What? Politeness Counts in Foreign Relations?

As noted HERE, HERE and HERE, other writers seem to have noticed what rude, boorish slobs America has been to the visiting Iranian head of state.

It wasn't about the Iranian President. The way that he was treated is seen in Iran as the way WE have decided to treat ALL Iranians. You disrespect the country's leader, you disrespect the country. The USA has, collectively told Persia (Iran): Yo momma, fools!

Imagine for a moment if even Bush went to, say, Thailand, and he was treated by the Thais the way that we treated Mahmoud Ahmadinejad?

What do you suppose the US reaction would be? Even those who despise Bush would be up in arms, because the Thais would have insulted the OFFICE of the President of the United States, and they would have insulted ... US. Do you think the Persians feel any differently about their president? (A fellow who actually DID serve HIS country in time of war ... the invasion of Iran by Iraq by Saddam Hussein, which WE backed. He was elected fair and square, by the by.)

Yup: he (and his country) believe some pretty unenlightened stuff about the Holocaust, Israel and gays. But 20 years ago, you could have found a thousand US politicians who would have said equally insane crap. And where is it written that we have to agree with everything other countries believe? (I know that it was popular to diss France back when the Bushies thought the war would be a "cakewalk." But how well has that all turned out for us? Seems like France was RIGHT! And who knows? We might actually be WRONG about something again. Maybe a little politeness would get us what rudeness won't.)

The issue isn't whether he 'deserved' it. The issue is why we show respect and courtesy for other nations: because showing discourtesy will translate into the dead sons and daughters of your friends and neighbors. Is it worth the life of ONE American kid for Scott Pelley to chivvy, for the dumbass president of Columbia University to call a democratically elected president a "petty dictator" or various idiots to be as consistently rude and classless as we've been?

Worse, Scott Pelley, in his 60 Minutes interview READ what George W. Bush told Pelley he'd say to Ahmadinejad. I haven't read anything on it, but do you realize that CBS is now playing catspaw for the Administration? That's stepping over all journalistic boundaries. It's shameful, and Pelley should be fired faster than Imus, and slandered worse than Rather for it. You can't wear both those hats and be any good at either. Can't be done. Utterly corrupt journalism.

Are we really this pathetic? America as a country so uninterested in peace that we loll around in our soiled overalls, our love handles oozing through the cracks, chewing on a plug of terbaccy, fondling our Wal-Mart 9 mm pistol, drinkin' beer, farting and laughing "They hain't gots no gays, Ma!"

Hyuck. Hyuck. Hyuck.

Good ghod.

And just imagine how we look to the REST of the world with our clueless and crapulous performance. Not that we care a fig for what the world thinks of us, right?

(Tehran Times: Iranian universities, MPs denounce Columbia U. president; Arab News (Saudi Arabia) 'President Ahmadinejad and the Distortions of Politics')

And here's the disgusting opportunist slimy headline of the day from the Hindu Times:

Invitation to Ahmadinejad speaks of US greatness: Bush

Washington, Sept. 26 (AP): US President George W Bush Tuesday said that the speaking appearance of Iranian President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, at a US university "speaks volumes about really the greatness of America."

He said if the president of Columbia University President, Lee Bollinger, considers Ahmadinejad's visit an educational experience for Columbia students, "I guess it's OK with me."

Bush spoke about the mercurial Iranian's appearance at the prestigious university in New York City in an interview with Fox News Channel.

Well, we sure as hell showed some kind of "greatness" THIS week. That's fer damn sure. (Hand me a SlimJim™ would'ja Rufus?)

Let's just get rid of diplomacy and diplomats altogether. Hell, we don't need no steeenking manners! We can be rude and dumbass, 'cuz we're always right about everything. Right?

(Faux Nooz reports: Ahmadinejad Columbia Visit an Insult to American Military Families, AS IF they knew what rudeness actually WAS! Right Jethro? Town Hall blogs: Columbia: Same Idiots, Useful as Ever proving that there's MORE than enough hate to go around. Wouldn't want a shortage of HATE in the USA. Nosiree bob. Marketwatch says 'A smirking Ahmadinejad suckers the US media'; the Detroit Free Press says, 'Iran's voice of absurdity speaks,' etcetera)

Persia has been civilized for 6,000 years. The USA (according to appearances) is still a little uneasy with this wild new fad. Over the past couple of days, it seems like it fits us like a $50 suit with too much starch on a hot, muggy day in August.

Personally, I don't know how the guy kept his cool. But he did, and that's even more impressive than the tsunami of concentrated rude buffrontery that we presented him with.

Courage.