Here is the speech I was speaking of in the last post
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Scooter's Trip to the Big Apple
Let us take a moment to review what the latest, winner of the Most-Demonized World Leader" Award, Iran's president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (or, Scooter as we have dubbed him) had to say on his three day stint stirring the pot in New York.
On Human Rights:
(In a speech to the United Nations General Assembly)
"Unfortunately human rights are being extensively violated by certain powers, especially by those who pretend to be their exclusive advocates. Setting up secret prisons, abducting persons, trials and secret punishments without any regard to due process, extensive tapping of telephone conversations intercepting private mail... have become commonplace and prevalent."
On Nuclear Weapons:
(At Columbia in Q&A)
"Our nuclear program, first and foremost operates within the framework of law. ...[And] they are completely peaceful. We don't believe in nuclear weapons, period."
Ahmadinejad said Iran's nuclear program was for electricity generation.
On the nation of Israel:
(To Scott Pelley in a 60 Minutesinterview Sept. 23 in Tehran)
PELLEY: Mr. President, you say you love all nations. I have to assume that includes the Nation of Israel.
AHMADINEJAD: Israel is not a nation. Well, we like the people, yes, because they are victims as well. They used to live in their own countries, in their own cities. They were given empty promises, false promises. They said that we are going to give you jobs, we are going to give you security. And they pushed the local Palestinian people out and made them refugees and also made refugees of another community. In other words, from thousands of miles away, people have been emigrating to this country and they are living in fear every day. And we feel for them. Last year in my speech I said that the Zionist entity should open the borders and the gates. Let the people decide where they want to go and settle. They are good people as well. We have no bones to pick with them. We are against terrorism. We are against wrong policies. We are friends with all people, Jewish people, Christians, different people of different faiths. We are, well, we’re in contact with them. Here in Iran there are Jewish communities; there are Christian communities; we’re all friends. Also, non-Muslim countries, we help them when a natural, let’s say, calamity breaks. We love all people. We are opposed to Zionism, occupation, terrorism, dropping bombs on behalf of people when they are inside their own homes, killing men, women, and children. Very openly I have said time and again that I oppose these.
PELLEY: If the Palestinians reach an agreement with Israel for a two-state solution, will you then recognize Israel as well?
AHMADINEJAD: Well, the decision rests with the Palestinian people. This is exactly what I’m saying.
On the Holocaust:
(At a meeting with Quakers in NYC)
He backed off earlier comments which questioned the magnitude of the Holocaust, calling it "a reality of our time, a history that occurred." However, he still said the Nazi murder of 6 million Jews required more research.
On Global Domination:
(In an address to the United Nations Security Council)
AHMADINEJAD (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): A scientific and careful analysis shows that the root of the present situation lies in two fundamental factors.
Without doubt, the first factor lies in the relations arising from the consequences of the Second World War. The victors of the war drew the road map for global domination and formulated their policies not on the basis of justice, but for ensuring the interests of the victors over the vanquished nations.
Therefore, mechanisms arising from this approach and related policies have not been capable of finding just solutions for global solutions since 60 years ago.
[Second,] some big powers still behave like the victors of the world war and regard other states and nations, even those that had nothing to do with the war, as the vanquished and humiliate other nations and demand extortion through condescending positions similar to that of the master-servant relationship of the Medieval ages.
They believe that they should have more rights than others and also are not accountable to any international organizations.
On the Occupation of Iraq:
On Iraqi refugees:
"Iran and Iraq are two countries with great nations. Insecurity in Iraq will inflict the most damage on Iran."
Ahmadinejad made left a clear impression that Iran is prepared to fill the void of leadership created by the occupation of Iraq. But he was mum on the issue of opening the borders to refugees.
He did say that Iran is receiving Afghans though. According to PressTV, Ahmadinejad said that more than 2.5 million Afghans live in Iran legally and enjoy all legal rights. "Certain Afghan groups have entered Iran illicitly. A legal position should be adopted towards them to preserve the rights of Afghan refugees."
On Homosexuality:
(At Columbia)
“In Iran, we don't have homosexuals, like in your country. We don't have that in our country. In Iran, we do not have this phenomenon. I don't know who's told you that we have it.” This statement was removed from the official transcripts printed in Farsi in Iran.
On Iran's plans in the global community:
(In address to the United Nations Security Council)
Today, the problems that people around the world face are mainly rooted in the disregard of human values and ethics, and also in the rule of the selfish and incompetent.
Friends, ladies, and gentlemen, the only sustainable way to the betterment of mankind is the return to the teachings of the divine prophets, monotheism, respect for the dignity of humans, and the flow of love and affection in all relationships, ties, and regulations, and to reform the present structures on this basis.
To fulfill this objective, I invite everyone -- everybody to form a front of fraternity, amity, and sustainable peace, based on monotheism and justice, under the name of "Coalition for Peace," (ph) to prevent incursions and arrogance and to promote the culture of affection and justice.
I hereby announce that, with the help of all independent, justice-seeking and peace-loving nations, the Islamic Republic of Iran will be heading down this path.
Monotheism, justice, and compassion for humans should dominate all the pillars of the U.N. And this organization should be a forum for justice, and every member should enjoy equal spiritual and legal support.
Read More...
On respect:
According to a USAToday report, at a dinner Tuesday night with 60 journalists and Iran scholars, Ahmadinejad listened in silence for more than an hour, taking notes as attendees commented and asked questions. He then responded to each statement, addressing his questioner by name.
For a man who's country has been dragged through the mud for the past five years in the Western media to come to the United States and address the United Nations with humility that is so entirely uncharacteristic is shocking. Everyone anticipated "Madman Iran" outbursts, but there were none. Everyone expected blatant anti-US rhetoric, but on the whole, there was none. Everyone expected words of violence and threatening speech, but instead there was a dissertation on the Islamic views on modern international events.
Was this calm, religious speech on respect and peace a rouse? Was it designed as a public relations stunt to improve the image of Iran? Probably. But if the people of the United States feel threatened by such a display, perhaps they are looking in the wrong places.
On Human Rights:
(In a speech to the United Nations General Assembly)
"Unfortunately human rights are being extensively violated by certain powers, especially by those who pretend to be their exclusive advocates. Setting up secret prisons, abducting persons, trials and secret punishments without any regard to due process, extensive tapping of telephone conversations intercepting private mail... have become commonplace and prevalent."
On Nuclear Weapons:
(At Columbia in Q&A)
"Our nuclear program, first and foremost operates within the framework of law. ...[And] they are completely peaceful. We don't believe in nuclear weapons, period."
Ahmadinejad said Iran's nuclear program was for electricity generation.
On the nation of Israel:
(To Scott Pelley in a 60 Minutesinterview Sept. 23 in Tehran)
PELLEY: Mr. President, you say you love all nations. I have to assume that includes the Nation of Israel.
AHMADINEJAD: Israel is not a nation. Well, we like the people, yes, because they are victims as well. They used to live in their own countries, in their own cities. They were given empty promises, false promises. They said that we are going to give you jobs, we are going to give you security. And they pushed the local Palestinian people out and made them refugees and also made refugees of another community. In other words, from thousands of miles away, people have been emigrating to this country and they are living in fear every day. And we feel for them. Last year in my speech I said that the Zionist entity should open the borders and the gates. Let the people decide where they want to go and settle. They are good people as well. We have no bones to pick with them. We are against terrorism. We are against wrong policies. We are friends with all people, Jewish people, Christians, different people of different faiths. We are, well, we’re in contact with them. Here in Iran there are Jewish communities; there are Christian communities; we’re all friends. Also, non-Muslim countries, we help them when a natural, let’s say, calamity breaks. We love all people. We are opposed to Zionism, occupation, terrorism, dropping bombs on behalf of people when they are inside their own homes, killing men, women, and children. Very openly I have said time and again that I oppose these.
PELLEY: If the Palestinians reach an agreement with Israel for a two-state solution, will you then recognize Israel as well?
AHMADINEJAD: Well, the decision rests with the Palestinian people. This is exactly what I’m saying.
On the Holocaust:
(At a meeting with Quakers in NYC)
He backed off earlier comments which questioned the magnitude of the Holocaust, calling it "a reality of our time, a history that occurred." However, he still said the Nazi murder of 6 million Jews required more research.
On Global Domination:
(In an address to the United Nations Security Council)
AHMADINEJAD (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): A scientific and careful analysis shows that the root of the present situation lies in two fundamental factors.
Without doubt, the first factor lies in the relations arising from the consequences of the Second World War. The victors of the war drew the road map for global domination and formulated their policies not on the basis of justice, but for ensuring the interests of the victors over the vanquished nations.
Therefore, mechanisms arising from this approach and related policies have not been capable of finding just solutions for global solutions since 60 years ago.
[Second,] some big powers still behave like the victors of the world war and regard other states and nations, even those that had nothing to do with the war, as the vanquished and humiliate other nations and demand extortion through condescending positions similar to that of the master-servant relationship of the Medieval ages.
They believe that they should have more rights than others and also are not accountable to any international organizations.
On the Occupation of Iraq:
On Iraqi refugees:
"Iran and Iraq are two countries with great nations. Insecurity in Iraq will inflict the most damage on Iran."
Ahmadinejad made left a clear impression that Iran is prepared to fill the void of leadership created by the occupation of Iraq. But he was mum on the issue of opening the borders to refugees.
He did say that Iran is receiving Afghans though. According to PressTV, Ahmadinejad said that more than 2.5 million Afghans live in Iran legally and enjoy all legal rights. "Certain Afghan groups have entered Iran illicitly. A legal position should be adopted towards them to preserve the rights of Afghan refugees."
On Homosexuality:
(At Columbia)
“In Iran, we don't have homosexuals, like in your country. We don't have that in our country. In Iran, we do not have this phenomenon. I don't know who's told you that we have it.” This statement was removed from the official transcripts printed in Farsi in Iran.
On Iran's plans in the global community:
(In address to the United Nations Security Council)
Today, the problems that people around the world face are mainly rooted in the disregard of human values and ethics, and also in the rule of the selfish and incompetent.
Friends, ladies, and gentlemen, the only sustainable way to the betterment of mankind is the return to the teachings of the divine prophets, monotheism, respect for the dignity of humans, and the flow of love and affection in all relationships, ties, and regulations, and to reform the present structures on this basis.
To fulfill this objective, I invite everyone -- everybody to form a front of fraternity, amity, and sustainable peace, based on monotheism and justice, under the name of "Coalition for Peace," (ph) to prevent incursions and arrogance and to promote the culture of affection and justice.
I hereby announce that, with the help of all independent, justice-seeking and peace-loving nations, the Islamic Republic of Iran will be heading down this path.
Monotheism, justice, and compassion for humans should dominate all the pillars of the U.N. And this organization should be a forum for justice, and every member should enjoy equal spiritual and legal support.
Read More...
On respect:
According to a USAToday report, at a dinner Tuesday night with 60 journalists and Iran scholars, Ahmadinejad listened in silence for more than an hour, taking notes as attendees commented and asked questions. He then responded to each statement, addressing his questioner by name.
For a man who's country has been dragged through the mud for the past five years in the Western media to come to the United States and address the United Nations with humility that is so entirely uncharacteristic is shocking. Everyone anticipated "Madman Iran" outbursts, but there were none. Everyone expected blatant anti-US rhetoric, but on the whole, there was none. Everyone expected words of violence and threatening speech, but instead there was a dissertation on the Islamic views on modern international events.
Was this calm, religious speech on respect and peace a rouse? Was it designed as a public relations stunt to improve the image of Iran? Probably. But if the people of the United States feel threatened by such a display, perhaps they are looking in the wrong places.
News Gone Wild: Media on E!
Elton John was found with nudey picks of underage {gasp!} girls! Read It!
Michael Vick was caught smoking weed. Read It!
Barry Bonds record-breaking ball will go to the Hall of Fame bearing an asterix, literally. Read It!
Halo 3 steals two records: most sales and most complaints on the first day. Read it! Here and here.
Cops' accusal in Biggie's murder turns out to be a lie, part of one inmates attempt to make some money by suing the city for wrongful death. Read It!
Idiocracy is a real thing. Congress is actually debating the "enhanced" value of Gatorade. Read It!
Super Troopers had its place today, too. But instead of insects, it's the super-germ kind of bugs. Read It!
And these were our leading headlines today... Oh, wait, I forgot, the US condemned Iran again.
Michael Vick was caught smoking weed. Read It!
Barry Bonds record-breaking ball will go to the Hall of Fame bearing an asterix, literally. Read It!
Halo 3 steals two records: most sales and most complaints on the first day. Read it! Here and here.
Cops' accusal in Biggie's murder turns out to be a lie, part of one inmates attempt to make some money by suing the city for wrongful death. Read It!
Idiocracy is a real thing. Congress is actually debating the "enhanced" value of Gatorade. Read It!
Super Troopers had its place today, too. But instead of insects, it's the super-germ kind of bugs. Read It!
And these were our leading headlines today... Oh, wait, I forgot, the US condemned Iran again.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Mow Your Lawn, Power Your Car
Admit it, you can't imagine living without your car.
Admit it, you really do think those hybrids are ugly.
Admit it, you too suffer from "Oil Addiction."
Wired Magazine reports There is a cure in sight if we are willing to bear the costs. Turns out your lawn clippings will do the job of powering you car.
Seems Forrest Gump was on to something.
Scientists have the technology to convert cellulose into fuel. It's pretty simple too, or at least it sounds simple. Take a plant, extract the cellulose, add some enzymes and convert the cellulose molecules into sugars. Then, like they do with wine and beer, ferment the sugar into alcohol and distill it to maximum potency. High enough proof= flammable. Flammable= combustible, which means, powering an engine with plants instead of Middle East oil.
Admit it, you really do think those hybrids are ugly.
Admit it, you too suffer from "Oil Addiction."
Wired Magazine reports There is a cure in sight if we are willing to bear the costs. Turns out your lawn clippings will do the job of powering you car.
Seems Forrest Gump was on to something.
Scientists have the technology to convert cellulose into fuel. It's pretty simple too, or at least it sounds simple. Take a plant, extract the cellulose, add some enzymes and convert the cellulose molecules into sugars. Then, like they do with wine and beer, ferment the sugar into alcohol and distill it to maximum potency. High enough proof= flammable. Flammable= combustible, which means, powering an engine with plants instead of Middle East oil.
Even God Gets Drunk Sometimes
Jack Bauer is a god. He has died and been reincarnated on three seperate occassions, and every time, he is back to chasing the bad guys within 20 minutes. If that's not god quality, then what is?
FoxNews reports that Kiefer Sutherland, the actor who plays Jack Bauer on Fox's hit show "24", was busted on a DUI in Los Angeles at 1:15 a.m. today. Though they would not divulge Sutherland's actual blood-alcohol level, the actor was taken to jail where he was booked, charged and then released at 4 a.m. on a $25,000 bond. LA County Sheriff's said he will appear OCt. 16 in court.
What can you say? It has to be tough being a god. But considering this is Sutherland's second DUI since 2004, perhaps he needs to stop thinking he's god and start thinking about not driving after a few brewskys.
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