Ahmadinejad's Address To The U.N.

http://wp.me/piWZ7-1lT
NATIONAL REVIEW POSTS EXTENDED COLUMN ON AHMADINEJAD’S APOCALYPTIC ADDRESS
flashtrafficblog.wordpress.com

It goes without saying - President Ahmadinejad is a devout conspiracy theorist. His talk doesn't really point to anything materially interesting, except the President's dillusional thinking. I disagree with Rosenberg's unwritten conclusion "he wants war - it's time to attack Iran."

There's nothing unusual about the opening and closing --- the sections are a simple statement of Islamic theology. I would not be surprised to see the Vatican open and close with similar versions - stating their own world view.

Below are a few clips from Rosenberg's analysis. I'd note that I think the president is a nut case. I see him accusing the US of being tyanical, oppressive, and exploitive (in fact, a careful thinker would admit that we're very possibly guilty as charged). I'd say he envisions himself as the next Castro. I don't really see him advocating war or revolution (although he certainly believes the Mehedi will wage war and revolution).

He denied the Holocaust.

He crudely claimed the Holocaust is exploited to support the cause of Zionism.

A more typical Iranian view was articulated by Mr. Mousavi :

Killing innocent people is condemned [in Islam]. The way the issue [Holocaust] was put forward [by Ahmadinejad] was incorrect. ...
Of course the question could be that why Palestinians should be punished for a crime committed by Germans?

Source:
http://www.haaretz.com/news/iran-reform ... t-1.273655

He blasted the U.S. for bringing Osama bin Laden to justice.

To me, it appears that President Ahmadinejad blasted the U.S. for killing OBL, instead of putting him on trial in public view.

He blamed the terrorist attacks of 9/11 on the U.S. government.

I'd agree his speech implies a conspiracy. It's not an unusual claim (although I disagree with that claim 100%).

He insisted that his so-called messiah known as “Imam al-Mahdi” or the Twelfth Imam is coming soon.

And most evangelical Christians believe the same about Christ. In fact, we have a word to express those sentiments: Maranatha - Lord come!.

He insisted that Jesus Christ will come with the Mahdi to take over the world.

Not entirely different from acopolyptic Christian writings. Iranians are actually tired of his claims.

Consider the below quote from Iran's Presidential candidate, Mr. Mousavi:

For four years we are always hearing you predicting that the United States and Israel will dissolve, we based our foreign policies on these thoughts, so it's obvious that we went in the wrong direction

(source: Jersalem Post)

He called for “the shared and collective management of the world.”

That's what the UN is about - isn't it?
(Incidentally, I'm not a UN enthusiast)

So what's my point ---- Rosenberg's column encourages a pre-emptive attack on Iran. I don't think President Ahmadinejad represents Iran, as much as he represents an elite, relatively isolated Shiite clerical order. Iran is crumbling. I do not think the religious mullahs can sustain support.

Incidentally --- Rosenberg's pen-ultimate paragraph tells us why he brings up Iran:

Instead of stopping Iran from getting the bomb, however, the leaders of the world — including President Obama — are hyper-focused on pressuring Israel to divide Jerusalem, divide the Land of Israel....

Rosenberg sounds a little like my son - who when being disciplined by me for lying - tries to divert my attention to one of his siblings - reminding me that they're calling him names......

So - ignore human rights issues --- and focus on that nut-case over in Iran.

I'd agree that Iran needs to change. But admitting that does not negate the fact that Palestine should be able to enjoy human rights.

bailey bud wrote:

He insisted that his so-called messiah known as “Imam al-Mahdi” or the Twelfth Imam is coming soon.

And most evangelical Christians believe the same about Christ. In fact, we have a word to express those sentiments: Maranatha - Lord come!.

Excuse my ignorance on this, but doesn't Ahmadinejad believe that in order for this to occur, the world needs to descend into chaos first? (helped by him)

Well - Christian theology also talks about that. I don't really subscribe to end-times theology - and am not really an expert on it.

I'd guess the answer is "yup" --- but then Christians end-times theology isn't all that different, either.

In Christian theology, the coming of the Messiah is predicated by mass dis-order and corruption.

A few fundamentalist sects of Christianity even feel they can hasten end-times by supporting migration of Jews into Israel - rebuilding the temple so he can return.

I seem to recall there are also Jewish sects who think they (in their own end-times view) can hasten the coming of the Messiah by their actions.
(often the view of settlers - recorded in Martin Marty's series on fundamentalism).

As I mentioned, earlier --- I'm not an end-times enthusiast. I think it creates bizarre theology. I also think when theology trumps human rights - there's something wrong with the theology.

Hmm, I'll have to look it up. Not sure where I heard that, it may have been on talk radio which would make it suspect anyway. There's just something about Ahmadi that makes my radar go into overdrive.

TM - he's a nut.

Even so, he's not crazy enough to start a war --- and Israel's main motivation for focusing attention on Iran - is to divert attention away from them and Palestine (my opinion)

There's a commentary in Haaretz, today - noting that Netanyahu never misses a chance to avoid peace...... Rosenberg (a former aid to Netanyahu) seems to be walking in his master's footsteps.