War with Iran unlikely

Despite the increased beating of war drums by the war party in Washington, Iran does not pose an actual threat to Israel or the U.S.

Consider the logic. If Iran would directly or indirectly cause harm to Israel, the retaliation by the United States with its vast military infrastructure plus Israel’s nuclear arsenal, the devastation in Iran would be a catastrophic disaster of which Iran is well aware. Although an individual will knowingly commit suicide, a nation never does.

However, this does not rule out the U.S. or Israel initiating an act of war under false pretenses, as the history of our actions in Vietnam and Iraq so amply and clearly illustrates. The American public is strongly against war not only for the needless deaths and destruction but also the cost financially as our country teeters on the brink of bankruptcy.

Something else to consider before we go off on a bombing run: Both China and Russia have vast economic interests and ties with Iraq and would not take kindly to the United States’ or Israel’s disruption of their policies.

Murl Talbott
Kansas City

Comments

[George]

"With nuclcar weapons they can do it...it doesn't matter if there are people "protesting" or not."

Friend, our presence will not deter a nuclear war if that is on the horizon and last I checked, Israel was their own country, they should be responsible for their own protection. It is NOT our job to protect Israel when they are fully capable of protecting themselves. Don't forget, they also have a nuclear bomb. In fact, many countries have one because our lovely US of A and the USSR had a fire sale when the Cold War wound down. I'm guessing your of Israeli descent because the way I see it, USA is only responsible for USA and no one else, period.

[LL]

I don't believe Obama is discussing a possible war with Iran.....because nobody seem to ask him....

...Seems moderators only want to ask the other candidates....perhaps after Obama is actually debating with the republicans will you be able to say with certainly exactly what his views are.....

[Obey Obama, he passed the Homeland Security Act Again]

What if the Iranian leadership is willing to die to exterminate Israel.

With nuclcar weapons they can do it...it doesn't matter if there are people "protesting" or not.

[whispering_to_kc]

"... Newt Gingrich said the only rational policy toward Iran should be "regime replacement."..."

As an historian, Noot should know that Iranian regime replacement was what started all our troubles with them back in '53.

[ggbridge]

Okay, I'd just like the republican tea party to acknowledge the words of their candidates - so you're no surprised by another stupid, pre-emptive war.

Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, a front-running candidate, said "covert and overt" activities are needed to pressure Iran to abandon its nuclear ambitions. Tehran denies trying to build a nuclear bomb but most of the world is suspicious.

"Ultimately, regime change is what's going to be necessary," said Romney, who received a standing ovation from the several hundred participants in the audience.

Jon Huntsman was equally tough:

"If you can't live with a nuclear Iran, and I can't, then you have to say all options are on the table," said Huntsman.

Newt Gingrich said the only rational policy toward Iran should be "regime replacement." He said if elected he would pursue covert missions aimed at disrupting Iranian gasoline supplies. And he would fund "every dissident group" in Iran.

Representative Michele Bachmann said, "The Pentagon must prepare a war plan" for Iran in case it needed.

Republicans - these are your guys. They want to go to war in Iran. Seriously reconsider your votes.

[Curt80]

Even after all the posturing and showboating, you conclude that logically Iran would not engage Israel or the US; however, it is more likely that the US would engage them?

Oh, that right the US is the root of all evil in the world and without us the world would be a much better place.

Well it would not. Just think what the world would be like without the US to keep some neighbors within their own boarders?

[a ruskin fence on every school campus]

same ole star, preaching and postering.

as some one whom was involved in vaporizing millions of Russians or Chinese. I then believed in MAD [mutual assured destruction].

Then you read. there ARE historical instances of group suicide. Hebrews, Canaanites .....

Iraq / Iran, country music, KC Star.

[solomon]

.....webster makes the most likely assumption...we are talking about this site....

[Navyvet]

"On 9/11, GW Bush claims he "had to" go hide underground in Omaha because the Secret Service made him."

-gringoloco

Good grief, it's not 1941! The president can't be seen in a recognizable geographical place in the opening hours of an attack because of the vastly more lethal nature of weapons nowadays. It's called the Continuity of Operations Plan and its a protocol that has been on the books for DECADES! In case of an attack the POTUS, VPOTUS and others in the line of succession are immediately taken to known safe facilities scattered around the country, Omaha being the main one for the Midwest. The POTUS has no choice, in this scenario until the threat is identified and contained he DOES NOT risk his life and therefore the control of America's Armed Forces by going anywhere close to the danger. I guarantee you that if another attack on the scale of 911 were to occur tomorrow you wouldn't see Obama anywhere near the danger for at least a day. It's protocol, not personal choice.

Try to put your Bush Derangement Syndrome down for a bit and do some basic research for Pete's sake.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Continuity_of_Operations_Plan

[Webster]

I'm betting the Star made the typo while transcribing the letter.

[whispering_to_kc]

Iran/Iraq. Confusion over the spelling of the two is how GWB ended up in Iraq going after the ayatollahs that struck the USA on 911.

GWB was no FDR. BHO leans more to FDR, except for the wheelchair.

Rick Parry, Mitt, Noot, Michelle, Herman, Rick Santorium. Those wild and wacky GOPers are all ready to bomb Iran. The only one not itching to go is Ron Paul but he's a RINO.

[Kate]

jack, I've always liked you and given consideration to your opinion, but you jumped the shark tonight.get some sleep. A lot of sleep.

[gringoloco]

Iran worries me. There are too many in power there who claim to revere being a martyr (apparently for others only). Now, who do you choose to deal with them? The man who got Bin Laden and launched a bunch of successful strikes against b ad guys all over the world OR: whoever the Party that salutes the coward of 9/11 says is best?

[gringoloco]

BTW: On 12/07/41 the Secret Service tried to get the President in a wheel chair to go to ground and he told them, "The American people need the President in the White House". On 9/11, GW Bush claims he "had to" go hide underground in Omaha because the Secret Service made him.

The guy in the wheel chair could stand up to the Secret Service to do what was best for the country but big, bad George Bush couldn't.

Together with what he did to my son out of being cheap, I will never forgive him for showing his yellow streak on 9/11.

[gringoloco]

Typo noted. The Iranians appear to be run by a bunch who consider being a "martyr" (at least for others) as a positive. They frighten me.

So who would I rather have in charge of dealing with this bunch of lunatics? GW Bush and Co who first sat and chewed on his lip for 7 minutes when told "The Nation is under attack" and then ran for cover? Or, the guy who presided over getting Bin Laden (a bunch of others) and the pirates in Somalia this week?

Hmmmmh?

[Zebulon]

Proof read your work before submitting it. Your entire article is about Iran, though in the last paragraph you mention Russia's and China's economic interests with IRAQ??? I understand it is just a typo, but seriously, if you want to be taken seriously, proof read!