Andrew C. McCarthy explains what's wrong with the UN sanctions against Iran in National Review:
...In what, moreover, has to be one of the more embarrassing king-has-no-clothes moments, this testament to cravenness came only a day after federal judge Royce C. Lamberth’s painstaking 209-page opinion, describing the Islamic Republic’s orchestration of the 1996 Khobar Towers bombing which killed 19 members of the United States Air Force and wounded 372 others.After many meandering months, the outcome on the sanctions resolution was still in doubt as late as Saturday morning because two of our “allies” in this exquisite diplomatic effort — China (itself a nuclear proliferator with extensive economic ties to Iran) and Russia (Vladimir Putin's thug-state which is actually helping Iran develop its nuclear capability) — were still busy watering down measures already so diluted even the Iraq Study Group would have found them fatuous.
The penalties against the regime that sees a world without America and Israel as “attainable” are laughable.
The New York Times reports that all countries would be required to ban “the import and export of materials and technology used in uranium enrichment, reprocessing and ballistic missiles.” Except, well … not so much. The Times and the Associated Press note that the Russians are continuing apace with the construction of Iran’s atomic power plant at Bushehr. They succeeded in having any mention of Bushehr removed from the resolution, while forcing other amendments to ensure that “legitimate” nuclear activities in Iran could continue.
The ballyhooed sanctions also include an asset freeze on twelve Iranian individuals and eleven companies involved in Iran’s nuclear and missile programs. But observe: This is not a freeze on Iran. It affects only a handful of persons and entities — and even with respect to them, it matters only if they happen to have assets that can be readily identified inside some country that is willing to pierce through a maze of nominees and seize them.
Feigning at some backbone, the U.S. and some of the more “hawkish” members of the coalition (comprised of the five permanent Security Council members plus Germany) also urged that the named Iranians be banned from traveling outside Iran. But even this gambit — better thought of as a nuisance than a sanction — was too much for the Russians. Due to their nyet, countries will instead be asked “to exercise vigilance” if the Iranian Dirty Dozen enter or transit through their territory. That’ll show ‘em.
It’s worth rehearsing the sorry history that has led us to this point. Abandoning a long-settled policy against direct negotiations with the Iranian regime, and making a mockery of the Bush Doctrine’s pledge that rogue states would be made to decide whether they were “with us or with the terrorists,” the State Department this spring offered to give the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism everything including the kitchen sink for what would have been the pretense of abandoning its nuclear weapons program.
In so doing, the Bush administration conceded the legitimacy of the Islamic Republic’s development of nuclear technology for peaceful purposes — notwithstanding that such efforts are generally indistinguishable from arms development. Not content with that, it agreed that Iran should be assisted in that development with light water reactors, spent fuel management instruction, and “a substantive package of research and development co-operation.”
Read it all.
Excellent points, I do however question if the Bush administration has really conceded the legitimacy of the Islamic Republic’s development of nuclear technology for peaceful purposes. After all, Bush and company are still anti-nuclear Iran...
Cheers,
http://doctorbulldog.wordpress.com
MY Opinion would have been much shorter:
They did it and we know who they are.
I am just amazed at the stupidity of the Bush administration. Timidity, kowtowing to Iran, and just sheer ignorance and stupidity on the part of Rice and the State Department have brought U.S. credibility to a new low. Empty words from empty heads.
Surely the intelligence is wrong,, iran has no nuke plans just ask the dhimmicrats!
Im not fooled, bush wants to fight and kill the muslim terrorist, dhimmicrats want to hug and kiss and have sex with the muslim terrorist!
Are you fooled?
Well, pass the condoms. We may all be in for a royal f---ing.
I am just amazed at the stupidity of the Bush administration. Timidity, kowtowing to Iran, and just sheer ignorance and stupidity on the part of Rice and the State Department have brought U.S. credibility to a new low. Empty words from empty heads.
Posted by: Caratacus
i am amazed at the audacity of folks who want to insult and condemn president Bush and Blair, the only to leaders in the world today who are willing to attack and fight against the muslims terrorist.
when Bush and Blair were tired of talking to sadaam and the muslim terrorist and was wanting to attack and kill them for their crimes the dhimmicrats and liberal left said oh no lets give them a hug and kiss and talk to em lets talk about their grievance, lets see what it is we have done to piss them off so.
The dhimmicrats and liberal left have done everything within their power to defeat Bush and Blair, while they fought tooth and nail to protect the muslims and theior rights to slaughter innocent unarmed men women and children!
Then here you are condemning Bush and Bliar for their efforts while you give those who seek to stop Bush and Blair from fighting to protect innocent unarmed men women and children from the muslim terrorist a pat on the back!
When the hell are you going to wake the hell up?
Obviously Bush & Co. are better for our survival than the alternative 2 years ago were, but that doesn't make this farce of a rebuke any less pathetic.
I think that I actually may be getting physically ill after reading that article. I always assumed that an article "making you sick" was just hyperbole.
What has happened to our leaders, here and internationally? How can they collectively be this incredibly dense?
Ugh.
thndrbang1:
You make a good point. However frustrated I get with the lack of positive action by Bush over Iran, I have to keep in mind the fact that his political opponents make it as difficult as possible for the administration to act in the best interests of the civilised world. The same is true of Blair on this particular issue.
We must all acknowledge two depressing facts. Firstly, dhimmis and other cheerleaders for the enemy infest the political elite of every Western democracy on both sides of the Atlantic. Secondly, the vast majority of the public in those Western democracies are very firmly on the side of the dhimmis. They can't see the threat that Islam presents, and don't see the danger coming. This seems to be an unavoidable truth, although I wish to God it wasn't.
The future does not look inviting. This is all becoming very scary.
Yeah I saw this one earlier- a complete farce- sanctions are a terrorists best firends because they mean that NO serious action will be taken against them http://sacredscoop.com
The reality is that the west is full of hot air we have no stomach for a long hard fight and the Islamic Facist know it.
Our leaders are going down the same road as Neville Chamberlain before world war two,they think that they can run from the problems and avoid a fight but in the end once the muslim have built up powerful populations in our countries they will bring the fight to our own streets.
Rubbing my temples envisioning Oliver Stone’s 2015 Movie ‘New York’;
1. The evil genius George Bush recognizes the threat that Islam poses to the West; and looks the other way as 9-11 is planned and executed.
2. The evil genius George Bush and his successor purposefully engages the Arab Muslims of Iraq for ten years; putting Islam on display for all to see and darkening America’s heart to the Religion of Peace.
3. The evil genius George Bush and his successor purposefully allow Iran to develop nuclear weaponry, knowing full well that the American people don’t have the stomach to confront Islam unless provoked.
4. George Bush’s successor knows of the detonation in New York harbor before it happens, flattening parts of Manhattan and steaming hundreds of thousands of people to death. Pictures of the dry harbor-bed, the water having been flashed to steam by the explosion, will be juxtaposed with images of piles of steamed people.
5. Responding to mass hysteria, George Bush’s successor oversees the repatriation of millions of Muslim Americans and a banning of the teachings of Mohammed forever on American soil.
The whole thing is insane. Our leaders are not representing the people, who will be the ones stuck with the bill when recess is over.
The reality is that the west is full of hot air we have no stomach for a long hard fight and the Islamic Facist know it.
Posted by: stevenz
on nov.7,2006 we the people sent president Bush a message! we dont want to fight, we want to talk to the muslim terrorist. We would prefer to discuss the muslims grievances. We would prefer to pay jizya like good lil dhimmis and pay reperations for any and all wrongs we have committed against the poor wonderful innocent peace loving muslim terrorist!
Dont blame president Bush for doing what he was elected to do. Americans want to talk to the muslim terrorist. President Bush is simp[ly fulfilling the wishs of the american citizens!
Polls show president Bush has an approval rating of 30%.
so now who do we have to blame?
President Bush wanted to fight and kill the muslim terrorist who attack and murder innocent unarmed men women and children. We the people sent Bush a message on nov.7,2006 we prefer to talk!
The new news talk today is america has lost the same amount of soldiers fighting in iraq as were killed on 9/11. never mind these brave soldiers died while fighting and killing muslim terrorist instead of sitting and waiting to be killed without fighting. never mind according to arab news media al jazeera we have killed over 650 thousand muslims in the past 6 years. never mind the number of our soldiers who gave their lives to fight the godless muslim terrorist scum amounts to less than 3 per day!
we the people sent president Bush a message on nov.7,2006 we dont want to fight, we want to talk! we want to be good lil dhimmis and pay jizya!
I suggest we stop insulting and condemning the efforts applied by president Bush and this administration and start showing him that he has the support of the people, or all we will do from now on is talk and pay jizya like good lil dhimmis!
BREAKINING NEWS:
FORMER PRESIDENT GERALD FORD DEAD AT 93
I think the Bush administration wouldn’t hesitate to take Iran out. But along comes the dhimmicrats and the liberal lefties jumping up and down screaming. If the administration gets past them then the UN is next. After presenting the initial demands, the UN will not agree and proceeds to eliminate all the important items rendering the resolution virtually ineffective. Then along comes Russia and China and they finish destroying it. All this babysitting with their “negotiations” and appeasements are not working. Starting with Neville Chamberlain and continuing with Arafat and Madman Insane has proved that many times over. So, if that doesn’t work, then perhaps the alternative is to present the resolution stating there will be no items altered or deleted. They will have a short period of time (maybe a week) to debate it. If, at the end of that time period, there is no agreement, then Iran is history.
The reality is that the west is full of hot air we have no stomach for a long hard fight and the Islamic Facist know it.
=============================================
Correct. The United States cannot embrace a long war like that. Our society is too divided and weak and does not actually see that this is a larger war than what the media conveniently decides to portray it as.
I respect every man and woman's presence there and uphold them in the highest regard.
However the sacrifices we have paid thus far are not what it takes to get the job done. The US cannot do this alone either.
thndrbang1
You are right. When the soldiers are called go to war, the debating is over. Don’t tie their hands - turn them loose and let them get the job done. The debating is over - it’s all or nothing.
Mackie
Too bad it wasn’t dhimmi Carter.
One piece of really good news:
Saddam to Swing Into History
thndrbang1/
I see. We should support President Bush and Prime Minister Blair because they look like they are standing up to the barbarian moslem horde - whilst removing and destroying our freedoms, our rights, our democracy and our society; whilst telling at least one minority that it can go to hell as far as rights are concerned; whilst failing to get to grips with pollution and global warming; whilst (deliberately) keeping our troops short of the materials which they need to prosecute the wars successfully; whilst introducing identity cards by the back door in both cases; whilst singularly failing to act in any positive way to alleviate poverty in the third world; whilst accepting cash for honours, in Blair's case, and the promise of a job with the Carlyle Group, in Bush's case, once his final term is over.
I could go on (and on and on). You have the gall, the brass neck, the sheer effrontery to call that leadership and strength and the best we have.
A semi-intelligent marmoset brought up in the right way would be better than either, or both, of them! Come to think of it, any poster here could do a better job than they do when he, or she, was asleep - and at least we wouldn't have to fight for our already hard-won freedoms!
Dominic.
THSIMJ/
No. The debate continues. It always has done in both our countries, right through every war that we have fought - including both World Wars. That's what it means to live in a free and democratic society. It might be bad but the alternatives are so much more unpleasant.
Shutting down political debate, no matter how much you might hate it, just because we have armed forces engaged in actions is completely unacceptable in a free society. Sorry, but there it is.
The quality of the debate, however ... Well, that's another issue altogether.
Dominic.
Thunderbang;
My observation is that man, the creature, is not inherently good. If you get a chance to watch Mel Gibson’s new movie, he appears to have a similar view. My theory is that much of the ‘good will’ among Western men has to do with our development in the presence of organizations for the last couple thousand years. These organizations required men to co-exist to survive and produce the next generation.
One of my high school teachers (back before PC) taught us that Germans are ‘easily led’. He meant it as an insult but I think it probably boils down to having a long history of living in an organized society. And today they make really good cars.
When the rubber hits the road though, the goodness is often pretty shallow. I spent three years in an environment, which pushed many good people past their breaking point. After completing the assignment, I leaned back in my train seat and wrote down three life lessons. One was: ‘nobody in the world truly cares about your well-being outside your immediate family’. My opinion remains largely unchanged.
I believe that the nomadic environment of the Arab states has produced a certain percentage of the population that will not take well to democracy or traditional economic development. This theory would explain the absence of car manufacturers and the abundance of bombers. There has been no generational ‘screening’ for suitability to operate in organizations.
My worry is that the President believes that man is inherently good. I hope he’s making policy decisions on observations instead of an idealistic belief. But it’s so much easier to operate under idealistic beliefs. He’s in my thoughts and I’m ready to be led.
thndrbang1/
...the same amount of soldiers...
Try '...the same number of soldiers...'
It's a 'fewer/less than/more than' thing! Soldiers, in this case, are, at least, theoretically countable. They are also human and should be referred to with respect and, therefore, as distinctly enumeratable, for each is human and important. The word 'amount', in this context, is sloppy, wrong and disrespectful.
Dominic.
My prediction is that the first real sanctions against the islamic republic of iran will be delivered by Israeli submarines and missles, but it won't happen until after the ancient homeland of the Jews is substantially destroyed.
Infidel33 - I agree totally with your prediction because it fits with the Word of God.
Sanctions are pointless because they do not have teeth.
Russia and China have big oil and business deals in Iran and so for this reason have forced the resolution to clearly state that military force is NOT an option.
This being the case, Iran is happy to continue its work on the nukes it will send to Israel.
We should not expect that Russia or China would be any less corrupt than our UN was with its 'oil for food programme'. THEY will most certainly supply Iran with whatever it needs in order to protect their business interests in Iran.
Iran can do or say whatever it likes because it has the backing of Russia and China.
It's always ALL about money folks. ALWAYS.
I see. We should support President Bush and Prime Minister Blair because they look like they are standing up to the barbarian moslem horde - whilst removing and destroying our freedoms, our rights, our democracy and our society; whilst telling at least one minority that it can go to hell as far as rights are concerned; whilst failing to get to grips with pollution and global warming;
Dominic.
>>> dominic, you sound like a typical lefty.
tell me what freedoms the president is taking away from you? what miniority is the president saying can go to hell? how is issuing identification cards interfering with your rights and freedoms?
and most important, what rights and freedoms will you have living as a dhimmi?
even more important, what rights and freedoms will you need when you are dead?
global warming, im no scientist, i know nothing bout global warming and it seems neither do the scientist. regardless global warming is not a pressing matter. the scientist claim one valcano eruption spews more poisonous gasses into the atmosphere than we humans will, burning fossil fuels for a hundred years!
muslim terrorist seeking to slaughter more americans on american soil is a pressing matter, it dont take no scientist!
First we deal with the godless muslim terrorist scum seeking to murder me and you and our families, then we can work on this global warming thingy!
amount/number, you say tomatoe i say tomotoe. it seems its you seeking to make the deaths of those soldiers irrelevant and give them nothing more than a "number" for their sacrifice! you seem to have missed the entire point! the msm wants to compare the soldiers killed fighting the terrorist, with those innocent unarmed men women and children who were murdered by the muslims on 9/11!
In my humble opinion - neither party in Washington is loyal to America. They are bought and sold daily by lobbyists (i.e. corporate America) and corporate America is not patriotic or loyal to American workers. They are only interested in profits. Americans have become units of work. This is why corporate America is sending our jobs overseas and this is why Washington will do nothing to make China play more fairly with respect to trade imbalance. After all, most of what is being imported is made by American companies that have moved to China. As long as corporate America pull the strings of our politicians, nothing will change. Blair is no different. Fact is, Corporate America is not patriotic and is not nationalist. It is globalist. Same applies to other western countries. Wealth and power go hand in hand and the real force is corporations. They own the media and the media determins who gets airtime - the politicians know this. I wonder if Iraq isn't not only about oil but also about cheap labor. Remember Japan? Even China is outsourcing to Vietnam for cheap labor. Our soldiers, to corporations, are expendable - just like our workers. When they give out from overwork or stress or illness, they'll just replace them. I doubt if the 'powers that be' care about our kids dying in Iraq. What America needs is a party that is 'For the People'. Remember folks - EVERYTHING is ultimately about MONEY.