Ahmadinejad has not helped the situation by continuing to make wild threats, but apparently he has been misquoted with an inaccurate translation of his ubiquitous remark that "Israel be wiped off the map." The actual quote is more like "the occupation regime" must "vanish." Nearly every report in the corporate media includes this misinterpretation, along with giving the false impression that Iran is in violation of the Nuclear Proliferation Treaty. No wonder many Americans think Iran is an immediate threat, though they are five or ten years away from having the capability of producing a bomb. In fact, they have actually called for a nuclear weapon freeze in the Middle East.
The truth is that Iran is not in violation of the treaty; domestic nuclear power is allowed under its guidelines. It is the United States and some of our allies that are in violation; Israel has refused to even sign it. America has a right to protect itself and its allies, but not to initiate war, especially without proof of a threat. We already saw the results of this dogma in Iraq; the world couldn't withstand a rerun. Even if we don't like it, Iran has the right to pursue limited nuclear power for civilian use as long as they agree to resume inspections in order to prove peaceful intentions. They have made this offer, but it has already been rejected out of hand by the U.S. ambassador; so much for diplomacy.
Denying Iran this chance would set a precedent for withdrawal from the treaty itself. Maybe that's what the Bush administration wants in order to have an excuse for invasion. Acquiring Iran's oil and natural gas has long been part of the neo-conservative plan, hatched even before the "election" in 2000. But the moment they start to achieve their goals it would become a free-for-all with no solution, except endless destruction. If the U.S. will not back down, World War 3 is imminent. Russia and China would take sides, and the battle for resources would begin. The only alternative is a recognition of our mutual goals and the search for other solutions.
The so-called mainstream media is apparently oblivious to the irony (or insanity) of using nuclear weapons to eliminate another countries nuclear facilities. They also never mention the fact that these "tactical warheads" or "mini-nukes" the U.S. is prepared to use in a strike on Iran are illegal under international and domestic law. Research was approved but not the building of these weapons in 2003. If the administration has implemented the construction of these bombs, then they are violating a law established by Congress. Of course they have shown that they believe laws and the Constitution itself are to be swept aside if need be. This position is beyond the scope of executive power and needs to be reined in before anymore damage is done.
Nuclear power would be better left alone in favor of solar and wind, but if it is contemplated against all advice, it must be safeguarded and the U.S. needs to be the leader here. Unfortunately, America may need a regime change before a sane energy policy can be formed. Misuse of the military as the answer for everything needs to stop, and international relations repaired. Careful diplomacy is not the strong point of the current administration, and the world is worse off for it. The mid-term Congressional elections can't come soon enough to begin providing a check on an out of control executive branch. The absurdity of unreliable and hackable voting machines must be overcome, of course, but for now an election where Democrats are expected to win is our best hope for change. Maybe the rest of the nation will come to their senses soon enough to avert another war, because it's in the best interests of the U.S. and the world.
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