The Iranian Letter

It is said that President Bush, when asked how he thought his administration would be viewed historically, replied, "Oh history! We'll all be dead by then." Others don't share that dismissive attitude. The cover story about President Bush in the May 4, 2006 issue of "Rolling Stone" is entitled "The Worst President in History?" Similarly, President Ahmadinejad of Iran ended decades of non-communication between our two countries by sending President Bush a letter framed around this issue. Indeed, Senator Kerry could have used him as a speech writer. The Iranian President writes, "Those in power have specific time in office, and do not rule indefinitely, but their names will be recorded in history and will be constantly judged in the immediate and distant futures. The people will scrutinize our presidencies. Did we manage to bring peace, security, and prosperity for the people or insecurity and unemployment? Did we intend to establish justice, or just supported especial interest groups, and by forcing many people to live in poverty and hardship, made a few people rich and powerful---thus trading approval of the people and the Almighty with theirs? Did we defend the rights of the underprivileged or ignore them? Did we defend the rights of all people around the world or imposed wars on them, interfered illegally in their affairs, established hellish prisons and incarcerated some of them? Did we bring the world peace and security or raised the specter of intimidation and threats? Did we tell the truth to our nation and others around the world or presented an inverted version of it? Were we on the side of people or the occupiers and oppressors? Did our administration set out to promote rational behaviour, logic, ethics, peace, fulfilling obligations, justice, service to the people, prosperity, progress and respect for human dignity or the force of guns, intimidation, insecurity, disregard for the people, delaying the progress and excellence of other nations, and trample on people's rights? And finally, they will judge us on whether we remained true to our oath of office---to serve the people, which is our main task, and the traditions of the prophets---or not?"