A Shah With a Turban

NY Times Via Iran va Jahan ^ | Saturday, December 24, 2005 | Thomas L. Friedman

[F14 Pilot]

Friedman has good things to say and then he says something to kind of ruin it and he can't hide his left agenda

[livius]

Talk to the Senate. They're the ones who don't seem to realize that alternatives - such as ANWR - must be sought.

That said, Bush has not been aggressive enough with the Senate, although the fact that there are so many RINOs among them certainly hasn't helped.

[Recon Dad]

I found not disagreement until the very end of this piece, when he said that Bush should concentrate on alternative energy sources. That will stop the nut cases in Iran from going after Israel.

[A.Hun]

He couldn't resist could he...Bush's fault!

[RichInOC]

The word from the White House is that President Bush is trying to figure out a theme for his State of the Union speech and for his next three years. Mr. President, what more has to happen — how many more Katrinas, how much more reckless behavior by Iran, how many more allies bought off by petro-dollars — before you realize that there is only one thing to do for the next three years: Lead America and the world in an all-out push to conserve energy, reduce dependence on oil and develop alternatives Do unto Iran what you've just done unto Iraq?

[atomicpossum]

So where's Friedkin on ANWR? If he's where I suspect, he's just blowing it out his lefty behind.

[Paradox]

Lead America and the world in an all-out push to conserve energy, reduce dependence on oil and develop alternatives?

I agree with this, there needs to be a large push to Nuclear Energy. GO NUKES!

[misterrob]

I found nothing to disagree with in this article. Iran has done a lot to insulate itself against any "hostile" actions undertaken by the West. And, unless we do something to decrease dependence on ME oil then we are going to have problems.

Afghanistan and Iraq brought out the Law of Unintended Consequences with respect to Iran. Their bordering neighbors were invaded and their governments toppled. Think the Mad Mullahs couldn't see the writing on the wall? Of course they were going to dig in and build deterrents. With so much leftism in the world they have de facto friends and with their oil reserves they could make more in Asia. Frankly, if we were to go to war with Iran what's China going to do? I don't think that they are strong enough to tangle with us straight up but give it another few years and then what?

Decision time is coming and no matter what it will be messy. Delaying is not the answer though. Within the next year Iran's government must be toppled.

[jocon307]

"So where's Friedkin on ANWR?"

Good question, although give the man credit, he's made it clear he is opposed to Hurricanes.

[hermgem]

And this project of reducing dependency has to, no must include, drilling on domestic soil and offshore areas.

Crying wolf when air conditioners do not work in high summer heat, or natural gas and heating oil go through the roof is useless self defeating and outright stupidity.
Drilling for oil in Alaska also brings millions of cubic feet of natural gas and therefore downward pricing pressure on the monthly gas bill, plus reductions of sending money to Arabia, Venezuela, and yes Canada.
Ever heard of balance of payments and those dire projections of too much debt? obviously not but we all heard those actors telling us that drilling at home makes little differnce, as if $50 to $90 million per ady means nothing
Who ever pays attention to this economic bubble producer Clinton putting a stop to drilling for natural gas on federal land as he left office?
Keep those no drilling filibustering Democrat Senators in your visor when opening your heating bills.
Or is all forgiven again when voting for or against those Dem Senators that discovered and honed their "no saying skills" and elevated filibustering to an art form?

[wildcatf4f3]

Time is running out for the disidents in Iran to throw off the mullahs. They better get on the stick or they, more than anyone else, will suffer the "collateral" effects of the coming war. If we take action with the mullahs, the first thing they will do is unleash their agents in Iraq. Being forward deployed has its advantages but also can be like "leading with the chin". Messy is an understatement.

[ken5050]

I was thinking the exact same thing as I read it...he's so exasperating..but think how conflicted he is, knowing the crapola his paper puts out every day. Friedman realizes deep in his soul how lucky we are that Bush beat Gore..

[manwiththehands]

Iran has so much oil money to sprinkle around Europe, it doesn't worry for a second that the Europeans would ever impose real sanctions on Tehran for refusing to open its nuclear program.

Europe has already proven that in Iraq.

[montag813]

Sad. Iran's youths are as talented as young Indians and Chinese, but they have no chance to show it. Iran has been reduced to selling its natural resources to India and China — so Chinese and Indian youths can invent the future while Iran's young people are trapped in the past.

Good paragraph.

[montag813]

Because three more years of $60-a-barrel oil will undermine everything good in the world that the United States wants to do — and that's no myth.

ANWR anyone?

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Tom should recognize a few Turbans in the Donk party over here.

[6SJ7]

Ah yes, Friedman's answer to a call for the destruction of Israel? Why, put on a cozy sweater.

[zarf]

Tom The Jew Basher rides again.