Iran tries, fails, to join space age just yet

It looks like Iran tried to launch a satellite recently, but it exploded or otherwise failed during the second stage firing 100 miles above the Earth. I am, in general, supportive of other nations joining those of us who are space-faring. However, in this case I'm a little concerned. I think the U.S. government has grossly over-propogandized the threat of Iran -- which in itself is a problem, since the White House can now use the idea of a space-going Iran as yet another chance to rattle sabers against them -- but I am no fan of the current President, Ahmadinejad, who is a holocaust denier and no fan of Jews. The Space Race against the Soviets in the 1950s was a legitimate one: those who controlled space could control the planet. I have no joy in hearing that a country run by a madman is capable of launching satellites ...