TV challenge for Bush

After condemning both the US and British governments for their positions and – highly questionable – performances in dealing with global issues "since World War Two", Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has invited the leader of the world's most powerful nation, that's George W Bush, to a televised debate.

Referring to the advantage of authority that Bush and Blair currently share as "the origin of all disturbances in the world", Ahmadinejad today suggested addressing these issues and talking about ways in which to solve them:

"Isn't it time that international relations are founded on democracy and equal rights of the nations?"

He added that the live debate should be uncensored "in order for the American people to be able to listen to what we say, and they [the US] should not restrict the American people from hearing the truth."

Oh dear.

It's not the first time that the American president has been challenged in such a way. When Saddam made a similar proposal back in 2003, UK newspaper the Guardian ran a piece by Tim Dowling aptly titled: The Saddam and George Show – a satirical take on what might happen should such a televised debate take place.

And who could forget the US presidential debates in the election run-up of 2004, as attentive viewers of the first televised discussion with Democrat John Kerry encouraged speculation that Bush was receiving help, via an earpiece, with answering his questions.

A great many reports were soon bouncing around the net - more than Bush could shake a golf club at, in fact - that the president was assisted (possibly by campaign leader and 'political advisor' Karl Rove) after a 'peculiar rectangular bulge' was spotted beneath his jacket.

No, as much as I would like to see Bush openly answering questions – minus the 'bulge' – alongside one of the Middle East's most controversial speakers, I'm not sure what good will come. I guess one question might be cleared up if things do turn ugly; we may find out whether or not Iran has any nuclear weapons capabilities.