*: "Americans believe the future of Iran will be decided by the people..."

[sabra]

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/06/20060619-1.html

Remarks by the President in Commencement Address at the United States Merchant Marine Academy

<snip>

I've a message for the Iranian people: The United States respects you and your country. We admire your rich history, your vibrant culture, and your many contributions to civilization. When Cyrus the Great led the Iranian people more than 2,500 years ago, he delivered one of the world's first declarations of individual rights, including the right to worship God in freedom. Through the centuries, Iranians have achieved distinction in medicine and science and poetry and philosophy, and countless other fields.

In the 21st century, the people of Iran, especially the talented and educated youth, are among the world's leaders in science and technology. Iranians have a large presence on the Internet, and a desire to make even greater progress, including the development of civilian nuclear energy. This is a legitimate desire. We believe the Iranian people should enjoy the benefits of a truly peaceful program to use nuclear reactors to generate electric power. So America supports the Iranian people's rights to develop nuclear energy peacefully, with proper international safeguards.

The people of Iran, like people everywhere, also want and deserve an opportunity to determine their own future, an economy that rewards their intelligence and talents, and a society that allows them to pursue their dreams. I believe Iranians would thrive if they were given more opportunities to travel and study abroad, and do business with the rest of the world. Here in the United States, Iranian Americans have used their freedom to advance in society and make tremendous contributions in areas from business to medicine, to academics.

To help provide more opportunities for the people of Iran, we will look for new ways to increase contact between Americans and Iranians, especially in education and culture, sports and tourism. We'll provide more than $75 million this year to promote openness and freedom for the Iranian people. These funds will allow us to expand and improve radio and television broadcasts to the people of Iran. These funds will support Iranian human rights advocates and civil society organizations. And these funds will promote student and faculty exchanges, so we can build bridges of understanding between our people.

[benburch]

1. He's right.

The future will be decided by the people there.

And they want us dead.

[LSK]

6. they do?

Or is that what the warmongers (on both sides) want you to think?

[benburch]

11. I think they do.

Because we have killed so many of them now, that nobody does not have close kin who died innocently in out crossfire.

[LSK]

13. Iranians or Iraqis?

[benburch]

14. Ooops!

I misread it. I was talking about Iraq!

[LSK]

15. thought so

In that case(Iraqis), I agree with you.

[benburch]

16. My new glasses are due later this week...

Seriously I am having the worst time reading the screen with these. They are scratched up to the point of foggy and too weak due to my deteriorating vision. Sadly, I need to wear VERY thick glasses to see anything at all!

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

2. I sense a disturbance in the force...

as if millions of Iranian people just spat their tea at their monitor.

[Lynnwood_Dem]

3. or perhaps

"Americans believe you can have any future you want, as long as it is one that I agree with"

I don't know why, but it brought to mind the quote by Henry Ford about having a car in any color as long as it was black

[NYC]

4. The corporate squeeze play: Do business with the rest of the world.

...I believe Iranians would thrive if they were given more opportunities to travel and study abroad, and do business with the rest of the world...

That means let the corporations in to milk the country.

[joe_shmoe]

5. -- Sign this petition against military action against Iran --

It is with grave concern that I observe the growing threat of a new U.S. war--this time against the people of Iran.

For a collection of articles and resources on this subject you can visit this link: http://reseaudesign.com/research/iran/iran_summery.html

I'm starting up a petition which I will be sending out to as many members of Congress as possible. I'm asking for help to get this signed by as many people, possible in the next month. Send it to as many people you can.

http://www.petitiononline.com/n0war1rn /


thanks,
J-shmoe

[GreenPartyVoter]

7. In the same way the Iraqis decided theirs???

[LSK]

8. meanwhile North Korea is about to test a missle

Way to keep us safe dumbass.

[Jed Dilligan]

9. This is dirty, dirty stuff

Up to the last paragraph it's all true and sounds good, then he changes his tone to, "We are going to spend large amounts of money bombarding your citizens with propaganda, spying on you and subverting your government."

[sabra]

10. indeed, and Cheney's daughter is leading that charge

[benburch]

12. Having given up her job propagadizing the gay community for Coors. nt