The day before Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad leaves for New York, a parade was held in Iran’s capital, Tehran. It was simply lovely. Take special note of the “Down With USA” and “Down with Israel” banners flying proudly above themilitary parade as Ahmadinejad presides from the official’s platform.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, 3rd left, and other dignitaries watch as military jeeps of the Iran Revolutionary Guards carry anti U.S. and anti Israel slogans during large-scale military parades to mark the 27th anniversary of the Iraqi invasion of Iran that sparked the bloody 1980-88 war, in Tehran, Iran on Saturday Sept. 22, 2007. (AP Photo/Hasan Sarbakhshian)

Now he’s on to New York to speak at the UN, protected by our Secret Service, give a speech at Columbia University and talk at a luncheon at the National Press Club. And he almost went to Ground Zero.