One small step forward, six big steps backward.

Submitted by Mike L. (United States), Jan 6, 2013 at 15:06

In terms of presenting the rational viewpoint, I'd have to say it came out as one step forward and six steps backward, at least.

The host and his other guest speakers were totally anti-American anti-Israel in their comments. The questions were all set-ups, as they became a pretext for negative statements in themselves. The pro-Iran side even got to plug some other anti-American authors, another step backward.

But now being able to pretend evenhandedness in allowing Daniel Pipes to speak freely, they can falsely claim a pretense at balance, which gives their government-controlled press undeserved credibility. That may be the biggest step backward of all, and sadly ironic, in that Iran has just announced a way to filter, control, and monitor social networks entering their country. All while pretending to discuss "free speech."

Throw in the fact that English is a very minority language in Iran, and we can presume how their government-paid interpreters will modify statements - another negative.

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