Well with time ticking and all wondering what the opinion is?

Having worked in a middle eastern country (Arabs) and knowing that (although the Iranians classify themselves as something something other than Arabs) the Iranians are broadly similar, I can tstify that their nuclear ambitions can only be a threat to themselves. Either by invitng attack or just plain effing up or starint a local nuclear war that pretty much destroys them.

To be considering nuclear energy (as opposed to weapons) they must be assuming that they will be net energy importers at some point in the future. Long term, the whole region is screwed anyway.

I thinkj your poll questions are wrong and that is why I am the first respondant.

Cheers. :)

None of the above

"Do as I say - not as I do" on behalf of the US, UK, Israel or anyone else isn't going to work with the Iranians.

Whilst Iran is clearly a scary prospect, if we have the right to have nuclear weapons then so do they.

A clear demonstration that we are winding down our nuclear weapons would be a good place to start. Then a UN controlled strike would be OK if iran continued to go the opposite way.

Well the fact is there are only 2 options. Either they get them or not. If they get them, then we are stuck with we few options. The US is not directly threatened by them, however its interest are such as allies and energy.

If I lived in Europe I would be afraid to let Iran have nukes...seeing that at least your threatened by them. The Iranians cant be depended on not using nukes or selling them to terrrorists who would plant them and kill.

The fact is they want Nuclear Energy than thats fine, but if they must abide my international rules. I believe one of those is international inspections and access to sites. All they have to do is abide by the rules of international organizations and things would prob be ok.

When Israel took out Iraqs nukes in the 80's with airstrikes, was that a good thing? Who knows those scud missiles launched at Israel in the Gulf War may have had Nuke war heads on them if they hadnt.

If I lived in Europe I would be afraid to let Iran have nukes...seeing that at least your threatened by them.

No different to growing up in an era that one was safe in the knowledge that they might have just four minutes to tuck their heads between their knees and kiss their ass goodbye.
America lecturing on world safety again:rolleyes:

The fact is they want Nuclear Energy than thats fine, but if they must abide my international rules. I believe one of those is international inspections and access to sites. All they have to do is abide by the rules of international organizations and things would prob be ok.

I love it - a Yank saying that another country should abide by international rules.:rolleyes:

Col

No one wins - if Iran was alittle more reasonable, it would a ideal place to try alternative enrgergy production (solar) etc, that way it would be involved in a cutting edge technology, it would also show the fundamenaists(?) tat the West is actual giving and not taking - and also try to help the Arab nations

From what I've heard on the news recently, a lot of Iranians are not happy with their government's anti-West agenda.
So if "the people" get their way, we may see a more reasonable government in the not too distant future.

From what I've heard on the news recently, a lot of Iranians are not happy with their government's anti-West agenda.
So if "the people" get their way, we may see a more reasonable government in the not too distant future.

Yea heard as well. Comes down to democracy once again. If the people had their say in the govt instead of the country being ruled by the mullahs* or clerics than the people could just rise up and be pissed...

They have elections but the ultimate power or say lies with the clearics or Ayatollah*...Theocracy not a democracy...

The west is giving, not taking? Nuclear is not cutting edge? THEY should try solar? Arab nations want help? Iran is less reasonable that the US? Americans are unhappy with their government's Iraq agenda and this made a difference? So if the people get their way we'll see a more reasonable America? Rise up and get pissed, etc...?

Wow, I feel all warm inside. I didn't know any of this stuff.

The west is giving, not taking? Nuclear is not cutting edge? THEY should try solar? Arab nations want help? Iran is less reasonable that the US? Americans are unhappy with their government's Iraq agenda and this made a difference? So if the people get their way we'll see a more reasonable America? Rise up and get pissed, etc...?

Wow, I feel all warm inside. I didn't know any of this stuff.
:D :D :D :D

Seems like there are more options than those above

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/6274147.stm

Just the US would prefer to bomb the **** out of someone instead and can only see as far as

Let them have nukes and tell them mutually assured destruction.
Let Israel preemptively take out the nuclear sites.
Let the US preemptively take out the nuclear sites.
It's Israel's problem let them deal with it.

I'm reminded of a Bush speech about N. Korea

N.Korea has defied the will of the international community.
N.Korea has weapons of mass destruction.

Sound familiar Bush? so do you and it's gun ho Yanks who keep wanting to use 'em!:rolleyes:

I hate to spoil the party in painting Iran's balls gold but does anyone remember this (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4378948.stm)?

I hate to spoil the party in painting Iran's balls gold but does anyone remember this (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4378948.stm)?

Yea theres a big difference when it comes to Iran having Nukes and the Western World. Can you honestly trust these guys having nukes? No way. They cannot be allowed or the world cannot afford to wait.

Its too bad the world didnt act sooner when Adolf Hitler rose to power...instead of the appeasement the Europeans tried to do.

A lot can be learned from history and not repeating mistakes...

Its too bad the world didnt act sooner when Adolf Hitler rose to power...instead of the appeasement the Europeans tried to do.

.

Just remind me about what America did regarding Hitler, Ah I remember now it finally acted AFTER Germany declared war on America

Brian

I'm reminded of a Bush speech about N. Korea

N.Korea has defied the will of the international community.
N.Korea has weapons of mass destruction.

Sound familiar Bush? so do you and it's gun ho Yanks who keep wanting to use 'em!:rolleyes:

Well techically we are still at war with the North. There has never been a peace treaty...hence our troops on the 32nd parallel. If a country that is still at war with us had done what the North did...test and develope nukes...

We should be very concerned. We are protecting South Korea and protection agreements with Japan and a War with North Korea that never really ended. This may make Japan go Nuclear and they have the know how to do so.

China especially does not want Japan to go Nuclear after all the atrocities committed by the Japanese during the World Wars and the old militeristic Japan past.

There is more at stake here than just US interests. The region could like the Middle east explode into Nuclear Proliferation.

Steven Hawking continues to warn the the world about the Doomsday clock, which happened to be moved to 5 minutes to midnite the other day, that the worlds greatest threat is nuclear proliferation.

Its too bad the world didnt act sooner when Adolf Hitler rose to power...instead of the appeasement the Europeans tried to do.


I don't think you're going to get much approval on this statement unless you find a Czech or two :p Kraj might be your man :D

Steven Hawking continues to warn the the world about the Doomsday clock

I get warned of this everytime I get frog-marched to church. :p

I get reminded of this everytime I get frog-marched to church. :p

Replying to my own posts, must be so bored I'm talking to myself :rolleyes:

Anyway just thinking, who reset the clock after the Cuban Missile Crisis? :confused:

Replying to my own posts, must be so bored I'm talking to myself :rolleyes:

Anyway just thinking, who reset the clock after the Cuban Missile Crisis? :confused:

Not entirely too sure....what has been the closes to midnite yet? Had to have been that im sure...that was pretty tense...

What about you dan-cat? You're American. Does the Axis Of Evil keep you awake at night, or moreso the blundering of American foreign policy?

Two minutes. Cuban Missile Crisis. We've got three minutes up on those dudes, and, now the clock's been moved in large part because of global warming.

Just remind me about what America did regarding Hitler, Ah I remember now it finally acted AFTER Germany declared war on America

Brian

That and I think the bombing by Germany's Ally Japan on Pearl Harbor didnt help either. But we have them to thank.

Since WWII the US has become the powerhouse in terms of economics and military and leadership. A lot of people say if we didnt get pushed into the war then things may be different.

The US wasnt really a big World Player prior to WWII. Since then things have changed.

US is still a powerhouse in terms of leadershit.

Two minutes. Cuban Missile Crisis. We've got three minutes up on those dudes, and, now the clock's been moved in large part because of global warming.

Hmmm! my eldest brother was in America training on Thor missiles at the time, he told me that THEY WERE HOLDING AT AN 11 SECOND COUNT DOWN, sounded pretty tense to me too.

Brian

Hmmm! my eldest brother was in America training on Thor missiles at the time, he told me that THEY WERE HOLDING AT AN 11 SECOND COUNT DOWN, sounded pretty tense to me too.

Brian

:eek:

Fortunately I wasn't on planet earth at the time, if I had been maybe I wouldn't find Dr Strangelove so damn funny :D

Hmmm! my eldest brother was in America training on Thor missiles at the time, he told me that THEY WERE HOLDING AT AN 11 SECOND COUNT DOWN, sounded pretty tense to me too.

Brian

WOW...:eek:

Imagine if Communism won the battle of Communism vs Democracy? Our lives would suck a big fat one right now. We would have the Russians running the world, we would be super POOR, own nothing, and find nuclear posioning in my Cheerio's!!!!!

Good thing we didnt back down...hmmm wonder if this would work with Iran or N. Korea?:rolleyes:

What about you dan-cat? You're American. Does the Axis Of Evil keep you awake at night, or moreso the blundering of American foreign policy?

:eek:

A non-American wanting to hear my lucid opinion - you've caught me unawares. :p

I'll have to gather myself and get back to you ;)

US is still a powerhouse in terms of leadershit.

Were goin to steal Quebec and make it our 53 state or so...maybe 54 if Puerto Rico comes after...

Good thing we didnt back down...hmmm wonder if this would work with Iran or N. Korea?:rolleyes:

Interesting point. Unfortunately the extreme elements of one of your examples seem to value the after-life more highly than the current one ;)

Were goin to steal Quebec and make it our 53 state or so...maybe 54 if Puerto Rico comes after...

The 51st spot is already well and truly taken :D

, and find nuclear posioning in my Cheerio's!!!!!

Unlike the fallout from three mile island eh:rolleyes:

US is still a powerhouse in terms of leadershit.
:D :D :D

Were goin to steal Quebec and make it our 53 state or so...maybe 54 if Puerto Rico comes after...
53? Find a flag. Count the stars.
Steal Quebec? It's illegal there to post an English sign. American xenophobes would s**t themselves.

:D :D :D

Rich I take it your in the UK...:rolleyes:

53? Find a flag. Count the stars.
Steal Quebec? It's illegal there to post an English sign. American xenophobes would s**t themselves.

Well states or territories..not really sure if territories are somewhat counted...Like Guam, Puerto Rico, maybe some others in there. Haiti? Not sure.

Dont they wanna break free from Canada...think Scotland is pushing for that as well from Britain...hell im Irish - Enough British Rule!!!!:cool:

Dont they wanna break free from Canada...think Scotland is pushing for that as well...hell im Irish - Enough British Rule!!!!:cool:


Gosh, I didn't know Scotland was in Canada. Very educational this forum.

Brian

Very educational this forum.
Stunningly.

Gosh, I didn't know Scotland was in Canada. Very educational this forum.

Brian

Cough Cough...took care of the misguiding sentence ;)

Keep editting man. If there were an infinite number of monkeys...

Rich I take it your in the UK...:rolleyes:
Well I wouldn't be welcome in the US, would I?:cool:

Well I wouldn't be welcome in the US, would I?:cool:

sure ya would Rich, we will take anyone as long as they do it legally

Well I wouldn't be welcome in the US, would I?:cool:

They sell tea and cake at the local wal-mart. I'm sure we could make you feel at home :p

They sell tea and cake at the local wal-mart. I'm sure we could make you feel at home :p

sure ya would Rich, we will take anyone as long as they do it legally

Oh thats funny...lol :p

Oh thats funny...lol :p

He'll have to warn us in advance so we can prepare (http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=542714) ourselves :D

They sell tea and cake at the local wal-mart. I'm sure we could make you feel at home :p
I make my own cakes and don't drink tea thanks:p

I make my own cakes and don't drink tea thanks:p

You'll have to bring some with you, then we'll really see what you're made of :D

You'll have to bring some with you, then we'll really see what you're made of :D
They're too good for Americans and in any case I'd have eaten them all on the way over:cool: :p

They're too good for Americans and in any case I'd have eaten them all on the way over:cool: :p

I gave you a perfect opportunity to educate us and you blew it :rolleyes: ;)

I gave you a perfect opportunity to educate us and you blew it :rolleyes: ;)
You'll have to make do with my grandkid's testimony:p

You'll have to make do with my grandkid's testimony:p

...and I thought only crazy extremists used human shields :mad:

Well things getting better and worse at the same time...announced today that North Korea has reached a deal with the US...will see how much water that holds....

http://www.yahoo.com/s/256156/*http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070119/ap_on_re_as/koreas_nuclear

And Iran...well he is lashing out against the US build up in the gulf...the US said yesterday that Iran may have overplayed its hand and is mistaken the US for being weak due to the 4 year war in Iraq...so more carriers are being sent to the gulf to tote a few guns.

http://www.yahoo.com/s/256157/*http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070119/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iran_nuclear

And Iran...well he is lashing out against the US build up in the gulf...the US said yesterday that Iran may have overplayed its hand and is mistaken the US for being weak due to the 4 year war in Iraq...so more carriers are being sent to the gulf to tote a few guns.


American diplomacy>>>>> oxymoron

American diplomacy>>>>> oxymoron

I prefer to think of it as "aggressive negotiations" hehe

wonders if anyone will get the quote

I prefer to think of it as "aggressive negotiations" hehe

wonders if anyone will get the quote

your friendly neighborhood skulking movie addict :cool:
SWEPII

U.S. warns Iran to back down

It sure is getting up there in regard to tensions.

"DUBAI, United Arab Emirates - A second U.S. aircraft carrier strike group now steaming toward the Middle East is Washington's way of warning Iran to back down in its attempts to dominate the region, a top U.S. diplomat said here Tuesday."

"Ahmadinejad said last week that Iran is "ready for anything" in its confrontation with the United States."

"Iran conducted missile tests on Monday, the first of five days of military maneuvers southeast of Tehran. The Islamic republic also barred 38 inspectors from the U.N. nuclear watchdog — the International Atomic Energy Agency, prompting fears that it was seeking to restrict access to its facilities."

""Iran is going to have to understand that the United States will protect its interests if Iran seeks to confront us," Burns continued."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070123/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iran_us

It sure is getting up there in regard to tensions.
Maybe switch to decaf, man. You're awful jittery.

Maybe switch to decaf, man. You're awful jittery.

lol...prob should. But you know if Iran keeps it up or is looking for confrontation it will happen. Thats the scary thing.

See North Korea is different I think. Even though we are still at war with North Korea technically...theres more to play there.

China wouldn't allow us to attack N. Korea to end all this for once and for all and get rid of the dictator...too close to China. The amount of refuges and the thought of US presence on China's border in that fashion would make them nervous. Plus the fact if confrontation happend they would attack our friends South Korea in retailiation. Seoul is just over the border. Too complicated there.

Now Iran is different. We are on both its borders right now. With Nato in Afghanistan and US and Britain, and some other countries to the west in Iraq. It would be much easier to take military action if need be than in N. Korea.

So if things got out of hand I believe they could escalate much faster in Iran. We have 200,00+ soldiers and carriers and equipment right there.

I doubt it would happen anytime soon, but you never know.