Ethics of Tolerance in the Age of Violence

Maybe Romney is upset that he can't pronounce Ahmadinejad correctly (who can?). Perhaps he's afraid that there aren't enough of the Chargers for the Staties to drive. Or maybe he's just making another calculated move for a potential 2008 Presidential bid. Whatever the case may be, Romney has ordered to refuse all requests for security details in protection of the former Iranian president, Mohammad Khatami. A visit by Khatami has been scheduled for this Sunday, September 10 at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government. We haven't been able to uncover any evidence of a deliberate effort to make this happen on the eve of the five-year anniversary of the September 11th attacks, but it's certainly received much media mention. Despite Romney's pledge, the visit is still on schedule.

The US State Department is responsible for protecting current and former heads of state when they visit the country. The Bush administration granted Khatami a visa for this trip, where he'll be giving a number of speeches around the country. The City of Boston has offered to provide the security that might be lacking without State involvement. It's unclear how this arrangement is going to work out. The Boston Police don't have jurisdiction in Cambridge. There may be an agreement between the two cities, though we'd like to see that the Boston cops have to cease and desist when they hit the river - a scene somewhat similar to the Duke boys crossing over the Hazzard County line and having Roscoe unable to do anything but watch.

The Iranian leader, who served until 2005 when current president, Ahmadinejad, took power, will deliver his address entitled "Ethics of Tolerance in the Age of Violence" to the KSG audience. Romney's move to bar a Commonwealth security detail for the event has gotten much mixed reactions. Some tout Khatami's friendship and compassion for the US after the September 11th attacks, while others are firmly backing the Gov for his decision to stand up to a "terrorist." Whichever side you fall on, just make sure to stay clear of Harvard Square traffic on Sunday – salt in the wound is that Memorial Drive will be closed as usual on Sunday for recreation.

Wikipedia provides images of both Gov. Romney and former Iranian President Khatami