Obama wants talk with Iran, Iran says "beg forgiveness"

DougMD · 01-31-2009, 09:33 AM

Already, we see why talking with terrorists just tells them we're weak:

Iran says Obama's offer to talk shows US failure

Jan 31 08:16 AM US/Eastern

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Ahmadinejad Demands U.S. Apology For 'Crimes' Committed Against Iran

US President Barack Obama's offer to talk to Iran shows that America's policy of "domination" has failed, the government spokesman said on Saturday.
"This request means Western ideology has become passive, that capitalist thought and the system of domination have failed," Gholam Hossein Elham was quoted as saying by the Mehr news agency.
"Negotiation is secondary, the main issue is that there is no way but for (the United States) to change," he added.
After nearly three decades of severed ties, Obama said shortly after taking office this month that he is willing to extend a diplomatic hand to Tehran if the Islamic republic is ready to "unclench its fist".
In response, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad launched a fresh tirade against the United States, demanding an apology for its "crimes" against Iran and saying he expected "deep and fundamental" change from Obama.
Iranian politicians frequently refer to the US administration as the "global arrogance", "domineering power" and "Great Satan".
Tensions with the United States have soared over Iran's nuclear drive and Ahmadinejad's vitriolic verbal attacks against Washington's close regional ally Israel.
Former US president George W. Bush refused to hold talks with the Islamic republic -- which he dubbed part of an "axis of evil" -- unless it suspended uranium enrichment, and never took a military option to thwart Tehran's atomic drive off the table.
The new administration of Obama has also refused to rule out any options -- including military strikes -- to stop Tehran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.
Iran denies any plans to build the bomb and insists its nuclear programme is solely aimed at peaceful ends.

Aught Six · 01-31-2009, 10:07 AM

We're not weak regardless of whomever we talk to. I've never seen the merit in that assertation. Communication saves lives, and that's something I'll never take for granted. Even when nation-states go to war, they usually (and immediately) attempt to re-establish communications, at least at a lower level. Ignorance kills.

On the other hand, I don't believe that the mullahs are going to back down on their nuclear program, which, among other serious issues,is at the heart of current U.S. foreign policy. We can talk, but I doubt either of us is going to move in a direction that will influence the other.

James B · 01-31-2009, 10:34 AM

Don't bet on it. osama bought a box of used surrender flags from his buddies the french.

DougMD · 01-31-2009, 11:24 AM

Chris,good point. But I am highly skeptical of getting water out of a rock. Seems to me that if talk were truly appreciated, as surmised by many on the left, Iran would respond kindly. Instead, Ahmadinejad is mocking us. We'll see where it gets us.

Fieldmouse · 01-31-2009, 01:33 PM

Quote:

ORIGINAL: Aught Six

We're not weak regardless of whomever we talk to. I've never seen the merit in that assertation. Communication saves lives, and that's something I'll never take for granted. Even when nation-states go to war, they usually (and immediately) attempt to re-establish communications, at least at a lower level. Ignorance kills.

On the other hand, I don't believe that the mullahs are going to back down on their nuclear program, which, among other serious issues,is at the heart of current U.S. foreign policy. We can talk, but I doubt either of us is going to move in a direction that will influence the other.

Let's get the first fact straight. We have been having on going communications with Iram for years and years if not decades. No they haven't been face to face up until the last2 years or so. Please someone tell us, where did that get us? What have they compromised on when Britian, France and Germany were face to face? Exactly what did they compromise on when we began face to face meetings? We got nothing in return. We even passed several sanctions and yet they haven't moved and inch. Now they have a new administration and say before they talk with Obama, he has to beg. Is there any question they see him as weak? Funny, they never made thesedemands ofGW now did they?

There is absolutely no way Obama should loose anymore face and hold high level talks. It strengthens the hand of Iran (just reread the nut job's speech) and it paints Obama in the light all us Republicansalready knewwho he in.

Aught Six · 01-31-2009, 02:47 PM

I worry about legitimating the Iranian government on the international stage, but then again, they've been in power for30 years now. They exist whether we like it or not, and sooner or later we'll have to face it. Tehran is dying to prove it's a regional superpower, and I'd hate to see them do it with nukes.

There's no way in hell we'll ever apologize to them for anything. Just isn't going to happen. Just like they won't stop enriching weapons-grade uranium. But, we have a chance to distract them. In the long run, I'm confident that our diplomats will stay cool and detached as always, and that the Iranian government officials will continue to look like jackasses, particularly to the Western world.

Let's see what comes of it. If we don't like the results, there's no reason we can't pack up and say nevermind. We've done it before.

BigTiny · 01-31-2009, 03:16 PM

I don't think it really matters whether we talk to Iran or not, they will do exactly what they are going to do anyway, until they force the rest of the world to convert them into a radioactive parking lot.

Iran is like what we used to call a Tequila Superman. It's a 135 pound guy who wishes he was 250, and starts believing he is 250 after a couple of drinks. Eventually he will pick a fight with someone who really is 250, and not nearly as drunk. The result is monotonously predictable.

Fieldmouse · 01-31-2009, 05:36 PM

Quote:

But, we have a chance to distract them.

Quit kidding yourself Aught. It's they who have been doing the distractions for years. Why do you think Hamas attacks Isreal at key moments in time? It's Tehran needing Isreal occupied. This last round of attacks were due to the change over in administrations. Iran was scared Isreal would attack before Bush left office.Both Isreal and Iranknow Obama won't back any action Isreal may take in the future so both figured an attack was going to happen. What's the best way for Iran to avoid the attack? Get Hamas to start a skirmish and distract Isreal.

Aught Six · 01-31-2009, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Quit kidding yourself Aught. It's they who have been doing the distractions for years. Why do you think Hamas attacks Isreal at key moments in time? It's Tehran needing Isreal occupied. This last round of attacks were due to the change over in administrations. Iran was scared Isreal would attack before Bush left office.Both Isreal and Iranknow Obama won't back any action Isreal may take in the future so both figured an attack was going to happen. What's the best way for Iran to avoid the attack? Get Hamas to start a skirmish and distract Isreal.

I believe we'll be the one to strike Iran's nuclear facilities. We'll probably collaborate to an extent on intel, but I don't think they can afford to do it themselves. They'd be overwhelmed militarily by Muslims of all persuasions. Either we're the world police and take care of businessor Israel really will be wiped off the map.

Centauri · 01-31-2009, 07:31 PM

The only thing that we should be sorry for is not letting Israel bombing Iran into the Stone Age.