U.S. May Escort Ahmadinejad to Ground Zero

[motivez]

In a move that has stunned New York, the Bloomberg administration is in discussions to escort the Iranian president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, to ground zero during his visit to New York next week, Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said today.

The Iranian mission to the U.N. made the request to the New York City Police Department and the Secret Service, which will jointly oversee security during the leader's two-day visit. Mr. Ahmadinejad is scheduled to arrive September 24 to speak to the U.N. General Assembly as the Security Council decides whether to increase sanctions against his country for its uranium enrichment program.

Mr. Kelly said the NYPD and Secret Service were in discussions with the Iranian Mission about the logistics for the possible visit, and whether it will take place at all. He said that for safety reasons related to ongoing construction at ground zero Mr. Ahmadinejad would not be allowed to descend into the pit.

"There has been some interest expressed in his visiting the area," Mr. Kelly said. "It's something that we are prepared to handle if in fact it does happen."

Mr. Kelly said Mr. Ahmadinejad had not indicated why he wants to visit the site of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

Several presidential candidates quickly condemned the proposed visit.

"It is an insult to the memories of those who died on 9/11 at the hands of terrorists, and those who have fought terrorism for years, to allow the president of the world's top state sponsor of terrorism to step foot at ground zero," a spokeswoman for Senator Thompson, Karen Hanretty, said. "Iran is responsible for supplying weapons and supporting extremist who are killing U.S. forces in Iraq and Afghanistan to this very day."

A Republican candidate, Mitt Romney, called the plan "shockingly audacious."

"It's inconceivable that any consideration would be given to the idea of entertaining the leader of a state sponsor of terror at ground zero," Mr. Romney said in a statement. "This would deeply offend the sensibilities of Americans from all corners of our nation. Instead of entertaining Ahmadinejad, we should be indicting him."

A major American Jewish leader, Malcolm Hoenlein, said a visit by Mr. Ahmadinejad "would violate the sanctity of the sacred place and the memory of those who perished there."

Mr. Hoenlein, the vice chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, is a leading figure in organizing a protest against the Iranian leader Monday in front of the U.N.

He told The New York Sun that the Iranian president should be restricted to the immediate vicinity of the U.N. and should not be permitted to travel the full extent of the 25-mile radius that is normally allowed for foreign dignitaries attending meetings at the world body.

Iran has been called the world's "most active state sponsor of terrorism" by the U.S. State Department.

U.S. May Escort Ahmadinejad to Ground Zero - September 19, 2007 - The New York Sun

How do you guys feel about this?

I really don't have any problem with it.. I think as long as we're going to host the United Nations, foreign leaders should all be afforded the same rights and privileges while in the country, regardless of how favored they are or what disagreements we're having about policies.. so long as we aren't at war with them, actively working to strengthen ties and foster good will can't be a bad thing, can it?

I can understand why some might have a problem with it though, especially if he tries to spend his time while at the site to make some sort of political commentary or use it as a platform for his rhetoric.

[SoFlaJDM]

like in sports, there have to be times when we set politics aside

[Publius]

as long as he is respectful I see no problem with it. But if he chooses to engage in anti-U.S. rhetoric while a guest of our nation, he can go fuck himself.

[Stylerod]

Originally Posted by Publius

as long as he is respectful I see no problem with it. But if he chooses to engage in anti-U.S. rhetoric while a guest of our nation, he can go fuck himself.

Well said.

[DosEquis]

Romney is a fucking retard.

I see no issue with the guy visiting. In fact they should take the opportunity to show him ground zero, and talk to him about terrorism and what the US and Iran can do together to reduce these acts that kill innocent people. Maybe even take it as an opportunity to talk about what to do with Iraq and what we could do by working together to stablize that country.

But like Publius said, if he just goes down and starts spouting off at the mouth he can just go home, and the in flight music can be Rosanne Barr singing the star spangled banner the entire flight.

[hsmith]

He has diplomatic LOLmunity, so he is kosher.

[SoFlaJDM]

Originally Posted by hsmith

He has diplomatic LOLmunity, so he is kosher.

[motivez]

Originally Posted by hsmith

He has diplomatic LOLmunity, so he is kosher halal.

fixed

[David Octavius]

NY1: Top Stories

Well it's a moot point now, his request is rejected

[SoFlaJDM]

we have an opportunity to do something little for him which can potentially help relations between us and we piss all over it

can we take the high road... just once?

[6SpeedTA95]

I'd have no issue with it, wonder why it was rejected.

[Galactic Gigolo]

Originally Posted by 6SpeedTA95

I'd have no issue with it, wonder why it was rejected.

He hates us for our freedom.

[6SpeedTA95]

Originally Posted by Galactic Gigolo

He hates us for our freedom.

Umm it was rejected by the US government I thought?

[Scrum]

Originally Posted by David Octavius

NY1: Top Stories

Well it's a moot point now, his request is rejected

That's so stupid.

[Donkey®]

We are the biggest bunch of babies I have ever seen. The Japanese have no issues when visiting Pearl Harbor...even though they caused it. We have no issues visiting Hiroshima...even though we caused it. Iran has NOTHING to do with 9/11...yet we act like little fucking bitches. No wonder everyone hates us.