TEHRAN, Sept. 23, 2007

Ahmadinejad: Iran Not Walking Toward War

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

  • Play CBS Video Video The World Trade Center

    Part 1: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad tells Scott Pelley his proposed visit to ground zero was intended as a way to pay respect and wonders how his visit would be insulting.

  • Video Iranian Weapons In Iraq

    Part 2: Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad denies claims Iranian weapons are being used against American soldiers in Iraq, saying, "If they accuse us 1,000 times, the truth will not change."

  • Video Iran And The War In Iraq

    Part 3: Saying Iran is very much "opposed to war," Mahmoud Ahmadinejad maintains there are no Iranian forces in Iraq but says his country is doing everything in their power to provide security.

  • Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, speaking with <b><i>60 Minutes</i> correspondent Scott Pelley</b> in Tehran, on Sept. 20, 2007. Photo

    Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, speaking with 60 Minutes correspondent Scott Pelley in Tehran, on Sept. 20, 2007.  (CBS)

  • Photo Essay Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

    The outspoken Iranian president is one of the most controversial figures on the international stage.

  • Timeline The U.S. And Iran

    Key events in once friendly, now contentious relationship between Washington and Tehran.

Related Information
60 MINUTES
  • Read Scott Pelley's report on Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
  • Watch the full interview.
  • Read part one of the interview transcript.
  • Read part two of the interview transcript.

  • (CBS)  Asked what trait he admires in President Bush, Ahmadinejad paused.

    "What do you admire about him? Is there anything, any trait?" Pelley asked.

    "As an American citizen tell me what trait do you admire?" the president asked Pelley.

    "Well Mr. Bush is without question a very religious man for example, as you are," Pelley replied.

    "What religion, please tell me, tells you as a follower of that religion to occupy another country and kill its people, please tell me, does Christianity tell its followers to do that?" Ahmadinejad asked.

    "I take it you can’t think of anything you like about President Bush," Pelley remarked.

    "Well, I'm not familiar with the gentleman’s private life. Maybe in his private life he is very kind or determined man," the president said.

    "I asked President Bush what he would say to you if he were sitting in this chair. And he told me-quote-speaking to you, that you’ve made terrible choices for your people. You’ve isolated your nation you’ve taken a nation of proud and honorable people and made your country the pariah of the world. These are President Bush’s words to you," Pelley said. "What’s your reply?"

    "Well, President Bush is free to think as the pleases and to say what he pleases," Ahmadinejad said. "I don’t think that President Bush has said these things. Rather I prefer to think that this is your impression of what the president said."

    "I’m quoting the president directly, for the record," Pelley remarked.

    "This is a direct quote, so well, this tells me that there is a great divide between us," Ahmadinejad said.

    "President Bush has pledged that you will not be allowed to possess a nuclear weapon and will use military force if necessary," Pelley said.

    "I think Mr. Bush, if he wants his party to win the next election, there are cheaper ways to go about this. I can very well give him a few ideas so that the people vote for him. He should respect the American people. They should not bug the telephone conversations of their citizens," the president said. "They should not kill the sons and daughters of the American nation. They should not squander the taxpayers' money and give them to weapons companies. And also help the people, the victims of Katrina. People will vote for them if they do these things. What I'm saying, I am being very sincere here. I'm a Muslim. I cannot tell a lie."

    "But when I ask you a question as direct as 'Will you pledge not to test a nuclear weapon?' you act, you dance all around the question. You never say 'Yes.' You never say 'No,'" Pelley points out.

    "Well, thank you for that. You are like a CIA investigator. And you are…," Ahmadinejad replied.

    "I am just a reporter. I am a simple average American reporter," Pelley said.

    "This is not Guantanamo Bay. This is not a Baghdad prison. Please, this is not a secret prison in Europe. This is not Abu Ghraib," Ahmadinejad said. "This is Iran. I'm the president of this country!"


    Produced By Robert Anderson and Casey Morgan
    © MMVII, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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    Add a Comment See all 1360 Comments
    by enriquecaliente September 20, 2007 5:16 PM PDT
    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.???
    Reply to this comment
    by tk4201 September 20, 2007 5:59 PM PDT
    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!!"
    Reply to this comment
    by jtswett September 20, 2007 6:41 PM PDT
    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.
    Reply to this comment
    by syfd124 September 20, 2007 8:06 PM PDT
    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.)
    Reply to this comment
    by middleman8 September 20, 2007 8:11 PM PDT
    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?
    Reply to this comment
    by groesselj September 20, 2007 8:39 PM PDT
    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.
    Reply to this comment
    by nobodynoone-2009 September 20, 2007 8:44 PM PDT
    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.
    Reply to this comment
    by nobodynoone-2009 September 20, 2007 8:44 PM PDT
    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.
    Reply to this comment
    by Dirty Creature September 20, 2007 9:34 PM PDT
    "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.
    Reply to this comment
    by mckeond September 20, 2007 9:44 PM PDT
    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.

    Reply to this comment
    by tcoleman12 September 20, 2007 9:51 PM PDT
    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?
    Reply to this comment
    by phidda September 20, 2007 9:57 PM PDT
    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.
    Reply to this comment
    by cmerkey1 September 20, 2007 10:02 PM PDT
    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.
    Reply to this comment
    by truthheals September 20, 2007 10:12 PM PDT
    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.
    Reply to this comment
    by phidda September 20, 2007 10:17 PM PDT
    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.
    Reply to this comment
    by phidda September 20, 2007 10:17 PM PDT
    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.
    Reply to this comment
    by paradigm19-2009 September 20, 2007 10:22 PM PDT
    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.
    Reply to this comment
    by usflag1 September 20, 2007 10:23 PM PDT
    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.
    Reply to this comment
    by paradigm19-2009 September 20, 2007 10:24 PM PDT
    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.
    Reply to this comment
    by usflag1 September 20, 2007 10:33 PM PDT
    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.
    Reply to this comment
    by foxhannity September 20, 2007 10:37 PM PDT
    Not everyone is still under the MISperception that Iran had something to do with 9/11. So make sure to note that you are not speaking for me next week.

    And one more thing, remember that the same people that you quote "designated Iran as a state sponsor of terrorism" are the same people that are now responsible for 700,000 innocent civilians deaths based on baseless suspicion that Iraq had nuclear weapons.

    I''m glad he stood up to you. Maybe this will be lesson for all of us to dig a bit deeper before we write another blank check for war written in American blood.

    Call me crazy!

    Reply to this comment
    by usflag1 September 20, 2007 10:39 PM PDT
    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.
    Reply to this comment
    by shanev137 September 20, 2007 10:50 PM PDT
    The guy looks just like Bush with a beard.
    Reply to this comment
    by benb57 September 20, 2007 11:07 PM PDT
    You can certainly who the viewers of CBS are by the above comments.

    Yes, America is a nation of 300 million people and diverse opinion (and unlike some nations we don''t try to suppress them) But we are still American, there is no divided America on these sorts of issues except for a certain far-left lunatic fringe (see above).
    Reply to this comment
    by tk4201 September 20, 2007 11:08 PM PDT
    truthheals - is exactly right!!

    "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."

    Someone needs to get Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad''s e-mail address and tell him how the American people really feel. Again, WELCOME TO NY!!...now lets move forward to peace. That is all God wants for us anyway...learn to love one another no matter what our differences.
    Reply to this comment
    by benny_a1 September 20, 2007 11:39 PM PDT
    I was a bit surprised by Scott Pelley''s wording to the Iranian President when I saw his interview. I''m paraphasing a bit, but Scott said "that the American people do not want the leader of an ISLAMIC state that supports terrorism to visit our most sacred gounds." Americans aren''t against ISLAMIC states; we are only against states that support TERRORISM. I think his comment sends the wrong message. The word "Islamic" doesn''t belong in that sentence. We don''t have any problem when Iran being an "Islamic state" only that they support terrorism. If Scott Pelley meant to imply in anyway that Islamic states are our enemy than the comment speaks for itself. However, I believe his intended message was only that Iran''s government supports terrorism and we are against that. I do not believe that he meant to include Islam into that mix and thus, I believe he should clarify that. He shouldn''t apologize, but simply clarify.
    Reply to this comment
    by usflag1 September 20, 2007 11:45 PM PDT
    BENNY_a1, my friend please don''t interpret for us what Scott Pelley was trying to imply. It is a matter of fact that every word they say is scripted and rehearsed. Scott Pelley was not conducting an interview so much as he was trying to shape viewers minds. Fortunaletly, there are still a good number of Americans who see right through his yellow journalism. This is a sham interview and another attemp by the Zionist dominated media to steer American opnion towards sympathy for a Terrorist nation like Isreal.
    Reply to this comment
    by txfl2000 September 20, 2007 11:57 PM PDT
    How can some of you so quickly forget the near constant rhetoric coming out of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad''s mouth with words like "Death to America" and "Death to Israel"? Do you know that you can be killed for showing up in Iran with an Isreali stamp in your passport? Have you forgotten, or did you not know that Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was one of the leaders of the then college students who captured, abused, and held the 52 American hostages?
    Reply to this comment
    by txfl2000 September 21, 2007 12:04 AM PDT
    "usflag1", Palestinians are terrorists. They are the ones who bring bombs onto crowded buses. Israel conducts law enforcement to protect its people from YOU thugs.
    Reply to this comment
    by benny_a1 September 21, 2007 12:05 AM PDT
    I didn''t see the whole interview, but I''m pretty sure Israel isn''t mentioned anywhere in that interview...you know, it could be that 60 minutes is trying to get sympathy for the new French President who has been speaking out against Iran. You know now that I think about it, with your logic, they could be trying to garner sympathy for all the other groups of people who weren''t mentioned in that interview either... California farmers, Columbian drug smugglers, the cast of 3rd Rock, etc.
    Reply to this comment
    by usflag1 September 21, 2007 12:06 AM PDT
    txfl2000...Where are you getting your information from? scott pelley? and how fast have you forgotten that it was Iran who helped us defeat the Taliban, and Bush rewarded them 3 weeks later by calling them axis of evil. Have you forgotten our own rhetoric? you wanna remember 52 hostages from 30 years ago, but you don''t want to remember our own daily assult on Iran and the Iranian people in our Media. Secondly, your 2 facts are wrong, about the isreali stamp and him being involved in the hostage taking. Is hostage taking really worse than Isreal killing people everyday. I thought killing was worse than taking hostage and letting them go unharmend. How are we americans affected if Iran has a certain view of Isreal? why are we being forced by the media (you are proof that media is succeeding) to think that somehow Isreal''s interests are the same as the US. wake up and let isreal fight it''s own battle.
    Reply to this comment
    by usflag1 September 21, 2007 12:09 AM PDT
    txfl2000. Isreal is the biggest terrorist sponsor in the history of mankind. 50 years ago, we made the mistake of kicking them out of europe cause we didn''t want them, and now for 50 years they''ve been killing palestinians.
    Reply to this comment
    by txfl2000 September 21, 2007 12:12 AM PDT
    6 Million Jews were slaughtered by Adolph Hitler. The US swore to protect them. That''s the connection. My facts are not wrong... I have been there and I have seen this with my own eyes.
    Reply to this comment
    by txfl2000 September 21, 2007 12:14 AM PDT
    http://www.aljazeera.com/ - the most biased joke of a media outlet there is... must be where you get your news, USFLAG1.
    Reply to this comment
    by usflag1 September 21, 2007 12:16 AM PDT
    They were slaughtered, so now they''re slaughtering Palestinians. Maybe it is Ahmadinejad who is swearing to protect the palestinians. How come US can swera to protect jews but if others try to protect the palestinians they are terrorist? Iran has every right to get the nuclear bom to protect itself from lunatics.
    Reply to this comment
    by txfl2000 September 21, 2007 12:23 AM PDT
    Protect the Palestinians from what? There is a cause and effect involved here. Every action Isreal takes is in response to Palestinians killing innocent people, just like the Muslims killed 3000 innocent Americans at the World Trade Center. You forget which came first, then you want to apply idiotic conspiracy theories to the whole thing? I''ll bet the last letter in your last name is "D".
    Reply to this comment
    by negemo September 21, 2007 1:23 AM PDT
    txfl2000: You wrote, "did you not know that Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was one of the leaders of the then college students who captured, abused, and held the 52 American hostages?"

    Why did Iran turn against the US? Do you follow US policy?

    Search for the "Iran CIA 1953", the US lead coup d''itat was done to secure the oil fields from Iran and hand them over to US interests. Would you expect the US to ''fght'' back?

    If you have the stomach, here is a documentary on the issue you brought up. http://youtube.com/watch?v=ldgbOxDX6DE

    It seems as if Americans think they can do what ever to who ever and NEVER expect any blowback.

    God Bless America!
    Reply to this comment
    by feelfree1 September 21, 2007 2:15 AM PDT

    Re: ""Well, I''m amazed. How can you speak for the whole of the American nation?" Ahmadinejad says."

    Good point. He can''t. And this is a prime example of the kind of propagandistic blather that passes for "journalism" on CBS Newz.

    Re: "We obviously are very much against any terrorist action and any killing."

    You see, Mr. Ahmadinejad, therein lies the problem. The bootlicker that is interviewing you here does not even have enough sense to challenge the illegal war of aggression against Iraq, which has claimed the lives of around 1 million people.

    Scott Pelley, in other words, appears to be a supporter of, and an eager apologist for terrorism, so long as his masters are benefitting from it in some way.
    Reply to this comment
    by socrates392 September 21, 2007 2:27 AM PDT
    txfl200o...protect them from evil. Go to europe and see what the europeans think of jews. they''''ve been hated for 2000 years for a reason. this didn''''t just start yesterday. They were kicked out of europe and russia and dumped in Palestine, now the palestinians have to deal with their garbage.

    Posted by usflag1 at 12:34 AM : Sep 21, 2007

    Not a big fan of Jews I take it . . .
    Reply to this comment
    by extremophil September 21, 2007 8:12 AM PDT
    I suggest we tell Ahmadinejad to take a bus or taxi to Ground Zero if he wants to visit (without security). THEN see what his answer will be.
    Reply to this comment
    by Dirty Creature September 21, 2007 8:55 AM PDT
    "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."

    Right-O. After that we can have the wolves and the lambs "extending hands like an olive branch" to join together to end the killing of lambs by wolves. And as Poland and the Nazis should have been "extending hands like an olive branch" to end the invasion of Poland by the Nazis.

    You''re crazy, fella. Plain and simple. Who''s good and who''s evil, matters. Extending hands with those who want only your blood ain''t gonna get it, and you won''t be talking anyone into it who isn''t already as dumb as you. Fortunately, that''s not nearly half of everyone yet.
    Reply to this comment
    by dr rw September 21, 2007 9:06 AM PDT
    The United States is the world''s largest exporter of terrorism. If you don''t know that then you haven''t studied history. And you clearly are not aware of current events..... 1,000,000 Iraqi mothers, kids and fathers dead. For Oil. For the AMerican Empire.

    The reporter in this article does not speak for me.

    dr rdw
    Reply to this comment
    by dr rw September 21, 2007 9:07 AM PDT
    The United States is the world''s largest exporter of terrorism. If you don''t know that then you haven''t studied history. And you clearly are not aware of current events..... 1,000,000 Iraqi mothers, kids and fathers dead. For Oil. For the AMerican Empire.

    The reporter in this article does not speak for me.

    dr rdw
    Reply to this comment
    by crater7 September 21, 2007 9:33 AM PDT
    LET THIS JERK GO TO THE CONSTRUCTION SITE. NO HARD HAT REQUIRED. WOULDN''T IT BE AWEFULL IF A CONSTRUCTION CRAIN ACCIDENTLY DROPPED AN I-BEAM ON HIS HEAD.

    WE COULD ALL GO TO IRAN AND HONOR THE SECOND, MOST EVIL AND HATED MAN IN THE WORLD.

    STAY THE COURSE..............

    Reply to this comment
    by HarleeQuinn September 21, 2007 10:33 AM PDT
    The depth of stupidity ignorance exhibited by those who think who accuse Americans of being terrorists and lend support to this Iranian lunatic is despicable and shameful. I am Iranian. I am American. This man makes Hitler seem angelic. Why don''t you Americans who have insulted this country,move to Iran and see how far you get insulting that country when you find the freedoms you cherish but refuse to fight for, no longer exist. Please go to Iran and demand this evil lunatic release those in prison who spoke out against him and his regime.

    You have no idea how *** lucky you are to live in this country and how misguided you are about who the terrorists really are. You are as deranged as Ahmadinejad. You love this man, you think he should be allowed to speak freely, when he denies freedom to my family in Iran. Why don''t you move there?? I will pay for you and your families to move to Iran now. GO! Get out of my country - go live where my family lives in fear, and where some are jailed for speaking out against this lunatic.
    Reply to this comment
    by HarleeQuinn September 21, 2007 10:34 AM PDT
    The depth of stupidity ignorance exhibited by those who think who accuse Americans of being terrorists and lend support to this Iranian lunatic is despicable and shameful. I am Iranian. I am American. This man makes Hitler seem angelic. Why don''t you Americans who have insulted this country,move to Iran and see how far you get insulting that country when you find the freedoms you cherish but refuse to fight for, no longer exist. Please go to Iran and demand this evil lunatic release those in prison who spoke out against him and his regime.

    You have no idea how *** lucky you are to live in this country and how misguided you are about who the terrorists really are. You are as deranged as Ahmadinejad. You love this man, you think he should be allowed to speak freely, when he denies freedom to my family in Iran. Why don''t you move there?? I will pay for you and your families to move to Iran now. GO! Get out of my country - go live where my family lives in fear, and where some are jailed for speaking out against this lunatic.
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    by smirking_jojo September 21, 2007 11:07 AM PDT
    paradigm19 - Iran has a history of siding with an enemy to attempt to destroy a common enemy. Afterwards they destroy their ally. Simple as that. Shia''s are famous for being a wolf in sheep''s clothing as this is the way of survival in their culture. Say the opposite of what you think; never reveal your true beliefs or thoughts (because your enemy can use it to destroy you); smile, be nice, but when their back is turned, well, you know the rest. It is a way of life, although a necessity, in order to survive in their world. You MUST be like them in order to have any relationship with them. Americans do not understand that things are not always on their terms and ways. In order to be sucessful we must think and act like them in kind.

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    by nitsudstems September 21, 2007 11:17 AM PDT
    My Vote: Let the man visit ground zero.
    Reply to this comment
    by smirking_jojo September 21, 2007 11:20 AM PDT
    txfi, I guess you would call Native Americans terrorists also. They became terrorists after they were forced off their land, and faced horrific consequences, which are still evident in our culture today.

    And while you are at it, how about Moses? Was he terrorist? Jesus caused some issues, too. Ask Pontius Pilot. He was already having a hard time doing his job, and this Jesus guy kept causing a ruckus. Hard enough keeping everyone under control, and this hippie guy kept getting in the way saying stuff, nonsense. Waht to do, waht to do?

    Oh, yeah. Let''s not forget those uppity women in the US. Geez, wanting to vote? Work outside of the home? Take control of their own bodies??? OMG...Blacks don''t want to sit in the back of the bus? What is this world coming to?
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    by justfacts3 September 21, 2007 12:46 PM PDT
    Ahmadinejad gave away his real reason for wanting to visit Ground Zero: ". . . to pay your respects. And . . . TO AIR YOUR VIEWS ABOUT THE ROOT CAUSES OF SUCH INCIDENTS." In other words, he wanted to use Ground Zero as a stage for his propaganda. He certainly wouldn''t be denouncing Islamic terrorists for the atrocity! Scott Pelley certainly speaks for me: his visit there would be very insulting. Thank you.
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