked is a gross exaggeration of reality. I'm know you've read about the middle east, but it seems like your book started with chapter 13.
Reply to this comment
by clestes-2009 September 19, 2006 2:58 PM PDT
Have you done any reading?
Reply to this comment
by ronniehm September 19, 2006 3:32 PM PDT
Daily. Study the Ottoman Empire a little. You'll see this situation pre-dates the existence of the United States.
Reply to this comment
by clestes-2009 September 19, 2006 4:25 PM PDT
Try history more recent. 1945 - now. US foreign policy
Reply to this comment
by patriotic9 September 19, 2006 4:52 PM PDT
President Bush was supposed to speak as the President of US not as a Bishop.While discussing the conflict between the Palestinians and the European invaders in Palestine he used the word HOLY LAND for that region which goes against the constitution of United States which separates church from state.I hope,he is not among one of those enemies of United States who don't believe in the constitution which separates church from state.Who want to support the illegitimate and unjustified existance of Israel on the world map on the cost of American money and American lives because according to their Radical,Racist,Unjust and Backward ideology,Americans are GOD NEGLECTED and the EUROPEAN INVADERS IN PALESTINE are GOD CHOOSEN.
Reply to this comment
by agnim September 19, 2006 5:40 PM PDT
The bush blunders continue to pile up and this is one of the biggest bush blunders!
Bush is dead WRONG on the insane islam!

The destruction of the signs and symbols of the islamic insanity should be the target, and not the unfortunate HUMANS who have been brainwashed into islam over the generations!

Islam is just a dam ideology, people, a bunch of ideas!
Islam IS NOT a sentient being.
Attacking islam and destroying the inimical ideology should be the target, not humans.

We SHOULD NOT be targeting humans! We should not be raining bombs on women and children.
Instead, EMPTY and level the mosques and burn the korans, starting with any found in the US.

There should not be a mosque or koran allowed in the US. Let these sick symbols of the insane islam remain on the Arabian Peninsula if the inhabitants wish them there.

And touche to the Arabs for not allowing any churches in Arabia. Can't say I blame them either.
Reply to this comment
by ronniehm September 19, 2006 5:52 PM PDT
"Try history more recent. 1945 - now. US foreign policy"

Do you want to talk about the root problem, or are you just trying to make America look bad? You can't just pick a year and say don't look at anything before that. You want to make it look like we just decided one day out of the clear blue sky to start bothering people, and everything was just groovy before World War II. Well the reason they call it World War II is because there was a World War I.
Reply to this comment
by clestes-2009 September 19, 2006 5:53 PM PDT
What a hypocrit.
Reply to this comment
by ronniehm September 19, 2006 6:06 PM PDT
"They don't want anything to do with our "Western" democratic system."

So when the bad guys said they would be blowing up polling stations and the voters went anyway, what was that? Stupidity?
Reply to this comment
by ronniehm September 19, 2006 6:21 PM PDT
Agnim, you're weird.
Reply to this comment
by one_american September 19, 2006 6:25 PM PDT
Proof that President Bush's policies have been working.

A statement from Iraqi President Talabani, today:

PRESIDENT TALABANI: "Thank you. <b>Today we were honored to meet President Bush, who we consider him as the hero of liberation of Iraq, and who we are very much appreciate the sacrifice of brave American army, those who gave their life to liberate our country from the worst kind of dictatorship</b>, which left behind mass graves with hundreds of thousands of innocent Iraqis in it. And the liberation of Iraq from this kind of dictatorship opened the door for Iraqi people to enjoy democracy, human rights and all kinds of liberties, and to have free election, the national assembly then elects the presidency and speaker and prime minister, and to have national unity, a government headed by Dr. Maliki."
Reply to this comment
by one_american September 19, 2006 6:28 PM PDT
PRESIDENT TALABANI: (continued)
"This government is representing main portions of Iraqi people, of course Arabs, Sunnis, Shias, Turkomans, Christians, Muslims, everyone represented in this government, and is working well for national reconciliation. I briefed his Excellency, President, about the steps we have taken towards implementing -- implementation of national reconciliation program, and also I told him that we are trying to do our best to remove all obstacles in the way of national reconciliation to try to review, some of those like de-Baathification and look to the amendment of a constitution and also try to have some kind of discussion, free discussion about federation and some other issues. We have also our roadmap in Iraq, which was decided by a political council of national security for solving other problems of Iraqi people.

<b>We, again, expressed our gratitude to his Excellency, our dear friend, President George Bush, and to American people. We hope that America also understand that we are grateful to them, to the America, and we will never forget those friends who helped us in the difficult days of Iraq, and Iraq will be always in the future in very good relation and be the friend of the United States and partner of United States in fighting against tyranny, dictatorship and terrorism. You can count on the Iraqi people, Mr. President, in fighting against terrorism and for democratization of whole Middle East"</b>.
Reply to this comment
by roythelib September 19, 2006 6:46 PM PDT
There is a root problem in trying to establish democracy in Iraq that this administration is determined to ignore (from the begining), the Iraqi have never been unified as a single Iraqi people. They lack the national identity as Iraqi people, they are Sunni, Kurd, Shia with religious/tribal allegiances. Iraq has only been held together with force, constructed by outsiders. I think ultimately what we will see is a three province Iraq, with little central power or control. Once they can figure out how to share the oil and other natural resources to everyones agreement, they can essentially power share and create the three provinces.
Do the Iraqi people want freedom ? Yes of course they do, it just might not be the same western version that we have or see. We say we want them to have freedom, what if they freely choose a fundemental Islamic goverment?
Reply to this comment
by agnim September 19, 2006 7:09 PM PDT
RonnieHM, Agnim is weird because Agnim would rather target an idiotic ideology (which the insane islam is) than to target the unfortunate humans who happen to be maniac muslims?

You think that a bunch of ideas (insane islam) has more value than one sentient HUMAN?

You think that the insane islam and its signs and symbols are worth more than the least among HUMANS?

If your answer to the above is the affirmative, then know why we have a certified idiotic leadership that values an inimical ideology over HUMANS: People like yourself elect or allow such a misguided leadership.

Islam should be the target along with its signs and symbols.

Islam needs to be eradicated from the planet so that it ceases to be used as a mental poison for insane islamic minds and so incline them to perpetuate even greater evil on the land.
Reply to this comment
by roythelib September 19, 2006 7:33 PM PDT
Agnim, a little religious cleansing huh. Where have I heard that before?

What we do need is for the non-extremist Muslims to stand up to the extremist who have hijacked their religion and expoilted it for another political agenda. This extreme view of Islam cannot be defeated from the outside, only from within. Only exposing these charlatans for what they really are can bring them down.

We could also use the help of our friends the Saudi and Pakistani and others in shuting down the madrassas which are furthering the spread of the wahhabism sect.
Reply to this comment
by alphaa10-2009 September 19, 2006 8:12 PM PDT
RonnieHM said-- "<b>So when the bad guys said they would be blowing up polling stations and the voters went anyway, what was that? Stupidity?</b>"

No, it was a vain display of hope, which, despite our claims, we have helped trash though sheer ineptitude. While Iraqis hope for better conditions, most Iraqis-- and probably al Maliki and Talabani, as well-- believe that day will not arrive ahead of a US Army convoy. Iraqis want us out.
Reply to this comment
by alphaa10-2009 September 19, 2006 8:24 PM PDT
One_American said-- "<b>Proof that President Bush's policies have been working... A statement from Iraqi President Talabani, today...</b>

One_American, even you understand no "proof" rests on official speeches, especially the captive "leader" of an occupied country. But do you object to the term, "occupied" instead of "liberated"? Then thank Bush-- in addition to all his other blunders, he characterized Iraq in exactly those terms.

But if official speeches count, what makes them official? The American Third Infantry Division?

But to return to the painful question, what makes such official pronouncements true? Or should we alao hail Chalabi for his "contributions" to Bush pre-Iraq invasion intel as a loyal Iranian agent-- just because Bush and Cheney were taken in and feted him and the INC so grandly?
Reply to this comment
by joehawkinson September 19, 2006 8:29 PM PDT
Talking about "insane Islam", AGNIM you must be insane! Look at this "sane?" Agnim and what he says , this all wise and humane individual says "Instead, EMPTY and level the mosques and burn the Korans, starting with any found in the US.There should not be a mosque or Koran allowed in the US. Let these sick symbols of the insane Islam remain on the Arabian Peninsula if the inhabitants wish them there."
Can someone be more idiot than the writer of the above. Level the mosques and ban Quran. Well Soviets did just that in Central Asia and some administrations of Turkish Republic did close the mosques and banned the Quran. It did not work. AGNIM why is all this inferiority complex. Can you not fight with your "sane" ideology ? is not your "sane" ideology enough, may be not huh? That's why you are all for physical force and bombing etc. Your desperate cry and crazy ideas mean clearly that you lack the intellect and knowledge to defend your thoughts and arguments and, whatever you believe is loosing against Islam so that you are crying for waging war against a religion. AGNIM You sound very pathetic to say the least. We are in 21st century and there is no place in the world for religious nutcases or Neo-con fascists like you.
Reason, dialog are our only means for World's peace and Muslims must work hard to get rid of the extremist minority that represent them in the World arena. Muslims if you think you are being misunderstood speak up.
Joe
Reply to this comment
by alphaa10-2009 September 19, 2006 8:31 PM PDT
Bush said-- "<b>We are not at war with Islam."</b>

Talk about a wasted, hopeless PR campaign-- not to mention real proof that official speeches never prove anything near what they intend to prove.

If Bush were only a comedian for gallows humor, this statement would leave the Islamic world laughing. No American president in history has been more despised and reviled than Bush, in the MidEast or beyond. Heckuva job, Bush!
Reply to this comment
by tomflint69 September 19, 2006 8:52 PM PDT
~ LONG LIVE PRESIDENT BUSH AND HIS POLICIES. REST OF THE IDIOTS WHO ARE AGAINST HIM, SHUT UP & GET LOST.
Reply to this comment
by ronniehm September 19, 2006 9:16 PM PDT
Alphaa, it comes down to this. Either I believe you and al qaeda, or I believe George Bush and the president of Iraq.
Reply to this comment
by theprinze September 19, 2006 9:26 PM PDT
It is regretable that we have witnessed so many slip ups in the past 6 years, that some of you Americans are still blind to the deceipt and fear your Government Preaches. You need not look to your own ever growing domestic problems, unemployment, education and health care, to see that your government is acting on the interests of the small minority high ranking officials and rich corporations and not the people. Why wouldnt Bush sit down and talk with Ahmedinejad? Tell me give me one good reason? U meet in a remote place, if he doesnt like whats being said he can get up and bounce. But he refuses for what reasons?? Isnt his truth and belief in "our generations calling" sufficient enough ammo along with the backing of the greatest people in the world, isnt that enough ammo to go to diplomatic war with? The only way it wouldnt, is if yer an Idiot like Mr bush, or if your intentions are not genuine and your calling not truth.
Reply to this comment
by shutupmurtha September 19, 2006 9:39 PM PDT
His nuke program is just as peaceful as the religion of Islam. Get HITLER OUT OF MY COUNTRY!
Reply to this comment
by shutupmurtha September 19, 2006 9:42 PM PDT
Agnim, You are right as John Quincy Adams said in 1830

"In the seventh century of the Christian era, a wandering Arab of the lineage of Hagar [i.e., Muhammad], the Egyptian, [.....] Adopting from the new Revelation of Jesus, the faith and hope of immortal life, and of future retribution, he humbled it to the dust by adapting all the rewards and sanctions of his religion to the gratification of the sexual passion. He poisoned the sources of human felicity at the fountain, by degrading the condition of the female ***, and the allowance of polygamy; and he declared undistinguishing and exterminating war, as a part of his religion, against all the rest of mankind. THE ESSENCE OF HIS DOCTRINE WAS VIOLENCE AND LUST.- TO EXALT THE BRUTAL OVER THE SPIRITUAL PART OF HUMAN NATURE.... Between these two religions, thus contrasted in their characters, a war of twelve hundred years has already raged. The war is yet flagrant ... While the merciless and dissolute dogmas of the false prophet shall furnish motives to human action, there can never be peace upon earth, and good will towards men."

Reply to this comment
by kudosdc September 19, 2006 10:38 PM PDT
The hyperbolic discourse that has replaced careful diplomacy has flourished because irrational, unbalanced and apocalyptic fools have managed to become the leaders of their respective nations. The media cannot allow rhetoric to trump evidence once again - that's why I find the headline to this article to be negligent. By using the word "nukes," you have clearly implied that Ahmadinejad already possesses nuclear weapons - the word just doesn't apply to any other "nuclear activity" except weapons. Be careful - we cannot afford such flippant, sloppy headlines when the story has little empirical facts, and is being defined by headlines.
Reply to this comment
by ronniehm September 19, 2006 11:04 PM PDT
"You need not look to your own ever growing domestic problems, unemployment ..."

It's 4.7%. I'd love to know what you thought it was.

"Why wouldnt Bush sit down and talk with Ahmedinejad? Tell me give me one good reason?"

What on Earth would they chat about? wiping Israel off the map? the holocaust myth? cartoon contests? It's hard to believe you think Bush is an idiot but this guy deserves respect.
Reply to this comment
by patriotic9 September 19, 2006 11:45 PM PDT
I just want to know few things.Somebody please tell me why it was justified to bring people from different European countries to Palestine to occupy their land by force?Don't give me answer from any religious text as I am a patriotic loyal American who firmly believes in the constitution of United States which separates church from state.Also tell me why should we take oil from Arabs in cheaper price and support their enemies who were brought into their land to occupy it by force?An African American man dying in New Orleasn after Hurricane Katrina because of not getting support from Govt.can be convinced that he desrves that treatment because of being born in a GOD NEGLECTED BLACK RACE but the whole world can't be fooled by the RADICAL,RACIST and UNJUST CHRISTIANITY which considers American citizens as GOD NEGLECTED and EUROPEAN INVADERS IN PALESTINE as GOD CHOOSEN.
Reply to this comment
by tellitasitis September 19, 2006 11:49 PM PDT
Ronnie

don't waste your breath - they are idiots! they are so blurred by trying to bash bush and the US they actually think these people are peaceful! they will be the same ones who are begging bush for more money to rebuild their city after some peaceful muslim wanders in to it with their little suitcase filled with the "peaceful" nukes the little iranian idiots so desire and blows up some catholic church and the rest of the city and "christian" people with it (it's ok to say blow up christian people - but I sure won't mention blowing up muslims)

and god forbid that these (poor muslim loving) idiots have a job of any importance whatsoever and say they have to make a speech one day in which they decide to tell a story about something that happened in the past and they offend say the polish population and then all of a sudden they are going to be murdered! I wonder how they would feel about the polish people......

or here's a good one how many polish jokes have you heard in your life time or north american indian jokes or pakistani or.......... how about the next time anyone tells one we just cut them into pieces right there in the middle of the office....

WOW now THAT would be peaceful!! I could get on board with that program....
Reply to this comment
by patriotic9 September 19, 2006 11:52 PM PDT
Thousands of Americans were killed in 9/11 because of their tax money goin to the European invaders in Plaestine for the killing of those people who give us oil in cheaper price but the RADICAL,RACIST and UNJUST Christians want to continue support the illigetimate and unjustified existance of Israel on the cost of American money and Americal lives because Americans are GOD NEGLECTED the European invaders in Palestien are GOD CHOOSEN.It is the responsibility of the GOD NEGLECTED Americans to work day and night to pay tax to US Govt.and the right of the European invaders in Palestine to snatch more then 3B$ from that yearly for the killing of those innocent people who were not born in a race choosen by a RACIST ANTI AMERICAN GOD.
Reply to this comment
by tellitasitis September 19, 2006 11:54 PM PDT
oh yeah and the unemployment where I am is even lower then that by the way

and my house price is STILL going UP.....

Reply to this comment
See all 104 Comments
  • MOST POPULAR
  • Viewed
  • Commented
Latest News
Featured Blogs