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Because for Mahmoud Ahmadinejad religion and religious objectives seem to trump secular policy objectives, as it does for the religious leadership who have ultimate power -- that is why the US, the EU and even the Russians and Chinese regard a nuclear Iran with consternation, but are calmer about India and (depending on what happens) Pakistan. Everyone is afraid that Iran will nuke say Israel for some doctrinal isue, or use the nukes against Sunni Saudi Arabia.
And how is Palin different -- again and again a religious imperative seems to drive her actions. Take for example the row about making rape victims in Wasilla pay for the Rape Kit (the evidentiary kit and medical exam, which costs $300-1400.) There is a strong smell that this was driven because such rape kits include "emergency contraception." And to the anti-abortion lobby, the morning after pill is a contraceptive -- and I know this. In the 1980s a friend in Dublin where I was in college, a doctor (Psychiatrist) worked in a rape crisis center and I was present for a huge row with her GP boyfriend when she discussed the measures taken for rape victims -- he freaked when she said "and we give them the morning after pill" ranting on and on about it being an abortifaciant. Think about this -- she preferred that Wasila ask rape victims, just after the medical exam for a cheque than run the risk that they might choose emergency contraception -- this woman is extreme.
Now we have her asking her Church to pray that US soldiers are on a mission from God! And what do the Taliban, Al Quaeda, etc. believe? These religious whack-jobs were among the biggest backers of the religious wing of the Majhadin in Afghanistan that became the Talibam -- hell, I read speeches by US fundamentalists lauding the Taliban right up until they took office.
There is a difference between her, Biden and Obama here and it is an important one ... Biden and Obama have, whatever their religious views embraced the idea of a secular humanists state .. that what happens in this world is more important than the next ... Palin has not, for her serving her conception of God's is the most important thing, and if third parties suffer, raped women, hell raped children, bear their rapist's children, that is God's will.
So here is the question, what will Ahmadinejad or Khamenei do if they think Allah wants them to nuke someone? What will Palin do if using nukes is necessary to bring the "End-Times" and the "Rapture" -- could you conceive of Obama or Biden doing the same? And what about other policy issues -- West Bank settlements? a Palestinian state? Will she make policy decisions based on the facts, or on God's will?
And by the way, if the Republicans spread stories about Obama the Muslin -- why not Sarah the Fundamentalist Whacko! Are we going to disarm because the fully loaded for bear Republicans say we should?
