SoS Kerry's holiday message to Iran

[karynnj]

From the State Department twitter read:

Message to the Iranian People on Nowruz

It’s a privilege to join President Obama in sending warm wishes for health and prosperity to the people of Iran and all those who celebrate Nowruz around the world.

As you gather with your loved ones around the Sofreh Haft-Seen, we are proud to note that many Americans will join you in celebrating Nowruz. This year, we are once again reminded of the outstanding contributions of Iranian-Americans and Iranian students here in the United States, which reflect the rich history of your culture. I am proud of the Iranian-Americans in my own family, and grateful for how they have enriched my life.

Despite the difficult history of the last decades between the United States and Iran, there is an opportunity to work diplomatically to reduce tensions and address the mistrust between our two countries, to the mutual benefit of both of our people. As President Obama has said, we are strongly committed to resolving the differences between Iran and the United States, and continuing to work toward a new day in our relationship. We sincerely hope Iran’s leaders choose to fulfill their obligations to not only the international community but also to their people so that Iran can begin to take its proper place in the community of nations, and the Iranian people can have access to the same opportunities and freedoms enjoyed by others around the world.

Just last month, Americans and Iranians came together to demonstrate outstanding sportsmanship and camaraderie on the wrestling mats in Tehran. On this Nowruz, we would like to reaffirm our desire to continue building strong people-to-people ties to promote greater understanding, peace, and progress.

May this New Year be filled with a renewed sense of hope and a new commitment to peace and fundamental freedoms. On behalf of the United States, we extend our best wishes for a joyous and prosperous New Year.

Nowruzetoon Mobarak!http://www.uspolicy.be/headline/kerrys-message-iranian-people-nowruz

[ucrdem]

1. Classy.

"Despite the difficult history of the last decades between the United States and Iran, there is an opportunity to work diplomatically to reduce tensions and address the mistrust between our two countries, to the mutual benefit of both of our people. "

More and more I'm glad he took this job.

[Mass]

2. Well, the far right is finally catching up and

shocked that Vanessa's husband is Iranian American. (I was wondering if one of the idiots would bring it during the hearing, but even the most idiotic of them did not go there). According to some far nuts publication (you can find it easily, I will not link it here), this is a sign he is not a good American (go figure).

[JI7]

3. i remember when they went crazy over his meeting with Khatami

it wasn't just the far right bachmann types either.

[karynnj]

4. I am surprised that it took them this long

and I am very happy that Kerry wrote what he did. It was interesting that no paper noted this when they married - even though it was easily found.

It is pathetic that they would have a problem with Dr Kerry marrying a brain surgeon and the links found by google are completely stupid.

The good thing is that SoS Kerry will never again run for office (though I certainly don't think it would have been an issue if he would have stayed in the Senate and ran again) and Vanessa is not likely to enter politics.

I think it could actually help Kerry if there is ever a point where he could help Iran step away from the cliff and join the world.

[Mass]

5. Pathetic and absolutely ridiculous.

Their criteria would exclude a bunch of people from politics. (Does Rubio have family in Cuba, for example?).

[karynnj]

6. and Ted Cruz

Last edited Sun Mar 31, 2013, 04:42 PM - Edit history (1)

f Ted Cruz was a liberal Democrat, his own father's anti Batista efforts would have been conflated with Castro's anti Batista revolt. Does he have family left in Cuba?


Incidentally, I went to the Iranian government site where the RW was angry that they posted photos of the couple, and what I saw was different than there observations. Most of the photos have been shown on DU JK and they include many that really make Kerry seem a nice, family man. They had the photo from Vanessa's wedding, the photo where Vanessa and Cam were with JK and THK when Justice Kagan swore him in, there was a nice photo of Kerry holding a happy Jack Edwards with the 2004 ticket together, and the photo from Faneuil Hall sitting with Vanessa - both with the same smile - from when he gave the health care speech in 2006.

I can't read Farsi, so I have no idea what they wrote - but it is very likely a positive look at the history of the new SOS. We all have seen biased selections of photos - just think of the repeated awful (very few) photos of the genuinely beautiful Teresa on RW sites-- or for that matter - the selection of strange GWB photos. To me, it is interesting that the Iranians, who have called the US the "great Satan" were clearly not trying to demonize SoS Kerry.

This is NOT to say that JK will be graciously received in Tehran or that Iran is not a dangerous country, but the first step to working with another country is to move away from demonizing each other. It will take time to see if there will be any effort on Iran's part to change their actions. So far, they are still arming Hezbollah and Syria - and they have not taken the steps that would diminish the fear that they are trying to get a nuclear weapon.

To find anything, I had to google Vanessa Kerry as it doesn't seem to have gotten very much traction.