Posted on 09/08/2006 1:08:48 PM PDT by shield
CBNNews.com – Former Iranian President Mohammed Khatami is the highest ranking Iranian official to visit the U.S. in 25 years. The latest stop in his two-week U.S. tour came Thursday at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. Representatives of the Cathedral invited Khatami to speak about religious tolerance.
“The time has come that in the midst of chaos, war, violence, terror, and insecurity on the one the hand, and poverty, ignorance and backwardness on the other, we seek to envision a world of peace, morality, ethics and progress for all humankind,” said Khatami.
The State Department granted Khatami and his entourage visas to travel in the U.S. They're also providing them with a security detail, courtesy of American taxpayers. Unlike other Iranians who visit the U.S., Khatami and his companions were not fingerprinted or interviewed. Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum said Khatami is no moderate and that the decision to grant him a visa was a big mistake.
“This is a man who has ruled over Iran during a time when there was suppression of student uprisings, suppression of religious freedom. And to have him speak at the National Cathedral is an insult to religious freedom in my opinion,” said Santorum.
He also held a press conference prior to the speech where he brushed aside questions about Iran’s nuclear weapons program.
He said, “There are at least 200 nuclear warheads in Israel, and fewer than those exist in India and Pakistan.”
He said it also sends the wrong message to the people of Iran.
“When we honor and give voice to one of the people who have oppressed them, then we send a very bad signal as to what the United States is all about,” said Santorum.
With the 5th anniversary of Sept. 11 just days away, critics are questioning the timing of Khatami's U.S. tour. Several of the Sept. 11 hijackers spent time in Iran prior to carrying out the attacks. At the time of their stay, Khatami was President.
Former Iranian political prisoners gathered in Washington yesterday to oppose Khatami's visit. They shared harrowing tales of torture and murder of Iranian dissidents that occurred under Khatami's eight-year reign. They also listed a rundown of Khatami's accomplishments.
During all eight years of Khatami's presidency, the State Department identified Iran as the world's number one state sponsor of terrorism. Iran's secret nuclear weapons program rolled along during that same span. Khatami's government also shut down over 100 newspapers and magazines.
Khatami recently called the terrorist group Hezbollah "The Sun of Islam, shining over the world." He's called Israel "a criminal Zionist regime." The Bush administration did not oppose his visit.
At least I thought that is where they held a memorial service after 9/11.....
Why would the State Dept. allow this?
This monster speaking in a Christian Church?
That's just sick. What is the Bishop thinking?
I dare say this does not help Bush appear to be strong against terrorism. While I stand by Bush's side in the WOT, I strongly believe he needs to make changes and make them soon.
Can you imagine if anything like this would've happened during WWII...I mean give me a break...aren't we in a war with these types?
Please don't use that word!... I love "that" too much :)... I know because I have the same impulse sometimes but I make effort not use that name. I try to use the "other one," you know... A**, that is more appropriate.. :)
No, I don't think it would have ever happened during WWII. Sometimes I am afraid that America has become soft, that we live such sheltered lives and don't have the backbone to do what is necessary. I often ask if today's leaders, all of them, including Pres. Bush, would have the nerve to drop the bomb that saved my great-grandfathers life. I have to say I lean towards no.
To sully that Cathedral is a slap in the face to all Americans.
The State Dept. does always appear to be the one that allows stupid stuff like this to take place. These people want to kill us all and they invite them into our home. Just unbelievable!
He probably is thinking Christianity and Islam are pretty much one in the same, except for that jihad thingy - which he thinks Islam will "eventually outgrow".
He's an ecumenical sap, the kind of which Jesus said, "I will spit you out of My mouth!".
Courtesy of the EPISCOPAL church usa and the NCC
http://www.episcopalchurch.org/3577_77626_ENG_HTM.htm
I thought this was in the article...reading it again..I see it wasn't...He brought with him 120 Iranian men = terrorist?
Why am I not surprised?????
That pretty well sums up my view of Khatmi and his ilk.
What it doesn't cover, are my thoughts on a president, a state department and a bishop that would allow this thug to pose as a statesman.
I'm not convinced that 100 Grand Canyons would enough to equal the moral decay in this nation.
Introducing Khatami and explaining the cathedral's decision to extend an invitation to him, Dean Samuel T. Lloyd said: "As Christians, we are called to a ministry of reconciliation. ... Reconciliation requires us to seek out partners, to take risks, to hear what these potential partners say, and to examine what they do. It requires us to submit to the same sort of searching scrutiny."Seek out potential partners? Take risks? Submit to searching scrutiny? This is today's Episcopal Church, all right!
The Washington Cathedral would let Satan himself speak if they thought he would criticize the US.
I am beginning to realize that. I will just never forget that day when they had the memorial service. All the living Pres. were there, yes, even Clinton and it was so moving. They played the Battle Hymn of the Republic and it was a defining moment for me...that the country was getting ready to really go to war in my lifetime.
"He said it also sends the wrong message to the people of Iran.
“When we honor and give voice to one of the people who have oppressed them, then we send a very bad signal as to what the United States is all about,” said Santorum."
EXACTLY
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