Rick Santorum: I Would Bomb Iran Nuclear Sites
WASHINGTON -- Republican Rick Santorum says that if he's elected president, he would bomb Iran's nuclear facilities unless they were opened for international arms inspectors.
Santorum says President Barack Obama hasn't done enough to prevent the Iranian government from building a nuclear weapon and has risked turning the U.S. into a "paper tiger."
Santorum tells NBC's "Meet the Press" that he would tell Iranian leaders that either they open up those facilities, begin to dismantle them and make them available to inspectors or the U.S. would attack them.
The Obama administration, like the Bush administration, has focused primarily on international diplomacy and economic penalties to try to pressure Iran into abandoning its nuclear program. Iran contends its efforts are for peaceful purposes.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/01/rick-santorum-iran-iowa-caucuses-2012-_n_1178483.html

TexasTowelie
(107,871 posts)pocoloco
(3,180 posts)barbtries
(28,501 posts)wouldn't that be dangerous?! what am i not getting?
i mean, i'm horrified that he would suggest such a thing...should i be?
valerief
(53,235 posts)tclambert
(11,054 posts)Fearless
(18,421 posts)AtheistCrusader
(33,982 posts)Fearless
(18,421 posts)AtheistCrusader
(33,982 posts)I sort of discounted China as being 'in range', but Fukushima sort of proved that not to be the case.
Maraya1969
(21,950 posts)bomb. So yeah, it is horrifying from where I am sitting.
octothorpe
(962 posts)Also, this toolbag isn't talking about bombing a nuclear weapon, but bombing nuclear facilities where they enrich uranium and probably the power plants they are building. Bombing those wouldn't mean a nuclear explosion either (the Israelis bombed the Iraqi nuclear plant in the 80's)
To be clear, I'm not in support of bombing Iran's nuclear plants. I'm just not sure that it would result in the nuclear detonation as you claim. I'm pretty sure we'd have some fallout issues though. I'm betting more intelligent people than I could give more information on that.
Bombing Iran would be incredibly counter-productive and hypocritical in my oh-so-humble-and-largely-irrelevant opinion.
GoCubsGo
(31,916 posts)Someone should tell him that it could render Israel uninhabitable, too.
brewens
(12,955 posts)cause anything like happened in Japan recently, could it?
Joe Bacon
(5,162 posts)Methinks Little Ricky isn't thinking this all the way thru, but then he NEVER does...
AtheistCrusader
(33,982 posts)Dropping a bomb on one would result in something close to Chernobyl, where the core was thrown, burning, into the sky by the force of the explosion.
Uranium is pyrophoric. Add heat and atmosphere, and it burns.
stockholmer
(3,751 posts)LiberalAndProud
(12,799 posts)I would think that the American people are sick to death of getting into wars that we can't win. I don't think this is a good thing for Santorum. I'd be willing to bet it sends his caucus numbers down in Iowa. So much for stealth win, I think.
Of course, I could definitely be wrong.
earthside
(6,960 posts)Frankly, if I were Iran this kind of talk would only reinforce the notion that I better get some nukes fast in order to forestall an attack.
But not just to highlight the insanity of Santorum ... I heard Democratic Congressman Brad Sherman last week on MSNBC saber-rattling with the oil-banking sanctions against Iran, that sends the same message to the Iranian leadership, too, in my opinion.
Of course, as far as I know, there has not been any credible reports or investigations that show that Iran is developing nuclear weapons -- just nuclear power plants.
Angry Dragon
(36,693 posts)Many countries have them
sabbat hunter
(6,811 posts)1) Iran is a signatory to the NPT so they are NOT allowed to have nuclear weapons under that treaty
2) Do you want the insane mullahs that run Iran to have nuclear weapons?
Angry Dragon
(36,693 posts)and I think all countries should get rid of them
However the US uses depleted uranium in Iraq
and is causing all kinds of problems for the citizens
provis99
(13,062 posts)unlike America, the Iranian government hasn't started a war with another country. Maybe it's "insane Yankees" who are the problem, not "insane mullahs".
Bucky
(53,097 posts)And only in the modern sense that anyone who vehemently disagrees with me is insane.
That said, preventing Iran from getting a working bomb is a worthy foreign policy goal. If nothing else, it will compel Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and possibly Egypt to set up secret nuke programs.
BlueMTexpat
(15,265 posts)to pay any attention to those facts. And yes, I agree with you - if anyone acts in an insane manner, it is a country that attacks another country thousands of miles away that never posed any realistic threat to it.
But Iran itself is not helping its own cause with the provocative acts and statements of its rulers - and, by doing so, is providing lots of fodder for those who love to hype the "insane mullah" (or "ayatollah" line and who appear to have learned nothing from our experiences in Afghanistan and Iraq. Of course, so long as the pockets of the warmongers keep being lined by the fruits of war, they will keep advocating for war to the tragedy of all others concerned.
Santorum, like all of the clown car GOP candidates with the possible exception of Ron Paul in this matter would be a willing, even eager, tool. Paul's stance on not promoting war with Iran and his advocacy for a policy other than a "war" on drugs are his only redeeming factors, IMO.
BlueMTexpat
(15,265 posts)MilesColtrane
(18,678 posts)the government giving a bomb to Hezbollah or another terrorist group that it sponsors.
Religious fanatics have a tendency to not care if they get blown up, or are on the receiving end of retribution, as long as they take out their target.
A terrorist organization using an Iranian bomb to hit Jerusalem or New York is the most-feared scenario driving our policy with that country.
Amonester
(11,541 posts)How would any such organization manage to "maintain" (with the appropriate technology... they do not have...) ANY nuclear device, mmm?
I also have a "next" question.
MilesColtrane
(18,678 posts)Kind of a confusing question.
As for maintaining a nuclear weapon, I imagine one could be built that doesn't have a shelf life that would make it
inoperable in 30 days.
If a terrorist org. gets a bomb, it's not like they are going to sit on it and use it to negotiate.
Bucky
(53,097 posts)And for the very reason you state. Iran is plenty dangerous--for their regional aggression, their support of Palestinian terrorism, and the threat they present to Persian Gulf traffic. But they aren't insane. Like most idealogues, they think history is on their side. The idea that all MidEastern religious fanatics are fatalistic suiciders is hysterical Republican marketing of political disinformation.
givemebackmycountry
(6,259 posts)So what if we kill innocent people in the process of Mr. Frothy Mixes war hard on?
He's a "good christian".
Fuck him.
Octafish
(55,745 posts)Via Big Death.
marmar
(76,571 posts)nt
BadGimp
(3,979 posts)The guy is Nuckin Futz, please ignore him.
Don't take my word for it, Google him.
Peace out...
kiranon
(1,727 posts)Hope to see his numbers tank immediately. Tired of these "easy to go to war mongers" who have no concept of the danger to Americans --not to mention the death and destruction from the bombs -- that his comments entail. Diplomacy is not a bad word.
Tomay
(58 posts)which is a good thing, from Santorum's perspective. It will bring Jesus back, after all, and that's what matters. If you're a good Christian (by Santorum's definition) you'll be Raptured away anyway and miss all the destruction. Only the unbelievers will perish. The only good thing about Santorum's candidacy is that he will probably never be nominated for president. Vice president is another matter; I could see Romney picking him to firm up his own support among God-fearing fundie types who think Romney is some kind of non-Christian cultist.
LibDemAlways
(15,139 posts)Bachmann have to be tied for most over-the-top stupendously stupid. Says a lot about the GOP electorate that anyone would vote for these clowns - any of them.
RoccoR5955
(12,471 posts)What a moron!
lunatica
(53,410 posts)They're armed and quite ready to go to war if the need arises. They just tested a mid range missile in the Persian Gulf.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/101414805
edited for spelling
customerserviceguy
(25,183 posts)But was it truly undetectable by radar? I sure don't expect our military to disclose the answer to that, one way or another.
I doubt the Iranian navy is any match for our Navy, if a real shooting war in the Straits of Hormuz did break out.
Confusious
(8,317 posts)They have sunburner ground-to-sea missiles all along the straight.
They skim along the ocean at supersonic speeds. Nothing we have will take them out.
Goodbye any navy in the area.
Blacksheep214
(877 posts)Maybe we need a few garbage scows to hide behind while the 18s go hunting
customerserviceguy
(25,183 posts)This kind of saber rattling really does seem comforting to many Jewish voters who are on the GOP side, and there are loads of them down in Florida. He really could score his third win out of the four January contests with what they would perceive to be a strong pro-Israeli stand on this issue.
Please recall, a lot of Jewish voters in NYC used the special election in the Wiener district to play "send a message". I don't see why they wouldn't do that with the Florida primary, too.
Behind the Aegis
(53,272 posts)customerserviceguy
(25,183 posts)Behind the Aegis
(53,272 posts)You implied Israel was the only issue.
ronnie624
(5,764 posts)were running around threatening to bomb the United States, I wonder what the U.S. reaction would be.
Major Hogwash
(17,656 posts)Never.
GreenStormCloud
(12,072 posts)The Iranian nuclear sites are well known to be underground and dispersed. Very difficult to impossible to hit. Likely that we don't even know the exact location underground of the sites.
jimlup
(7,968 posts)As I suspect it would accelerate Iran's nuclear program substantially. I can't think of a more destabilizing move than that.
lovuian
(19,362 posts)for healthcare education and social security
and yet
feel its ok to spend billions on a War with Iran
Amonester
(11,541 posts)Follow the money.
no_hypocrisy
(44,391 posts)Tell Rick Santorum what you really think of this great idea.
RobertBlue
(81 posts)Same old crap.
WHEN CRABS ROAR
(3,813 posts)Not that I would.
gordianot
(15,191 posts)Republican fascist stupidity tough talk
tabasco
(22,974 posts)Bwaaaaak bwaaaaak!!!
Response to onehandle (Original post)
Tesha This message was self-deleted by its author.
HopeHoops
(47,675 posts)
Mosaic
(1,451 posts)Why do people become fake Christians?
Gregorian
(23,867 posts)We're first in terms of military might, and probably last in terms of our lowest denominator. And by that, I mean the fools who think no one is watching as they demonstrate their ignorance. Little do they know. The whole world is cringing.
sarcasmo
(23,949 posts)Blacksheep214
(877 posts)Damn, we are chicken shit afraid of everything! The proof is bringing out air raids against groups of 20. Anyone think we over-react.
Santorum is an idiot who due to his religious convictions is dangerous. These types will ensure their twisted prophecy comes to pass. No Thanks!
Kerry said it and I said it. You don't send armies to handle terror cells. These are intel and special ops. How many lives and money could we have saved. Did our Army get Bin Ladin? NO!
Santorum has not learned from history making him unqualified to lead.
That's besides his inability to see all Americans as equal. I guess what his God said doesn't matter when it comes to politics. Hypocrite!
Skittles
(152,139 posts)fascisthunter
(29,381 posts)who hides behind a god for a disguise.
unkachuck
(6,295 posts)....well that clears that up....now that we're down one war it's nice to know sanatorium is ready to get America back up to speed by starting a new war of aggression....on the cheap of course; he's a 'fiscal conservative'....
....hear that Wal-Mart?....you may pray to Christ, Buddha or the eleven dimensions of M-theory for profit, but four new years of war will bring no fiscal responsibility or put any new money in the pockets of consumers if sanatorium becomes president....
DallasNE
(7,360 posts)He certainly couldn't get United Nations approval because of a veto, if nothing else. Iran does not represent the immanent threat for executive action. Could he get a Congressional resolution for war against Iran? That is not very likely either so where would he get the legal authority?
Blacksheep214
(877 posts)It's ok if a Republican does it. Ask Bush/Cheney the traitors.
Dragonbreathp9d
(2,542 posts)Jim Lane
(11,175 posts)Some people will read http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rick_Santorum#Iran_nuclear_capability who don't read DU.
lunasun
(21,646 posts)Response to onehandle (Original post)
freshwest This message was self-deleted by its author.
Javaman
(62,059 posts)Blue Owl
(48,309 posts)The new warmongering celebrity power couple
IcyPeas
(21,102 posts)pro life
pro bombing Muslims
they must pray to Ares, the Greek god of war.
indepat
(20,899 posts)
carla
(553 posts)them with dead babies? Or just to make more dead babies? Rick Santorum, the dead baby candidate?