Opinion
Time to hesitate was yesterday
Robert D. Onley
Published: 14.12.08, 20:44
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1. Who is Right. Friedman Or the Author?
Dav Lev ,   Burbank. CAUSA   (12.14.08)
Coincidentally, I read in last week's Los Angeles Times (now in bankruptcy), an op-ed by an Iranian prof. He says that there is NO NEED to rush into any more sanctions or other belligerent action against Iran. Iran is suffering low oil prices, higher costs of fuel, higher unemployment, a miniscule military (compared to the US and Israel), and at least 3 yrs from the bomb. He suggests doing nothing...ie., allowing the global economy to do it's work in Iran, will resolve the major Western and Israeli concerns. This article obviously is the complete opposite, believing NOW is the time to take out Iran's nukes., that it may have 1bomb, and it's surrogages (Hamas and Hez) can destroy Tel Aviv, leaving no sig. Thomas Friedman says, MAD is the right policy..Iran hits Israel and we retaliate massively. Okay, so we react. while 1m Jews are burned to a crisp, the remainder wishing they were similarly dispatched. So who is right, and who is wrong? In the balance lies another Holocaust.
2. "Friedman"?
Gerry ,   Boston   (12.14.08)
Is this a guy from a New York paper? He received $200,000 for the interview with Saudi prince a few years ago, when the prince told him about his peace plan. If this is the same friedman, I think the post #1 is a joke.
3. Robert D. Onley
Jim ,   usa   (12.15.08)
Mr Onley, Who do you suggest to do this?
4. Deterent
jeramiah ,   seattle, USA   (12.15.08)
State clearly: any attack on Isreal will result in TOTAL distruction of Mecca and Madina.
5. Hear Oh Israel!
bernice ,   riverside ca. usa   (12.15.08)
All Israels enemies will be defeated just like they where in the 6 day war.Soon the One and true god of Israel will come!
6. Israel Can't Decide To Smash Hamas,
RickD ,   USA   (12.15.08)
How Can It Decide To Smash Iran? Israel's leaders don't have the ability to make these kinds of decisions. Hamas should be on its knees begging for a cease fire, or begging to be allowed to withdraw to Damascus. Instead they are kings in Gaza. Which Israeli leader would make this decision based on past examples?
7. Should Israel attack Iran?
Harv Howard ,   Texas   (12.15.08)
Can you people think of a better way to piss off the whole world? If you attack Iran, as we stupidly did Iraq, then you will get the same result. Your self-righteousness overwhelming and totally out of place.
8. Time to hesitate was yesterday
Yonatan ,   Jerusalem   (12.15.08)
Robert Onley why are you spreading all this frightening and unfounded gossip, have you no faith at all in our highly decorated Defense Minister Ehud Barak who all his life has unselfishly defended his people and land who fearlessly leads his troops into combat, Robert Onley how can you say such things when we have Minister Tzipi Livni our own Einstein of political diplomacy, who with her grate skills brought peace to the north where hundreds of thousands of our brothers and sisters live in peace harmony, and prosperity. Robert Onley how can you say such things when we have the greatest Prime Minister ever in the history of the state of Israel Ehud Olmert who makes difficult and painful decisions for the well being of his beloved people, who does not accept reward in return.
9. To play with fire...
Daniel ,   Switzerland   (12.15.08)
In the face of an existential threat Israel has not anymore to care about world's opinion. If somebody sets fire to your house, would you still be interested to listen what people think ans speak about it? I don't think so.... you would as soon as possible try to put out the fire!
10. Attack Iran now or after February 10th?
Judah ,   Golan Heights,ISRAEL   (12.15.08)
Do we want Olmert to lead a war against Iran and probally Hezbollah too? Maybe its better to wait till after February 1oth so that Netanyahu can lead the charge.
11. Strike Now
Bruce Mullen ,   Canada   (12.15.08)
Madness. It would appear that Israel is going to attack Iran with nuclear weapons... She may well look at the fate of the last country to use such weapons against a helpless country before attempting such an aventure. The loss of one's soul is a terrible thing.
12. only 1 problem
Yisraeli   (12.15.08)
you didnt factor in is the current cowardly bankrupt government of Israel. The only thing you can expect them to do is to give low cost "shows" to enhance their own failed images before the upcoming election. By either making war on Jews or a theatrical attack on Gaza, all just to boost their image.
13. Might there be another alternative?
David G   (12.15.08)
First I would like to say it is a bit contemptuous for my fellow American Jews to demand for Israel to attack Iran. After all it is not their lives or their families that will be put at risk. That being said if Israel feels it must attack I will certainly support it. That being said might there be a better alternative. The Ayatollahs are very unpopular with the people of Iran, maybe it is possible to provoke a secular/democratic uprising by backing dissidents inside Iran. Even if Israel is successful in attacking Iran, it will only delay it by a few years , it will also be a powerful political tool for the Ayatollah’s. They could claim that they are the ones protecting Iran from the West. Confronting Iran is not only a military issue; it is also a very political one.
14. hear Oh israel!
tiffany calif ,   riverside ca. usa   (12.15.08)
I hope america will help in defending israel against Iran. But even if it does not,Iran and all its evil friends will not be able to defeat Israel because it is written in the word of the God of Israel that he will not allow the enemies of Israel testroy or have the land that belongs to his people. that is the jewish people.So Iran better be careful or he'll be the one wiped out!
15. Attack On Iran? By whom?
Rick in Toronto ,   Toronto, Canada   (12.15.08)
Interesting exaggeration of Iran's intent, and capabilities. And now we are learning of the new "rogue bomb" theory. Yikes. The only reason the author can call for an immediate Israeli attack is because the U.S. currently has the largest warship fleet ever assembled all around the Middle East. Once again the U.S. will back your belligerent words. False pride. Will we once again (as in '67) see U.S. planes with Israeli markings saving the day? I can smell the fresh paint as I type. And by the way, you are misquoting Iran...they want regime change...not genocide. Your call to action is one of let's do it now while our puppet Prez Bush is still around. Transparent. Dangerous.
16. Excellent article
Jim Eagle Feather ,   Boulder CO USA   (12.15.08)
Really no Western power should attempt to live with a nuclear Iran. I always said since 1999 that in the end Iraq was not a seroius enemy of Israel or the USA. Why? Because only Saddam and his demented sons were our enemies and for a couple of billion (chump change) we could buy them off. Iran on the other hand was a real nation with a real military system. And it was run by a large rouge religious outfit, thus meaning that from Iran both Israel and the USA were faced by MANY enemies, not just a demented old man. So Israel I suggest you do what needs to be done.
17. Iran has no choice but to strike now ?
J West ,   BC, Canada   (12.15.08)
Iran has no choice but to strike now ? Why not, sick of jews always starting it. It would be a nice change. Eather way you all glow! Enjoy!
18. threat?
Rick Kimmel ,   Cochran, USA   (12.15.08)
How can Iran who has arguably not even one deliverable nuclear weapon compared to at least two hundred serviceable nuclear weapons that Israel owns be considered a threat to Israel? If you, as a nation, only have one nuclear weapon, you would be crazy to use your one weapon on a country that has the capability to turn your country into a green glass parking lot! This imagined threat from Iran is sheer propaganda from a Zionist regime looking for an excuse to kill Moslems!
19. Rick in Toronto, worry about your own countries problems
Judah ,   Israel   (12.15.08)
Six Canadian soldiers were killed in the last week. The Canadian government is in a mess and my parents who live in Toronto tell me that the economy is suffering too. Yet you feel the need to give Israel advice and repeat unsubstantiated rumours about the 1967 war. Go to Chapters bbok store and have another hot chocolate and you will find plenty of fellow Canadian loons only to happy to listen to your nonsense.
20. A different approach
Mark ,   Madrid, spain   (12.15.08)
It would be nice to stop listening lies like the words of Ahmadinejad. Thanks to internet people know that he didn't say these words and that the interview was edited. Why the lies? Why the manipulation? Be honest for a change and things will go much better.
21. Real threat
Israel Israeli ,   Tel Aviv   (12.15.08)
Iran is not a threat to Israel but to the Arab states allied with the US. The real threat to Israel is the Arab world. Israel makes more and more concessions and yet becomes more and more isolated. Effective Arab propaganda has delegitimized any Jewish claim to live in the Middle-East. On top of the powerful Hamas and Hezbolla armies, an American general is training an elite force to attack Israel from Judea and Samaria including Ben Gurion airport. To make it worse, the government is encouraging Israel's Arab citizens to join the enemy, so that in a future war the Negev, Galilee and the strategic Iron Valley will be enemy bases.
22. A lot of ifs....
pete ,   Kuala Lumpur   (12.15.08)
IFs Iran does this and that and be paranoid over nothing. So because of the IFs you want to risk even Israel's own existence if a full scale conflict starts right now?? That is crazy.
23. Heh heh heh!
Mahdi ,   Tehran,Iran   (12.15.08)
Another storm of funny jokes against Iran!
24. Iranian Threat Denial
Cynthia ,   USA   (12.15.08)
You can put your head in the sand for only so long. Some of you would like to think this is only Israel's problem. Others twist it into a Zionist plot or manipulation. Those of you who do this are clearly not paying attention and this naivete or ignorance can be detrimental to your own security.
25. Robert D. Onley <- drama queen
israel   (12.15.08)
26. #23 We will have the last laugh, Mahdi
Cynthia ,   USA   (12.15.08)
Your pitiful excuse for a President threatens Israel while driving Iran's economy to a point of no return. Oil is now hovering at $40 a barrel and Iran's lower quality crude oil is selling for less. Oil funds 60%-80%of Iran's government budget. What goes around, comes around and Iran's economy will only get worse. I don't think Iranians find much to laugh about these days.
27. Confusion on danger?
Robert ,   Sydney, Australia   (12.15.08)
I am a little confused as the sabre ratlles and Israel has the 4th most powerful army in the world that any attack on Iran will be classed as an attack on Russia as they have stated clearly and plainly. What would be gained when Israel has Dimona and estimates of between 200-400 nuclear weapons as well as chemical and biological agents. Just as with the IRA in the UK and the ANC in South Africa the time is running out for talk but clearly talk is the answer and compromise is better than Armaggedon.
28. New World Order
truth ,   truth city, USA   (12.15.08)
Ahmadinejad never said he wanted to hurt Israel. He wants the world to know that the New World Order Runs Israel.
29. Do unto others BEFORE they do unto you.
Terry ,   Eilat, Israel   (12.15.08)
30. Dear Cynthia #26
Mahdi ,   Tehran,Iran   (12.15.08)
Dear Cynthia #26 Thank you for your commiseration! 1- It seems that you know something about oil and economy but I friendly advise you to improve your knowledge about Iran, Islam, Shia and Persians! 2- Please zoom on your own people's problems and try to think and find solutions for them! 3- Why some of you Americans believe that all the humankind need your interference? 4- Don't watch so much Fox News please! Good luck!
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