Well, it now certainly looks like America under the criminal Bush/Cheney Administration has become a “Rogue Nation”. We have met the enemy and he has become US. We are the enemy to law and order in the civilized World.
If ever two men qualified to stand trial for war crimes and march up the gallows it is Bush and Cheney.
The only big question is…Can Bush climb the steps of the gallows with the same dignity and courage that Saddam Hussein did. I don’t think so.

Just recently, there was an explosion not far from Tehran and the first reports were that perhaps 15 people were dead.
http://africa.reuters.com/world/news/usnBLA026996.html

Not long thereafter, reports downplayed what had happened and indicated no one died. http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5jVzGQ1C-VkYaL4nGmOcgsWWlpfyQ

This happened shortly after Hersh’s story of U.S. infiltration into Iran. Coincidence?, I hope not. We have put up far too long against the threats and actions emanating from Iran and against the US. They have attacked us and our interests dozens of times and we’ve hardly responded.

After reading the article, it was clear to me that Hersh was selectively gathering information from those opposed to war with Iran. Further, he was gathering this information almost (if not completely) exclusively politically opposed to the current presidential administration.

The bias was clear; his sources were selected to put forward what is his obvious objective; to turn public opinion against the war. Thus, the article should be labled for what it is~ “propoganda”.

Further, it is interesting to me how many of Hersh’s sources are unidentified by name. Many of the accounts and insinuations are given 3rd person, which is to say… unreliable hearsay and therefore inadmissable…
examples from the text: “the former senior intelligence official told me”; “the person familiar with the Finding said”; “A Democratic senator told me”; “according to the source familiar with it”; “Senior Democrats in Congress told me”

Perhaps most eye-opening to me is that in more than 11 pages of text about Iran (where the word “Iran” is mentioned more than 100 times), there’s NOT A SINGLE MENTION OF either A-MAD-JIHAD (Amadinejad) OR Khomeini!

Surely any credible report meant to inform readers (rather than influence them) should include mention of Iran’s top leadership, shouldn’t it? Further, it could even be a journalistic duty to provide information on their beliefs, considering what their beliefs are. This rather important information being left out is particularily disconcerting considering Iran’s very vocal threats against not only the U.S., but against Israel~ a legitimate member state recognized by all but the Muslim world bodies. It is also disconcerting that there was no mention of what (Iranian controlled) Hizballah did to our Marines in Lebanon.

Hersh’s article is just a side-show though. Here’s where the rubber hits the road~

If after all diplomacy (and even bribery) fails and Iran refuses to stop enrichment, what should be our response?

DRS

You really should spend less time flinging personal insults and more time backing up your statements.

RE: I’m referring to the ILLEGAL efforts- The President has a legal right to do what he is doing.
http://www.justice.gov/olc/warpowers925.htm

RE: “by this criminal administration to attempt to destablize a SOVEREIGN NATION”- I find it interesting that you hurl criminal insults our leadership, which was lawfully (lest any should cast doubt) re-elected in 2004 and neglect to mention the many thousands of candidates who wanted to run in Iran but were prevented from doing so by the Mullahs. If you want to live in a place like Iran, I would encourage you to go!

RE: “A nation that has NOT attacked America.”- You’re kidding, right? What about Beirut, 1983?- Heck, any and all attacks on Americans by Lezballah (which are many) can and should be attributed to Iran, which provided spiritual, moral, logistical and financial support to Lezballah.
http://www.camera.org/index.asp?x_context=2&x_outlet=118&x_article=1148

Further, Iran has been screaming “Death to America” since 1979 and it is certain their agents have been in our country for many years waiting for the signal to attack.

RE: “The Dollar then is in danger..grave danger..of NOT being the standard currency of other nations.”- The Gross Domestic Product of the United States is approximately 3X greater than Japan, the country with the next highest GDP. The EU is higher, but they have social-political problems that will come to bare soon.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_GDP_(nominal)

Unless there is total U.S. economic collapse, which would destroy the world economy, the U.S. currency will remain the world’s primary reserve currency for some time to come…

RE: “Do you understand any economics at all????????”- Um, yes I do. The difference between our understandings is that mine are based upon fact, whereas you probably listen to the rhetoric of Ariana Huffington for your opinions.

RE: “The same arrogance that has led to the ultimate downfall of every previous empire in history.” - Upon what do you base this statement? My study of history indicates the reason for fall of empire is, more often than not, due to internal schisms complicated by external factors.

RE: I never comment on yours because I find them totally lacking in any intellectual content worthy of noting.” - More likely, you can’t overcome the fact-based logic. Further, when you do respond, it’s a tirade of insults.

Sure, I’ll trade you insult for insult, but that’s not really productive.
Rather, itellectuals should argue ideas and opinions based upon documented fact rather than extreme rhetoric.

JLRichardson~ I’m an American and despite all the problems I KNOW exist in our Country, I’m not going to defame my Country in an international forum and I take it personally when others do; particularily when they are Americans. While you may be irritated by my defence of our Country and it’s leadership (which I too am disgusted with), I consider standing up for these a patriotic duty…

DRS