Nuking Iran: The RepubliKON Agenda?

William M. ArkinAt the Republican debate last night, almost all the candidates said that they would not rule out a nuclear attack on Iran as a means to prevent it from getting its own nuclear weapons. Only one of these knuckleheads would say that attacking Iran — indeed even threatening to nuke Iran — is not the right strategy.We have to come to our senses about this issue of war and preemption,” he said. The audience applauded, but he didn’t get much support from his fellow candidates.

Who was this voice of reason on Iran? First, let’s review the positions of some of the other men on the podium.

Rep. Duncan Hunter of California was the starkest: “I would authorize the use of tactical nuclear weapons if there was no other way to preempt those particular centrifuges,” he said. Former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani said he believed that the job “could be done with conventional weapons,” but he added that “you can’t rule out anything and you shouldn’t take any option off the table.” Former Virginia Gov. Jim Gilmore also left “all options are on the table” with regard to Iranian nuclear weapons. Said former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney: “I wouldn’t take any options off the table.”

After the debate, former Sen. Fred Thompson of Tennessee, who did not particpate, added his name to the list of candidates who would consider a preemptive attack against Iran.

Only Rep. Ron Paul of Texas, the “Dennis the Menace” of his party, said he opposed a nuclear strike on moral grounds and because he believed Iran “has done no harm to us directly and is no threat to our national security.”

The Iraq war and the war against terrorism are the central battles of our time, these candidates say. They all profess their faith in God and the United States, and speak of a moral struggle between good and evil, between the United States and “radical Islam.” Yet they are not willing to say that nuclear weapons have no place in modern confrontations.

I am not arguing that Iran’s effort to develop nuclear weapons is justified. It isn’t. I am saying, however, that the U.S. should not use its nuclear weapons to threaten Iran. And not just from a moral standpoint, but from a practical one: When we brandish our own nuclear arsenal, we only play into the hands of supporters of Tehran’s plans to develop its own.

I believe to be a Republican you must lack two common traits of the human species.First you must lack common sense. This one alone can make a person become a Republican. I have seen no proof to debate this fact otherwise. They voted for George Bush twice and up to 70% of them still support him.

Secondly you have to be completely void of the ability to see a position from the other sides point of view.

Common Sense says You must know the difference between Sunnis and Shia before you invade. If you overthrow Saddam the one reason you republicans sold him weapons in the 80’s may now come true. Iran will emerge as the dominant country in that area. You Republicans sold weapons to Iran at the same time didnt ya.. Again proof of lacking common sense.

Lets look at this through eyes of the Iranian.

If Iran was at war with Mexico do you think the US would sell weapons to the Mexicans and support them over the Iranians.

The same thing we did to Russia in Afghan Iran is doing to us. Stop whining its all fair in love and war. Come to think of it you republicans helped and supported those which have become Bin Laden.

Seems to me the friends of the Republican party always becomes Americas enemies.

If we were both in the mob and your gang got a gun and my family doesnt we can’t win a street war. See “Saddam”.

But If I have a gun and you have a gun you may think twice about shooting at me because now I can shoot back. See North Korea.

Again do you now understand the Iranian position. They need a weapon because the bully on the block has them in their eye next.

It wasnt to long ago republicans were calling all those against Bush terrorist and helping the enemy. When they cant see that their own policies have done exactly that.

The US is being seen as the terrorist and Bush has damned sure helped Al Q.

Way to go Repugs. We are the third most hated country in the world.

Thanks for the new low.