President Obama's Video Message In Celebration of Nowruz
By Nicole Belle Friday Mar 20, 2009 7:45amPresident Barack Obama recorded a video message of celebration for Nowruz, the Persian New Year. After decades of mindless demonization, this is an especially amazing reaching out to the Iranian people:
This year, the President wanted to send a special message to the people and government of Iran on Nowruz, acknowledging the strain in our relations over the last few decades. "But at this holiday we are reminded of the common humanity that binds us together," he says.
After committing his administration to a future of honest and respectful diplomacy, he continues on to address Iran's leaders directly: "You, too, have a choice. The United States wants the Islamic Republic of Iran to take its rightful place in the community of nations. You have that right -- but it comes with real responsibilities, and that place cannot be reached through terror or arms, but rather through peaceful actions that demonstrate the true greatness of the Iranian people and civilization. And the measure of that greatness is not the capacity to destroy, it is your demonstrated ability to build and create."
Now, I'm sure that this will make the neo-cons and their media leaders burst a blood vessel...but let us not forget who the last president was that reached out to the Iranian people: St. Ronnie.
Transcript below the fold
Today I want to extend my very best wishes to all who are celebrating Nowruz around the world.
This holiday is both an ancient ritual and a moment of renewal, and I hope that you enjoy this special time of year with friends and family.
In particular, I would like to speak directly to the people and leaders of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Nowruz is just one part of your great and celebrated culture. Over many centuries your art, your music, literature and innovation have made the world a better and more beautiful place.
Here in the United States our own communities have been enhanced by the contributions of Iranian Americans. We know that you are a great civilization, and your accomplishments have earned the respect of the United States and the world.
For nearly three decades relations between our nations have been strained. But at this holiday we are reminded of the common humanity that binds us together. Indeed, you will be celebrating your New Year in much the same way that we Americans mark our holidays -- by gathering with friends and family, exchanging gifts and stories, and looking to the future with a renewed sense of hope.
Within these celebrations lies the promise of a new day, the promise of opportunity for our children, security for our families, progress for our communities, and peace between nations. Those are shared hopes, those are common dreams.
So in this season of new beginnings I would like to speak clearly to Iran's leaders. We have serious differences that have grown over time. My administration is now committed to diplomacy that addresses the full range of issues before us, and to pursuing constructive ties among the United States, Iran and the international community. This process will not be advanced by threats. We seek instead engagement that is honest and grounded in mutual respect.
You, too, have a choice. The United States wants the Islamic Republic of Iran to take its rightful place in the community of nations. You have that right -- but it comes with real responsibilities, and that place cannot be reached through terror or arms, but rather through peaceful actions that demonstrate the true greatness of the Iranian people and civilization. And the measure of that greatness is not the capacity to destroy, it is your demonstrated ability to build and create.
So on the occasion of your New Year, I want you, the people and leaders of Iran, to understand the future that we seek. It's a future with renewed exchanges among our people, and greater opportunities for partnership and commerce. It's a future where the old divisions are overcome, where you and all of your neighbors and the wider world can live in greater security and greater peace.
I know that this won't be reached easily. There are those who insist that we be defined by our differences. But let us remember the words that were written by the poet Saadi, so many years ago: "The children of Adam are limbs to each other, having been created of one essence."
With the coming of a new season, we're reminded of this precious humanity that we all share. And we can once again call upon this spirit as we seek the promise of a new beginning.
Thank you, and Eid-eh Shoma Mobarak.
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ever so slightly to improve relations with Iran AND it may cause neo-cons to burst a blood vessel? No down side at all then ...
my take on the whole matter.
President Clinton did things similar. During a missle strike in the ME (iraq?) he suspended the strike over an Islamic holiday so they could celebrate it, and then returned to the bombing raid after they had their celebration and returned to some measure of safety.
Slobadan Milosovec hoped for similar treatment over an Easter, but didn't get it, since he already had the reputation for troop movements over holidays himself.
And it didn't come out to the very end of Clinton's time in office, that every year he was there, he invited the DC area Muslims to the White House to celebrate the end of Ramadam with an El-Eidr (?) feast.
Diplomacy with iran.
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In the scheme of American foreign policy and international relations, Obama is taking the wrong approach in establishing relationships with Iran through a video tape. What ought to have been done first was to warn Iran that to be joined into the international arena as a friend of the west, then Iran ought to establish a policy where it does not see Israel as a threat to their sovereignty. That pro western thinking Arab nations have a right to establish relationships with the West that promote political and economic stability in the region.
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Iran is no friend of the United States nor of the region it wants to control. Iran needs to insure the West that it's nuclear technology ought to be open for inspection and that any weapons it holds of mass destruction will prevent it from joining the international community.
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Iran needs to allow it's citizens to practice whatever religious faith they hold dear to their heart and not be forced to swallow Economic and Political garbage dictated by their Mullahs. Open up free speech to a people who once were pro US and pro western.
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This is what Iran needs to do. What will happen, Iran leaders will wink at Obama, play the game and see it as an opportunity to expand their hegemony in the reason, promote radical Islamic Fascism and promote individuals and states harboring terrorist organizations.
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This is another case of Obama walking in his sleep and not seeing the real problems facing the United Stated in the Middle East.
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You have another suggestion? How about we try to dictate to Iran what their nation's foreign and domestic policy should be? When the Iranian government ignores the first and the government and people ignore the second ... then what? Start bombing? Call for an impotent embargo?
What exactly is the down side to trying diplomacy? How exactly will Iran's leaders actually be able to "expand their hegemony" etc. in any greater way just because President Obama respects Iranian culture?
...bullshit on independent nations.
Dude where did you get that? The WMD premise is so hypocritical that is reeks.
Since "WMD" is convenient for you so you can pull a GW on us and argue that you never said Iran has nukes, do you suggest then that we should sanction every country that has some mustard gas shells? W'ed have to ban ourselves first. As far as swallowing economic and political garbage, they did that under our Shah for 25 years.
Iran's tendency towards moderation seems inversely proportional to the interference of our own foreign policy. Every time misguided individuals like yourself want to intimidate Iran with wanings and threats, the mullahs get stronger. Wake up.
So maybe we should shell Iran with hotdogs
Kosher though
No pork.
We should approach any rapprochement WITHOUT preconditions.
That has been the problem in the past. How can you come to any agreement?
What if they told us to withdraw from Iraq first, then they'll discuss us withdrawing from Iraq?
The Israel issue could be the first item on an agenda, but not a precondition
...It's important not to take all your "facts" from biased sources. This is another case of sheep believing too many Fox News talking points.
1) Nowruz is not an Islamic holiday. The very fact that it is celebrated in Iran shows that the mullahs cannot control everything.
2) Iran has been warned enough. Seriously, 30 years of being called evil and having sanctions placed on it isn't enough of a warning for you?
3) You'd be surprised how pro-American most Iranians are. Did you know that the largest vigil for 9/11 outside the US was in Tehran?
4) Iran is not a puppet for US interests. It is OUR hegemony and history to believe that everyone should bend to our interests at the expense of their own that has cause most of the tension in the region, not anything Iran is doing.
"... that pro-Western thinking Arab nations have a right to establish relationships with the West that promote political and economic stability in the region."
Like who? Iraq? Yeah, that's a model of political and economic stability.
Iran needs to allow it's citizens to practice whatever religious faith they hold dear to their heart and not be forced to swallow Economic and Political garbage dictated by their Mullahs.
This is a Christian Nation! Founded by Christians! We have to teach the controversy about Intelligent Design vs. Evolution! Put the Ten Commandments on the courthouse steps! Say 'Under God' in the Pledge of Allegiance!
Uh-huh.
Open up free speech to a people who once were pro US and pro western.
Right up to the point where we started dicking with their political structure.
... promote radical Islamic Fascism and promote individuals and states harboring terrorist organizations.
Iran is Shiite. Wahabism, the ultraconservative sect that forms the backbone of al-Qaeda, is Sunni.
But I hear the rest of Iraq is like an Indiana marketplace in the summertime. Only with IEDs.
This is another case of Obama walking in his sleep and not seeing the real problems facing the United Stated in the Middle East.
January, 2001: Terrorism Expert Richard Clarke requests a meeting with the Principals Committee to discuss the threat of terrorism, specifically, a group called al-Qaeda.
August, 2001: The Presidential Daily Briefing specifically mentions the possibility of terrorists using airplanes as missiles.
September 11, 2001: Terrorists successfully strike the Pentagon and the World Trade Center. A fourth plane crashes into a field in Pennsylvania. Among the excuses that emerge in the days that follow will be, "I don't think anyone knew terrorists would use airplanes as missiles."
2008: The United States delegation, led by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, walks out of the U.N. General Assembly when Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad speaks. (To be fair, the Iranians then returned the favor and ignored the U.S. delegation.)
Who was asleep, again?
Totally just cut and pasted someone elses BS, and linked to a totally unrelated site.
Hey, that colored fella Preznit is winnin over AYrabs and he ain't kilt nobody!
Respect doesn't cost a thing.
Obama's approach is as different to Bush's as Gorbachev's was to Brezhnev.
This is the kind of movement we need. Israel will not like this however.
Too bad.
I heard this on Morning Edition. I expect some hilariously unhinged responses from the right.
Just talk to them.
That won't kill anybody.
Well done, Mr. President. Really well done. I'd hoped (with my vote) to see some stark contrasts under his administration, and this was one of several examples. Couldn't have been done better.
the isolationists fundies are gonna freak! In addition the isolationist over there will not be happy with this as well. I'm interested to see who speaks out negatively on this. Show yourselves, you insecure, power hungry and selfish bastards... :-)
That bit of Arabic he spoke at the end, which probably just meant "Merry Nowruz" or some such thing, is going to be played and played by the crazies as evidence of his secret muslimness
I'm overjoyed that he made a point of telling of all the great things that Iran has done in its long history, instead of just painting them as evildoers.
if Obama is going to go all diplomatic on us.
... if the Biblical account is true, then it's very likely that the 'Wise Men from the East' were Persian (Iranian) astrologers.
BLASPHEMER!!!
You know the 3 wise men were white boys from Alabama!
Shame on you!
... the gifts presented Baby Jesus would have been beer, pork rinds, and a trucker hat.
Wait a minute...I have all 3 of those items at home...
NOOOOOOOOOOOO!
... call the Pope! I done found Jesus!
Lemme clarify...
I have what's left of a 12 pack of PBR, about 2 or 3 beers, I have a pork rind bag with a few chunks left in it, stuffed in the couch cushions, and I'm wearing the trucker hat....
So I'm just a false profit too.
Do any of the pork rinds look like Jesus?
When you're plastered....
But they kinda tasted like bacon with hot sauce.
Actually some sources and churches refer to them as the Three Magi, or ignore them entirely for the Three Kings.
Although it sounds reminiscent of the birth of Apollo in a cave, the point may've been that the occultic and wise people of the East accepted Jesus, so who are we to differ?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIjBO26qjYM
... the lecture we used to give at the Planetarium.
IF the Birth of Christ took place as chronicled in the Gospel of Matthew, THEN it is likely that the Wise Guys were Persian astrologers.
We didn't go into the whole comparative religion/mythology angle.
Come to think of it it sounds like Faerie lore too. The Greeks and the Irish both believed that the three Fates would show up at the birth site to give predictions of the infants future. The Greeks were Clotho, Lachesis and Atropos. The Irish would have a wide variety of names based on their clans, but might include Tara, Danu and Flidhais. The Vikings had their Norns or Wyrd Sisters: Urðr, Verðandi and Skuld.
It could've even been based on star movements, I seem to recall there are certain times when the moon appears to be followed by three stars.
people who end up dead in custody.
So does the US. It's bad when anyone does it.
Persian, of course, not Arabic. Slow-thinking today!
And according to my Iranian friend, he said something to the effect of "much celebration for this new day/beginning" (the literal translation of Nowruz)
Barack/Barak probably shares the same root, which is 'blessing.'
I haven't seen anything like that in so long, I forgot what it was.
What do they call that again? diiipppllooooommmmmacccyyyyy.
Oh yeah. That thing.
Yeah the GOPers are gonna freak. fuckem.
throwbacks go apeshit...
I for one am tickled shitless we have a prez that reaches out to other nations, instead of giving one liner ultimatums.
to see if there was a spike in Wing Nut related fainting spells, migraines, or psychosomatic symtpoms?
And turned on the idiot box(cut me some slack) It was on MSNBC.
And as soon as it came on, there was some shit for brains sayin how out of touch Pres Obama is. For being in Calif and doing the Tonight Show. My wife and I just looked at each other and started laughing. We didn't say a word to each other, we just started laughing.
What a very strange way to wake up. They don't get it. Because they don't want to. Pres Obama has done the right thing here. By addressing the People of Iran, he has circumvented their leaderhip.
And by addressing the leadership of Iran later, he has snookered them in to using diplomacy.
Good on ya Barack. Keep going.
I don't agree with everything he does, but this is a step in the right direction.
"We're comin' in. Don't fuck with the oil wells."
Now if only Obama could circumvent the corporations who control everything in America the U.S. would be sitting better.
I'm not holding my breath, though.
Thassagood
Bottled air is probably next
Ever hear of an oxygen bar?
Is that a snack to put in your backpack when hiking in high altitudes? It could be as handy as that new item: instant water.
Just add water.
Are you suggesting holding an oxygen bar?
We can round up all the bank executives and Congressional finger-wagglers, put them in a room with a free flow of oxygen ...
{ Deleted, I'm sorry Shadowgm. I know that was in humor but I can't allow anyone advocating violence. Even in jest. SiteMonitor}
No complaints.
Site monitor, surely you jest!
The site monitor Shirley!
{ Thank You, I look nothing like Miss Temple. SM}
You're welcome, and no, you don't look anything like Miss Temple...but you got her dance moves nailed! ;)
Interestingly enough, Los Angeles has the largest number of Persian-Americans and Persian immigrants. I think it was more than appropriate for Pres Obama to choose to be in Los Angeles and do the Leno show on the eve of the Spring Equinox. Well done, Mr. President.
So cool, a President that has the capacity to think and a human heart to reach out to others. With each passing day we see what a dark hole the previous resident in the White House was.
To all those that say angry things to those you fear, look at this. You can always raise a fist, and trying to be friendly doesn't hurt a thing if your goal is the destruction of yourself and others.
Oh and remember how we helped overthrow your president Mohammed Mossadaq?
Our bad...
...representing me as my president. Intelligence and compassion are characteristics that have long been absent in our government. President Obama brings them back to the front.
I hope we continue to respect and reach out to other nations...friends and foes alike. This is the ONLY way to expect peace in our day.
President Obama brings hope and pride to our nation again. God watch over him and his precious family.
well done President Obama. I think it was a smart, and classy thing to do.
although i wouldn't have said that our countries had strained relations for three decades. i would have acknowledged the error of TPAJAX, apologized, and confronted the 800lb camel in the room, that goes back 5 1/2 decades, not 3.
but, really, it is a good start
The United States wants the Islamic Republic of Iran to take its rightful place in the community of nations. You have that right -- but it comes with real responsibilities, and that place cannot be reached through terror or arms, but rather through peaceful actions that demonstrate the true greatness of the Iranian people and civilization.
"Right back atcha, United States."
When the US gives up on terror (paging Dick Cheney to the White Courtesy phone) and/or the use of arms, then maybe we can say this kind of a thing with a straight face. Until then, I don't expect we should be taken seriously.
Didn't st. ronnie negotiate behind the President's back for political gain? And wasn't there something about selling them weapons to fund terrorists in Latin America and the reason that Iran is one of the few countries with F16's? Oh yeah, there was also that Iran/Iraq war where we played both sides.
Kudos on Obama, now if he would just drop the whole fantasy on the Iranian "nukes".
I agree wholeheartedly with some of the commenters up above that Obama is doing a very classy and smart thing, reaching out to Iran. What a breath of fresh air. I love that man, even when he needs to compromise to attempt to bring the knuckle walkers on board for domestic policy (which disappoints many of us no end).
The chicken-hawks don't like it when their "next war" is threatened.
Is just soooo coool.
It's so nice to see him as President.
I know that some people don't like him. Even some here. But It's just so nice to see him in that picture.
His clothes fit so well.
You think the young guys in imitation will start hitching up their britches yet?
I been seeing alot of that lately. I feel like pantsing them.
It looks so stupid. I usually make some kind of remark.
Like " Look, His pants a falling down. Bwahahahahahahaha"
They move along quickly after that.
They look like they're trolling for gay sex.
Or maybe for some sexy young thing to spank them.
Not that I'm against that sort of thing.
Baddaden, That was a racist comment. You can't put one over like that on a white girl from the East Coast.
I mistook your post about the britches. You are probably meaning the young guys are not likely to show their underwear, right? I think that would be a very good idea.
But, I remember a time when the style was for men to wear their pants very, very high -- way above their natural waistline. African-Americans on the East Coast started this style and I would think Pres Obama is probably old enough to remember it too and at first, I thought this is what you were referring to.
really happy. I hope that it's some of the change we can hope for more of in the future. This action by our President is very significant, and tickles me down to my toes.
That was unexpected and amazing to see the President do that.
I love this guy.
Flagrantly showing the soles of his shoes.
Nice change from the last 8 years.
I am a fifty-year old, Caucasian male, and I've never been so gaga over a president – not in my entire life.
I don't know what to say. I almost want to cry.
Finally, the United States of America has elected an intelligent, articulate, strong, yet empathetic president. Finally, we have a real leader. Finally, we can hold our heads high and be proud. We don’t need false bravado. We can have sincere pride in who we are. I am so proud to be an American.
It's hard to really accept. I’m not going to lie. I almost gave up. After the last 8 years, pessimism and skepticism has become a dominant part of who I am. But it’s more than that. I haven’t forgotten Vietnam. I haven’t forgotten Kent State. I haven’t forgotten Berkeley. I haven’t forgotten Watergate. I haven’t forgotten Ollie North. George Bush was all that was wrong about America taken to the nth degree. The daily brain-washings of my countrymen by the Fox News’s and the corporate media were slowly killing me. As an American, I had almost become dead inside. My conditioned reaction was to shake off. A great American president? It can’t be true.
But I believe, we may actually have a shot here. I don’t care what anyone says. We finally have a great American president. I really believe that.
Fortunate or unfortunate, Obama may have angered many of the Iranian people who do not like the leadership of their government. Obama tacitly legitimized the leadership by referring to Iran as the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Most Iranians (or Persians, rather) would much rather have Iran return to the secular nation it once was. By address the leadership of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Obama has ignored the people in his address. It has trivialized what has traditionally been the Persian New Year -- a big deal to the people of Iran, not some small celebration of spring as the leadership regards it.
I doubt the leaders of Iran will accept this overture sincerely without using it for political advantage. It's a refreshing change for our country, but once again, it shows that we're still being led by the powerful Islamic Iranian lobby in and around Washington, D.C.-- not the powerless people of Iran. Credit where credit's due, Obama's intentions are good, but someone who really knows Iran should be counseling the administration on the right message to send.
At this stage, it's also possible that George W. Bush has sabotaged the right relationship with Iran irreparably.
I think it was a FABULOUS idea!!!!!
The Iranians get fed their own propaganda, just like the USA. Obama went direct to the Iranian people, with a message: "Hey we're not all assholes. The old "Decider" is gone and it's a new day." I'm sure it has an impact on Iranian citizens.
There is absolutely nothing to lose, and much goodwill to be gained. Remember the "winning hearts and minds" thing?
PS I think it's great he went on Leno too. (Bush was ABSENT, out playing golf until 9/11, and pissing on the Constitution.) He's making the presidency a human thing: approachable and accountable. (Even if it's not all perfect now, look at the mess he inherited.) He's leaping ahead with great PR all over the place. That's 70% of the job.
A grand and dignified gesture of peace if there ever was one! Yes we can make peace with them! Then again, we've had a history of rubbing them the wrong way ever since our CIA ousted Mossadegh in 1953 and our government supported the Shah, the same we sponsored right-wing dictators like Pinochet and the Somozas. Maybe this time...
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