Comments on: Hillary and the Iran Hypothetical http://commentsfromleftfield.com/2008/04/hillary-and-the-iran-hypothetical Loaning brain cells to those in need since 2003 Thu, 04 Dec 2008 21:00:21 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: The Charters Of Dreams http://commentsfromleftfield.com/2008/04/hillary-and-the-iran-hypothetical#comment-34096 The Charters Of Dreams Sun, 04 May 2008 06:10:23 +0000 http://commentsfromleftfield.com/?p=3929#comment-34096 Kyle, you're exactly correct about HRC's <a href="http://www.cato.org/pub_display.php?pub_id=8223" rel="nofollow">hawkishness</a>, and the Iraq war authorization vote, she'll take -- and regret that -- to the grave (no matter how often she refuses to apologize for it). However, HRC's "Good Morning America" comments (and what a way to wake up over coffee and a muffin) were exactly the right position to have. To see if you agree, check out my post <a href="http://libertydesirebelief.thechartersofdreams.com/2008/05/who-would-be-a-better-commande-1.html" rel="nofollow">Who would be a better Commander In Chief, Barack or Hillary? At This Point, Hillary Pulls Ahead: Defining Reality for Iran</a>. The bottom line is HRC knows the cost of war with Iran would be horrifically high, so she's hammering down on the deterrence option, the only viable option. She knows, and she's right, that Iran is going to get the bomb, so -- start scaring the hell out of them now. If Iran is deterrable, and I think they are, then define reality for them -- scare the living the shit out of them and let them know in absolutely no ambiguous uncertain terms that utter and complete destruction awaits any really dumb stupid thing they could do, like attack the U.S. or an ally with a nuclear weapon. This has got to be absolutely clear. If they don't get that, if they don't believe that, then hundreds of thousands if not millions of Middle-Eastern peoples are more likely to face living and dying in a real nightmare someday. Kyle,
you’re exactly correct about HRC’s hawkishness, and the Iraq war authorization vote, she’ll take — and regret that — to the grave (no matter how often she refuses to apologize for it).

However, HRC’s “Good Morning America” comments (and what a way to wake up over coffee and a muffin) were exactly the right position to have. To see if you agree, check out my post Who would be a better Commander In Chief, Barack or Hillary? At This Point, Hillary Pulls Ahead: Defining Reality for Iran.

The bottom line is HRC knows the cost of war with Iran would be horrifically high, so she’s hammering down on the deterrence option, the only viable option. She knows, and she’s right, that Iran is going to get the bomb, so — start scaring the hell out of them now. If Iran is deterrable, and I think they are, then define reality for them — scare the living the shit out of them and let them know in absolutely no ambiguous uncertain terms that utter and complete destruction awaits any really dumb stupid thing they could do, like attack the U.S. or an ally with a nuclear weapon. This has got to be absolutely clear. If they don’t get that, if they don’t believe that, then hundreds of thousands if not millions of Middle-Eastern peoples are more likely to face living and dying in a real nightmare someday.

]]> By: Margo Schulter http://commentsfromleftfield.com/2008/04/hillary-and-the-iran-hypothetical#comment-31780 Margo Schulter Wed, 23 Apr 2008 07:39:51 +0000 http://commentsfromleftfield.com/?p=3929#comment-31780 Thank you for a comment about the Iran remark that reflects my own reaction also, if from a somewhat different political perspective. What I say to myself is: "This is a good reason to be glad that I am a member of the Green Party, and can vote in November for a candidate who reflects my own values." Of course, there are all kinds of reasons to be critical of the government of Iran, not least the role of that state as one of the leading executioners in the world. How regrettable that both Senator Clinton and Senator Obama have made statements in favor of the death penalty, thus ironically placing the United States in the same camp when we should be joining the civilized world (emphatically including South Africa) in opposing this elementary human rights violation through deeds and words. In my view, the "hawk syndrome" that plagues both major parties -- which some honorable exceptions over the decades from Senator Wayne Morse to Representative Barbara Lee, is what Senator William Fulbright called _The Arrogance of Power_. If a Democratic Party candidate for President would take a position in favor of basic human rights (e.g. a moratorium on executions), and for a sane reappraisal of foreign policy, I would be delighted to support that candidate. Senator Obama does often approach this kind of reassessment, a hopeful sign. If he could follow his more progressive statements on the flaws of capital punishment as actually implemented (or likely to be implemented) in the real world, and call for a moratorium on executions to last for at least the duration of his first term, then I would be ready to support him. There are lots of things to discuss here; but I deeply appreciate your voicing of sentiments which speak for many of us. Thank you for a comment about the Iran remark that reflects my own reaction also, if from a somewhat different political perspective.
What I say to myself is: “This is a good reason to be glad that I am a member of the Green Party, and can vote in November for a candidate who reflects my own values.”
Of course, there are all kinds of reasons to be critical of the government of Iran, not least the role of that state as one of the leading executioners in the world. How regrettable that both Senator Clinton and Senator Obama have made statements in favor of the death penalty, thus ironically placing the United States in the same camp when we should be joining the civilized world (emphatically including South Africa) in opposing this elementary human rights violation through deeds and words.
In my view, the “hawk syndrome” that plagues both major parties — which some honorable exceptions over the decades from Senator Wayne Morse to Representative Barbara Lee, is what Senator William Fulbright called _The Arrogance of Power_.
If a Democratic Party candidate for President would take a position in favor of basic human rights (e.g. a moratorium on executions), and for a sane reappraisal of foreign policy, I would be delighted to support that candidate.
Senator Obama does often approach this kind of reassessment, a hopeful sign. If he could follow his more progressive statements on the flaws of capital punishment as actually implemented (or likely to be implemented) in the real world, and call for a moratorium on executions to last for at least the duration of his first term, then I would be ready to support him.
There are lots of things to discuss here; but I deeply appreciate your voicing of sentiments which speak for many of us.

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