Regime change in Iran won't solve the nuclear problem | |
Anonymous Coward (OP) User ID: 888528 Israel 02/11/2010 02:33 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | In an earlier post, I reported that 86% of Iranians favor the pursuit of nuclear energy, including uranium enrichment, although only 38% favor the pursuit of a nuclear weapon. It's actually worse than that, because the Green leaders are even more radical on the pursuit of a nuclear than Ahmadinejad himself. In October, negotiators in Geneva reached a deal that could have defused the nuclear issue, at least for a while: Iran would send much of its low-enriched uranium abroad, where it would be further enriched and then returned in a form suited for medical use and not weaponizable. Then, after Ahmadinejad hailed this deal as a “victory” for Iran, it was denounced not just by some conservatives in Tehran but by the “progressive” Mousavi. The deal collapsed, and Ahmadinejad eventually discovered the wisdom of Mousavi’s position. Just this week he proudly announced that the uranium in question would be enriched by Iran — not to weapons-grade levels (90 percent), but to medical-use levels (20 percent), an achievement that would move Iranian scientists along the learning curve toward weapons-grade. ... In any event, last week saw the release of a big report that helps explain why playing the nuclear card is such good politics. It’s an analysis by the University of Maryland’s Program on International Policy Attitudes (PIPA) of several opinion polls conducted in Iran over the past year. (There’s a tendency on the part of American commentators to minimize the importance of public opinion in authoritarian states, but the reason authoritarians try so heavy-handedly to manipulate opinion is that they fear it — especially once an unruly opposition movement has emerged, as in Iran.) Perhaps the best news in the PIPA report is that the Iranian public isn’t committed to getting the bomb. Given the choice between developing 1) nuclear weapons and nuclear energy, 2) nuclear energy only or 3) no nuclear technology, 55 percent of Iranians (and 57 percent of Mousavi supporters) chose door number two, while only 38 percent (and 37 percent) wanted the bomb. But note that almost no one chose door number three. So if your goal is to get Iran to give up its nuclear program altogether, I recommend finding another goal. Why such strong support for nuclear energy in a country whose natural endowments don’t exactly leave it devoid of energy sources? The history of Iran’s nuclear program is long and tortuous, and there have definitely been periods (possibly including now) when the government was trying to develop nukes. But at the popular level, a separate motivation has taken shape: pride in the technical prowess embodied in the program. This pride may have grown more intense and nationalistic under Western pressure to constrain the program. Though most Iranians say sanctions already imposed on the country have hurt it, 86 percent of them — and 78 percent of Mousavi supporters — say that Iran should not “give up its nuclear activities regardless of the circumstances.” The good news is that most Iranians claim that they don't want nuclear weapons. The problem is that unless you have a way of really supervising the goings on (much more closely than the current vintage of IAEA inspections), you can't ensure that an undemocratic government like Iran's won't develop nuclear weapons. Moreover, if the opposition shares Ahmadinejad's hostility for the US, Israel and other Western countries (which it may), it will have every motivation to continue trying to pursue a nuclear weapon in secret. Read the whole thing. [link to israelmatzav.blogspot.com] |
Anonymous Coward User ID: 879853 Canada 02/11/2010 02:34 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | |
Anonymous Coward (OP) User ID: 888528 Israel 02/11/2010 02:35 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Listen to the Iranian People: [link to opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com] [link to israelmatzav.blogspot.com] |
Anonymous Coward (OP) User ID: 888528 Israel 02/11/2010 02:37 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | "Know that if we want, our nation has enough courage to say loud and clear that we want to manufacture nuclear weapons and to manufacture them without being afraid of you..." He is not afraid, never was, he did what he wanted, and got the nuclear standard he was seeking for in spite of all the 'sanctions' that didnt do anything for him. |
Anonymous Coward User ID: 6116 United States 02/11/2010 02:39 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | |
Anonymous Coward (OP) User ID: 888528 Israel 02/11/2010 02:41 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | What you won't hear from the mainstream media - because the foreign correspondents are not being allowed to report it - is that while Ahamdinejad said that, thousands of Iranians were chanting "death to the dictator," according to various tweets I have seen. As I am typing this, there are riots all over Iran including just about all of the major cities. For those who are interested in following the action, you can search #iranelection on Twitter, where it's a trending topic. Foreign media were only allowed to cover the ceremonies in the square and the speech by Ahmadinejad, with photographers bussed to the site and then away. There is an explicit ban on covering opposition protests. [link to israelmatzav.blogspot.com] "When we say we do not manufacture the bomb, we mean it, and we do not believe in manufacturing a bomb," he told the crowd. "If we wanted to manufacture a bomb, we would announce it ... our nation has the courage to explicitly say it and build it and not fear you." There may be a reason Ahamdinejad is saying that: Most Iranians don't want a nuclear weapon. According to an analysis by the University of Maryland's Program on International Policy Attitudes (PIPA) only about a third of Iranians want a nuclear bomb. The study found that while 86% of Iranians say that Iran should pursue nuclear power only 38% believe Iran needs a nuclear weapon. But that doesn't mean that the regime is not producing a nuclear weapon. Among other reports I have seen on Twitter: 1. Access to gmail from accounts in Iran have been cut. 2. Cell phone service in Tehran is sporadic. 3. Police are firing paint balls at protesters to make it easier to arrest them later. 4. Opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi expects to be arrested on Friday. There's a fairly good summary of the day's events (thus far) here. [link to www.jpost.com] |
Anonymous Coward User ID: 714968 United Kingdom 02/11/2010 02:42 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | |
Anonymous Coward (OP) User ID: 888528 Israel 02/11/2010 02:43 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | |
mathetes User ID: 793782 United States 02/11/2010 02:43 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | They issued Ahmadinejad stamps in Iran, but no one knows which side to spit on a little opposition humor...lol For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. |
Anonymous Coward User ID: 888537 United States 02/11/2010 02:44 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | :aahmad344: Quoting: ~GAIA~This is like the pot calling the kettle black. Does not your own undemocratic, terrorist country have nuclear weapons? Israel is much more volatile wild card than Iran, as almost all terrorist attacks around the world have Israeli fingerprints. |
Guns n' God (redux) User ID: 536602 United States 02/11/2010 02:44 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | |
Anonymous Coward User ID: 714968 United Kingdom 02/11/2010 02:45 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | |
Anonymous Coward (OP) User ID: 888528 Israel 02/11/2010 02:48 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | So what's your point, exactly. Quoting: Anonymous Coward 6116My point is, that was so clear that he will get to the point he is now...was also clear that any sanction will stop him...in fact he has full economic relationships with some European countries, he has money, he sells and buy and , as he said some days ago....guess who controls the world? [link to israelitkan.ning.com] |
Anonymous Coward (OP) User ID: 888528 Israel 02/11/2010 02:49 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | |
Anonymous Coward (OP) User ID: 888528 Israel 02/11/2010 02:51 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | :aahmad344: Quoting: Anonymous Coward 888537This is like the pot calling the kettle black. Does not your own undemocratic, terrorist country have nuclear weapons? Israel is much more volatile wild card than Iran, as almost all terrorist attacks around the world have Israeli fingerprints. I dont see any pot here sorry, Israel has never threatened the annihilation of anyone!!! |
Anonymous Coward (OP) User ID: 888528 Israel 02/11/2010 02:52 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | |
Anonymous Coward User ID: 6116 United States 02/11/2010 02:57 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | So what's your point, exactly. Quoting: ~GAIA~My point is, that was so clear that he will get to the point he is now...was also clear that any sanction will stop him...in fact he has full economic relationships with some European countries, he has money, he sells and buy and , as he said some days ago....guess who controls the world? [link to israelitkan.ning.com] So you're jealous? Is that what you're saying? |
Anonymous Coward User ID: 854062 United States 02/11/2010 02:59 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | |
Anonymous Coward (OP) User ID: 888528 Israel 02/11/2010 03:03 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | So what's your point, exactly. Quoting: Anonymous Coward 6116My point is, that was so clear that he will get to the point he is now...was also clear that any sanction will stop him...in fact he has full economic relationships with some European countries, he has money, he sells and buy and , as he said some days ago....guess who controls the world? [link to israelitkan.ning.com] So you're jealous? Is that what you're saying? a world controlled by a creepy man that hangs and kills all those who disagrees with him and can drag the whole area into total ball of fire?? |
Anonymous Coward (OP) User ID: 888528 Israel 02/11/2010 03:03 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | |
Fhirinne User ID: 623339 United Kingdom 02/11/2010 03:10 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | You're right. Up to this point, regime change seemed like a viable option but now all that's left to do is bomb them. Quoting: Guns n' God (redux)Your just as insane as the fuckwits on the news and in goverment who drum for war. You are the CEO of your own wellness. You need to take back your health from the disease-care system |
Anonymous Coward User ID: 888557 Argentina 02/11/2010 03:11 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | :aahmad344: Quoting: ~GAIA~This is like the pot calling the kettle black. Does not your own undemocratic, terrorist country have nuclear weapons? Israel is much more volatile wild card than Iran, as almost all terrorist attacks around the world have Israeli fingerprints. I dont see any pot here sorry, Israel has never threatened the annihilation of anyone!!! Yeah right |
Guns n' God (redux) User ID: 536602 United States 02/11/2010 03:12 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | You're right. Up to this point, regime change seemed like a viable option but now all that's left to do is bomb them. Quoting: FhirinneYour just as insane as the fuckwits on the news and in goverment who drum for war. Nothing insane about it. Just the truth of the situation we're in. |
Anonymous Coward User ID: 886792 United States 02/11/2010 03:15 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | |
Anonymous Coward User ID: 6116 United States 02/11/2010 03:16 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | So what's your point, exactly. Quoting: ~GAIA~My point is, that was so clear that he will get to the point he is now...was also clear that any sanction will stop him...in fact he has full economic relationships with some European countries, he has money, he sells and buy and , as he said some days ago....guess who controls the world? [link to israelitkan.ning.com] So you're jealous? Is that what you're saying? a world controlled by a creepy man that hangs and kills all those who disagrees with him and can drag the whole area into total ball of fire?? Ah.... You ARE jealous. |
Fhirinne User ID: 623339 United Kingdom 02/11/2010 03:34 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | You're right. Up to this point, regime change seemed like a viable option but now all that's left to do is bomb them. Quoting: Guns n' God (redux)Your just as insane as the fuckwits on the news and in goverment who drum for war. Nothing insane about it. Just the truth of the situation we're in. So the truth is Iran needs bombing? No the truth is if we just stopped pissing off and bombing other sovereign nations and telling them what they can and can't do perhaps they would not be dicks with everyone. Last Edited by Fhirinne on 02/11/2010 03:35 PM You are the CEO of your own wellness. You need to take back your health from the disease-care system |
blackcat66 User ID: 348276 United States 02/11/2010 03:39 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | I dont see any pot here sorry, Israel has never threatened the annihilation of anyone!!! Quoting: ~GAIA~No. Israel just bombs Lebanon for how many days, Gaia?. Under the excuse of 'defending themselves'. Israel doesn't play the 'bad one'. Israel is always de 'victim which has no choice but defending itself from all those bad people who hate it'. |
:) User ID: 888630 Canada 02/11/2010 05:37 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | You're right. Up to this point, regime change seemed like a viable option but now all that's left to do is bomb them. Quoting: Guns n' God (redux)Under a previous, more U.S.-friendly regime, the nuclear option was not only acceptable, it was encouraged and western-funded. You bloodthirsty maggot. |
Guns n' God (redux) User ID: 536602 United States 02/11/2010 05:44 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | You're right. Up to this point, regime change seemed like a viable option but now all that's left to do is bomb them. Quoting: FhirinneYour just as insane as the fuckwits on the news and in goverment who drum for war. Nothing insane about it. Just the truth of the situation we're in. So the truth is Iran needs bombing? No the truth is if we just stopped pissing off and bombing other sovereign nations and telling them what they can and can't do perhaps they would not be dicks with everyone. How is the weather in Fantasy Island? |
Anonymous Coward User ID: 888672 United States 02/11/2010 05:45 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | There is no nuclear problem, and it isn't our regime to change. We changed their regime in the 1950's and that backfired, big time. The U.S. wouldn't have a terrorist problem if we didn't fuck with other people's countries. What gives us the right? Besides, most of the terrorists are Israeli Mossad and CIA agents anyway. I don't believe your lies, GAIA. |