McCain on America, Israel and Iran
June 3rd, 2008 at 11:28am Mark Noonan
From McCain AIPAC speech:
The threats to Israel’s security are large and growing, and America’s commitment must grow as well. I strongly support the increase in military aid to Israel, scheduled to begin in October. I am committed to making certain Israel maintains its qualitative military edge. Israel’s enemies are too numerous, its margin of error too small, and our shared interests and values too great for us to follow any other policy.
Foremost in all our minds is the threat posed by the regime in Tehran. The Iranian president has called for Israel to be “wiped off the map” and suggested that Israel’s Jewish population should return to Europe. He calls Israel a “stinking corpse” that is “on its way to annihilation.” But the Iranian leadership does far more than issue vile insults. It acts in ways directly detrimental to the security of Israel and the United States.
A sponsor of both Hamas and Hezbollah, the leadership of Iran has repeatedly used violence to undermine Israel and the Middle East peace process. It has trained, financed, and equipped extremists in Iraq who have killed American soldiers fighting to bring freedom to that country. It remains the world’s chief sponsor of terrorism and threatens to destabilize the entire Middle East, from Basra to Beirut.
Tehran’s continued pursuit of nuclear weapons poses an unacceptable risk, a danger we cannot allow. Emboldened by nuclear weapons, Iran would feel free to sponsor terrorist attacks against any perceived enemy. Its flouting of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty would render that agreement obsolete and could induce Turkey, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and others to join a nuclear arms race. The world would have to live, indefinitely, with the possibility that Tehran might pass nuclear materials or weapons to one of its allied terrorist networks. Armed as well with its ballistic missile arsenal, an Iranian nuclear bomb would pose an existential threat to the people of Israel.
European negotiators have proposed a peaceful endgame for Tehran, should it abandon its nuclear ambitions and comply with UN Security Council resolutions. The plan offers far-reaching economic incentives, external support for a civilian nuclear energy program, and integration into the international community. But Tehran has said no…
…we hear talk of a meeting with the Iranian leadership offered up as if it were some sudden inspiration, a bold new idea that somehow nobody has ever thought of before. Yet it’s hard to see what such a summit with President Ahmadinejad would actually gain, except an earful of anti-Semitic rants, and a worldwide audience for a man who denies one Holocaust and talks before frenzied crowds about starting another. Such a spectacle would harm Iranian moderates and dissidents, as the radicals and hardliners strengthen their position and suddenly acquire the appearance of respectability.
Rather than sitting down unconditionally with the Iranian president or supreme leader in the hope that we can talk sense into them, we must create the real-world pressures that will peacefully but decisively change the path they are on.
It is purblind idiocy, sorry to say, when Obama says he will meet with the Iranian leadership without preconditions. If an enemy of the United States wanted to figure out the best way to strengthen the mullahs, diminish America and set the stage for global catastrophe, he couldn’t script anything better than an American President kowtowing to Iran’s murderous government. McCain, on the other hand, notes that Iran must not be allowed to have nuclear weapons - with the implication being that military action will be used if nothing else works - and lays out a program of international diplomacy and economic warfare to bring Iran’s government to heel. Key to this is attacking Iran’s Achilles heel - the fact that Iran imports most of its gasoline; deny Iran this gasoline, and Iran’s economy will grind swiftly to a halt, and if that doesn’t get them to talk, nothing will, ever.
Iran with nuclear weapons is a standing threat to the lives of millions of innocent human beings, including innocent Iranians. Iraq with nuclear weapons is a nation which will feel free to sponsor terrorism all around the globe, safe under a nuclear umbrella from any direct retaliation. Iran with nuclear weapons is something which cannot be allowed to happen - and by electing McCain to carry forward policies designed to force Iran to back down, we’ll have a good shot at preventing a nuclear Iran. By electing Obama we will just ensure that Iran obtains nuclear weapons, and becomes a horrible threat to the entire world.
Entry Filed under: Campaign 2008, Democrats, Foreign Affairs, Republicans, War on Terror
23 Comments
1. HarkeysBar | June 3rd, 2008 at 12:05 pm
McCain “We should privatize the sanctions against Iran by launching a worldwide divestment campaign. As more people, businesses, pension funds, and financial institutions across the world divest from companies doing business with Iran, the radical elite who run that country will become even more unpopular than they are already.”
His campaign manager Rick Davis may have some explaining to do. Davis’ lobbying operation features clients doing deals with the Iranian regime. At the same Davis was heading up John McCain’s so-called Reform Institute, his firm was representing the Ukrainian oligarch Akmetov and his businesses in Tehran:
“Davis was helping Akhmetov’s conglomerate, System Capital Management Holdings, to develop a “corporate communications strategy” between the beginning of 2005 through the end of summer 2005, the company said. The company’s subsidiary, Metinvest, a steel company, has one of its 11 offices in Tehran. And another subsidiary, Khartsyzsk Pipe Plant, sells large pipes to Iran.”
Iran needs to put more money into the pockets of Republican connected US lobbyists when Iran is under attack by the Republicans, it’s like when Reagan banned US arm sales to Iran and then had Gen. Secord & pals sell them US arms/missiles at much higher prices.
2. Pain | June 3rd, 2008 at 12:13 pm
1. HarkeysBar | June 3rd, 2008 at 12:05 pm
Here is a question. At USD 60 MM per year why would AIPAC want to make peace with Palestine?
“Is all this talk just for the peons so they can sling their poop at one another while the big boys get fat off the buffet table and watch the dancing girls?”–Reefic Coljik, Vox Hai Comnu.
3. Magnum Serpentine | June 3rd, 2008 at 12:39 pm
And thus begins george’s Third Term with the same old same ole.
And the Republic party is ignoring the citizens who are calling out for change and to get the troops out of Iraq.
4. Robin Naismith Green | June 3rd, 2008 at 1:05 pm
3. Magnum Serpentine | June 3rd, 2008 at 12:39 pm
What other choice do the Republicans have MS? What are they going to come to the Center? No they are going to squeeze all they can out of the threat to AIPAC that Iran is and what a glorious war the war in Iraq is and how “threatened” the world is by a tactic. It’s all as fallacious as people using religion to hate.
5. NeoClown | June 3rd, 2008 at 1:29 pm
Think about all of the past Presidents of the United States; every one of them from Washington to Bush.
Now think about John McCain singing: “Bomb-bomb-bomb, bomb-bomb Iran.”
Senator McCain is many things - but he is not Presidential.
6. neocon | June 3rd, 2008 at 2:06 pm
I fondly remember when our 42nd President lied to a Grand Jury and lost his law license.
Now that’s Presidential!
7. neocon | June 3rd, 2008 at 2:11 pm
“What other choice do the Republicans have MS?” - Robin
In your mind, I am sure there are no options. It’s a shame when Obamabots, such as yourself, are only taught the liberal paradigm and remain ignorant on anything outside that reference.
8. discolapin | June 3rd, 2008 at 4:32 pm
Obama sponsored the “Iran Sanctions Enabling Act” supporting divestment of state pension funds from Iran’s oil and gas industry, and joined Chuck Hagel (R-NE) in introducing legislation to reduce risks of nuclear terrorism. A provision from the Obama-Hagel bill was passed by Congress in December 2007 as an amendment to the State-Foreign Operations appropriations bill.
But it’s ok guys, don’t let the facts get in the way of a good bashing, er, argument.
9. neocon | June 3rd, 2008 at 4:49 pm
“Iran, Cuba, Venezuela? These countries are tiny compared to the Soviet Union. They don’t pose any serious threat to us,” - Barack Obama May 19, 2008
Excerpt from the Iran Sanctions Enabling Act of 2007:
“The Iranian government uses the billions of dollars it earns from its oil and gas industry to build its nuclear program and to fund terrorist groups that export its militaristic and radical ideology to Iraq and throughout the Middle East,” said Senator Obama. “Pressuring companies to cut their financial ties with Iran is critical to ensuring that sanctions have their intended result. All Americans can play a role in pressuring companies to cut their ties with the Iranian regime, a state sponsor of terror that is a threat to our allies in the region and international security, as a means of convincing Iran to fundamentally change its policies.” - Barack Obama
10. FmrMarine | June 3rd, 2008 at 4:58 pm
NEO;
” I did not have relations with that church”….
Sew - on obama LOL
11. discolapin | June 3rd, 2008 at 5:00 pm
“Let me be absolutely clear,” he said Monday in Billings, Montana, “Iran is a grave threat.” But it was not, he said, in a league with the former Soviet Union.
If you’re going to post a quote, post the whole thing. Seeing as the former Soviet Union was a super power back in the cold war, and we are, by most accounts, the lone super power now, that statement is indeed accurate.
12. bongoman | June 3rd, 2008 at 5:08 pm
The invasion and occupation of Iraq has pretty much achieved all those things.
13. Robin Naismith Green | June 3rd, 2008 at 5:13 pm
7. neocon | June 3rd, 2008 at 2:11 pm
That’s funny neocon because everytime I offer a solution someone from your side of the political aisle hurls an insult. Look I know it’s tough out there for the middle class but come on cut the nation some slack and throw that hate towel in and come to the center and solve some of the serious questions without all this culture war nonsense.
In the end you’ll trade a place at the table without your “values” being the main issue to being marginalized and waiting on the floor for whatever crumbs the Liberals allow to fall your way.
14. liberalDream | June 3rd, 2008 at 5:28 pm
what is stupid about talking to people. Of course - they may only spew nonsense - but you don’t know unless you actually talk to them. Sorry mark - it is pure idiocy to make blanket uneducated statements about world diplomacy.. The worst that happens is you simply ignore them…
15. Magnum Serpentine | June 3rd, 2008 at 5:36 pm
The republics can name a dark horse for president. It has happened before. President James Polk was a Dark horse who was not the candidate during the primaries but was selected at the convention (He was a Democratic candidate)
Maybe Breddisen of Tennessee could be president. After all, the Governor is a republic in all but name. He claims to be a Democratic governor but acts like a republic.
16. FmrMarine | June 3rd, 2008 at 5:39 pm
RNG;
pornographer, Christian hater, troll from hells newspaper.
>>>In the end you’ll trade a place at the table without your “values” being the main issue to being marginalized and waiting on the floor for whatever crumbs the Liberals allow to fall your way.>>>>
The “crumbs” you throw are…..
50,000,000 MURDERED babies by abortion,
150,000,000 MURDERED people by marxism in the 20 th century alone.
Millions from homosexual anal sex = AIDS.
Millions from islamic cutthroats around the world.
NO, ms queen of….HELLS newspaper…
We will do fine without your EVIL…”crumbs”.
NcCain is 100% on standing by Isreal, and confronting the axis of Evil iran.
17. neocon | June 3rd, 2008 at 6:19 pm
Robin,
Where was the insult???
I merely posted quotes from Obama.
And you preceived that as an insult!!!
That’s priceless. Another hyper-sensitive liberal.
I would never acquiesce to a liberal society. Remember I cling to my gun and Bible. I did find it amusing though that you inferred that some will just have to accept the “crumbs” that come their way.
Isn’t that exactly what you’re complaining about our society now? Isn’t it? But if it’s others getting the crumbs, well then that’s ok, right?
You could usurp Tractatus as the most brain dead liberal here. Congrats.
I think you need to educate yourself a bit more, and stop regurgitating DailyKos comments.
18. neocon | June 3rd, 2008 at 6:22 pm
“what is stupid about talking to people.” - liberalwetdream
I don’t know how many times this has to mentioned to our dense liberals. There IS ALWAYS ON-GOING LOW LEVEL DISCOURSE with our enemies. We have been talking with Iran all along on some level.
Seriously, who ties your shoes in the morning?
19. neocon | June 3rd, 2008 at 6:26 pm
disco,
That was in Montana. In Oregon, he said something completely different. And it wasn’t taken out of context.
Maybe Obama should be a little more consistent.
One other little nugget for thought. Do you know how former Muslims, and converted Christians are treated in the radicalized Islam states? They’re despised and eventually executed. How do you think Obama will be received?
20. 42 | June 3rd, 2008 at 7:59 pm
“Do you know how former Muslims, and converted Christians are treated in the radicalized Islam states? They’re despised and eventually executed.”
really? cite an example of an execution…or are you just regurgitating what Ed Luttwak wrote even though he was proven to be completely wrong
21. Tractatus | June 3rd, 2008 at 9:41 pm
Remember I cling to my gun and Bible.
I’d say you cling to your ignorance and envy more than your gun and Bible. Those certainly seem to be what fuels your comments, at any rate.
22. neocon | June 4th, 2008 at 9:45 am
It’s really not a secret 42. Try and keep up. Tractatus, thanks for the drivel.
The Afghan constitution, which is based on Sharia, or Islamic law, says that apostates can receive the death penalty.
http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/asiapcf/03/22/afghan.christian/index.html
23. St Michael Traveler | June 5th, 2008 at 2:50 pm
Iran a Threat to Israel and the United States!
Are you kidding! Come on, you know better.
Israel has nuclear bombs, and we gave them nuclear capable airplanes to use the bombs. By the way, we helped Israel to put 200 of the nukes together. Israel is our only friend.
Iranians must be jealous of Israeli’s nukes. If Iranians don’t like Israelis nukes, so be it.
By the way, what is this idea that we have a bad economy, expensive college loans, few professional jobs, and crumpling infrastructure?
Forget about it! We have to worry about Iran; you know they are working on nuclear fuel cycle to make electricity. What do they want electricity for?
My great grandparents used what they had to heat their home, light their house after dark, the good old fashioned way. Why do Iranians want to be like us now? It was good for my great grandparents; it must be good for Iranians now.
Last, we must not talk to these Iranians; Israelis have told us not to do it. Plus, our great President Bush wants to revisit the 1953 regime change and put in place someone like the old Shah. We told him what we expected of him. He knew what we wanted, and he did it. No questions asked.
Kidding aside, you asked for my idea, please read: American Foreign Policy and the World: a New Direction
http://straveler-myamerica.blogspot.com/2008/05/american-foreign-policy-and-world-new.html