Reaganesque Leaders Wanted
September 28, 2006 09:00 AM EST
by Felicia Benamon
Where are the leaders who have the Reaganesque tenacity to face down terrorism and evil, call it what it is, and say "We won't tolerate it" and MEAN what they say? Where are those bold people?
Certainly, allowing the leaders of rogue countries on American soil to spew their hatred does not fit the bill of a bold person.
Former US President Ronald Reagan was famous for this quote: "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!"
I believe that Mr. Reagan would have said to Iranian President Mahmood Ahmadinejad and Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez..."Gentlemen, you will take NO step on this blessed land!" And Americans would have applauded him.
President Bush allowed Hugo Chavez to come to New York and address the UN Assembly and call him the devil in front of a laughing and agreeable crowd. These are people who are enjoying the perks of the US while making light of the President of the United States. Such behavior is despicable! I think it is long overdue for the UN to exit the US. To me, they are comprised of nothing more than a bunch of countries that look the other way in reigning in terrorists, and appear to be sympathetic to their cause. The waning action of the UN to confront terrorism is the smoking gun.
Iranian President Ahmadinejad's address to the UN Assembly revealed to be contradictory in so many ways. Ahmadinejad starts off with a prayer:
"...O God (Allah as he believes), hasten the reappearance of the Imam of the times and grant to us victory and prosperity. Include us among his followers and martyrs."
Further in his speech, the Iranian President says these words:
"The youth have a right to seek justice and the Truth; and they have a right to build their own future on the foundations of love, compassion and tranquility. And, I praise the Almighty for this immense blessing. "
Ahmadinejad speaks of victory and martyrdom in his opening prayer, and then speaks of Muslim youths building their futures on "the foundations of love, compassion and tranquility." Those are conflicting statements.
Even more conflicting is the fact that in the recent past, Ahmadinejad has said that Israel should be "wiped off the map." Iran has provided training and weapons for terrorists who are attacking US troops in Iraq, has helped arm terror groups like Hezbollah, and continues to charge toward its nuclear goals, despite rebuttals and threats of sanctions from the UN. Now, he is trying to appear as the peaceful and innocent one.
His speech further spoke of the "occupiers" and the supposed oppression of those in the Muslim world. One other comment from Ahmadinejad raised my eyebrows:
"...Is it not possible to build a better world based on monotheism, justice, love and respect for the rights of human beings, and thereby transform animosities into friendship?
I emphatically declare that today's world, more than ever before, longs for just and righteous people with love for all humanity; and above all longs for the perfect righteous human being and the real savior who has been promised to all peoples and who will establish justice, peace and brotherhood on the planet.
O, Almighty God, all men and women are your creatures and you have ordained their guidance and salvation. Bestow upon humanity that thirsts for justice, the perfect human being promised to all by you, and make us among his followers and among those who strive for his return and his cause."
Is that a sneaky way to call others to convert to Islam; to convert to the monotheistic belief in his god? Because he SURE wasn't talking about the return of Jesus, as he referred to Jesus in his speech as "a prophet."
If people are truly free, then they will be able to exist and worship as they please, living in respect of the religion of others.
President Bush ignored the Iranian President, but NBC's Brian Williams scored an interview with him, perhaps to further nauseate the American public? Again Ahmadinejad tried to come across as the lamb, the innocent one when in fact he is like a lion ready to snap.
In the NBC interview with Brian Williams Ahmadinejad continued to play the innocent man role, a far cry from the man who earlier mentioned Israel should be wiped off the map:
Williams: If your goal is dialogue with America, and the American president says, "It's OK, keep your nuclear programs and keep your homes warm. Stop enriching uranium toward weapons." How do you react?
Ahmadinejad: Who is the right judge for that? Any entity except the IAEA? Reports indicate that Iran has had no deviation. We have said on numerous occasions that our activities are for peaceful purposes. The agency's cameras videotape all the activities that we have. So I ask, did Iran build the atomic bomb and use it? Who are the ones who are testing the third generation of nuclear bombs? All bombs with micro-agents or chemical agents. You must know that, because of our beliefs and our religion, we're against such acts. We are against the atomic bomb. We believe bombs are used only to kill people. And we are against killing people....
...Williams: The question on the cover is what war with Iran would look like. How do you think the discussion has been allowed to get that far, that we're discussing possible war between the U.S. and Iran?
Ahmadinejad: ... Why the U.S. government so against our people? They speak of war so easily, as if it's on their daily agenda. We never speak of war....
...Williams: And you talk about children. You and I are both fathers. Recently in your country, thousands of people have signed up to be part of suicide brigades. How would you feel if your own children chose to do such a thing?
Ahmadinejad: Well, what is your feeling about that? Think if America is attacked. What would you like your son to do? Do you want him to defend America or not? I think you would like your son to defend America. It's the same with our son. When you don't have arms, when you don't have power, what can you do? You will sacrifice yourself for your country. It's not a bad thing. Although we are against war. We hate it.
Does he hate war so much that he would abandon all talk towards the destruction of Israel? The UN has deemed Iran dangerous enough that they have threatened sanctions on the country if they don't stop their nuclear quest. So the "defense" talk by Ahmadinejad is getting nowhere.
In watching all of this unfold, I am longing for the days when men showed true strength and leadership in our country. Men like Ronald Reagan.
Reagan's enemies would not have dared to challenge him to a debate. Reagan stood strong and showed the world that he meant business. Everyone respected him for that.
I am looking for President Bush to take on the characteristics that Reagan exhibited during his time in office and demand the respect he deserves. The US cannot be everyone's friend.
Being tough on terror doesn't mean that one is an isolationist, but it shows the grit and dedication to defend our country. It shows how serious one takes the issue of terrorism.
After all, Reagan was not soft on Communism. And he backed up his words with action, including beefing up the US military. Shouldn't we do the same today?
"Of the four wars in my lifetime, none came about because the U.S. was too strong."--Former President Ronald Reagan
"We are especially not going to tolerate these attacks from outlaw states run by the strangest collection of misfits, Looney Tunes and squalid criminals since the advent of the Third Reich" -- Ronald Reagan
Let's take a cue from Reagan, shall we?
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