Tuesday, October 16, 2007

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.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Iran in a country bent on destroying us. Peace talks aren't going to work with them, but a huge show of force, rather than the token force we have now, would work.

Anonymous said...

Oh really? Where do you get that information? From this administration? Do you trust them? Did you trust them on Iraq? How can you be so sure? How can you be sure this is not just another propaganda stint?

Read Shifting Targets by Seymour Hersch and then talk to me.

Anonymous said...

Ah yes, a huge show of force will do the trick. I hope that Robert doesn't drive, because if you think oil is expensive these days, wait until we try to destroy the one country with a stranglehold on the route in and out of the Persian gulf. And then, we better destroy every single missile, before they try to destroy Israel, who they actually have said they want to obliterate.

Robert, if you want to start WW3, you do what you recommend. If you would like to avoid more death and destruction, you use a little diplomacy. Iran is not planning on destroying anybody. Stop watching FOX "news"

Anonymous said...

What's with the rampant defeatism among progressives? Hillary's running a good campaign and she's raised a lot of money and she has 100% name recognition. She is surely the front runner. But things change, New Hampshirites in particular do not like being told whom they are going to vote for (especially independents, most of whom will be picking up Dem ballots). Obama is still definitely in this one, and Edwards and Richardson to a lesser extent.

This "it's all over folks" line only helps Hillary and curbs important issue debate.

Anonymous said...

And another thing…

Join Barack Obama in Newark!
Monday, October 22, 2007, 4:15pm - 6:30pm
New Jersey Performing Arts Center
One Center Street
Newark, NJ

Get tickets at http://tinyurl.com/3bggkf

Anonymous said...

I think Hillary is a little short of Bush on foreign policy Paul and that is unacceptable. But, I think I understand your point that I am giving up too soon. That may be. I hope you are right.

Are you going to see Barack in Newark?