Will Hillary Clinton Attack Iran?

I have tried very much to get used to the fact that Hillary Clinton will be the democratic nominee. I respect her intelligence which is obvious, I understand the historical importance of a woman being President, truly. But, as an old Yiddish proverb enlightens us: "Just because it's in a cookie jar doesn't mean it's a cookie."

A new article in the Guardian opens with the sentence: Hillary Clinton today moved to secure her position as the most hawkish Democrat in the 2008 presidential race, saying she would consider the use of force to compel Iran to abandon its nuclear programme. Ummm, what? Iran is a soveriegn nation with hearts and minds. Using force against another sovereign nation is the last step and should not even be discussed at this point. The untold civilian casualties will be surreal. Yet, we have our democratic nominee discussing such action.

Clinton argues in an article for Foreign Affairs magazine Iran poses a long term strategic challenge to American and its allies, and that it must not be permitted to build or acquire nuclear weapons. If Iran does not comply with its own commitments and the will of the international community, all options must remain on the table," Ms Clinton said.

She deviates from the Bush administration as she has in the past stating we must not isolate our enemies and we must deploy diplomacy and insinuates a program of incentives for Iran. However, the article states Clinton sets out a series of positions that are virtually identical to the White House position. This is on top of her vote on the Kyl-Lieberman amendment that she has been severely criticized for by the democratic candidates.

This is troubling to say the least in light of what has happened in Iraq and in light of the Kyl - Lieberman amendment. The resolution is certainly an authorization to attack Iran if only a "Gulf of Tonkin type event happens. What makes Clinton think Bush will not attack Iran on some trumped up charges the same way he attacked Iraq. He now has that authority. We also now know by this foreign policy paper that Mrs. Clinton thinks exactly as the administration does outside of talking to Iran. We do not need Republican lite anymore. We need the people's party to represent us this year and into this violent century.

I will not be supporting Hillary Clinton, that I know. If she wins the nod, I may even be suggesting a third party. This cannot happen again. If we continue to make excuses to not support a progressive candidate for President we will NEVER get the world we want. I am tired of negotiating that position away.