First thing: Thank you BIG TIME to Sheila and Y.B. for carrying the blogging load the last week or so. I’ve been trying to get here for at least a small post but … life.
So I’d just like to give a couple of quick updates:
- Thanks to everybody who submitted dumb anti-gun quotes for TZP targets. We’ve verified those that can be verified (and thank you so very much to you who submitted quotes with original-source links!) and are now passing the entries around among the TZP leadership group. We’re not sure exactly when we’ll announce the winners, and it may be that after we’ve chosen our “favorites” a designer will have the final say as he fits everything together. But we’ll keep you posted. We definitely got some grins and groans out of your submissions.
- The same day our quote contest closed, Lucky Gunner announced the final results in its poll to give away the money owed to it by the Brady Center. Your votes kept TZP solidly in the middle of the pack all the way to the end. Our numbers were modest but we still came out in the vicinity of several larger, better-known groups. And the main thing is that we had an unprecedented chance to get noticed. Kudos to you.
Now, that said, here are some links I’ve been collecting for you:
- A couple of my recent posts were about resistance within Germany to the Nazis. Y.B. sent these links to information on Christians who resisted on principle.
- “They Hate You Because You’re Jewish, You Idiot!” No comment.
- Man, this is (almost) enough to make a body like Chuck Schumer. And note how quickly the Obama White House stabbed him in the back.
- This spring, I stumbled across a weird story about officials in a Greek town demanding — of all things! — that a star of David be removed from a Holocaust museum. Um … srsly? But the actions of a couple of politicians halfway around the world didn’t seem all that newsworthy, so I just sat on the link at the time.
- Then more recently, Y.B. sent me these poll results — which put the actions of Greek officials into much more chilling perspective. No wonder the Jews of Europe are either getting out or beginning to agitate for the right to bear arms.
I think that any attempt to disarm Iran is no different than the attempts to disarm anyone, anywhere who has not attacked others. And for the same reasons. As far as I know, the government of Iran has not attacked anyone. What I think of their government doesn’t change that. Presuming to preempt the actions of others is a big part of the problem with “gun control.”
I don’t recognize the “UN” or the US government as having any legitimate authority to disarm Iran (or anyone else), or dictate its internal affairs, any more than I recognize such “authority” for any of the gun grabbers…
And Schumer is a fair example of the fact that electoral politics is neither an effective nor rational way to solve the problems. Just as with Ron Paul, regardless of his good intentions and philosophy, the rest of the controllers have no intention of allowing it. I don’t know what is motivating Schumer to buck the herd there, but he must be tired of playing politics.
Okay. I’ll court Godwin. With the possible exception of Ernst Rohm’s demise, and actions during the First World War, Adolf Hitler never personally killed anyone. It would be facile to argue he had no blood on his hands. That is how authority, especially States, works. The length of the “arm” in arms-reach aggression varies, from a direct order on a battlefield through laws, foreign policy, and included proxies. But, it is there.
Ten minutes on the internet will satisfy any honest observer that the regime running Iran openly, brazenly, proudly, constantly, funds, trains, harbors, shields, and lauds some of the most horrific murderers. People and groups who “want to see the world burn”. Targeting of Muslim “apostates”, Christians of all stripes, Yazidi, Zoroastrian, and other minorities, and, who could ever forget, the penultimate evil of the world; the Jews. All are targets.
In short, they MEAN WHAT THEY SAY, and put money where their mouth is.
If I could have my way, I would awaken tomorrow and all the States of the world (as we think of them in the secular sense) would have vanished. he UN would be moot. That is likely not within my reach, so I must meanwhile deal with the world I live in today.
The Iranian leadership are profoundly evil, homicidal, murderers. They are actively seeking nuclear weapons to further their goals. There is no moral question here. Only practical (tactical) ones.
I can’t tell you how much I hate agreeing with Mr. Schumer on anything. Hypothetically discovering that we like the same pizza toppings is enough to give me pause.
The Jewish community (especially the orthodox) are pleased with his stand, because he is unarguably a powerful and influential politician. They hope he will sway other Democrat politicians to send the Iran Deal to the dustbin, where it belongs. I do not hold such hopes.
As to his motives… I cannot totally abandon the hope that Teshuvah an Ahavat Yisroel play a role, but my money is on the fact that he can count. There is nothing to gain by alienating his political base by supporting the putrescent blob of smug in the White House. Not on this one.
Read his statement. Classic, crafty, duplicitous, Schumer. Don’t ever turn your back to the guy.
Whether or not one wants to see Iran disarmed, the Obama deal is a very, very bad bargain.
http://nypost.com/2015/08/09/i-was-wrong-about-schumer-and-it-feels-so-good/
I doubt Schumer is tired of playing politics, though. For him, that would be like being tired of breathing.
Exactly, Claire. Unfortunately, the Iran “deal” is seriously bad for everyone, whether it is implemented or not. The problem isn’t the “deal” itself, really, but the idea that the UN, the US – or anyone can control the world.
Remember that the US, along with other political entities, actually created the various terrorist outfits, created the climate in which they operate, rained death and destruction on them – innocent and guilty alike, and have financed both sides for many years – since the war to save “Uncle Joe” Stalin.
It is a complex thing, and there is no solution in sight. I was merely pointing out one tiny little facet of the whole… the idea that attempts to disarm other countries and control their inner workings is not actually any different than the efforts of government to disarm and control the people who live under them. They use the same logic and rhetoric for the most part.
And, funny thing, the idea of getting Iran to “agree” to such disarming and restrictions is pretty much like the whole “background check” thing. Nothing stops them from thumbing their nose at it if they really want to do so.
And an outright shooting war with them isn’t much of an option for stopping them either. It didn’t work out anywhere else in the Mid East, and it won’t work with them – at least not unless the US and Israel are willing to turn the entire area into another nuclear blast zone. And that, of course, would be a real problem for people who profess non-aggression. Lots and lots of perfectly innocent people there who would die, just as in Japan 70 years ago.
But then, what do I know? Outside of a worldwide declaration of liberty and justice for all… I don’t have any real answers to the problem… just questions at times.
I’m with MamaLiberty.
I don’t get either side of this debate. The Iran deal is not good for us. The alternative is not good either. No matter what, it is ruling class maneuvering that is good for the ruling class.
The problem with saying “This Iran deal stinks” without being even-handed about the alternative is that it implies one prefers the alternative. For example, opposing the release of $50 billion is like saying you thought the original confiscation by a tyrannical empire was a good thing. It’s no excuse that you don’t like what the Iranians *might* do with THEIR OWN MONEY (leaving aside the question of whose money it actually is – it ain’t the empire’s). One might as well say we should not allow people to buy firearms, because of what people *might* do when they get them in their hands.
Neither Obama nor Schumer has a bit of decency or humanity. They are not our friends, any more than the Iranian ruling class are friends of ordinary Iranians.
I agree with what Captain John Parker said on 04/19/1775;
“Stand your ground. Don’t fire unless fired upon, but if they mean to have a war, let it begin here.”
In not firing the first shot but being prepared to reply if the enemy does however when you bring nukes into the equation; taking the first shot just don’t sound like a very good idea to me.
IMHO if Iran under their current leadership was to get nukes they will use them against Israel and the US. With that thought in mind if you are the leader of Israel or the US then again IMHO you have two choices either to wait for their first shot or be a little more proactive in preventing Iran from getting Nukes. I’m in the preventing camp. Methinks Obama’s Iran deal guarantee’s Iran to get nukes and that will not end very well if that deal stands.
“if Iran under their current leadership was to get nukes they will use them against Israel and the US.”
The same thing was said about Russia and other countries… there is no proof of this. And it seems important to remember that the US is the ONLY country in the entire world that actually did use the atom bomb, on millions of innocent people… yet the US government would like to pretend it is the only entity rational and benevolent enough to control who else has them.
The preemption talk should be very familiar…
“you have two choices either to wait for their first shot or be a little more proactive in preventing Iran from getting Nukes”
Just replace the word “Iran” and “nukes” with ordinary people and guns. It’s the same rhetoric put out by Bloomberg, et al.
The “deal” with Iran is bogus and destructive at the same time, regardless of who agrees or disagrees… the point is that the US does not have any legitimate authority to determine what Iran does or doesn’t do, and neither does anyone else.
MamaLiberty I respect your opinion.
“if Iran under their current leadership was to get nukes they will use them against Israel and the US.” is my opinion on Iran and their current leadership maybe I am wrong, it would be nice to think that, but I don’t.
It is also my opinion that Iran & it’s current leadership and their desire for nukes & what they intend to do with those nukes are not like ordinary people and their guns.
If you read Mein Kampf you will find that Hitler did what he said just like IMHO Iran & their current leadership will do what they are saying to their own people.
Sgt. Bartlett calls on Senators to reject the Iran deal
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOCh5UEBkxg
There is a good series on recently, called “Deutschland 83” about all the insane games of nuclear chicken we were playing back in 1983. I highly recommend it as it stirs up old memories. I remember those times. I remember looking into the skies from the school yard as a child, wondering if I would see the missile warheads coming down to destroy me.
If every neocon madman were somehow wiped off this Earth all at once, it would not bother me a bit. They make Nazis look respectable.
It seems my approval of anything that opens up free trade and encourages peace between peoples is in the minority.
I’ll never defend any government deal as perfect; I’d rather they butt out entirely. But allowing Iran to trade with the US and the rest of the world will be of immense benefit to Iranian citizens and to all of us. Trade makes us more wealthy, blocking free trade makes us all poorer.
Iran is submitting to literally unprecedented access, supervision, and restrictions on its nuclear program. They are less likely to able to develop and deploy a nuclear weapon after the deal than before it.
Today, with sanctions, Iran is free to try and obtain any technology, any materials, for any purpose, at any time. They’re giving that up.
I find the sanctimony and hysteria from the US side of the argument amusing and disgusting. The reek of hypocrisy doesn’t seem to offend many people.
The US government murdered several hundred thousand civilians with nuclear weapons. The US government is the only one to use those weapons. The US government has more of nuclear weapons than everyone else combined.
I walked the streets of Hiroshima. I saw the mound of ashes of 80,000 unknown dead. I visited the museum and listened to the words of a woman who, as a little girl, watched her schoolmate burn to death, trapped in rubble. She was unable to pull her free.
I felt shame and disgust, and harbor no fantasies that anyone living on US soil has any claim to moral superiority or right to dictate to others about their ownership and use of weapons.
Finally, why this outrageous cowardice? Iran is a tiny fraction of our size, population, wealth, capabilities. It is 10,000 miles away, give or take, from the US. Why are so many people so afraid of them?
Yeah, I know. Terrs. Terrorism works only if it terrifies you. It doesn’t me. I’m a lot more worried about bullies in blue and 4 dead bodies a day last month than I am about people so far away who are justifiably angry that we’ve been robbing, bombing, and attacking them for over 70 years.
This deal has too many loopholes.
Under this agreement Iran is permitted to continue developing the centrifuges it needs to enrich uranium to weapons grade. Iran is allowed to continue developing and building intercontinental ballistic missiles. Iran will be able to keep most all of its nuclear infrastructure. Sanctions on Iran will be lifted long before Iran finishes making the changes in its nuclear program the agreement does require. We need to close these and other loopholes.
Sources: IAEA Report, June 2015; Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, 7/14/15; Reuters, 7/14/15; Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Twitter: “Upon #IranDeal implementation all sanctions will be lifted – not suspended.”; MarketWatch, 7/15/15.
This deal does not allow surprise anytime, anywhere inspections.
Because Iran has violated over 20 international agreements and consistently lied to International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors, we cannot trust Iran to abide by this agreement. As every official from the President on down has said, we must have surprise anytime, anywhere inspections to know whether Iran is cheating. Yet this agreement, prevents those inspections. If Iran objects to a requested inspection, a committee which includes Iran, Russia and China would deliberate. While the committee is deciding what to do, the Iranians can hide evidence of their activity.
Source: U.N. Treaty and Convention Ratifications: 7/16/53, 8/14/56, 2/3/65, 8/29/68, 3/5/70, 6/24/75, 7/13/94, 11/3/97, 11/20/06, 9/26/07, 4/20/09, 9/21/10; U.N. Security Council Resolutions: 1696, 1737, 1747, 1803, 1835, 1929, 1984, 2049
This deal would fuel a Middle East nuclear arms race, making the world less safe.
Saudi Arabia already said it does not believe this deal will be effective, and that it will match Iran’s nuclear capability. News reports indicate it is planning to buy a nuclear weapon from another country. Algeria, the UAE, Qatar, Turkey and others are also preparing to become nuclear weapons states if this deal is approved. Any additional nuclear weapons in the world’s most unstable region just increases the chances they will fall into the hands of terrorists. Iran itself is the world largest funder and sponsor of terrorist groups in the world.
Source: Washington Post, 7/14/15
Even if Iran’s leaders abide by this agreement, the regime will be dangerously close to having nuclear weapons.
Even if Iran does not cheat at all, this agreement will keep it only one year away from a nuclear weapon. After 10-15 years Iran’s leaders could get a weapon within two months. That’s just too dangerous for America, for Israel and for the world, when we are dealing with a regime like Iran’s. Only one country in the world has stated that its policy is to wipe another country “off the face of the earth”—Iran.
Source: New York Times, 6/23/15, Op-Ed, Alan Kuperman, Associate Professor, University of Texas at Austin
This deal allows Iran to continue developing and to build Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles.
Iran’s government is spending hundreds of millions developing intercontinental ballistic missiles that can reach points around the globe. This agreement allows it to continue developing ICBMs. There is only one reason for Iran to have ICBMs: for offensive military action.
DefenseOne, 6/21/15.
And if you discard the above plus all of the times the leadership of Iran has said they would nuke us & Israel, or how do they like to put it;
“However, we firmly believe [Israel] must be wiped off the face of the earth and we don’t recognize [its existence].” Khatami said according to IRNA, the official news agency of the Islamic Republic.
and
“America is the enemy.” – i.e. If you think for a minute, my fellow Iranians, that America has become our friend as a result of the agreement, don’t get carried away. America was our enemy, has remained our enemy and will always be our enemy. The agreement has not affected that unchanging situation.” Khamenei’s 7/16/15
“The Islamic Republic will never give in to the dictates of the enemy and will not compromise on keeping its defensive abilities intact.” – i.e. If there is anyone in America, Europe or the rest of the world who thinks that this agreement will bring an end to our nuclear program, he is sorely mistaken; Iran will not relinquish the achievements its scientists have attained with the help and generosity of Allah.” Khamenei’s 7/16/15
If you discard all of the above and put your head into the sand about everything they have been saying and doing over the years than methinks you could think this deal was a good one.
But everyone has a right to their opinion, just like the people who thought signing a bad agreement with someone like Hitler would lead to a happy ending.
xyz in re-reading your comment, I have to admit I misunderstood your reasoning, being that you believe we of the US deserve to be nuked for our past actions so that is why we should be for this agreement.
So that makes us in agreement, we both agree Iran intends to use to nukes on us when they get them.
It is good when people with different opinions can come together like this.
Iran deal’s surprising supporters
https://www.lewrockwell.com/lrc-blog/iran-deals-surprising-supporters/
https://www.lewrockwell.com/lrc-blog/can-you-trust-a-country-that-has-violated-20-international-agreements/
Hmmm, I wonder when Israel is going to sign and conform to the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty?
Hamas has dug ‘several tunnels’ into Israel, in new Iran-funded war drive
http://www.timesofisrael.com/hamas-has-dug-several-tunnels-into-israel-in-new-iran-funded-war-drive/
Everything Iran promotes has peace written all over it!
I know they will provide only good for the world when they get some nukes to use for peace!
Someone once told me if Israel was to put down all of their weapons we just wouldn’t have Israel any longer but if those who wanted to destroy Israel was to put down all of their weapons we would have peace.
I reckon is all about what you really want in this world as to what you advocate!
In the argument of whether or not Iran should have nukes isn’t there only one question that needs an answer;
Do you think Israel has a right to existence?
Do you think Iran has a right to existence?
If they both have that right, why should one have nukes and not the other?
Rabbis For The Iran Deal:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZf7sT-CsdM
Or are you suggesting Rabbis don’t support Israel’s right to exist?
I notice Paul that you did not answer my question.
As most of us know Israel has had nukes for quite a while now and Iran is still here. I will answer your question; I think Iran has a right to exist, btw some of my best friends are Iranian and Libyan, and Egyptian, etc. One of my Egyptian friends even tried to convert me once (in my younger wild eyed days) but my wife had a problem with the multiple wives thing.
On the other hand have you seen the new film Iran just put out;
“Preparation of the Complete Destruction of Israel by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard’s Islamic Revolution in Iran.”
I am sure those who think Israel doesn’t have a right to exist would put this film on top of their to see list.
One other thought, once upon a time there quite a few Rabbis telling people that getting on the cattle cars were ok, nothing evil would happen, do you think those Rabbis were right?