Capitol Hill Blue Forums Political Issues Foreign Policy & News Ahmadinejad gets blistering welcome from Columbia

Maybe this was simply propaganda, but I recall reading that in many muslim cultures "aberant" sexual behavior (from their point of view) like homosexual relations with peers and even a bit of little-sister molestation is carefully ignored as long as the perpetrator is in his teens. By age 20, such behavior is scandalous and will result in denouncement by the family and possibly prosecution by the authorities.

Adult homosexuals are surely there, but they may be so far underground that they deny their true orientation, marry, and produce children. So in the actual behavioral sense, President Ahmadinejad may be right!

Human Rights watch, in my view, a semi credible institution. They have been caught, on numerous occasions, inflating figures to prove a point (RE: refugees, murders, civilian casualties). That being said, anecdotal evidence such as these specific reports are probably verifiable. Here, for example, is an article reviewing some of the allegations of execution of homosexuals. It cannot be denied, however, that the Iranian government pursues anti-homosexual policies, just as the Bush administration does.

Religious fanatics agree. Countries which do not allow the life-style choice are not burdened with the phenomenon.

"Dr." Dobson should get some pointers from this guy.

In my opinion, I think that many of the radical comments made by Ahmadinejad are often over-rationalized by those of us in the west, and I am personally glad that Columbia’s President grilled him the way that he did. The thing that really gets me is that even in front of a western audience, he still had the audacity to state the following:


Al Jazeera (h/t Phil)

What’s that all about?

There is much confirmation of the same-sex activities especially of males throughout the middle east as it has been in antiquity. Hence, in the sense we use the term in the west, there is no homsoexuality "the way you have in the west."

Technically he has some credibility. Of course in modern middle east nations there is a growing homosexual movement, so he is inaccurate. Furthermore, the Islamist rulers of Iran and other pan Arab nations seek to enforce the "no homosexuals" myth by death, dismemberment, imprisonment and other means.

On this, and most other issues I find no common ground with those who govern Iran or other such countries. That, of course, does not entitle my government to attack or occupy those countries. if it did, California would invade the entire south of the US over many issues.

[selected enclaves excepted, of course]

The roaring laughter from the audience at Columbia University when President Ahmadinejad stated there were no homosexuals in Iran says it all.

The Mullahs must be embarrassed by the public reticule of their President's stupid remarks.

...and to think, I thought stupid comments were limited to our great and wonderful President Bush.

Even liberals can find the truth sometimes:

Horsey Cartoon

But some seem to think that their purported knowledge of Farsi and Iranian history gives them a clearer understanding of what Ahmadinejad said:

I wonder what kind of reception Ahmadinejad was expecting to get at Columbia? Surely he did not expect to stroll in, make his remarks, and then exit to polite applause?

Perhaps, after the gaffe on the Ground Zero visit, someone in the Iranian foreign ministry should have been a bit more attentive to the direction of the wind.

Phil,

Good points.

I wouldn't want to see our country attack any other nation simply based upon how that nation treats its citizens either, but I don't think we should go overboard in trying to rationalize or justify offensive remarks by a foreign leader, especially when those remarks are often addressed at both us and our closest friend in the region. I think engaging in legitimate criticism is far different than beating the drums of war.

Regarding California invading certain enclaves in the south, I'd recommend ya'll stay away from the Blue Ridge mountain region of N.C., Tennessee & Virginia - Florida's already got it covered.

In peninsular Arabia, homosexual relations are tolerated, as long as they are conducted with discretion, up to about age 30.

After that, the participant(s) risk family censure, exile, and even possibly becoming the subject of an "honor killing".