The two photographs in the Sept. 20 paper (The Post & Courier, Charleston, SC) on Page 11A speak volumes about our lack of "national smarts" in foreign affairs. One photo showed all the Iranian seats in the General Assembly occupied while President Bush addressed the body. The second photo showed all American delegation seats empty while the Iranian president addressed the same body.
Doesn't this administration realize what a political coup they have handed the Iranians who will show these pictures around the world and say, "See, the Americans won't even listen to us"?
The administration could have taken the high ground by listening and then refuting the speech. Sure, they could read the remarks or watch the Iranian president on closed circuit TV in their offices, but they would not have handed the Iranians a weapon with which to beat us over the head in talks with China, Russia, France and Germany; all of whom, by the way, have major economic deals in progress with Iran.
(Originally printed as Letter to the Editor, The Post & Courier, Charleston, SC, Sept. 25, 2006)
