Monday, April 10, 2006

What about Iran?

What do you guys think about the whole Iran issue? Here's what Yahoo news quoted the president on today:

"The threat from Iran is, of course, their stated objective to destroy our strong ally Israel," Bush said last month in Cleveland. "That's a threat, a serious threat. It's a threat to world peace; it's a threat, in essence, to a strong alliance. I made it clear, I'll make it clear again, that we will use military might to protect our ally."

While he did say that us going to war with Iran is "wild speculation" on the part of the press, this whole thing bugs the heck out of me. Nathan keeps telling me that it's not as big of a deal as I fear, but I gotta tell you guys that the thought of us invading Iran makes me piss myself out of fear. And I know that the press is overly sensationalist and that it's partly to keep the masses in a state of fear, but when it comes to war, I take their bait, because I'm pretty irrational about that topic for a lot of reasons. Mainly, war terrifies me, and I believe it's wrong. That's enough reason for me to not want to do it, but beyond that, I personally would doubt our country's ability to successfully win a war with Iran. We're losing in Iraq, our military is spread too thin, and we're considering starting a new war?

And I say screw the fact that I personally would not like the thought of Iran having nuclear capabilities of any kind. They tricked me into being afraid of Iraq three years ago as well. I'll never believe them again when they tell me that any other country is a threat to us. Not until there are fighter planes flying over the continental United States will I ever support the use of our military power. And if we're so freaking ready to come to the aid of a country under threat, why aren't we putting a stop to the genocides in Sudan and the Congo?

Sigh. I know no one wants to hear any more about Anti-Flag, but I believe they said it best when they said "Don't fly those stars and stripes for me." Or how about when they said "All done in your name by Uncle Sam/So if we don't fight it, then we're guilty too." I don't want any kids dying under the guise of my protection. Rephrase: I don't want any more kids dying under the lie that it's to protect citizens like me.

I didn't protest with the immigrants today, even though I wanted to. They shouldn't protest on a workday if they want me to join them. But if we start a war with Iran, there'll be nothing else for me to do but take to the streets.

In case you're so bored you want to read relevant lyrics:
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10 comments:

Steph said...

All I can say is Isreal is nothing but trouble. The more we support any one side the more involved in that mess we get. We not only need to watch who we piss off but whom we support.

Christina said...

So the day after I posted that, Iran announced their success with uranium enrichment. It's such a complicated issue. I'm still not scared of them in any way, but I am scared about where the president is going to take this.
I can only hope that he decides to use economic sanctions. Nothing in the past leads me to believe he would consider anything less violent than a bomb.

Jorge said...
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Jorge said...

This is the president (Iran) that said Israel must be wiped off the face of the earth, and if they have the nuke grade uranium he isn't too far away from having nuke missiles that could destroy anybody/thing he wants. At least in his area, I doubt they could get a hold of long range missiles. Anyway that's my thought!

Anonymous said...

Dude. They enriched it to 3.5%.

Any TED worth their salt will know that 3.5% U-235 is basically worthless - except for civilian power applications.

Since I think in bicycles, that's like gaining the ability to pump up your tire, and then saying, 'When do I start a full-scale production like Trek's?'.

I also think that 'wiping Israel off the map' is a mis-quote. I don't think they intend to blow it the fuck up - they don't recognize it as a state. They want it off the map because we put it there without the Palestinian's consent in 1947. Yay diplomacy!

nate said...

What I'd like to know is why they are looking for a fight from the Bush adminstration, who is very likely to give it to them.

Anonymous said...

You know, I bet they're not looking for a fight.

But every good 'merican mouth-breather and their mom is certainly going to 'get behind' the good fight. We're doing god's work you know.

Jorge said...

Biff...He said it again. "Like it or not, the Zionist regime is heading toward annihilation," I don't think we should get involved either, but I don't think this guy is all there!

nate said...

All politicians need an enemy in order to convince their proletariat that the politician is needed for the protection of the people. GW decided 'terrorists' would be his boogeyman. Seyyed Ali Hosseini Khamenei has decided the West, Israel and specifically the U.S. would be focal point enemy he would galvanize his people against. I'm not saying brown people with oil have nothing to worry about. I'm saying that if you can get the 10,000 pound gorrilla to beat his chest at your border all of the rank and file will fall into line behind you.

Christina said...

I read on some for-profit news site that Iran doesn't have anywhere near enough thingies to make a weapon. You guys know I don't know anything about nuclear science, but apparently Biff is right as always. They're nowhere near making a bomb. We're the ones with bombs and we're the ones who want to use them. Hence, we're the terrorists.
I think what Nathan said about the Iranian jackass in command was really insightful, even if I do only have to say it because he's my husband. That lunatic probably is trying to unite a divided populace.