Which leaves it up to us to imagine what was said. And when asked to imagine something, I accept without blinking. Which explains the transcript below of Palin's meeting with Afghanistan's leader, Harmid Karzai.
Since they won't tell us what the two discussed, then here's what I say they said. Now I would be delighted to correct this version if the McCain campaign sends me a tape of the actual meeting. Otherwise, I enter this into the public record as the only known public version of that meeting.
(Palin is led into the room where Harmid Karzai was waiting.)
KARZAI: (Shaking her hand and pointing to the chair.) "Nice to meet you too, Ms. Palin. Please, please sit down.
PALIN: "So, you run a country. That must be SO exciting. You know I'll be running a country too this January.
KARZAI: "Ah yes, yes I am the current president of Afghanistan."
PALIN: "Afghanistan! That must be SO interesting! Hamid -- oh, can I call you Hamid?"
KARZAI: "Of course."
PALIN: "Ham-mid ... well, isn't that a different name. What nationality is that?"
KARZAI: "It's a traditional Afghan name. And it's a quite common name in my country."
PALIN: "So there are lots of Hamids in Afghanistan ... how nice for you!"
So, Hamid, I hear we Americans have something very important in common with your people. Of course I'm referring to all the trouble everyone is having all of a sudden with those Mooselums."
KARZAI: "Ah, well, Ms. Palin, but I am sure you know that most of the people in my country are Muslim. It's our national religion."
PALIN: "Well, I'm hearing something there I like a lot, Hamid. A national religion! Fantastic. Our national religion is Christianity, you know. But tell me, if all of you are Mooselums, why are you are having so much trouble with Mooselums?"
KARZAI: "There are many different factions and beliefs within Islam. A minority are fundamentalist who believe anyone who does not believe the same things they believe are against Allah and the Koran and should die. "
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