Reply #82: What makes you think nukes are the issue at all?

[txaslftist]

That's the stated issue. Just like "WMDs" were the stated issue with Iraq.

Every administration since Carter has had as its express goal "regime change" in Iran. Not stopping their nuke program, not spreadin' freedom, not helping with human rights. All of that is window dressing; lipstick on a pig.

Here are some of the reasons we will attack Iran:

1. They nationalized their enormous oil patch and deny multinational oil companies access to it. Those multinationals are the companies who built their oil infrastructure, and they feel like they own it. This is why we installed the Shah in the 50s, and we'd like to do it again.

2. They have begun selling their oil in euros and yen, resulting in a flight from the dollar, which weakens our ability to manipulate other nations with our currency and may lead to great budgetary difficulties in the US government when other countries refuse to buy US treasuries.

3. They are a regional rival to Israel, and provide an idealogical counterpoint to Israel's expansion, a challenge to Israel's military supremacy, and support for groups within Greater Israel's Palestinian population.

4. They are sitting astride an oil patch that Cheney and various of his Stink Tank pals think is "strategically vital" to the U.S. and they aren't a US puppet. This is intolerable.

None of this has anything whatsoever to do with nukes. It never had anything to do with nukes. It never will have anything to do with nukes. Nukes are, like WMDs, a fantasy rationale to accomplish objectives that the American people would find objectionable. Just like Ahmadinejad's alleged holocaust denials and threats to wipe Israel off the map are propaganda designed, like Saddam's supposed torture palaces and killing fields, to make attacking Iran palatable.

And you're right. Bush isn't dumb. Which is why you'll never hear the real reasons we are attacking Iran coming from his mouth.