Iran Declares War

The New York Sun VIA Little Green Footballs.com ^ | 5-11-06 | editorail

[blasater1960]

New York Sun Editorial May 11, 2006

President Ahmadinejad's letter to President Bush, widely interpreted as a peaceful overture, is in fact a declaration of war. The key sentence in the letter is the closing salutation. In an eight-page text of the letter being circulated by the Council on Foreign Relations, it is left untranslated and rendered as "Vasalam Ala Man Ataba'al hoda." What this means is "Peace only unto those who follow the true path."

It is a phrase with historical significance in Islam, for, according to Islamic tradition, in year six of the Hejira - the late 620s - the prophet Mohammad sent letters to the Byzantine emperor and the Sassanid emperor telling them to convert to the true faith of Islam or be conquered. The letters included the same phrase that President Ahmadinejad used to conclude his letter to Mr. Bush. For Mohammad, the letters were a prelude to a Muslim offensive, a war launched for the purpose of imposing Islamic rule over infidels.

[Southack]

"We are not aiding the enemy..."

If you've fallen for Iran's bluff...and if you are promoting their bluff as an actual, viable threat...then whether you like it or not you are aiding the enemy.

Iran is bluffing. Iran will continue to say and do provocative things (e.g. "we will wipe Israel off the map") in an attempt to draw attention away from Hezbollah's current vulnerability in Southern Lebanon.

The U.S. will **not** be warned in a letter of the next 9/11 attack, just as we weren't warned to convert or be punished by that attack prior to 9/11.

[Mr. Silverback]

Don't feel too bad...I voted for Clinton the first time out. We grew up.

[Mr. Silverback]

I haven't seen jude give any evidence to back up his assertions.

[Mr. Silverback]

I have studied a lot of history, and I haven't seen anything in the history of the East that would indicate that Easterners are in the habit of quoting a historical ultimatum as a "how do you do."

[OB1kNOb]

RE: FRIDAY PRAYER's.....see below - OB1

Friday Prayers Leader:

Ahmadinejad's Letter to Bush Indicative of Iran's Desire for Global Peace

TEHRAN (Fars News Agency)- Tehran's Interim Friday Prayers Leader, Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati, reiterated that Iranian President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's letter to his US counterpart, George W Bush, shows that Iran follows the path of logic and calls for the establishment of peace and tranquility in the world.

Addressing a large congregation of worshippers at Tehran University campus on Friday, Ayatollah Jannati said, "Tehran does not use force and rejects any force on it."

He stressed that the problems of the US is traced in the incompetence of its President, saying, "Whether or not Bush replies to Mr. Ahmadinejad's letter, the Americans would incur a loss. Their assertion, which the text of the Iranian President's letter to Bush does not point to the current issues going on in the world, is nothing but an excuse."

Elsewhere in his sermons, Tehran's interim Friday prayers leader described the following of the rules of Prophet Jesus (PBUH) by the US President and his support for Human Rights as "a big lie."

Ayatollah Jannati stressed that Iran is totally ready to defend its nuclear rights, saying the main reason for Iran's lack of trust in the US is nothing but the adverse policies of the US towards Tehran.

[OB1kNOb]

RE: Friday's Prayer issue......see below. - OB1

Ahmadinejad inspired by God in writing letter to Bush - Jannati Tehran, May 12, - Iranian Republic News Agency

Iran-Prayers-Jannati

Substitute Friday Prayers Leader of Tehran Ayatollah Ahamd Jannati said in his second sermon this week that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's letter to his US counterpart had been divinely inspired.

Addressing hundreds of worshipers at Tehran University, Jannati reiterated, "The letter is spectacular, and when I say it is an inspiration from God, I really believe in it." The Friday preacher of Tehran added, "This was a historically unprecedented move, save for the late Imam Khomeini's letter to (the former USSR President Mikhail) Gorbachev, which stunned everyone."

Describing Ahmadinejad's letter to Bush as "astonishing and odd", Jannati said, "I suggest everyone to read this letter. It should be read at schools and universities, and repeatedly broadcast from the country's radio and TV networks."

The Secretary of the Guardians Council also proposed that the letter's text be included in text books, adding, "The messages in that letter are welcomed by the world nations, and yet no one else would have dared to write such a letter to the US President."

Jannati reiterated, "Imam Khomeini (PBUH) said in his letter to Gorbachev that the problems with which (the former) Soviet Union was entangled would lead to disintegration of that country, and today we see that the West is on the verge of disintegration, since it is at the end of dead end road."

Addressing the Americans, the Tehran Friday Prayers leader said, "You keep telling lies, your actions are so self-contradictory, you claim to be Christians and the followers of Jesus Christ, you boast to much speaking of human rights and democracy, but your conduct in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other parts of the world show your real nature that is quite different with those claims."

Referring to a point in Ahmadinejad's letter, he said, "Iran believes in rule of logic, in acting moderately, and in rationalism," adding, "We are neither very powerful, nor after exerting our hegemony against anyone."

He said that the other message of the letter was that Iran can clearly analyze the world affairs, while the Americans' analysis of them is wrong.

Jannati considered the Americans' main problem to be their "irrational conduct", saying, "When the president of a country like United States lacks a sound mind, instead of solving the problems, he worsens them."

The Secretary of Guardians Council reiterated, "Despite their big claims, the US power is declining, and that is a fact mentioned by the late Imam (PBUH) in his letter to Gorbachev."

[OB1kNOb]

Another Friday's Prayer Article - OB1

Tehran, April 14, IRNA

`Iran-Friday Prayers

Provisional Friday Prayers Leader of Tehran Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati said Friday that at Iran's military power is in service of regional security.

Addressing several thousand of worshipers at Tehran University, the Friday preacher said neighboring states would also benefit from security in the region.

He congratulated the Iranian nation on successful performance of the latest military maneuver, dubbed the Great Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), staged by Iran at Hormuz Strait and Iran's success for laboratory production of fuel.

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Tuesday that Iran has joined the world's nuclear countries, adding that Iran has completed production of nuclear fuel at laboratory scale and produced enriched uranium with the purity needed for a nuclear power station on April 9, this year.

Jannati said, "The world should understand message of the successful military exercise." He addressed the Westerners as saying, "Open your eyes and ears.

"This maneuver conveyed this message to enemies not to think of any attack on Iran and know if they launch any aggression, it will bring regret and sorrow for them.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran is not a weak country. It will not yield to the Westerners and by relying on its young and innovative people and with respect to its military, technical and scientific power, it will turn any aggression on Iran to defeat of enemies.

"Iran is not Iraq and Afghanistan. The Islamic Republic of Iran is being administered under its spiritual leader thanks to grace of Almighty God.

"His guidelines brought such successes for the country." The secretary of the Guardian Council added, "Enemies should know Iran cannot be compared with any country in the world."

He proposed April 9 to be named as "National Day of Technology", saying the day is more important than Day of Oil Nationalization (March 20).

The cleric addressed neighboring states as saying, "We are Muslim and are duty-bound not to oppress any Muslim. Do not help them (the enemies), please."

He added Iran's nuclear success was coincided with anniversary of breaking off ties with the United States and addressed the US, saying, "You are weak. You see just today but you do not see tomorrow." Jannati said, "Access to nuclear fuel cycle is the beginning of our path and experience. Iran has long way to industrialization." Pointing to the US disgrace in Iraq, he said, "The US assertion on democracy was a lie. Washington intends to prevent establishment of a popular government in Iraq.

"The US seeks to rule a government in that country (Iraq) which is dependent on it." The Friday prayers leader expressed hope these plots would be neutralized through vigilance of the Iraqi nation and guidelines of sources of emulation particularly Ayatollah Sistani.

Moreover, he praised holding the Third International Conference on Holy Qods and Support for the Rights of Palestinian People, which kicks off on Friday afternoon with inaugural speech of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei.

"We should provide more help for the Palestinian people. Muslims should speak of oppressed Palestine and Israel's bullying." He expressed hope such moves would bear fruits and Palestinians would liberate their occupied territories.

[OB1kNOb]

My apologies. The article posted in #247 was dated April 14th, not May 12th. Please disregard. - OB1

[L,TOWM]

Our household came up with "Operation Its On Like Donkey Kong".

[OB1kNOb]

Dr ZIn has posted an analysis regarding Mahmoud's letter to President Bush. You might find it interesting.

Ahmadinejad’s letter to Bush & Prophet Mohammad

I have posted some articles (posts #245 & 246) regarding Iran's Friday Prayer comments by Jannani. - OB1

Friday Prayer Articles

[Tanniker Smith]

Iran Declares War
on HIGH PRICES!!

Come to the brand-new Tehran Target
Opening this Memorial Day!

Um, no, wait...
Opening this Fourth of Jul...

No, that won't work...

COMING SOON!

TS

[CougarGA7]

LOL!! I can just see those Martian heads a poppin! When I saw this for the first time, I cried, I was laughing so hard! Good thing it was on DVD and not in the theater, cause I couldn't stop for about 5 minutes!

You think that's funny, visualize the same thing except instead of big heads they are mullah turbans. Got me laughing again.

[Mr. Silverback]

Call me when you have an explanation for how the Battle of Mogadishu was a terrorist attack we could have received a warning on.

Call me when you figure out the difference between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Al Qaida organization.

In the meantime, I'll just assume you've suffered some sort of brain injury, since you never struck me as so remarkably obtuse in our previous conversations.

[PghBaldy]

OK. I do see this as a warning, even if they are rare. Is it helping the US to only ascibe certain meanings to this letter, when ALL possibilities should be looked at? It sure wasn't a peace overture, as the MSM portrayed it.

[Southack]

"OK. I do see this as a warning, even if they are rare. Is it helping the US to only ascibe certain meanings to this letter, when ALL possibilities should be looked at? It sure wasn't a peace overture, as the MSM portrayed it."

The MSM would paint white over black if the color black made President Bush look good. The MSM determines its daily focus by what they collectively think will do the most to undermine President Bush.

So if the MSM says that the Iranian letter was a peace overture, then they are saying that not because it's what they believe, but because they think that's the angle that does the most damage to GWB.

But what the MSM is doing is of little value, especially in your line of thought that the letter should be reviewed objectively. The MSM is currently incapable of being objective.

An objective reader, knowing little else, would view the Iranian letter as a grave threat or would view the author as a madman. After all, that's the intent of the author; convert or die; we're a nuclear power intent upon wiping out the U.S. and Israel even if it means genocide for Iranians in response, etc.

The MSM sees that being objective would aid President Bush's current stance against Iran...so the MSM reports the letter instead as a peace overture.

But this is a grand case of two negatives cancelling each other out. Iran is bluffing. What Iran wants right now is time to be left alone from a massive military attack to continue developing their nuclear weapons, as well as to keep the U.S. and others occupied politically and militarily so that Hezbollah doesn't get smashed in Southern Lebanon right now (because Hezbollah is very vulnerable without the Syrian Army in Lebanon any longer).

So if Amadinajob is percieved as a madman, Iran bets that a new invasion of Southern Lebanon will be off the table; ditto for a large-enough attack to end their nuclear program.

To this end it is necessary for Iran to bluff. Iran must pretend to be the crazed nuclear power in the region...and in so doing will buy peace...for a time. After all, no one in the West would dare start a new land war while negotiating about nuclear weapons.

So in that manner the Iranian letter really is a peace overture. Iran wants both Hezbollah and its own domestic nuclear program to be left alone long enough to grow into a viable threat. Iran wants peace, but just for the moment.

[PghBaldy]

OK. Reasonable, well explained interpretation.
As an aside, I do think that some national commentators (including conservative) dismiss Achminejad too casually as a nut.

[CharlieOK1]

good point

[Mr. Silverback]

I don't mean to belabor my point, but in a way those folks on the roof had plenty of reason to believe the aliens would be peacefull. After all, why cross interstellar distances to get shot at when you can terraform?

I remember Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle were brought in to try and take the series "V" in a new direction, and one of the things hey felt they had to do was explain why the Visitors cruised past all that water on the moons of Jupiter and Saturn to come here and steal ours. It didn't make any bloody sense.

The way they solved it was to make the Visitors evolutionary descendants of our dinosaurs, so Earht just "felt right" to them in a way no other planet did. the producers never called them back, apparently because it made too much sense.

[Conservative4Ever]

But then, maybe nothing will happen. All we can do is just go on about our business (and not let the Dems get in charge again, because they would turn us over to Iran in an instant).

You could very well be right...I sincerely hope you are and I'm just whistling past the graveyard. As for the dems...they are acting like rabid dogs..anything to distroy the current Administration and sell out our country. Their hatred is shocking to say the least.

[CharlieOK1]

I don't mean to belabor my point, but in a way those folks on the roof had plenty of reason to believe the aliens would be peacefull.

I agree. Never having seen Mars Attacks, I wasn't able to make that distinction. But you are right, the Muslims have been telling us they intend to kill us forever, we just can't seem to come to grips with the fact that they mean it.