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Dispatch From Tehran (Iranians Love Their Wacky President)
Slate ^ | Feb. 1, 2006 | Negar Azimi

Posted on 02/02/2006 8:46:06 PM PST by Lorianne

TEHRAN, Iran—Waving a fist at the world's superpower is an extraordinary gamble, but for the mullahs and revolutionaries that run the Islamic republic, the latest in a series of standoffs between Tehran and the West seems more like a game than cause for serious political concern. The game goes something like this: One side ups the ante on the nuclear issue, saber-rattling that Iran's nuclear ambitions are a threat to the free world; the other side laughs it off, insisting that it seeks nuclear energy purely for the generation of electricity. The latter capitalizes on Iranian nationalism, claiming the imperialists are depriving Iran of its rights under international law and, perhaps most important, before God.

On Tuesday, the pressure on Iran increased as the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council, along with Germany, agreed to report Tehran to the council over Iran's decision to recommence uranium enrichment. While critics say uranium enrichment is a crucial step toward building nuclear weapons, the Iranians categorically deny any interest in doing so, noting that such weapons are contrary to the tenets of Islam.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's fiery brand of rhetoric and his curious disdain for diplomacy are a gift to Iran's critics. He has famously denied the Holocaust and asked why the state of Israel could not be moved to Europe or North America. Back home, however, his pronouncements are unremarkable. Such talk is standard fare in official Iranian circles—as is mandated lip service to the fate of the underdog Palestinians. In fact, the president's comments hardly merited mention in most Iranian papers—despite the hysteria they sparked in editorial pages throughout the West.

(Excerpt) Read more at slate.com ...


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs
KEYWORDS: iran

Wild and Crazy Guy!

1 posted on 02/02/2006 8:46:07 PM PST by Lorianne
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To: Lorianne

Soon to be, either victim of a revolution, or a JDAM.


2 posted on 02/02/2006 8:48:35 PM PST by phoenix0468 (http://www.mylocalforum.com -- Go Speak Your Mind.)
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To: Lorianne
In fact, the president's comments hardly merited mention in most Iranian papers—despite the hysteria they sparked in editorial pages throughout the West.

Do they have a free press in Iran?

3 posted on 02/02/2006 8:50:44 PM PST by bnelson44 (Proud parent of a tanker! (Charlie Mike, son))
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To: Lorianne

Wacky my $ss. He's as mad as the Mullahs.


4 posted on 02/02/2006 8:52:38 PM PST by diverteach
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To: Lorianne
Didn't Saddam strike similar poses?
5 posted on 02/02/2006 8:54:00 PM PST by Mad_Tom_Rackham (A Liberal: One who demands half of your pie because he didn't bake one.)
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To: Lorianne

"In fact, the president's comments hardly merited mention in most Iranian papers"

That's because practically everybody(who has a say) does it in Iran. So, nothing is out of the ordinary(or news-worthy) if a local rat sets off. But, the westerners aren't used to that kind of talk, so they notice. duh


6 posted on 02/02/2006 8:54:52 PM PST by sagar
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To: Lorianne

So let me get this straight. Plans on developing a Nuclear Power Plant. Inspectors say he shouldn't. He says he will not make WMD's. Country will be hit with massive sanctions if failing to comply...does this sound a little familiar?


7 posted on 02/02/2006 8:59:49 PM PST by Lochlainnach (Rifle man's stalkin the sick and lame; preacher man seeks the same, who gets there 1st is uncertain)
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To: Lorianne; bnelson44
ARTICLE: The regime has been extraordinarily effective in galvanizing support from Iranians across the political spectrum on the nuclear issue. Nuclear energy has become intimately linked to the national character, heralded as an inalienable right. Newspaper editors have been warned against deviating from the official line in their treatment of things nuclear, while melodramatic TV programs promote the merits of nuclear energy and, by extension, independence, on a daily basis.

IRAN'S CONSTITUTION Article 175: The freedom of expression and dissemination of thoughts in the Radio and Television of the Islamic Republic of Iran must be guaranteed in keeping with the Islamic' criteria and the best interests of the country. The appointment and dismissal of the head of the Radio and Television of the Islamic Republic of Iran rests with the Leader. A council consisting of two representatives each of the President, the head of the judiciary branch and the Islamic Consultative Assembly shall supervise the functioning of this organization. The policies and the manner of managing the organization and its supervision will be determined by law.

8 posted on 02/02/2006 9:23:58 PM PST by humint
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