UTTERLY PATHETIC - AT 5:19 P.M. ET:  The United States has chosen to commemorate September 11, 2001, in the way that the Obama administration knows best - by capitulation and appeasement. 

Earlier this week the Iranian government "responded" to Obama's calls for engagement on its nuclear program by saying it was prepared to discuss a host of international issues...but not that.

And the American response?  We accept.  We accept, of course, along with other nations for whom appeasement is, hey, no problem.  The AP reports.  Airsickness pills required:

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The United States and five partner countries have accepted Iran's new offer to hold talks, even though Iran insists it will not negotiate over its disputed nuclear program, the State Department said Friday.

Even the AP seems a bit embarrassed, and that takes real doing.

Department spokesman P.J. Crowley told reporters that although Iran's proposal for international talks -- presented to the six powers on Wednesday -- was disappointing for sidestepping the nuclear issue, it represented a chance to begin a direct dialogue.

Oh please.  We're absolutely crawling to these thugs.  A chance to begin a dialogue?  The Europeans have been "dialoguing" with Tehran for six years, without any progress.  Will there be any different result because The One is in the White House?

''We are seeking a meeting now based on the Iranian paper to see what Iran is prepared to do,'' Crowley said. ''And then, as the president has said, you know, if Iran responds to our interest in a meeting, we'll see when that can occur. We hope that will occur as soon as possible.''

Talk to us, Ahmadinejad.  Don't take time out to kill more of your own citizens.  Just talk to us.  There could be a set of DVDs in it for you.  Pretty please?

Crowley said Iran's lack of interest in addressing its nuclear program is not a reason to refuse to talk.

''If we have talks, we will plan to bring up the nuclear issue,'' he said.

Well don't bring it up too early in the day and ruin the atmosphere, okay? 

Are all you readers taking those airsickness pills?

'If Iran dissembles in the future, as it has in the past, then we will draw conclusions from that,'' he said.

And we will send an angry letter!

Crowley said the administration will, between now and December, assess where it's diplomatic approach stands. Iran's willingness to deal with the nuclear issues in the proposed new talks will be part of that assessment, he said.

Utterly pathetic.  In December the Iranians will do something to cause us to "review" our position and extend the talks.  Meanwhile, the centrifuges are spinning in Iran.

This makes Jimmah Carter look like a hawk.

Our policy is coming from the White House.  The president of the United States is an embarrassment.  The sad fact is, though, that this policy will get plenty of support in the foreign-policy establishment and the in-the-tank media. 

September 11, 2009