Army Day

What a joyous day it was in Iran yesterday!

Tuesday was Army Day in Iran, a time to parade and celebrate its military might.

Western nations weren't exactly feeling the love.

Once again, the enormous chasm separating Iran and the West was evident.

In its accounts of the "festivities," the Associated Press jumped on the latest threats from Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

TEHRAN, IRAN (AP) -- Iran's hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad maintained his drumbeat of defiance Tuesday, warning that Tehran would "cut off the hand of any aggressor" and insisting the military must be ready with the most modern technology.

Speaking to military officers at a parade marking Army Day, Ahmadinejad said, "Today, you are among the world's most powerful armies because you rely on God."

"Iran's enemies know your courage, faith and commitment to Islam and the land of Iran has created a powerful army that can powerfully defend the political borders and the integrity of the Iranian nation — and cut off the hand of any aggressor and place the sign of disgrace on their forehead," Ahmadinejad said.

Now, look at the dramatic difference in coverage from the Islamic Republic News Agency:

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad here on Tuesday said the Iranian Army was a harbinger of peace and security and not a threat to any country.

Addressing a ceremony marking today's observance of Army Day, he proudly declared that the "Islamic Republic of Iran's Army is today one of the most powerful armies of the world." Praising the army, he said its forces powerfully defend Iran's political borders and national dignity.

Underlining the need to maintain combat readiness in the armed forces, he said the army should have at its disposal the most developed equipment and technology.

The Iranian Army is in the service of peace, security and tranquility of regional countries and neighboring states, the president declared, adding that it is a friend of oppressed nations and an enemy of plotters of evil.

"The power, progress and development of the Iranian nation are dedicated to the service of human welfare and global peace and tranquility. The Islamic Republic of Iran is no threat to any nation," Ahmadinejad further declared.

...He concluded his speech with words of appreciation and encouragement to army personnel "whose combat readiness have defended the country's borders."
Following the president's speech, exemplary units of the Iranian Army marched past a copy of the Holy Quran and the president.


The Army Day ceremony was attended by a number of senior army commanders, ambassadors of foreign countries in Iran, ranking government officials and family members of war martyrs and took place at the mausoleum of the Founder of the Islamic Republic, the late Imam Khomeini, in southern Tehran.

Nope, no word of cutting off hands in this report.

If the Iranian Army is a harbinger of peace, why does Ahmadinejad keep issuing threats?

As a worthy propaganda machine, the IRNA dutifully leaves out the parts about cutting off hands and threatening to place disgrace on the forehead of any aggressor.

Sorry, but claims of Iran being "dedicated to the service of human welfare and global peace and tranquility" are not plausible.

Does this statement from Ahmadinejad sound peaceful?

"Anybody who recognizes Israel will burn in the fire of the Islamic nation's fury, (while) any (Islamic leader) who recognizes the Zionist regime means he is acknowledging the surrender and defeat of the Islamic world."

Yeah, that just oozes with global tranquility.

Iran is a menace.

Bush is striking the right tone by making it clear that Iran is not going to hold the U.S. hostage like it did during Jimmy Carter's Administration.

From the Jerusalem Post, (AP):

President George W. Bush said that "all options are on the table" to prevent Iran from developing atomic weapons, but said he will continue to focus on the international diplomatic option to persuade Tehran to drop its nuclear ambitions.

Bush also said there should be a unified effort involving countries "who recognize the danger of Iran having a nuclear weapon," and he noted that US officials are working closely with nations such as Great Britain, France and Germany on the issue."

"We want to solve this issue diplomatically and we're working hard to do so," Bush told reporters Tuesday in the Rose Garden.

No saber rattling from President Bush, just honest talk.

That sharply contrasts with Ahmadinejad's Army Day pomp.

It is mind-boggling that in the face of the danger that Iran presents, Democrats continue to throw so much energy into demonizing Bush.

Wouldn't it be far more responsible for the Dems to acknowledge the serious threat that Ahmadinejad poses to our future rather than to pummel President Bush day in and day out, as if he were America's worst enemy?

Yes, it would.