September 26, 2007

Well, we’ve heard him, the tiny dictator of Iran speaking at Columbia University and the United Nations. Was anyone in doubt as to his views? He started by asking God to bring to light the Islamic messiah. That would be the guy who is living in a well since the 11th or 12th century.

Amadinejad has said he believes he is God’s instrument to reveal the Islamic messiah and that he will also be God’s instrument in ushering in Armageddon. The last time he spoke at the UN, he claims people told him they saw a glow around his face, reminding them of an angel.

This is not a crackpot. It would be dangerous to see him as such. He has studied us and our ways and he finds us weak. His performances in America were not designed to convert us to his way of thinking, but to elevate his stature in Iran and throughout the Islamic world. He will be seen as standing up to the Great Satan.

This is political theater and Ahmadinajad is playing his part for all it’s worth. He’s getting more attention than President Bush and his calls for an end to dictatorship and tyranny; which is precisely what he wants.

Cal Thomas is a nationally syndicated columnist based in Washington, D.C.