The National Intelligence Estimate re Iran's nuclear program was invaluable in reducing the insane war fever, but in truth if Iran enriches uranium (as it can legally do) it will be close to being able to make nuclear weapons. So there is a time factor. It is important to negotiate a timely settlement with Iran that will guarantee its security in exchange for its willingness to forego domestic uranium enrichment. This doesn't justify Obama's dangerous rhetoric, but it is important to keep in mind.

So I will ask once again, why is William Perry worried? Why did he say what he said? (please do not provide a moronic conspiracy theory).

Because he's smart enough to recognize there's a danger. He said nothing of a likelihood of such an attack (which is really at the low-end of probability).

Learn to distinguish between the two concepts and you'll avoid unnecessary embarrassment.

Obama's got to deal with the same nasty world that Bush faced. Until I see otherwise, I trust he will be prudent and do what he needs to do to maintain security (job number 1 for a US President).

Except it isn't. The Oath of Office reads:

"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."

Article II of the US Constitution provides the office of the President the following powers:

1. "Be commander in chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the militia of the several states, when called into the actual service of the United States;"

2. Grant pardons (except in cases of impeachment).

3. Make treaties with the concurrence of 2/3rds of the Senate.

4. Nominate and appoint (with the advice and consent of the Senate) ambassadors, other public ministers/consuls, judges of the Supreme Court, and all other officers of the United States.

5. The power to fill vacancies during recess of the Senate.

That's it. And before you get too excited about #1, keep in mind Article I.8.14 empowers the Congress to make all rules concerning the conduct and use of the Army and Navy. All the President does there, going by the letter of the Constitution, is execute the directives of Congress.

The fact Congress has abdicated its responsibilities there is more a reflection upon them than a reason to grant greater faith to the President. I don't dispute the world is an unstable and hostile place to US interests, but then again its always been so. Carrying on with policies that have prove counterproductive (to be polite about it) isn't that smart in such an environment.

Then again, given its you, I shouldn't be surprised you want ot stick with what doesn't work.

They teach us a lot! In fact, if I may be so bold, we see here exhibited a relationship which has puzzled many, but can be easily illustrated by two of our posters. Listen up, cless! Fust cless edumacation like this you can't get wholesale!

"A schlemiel walks the forest, and the tress fall down, the schlamazel follows him, and the trees always fall on him!"

Is the way my Dad told me about it so many years ago.

Now we see; Wallaby is the schlemeil and Steele the schlamazel!!

"So, yes, he was destroyed."

-- Steele The First

Sounds tragic. I wonder why I continue to get letters from him each month, then. There's some guy that looks a lot like him that is currently working diligently (and extremely effectively) to eradicate river blindness, provide trained health professionals to 3rd world countries, improve sanitation and hygiene throughout the world, helping perfect agricultural techniques for increased grain production, etc., etc. He was even on Jon Stewart's show not too long ago. He looked great. I guess it was all an act.

I'm curious, since you've obviously escaped the powerful grip of the evil Zionist overlords living under your bed, what have you accomplished with your life to compare to the "destroyed" Jimmy Carter? Or are Zionists keeping you unproductive?

The shortest version @Jestaplero

There is a ticking bomb in New York City...

There is no logical difference, whatsoever, between the argument that Jestaplero is making with respect to Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and the argument Alan Dershowitz made with respect to the ticking bomb.

You don't understand my position. Dershowitz was saying torture might be justified under certain circumstances.

I think it's never justified - but neither do I think KSM gets to walk just because Bush tortured him. I think the Bush officials who ordered torture should be prosecuted, too.

"I don't hate Jews. I hate ass-holes. And if ass-holes defend their ass-ness with Judaism, then it looks like I hate Jews."

I suppose you could learn to critique the assholes without larding your conversation with the worst kind of anti-semetic tropes, but that wouldn't be any fun, would it?

Nah, that would suck! Cause once you had a discourse on which to criticise assholes without anti-semetism doing the job of throwing the discussion out the window, you might have to actually know something.

By using anti-semetism, you can know everything!

Someone says:

to maintain security [is] job number 1 for a US President

The LL responds:

Except it isn't.

I think Jimmy Carter is the only American with a Southern accent I can listen to and not want to throttle. Maybe it's not the accent.

He's a wonderful guy, a good Presodent, and the attempts to tear him down are disgusting.

The National Intelligence Estimate re Iran's nuclear program was invaluable in reducing the insane war fever, but in truth if Iran enriches uranium (as it can legally do) it will be close to being able to make nuclear weapons. So there is a time factor. It is important to negotiate a timely settlement with Iran that will guarantee its security in exchange for its willingness to forego domestic uranium enrichment. This doesn't justify Obama's dangerous rhetoric, but it is important to keep in mind.

What you said is not the truth. Apparently, you appear to know little to nothing about the term "Weapons Grade" and/or IAEA safeguarded reactors.

Gordon Prather's articles are a good start:

http://www.antiwar.com/prather/