I wouldn’t make any concessions initially. I think all Iranian leaders fear economic sanctions. Ahmadinejad has screwed up an already fragile economy and Iran is relying on foreign investment and trade more than ever. Iranian youth and much of the population already oppose the rule by the mullahs and will become even more restive should the economy decline even further.

No one wants a nuclear armed Iran. If the US obtains widespread international support for an economic boycott, then the Iranians might agree to accept security guarantees, significant foreign trade and investment, etc., which I do not consider to be concessions, and in return terminate their nuclear program.

Now is not the time for Bush administration bellicose saber rattling, which simply plays into the hands of Iranian hard liners.

I hope this responds to your question.

PS What has happened to troll? He has been silent since I asked him about his military service.

Comment by toasterhead — September 17, 2007 @ 8:12 pm

Iraq has ended any thought of boots on the ground in a Muslim country for a generation, Toast. We’d need a draft anyway, which isn’t in the cards.

Comment by Lt. Colonel Fred Seamon — September 18, 2007 @ 2:14 pm

When we negotiate with Iran, what concessions do you think we should make to them….considering tokens is what they will demand?

You don’t know what you’re talking about. The Bush cabal has made little or no use of diplomacy vis-a-vis Iran.

You state “we should stand united against Iran and its leaders who have made clear their intent to annihilate Israel. But instead our leaders who dare talk tough are run through the mill by the left in the MSM and on blogs like TP”.

I agree that we should stand united against Iran. We on the left have been calling for negotiations as opposed to the Bush/Cheney/
neocon sabre rattling, which just plays into the hands of the Iranian hardliners.

You have yet to answer my question: Did you ever serve in the military? Why don’t you and your friends show your patriotism and love of country and volunteer for Iraq? I can guarantee you, getting shot at is very exilirating!

Come on people, can’t you see how funny it all is?

Juan,

The same arguements were made by your comrades in Cuba during the missile crisis. You probably would have been pleased to have had those missiles remain but most patriotic Americans are glad they are gone regardless of our errors.

Comment by Juan C — September 18, 2007 @ 9:01 am

“Israel has been pushing the agenda of bombing Iran because it is the only country in the region with the sufficient military capability to equate, somehow, Israel´s.”

If Iran and Israel were to go to war one on one militarily it would last about six days. Isreal is pushing for taking out Iran’s nuclear facilities because the whole world knows they are trying to make nuclear weapons.

“Israel is occupying one country. ”

Palestine has never been a recognized state….thanks to Arafat. BTW they elected Hamas so they certainly aren’t the victims. Well maybe a victim of their own stupidity.

“Iran has not committed apartheid crimes against other people from other religions.”

No they have just sponsored and financed Hezbollah and Hamas both of which have committed hate crimes and atrocities against Muslims, Jews, and Christians. War by proxy is Iran’s MO.

“But, in this world, you have to defend the agressors, not the victims.”

Iran is not a victim.

Comment by bernarda — September 18, 2007 @ 4:27 am

The US forces also lost 26000 troop and over 100,000 were wounded in three weeks of fighing beginning at D-day.

At the battle of Gettysburg there were over 46000 casualties in 3 DAYS. That was just one battle. Over all over 600,000 died or were wounded during our civil war and that does not include civilians.
additionally Reconstruction did not come without its share of violence which lasted many years. A very high price to pay for a dream that would not be realized for another 100 yrs.

Israel has been pushing the agenda of bombing Iran because it is the only country in the region with the sufficient military capability to equate, somehow, Israel´s.

Iran has invaded no country.

Israel is occupying one country.

Iran has not committed apartheid crimes against other people from other religions.

Israel has.

Israel has broken more UN resolutions than Iran.

But, in this world, you have to defend the agressors, not the victims.

The war started because the British and other European countries appeased Hitler in 1938.

Most of my service took place during the Cold War when US-Russian diplomacy averted the start of WW III.

Comment by Lt. Colonel Fred Seamon — September 18, 2007 @ 4:28 am

The Europeans should have stood united against the nazis and we should stand united against Iran and its leaders who have made clear their intent to annihilate Israel. But instead our leaders who dare talk tough are run through the mill by the left in the MSM and on blogs like TP, as a result they are laughed at by the Iranian leaders. The left is used as a propaganda tool by the likes of non other than OBL.

The “diplomacy” which staved off WWIII in the cold war came at a very high price 1 trillion dollars and 100,000 American lives.

Words from a guy who was mistreated and tortured by North VietNam for dropping bombs on vietnamese civilians? I don’t like to say this, but I guess he had it coming!

What’s your point? I’m not a pacifist, but I sure as hell am for doing everything possible to prevent war. I spent almost 23 years in the army including a couple of tours in Vietnam. Did you ever serve in the military?

I resent people like you and the warmongering neocons who, ignorant of the limitations of military force, champion military action over diplomacy, yet are unwilling to put theirs asses in harm’s way.

If you knew your history, you might be aware that if Britain, France and other European nations had stood up to Hitler in 1938 and made it clear to him they were unified and would respond militarily to German expansionism in Central Europe, World War II in Europe would likely have been averted.

The war started because the British and other European countries appeased Hitler in 1938.

Most of my service took place during the Cold War when US-Russian diplomacy averted the start of WW III.

I close with two of my favorite Winston Churchill pronouncements about war:

Never, never, never believe any war will be smooth and easy, or that anyone who embarks on the strange voyage can measure the tides and hurricanes he will encounter. The statesman who yields to war fever must realize that once the signal is given, he is no longer the master of policy but the slave of unforeseeable and uncontrollable events.

To jaw-jaw is always better than to war-w

Well, let’s see. WWII for the U.S. lasted three and a half years. From D-Day to the defeat of Hitler was about a year. Bush has now been in Iraq for over 4 years. That is longer than the 4 years of the Civil War.

What a roaring success for Bush. Just when you think that wingnuts can’t get any dumber, they surprise you.

http://www.utterwonder.com/archives/images/buhs-thumb.jpg

After 9/11, there were large demonstrations in Tehran in sympathy with the US. Today, we are seen as the Great Satan again because of our outrageously wrong invasion and occupation of Iraq (mainly for control of oil).

A big reason the US is drumming up war with Iran is because they have the third largest oil reserves in the world.

Comment by Inbred — September 18, 2007 @ 12:37 am

My goodness! What an irrational, silly comment!

For the details, see:
“Romney to UN: Indict Iran’s Ahmadinejad.”

We’ve been in one for 4 years now and I’m having a blast.