Nutcase du Jour

Vying to be the world's most feared wacko isn't easy.

The competition is tough. It's a crowded field.

Lately, North Korean nutcase Kim Jong Il has been grabbing all the headlines.

I think Iranian nutcase Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is jealous.

Not long ago, Ahmadinejad and Iran's nuclear program were the focus of concern. Mahmoud had the spotlight.

Now, because of Kim Jong Il, Ahmadinejad has been pushed aside. The media are treating him like yesterday's trash.

Poor Mahmoud.

Today, he tried to get back into the headlines.

MEMRI has this excerpt from Ahmadinejad's speech that aired on the Iranian News Channel today:

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad: Today, it has been proven that the Zionists are not opposed only to Islam and the Muslims. They are opposed to humanity as a whole. They want to dominate the entire world. They would even sacrifice the Western regimes for their own sake. I have said in Tehran, and I say it again here - I say to the leaders of some Western countries: Stop supporting these corrupt people. Behold, the rage of the Muslim peoples is accumulating. The rage of the Muslim peoples may soon reach the point of explosion. If that day comes, they must know that the waves of this explosion will not be restricted to the boundaries of our region. They will definitely reach the corrupt forces that support this fake regime.

Crowd: Allah Akbar.

Allah Akbar.

Allah Akbar.

Again with the "God is Great" chants.

I can't stand that. It gives me chills. It really does.

These gatherings are PR disasters for "Islam is a peaceful religion" advocates.

Clearly, Ahmadinejad is pumping up his band of militant Muslims. More importantly, he's sending a message to Israel, the United States, and our allies.

The guy is crazy. He talks about "explosions," yet he claims that Iran's nuclear aspirations are purely peaceful. Not too bright.

(Note to Ahmadinejad: If you want to convince the global community that Iran intends to use its nuclear capability for non-violent purposes, quit talking about blowing up Israel.)

I don't think today's comments from the Iranian president will be enough to steer the media away from Lil' Kim and North Korea. I think Iran needs to test some missiles before that will happen.

Until then, Ahmadinejad will probably be relegated to standing in Kim Jong Il's shadow, no matter how extreme his statements are.

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Read the Islamic Republic News Agency's account of the speech here.

(Note: The IRNA is to Ahmadinejad as The New York Times is to Liberalism.)

View a clip from the speech. (Clip#1187)