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Varlan Allan
Chang Chun
China

Teacher,

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What do you think about the Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad?

Over the course of the past few months I have been reading and viewing many interviews with the Iranian president and I have to say that he seems to be a very genuine and well-spoken man.
It saddens me to think that for resources and Jewish "security", he is painted in such a wretched light. If you listen to any of his interviews with difficult questions, he gives very clear and sincere responses. If you look at someone like Hilary Clinton on the other hand or even Obama, they sound ridiculous at times and seem to be bent on causing problems.
So i recommend that you watch some interviews of each then let me hear your opinions.

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Hilton Barlach
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May 31 2012: Maybe you're right. The problem is: A provokes B, then B provokes A, and so on and so forth... We know how this kind of thing starts but sometimes we don't know how they end... do you think we can help???
Varlan Allan 10+
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May 31 2012: Give this video a watch and tell me that you do not relate to this talk....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myxV8OjL--0
Debra Smith 200+
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May 31 2012: I think he is one of the scariest of all creatures - a true believer. There is no changing their mind or adapting because if they did so they would have to allow that their whole life was errrected on something they did not wholy believe.
- Varlan Allan 10+
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  May 31 2012: So, you say he is a true believer. Yet, a true believer would be someone that follows the rules of the religion in a pious and good life. But from what I take you have a different interpretation of what a true believer is.
  - Debra Smith 200+
    
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    May 31 2012: Hi Varlan! I believe that you are far more fully informed than I am. All citizens of any counrty other than what you experience are constrained by access. I bow to your greater understanding, here. I shared with you my perception which I freely admit is limited.
    - Varlan Allan 10+
      
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      May 31 2012: I'm very thankful for you humble honesty Deb. I am only seeking the truth for myself and what I have found is something extremely different to what Western Media portrays.
- Varlan Allan 10+
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  May 31 2012: In addition, I must ask what has put you in this opinion of Dr Ahmadinejad?
Varlan Allan 10+
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May 31 2012: Mr. Smith, would it be correct to state that Ahmadinejad is similar to the American Presidents that are chosen by the Elite Jewish community and BB....?
Zdenek Smith 100+
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Host Associate

May 29 2012: Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is not a president that was chosen by his people through free elections. Instead he is part of a brutal regime that killed and injured thousands of Iranians, most recently during peaceful demonstration.

The regime that the "president" represents is suppressing any opposition to its totalitarian governance. Therefore his views and words do not represent his people and should be considered as views of regime he represents.

Personally I have many Iranian friends and they hope the regime will be eventually overthrown by people and their country will be free and democratic.
- Varlan Allan 10+
  - +1
  May 29 2012: Let's remember what happened last time their country was free and democratic...oh yeah, the US/UK created a coup to oust the democratically elected leader. HAHAHA the irony.
  - Zdenek Smith 100+
    
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    Host Associate
    
    May 29 2012: Yes I agree that US unfortunately intervene with no justification to do so. Now this is not relevant to the fact that the current regime is oppressive and its "president" supports it.
    - Varlan Allan 10+
      
      +1
      
      May 31 2012: What do you know Mr Smith about the oppression in Iran if the only source you are getting your information comes from the exact nations and groups that support its overthrow?
  - Zdenek Smith 100+
    
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    Host Associate
    
    May 31 2012: You seem to assume that my resources are CNN and the like.
    
    I have learned a lot about Iran and Iranian culture from many Iranian friends I have over the years. We spent a great deal of time talking about the situation. One of them is even well regarded in the topic of Iran politics with many Iranian followers.
    
    I also learn a lot from Iranian thinkers (even here on TED), Aljazeera, BBC and even Iranian movies.
    
    I think I have pretty wide range of sources and good understanding of the situation in Iran.
Varlan Allan 10+
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May 29 2012: So what both of you are telling me is that Ahmadinejad is a "bad" president because....

Hilton Barlach suggests: He is confronting US and Israel.
I agree that Iran does wish to push more clout in the region. But who have they attacked in the past 50 years?
In addition, you don't think that maybe it is because American/Israeli provocation? If someone has sanctioned you for trying to create nuclear energy for your country and has used cyber warfare to stop such things, wouldn't you be a bit defensive as well?

Edward Long: Defying the "Free" world and working to create nuclear weapons.

America and Israel both have them. Both of those countries have shown more aggression to other nations with use of force, when was the last time Iran did this?
Atomic Energy Commission also has been allowed to inspect sites on several occasions and though they never can pin point what the Iranians are hiding, there are always accusations. With no evidence! (WMD's sound familiar anyone?)
Edward by giving metaphoric reference to Little Red Riding Hood it does not do anything other than give a false impression of the realities of Israeli conflict with its neighbours.
- edward long 100+
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  May 30 2012: What is false about the impression that Israel (peace-seeking Little Red Riding Hood) is under constant threat of annihilation by many of her Arab neighbors (Big bad wolves passing themselves off as harmless by hiding their true intentions). Is that a fairy tale? Recent findings by the AEC indicate the possibility of mysterious activity. That weakens your assertion about "no evidence". He is up to no good Mr Varian.
  - Varlan Allan 10+
    
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    May 31 2012: AEC indicate possibility of mysterious activity...I'm sorry but doesn't that sound strangely vague to you?
    
    There is the possibility of monkeys crawling out of my butt but it does not provide much proof that that is what is going to happen.
- Hilton Barlach
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  May 30 2012: Dear Varlan... you try to say that Mr. Ahmadinejad confronts the US and Israel because of "provocations". I don't think so. He confronts the US and Israel because he WANTS to confront these 2 countries. He consciously makes this decision. At the end of the day it's up to the Iranian people decide if this path is the best or not...
  - Varlan Allan 10+
    
    +1
    May 31 2012: Please state you evidence that would disprove of my statement that he is not being provoked.
    
    I have evidence that he is...sanctions that should be considered under international law to be acts of war would fall under my understanding of provocation. Open threats of war based on inconclusive evidence and to reiterate the fact that they're government was overthrown once before. Can you disprove any of these and give some legitimate evidence to back up your claims?
Robert Winner 50+
- +2
May 29 2012: Varlan, You throw three very interesting people into the mix. The answer to me is to review what we know of each. Obama: For twenty years listen to and followed Rev Wright, a politician, former Muslim (did know there was such a thing), questionable past, willing to prostitute himself for votes. Hilary Clinton: Pure politician (lacks morals and ethics) has a public face and a private face, Bill and Hilary are perfectly matched they use each other to obtain their individual objectives and lead their lives apart from each other while remaining together, They have no loyalities other than to themselves, users. Ahmadinejad: Pure Muslim. His interviews are consistant and genuine party line. He is not free to make opinions as the country he represents is conducting a jahad against the non-believers. He is and will remain a tool for the leadership of Iran any deviation will mean his immediate removal and another installed.

American leadership is very confusing both in foriegn and domestic issues. We are going through the greatest period of devisiness I have ever witnessed. As you say our administration is called "the prince of fools" by many around the world. Our country is no longer respected as a world leader. While Iran displays a united front and you can like it or not.

While Iran is a united religious front the US will change leadership and new goals and policies will be installed. The US ship is sailing towards socialism ... that to can change. The light at the end of the tunnel for the US is to return to a constitutional government. Long winded but expresses my views. All the best. Bob
- Varlan Allan 10+
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  May 29 2012: Thanks Bob for that commentary. Its true that the three individuals in question are quite diverse and Underneath it all these people have to contend with mountains of pressure from the elite.
  Socialism is the way of the entire world is heading but sadly it is a very big world and it will never fully be peaceful as there are those strong men and women who know how to dominate others. I hope America gets back its roots and starts the road to redemption as well.
edward long 100+
- +1
May 29 2012: My response has to do with Technology, specifically regarding nuclear weapons and with my impression of Pres. Ahmadinejad. You are correct that the President of Iran gives "clear and sincere responses" in public interviews. It is also true that The Big, Bad Wolf gave clear and sincere answers to Little Red Riding Hood. When I question why Iran is defying the free world in her pursuit of nuclear weapons I keep seeing mental images of the Big, Bad Wolf. Just as, I strongly suspect, you would feel safer if America and Israel had no weapons, I would feel safer if Iran had none, particularly weapons of mass destruction. I much prefer the present arrangement. Just to be clear and sincere, Israel is Little Red Riding Hood. The man in the Big, Bad Wolf suit right now is Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
- Varlan Allan 10+
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  May 29 2012: Thanks for your opinions too. :)
  - edward long 100+
    
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    May 30 2012: Somehow, I don't think your words were intended for me, Mr. Allen.
    - Varlan Allan 10+
      
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      May 31 2012: No they were sincerely for you Edward.
Hilton Barlach
- +1
May 29 2012: That's a good question Varlan!!!
I think Mr. Ahmadinejad spends too much energy trying to confront foreign powers such as the US and Israel and trying to establish an Iranian dominance over the region rather than working for the well being of its own people. Iran is a great nation with a great people. They deserve a better president and I hope they will get it one day.
- Varlan Allan 10+
  - 0
  May 29 2012: Thanks for your opinions too. :)

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