Are we ready to invade Iran?

[tekla]

Oh the Germans sold to him, we sold him intelligence and poison gas and training, had Rummy deliver it.  Back when Iran and Iraq was fighting each other it was like the LAPD and a Crip/Blood war, so long as they kill each other, it's all good.  Fact is, most of our allies, including most of the military industries who do business with us, will sell to whoever they can, where ever they can.

[SarahFaceDoom]

So, how well is that real quick action going in Iraq?  How's it going in Afghanistan?  And you want to invade the regions only real military power outside of Israel?  Really?  Iran is not a backwards nation.  It's not an Arab nation.  It's population is well educated, politically united against the US (they have this grudge about us overthrowing their government), they are well armed, fantastically well armed, dug in, prepared, and have a real command and control structure in place.

Actually most Iranians don't have problems with the US.  They are pretty interested in our culture as well.  It's a shame our two governments can't work it out, because I think both countries could be really strong allies again.

Anyways, getting in another avoidable war would be dumb.  We already have two too many.  I think the Iranian people are going to revolt against their current government anyways without our help.  Best stay out of it.

[justmeinoz]

Keep a close eye on facebook etc when the Iranian Govt start censoring the internet, there will be more information there than will ever appear in the media, due to the almost total lack of foreign press in the country.
The way things are going it sounds like once again a bunch of old bigots will try and stamp on the people.   
Hopefully there won't be large loss of life, but I think the regime would rather see their country and people destroyed, than change. They belive they are God's instrument on Earth after all.

[tekla]

They belive they are God's instrument on Earth after all.

Seems to be a problem on both sides. 

[pretty pauline]

Osama bin Laden sons are being protected in Iran and some think he might be there also.  Just another coffin nail.

I douth it, thats the last place Osama bin Laden is in, he's ether hiding in Pakistan or Afganisthan, Iran are different Muslims, Shia Muslims, US interests would lead us to believe he's in Iran to provide an excuse to invade Iran, Bin Laden is a ''sinni muslim'' usually found in Saudi Arabia, infact thats where he comes from, certainly not Iraq, but that was the excuse for going to war there, bit me once shame on you, bit me twice shame on me! very true saying.
p

[pretty pauline]

Osama bin Laden is in, he's ether hiding in Pakistan or Afganisthan,
p

Its very ironic, very rarely I quote myself from a post over a year old, but last night Mark (my Husband) says to me, ''gosh darling you where you right, osama bin laden was in Pakistan after all, you smart sweetie'' well it wasn't rocket science, but men can be sooo patronizing and condescending lol, I do take an interest in politics, current and world affairs, but sometimes I think Mark underestinates me in general knowledge, he thinks I only think about fashion magazines, nail polish, hair spray and makeup, yes important things for a woman, but not everything, I do have a brain that works under my hair spray and highlights, sorry for venting and going off topic.
Pauline

[Jen61]

The chess pieces are moving in the direction to have another war. Troops moving to Afghanistan, high unemployment, oil needed, friends with Russia, trained both side Iraq and Afghan army's, the nuke threat, Israel, etc. Not to mention much activity at the base near me.

I tought we were about to invade Iran (Poste 2009), what happened?

Jen61 

[mimpi]

Nothing happened, it was never going to. The US and NATO are tied down in an interminable war of attrition in Afghanistan, Iraq is in a terrible mess, Pakistan is getting more and more involved and more.

Apart from anything else Iran is a vast country, is well armed, has advanced technology and above all is Shia Muslim. For Shia's the martyrdom of Imam Husayn at the battle of Karbala is central to their faith and mindset. The saying goes "Every day is Ashura, every land is Karbala", Ashura is the day of mourning of the martyrdom of Imam Husayn.  Any invasion would be a bloodbath for all concerned with worldwide fallout. No one in their right mind wants any of that.

[tekla]

 the day of mourning of the martyrdom of Imam Husayn

The US has always been happy to fulfill the wishes of martyrs.   And Iran has still got US forces on 3 sides.  Status quo anti.  I'm sure we'd much rather see it done internally and Iran has a lot of social unrest, in the meantime no one is going anywhere.

[mimpi]

See what done internally, another US backed coup to install a fascist regime as back in Mossadegh's day?

Those days are long over.

[Cindy]

They'll get a McDonald's franchise then they are finished.

[justmeinoz]

Iran would be dumb.  Personally I think the Arab states will stand back and let Israel deal with them, hwhile yelling appropriate abuse.
Pakistan is the real problem, they get upset because of American action in the NW Frontier because it is Pakistani territory, then in the next breath excuse inaction against the Taliban and Al=Quaida because they have no control of the area. They can't have it both ways. Either it is Pakistan and should be peaceful or it's not. 
All the while taking American aid with one hand and aiding groups like Laksh I-Toiba with the other. 
Having already built a sizeable nuclear arsenal as a deterrent against India, a democracy, they have also exported their knowledge to Iran, and North Korea who certainly have benefited and are a real threat to world peace.
Hopefully the Australian troops in Afghanistan can train at least part of the Afghan Army to adopt their methods and go after the Taliban properly. Regardless of where they may be hiding.

Karen.

[tekla]

get a McDonald's franchise

Well that is our favorite method of conquest.  And no amount of atomic, biological or chemical weapons can do the damage to a culture that American media can.  It's an acid bath.

Each of them -  American corporate business practices and American style media - are like the blades of a scissors.  Alone they can cut given enough effort, but together, sheering both ways with a fulcrum point, that stuff can cut anything to shreds.  Given enough exposure we've seen time and time again, how in a single generation Kim Kardarshian (or whoever) can dominate over Allah, and how people will give up trying to find answers in antiquated texts, because Oprah got better information anyway.

[mimpi]

Iran would be dumb.  Personally I think the Arab states will stand back and let Israel deal with them, hwhile yelling appropriate abuse.
Pakistan is the real problem, they get upset because of American action in the NW Frontier because it is Pakistani territory, then in the next breath excuse inaction against the Taliban and Al=Quaida because they have no control of the area. They can't have it both ways. Either it is Pakistan and should be peaceful or it's not. 
All the while taking American aid with one hand and aiding groups like Laksh I-Toiba with the other. 
Having already built a sizeable nuclear arsenal as a deterrent against India, a democracy, they have also exported their knowledge to Iran, and North Korea who certainly have benefited and are a real threat to world peace.
Hopefully the Australian troops in Afghanistan can train at least part of the Afghan Army to adopt their methods and go after the Taliban properly. Regardless of where they may be hiding.

Karen.

Karen.

Last time I checked Pakistan was a democracy as well! So is Iran even though some may not agree with the way Iranians vote.

The Taliban will be back, it's inevitable and there's nothing the Afghan Army can or  will do about it. Sometimes people do not want to live the same way as we do and who are we to say they do not have the right to do so. Personally I think Afghanistan and Pakistan (big cities aside) are well ->-bleeped-<-*d up places and women are treated appallingly but it's NOT my business and certainly not a reason to go bomb the sh*t out of them.

[NatashaD]

Not sure if I would say Iran is a democracy. Well, they can call themselves that, but they're not a functional democracy.

[tekla]

but they're not a functional democracy

Unlike, say...US?  That's funny.

[V M]

Unlike, say...US?  That's funny.


Heh heh yeah    Thanks for tickling my funny bone

[tekla]

At the height of the Soviet Union, who made fixed/rigged elections an art form, they did not return the number of incumbents to office that we do now.  And more people vote for American Idol than the American President.

[justmeinoz]

The main problem seems to be that Pakistan wants to have it's cake and eat it too.  Take American aid, and give covert aid or at least condone extremists; and claim that the NW Frontier is part of Pakistan, but that they can't control it.  Sooner or later they will have to make some hard choices.

Karen.

[Cindy]

  And more people vote for American Idol than the American President.

And that is one of the saddest thoughts. I would bet more people in the USA , and definitely around the world, know who won American Idol than who the Vice President is: who is ....?

I'm in the minority, I have no idea who won American Idol.