War of Words

Yesterday, Dick Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld commented on Iran's unacceptable actions on the global stage.

In an address to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee yesterday, Vice President Cheney said:

The Iranian regime needs to know that if it stays on its present course the international community is prepared to impose meaningful consequences. For our part, the United States is keeping all options on the table in addressing the irresponsible conduct of the regime. And we join other nations in sending that regime a clear message: We will not allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon.

Rumsfeld added to the tough talk at a press conference on Tuesday.

From Bloomberg News Service:

Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld today accused Iran of sending its Revolutionary Guards into Iraq to foment violence.

Rumsfeld declined to give details, but his statement marked the first time he has said these forces are in Iraq. When asked if the infiltration is backed by Iran's central government, he said "of course" and added: "The Revolutionary Guard doesn't go milling around willy-nilly."

Iran is "putting people into Iraq to do things that are harmful to the future of Iraq," Rumsfeld told a Pentagon news conference. The action is one Iran "will look back on as having been an error in judgment," he said.

Needless to say, rather than cowering and appeasing, the U.S. is refusing to allow Iran to threaten and bully its way into becoming a nuclear power intent on destroying Israel.

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the Iranian president with a propensity for making menacing comments, has wrought this reaction.



Cheney and Rumsfeld's remarks were not reckless neocon ramblings, although I'm sure there are many weak on defense libs that would characterize their comments as warmongering.

Ahmadinejad is dangerous.

Without a doubt, Iran poses a threat to the Free World. It is totally appropriate for the U.S. to be firm in opposing Iran's "peaceful nuclear program."

It's not only appropriate, it's necessary.

Today, Iran returned fire.

VIENNA, Austria -- Iran threatened the United States with "harm and pain" Wednesday for its role in hauling Tehran before the U.N. Security Council over its nuclear program.

...The statements were delivered to the 35-member board of the International Atomic Energy Agency, which is meeting to focus on Tehran's refusal to freeze uranium enrichment.

The White House dismissed the rhetoric out of Tehran.

...John Bolton, America's ambassador to the United Nations, said Iran's comments showed how much of a menace it was.

"Their threats show why leaving a country like that with a nuclear weapon is so dangerous," he told The Associated Press in a phone call from Washington.

I am so glad that John Bolton is serving as our ambassador to the UN. He's strong and unyielding when that's what it takes.

...Wednesday's meeting is in effect the last step before the Security Council begins considering Iran's nuclear activities and international fears they could be misused to make weapons. It began with both Iran and the nations opposing its enrichment plans sticking to their positions.

"The United States has the power to cause harm and pain," said Ali Asghar Soltanieh, a senior Iranian delegate to the IAEA. "But the United States is also susceptible to harm and pain. So if that is the path that the U.S. wishes to choose, let the ball roll."

In other words, the senior Iranian delegate to the IAEA is saying to the United States, "Bring it on."

...But diplomats accredited to the meeting and in contact with the Iranians said the statement could be a veiled threat to use oil as an economic weapon.

...Iran also has leverage with extremists in Iraq, the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah and the Islamic militant group Hamas, which won Palestinian elections in January. Both groups are classified by the U.S. State Department as terrorist organizations.

Ahmadinejad's Iran doesn't have leverage, not with this Administration.

Iran doesn't seem to realize that the Dems don't have the White House. Appeasers are not in charge.

...Iran's statement was unusually harsh, reflecting Tehran's frustration at failing to deflect the threat of Security Council action against it in the coming weeks. Tehran maintains its nuclear program is for generating electricity.

"Our nation has made its decision to fully use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes and all have to give in to this decision made by the Iranian nation," Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said in Iran. "We have made our choice."

This is terribly misleading. The AP report seems to side with Iran's "frustration" over the world community's objection to its desire to have a nuclear program.

Ahmadinejad's statement is presented in a fashion that makes him sound reasonable. He's not. He's certifiably insane.

Ahmadinejad's comment about wanting to pursue a peaceful nuclear program was made at a rally in the city of Khorramabad.

Here are some additional remarks that Ahmadinejad made at that same rally:

"If anyone shows aggression to the Iranian nation’s rights, Iran will wipe the dark stain of regret on their foreheads."

"If the world accepts Iran’s desire then fine, but if it wants to ignore the rights of the Iranian nation then Iran will know what path to pursue."

"If we stand strong the enemies will be defeated in the face of the Iranian nation’s will."

Apparently, the AP didn't want to include these in its report. Gee, I wonder why. Maybe it's because Admadinejad's words lend credence to the Bush Administration's position on Iran.

The AP wouldn't want to highlight anything that might make the public support Bush.

Iran also attacked "warmongers in Washington" for what it said was an unjust accusation that Tehran's nuclear intentions were mainly for military use. It also suggested America was vulnerable, despite its strength.

"Surely we are not naive about the United States' ... intention to flex muscles," the statement said. "But we also see the bone fractures underneath."

It also threatened broader retaliation, without being specific, saying Iran "will adapt our policy and adjust our approach to conform with the new exigencies."

Did you notice how similar Iran's statement is to those made by the loons on the Left?

The Bush Administration is a pack of "warmongers." They're dangerous.

That's typical libspeak.

Thankfully, the Dems, whose strings are pulled by the radical far Left Dem base, are out of power.

As long as the Republicans maintain control, the U.S. will not cater to the whims of Ahmadinejad.

We and the world will be safer for it.