US offering to talk to Iran

[bhsup]

America stepped in full force to combat communism...

I consider that to be a primary duty of the United States. We must be ever vigilant against the threat communism poses to the world and do everything in our power to contain it and roll it back at every opportunity.

Yes, Vietnam was a disaster, but only because of how the war was prosecuted, not because of the reason for going to war.

 

[Merlin]

If a psycho lived across the street from you, and you knew he was a psycho, and he stood out on his front lawn every day, saying how he was going to shoot you and your family and your buddy Joe who was over there all the time, would you be at all bothered by the fact if you found out he was pursuing a gun license? I think you would.

If the leading superpower in the world attacked two of your neighbouring countries and a huge speculation started on the same superpower to attack your country, wouldn't you be trying to get a nuclear weapon to defend yourself? I think you would.

 

[SupremeC]

That does seem to exacerbate the situation doesn't it? Now the US has to do something about it. Forcing their hand may not work in your favour, especially considering Bush's actions in Iraq.

Now I admit that Iran has pretty few options left but remember that China and Russia have a lot of trade going on with Iran and would try everything to stop US from invading them. This does seem to give the US a good reason to start war doesn't it?

 

[EdwardTking]

Wrong. A special unelected body of religous leaders must approve the candidates in advance hence undermining the democratic process because only ultra conservative muslims are allowed

Very true.

And contrast with the USA where:


Special unelected bodies of religious (of money worshipping capitalist sects) leaders must approve the (funding of) candidates in advance hence undermining the democratic process because only conservative capitalists are really allowed

 

[Bozo Erectus]

The only country thats ever used nuclear weapons against civilians is the United States of America

 

[nonconformist]

I consider that to be a primary duty of the United States. We must be ever vigilant against the threat communism poses to the world and do everything in our power to contain it and roll it back at every opportunity.

Yes, Vietnam was a disaster, but only because of how the war was prosecuted, not because of the reason for going to war.

You're not joking, are you?

 

[Xshayathiya]

Well, I'm not sure President Ahmadinejud is sane. Calling for Israel to be wiped off the map

Please see the other thread where this was shown to be false.

Wrong. A special unelected body of religous leaders must approve the candidates in advance hence undermining the democratic process because only ultra conservative muslims are allowed

this is true

 

[shahreevar]

whatever...
the US being its usual bully self, is trying to tell others how to be good, and moral, etc. whereas the US itselef has lost all credibilty. just look at Iraq, nuff said.

bottom line, all this BS about world being concerned about Iran and Nukes... everyone else has them, especially the US who btw is the only one who has ever used them, oh yeah, on CIVILIANS that is.

 

[ThERat]

whatever...
the US being its usual bully self, is trying to tell others how to be good, and moral, etc. whereas the US itselef has lost all credibilty. just look at Iraq, nuff said.

bottom line, all this BS about world being concerned about Iran and Nukes... everyone else has them, especially the US who btw is the only one who has ever used them, oh yeah, on CIVILIANS that is.

You don't understand, the US always acts in the name of good and god (isn't it God's country). So, if they do not care about human rights, Geneva convention, etc, we must understand. It's for the good of mankind. We are just too stupid to understand...

I remember very well how the US tries to portrait China as the big aggressor, when in fact China hasn't invaded other countries in the last 30 years (let's not dicuss Tibet as I agree here that that is an awful desaster for China's record). So, while China is actually not attacking anyone and US is, we are supposed to believe this story? Not everone is on

Yes, Vietnam was a disaster, but only because of how the war was prosecuted, not because of the reason for going to war.

Statements like this are the very reason that the US is seen as the evil empire around the globe.

 

[Tulkas12]

Note: Apparently the US has offered some new nuclear technology to the Iranians. This is a huge event if speculation is accurate. I have been against them having nuclear weapons as their need for a deterrent is distressing.

Americans generally know that we aren't considered the world's heroes. As a people it is evident that its just trying to be not as bad as the Europeans were when they were running things. The level of hatefullness for a nation that has done more for mankind technoloigically and agriculturally then even possibly concieved of 40 years ago is harsh. Everyone in a thirld world nation was supposed ot be starving now, EVERYONE.

 

[bhsup]

You're not joking, are you?

Not in the least. I've been pretty darned consistent in my views on this board when it comes to communism.

Statements like this are the very reason that the US is seen as the evil empire around the globe.

"is seen as..." being the key words there. Misconceptions held by others can hardly be my fault or responsibility.

 

[blackheart]

I consider that to be a primary duty of the United States. We must be ever vigilant against the threat communism poses to the world and do everything in our power to contain it and roll it back at every opportunity.

Ah, nostalgia and propeganda from the Cold War era...

Americans generally know that we aren't considered the world's heroes. As a people it is evident that its just trying to be not as bad as the Europeans were when they were running things. The level of hatefullness for a nation that has done more for mankind technoloigically and agriculturally then even possibly concieved of 40 years ago is harsh. Everyone in a thirld world nation was supposed ot be starving now, EVERYONE.

Like you said, we aren't considered the world's heroes. Have you ever sat back to think why?

And MANY people are still starving in the third world, but is that some sort of justification for whatever you're trying to get? A pat on the back?

"is seen as..." being the key words there. Misconceptions held by others can hardly be my fault or responsibility.

The problem is most other nations now recognize that America will indeed go very far to combat communism, as far as to sacrifice another nation's democracy and freedom.

 

[tomsnowman123]

Not in the least. I've been pretty darned consistent in my views on this board when it comes to communism.

What's so bad about communism at it's core? Capatalism isn't exactly perfect.

 

[SupremeC]

Please see the other thread where this was shown to be false.

Can you provide me with the link? I'm not sure which thread you are talking about

 

[amadeus]

bottom line, all this BS about world being concerned about Iran and Nukes... everyone else has them

Right.

Countries with nuclear weapons (confirmed)

China, "People's Republic"
France
India
Pakistan
Russia
United Kingdom
United States

Countries with nuclear weapons (suspected)

Israel
Korea, "Democratic People's Republic"

Countries without nuclear weapons

Afghanistan
Albania
Algeria
Andorra
Angola
Antigua and Barbuda
Argentina
Armenia
Australia
Austria
Azerbaijan
Bahamas, The
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Barbados
Belarus
Belgium
Belize
Benin
Bhutan
Bolivia
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana
Brazil
Brunei
Bulgaria
Burkina Faso
Burma
Burundi
Cambodia
Cameroon
Canada
Cape Verde
Central African Republic
Chad
Chile
China, Republic of
Colombia
Comoros
Congo, Democratic Republic of
Congo, Republic of
Costa Rica
Croatia
Cuba
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Djibouti
Dominica
Dominican Republic
East Timor
Ecuador
Egypt
El Salvador
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Estonia
Ethiopia
Fiji
Finland
Gabon
Gambia
Georgia
Germany
Ghana
Greece
Greenland
Grenada
Guatemala
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Guyana
Haiti
Honduras
Hungary
Iceland
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Ireland
Italy
Ivory Coast
Jamaica
Japan
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kiribati
Korea, Republic of
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan
Laos
Latvia
Lebanon
Lesotho
Liberia
Libya
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macedonia
Madagascar
Malawi
Malaysia
Maldives
Mali
Malta
Marshall Islands
Mauritania
Mauritius
Mexico
Micronesia
Moldova
Monaco
Mongolia
Montenegro
Morocco
Mozambique
Namibia
Nauru
Nepal
Netherlands
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Niger
Nigeria
Norway
Oman
Pakistan
Palau
Panama
Paupa New Guinea
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
Romania
Rwanda
St. Kitts and Nevis
St. Lucia
St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Samoa
San Marino
Sao Tome and Principe
Saudi Arabia
Senegal
Serbia
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
Solomon Islands
Somalia
South Africa
Spain
Sri Lanka
Sudan
Suriname
Swaziland
Sweden
Switzerland
Syria
Tajikistan
Tanzania
Thailand
Togo
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Tunisia
Turkey
Turkmenistan
Tuvalu
Uganda
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
Uruguay
Uzbekistan
Vanuatu
Vatican City
Venezuela
Vietnam
Yemen
Zambia
Zimbabwe

 

[Uiler]

The US simply doesn't have the resources to committ to Iran since it is tied down in too many places, esp. Iraq. Hence a withdrawal with some stuff to cover face.

No, that's not exactly true. The US could take on Iran, but it would require enormous sacrifices. It could be done, but let's face it, Bush is the "I will never ask the American public to make any real sacrifices that will right here and now touch their daily lives" President. If he was not willing to devote enough resources to make sure Iraq and Afghanistan went well, he sure isn't going to bite the bullet for Iran now.

Harsh UN sanctions won't work because China and Russia aren't going to allow it and America no longer has the clout to force them into agreeing due to the lost of prestige it suffered over the last few years.

Also Iran's attitude to Iraq could either help America a lot or could really make things a lot worse. America does nasty things to Iran, Iran tortures America in Iraq. For example recently Iran cancelled a meeting that was supposed to discuss stabilizing Iraq because they claimed the US was going to bring up the nuclear issue. I guess they figured that Iraq is more important than Iran for now.

Ergo, a prudent withdrawal.

Note, I do disapprove of war against Iran but I'm looking at this from the perspective of the White House.

 

[Uiler]

Well, all this nuclear talk reminds me of this old Tom Lehrer song from the 60s:

One of the big news items of the past year concerned the fact that China, which we called "Red China," exploded a nuclear bomb, which we called a device. Then Indonesia announced that it was going to have one soon, and proliferation became the word of the day. Here's a song about that:

First we got the bomb, and that was good,
'Cause we love peace and motherhood.
Then Russia got the bomb, but that's okay,
'Cause the balance of power's maintained that way.
Who's next?

France got the bomb, but don't you grieve,
'Cause they're on our side (I believe).
China got the bomb, but have no fears,
They can't wipe us out for at least five years.
Who's next?

Then Indonesia claimed that they
Were gonna get one any day.
South Africa wants two, that's right:
One for the black and one for the white.
Who's next?

Egypt's gonna get one too,
Just to use on you know who.
So Israel's getting tense.
Wants one in self defense.
"The Lord's our shepherd," says the psalm,
But just in case, we better get a bomb.
Who's next?

Luxembourg is next to go,
And (who knows?) maybe Monaco.
We'll try to stay serene and calm
When Alabama gets the bomb.
Who's next?
Who's next?
Who's next?
Who's next?

 

[Winner]

Who's next?

Iran, then Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Australia, Saudi Arabia...

 

[SupremeC]

If the Iran is the only threat to world peace, yes, this would be a prudent withdrawal. But what kind of message does it send to the other rogue states? If you are going to blackmail us you better do a really good job? This will surely give DPRK and Al Qaeda etc. some encouragement and there is no guarantee they will stop sponsoring terrorism or shut down nuclear research. They did ignore the UN's calls for it to stop nuclear research before.

 

[JerichoHill]

There cannot be a serious issue with the fact that the US dropped 2 atomic bombs on Japan, is there? I read a quote that seemed to imply evilness, when in fact as I recall

1) The US told Japan that they would do this if Japan did not surrender.
2) The US showed Japan what the bomb does
3) Casualty estimates for a land invasion were much higher for Japan (that they were higher for America is a big DUH).

In life, if you're a public figure and a top dog, you are more subject to criticism than the average joe of your group. I've drawn more ire when I was the "leader" than when I was in a support role.

Comes with the territory