WASHINGTON, Nov. 2, 2007

Obama Details Iran Strategy

Democratic Hopeful Says He Would Personally Negotiate, Offer Incentives

  • Presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., speaks at North Carolina Central University in Durham, N.C., Thursday, Nov. 1, 2007. Photo

    Presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., speaks at North Carolina Central University in Durham, N.C., Thursday, Nov. 1, 2007.  (AP)

  • Play CBS Video Video Sanctions Against Iran

    CBS Foreign Affairs Analyst and Hunter College professor Pam Falk, offers some insight on the new sanctions against Iran and what this could mean for the future.

  • Video Will Iran Sanctions Work?

    Bob Schieffer talks with Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., and Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., about whether the Bush administration's sanctions on Iran will prevent the country's nuclear proliferation.

  • Video Impact Of Iran Sanctions

    Bob Schieffer talks with Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich. and Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., about the effect the Iran sanctions are having on oil prices and what to expect if the U.S. goes to war with Iran.

  • Timeline The U.S. And Iran

    Key events in once friendly, now contentious relationship between Washington and Tehran.

  • In-Depth 2008 Presidential Hopefuls

    Profiles and the latest news on the Democrats and Republicans running for the White House.

(AP)  Sen. Barack Obama said Friday that as president he would personally negotiate with Iran, offering economic incentives and a chance for peaceful relations if Iranian leaders would forego pursuit of nuclear weapons and support of terrorists.

Citing a long history of progress through diplomatic gestures toward China and the former Soviet Union, Obama laid out in stronger terms his call for diplomacy with Iran - a policy with greater emphasis on negotiation than the Bush administration policy and a stance that has been ridiculed by his fellow Democratic presidential candidates.

"There is the potential at least for us finding ways of peacefully resolving some of our conflicts, and that effort has not been attempted," Obama said. "And if we don't make that attempt, then we're going to find ourselves continuing on the path that Bush and Cheney have set, and we're seeing the rhetoric rise every day."

"It has consequences not only for our strategic interests, it has consequences for our troops in Iraq and it has consequences for our economy," Obama told NBC's "Today" show.

He reiterated statements in a New York Times interview, published Friday, in which he said Iran might be offered membership in the World Trade Organization and assurances that the United States would not seek "regime change" if Iranian leaders changed their ways on key issues.

"We would be very clear with Iran and say 'We don't accept your development of nuclear weapons'," Obama told NBC, saying he would also strongly reject Iran's financing of terrorist organizations and its anti-Israel rhetoric.

Obama also introduced a Senate resolution late Thursday that says President Bush does not have authority to use military force against Iran, the latest move in a debate with presidential rival Hillary Rodham Clinton about how to respond to that country's nuclear ambitions.

Clinton's campaign accused Obama of playing politics instead of taking a leadership role from the outset.

Obama spokesman Bill Burton said the Illinois senator drafted the measure in an effort to "nullify the vote the Senate took to give the president the benefit of the doubt on Iran."

Burton was referring to an amendment sponsored by Sens. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., and Joe Lieberman, an independent from Connecticut, that passed 76-22 on Sept. 26 and designates Iran's Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organization.

Clinton was the only Senate Democrat running for president to support the measure, and her rivals have argued that Mr. Bush could use it to justify war with Iran. Clinton insists her vote would not support military strikes and instead was a vote for stepped-up diplomacy.

Last week, the Bush administration declared the Revolutionary Guard a proliferator of weapons of mass destruction and announced new sanctions meant to isolate Iran. The Iranian government contends its nuclear program is aimed only toward providing nuclear power.

Clinton and 29 other senators wrote to Mr. Bush Thursday to tell him he has no congressional authority for war with Iran.

The four Democratic senators running for the White House split over whether to sign the letter. Chris Dodd of Connecticut added his support, while Obama and Joe Biden of Delaware declined.

The letter accuses Mr. Bush of "provocative statements and actions stemming from your administration with respect to possible U.S. military action in Iran."

"We wish to emphasize that no congressional authority exists for unilateral military action against Iran," it says. That includes the Kyl-Lieberman amendment, the letter says.

Obama missed the vote on the amendment because he was campaigning. Clinton spokesman Phil Singer said if Obama was so concerned about the amendment, he should have been there to vote against it. Singer said Obama also should have signed Webb's letter and co-sponsored two other pieces of legislation that reaffirm the president cannot use force against Iran without congressional approval.

"It's unfortunate that (Senator) Obama is abandoning the politics of hope in favor of the kind of political games he is so critical of in his book," Singer said. He pointed to a passage in "The Audacity of Hope" where Obama is critical of the tendency to "exaggerate or demonize, oversimplify or overstate our case."

Said Obama spokesman Bill Burton: "With her vote for the war in Iraq and her vote for the Kyl-Lieberman amendment, Hillary Clinton has now given George Bush the benefit of the doubt not once, but twice. While she's trying her best to change her position on yet another critical issue facing our country, Senator Obama knows that it takes legislation, not letters, to undo the vote that she cast."

His resolution says any offensive military action against Iran must be explicitly authorized by Congress, and seeks to clarify that nothing approved so far provides that authority.

Biden spokeswoman Elizabeth Alexander said Biden believes the amendment could be used to justify military action.

"He has also made clear many times his view that the president lacks the authority to use force against Iran absent authorization from Congress," she said. "He didn't need to clarify that position. He's been clear from the start."

Even though Dodd shares that view, he signed the letter because "we felt that it was necessary to make it clear that this administration cannot take military action against Iran without the express authorization of Congress," said Dodd spokesman Hari Sevugan.

© MMVII The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Candidate Profiles & RSS Feeds


Video and Galleries from Politics

Add a Comment See all 145 Comments
by v_1618 November 2, 2007 10:54 AM PDT
OBAMA GO TO SLEEP STUPID AZZ HOLE .. IRAN HAS NO NEED TO NEGOTIATE NOTHING WITH YOU STUPID MOTHE ***...
YOU''RE JOKE ...
Reply to this comment
by pepperp1 November 2, 2007 10:54 AM PDT



Obama appears to be a fine man and a fine Senator, he is not however Presidential material in my view. I would though like to see him stay above the Mud Wrestling taunting for the TV starved ratings team of Russet and Matthews two men who helped bring you George Bush with all their supposed informed hardball punditry. Obama should stay with the issues and the differences maintain pride and honor as a Statesman. No hope left for snow white Edwards who believes everyone else should have done something he says he would not. It is amazing that any of these candidates would believe that we would believe they are honest and non political in all there stated 30 second positions, all of course except for dishonest Senator Clinton who is be also supposedly beating the drums for war with Iran, pitiful and I am embarrassed for them and their party. Dem candidates you appear to forget you are speaking to the non Rancid Republican Red Cult, we think and are not puppeted by WWW political punditry and their though guy taunts you unfortunately from a position of weakness played to, not your best moments as a party, and the UFO guy really sad.
Reply to this comment
by honesttalk November 2, 2007 11:16 AM PDT
Well, it seems that Obama is now trying to call for attention really. He should not be playing "opportunistic politics" with a serious issue like Iran. Where was he when the critical vote for the initial amendment was need it? He was campaign! A real calculated move to use the vote Against Clinton afterwards. If the issue was so important then as it is for him now, hw should be doing his primary job that is to be a Senator instead of campaigning to friendly urban crowds, college kids or doing the TV sows celebrity circle (Tyra Banks, Ellen, Oprah or Hollywood mansion%u2019s fundraising). If the issue is so critical for him now, why he did signed the Webb%u2019s letter co-sponsoring two other pieces of legislation reaffirming that Bush cannot use force against Iran without congressional approval. His %u201CAudacity of Hope%u201D is becoming %u201CThe Audacity of one Opportunistic, Energetic Totally Unprepared Politician%u201D using big words and %u201Cbig friends%u201D to become President. Shame! I still waiting for a real example, policy, record that shows me or anyone else why we should vote for him, he doesn%u2019t deserved the trust we people in Illinois put on him to represent us in D.C. all he is doing is running for President since he got elected.
Reply to this comment
by honesttalk November 2, 2007 11:17 AM PDT
Obama, shouldn''t be playing "opportunistic politics" with a serious issue like Iran. Where was he when the critical vote for the initial amendment was need it? He was campaign! A real calculated move to use the vote Against Clinton afterwards. If the issue was so important then as it is for him now, hw should be doing his primary job that is to be a Senator instead of campaigning to friendly urban crowds, college kids or doing the TV sows celebrity circle (Tyra Banks, Ellen, Oprah or Hollywood mansion%u2019s fundraising). If the issue is so critical for him now, why he did signed the Webb%u2019s letter co-sponsoring two other pieces of legislation reaffirming that Bush cannot use force against Iran without congressional approval. His %u201CAudacity of Hope%u201D is becoming %u201CThe Audacity of one Opportunistic, Energetic Totally Unprepared Politician%u201D using big words and %u201Cbig friends%u201D to become President. Shame! I still waiting for a real example, policy, record that shows me or anyone else why we should vote for him, he doesn%u2019t deserved the trust we people in Illinois put on him to represent us in D.C. all he is doing is running for President since he got elected.
Reply to this comment
by sblake63 November 2, 2007 11:30 AM PDT
Typical democrat thought process - Negotiate with terrorists. You think Al Qaeda in Iraq or President Ahmedinajad in Iran will come to the "table" and make a deal with us? Lmao. Retards seeing the world thru rose colored glasses. They want us dead - you know as room temperature?

And get another fact into your tiny left wing skulls. No matter what Hillary and Obama promises you, were not leaving Iraq period. They may reduce troop levels. The reason we went there right or wrong is a moot point. The situation is too unstable, Iran is just itching for us to leave. Dream on war protestors lol!
Reply to this comment
by one_american November 2, 2007 11:31 AM PDT
Clean and articulate... maybe.

But still dumb as a box of rocks.
Reply to this comment
by prinzowhales November 2, 2007 11:35 AM PDT
Obama...His campaign slogan should be: "Keeping the Lie Alive!"

The IAEA has maintained that there is no proof that Iran has a nuclear weapons program...and, Hezballah and Hamas are not terrorist organizations--they are Israel''s opponents...Hamas won the last election in Palestine. Israel still occupies parts of Lebanon, Syria and most of the choice parts of Palestine set aside by the UN for Palestinians...Israel deserves a robust guerrilla opposition to resist its reign of terror...if Palestine seizes to resist, Israel will just take more and more and more and sell resistance to them in the Zio-Nazi press in America as "terrorism"-- to ''ell with that!
Reply to this comment
by andor3 November 2, 2007 11:39 AM PDT
Yeah he is a smart man with a good plan who obviously knows how to listen to advisers, consider input, and make decisions. He is a good speaker and inspires people to think and act. He understands the value of peaceful resolution of conflict.

You are right--that is not at all what Americans want in a President. sigh
Reply to this comment
by honesttalk November 2, 2007 11:45 AM PDT
Obama, shouldn''t be playing "opportunistic politics" with a serious issue like Iran. Where was he when the critical vote for the initial amendment was need it? He was campaign! A real calculated move to use the vote Against Clinton afterwards. If the issue was so important then as it is for him now, hw should be doing his primary job that is to be a Senator instead of campaigning to friendly urban crowds, college kids or doing the TV sows celebrity circle (Tyra Banks, Ellen, Oprah or Hollywood mansion%u2019s fundraising). If the issue is so critical for him now, why he did signed the Webb%u2019s letter co-sponsoring two other pieces of legislation reaffirming that Bush cannot use force against Iran without congressional approval. His %u201CAudacity of Hope%u201D is becoming %u201CThe Audacity of one Opportunistic, Energetic Totally Unprepared Politician%u201D using big words and %u201Cbig friends%u201D to become President. Shame! I still waiting for a real example, policy, record that shows me or anyone else why we should vote for him, he doesn%u2019t deserved the trust we people in Illinois put on him to represent us in D.C. all he is doing is running for President since he got elected.
Reply to this comment
by andor3 November 2, 2007 11:48 AM PDT
"Typical democrat thought process - Negotiate with terrorists."

Yes. Absolutely. You do that because it often works to listen to people and engage with them and try to understand. The alternative--trying to use force or bomb someone into liking you or respecting you--is the most idiotic idea yet invented by humans.

Look at the IRA. Look at terrorists in Israel. One of their opponents negotiated, one got tough. One set of terrorists disappeared, laid down weapons and joined the government. One set is more active and threatening than ever. Which strategy works? Who is the naive one?
Reply to this comment
by prinzowhales November 2, 2007 11:48 AM PDT
Ahmadinejad has said he will sit down and talk with the Americans--no conditions. The Americans want conditions...as he once noted, they want the Iranians to concede all of the points before the ''negotiations'' can take place. As long as the Washington Regime adopts this kind of posture, nothing can be achieved.

Obama, the Israel-firster, recognizes this. He has nothing to lose by offering to talk...but there are other ways to skin a cat in this matter than avoiding negotiation...you can negotiate in bad faith...just as the Clintonistas and their plutocratic masters did with the Dayton Agreements...and then proceded to violate four international treaties and launch a war of aggression in violation of the NATO Treaty against Yugoslavia.

The Washington Regime is rotten to the core--this does not mean that the Ayatollah land in Iran is not a fault filled mad house at times...but it is their mad house...and a new war will not improve the condition of either place.

The coo-coo-coos you hear from the War Pig Democrats, are for you...if you think those big fat Democratic war pigs roosting and cooing in the bushes are the doves of peace...just make the mistake of voting for them and you will unleash the OINKS! of war!
Reply to this comment
by watcher269-2009 November 2, 2007 11:52 AM PDT
I think Obama might be a good president -BUT he needs more experience - come back in 8-12 years. Last thing we need is another Bush with no experience being lead around by others. And Edwards - I don''t trust him - and I Don''t Want Another Southern talking President in the White House.


Just can''t take John Edwards seriously!

That leaves Hillary who stands any chance against the Keystone cop Republicans.
Reply to this comment
by mudrose-2009 November 2, 2007 11:53 AM PDT
I like what the Saudis are saying to Iran. It''s quite possible that they could pull it off. Should be very interesting what Ahmie and the Mullahs have to say to Saudi. If they don''t like the arrangement then we will get a rather stark glimpse of just what it is the Mullahs and Ahmie have in mind. RamaLamaObama needs a diaper change.
Reply to this comment
by johnny343sc November 2, 2007 11:56 AM PDT
Hey Obama Bin Laden... incentives have already been tried for Iran. WAKE UP, you idiot!

;)
Reply to this comment
by grazinggoat November 2, 2007 11:57 AM PDT
Obama is a ground-connected candidate... He lived through difficult times because of his immigrant roots and minority belonging. He''s not like the people''s needs insensitive political rich class, ''hijacking'' the actual executive power in White House. Obama is more capable to come up with CONCESSIONS that the Walking-Liar''s backers are not WILLING to give Iran, because they are caracterized of grabber$, robber$, killer$ and thug$, and pretending to act in the name of democracy.

Obama is willing at least to listen to other nations and offer them decent and acceptable solutions, without letting the American interests in the dust.

-Way to go Obama, you''re my favorite candidate for now. American Interests go along with other Nations'' interests.
Reply to this comment
by terrorislam4 November 2, 2007 11:59 AM PDT
I STAND WITH THE DANES

FASCIST NAZI TERRORISLAM IS
Persona non grata

Exclusive: Salute the Danish Flag! - It%u2019s a Symbol of Western Freedom By Susan MacAllen
In Denmark, once-liberal immigration policies have forced huge governmental change and zero tolerance for Muslim immigrants intent on turning Denmark into an Islamic welfare haven. FSM Contributing Editor Susan MacAllen reveals a shocking reaction there and lessons America must learn.
http://familysecuritymatters.org/homeland.php?id=1172085
Reply to this comment
by pepperp1 November 2, 2007 12:08 PM PDT



I think Obama might be a good president -BUT he needs more experience - come back in 8-12 years. Last thing we need is another Bush with no experience being lead around by others. And Edwards - I don''''t trust him - and I Don''''t Want Another Southern talking President in the White House.


Just can''''t take John Edwards seriously!

That leaves Hillary who stands any chance against the Keystone cop Republicans.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by watcher269 at 11:52 AM : Nov 02, 2007
+ report abuse

I%u2019m with ya but I would really hate to see Obama destroy his future reacting to the tough guy taunts from the failed TV punditry class like Russert and Matthews who give nothing but WWW tabloid politics and Bush Cheney. The only hardball he should play is on the issues tabloid politics is unbecoming especially on him. With you on Edwards hopefully this will be the last losing race where we will be exposed to this guy no creds there, didn%u2019t even pull his State last losing election, but still hate to see the weak puppet dance to the puppet punditry masters. Also i would add the UFO Representative Dennis a joke, promises anything just as long as its radical no creds and I believe an embarrassment for the party.


Reply to this comment
by likeitis5050 November 2, 2007 12:09 PM PDT
Clinton''s campaign accused Obama of playing politics instead of taking a leadership role from the outset.


Hahahahaaa...this heifer couldn''t think straight when she got treated equally in the last debate...the gloves came off and she pulled the gender card..."you''re too rough...I''m just a girl...I''m the only girl...I have different rules to follow because it takes me longer to get ready...'' blah blah blah. She''s an embarrassment to women who really are out there making their way through glass ceilings based on sheer determination, earned respect, and stellar qualifications. At least Obama is going on record as to what his platform is and isn''t waiting for a ''feel'' as to what people want to hear. Hillary is the joke of the year...she should have her own reality based show called ''Hillary''s House of Hilarity''...guaranteed to make people hurl.
Reply to this comment
by gunownerdan November 2, 2007 12:37 PM PDT
Obama is just another CFR(Council on Foreign Relations) member like Bush, Cheney, the Clintons, Giuliani, Edwards, McCain, Biden, Romney, Huckabee, Richardson, and Thompson to name a few.
The CFR has hijacked foreign policy in both parties and their main goal is to destroy American sovereignty and our constitution leading to the formation of a North American union with Canada and Mexico.
Dr. Ron Paul is not a member of the CFR and he is the only anti-war and pro-liberty candidate running for president.
ronpaul2008.com
Reply to this comment
by realpatriot1 November 2, 2007 12:53 PM PDT
prinzowhales,

Part 1

As usual you are full of contempt and criticism yet offer no way out of any problem or explain what you would like to see happen to bring about change.

Milosovich also violated international agreements by engaging in ethnic cleansing. Most rational people, including most Serbs, can now see that the Balkans are better off without him. Does the peace there bother you for some reason? Do you blame Clinton for peace in Northern Ireland too?

All that you say about the Palestinians and Israel is true except you leave out the little fact that before Israel went into Lebanon Israeli civilians were being shot at from territories under the control of Hezballah.

One man''s freedom fighter is another man''s terrorist and in the middle east conflict everyone has blood on their hands. You believe in robust guerilla opposition, I believe in working towards peace which involves engaging both sides in dialouge.

As far as I can see, Obama is no more an Israeli-firster than you are a robust guerilla firster
(but not a terrorist, of course).
Reply to this comment
by thinkharder- November 2, 2007 12:58 PM PDT
Hey Obama Bin Laden...
Posted by johnny343sc

You and all your neo-con friends are absolute fools who seem to glorify themselves by wearing the folly of your ways like shiny pendants we should all admire. You and your kind are the bane of this country and if it takes another generation or two to see the likes of you fade from existence...so be it. You remind me of the idiots who have written most of this countries history textbooks proclaiming the greatness of men such as Christopher Columbus and the dispossession of this nation''s original inhabitants for the good of "civilization." You are stuck in an American character mold forged centuries ago when lies and deceipt propegated and justified a eurocentric/colonial agenda. When your children end up the victims of your archaic mindsets, I hope you spend the rest of your days crying yourselves to sleep at night. Times are changing...welcome to the dawn of compassion and rational thought.
Reply to this comment
by realpatriot1 November 2, 2007 1:04 PM PDT
Prinzowhales,

Part 2

The "War Pig Democrats" have been listening to the chorus of Generals and military analysts who''ve cautioned against a pre-emptive strike against Iran, particularly one that would take place without being preceded by a serious effort at diplomacy, and, if that failed, the establishment of a broad-based international coalition to supplement and stand behind our actions.

Anyone with any sense knows that our failure to do precisely that before invading Iraq is the reason why our cookies are in the fire now. If we make the mistake again, the results will be exponentially more disastrous and make Iraq look like a picnic in comparison.

At the same time, successful negotiations require sincerity of purpose on both sides. Why do you assume that Iran''s public words can be taken at face value and not those of the "War Pig Democrats"? Perhaps Iran will use negotiations to reach agreements that they will then violate. That''s why we need to be clear that a willingness to negotiate doesn''t take any options off the table.

If Iran doesn''t have nukes they should have no problem with proving it to the OAEA which, while they''ve seen no proof of a program have not concluded that one doesn''t exist.
Reply to this comment
by usprophet November 2, 2007 1:05 PM PDT
You get the sense that our country is desperate for someone to show us the way. Not the old way. Not the same way, but a NEW WAY. Think about this for a minute. What if we pulled all of our troops out of South Korea? They''ve been there for 50+ years. What if we quit worrying about Iran, but instead, realized that its having a nuclear weapon will not mean the end of the world? What if we pulled all of our troops out of the Middle-East, and brought them all home? What if we realistically addressed the National Debt, and paid attention to REALLY DOING SOMETHING about stopping illegal immigration? These are the ideas of Republican Presidential candidate, Dr. Ron Paul. He''s a ten term Congressman and a physician who has delivered over 4,000 babies. He''s an intellectual who''s published four books, three of which are devoted entirely to sound economics. He was raised on a dairy farm in Pennsylvania as a pious Lutheran, but now he attends a Baptist church. Paul is given to mulling things over morally. Whenever he recollects the helicopter pilots he treated as an Air Force Flight Surgeon (Captain) during the Vietnam War, a war which he now says was "totally unnecessary and illegal," he laments, "They were gung-ho. I%u2019ve often thought about how many of those people never came back." Candidates with the high level of personal integrity and proven track record of adherance to The Constitution, Congressman Paul has always demonstrated only come around once in a lifetime, if we''re lucky.
Reply to this comment
by prinzowhales November 2, 2007 1:14 PM PDT
realpatriot1--There is quite a lot of which to be contemptuous and I''m always willing to do my part!
I remember the cavalcades of smiling Albanians traveling at the urging of the KLA out of the country...some Albanians, who made the mistake of going the other way, were slaughtered by US war planes. I remember the CNN reportress--the dark-haired woman who talks like she has a mouth full of marbles and was married to one of Maddog Albright''s henchmen Jamie something or other...she was trying to get a young English-speaking Albanian girl to say that there were attacks...the girl kept saying "No"... they broke to commercial, the continuous coverage continued and a couple of hours later...got it! "Amanpour" is the reporters name... asks the girl again...and the answer is "yes, yes"...
The KLA was an Interpol-named drug dealing operation and still are...

In Bosnia, the ethnic cleansing went both ways. Much of the alleged Serbian attrocities in Sarajevo was utter rot and the US allowed al Qaeda operatives to pass through their UN ordered and US enforced arms embargo to spearhead Bosnian Moslem attacks on Serbs.
Reply to this comment
by pepperp1 November 2, 2007 1:15 PM PDT


I%u2019m with ya but I would really hate to see Obama destroy his future reacting to the tough guy taunts from the failed TV punditry class like Russert and Matthews who give nothing but WWW tabloid politics and Bush Cheney. The only hardball he should play is on the issues tabloid politics is unbecoming especially on him. With you on Edwards hopefully this will be the last losing race where we will be exposed to this guy no creds there, didn%u2019t even pull his State last losing election, but still hate to see the weak puppet dance to the puppet punditry masters. Also i would add the UFO Representative Dennis a joke, promises anything just as long as its radical no creds and I believe an embarrassment for the party.

Reply to this comment
by terrorislam4 November 2, 2007 1:20 PM PDT
DEMONIC-RATS NEVER LEARN AS THEY REWARD THE GRASSHOPPER AND TAX THE ANT

The Ant and the Grasshopper

In a field one summer''s day a Grasshopper was hopping about, chirping and singing to its heart''s content. An Ant passed by, bearing along with great toil an ear of corn he was taking to the nest.

"Why not come and chat with me," said the Grasshopper, "instead of toiling and moiling in that way?"

"I am helping to lay up food for the winter," said the Ant, "and recommend you to do the same."

"Why bother about winter?" said the Grasshopper; we have got plenty of food at present." But the Ant went on its way and continued its toil. When the winter came the Grasshopper had no food and found itself dying of hunger, while it saw the ants distributing every day corn and grain from the stores they had collected in the summer. Then the Grasshopper knew:

It is best to prepare for the days of necessity.
http://www.pagebypagebooks.com/Aesop/Aesops_Fables/The_Ant_and_the_Grasshopper_p1.html
Reply to this comment
by signof4 November 2, 2007 1:22 PM PDT
This is Bill Clinton and North Korea part 3. They will take his incentives (or tax money), lie to his face, and proceed with their plans.

This is further proof that Ubama lacks the sophistication and elementary geo-political intelligence to be president. Please go back to the job Illinois elected you to do!
Reply to this comment
by prinzowhales November 2, 2007 1:27 PM PDT
realpatriot1--In reponse to Part I: I don''t assume that Iran''s assurances can be taken at face value, though--even knowing the Moslem doctrine with regards to lying for the Faith...found in Jewish doctrine, and not surprisingly, in Straussian doctrine as the "noble lie" as well....the UN inspection teams have given us the best intelligence on the matter...as far as I''m concerned the "Iranian crisis" is not a real issue...it is one of those manufactured "realities" that Karl Rove & Company bragged that they create for us.

The UN inspections team, with Scott Ritter, did their job in Iraq...Rove & Company didn''t like the reality that Iraq had no WMDs...presto!...with the "Grand Wurlitzer" as WAyne Madsen described the US info-tainment propaganda complex, they went to work creating the "reality" for the American people that Saddam had WMDs, could launch attacks on Britain in 45 minutes and had fleets of gliders to attack US cities and was even working on a nuclear weapon with Niger yellowcake...

Reply to this comment
by terrorislam4 November 2, 2007 1:29 PM PDT
WHAT COUNTRY DOES BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA PLEDGE TO?

Obama Disrespects U.S. Flag!

Obama: No Hand on Heart for National Anthem
http://newsbusters.org/blogs/mark-finkelstein/2007/10/20/obama-no-hand-heart-pledge-either-will-msm-notice
http://bobmccarty.wordpress.com/2007/10/22/forget-lapel-pins-obama-disrespects-us-flag/
Reply to this comment
by realpatriot1 November 2, 2007 1:34 PM PDT
Prinzowhales,

I agree that the ethnic cleansing went both ways. It always does but the more powerful elements generally
start it and are the ones who have to be confronted in order to stop it. I watched the seige of Sarajevo on tv night after night while it was happening and I don''t think the bombardment I was watching was trumped up.

I agree that innocent Albanian civilians got caught up in the fighting and suffered greatly and that the KLA
are not good people. War always involves suffering for the innocent and making alliances with unsavory characters and should be avoided whenever possible.

But the proof is in the pudding where the Balkans is concerned. After centuries of bloodshed they''re enjoying relative peace and prosperity post-war.

Beofre you say it, I know that NATO troops occupy the Balkans to this day, so I''m not saying it''s totally a rosy scenario.
Reply to this comment
by terrorislam4 November 2, 2007 1:37 PM PDT
Posted by realpatriot1 at 01:34 PM : Nov 02, 2007

Mohammed%u2019s ethnic cleansing
%u201CAt Medina he expected the Jews to recognize the agreement between his teaching and theirs, and to own him as a prophet in the true succession, perhaps as the Messiah for whom they were waiting. The Moslems, when they prayed, turned their faces toward Jerusalem; the Day of Atonement was made a solemn fast for Moslems, the one great fast in the year. Mohammed did not see why if he acknowledged Moses and his Torah, the Jews should not acknowledge him and his Koran.

http://libertyandculture.blogspot.com/2005/08/mohammeds-ethnic-cleansing.html
Reply to this comment
by terrorislam4 November 2, 2007 1:38 PM PDT
Posted by realpatriot1 at 01:34 PM : Nov 02, 2007

Mohammed%u2019s ethnic cleansing

The Jews proved obdurate; their doctrine had no place in it for Arab prophets or messiahs. They took a malicious pleasure in exposing the ignorance of biblical history which Mohammed displayed in his stories about biblical persons, thus impugning his claim to have his stories by revelation. He retorted that his was the true and original version; if it was told otherwise in the books of the Jews it was because they had falsified their Scriptures. The attitude of the Jews was not only vexatious, but had in it a visible element of danger. In conjunction with the %u2018hypocrites,%u2019 as Mohammed calls the numerous class who outwardly professed Islam but had no real faith in it, they might at more than one crisis have made his position in Medina untenable. In the interludes in the conflict with the Meccans, Mohammed, on one pretext or another, fell upon the Jews, and did not stop till he had driven out all their tribes from Medina, and conquered their strongholds in the oasis of Khaibar.%u201D
http://libertyandculture.blogspot.com/2005/08/mohammeds-ethnic-cleansing.html
Reply to this comment
by grazinggoat November 2, 2007 1:43 PM PDT
Obama is a ground-connected candidate... He lived through difficult times because of his immigrant roots and minority belonging. He''s not like the people''s needs insensitive political rich class, ''hijacking'' the actual executive power in White House. Obama is more capable to come up with CONCESSIONS that the Walking-Liar''s backers are not WILLING to give Iran, because they are caracterized of grabber$, robber$, killer$ and thug$, and pretending to act in the name of democracy.

Obama is willing at least to listen to other nations and offer them decent and acceptable solutions, without letting the American interests in the dust.

-Way to go Obama, you''re my favorite candidate for now. American Interests go along with other Nations'' interests.
Reply to this comment
by prinzowhales November 2, 2007 1:48 PM PDT
relpatriot1--Please excuse, my last was meant to respoond to Part II of your post as is this.

General Clarke remarked if memory serves that the Regime had Iran--as well as Syria, Somalia and Lebanon in its sights. Generals may well resist what the ''Commander-Guy'' wants in Iran...but all they need is one missile attack, or one Israeli air attack coming in from over Iraq--and, don''t forget the Israeli companies that are responsible for the "security" of our own nuclear weapons sites. The generals could very well be left with a fait accompli of war when and if the Iranians responded to any attack as promised.

If the Gulf is closed down, will they sit idly by?...I can hear the orchestrated squeals of American motorists already when gas skyrockets to 10 dollars a gallon and the Zio-Nazi media goes twenty-four-seven vilifying the Iranians...will the Generals who want negotiations be able to withstand that kind of popular pressure?--It was only a few short years ago that the Chimp had over 85% support...Most Americans are fickle, silly creatures immune to reason whose views are more influenced by their appetites than discernment. Kucinich and Gravel will be ignored. Only a few scant years ago, every other obese, mouth-breathing sot had a raggedy-arsed, Made in China flag flying from his car antenna and was busy cursing the French in support a war on a nation they couldn''t find on a map with the idea that Saddam was responsible for 9-11...
Reply to this comment
by prinzowhales November 2, 2007 2:02 PM PDT
The Zogby Poll illustrates the state of public opinion with regard to Iran--half would support a strike on Iran...this, after the revelations of all of the satanic evil that the Washington Regimes under Bush & Company represents...after all of the lies that have been revealed. That commedian was correct..."You can''t fix Stupid."

The Democratic side of the Demopublican coin is trying to project a semblance of sanity...realize, it is only projection...its cotton candy...lots of fluff, no substance. The reality was the Senate vote authorizing Bush to unilaterally take action in Iran...that shows you precisely what the Democrats support! You can listen to their words, or you can watch the actions of these lying b*stards...Bush has nothing on them when it comes to duplicity.
Reply to this comment
by grazinggoat November 2, 2007 2:03 PM PDT
WHAT COUNTRY DOES BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA PLEDGE TO?
Obama Disrespects U.S. Flag!
Obama: No Hand on Heart for National Anthem
http://newsbusters.org/blogs/mar
k-finkelstein/2007/10/20/obama-no-hand-h
eart-pledge-either-will-msm-notice
http
://bobmccarty.wordpress.com/2007/10/22/f
orget-lapel-pins-obama-disrespects-us-fl
ag/
Posted by terrorislam4 at 01:29 PM : Nov 02, 2007

-Idiot arsee, No one can affirm Obama is not pledging to US, but we know what country the ZioNazists (I like this compounded qualification) have always pledged no matter what country they are born... Idiot again!
Reply to this comment
by prinzowhales November 2, 2007 2:15 PM PDT
realpatriot1--The Cheney DoD under Bush41 called for this move into the Balkans...for the same reasons that Churchill and his geopolitical people favoured a move into the Balkans--raw materials...Kosovo was a real prize. These old Nazi allies that we supported in Bosnia and Croatia who supported the last drive toward a New World Order came out to give us a hand in the destruction of Yugoslavia...the word "indpendence" were barely out of the Croatians'' mouth when they were recognized by Germany.

If there are islamo-fascists anywhere in the world, it is in Bosnia...they were our good allies and you won''t hear ''terrorislam'' and its handlers saying a word about it. Just like you won''t hear word one about the ethnic cleansing of Jews, gypsies, Turks and Serbs in Kosovo from the Zio-Nazi media...mums the word in "Hymie Town", Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Just the Zionists showing their true colours once more...betraying Jews for the sake of Anglo-American capital.
Reply to this comment
by myidoncbs November 2, 2007 2:19 PM PDT
Signof4, if you had any good arguments against Barack Obama''s position, you would NOT have to call him "Ubama". You are just demonstrating your mindless obedience to right-wing propaganda in your VERY weak, very misguided attempt to linke Barack Obama with Usama bin Laden. There simply is NO connection.

Just about ANYTHING is better than what Bush and Cheney have in mind, so kudos to Obama for suggesting diplomacy is a better option than junping headlong into WW3.

FYI: you can''t stop knowledge from spreading. The soviets ALMOST had nukes at the same time we got them. Too many countries of questionable sanity ALREADY have nukes now. Threatening Iran won''t stop them; it only gives them MORE incentive to hurry up and get nukes as a deterrent to being attacked.

The ONLY way to be safe is to be surrounded by friends. Making more enemies makes us LESS safe.

War: "The only winning move is not to play the game."
Reply to this comment
by realpatriot1 November 2, 2007 2:29 PM PDT
Prinzowhales,

Good points on all!

I''m concerned that in the current context a "broken arrow" incident on either side could lead to tragic consequences. There''s are a great many unsnswered questions surrounding the incident in August when a nuclear-armed bomber was flown from Minot, N.D. to Barksdale AFB in Louisiana( the staging ground for middle east operations)and all the stages of fail safe protections broke down.

I don''t defend any of the Congressional Democrats who''ve glossed that over(or who gave Bush blanket authority on Iran).

signof4,

North Korea didn''t lie to Clinton, they adhered to the agreement until Bush shot his mouth off. Bush had to call in the Democrats to fix the mess and Bill Richardson did. You might want to choose a different example next time.

terrorislam,

If you and Osama want to remain married to ancient thinking that''s your choice.

Most Christians, Muslims, and Jews want peace, oppose all fanatics, and are looking for someone to provide them with a pwaceful alternative.

Clearly, that won''t be you.
Reply to this comment
by terrorislam4 November 2, 2007 3:10 PM PDT
it is fascist nazi terrorislam stupid,,,

non muslims of the world unite,,, fight against the tyranny of the fascist nazi terrorslam imperialist empire of the darkside,,,

I was a fanatic...I know their thinking, says former radical Islamist
By blaming the Government for our actions, those who pushed this "Blair''s bombs" line did our propaganda work for us.
More important, they also helped to draw away any critical examination from the real engine of our violence: Islamic theology.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=465570&in_page_id=1770

Bless the Beasts and Children
Fascist nazi terrorslam kills every man woman and child in the village again%u2026 typical mo for terrorslam%u2026
http://www.michaelyon-online.com/wp/bless-the-beasts-and-children.htm

Our Prophet commanded us to fight the kaafirs when we are able and to attack them in their homelands and to give them three choices before we enter their lands: either they become Muslim and be like us, sharing our rights and duties; or they pay the jizyah (poll tax) and feel themselves subdued; or they fight, in which case their wealth, women, children and homes become permissible as booty for the Muslims.
http://islamqa.com/index.php?ref=13759&ln=eng&txt=before%20islam%20arabia%20pagan

the truth about fascist nazi terrorislam...
http://www.terrorismawareness.org/what-really-happened/
Reply to this comment
by baghdadshere November 2, 2007 3:13 PM PDT
This SOB is anybody but american. This coward mother ******* is trying to protect Iran maybe because those terrorists ayatollahs are contributing for his campaign.
If this SOB ever become our president, and thank god im sure he wont, we will be attacked again, perhaps with an iranian nuclear weapon.
Reply to this comment
by terrorislam4 November 2, 2007 3:14 PM PDT
Posted by grazinggoat at 02:03 PM : Nov 02, 2007

of course a fascist nazi terrorislamist would not know the correct way,,, and neither does obama
Reply to this comment
by realpatriot1 November 2, 2007 3:19 PM PDT
badaxmofo,

There are 2 good reasons why negotiating with Iran makes sense.

First of all, there has been an ongoing power struggle within the Iranian government since the death of the Ayatollah. At times the moderates have had the upper hand(while Khameni was President) and now the radicals have the upper hand. Sabre-rattling bu us strengthens the hand of the radicals in the same manner that September 11 gave Bush the support to be more agressive. Negotiation strengthens the hands of the moderartes who already have considerable support from the Iranian public. Their idiot President has about as much popularity as ours.

Secondly, a will to negotiate first strengthens our hand with other nations who we want to support military action if it becomes the only alternative.

We aren''t there yet; not even close!
Reply to this comment
by prinzowhales November 2, 2007 3:24 PM PDT
BaghdadsHere and is dumb as dirt-- Why would Iran--even it had a nuclear weapon--attack us and face nuclear destruction? You are simply peddling fear... at least you could do is make up a boogey-man a bit more realistic instead of this kind of doltish, unsupported bugaboo.
Reply to this comment
by signof4 November 2, 2007 3:27 PM PDT
This is Bill Clinton and North Korea part 3. They will take his incentives (or tax money), lie to his face, and proceed with their plans.

This is further proof that Ubama lacks the sophistication and elementary geo-political intelligence to be president. Please go back to the job Illinois elected you to do!
Reply to this comment
by realpatriot1 November 2, 2007 3:27 PM PDT
Prinzowhales,

Not to quibble with your version of events in the Balkans but Bosnia & Crotia are majority Catholic
countries, so I don''t think they qualify as "Islamo-fascists". Kososvo & Albania were Muslim. Serbia was killing Muslims & Christians alike.

Also, what raw materials did we supposedly prize in Kosovo? Garbage?
Reply to this comment
by bizzzz-2009 November 2, 2007 3:35 PM PDT
BaghdadsHere and is dumb as dirt-- Why would Iran--even it had a nuclear weapon--attack us and face nuclear destruction? You are simply peddling fear... at least you could do is make up a boogey-man a bit more realistic instead of this kind of doltish, unsupported bugaboo...."

Prinzowhales,
Do you read much? Do you know what the WAR OF GOG AND MAGOG IS? Do you know that Ahmadinejad believes he has a God-given mission to prepare the way for the Muslim messiah, or mahdi, who will arise from end-times chaos to convert the world to Islam.
He also believes a nuclear strike on Jerusalem would kill Muslims as well as Jews and Christians, Iran''s president believes the Muslims would be ushered into paradise.
%u201CWar of %u201CGog and Magog%u201C found in the Koran concludes with Muslims winning. The Ezekiel Option and The Copper Scroll imagine how such prophecies could play themselves out in modern times. But suddenly this is no longer the stuff of fiction. Ahmadinejad is intent on launching the %u201CWar of Gog and Magog.%u201D
YOU ARE EITHER AN IRRESPONSIBLE IDIOT WHO DOESN''T READ OR AN ISLAMIC, ANTI-AMERICAN, TERRORIST LOVING SUPPORTER. WHICH IS IT?????

Reply to this comment
by realpatriot1 November 2, 2007 3:52 PM PDT
Badaxmofo,

Let''s talk about foreign policy understanding and success for a moment since you brought up North Korea and one-on-one talks. That was Bush''s big thing in the debates with Kerry. He insisted that one-on-one wouldn''t work and we would need multi-party talks.

What happened? Month upon month of multi-party talks produced no results. Bush desparately turned to the Clinton administration and Bill Richardson for one-on-one talks. Problem solved.
Reply to this comment
by bizzzz-2009 November 2, 2007 3:52 PM PDT
bizzzzzzzzz - you are talking to an alqaida operative posing as a birkenstock wearing hippy...

badaxmofo,
Dude, that''s funny..and your right. I live in California and bump into these losers everyday. They''re highly pi$$ed off at their lives, either because they think the government owes them, OR they go to work stoned everyday because they hate their jobs, OR they''re highly anti-social and couldn''t get laid in a women''s prison with a fist full of pardons.

Reply to this comment
by baghdadshere November 2, 2007 3:56 PM PDT
BaghdadsHere and is dumb as dirt-- Why would Iran--even it had a nuclear weapon--attack us and face nuclear destruction? You are simply peddling fear... at least you could do is make up a boogey-man a bit more realistic instead of this kind of doltish, unsupported bugaboo.

Posted by Prinzowhales at 03:24 PM : Nov 02, 2007

You fool idiot. Have you read the news lately? Iranians gave hezbollah 20k rockets to launch into Israel and said they didnt. Iranians is arming hamas and say they are not. Iran are supplying Iraqi insurgents whith IED, roadside bombs, RPG and rockets to kill americans. Iranians dont need to attack us directly, all they have to do is give al-qaeda a nuclear device and then say they didnt.
Reply to this comment
See all 145 Comments
  • MOST POPULAR
  • Viewed
  • Commented
Latest News
Featured Blogs