Blog Archives
What’s going to happen with Iran?
There’s a really great article, Some Straight Talk About Iran by Joshua Pollack, which gets into the political impact of Iran having nuclear capability and the likelihood of the U.S. or Israel attacking Iran (also read comments). Very understandable and clear, Joshua Pollack makes a convincing argument for the unlikelihood of an attack on Iran.
Then I read articles like ‘Russia helps Iran load fuel into its first nuclear reactor’ and ‘Iran unveils long-range drone bomber’. It makes me queasy.
With Iran’s blatant anti-Israel and anti-U.S. rhetoric I can’t help but wonder how we will respond to these threats. I know that there’s information only available to the upper levels of government which shapes policy and tactical decisions, and I hope that our governments are doing the right thing. I would enjoy seeing information from us and Israel showing that we know Iran’s leadership is not trustworthy and we are prepared for anything Iran may dish out.
When Ahmadinejad says about his new drone bomber, “The jet, as well as being an ambassador of death for the enemies of humanity, has a main message of peace and friendship… The main message of Karar bomber is to prevent any kind of aggression and conflict.” I have a difficult time believing Ahmadinejad’s sincerity simply because his words and actions towards the U.S. and Israel have not been peaceful.
Referenced articles & images
Joshua Pollack • Some Straight Talk About Iran
The Washington Post • Russia helps Iran load fuel into its first nuclear reactor
JTA • Iran unveils long-range drone bomber
Photo Credit • Ghost of a Flea • Worth 1000 words
Obama Administration Urges Israel to Sign Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty
So much for electricity
Practically moments before Netanyahu is to make a reconciliatory visit to Obama in Washington, he cancels because of the recent problems in Gaza. That certainly has its own problems and is reason enough for Netanyahu to return home, but I do believe there’s another reason for it as well.
The RubinReports reported last night that the U.S. is urging Israel to sign the nuclear non-proliferation treaty. As many problems with Gaza and Israel’s attack on the aid ship (which is another article in and of itself), this action by the Obama administration sets a new precedent in our dealings with Israel.
Take a moment to read the article here, but here’s a quote to which you should pay attention,
Are Americans in general and American Jews in particular going to persist in believing that this administration really does view Israel as a good friend and a close ally? It’s hard to believe, though of course many will. Perhaps the next round or the one after that will convince them otherwise.
This administration has not been friendly towards Israel from the beginning. The Obama’s relation with Israel is like that of a schoolyard bully. If there’s one thing we all learned in elementary school is that a bully is not to be trusted. Do not believe that this administration is friends with Israel—everything it does should tell you otherwise, not what you hear in conferences!
I don’t want to hear the U.S. say we’re allies with Israel anymore—it’s time this administration repents for its treatment of Israel and restore relations to what they have been.
Tensions Mount Between the U.S. and Israel
In response to this article from The Atlantic, I ask you to watch this short movie, I Am Israel.
Ahmadinejad to Obama: Iran or Israel
President Obama has had several opportunities to draw the line in the sand with Iran this past year: the ongoing nuclear problem, the ‘election’ protests, and now U.S. hikers under arrest for espionage. In spite of these opportunities to show Iran and the world where the U.S. stands in its relationship, it is Ahmadinejad calling the shots.
Israel has been a strong U.S. ally—if not the strongest. While Obama has taken his share of cheap shots at Israel, I don’t believe he will surrender that relationship for one that is only a wolf in sheep’s clothing. I think he will do one of two things: 1. Explain he can’t take sides because of international relations, or something along these lines. 2. Express strong support for Israel. I hope he does the second, but I think he will do the first.
In the unlikely event that the U.S. severs diplomatic relations with Israel watch the fall of the U.S. commence.
What do you think will come of this?
We thought we’d never see the day when the President of France shows more resolve than America’s Commander in Chief for confronting one of the gravest challenges to global security. But here we are.
We thought we’d never see the day when the President of France shows more resolve than America’s Commander in Chief for confronting one of the gravest challenges to global security. But here we are.
Power Line – When Sarkozy mocked Obama, part 2
Can’t say exactly where we met, or how this came about, but one thing I can tell you — pray to whatever God you worship that nothing happens to Obama. Because if Joe Biden gets put in charge, we are all in a shitload of trouble.
Can’t say exactly where we met, or how this came about, but one thing I can tell you — pray to whatever God you worship that nothing happens to Obama. Because if Joe Biden gets put in charge, we are all in a shitload of trouble.
The Secret Diary of Steve Jobs: I just met Joe Biden
Health Care News Worth Sharing
Below is the copy of an email I received from White House.gov. Posted here for your information.
Good afternoon,
You are receiving this email because you signed up at WhiteHouse.gov. My staff and I plan to use these messages as a way to directly communicate about important issues and opportunities, and today I have some encouraging updates about health care reform.
The Vice President and I just met with leaders from the House of Representatives and received their commitment to pass a comprehensive health care reform bill by July 31.
We also have an unprecedented commitment from health care industry leaders, many of whom opposed health reform in the past. Monday, I met with some of these health care stakeholders, and they pledged to do their part to reduce the health care spending growth rate, saving more than two trillion dollars over the next ten years — around $2,500 for each American family. Then on Tuesday, leaders from some of America’s top companies came to the White House to showcase innovative ways to reduce health care costs by improving the health of their workers.
Now the House and Senate are beginning a critical debate that will determine the health of our nation’s economy and its families. This process should be transparent and inclusive and its product must drive down costs, assure quality and affordable health care for everyone, and guarantee all of us a choice of doctors and plans.
Reforming health care should also involve you. Think of other people who may want to stay up to date on health care reform and other national issues and tell them to join us here:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/EmailUpdates
Health care reform can’t come soon enough. We spend more on health care than any country, but families continue to struggle with skyrocketing premiums and nearly 46 million are without insurance entirely. It is a priority for the American people and a pillar of the new foundation we are seeking to build for our economy.
We’ll continue to keep you posted about this and other important issues.
Thank you,
Barack ObamaP.S. If you’d like to get more in-depth information about health reform and how you can participate, be sure to visit http://www.HealthReform.gov.
Napolitano: ‘Some things we just won’t do’
I can somewhat understand this from the viewpoint of questionable policies like the Patriot Act. I also understand it from the now infamous Benjamin Franklin quote, “Those who are willing to sacrifice freedom for security deserve neither.”
However, as a veteran, I also understand that exceptional times call for exceptional measures. Provided there are things in place to prevent temporary, extreme measures becoming permanent, we all have to sacrifice a little. That said, the more civil liberties are retained and encouraged, the less the government needs to get involved in enforcing security (I believe).
And that said, I also believe that if you’re not doing anything wrong then it shouldn’t be a problem in the first place. There are other assumptions here that I won’t get into, but you may read into the post.
Specifically relating to the quote from Napolitano below, I disagree with her statement “there are some things we won’t do.” What’s the context and concern here? Otherwise, I say sometimes there are things we have to do. All of these questions to her and on the subject of civil liberties don’t even address Marshall Law which can be enacted if deemed necessary. At that point, civil liberties are moot.
“Napolitano added that the Obama administration had a ‘strong commitment to making sure we do everything in our power within the Constitution’ to keep the country safe and that ‘utimately, you have to say there are some things we just won’t do.’”
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said an American journalist sentenced to eight years in prison on charges of spying for the U.S. should be allowed to offer a full defense at her appeal, the state news agency reported Sunday.
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said an American journalist sentenced to eight years in prison on charges of spying for the U.S. should be allowed to offer a full defense at her appeal, the state news agency reported Sunday.
Iran president urges full defense for US reporter
