*snip
I think it was a good idea. Yes, the man is a terrorist and a dictator. His government executes homosexuals and journalists and abuses women's rights. But I'm interested in what he has to say. And I have always felt it is better to engage in dialogue with our enemies, rather than ignore them. Problems have never been solved by sweeping them under the carpet and pretending they don't exist.
Surprisingly the Iranian people are overwhelmingly Pro American which came as a shock to me. I have an Iranian friend who told me most Iranians (about 85%) are pro US/Western. They just have to be very careful who they admit it to...
...
And I hope to see more of this. Maybe if we can all sit down and talk, perhaps we can work out our differences and someday there will be peace in the world.
I admit I'm a dreamer, but this is my wish. :)
It's great that he was invited to speak, but the way he was introduced was really unnecessary. Everyone knows about his mistaken views and beliefs, but it was in extremely poor taste, even if honest, to invite a person as a guest then treat him in a hateful manner. We should be pursuing diplomacy and enlightenment. We could be helping him to see what we see and understand us instead of insulting him. That just makes matters worse. The president of Columbia was not only rude, but struck me as bit "dense" not to have understood the opportunity he had to better relations between our two countries, but instead of one dumbass on stage, there were two.
PS... I'm wondering what this has to do with the movie! LOL!
Why give credit to a murderer ?
Why not? He will be having supper at the White House as soon as Obama gets in!
Nobody will be inviting him to the White House Jess. That will never happen. Although I am in favor of talking to our enemies. I always have been. :)
There are plenty of places for them to talk. It doesn't have to be at the White House. They could even meet in a neutral country if they wished. I just don't believe in isolating these countries. It really hasn't worked very well in the past.
well where you think they are gonna talk? I think they will talk in the White House..do you think it is wise for him to go there? I dont'. I don't trust Admawhoever..
I don't understand where you got this impression that any kind of meeting would happen at the White House? ???
When Obama (or anyone) talks about diplomacy it doesn't even necessarily mean that the president himself would be involved. Even within the Bush administration (an administration very resistent to a lot of diplomacy) there have been talks with unfriendly countries... and usually this is done between diplomats such as the Secretary of State or other such figures.
Switzerland maybe?
you remember Hitler? and appeasement? I don't think we will be able to change their minds about us, David.
but Obama says he will have meetings himself. NOT Sec of State (which I really don't mind at all) but for all his faults, Kissinger knows his stuff and he says that meeting with the President gives a sense of legitimacy to the other person's cause..
I dont like the idea of helping Ahmadinejad
I don't remember hearing him say that Jess. I remember hearing him say he would be willing to talk with some of our enemies - "he" meaning his administration. At least that is the way I interpreted it.
there was a big thing a few weeks ago when he was saying that Kissinger agreed with him about the meetings but then Kissinger came out and said NO, he did not agree, that he thinks the President should only meet with certain people....OTHER people could only meet with people in lower positions.
Diplomacy doesn''t mean appeasement. It's helpful to talk to people first hand to find out what they want instead of having experts try to guess what they want. Knowing what they want doesn't mean they'll necessarily get it, or we'll want to give it to them. The point of diplomacy is to know your adversary.
If something can be worked out that's fine. But it's not always possible. But people usually come away knowing better what they're up against.
Is he now a member?