Clinton pulls out of Iran demonstration due to Palin
Reuters
17-Sep-2008 (18 comments)

"She hopes that all parties can rally together in opposition to this grave threat."  U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton canceled her appearance at a demonstration against the president of Iran after learning Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin will be there, a Clinton aide said on Wednesday. A group of Jewish organizations had said both Palin and Clinton would speak at the protest near the United Nations on Monday against Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who has said Israel should be wiped off the map.

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Kaveh Nouraee

IRANdokht

by Kaveh Nouraee on

I did in fact read all of the comment.

I'm not being condescending. I'm being blunt and honest. You know I'm direct, as are you. And I've never taken any of your direct remarks as condescending or insulting, no matter how much we disagree. If anything, it helps keep me on my toes.  :-)

I'm not throwing a "moral of the story" at you. Even though my post was addressed to your screen name, other people are sure to read it. And as much my post should not be perceived as an insult to you, it should not be perceived as such by anyone else, as it is not.

2+2 has nothing to do with my political opinions. It has to do with with what I see. All of these politicians, from both sides of the aisle, look upon the public as naive sheep. I refuse to be one.

What you're calling my predictions concerning Senator Obama is based upon my knowledge of how the Democratic Party operates. There's no disputing the fact that Hillary alienated many in the party, who responded by taking the presidential nomination she coveted from her and giving it to Obama. It was completely orchestrated from start to finish. Obama is a very intelligent and sharp guy. He knows that in order to win the November election and be effective in the Oval Office should he win, he will need the full support of a unified Democratic party, which has been pretty fragmented and disjointed recently. He's also smart enough to know that in order to get this support that he needs, he has little if any choice but to do what the powers of the party tell him to do.

He's a truly likable guy with a ton of charisma, but he has to become a sell-out to be invited to the dance. A perfect example is the fact that since Joe Biden was added to the ticket, there's been an increase in personal digs between both sides. And that's a damn shame.

As far as what you're calling my assumptions concerning Hillary, the woman's track record speaks for itself. Ever since that interview on 60 Minutes in 1992 with the Gennifer Flowers issue, she has been harboring this condescending, holier-than-thou attitude with respect to the public. She looks down upon people with sheer contempt, as if everyone is beneath her. And I'm talking about her attitude towards "average Americans". What do you think she thinks of people like US?

Well, the fact that she backed out of attending the rally, and for the reason that has been reported shows me that she really has no regard for Iran, or Iranians, nor does she consider human rights in as any kind of priority. Hillary has only one concern, and that's Hillary. I don't understand how you can see it differently.

As far as the organizers disinviting Sarah Palin, that just further supports what you call my assumption. It ultimately doesn't matter to me who shows up or not.

What I would really LOVE to see happen at the rally would be for someone to get in Antarinejad's ugly face, call him out on all his BS and put that hairy snaggle-toothed midget in his place. It would be the hottest video on YouTube.


IRANdokht

Kaveh

by IRANdokht on

It would have been nice if you read all of the comment before responding to it.

You seem to be basing a lot on your predictions: if Obama wins he will... if Hillary was there you KNOW she would... No I don't know and neither do you. Please stop judging people based on your assumptions.

I know that neither of us can convince the other one, but please refrain from using a condescending tone: I don't need anyone to sum up and throw a "moral of the story" at me and to think that what you're saying is as definite as 2+2 is only insulting to people who do not agree with you.

Nobody's political opinion is a matter of 2+2=4! even you kaveh jan!

if you have a problem with Sarah Palin being disinvited, you can take it up with the organizers from the American Jewish group.

Thank you

IRANdokht


Kaveh Nouraee

IRANdokht

by Kaveh Nouraee on

Let's go along with your rationale that Hillary was not going there to score political points. As she's no longer a candidate, that's a reasonably viable explanatiion. Sarah Palin was invited by the same people, if I'm not mistaken.

So, based on that same rationale, why is Hillary saying, "no, I'm not going to be there if that woman is there?" The math doesn't add up. The ONLY answer is that Hillary's appearance was motivated purely by politics. Hillary's politics.

If Hillary and only Hillary were invited, you KNOW she was going to turn this into an opportunity to trash U.S. foreign policy. It is clear that her intent from the outset was to politicize the event for herself, possibly to garner support and help in retiring some of her campaign debt, or to push Senator Obama's agenda.

She showed her hand by backing out after learning Sarah Palin was invited as well. Maybe Hillary thinks that any event that would have Sarah Palin there is beneath her. Maybe human rights abuses in Iran aren't really important to her. At least not important enough to put her ego and pride and pettiness aside for a couple of hours.

This was a perfect opportunity for Hillary to show that she's the better person and rise above the usual BS. And she blew it.

As far as Sarah Palin being disinvited, it's equally obvious that this move was orchestrated at the behest of some of the organizers of this important event who threatened to withdraw their financial support if Palin were there and Hillary wasn't.

Moral of the story: Money talks.

We can disagree from now until the end of time, dear. It doesn't make either one of us better than the other.

But 2+2 will always equal 4.


IRANdokht

David

by IRANdokht on

Thanks for the clarification. I just found out more about the anti-Ahmadinejad rally that is sponsored by the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations.

Fred's title made me think it was Nazanin's rally that Clinton had cancelled on.

Sorry about the misunderstanding.

IRANdokht

PS: I am not sure why my previous comment was deleted, but I had posted a thank you note earlier this morning.


Darius Kadivar

FYI/Human Dignity Rally & BBC: Nazanin Afshin-Jam (youtube)

by Darius Kadivar on

Rally in Front of the Chinese Embassy in Toronto:

And On BBC:


Darius Kadivar

Someone Asked me Why Demonstrate: MY ANSWER

by Darius Kadivar on

Someone on this thread asked me why bother to demonstrate with Nazanin or other people in the Public Eye.

Here is my answer if you don't mind me reproducing it here:

Actors are citizens like everybody else and concerned. They are neither superior nor inferior but have the advantage of being in the public eye and can help draw attention on issues of concern to us all since Tragedy and Comedy is their craft. Yes I definitvely think that they can help in terms of being the mediators between the civil society and the governing bodies be them national or international leaders, governments and organizations. Robert Redford ( see him as Iranian of the Day) or George CLooney are names that come to my mind immediately as positive role models. They can also draw the international media to regard a nations "people" AS precisely as "people" and not unidentified objects to be bombed or wiped out in total indifference. That makes their relative power and at the same time their fragility for if the cause is weak then they are also blamed even more harshly than politicians. It was Hollywood that reacted against the imprisonment of the Hollywood Ten during the Black List of Senator MCarthey. Actors playing gangsters, comics playing fools or sexy femmes fatals: like Humphry Bogart, Lauren Bacall, Danny Kaye to name a few reacted for civil rights

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3MlaFIzCw8 

and later during the Black civil rights mouvment crusaded by Martin Luther King with such people often at odds in the political sphere but united on a common cause for freedom like Charlton Heston ( Before becoming head of the American Rifle Association) Marlon Brando and Syndey Poitier to name a few. AND IT WORKED !

I'm ready to take ALL THE BLAME otherwise if it suits you:

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bzJmnm7h1U&feature...

I don't say that artists In Iran have to do anything or take part if they feel in danger or indifferent but I definitively DO think that the Iranian Diaspora has this oppurtunity to use it and in particular in America where it has been a real tradition for all minorities to stand out for their rights. Today its the turn of Iranians and Middle Easterners to stand out on universal values.

All I am saying is that it will not hurt to TRY. Not Trying however will definitively NOT Help, change or retrieve anything from the current mess we are in anyways, so what have we got to lose? I ask YOU !

Now if you think that all I am saying here is to indulge in self esteem and narcism you are wrong for I rarely speak of myself but others in the public eye. I try to do my best to generate ideas and like any intellectual ( a term I respect despite the bad reputation it got amongst our Iranian intellegenstia as "AAN TELLECTUAL") is to ask questions, I do not always have the answers.

 So if you have another solution fine I am sure I and many others would be happy to hear you. What else do you want me to say other than wishing you :

Good Night and Good Luck

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cfwsfGqgPM


David ET

Clarification

by David ET on

It seems to be some confusion among few readers that need to be cleared. There are TWO rallys. First one is NOT organized by SCE or Nazanin and they have nothing to do with who is invited and who is not and that is the one where Hillary and Palin were invited (or un-invited to). Nazanin is only a speaker at this event and again the choice of other speakers such as Palin or Clinton had absolutely nothing to do with Nazanin or SCE.

The other Rally (Wall of Shame) is organized and publicized by Nazanin and SCE and it includes speakers such as Nazanin and Ahmad Batebi..  

I really hope Mr. Jahanshah Javid and iranian.com woudl assume a more historically responsible and proactive role and put information about the wall of shame rally in its front page than letting it be burried among the SCE blogs from last week: //iranian.com/main/blog/sce-campaign/ahmadinejad-will-face-wall-shame-un  !


IRANdokht

Kaveh

by IRANdokht on

When Hillary was asked to speak, she's not running for the office at this point and it was not to score a political point for the democratic candidates.

When some members invited Palin to speak, it turned into a campaign attempt for the GOP.

Hillary was right about not speaking at that point especially since McCain's campaign had been using Hillary to put Obama down.

Her speaking along side Sarah was going to be misinterpreted by people who have a hard time grasping the issue of human rights.

Lets agree that we disagree. Nazanin made the right choice.

IRANdokht


Kaveh Nouraee

.

by Kaveh Nouraee on

.


Kaveh Nouraee

IRANdokht

by Kaveh Nouraee on

You have to admit, when Hillary pouted and said "if that woman is going to be there,, I won't go" like an episode of "The Hills", that's when it became political.

SCE needs all of the support and exposure it can get....no matter which candidate you favor.


IRANdokht

Bravo Nazanin!

by IRANdokht on

Thank you for the good news Kaveh.

I am glad that SCE has not allowed the GOP to use their purely humanitarian intentions to score a political point for Palin. 

Bravo Nazanin! I am proud of you and your principles.

IRANdokht


Kaveh Nouraee

UPDATE

by Kaveh Nouraee on

According to CNN.com, Governor Palin has been uninvited  to the anti-Iran rally.

See, it all worked out after all, didn't it?


Kaveh Nouraee

Nazanin supporter

by Kaveh Nouraee on

I'll tell you what is sickening.

Regardless of your political leanings, EVERYONE should stand up and voice their concerns about the IRI's abuse of basic human rights. Whether you vote Republican, Democrat or any other party, the issue istelf is of VITAL importance to us ALL.

But, NO, that's not how Hillary Clinton looks at it. Rather than honoring the invitation she accepted and using this as an opportunity to express the feelings of so many MILLIONS of people who abhor the multitude of abuses of power of the IRI, she backs off because Sarah Palin was invited as well.

It's petty, it's childish, and it's why I called her a bitter shrew. Teenage girls in high school behave this way, This is a 50+ year old woman who (still) wants to president of the United States of America. To behave like this is appalling.

A "decent" human being who thinks of herself as a worthy leader of 260 million people does not put her personal animosity against one person who, frankly, hasn't done a damn thing to her, ahead of exhibiting leadership and being in the forefront in the cause to publicize and improve human rights of 70 million people in Iran.

That alone is proof beyond a shadow of a doubt that Hillary Clinton doesn't give a damn about Iran or Iranians.

She went from being so close to the nomination she could taste it, to becoming yesterday's leftovers, all but ignored by Senator Obama and the rest of the Democratic Party elite, while Sarah Palin comes literally out of nowhere to being one of the most Googled names in recent weeks, as well as being named as a running mate.

You can't deny it. Hillary Clinton is so damn bitter the rest of the country has a sour taste in its mouth. Who wouldn't be? I can understand it....after all it's human emotion. All the time, the energy, the effort, for what? To see someone nobody even heard of get all the attention that you KNOW Hillary covets?

Last night in L.A. Barbra Streisand held a fundraising dinner for Obama that raised $9 million. After all the fervent support for the Clintons from Sreisand for all these years to see $9 million raised in a few HOURS go to the man who beat her to the nomination has GOT to make her seethe with anger.

So, Nazanin supporter, now you know who really and truly wanted to use Iranians as a stepping stone for poltical purposes.

A commodity is something that has value. It appears to me that by walking away from this, Hillary doesnt even see Iran or Iranians as anything to be valued.

That's what's truly sickening.

 


default

Thank you David

by Nazanin supporter (not verified) on

Thank you for clarifying this issue. It's really a shame that these Republican see Iranian lives as a commodity for their own political success!

They have no shame?

Nazanin is speaking of human rights and they push someone like Palin who is not even a decent human being, to use the Iranians lives as a stepping stone?

then we have idiots who come here and call Hillary names when they are supporting the GOP using the IR human rights to fill Halliburton's pockets for another war, one destroying our country.

this is sickening


Kaveh Nouraee

The Real Reason

by Kaveh Nouraee on

Hillary backed out because if she were to appear alongside Governor Palin, it would be a disaster any way you slice it.

If Hillary were to act cordial to Palin, she will be perceived to be a sellout among the mainstream Democrats, and there are women voters who are so flighty and flaky that they will see that as some sort of tacit endorsement of Palin because she's female and vote GOP.

If she were to be hostile to Palin, Hillary will be perceived as the bitter shrew she really is and Palin will garner sympathy votes for the GOP ticket.


David ET

Message is clear: NO to IR and NO to WAR

by David ET on

The organizers should not have politicized the event when with US election matters. After inviting Hillary Clinton who had accepted the invitation they suddenly  (of all people) invited Sarak Palin! trying to equate Palin with a woman at the level of senator Clinton.  Trying to gain creditability for Palin this way was a cheap shot and Senator Clinton rightfully cancelled here appearance due to politicization of the event by republicans within the organizors .

Regardless the event will go on loud and clear against IR and its president.

As far Nazanin Afshin-Jam her message has always been clear : Stop Child Executions and human and women right violations and No war on Iran.

She will be speaking at this event as well as the wall of shame rally the next day. We must take every opportunity abroad to reflect the true feelings of the Iranians to world .


Darius Kadivar

SO ? NO TO WAR But STOP CHILD EXECUTIONS AHMADINEJAD !

by Darius Kadivar on

NAZANIN IS HER OWN WOMAN WITH MORE BALLS THAN MANY OF US UNITED !

NAIL IT RIGHT ON NAZANIN JAN WE ARE WITH YOU !

NO TO WAR but STOP CHILD EXECUTIONS AHMADINEJAD !


default

is Zionism losing its bloody grip on America?

by Anonymous8 (not verified) on

here's hoping.

Let's face it, the reason she backed out had nothing to do with Ahmadinejad. It had everything to do showing blowing off AIPAC.