Americanpolitics

A military strike against Iran by Israel remains a possibility as Israel’s Defense Minister makes the statement that “no option is off the table regarding Iran’s nuclear program. In the meantime, Secretary of State, Hilary Clinton appearing on Meet The Press, stands strong in her belief, which is backed by our allies, that it is, as a matter of policy, “unacceptable for Iran to own nuclear weapons and the umbrella of coalition nations are united in their determination to keep Iran from obtaining nuclear weaponry; calling Iran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons “futile.”

Vice President, Joe Biden has said: “We cannot dictate to another sovereign nation what they can and cannot do when they make a determination, if they make a determination, that they are existentially threatened and their survival is threatened by another country.”

Admiral Michael Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff has said: “I have been for some time concerned about any strike on Iran (by Israel). I worry about it being very destabilizing, not just in and of itself, but the unintended consequences of a strike like that.”

While, according to Secretary of State Hilary Clinton, both of these statements are relevant, the goal leans towards intensive diplomacy, making clear to Iran the cost of their pursuit of nuclear weapons with the backing of the international community. However, while meeting with U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates today, Israel’s Defense Minister Ehud Barak, three (3) times reiterated that “no options are off the table regarding Iran’s nuclear program,” this to include taking military action.

The hope is that diplomacy will eventually succeed and while no one really knows what military actions Israel may have in mind, the threat of violence is in the air with Iran threatening violence against Israel if attacked.

My concern is how much influence, if any the Taliban/al-Qaeda has in Iran. Iran, located in the middle between Iraq and Afghanistan, could accept support, both financial as well as physical, from the insurgents in either of those bordering areas if Israel were to launch a military attack on Iran.

While some have argued that under the Taliban, the practice of drug exporting dropped 200 per cent in the years between 1995 and 2000, research into this statement has revealed that:

1. Afghanistan’s opium production (3400 tons in 2002) increased more than 15-fold since 1979

2. From 1996 to 1999, under the Taliban, production doubled and peaked at over 4600 tons.

3. In 2000 the Taliban banned opium cultivation, but not trade.

4. In 2002 opium was cultivated by several ethnic groups in the south (Helmand), east (Nangarhar) and north (Badakshan)

5. Cross-border ethnic and tribal links facilitate trafficking by several ethnic groups.

6. Over three-quarters of the heroin sold in Europe, and virtually all of it in Russia, originates in Afghanistan.

Further information regarding the “Opium Economy In Afghanistan” can be found by clicking the link.

This drug trafficking could bolster the availability of cash to support a war with Israel if pushed and if the Taliban/al-Qaeda choose to come to the aid of Iran. My hope is that Israel thinks before they dive into physical battle with Iran. Iran is not the Gaza Strip.

And that’s the way I see it!!!

State Of Play

It has been decided that the “fundamental right” to bear arms is on the federal level and that individual states have the authority to determine what is “right” for their states in regards to gun control.

However, in an attempt to weaken states rights, an amendment to this bill was placed before Congress to incorporate the “Respecting State’s Rights, Concealment and Carry Reciprocity Act” which would have allowed persons with a permit to carry a concealed weapon in their home state to venture into a state, other than their own, with stricter laws against “concealed weapons,” and carry their concealed weapon with them.

Luckily, this amendment was just rejected. Passing of the amendment would have compromised the safety and security of all Americans, to some degree, but more importantly it would have stripped away “a state’s right” in regards to their choices, previously made, to inhibit its own citizen’s safety laws as it relates to guns.

While the saying that “guns don’t kill, people kill” is to a point valid, the reality is that people are choosing to kill more and more often and not just wild game, people are killing people, with the aid of guns.

The truth is, I have mixed emotions about gun control. If gun people demonstrated a sincere responsibility regarding gun ownership, I would have no problems with that ownership however time and lives lost have proven that this is not the case. With the availability of guns at an all time high with virtually anyone capable of purchasing a gun and using that gun for hunting people, both grown-ups and children, I believe the time has come to curtail gun ownership.

When I think of the possibilities of an invasion occurring, on United States soil, be it from inside or outside of the United States, I feel the more people that are armed, the better the chances of survival becomes. There is so much hate floating around in America, as well as in the world against America, that to totally take away the right to bear arms is just as frightening as creating laws to enhance the rights of gun owners.

The truth of the matter is that the availability of guns in America is out of control and laws will not prevent those who are determined to “carry” from purchasing guns. New Jersey Governor, Jon S. Corzine made a statement regarding the amendment that was recently defeated. He said, “We believe it is unconstitutional, unenforceable, and what’s more we believe it is a threat to our citizen’s safety and well-being. We will never compromise, not even one inch, where public safety is concerned.”

Corzine also had encouraged every lawmaker, every citizen in favor of local control for our safety and security to make their voices heard in opposing this amendment or any other proposal of this nature.

I say, realistically, can legislation alone stop the individual from exercising their belief in their “fundamental right” to bear arms or are more drastic measures needed. Has the lack of gun control taken us to a level of gun ownership being out of control?

And that’s the way I see it!!!!

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