I'm not sure if there is another thread about this, but Iranian President Mr Ahmandingadjdfihufv's (sic) recent visit to the U.S. is very interesting is it not. I guess its to the guys credit that he had the chutzpah to go to "the great satan" and do his Q&A at Columbia uni and today the U.N. and its to the credit of the U.S. that he is allowed in and hasn't even been shot (yet).
Personally I think his views are abhorrent, but they are not untypical of the ruling caste of Iran unfortunatly. I wonder will George Bush be invited to Tehran University to discuss his views with the students there on world events, somehow I can't see it happening Fatwahs being what they are an all, (the locals would also kidnap him and ransom him for several thousand second-hand French cars, what is it about the middle-east and French cars eh?) but it would be brilliant! :wah:
"We are never so happy, never so unhappy, as we imagine"
Le Rochefoucauld.
"A smack in the face settles all arguments, then you can move on kid."
I watched the Q&A at Columbia yesterday. And was laughing bout the the remark of no homosexuals in Iran. He never really gave a straight answer on any of the questions, just lots of rambling. And his explanation on wanting to research the Holocaust from a different viewpoint was out there.
"Girls are crazy! I'm not ever getting married, I can make my own sandwiches!"
Galbally;699734 wrote: I'm not sure if there is another thread about this, but Iranian President Mr Ahmandingadjdfihufv's (sic) recent visit to the U.S. is very interesting is it not. I guess its to the guys credit that he had the chutzpah to go to "the great satan" and do his Q&A at Columbia uni and today the U.N. and its to the credit of the U.S. that he is allowed in and hasn't even been shot (yet).
Personally I think his views are abhorrent, but they are not untypical of the ruling caste of Iran unfortunatly. I wonder will George Bush be invited to Tehran University to discuss his views with the students there on world events, somehow I can't see it happening Fatwahs being what they are an all, (the locals would also kidnap him and ransom him for several thousand second-hand French cars, what is it about the middle-east and French cars eh?) but it would be brilliant! :wah:
Sheryl;699739 wrote: I watched the Q&A at Columbia yesterday. And was laughing bout the the remark of no homosexuals in Iran. He never really gave a straight answer on any of the questions, just lots of rambling. And his explanation on wanting to research the Holocaust from a different viewpoint was out there.
I thought the comment about homosexuals was designed to appeal to the christian right in america:sneaky:
Patsy Warnick;699775 wrote: I'm wondering if people will decline to donate to Columbia after this visit??
Patsy
God no, thats a prestigious college, the controversy will pass. I think on balance it was ok to let him air his views and demonstrate to the Iranian people that free speech is still alive and well in the western world. It was also probably right to not allow him to visit the WTC site as it would have offended some of the relatives of victims, though it has to be stated quite clearly that it was not the Iranian governemnt that was behind those attacks. If any government is complicit it's the Saudis, though not directly; but that, as they say, is another story.
"We are never so happy, never so unhappy, as we imagine"
Le Rochefoucauld.
"A smack in the face settles all arguments, then you can move on kid."
Galbally;699790 wrote: I just thought of something else, if George was kidnapped would the Americans actually want him back? Hmmnn, any opinions?
We'll give them several thousand French cars to keep him. Plus a nice new Chevy Truck.:wah:
YZGI;699805 wrote: We'll give them several thousand French cars to keep him. Plus a nice new Chevy Truck.:wah:
Actually I have to say that the french cars are not that bad at all really, though the suspension is a bit soft, (thats because the French probably also make love in their cars as well, but lets not get into that).
So you are saying say 5,000 Citroen C4s; 8,000 Renault Meganes; 2,000 Peugeot 207s; and one Chevy Suburban? Hmmmn, seems fair. Perhaps we should pass that on to the State Department?
"We are never so happy, never so unhappy, as we imagine"
Le Rochefoucauld.
"A smack in the face settles all arguments, then you can move on kid."
It is true though, if you look at the Middle East on the Telly the people all drive 1970s French cars over there, I dunno what thats about, I think they must have bought the rights to them, like the way they used to Drive VW Beetles in Mexico. Though you do see a lot of 1980s Mercs as well, of course their Leaders all have new Mercs and BMWs, as somethings never change do they?
"We are never so happy, never so unhappy, as we imagine"
Le Rochefoucauld.
"A smack in the face settles all arguments, then you can move on kid."
As far as funds - well lets see.. Our US news has aired some were appaulled by his visit & Columbia allowing his visit - they stated some will stop their funds..
As far as Universitys staus - why didn't he speak at Yale - Harvard ?
As far as George - majority would pay for them to keep him.
minks;699798 wrote: very interesting... well as a North American I say they could keep him
Oh I don't think you are allowed minks, I think you have to be able to vote for him. Though you can offer your Prime Minister in a prisoner exchange for good old Dubya, I tell ya the way things are going for our current incumbent he will be offering himself up to get outa Ireland, not they would know who the hell he is (and they are better off, as our guys would make anyone look good, even georgie boy, no well maybe not him). :wah:
"We are never so happy, never so unhappy, as we imagine"
Le Rochefoucauld.
"A smack in the face settles all arguments, then you can move on kid."
As far as funds - well lets see.. Our US news has aired some were appaulled by his visit & Columbia allowing his visit - they stated some will stop their funds..
As far as Universitys staus - why didn't he speak at Yale - Harvard ?
As far as George - majority would pay for them to keep him.
Patsy
I dunno how the U.S. college system works Patsy, I am sure that Private patrons have the right to withdraw funds if they fundamentally disagree with University policy. I would think though that seeing as he was granted an entry visa by the Goverrnment the general policy should be one of toleration, and he did get to address the UN. It certainly was an interesting exercise in free speech and if that's the issue that the University wanted to address then they have suceeded, though at a price I guess. I also guess the other Universities didn't want to touch this one, or simply Columbia were the only ones who came up with the idea.
As for George, well thats your call.
"We are never so happy, never so unhappy, as we imagine"
Le Rochefoucauld.
"A smack in the face settles all arguments, then you can move on kid."
Seriously you can have our Prime Minister, he is a right crook, if he turns up next St Patricks Day in Washington hit him a kick up the arse for Ireland!. :wah:
"We are never so happy, never so unhappy, as we imagine"
Le Rochefoucauld.
"A smack in the face settles all arguments, then you can move on kid."
Bryn Mawr;699845 wrote: That's the second time he's been linked to 9/11 in this thread - what's the connection?
I think its that people in America tend to think anyone in the middle east that is connected with terrorism is also linked to the September 11 attacks, and they are encouraged in that by some cynical voices in the states. I guess its understandable in one way, though I agree its extremely important to reiterate that Iran had no direct links with that event and that that's one thing that the Iranian president shouldn't be accused of. That said, I somehow don't think he was too worried that New York was attacked, so any sort of condolences he might try to express would probably be quite offensive to relatives, perhaps thats unfair, but its also life.
"We are never so happy, never so unhappy, as we imagine"
Le Rochefoucauld.
"A smack in the face settles all arguments, then you can move on kid."
Galbally;699847 wrote: I think its that people in America tend to think anyone in the middle east that is connected with terrorism is also linked to the September 11 attacks, and they are encouraged in that by some cynical voices in the states. I guess its understandable in one way, though I agree its extremely important to reiterate that Iran had no direct links with that event and that that's one thing that the Iranian president shouldn't be accused of. That said, I somehow don't think he was too worried that New York was attacked, so any sort of condolences he might try to express would probably be quite offensive to relatives, perhaps thats unfair, but its also life.
Give US involvement in Iran since the 50's it would be surprising if he didn't but, as you so rightly say, he had no involvement in the atrocity at the World Trade Centre.
Bryn Mawr;699850 wrote: Give US involvement in Iran since the 50's it would be surprising if he didn't but, as you so rightly say, he had no involvement in the atrocity at the World Trade Centre.
Point taken, though don't forget MI5s role in that country as well. Still its no excuse for his own pretty despicable attitudes in 2007. But I agree its very important that the various very complicated problems and issues in the middle east aren't all just lumped into one big problem as many more shrill commentators seem to be trying to do. There isn't just one big "fix" for the middle east, its comprised of many different local regions, nations, ethnicities and religous perseasions and the simplistic approach is laughable. That said, there are very specific issues regarding the Tehran government and its relations with the west.
"We are never so happy, never so unhappy, as we imagine"
Le Rochefoucauld.
"A smack in the face settles all arguments, then you can move on kid."
I say they could keep him 
