A scene from Iran's army day parade in April 2008 (Majid/Getty)

To sanction or not to sanction?  The question of  the week, the summer, or the year.  Economic sanctions on Iran seemed like more of a long shot last week, than they do today.  I spent  last week covering the anti- Ahmadinejad protests in New York City.  There was a huge turnout, fueled by emotion, passion, and dedication.  There were Iranians, Americans, Canadians, Europeans, people traveled from everywhere, just to hold signs and participate in a historic couple of days.  As an observer, you would think there would be one message from the protesters, but there wasn’t.  There was infighting amongst the protesters because of their different views on the situation.

Some protesters believe the best way to engage Iran is through the issue of human rights.  These same protesters are saying no to economic sanctions, and no to military aggression…ultimately they think Iranians can change the regime on their own.  There is also another group of protesters who say no to the Islamic Republic, a very controversial platform, while others just say no to a nuclear Iran, “peaceful” or not.  Those that advocate a dialogue on human rights are made up of more Iranian-Americans who reference the nuances of Iran’s current government and media, stressing the ability of these institutions to twist messages from the west to their own benefit.  Ultimately, they say the less “political” our message, the less likely  Iran’s government can convince Iranians that these “protesters” are connected with organizations that  are not concerned with the best interests of Iran.  This tactic has been used over and over by Iran’s government and could very well be used yet again, when economic sanctions are increased.

Right now, the target of proposed economic sanctions by the world powers on Iran, is the government.  But, some say the government won’t necessarily be effected, it will be the Iranians themselves who on average make $10,000/year.  Yes, the economic sanctions will further cripple an already troubled economy, increase unemployment, and drive prices even higher, but the sanctions may also do something the sanctioners can not predict.  The sanctions could very well unify the Iranian people and the government against the world powers.  In an effort to save face amidst failed economic policies, sanctions can be the “fall guy” for the Iranian government versus criticism of their own economic programs.  It’s something to think about…So, I ask you…

In watching Ann Curry’s partial interview with Iran’s President Ahmadinejad, I learned, well, very little.  I learned Ann Curry looks like she could pass for an Iranian woman ( a halfy), I have learned Ahmadinejad’s feet barely touch the floor when he sits on a chair (it looks like he is sitting in one of those oversize chairs from the 80’s or Tom Hank’s loft apartment in “Big”) and I have learned, while Ann Curry can repeatedly ask a pressing question in a soft spoken voice, Ahmadinejad can avoid that very question right back at her with a soft spoken voice and a smile.

So, I wonder is there even a point to interviewing Ahmadinejad?  As a journalist, and an Iranian-American journalist at that, getting an interview with Iran’s controversial President could be quite a score.  But, then I wonder, is there a point?  I have watched Mike Wallace, Christiane Amanpour, and now Ann Curry interview Iran’s President.  Every time, its the same thing.  Question from interviewer…pause…Pres A’s answer….pause…Interviewer repeats question…Pres A’s squinty smile, subtle answer…Interviewer repeats question yet again, and may crack a ( you little… smile)…Pres A…smile and answers “you’ll make it what you want anyway, so what’s the point.”

Here’s the thing, we can criticize the journalist for not asking the right questions or not pressing hard anough.  But, in the end I am beginning to think it won’t make a difference no matter how hard you push.  Ahmadinejad will continue to give his squinty smile and in the end if blamed for something he said, merely blame it on editing.  As someone who has been to the country on a press pass, Iran fears the evil of editing, as so many reality stars do, or for that matter don’t do.

Maybe, the only solution to this problem, would be to ask the questions that are not as “sexy” to the American audience but certainly important and crucial to figuring out the man behind the controversy.  Maybe asking questions about Iran’s revolutionary guard, Iran’s supposed “Third revolution,”  or the alleged internal split between Ahmadinejad and Khamenei.  What’s becoming more crucial to understand about Iran is its internal politics, because I can assure you, Ahamdinejad’s reaction to the “nuclear question” and the election, will be the same.  Let’s think outside the box, but that may mean  A. never scoring an interview in Iran again, and B. bad ratings.

I was watching a CBS news piece on Obama’s education speech and at one point they cut to a soundbite where a guy says “I will not let my kids watch this speech…in an Orwellian kind of way  they’re saying ‘how can u help Obama.’”  I also logged on to Facebook to find out from my former 4th grade teacher (yes I am friends with her on facebook) that my own school district located just outside of Manhattan will not be broadcasting the speech.  All I have to say is “wtf!!???”  The word socialist is being thrown around, a word I believe is used too often, out of context and for all the wrong reasons…meaning there are many people out there who don’t truly know the meaning of socialism, yours included.  But, all those in opposition of this speech must have forgotten that this is  not the first time a sitting President has made an educational address at the beginning of a school year.

So, let’s review the speech and see just how damaging this speech will be for American school children.  Obama spends the first few paragraphs of the speech establishing the fact that he was once a kid, he gets how much it sucks that summer is over and early days are here again, and he transitions to parental, school, and self responsibility.  No “socialist or Orwellian” agenda in sight so far.  But, then, the real “agenda” begins to emerge…wait for it…taking responsibility for yourself.

But at the end of the day, we can have the most dedicated teachers, the most supportive parents, and the best schools in the world – and none of it will matter unless all of you fulfill your responsibilities. Unless you show up to those schools; pay attention to those teachers; listen to your parents, grandparents and other adults; and put in the hard work it takes to succeed.

Then, he goes on to emphasize the importance of an education and finding what you are good at through that education.

And no matter what you want to do with your life – I guarantee that you’ll need an education to do it. You want to be a doctor, or a teacher, or a police officer? You want to be a nurse or an architect, a lawyer or a member of our military? You’re going to need a good education for every single one of those careers. You can’t drop out of school and just drop into a good job. You’ve got to work for it and train for it and learn for it.

And this isn’t just important for your own life and your own future. What you make of your education will decide nothing less than the future of this country. What you’re learning in school today will determine whether we as a nation can meet our greatest challenges in the future.

The thought that the President of the United States is actually asking children”to do all that they can do,” or “be all that they can be,” please clarify which part of this speech is supposed to be socialist or Orwellian?  Is it that he goes on to recognize that you have to work hard to be good at things, that you may not be good at first, but to go back to that phrase we all know well…”if at first you don’t succeed try and try again.” Then, Obama goes on to encourage curiosity…”do not be afraid to ask questions, don’t be afraid to ask for help…it’s a sign of strength.”  ( a lesson I often forget)  His final thoughts challenge students to be better, to hold themselves accountable, and stay in school…a phrase all of us have heard over and over again. There is nothing socialist or Orwellian about any of this address, and in fact should be viewed as a way to inspire and include kids in rebuilding a nation that has been through some very tough times.

It’s the story of students who sat where you sit 250 years ago, and went on to wage a revolution and found this nation. Students who sat where you sit 75 years ago who overcame a Depression and won a world war; who fought for civil rights and put a man on the moon. Students who sat where you sit 20 years ago who founded Google, Twitter and Facebook and changed the way we communicate with each other.

So today, I want to ask you, what’s your contribution going to be? What problems are you going to solve? What discoveries will you make? What will a president who comes here in twenty or fifty or one hundred years say about what all of you did for this country?

Your families, your teachers, and I are doing everything we can to make sure you have the education you need to answer these questions. I’m working hard to fix up your classrooms and get you the books, equipment and computers you need to learn. But you’ve got to do your part too. So I expect you to get serious this year. I expect you to put your best effort into everything you do. I expect great things from each of you. So don’t let us down – don’t let your family or your country or yourself down. Make us all proud. I know you can do it.

So, of those that are against airing this speech or hearing what the President has to say…I ask you…”why do you feel so threatened?”  I am genuinely curious, because I cannot come up with an answer on my own.  It makes zero sense.