Obama administration asks for 10% military budget cut

[Vertigo]

I said diplomacy doesn't work w/Iran because their government isn't rational. Diplomacy can work with rational states when power is on your side.

You are correct, however, when the rational citizens of their country see the U.S. offering up the peace pipe and their government stomping it into the ground that COULD spur a new revolution. If we look like the bad guys then no change can come about. If we come off as the good guys and their government come off as the bad guys then there is a greater chance for change in that country. Change to something we could work with.

If it doesn't work, it doesn't work. We haven't lost anything. But if it does then great. That's my only point really.

[flyusaf83]

You are correct, however, when the rational citizens of their country see the U.S. offering up the peace pipe and their government stomping it into the ground that COULD spur a new revolution. If we look like the bad guys then no change can come about. If we come off as the good guys and their government come off as the bad guys then there is a greater chance for change in that country. Change to something we could work with.

If it doesn't work, it doesn't work. We haven't lost anything. But if it does then great. That's my only point really.

In theory, I agree with you completely, but there is a huge problem. For diplomacy to work with Iran in the way you are describing, Obama has to have military operations on the table. He has made abundantly clear that he will not go to war with Iran at any level. Politically, it is nearly impossible for Obama to use military options with Iran because of his past statements and base of support. Iran knows this. That's why the diplomacy will not work and will be counter-productive. They have nothing to lose. It will only give them a chance at political grandstanding with the most powerful nation on earth. They will use it as propaganda to their cause. And I can see Obama giving the concessions as a measure of "good will" just as Chamberlain did. Iran will go into the meetings knowing that things can't get worse for them and only better. Obama has already chopped off his own balls in the meetings by vowing not to use military options. Win-win situation for Iran, lose-lose for the US.

[yerfer]

I found this on youtube. Something to think about.

[Ill Destructor]

Don't worry. We may be going to war with Iran and the rest of the Middle East, but Obama has got your car covered with a government-backed car warranty. https://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090330/ap_on_..._wh/obama_autos

[Guest Hueypilot812]

From the article on Yahoo! posted above:

Other presidents have forced showdowns with major industries, with mixed results. Harry Truman's decision to nationalize the steel industry on the eve of a strike in 1952 was ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. But Ronald Reagan succeeded in busting the air traffic controllers' union three decades later.

It seems the news media have gotten it wrong again. They try to paint Reagan as a president who exerted government control over industry, but fail to mention that the Air Traffic Controllers were Federal employees, and the steel industry workers were not Federal employees.

[discus]

And now, on a lighter note, this is without a doubt, Chia Pet's finest hour. In a store near you NOW! (Except Wallgreens, they pulled it off the shelves)

(Couldn't get the .gif to animate in here, but if you click on it, it works)

Edited April 8, 2009 by discus