Going to war is not a decision that a General makes. It is a political decision. On the other hand, the General wouldn't venture into the political arena without the blessing of his boss, the president.

While I strongly disagree with General Dempsey's conclusions, as an American, I feel that you have no grounds whatsoever to viciously insult a man who has given 38 years of his life to defending our country because you also disagree with him. Please tone it down for the future and comment on the merits of his arguments rather than childish insults about the man.

If and when I become Prime Minister one day soon, I will show you the price that Iran will pay...Have you heard of glowing Cinder?

Now he's hiding behind gen Dempsey. He doesnt want to look like he's abandonning the Jews to their enemies before the election. So he'll let Dempsey take the fall. anyway... delaying H bomb is a good reason to open fire. Israel is ALREADY at war with the Iranians. The question is when are they going to return fire.

Sarah B. has been a consistently strong advocate for Israel and aptly taunts the anti-semetic vermin that prowl around this forum. You go Girl! Don't give "Helene" any personal information. I bet she's a wolf in sheep's clothing.

There is a regime wanting new world order. Just like before ww 2. Anti semitism is running ultra high in arab world, europe and small part of usa. And south east asia. And the bankers, the international bankers, the 1% are blamed for the economy. Just like in some european country before world war 2. You do not need to be a genius to know the jews are going to be killed again. And you know who is going to be blamed for the economy. You are living the lives of your grand parents. Just hope it will be different this time

So, you don't think that one sovereign state threatening to wipe another sovereign state from the map qualifies as war-mongering? Here's a news flash: it is an act of war. One may thus assert that Iran has declared war on Israel. Israel has every right to retaliate. We don't need your permission.

Oh, but I did. I responded. If you would be so kind as to give me your address, and a list of times convenient for you, I will be more than happy to pay you a visit (despite the fact that I don't for a moment believe that you are -- as you claim -- a concentration camp survivor). Let me know if you would like me to bring something. I don't give out my e-mail address. You can, if you wish, provide me with yours. Please be sure to respond including your address, telephone number, etc., and, of course, convenient times. I will not reply to an e-mail and I have no intention of setting up an e-mail account to accommodate someone whom I do not believe in any event.

All along, Israel has depended upon the US to be there at it's side in time of war. From the release from the concentration camps, to the continuous backing at the foul UN, we have been there. We were fighting world wars while you languished in ghettos and were sent to die in extermination camps, yet we were there to liberate you. WE and the Russians,(you figure who did you a favor) You are one of the youngest nations on earth, and one with the most potential. A nation full of promise and contributions. You are not the USA where it comes to weaponry, staying power, industry and wealth. When we decide to risk it for the right reasons for us, you will be advised and asked to do your part. Don't risk it alone, as there are dark forces that await you. It is partially your fault with all the barking and mouthing off by the various ministers and former hims and hers of the establishment, ad nauseum. Since when does a serious nation telegraph it's options of war, or preparations for it? You always have the "alone' option. What will the price be for the world and for Israel? HIGH. The world is sleeping if they think the US is war weary. We have only begun closing things down to address this most serious global issue. Iran is a speck on a dogs ass to us. Existential threat to you. You have nukes, and as the saying goes, 'live by the sword, so shall you die by the sword. Your sword is woefully short without the USA. Shalom Israel, Rob

I am reminded of the attack on Tokyo by Jimmy Doolittle in WWII. The attack had no chance of crippling Japan, the planes could not carry enough fuel to return, but the attack inspired America to stand and fight against overhwhelmingly superior power, and put the USA on the path to victory. Thank GOD that Obama wasn't President, and General Dempsey wasn't the military commander at the time.

the American military is bloated with bureaucrat-politician in uniform. dempsey will only be happy when he gets a memo that the fanatical islamist-jihadists in tehran have crossed the weapons threshhold. should that happen, demspey should be sacked, court martialed, and shot. yeah, he might have dreams of playing toy soldiers at some nursing home, but if he makes it to the home, he should be wheeled to leavenworth brig.

The US is claiming for many years that Iran is on the verge of the nuclear bomb. And they still haven't got one. How can that be? Two possible answers: A) The allegations are lies and Iran says the truth. B) Sanctions DO have an effect

I do agree on certain points, especially that of Dempsey making public statements about not wanting to be implicated in case of an Israeli strike in order to persuade Iran from counterattacking the US fifth fleet. What I think Israel should do, is take out the nuclear sites, and threaten nuclear retalliation in case Iran makes the decision to shell Israeli cities with missiles in response. The U.S. and the Soviet Union threatened to wipe each other off the map for decades, and both took these threats seriously enough to built a huge nuclear arsenal to deterr one another. Well, Iran threatens to wipe Israel off the map on a weekly basis, can at the same time not be expected to be deterred by the principle of mutually assured destruction, and even threatens to wipe Israel off the map without them even having the bomb yet, while all know they are working to achieve it. I daresay the the US had somewhat less cause to blitz Hiroshima and Nagazaki back in the days, and I do not doubt they would have done the same to the Soviet Union then if the Soviets would have behaved the way to the US, as Iran feels free to behave to Israel now. Look. It is kinda simple. If you threaten an entire people with extermination. You will be taken seriously. In fact, any Government on the recieving end is morally obliged to take that seriously, but you cannot afford to be wrong. The Iranian leadership needs to internalize that fact. It is part of responsible government, which Ahmadinnejad and Khomeini obviously know nothing about. Again: you do not come on the world stage, threaten to wipe an entire country out with the bomb you have yet to make, and get away with it. For some reason they do not get that. In my (still beginning) career, I have read a great many books about the rhetorics of genocide (sounds strange, but please believe me that it's a valid field of study), and, and I am very sorry to all those kind people in the West that want and need to believe we've eradicated that from our midst, but Iran's rhetorics are veritable textbook examples of a blatant disregard of the intrinsic value of a human life (does Neda ring a bell?), and a perfect willingness to act upon that disregard to make rather a lot of casualties as long as it suits their messianistic, idealogical worldview. And how the Arab world would sing with joy. It would mean victory for darkness and denial of the right to be a happy individual with free choices.

Disregarding the textual errors I made in my haste, and in addition of paragraph 4: in the assumption that the USSR had not had the bomb at that stage yet, of course.

Chamberlain declared war on Germany. He did what he could to avoid it first which was commendable.

Amen!!

How about instead of supporting an attack on Iran, you'll at least support an attack on Assad in Syria? Or are you more inclined to attack friends but not crazy, murderous dictators who state EXACTLY what their plans are?

The general has a little problem attacking the correct enemy.

When Dempsey says he did not know Iran's nuclear intentions, he must surely be living in la la land. Perhaps he also does not know that Iran wants to wipe Israel off the map of humanity. Regarding his statement that sanctionns should be given a reasonable opportunity to succeed, it is obvious that Iran is laughing its way to nuclear capability after years of talking and more talking and insufficient sanctions. Talking to dictators filled with hate for another People has never worked.

Dempsey recently attacked retired Navy SEALs and CIA for questioning Obama's war-time leadership, White House intelligence leaks, his taking nearly full credit for killing bin Laden, etc. Dempsey is a yes-man.

He doesn't sound like a millitary man, he sounds like an enemy of Israel. Just like the entire Obama Administration!

It´s about USA elections.

He shoud be fired for opening his mouth.He is a general and must carry out orders by the civilian chain fo command.If he doesn´t he can be tried for treason.He is not a policy maker.Like McArthur was fired by Truman this general ( who might like living more in a military dictatorship) must go now.Bye Bye!

Helene, you should know better. In the 5% chance that you are for real this is not the place to meet people. in the 95% chance, based on the attacks pro Israel folks get, that you are a vermin slimeball, you know where to go. Hint :its quite hot, but others say its quite cold.

And here as a US citizen I thought that the civilian government and not the military made such decisions! The Obama administation never did care too much for the Constitution.