Comments on: The Plan For Iran

By: M. B. Moon

M. B. Moon — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 11:31:12 +0000

Our military-industrial complex is contemptible. It is was one thing to justify it when the largest empire in the world threatened US (the Soviet Union) but now it is obvious to me that it is an expensive boondoggle seeking and making enemies needlessly.

Give peace a chance? I wish.

“What if a war was declared and no one showed up?”

“The truce began on Christmas Eve, 24 December 1914, when German troops began decorating the area around their trenches in the region of Ypres, Belgium, for Christmas. They began by placing candles on trees, then continued the celebration by singing Christmas carols, most notably Stille Nacht (Silent Night). The British troops in the trenches across from them responded by singing English carols.

The two sides continued by shouting Christmas greetings to each other. Soon thereafter, there were calls for visits across the “No Man’s Land” where small gifts were exchanged — whisky, jam, cigars, chocolate, and the like. The soldiers exchanged gifts, sometimes addresses, and drank together. The artillery in the region fell silent that night. The truce also allowed a breathing spell where recently-fallen soldiers could be brought back behind their lines by burial parties. Proper burials took place as soldiers from both sides mourned the dead together and paid their respects.

The truce spread to other areas of the lines, and there are many stories of football matches between the opposing forces.

In many sectors, the truce lasted through Christmas night, but in some areas, it continued until New Year’s Day.

The truce occurred in spite of opposition at higher levels of the military.” from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_truce [bold added]

By: Myron Pauli

Myron Pauli — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 02:22:35 +0000

Avigdor has more sense than his namesake Joe.

In the 1970’s, the Shah arranged to have some 54 Iranian-selected grad students studying nuclear engineering at MIT for a premium tuition. This was encouraged by Carter’s State Department. I said at the time, “What is the Shah going to do – have a plutonium Tupperware party?” It was, of course, a stupid idea to encourage a “friendly” but unstable nation to get a nuclear capability. So, as usual, we helped fuel another mess.

The advanced nations just need to stop sending the advanced nuclear technology to Iran, which will stall these efforts considerably. Wars are NOT NECESSARY and will just switch from one bad situation to an alternative worse situation. Our financial resources are already straining from maintaining the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan (plus tens of thousands of troops in Korea, Okinawa, Italy, and Germany). Pakistan – which has nukes – is close to implosion. Smashing Iran, another 75 million people with considerable experience in crafting IED’s and suicide bombers – is really asking for it. Admittedly, war could happen were Iran to strike the first blow – but for us to preempt once more would be MADNESS.

By: M. B. Moon

M. B. Moon — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 22:25:46 +0000

Ah, Ilana! You are one engaged woman. We agree quite a lot but you back up your beliefs with relevant data.