Stacks and Stacks of Letters

The 21st Century has brought us quick and immediate forms of communication, most of which are not on paper. Last week a personal letter made headline news. It was from the President of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadi-Nejad and it was addressed to the President of the United States. [It’s nice to know that the old formats still hold some clout in the world]

The letter, which was 18 pages long, was probably not completely read by its recipient. [Bush suffers from a form of ADD]. It posed a series of direct questions to Bush, including, “How can your [military] actions be reconciled with the values...and duty to the tradition of Jesus Christ?” Ahmadi-Nejad was making a direct connection between the religious beliefs of the President and the aggressive and violent actions of his government. He was also attempting to understand Bush’s actions regarding WMD in Iran. He also questions the history of Israel and the involvement of the US in the creation of that state. The letter also offers another important question “Why is it that any technological and scientific achievement reached in the Middle east region is translated into and portrayed as a threat to the Zionist regime? Is not scientific R&D one of the basic rights of nations?”

Let’s consider the geographic location of Iran: it is surrounded by countries that have nuclear weapons. To the north, Russia. To the east, China, Pakistan and India. To the south, Israel. So why can’t Iran have the same destructive toys to play with? The nuclear pissing contest between Iran and the United States is futile and one that could get us all killed if the Bush Gang lets loose and invades or bombs Iran.

Ahmadi-Nejad’s letter asks some hard questions and offers an alternative way of thinking. It is an important first step in diplomacy.

Clearly, George W. Bush needs to read his mail and write back soon.

That’s just my opinion. I could be wrong.

The entire letter can be found here: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5393215