Are We in an Era reminiscent of the 1930s Once Again?What Do We Do About Iran?
EDITED:
It is well known, especially here in the blogging world, that I love to discuss politics. In fact, if the truth be told, this subject, like the rights of the mentally ill, is one which I am very passionate about.
The other day, my son sent me an article that I found quite alarming. Basically, it told of how the Iranian government was going to implement a plan to distinguish Muslims from others within their country, namely Jews and Christians. The idea was to have all of its citizens wear patches so that their religion could be disclosed publicly. The article discusses an attempt to distinguish Muslim citizens in Iran, from Jews and Christians by the display of badges.
To me, these antics are reminiscent of those that were employed by Hitler during the Holocaust, where Jews where identified by their Stars of David that was displayed on their outer clothing. As we came to know, it was a potential death sentence.
As it turns out, this story turned out to be false. Nevertheless, the mere fact that such possibilities are considered to be believable is in part a reflection of the disturbing state of affairs of the religious minority groups that now exist inside Iran.
When the President of Iran says that he plans to eliminate the State of Israel, and would like to wipe it from the map, I take him seriously. I also take him seriously when he says he is developing nuclear weapons, and will not comply with inspections as set forth by the U.N. I do not need to wait 5 or 6 years, for innocent lives to be shattered for his credibility to meet any particular test. I believe him, and it is indeed frightening.
What do we do about Iran? I have asked this question before, and I ask it again, in view of the fact that the stance and reaction to the development of necular weapons is building, and becoming a reality for us here in the United States.
Unfortunately until Iran strikes out at Russia or China, it is going to be difficult to obtain an effective, united opposition on what goes on with that country. It seems as if the UN Human Rights Charter could be invoked to punish any human rights abuses that might occur, however, once again, these are political decisions and there is a great divergence of interests among the players from the Security Council.
As far as the General Assembly goes, it is pretty much dominated by small countries, which see the United States (and Israel) as the enemy, not the friend, and we these countries are most likely sympathetic with Iran's apparent nuclear ambitions as well as their confrontational policies towards the West. We have not been the most diplomatic of countries, especially with Bush as President. Is it not the case that some fears from other nations, may in fact be justified given the attack that this country made on Iraq, and the billions of dollars in debt we are in, coupled with the thousands of lives lost in the process. Moreover, how do we factor in the demi-god, the oil that Iran has, and its power and ability to hold others hostage with it? Is the United States in a position now, to do anything, cry wolf, and expect to be heard given our attack on Iraq, and what has failed to happen there? Where, and how do we resolve this huge problem with Iran, so that we, the United States, and Israel have some security?
Thank you for your minds.
It is well known, especially here in the blogging world, that I love to discuss politics. In fact, if the truth be told, this subject, like the rights of the mentally ill, is one which I am very passionate about.
The other day, my son sent me an article that I found quite alarming. Basically, it told of how the Iranian government was going to implement a plan to distinguish Muslims from others within their country, namely Jews and Christians. The idea was to have all of its citizens wear patches so that their religion could be disclosed publicly. The article discusses an attempt to distinguish Muslim citizens in Iran, from Jews and Christians by the display of badges.
To me, these antics are reminiscent of those that were employed by Hitler during the Holocaust, where Jews where identified by their Stars of David that was displayed on their outer clothing. As we came to know, it was a potential death sentence.
As it turns out, this story turned out to be false. Nevertheless, the mere fact that such possibilities are considered to be believable is in part a reflection of the disturbing state of affairs of the religious minority groups that now exist inside Iran.
When the President of Iran says that he plans to eliminate the State of Israel, and would like to wipe it from the map, I take him seriously. I also take him seriously when he says he is developing nuclear weapons, and will not comply with inspections as set forth by the U.N. I do not need to wait 5 or 6 years, for innocent lives to be shattered for his credibility to meet any particular test. I believe him, and it is indeed frightening.
What do we do about Iran? I have asked this question before, and I ask it again, in view of the fact that the stance and reaction to the development of necular weapons is building, and becoming a reality for us here in the United States.
Unfortunately until Iran strikes out at Russia or China, it is going to be difficult to obtain an effective, united opposition on what goes on with that country. It seems as if the UN Human Rights Charter could be invoked to punish any human rights abuses that might occur, however, once again, these are political decisions and there is a great divergence of interests among the players from the Security Council.
As far as the General Assembly goes, it is pretty much dominated by small countries, which see the United States (and Israel) as the enemy, not the friend, and we these countries are most likely sympathetic with Iran's apparent nuclear ambitions as well as their confrontational policies towards the West. We have not been the most diplomatic of countries, especially with Bush as President. Is it not the case that some fears from other nations, may in fact be justified given the attack that this country made on Iraq, and the billions of dollars in debt we are in, coupled with the thousands of lives lost in the process. Moreover, how do we factor in the demi-god, the oil that Iran has, and its power and ability to hold others hostage with it? Is the United States in a position now, to do anything, cry wolf, and expect to be heard given our attack on Iraq, and what has failed to happen there? Where, and how do we resolve this huge problem with Iran, so that we, the United States, and Israel have some security?
Thank you for your minds.
10 Comments:
Oh, those Iranians... Always up to something!
I just wonder why no one sees this besides us. Well, not no one, but very few people. Anti-semitism hasn't left us yet, and if you believe in the Bible, it never will leave. Heck, even if you don't believe in the Bible, all you have to do is study human nature to know that there will always be f*cking morons that will single out a particular group to persecute. I think we could start an ad campaign for the new Iranian regime:
Mmm! Persecution! The newest thing in Third World Government! Fun for all ages! Makes you feel fresher than Summer's Eve!
ManPlans,
Thank you for your comment. I had no idea there were so many Jews left in Iran, which makes this news all the more disturbing.
Maybe many of these can find their way to Israel, or some other safe-haven.
My wish of course, is that the community be safe, and that this mad-man who is President disappears.
I think we will have to wait a little longer to see how this will all play out. I know time is off the essence when it comes to human lives. But i have learned with politics, sometimes things aren't always as it seems. I am a bit disgturbed that our military isn't doing more, considering what happen with Sadamm.. It is said to say that sometimes people have to die before some one will do anything. You have visited my blog, you know how i feel about human violance towards each other.... I agree with saurkraut totally..... Her humor is funny as well, but in all seriosness.... Politics is sometimes played like a board game.... Chess... Who's the king now.. quite sickening if you ask me....
Thank you for the article. I do hope, with all my heart, that the story was false.
After just seeing Elie Weisel on the Oprah show, visiting Aczhwitz,and talking about the voices of the dead speaking to him, as if they never left once there bodies were incenerated, it made me ever so much more aware of how fragile Jews are today, everywhere.
The story turned out to be false and very dangerous, given the instability of the area and the trigger-happiness of some world powers. Guess which one(s)?
Nevertheless, the question regarding the threat Iran poses to Israel and the United States remains wide open. What do you think?
It's scary that there are people who make these threats.
I have edited this post in light of the fact that the story turned out to be false, but I ask that it be understood within the context that such possiblities are considered believable, and it is a commentary on the disturbing state of affairs of the religioius minority groups inside Iran.
we do nothing... let them fend for themselves... Iran has no WMD's, why should we care what they do? Why should we go kill those innocent Iranians? and if we impose sanctions, the only ones we are hurting are the poor people of the country...
how's that?
Just to recap the Iranian President's proclivities:
Last year the Iranian president denied the Holocaust, which made even the governments of western Europe upset. His response to their reaction: if the Holocaust happened, then let the Jews go live in Europe to make up for it.
Nice.
Then, in October, he called for Israel to be "wiped off the map", all the while his oil-saturated nation was developing a "peaceful" nuclear program.
Just last month, Ahmadinejad said that Iran had successfully enriched Uranium. The very next day he followed up by saying:
"Like it or not, the Zionist regime will be annihilated".
(With what? Crossbows? I thought that it was a peaceful nuclear program...)
and
"The Zionist regime is a rotten, dried tree that will be eliminated by one storm."
(What kind of storm? A hailstorm? It couldn't possibly be a nuclear storm, because Iran is developing a peaceful nuclear program and, by all that's holy, it's their right to do so. Just ask any Guardian reader.)
and
"Its [Israel's] existence has harmed the dignity of Islamic nations." (Wow, now that's a good reason to nuke someone: harmed dignity. Can the US nuke countries that have harmed its dignity, too? Let's see: Tehran, Pyongyang, Caracas, Paris...)
But, hey, according to the Europeans, we really should take a more "nuanced" approach to all of the "subtleties" of dealing with Iran, right? Sorry, but Iran is about as subtle as a brick to the head. Iran is a reflection of the poor sartorial taste and cross-eye of its president.
Anyway, what I really don't understand is: does Ahmadinejad actually think that the rest of the world believes that his nuclear program is peaceful? Or does he know that the people with triple digit IQs don't believe him, but there are enough people with double-digit IQs who will believe him and shout down the smarter people?
I mean, this is just beyond the pale. And it's shocking to see how much support Ahmadinejad has in the European media.
What would the world do if India, tomorrow, declared Pakistan an "affront to its dignity" and threatened to annihilate Pakistan? Just imagine that. Or if Chad announced they had nukes and they were going to nuke Libya? Or if Russia decided it had had enough of Chechnya and was going to nuke it?
Can anyone seriously imagine if, say, President Anglo-Irish of the US went off and started spouting off that, oh, I don't know, Venezuela was going to be wiped off the map, and the existence of Venezuela harmed the dignity of the US?
The whole world would be calling for the President's head on a plate. But if it's Iran and its cross-eyed fundamentalist psychopath who's threatening to nuke someone (anyone!), well, hey, good for him! Stick a thumb into the Americans' eyes! Israel deserves it!
It staggers the imagination. It really does. :-(
There is a body of opinion around the world that absolutely cannot bear the idea of American success or Israeli survival, no matter what the cost or outcome. Tough. They'll have to suck it up because Iran's imperial ambitions will go down within a few hours of their first nuclear test.
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