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| Yes | 58% | 265 votes | Total: 458 votes | |
| No | 42% | 193 votes |
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Add to FavoritesI believe the Bush administration made a grave mistake denying Irain President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's request to visit Ground Zero. It is never a wise idea to snub an enemy, especially an enemy that is the Head of State of a country that we dare not ignore.
Ahmadinejad stated he wanted to visit what has become a "holy site" in our country, to lay a wreath, show respect for the victims, and perhaps offer some comments.
I'm quite sure that had he been allowed to speak he would have been respectful (on the surface) of the deceased and considerate of the victim's families and loved ones. And, he would also have pointed out that perhaps the United States needs to become less arrogant and more tolerant. He would have played on the weaknesses and concerns and doubts of the average American. He would have caused people to think, and perhaps momentarily challenge the Bush administration.
But as he was speaking demonstrators would have been causing a raucous nearby. People would have protested and rejected his presence at our "holy site" and in our country. It wouldn't have been a pretty site, but it would have been Freedom of Speech working both ways.
The Bush administration is not silence Ahmadinejad by denying his request. Instead, the Iranian President has gained access to an even greater forum - the media. So, rather than having to speak above the chanting of protesters and an angry mob, Ahmadinejad has still made all the statements, sowed all of the seeds of doubt, expressed his point of view, and spewed his venom, in quiet, controlled and well protected news rooms.
And I suspect that the Iranian President was banking on being prohibited from visiting Ground Zero. He's clever. All he did was asked to visit one of our "holy sites". Any other Head of State would have been afforded a well-protected visit to Ground Zero. But, in this case his Freedom of Speech and the symbolic respect he should have received, was denied. Now, he sits before television cameras and points out the arrogance of the United States government, and draws still more attention of our government's dominant behaviors.
The Bush administration alleges that the Iranian government is supplying arms to terrorists that in turn kill American soldiers in Iraq. But, the only reason we are in Iraq is because the Bush administration manipulated intelligence to make it appear that Iraq was somehow connected to 9/11.
The Bush administration contends that Iran is pursuing nuclear technology to build weapons. Ahmadinejad states the technology is needed to provide the same kind of energy sources we enjoy here in the United States. He raises a good question? Why is it okay for the United States and many other countries in the world to possess nuclear technology, but it is assumed to be dangerous if Iran pursues the same technology?
Ahmadinej ad is also portrayed as someone that denies the Holocaust occurred. So what? We have thousands of white supremacists in the United States that believe the same thing, but their Freedom of Speech is not restrained? Ahmadinejad has harsh attitudes towards homosexuality. So what? We have an elected president that believes homosexual behavior is immoral and wants to pass federal laws banning homosexual union.
Our Constitution provides Freedom of Speech. We view that as a human right and we are fighting or defending that right around the world. It was a mistake for our government to suppress that right just because a visiting Head of State isn't on our A List.
There's an old saying that bears consideration: Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer.
Rather than snubbing Ahmadinejad we should be communicating and listening. Communicating and listening does not mean we will believe or concede. It does, however, present an opportunity to find a middle ground, and maybe avoid a war that we can't afford, and perhaps can not win.
Learn more about this author, Sherry Rindt.
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No
There should be little to no debate here if you have payed any attention to Ahmadinejad's statements anytime within the last, I don't know, four years. He would be using the opportunity to appear sympathetic to America's cause, when it is abundantly clear that he is anything but. It is America's sacred ground now, a place where working civilians were killed, or better yet murdered, by cowards who hate freedom. Our country came under attack and even though the terrorists were not directly connected to Iran, Iran would have done nothing to stop it had they known. In fact Iran is doing everything they can, under the radar, to undermine our efforts in Iraq. Ahmadinejad is an enemy of America, not a friend, and as such should not be allowed to tour New York, never mind visit our now sacred ground.
It is one thing to invite Ahmadinejad to the UN, that is acceptable. Beyond that is unacceptable. For Larry King to invite him onto the" Larry King Live" show was a slap in the face to every Jewish person world wide. This man is not friendly. He embodies a fundamental evil that is shared with the likes of Hitler. Ahmadinejad wants Jews dead. He referred to Israel as a stinking corpse. Given the opportunity Iran would wipe Israel off the face of the earth. This is wrong on many levels, but most importantly what he proposes is another holocaust. The death of the Jews worldwide. He should be denied the right to go to a spot where American Jews died on this principle alone.
However, Israel is also America's staunchest ally. They have stood by the United States and us by them since their inception shortly after World War II. When your friend is threatened continually by a man, that man should be your enemy. He should not be treated with any more dignity then someone who badgers and threatens your brother on a daily basis. Would you invite a bully who has threatened your brother for years, into your house, and not only into your house, but into your most sacred room? Of course not, no one would, and that is exactly how Ahmadinejad should be treated.
Because of these negatives there would be no reason to let him visit Ground Zero unless there was a beneficial political reason for the United States. There is not. Much of the world dislikes us anyway and it is not our job to be friendly with everyone. We need a hard line, which we have had, where our friends are our dear friends, and our enemies are treated as our enemies. Talk with Iran, continue to open diplomatic relations, but do not invite the enemy into our home, into our heart, or into our most sacred sites. To do that would show weakness and insult those who have died defending our freedoms.
Learn more about this author, Thomas Knepper.
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