This is the CHANGE that we want and must work for.
Bomb Iran. Support Israel.
Jim D
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Obama on bombing Iran:
"...The U.S. military has performed valiantly and brilliantly in Iraq. Our
troops have done all that we have asked them to do and more.
But a consequence of the Administration's failed strategy in Iraq has been to
strengthen Iran's strategic position; reduce U.S. credibility and influence in
the region; and place Israel and other nations friendly to the United States in
greater peril. These are not the signs of a well-paved road. It is time for
profound change.
As the U.S. redeploys from Iraq, we can recapture lost influence in the Middle
East. We can refocus our efforts to critical, yet neglected priorities, such as
combating international terrorism and winning the war in Afghanistan.
"And we can, then, more effectively deal with one of the greatest threats to
the United States, Israel and world peace: Iran. ...
"The world must work to stop Iran's uranium enrichment program and prevent Iran
from acquiring nuclear weapons. It is far too dangerous to have nuclear weapons
in the hands of a radical theocracy.
"And while we should take no option, including military action, off the table,
sustained and aggressive diplomacy combined with tough sanctions should be our
primary means to prevent Iran from building nuclear weapons....
"At the same time, we must preserve our total commitment to our unique defense
relationship with Israel by fully funding military assistance and continuing
work on the Arrow and related missile defense programs.
"This would help Israel maintain its military edge and deter and repel attacks
from as far as Tehran and as close as Gaza.
http://usliberals.about.com/od/extraordinaryspeeches/a/ObamaIsrael_3.htm
"My presidency will strengthen our hand as we restore our standing. Our
willingness to pursue diplomacy will make it easier to mobilize others to join
our cause. If Iran fails to change course when presented with this choice by
the United States, it will be clear - to the people of Iran, and to the world -
that the Iranian regime is the author of its own isolation. That will
strengthen our hand with Russia and China as we insist on stronger sanctions in
the Security Council. And we should work with Europe, Japan and the Gulf states
to find every avenue outside the UN to isolate the Iranian regime - from
cutting off loan guarantees and expanding financial sanctions, to banning the
export of refined petroleum to Iran, to boycotting firms associated with the
Iranian Revolutionary Guard, whose Quds force has rightly been labeled a
terrorist organization.
"I was interested to see Senator McCain propose divestment as a source of
leverage - not the bigoted divestment that has sought to punish Israeli
scientists and academics, but divestment targeted at the Iranian regime. It's a
good concept, but not a new one. I introduced legislation over a year ago that
would encourage states and the private sector to divest from companies that do
business in Iran. This bill has bipartisan support, but for reasons that I'll
let him explain, Senator McCain never signed on. Meanwhile, an anonymous
Senator is blocking the bill. It is time to pass this into law so that we can
tighten the squeeze on the Iranian regime. We should also pursue other
unilateral sanctions that target Iranian banks and assets.
"Finally, let there be no doubt: I will always keep the threat of military
action on the table to defend our security and our ally Israel. Sometimes there
are no alternatives to confrontation. But that only makes diplomacy more
important. If we must use military force, we are more likely to succeed, and
will have far greater support at home and abroad, if we have exhausted our
diplomatic efforts.
http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/HQblog/gG5CKp
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