Pentagon Official On Military Action In Iran: ‘We Can Imagine A Number Of Destablizing’ Consequences
Pentagon Official On Military Action In Iran: ‘We Can Imagine A Number Of Destablizing’ Consequences
Today in Geneva, the United States, along with Britain, France, Russia, China, Germany and the EU, engaged in direct talks with Iran over its nuclear program. The talks produced “constructive” progress, with Iran agreeing to allow U.N. inspectors to visit the newly disclosed uranium enrichment facility. Following revelations about the secret facility last week, the right-wing instantly mobilized for war, calling for military action and “regime change” in Iran.
ThinkProgress asked Dr. Colin Kahl, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Middle East, what the consequences might be if the war hawks had their way. “We’re a long ways away from that being an eventuality,” Kahl said, adding that the U.S. “is committed” to the “diplomatic track.” Noting that “military action is not desirable,” Kahl then laid out the sobering ramifications:
KAHL: [I]t will have an unpredictable set of consequences for the region but we can imagine a number of destabilizing ones. Depending on how Iran chose to retaliate, whether they chose to retaliate through the use of proxies in places like Iran or in Afghanistan through incitement of Shia communities in places like Bahrain or Saudi Arabia. Obviously if there was direct retaliation against U.S. forces in Iraq or Israeli interests. They could activate potentially activate or encourage Hizballah and Hamas to engage in reprisals and you can imagine the second and third order consequences of that on the peace process and on our outreach to the Muslim world and all of that.
“We don’t exactly know how it would unfold you have the prospects for unintended escalation and kind of losing control of what’s going on,” Kahl warned, adding that even though any military strike could delay Iran’s nuclear program, it could also “incentivize the Iranians to go all the way to weaponize” their nuclear material. Watch it:
Earlier this year, President Obama made it very clear that “regime change” is no longer the U.S. goal in Iran. When asked if the militaristic right-wing rhetoric undermines U.S. negotiations with Iran, a senior State Department official told ThinkProgress that it “could”:
I just saw the other day a quote from Ahmadinejad that talked about President Obama can’t even get his own job done let alone deal with us effectively. We should not underestimate the sophistication of Iran’s foreign policy apparatus and how they hear the messages from us and again, that’s one of the reasons we spend a lot of time on Capitol Hill is trying to make sure that the message they’re hearing from us are consistent.
Thankfully, Defense Secretary Robert Gates appears to have no interest in taking any advice from the neocons, saying on Sunday that “there is no military option that does anything more than buy time.”
Transcript:
TP: I just had a couple questions about Iran. Obviously we were just talking about how it’s in the news and how with the second enrichment site. And I was wondering if you could talk about the consequences of an Israeli, or U.S., military strike on Iranian nuclear facilities in the Middle East. What would that mean not only for Israel, the U.S. and Iran but for the region as a whole.
COLIN KAHL: Well I mean, the first thing to point out is that, I think we’re a long ways away from that being an eventuality. I think that clearly, we’re committed to and I think the Israelis are committed to giving this some time to explore the diplomatic track. I think that a lot of times people tend to contrast the diplomatic track and the sanctions track but actually they’re part and parcel to a duel track where we’re simultaneously engaging while building leverage in case the Iranians need additional encouragement to negotiate in good faith.
I think you saw an interesting moment of potential leverage with the revelations about the second enrichment facility deeply buried near Qom. So I don’t think that any of us think that a military strike by anybody is eminent.
Both the Secretary and the chairman, Secretary of Defense and the joint chiefs of staff have pointed out that military action is, while no option is off the table, military action is not a desirable course and it should be a last option largely because it will have an unpredictable set of consequences for the region but we can imagine a number of destabilizing ones. Depending on how Iran chose to retaliate, whether they chose to retaliate through the use of proxies in places like Iran or in Afghanistan through incitement of Shia communities in places like Bahrain or Saudi Arabia. Obviously if there was direct retaliation against U.S. forces in Iraq or Israeli interests. They could activate potentially activate or encourage Hizballah and Hamas to engage in reprisals and you can imagine the second and third order consequences of that on the peace process and on our outreach to the Muslim world and all of that.
So there are those types of consequences and I think that one could foresee. There’s also the fact that, because we don’t exactly know how it would unfold you have the prospects for unintended escalation and kind of losing control of what’s going on. I think there’s also one thing to consider is that, you know, the Secretary has said that a strike is likely not to, not something that solves the problem, it pushes the problem off and it delays and it could potentially delay or degrade the Iranian program and who knows, maybe that would be enough. Maybe if you delayed it by three years, in three years you could find a way to solve the problem but I think there’s also the possibility that it would incentivize the Iranians to go all the way to weaponize their nuclear weapons or to drive their program further underground.
So, you know, I think the secretary’s been pretty clear and consistent on this. Nobody’s talking about a military strike at the moment. All options are clearly, they’re always on the table for the secretary to recommend or for the President to decide upon but we’re…
TP: Is that nobody in the United States government or nobody…
KAHL: Let me clarify.
TP: Because the Israelis…
KAHL: No, no. By nobody’s talking about it, I mean, there’s no talk of an eminent strike by anybody and even the Israelis who are much more prone to talking that no options are on the table but to throw them on the table [Laughter] on a fairly regular basis.
I think now that the int’l community has a little bit more consensus behind it on putting pressure on Iran I think that’s put a little bit more time on Israel’s clock. I think you’ve seen a little bit more patience in their statements as well. They’re not optimistic about our ability to resolve this diplomatically but they’re willing to give it some time to try.
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Dick says – Grrrr, I want WAR, do you hear me, WAR is what makes industry turn here in the US, I want our entire economy based on nothing less than the destruction of the entire world, my master, Satan demands it. We need to follow his immoral teachings and make bombs, lots of bombs, and have lots of stock in those companies so I can make bathtubs full of money. Iran would be perfect to bomb, it would just soooo piss off the middle east that we would be there forever, and forever making war profits from it, just ask John Bolton, he is the best at serving our master with that pretty mustached mouth of his, he makes Satan very happy before I go in and meet with him….what did I tell you to do, Idiot?
George says – Uh, get fresh blood from cute kittens and puppies for you?
October 1st, 2009 at 5:22 pm“we can imagine a number of destabilizing ones”
No sh!t Sherlock, just listen to the Republicans, they have a whole bunch of suggestions for destabilizing that area, as well as here at home.
October 1st, 2009 at 5:27 pmIf an invasion of Iran won’t work, how come it worked so good iin Iraq when we took over the country and they were throwing roses within 2 days ?
IED, Rose,
But What is in a name?
October 1st, 2009 at 5:28 pmWould a Rose by any other name smell as sweet ?
GeorgeandDick
That post .. was the tastiest thing I’ve ever tasted.
Every dollar to come out of the treasury should be signed in blood – BLOOD MONEY!
October 1st, 2009 at 5:28 pmThe imperial bullies of the USA should relax and allow the Iranians to arm themselves and defend their country against US imperial aggression. Even President Obama admitted the our CIA and the Brits overthrow the Iranian democracy back in 1953 and installed the vile dictator Shah. Our charming CIA taught the Shah’s soon-to-be-dreaded secret police (the Savak?) how to torture Iranians. The Shah tortured and murdered thousands of Iranians. For that alone, we need to stop busybodying their nuclear program. End US imperial occupation of the world. We are a force for evil, dictatorship and torture. One hundred and eleven years and counting.
And the Zionist racist Israeli government is certainly able to defend itself; they reputedly have over one hundred nuclear weapons and they don’t allow any international inspection of their nuclear facilities.
October 1st, 2009 at 5:30 pmCrazy Person says:
OK smart guy, whats your solution to Iran? Should we bomb them? Invade them? Nuke them? Whats your oh so great idea to deal with Iran smart guy, since you think Obama has none.
October 1st, 2009 at 5:40 pmThat’s an interesting brief on the subject. Glad that he notes that this isn’t entirely under our control, and I hope that the Iranians realize that too. The Israelis are the primary independent actors who may just do what they damned well deem necessary, but they’re not the only people in the region who view the Iranians as more than just a potential threat.
The sooner the Iranians open up to the IAEA, instead of gaming them like they’re gaming everyone else, the sooner we can all get past this mess and on to more productive matters.
October 1st, 2009 at 5:40 pm***
all done
cleaning up aisle 4.
wasn’t ketchup.
seems bernie goldberg and glenn beck
were having tomato fights.
:)
October 1st, 2009 at 5:44 pmLook at Iraq Iraq has failed
October 1st, 2009 at 5:44 pmI vote NO on the QUAGMIRE.
October 1st, 2009 at 5:44 pmThe Pentagon? I think the unelected civilian leaders of the Republican party know a little more about war than you do.
October 1st, 2009 at 5:45 pmHeh! The only reason the subject came up is because we are actually undertaking active diplomatic efforts with Iran, stupid troll. That’s something that President Obama’s predecessor didn’t quite manage to get around to for eight long, dangerous, years.
If the stupid troll wants to whine about Obama neglecting something? I would suggest trying to find something he actually appears to be neglecting.
October 1st, 2009 at 5:46 pmok, this won’t be popular but…there are two major causes for unrest in the Middle East. One is oil, the other Israel. There is a real easy solution to the problem. The US shifts into high gear and diminishes its need for oil to the point where it doesn’t really matter what country in the Middle East has it.
Second, the US tells Israel it either learns to place nice or they are on their own.
October 1st, 2009 at 5:47 pmOnce again, stupid trolls. Please pick one of the following.
1. Obama is doing too much.
2. Obama is doing nothing.
3. Obama is doing everything wrong and/or too fast.
4. Obama is doing everything wrong and/or too slow.
These statements are mutually exclusive yet the trolls seem to interchange them to suit the day?s talking points.
October 1st, 2009 at 5:48 pmDoes global nuclear holocaust come under the purview of
October 1st, 2009 at 5:48 pm“will have an unpredictable set of consequences for the region but we can imagine a number of destabilizing ones
???
Shackle those Crazy Legs.
October 1st, 2009 at 5:48 pmIt must be great to live in a phycodelic world where you just say something and your mind accepts it as true and real.
I just wonder how they manage to tie their shoes.
October 1st, 2009 at 5:50 pmCan anyone name one neocon – ONE – that has any family members serving in the military in Iraq or in Afghanistan?
How about it, repiggie trolls?
Can you name just one with a family member serving in our two wars, both of which give the neocons boners?
Please, someone, give me just one name.
Please.
October 1st, 2009 at 5:51 pmCould those Crazy Legs have a wide, toe tapping stance?
Crazy Legs Larry Craig??
October 1st, 2009 at 5:51 pmBob
October 1st, 2009 at 5:52 pmWhy aren’t any of these repiggie trolls on this blog serving in Iraq or Afghanistan?
October 1st, 2009 at 5:52 pmThe minute we prove that our isolationist tactics haven’t destabilized the middle east and that some kind of precedent exists as to a democrat being “weak on defense”, we’ll get back to you, libs.
October 1st, 2009 at 5:52 pmcareful evangenital – there are a couple – palin’s eldest springs to mind. that’s his name too, isn’t it – Spring, or Sprung, or Stick, or something like that?
October 1st, 2009 at 5:52 pmCan’t go to war, don’t have the money, oh wait…..neocons have money for that but just no money for health care reform.
October 1st, 2009 at 5:52 pmtombaker, isn’t it Trance?
October 1st, 2009 at 5:54 pmIs anyone else tired of having the world teetering on the edge of global conflict and world ending war over the idea that some religion thinks a piece of desert is important? Can we please get to the point where there is no bit of dirt worth ending the world over?
October 1st, 2009 at 5:54 pmWait a minute, you don’t have the money for health care reform?
October 1st, 2009 at 5:55 pmBack on topic:
The “destabilizing influence” would be 30-40 million Persians turning on the American troops in place who are, despite our arrogance, effectively pinned down and cut off in hostile territory. It wouldn’t just turn the Middle East into a Viet Nam on steroids. It would turn into our Stalingrad.
October 1st, 2009 at 5:56 pmYou cheated to get that number just as you did in 2000.
You can’t win without cheating in fact.
October 1st, 2009 at 5:57 pmGreat reading when you’re in the men’s room stall, right Crazy Legs Larry?
October 1st, 2009 at 5:57 pmKAHL: [I]t will have an unpredictable set of consequences for the region but we can imagine a number of destabilizing ones.
– - All Iran has to do is scuttle a couple of their big tankers in the Strait of Hormuz and you can watch the worldwide price of oil skyrocket. Hello $200bbl.
October 1st, 2009 at 5:58 pmUh-oh, Iran has just announced that it will open it’s “secret” enrichment facility to the IAEA inspectors (something Israel would never do).
Damn, what’s a republicon war pig to do now?
October 1st, 2009 at 5:58 pmGlenn Greenwald demolishing the propaganda on Iran, including Arianna Huffington’s. It is rare and refreshing to hear someone with the facts discussing an issue and comprehensively refuting the fear and war mongers.
October 1st, 2009 at 6:00 pmSarah Surrender’s at # 1 for the moment.
AEI and Heritage Foundation are going to go broke buying up all these wingnut tomes to give away to their sucker contributors.
October 1st, 2009 at 6:00 pmDon of Cali ~ D’ya spose they’ll call for the invasion of Israel?
Ok, yeah, I’m just kidding…heh.
October 1st, 2009 at 6:01 pmThe fact that book “sales” are irrelevant has been well documented. The short version is that the bulk book “sales” are to promoters who give some away and recycle the rest. They give them away to people who waste their money attending paid events.
October 1st, 2009 at 6:02 pmShockingly enough,
twajie,
Book sales, just like tv viewership, are not recognized by the Electoral College.
Who ya votin’ for in 2012 twajie?
Jeb?
October 1st, 2009 at 6:02 pmCrazy Legs, name us a gop sucess story, just one.
October 1st, 2009 at 6:02 pmThat, of course, would be the fair and logical thing to do. Simply insist that Israel live up to the same standards of “transparency” as any other country or face the same sanctions.
October 1st, 2009 at 6:05 pmCrazy Legs
yes
October 1st, 2009 at 6:05 pmCrazy Guy, still waiting for your solution to what America should do in Iran, seeing as you say Obama is just sitting on his thumbs, whats your solution?
October 1st, 2009 at 6:05 pmI’m tired of war. Iraq, Afghanistan.. Now Iran. Can’t we solve our problems rather than blow them up?
October 1st, 2009 at 6:06 pmangels81, that punk can’t even compose a full sentence.
October 1st, 2009 at 6:06 pmApparently the stupid troll didn’t catch the story about the warehouse full of mAnn Coulter’s latest “best seller” waiting to be shredded because the purchaser couldn’t give them away. Apparently her “fans” took the option of the “magic juicer” over her masterpiece after she got caught lying about being “banned by NBC”.
October 1st, 2009 at 6:09 pmCrazy Legs
The republicans just lost two elections in a row by huge numbers and suffered serious defeats in both houses of congress.
Additionally, the gop is in total disarray and in danger of disappearing to be replaced by a more sensible party.
If that does not happen then the gop faces another 30 or 40 years as the minority party.
All because you are total failures at everything you do as far as Americans are concerned.
spin this
October 1st, 2009 at 6:09 pmpete says:
Once again, stupid trolls. Please pick one of the following.
1. Obama is doing too much.
2. Obama is doing nothing.
3. Obama is doing everything wrong and/or too fast.
4. Obama is doing everything wrong and/or too slow.
I’ll select 5) Obama needs to prove he can do all four x2 and walk on water because he’s not one of those guys on the dollar bills.
He needs to impress minority republicans more than his own party. There’s a higher standard set for “those people.”
And even then, we’re not prepared to give him credit because don’t want a democrat solving our problems, we want to take back power and expand on them. We’re out to prove that the worst is normal, even if better times existed.
October 1st, 2009 at 6:10 pmCrazy Guy, cut their gas supply? You are kidding right? That’s your solution, cut their gas supply? Hahahahahahahahahaha!!! You really are a simple mind.
October 1st, 2009 at 6:10 pm#50 says:
kill a bunch of iranian civilians who are trying to overthrow their government.
that’s freaking brilliant, twajie.
how better to wind their hearts and minds than by killing their old people and children, while leaving the nexus of their crooked government intact!
GHWB and the Gimper would be SO proud of you right now.
(and so would Charlie M.)
October 1st, 2009 at 6:11 pmPaging Crazy Head: name one republican problem left behind that any ghostwritten book is going to solve. Thanks.
October 1st, 2009 at 6:11 pmI don’t think we should over-commit military resources toward Iran,
they’ll be stretched pretty thin once the Turnip Truck Rebellion shifts into Coup d’Etat mode, brought to you by Newsmax.
October 1st, 2009 at 6:14 pmCrazy Guy, you don’t get it do ya? Dems don’t bulk by books to hand out to people like repugs do.
October 1st, 2009 at 6:14 pmtruth hurts doesn’t it. See, anyone can just be an ass. You aren’t special.
October 1st, 2009 at 6:16 pmteehee twajie – no one has to provide you anything,
ya delusional monkey.
i got your source, right here….
October 1st, 2009 at 6:17 pmCrazy Legs says:
What are Republicans doing in government? Apparently nothing – they sit on their fat asses and screw up everything they touch.
October 1st, 2009 at 6:20 pmWe sure do little goofball. We don’t feel obligated to share it with you because we understand that you don’t think for yourself anyway.
Tell us the truth, you tell folks what a bang up job you do over here at tp tearing the progressives a new a$$ don’t you.
How would you feel if they were to find out what the truth is. Humiliated? I’m betting you would.
October 1st, 2009 at 6:22 pmInteresting moniker, “Crazy Legs”
Apparently Sen. David Vitter boosted your self-esteem by conferring you that nickname.
October 1st, 2009 at 6:24 pmYou fail. You make no point and your soliloqy is childish. Life is not black and white except to bigots of the gop.
October 1st, 2009 at 6:27 pmPaging Crazy Head: name one republican problem left behind that any ghostwritten book is going to solve. Thanks.
By ignoring me, you’re confidently out to prove republicans don’t care about anything or anyone or any issue except their long-shot quest to return to power.
October 1st, 2009 at 6:27 pmCrazy person with legs: “Do you have a legitimate source for this info>”
All you have to do is look at the best seller list in the New York Times. They put a little mark next to books to indicate something called “bulk buys.” I don’t know, but I’m pretty sure you’ll see those marks next to both Palin’s and Beck’s books. You also see them next to Coulter’s books. It means organizations other than book stores have purchased large numbers in bulk. Richard Mellon Scaife, for example, has been known to purchase tens of thousands of Ann Coulter books and his “think tanks” will offer them as gifts for various things.
October 1st, 2009 at 6:31 pmWe republicans buy our stupidity in bulk.
October 1st, 2009 at 6:36 pmNo. I don’t know of an instance. If you can find one, let us know. By the way, here’s a bunch of your neoconservative lackies discussing a familiar subject, circa 2002:
“Question #2: Okay, well if we are all so certain about the dire need to invade Iraq, then when do we do so?
Pipes: Speed is essential.
Ledeen: Yesterday.
Bukovsky: The sooner the better.
Barnes: Sooner rather than later. Three things need to be in place: weapons used in Afghanistan must be replenished (this is mostly accomplished), the summer must be over so aircraft carriers can be used, and the sites of Saddam’s weapons of mass destruction located so they can be taken out without Saddam mounting a suicidal attack using them against the U.S., American troops, or Israel.”
THESE ARE LITERALLY SOME OF THE SAME PEOPLE ARGUING FOR A QUICK ATTACK ON IRAN. WILL WE EVER LEARN?
October 1st, 2009 at 6:37 pmcl is crawling around on his hands and knee’s trying to get us to follow him.
anywhere but the topic at hand I’m sure.
October 1st, 2009 at 6:38 pmObama’s already moved Iran closer to regime change than any of the Cons were able to in 30 years, and he’s done so without killing or displacing half the population and destroying the infrastructure like the retard president did in Iraq.
That’s got to make them feel pretty small and stupid.
And they should.
i’m sorry.
October 1st, 2009 at 6:41 pm77 – that’s not on topic at all.
October 1st, 2009 at 6:42 pmCrazy Legs, the point, which you don’t seem to have the juice to get, is that wealthy right-wing individuals and organization bulk buy conservative books. They do that to fool gullible people like you into believing there is much more support for your opinions and trick you into posting absurd little nuggets about how “Palin’s Number One!” or “Beck’s winning!” If people were as behind Beck as you think, then 75% of the public would not be supporting a public option and Obama wouldn’t have won with the largest margin for any Democrat in 30 years.
Are you interested in books? Do you watch the bestseller lists very much? If you did, you would find that many of these books, especially Ann Coulter’s, will shoot up during their first week or two and then tank. That’s a dead giveaway. And, just as an aside, do you know many Palin fans that are big readers? Just wondering.
October 1st, 2009 at 6:45 pmBovine,
Iraq war paying for itself yet?
You know, it has been only 6 years.
October 1st, 2009 at 6:46 pmHey Twajie:
Instead of spamming threads at Think Progress for Eric Odom, why don’t you grow a pair and finally agree to a one on one debate at a neutral site?
Why are you afraid to agree to the debate?
I noticed you morons at the stalker/hate blog have bloced me from even viewing that joke of a blog. Are you that ashamed of it?
October 1st, 2009 at 6:48 pmWhat gives, pussy?
Crazy Legs: “I don’t see any “little marks.””
You’re almost there. Scroll down to the bottom of the list and look at the notes. At the bottom, you’ll see that they use a little dagger symbol for bulk buys. None on the list has that symbol right now. I suggest you check back the week after Sarah Palin’s book hits the shelves and look for the dagger.
October 1st, 2009 at 6:51 pmget on topic or get out dude.
and by dude i mean twajie.
October 1st, 2009 at 6:53 pmNone of Franken’s books has ever had bulk buyers. He even talks about the practice in either “Lies” or “Rush Limbaugh…” I forget which one.
October 1st, 2009 at 6:54 pmYou know, Tom, the guy THINKS he knows something, but he doesn’t know. I’m just trying to open his eyes a little to reality. I’m pretty sure that, as usual, it’s a lost cause, but I continue to try.
October 1st, 2009 at 6:55 pmBovine
You are halfway there.
Admitting you are crazy is part of admitting you have a problem.
We will work on the *stupid* part after your lobotomy.
October 1st, 2009 at 6:57 pmHuge fear factor going on here. Lots of nukes scattered across lots of countries. But if Iran joins the club, holy crap.
I guess its because if Iran developed one nuke odds are it would be the only one aimed at Jerusalem. I guess all that rhetoric about taking out Iran had an effect.
Like how the US targeted every major city in Russia and China. and I am certain Israel has no nukes and none of them are targeted on any major Arab city.
October 1st, 2009 at 7:00 pmProject 73 will be a failure just like everything else Eric Odom has ever endeavored to try.
It will be a bigger failure than Olbermann Watch.
It will be a bigger failure than Think Progress Watch.
It will be a bigger failure than Fresh Vision Media.
It may be a bigger failure than the 912 protest in Washington.
They had Fox News promoting the stupid protest 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and despite all that free publicity, only 60 thousand bothered to show up.
They got way more people than that the same night, down the road in Richmond VA at the Nascar race.
October 1st, 2009 at 7:03 pmlinking to righty stink tanks will get you nowhere fast
twajie.
why do you bother?
October 1st, 2009 at 7:04 pmDoes “Project 73″ mean the first 72 projects failed?
October 1st, 2009 at 7:09 pmIran does NOT have a nuke.
Iran does NOT have the guiding tech to deliver a flaming bag of camel turds via UPS.
Any USA drone can drop a non-nuclear load capable of boring a small crater in a specific location within short notice.
Stop wetting your panties, gNOpigs.
October 1st, 2009 at 7:09 pmOnce again, stupid trolls. Please pick one of the following.
1. Obama is doing too much.
2. Obama is doing nothing.
3. Obama is doing everything wrong and/or too fast.
4. Obama is doing everything wrong and/or too slow.
These statements are mutually exclusive yet the trolls seem to interchange them to suit the day?s talking points. — Pete
*********************************************************
Actually, Pete, my guess is that the poor things just can’t help themselves. After all, their neoconservative handlers in Washington are doing more or less the same thing. One day, they claim that Obama secretly intends to turn this country into a fascist dictatorship — and the next day, they claim that he’s weak. If he’s weak, then they have no real reason to be quite so terrified over what they think he’s doing to their children or Wall Street or whatever — and if he’s a would-be tyrant, then they have no real reason to dwell on the possibility that another country might think of attacking us (since a would-be tyrant would be more likely to incite concerns that we might decide to attack them). The fact that Obama can’t logically be both at the same time never enters their minds. The trolls are probably no different — it’s merely a case of “monkey see, monkey do.”
October 1st, 2009 at 7:10 pmCrazy legs, obviously not every conservative book is bolstered by bulk sales.
But you started this little snit off with this: “Any surprise that Glenn Becks newest book is already #1?”
Then, later, you proudly pointed us to the list itself. Evidently, when you examined the list, you absentmindedly forgot to notice that Beck’s not even on it yet. So, where did you get the idea that he’s “already #1?” From him?
October 1st, 2009 at 7:14 pmProject 73, what a joke. More like project 14/88.
October 1st, 2009 at 7:15 pmDon’t worry Twajie, I have no interest in having your job being a stalker troll.
October 1st, 2009 at 7:16 pmWhat’s with your 24/7 obsession with Keith Olbermann and Charles Johnson?
I just want to know why you are too afraid to debate one on one?
Is it because your heavy drinking prevents you from doing anything else besides trolling?
Project 73!
It doesn’t matter what they call it. They’re out of new ideas and the only ones they’ve got are either old and stale or make no sense. Their movement is over and they don’t realize it yet. Their modern economic model has run its course and has proven to be what George HW Bush called it back in 1980 – Voodoo economics. They’ve taken us from the world’s largest creditor nation in 1979 to the world’s largest debtor nation today. They’ve created huge deficits, scandals and economic turmoil with their incessant de-regulation. It’s all over except for the screaming and they’re doing a lot of that these days and not much else.
October 1st, 2009 at 7:23 pmThis comment has been voted down. Click to read.
NinerFan says:
October 1st, 2009 at 7:34 pmOctober 1st, 2009 at 7:14 pm
____________________________________________________
Details, details, they merely cloud the issue, ignore them!
exactly, CG – they deal with the U.S. all the time.
October 1st, 2009 at 7:34 pmIt is just a matter of when, not if, Israel hits Iran.
October 1st, 2009 at 7:46 pmUm, hello.
Iran went to the IAEA and said “Hey look, we’ve got a back up plant!”
The US and Israel tried to make it look like it was some secret plant that had been uncovered. Well, it had been uncovered when Iran stuck to the NPT and went to the IAEA to get it inspected.
Now the US and Israel are going to try to make it look like they did something.
They had nothing to do with getting this plant inspected.
October 1st, 2009 at 7:51 pmconservative guy says:
Let Israel take care of Iran. They’re used to dealing with POS countries.
A country that isolates and concentration camps more than half of its population isn’t a POS country? LOL! ;)
October 1st, 2009 at 7:56 pmthat’s nice, mr. dook.
come right back and tell us about it when that happens, k?
October 1st, 2009 at 7:57 pmAh jeffy bovine the patsy is making those “insightful” one liner posts devoid of grammar again. When you got nothin, I guess that’s the best you can do! LOL! ;)
October 1st, 2009 at 7:59 pmCrazyMORON says
Iran doesnt have any nukes. At best they are a decade away from nukes IF they are trying to secretly make them which basically cannot be done. So you are stupid and you are brainwashed, check. Keep spewing what Rush told you to think but dont expect normal humans to do anything but laugh at you
October 1st, 2009 at 8:11 pmConservaTROLL
And we are used to dealing with POS trolls. Just go kill yourself moron. You are just an ignorant pile of dogshit
October 1st, 2009 at 8:22 pmI’m not addressing any of this book sale discussion crap. Whether or not this or that person sold more books does not make their lies true. The troll is successfully derailing much of this thread.
.
Crazy Legs says:
Obamas goal is to sit on his thumbs and wait for Iran to use one of their nukes…….
You just want the U.S. to slaughter more people to feed your neocon bloodlust.
.
Crazy Legs says:
Cut their gas supply, cripple their economy. End of problem.
Actually, that would be only the beginning of the problem. Or rather, it would if they didn’t already have all the oil they’ll ever need, idiot.
“Tough talk against Iran” only strengthens Ahmajinedad’s control of the country. You’re basically working for him.
.
BombBombBomb Obamaran says:
Meanwhile, who really cares if Iran develops a nuclear weapon?
Well, I do. I know you wingnuts would like it if they did so you could bring the Rapture sooner, but I’d like to prevent it if possible. Scaring the country with threat of attack pretty much guarantees that they’ll try to build one as soon as possible to protect themselves from the scary Americans.
October 1st, 2009 at 9:12 pmCrazy Legs says:
There’s a difference between oil and gas. Next?
Not in this debate. Next?
October 1st, 2009 at 9:48 pmCrazyMORON
You do know you are incredibly stupid dont you? Do you know how easy it is to turn oil into gas? Do you know how hard it is to make gas without oil? My GOD you are a moron
October 1st, 2009 at 9:54 pmThe Iranian people’s liberty has been held captive for far too long. Their current president is a psycopath. The people there hold no ill feelings for jews; many Iranians are jewish.
October 1st, 2009 at 10:16 pmNetanyahu’s abusive and intolerant policies have alienated Israel from any centralist ideology, and divided jews as well on the treatment of Palestinians.
I find it interesting that Oval aka James K. Sayre’s post was voted down without debate. I agree with him on every point but nuclear armament, but then, I am a pacifist.
Ahmadinejad, mad with power,has illegally spent billions on his private army, at the cost of the welfare of the Iranian people. Did you see the protesters in Tehran after the election? Every one of them was risking their lives and those of their families by demonstrating against Ahmadinejad’s theft of their democracy. Thousands of them were arrested, hundreds were killed, and hundred more are still imprisoned and tortured.
These people do not deserve to live under the house arrest of a tyrant, nor should Iran become another battlefield for the bushtypes to execute another holy war for oil.
We Can Imagine A Number Of Destablizing’ Consequences
A number? I can give you 1 right now-
1. Our presence
How about another-
2. Ground war’s in Asia ring a bell?
and
3. We trained many of them so they would kick Russian’s ass out and they did!
Cost of training to US citizens- 3,000 dollars per person. Learning how to fight dirty from the number one fighting force the world over- priceless…
October 1st, 2009 at 10:16 pmBovine,
Do you know what a centrifuge is?
Let me explain it to you.
It is like when your uncle/daddy puts you on the merry-go-round and after a few turns you climb down even more stupid than at the start.
Iran can be stopped through economic sanctions.
Kind of like your dad, Bovine, running out of carnival tickets to concentrate more STUPID into you.
Even if you Bovine want to get more STUPID and climb on the merry-go-round a few times more, you can’t. You don’t have the coin.
Your uncle/dad ends up broke and with you, an erratic demented idiot, stinking up the trailer park.
October 1st, 2009 at 10:22 pmCrazy Legs says:
What debate?
The troll doesn’t know the debate, but posts anyway. Explains the stupid posts! ;)
Crazy Legs says:
That word isn’t in your very limited vocabulary and out of your scope of capabilities. How many refineries does Iran have? Not many. Lots of oil, refineries, not so much.
LOL! The troll drones on… ZZzzzz…
October 1st, 2009 at 10:30 pmCrazy Legs says:
You mean like cutting off their gasoline supply? Crawl back in your spider hole, ok? Shouldn’t you be stalking someone? Oh, you are.
The cyber stalker is project again… Zzzzz…
October 1st, 2009 at 10:31 pmCrazyMORON
You are an ignorant pile of dogshit. Your stupidity is beyond human comprehension. Iran produces about 60% of their own gasoline and that could EASILY be increased. My GOD you are stupid
October 1st, 2009 at 10:33 pmMy GOD you are stupid. Their entire economy is fragile and dependent on MANY kinds of imports as well as very vulnerable to sanctions on their EXPORTS ya moron. Gas is only one small part of that. You DO know you are really stupid dont you?
October 1st, 2009 at 10:39 pmBovine,
Please seek professional mental help and finish your 3rd grade elementary.
Jeebus didn’t ride around on dinosaurs and rockets DO NOT fly with gasoline or oil.
Only a MORON like you makes such claims.
October 1st, 2009 at 10:44 pmEric Odom’s troll says:
Sorry Twajie, you’re the only stalker here at the moment.
October 1st, 2009 at 10:45 pmYou still haven’t explained to us why you are obsessed 24/7 with Keith Olbermann and Charles Johnson.
CrazyMORON
I didnt claim to be Einstein but compared to YOU I am Stephen Hawking. YOU are stupider than hair on a barbershop floor
October 1st, 2009 at 10:47 pmBovine
Go call your genocidal boyfriend twatjie.
You are making him look stooooopid.
October 1st, 2009 at 10:57 pmYou know the story Twajie, you called me a coward for not debating you at your stalker/hate blog, so I finally went there and took you on your offer.
Your butt buddy Mark Donato saw you getting ass kicked, so immediately banned my IP from even viewing your joke of a blog.
He did me a favor because I needed brain bleach after reading all the idiocy posted at that dump.
Was it Donato’s idea or did Eric Odom put him up to it?
Twajie, why are you afraid to debate me one on one?
October 1st, 2009 at 11:01 pmIs Bovine trying to terrorize us again? Lemmme see if I can work up some terror for the little goofy doofy would be terrorist……. wait, wait…. hang on…….
Nope.
Sorry, Jeffy. You’re just a clown.
October 1st, 2009 at 11:04 pmCrazy Legs says:
“Reggie” says:
Says the POS that was admittedly banned from even VIEWING a blog!
Says the POS that is constantly banned yet keeps coming back to show everyone how stupid he really is! LOL! ;)
October 1st, 2009 at 11:07 pmCrazy Legs says:
Not many. Lots of oil, refineries, not so much.
That’s true, but they don’t need that much gasoline. Especially if we keep pushing them to develop nuclear reactors by threatening them and applying sanctions on top of sanctions.
You’re basically trying to turn Iran into a nuclear power, and supporting the revolutionary regime’s grip on society. Why?
If sanctions worked, then we would never have had to invade Iraq to remove Saddam.
October 1st, 2009 at 11:08 pmCrazyMORON
Says the low level moron so stupid he siphons IQ points from all of America by virtue of existing
October 1st, 2009 at 11:10 pmWhat is your deal with Tsars?
October 2nd, 2009 at 12:06 amCrazy Legs says:
Why do they have to ration gas if they have so much? Seems kinda strange.
Because exporting oil/gas produces hard currency? You’re kinda strange! Then again, you’re dumb! ;)
October 2nd, 2009 at 12:11 amCrazyMORON
You are a liar. You are an ignorant moronic pile of dogshit and a LIAR. You get pure joy out of telling lies. Look up the age of consent you lying piece of garbage. Then try to get through your thick skull and vast ignorance what statutory rape IS. Then just STFU since you are too stupid to be taken seriously. MORON
October 2nd, 2009 at 12:28 amCrazy Legs says:
Another Czar under serious fire? Condoning gay statutory rape?
I don’t understand the meaning of this word salad.
I Googled news results for “gay statutory rape, and came up with the following, which I’ll assume is what you were gibbering about…
Despite evidence to contrary, Fox News machine claims Jennings “cover[ed] up statutory rape”
Fox News Launches Another Smear Campaign Against an Obama Official
So you’re basically bragging that FAUX Noise is starting up another smear campaign of an innocent government official. Why are you so proud of character assassination and slander?
October 2nd, 2009 at 12:30 amCrazyMORON
YOU are a LIAR. I will try to dumb this down so that even someone as stupid as YOU can understand it. Age of consent 16. Guy 16. No rape. You VERY stupid. You ALWAYS going to be STUPID and a LIAR.
October 2nd, 2009 at 12:32 amElBruce. Because he is a liar, a moron and an ignorant punkass troll.
October 2nd, 2009 at 12:34 amCrazyMORON. The messenger is LYING. There was no rape statutory or otherwise. He was of the age of consent. What about that are you just TOO STUPID TO UNDERSTAND?
October 2nd, 2009 at 12:35 amAnd who is the bizarre homebound no life attention seeker?
October 2nd, 2009 at 12:36 amCrazyMORON
YOU are the liar. The guy was 16. THAT is the age of consent. You just get sheer joy out of lying. What a pile of dogshit you are.
October 2nd, 2009 at 12:37 amSounds like you hit a nerve, dbadass.
October 2nd, 2009 at 12:40 amI have a couple of Crazy Legs in my tackle box.
They look like they could get some attention…
October 2nd, 2009 at 12:43 ambut the fish never bite.
Jennings lawyer is saying the kid was 16. YOU are a liar. Show where he ADMITTED a statutory rape LIAR. Cough up EVIDENCE the kid was 15 or admit you are a lying pile of dogshit. You are disgusting, stupid, and you are a LIAR
October 2nd, 2009 at 12:43 am“How so, sock? He’s the one making the personal attacks.”
Calling me a sock, that’s not a personal attack?
I’m more like the boot that’s going to kick your ass.
October 2nd, 2009 at 12:45 amCrazyMORON
Cough up the evidence the kid was 15 or admit you are nothing but an ignorant disgusting LIAR.
October 2nd, 2009 at 12:46 amCrazyMORON
You keep regurgitating what Tapper said. THAT isnt evidence. Cough up the evidence the guy was 15 when Jennings had sex with him instead of 16 as Jennings and his lawyer claim or admit you are nothing but a lying sack of dogshit
October 2nd, 2009 at 12:51 amIs that all you got? You’ve stooped to personal attacks?
—
October 2nd, 2009 at 12:54 amOh I have all kinds of stuff but I have stooped to nothing. See the thing is that I am trained in behavior and yours is really easy to interpret. Negative attention seeking is sort of an area of interest of mine. You come here to elicit responses in hopes of compensating and mitigsting the frustrations you find in your real world social interactions. In your mind you have created a false scenario in which you are a valient preacher of the “truth” and such but it is oh so much crap.
Gateway pundit? HA try again. Cough up EVIDENCE the kid was 15 not 16 not what some rightwing blog is saying MORON or admit you are a lying sack of dogshit. Cough up the links so we can judge for ourselves if you are just regurgitating rightwing LIES.
October 2nd, 2009 at 12:55 amactually you and I both know that you don’t belief the shit you post you just need the negative attention. It is sort of pitiful but I understand the problems you face and have pity…
October 2nd, 2009 at 12:55 amnooseeum is hardly a sock. nooseeum actually has a very lively life. Something you no doubt long for yet can not comprehend. nooseeum lives….
October 2nd, 2009 at 12:57 amSo Jennings is saying someone ELSE, Brewster had sex with this kid when he was 15 and he didnt rat him out. THAT isnt Jennings comitting any statutory RAPE. YOU are a LIAR. Not to mention EXCEEDINGLY stupid
October 2nd, 2009 at 12:57 amThat was STILL a 16 year old kid not 15. Until you can cough up some evidence the kid was 15 ya got nothin. You are a LIAR.
October 2nd, 2009 at 1:01 amCrazy Legs says:
You didn’t expect msnbc or cnn to report it, did ya? Try looking at the facts instead of attacking the messenger.
I did.
You can’t get him for condoning statutory rape if it wasn’t statutory rape. It would be statutory rape today, but it wasn’t in 1988 Massachussetts. The law has changed since then. However, you can’t apply laws retroactively.
Did you look at the facts? Or did you just agree with the people who tend to agree with you? Clearly, you didn’t even click either of the links I provided.
Wow, this conversation has got to be really embarrassing for you. I can’t even imagine.
October 2nd, 2009 at 1:01 amBottom line CrazyMORON is a liar and a fool and an ignorant pile of dogshit who LOVES TO LIE.
October 2nd, 2009 at 1:02 amCrazy Legs says:
Prediction: The “czar” will step down…..how many will this make?
How many careers have you people ruined with lies and slander? Three so far, I think. Congratulations.
October 2nd, 2009 at 1:06 amdbadass says:
You used media maters for “proof,” took a jab at Fox News and ran with your tail between your legs. Who “trained” you? They failed, miserably.
—
October 2nd, 2009 at 1:08 amHey f ucked up freakshow, what are you talking about. All I have done is called you out for what you are. Don’t try and claim anything else or at least have the balls to go show us where I did this thing you claim. I can f uck with you all day and you know it. So please just repost for us where I ever mentioned media matters or Fox News. You won’t do it because you can’t and I will once again have rubbed your loser ass into the dirt.
You come here to divert from all things obama.
—
October 2nd, 2009 at 1:09 amNope I come here to make you suffer and to call out frauds, posers, losers, and misfits.
See you can’t keep your shit together. Your need for attention prevents you from consistancy of thought. You have a serious problem. I find those with mental anomalies intriguing…
October 2nd, 2009 at 1:16 am“Would you just “step down” if someone was “lying” about you and “smearing” you? I know I wouldn’t.”
George got away with it.
October 2nd, 2009 at 1:20 amDick got away with it.
Sounds alot like welfare.
October 2nd, 2009 at 1:23 amCut the bullshit. You and your endless personas dick around here all day everyday. It is so absurd, bizzare, and pitiful. Still it does yield valuable insights into the plight of the socially alienated…
October 2nd, 2009 at 1:23 am“I apologise for making a mistake and I get a personal attack! LOL!”
Works pretty good for you, doesn’t it, crazy lace?
October 2nd, 2009 at 1:26 amYou make mistakes, you get called on them, you get lots of attention…
Well, why do obamas appointees and czars seem to just “step down?”
October 2nd, 2009 at 1:26 am—
See you can’t even figure out how to load bait. A real fisherman uses a more subtle technique which doesn’t immediately expose them…
Wow. I go away for a few hours and when I check back, the thread has turned into a troll-attention-suck session that has stopped having anything to do with Iran and is now about Fox propaganda. Amazing how these little pathetic cries for attention can degrade.
October 2nd, 2009 at 1:27 amI recall during the dubbyer years that it was common to hear the “Spend more time with the family” excuse. With others it was “I dont recall”
October 2nd, 2009 at 1:28 amStepping down is an honorable action, and the ability to accept culpability.
Hanging on through continued law breaking and manipulation is not honorable.
But obviously you care little for honor.
You don’t seem to have a sense of shame either.
October 2nd, 2009 at 1:29 am197
October 2nd, 2009 at 1:33 amWe are talking about you. Please try not to project and justify. Just accept what you are. It is the only way I can help you get better….
“Hmmm. I seem to recall a few democrats doing just that…..”
I can too.
October 2nd, 2009 at 1:42 amI was making no political distinction.
Simply a distinction between intelligence and morality,
and greedy, grimy and corrupt fearmongers…
“We talk about what I want to talk about.”
Which is, of course, all about you…
October 2nd, 2009 at 1:43 amTell us freakshow. Why do you persist? How many names do you post under on any given day? How many of your identities have been banned? How long have you had this weird compulsion? You are truely in need of help and I can help you. You just have to be willing to acknowledge how sad and sorry you have become…
October 2nd, 2009 at 1:44 am@92. Hoodathunk says: … I guess its because if Iran developed one nuke odds are it would be the only one aimed at Jerusalem. … and I am certain Israel has no nukes and none of them are targeted on any major Arab city. October 1st, 2009 at 7:00 pm
Nope. If the Iranians develop a weapon and actually build a couple, they won’t target Jerusalem (alQuds); it’s a holy city for Muslims, as well as Christians and Jews. Probably Tel Aviv. The second one would be reserved for an Iraeli military base where they think most of the Israeli weapons are.
The current best guess in the public domain for the number of Israeli nuclear weapons is around 200 warshots; they may have a similar number inactive, being dismantled, in maintenance, etc. That number is based on the probable production capacity of the Dimona facility.
It is assumed that the Israelis have both air deliverable and missile weapons. The air deliverable weapons don’t have to be ‘targeted’, as missiles do; the weapon goes on the airplane, the aircrew or pilot gets a ’strike’ briefing or package that gives him the exact location and his best route to and from the target, and away he goes. Missiles do have to be targeted; the guidance system has to be programmed for the launch point, trajectory, engine burn time (for liquid fuel systems), and a few other factors; the missile may or may not be capable of autonomous mid-course corrections, etc.
October 2nd, 2009 at 1:45 amThe patient reveals so much in #203 without even realizing…
October 2nd, 2009 at 1:46 am“Good to know.”
He’s making progress already…
Come and see me again next week.
October 2nd, 2009 at 1:48 amYes, same time…
Yes, same place.
Your gerbil?
No, I don’t think so.
Next client please!
Amadinejad has been using oil profits to fund his guard, the basij, that are now a million strong. Their training is religious and military police, with a mobster ruthlessness and loyalty. These are the black clad motorcycist you saw brutally beating unarmed men and women during the protests this summer. They are paid four times what an average Iranian earns.
Iran’s oil is nationalized, and it’s economy is dependent on those profits. Gasoline, mostly imported, used to be 30 cents a gallon,
now they pay more than we do. Inflation in Iran is now 25.9%.
Supreme Leader Khamenei’s son, Mojtaba is in charge of the Basij and the muscle behind Ahmadinejad remaining in power. Great Britain froze 1.64 billion dollars of the younger Khamenei’s assets last June.
As far as U.S. sanctions go, they still remain in place from 1979.
October 2nd, 2009 at 1:49 amLet’s talk goals and objectives shall we? Whay is it that you create so many false identities and spend so much time here? What is it that you hope to accomplish? What is to be gained?
October 2nd, 2009 at 1:51 am“No. I try to talk about politics…”
Don’t seem to have much luck with that though, huh?
October 2nd, 2009 at 1:52 amYou quickly degenerate into smut and scandal.
And then play the victim.
Uh, no.
Bovine, in your case it is called
“you whine like a 4 year old”
My apologies to real 4 year old kids.
October 2nd, 2009 at 1:54 amBovine is trolling for dates.
He prefers liberal, non-prejudiced yet strong willed men around the central California area.
Don’cha, Bovine?
October 2nd, 2009 at 1:57 am“My apologies to real 4 year old kids.”
They’ll never notice…
October 2nd, 2009 at 1:59 amJust give them some attention and they’re good to go.
By what authority were you made “messenger” and why do you feel this authority wished you to be bestowed this role?
October 2nd, 2009 at 2:00 amCrazyMORON is a LIAR. He just lies. He spews lies. Heis stupid and brainwashed and LOVES to lie
October 2nd, 2009 at 2:08 amShall we schedule are next session or are you afraid your insurer knows of your prior history?
October 2nd, 2009 at 2:08 amThe cowardly Bovine run away, as always.
G’nite.
October 2nd, 2009 at 2:10 amLike any average 4 year old, perhaps Scrambled Eggs has gone off to sulk in the corner ’cause we ganged up on him.
October 2nd, 2009 at 2:11 amOr gone to cook some breakfast.
Bovine
Plagiarizing again, so early in the morning?
October 2nd, 2009 at 8:24 amCrazy Legs says:
If you want to be taken seriously you have to find a more credible source.
More credible than mediamatters? They include complete video and fully source everything they say. I’ve never seen anything by them discredited. Is there anything in particular they’ve reported that you disagree with? If so, please cite and quote it.
.
Crazy Legs says:
Would you just “step down” if someone was “lying” about you and “smearing” you? I know I wouldn’t.
Maybe. If I didn’t want Bill O’reilly’s producers chasing my kids to grade school, I might consider whether it’s worth facing a media empire out to destroy me, or if the better part of valor would be just to say that it ain’t worth the trouble. I hope one of these days one of these people stands up for themselves, but it’s perfectly understandable if they don’t want to. It’s not like they signed on to these minor government jobs in order to become a martyr.
.
Crazy Legs says:
We talk about what I want to talk about.
Definition of a “troll.” Thanks for the admission.
October 2nd, 2009 at 10:24 pmThank you for your sharing.!
October 7th, 2009 at 4:59 pm