Following Podhoretz’s Lead, Right Wing Continues Push For ‘Bombing Campaign’ Against Iran ‘Now’

[laststeamtrain]

Following Podhoretz’s Lead, Right Wing Continues Push For ‘Bombing Campaign’ Against Iran ‘Now’

In the June 2007 issue of Commentary, neoconservative icon Norman Podhoretz laid out “The Case for Bombing Iran,” in which he argued that “the only prudent–indeed, the only responsible–course” is to “strike” Iran “as soon as it is logistically possible.” Though the recent NIE has slowed down hawkish belligerence towards Iran a bit, Podhoretz is still arguing that President Bush should take “military action” against Iran “soon.”

In a new article for Commentary, titled “Stopping Iran: Why the Case for Military Action Still Stands,” he argues that Bush should commence with a “bombing campaign”:

<snip>

Podhoretz isn’t alone in his desire to keep pushing for an attack on Iran. Ever since Podhoretz’s recent article was released online, right-wing radio host Hugh Hewitt has been promoting it, encouraging his audience to “read the whole thing. Twice.” Hewitt has also been asking his guests, including New York Times columnist William Kristol, if they agree with Podhoretz’s assessment. Scarily, they do.

Bill Kristol:

HEWITT: Bill Kristol, do you think it is possible, not even likely, but just possible that the Bush administration will take military action against Iran in their last year?

KRISTOL: I think it’s possible. I think people were a little too quick after that National Intelligence Estimate came out, which was, I think, an attempt by the intelligence agencies to prevent the Bush administration from sort of seriously considering taking action. And I think people were too quick to say ooh, that rules it out, you know, they’re just paralyzed for the next year.

National Review’s Mark Steyn:

If we had a CIA that actually did anything, as opposed to sitting around Langley reading e-mail all day, we would be able to do that. But because we haven’t done that, the bombing option is becoming the only one that will be left, if not for this president, then for somebody.

<more>

http://thinkprogress.org/2008/01/18/npod-bomb-iran/

*

Are there any 'Podhoretz Democrats'?

Gawd, I hope not but there probably are. 'Lieberdems'.

I hope none of our candidates pander to them. Let them vote for McCain or Rudy.

[PaDem]

1. Rudy! Rudy! Rudy!

The people are calling you Rudy!

[AlCzervik]

2. i don't know if you've ever read this article but Podhoretz is mentioned in it along with others

that would like to bomb Iran, the article is about one of those cruises that feature conservatives, it's scary and pretty funny.
http://www.alternet.org/story/57001/

[Mz Pip]

3. Isn't Podhoretz

a Rudy advisor? Ugh.

I can see Bush doing what he wants and starting something in Iran then smirking all the while he packs up his office knowing the mess he's left Barack or Hillary or John.

He'll wait until the election and if a Democrat is elected he'll do something in late November or Dec. If a Republican is elected he'll leave the plans on the desk.

Mz Pip
:dem:

[AlCzervik]

4. he is.

[bananas]

5. Did you see these?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x2710655
WTF? Congress Dismisses NIE, Declares Iran a Nuclear Threat

Congress Dismisses NIE, declares Iran a nuclear threat
Thu, 01/17/2008 - 20:35 - Wire Services

Iran poses a nuclear weapons threat to the United States and its allies, according to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 H R 4986 passed 369-46 by the US House of Representative yesterday, even though the National Intelligence Estimate concluded that that Tehran abandoned its atomic weaponry ambitions in 2003.

Section 229 of the Act states that:

Congress finds that Iran maintains a nuclear program in continued defiance of the international community while developing ballistic missiles of increasing sophistication and range that:
(1) pose a threat to--
(A) the forward-deployed forces of the United States;
(B) North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) allies in Europe; and
(C) other allies and friendly foreign countries in the region; and
(2) eventually could pose a threat to the United States homeland.

HR 4986 mandates that it is the policy of the US to "develop, test, and deploy, as soon as technologically feasible, in conjunction with allies and friendly foreign countries whenever possible, an effective defense against the threat from Iran."

Essentially, this calls for the establishment of the controversial missile defense shield, which is threatening to reignite the cold war and start a new arms race with Russia.

The findings of the Congress contradict the NIE released last month which concluded with “high confidence” that “in fall 2003, Tehran halted its nuclear weapons program” and that "Tehran had not restarted its nuclear weapons program as of mid-2007".


http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x3145800
Nicholas Burns, US undersecretary on Iran resigned suddenly today
whew. THis is strange. Did Cheneyites force him out?

[IDemo]

6. My take ->

Some day, Podhoretz, John Yoo, David Addington, John Bolton and Bill Kristol will share a padded cell. The barking sounds will be deafening.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x2429775