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Yesterday we posted an article reporting that Iran's mullahs are hoping Bush loses the presidential election. Some comments criticized us for bringing politics into the struggle against global jihad. Well, actually I would love to keep politics out of it. In Onward Muslim Soldiers I make the case that the struggle against jihad terror is not a conservative issue, but should be one taken up by all those who value universal human rights.
Nevertheless, as Al Pacino would say, just when we think we're out, they pull us back in. Now the Tehran Times is reporting that John Kerry's office has warmed the mullahs' hearts, such as they are, by sending a note to an Iranian news agency promising to repair the damage Bush has done. (Thanks to dtrini.)
The office of Senator John Kerry, the frontrunner in the Democratic presidential primary in the U.S., sent the Mehr News Agency an e-email saying that Kerry will try to repair the damage done by the incumbent president if he wins the election. The text of the e-mail follows.As Americans who have lived and worked extensively overseas, we have personally witnessed the high regard with which people around the world have historically viewed the United States. Sadly, we are also painfully aware of how the actions and the attitudes demonstrated by the U.S. government over the past three years have threatened the goodwill earned by presidents of both parties over many decades and put many of our international relationships at risk.
It is in the urgent interests of the people of the United States to restore our country's credibility in the eyes of the world. America needs the kind of leadership that will repair alliances with countries on every continent that have been so damaged in the past few years, as well as build new friendships and overcome tensions with others.
We are convinced that John Kerry is the candidate best qualified to meet this challenge. Senator Kerry has the diplomatic skill and temperament as well as a lifetime of accomplishments in field of international affairs. He believes that collaboration with other countries is crucial to efforts to win the war on terror and make America safer.
An understanding of global affairs is essential in these times, and central to this campaign Kerry has the experience and the understanding necessary to successfully restore the United States to its position of respect within the community of nations. He has the judgment and vision necessary to assure that the United States fulfills a leadership role in meeting the challenges we face throughout the world.
The current Administration's policies of unilateralism and rejection of important international initiatives, from the Kyoto Accords to the Biological Weapons Convention, have alienated much of the world and squandered remarkable reserves of support after 9/11. This climate of hostility affects us all, but most especially impacts those who reside overseas. Disappointment with current U.S. leadership is widespread, extending not just to the corridors of power and politics, but to the man and woman on the street as well.
We believe John Kerry is the Democrat who can go toe-to-toe against the current Administration on national security and defense issues. We also remain convinced that John Kerry has the best chance of beating the incumbent in November, and putting America on a new course that will lead to a safer, more secure, and more stable world.
WND reminds of us why this might not have been the wisest note to send to Iran. (Thanks to Jeffrey Imm):
While Kerry's e-mail mentions combating terrorism, Iran has been long on the U.S. list of nations sponsoring terrorism. Two years ago in his State of the Union address, the president referred to Iran, Iraq and North Korea as an "axis of evil."Iran is officially considered an Islamic republic, governed by Muslim Shia law.
Commercial relations between Iran and the United States are restricted by U.S. sanctions and consist mainly of Iranian purchases of food and medical products and U.S. purchases of carpets and food. The U.S. government prohibits most trade with Iran.
The U.S. State Department cites the following as "serious obstacles" to improved relations between the two countries:
• Iranian efforts to acquire nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction;
• its support for and involvement in international terrorism;
• its support for violent opposition to the Middle East peace process; and
• its dismal human rights record.As reported in Joseph Farah's G2 Bulletin, Tehran is sponsoring a 10-day conference of major terrorist organizations this week. The purpose of the conference is to discuss anti-U.S. strategy.
Among the groups headed to Iran to participate are: Hamas, Hezbollah, Islamic Jihad and al-Qaida allies Ansar Al Islam.
Posted by Robert at February 10, 2004 9:19 AM
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So.
Kerry is The Man who supports anti-American efforts in Iran and elsewhere?
His self-loathing, self-serving, willful blindness seems to have no end.
At times like this, I fall back on my trust of the American system to weed out sick, degraded candidates like Kerry.
Posted by: Sharps Shooter at February 10, 2004 11:30 PMwill this e.mail be read out to all americans ?
Posted by: kristian hovborg at February 11, 2004 7:28 AMIt doesn't make a whole lot of sense for Kerry's office to send out a campaign message to the Iranians. Unless, maybe, through connections, they could possibly influence the election . . . .
Hmmmm . . . .
Posted by: Interested-Participant at February 11, 2004 9:26 AMIf one only relies on statements made by John Kerry after his return from Viet Nam, we have sufficient reason to question his integrity in matters of foreign affairs. He belittled his fellow uniformed citizens, accusing them of numerous atrocities against the civilian population of Viet Nam, he aligned himself with the Hayden/Fonda Peaceniks and he unashamedly tossed someone elses war medals away while claiming they were his. The man is a menace!! Charles Schubert
Posted by: Charles Schubert at February 11, 2004 10:16 AMThat Traitor!
Not Kerry ... Dick Cheney:
http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/index.ssf?/base/news-13/107648379987090.xml
The Treasury Department is raising new questions about whether Halliburton, the oil services giant once headed by Vice President Dick Cheney, violated the federal law barring U.S. companies from doing business with Iran.
In a notice to the Securities and Exchange Commission, Halliburton disclosed that Treasury's Office of Foreign Asset Control last month reopened a 2001 inquiry that centered on the legality of the business dealings between Iran and a Halliburton subsidiary incorporated in the Cayman Islands.
...
While the law bars business dealings with Iran, a loophole permits U.S. companies to get around the sanctions and conduct business through foreign subsidiaries as long as these entities are not run by Americans.
Halliburton has acknowledged its foreign subsidiaries have done millions of dollars of oil-field services work for Iran over the years, including in the late 1990s, when Cheney headed the company. When Cheney was CEO, he spoke out against unilateral trade sanctions while Halliburton lobbied Congress to change the law as it applied to Iran and other nations.
Posted by: nobody at February 11, 2004 11:42 AMJohn Kerry is a threat to the SECURITY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
Posted by: Ron Huntley at February 11, 2004 11:47 AMSo sorry to be so crude, but it appears that a President John Kerry would be all about having the U.S. bend over, spread it's cheeks and say "come on in", in order to "repair" the "damage" that Bush has done. Geez, it's scary.
Posted by: Annie at February 11, 2004 12:22 PMNow who told John Friggin Kerry that he spoke for the American people? Annie right, Kerry is telling everyone that it will be busines as usual (screw us please) if he gets elected.
Posted by: Patrick at February 11, 2004 12:59 PMJohn Kerry has demonstrated beyond doubt that he is on the front line of the "blame America" crowd. You say he was a war hero? So was Bendedict Arnold!
Posted by: William James at February 11, 2004 1:03 PMThis will never see the light of day on the mainstream news.
Posted by: Byron at February 11, 2004 1:15 PMits seems that the middle eastern countries leaders will never like the u.s. mainly due to the fear of civil unrest in their own country if they show signs of support for our country. bush realizies the realities as they are. therefore we must be respected throughout the world. by fear if necessay. but that is the sad part because i think we are a generous, open minded peaceful nation. no amount of kiss assing from kerry will stop their hatred.
Posted by: jim carletti at February 11, 2004 1:18 PMCan we be sure that Kerry actually drafted and sent that email? Is the person who "discovered" it reliable? My head almost exploded when I read it, but how can we be sure that it is genuine? If it is real it speaks very poorly of Kerry.
Posted by: H.KATABOLAE at February 11, 2004 2:47 PMHey morons! Looks like a standard e-mail to me, you know the ones sent out a bunch of people. A standard campaign e-mail sent to an Iranian newspaper, OMG Kerry must support the current Iranian regieme.
Nice try dumbfucks.
Posted by: andrew at February 11, 2004 3:48 PMWhoever holds the office of US President must stay the course and see Iraq through to a democracy.....or the world is doomed!
jihan
Posted by: jihan at February 11, 2004 3:50 PMThis should confirm that Kerry is a real, potential danger to American security if he gets into office. Unfortunately, I have to agree that the liberal media will not touch this material. How they are carrying the water for the Dems on the bogus AWOL issue is beyond belief. Not a one has the honesty to mention that the New York Times fully discounted this issue in 2000.
Posted by: Rick Miller at February 11, 2004 3:51 PMThe Tehran-Damascus-Baghdad axis must not be formed. A trio of virulently anti-western countries armed with a) WMD from Iraq moved into Assads' hands b)The Iranian Manhattan Project and c) an Islamic state risen out of the ashes of post war Iraq.
John Kerry would no doubt pander to this "imminent threat" so as not appear to have convictions or any sense of long term vision.
Spare the U.S. the Kerrification of our foreign policy.
Posted by: Mbarek at February 11, 2004 8:02 PMIf this is true and Kerry had this emailed to the Iranians,(and I do believe it) then why on earth is this not being shown to commentators on television? I mean those commentators other than the total left wing libs on the 3 usual suspect networks. Get this out to someone who will talk about it.
Posted by: Derrick at February 11, 2004 8:37 PMPerhaps Kerry will pay the Iranian ayatollahs jizyah to get into their good graces.
Posted by: John at February 12, 2004 3:14 AM"As Americans who have lived and worked extensively overseas, we have personally witnessed ..."
Kerry seems to be including himself in the "we". Except for service in Viet Nam, I was unaware that he has "lived and worked extensively overseas".
My qualifications for this posting this message - 18 out of the last 25 years out of the US: 12 years in Europe and 6 years in the Middle East.
jay
Posted by: Jay Stevens at February 12, 2004 4:58 AMJust a quick obervation on the email sent to Mehr News Agency:
That email was not worded specifically for Iran; it is a general purpose "stump" email used to criticize the President's supposed unilateralism.
I have experience in Kerry's office, and this is a typical political device that would be used to reply to citizen or media inquiries.
We do not know WHO sent it to Tehran, so it is really jumping the gun to call him a traitor, etc. Even if it DID come from his office, it doesn't necessarily mean anything. You'd be surprised at how often it is that actions that are perceived as "calculated" were really the result of something truly mundane, like wanting to go to lunch and getting careless. I personally almost sent a form reply to a fax from a terrorist front group because I didn't have clear instructions on who they were. This was several years ago, but can you imagine what would have happened in a campaign year?
By the way, I'm not a Kerry partisan -- probably not even voting for him -- so please rethink your first responses ...
Posted by: Publius51 at February 16, 2004 4:03 PM
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