Democrats deliver a statement on Iran

[LesCanadiens]

I've wrapped it in spoiler tags because it's so damn long, but really, it's just standard Liberal BS.

Spoiler :

Late yesterday, I cancelled a carefully planned operation which was underway in Iran to position our rescue team for later withdrawal of American hostages, who have been held captive there since November 4. Equipment failure in the rescue helicopters made it necessary to end the mission.

As our team was withdrawing, after my order to do so, two of our American aircraft collided on the ground following a refueling operation in a remote desert location in Iran. Other information about this rescue mission will be made available to the American people when it is appropriate to do so.

There was no fighting; there was no combat. But to my deep regret, eight of the crewmen of the two aircraft which collided were killed, and several other Americans were hurt in the accident. Our people were immediately airlifted from Iran. Those who were injured have gotten medical treatment, and all of them are expected to recover.

No knowledge of this operation by any Iranian officials or authorities was evident to us until several hours after all Americans were withdrawn from Iran.

Our rescue team knew and I knew that the operation was certain to be difficult and it was certain to be dangerous. We were all convinced that if and when the rescue operation had been commenced that it had an excellent chance of success. They were all volunteers; they were all highly trained. I met with their leaders before they went on this operation. They knew then what hopes of mine and of all Americans they carried with them.

To the families of those who died and who were wounded, I want to express the admiration I feel for the courage of their loved ones and the sorrow that I feel personally for their sacrifice.

The mission on which they were embarked was a humanitarian mission. It was not directed against Iran; it was not directed against the people of Iran. It was not undertaken with any feeling of hostility toward Iran or its people. It has caused no Iranian casualties.

Planning for this rescue effort began shortly after our Embassy was seized, but for a number of reasons, I waited until now to put those rescue plans into effect. To be feasible, this complex operation had to be the product of intensive planning and intensive training and repeated rehearsal. However, a resolution of this crisis through negotiations and with voluntary action on the part of the Iranian officials was obviously then, has been, and will be preferable.

This rescue attempt had to await my judgment that the Iranian authorities could not or would not resolve this crisis on their own initiative. With the steady unraveling of authority in Iran and the mounting dangers that were posed to the safety of the hostages themselves and the growing realization that their early release was highly unlikely, I made a decision to commence the rescue operations plans.

This attempt became a necessity and a duty. The readiness of our team to undertake the rescue made it completely practicable. Accordingly, I made the decision to set our long-developed plans into operation. I ordered this rescue mission prepared in order to safeguard American lives, to protect America's national interests, and to reduce the tensions in the world that have been caused among many nations as this crisis has continued.

It was my decision to attempt the rescue operation. It was my decision to cancel it when problems developed in the placement of our rescue team for a future rescue operation. The responsibility is fully my own.

In the aftermath of the attempt, we continue to hold the Government of Iran responsible for the safety and for the early release of the American hostages, who have been held so long. The United States remains determined to bring about their safe release at the earliest date possible.

As President, I know that our entire Nation feels the deep gratitude I feel for the brave men who were prepared to rescue their fellow Americans from captivity. And as President, I also know that the Nation shares not only my disappointment that the rescue effort could not be mounted, because of mechanical difficulties, but also my determination to persevere and to bring all of our hostages home to freedom.

We have been disappointed before. We will not give up in our efforts. Throughout this extraordinarily difficult period, we have pursued and will continue to pursue every possible avenue to secure the release of the hostages. In these efforts, the support of the American people and of our friends throughout the world has been a most crucial element. That support of other nations is even more important now.

We will seek to continue, along with other nations and with the officials of Iran, a prompt resolution of the crisis without any loss of life and through peaceful and diplomatic means.

Thank you very much.

How much longer are Democrats going to see that they just can't deal with countries like Iran? They let Iran step all over us and our image around the world, and when they finally act to stop it, it's too little too late and even then they manage to screw it up.

Why doesn't the he just change his name to Jacques, rename Washington "Paris," and change the national flag to all white?

America needs someone who will just go in and take care of business.

Link.

Please discuss.

 

[bhsup]

Everyone who recalls these events should always remember the debt of gratitude our nations owes our neighbor to the north, Canada. They saved the lives of our countrymen at great risk to their own.

Thank you, Canada.

 

[Cheezy the Wiz]

You just can't negotiate with these guys, can you? I don't think the Republicans or Democrats can deal with this. We should just let them do their thing, and maybe we wouldn't have this problem.

 

[bhsup]

Apparently, my serious post ruined Pasi's fun with this thread, so let's go with this instead:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k97ApJiJD9c

 

[Elrohir]

The only conceivable response is to elect an unknown western conservative that's indisputably awesome, in order to show these guys who's boss.

 

[Left]

unknown

He was already famous before he even entered politics.

 

[Bast]

Iran is the equivalent of a troll on the global forum. The sooner it's banned, the better it'll be for everyone.

 

[Mr. Dictator]

Iran is the equivalent of a troll on the global forum. The sooner it's banned, the better it'll be for everyone.

well then who's the mod?

 

[Bast]

well then who's the mod?

Mods? US, UK, France, China and Russia? With Germany in training?

 

[FriendlyFire]

America needs someone who will just go in and take care of business.
Please discuss.

Give Iran arms again for hostages

Seriously the US is holding Iraq together and Afganistain is slipping. I would support the tried and tested cold war containment on Iran at least for now and the near future.

 

[Mr. Dictator]

Mods? US, UK, France, China and Russia? With Germany in training?

i see you didnt throw your own sons into the grinder there.

 

[Bast]

i see you didnt throw your own sons into the grinder there.

 

[JohnRM]

Here we go again, more nonsensical threads.

 

[Mr. Dictator]

go on, send australians into iran. would you support it?

 

[JollyRoger]

How much longer are Democrats going to see that they just can't deal with countries like Iran? They let Iran step all over us and our image around the world, and when they finally act to stop it, it's too little too late and even then they manage to screw it up.

Please discuss.

I'm glad that Reagan showed how to retaliate. The moment the hostages were out of harms way he . . . oh yeah . . . did nothing.

 

[BSmith1068]

Whats up with all these threads that have old speeches by past presidents? First Cuba, now Iran? What's next... Germany?

 

[Pannonius]

Iran is the equivalent of a troll on the global forum. The sooner it's banned, the better it'll be for everyone.

So, you're proposing a final solution to the iranian question?

 

[Halcyon]

How much longer are Democrats going to see that they just can't deal with countries like Iran? They let Iran step all over us and our image around the world, and when they finally act to stop it, it's too little too late and even then they manage to screw it up.

Why doesn't the he just change his name to Jacques, rename Washington "Paris," and change the national flag to all white?

America needs someone who will just go in and take care of business.

Please discuss.

Your entire argument, such as it is, relies upon the usual assumption that Iran is some broken wasteland full of ululating, wife-beating mass-murderers bent only on the destruction of Western civilisation, your mother and apple pie.

Turns out Iran is a really rather pretty country, with a long history, rich culture, nice people, good food, et cetera, plus what is (after turkey) probably the second most tolerant and progressive democracy (yes, they're a democracy) in the cultural Near East.

Yeah, I know that isn't always saying much, and they've a long way to go, still. But they'll never get there if people keep overthrowing their governments and torching their cities. All that does is keep the worst sorts of people in power, and everyone else poor and afraid.

Yeah, Ahmedinejad is a loudmouth and a prat. Leaders of nations often are, and you're allowed to hate them for it. Extending that hatred to the common folk, however, is a terrible mistake. It's akin to demanding the total destruction of America and the impoverishment or death of her people just because its president is a pillock and its government is defiant of yours.

So, kindly do what no American has ever actually done and learn something about the people whose deaths you are demanding. Is that really so bad?


P.S.: Also stop hating on the French. They're the US' oldest and most faithful ally plus a decent bunch in general, and despising them merely for questioning the US' judgement is a little petty, to say the least.

 

[Cheezy the Wiz]

Your entire argument, such as it is, relies upon the usual assumption that Iran is some broken wasteland full of ululating, wife-beating mass-murderers bent only on the destruction of Western civilisation, your mother and apple pie.

Turns out Iran is a really rather pretty country, with a long history, rich culture, nice people, good food, et cetera, plus what is (after turkey) probably the second most tolerant and progressive democracy (yes, they're a democracy) in the cultural Near East.

Yeah, I know that isn't always saying much, and they've a long way to go, still. But they'll never get there if people keep overthrowing their governments and torching their cities. All that does is keep the worst sorts of people in power, and everyone else poor and afraid.

Yeah, Ahmedinejad is a loudmouth and a prat. Leaders of nations often are, and you're allowed to hate them for it. Extending that hatred to the common folk, however, is a terrible mistake. It's akin to demanding the total destruction of America and the impoverishment or death of her people just because its president is a pillock and its government is defiant of yours.

So, kindly do what no American has ever actually done and learn something about the people whose deaths you are demanding. Is that really so bad?


P.S.: Also stop hating on the French. They're the US' oldest and most faithful ally plus a decent bunch in general, and despising them merely for questioning the US' judgement is a little petty, to say the least.

You, um, didn't read the OP, did you?

 

[Leonel]

That's not particularly fair to the French. As Captain America said, their government failed them but the people kept on fighting, knowing full well that the SS would burn their villages to the ground and kill every man, woman and child in retaliation.