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McCain: Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is the Leader of Iran
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McCain Gets Basic Facts on Iran Wrong.
QUESTION: I've done some research, and um -
MCCAIN: I have too.
QUESTION: Also checked, also checked with the Obama campaign and he never, he's never sai -- mentioned Ahmadinejad directly by name. He did say he would negotiate with the leaders, but as you know - Ayatollah,
MCCAIN: (Laughing) Ahmadinejad is, was the leader.
QUESTION: But if -
MCCAIN: Maybe I'm mistaken.
QUESTION: Maybe you are, because -
MCCAIN: Maybe. I don't think so though.
QUESTION: The Supreme, you know, according to most diplomatic experts, the Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei is the guy who's in charge of Iranian foreign policy and also in charge of the nuclear program, but you never mention him. Do you, you know, um, why do you always keep talking about Ahmadinejad since he doesn't have power in that, in that realm?
MCCAIN: Oh I thin-Again, I respectfully disagree. When he's the person that comes to the United Nations and declares his country's policy is the extermination of the state of Israel, quote, in his words, wipe them off of the map, then I know that he is speaking for the Iranian government and articulating their policy and he was elected and is running for reelection as the leader of that country. Yes sir, go ahead.
NEW QUESTION: One more quest-
MCCAIN: I mean, the fact is he's the acknowledged leader of that country and you may disagree, but that's a uh, that's your right to do so, but I think if you asked any average American who the leader of Iran is, I think they'd know. Go ahead. Or anyone who's well-versed in the issue.
[CNN Live Feed, Press Conference (Savannah, GA), 5/19/08]
The CIA's World Factbook States that "Ultimate Political Authority" in Iran is Vested in the Supreme Leader. "Known as Persia until 1935, Iran became an Islamic republic in 1979 after the ruling monarchy was overthrown and the shah was forced into exile. Conservative clerical forces established a theocratic system of government with ultimate political authority vested in a learned religious scholar referred to commonly as the Supreme Leader who, according to the constitution, is accountable only to the Assembly of Experts." [CIA - The World Factbook, accessed 5/19/08; (https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ir.html#Govt)]
Ultimate Authority in Iran Rests With Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. "[Supreme Leader Ali] Khamenei heads a theocratic Shiite Muslim state with elements of a democratic republic, including regular elections for parliament and the presidency. . . . Iran's constitution does not recognize political parties. But authorities regulate political groups and even fund some organizations loyal to the 1979 Islamic Revolution. These groups battle one another for power and influence through the parliament, although ultimate authority rests with Khamenei, a high-ranking cleric." [Los Angeles Times, 1/25/08]
President is SECOND Highest Ranking Official in Iran. The president is the second highest-ranking government official in Iran. Elected by popular vote to a four-year term, they are limited to two consecutive terms. The president appoints and supervises the Cabinet, coordinates government decisions, and selects government policies to be considered by the parliament. Above the president is Iran's supreme leader, who has control over the military, judiciary and any critical policy matter, both domestic and foreign. The president sets the country's economic policies and has a nominal rule in other governmental matters including security and intelligence.
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/indepth_coverage/middle_east/iran/structure.html
QUESTION: I've done some research, and um -
MCCAIN: I have too.
QUESTION: Also checked, also checked with the Obama campaign and he never, he's never sai -- mentioned Ahmadinejad directly by name. He did say he would negotiate with the leaders, but as you know - Ayatollah,
MCCAIN: (Laughing) Ahmadinejad is, was the leader.
QUESTION: But if -
MCCAIN: Maybe I'm mistaken.
QUESTION: Maybe you are, because -
MCCAIN: Maybe. I don't think so though.
QUESTION: The Supreme, you know, according to most diplomatic experts, the Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei is the guy who's in charge of Iranian foreign policy and also in charge of the nuclear program, but you never mention him. Do you, you know, um, why do you always keep talking about Ahmadinejad since he doesn't have power in that, in that realm?
MCCAIN: Oh I thin-Again, I respectfully disagree. When he's the person that comes to the United Nations and declares his country's policy is the extermination of the state of Israel, quote, in his words, wipe them off of the map, then I know that he is speaking for the Iranian government and articulating their policy and he was elected and is running for reelection as the leader of that country. Yes sir, go ahead.
NEW QUESTION: One more quest-
MCCAIN: I mean, the fact is he's the acknowledged leader of that country and you may disagree, but that's a uh, that's your right to do so, but I think if you asked any average American who the leader of Iran is, I think they'd know. Go ahead. Or anyone who's well-versed in the issue.
[CNN Live Feed, Press Conference (Savannah, GA), 5/19/08]
The CIA's World Factbook States that "Ultimate Political Authority" in Iran is Vested in the Supreme Leader. "Known as Persia until 1935, Iran became an Islamic republic in 1979 after the ruling monarchy was overthrown and the shah was forced into exile. Conservative clerical forces established a theocratic system of government with ultimate political authority vested in a learned religious scholar referred to commonly as the Supreme Leader who, according to the constitution, is accountable only to the Assembly of Experts." [CIA - The World Factbook, accessed 5/19/08; (https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ir.html#Govt)]
Ultimate Authority in Iran Rests With Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. "[Supreme Leader Ali] Khamenei heads a theocratic Shiite Muslim state with elements of a democratic republic, including regular elections for parliament and the presidency. . . . Iran's constitution does not recognize political parties. But authorities regulate political groups and even fund some organizations loyal to the 1979 Islamic Revolution. These groups battle one another for power and influence through the parliament, although ultimate authority rests with Khamenei, a high-ranking cleric." [Los Angeles Times, 1/25/08]
President is SECOND Highest Ranking Official in Iran. The president is the second highest-ranking government official in Iran. Elected by popular vote to a four-year term, they are limited to two consecutive terms. The president appoints and supervises the Cabinet, coordinates government decisions, and selects government policies to be considered by the parliament. Above the president is Iran's supreme leader, who has control over the military, judiciary and any critical policy matter, both domestic and foreign. The president sets the country's economic policies and has a nominal rule in other governmental matters including security and intelligence.
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/indepth_coverage/middle_east/iran/structure.html
Oct 1, 2008 9:12 AM
Re: McCain: Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is the Leader of Iran
at 0:35 -- you can clearly see the "oh sh!t..." look on his face, quickly followed by "um... cover up, smile, pretend you knew that" and then McCain's patented bullshit smile.
By: decavolt
Re: McCain: Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is the Leader of Iran
Yeah, that's what we need right now. Another "average American" in the White House.
Re: McCain: Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is the Leader of Iran
Don't I wish he were only average. Unfortunately, I see him as sub par.
By: spam_vigilante
Re: McCain: Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is the Leader of Iran
Which is more disconcerting, that McCain isn't sure who is recognized as a higher authority in Iran, or that President Barack Obama will meet, without preconditions, with an EVEN MORE fanatical, genocidal maniac than Ahmadinajad?
By: poonhound
Re: McCain: Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is the Leader of Iran
You know Khamenei to be fanatical and genocidal.....how? I have know idea what he's like, not many people actually get to meet him. And isn't it better to meed with fanatics and dangerous leaders and talk to them rather than make them more angry and ignore them entirely? A closed and ignorant mind is more disconcerting than an open one.
By: reidith
Re: McCain: Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is the Leader of Iran
The dude called Israel a "cancerous tumor," said that it was the sacred duty of all Muslims to support Hezbollah in their aim to destroy Israel, said that terrorism in Iraq and the philipeans were "zionist conspiracies," and in one of his earlier dissertations he listed the "unbeliever" as higher than dog-shit on the list of things that are filthy when you touch them.
I like how you think of fanatics as mere animals who only act because you stimulate them, as if they can never be motivated by ideology of their own. They are fascists. Fascists always claim to be victims of oppression in order to justify their supremicist aims. They will always find something to make them angry. Cartoons or obscure Anglo-Indian authors make them angry, I don't know if you've noticed.
Who is better described as having a closed and ignorant mind than the Grand Ayatolla? You want to see your president drinking tea and shaking hands with this dude in front of the flashing bulbs of the international press corps?
I like how you think of fanatics as mere animals who only act because you stimulate them, as if they can never be motivated by ideology of their own. They are fascists. Fascists always claim to be victims of oppression in order to justify their supremicist aims. They will always find something to make them angry. Cartoons or obscure Anglo-Indian authors make them angry, I don't know if you've noticed.
Who is better described as having a closed and ignorant mind than the Grand Ayatolla? You want to see your president drinking tea and shaking hands with this dude in front of the flashing bulbs of the international press corps?
By: poonhound
Re: McCain: Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is the Leader of Iran
The President has an entire branch of government from which to choose diplomatic delegations. I'd be very surprised to see any U.S. president showing up in person to meet with any such fanatic anytime soon.
When did Obama say he'd personally meet the world's nut jobs, despots, and criminals? He's running for the presidency of the United States, which does still have a budget for hiring people.
Negotiation is about talking to adversaries, not friends. That's why it's called "negotiation."
When did Obama say he'd personally meet the world's nut jobs, despots, and criminals? He's running for the presidency of the United States, which does still have a budget for hiring people.
Negotiation is about talking to adversaries, not friends. That's why it's called "negotiation."
Re: McCain: Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is the Leader of Iran
Here is the video of Obama saying "I would" when asked if he would meet with hostile world leaders without preconditions.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSFSUbMWenU
Notice the picture of Ahmadinajad popping up when the questioner says "Iran." Therefore, its quite clear that McCain is right on the issue of Obama's position, and this whole thread is moot.
There are back channels, and the Europeans already carry our interests to the table when they attempt to "negotiate." directly(its been 6 years, what have they got to show for it?)
This is about shaking hands and drinking tea and holding a presidential summit.
Negotiation is about giving something to get something. In this case, if we give something to a rogue, terror supporting regime in order to get them to stop what they are not supposed to be doing anyway under any circumstance, that is called "appeasement."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSFSUbMWenU
Notice the picture of Ahmadinajad popping up when the questioner says "Iran." Therefore, its quite clear that McCain is right on the issue of Obama's position, and this whole thread is moot.
There are back channels, and the Europeans already carry our interests to the table when they attempt to "negotiate." directly(its been 6 years, what have they got to show for it?)
This is about shaking hands and drinking tea and holding a presidential summit.
Negotiation is about giving something to get something. In this case, if we give something to a rogue, terror supporting regime in order to get them to stop what they are not supposed to be doing anyway under any circumstance, that is called "appeasement."
By: poonhound
Re: McCain: Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is the Leader of Iran
So what if he meets him?
If he's too fanatical they will get nothing done. End of diplomacy. No loss to us. At least he tried.
If he's too fanatical they will get nothing done. End of diplomacy. No loss to us. At least he tried.
By: cheezsteak
Re: McCain: Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is the Leader of Iran
We lose credibility and time. The Iranian's demands are legitimized, and whatever pressure that was put on by the internation community will dissipate for the months before and after the summit.
If the rest of the free world didn't hate jews so much, or weren't scared of their own muslim populations, or didn't care so much about corporate profits and the bottom line, the problem would be solved diplomatically - the right kind of diplomacy:
Completely blockade their ports, cut off the pipelines going in and out of that country, freeze every monitary asset owned by every government employee in every bank around the world. Arrest any government official that gets off a plane in any other country. We don't stop until they stop what they are not supposed to be doing.
We capitulate and are willing to delay action because we are afraid. Well, once they get nuclear weapons do you think we will be less afraid? The free world has the moral authority on this, we should act like it.
If the rest of the free world didn't hate jews so much, or weren't scared of their own muslim populations, or didn't care so much about corporate profits and the bottom line, the problem would be solved diplomatically - the right kind of diplomacy:
Completely blockade their ports, cut off the pipelines going in and out of that country, freeze every monitary asset owned by every government employee in every bank around the world. Arrest any government official that gets off a plane in any other country. We don't stop until they stop what they are not supposed to be doing.
We capitulate and are willing to delay action because we are afraid. Well, once they get nuclear weapons do you think we will be less afraid? The free world has the moral authority on this, we should act like it.
By: poonhound
Re: McCain: Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is the Leader of Iran
How is the US less credible if it talks to other sovereign nations? What are the consequences of Iran's demands being "legitimized?" It's possible to apply sanctions and attempt to maintain a dialogue. By the way, that's some pompous rhetoric. Are demands not legitimate until the US recognizes them? I'm not going to even respond to losing "time." The still-President wasted more time on vacation than any other president.
I don't have a clue what you mean by "moral authority," and I have a degree in philosophy.
I'm not going to point out how fascist that post was. Really. I'm not going to point it out. Quit looking at me like that.
I don't have a clue what you mean by "moral authority," and I have a degree in philosophy.
I'm not going to point out how fascist that post was. Really. I'm not going to point it out. Quit looking at me like that.
By: i8ursandwich
Re: McCain: Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is the Leader of Iran
""I don't have a clue what you mean by "moral authority," and I have a degree in philosophy.""
Then you wasted your money.
By: poonhound
Re: McCain: Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is the Leader of Iran
No. I didn't. I learned that there is no such thing as moral authority, and therefore I have no idea what you mean when you're throwing it around. Even if it meant what you seem to think it means, the US certainly doesn't have it.
GG.
GG.
By: i8ursandwich
Re: McCain: Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is the Leader of Iran
By "moral authority" I think you mean "power."
The U.S. ("the free world") has no moral authority when it comes to nuclear weapons. It's got more nukes than the rest of the world combined, is re-starting a nuclear arms race by developing new classes of battlefield nuclear warheads, and is the only nation to have actually used nuclear weapons.
It does, however, have the power to do what you describe -- at least until petroleum hits $300/barrel, or until it has an executive who cares about the long-term viability of the nation.
All Iran has is international law.
The U.S. ("the free world") has no moral authority when it comes to nuclear weapons. It's got more nukes than the rest of the world combined, is re-starting a nuclear arms race by developing new classes of battlefield nuclear warheads, and is the only nation to have actually used nuclear weapons.
It does, however, have the power to do what you describe -- at least until petroleum hits $300/barrel, or until it has an executive who cares about the long-term viability of the nation.
All Iran has is international law.
Re: McCain: Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is the Leader of Iran
We do not support terrorist organizations, we do not advocate genocide of an entire nation of people. We do not execute political prisoners, we don't even have any political prisoners.
If you cannot see this to be true, or if you think it doesn't matter, then you simply have no sense of moral judgement.
Too many people seem to define "justice" from a social perspective, rather than a moral perspective. No moral principles exist, only a gap between haves and have-nots. If America has nuclear weapons, then it is only "fair" for genocidal terror-supporting regimes to have them.
If America used nuclear weapons against Japan 60 years ago, why can't Iran use them against Israel today? Its only fair. No moral choices need to be made.
""All Iran has is international law.""
which it has been completely disregarded for 30 years. Do they respect international law when they manufacture missiles and send them to Hezzbollah, who then affix them with ball-bearing filled warheads and launch them into civilian areas in Israel? What about when they torture and execute homosexuals, apostates, ba'hais, azeris, and other minorities?
They are violating international law by disregarding the IAEA mandate which forbids them to procure uranium.
So now that we have established that they are breaking the law, what do you suggest we do to enforce it?
If you cannot see this to be true, or if you think it doesn't matter, then you simply have no sense of moral judgement.
Too many people seem to define "justice" from a social perspective, rather than a moral perspective. No moral principles exist, only a gap between haves and have-nots. If America has nuclear weapons, then it is only "fair" for genocidal terror-supporting regimes to have them.
If America used nuclear weapons against Japan 60 years ago, why can't Iran use them against Israel today? Its only fair. No moral choices need to be made.
""All Iran has is international law.""
which it has been completely disregarded for 30 years. Do they respect international law when they manufacture missiles and send them to Hezzbollah, who then affix them with ball-bearing filled warheads and launch them into civilian areas in Israel? What about when they torture and execute homosexuals, apostates, ba'hais, azeris, and other minorities?
They are violating international law by disregarding the IAEA mandate which forbids them to procure uranium.
So now that we have established that they are breaking the law, what do you suggest we do to enforce it?
By: poonhound
Re: McCain: Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is the Leader of Iran
I lol'd at the first paragraph. No genocide? The US was born of the annihilation of the Native American people. We don't have political prisoners? You honestly believe that everyone in Gitmo is a real "enemy combatant," or whatever euphemism is being thrown around?
Nobody here suggested that Iran be allowed to use nuclear weapons against Israel. Nobody even hinted at it. Nobody wants Iran to have nuclear weapons. Nobody is suggesting that any "genocidal terror-supporting regimes" should have nuclear weapons. We're disagreeing about how we should make sure they don't. Stonewalling Iran isn't working. I don't see any reason why this should change.
As a nation that has become infamous for circumventing international law, the US is in a poor position to unilaterally enforce it. We're not the only ones that are scared of Iran acquiring nuclear weapons. It'd probably be a good idea to work with other nations who agree.
I suggest strict sanctions and tough diplomacy. How about you?
Nobody here suggested that Iran be allowed to use nuclear weapons against Israel. Nobody even hinted at it. Nobody wants Iran to have nuclear weapons. Nobody is suggesting that any "genocidal terror-supporting regimes" should have nuclear weapons. We're disagreeing about how we should make sure they don't. Stonewalling Iran isn't working. I don't see any reason why this should change.
As a nation that has become infamous for circumventing international law, the US is in a poor position to unilaterally enforce it. We're not the only ones that are scared of Iran acquiring nuclear weapons. It'd probably be a good idea to work with other nations who agree.
I suggest strict sanctions and tough diplomacy. How about you?
By: i8ursandwich
Re: McCain: Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is the Leader of Iran
When confronted with moral choices, often we hear references to ancient history or vaguely similar circumstances. Such as comapring 10s of thousands of innocent people deliberately being imprisoned, tortured or murdered, to a handful of mistaken identities who are accidentally imprisoned and are "tortured" by having their U.S. taxpayer-funded korans handed to them by infidels who were not wearing gloves.
Moral equivalence is a convenient way of deflecting an obligation to make a moral choice about a current situation. Abu Graib is morally equivalent to Saddam killing thousands with poison gas. Christian fundamentalists are morally equivalent to the Taliban. As if the suffering of homosexuals who are tortured is just as trivial as the inconvenience of Rosie O'Donnel being denied a marriage license.
""Nobody wants Iran to have nuclear weapons....We're disagreeing about how we should make sure they don't. ""
Then I don't want to hear any of this "hands off Iran" nonsense if the 11th hour is reached, the time for diplomacy has passed and a decision on military action has to be made.
""I suggest strict sanctions and tough diplomacy. How about you?""
That's exactly what I suggested above, but you called me a fascist.
Moral equivalence is a convenient way of deflecting an obligation to make a moral choice about a current situation. Abu Graib is morally equivalent to Saddam killing thousands with poison gas. Christian fundamentalists are morally equivalent to the Taliban. As if the suffering of homosexuals who are tortured is just as trivial as the inconvenience of Rosie O'Donnel being denied a marriage license.
""Nobody wants Iran to have nuclear weapons....We're disagreeing about how we should make sure they don't. ""
Then I don't want to hear any of this "hands off Iran" nonsense if the 11th hour is reached, the time for diplomacy has passed and a decision on military action has to be made.
""I suggest strict sanctions and tough diplomacy. How about you?""
That's exactly what I suggested above, but you called me a fascist.
By: poonhound
Re: McCain: Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is the Leader of Iran
Why does this smell like a McMoron er, I mean McCain planted this post?
By: LifeinPictures
