Omnious language from Tehran
International NewsTEHRAN, Iran — Hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Tuesday that it was "too late" to stop Iran's nuclear program and warned the U.S. and its allies not to push for new U.N. sanctions on Iran, which he compared to a lion sitting quietly in a corner.
In other words, Iran is capitalizing on the fact that the US is completely tangled and stretched to its near-limit around the world. They are posturing knowing full well the US has no intention of attacking or doing anything untoward other than complain to the UN. The UN has no other utility at hand other than the ability to impose sanctions...which, as we've seen in Iraq over the last 15 years, has very little effect on the GOVERNMENT, only creates unrest and suffering among the people. Many countries just flat out ignore UN accords anyway (*cough* France *cough*)
I would be very interested to hear what the audience has to say on this subject. Is this saber-rattling or does Iran fully intend to ignore the United Nations?
~Dubya
Danny said:
Dubya,
I think that Iran is likely just "testing" the waters. However, part of me thinks what if that is too sane of reasoning? Which then has the flipside of maybe they really are posturing to see just how far they really can push us in a hope we do "retaliate".
However, I don't know what their reasoning is behind this and I don't have all the facts so anything I say is just based on the above statements.
I think that Iran is likely just "testing" the waters. However, part of me thinks what if that is too sane of reasoning? Which then has the flipside of maybe they really are posturing to see just how far they really can push us in a hope we do "retaliate".
However, I don't know what their reasoning is behind this and I don't have all the facts so anything I say is just based on the above statements.
Gster said:
I think this line is just posturing by the Iranian nut job president to take peoples' minds off the fact that their economy is going down the tubes. They have to import oil, their oil refinement/distribution system is falling apart. The majority of it's citizens are under 30 and are aware of the West via the Internet, and like Americans as a people.
It won't take mush for their system to implode.
It won't take mush for their system to implode.
Vaughn Tolle said:
I think Iran is doing a bit of saber rattling, with the knowledge that the U.S., being fully committed in Iraq, cannot do much about it. The UN is as good as the consensus of its members, many of whom right now aren't too interested in what we have to say, given the Iraq misadventure. The Iranians also have their "eyes on the prize" of the oil reserves in Iraq, waiting to fill the inevitable vacuum when the U.S. final pulls out, as it will.
I do not discount Iran as a threat. I have felt for many years that the U.S. attention in that part of the world should have been on Iran, this feeling predating the first Iraq "war". Those folks have patience, and, after all, it is their home area. They can afford to wait it out.
I do not discount Iran as a threat. I have felt for many years that the U.S. attention in that part of the world should have been on Iran, this feeling predating the first Iraq "war". Those folks have patience, and, after all, it is their home area. They can afford to wait it out.
Vaughn Tolle said:
Gster makes a good point about the Iranian situation upthread. I wonder, though, whether the westernization of the Iranian populace will be a good thing in the long run, or whether the religious leaders of Iran, who seemingly have all the power anyway, will be able to overcome this.
Speaking of things Iranian, Iraqi, etc., I was talking with my neighbor last evening. He's a senior NCO (E-8) in the USAF, with 19.5 years of service, planning on retirement in December. It appears the USAF is planning a 40,000 member RIF over the next year, which causes me to wonder how this can be, given the "Global War on Terror" and the current involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan. Something just doesn't add up, folks. I hope he doesn't get caught up in a stop loss as others are finding themselves, as he is a very decent guy and doesn't deserve involuntary servitude.
Speaking of things Iranian, Iraqi, etc., I was talking with my neighbor last evening. He's a senior NCO (E-8) in the USAF, with 19.5 years of service, planning on retirement in December. It appears the USAF is planning a 40,000 member RIF over the next year, which causes me to wonder how this can be, given the "Global War on Terror" and the current involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan. Something just doesn't add up, folks. I hope he doesn't get caught up in a stop loss as others are finding themselves, as he is a very decent guy and doesn't deserve involuntary servitude.
lindainks55 said:
I think the country that has ignored more U.N. sanctions than any other is Israel. This would be the same country we work overtime to support and protect against all other countries.
Iran is and has always been a threat. However, at the current time they don't have the resources to do much damage. Bush (read P.N.A.C.) is America's greatest threat today. Bush's war of choice in Iraq will provide Iran new resources and cause a greater threat in the future. Diplomacy must be the path! And, the U.S. cannot ask of any other country what they don't expect from ALL. This means Israel can no longer have unwarranted protections, can no longer be the above-the-law spoiled child behind the skirts of the U.S.
Corruption must be addressed -- in ALL countries including our own. Heads of state and big conglomerates cannot be above the law and continue to add to their wealth at the expense of citizens. The power and money in politics must be lessened and controlled.
Iran is and has always been a threat. However, at the current time they don't have the resources to do much damage. Bush (read P.N.A.C.) is America's greatest threat today. Bush's war of choice in Iraq will provide Iran new resources and cause a greater threat in the future. Diplomacy must be the path! And, the U.S. cannot ask of any other country what they don't expect from ALL. This means Israel can no longer have unwarranted protections, can no longer be the above-the-law spoiled child behind the skirts of the U.S.
Corruption must be addressed -- in ALL countries including our own. Heads of state and big conglomerates cannot be above the law and continue to add to their wealth at the expense of citizens. The power and money in politics must be lessened and controlled.
Gster said:
I think that of all the Middle Eastern countries, Iran has the best chance to become a "moderate Muslim" country, but only if the radical Mullahs are dealt with. That's where the real power currently resides- i just wonder if any changes can or will be done peacefully. Probably not given the past violent confrontations in the general area.
Rox said:
As I agree pretty much with all the comments, I'll just add one more thing. The countries of the Middle East are quite adept at posturing and saber rattling. If I believed the U.S. Administration's stated reasons for attacking Iraq, I'd say they don't understand either of those. But because our government does it's own fair amount of same, well, you get the picture.
There's a problem with that though. It's a bullying tactic, basically, and sometimes someone takes one seriously or decides to push some bully buttons. I read the following article this morning and thought I'd share. My question these days is why can't we all just get along?
Bush says Russia "not out enemy"
http://tinyurl.com/2nr79e
And, Linda, you were exactly right with your post. Why is the world run by madmen?
There's a problem with that though. It's a bullying tactic, basically, and sometimes someone takes one seriously or decides to push some bully buttons. I read the following article this morning and thought I'd share. My question these days is why can't we all just get along?
Bush says Russia "not out enemy"
http://tinyurl.com/2nr79e
And, Linda, you were exactly right with your post. Why is the world run by madmen?
Vaughn Tolle said:
Speaking of Iran, just was reading on cnn.com about a record cyclone (hurricane to us) in the Persian Gulf bearing down on Oman, eye forecast to hit southern Iran. Many off-shore oil operations, including tanker loading, are located in that area. I expect a spike in oil prices if the storm inhibits operations even if the disruption is no longer than a day or two. Assuming this hasn't been factored in the retail gas price by the time I leave this afternoon, fillup here I come.
lindainks55 said:
At your suggestion Vaughn, I drove over and filled up. Gas is ONLY $2.979. Shaking head. ONLY.
And before anyone points out what the cost of a gallon of anything else is, please remember that the cost of gas affects the cost of everything else by increasing the transportation costs.
And before anyone points out what the cost of a gallon of anything else is, please remember that the cost of gas affects the cost of everything else by increasing the transportation costs.
Vaughn Tolle said:
Linda, good to know that it (price) hasn't gone up yet. Yes, the increasing price of fuel does affect the cost of all other goods and services as the result of increased transportation costs.
Gster said:
The 50 MPG I get with my motorcycle sure looks good these days!
And the air conditioning is free.
And the air conditioning is free.
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