[LoveBug]

Quote:

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned on Sunday that Iran was just six to seven months away from the brink of being able to build a nuclear bomb, adding urgency to his demand that President Barack Obama set a "red line" for Tehran in what could deepen the worst U.S.-Israeli rift in decades.

Taking to the television airwaves to make his case directly to the American public, Netanyahu said that by mid-2013 Iran would be "90 percent of the way" toward enough enriched uranium for a weapon. He again urged the United States to spell out limits that Tehran must not cross if it is to avoid military action - something Obama has refused to do.

"You have to place that red line before them now, before it's too late," Netanyahu said on NBC's "Meet the Press" program, adding that such a U.S. move could reduce the chances of having to attack Iran's nuclear sites.

http://news.yahoo.com/iran-six-seven-mon...23940.html

[Cincinnatus]

The U.S. hasn't drawn a line in the sand concerning North Korea, I don't see it happening for Iran either.

[polymath]

Netanyahu is one of Romney's old friends. Anything he says in the lead-up to the election is probably targeted in part as a way to make Obama look bad.

[dragnet]

This was absolutely sickening. I can't remember a time when a foreign leader was allowed to so brazenly attempt to influence an American election. Netanyahu is a complete charlatan---if he is talking, he is probably lying. He went on TV spouting claims about a nuclear Iran that his own Mossad has repeatedly stated to be baseless and inaccurate. The fact that he is being abetted by the GOP is just incredible---these people are traitors and should be called out as such.

As far as I'm concerned, this is really just latest reason to hope the baby boomers die off sooner rather than later. Israel's far right only holds this much sway over American politics because of dumbassed end-timers, evangelicals, AIPACers and neocons---all of whom are comprised largely of baby boomers.

The generations that succeed them are going to be a lot less pliant with regards to the Israeli hard-right, which will be better for the US and Israel in the long-run.

[Belize King]

I still don't understand the U.S. support of Israel. Can somebody drop knowledge on why we care so much?

[Cincinnatus]

(09-16-2012 05:47 PM)TexasMade Wrote:  

I still don't understand the U.S. support of Isreal. Can somebody drop knowledge on why we care so much?

I think it's because American Christians are afraid that if we don't support Israel then the "Holy Land" will fall into the hands of Islamists.

[Deif]

(09-16-2012 05:47 PM)TexasMade Wrote:  

I still don't understand the U.S. support of Israel. Can somebody drop knowledge on why we care so much?

They keep the other states in the region in line with the threat of their military force. The US had a lot of trouble with Arab states throughout the 50s, 60s, and 70s so Israel is something like the military backup for the US in the region.

Plus they're a sink for arms purchases. Israel is an extremely militarized society and a lot of their purchases come from the United States. I imagine the US arms manufacturers net billions in purchases from Israel.

[durangotang]

(09-16-2012 05:47 PM)TexasMade Wrote:  

I still don't understand the U.S. support of Israel. Can somebody drop knowledge on why we care so much?

Because there are more Jews living in the United States than in Israel, and they have a lot of influence.

[Samseau]

(09-17-2012 11:19 AM)durangotang Wrote:  

(09-16-2012 05:47 PM)TexasMade Wrote:  

I still don't understand the U.S. support of Israel. Can somebody drop knowledge on why we care so much?

Because there are more Jews living in the United States than in Israel, and they have a lot of influence.

Yep.


But more importantly...

Quote:

The generations that succeed them are going to be a lot less pliant with regards to the Israeli hard-right, which will be better for the US and Israel in the long-run.

No way. If Iran gets a nuke expect Israel to disappear, Hiroshima style.

[Handsome Creepy Eel]

Nentayahu is mad. During his term, he has done more damage to Israel than all of the Arab states combined. I just hope he isn't crazy enough to actually attack Iran on his own, because if that happens there will probably be WW3. I don't believe that Iran will ever be attacked if he waits for USA though, because even the USA hasn't become that crazy yet. Thank gods.

[LoveBug]

Don't feel like looking this up, but I thought this whole Iran nuking Israel notion started with an off the cuff/weakly translated remark by Ahmadinejad (whatever his name is), that Israel shouldn't be alive.

I highly doubt that the Iranian state, even with a nuke, would have definitive plans of using it against anyone.. However, if the people of Israel and Jews really do believe Iran has a set mission to nuke them, you can see how seriously they would take this

[Samseau]

It won't be Iran that launches the nuke. Some terrorist cell will somehow "acquire" nuclear technology from an "unknown" source that "just happens" to detonate in Israel.

You guys gotta understand, there are real racists in the middle east. Not the fake racists we have in America, who believe some people have low-IQ's, but the kind of racists that want genocide.


NOTE: I do not support Israel... I think they are retarded for setting up a major city in the shit hole middle east. But I understand why they don't want Iran to go nuclear.

[porscheguy]

(09-17-2012 11:41 AM)Samseau Wrote:  

No way. If Iran gets a nuke expect Israel to disappear, Hiroshima style.

I don't think this is a likely scenario. If anything, Iran would get a nuke, and then Iran would promptly disappear like Hiroshima.

Here's the thing, Iran won't get nukes. Russia will gladly sell them as many cash and carry conventional weapons they can buy. But even Russia won't sell them a nuke.

[Excelsior]

(09-16-2012 02:44 PM)dragnet Wrote:  

As far as I'm concerned, this is really just latest reason to hope the baby boomers die off sooner rather than later. Israel's far right only holds this much sway over American politics because of dumbassed end-timers, evangelicals, AIPACers and neocons---all of whom are comprised largely of baby boomers.

The generations that succeed them are going to be a lot less pliant with regards to the Israeli hard-right, which will be better for the US and Israel in the long-run.

I'd like to make a few exceptions with regards to the boomers and the hope of their heading away. I know many exceptions to the criteria above who have done little damage, though they are admittedly predominantly minorities (who aren't as well represented or as powerful/influential within the American boomer generation and generally lean further left to begin with).
I'd like these exceptions, who've not bought into the end-times/neocon BS, to live long and prosperous lives. I'll gladly support them.

In general, though, I agree with you when it comes to about 90% of boomers and I would still like to:

[mistermister]

the power vacum left in iraq after saddam. iran has become the dominant power in the region quietly.

iran and the US will come to an understanding. netanyahu's war mongering is all about influencing the US political cycle.

also remember about the straight of harmouz, iran holds the cards here.

[polymath]

@Samseau....Iran doesn't have enough anonymity to avoid blame even if Hezbollah takes the credit for pounding Israel with a nuclear weapon. I think it's an unlikely scenario, but even if it happened, it would be suicidal for Iran. Not to mention that some Israeli cities are home to sacred Islamic buildings and large arab/islamic populations that could be destroyed as a result of nuclear escalation.

I actually think it's more likely that Israel would strike first. Look at their rhetoric and their history of attacking neighbors, especially in the Osirak attacks that were intended to curtail nuclear development.