Perhaps the new allegations that Iran is actively trying to commit terrorism in The United States are legitimate, but would it be something entirely new and different if this was a fabrication? Or at least a modification of the truth?

I’m sure we remember the series of lies, half-truths and omissions leading up to the most recent Iraq invasion….

While on this topic of Iran and our perception of the nation, we should discuss Ahmadinejad’s comments related to “wiping Israel off the map.” These words are continuously repeated and used to justify the anger, angst and aggression “good Americans” are supposed to have when they think of Iran; but are the statements accurate?

Ahmadinejad was quoting the long deceased Ayatollah Khomeini for the aformentioned threatening speech—understandably it is bothersome.

However, Juan Cole a professor of modern middle eastern history at the University of Michigan translates his words as, “this regime occupying Jerusalem must vanish from the page of time.”  He didn’t say the country or the Israeli people; rather the zionist regime that is occupying and running the country should vanish.

From my limited perspective, this is all-to-similar to the situation during the Cold War when Nikita Khrushev was quoted as saying to America, “We will bury you!!”  However, there is a stark contrast to different translations; according to the Translation Research Group the quote should be translated as, “Whether you like it or not, we will be present at your burial.”  While this is hardly a love and bunnies statement, it is radically different than what we’ve been told and aims at the longevity of The Soviet Union rather than an attack on The United States.

Blessed are the peacemakers indeed. Let’s keep that in mind. Amen.