Bolton: Israel Strike On Iran ‘During Bush’s Term Makes A Lot Of Sense’
Bolton: Israel Strike On Iran ‘During Bush’s Term Makes A Lot Of Sense’
Yesterday morning on Fox News, former UN Ambassador John Bolton claimed Israel has to make a decision to bomb Iran soon, partly because they need to do it with a U.S. President in office who would support the unilateral strike:
I think their calculation has to be they want the support — at least after-the-fact — from the United States, and therefore, I think doing it during President Bush’s term makes a lot of sense. I don’t think they’ll do it before our election because you can’t calculate what the impact would be, and of course after the election, they’ll know who will be President — and that would factor into their decision as well.
In the interview, Bolton also made the case for preventive war against Iran. “I don’t personally believe in just-in-time non-proliferation,” he said. “Our intelligence on Iran is far from perfect,” Bolton conceded. Yet Iran’s “strategic objective” and “rhetoric from their leadership” is enough to justify war. Watch it:
Bolton was even more explicit in an interview with Israel Insider. “Bolton said that if Senator Obama is elected in November, Israel could not afford to wait until he takes office on January 20, before taking action. ‘An Obama victory would rule out military action by the Israelis because they would fear the consequences given the approach Obama has taken to foreign policy.’”
The right-wing neoconservative establishment is quickly unifying behind this argument that bombing must occur before a possible President Obama takes office. Last week, both Bolton and Bill Kristol made the argument.
“I do wonder with Senator Obama, if President Bush thinks Senator Obama’s going to win, does he somehow think — does he worry that Obama won’t follow through on that policy,” Kristol said.
UPDATE: Shabtai Shavit, former chief of the Israeli Mossad:
“If [Republican candidate John] McCain gets elected, he could really easily make a decision to go for it,” Shavit told the paper. “If it’s Obama: no. My prediction is that he won’t go for it, at least not in his first term in the White House.”
UPDATE II: Dana Perino was asked in the White House press briefing today whether Bush agreed with Bill Kristol that a strike would need to occur on his watch if Obama is elected. Perino answered: “There’s a lot of political analysts out there, and I respect that they have their opinions. What I can tell you as the President’s spokesperson, he is singularly focused on trying to solve this issue diplomatically.” Watch it:
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61 Responses to “Bolton: Israel Strike On Iran ‘During Bush’s Term Makes A Lot Of Sense’”
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It only makes sense if you are a murderous, blood thirsty idiot who lacks intelligence, common sense, and dignity.
June 30th, 2008 at 1:34 pmMakes perfect sense to be conducting a war on three fronts while bankrupting the country. Oh yes, bombing Iran will enable Bush to use NSPD51 and executive order 14348.
June 30th, 2008 at 1:34 pmJebus. Bolton is a rabid dog who needs to be put down.
June 30th, 2008 at 1:36 pmIsn't it about time that someone did the humane thing with Bolton, and send in the guys in the whitecoats. If your dog was this rabid, you would shoot it without hesitation.
June 30th, 2008 at 1:36 pmIt makes a lot of sense, if you're a monkey f uck insane neo-con warmonger.
June 30th, 2008 at 1:37 pm@leftside Annie,
we obviously are on the same wavelength here! :-)
June 30th, 2008 at 1:37 pmIdiotic talking points like that probably have nothing to do with the price of oil, probably...
June 30th, 2008 at 1:38 pmBolton is clearly bad for America. His constant and tiresome beating of the war drum is simply maddening and founded in an alternate reality. This type of rhetoric really does rival Adolf Hitler. In Bolton's world, there is no room for peace of negotiations. Bolton should be locked away. He is no different than the terrorists.
June 30th, 2008 at 1:39 pmBolton and Cheney are both committed to ending the world before the black man can move into the White House.
June 30th, 2008 at 1:41 pmWhat's scary is that this man continues to get airtime.
Sure, its Faux Noise, but still.....
June 30th, 2008 at 1:43 pmWhat does Bolton imagine would happen in 2009 if Israel attacked Iran after Obama was sworn in? Would Obama declare war on Israel? Cut off all their foreign aid? Wag his finger at them?
I'd like to imagine there could be an American president who would chastise Israel for attacking another country, but I can't imagine who that would be.
Bolton is clearly a liar, as well as a crazy person.
June 30th, 2008 at 1:43 pmmakes a lot of sense to these freaks? Because it will be the last chance to pull illegal murderous activity with this war mongering thug administration?
June 30th, 2008 at 1:43 pmA Patriot Acting: Bolton Swinging From a Rope With a Traitor Sign On His Chest Makes A Lot of Sense
June 30th, 2008 at 1:46 pmraynman Says:
What’s scary is that this man continues to get airtime.
Sure, its Faux Noise, but still…..
Fox News and John Bolton have a common interest. Fox wants the world to end before CNN and MSNBC pass them in the ratings.
June 30th, 2008 at 1:50 pmIsreal would get support from its ally in a conflict with nuclear iran.
June 30th, 2008 at 1:51 pmif you guys really wanted some REAL progress you'd be doing like the states in the EU are doing and start protesting for a federal referendum or better yet a federal initiative cuz the Constitution SUCKS
June 30th, 2008 at 1:53 pmHad a few too many Chardonnays for lunch again, racist_rog?
June 30th, 2008 at 1:53 pmIsrael has the U.S. by the balls, doesn't matter who the Prez is.
June 30th, 2008 at 1:54 pmMaybe I'm missing something, but is the rationale for bombing Iran still their supposed nuclear weapons program?
And if it is, how will bombing them help? The only evidence anybody has that they even HAVE a nuclear weapons program is that we know they used to, so therefore because they are really really really bad people they must still have one. Even though they say they don't. Even though nobody can find anything. Even though our intelligence says they stopped their program in 2003 once Saddam was deposed and no longer a threat.
So since Israel doesn't know where their nuclear bomb factory is, where do they bomb? Do they just bomb them over and over and over again until Iran tells them where it is? Um...good luck with that.
On the other hand, there are forces in both Israel and the United States that just like bombing for their own selfish reasons, and they can't fathom the amount of damage that will impact our own countries as a result.
June 30th, 2008 at 1:55 pmAccording to herr dubyah, even if they are thinking about making a nuclear reactor or obtaining blue prints to build one is reason enough to drop bombs on them. Brilliant.
June 30th, 2008 at 1:56 pmI would love to see legislation come up on the Hill during the next Administration designating PNAC and AIPAC as foreign terrorist organizations. They clearly are, unfortunately they have their hands up way too many of the Democrat's asses. The neocons and their government enablers should all be summarily booted the hell out of our Country and their names ALL put on the terrorist watch list. This includes Pelosi, Bolton, Cheney, Ari Fleischer, Podhertz, Bloody Billy Kryatol and all their fascist friends. Let's see if Israel would take them all in with open arms. In reality, the people of Israel would probably riot in the streets before they would allow these pathetic warmongering pantywastes into their country.
June 30th, 2008 at 1:57 pmAnd putting Bolton in a strait jacket in confinement somewhere makes a lot of sense.
June 30th, 2008 at 2:00 pmIran is already planning on how to handle the deaths that will take place if there is any conflict.
June 30th, 2008 at 2:01 pmThe framers of the Constitution would be absolutely shocked to see all this play out with the news sources alone...
- a corporate owned media invested in defense
- thugs allowed to appear on this so called media and spew unconstitutional reasons for more killings
- a news media that would air an illegal activity such as Shock and Awe for the masses for entertainment, while those performing the activity knew this mass murder was over LIES.
- thugs allowed to be free and appear on this so called media
- a media that does not supply the real news, but entertainment and hype for more illegal war
June 30th, 2008 at 2:03 pm“Our intelligence on Iran is far from perfect,”
I wonder whose job it was to keep track of the nuclear program and intelligence on Iran? Why isn't she on the job anymore?
June 30th, 2008 at 2:04 pmSomeone is trying to influence our election through the threat of violence. I thought that only happened to third world countries with oil.
That is so wrong, but at least it's not some radical Muslim group. It's ok if you're Jewish?
June 30th, 2008 at 2:05 pmWow! What a diplomat! Quick, somebody get this guy a job at the U.N. I predict he'll be a great ambassador and clean up all the corruption there!
Oh, yeah.
Never mind.
June 30th, 2008 at 2:06 pmIf Bolton had any kind of reputation for subtlety I'd wonder if he wasn't saying that If Obama is elected, Israel will be forced to attack Iran right away. With McCain, they might consider waiting a few months for more US support and involvement.
June 30th, 2008 at 2:10 pmhe is singularly focused on trying to solve this issue diplomatically.
Translation - We aren't done getting our false flag attack complete.
June 30th, 2008 at 2:11 pm"Preventive war?" Jesus Christ Bolton, the neocons and Cheney, live in a 1984 loop and just don’t grasp or care what the consequences are. Congressional enablers back Cheney against Iran: 197 cosponsors (Dems included) are pushing a sense of the Congress demanding Bush create a blockade of Iran. That in its self is an act or war. Couple that with Seymour Hirsh reporting in the New Yorker, CIA/special ops/ assassination teams and destabilizer's (a Sunni group) are already in Iran. We are truly an autocracy since Congress will not act to stop the insanity!
June 30th, 2008 at 2:14 pmBased on Bolton's criteria, Russia and China should launch pre-emptive nuclear strikes against the US to prevent us from effing up the world's (and their) Iranian gas and oil supplies.
June 30th, 2008 at 2:15 pmmisshusseinmolly Says:
So since Israel doesn’t know where their nuclear bomb factory is, where do they bomb? Do they just bomb them over and over and over again until Iran tells them where it is? Um…good luck with that.
June 30th, 2008 at 1:55 pm
Oh, don't worry about that. Israel knows exactly where the Natanz Nuclear Facility is. They were practicing for a hit on Natanz last week.
June 30th, 2008 at 2:17 pm...and they call Progressives batshit crazy???
Either they laced Bolton's Kool-aide with acid or he's the one who's batshit crazy.
June 30th, 2008 at 2:19 pmThe country with nuclear weapons is threatened by the country without nuclear weapons. The country with nuclear weapons wants another country with nuclear weapons to help them attack the country without nuclear weapons because the country without nuclear weapons might be thinking about getting nuclear weaapons some time in the future.
What part of this makes sense?
June 30th, 2008 at 2:19 pmBolton just wants to make sure we get a positive return on our investment:
Congress Approves Additional $170M For Israel
In news from Capitol Hill, Congress has approved giving Israel an additional $170 million in aid next fiscal year. This means the U.S. will give Israel a total of more than $2.5 billion next year. Israel remains the largest recipient of U.S. foreign aid. The U.S. is planning to give Israel $30 billion over the next 10 years.
http://www.democracynow.org/2008/6/30/headlines
June 30th, 2008 at 2:21 pmNone Bob. None at all.
June 30th, 2008 at 2:21 pm“I do wonder with Senator Obama, if President Bush thinks Senator Obama’s going to win, does he somehow think — does he worry that Obama won’t follow through on that policy,” Kristol said.
I certainly hope not! That is his (our) entire platform!
June 30th, 2008 at 2:21 pmRayFerd Says:
“Our intelligence on Iran is far from perfect,”
I wonder whose job it was to keep track of the nuclear program and intelligence on Iran? Why isn’t she on the job anymore?
The Bush Criminals TREASONOUSLY exposed Valerie Plame Wilson.
And TREASON in "wartime" deserves WHAT penalty?
June 30th, 2008 at 2:23 pmStrange that Israel is willing to be the proxy for the US to engage Iraq.
As a side note, this reminds me of the pre-WWII history where FDR was trying to do everything in his power to get the US involved in the war in Europe. But the American public had their fill from WWI and wasn't too enthused about getting involved again. Until Pearl Harbor.
After the surprise attack on the Pacific fleet, it was all too easy to get the public support for whatever war effort was deemed necessary.
So while an Israeli bombing of Iranian nuclear facility(s) keeps the US's hands clean, there's bound to be a strike against the US by Iranians in retaliation, thereby giving Bu$h the excuse necessary to declare war and get the public behind his decision 100%.
And I wouldn't be surprised if it were to happen just before the Repug convention ... nothing better than a politically charged political convention.
June 30th, 2008 at 2:29 pmBob I totally agree, its' alright for America to have nuclear development but nobody else because we all know how peaceloving America is...especially with bush/cheney/hitler.
June 30th, 2008 at 2:30 pmMakes a lot of sense only if you have your head so far up your ass you can't see sunshine!
Absolutely zero concern or planning for the consequences of an attack and Bubblehead Perino's response is all but stating they are likely to go forward. Straits of Hormuz become lethal to tankers overnight. Oil prices do a moon shot. Retaliation against our 140k troops trapped in Iraq. Instantly take 25 million Iranians who are generally pro Western and make them hate us.
Which part of that is the "makes total sense" part to Bonehead Bolton??
June 30th, 2008 at 2:31 pmTahut Says:
So while an Israeli bombing of Iranian nuclear facility(s) keeps the US’s hands clean, there’s bound to be a strike against the US by Iranians in retaliation, thereby giving Bu$h the excuse necessary to declare war and get the public behind his decision 100%.
June 30th, 2008 at 2:29 pm
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The thing is, Iran doesn't have to strike the U.S. mainland to hurt us. They only have to punch us in the wallet.
June 30th, 2008 at 2:32 pmDoes any other history buff remember why Japan attacked America, they needed oil ! The PNAC group truly believes America should be the dominating control of all energy resources with force if necessary. The names of the 1997 group are familiar to everyone now. PNAC are the real axis of evil and need to be exterminated. Anyone know a good pest control ?
June 30th, 2008 at 2:35 pmI agree with Bolton and the neocons on one thing, when there is clear evidence of a threat against our country, we have the obligation to neutralize that threat.
Out biggest enemy? Our greatest threat? Why that would be Bush, Cheney, Bolton and the whole frigging lot at Faux News. They absolutely should be neutralized before they do even more harm to our country.
June 30th, 2008 at 2:36 pmThe point of all of this is to accomplish the Cheney Administration's goals:
#1 - drive the price of oil and gas up further
#2 - squeeze the middle class until it doesn't exist anymore
#3 - sell war machinery
#4 - frighten their gullible base with 'mushroom cloud' imagery
Terrorism only works on the terrified
June 30th, 2008 at 2:36 pmI completely agree with Bolton - as long as he's the one leading the charge on foot, crossing the border with at least a 50 pound pack on his skinny, sorry back (and that's before any bombs get dropped).
June 30th, 2008 at 2:36 pmWith our jobs, resources, education being short changed, every other country, Russia included can quietly watch America become a 3rd world country. Bankrupt a country through war, $400 million for covert operations, $9 trillion in debt how much longer can we exist ? But as much as I detest bush I really think he is just a figurehead for those behind him. And he is too stupid to realize they are using him.
June 30th, 2008 at 2:39 pmJeebus!
If you hold Bolton down, and shave his mustache, are the numbers "666" embedded on his upper lip?
He seems to be chomping at the bit to start Armageddon.
What a rabid mucking foron!
June 30th, 2008 at 2:40 pmSince Bolton has no concept of what a blockage of the Straits of Hormuz would mean, I suggest an aerial tour of the straits for him, and then a really close up look, as he's descending parachuteless from 15,000 feet.
June 30th, 2008 at 2:41 pmtexaslady Says:
Bankrupt a country through war, $400 million for covert operations, $9 trillion in debt how much longer can we exist ?
June 30th, 2008 at 2:39 pm
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Depends - do you think China will let us take out a second mortgage?
June 30th, 2008 at 2:42 pmI've known lots of people that choose that style of mustache.
Never known one that wasn't a class-A A$$hole tho.
June 30th, 2008 at 2:43 pmhussein toasterhead Says
June 30th, 2008 at 2:17 pm
Oh, don’t worry about that. Israel knows exactly where the Natanz Nuclear Facility is. They were practicing for a hit on Natanz last week.
___________________________________________
OK. So they bomb the Natanz Nuclear Facility. Turn it into a cloud of dust. Will that be the end of it? Will that convince everyone that Iran's "nuclear weapons program" is dead?
Or will the bomb-happy wingnuts from both countries just be convinced that "they still have their program -- they're just hiding it", and that we need to bomb them some more? When will it end?
I see another expensive and destructive quagmire on the horizon -- whether it's us or Israel that does the actual first bombing.
June 30th, 2008 at 2:43 pmcorrection: shouldn't that be "former interim UN Ambassador John Bolton"?
not need to legitimize this buffoon any more than necessary!
June 30th, 2008 at 2:48 pmWho can blame any other country for developing nuclear power when a war mongering nation is going after everyone. And don't forget Mexico has huge oil resources but strangely we go after countries thousands of miles away. Oh thats right Mexico is our friend. For now and as long as we keep sending money.
June 30th, 2008 at 2:51 pmmisshusseinmolly Says:
OK. So they bomb the Natanz Nuclear Facility. Turn it into a cloud of dust. Will that be the end of it? Will that convince everyone that Iran’s “nuclear weapons program” is dead?
Yes, as well as several hundred thousand people downwind from the cloud of radioactive dust the bombing will produce.
Or will the bomb-happy wingnuts from both countries just be convinced that “they still have their program — they’re just hiding it”, and that we need to bomb them some more? When will it end?
I see another expensive and destructive quagmire on the horizon — whether it’s us or Israel that does the actual first bombing.
June 30th, 2008 at 2:43 pm
That's also assuming that Israel is actually able to carry out the bombing campaign by itself. The campaign would involve not just bombing Natanz, but every radar and surface-to-air target between the Gulf and central Iran (I'm going to assume that Jordan does not give Israel flyover rights, though stranger things have happened).
Israel only has a few hundred F-15s and F-16s, and Iran has spent the last few years beefing up its defensive capabilities thanks to $120-130/barrel oil. There's a good chance that Israel will not be able to complete the job. In which case we will have to commit our own troops and planes to save the day.
And then, of course, there will still be a very angry regime in Tehran. And unless our terrorist allies in the MEQ and Jundallah and Kurdish separatist groups are able to get the job done, we'll have no choice but to put some boots on the oil-rich ground to do a little regime change.
June 30th, 2008 at 3:00 pmIf Israel wants to attack Iran, they should go ahead and do it. But they should not expect us to come to their rescue when Iran retaliates. The only reason why Israel would attack Iran would be to get us involved because we would have to defend them if Iran retaliated. Unfortunately I think that Obama would allow himself to get dragged into it if Israel did that while he was President rather than telling Israel, "you started it, it's up to you to end it".
June 30th, 2008 at 3:16 pmSend thy Bolten thy straight jacket.
June 30th, 2008 at 4:23 pmblah blah blah...
not that anyone here needs to be clued in to this but I love reading these quotes from republicans when Bill Clinton was pres.....enjoy-
http://sacramentofordemocracy.org/?q=node/view/3116
June 30th, 2008 at 9:34 pmWow Bolton is really crazy. Somebody get him a some man love.
June 30th, 2008 at 10:39 pmThis is plain and simply war-mongering on the parts of Bolton, Shavit, Kristol, and Fox News! War-mongering is illegal and it is reprehensible in its Un-American tone. These people ought to be reprimanded by the Justice Department and made to face charges of war-mongering if they do not cease and desist. We are still a nation of laws, they simply need to be upheld. That these people are so morally deranged is a matter between they and their pastors (who's council seems so miserably absent these days in tempering our public discourse). God Bless America, and Goddamn those who are destroying Her.
July 1st, 2008 at 12:34 amPerino: "What I can tell you as the President’s spokesperson, he is singularly focused on trying to solve this issue diplomatically."
Sounds a lot like 6 years ago when the issue being "solved diplomatically" was Saddam's weapons of mass destruction.
July 1st, 2008 at 1:51 am