I have no doubt Iran is heavily influenced by crazy religious extremists. I want to believe my government as well as those of stakeholders in the region will do the right thing in preventing those leaders from acquiring and using nukes. Consider that just like in America, there are many factions within Iran which don’t subscribe to the extremists. The Persians were once a great, even secular, nation. They can be again.
What is really in question here is the reputation of our leadership, their trustworthiness. Bush has so over-stepped executive powers, so infused the government with lackies because they are loyal, not because they are competent, that anything he proposes now is going to be scrutinized or simply disregarded out of hand. It’s maddening to me to know the Senate & House supported his FISA indemnity for the telecoms. I’m flabbergasted at how little debate occurred before they gave him great latitude to pursue a confrontation with Iran. What has he done to earn those wins other than offer us examples of subterfuge, propaganda, and fear-mongering.
And for the record, the USA overthrew the Iranian leadership in the 50′s. 1979 was blowback. Don’t pretend history with Iran started with Carter. It began with Eisenhower, just as Vietnam did. American hands are dirty and bloody on numerous occasions throughout history. Shall we also recount how after Saddam used chemical weapons in the 80′s, that the UN tried to pass a resolution condemning it..and that one of the nations with veto power kept that resolution from passing? And who was this leading nation that would dare to block the condemnation of Iraq/Saddam? Yep, America the Beautiful.
Don’t you get it people? The American government is as manipulative and power hungry as any on earth. Only We the People have a snowball’s chance to restore America’s prestige and trustworthiness. We haven’t been doing it for quite some time now. Without the high ground, even what appears to be the right thing to do gets pulled down into the muck. Obama, McCain, Clinton – it won’t matter which one is in charge. None can reform on his/her own. Until another major party arrives on the scene, or one of the two we have is gutted, the direction of America in the 21st century will stay off course from the ideals laid forth in the Constitution by the Founding Fathers nearly 225 years ago.
Stop playing superpower and just be a nation that seeks open trade and defends liberty for its people. Many scoff at the Russians and their attempts to become a superpower again-to be relevant-to have a seat at the table. Well folks, look in the mirror. What would America’s identity be if it was simply another Great Britain or France or Brazil rather than the world’s lone superpower? Could our egos live with not being the big dog?
