In a three minute address to the people and government of Iran, President Obama demonstrated his foreign policy -- apologetic, unrealistic and weak. Here is what he -- as President of the United States -- told this hostile regime and its people.
"I would like to speak clearly to Iran's leaders. We have serious differences that have grown over time. My administration is now committed to diplomacy that addresses the full range of issues before us and to pursuing constructive ties among the United States, Iran and the international community. This process will not be advanced by threats. We seek instead engagement that is honest and grounded in mutual respect.
You too have a choice. The United states wants the Islamic Republic of Iran to take its rightful place among the community of nations. You have that right. But it comes with real responsibilities. And that place cannot be reached through terror or arms, but rather through peaceful actions that demonstrate the true greatness of the Iranian people and civilization. And the measure of that greatness is not the capacity to destroy, it is your demonstrated ability to build and create.
So on the occasion of your new year, I want you, the people and leaders of Iran, to understand the future that we seek. It's a future with renewed exchanges among our people and greater opportunities for partnership and commerce. It's a future where the old divisions are overcome where you and all your neighbors and the wider world can live in greater security and greater peace.
I know that this won't be reached easily. There are those who insist that we be defined by our differences. But let us remember the words that were written by the poet Sadi, so many years ago: the children of Adam are limbs to each other having been created of one essence.
With the coming of a new season, we are reminded of this precious humanity which we all share. And we can once again call upon this spirit as we seek the promise of a new beginning. Thank you and (here he signed of in what was probably Farsi)."
Is anyone else having a Jimmy Carter flashback? Haven't we already seen the folly in the "can't we all just get along" approach to our enemies -- and do not mistake for a moment that as long as we support Israel, we are Iran's mortal enemy. It's hard not to react to the Neville Chamberlain-esque naivete inherent in treating a dangerous, hostile regime who has vowed the destruction of one of your strongest allies as a potential friend.
While we can debate how much bombast needs to come from the White House in dealing with our enemies, this mealy-mouthed supplication is not the answer. It was, frankly, embarrassing.
The Iranian response? Let's just say, they weren't conciliatory.
"We welcome the interest of the American government to settle differences. The American government should realise its previous mistakes and make an effort to amend them in order to put aside differences.
The Obama administration so far has just talked. By words and talking the ... problems between Iran and America can not be solved.
Nowruz (the Iranian New Year which falls on Friday) is a sign of fundamental development in nature and Obama should learn from this to make fundamental changes in his policy towards Iran.
Supporting Israel is not a friendly gesture and the new year is an opportunity for the United States to change this policy.
By fundamentally changing its behaviour America can offer us a friendly hand. So far what we have received have been unfriendly fists. Unlimited sanctions which still continue and have been renewed by the United States are wrong and need to be reviewed.
The Iranian nation has shown that it can forget hasty behaviour but we are awaiting practical steps by the United States."
Iran's spokesman had no problem making his country's position crystal clear. So long as the United States supports Israel, we will be Iran's enemy. There will be no peace between our two countries while the United States maintains a pro-Israel position.
Iran has maintained this position for over three decades and has not wavered in wanting the destruction of Israel. The only peace Iran will accept they have told us repeatedly is one that results in the death to Israel. Trying to reason with Iran's leadership, trying to deal with them as other than the hate-filled, terrorist-supporters they are, is a mistake that could have grave consequences for us and our allies.
Obama's only goal this first hundred days seems to be to do precisely the opposite of what George Bush did.
That is not policy or ideology; it's petulance.
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