Stunt or Statesmanship? Ahmandinejad Goes to Ground Zero

This morning I was bombarded by a series of phone calls from the press. Breathlessly, they all asked how I felt about Ahmandinejad, the president of Iran, visiting Ground Zero.

Wasn't I outraged?

Didn't I want to protest such a flagrant act of disrespect by this world outcast toward one of our country's most sacred sites?

How could a "terrorist leader on the level of UBL" have the audacity to visit Ground Zero?

By the third call before 9 a.m. I was fairly irritated. Mostly because the only news show that has made any real effort to get the American people to better understand Iran is The Today Show, which sent Matt Lauer to Tehran last week. (Incidentally, we should all commend Today Show producers for that effort -- this was the best morning television programming that I have seen in years, largely because it was not about "reprogramming" Americans for yet another war.)

So, no, I wasn't angry that Ahmandinejad wanted to visit Ground Zero. I was angry, however, at the "pack mentality" of our leading journalists. I was also dismayed -- but not surprised -- at the similar mentality of our current crop of political officials and presidential candidates, several of whom provided the same predictable, politically-correct sound-bite: "We are OUTRAGED!"

What I would have preferred was some real statesmanship.

Real statesmanship would be a presidential candidate with the courage to encourage potentially dangerous, misinformed leaders like Ahmandinejad to visit Ground Zero, in the hopes that they might learn something.

Real statesmanship would mean proposing a new dialogue with Ahmandinejad and other Iranian leaders, searching for some common ground between America and Iran while there's still time to avert disaster.

Real statesmanship would not be intimidated by the O'Reillys and the Ann Coulters of the world. Real statesmanship would not view this kind of diplomacy as weak, but wise. Real statesmanship would not be based on knee-jerk reactions, but on long-term vision.

So far not one presidential candidate has seized the opportunity to do something "out of the box" and important on Iran -- like actually meeting Ahmandinejad at Ground Zero and challenging him to a real dialogue.

Can you get the visual? Extending hands like an olive branch -- saying to the world that it is high time for Iran and the U.S. to join together to end terrorism, root out rogue extremist groups, and combat the injustice that nurtures them? That would be bold action, not cheap, tough talk. It would show the world that we are strong and confident enough to deal directly and squarely with our enemies, inviting them to join these common battles.

Imagine Rudy or Hillary actually engaging Ahmandinejad in a dialogue at Ground Zero, asking him tough questions about what his real intentions are, explaining the pain that Ground Zero represents to Americans, and why we all must work together to root out terrorism.

Of course, if Ahmandinejad really wants to walk in freedom around the freest city in the world he should also be prepared to address to the legitimate concerns of Americans and the world. So, as a quid pro quo, real leaders (like Rudy and Hillary claim to be) should also demand that Ahmandinejad answer the following questions:

1. Will you continue to crack down on illegal drugs flowing out of Afghanistan? Would you be interested in collaborating with the U.S. in this?

2. How can we secure adequate UN inspections of your nuclear facilities? What guarantees are you willing to give the world about your nuclear intentions? Do you really not understand how concerned we are about them?

3. What role is Iran currently playing in Iraq? Are you aware that the military aid you've reportedly been providing may only be prolonging the U.S. presence?

4. What is the status of the half-dozen American citizens that Iran is holding under arrest? How soon can we secure their release? More generally, why does Iran hold so many political prisoners in its jails, and why is your government so reluctant to allow any real political opposition?

5. Just last week you reportedly stated that you "hated" Americans. Do you really feel that way? If so, why have you decided to visit a place that Americans hold dear in our hearts?

Would Ahmandinejad answer these questions truthfully? Probably not -- that's not what any political leaders have much practice at. But that is beside the point. The point is that there is a strong case to be said for looking the man directly in the eye, precisely at a place like Ground Zero, demanding answers to these questions, and demonstrating that we are also capable of answering his tough questions.

The fact is, people are transformed by visiting the open wound of Ground Zero. Perhaps it is naïve to hope for this when it comes to Ahmandinejad. By September 2007, however, we have come to understand a few things. We can no longer go it alone as a nation, when it comes to fighting terrorism and making our world a safer place. We need a global approach. This necessarily means talking to scoundrels, rogues, and unsavory characters that we don't like.

Maybe President Ahmandinejad's trip to Ground Zero could provide a first step toward forging a new relationship with Iran. Maybe not. But this is, after all, Ground Zero. To me, there could be no better place for the dialogue to begin.

(And, frankly, if it weren't for President Bush, this dialogue (and many others like it) might have commenced six years ago in the wake of 9/11. But then again I digress...)

Comments

[RedBarberian]

Kristin for president in 08, unless she's not yet 35. Regardless, she's a great woman.

[dobberdoss]

``Real statesmanship would be a presidential candidate with the courage to encourage potentially dangerous, misinformed leaders like Ahmandinejad to visit Ground Zero, in the hopes that they might learn something.``

Ahh, what evidence do you have that this guy is misinformed & potentially dangerous?

If thats is the case & i believe it is NOT at this stage due to the real evidence what about your president? this guy must be the most dangerous guy in the world asides from Cheney that is!

I see nothing wrong with conserving your natural resources(oil) through not using it domestically for eletric power by developing nuclear energy! Iran is a soveriegn country, so is America, who tells us what we can & cant do with our power generation?

[EndAllWars]

One other thing. If Ahmadinajad decided to visit a museum of tolerance or a cemetery of a holocaust victim, would you be opposed to that too?

Again, I'm no fan of him. But when someone pays homage to the victims of terrorism, I take that as a gesture against terrorism. I do remember right after 9/11 one of right wingers ploys for attacking moslem countries was accusing them of not condemning terrorism strongly enough. Funny how when they want to make the ultimate gesture against terrorism we don't like it!

[MysticInd]

I totally agree with you. I saw this info on tonight's news and they had a person who lost someone saying "oh, he can't come here." What has happened to this country. We are about freedom.
Think about this poor guy having to refute all the Bush MSM shit everyday and he still is courteous enough to ask if he may... the Iranians I know are all like this gentle, kind and thoughtful people.
Oh how I wish I could say what I would like to say about Cheney and his trumped up Iranian nightmare!

[mpgarr]

I say--let the man visit ground zero--it just might sink in to his grey matter that attacks like 9/11 serves no good end and we need to actually talk to this guy.

I like the old adage they used in the Godfather--"keep your friends close and your enemies closer"

It does have truth in that statement---maybe if the Bush administration would do some actual diplomacy instead of postering---the world's view of America would not be so low and while you cannot please everyone all of the time for sure or even a part of the time--having them pissed at you nearly all of the time cannot be a good thing-and that is the way many of our "friends" think about us--let alone our enemies...

It is for the failure of the Bush Administration alone in the area of foreign relations that this administration will go down as one of the worst in history---and enough in any other time that this administation would have lucky to make it for four years let along eight.

[marko77]

Ahmandinejad praised the adolescent "martyrs" who ran barefoot through Saddam's mine fields during the Iran-Iraq War - to clear them for the Iranian infantry.

Now he's waiting for the "12th Imam" and the "Final Battle" when millions upon millions die and survivors get to accept Islam or fry in hell eternally - or so this fundamentalist thinks.

This guy has no business visiting Ground Zero. His laying of a wreath will make a mockery of those who died. As a result, keep this fanatic away.

[wmfor]

The Final Battle.

How disgusting. Now if he were a Christian and believed in the Rapture... and the Jews and Muslims frying in Hell... well, then we'd let him visit Ground Zero, right?

[marko77]

wmfor

Given the President of Iran's record of ill feeling towards Americans and non-muslims in general, he has no business laying a wreath or even visiting the 9/11 site.

Ahadminejad's mentor, the Ayatollah Khom. who ruled Iran in the late 70's, labeled America "The Great Satan," and Ahadminejad still believes it 100%. - he was one of his most ardent followers in the 70's.

I'd have more respect for this guy if he would stop trying to appear like someone with empathy for non-muslims.

There are plenty of Muslims who do respect people who follow other religions, but The Pres. of Iran isn't one of them.

[starwheel]

Kristin, where've ya been?

The only hesitation I would have about his coming to Ground Zero is that the cabal currently running our show would probably nab him and send him off to Gitmo and create an international incident.

[ellasfan]

Kristen,

Thank you for providing a beacon of light in a very dark world..........your courage inspires me. (BTW, I loved your book, listened to your reading of it on CD......so honest and straight-up)

[Maschine]

Absolutely right, this dialogue and the world was on your side 6 years ago, too bad its changed. Now you are on the verge of World War 3.


Impeach Bush and Cheney, war criminals./

[fact finder]

Think about this: If Iran offers a diplomatic way out of this quagmire and Bush refuses does this mean that when Bush attacks Iran Russia and China can jump in and say leave them alone or get nuked.?

[ReasonIsMyReligion]

Assuming I agreed, I'd send him to Yad Vashem first, the Israeli Holocaust Memorial.

Also, we seem to forget Madmanejad's role in the Carter era hostage crisis.

When he comes to ground zero, arrest him.

[HermioneGranger]

When, exactly, did Israel become the 51st state of the U.S. of A.? And if they are, when are they starting paying taxes?

[hoopoe]

the state of israel, and every criminal act it commits, is a holocaust memorial. i doubt anyone in the middle east needs reminding.

[lentinelia]

You lost me when you described New York City as the "freest city in the world". What jingoistic nonsense.

The reason given for not letting Ahmadinejad visit ground zero is because Iran "sponsors terrorism".
What are examples of this "sponsorship".
Are we talking about the mess in Iraq - or is there something else? Excuse me if I'm skeptical, but when the media and Bushies and rightward bending democrats all are spouting something, I have learned to expect that it ain't necessarily so.

Do these politicians think that Ahmadinejad has a ulterior motive for wanting to visit the site?

I can't help but feel that it presented a chance for dialogue - and our politicians are so caught up in Bush's B.S. that they are acting in concert to prevent dialogue and instead fan the flames.

[Sanjong Thapa]

didn't Iran just lose a $2.65-Billion verdict which declared Iran was responsible for the suicide attack in Beirut that killed 241 US Marines?


...and 444 days

& 444 days

& 444 days

& 444 days...

[rmreddicks]

That was in a U.S. federal court decided by a district judge. I'm sure it was a fair trial.

444 days? I think if I'd been an Iranian student at the time I would have tried for 666 days. No disrespect and I would wish no harm to the innocents among the hostages, but the CIA agents in the nest of spies should have been put on open trial.

[ModeratelyExtreme]

America takes another hit on the bong of self-righteous indignation - the world's most addictive drug. How is it that the country with the most sophisticated image factories in the world allowed Ann, Bill and Sean to hijack this opportunity to create a Kodak moment?

Ahmandinejad could have been greeted by large photos of the Iranis who died in the attack and perhaps reminded that America is home to a fair number of Iranis who refer to themselves as Persians to deflect the scorn of their neighbors.

The picture of a Persian, Shiite radical grieving or maybe even praying at ground zero would have driven Bin Laden nuts.

Besides, we aren't getting out of Iraq without Ahmandinejad's help, so we might as well start mending fences now.

[enoughalready]

Why are we afraid to hear Iran?

Our country is founded on the basis of freedom of speech and yet we want to curb that speech when we feel it may be in conflict with our own.

Why not discuss our differences and I agree with this post, one of the best I have read in a very long time.

This White House would rather send bombs than to talk or reason with those they think are our enemies.

God help us, folks if we don't start talking and listening so we in this very small world learn to understand all sides of an issue, then I'm afraid we are lost and our leaders will continue to keep us at war.

[jackbauer0396]

The only thing politicians care about is expanding their power. It's the nature of the game. Nobody cares about ideals, and those that say they do will either A) not be elected, or B) be a snake-oil salesman, a charlatan who doesn't actually practice what they preached to get them into office. It's the only thing holding me back from voting for Barack Obama. I love his message---can he come through on it? Unfortunately, coming to the defense of Ahmandinejad would completely torch any politician's chance for election.