Have you read the Open Letter to the American People from Iran's President? Or just the spin?
Full Text Translation of Iranian President Ahmadinejad's letter
Every thinking person (rule out current administration) who has examined the issue has agreed that the US needs to engage Iran in dialogue. That includes Gen. Wesley Clark (Ret.) who just stated on C-span that we need to do so, as well as Jim Baker.
The letter talks about the shared values between the Iranian and American people and asks for a dialogue. Let me quote the values addressed in the letter:
God-fearing
truth-loving
justice-seeking
...we ... share a common responsibility to promote and protect freedom and human dignity and integrity
...human values and our common human spirit ... have brought our two great nations of Iran and the United States closer together.
Both our nations are God-fearing, truth-loving and justice-seeking, and both seek dignity, respect and perfection.
[both of our nations] value and readily embrace the promotion of human ideals such as compassion, empathy, respect for the rights of human beings, securing justice and equity, and defending the innocent and the weak against oppressors and bullies.
We are all inclined towards the good, and towards extending a helping hand to one another, particularly to those in need.
We all deplore injustice, the trampling of peoples’ rights and the intimidation and humiliation of human beings.
We all detest darkness, deceit, lies and distortion, and seek and admire salvation, enlightenment, sincerity and honesty.
Clearly there are cultural / linguistic differences which make the translation of the letter somewhat difficult to digest. And many Kosmonauts may not be God-fearing. But if you drill down to what is really being said there seems to be a real effort here to open up a dialogue.
We all condemn terrorism, because its victims are the innocent.
But, can terrorism be contained and eradicated through war, destruction and the killing of hundreds of thousands of innocents?
If that were possible, then why has the problem not been resolved?
The letter basically blames all the trouble in the Middle East on the "Zionists," the failure of the Palistinians to have a homeland, and the crimes against them.
Clearly everything in the Middle East is now on the line. If there was ever a time when the region stood on the brink of the abyss, this is it.
It is possible that from this unmitigated disaster a resoultion could be found. But it would require the U.S. to be willing to address the Israeli - Palestinian problem in an objective manner. I am sure this is the result the neo-cons thought would result, although not the manner they expected it to be accomplished.
Every single country in the region is now at risk. The Saudis, Syrians, Iranis, Turks, Israelis, Jordanians all could be easily drawn in.
To sum up:
It is possible to govern based on an approach that is distinctly different from one of coercion, force and injustice.
It is possible to sincerely serve and promote common human values, and honesty and compassion.
It is possible to provide welfare and prosperity without tension, threats, imposition or war.
It is possible to lead the world towards the aspired perfection by adhering to unity, monotheism, morality and spirituality and drawing upon the teachings of the Divine Prophets.
Then, the American people, who are God-fearing and followers of Divine religions, will overcome every difficulty.
This letter is an open invitation to a regional / global summit. There needs to be such a summit and everyone needs to be at the table.
While it will be difficult for the current administration to sit down with the Iranians after demonizing them as evil, it is absolutely necessary.