In a move that has stunned New York , the Bloomberg administration is in discussions to escort the Iranian president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, to ground zero during his visit to New York next week, Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said today.
The Iranian mission to the U.N. made the request to the New York City Police Department and the Secret Service, who will jointly oversee security during the president’s two-day visit. Mr. Ahmadinejad is scheduled to arrive September 24 to speak to the U.N. General Assembly as the Security Council decides whether to increase sanctions against Iran for its uranium enrichment program.
Mr. Kelly said the NYPD and Secret Service were in discussions with the Iranian mission about the logistics for the possible visit, and whether it will take place at all. He said Mr. Ahmadinejad would not be allowed to descend into the pit for safety reasons related to ongoing construction there.
“There has been some interest expressed in his visiting the area,” Mr. Kelly said. “It’s something that we are prepared to handle if in fact it does happen.”
Mr. Kelly said that Mr. Ahmadinejad had not indicated why he wants to visit the site of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
Iran has been called the world’s “most active state sponsor of terrorism” by the U.S. State Department.
Gov. Romney had this to say about it:
“Ahmadinejad’s shockingly audacious request should be met with a vehement no. It’s inconceivable that any consideration would be given to the idea of entertaining the leader of a state sponsor of terror at Ground Zero. This would deeply offend the sensibilities of Americans from all corners of our nation. Instead of entertaining Ahmadinejad, we should be indicting him.”
If you were ever really serious about it-you can kiss you presidential ambitions goodbye now Mike…
Update One: Here is Hizzoner’s statement:
“Under no circumstances should the NYPD or any other American authority assist President Ahmadinejad in visiting Ground Zero. This is a man who has made threats against America and Israel, is harboring Bin Laden’s son and other al-Qaeda leaders, is shipping arms to Iraqi insurgents and is pursuing the development of nuclear weapons. Assisting Ahmadinejad in touring Ground Zero – hallowed ground for all Americans – is outrageous.”
Update Two: Here is FDT’s statement:
“It is an insult to the memories of those who died on 9/11 at the hands of terrorists, and those who have fought terrorism for years, to allow the president of the world’s top state sponsor of terrorism to step foot at ground zero. Iran is responsible for supplying weapons and supporting extremist who are killing U.S. forces in Iraq and Afghanistan to this very day.”
Update Three: NYPD to Mamoud, “NOPE!“
September 19th, 2007 at 3:34 pm
Wow. Liberals are just sick.
September 19th, 2007 at 3:35 pm
Wow, Is Bloomie for real here? Maybe it is good that he switch his registration from R to I.
September 19th, 2007 at 3:40 pm
Too bad this isn’t still Rudy’s NYC.
September 19th, 2007 at 3:50 pm
Good to see Romney with the fast reaction.
It’s a total insult for those who died at the hands of terrorist to be visited by one of largest sponsors of terror.
September 19th, 2007 at 3:50 pm
At one time Rudy gave a terrorist (Gerry Adams) a humanitarian award. So Rudy supporters ought to be consistent here.
Bloomie could recoup this if he escorts Ahmadinejad to Ground Zero and pushes him in the “pit”.
September 19th, 2007 at 4:00 pm
Maybe Bloomie is setting up at trap at ground zero and Ahmadinejad is walking into it like a persian duck.
September 19th, 2007 at 4:12 pm
…
September 19th, 2007 at 4:15 pm
Mayor Rudy Giuliani has released the following statement on Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad:
“Under no circumstances should the NYPD or any other American authority assist President Ahmadinejad in visiting Ground Zero. This is a man who has made threats against America and Israel, is harboring Bin Laden’s son and other al-Qaeda leaders, is shipping arms to Iraqi insurgents and is pursuing the development of nuclear weapons. Assisting Ahmadinejad in touring Ground Zero – hallowed ground for all Americans – is outrageous.”
September 19th, 2007 at 4:21 pm
[...] HT to Kavon of race42008.com. [...]
September 19th, 2007 at 4:21 pm
Unbelievable.
Bloomberg just gave America his answer as far as whether or not he plans to run for
the Presidential Nomination in 2008: “To all Republicans, Democrats and Independents:
No!”
September 19th, 2007 at 4:23 pm
I can’t believe this is being allowed to happen, it sickens me as an American. How
come only Mitt has voiced is displeasure!
Check out what Mitt stated yesterday:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4GGxIsvA5M
This tyrant shouldn’t be allowed on American soil!!
September 19th, 2007 at 4:25 pm
Ray- Thompson’s spokeswoman is quoted in the article as well.
September 19th, 2007 at 4:32 pm
#12 Nate,
Sorry, I didn’t see that. I think every candidate should personally speak out against this Democrats included!
September 19th, 2007 at 4:35 pm
in my best yoda voice:
politically tone deaf this is
September 19th, 2007 at 4:36 pm
Bloomberg should escort Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to within an inch of the Ground Zero site, and then have a squadron of NYPD officers who served on 9/11 surround him and arrest him for war crimes against American troops in Iraq.
September 19th, 2007 at 4:37 pm
haha, it’ll be VERY funny to see how Barrak “i’ll meet with any foreign thug” Obama responds to this.
September 19th, 2007 at 4:45 pm
I haven’t had time to look for a statement from Thompson. So I might’ve missed it.
September 19th, 2007 at 4:50 pm
Here’s the quote from Karen Hanretty, who is now a spokeswoman for Thompson:
“It is an insult to the memories of those who died on 9/11 at the hands of terrorists, and those who have fought terrorism for years, to allow the president of the world’s top state sponsor of terrorism to step foot at ground zero. Iran is responsible for supplying weapons and supporting extremist who are killing U.S. forces in Iraq and Afghanistan to this very day.”
September 19th, 2007 at 4:51 pm
Quote:
At one time Rudy gave a terrorist (Gerry Adams) a humanitarian award. So Rudy supporters ought to be consistent here.
How many American buildings did Gerry Adams blow up? How many Americans did he kill?
September 19th, 2007 at 4:52 pm
Thanks, Aron. I’ve been editing a post, which I’ll hold off on for a little while before publishing, so everyone can get a chance to read this one first.
September 19th, 2007 at 4:52 pm
“haha, it’ll be VERY funny to see how Barrak “i’ll meet with any foreign thug†Obama responds to this.”
One of two ways:
Obama: “I pledge to take Ahmadinejad on THREE trips to Ground Zero, within my first 100 days as President!”
or
Obama: “If we have actionable intelligence that the dangerous, genocidal President of Iran is in New York City, and Mayor Bloomberg won’t nuke his own city, then I will!”
Either would seem to be rational statements for Obama based on what he’s said in his campaign so far.
September 19th, 2007 at 4:55 pm
“How many American buildings did Gerry Adams blow up? How many Americans did he kill?”
A terrorist is a terrorist. Adams was bad enough for Bush to consider him a terrorist, it should be the same for Rudy.
September 19th, 2007 at 4:59 pm
Too bad Rudy isn’t still Mayor over there in NYC. If he doesn’t win the presidency or get Secretary of Defense, he should go back and reclaim NYC – Bloomberg isn’t going to get reelected now!
September 19th, 2007 at 5:00 pm
I don’t think that Gerry Adams should be put on the same level as our Iranian buddy, but still, that is disturbing news about the past.
September 19th, 2007 at 5:06 pm
The answer, Mahmoud, is NO!
City Rejects Iranian President’s Bid To Visit WTC Site
http://www.ny1.com/ny1/content/index.jsp?stid=1&aid=73789
September 19th, 2007 at 5:09 pm
Absolutely outlandish. But, not terribly surprising. Bloomberg is an anti-American liberal to the very core of his being.
September 19th, 2007 at 5:10 pm
Mayor a possibility for Secretary of Defense? Surly you jest!
September 19th, 2007 at 5:11 pm
Lets try that again…
Rudy a possibility for Secretary of Defense? Surly you jest!
September 19th, 2007 at 5:12 pm
This is a POLITICAL STUNT by Ahmedinajad. He wants to feign remorse for terrorist attacks in order to put him in better standing with the U.N. so that he won’t get more sanctions. That is my guess.
This FAKE AND SORRY ATTEMPT to soften the hearts of the West against him makes me sick.
http://FamiliesForRomney.blogspot.com
September 19th, 2007 at 5:15 pm
where is Rudy or McCain’s response????? Iran will use this as a PR stunt against America.
September 19th, 2007 at 5:17 pm
ilfigo, Rudy’s response is on his website. Don’t think McCain has posted one yet.
September 19th, 2007 at 5:19 pm
Re: sampo #16
One of two ways:
“I pledge to take Ahmadinejad on THREE trips to Ground Zero, within my first 100 days in office!”
or…
“If we have actionable intelligence that the genocidal, terrorist President of Iran is in New York City, and Mayor Bloomberg won’t nuke New York City to get him, then I will!”
September 19th, 2007 at 5:19 pm
Re: sampo #16
Either,
“I pledge to take Ahmadinejad on THREE trips to Ground Zero, within my first 100 days in office!”
or…
“If we have actionable intelligence that the genocidal, terrorist President of Iran is in New York City, and Mayor Bloomberg won’t nuke New York City to get him, then I will!”
September 19th, 2007 at 5:23 pm
This report is in error. He’s not touring Ground Zero. The NYPD said no.
September 19th, 2007 at 5:32 pm
ilfigo,
See post #8.
September 19th, 2007 at 5:34 pm
The NYPD is not letting him, or he has never requested a visit?
September 19th, 2007 at 5:36 pm
#33, he requested, NYPD said no.
September 19th, 2007 at 6:29 pm
I really don’t think this is going to happen. It says he is going to escort him to ground zero. Escort is right! He’ll be mobbed by NYC.
Too bad Mitt is such a phony. He really sounds reasonable here.
September 19th, 2007 at 7:58 pm
M.T.: ‘I really don’t think this is going to happen. It says he is going to escort him to ground zero. Escort is right! He’ll be mobbed by NYC.’
By the people? The liberals in NYC will love him, because he stands up to the evil Chimperator Bushitler. Can you imagine what headlines that may yield in Iran? “President Ahmadinejad Gets Welcomed By Victims of 9/11″ – with 12 pictures.
‘Too bad Mitt is such a phony. He really sounds reasonable here.’
I thought you supported Romney?
September 19th, 2007 at 8:30 pm
#35, 36 Oh please, from the beginning Romney has been tough on terrorism. Let’s not forget that it was Romney that denied state protection to Mohammed Khatami (Iran’s former president) last September, he came to the USA to speak at Harvard. romney had the sense then to deny Iran of any special privileges, and he has the sense now.
http://FamiliesForRomney.blogspot.com
September 19th, 2007 at 8:45 pm
Is there any way we can charge Bloomberg with treason or whatever, for being supportive of a terrorist? And do we know if there has been any response from Democratic side of this race?
September 19th, 2007 at 10:02 pm
Romney blogger: ‘Let’s not forget that it was Romney that denied state protection to Mohammed Khatami (Iran’s former president) last September, he came to the USA to speak at Harvard. ‘
I haven’t forgotten that. But he did that when he was considering a run for the presidency, while Giulaini disposed of Castro and Arafat when no one was watching. I think I’ll trust Giuliani more on this one, if you don’t mind.
September 19th, 2007 at 10:44 pm
Awakened,
You are in rare form today. I find your posts quite hilarious. Mostly true. Some I disagree with.
Of course I’m a Romney supporter man. I was just having a little fun at Sampo and Metro’s expense.
BTW, My Dad used his belt frequently, and he never cried. But maybe he wanted to, who knows.
September 19th, 2007 at 10:49 pm
Romney Blogger,
You haven’t been around my posts much. I’m a huge Romney supporter. I was using sarcasm at Sampo and Metro’s expense. They are always calling him a phoney. Just pointing out how rational he is on this issue.
September 19th, 2007 at 10:51 pm
Awakened,
#39 I think you should give Romney his due here. Granted Guliani deserves credit too.
September 19th, 2007 at 11:00 pm
M.T.: ‘Of course I’m a Romney supporter man. I was just having a little fun at Sampo and Metro’s expense.’
Heh, you had me worried for a second.
‘BTW, My Dad used his belt frequently, and he never cried. But maybe he wanted to, who knows.’
My father never beat me, and he also never cried. Maybe that’s why I’m this insufferable, I was never really disciplined.
‘I think you should give Romney his due here. Granted Guliani deserves credit too.’
Oh, absolutely. But you know what they say: a person’s morality can be determined by what he does when no one is watching. Romney did the right thing when everyone was watching, which is good. Ousting Arafat when no one was really watching, was even better.
September 19th, 2007 at 11:05 pm
Awakened,
OK, you win.
September 20th, 2007 at 3:30 pm
Awakened – it’s very interesting that you’re able to read Mitt’s motives. But I forgot,
you are the “awakened one.”
What you don’t know is all the good things Mitt has done when noone was looking (except
God).
I’m not going to say you are arrogant, but you sound like you are.
September 21st, 2007 at 3:24 pm
The WTC has been used as a symbol to start two major wars that have led to large scale terror by the USA. I can’t see how Americans can be fooled into thinking that Iran is sponsoring terror or that they are terrorists like the Bush-led government. Americans should try listening to people before condemning them based on lies from American politicians.
June 30th, 2009 at 4:30 am
check mine out……
keep up the good work man…….