Awaken the sleeping giants...

Thursday, in his address to the nation, Captain Caveman pointed the club at Iran, making statements like "a free Iraq will counter the destructive ambitions of Iran". The man sends chills down my spine every time his lips move, but this address was of particular concern to me. With our troops at their breaking point, our financial resources and military stockpiles at an all time low, and with an American public that largely believes this failed campaign to be a horrendous mistake, this pompous windbag arrogantly sets about making more enemies. Because, at this point, I have become accustomed to Bush's "bomb first, ask questions later" brand of foreign diplomacy, I  set about deciding whether my threat level should be at yellow, orange or red. Turns out that the biggest threat to this "democratic republic" in which we live is our fearless leader. Anyone shocked yet?

Not once but twice now, Iranian President Ahmadinejad has urged Bush to meet with him before the UN General Assembly to discuss peacable solutions to the crisis in Iraq. Once in March of 2006, and again he requested audience with the King at the opening of the General Assembly this September. Both times he has been denied, as Bush claims that he is merely trying to create a diversion. A diversion from what? From the colossal disaster that Iraq has become? From our failed foreign policy, which, I submit, is a direct result of our refusal to speak with foreign emmissarries who may point out shortcomings? No, I think what Bush really fears is that he would be unmasked and shown to be the true face of evil. I think he might be forced to address the Iranian Presidents position that his country, and the people of his country, have just as much right to the enrichment of uranium for the purpose of fueling reactors to provide energy as we do, or as India does, or Israel. An opinon, oddly enough, shared by the American government during the Ford administration, prior to the exile of Mohammad Reza Shah in 1979. Worse yet, Bush may be forced to entertain the idea that Iran would willingly give financial aid, food, and energy to Iraq if we left the business of the Middle East to the people of the Middle East. 

We are viewed as the thorn in the side of this world. The schoolyard bullies playing war games.

As a direct result of pressure from the US, world powers are set to discuss a third round of sanctions against Iran on September 21st. They are going to decide if and how Iran should be punished for attempting to further technology for the advancement of their nation.If the US is successful in convincing the members of the UN to impose sanctions, Iranian children will die. More people will die, and more still will suffer needlessly at the whim of this uncontrolled machine the Bush Administration has become. Nationalist fervor wil strengthen the resolve of the Iranian government to defend the country's right to a civillian nuclear program. After all, there are the needs of a population in excess of 65,397,521 to consider, not to mention the near 100,000 Iraqi refugees they have opened their arms to in the wake of the US occupation. Shock and Awe, indeed.

“If the Iraqi officials request Iran to hold the next round of talks with U.S., the country would accept it,” Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad-Ali Hosseini said on Sunday.
“We believe that the U.S. forces have illegally entered a region and have occupied it and now, after devouring its wealth, they are seeking to establish a base to secure their covetous interests in the long run.
We vehemently condemn this, and (Washington) would face the opposition of the regional nations over the issue.”

Hosni Mubarak, President of Egypt, issued a grave warning that an attack in Iran would unite Muslim jihadists worldwide.
"Regionwide conflageration that an Israeli/US led invasion of Iran would create will dwarf the catastrophe that the US/UK led invasion of Iraq has brought for the people of Iraq."

If we continue to allow this tyrant to exercise his will in foreign nations, we will be left holding the bag. Bush is going to leave office in 2008. He will have armed Secret Service to protect him for all of the days of his life. We will have only the legacy of this war monger who we, the American people, allowed to tear through the Middle East unchecked, creating conflict where there was none. We will be left to bear the scars, to support the veterans, to pay the price for generations to come.