In this election season, we have had a candidate espouse the idea that speeches are just words. Many have countered that words can change the world. Indeed I am one of those who truly believes that words can be mightier than the sword...words can be used to sway the minds of a nation, induce the ignorant to do your bidding, ignite wars, or bring about peace.
The recent exchange between Senator McCain and reporter Joe Klein certainly exposed another McCain gaffe in which he is rightfully being ridiculed for not understanding President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's political role. Miasmo has an excellent diary on that topic. However, I found the larger gaffe to be Senator McCain’s continued use of a completely fabricated quote to be far more jarring.
In the exchange, McCain states,
"Oh I thin-Again, I respectfully disagree. When he's the person that comes to the United Nations and declares his country's policy is the extermination of the state of Israel, quote, in his words, wipe them off of the map, then I know that he is speaking for the Iranian government and articulating their policy and he was elected and is running for reelection as the leader of that country. Yes sir, go ahead."
The following YouTube piece expands a bit more on this false quote and it's use in the US Media.
After reviewing the transcript of the speeches by President Ahmadinejad at both his 2006 and 2007 UN Appearances no where does he even come close to saying that it is his or his governments intention to "...wipe them [Israel] off the map...". In fact, the false quote did not even originate with Ahmadinejad. It is scary to believe that we have a presidential candidate intentionally misquoting a foreign leader...a proven false quote that is intentionally being used to inflame and sway American opinion. Joe Klein should have immediately jumped on McCain for that as should the rest of MSM.
As I noted, words are incredibly powerful. Iran is not a true threat militarily to the United States, however,I believe that what our current US leaders fear most about Iran are words. I will leave you with some of the actual quotes spoken by President Ahmadinejad in his address to the United Nations in 2006 and 2007. Perhaps you, as I have, will see how words, when spoken in truth, can be far more powerful than any nuclear weapon.
Unfortunately human rights are being extensively violated by certain powers, especially by those who pretend to be their exclusive advocates. Setting up secret prisons, abducting persons, trials and secret punishments without any regard to due process, extensive tapping of telephone conversations, intercepting private mail, and frequent summons to police and security centers have become commonplace and prevalent. They prosecute scientists and historians for stating their opinions on important global issues. - President Ahmadinejad (2007 UN Speech)
Iraq was occupied under the pretext of overthrowing a dictator and the existence of weapons of mass destruction. The Iraqi dictator who had been supported by the same occupiers was disposed of, and no weapons of mass destruction were discovered, but the occupation continues under different excuses.
No day passes without people being killed, wounded or displaced, and the occupiers not only refuse to be accountable and ashamed of their adventure, but speak in a report of a new market for their armaments as the result of their military venture. They even oppose the constitution, National Assembly and the government established by the vote of the people, while they do not even have the courage to declare their defeat and exit Iraq.
Unfortunately we are witnessing the bitter truth that some powers do not value any nation or human beings, and the only things that matter to them are themselves, their political parties and groups. In their view, human rights are tantamount to profits for their companies and their friends. The rights and the dignity of American people are also being sacrificed for the selfish desires of those holding power. -Ahmadinejad (2007 UN Speech)
Some powers sacrifice all human values including honesty, purity and trust for the advancement of their goals. They propagate skepticism and deception in the relations between states and peoples.
They lie openly, level baseless charges against others, act contrary to legal norms and damage the climate of trust and friendship.
They openly abandon morality and noble values in their relations with others, and substitute selfishness, supremacy, enmity and imposition, for justice, respect for others, love, affection and honesty. They sacrifice all the good things and the sublime in life for their own greed.
-Amadinejad (2007 UN Speech)
What afflicts humanity today is certainly not compatible with human dignity; the Almighty has not created human beings so that they could transgress against others and oppress them.
By causing war and conflict, some are fast expanding their domination, accumulating greater wealth and usurping all the resources, while others endure the resulting poverty, suffering and misery.
Some seek to rule the world relying on weapons and threats, while others live in perpetual insecurity and danger. -Ahmadinejad (2006 UN Speech)
Some powers proudly announce their production of second and third generations of nuclear weapons. What do they need these weapons for? Is the development and stockpiling of these deadly weapons designed to promote peace and democracy? Or, are these weapons, in fact, instruments of coercion and threat against other peoples and governments? How long should the people of the world live with the nightmare of nuclear, biological and chemical weapons? What bounds the powers producing and possessing these weapons? How can they be held accountable before the international community? And, are the inhabitants of these countries content with the waste of their wealth and resources for the production of such destructive arsenals? Is it not possible to rely on justice, ethics and wisdom instead of these instruments of death? Aren't wisdom and justice more compatible with peace and tranquility than nuclear, chemical and biological weapons? -Ahmadinejad (2006 UN Speech)
The question needs to be asked: if the Governments of the United States or the United Kingdom who are permanent members of the Security Council, commit aggression, occupation and violation of international law, which of the organs of the UN can take them to account? Can a Council in which they are privileged members address their violations? Has this ever happened? In fact, we have repeatedly seen the reverse. If they have differences with a nation or state, they drag it to the Security Council and as claimants, arrogate to themselves simultaneously the roles of prosecutor, judge and executioner. Is this a just order? Can there be a more vivid case of discrimination and more clear evidence of injustice? -Ahmadinejad (2006 UN Speech)
Sustainable peace and tranquility in the world can only be attained through justice, spirituality, ethics, compassion and respect for human dignity.
All nations and states are entitled to peace, progress and security.
We are all members of the international community and we are all entitled to insist on the creation of a climate of compassion, love and justice.
All members of the United Nations are affected by both the bitter and the sweet events and developments in today's world.
We can adopt firm and logical decisions, thereby improving the prospects of a better life for current and future generations.
Together, we can eradicate the roots of bitter maladies and afflictions, and instead, through the promotion of universal and lasting values such as ethics, spirituality and justice, allow our nations to taste the sweetness of a better future. -Ahmadinejad (2006 UN Speech)
Link here for the entire 2006 UN Address by President Ahmadinejad.
Link here for the entire 2007 UN Address by President Ahmadinejad.