Dear MoveOn member,
By all accounts, the news coming out lately about Iran is scary. Iran is testing more missiles, and the Bush administration is promising swift retribution for any attack on the US or our allies.
To top it off, John McCain keeps joking about killing the Iranian people—discussing rising U.S. exports of cigarettes to Iran, he joked, "Maybe that's a way of killing them." And we all remember McCain's infamous, "Bomb Iran" song. (See video below)1
War is not a joke. The truth is that the Bush-McCain policy of reckless saber-rattling and threatening doesn't work—it just makes things worse and increases tensions in the region. What we need is serious, tough, and smart diplomacy—not another war.
Right now, Congress is considering bills that could clear the way for escalation or war. But they can act to make sure President Bush and John McCain don't lead us into another reckless war. Can you sign this petition asking Congress to push for diplomacy and demand Congressional authorization before getting us into another war? Clicking here will add your name:
http://pol.moveon.org/diplomacyiran/o.pl?id=13193-8552455-1.3QX4x&t=3
The petition reads: "Saber-rattling and threats towards Iran without diplomacy is not working. Please support a new direction towards Iran and demand President Bush get Congressional authorization before getting us into another war."
For years, the Bush administration's policy has been the same—tough talk and no real diplomacy. So far, that hasn't helped curtail Iran's apparent nuclear ambitions or advanced American interests.
Unfortunately, John McCain's belligerent comments only make matters worse—at a moment when the Persian Gulf is on the brink of war because of leaders who dehumanize and demonize folks on the other side, John McCain is offering more of the same old approach.
As NPR reported this morning, "McCain believes that the Bush administration's approach has been the right one."2
What we need right now from this administration, and from our next president, is serious diplomacy. As Barack Obama said, "The United States has to gather up others in the region, as well as internationally, to apply pressure on Iran. But it's very difficult for us to do so when we haven't shown a willingness to engage in the sort of direct negotiations with Iran that would give them carrots and sticks for a change in behavior."3
We don't need more saber-rattling, belligerent rhetoric or jokes about killing Iranians.
Too many lives—American, Israeli, and Iranian—are at stake. Please click here to tell Congress to help avoid another war:
http://pol.moveon.org/diplomacyiran/o.pl?id=13193-8552455-1.3QX4x&t=3
Thanks for all you do.
–Nita, Wes, Peter, Eli and the rest of the team
P.S. Check out Video of McCain's comments:
Sources:
1. "Bad Joke," Progressive Accountability, July 9, 2008
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=3918&id=13193-8552455-1.3QX4x&t=6
2. "Candidates Diverge On How To Handle Iran," NPR, July 10, 2008
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=3919&id=13193-8552455-1.3QX4x&t=7
3. "Iran Tests Missiles Able To Reach Israel." US News and World Report, July 10, 2008
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=3920&id=13193-8552455-1.3QX4x&t=8
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3 comments:
Excellent blog. We're all indebted to you for your efforts.
We should leave Iran an honorable path of retreat. Engaging Iran in the global economy is the only approach that has merit.
Regardless of Iran’s size however, we should be careful what we assume about Iran; it has some ten million men of military age.
Puor bien savoir les choses, il en faut savoir le detail, et comme il est presque infini, nos connaissances sont toujours superficielles et imparfaites.
Unfortunately, what we do know is that the Bush administration cannot be trusted to do what it says. Iraq taught us that lesson. Many experts have long been predicting that Bush would invade Iran before he leaves office. But of course, the Bush administration would never admit to such a thing.
“On ne donne rien si liberalement que ses conseils.”
But it is the man who follows his own counsel, he’s the one that should lead.
All I can say is, wow, that's quite a compliment coming from you, John. You can be sure I'll be grabbing a copy of your new book, "Terrorism And The Bush Doctrine" this week. There's a B&N right across the street from my apartment in Brooklyn.
Thanks for stopping by and leaving a compliment.
d.
It would establish once again my faith in mankind if the Joint Chiefs of Staff, upon receiving any unprovoked order to conduct military operations against Iran, simply told Bush and Company that they would be more than glad to take that sort of insane order under advisement until the next Commander and Chief comes onboard. These senior officers have to start acting like men with brains instead of blind monkeys with an itchy trigger finger.
War crime tribunals are not always for those "OTHER" people, you know.
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