BIDEN told us back in June not to worry about Iran.

[jillan]

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-526337859449397787&q=biden+iran&total=41&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=3

What was your candidate saying in June about Iran?

[Ian David]

1. We. Are. All. Going. To. Die. n/t

[eleny]

2. Let's see - well he was saying this way back when in '06

http://www.mohammadmossadegh.com/news/dennis-kucinich/false-iran-report/

"Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich (D-OH), Ranking Member of the House Government Reform Subcommittee on National Security, Emerging Threats and International Relations, today, called on Chairman Christopher Shays (R-CT) to hold hearings on a false and misleading report approved by the Director of National Intelligence, John Negroponte, on Iran’s nuclear weapon capabilities.

September 15, 2006

Dear Mr. Chairman:

According to the Washington Post ("U.N. Inspectors Dispute Iran Report by House Panel", September 14, 2006), the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) conducted a prepublication review of a House Intelligence Committee staff report on Iran which has come under scrutiny for making false, misleading and unsubstantiated assertions about Iran’s nuclear program."

Thanks for asking!!! :hi:

[jillan]

4. Good for Dennis!!

[eleny]

5. And I like Biden's stand on the issue, too!

Using the "I" word liberally is music to my ears.

[TwilightZone]

3. He was certainly correct on that.

The hype about Iran, of course, is being plugged by the same people who sold "us" on Iraq.

[jillan]

7. And I cannot believe how the others fell for it again---

[TwilightZone]

15. I'm not sure that they "fell" for it.

I think it's more likely that they knew the situation, but were trying to look "tough" on foreign policy.

[PatSeg]

6. So many bad guys and so little time!

:nuke:

[skipos]

8. Biden was right.

As for "my candidate," I don't have one yet.

[jillan]

11. Well - - - Let me tell you about my candidate

http://www.joebiden.com/home

:)

[gateley]

9. Biden's take on Iran's nuclear readiness.

NOTE: I'm cutting and pasting this from another thread I posted on today because it's applicable.

This was in response to an inane comment by Giuliani - plus, if you'll recall, Biden said essentially the same thing during the previous debate:

Biden: "He talks about it like Iran . . . is on the verge of getting that are deployable and usable, when that is simply not the case. . . If they are able to set up 30,000 gas centrifuges and connect them all and keep them running without interruption for one year, that would produce enough highly enriched uranium - 2.6 kilograms - to build one bomb. That doesn't even get them near the capacity to . . . put it in a warhead . . . put it on top of a missile, and make it a deliverable system. . . They are probably somewhere between four and 10 years away from even being able to build a nuclear weapon, let alone making it usable. . . To me that demonstrates that he either doesn't have a grasp of the facts or that he is just engaging in fear-mongering."


I'm believing Biden on this -- and all foreign policy statements, come to think of it. He's surely the one who knows what's going on and let's us know the facts.

I'm posting this now because of the new intel report on Iran's LACK of nukes, and in anticipation of what Bushco will counter with.


Regardless of whether you like him or not, he's probably the one we should look to regarding foreign policy facts and guidance. I'm looking forward to his comment on this latest story.

http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/oped... /

[question everything]

10. Even though Richardson claims to have foreign policy

experience, it is Biden who shows his knowledge and wisdom in debates and interviews.

We could "afford" to have Clinton in 1992 and Bush in 2000 with no foreign policy experience. We cannot afford this now.

[WheelWalker]

12. Joe's good! He's very, VERY good!

[terisan]

13. As chairperson of Foreign Relations Comm. did he have info others did not have?

I would think he would have had info the the facts regarding Iran and that he is required to not share those details with senators not on the committee.

If so I appreciate his letting the message get out to the public and also his statement about impeaching Bush if he attacks Iran, but I can't blame those who did not have the inside info if they did not do the same.

[jillan]

14. Dodd and Obama are on the SFRC.

Boxer is as well, and she usually votes with Biden.

[terisan]

31. If Biden has given us the info, he deserves praise. nt

[Think82]

16. Kick!

[slipslidingaway]

17. Kucinich knew this in 9/06 before the Iran Freedom Act vote and

spoke out against the bill.


Iran: There Is Another War Being Planned

http://www.kucinichforcongress.com/floor_speeches/intl_iran27sep.php

"Mr. Speaker, Hans Blix, former chief U.N. weapons inspector, cautioned the U.S. before it attacked Iraq that Iraq was not an imminent threat. He was right. Iraq did not have weapons of mass destruction. Now America is more vulnerable than ever because of this administration's pathological deceptions.

"Yesterday, Dr. Blix said Iran is not an imminent threat and we should open up direct talks with Iran, not attack Iran. He is right again.

"Last week Intelligence Committee staff reports' deliberate distortion of the degree of Iran's uranium enrichment was exposed by the International Atomic Energy Agency. Nevertheless, according to credible reports, the administration has had covert operations in Iran, selected 1,500 bombing targets, and is preparing a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which will set the stage, not only for a war against Iran, but also for $5-a-gallon gasoline.

"Meanwhile, the State Department and the Department of Defense will not even appear in classified briefings to discuss the plans for a war against Iran.

"Wake up, America. There is another war being planned."


Iran: Another Iraq WMD Hoax
Dennis Kucinich speaking from the Floor of the House

http://www.kucinichforcongress.com/floor_speeches/iran_iran28sep.php

Link to this entry in the Congressional Record
Sep 28, 2006

"Iran should not have nuclear weapons; and, along with the United States as a signatory to the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, should work with the community of nations to abolish all nuclear weapons, as is the express intent of the NPT.

"However, this Administration is trying to create an international crisis by inflating Iran's nuclear development into another Iraq WMD hoax. There they go again.

"Today, the House will consider a bill which will give the Administration a pass on covert activities it has already undertaken in Iran to attempt to destabilize the government. Additionally, today's bill will enable another Rendon-type propaganda machine to feed the US media a steady stream of lies, all to set the stage for a war against Iran.

"Think about it: this, without a single hearing on Iran in this Congress. Think about it: this, while the State Department and DOD are ducking even classified briefings.

"There is a Chinese proverb that says: Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Will Congress be fooled again into supporting still another war against still another nation, which is not an imminent threat and which has no intention nor capability of attacking the United States?"



"H.R. 6198 <109th>: Iran Freedom Support Act

To hold the current regime in Iran accountable for its threatening behavior and to support a transition to democracy in Iran."

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h109-6198

"Introduced Sep 27, 2006
Passed House

Sep 28, 2006
Passed Senate Sep 30, 2006
Signed by President Sep 30, 2006

This bill became law."

[1corona4u]

18. Good for Dennis too!

[slipslidingaway]

19. Biden should have known this in 9/06, why not question the

administration at the time? Then he voted for the Iran Freedom Act?

Where were all the candidates in 2006 and 2007 when the administration was beating the war drums, they had access to the information as well!

If I were a supporter of any of the other candidates who remained silent and did not question them when this information came out in 2006 I would seriously rethink my position.

Fool me once, twice, shall we go for three?

Millions of people displaced, injured or dead and 1 to 3 trillion dollars from U.S. citizens for the last mistake and they do not speak out against the intel being wrong on Iran?



http://www.kucinichforcongress.com/floor_speeches/intl_iran27sep.php

"Last week Intelligence Committee staff reports' deliberate distortion of the degree of Iran's uranium enrichment was exposed by the International Atomic Energy Agency. Nevertheless, according to credible reports, the administration has had covert operations in Iran, selected 1,500 bombing targets, and is preparing a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which will set the stage, not only for a war against Iran, but also for $5-a-gallon gasoline.

"Meanwhile, the State Department and the Department of Defense will not even appear in classified briefings to discuss the plans for a war against Iran.

"Wake up, America..."

[jillan]

20. This bill never passed the Senate - it is dead in the sfrc

this is all I could find on it -
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s109-333

Note that Biden wasn't even a co-sponsor.

Show me a link where he voted for this? Because I cannot find one.

edit to add this link -

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s109-3971

This bill never became law. This bill was proposed in a previous session of Congress. Sessions of Congress last two years, and at the end of each session all proposed bills and resolutions that haven't passed are cleared from the books.

:shrug:

[slipslidingaway]

23. You have the wrong version of the bill, see link in #17. n/t

[jillan]

24. That is all I could find for the Senate.

[slipslidingaway]

28. Direct link

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h109-6198

[jillan]

29. I saw that - but if you look further down, it says it is dead in the sfrc.

It's confusing because it also says it passed.

I am not trying to take anything away from Kucinich. He is the peace candidate. I like Dennis.
And I apologize that I did not give him more credit in my post. Biden was the first of the candidates in the Senate to wake up and speak out about Iran - and Iraq. That was the point I wanted to make. It was more against the others . . . not Dennis.

[slipslidingaway]

30. Dennis is the people's candidate as his votes reflect...

and the other candidates can all agree with each other as they voted for many of the same things.

This bill did become law FWIW...more money for propaganda :shrug:

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h109-6198

from Thomas link

"9/27/2006 Introduced in House
9/28/2006 Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
9/30/2006 Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
9/30/2006 Signed by President.
9/30/2006 Became Public Law No: 109-293 "

http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=109_cong_public_laws&docid=f:publ293.109


"SEC. 302. ASSISTANCE TO SUPPORT DEMOCRACY FOR IRAN.

(a) Authorization.--
(1) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law,
the President is authorized to provide financial and political
assistance (including the award of grants) to foreign and
domestic individuals, organizations, and entities working for
the purpose of supporting and promoting democracy for Iran. Such
assistance may include the award of grants to eligible

<[Page 120 STAT. 1348>]

independent pro-democracy radio and television broadcasting
organizations that broadcast into Iran....


(f) Duration.--The authority to provide assistance under this
section shall expire on December 31, 2011.

(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to the Secretary of State such sums as may be necessary to
carry out this section..."

[1corona4u]

21. You know what...

I'm not going to debate this. It is what it is. If you're just looking for people to tell you; "Dennis was right", I already did that. Don't slam Biden to make DK look better. It just has the opposite effect on most people. I'm sure Biden did know it back then. It wasn't the topic/article the OP chose to post.

[jillan]

22. I want to see where Biden voted for it.

I get really tired of people saying he did something that he didn't.
I need a link. Just want the facts :P

If I am wrong, then fine. I will admit it.

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

25. Looks like no vote was recorded in either house. Unanimous consent

Votes on Passage
Sep 28, 2006: This bill passed in the House of Representatives by voice vote. A record of each representative's position was not kept.
Sep 30, 2006: This bill passed in the Senate by Unanimous Consent. A record of each representative's position was not kept.

I don't doubt DK was right, but this isn't much of a test case, since Fiengold and Kennedy and (fill in name of favorite senator) all voted for it by not objecting to the UC vote.

[slipslidingaway]

27. Well I guess is was harmless in that it did not call for military

action and you are right about the Senate vote??? Unfortunately there was no recorded vote in the House, although there is a least one earlier version with a recorded vote.

I doubt many voted against this bill, Rep. James McDermott appears to have voted no.

It is curious that information comes out about the nuclear program and then a few weeks later this bill is passed.

:shrug:

One thing that should have been learned is that nobody should give an inch to this administration :)


Hopefully this link to the statements page works which is the source for the quoted remarks.

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/record.xpd?id=109-h20060928-31&bill=h109-6198#sMonofilemx003Ammx002Fmmx002Fmmx002Fmhomemx002Fmgovtrackmx002Fmdatamx002Fmusmx002Fm109mx002Fmcrmx002Fmh20060928-31.xmlElementm24m0m0m


"Rep. James McDermott :

Mr. Speaker, the American people need to know the Republican majority today has created the House Failed Diplomacy Caucus.

The Republicans need another press release before they go home, so we have 20 minutes to offer our thoughts on a bad bill sent to the floor by Republicans to show how tough they are.

Showing how smart we are would be a far better idea for dealing with nations like Iran and Iraq. But global diplomacy isn't the stuff of press releases; rhetoric is. So the Republicans have shut down debate by bringing legislation to the floor under a closed rule. They don't want ideas or improvements for making the world a safer place. They want leaflets to drop during the campaign, and they are being printed en mass right now. It is the Republican Iraq strategy all over again. Different nation, same flawed approach.

Republicans have given us H.R. 6198, the We Run the World Act. There is no need for other nations to actually have governments, actually. We will send our press releases. Just follow along, Russia, Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, Lebanon, and anywhere else where we think we run them.

Republicans want Americans to point the finger and send along instructions. They are staging a campaign event right here on the floor. You watch how quick it makes it into the ads of television.

This is not, not, going to help America chart a path to deal with what is wrong with the Iranian government. No one disagrees with the fact that it is not a government we want in control of that country. It will only entrench and bolster those who are wrong.

The press release won't protect anybody. But, in fact, the Iranian dissidents don't want the money. Do you know why? Just like many Republicans today don't want Bush to come into their district and put his arm around them in the midst of this campaign, the Iranian dissidents know that, if it becomes American money, they are done. They will not be able to do what they need to. We need to vote "no" on this initiative."

[slipslidingaway]

26. Well the information was out there for people to know. And if it

does not matter to you that the administration has been trying to beat the war drums against Iran while some elected officials and candidates remained silent that's your choice.

And the poster made a statement that Biden was the first to be right on Iran in another thread and replied to me with a link to this thread. Which then asked the question "What was your candidate saying in June about Iran?"

Challenging someone on the facts is not a slam or an attack.

[murbley40]

32. kick