Dear America: Diplomacy means not insulting world leaders

[mudesi]

Ahmadinejad is a theocratic pawn of an oppressive dictatorship.

But you know what Al Jazeera is going to be reporting? How American senators and congresspeople, as well as Columbia's president, after having invited him, went out of their way to insult him.

These things are just so basic it befuddles me that America never gets it. World perception is important, is it not? It doesn't help that the patriarchal Middle Eastern culture will see it as rude, cowardly, and arrogant. Way to win hearts and minds.

It doesn't mean that Iran is not an oppressive, backwards theocracy, and it doesn't mean that Ahmadinejad is above criticism, but it also doesn't mean that world leaders can't get together and have civil, cordial discussions regarding world affairs.

It's called diplomacy, and it's how wars are averted. Obviously, this administration is not interested in avoiding war. At least not with countries that they aren't interested in exploiting for their natural resources. (See: Saudi Arabia) How tragic.

[pretty_lies]

1. So What's The Problem, Here?

The CU President called him a batshit Holocaust-denying gay-killing dictator, which is basically true.

I wish we could treat all the dictatorships we ally with that way.

Hell, I wish other countries would treat the US that way.

Honesty - we need more of it.

[fenriswolf]

4. sure the only way to combat hate

is with more hate

[pretty_lies]

5. Would You Invite Your Neighborhood KKK Round To Lunch?

Just curious.

[fenriswolf]

6. if they promised

to have an open and honest discussion without getting heated or personally offended by my views I would afford them the same couratasy. also if they bought lunch hehe.

[snot]

2. The scariest part is,

how did this clown get his position? and what does it reveal about who all's been put in charge of all our best universities during the last decade or few?

[Dave From Canada]

3. Nah, the man has views that deserve to be ridiculed.

[eleny]

7. The Bush Doctrine is permeating DU

That diplomacy with "enemies" is not a good thing. Until George wants to look into Putin's eyes again.