All I have to say is "Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb"

Yes, every country should have the bomb. As many of them as they can muster too. It's probably the only way that will influence countries to not use them.

Ironside, your position is not born out by existing facts and jumps from one point to another in such random order that it is difficult to refute in it's entirety. So, I'll stick to only three points.

You say Iran would not use it for defense or to maintain peace in the world. How do you know? Do you believe Pakistan has their nukes to maintain peace in the world - or India - or North Korea? I guess the more basic question is, how do you know they aren't simply developing nuclear fuel for peaceful purposes?

Second, you use Stalin and Mao as example of those who intimidated the US with their nuclear weapons. I don't believe the US was ever intimidated. As you pointed out, the US and the USSR both had MAD capability and, fortunately the leaders of both countries were not fools (well, maybe fools but not suicidal fools). And China was too late into the game developing a reliable ICBM with accurate targeting. And, regardless of your opinion, the revolution in Cuba had nothing to do with either country until after Castro was in power and alienated the US by nationalizing businesses. Likewise, Vietnam was a strictly a national issue until the US intervened after Ho Chi Minh kicked the French out after Dien Bien Phu. The more support we threw at the South, the more support China and Russia threw to the North.

Finally, your final paragraph really marginalizes the Iranian people and their religion. When you say they welcome the opportunity to die for their prophet, your ignorance of Islam and Iraninans becomes apparent. Muslim fanatics pursuing a secular agenda may be willing to commit suicide to accomplish an objective but to ascribe this behavior to an entire country is ludicrous. Iran has a developing middle class who do not subscribe to all of the Islamic leaders programs. They are first and foremost Iranian, nationalistic and proud of it. And to my knowledge, Iran has never initiated a war of conquest, not even to "take over all non Islamic counties (sic) of the world".

P.S. Most of the Middle East may not even care for our values, so why are we dying and spending billions of dollars?

"As the Imam said, Israel must be wiped off the map." - Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

"Anybody who recognizes Israel will burn in the fire of the Islamic nation's fury." - Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

http://nicedeb.wordpress.com/2009/06/...

polish this Bryant.

"P.S. Most of the Middle East may not even care for our values, so why are we dying and spending billions of dollars?" says Bryant

Do you hear this woman cry for help?

This is why our men and women die, for the souls that cry for help.

22, as I wrote, "...has a developing middle class who do not subscribe to all of the Islamic leaders programs." Our men and womed are supposedly dying to protect the United States - not spread democracy, regardless of what politicians say. We have a history of supporting tyrants, dictators and anybody else when it serves our national interest.

We reinstated the Shah of Iran, one of the most despotic rulers ever, with a CIA financed coup. To further democracy? Not close. To maintain a stability in Iran that favored American interests and kept the oil flowing.

22, I suggest you familiarize yourself with Middle Eastern and Islamic history before attributing to them the desire to emulate our values.

"Jersey Shore" "Toddlers and Tiaras" "Real Housewives of (pick a city)" Yep, that's some good old USA values. (Tongue firmly in cheek)

"before attributing to them the desire to emulate our values" dont you mean exterminate not emulate? I never spoke of there desire to emulate. What does trash tv have to do with good American values? Maybe you should familiarize your self with US history there you can lurn of our values. In God we trust is there and give me liberty or give me death as well. Look into our EQUALITY our EGALITARIANISM. Our Environmental concern and protection. Freedom! Of our values the greatest of these wich I find applying to Irans middle class would be "give me liberty or give me death". But with the complete imbalance of power Irans middle class face death. Irans middle class needs Isreal.

Iran's middle class needs Israel like a fish needs a bicycle (to steal a phrase from the Women's Liberation movement). 22, do you even realize that Muslims (even Iranians) worship the same God as you? Presuming you are a Christian and not a Druid. And the same God as Jews. We're talking territory not religious beliefs. Although Jews, Christians and Muslims have always battled over the "Holy Land" within the context of a holy war.

Thanks Bryant I did not know Jewish and Islamic people worshiped Jesus. You moron. You will find that Iranian men and woman regardless of class if there heart be true to peace and they a suffering great peace will come to them through Isreal. One fish, two fish, blue fish I took a fish back to a pond one a bicycle more than once after showing my mama how big he was. Just as fast as a could cause if dad saw how big he was he'd be dinner! Now you tell me does a fish need a bicycle?

Iran is a Jihadi Islamist regime. I assume you know what jihad is. This is not just about territory it is about religion.

Nice name calling, 22. The last refuge of the ignorant.

I should not have called you a moron. I am sorry Bryant. 22