Comments on: Negotiate With Iran!

By: Richard Gardner

Richard Gardner — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 05:05:32 +0000

I think the old joke is applicable (stating up front that this is a joke so folks don't go looney on it - I heard it when he was Sec of State):

"None of this would have happened if Warren Christopher were still alive."

Or as Dave Schuler states, why didn't they do something?

While times do change, I'm not sure with talks with Iran do anything more than maintain the status quo at best as their two-level government (secular and religious) leads to no one able to agree to significant issues.

As I've posted here several times, there is this little thing called International Law and Treaties. The NPT froze in place the nuclear status of the late 1960s for those countries that agreed. In return the non-nuclear nation states got what was considered THEN (pre-Chernobyl) a good deal, civilian nuclear power assistance, and in return they promised not to build a nuclear bomb. Atoms for Peace and all that. Iran is party to the NPT, while India, Pakistan and Israel are not. (N Korea withdrew)

I have no doubt Iran needs civilian nuclear power. They have a major lack of electricity. However their program is well beyond building power plants at ~3% enrichment, rather bomb grade at >80% U-235.

By: anjin-san

anjin-san — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 05:01:24 +0000

Well, this is the transcript from Fox:
GIBSON: Let’s start, because we are near Russia. Let’s start with Russia and Georgia. The administration has said, we’ve got to maintain the territorial integrity of Georgia. Do you believe the United States should try to restore Georgian sovereignty over South Ossetia and Abkhazia?

PALIN: First off, we’re going to continue good relations with Saakashvili there. I was able to speak the other day and giving my commitment, as John McCain’s running mate, that we will be committed to Georgia. And we have to keep an eye on Russia. For Russia to have asserted such pressure in terms of invading a smaller democratic country, unprovoked, is unacceptable. And we have to keep …

GIBSON: You believe unprovoked?

PALIN: I do believe unprovoked. And we have to keep our eyes on Russia. Under the leadership there.

GIBSON: What insight into Russian actions particularly in the last couple weeks does the proximity of the state give you?

PALIN: They’re our next door neighbors. And you can actually see Russia from land here in Alaska.

GIBSON: You favor putting Georgia and Ukraine into NATO?

PALIN: Ukraine definitely yes. Yes. And Georgia. Putin thinks otherwise, obviously he thinks otherwise.

GIBSON: Under the NATO treaty, wouldn’t we then have to go to war if Russia went into Georgia?

PALIN: Perhaps so. That is the agreement. When you are a NATO ally, is, if another country is attacked, you are going to be expected to be called upon and help.

I am thinking Russia interprets this as a threat...

Hey, Rags, you promised to ignore me. Whats up? You walking that back like McCain's "fundamentals are strong" thing?

By: G.A.Phillips

G.A.Phillips — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 02:56:38 +0000

blind rat following obamacheese,

that was awesome dude lol lol lol.......

By: Zelsdorf Ragshaft III

Zelsdorf Ragshaft III — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 01:20:24 +0000

Looks like someone needs to read the unedited version of what Sarah Palin said about Russia and Nato. When you are a blind rat following obamacheese, you can be mislead, even for a pilot. Pile it here and pile it there.

By: anjin-san

anjin-san — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 23:42:15 +0000

They have absolutely threatened Israel.

Palin just threatened Russia. Should they be preparing a preemptive strike against us?

Let's wait 'til after the election and President Obama can send Neville Chamberlain as his emissary.

Wow. A third-rate GOP talking point. Now there is something you don't see every day...

By: John425

John425 — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 23:14:16 +0000

Negotiate what? What are our bargaining chips?

Let's wait 'til after the election and President Obama can send Neville Chamberlain as his emissary.

By: Zelsdorf Ragshaft III

Zelsdorf Ragshaft III — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 22:39:09 +0000

Bithead, as you know anjin has been infesting this site since at least the last national election. Time has not made him wiser and I think nothing will. You were right, he will argue with you no matter which side of the argument you take. I believe the term is contrary. The fact former heads of the dept. of State think we should talk to Iran should not surprise anyone. Than they continue down this path after having dealt with Iran during the Iranian revolution and the hostage crisis only shows they are unable to learn from past experiences. I suggest one and only one diplomatic message. That is to stop and desist in the production of the tools to make nuclear weapons or suffer the consequences. If we are going to have to fight them, it is much better to do it before they are armed with nuclear weapons. They are on a suicidal course. I hope we choose not to join them.

By: anjin-san

anjin-san — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 22:39:03 +0000

thank for providing evidnce you're going to argue againt me no matter what I say.

Runnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn awayyyyyyyyyyyyyyy bit... Say bit what up with the "you dare to lecture me"? still wrestling with that "legend in my own mind thing"?

By: Bithead

Bithead — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 22:25:50 +0000

I always thought you the fool.

Thus showing you have a firm grasp on reality.

Yes, I dare to lecture you :)

Thus showing you, OTOH, decidedly do not.

By: Fence

Fence — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 22:08:38 +0000

Is it really necessary that it be proven every day on this website why the country's political process is so broken? If even the engaged voters here can't help but see every issue as red vs. blue, well, we get what we deserve.

By: anjin-san

anjin-san — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 21:44:43 +0000

I will no longer either read nor respond

Wow. I am really being punished here!

What was James Baker ever elected to do that had to do with knowledge or leadership. Tic tic tic, waiting.

It would be comic, if not so really, really sad. Dude, if you are not going to read my posts any more, what are you waiting for? A cookie?

By: Zelsdorf Ragshaft III

Zelsdorf Ragshaft III — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 21:32:59 +0000

Anjin, you jerk, I served in my time, what have you done except critize others? So, you think nuclear war in the Middle East should be allowed to happen. I always thought you the fool. Now I am sure of it. I will no longer either read nor respond to any of the idiocy you find time to write. You quote diplomats as a source of some kind of wisdom. I notice how well the world is doing because of diplomats. What was James Baker ever elected to do that had to do with knowledge or leadership. Tic tic tic, waiting.

By: anjin-san

anjin-san — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 21:22:55 +0000

They have absolutely threatened Israel.

OK. Let Israel take what action it deems necessary. They have the means and will to defend themselves.

Tell me Rags, have you enlisted so that you can be in the first wave going into Iran? (my guess is no)

Their purpose is clear. What part of that is it you fail to grasp? I wonder if you have reached your majority yet.

Ah so you grasp the situation, and James Bakker III does not? I see. Why don't you get in touch with him and ask him if he has reached his majority...

By: Zelsdorf Ragshaft III

Zelsdorf Ragshaft III — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 20:45:21 +0000

Anjin, do you understand if the Iranians are allowed to develope nuclear weapons there will be nuclear war in the Middle East? They have absolutely threatened Israel. Make no mistake about that. If you think those threats are to be taken lightly, move to Tel Aviv. The leadership in Iran believe, not like you believe in anything, in the coming of the 12th Imam and they can bring it about by causing the final war. Their purpose is clear. What part of that is it you fail to grasp? I wonder if you have reached your majority yet.

By: anjin-san

anjin-san — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 20:22:39 +0000

thank for providing evidnce you're going to argue againt me no matter what I say.

This sounds like a good thing to me. A rare win for the Bush White House. And I agree with Bit, there is such a thing as a win/win. Nukes are a fact of life. So are governments we do not approve of. We have to seek ways to deal with them that do not involve violence... Speak softly and carry a big stick. Words of wisdom. Posted by anjin-san | June 27, 2008 | 02:24 pm | Permalink Yes, I dare to lecture you :)