Push Democrats in Congress to take this on NOW. Some want to, but others would rather not have to talk about this. It is to the credit of progressive Democrats that opposing an on going American presense inside Iraq is no longer a controversial position for virtually any Democrast to take. Unfortunately, taking a clear position on how the United States should be dealing with Iran still carries "political risks", since many Democrats are still afraid of being seen as soft on security issues. We've been here before friends, in 2002.
Support Democrats, like Kerry and Clark, who are willing to discuss the dangers inherent with another regional military escalation, BEFORE it happens.
I recorded General Clark making these comments while he was campaigning for Democrats in New Hampshire in October:
"We're being set up again, just like we were with Iraq, and what I've found in my life is, generally that if you want a war, you can have one.
Most people are about equally brave, most people will fight. Most people love their families, they love their homes, they believe that whatever they believe in is the single one way to truth, reconciliation and the after life, and most people will fight for it. Most people are not philosophical about it, and whether you're walking into a bar in New York City after the Red Sox have played the Yankees, or whether you're dealing with the Bosnians and the Serbs, or whether you're talking about Christians and Iranians.
People will fight for what they believe in. So if we want a war with a billion Muslims, we can probably have one. I don't think we want one, we certainly don't need one, and we should do everything we can to prevent it."
On that same weekend I also recorded Wes Clark making these comments regarding pending war with Iran. I note that he made these comments BEFORE Democrats retook Congress in November, which Clark was then passionately arguing that we had to do everything in our power to make happen. The threat Clark describes suffered a set back with a Democratic victory, but by no means has it been eliminated. Again, this is transcribed from my own recording:
"I think that we're in a very dangerous position because not only is the clock ticking in North Korea, but the clock is ticking in Iran. The President has basically lined up his statements so that he can not live with the possibility of an Iranian nuclear weapon, and he has made a half hearted effort at diplomacy. We're not talking with Iran directly. He's made a half hearted effort at diplomacy, I believe, so that diplomacy will fail. And then, his plan is, sometime in the Spring of 2007, which is not so far away, he's going to come on Television, he's going to say:
'My fellow Americans. For 5 years we've watched the evil empire of Iran struggle to prepare nuclear weapons. Although our intelligence is not perfect, we have enough information to assure us that they're making progress.
As I told, and promised you, we will not allow the worst weapons to fall into the hands of the worst people. Iran is a state that supports Terrorists. For the good of humanity they can not be permitted to have nuclear weapons. We've asked our Allies to help, we've gone to the United Nations, we've asked the Iranians to forbear, nothing has worked. There is no option remaining, but to use America's military superiority to address this growing and gathering threat.
As I speak to you tonight, the first bombers are over Tehran. We will not falter, we will not fail, we will not be denied, and America will prevent Iran from having nuclear weapons.
Thank You my fellow Americans'
More recently, following Bush's State of the Union Address, Wes Clark had this response to a FOX news jock:
Alan Colmes: He had some really strong rhetoric tonight about Iran, about the threat from Iran, about terrorists working with Iran. Do you think he is preparing the country for a possible military action toward that country?
GENERAL WESLEY CLARK: Yes, I do. I think that the…the…the statements about Iran continue to ratchet up the pressure and uh, lay the groundwork for taking action.
Sean Hannity: General Clark
GENERAL WESLEY CLARK:: And I think it’s very dangerous.
Link for video and transcript of Clark's entire appearance:
http://securingamerica.com/node/2163 I really don't want to be on DU listening to all the shock and outrage expressed by members here after Bush attacks Iran,if very few of those same people were willing to pay much attention to that threat now, before it is to late.