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Obama And The Eclipse Of Reason
EXCERPT: ...it is nevertheless astonishing that American Jews are so blinded by hatred of the Republicans that they are prepared to ignore the fact that Obama speaks out of two sides of his mouth over Israel; ignore the fact that every single one of his foreign policy advisers is hostile to Israel; ignore the fact that he would appease the genocidal fanatics of Tehran; and not only ignore the fact that for twenty years his spiritual adviser was a man who supports the Islamist antisemite Louis Farrakhan but regard it as definitely ‘off-limits’ even to mention it.
Just imagine, as a thought experiment, if McCain was revealed to have been brought into the church by and spent 20 years sitting at the feet of a minister who turned out to be a member of the Ku Klux Klan. Would Bob Shrum be sneering then that the voters ‘don’t buy this personal stuff’? Au contraire – you wouldn’t see the rapidly departing Republican candidate for dust. One rule for the Democrats and another for the Republicans, it seems, when a charismatic orator promises a glorious new dawn for mankind -- and reason takes a dive.
EXCERPT: ...it is nevertheless astonishing that American Jews are so blinded by hatred of the Republicans that they are prepared to ig... more -
Bush Backs Israel Strike Plans on Iran
The Sunday Times of London reported this weekend that "President George W. Bush has told the Israeli government that he may be prepared to approve a future military strike on Iranian nuclear facilities if negotiations with Tehran break down." The Times report quoted a senior Pentagon official as its source.
With increased resistance from the Pentagon and the November elections closing in, the White House may be choosing its next best option in dealing with Tehran: to have Israel launch strikes on Iran's nuclear weapons facilities.
The paper said Bush has told Israel it has an "amber light" to proceed.
“Amber means get on with your preparations, stand by for immediate attack and tell us when you’re ready,” the paper quoted a U.S. official as saying.
Military experts are not sure that Israel's military forces can do the job. Iran has dispersed its nuclear program sites around the country, and some weapons facilities are said to be deep within the earth. The U.S. has special bunker-busting bombs that could destroy such underground laboratories, but Israel does not.
Iran has made clear it will retaliate against Israel and the U.S. if either nation attacks it. Last week, Iran's military demonstrated its reach by firing nine long- and medium-range missiles -- including the modified Shahab-3 ballistic missile, which can easily strike Israel from western Iran.
Political factors may be playing a role in strike plans for both Bush and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.
Bush is in lame-duck status, and Democratic Sen. Barack Obama, the front-runner to win the presidency in November, says he favors the use of diplomacy over force when dealing with Iran.
Olmert is facing a political crisis as corruption charges threaten his hold on office. Some Israeli political analysts say Olmert may order an attack on Iran to bolster his political standing in Jerusalem.
The Times cited one of Olmert's closest friends as quoting the prime minister: "In three months’ time it will be a different Middle East.”
The Sunday Times of London reported this weekend that "President George W. Bush has told the Israeli government that he may be prepare... more -
Iran discovers billion barrel oil field
TEHRAN (AFP) — Iran on Sunday said it has discovered a new oil field in the hydrocarbon-rich province of Khuzestan with more than one billion barrels of crude in place.
Oil Minister Gholam Hossein Nozari said the oil field held 1.1 billion barrels of sweet crude oil, of which 233 million was recoverable, the oil ministry's Shana news agency reported.
He told reporters after a cabinet meeting that the field is in the area of Andimeshk town in Khuzestan province of southwestern Iran that borders Iraq. No further details were immediately available.
Iran is the number two producer in OPEC and the number four worldwide, although its ability to reach oil production targets has been hampered by a lack of international investment.
Production started in February from Iran's biggest onshore oil field, Azadegan, which is estimated to have 42 billion barrels of crude oil in place. TEHRAN (AFP) — Iran on Sunday said it has discovered a new oil field in the hydrocarbon-rich province of Khuzestan with more than one ... more -
Iran Tests Missile System
A defiant Iran continues to test missile systems in the wake of a show of strength by Israel's air force. So far, the U.S. is opting for diplomacy to deal with the Islamic republic's perceived nuclear threat. But persistent threats from Tehran to destroy Israel continue to draw international sanctions. A defiant Iran continues to test missile systems in the wake of a show of strength by Israel's air force. So far, the U.S. is opting f... more
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Iran Test-Fires More Missiles
Iran test-fired more long-range missiles overnight in a second round of exercises meant to show that the country can defend itself against any attack by the U.S. or Israel, Iranian state television reported Thursday. Iran test-fired more long-range missiles overnight in a second round of exercises meant to show that the country can defend itself aga... more
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Strike and we'll strike you back, warns Tehran
Head of Iran's Revolutionary Guard, Mohammed Jafari, was quoted by the Iranian state news agency as saying: "Iran's response to any military action will make the invaders regret their decision and action." Mr Jafari had already warned that if attacked, Iran would launch a barrage of missiles at Israel and close the Strait of Hormuz, the outlet for oil tankers leaving the Persian Gulf. Head of Iran's Revolutionary Guard, Mohammed Jafari, was quoted by the Iranian state news agency as saying: "Iran's response to any mi... more
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Bomb bomb bomb, bomb bomb Iran
"The Israeli government no longer believes that sanctions can prevent Iran from building nuclear weapons. A broad consensus in favor of a military strike against Tehran's nuclear facilities -- without the Americans, if necessary -- is beginning to take shape."
"President Bush, however, has recently been sending out signals that are suspiciously reminiscent of the run-up to the Iraq war. Then, as today, he insisted that "all options are on the table." And then, as today, he sought to appease the Europeans by saying that all diplomatic channels would be exhausted first. But during his recent visit to Slovenia, Bush said: "There's a lot of urgencies when it comes to dealing with Iran, and the Israeli political folks ... if you go to Israel and listen carefully, you'll hear that urgency in their voice."
"Israel can only depend on American support for as long as current US President George W. Bush is still in charge in Washington. They are convinced that the country cannot truly depend on any of the candidates to succeed Bush in office. Barack Obama, the presumptive Democratic candidate, has already said that he favors direct negotiations with Tehran. And even if Republican John McCain wins the race, politicians in Jerusalem do not expect him to be ordering an attack as his first official act -- despite his performance, at a campaign appearance last year, of the Beach Boys' song "Barbara Ann" with the lyrics: "Bomb bomb bomb, bomb bomb Iran."
I suppose the nation calling itself Israel would not be so afraid of being bombed if they hadn't taken over Palestine by terrorism. It takes one to know one.
"The Israeli government no longer believes that sanctions can prevent Iran from building nuclear weapons. A broad consensus in favor o... more -
The power of words
Minister Ben-Eliezer’s tough message to Tehran may be the right approach
Binyamin Ben-Eliezer, who this week threatened Iran with destruction, drew smiles in Israel. The prime minister, defense minister, and foreign minister refrained from responding. I personally saw one of them chuckling. “Oh, well, so he said it, so what?” said a close associate of one of our top leaders.
Minister Ben-Eliezer’s tough message to Tehran may be the right approach ... more -
Dozens Killed In Iran Blizzards
At least 28 people are reported to have died in Iran's heaviest snowfall in recent years. Eight people froze to death as severe blizzards left 40,000 people stranded in their cars, authorities said. Tehran has declared two days of national holiday, urging people to stay at home to avoid the bitter cold. At least 28 people are reported to have died in Iran's heaviest snowfall in recent years. Eight people froze to death as severe blizza... more
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Iran Cracks Down on the 'Immoral' Internet
Iranian police have closed down 24 Internet cafes and other coffee shops in as many hours, detaining 23 people, as part of a broad crackdown on immoral behavior in the Islamic state, official media said on Sunday.
The action in Tehran province was the latest move in a campaign against fashion and other practices deemed incompatible with Islamic values, including women flouting strict dress codes and barber shops offering men Western hair styles.
"Using immoral computer games, storing obscene photos ... and the presence of women wearing improper hijab were among the reasons why they have been closed down," Colonel Nader Sarkari, a provincial police commander, said. Iranian police have closed down 24 Internet cafes and other coffee shops in as many hours, detaining 23 people, as part of a broad cra... more -
Iran. I Ran So Far Away
A personal documentary about the day to day lives of Iranians, told by an Iranian-American girl visiting her family in Tehran for the summer. This is a 5-minute cut of a feature work in progress. A personal documentary about the day to day lives of Iranians, told by an Iranian-American girl visiting her family in Tehran for the ... more
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Putin tells U.S. not to strike Iran
President Vladimir Putin made clear to Washington on Tuesday that Russia would not accept military action against Iran and he invited Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to Moscow for talks. President Vladimir Putin made clear to Washington on Tuesday that Russia would not accept military action against Iran and he invited ... more
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