Ohio House Resolution Filed: Declares Iran's President A Bum

COLUMBUS (TDB) -- The language in House Concurrent Resolution 30 is not quite so blunt as to call Mahmoud Ahmadinejab a bum, but that is its clear intent. It condemns the Iranian president for repeatedly denying the Nazi Holocaust took place, for threatening to destroy Israel, and for oppressing homosexuals and claiming there are no gay residents in his nation. The resolution has bipartisan support with 13 Democrats and 10 Republicans signed on, and labels Iran a terrorist state.

What is interesting is that the 23 sponsors represent a blend of liberals and conservatives from across the state. On this legislation, both sides seem to agree on a need to speak out strongly against an Islamic bigot whom they accuse of financing violent groups intent of harming Americans.

"President Ahmadinejad and the regime of the Islamic Republic of Iran have for decades issued statements of hate directed at the United States and continue to fund, train and openly support terrorist groups whose goal is to target American interests around the world and to destroy Israel"

Ahmadinejad has a blog and I tried to e-mail him a copy of the resolution today to see if he had a comment. However, I could not master the process so I'm not sure if it worked, or if he'll ever see what some Ohio lawmakers are saying. Interestingly, the House resolution is supposed to be sent to the "Iranian ambassador to the United States" upon adoption. But Iran and the United States do not have diplomatic relations, so there is no ambassador in Washington. In that sense, the resolution contains an error.

No vote has been scheduled on the resolution, which is sponsored by State Rep. Tyrone Yates, D-Cincinnati, who heads the legislature's black caucus. The complete text of the measure and the list of co-sponsors is here. It denounces Ahmadinejad's denial of the Holocaust and says:

"In truth, immeasureable suffering was visited upon the Jewish people in Europe by the Nazi regime with an estimated six million Jews killes along with millions of other people of different ethnicities."

Image from Ahmadinejad's Blog

Hillary Tells AIPAC: Iran Is A REAL Danger

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- AIPAC had a big gathering in New York this weekend where Sen. Hillary Clinton strongly denounced Iran. Although she did not mention going to war -- as many have suggested President George W. Bush is planning -- Clinton used undiplomatic language and described the nation's leaders as contemptuous.

A brief item appeared on AIPAC's Web site under the headline, Sen. Clinton Calls Iran Threat to United States and Israel.

"Senator and presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) told a crowd of more than 1,700 AIPAC supporters that Iran is a danger to the United States and one of Israel's greatest threats.

"The senator's remarks took place during AIPAC's Annual New York Dinner, which included an address by Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY). Other guests included presidential candidate John Edwards, former Gov. George Pataki, several House members and at least two dozen state and local officials.

"Sen. Clinton called the Iranian administration "pro-terrorist," and said Iran's Holocaust denial places its leadership in company with the most despicable bigots and historical revisionists.

"Karnit Goldwasser, wife of kidnapped Israeli soldier Ehud Goldwasser, also addressed the dinner guests, thanking America's pro-Israel community for standing by Israel. Her husband is one of two Israeli soldiers being held captive by Hizballah."

[Ed Note: Of interest and no important note is that AIPAC called her Hillary Rodham Clinton. Who else uses "Rodham" these days? Hasn't she dropped her maiden name.]