Extremist Iranian President Mahmood Ahmadi-Najad wrote eight long pages in his recent letter to the leader of the Republicans, George W. Bush, but the essence of his argument is summed up in just his last three paragraphs:
Liberalism and Western style democracy have not been able to help realize the ideals of humanity. Today these two concepts have failed. Those with insight can already hear the sounds of the shattering and fall of the ideology and thoughts of the liberal democratic systems.
We increasingly see that people around the world are flocking towards a main focal point – that is the Almighty God. Undoubtedly through faith in God and the teachings of the prophets, the people will conquer their problems. My question for you is: “Do you not want to join them?â€
Mr President, whether we like it or not, the world is gravitating towards faith in the Almighty and justice and the will of God will prevail over all things.
Hmmm. Iranian President Mahmood Ahmadi-Najad, the rightly reviled extremist, despises liberalism and champions an increasing role of religion in government.
Who else do we know who takes that position? Should America follow the call of such persons?
Your quote from the “Iran letter” is taken radically out of context, and your characterization that Mahmood Ahmadi-Najad “despises liberalism” is misleading and dishonest. He did not say that he despises liberalism, only that it has failed. Any with a passing familiarity with the tragic history of American-Iranian relations will understand why the President of Iran, and most Iranians, might regard liberalism and democracy as failed institutions. When Iran was a liberal democracy its elected leader was deposed by a CIA coup. Most Americans seem not to be aware of this history, or prefer to ignore it, but all the Iranian people know exactly why Iran is not a democracy today.
As for “an increasing role of religion in government,” this is also a blatant distortion. Recognizing that George Bush is a professing Christian, Mahmood Ahmadi-Najad called on him to conduct his foreign policy in a manner consistent with the teachings of Jesus, i.e., honestly seeking peace. All Americans should be calling Bush to act in a manner logically consistent with his own professed beliefs, which is a far cry from political dominance by religious institutions.
No, we shouldn’t be calling on Bush to act in a manner logically consistent with his own professed beliefs. We should be calling on Bush to act in a manner consistent with the Constitution.