Gingrich Announces Iran Policy: Topple The Government By Provoking A Gas Crisis Through Covert ‘Sabotage’
Gingrich Announces Iran Policy: Topple The Government By Provoking A Gas Crisis Through Covert ‘Sabotage’
In an interview with Al Jazeera’s Fault Lines program, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich outlined his U.S. policy towards Iran. Gingrich said the U.S. should “sabotage” Iran’s oil and gas infrastructure as part of an effort to topple the Iranian government.
Al Jazeera’s Avi Lewis told Gingrich, “In the past, you’ve called for the bombing of Iran’s oil refineries.” Gingrich clarified, “I called for sabotage, not bombing. … Fundamental difference.” Gingrich explained that the U.S. should use “covert operations” against Iran’s refineries because they “have only one refinery that produces gasoline in the entire country.” (According to the Energy Information Administration, Iran has nine refineries operated by the National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Company.)
When Lewis pressed Gingrich on the likely disastrous consequences of “sabotaging” Iran’s oil refineries, the former Speaker responded by claiming his plan was highly “strategic”:
GINGRICH: The only purpose of sabotaging them would be to create a gasoline-led crisis to try to replace the regime. I’m against using tactics that don’t have any strategic meaning.
I think we have a vested interest – the world has a vested interest – in a responsible Iranian government. […]
LEWIS: Which you can precipitate by provoking a gas crisis with black-ops sabotage? [Laughs] That’s the scenario you have suggested here.
GINGRICH: Look, I think that’s one piece out of many.
Watch it (at minute 8:35):
Previously, Gingrich has said, “I favor taking out Iranian and North Korean missiles on their sites.”
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Let’s play a game, Match the lunatic with the country they’d nuke first.
1. Gingrich a. North Korea
2. McCain b. Iran
2. Palin c. North Korea & Iran
Trick question, they’re all equal opportunity destroyers.
July 13th, 2009 at 2:52 pmGINGRICH: The only purpose of sabotaging them would be to create a gasoline-led crisis to try to replace the regime.
How would this be any different than Osama bin Laden creating a Wall Street-led crisis by taking out the World Trade Center to try to replace the US government structure?
Anyone?
July 13th, 2009 at 2:55 pmGINGRICH says, “I think we have a vested interest – the world has a vested interest – in a responsible Iranian government.”
Unfortunately, Gingrich has never been interested in a responsible American government.
July 13th, 2009 at 2:56 pmGINGRICH: The only purpose of sabotaging them would be to create a gasoline-led crisis to try to replace the regime. I’m against using tactics that don’t have any strategic meaning.
And that regime change strategy was a real winner in Iraq, so it should be just as successful in Iran.
I truly question the intelligence of anyone who takes Newt seriously.
July 13th, 2009 at 2:56 pmGingrich announces:
I’m a deranged fool, obsessed with the inciting of the next world war. Watch me as I meddle in other countries affairs, trying desperately to trigger a nuclear holocaust…!
July 13th, 2009 at 2:56 pmThis guy is nuts, what gives him the right to say such dumb sh!t? What does he care, he’s rich, he’s powerful, and no matter what results come out of his stupid comments he’ll be fine.
July 13th, 2009 at 2:56 pmWe have been intervening in Iran since 1953, when our lovely CIA, a terrorist organization, worked with coverts from Britain to overthrow their democracy and bring in the dictator Shah, who went on to torture and murder thousands of Iranians. Gingrich is just another insane US imperialist. Of course, he is in an American tradition, since we have been imperializing in the third world since 1898, when we murdered some two-hundred thousand Filipinos, who resisted the newly established US empire.
July 13th, 2009 at 2:58 pmSo not only would we illegally sabotage their oil refineries, but we’d also announce that was our official policy on Al Jazeera??? Wow, just wow. Newt has completely lost his mind.
Good thing we don’t use oil here in the USA, so we wouldn’t be affected in any way. /snark
July 13th, 2009 at 2:58 pmWith only one gasoline refinery, Iran imports the vast majority of its gas. To stop that requires much more than covert operations. It requires an armada, which Western nations happen to have in the Persian Gulf.
As usual Newt makes little sense. But he loves tampering with other countries. Definitely not Founding Father material.
July 13th, 2009 at 2:59 pmSuch a huge head and such small thoughts.
July 13th, 2009 at 3:00 pmSome day I’ll learn to format this thing.
July 13th, 2009 at 3:00 pmWhy not just send in dead-eye Dick’s assassination team in to do the job? /snark off
July 13th, 2009 at 3:01 pmThese aging soft little fat guys from the repiggie ranks certainly are a war-like bunch, aren’t they?
Of course, not one of them has ever seen combat, because not one of them would ever join the military. I don’t believe that any of the current talking heads of the repiggie party, with the exception of McCain, has ever been in the military.
Still, they strut around like a bunch of pompous Mussolinis, full of fury and hellfire.
July 13th, 2009 at 3:01 pmBy the way, if your were Iran, and you suddenly had your refineries sabotaged during the Gingrich administration, wouldn’t you be more likely to change the regime to an even more anti-US one? Is the logic supposed to be that we’d tell them we were going to sabotage their refineries, then carry out the black-operations, then suddenly the Iranians would love us so much they’d change to a more pro-Western regime??? lol
July 13th, 2009 at 3:01 pmNewtdels is completely off his rocker but is telling us what the truth is regarding the “realpolitic” of the NeoCon (and some Dems) foreign policy strategy. It’s overtly illegal but it sure would end the need for an alternative energy plan. To be, or not to be murdered: that is the statement Newtdels wants 85 million Iranians to hear and ponder. No wonder my progressive friends call him “Nightmare Newt>”
July 13th, 2009 at 3:02 pmNewt knows covert. Wasn’t he an expert on that during his first marriage?
July 13th, 2009 at 3:03 pmJust what we need. Advice from one of the smallest IQ’s that used to be in government. When the administration begins taking advice from the like of McCain, or Gingrich or anyone from that party, we will truly be worse off then we are now.
Killing and bombing are all these people know or understand. And the death of human beings are just collateral damage to be discounted. This party of NO, are the most immoral people on the planet. Who might be worse? The Taliban, maybe. Bin Laden? A toss up.
July 13th, 2009 at 3:04 pmWhat Newt proposes is terrorism. Unbridled, state sponsored, terrorism.
What’s the difference between Al-Qaeda and the GOP?
July 13th, 2009 at 3:05 pmGingrich Announces Iran Policy: Topple The Government By Provoking A Gas Crisis Through Covert ‘Sabotage’
– - Apparently, Newt is advocating upwards of $8-10 a gallon for our gasoline. That’ll do wonders for our depressed economy.
July 13th, 2009 at 3:06 pm.
R E M E M B E R:
This man wishes an attack against America… A G A I N!
And now he wants to attack Iran?
You mean, Newt, the plans to attack America are complete…
… Or are you suggesting that you’re a multi-tasker?
.
July 13th, 2009 at 3:07 pmpete Says:
What’s the difference between Al-Qaeda and the GOP?
– - Palin would never cover those Runner’s World gams with a burka.
July 13th, 2009 at 3:07 pmGenius, Newt, what could possibly go wrong?
July 13th, 2009 at 3:07 pmSo, Gingrich wants to carry out illegal operations against Iranian oil refineries, and he finds it wise to announce these intentions on live television? With the current tension in Iran, I wonder if Newt has offered the current regime more talking points, assuming that an official there views this particular (and breathtakingly stupid, which is common for Gingrich) interview. They will now say, “American politicians want to illegally destroy our oil.”
This is how idiotic Newt is. He doesn’t think about the consequences of these actions. He simply thinks that attacking Iran refineries (which would also harm Iranian citizens/foreign interests) will somehow initiate a regime change.
July 13th, 2009 at 3:07 pmummmmmmmm…..just a little FYI newty…..that’s called TERRORISM
Chomsky was correct
July 13th, 2009 at 3:09 pmSo, if Iranians sabotaged our industrial energy infrastructure, Newtie’s response would be __________?
Asked and answered.
July 13th, 2009 at 3:15 pmPerhaps Newt can tell us about even one regime we helped to topple that came out well for us in the end. You don’t like a government, well hell, just go topple it. That’s the Republic’s mantra.
July 13th, 2009 at 3:17 pmAnd people wonder why Iran doesn’t trust us. Because of statements like these!
July 13th, 2009 at 3:18 pmFunny to note that even interviewers are scoffing at the right now days…
July 13th, 2009 at 3:19 pmBig baby wobbles
July 13th, 2009 at 3:21 pmStill afraid of his own dreams
Schizophrenia
Speaking of 1979: You mean when the U.S. armed Saddam Hussein
to the teeth so they could massacre Iranians for ten years?
(Covertly, of course)
And speaking 1989 and the fall of the soviet union:
Hiring the taliban for freedom fighters really saved the day!
No repercussions from that!
So how can the U.S. covertly crap on Iran,
July 13th, 2009 at 3:27 pmin the name of freedom and democracy?
Unlwfully.
Newtie has a policy toward Iran? What elected position is Newtie occupying? What Administration groups is Newtie advising? How can a nobody best known for bonking his soon to be third wife while his second wife was dying of cancer be taken seriously by Iran or anyone other than a neocon for that matter?
July 13th, 2009 at 3:29 pmJust more proof that Conservatives are incapable of reasoned logical thought.
Problem: Conservative sees something he doesn’t like.
Solution: Blow it up, violence.
Fcuking idiots, all of them.
July 13th, 2009 at 3:30 pmI was under the impression (and I could be very wrong), that interfering with foreign policy was against the law. If so, at what point does this ex-Congressman’s comments cross the line and break the law?
July 13th, 2009 at 3:41 pmAmericasBack. Was that by any chance in Washington National Airport because that is where I first heard the name and it was announced over the PA system on the US Airways concourse!
July 13th, 2009 at 3:42 pmWell, the Neocons didn’t like us for our freedom so they created 9/11 so that the neocons within our own government could strip away many of our freedoms and of course attack Iraq to force a regime change….does this make any sense?
July 13th, 2009 at 3:43 pmNewt forgot to mention a little detail, cutting Irans production would up the price of oil and gas in this country. But to him, a Republican, it’s all good because the big oil companies could rape us for billions. If the Iranians found out WE were behind the sabotage, all they’d have to do is sink a couple of tankers in the Gulf of Hormuz and we’d have an exceptionally nasty situation on our hands.
But you have to understand, like all Republicans, Newt probably wouldn’t anticipate this because Republicans/Neocons don’t think things through. However if Newt or one of his relatives was in the first US wave to be sent to Iran to protect our supply lines, he would probably never make such an ignorant statement.
July 13th, 2009 at 3:50 pmpete says:
July 13th, 2009 at 3:55 pmWhat’s the difference between Al-Qaeda and the GOP?
Al-Qaeda isn’t stupid enough to announce it on AlJazeera.
Zimzone Says:
Al-Qaeda isn’t stupid enough to announce it on AlJazeera.
It was meant as a rhetorical question but that’s an awesome answer.
July 13th, 2009 at 4:01 pmWhats the difference between Tracy_5 and a slug?
The slug has a functioning brain, even if it is primitive.
July 13th, 2009 at 4:06 pmDick-tation
July 13th, 2009 at 4:24 pmWhy is this asswipe doing interviews on Al Jazeera much plus proclaiming what he thinks American foreign policy should be? He should be tried for treason.
July 13th, 2009 at 4:26 pmHas he been watching too much Hogan’s Heroes ?
July 13th, 2009 at 4:27 pmMark701 says:
Newt forgot to mention a little detail, cutting Irans production would up the price of oil and gas in this country. But to him, a Republican, it’s all good because the big oil companies could rape us for billions. If the Iranians found out WE were behind the sabotage, all they’d have to do is sink a couple of tankers in the Gulf of Hormuz and we’d have an exceptionally nasty situation on our hands.
But you have to understand, like all Republicans, Newt probably wouldn’t anticipate this because Republicans/Neocons don’t think things through.
I think that part of the problem is that they DO think it through. And they think that it’s the only way to get back into power and it also will do lovely things to their personal oil stock portfolios at the same time. A win-win situation as far as they’re concerned.
July 13th, 2009 at 4:32 pmWhats the difference between Satan and the republican party?
There is no letter E in Satan….
July 13th, 2009 at 4:55 pmWell as shellless gastropods they don’t…
July 13th, 2009 at 4:58 pmThankfully, Gingrich does not hold any public office. All he can do is huff and puff about what he thinks the US should do to Iran or Korea. I wish he’d just be quiet and let the grown ups handle business!
July 13th, 2009 at 4:58 pmIt’s obvious to anyone with a functioning brain that Newt Gingrich is a ten dollar thug. His ideas only appeal to the feeble-minded. He is the kind of politician that makes foreigners wonder if all Americans are whackos.
Why do all these Republican spokesmen/women sound like crackpots? Many of them come off as downright scumbags. And proud of it. Good candidates for some kind of incarceration? FEMA camps? Re-education? They seem to be impervious to ridicule. Is retardation involved?
Maybe they’re been serving some weird brew at the country clubs.
July 13th, 2009 at 5:17 pmIt’s just a shame it takes Al Jazeera to push back on some of this nutty shit that comes out of these guys. David Gregory or Charlie Gibson would just sit there, murmuring and nodding at destructive nonsense like that.
July 13th, 2009 at 5:34 pmI think Newt should forget politics and try show biz: The Golden Girls 2009, with Newt, Karl Rove, Dick Cheney, and John McCain as Sophia. Watch for it on Faux this fall.
July 13th, 2009 at 5:58 pmCould somebody maybe call his wife to take him to his time-out chair, or preferably, send him to the nearest psych ward?
July 13th, 2009 at 6:08 pmPlease. Anyone?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhopal_disaster
The first official immediate death toll was 2,259. A more generally accepted figure is that 8,000- 10,000 died within 72 hours, and it is estimated that 25,000 have since died from gas-related diseases.
July 13th, 2009 at 6:19 pm…
It is estimated that 20,000 have died since the accident from gas-related diseases. Another 100,000 to 200,000 people are estimated to have permanent injuries.
Does this idiot think at all before the opens his pie hole? No! What happens when the North Koreans fire the 5-20 Nuclear Missles we miss and they hit the South Korean city of Seoul and several other counties like Japan? Over 20 million people will die and Newt thinks that equals success. Well fatboy(Newt), that doesn’t equal a victory because then we have to deal with all of the wounded and dying people not to mention all of the fall out from the radation that will result. Take my advice Newt, the next time you decide to open your pie hole, DON’T!
July 13th, 2009 at 7:09 pmJust another example of the GOP causing any kind of unrest possible in the middle east under the guise of “freedom”, when freedom is the last thing on anybody’s mind. These guys use American taxpayer dollars and lives to accomplish the work of oil companies-it’s ALL they do and is the only reason they are in politics to begin with. Theyr’e not concerned with “freedom” here or there. They could give a $^%@ about democracy, freedom, liberty or any other grand, rousing terms they use to prey on our patriotism…that way if we complain they can put our patriotism in question or lump us into some neat category to ridicule. The essence of freedom is the right to question authority…it’s how this country was created by the way.
July 13th, 2009 at 9:00 pmGingrich,palin,cheney,bush,hannity,orielly,rush,beck,and the list can go on and on. I thought that all the repugs and the talking heads and their dumbass followers were a harmless bunch of idiots.They are extremist and its kind of scary that these wingnuts believe the crap that these terrorist with a microphone spew. Rupert must be proud. Does anyone know if murdoch is a citizen,or is he in our country on a work visa. Did he marry some woman to become a legal citizen. If not then he should take his baggy ass face and get the fck out of our country. While hes at it he should take a few million of his dollars and fly foxnoise and every treasonist piece of sht that works for that company and LEAVE.
July 13th, 2009 at 10:02 pmIsn’t making these statements on Al Jazeera treason?
July 13th, 2009 at 11:45 pmif he’s referring to the beastie boys’ song, then it all makes perfect sense.
/listen all y’all, it’s sabotage.
July 14th, 2009 at 12:13 amThis pathetic holdover from the Reagan era of shoot first and try and figure out what a question is later school of political chicanery is still being touted as a viable candidate for the GOP in 2012?
Who would ever have thought that this asshat would make Sarah Palin seem reasoned and responsible?
The Republican party has officially jumped the shark.
July 14th, 2009 at 1:52 amHow did this men ever get into the corridors of power?they show how plainly naive and stupid their reasoning can be..
July 14th, 2009 at 2:15 amok newt ..you and your fellow repugs have done enough damage in d last 8 years… just allow the dems see how much they can do to salvage the wreckage your folks cause . and please watch what you say especially when you are live on tv
Uncle Fester Lurks says:
——————————————————————————–
Well, the Neocons didn’t like us for our freedom so they created 9/11 so that the neocons within our own government could strip away many of our freedoms and of course attack Iraq to force a regime change….does this make any sense?
********************
NO it makes no sense fool. The terrorists didn’t care about “left or right” when they murdered all those people on that day.
I seriously doubt that liberals or progressives here really agree with this “alternate history”?
Fester you are a sad POS
July 15th, 2009 at 2:39 am