Reaction to Iraq Comment

I was also saddened by the unnecessary Bush-bashing in a favorite computing website. Even had I agreed with his conclusions, I simply can’t see any rationale for injecting politics into Lockergnome. I’ve seen what that does at far too many websites, thank you. Let’s keep the politics on political websites.

BTW, Iran did not ” [stop] their nuclear weapons program 4 years ago under international pressure.” There WERE no sanctions or international pressure against Iran in 2003; and since when has Iran cared one iota about world opinion anyway?

What undoubtedly caused Iran to suspend its nuclear program was 150,000 US troops gathered just across their western border in Iraq; just as the US invasion of Iraq caused Libya to voluntarily give up its own WMD program.

Didn’t Ahmadinejad also say that there was no holocost. If millions of deaths are not a holocost, a nuclear weapon would be nothing. I can’t think of any reason to not stop a fanatic from having a nuclear weapon. It would be like giving the KKK atom bombs, I’m sure they’d use them somewhere.

To be skeptical, and to question, anything that the most discredited US administration in recent times -if not ever- says, is not only called for, but it would be irresponsible for any American no to question the wisedom and motives of anything they do. Politics permeates everything, and I applaud Chris for bringing it up here. Until we don´t get rid of what history will judge as the worst President in US history -and I don´t say that lighthly- we won´t be able to regain the prestige lost, which tooks decades to build up.

There is no such thing as unnecessary Bush-bashing since the man is a complete an utter moron who is taking America down the wrong road. To keep repeat the same mistakes over and over again is insanity. The man has never had to face ANY consequence for ANYTHING that he has ever done.

Russ O’Connell. The only country to EVER use Nukes is America. Not even the so-called “EVIL EMPIRE” of the USSR used them, nor Pakistan which is run by a dictator. NO ONE else has ever used them.

The USA is the only one to show that it can’t be trusted with them at all. Unless America gets rid of ALL of their nukes they don’t have the moral authority to demand that others get rid of their’s. Its pure hypocrisy to claim that they do.

It’s hard to take rants like this seriously when they are written by people who have no real insight, no field or government experience and don’t know that Iran is not Iraq, e.g., Reaction to Iraq Comment

I agree with previous sentiment - lockergnome is NOT a site for political commentary. Period. I avoid it on my own blog here (not that I blog that much given my busy schedule) and trust me, I have plenty to say politically - I just don’t do it here. This site is for technology commentary - such as “Vista Sucks, Linux Rocks!” or “Apple Sucks, Vista is the Best!” or even “ALL OS’s SUCK!”. Let’s keep to that, and we won’t alienate others who come here for technology help, tips, and views (though we will alienate Vista lovers maybe!)

As for posting this and allowing feedback that is contradictory to what you stated or believe - good job for trying to be fair. I personally (and I’m sure other lockergnomies) would love it if you kept you politics to yourself here.

V/R

BlackWolf

While I am a libertarian (both big and little “L”), I do believe we do have to keep an eye, proactively, on countries like Iran — especially with the tripe their “elected” officials spout.

Even though I don’t agree with a lot of the policy decisions of President Bush, trying to contain Iran is a good idea. However, we should not be threatening military action unless there is credible evidence they can and will attach the United States or our allies.

The NEI report is trying to be factual and we need to draw conclusions based on the report and the actions of Iran.

Unfortunately in this world we live in, you can’t leave all the other countries alone and you have to form alliances. It is a sad fact that there are so many differing ideas on how everyone should live and act both secular and non-secular.

It is also unfortunate that there are people and societies that want to force us to live and believe their way. This is occurring in our own country where some groups want others to live and believe their way and will do anything to get what they want. (And I am not just talking about the religious right.)

We need to focus more at home…

Keep Lockergnome on Computer Topics.
Stop the Politics!

Go to the New York Times or CNN for that.

The fact that some Americans criticize others for showing verbal civility towards Iran, in the face of the Bush Administration’s undiplomatic and offensive relations with that nation, shows their incompetence and ignorance about their own history. Unlike the U.S., Iran has never dropped a nuclear weapon on another nation, and has never attacked another nation without provocation. Lockergnome has every right to voice his opinion, and his honest, reasonable and compassionate opinions are one main reason I do visit his site and subscribe to his newsletters.

Chris is far from being a lefty he supports Ron Paul for goodness sakes..I guess no one had a problem with that when he mentioned that in a previous post. I’m sure many of you also receive Mark Donaldson’s newsletter which always includes some article that bashes Hillary and sometimes Obama and Edwards… I mean, I don’t know what that’s doing in a newsletter for computing either but I appreciate the service Mark provides and simply ignore his obvious political bias. Cliff Notes is another newsletter I enjoy who included advertising for Ann Coulter’s website. I’m disappointed they politicize their sites but I tolerate it. Is that any different than what Chris is doing?

Thanks!! Ahmadinejad is an ignorant dictator and a fool. It is amazing that he could be leading a nation. His prejudices, brainless ignorance and short sightedness are only equalled by one other leader that I know of. Unofortunately that liar and idiot is the curren occupant of the white house.

It is amazing to me that anyone stilll tries to blame the messenger when the message is SO improtant. Keep up the good work!

Geoff is correct, Iran has hated us for decades. The reason for this is during the Eisenhower administration in 1953, the CIA, in conjunction with the British, overthrew the elected government in Iran and installed a dictator - the Shah - in its place. The Brits did not like the fact that the government had nationalized the oil industry, which they had previously controlled. Also the U.S. did not care for the leftist government due to the rabid anti-communism at that time in this country.

Regardless of the purpose of the NIE which we certainly can’t know, Iran remains dangerous simply because it is enriching Uranium. Once down that path, further enrichment can produce enough U235 for a weapon. Since Russia is building a reactor _and_ providing the fuel, why is Iran enriching Uranium?

We can’t know exactly Iran’s intent but there have been many disturbing public statements from Iran’s leadership. A prudent US government would and should be wary of Iran, exactly what our President is doing. Regardless of political reasons to dislike this President, we should be happy that he is maintaining pressure on Iran.

If the purpose of the NIE was to reduce the probability of any immediate military action against Iran, that purpose was well served. Aside from issues regarding a depleted US military, I doubt that the US ever intended to open another front particularly in the waning days of the Bush administration. The next administration may need to deal with the issue.

All of these issues may be associated with the upcoming election and their influence on the politics of the election. Mr. Bush can’t run again, so there is little point to bashing him. But the US Congress can gain or lose traction by opposition to current policies. So these discussions are completely political in nature and way off-topic for this technical blog.

There are hundreds of suitable forums for political discussions with most filled by inane, thoughtless commentary. This forum need not join those discussions.

Let’ see the same group that told the new President that Iraq’s weapons were a slam dunk, and that Iran was ready to set off a bomb last year, now says ooops, no bombs, they are standing around singing kum by ya. And you believe all of that. I have a date orchard here In northen Wyoming I’ll sell you!!

I think its good that we have a rational discussion about what’s going on in the world. The fact that this administration is incompetant, does’t mean there aren’t good Republicans. When you make a mistake, you admit it and hopefully learn from it. Unfortunately, this administration doesn’t seem to have that capability. I still say we should look as to why the Iranians are upset with us. Try the Shaw for one.

HarryH, have you seen the movie “Team America; World Police”? [rolleyes] There is a reason why so many countries in the world don’t like America and it is not because of jealousy (Lame) either.

Marion. There are still some who continue to support Bush JUST because he is the president. This blind patriotism is just as dangerous as religious fundamentalism.

Al, as I’ve stated above, repeating the same mistakes over and over again is insanity. Bush is nuts.

I wholeheartedly agree that Lockergnome should stick to its roots. If the technology being discussed has some political implications then the implications should simply be noted without bias or opinion.
I believe that in politics none of us has any real grasp of the entire situation from any perspective. It is difficult to weed out truth from fiction without all or even most of the facts. Our best opportunity to voice our opinions is on the first Tuesday in November every four years.
Of one thing I am certain as I grow older, the more I know, the more I realize how little I do know. Certainties are not so certain anymore.
Philip

BTW, my opinion of libertopians is somewhat lower than my opinion of conservatives…

NUKE MADAGASCAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

that will make as much sense as bombing Iran, invading Iraq and A-stan, won’t it?

What a pathetic nation of pussies USA is turning into.

Scared out of your minds by a cartel of corporate toadies in the White House, you’ll go along and support just anything they sell you, no matter how stupid or criminally insane.

Congrats! You’ve just made my automated delete filter.
Maybe you should hang out with Rosie and her friends at MediaMatters. They actually believe that 9/11 was an inside job.