Both Iran and Lebanon are going to the polls soon to elect new governments.
In Iran the citizenry face the choice between Ahmadinajad (al-majnoon) and someone else. It is hard to imagine who could be a worse choice than Ahmadinajad. Like the lunatic faction in North Korea that is driving the situation toward catastrophe, Ahmadinajad relentlessly serves up rhetoric that seems to purposefully eliminate any room President Obama might have for public accomodation with Iran. Blah! Blah! Blah!. Paraphrasing - We are not afraid of you! We are not afraid of the Israelis! Blah! Blah! Blah! Well, you damned well ought to be afraid. Just keep it up and see in the end if the Iranian state, the Persian "moment" in history or Islam are benefited by what might happen. The issue is clearly in the hands of the Iranian people since Ahmadinajad is going to continue being what he is. Does he really think the president of the United States is going to debate him? Absurd.
And then there is Lebanon where Acela Joe Biden stopped by in Beirut to threaten the Lebanese electorate with Bush Administration - Oops! Obama Administration disfavor if the Shia/Aouni forces win a bigger representation in parliament and therefore in the cabinet. Is "egregious" too big a word for this display of "ward heeling" on a global scale? The Obama/Clinton/Jones team has shown some finesse in the Middle East. What on earth are they doing in sending Acela Joe to Lebanon to deliver this neocon/Likud message? Do they really think that Bashar Assad is shamming in his protestations that he wants peace with the US and Israel? Do they really think that? The two clowns that they keep sending to Damascus surely do believe that, but does Obama believe it?
If you believe in prayer, pray for a reasonable outcome in Iran and for the scales to fall from Obama's eyes over Syria and Lebanon. pl
