planet earth looks blue

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader and definitive voice of Iran, spoke out today against President Obama’s empty words, accusing the new administration of using potential improved relations with the Islamic Republic as a campaign slogan, and nothing more.  While many hawks at the Pentagon have kept an aggressive stance towards Iran on the table, with the international community worried about a secret Iranian nuclear arsenal, and the Jewish lobby, representing 1% of the American population, being just as powerful as ever, Obama can hardly reach out with anything but his own clenched fist.  In all honesty, how is Iran supposed to react?

Khamenei has said that Obama insulted his nation right after taking office, although what he did or did not do to make the offense is unknown.  After making his televised speech, the chant ‘Death to America’ rose from the crowd.  President Ahmadinejad, as harsh as he may be is likely to be re-elected in June.  Iran clearly has its own grievances against the United States.  What exactly would inspire Iran to a more friendly relationship?  Ahmadinejad has asked for an apology, calling US actions towards Iran since 1979 as crimes - economic sanctions, support of Saddam Hussein during the Iran-Iraq War, military support of Israel, an uncomfortable military presence next door, and of course the nuclear arms accusations.  And why is the United States angry with Iran?  Because of threat, speculation, words.  Bush called Iran part of the axis of evil.  We in America believed it.  Our government has been saying that Iran is building a bomb and may want to destroy us and Israel.  We in America believe it.  Iran supports the Palestinians, including Hamas and Hezbollah,  and doesn’t recognize Israel as a state - many Americans view this as an act of supporting terrorism.  Funny that Iran accuses America of supporting terrorists as well in the border areas of Pakistan.  With a mountain to move before Iran and America can come to agreeable terms, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to take the first steps.  Ideally, we as Americans should learn ourselves about Iran, as opposed to writing the Islamic Republic off as evil, and it wouldn’t hurt for the Iranians to do the same.  I don’t know where the truth lies, but I do know it is difficult to trust the onslaught of media rhetoric that has convinced an entire people with access to all the knowledge in the world to do many horrible things, and look the other way all to often.  If the Obama administration truly has the intention of building a positive friendship with Iran, then they should actually do something about it.  So far Obama has wished them a Happy New Year.