President Obama's speech today didn't even address the level of 'dysfunction' of the Iranian political culture, it addressed 'the hope' of peace.
There is something Ahmadinejad and Khamenei have in common with Bush and Cheney. They never say the word peace, nor understand its meaning. There is nothing within the context of President Obama's speech that addressed this level of Extremist Culture. There is no sense in addressing this level of hate. There is no purpose to try.
Grand Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the current Supreme Leader of Iran.
President Obama : "So I have known Islam on three continents before coming to the region where it was first revealed. That experience guides my conviction that partnership between America and Islam must be based on what Islam is, not what it isn't. And I consider part of my responsibility as President of the United States to fight against negative stereotypes of Islam wherever they appear."
Khamenei : "Alluding to Obama's new approach in foreign affairs, he said that the previous administration of President George W. Bush had left an "ill-mannered image" of itself in the world.
"The new U.S. government seeks to transform this image," Khamenei said. "I say firmly that this will not be achieved by talking, speech and slogans." He added, "Even if [Obama] delivers hundreds of speeches and talks very sweetly, there will not be a change in how the Islamic countries perceive the United States." He called on Obama to deliver change "in practice."
President Obama : But the same principle must apply to Muslim perspections of America. Just as Muslims do not fit a crude stereotype, America is not the crude stereotype of a self-interested empire. The United States has been one of the greatest sources of progress that the world has ever known. We were born of a revolution against an empire. We were founded upon that ideal that all were created equal, and we have shed blood and struggled for centuries to give meaning to those words - within our borders and around the world. We are shaped by every culture, drawn from every end of the Earth, and dedicated to a simple concept, E pluribus unum. "Out of many, one."
Out of many, one is a statement of unity, tolerance and strength. It means the USA accepts difference within its democracy. There is nothing 'tolerate' by Khameni. As a leader of Iran, he speaks openly about hatred. If President Obama was ever to substitute the name Iran for Israel in the statement below, there would be riots in the street.
Khamenei also denounced Israel as a "cancerous tumor in the heart" of the Islamic world, and he accused the U.S. military of "bombing innocent civilians" in Afghanistan. "What is the difference between this killing and killing by terrorists?" he asked rhetorically.
There was a time in the world when words of hate were readily made by what one might call 'Mortal Enemies.' The world today is much smaller. There is no room for words of hate. Yet. An Iranian Icon, such as Khamenei will speak of hate with impunity. Extending an open hand to Islam by the USA is not only admirable, but, generous.
While today was 'a new beginning' it was also definative. The President spoke of measurable road marks on the way to resolving issues that divide the ? two ? worlds. He spoke of policy as it relates to the issues that divide 'peace' between Islam and the USA. While all that is important to clarify the 'terms' of embracing difference and tolerance, it also sets a 'tone.' That tone while generous and 'willing' also 'limits' the extent the USA will 'bend' to achieve peace and understanding.
The speech today was to unit the people of The Middle East as it relates to the USA. He left no 'gray areas' to his policies. He spoke with 'the one voice' that is and will be our diplomatic basis of moving forward.
He did not speak to the 'specific' networks of violence. Why? Because, as with Khameni, there are those in Islam that are served by both rhetorical and actual violence. Peace is intolerant of violence. Hence. The USA are intolerant of them. The speech by President Obama in the Middle East defined our country within our belief systems about our country. The Islamic nations now know. We will see where it goes.
