Wow. The neocons heads must be exploding over this one, and to the folks complaining that our president is doing too much, they have yet another bone to pick.
Here is the transcript:
THE PRESIDENT: 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
Friday, March 20, 2009
Obama's Message to Iranians
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Fake Outrage over Gibbs' Response to Cheney
There is an unwritten rule in politics: The outgoing administration gracefully exits the stage and does not criticize the current one. Dick Cheney broke that rule with ample aid from a swooning John King who launched softball questions with no follow-up questions. This prompted Arianna Huffington to lament that she wished Jon Stewart had interviewed the former VP. Really?!? a comedian? It has come to this.
From Plumline, we get this:
The gang at MSNBC’s First Read, who are generally an important daily read, joins the chorus of White House reporters pillorying White House press sec Robert Gibbs for responding disdainfully yesterday to Dick Cheney’s disdainful criticism of President Obama:
Is Robert Gibbs’ open disdain for Cheney acceptable to a president who promised to move beyond petty political squabbling? And does the president agree with Gibbs’ description of the loyal opposition as “the Republican cabal”?
Ask those questions if you want, but if they are going to be asked, simple fairness dictates that the following questions should also be asked:
Did Cheney’s claim to CNN that Obama has raised the risk of another attack constitute “open disdain,” and is it “acceptable” to both the White House press corps and the current GOP leadership? Does the current GOP leadership — which has called for Obama and Dems to be “bipartisan” — agree with Cheney’s assertions? Why is Cheney’s attack getting a free pass from the press, and why shouldn't’t Gibbs aggressively defend his boss against Cheney’s broadside?
There’s no sign that First Read had any problem with Cheney’s assault — its only other post on this that I can find is a neutral report on the Cheney interview. But again, simple fairness dictates that at a minimum Cheney take a hit here, too. Does the First Read crew really think Gibbs’ attack was less “acceptable” than Cheney’s? Doubtful.
Either way, this meme is snowballing — CBS’ Chip Reid hammered it yesterday, as did ABC’s Rick Klein, and First Read helps set the Beltway conventional wisdom. So expect Gibbs to be hit with questions again about this today.
Get it? Gibbs should NOT have dared to ridicule Cheney, who had no business criticizing a sitting president while waving the fear card. He repeated the GOP meme "at least Bush kept us safe" while insinuating that any future terror attack will be Obama's fault.
Dems would be wise to push back on this tortured logic.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Cheney: It wasn't our fault!
The former VP was on CNN's State of the Union yesterday trying to do repair the Bush administration's reputation. Mr. Cheney needs to recoil to his undisclosed location.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Michael Eric Dyson Versus Andrew Breitbart
I dont know why Dr. Dyson is not a regular on these cable shows, check out how he annihilates Breitbart. Towards the end, poor guys was squirming in his seat looking for a way out.
Friday, March 13, 2009
Stewart Takes on Cramer and CNBC
In a highly anticipated interview that was promoted all week in the media, Jim Cramer made an appearance on the Daily Show last night. This by far, was one of the more substantive interviews on the financial debacle. It was a total indictment of the commentariat and the chatter class who cheerleaded us into this crisis.
Check out how Stewart eviscerates Crammer like a prosecutor by bring clip after clip of a disastrous interview he did in 2006:
Part II
Part III
The interview went beyond the allotted time and can be seen in its entirety here Sphere: Related Content
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Cramer Admits to Market Manipulation
From HuffPo:
In light of the current economic crisis, and with the hullabaloo ignited recently by Jon Stewart over the accuracy of CNBC's reporting, we thought it might be useful to revisit this shocking 2006 interview Jim Cramer gave to TheStreet.com's Aaron Task.
In it, the host of Mad Money says he regularly manipulated the market when he ran his hedge fund. He calls it "a fun game, and it's a lucrative game." He suggests all hedge fund managers do the same. "No one else in the world would ever admit that, but I could care. I am not going to say it on TV," he quips in the video.
He also calls Wall Street Journal reporters "bozos" and says behaving illegally is okay because the SEC doesn't understand it anyway.
Here are some gems:
-On manipulating the market: "A lot of times when I was short at my hedge fund, and I was positioned short, meaning I needed it down, I would create a level of activity before hand that could drive the futures,"
-On falsely creating the impression a stock is down (what he calls "fomenting"): "You can't foment. That's a violation... But you do it anyway because the SEC doesn't understand it." He adds, "When you have six days and your company may be in doubt because you are down, I think it is really important to foment."
-On the truth: "What's important when you are in that hedge fund mode is to not be doing anything that is remotely truthful, because the truth is so against your view - it is important to create a new truth to develop a fiction," Cramer advises. "You can't take any chances."
Take a look:
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Modern Day Tent City
In a scene reminiscent of the Great Depression or some third world country, a modern day tent city was formed in California.
Yes folks this is the United States of America. Most were recently laid off and could not afford to keep their homes. They've lost everything and are ashamed. They were professionals and never realized that such a fate would ever befall them. You can read the Dkos diary here.
Unsurprisingly, the GOP has been clueless to the plight of these Americans, they've called for a spending freeze!
The top Republican in the House is seizing on the latest spike in unemployment to call for a freeze on government spending and to urge President Barack Obama to veto a $410 billion spending bill.
He urged the president to work with House Republicans to impose a spending freeze until the end of this fiscal year
If there was any doubt on the GOP's response to the economic crisis and their future priorities, Here's what Rep McHenry R-NC said:
We will lose on legislation. But we will win the message war every day, and every week, until November 2010,” said Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., an outspoken conservative who has participated on the GOP message teams. “Our goal is to bring down approval numbers for [Speaker Nancy] Pelosi and for House Democrats. That will take repetition. This is a marathon, not a sprint.”
McHenry’s spokesperson, Brock McCleary, tells me his boss is standing by the quote.
Hat Tip to the Plumline.
PS. I am deeply humbled and honored to have been chosen as the newest member of the Aphrosphere. My sincerest gratitude to all of my fellow bloggers.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
What is Socialism?
Nancy Pelosi's daughter made a must see documentary currently showing on HBO. This is an excerpt where she asked a young participant to explain socialism:
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Steele kneels at the Shrine of Rush
You saw it coming but you have to marvel at the speed of the apology. Steele mistakenly thought he was running things when he called Rush Limbaugh "an entertainer".
After Being lambasted by Limbaugh, Steele apologizes to El Rushbo.
"I went back at that tape and I realized words that I said weren't what I was thinking," said Steele. "It was one of those things where I thinking I was saying one thing, and it came out differently."
You can't make this stuff up.
