"Moderate" is a word that has ceased to have much meaning. As in "moderate president of Iran."
The new president of Iran is named Hassan Rouhani, and much of the media have labeled him as a moderate. But Rouhani was part of a slate of candidates approved by the radical clerics who actually determine policy in Iran, like nuclear policy.
Rouhani has a track record of radicalism. He has a smiling, benign face, but he is no moderate. The Ayatollahs like him because he can be used to persuade the easily duped that Iran is moderating while it continues full steam ahead building nuclear weapons.
Rouhani may not sound as belligerent as Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, but you know that old line about putting lipstick on a pig, don't you? It's still a pig and Rouhani is still a radical who believes in the same things the ruling Ayatollahs believe. And they are no moderates.
I'm Cal Thomas in Washington.
Publication date: June 19, 2013
