The Iranian Threat Grows

[SC400DAVE]

This Thursday, August 31st, is the deadline that the United Nations set for Iran to suspend its enrichment of uranium or face the prospect of sanctions. Yet there will be little suspense as Thursday approaches. Iran has already given its answer: defiance and delay.

Last week, Iran stated that while it would be open to further talks, it will not halt its uranium enrichment as a precondition to these talks.

Even more ominously, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad formally inaugurated a heavy-water nuclear reactor outside of Tehran. Nuclear experts note that heavy-water facilities are useful for producing nuclear weapons since they produce plutonium. In fact, even in the unlikely event that Iran were to agree to suspend uranium enrichment down the road, it would still be able to produce nuclear warheads from the plutonium they extract from this heavy water reactor.

Why is Iran so confidently thumbing its nose at the United States and our European allies? The Iranians know that Russia and China sit on the UN Security Council and have the power to veto any sanctions against Iran. And, in the words of the editor of one of Iran’s leading newspapers, the Iranians believe that, “After the defeat of Israel by Hezbollah forces, China and Russia should not want to leave the side that won the war, which is the Islamic world.”

And so it goes in the Middle East. Weakness, even the perception of weakness, invites aggression. The Iranians believes that the Judeo-Christian nations are not serious. They think we lack resolve and are in retreat. They think they are marching towards victory.

It is thus crucial that the United States and Israel correct this misconception. We must demonstrate our continuing strength and resolve. We must take a clear and determined stand for sanctions against Iran in the United Nations Security Council. And we must continue to firmly support Israel as it rearms and prepares for what, sadly, is the likely prospect of a second round with Hezbollah.

[bluestar]

Originally Posted by SC400DAVE

This Thursday, August 31st, is the deadline that the United Nations set for Iran to suspend its enrichment of uranium or face the prospect of sanctions. Yet there will be little suspense as Thursday approaches. Iran has already given its answer: defiance and delay.

Last week, Iran stated that while it would be open to further talks, it will not halt its uranium enrichment as a precondition to these talks.

Even more ominously, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad formally inaugurated a heavy-water nuclear reactor outside of Tehran. Nuclear experts note that heavy-water facilities are useful for producing nuclear weapons since they produce plutonium. In fact, even in the unlikely event that Iran were to agree to suspend uranium enrichment down the road, it would still be able to produce nuclear warheads from the plutonium they extract from this heavy water reactor.

Why is Iran so confidently thumbing its nose at the United States and our European allies? The Iranians know that Russia and China sit on the UN Security Council and have the power to veto any sanctions against Iran. And, in the words of the editor of one of Iran’s leading newspapers, the Iranians believe that, “After the defeat of Israel by Hezbollah forces, China and Russia should not want to leave the side that won the war, which is the Islamic world.”

And so it goes in the Middle East. Weakness, even the perception of weakness, invites aggression. The Iranians believes that the Judeo-Christian nations are not serious. They think we lack resolve and are in retreat. They think they are marching towards victory.

It is thus crucial that the United States and Israel correct this misconception. We must demonstrate our continuing strength and resolve. We must take a clear and determined stand for sanctions against Iran in the United Nations Security Council. And we must continue to firmly support Israel as it rearms and prepares for what, sadly, is the likely prospect of a second round with Hezbollah.

Talk about a real twilight zone ! The threat grows !!! Hmmmmm.. where did we hear stuff like this before ???? Let me think.... Oh yes, IRAQ and SH, circa 2002... The "gathering threat" Bush/Cheney called it.... "in the form of mushroom clouds"... "purchased yellow cake from Niger...", "aluminum tubes useful only for nuclear weaponry..." yada yada yada... all turned out to be LIES. Fast forward to 2006, and its deja vu all over again... These knuckle heads must take us for fools... Oh yes, please continue the fear mongering and hype... Its working so well, the US public, by 51%, no longer associates Iraq with 9/11... and neither did the President. And 60% don't TRUST the President on his word...

Iran = no nuclear power (not for another 5 years by current Intel estimates)
US/Israel = kadzillion number of nuclear weapons.... enough to wipe out humanity

Which is more threatening of the two above ??? You righties don't really have anything concrete to put forward, rather you play on fear... as in "the threat grows" .... uhhhhhh !!! We shake in fear of Iran attacking us bcos they have a crazy President and autocratic Islamic theocrats and bigots.... NOT !!!!

[DASHOCKER]

We must demonstrate our continuing strength and resolve

This statement sounds oh so familiar. Here is a clue... His middle initial is W.

[CVsIS250]

Originally Posted by bluestar

Iran = no nuclear power (not for another 5 years by current Intel estimates)
US/Israel = kadzillion number of nuclear weapons.... enough to wipe out humanity

Great idea Einstein! Rather Clintonesque if you ask me! Since they won't have Nuclear power in 5 years, they are not a problem yet. You are scary! I guess that is why your ideas have lost the last two presidential elections.

CV

[oohpapi44]

Originally Posted by SC400DAVE

It is thus crucial that the United States and Israel correct this misconception. We must demonstrate our continuing strength and resolve. We must take a clear and determined stand for sanctions against Iran in the United Nations Security Council. And we must continue to firmly support Israel as it rearms and prepares for what, sadly, is the likely prospect of a second round with Hezbollah.

Dave, who is this 'WE' you speak of? Americans have lived among Hezbollah in Lebanon in peace for years now. Should Arab American's who serve in this countries armed forces pick up arms against their mother's, father's, sons, etc? I'm getting off my soapbox for a second and trying to figure out if you ever really take into account this 'WWIII' that you seem so eager to get us in to. Our military is primarily made of of minorities in terms of guys who would actually have to do the fighting so how do win a war when the majority of the fighters on either side resemble one another. Unless there is a direct attack on the US or its civilians will the American public or military have enough 'hate' to win?

Most of this country is starting to make the differentiation between fighting terrorism (Guys that have actually attacked us or threatened to attack) and the 'War on Islam' and will not let us get pulled into another Iraq. This govt has used up its 'free war' pass for quite some time now so there will have to be another solution offered.

The 'idiot' leader of Iran has asked to have a public debate against our resident "C student" brainiac. Regardless of what stance you take in the conflict, tell me that's not a conversation worth of watching with a few beers. The question becomes, what channel do you air it on: CSPAN, Comedy Central or Animal Planet?

OK gentlemen begin:

Ahmadinejad: I'll Kill you
Bush: No you wont, I'll kill you
Ahmadinejad: Israel must die
Bush: I'll kill you, we'll stay the course
Ahmadinejad: Hit me, I dare you
Bush: No you hit me first, then I'll kill you

[bluestar]

Originally Posted by CVsGX470

Great idea Einstein! Rather Clintonesque if you ask me! Since they won't have Nuclear power in 5 years, they are not a problem yet. You are scary! I guess that is why your ideas have lost the last two presidential elections.

CV

"...ideas have lost last two Presidentail elections". Yes, I suppose if you count the shenanigans in Florida (2000) and Ohio (2004) which decided the elections.

Did you find anything incorrect in my post about the assertions made then about Iraq, and been made NOW about Iran ? I guess not... so all you got is name-calling... I see.

I am sure you probably already have initiated your military sign-up and ready to go to battle against Iran... We'll miss you around here on CL.... Please enjoy the trip to Iran and stay safe out there, OK ?

[CVsIS250]

Originally Posted by bluestar

"...ideas have lost last two Presidentail elections". Yes, I suppose if you count the shenanigans in Florida (2000) and Ohio (2004) which decided the elections.

Did you find anything incorrect in my post about the assertions made then about Iraq, and been made NOW about Iran ? I guess not... so all you got is name-calling... I see.

I am sure you probably already have initiated your military sign-up and ready to go to battle against Iran... We'll miss you around here on CL.... Please enjoy the trip to Iran and stay safe out there, OK ?

I've served in the military...have you? You and your views are so out in left field, you are behind the wall. Your (don't worry about it now because it is 5 years away) views are what got us in trouble in the first place.

CV

[bluestar]

Originally Posted by CVsGX470

I've served in the military...have you? You and your views are so out in left field, you are behind the wall. Your (don't worry about it now because it is 5 years away) views are what got us in trouble in the first place.

CV

I don't suppose you can do my job either, or can you ? If you believe every conflict can only be resolved by militarism, that is your right to believe that. I do not. And hence we differ.... nothing wrong with that. That is what democracy and freedom is - the right to differ. If Pakistan, an even more rabid Islamic fundamental country, can have nuclear arsenal without us attacking them, what makes Iran a special case ? Oh I forget... Iran has oil. And they have a rabid President, who was popularly elected by his people, as was George Bush who is even less popular here than the Iranian President is at home.

Both of these guys should really get into a debate and let's see who wins... My vote is not on George Bush, btw, and not bcos Ahmedinajad is a great speaker... He is a poor communicator, but he has W beat by a mile....

[oohpapi44]

Originally Posted by CVsGX470

I've served in the military...have you? You and your views are so out in left field, you are behind the wall. Your (don't worry about it now because it is 5 years away) views are what got us in trouble in the first place.

CV

CV, I'm a combat Vet and my views are nearly identical as Blue's on this issue. Waving a big stick will not solve this issue nor will scaring the public into thinking ANOTHER country who has made no threats against any American citizen is preparing some immediate or future attack. The fact that this moronic man has eroded all levels of foreign policy is more of a threat to our safety than any other country out there. At least during the Cold War the leaders were able to sit and talk to one another. The threat of what might happen kept things in check. But there was some level of dialogue. Our current leader CAN'T talk so he chooses not to...

Are we more safe now from terrorists than before? No, not when our activities are recruiting more terrorists now than ever before. At some point we have to talk a look at what WE are doing to create such hatred and that's a task this country despises more than anything....

[loveslexus]

Iran might be a treat to some people...but not the USA.

[Max707]

Originally Posted by CVsGX470

I've served in the military...have you? You and your views are so out in left field, you are behind the wall. Your (don't worry about it now because it is 5 years away) views are what got us in trouble in the first place.

CV

Only one answer, give everyone in Iran 30 days to get out of the country. Then we nuke-em till they glow, turn the whole country to glass. Might makes right. Oh wait maybe I'm wrong?? Lets see we could talk to them and try to convince them that it is alright for the USA Russia China India etc. you know everyone but them to have nukes, since they are crazy. That shouldn't be hard to convince them, right? We could wait for a while and when someone nukes New York we could then Nuke Iran, since odd's are they either did it or gave the nuke to whoever did it. You guys want to make this about politics, it ain't. Everyone agrees we have a problem, no one has a simple answer. Ok, start the argument again

[bluestar]

Originally Posted by Max707

Only one answer, give everyone in Iran 30 days to get out of the country. Then we nuke-em till they glow, turn the whole country to glass. Might makes right. Oh wait maybe I'm wrong??

Maybe ? Let's just say you are dead wrong !!! Almost 5 years ago, after the terrorist attack on WTC (9/11), do you know that one of the biggest sympathy rally in SUPPORT of the United States occured in Tehran, the Iranian capital. Yes, the same Iranians you'd want to nuke out of existence, were on the streets carrying candles and sympathizing with fellow Americans.....

How stupid can one get to lack a sense of history and what goes on around them ? Of course, when you listen to FAUX News all day you become like a ditto head, without thinking... Ridiculous !

Originally Posted by Max707

Lets see we could talk to them and try to convince them that it is alright for the USA Russia China India etc. you know everyone but them to have nukes, since they are crazy. That shouldn't be hard to convince them, right? We could wait for a while and when someone nukes New York we could then Nuke Iran, since odd's are they either did it or gave the nuke to whoever did it. You guys want to make this about politics, it ain't. Everyone agrees we have a problem, no one has a simple answer. Ok, start the argument again

When someone nukes New York ? I guess there is no depth of banality those campaigning for war would not sink to. They'd conjour up as many crazy scenarios as they can, to justify the silly assertions they'd use to deceive the American public. Those GOP talking points and cowboy-ism approach to global threat belongs in third-grade class, and not in the world stage. The world is a lot more complex than such simple-minded view of conflict resolution.

Talking of simple-mindedness, the President told Brian Williams of NBC News, he has "read 3 Shakespeares".... Geez ! And this is the guy the righties follow like sheep ? God help all of us...

[Max707]

Originally Posted by bluestar

Maybe ? Let's just say you are dead wrong !!! Almost 5 years ago, after the terrorist attack on WTC (9/11), do you know that one of the biggest sympathy rally in SUPPORT of the United States occured in Tehran, the Iranian capital. Yes, the same Iranians you'd want to nuke out of existence, were on the streets carrying candles and sympathizing with fellow Americans.....

How stupid can one get to lack a sense of history and what goes on around them ? Of course, when you listen to FAUX News all day you become like a ditto head, without thinking... Ridiculous !



When someone nukes New York ? I guess there is no depth of banality those campaigning for war would not sink to. They'd conjour up as many crazy scenarios as they can, to justify the silly assertions they'd use to deceive the American public. Those GOP talking points and cowboy-ism approach to global threat belongs in third-grade class, and not in the world stage. The world is a lot more complex than such simple-minded view of conflict resolution.

Talking of simple-mindedness, the President told Brian Williams of NBC News, he has "read 3 Shakespeares".... Geez ! And this is the guy the righties follow like sheep ? God help all of us...

I hear ya, some people are so caught up in their own "genius" that they don't even read what others wrote and twist scarcasm to their own political BS. Good luck in saving the world.

[DASHOCKER]

Originally Posted by Max707

I hear ya, some people are so caught up in their own "genius" that they don't even read what others wrote and twist scarcasm to their own political BS. Good luck in saving the world.

There is enough room for you in the right wing bombshelter. The Bin laden tapes are there for your enjoyment sitting on top of the aluminum tubes next to the reel of duct tape

[bluestar]

Originally Posted by Max707

I hear ya, some people are so caught up in their own "genius" that they don't even read what others wrote and twist scarcasm to their own political BS. Good luck in saving the world.

Oh excuse me.... couldn't tell your sarcasm from the post... And good luck to you as well, in your pacifist stance.