Sunday, January 28, 2007

“Why We Need to Talk to Iran” Global Viewpoint by Walter Isaacson: - TIME Magazine dated December 4, 2006

“One of America’s top strategic interests is to get Iran to behave less like a revolutionary cauldron and more like a traditional nation-state. For the mullahs and their mad President to express a desire for a stable neighborhood is a good first step”.


Boleh Toh? (Say what?)

It appears Mr. Isaacson that you would like to offer some constructive advice on the subject. You are a well respected opinion maker and apparently a thorough gentleman. It does not behoove a person of your stature to call a duly elected President of a sovereign country a “mad President”. It is also indecent to call their religious leaders radical Islamic mullahs.

Let us look at our own religious leaders like Mr. Pat Robertson and Mr. Jerry Falwell. Do you think they sound any different than the so called “fanatic Islamic mullahs”? For that matter, just listen to our own President, Mr. George W Bush. At times, he sounds no different than any of the so called “mad” Presidents. I bet you that 50% of the world population, not necessarily Muslims, thinks of leaders like President Ahmadinejad of Iran any different from President George W Bush of United States. You may be offended by such comparisons but the world opinion is exactly that. Does it really matter?

All said and done, your point is well taken. It is absolutely essential to engage Iran and its leadership – both political and religious – in a sustained dialogue to resolve the turmoil in the Middle East. Let this be absolutely clear in your mind and your readers that unless you respect other sovereign nations, you will never get the respect you so desperately desire.

It is incumbent upon you and your fellow opinion makers to explain the importance of Shi’ite Muslims (old Persians) to that part of the world and elsewhere. If we have to preserve the survival of Jewish people and their nation-state, we must likewise think of Persians (Iranians) and their country with similar sentiments. Once the Shi’ite Muslims around the world detect a sense of sincerity in our dialogue and behavior, only then is there any chance of a meaningful discussion and ultimately, a solution to this very complex problem.

We hope you will contemplate the consequences of your opinions.

Boleh toh?

(Say What?)

bolehtoh@gmail.com