Up To The President

Submitted by John R (United States), Nov 11, 2006 at 12:10

Admittedly, these no-war, no-nukes scenarios are creative. But they no longer offer have a prospect of success, for the situation has become crude and binary: either the U.S. government deploys force to prevent Tehran from acquiring nukes, or Tehran acquires them.

I have said it before. Let us give diplomacy, negotiations, and sanctions more chance. I agree with Octavio that as much as possible we should avoid war. But if Iran gets close enough to possessing nuclear weapons that it could launch at other countries, especially Israel, then of course we have to go to war against them.

Speaking of Israel, a country Mahmoud says should be wiped out of the map. That declaration, the Islamic religion, a madman, and Dr. Pipes analysis, would weave a murky shroud around Israel's security should Iran possess nuclear weapons. Israel would instantly become the most dangerous place to be in.

This key decision – war or acquiescence – will take place in Washington, not in New York, Vienna, or Tehran. (Or Tel Aviv.) The critical moment will arrive when the president of the United States confronts the choice whether or not to permit the Islamic Republic of Iran to acquire the Bomb. The timetable of the Iranian nuclear program being murky, that might be either George W. Bush or his successor.

I agree. It will come down to the President of the US, not New York, Vienna, Tehran, not the wide swath of the American public opposed to war, not the slice and dice, razor and blades partisan political tactics…No, the dramatic arc is with the president and he will be the one, the only one and nobody else, to be standing on the cusp of deciding to go to war or not.

John R

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