As the time on Dubya's presidency ticks down, he is still trying to stoke the fires of confrontation with Iran, relying on his signature mix of bellicosity and self-righteousness.
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Showing posts with label Iran. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Iran. Show all posts
Jan 29, 2008
Quick Read - Iran & Bush's Crisis of Truth
Jan 26, 2008
Iran & Bush's Crisis of Truth
As the time on his presidency ticks down, George W. Bush is still trying to stoke the fires of confrontation with Iran, relying on his signature mix of bellicosity and self-righteousness. In this guest essay, Peter Dyer looks at Bush's new push in the context of his old lies.
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Jan 22, 2008
Iran downplays effects of U.N. sanctions
The Bush administration insisted Wednesday that international sanctions against Iran are having some impact despite a new government report questioning their usefulness.
Meanwhile the Iran Government says "Adoption of a possible new resolution will not have any effect on our people."
The Iranian government says it is in compliance with the U.N.'s International Atomic Energy Agency, and maintains the Security Council has no place in nuclear oversight.
According to press accounts, the GAO report says the impact of sanctions aimed at discouraging investment in, and business with Iran, is hard to determine and been counteracted by an avalanche of Iranian oil revenues. The GAO called on the administration to do a baseline assessment of the sanctions' value and report to Congress.
Sounds like the Iranian Government is getting most of it's revenue from oil and Bush is pissed that it isn't going into his pocket instead.
Jan 17, 2008
Sound Familiar?
Bush Budget Request Raises Fears Of Iran Strike, Increases Funding For ‘Massive’ ‘Bunker Buster’
In light of the administration’s increasingly threatening rhetoric on Iran, CQ reports that members of Congress are worried by Bush’s recent budget proposal. In particular, they cite his request to equip B-2 “stealth” bombers with a new 30,000-pound bunker buster as a “sign of plans for an attack on Iran“:
Buried in the $196.4 billion supplemental war spending proposal that Bush submitted to Congress on Oct. 22 is a request for $88 million to modify B-2 bombers so they can drop a Massive Ordnance Penetrator, or MOP, a conventional bomb still in development that is the most powerful weapon designed to destroy targets deep underground.
A White House summary accompanying the supplemental spending proposal said the request for money to modify B-2s to carry the bombs came in response to “an urgent operational need from theater commanders.”
Previous statements by the Defense Department and the program’s contractors, along with interviews with military experts, suggest the weapon is meant for the kind of hardened targets found chiefly in Iran.
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Sphere: Related ContentJan 14, 2008
Bothersome Intel on Iran
In public, President Bush has been careful to reassure Israel and other allies that he still sees Iran as a threat, while not disavowing his administration's recent National Intelligence Estimate. That NIE, made public Dec. 3, embarrassed the administration by concluding that Tehran had halted its weapons program in 2003, which seemed to undermine years of bellicose rhetoric from Bush and other senior officials about Iran's nuclear ambitions.
But in private conversations with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert last week, the president all but disowned the document, said a senior administration official who accompanied Bush on his six-nation trip to the Mideast. "He told the Israelis that he can't control what the intelligence community says, but that [the NIE's] conclusions don't reflect his own views" about Iran's nuclear-weapons program, said the official, who would discuss intelligence matters only on the condition of anonymity.
Read More ^
The NIE's conclusions don't reflect his "own views?" What the hell is this supposed to mean?
Just like the Iraq Study Group where they recommended a radically different approach from President Bush's current policy, including the withdrawal of most U.S. combat troops by early 2008.
Why bother to have reports and studies done at all if they are just going to be ignored by King-George?
Bush said they knew that Iran had nuclear weapons, that Iran was about to start World War III. Bush knows this is a lie and has known for sure since Dec. 3,2007.
He lied about Iraq having WMD's, he was willing to murder on a monumental scale -as evidenced by the continuing war in Iraq.
In my view of "It" Bush is trying to lie us into another war with Iran and it doesn't appear that he is going to let up on his warmongering any time soon.
This is nothing but more of the same bullshit that he said about Iraq.
Jan 13, 2008
More Rhetoric
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) -- President Bush said Sunday that Iran is threatening the security of the world, and that the United States and Arab allies must join together to confront the danger "before it's too late."
Bush said Iran funds terrorist extremists, undermines peace in Lebanon, sends arms to the Taliban, seeks to intimidate its neighbors with alarming rhetoric, defies the United Nations and destabilizes the entire region by refusing to be open about its nuclear program.
"Iran is the world's leading state sponsor of terror," Bush said in a speech he delivered about mid-way through his eight-day Mideast trip that began with a renewed push for an Israeli-Palestinian peace pact -- an accord he said whose "time has come."
Chiding U.S. allies who have withheld civil liberties, Bush said governments will never build trust by harassing or imprisoning candidates and protesters. But his rebuke was general, and he did not single out any U.S. partner in the region for oppressive practices.
"You cannot expect people to believe in the promise of a better future when they are jailed for peacefully petitioning their government," Bush said. "And you cannot stand up a modern, confident nation when you do not allow people to voice their legitimate criticisms." Watch excerpts from Bush speech
Read More ^
More spin on the War from Bush and his continued efforts to justify himself for his Agenda to provoke Iran into war.
The War in Iraq is about corporate control over Iraq's oil, Bush's strategy on Iran is about making Iran safe for global investment. And just as Bush lied about the danger posed by Saddam Hussein, he is now lying about the perils Iran poses.
Jan 10, 2008
Remember the Iran-Navy Incident?
Apparently even the Pentagon is now questioning the authenticity of the video/audio mashup of aggressive maneuvers by Iranian boats near American warships in the Strait of Hormuz now includes the Pentagon itself.
I would not be a bit surprised to find this out. I have said in a previous post - 'who's provoking who' and got a bit of flak for it but let's face it, this wouldn't be the first time we have been lied to.
Read More^
Iran releases own video of US Gulf incident
Iran released video and audio recordings depicting a much more sedate encounter between Iranian gunboats and U.S. Navy vessels than U.S. officials claim.
The recordings released Thursday provide an Iranian account of the confrontation Sunday between Iranian gunboats and three Navy vessels operating in the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf. Sphere: Related Content
Jan 9, 2008
Video: Iran's Provocative Act
Source: USA Today
Related Article: Bush calls Iran 'threat to world peace'
Bush's criticism of Iran came Wednesday during a news conference with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert in Jerusalem. Bush is in the region to encourage the peace process between Israel and the Palestinians.
Bush called the incident "a very dangerous gesture" by Iran and warned the Islamic republic against any escalation.
"We have made it very clear, and they know our position, and that is: There will be serious consequences if they attack our ships, pure and simple."
"My advice to them is: Don't do it."
Earlier in the day, National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley said the Sunday incident in the Strait of Hormuz almost triggered an exchange of fire -- and if it happens again there may be a battle.
See Also: Iran: U.S. fabricated confrontation video
Iran has denounced video and audio recordings released by the United States of the two nations' confrontation in the Strait of Hormuz as "fabricated," according to statements carried by state-run television station. Sphere: Related Content
Jan 8, 2008
Who's Provoking Who?
WASHINGTON — Just hours before President Bush was to begin his trip to the Middle East, he sharply criticized Iran on Tuesday for fomenting “a dangerous situation” in an incident over the weekend in the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf.
Asked whether he thought the Iranians were trying to provoke a fight with the United States by having several of their vessels confront American craft, the president said the Iranians had engaged in “a provocative act.”
“It is a dangerous situation, and they should not have done it, pure and simple,” Mr. Bush said in a brief question-and-answer session in the Rose Garden. “I don’t know what their thinking was, but I’m telling you what I think it was.”
Read More^
Related: US releases Iran stand-off video
Thanks to Ted from Ted's SoapBox 2.o for the link...
Dec 20, 2007
Dec 18, 2007
Olbermann on Bush, Cheney, and the Iran NIE
There are few choices more terrifying than the one Mr. Bush has left us with tonight.
We have either a president who is too dishonest to restrain himself from invoking World War Three about Iran at least six weeks after he had to have known that the analogy would be fantastic, irresponsible hyperbole — or we have a president too transcendently stupid not to have asked — at what now appears to have been a series of opportunities to do so — whether the fairy tales he either created or was fed, were still even remotely plausible.
A pathological presidential liar, or an idiot-in-chief.
Dec 5, 2007
Bush says Iran still a threat
WASHINGTON - Twice now, President Bush's public assertions about threats of weapons of mass destruction -- his prewar warnings of weaponry in Iraq and his warnings about the development of nuclear weapons in Iran -- have been undermined by subsequent intelligence reports.
Yet following the release this week of U.S. intelligence concluding that Iran shelved its nuclear weapons-building program four years ago, Bush insisted Tuesday that Iran poses a persistent threat.
"Iran was dangerous," the president said at a White House news conference. "Iran is dangerous and Iran will be dangerous if they have the knowledge necessary to make a nuclear weapon."
Read More ^ or Watch Video
Is it me or is this Deja vu'? Put this fucking guy in a straight jacket to prevent him from further harming himself or others!
Nov 27, 2007
Iran says it has built new long-range missile
Many of you probably know about this, I find it somewhat disquieting.
"The construction of the Ashoura missile, with the range of 2,000 km (1,250 miles), is among the accomplishments of the defense Ministry," the minister told a gathering of the Basij religious militia, which is holding maneuvers this week.
He also said a new Iranian-built submarine would be delivered to the navy on Wednesday.
Although Iran regularly says it has made major advances in its weaponry, Western experts say it rarely gives enough detail to confirm the capabilities.This is the true Spirit of Western arrogance! Well, perhaps when they bomb someplace and use the sub to clean up the carnage, we will get a clue?
Read More Here Sphere: Related Content
Nov 5, 2007
Gates: China urging Iran on nukes
BEIJING, China (AP) -- U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates on Monday hailed deepening dialogue between the United States and China and said Beijing is helping to put pressure on Iran to halt its nuclear program.
Gates has made it clear that he is pursuing a closer alliance with China.
At a news conference with Chinese Defense Minister Cao Gangchuan following their meeting, Gates said they "discussed ways to build on positive momentum in our defense relations and how to use these interactions to improve communications and reduce the risk of misunderstanding."
Cao described his meeting with Gates as "pragmatic, candid, and productive" and said future military exchanges will "deepen our friendship and cooperation."
The two men emphasized bilateral cooperation and communication, but they also discussed the issue of Iran's nuclear ambitions.
"We agreed that it's important to pursue efforts to persuade the Iranian government to change their behavior and their policies peacefully, through diplomatic means," Gates said. They discussed continued and increased economic pressure "as a way of persuading the Iranian government to make different choices."
Gates said North Korea and Sudan are two other areas where China could play an important supporting role.
There was little information, however, about a missile test which China conducted in January.
The United States lodged a formal protest after the test, which involved a ground-based, medium-range ballistic missile destroying an old Chinese weather satellite. Several U.S. allies also raised protests.
Asked whether he had broached the topic or received more information about it, Gates said only that he raised U.S. concerns but there was no further discussion.
During their meeting, Gates said, he raised "uncertainty" over China's military modernization and pressed for "greater transparency to allay international concerns."
Gates and Cao agreed to several specific items which they said would improve bilateral defense relations.
Among them is the establishment of a direct military phone link between Washington and Beijing. The line is going ahead but Cao said technical problems with the hotline still need to be worked out.
Gates and Cao also agreed to conduct a joint naval exercise at some point in the future, and to improve cooperation with each other's military archives to provide a better accounting of U.S. prisoners of war from the Korean War.
They also vowed to have more military exchanges at all levels, including at an educational level for U.S. and Chinese officers and cadets.
Gates said there are "significant opportunities" to expand bilateral military discussions on both agreements and disagreements.
Oct 26, 2007
Iran vows ‘even more decisive’ stike if attacked
Head of Revolutionary Guards dismisses possibility of U.S. military action
TEHRAN, Iran - The head of Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards dismissed the possibility of U.S. military action against Iran and warned that his forces would respond with an “even more decisive” strike if attacked, an Iranian news agency reported Friday.
The comments by Gen. Mohammad Ali Jaafari came after the United States announced sweeping new sanctions against Iran, focusing on the Revolutionary Guards, a force that is tasked with protecting Iran’s Islamic government and reports to the country’s supreme leader.
Asked about the possibility of an American strike on Iran, Jaafari told reporters late Thursday that, “These words are just exaggerations, and I don’t consider them a threat,” the news agency ISNA reported.
Read More: Iran vows ‘even more decisive’ stike if attacked
Launch Video
Oct 3, 2007
Bush holds up North Korea as possible model for Iran
LANCASTER, Pennsylvania (Reuters) - President George W. Bush on Wednesday held up North Korea as a possible model for resolving the Iranian nuclear standoff and reaffirmed a U.S. offer of talks if Tehran suspends uranium enrichment.
North Korea agreed earlier to disable its main nuclear reactor and provide a complete declaration of all nuclear activities by the end of the year under an accord hammered out in six-party talks.
Read More...Bush holds up North Korea as possible model for Iran
Sep 28, 2007
Have We Learned Nothing?
Hillary Clinton and 75 other senators apparently feel that George W. Bush hasn't been belligerent enough toward Iran. They want him to hurry up and label a large part of Iran's army an international "terrorist" entity for allegedly supplying Iraqi insurgents with bombs that have killed American troops. Despite a warning from Sen. Jim Webb that the Senate vote could be read as another war resolution, Democratic presidential hopeful Clinton jumped onboard the bandwagon, again. September 28, 2007
Read More...Hillary Prods Bush to Go After Iran
Sep 19, 2007
Webb: “We do have an amendment on Iran”
Call your Senators today and tomorrow and ask them to support the Webb amendment. This, simply stated, requires the president to get Congressional authorization before attacking Iran, in keeping with the United States Constitution.
The Capitol switchboard is 202-224-3121.
To see if your Senator is supporting the amendment and report the result at: Provision against war with Iran
View the Video here: Support the Troops, Support the Webb Amendment
Jeff Herz - My View of the World said...
unfortunately one of my senators the honorable lying Joe Lieberman has already decided to bomb the shit out of Iran and my other Senator is too busy running for president (and being way behind in the polls) than to pay attention or listen to his constituents in CT.
Sep 18, 2007
More Pressure on Iran
The top U.S. military commander for the Middle East is pressing Arab allies to form a more united front against Iran, seen by Washington as the region's long-term threat.
At military compounds and royal reception halls across the Persian Gulf, Adm. William Fallon is delivering personal appeals to Arab leaders to counter Iran's ambitions to expand its regional influence and move ahead with its nuclear program.
While it appears that our great military minds are going to great lengths to not openly threaten Iran, they are quiety galvanizing Gulf leaders while letting others sharply escalate pressure on Tehran.
On Sunday, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said the world should prepare for war if Iran obtains nuclear weapons.
Read More...Adm. Fallon Presses Case Against Iran
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