Ahmadinejad shows signs of chronic disconnects

Amid protests against his visit, Iran President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad spoke at Columbia University in New York on September 24, 2007. (Photo by Stephen Chernin/AP)

I'm no expert on Iran issues--actually, I'm hardly at expert at anything--and I haven't been following the political career of Iran President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, but I feel compelled to point something out about him.

He has a really bad haircut. That's a problem, if you ask me.

Another problem is that he lies--a lot, and in the most blatant ways.

Last week at a presidential debate, Ahmadinejad told CNN's Chief International Correspondent Christiane Amanpour that Iran is "the most stable country in the world."

Right.

Could he be that ignorant or is he playing dumb?

Let's not forget this is the same guy who when asked about his country's mistreatment of homosexuals (during his speech at Columbia University in 2007) insisted that there are no gays in Iran--none--and that homosexuality is an American problem.

People in the audience laughed in his face, and the media had a field day with his outrageous remarks.

Whether he's completely deluded and out of touch with reality or he simply chooses to tell ridiculous lies that insult the intellect of others, is hard to say.

Perhaps he believes "I say it; therefore, it is."

Granted, all politicians lie, but Ahmadinejad doesn't even try to make his lies sound true.

Maybe he lacks the sophistication and experience of politicians in other countries who are better at lying, or maybe he doesn't give a fuck about the truth or being caught lying.

So while I lack the knowledge to offer an educated opinion about Iran's political development, common sense dictates that someone who is disconnected to what separates fact from fiction and who shows such disregard for honest or semi-honest communication is not someone one would want as a leader.

Common sense transcends expertise on any subject, if you ask me.

Same-sex partners of fed workers to get benefits

Right: President Obama (Photo source unknown)

It's good news for gays.

President Barack Obama is extending benefits to same-sex partners of federal employees.

Obama plans to make the announcement in the Oval Office Wednesday, a White House official who spoke on the condition of anonymity said Tuesday.

The decision is a political nod to a reliably Democratic voting bloc that in recent weeks has grown frustrated with the White House's slow movement on their priorities.

Several powerful gay fundraisers withdrew their support from a June 25 Democratic National Committee event where Vice President Joe Biden is expected to speak. Their exit came in response to a June 12 Justice Department brief that defended the Defense of Marriage Act, a prime target for gay and lesbian criticism. Justice lawyers argued that the law allowed states to reject marriages performed in other states or countries that defy their own standards.

The legal arguments, including citing incest and sex with minors, sparked rebellion among gay and lesbian activists who had been largely biting their tongues since Obama won election. They had objected to the Rev. Rick Warren's invitation to participate in the inauguration despite his support for repealing gay marriage in California.

Gays and lesbians later fretted as the White House declined to intervene in the cases of enlisted military members facing courts martial for defying the Clinton-era "don't ask, don't tell" policies. White House officials say they want Congress to repeal the policy as part of a "lasting and durable" solution, instead of intervening on individual cases.

In the meantime, the administration has tried to make small, quiet moves to extend benefits to gays and lesbians. The State Department has promised to give partners of gay and lesbian diplomats many benefits, such as diplomatic passports and language training.

Gay and lesbian activists had expected Obama to take action some time in June, which is gay pride month.

Sources: The Associated Press, Reuters
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