Ahmadinejad, Online!
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Amazingly and disgustingly, the President of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, has taken his dated and racist rhetoric to the next level of marketing for any firebrand idealist: the World Wide Web! Yes, you can peer directly into the mind of one of the leaders of America’s favorite charter member of the Axis of Evil (www.ahmadinejad.ir). And, just in case you’re left begging for more, the Supreme Leader also has a blog (www. khamenei.ir), hosted by the “Institute for Preserving and Publishing Works by Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.”
No worries for those of us who don’t speak Farsi – both are conveniently offered in English. The Grand Ayatollah’s website includes an exciting photo album of what the fellows who brought you the Islamic Revolution against the Shah have been up to. A flag of the motherland drapes the corner of the screen as you peruse the links to articles filled with lofty religious rhetoric about the dear leaders extending condolences to heroes of the movement, appointing officials, and boosting support for the “rights of Palestinian citizens.” The website even includes a great section called “The Leader Speaks,” which includes advice to young people. And, naturally, there’s a self-indulgent biography of the Supreme Leader’s pious background.
But the real fun comes when you get to reading Ahmadinejad’s blog. The website includes a poll question, asking “In your viewpoint, is it just as the present structure of the United Nation (sic); only some powerful countries and the winners of the Second World War, have the right to veto?” After you answer yourself, you get to see the results: 89% of those who answered said “No”. Surprise, surprise!
Still, even more appalling and disturbing than the actual content of Ahmadinejad’s postings are the comments posted by people who have visited his website. One “American” said, “I think that this blog is a wonderful idea and I appreciate the time which you have spent to share your views truthfully and openly with the world, even in the English Language. I also find it fascinating that you—unlike our President—directly communicate with the people of the world and even accept feedback. I would love to see this done in my country.” I have news for this deprived individual: our President does just that, if only you bothered to listen with the same amount of attention you apparently pay to a man who just last week predicted the downfall of the United States and United Kingdom. In fact, getting a message to the White House is quite simple via email, phone, fax, or traditional snail mail. You can visit http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/ for more information.
But don’t think this comment is bad. They quickly get much worse. A Pole writes “Most people in Poland also hate Bush and his imperial politic (sic). Good luck to You and your country”. A Turk says he supports the Iranian nuclear program, and then says the “US is biggest danger for all Middle East” while one Briton indicates that “Windows Technologies—American dictators”.
And then there’s the finale. This one I am convinced must have been written by an intern at the Iranian Presidential mansion, because if I learned a genuine American wrote it, I would be absolutely ashamed. Here is the text, in full: “You may find this following comment strange. I am an American citizen. I am weakly agnostic. However, I positively absolutely feel that you should be allowed to have nuclear capabilities, for peaceful or military intentions. America needs to stop being able to push everyone around just because it and its allies are the only ones who have nukes. (China has them too, but they wouldnt (sic) stand up to America.) We need someone strong like you to stand up the big bully of the world. We need someone like you to unite the middle east (sic) against the imperialism of America. The world needs you, Ahmadinejad. You must not falter.”
If you want to go ahead and try and write a response to the ridiculous assertions of Ahmadinejad or his readers, you can go on his website and make a comment—and you’ll get a very simple, polite message: “Your text was received and will be displayed after it get (sic) reviewed.” Now, the fact that whoever runs Ahmadinejad’s website censors commentary on it should be unsurprising; although they do seem to allow some criticism, the overwhelming amount of comments are simply gushing over the man. But we as Americans need to realize that the battle we’re waging for hearts and minds is not simply confined to the Middle East, or even among global presses and power sources. We must be constantly vigilant in defending America, its strength, and its ideals both at home and abroad. We haven’t had an enemy so blatantly declare his will to destroy America since Soviet premier Krushchev announced “We will bury you!” We are a republic that has liberated over forty million people in the last five years. Iran is an Islamo-fascist state sponsor of terror whose leaders deny the Holocaust and call for wiping Israel “off the map.” We use a nuclear arsenal and substantial fighting force to protect millions of people across the globe from local aggression, whether that be Israel or Japan. Iran is pursuing a nuclear program in order to advance its own agenda for personally molding the Middle East in its own image. And yet still, alleged citizens use an internet forum to praise the “good works” of an adversary. We are the good guys, and we need to drive this point home as much as possible. Look for a leader in 2008 that can provide both the right policies and the silver-tongued gusto to lead America into the future.
Disclaimer: All emphasis in quotes added by author
