Frist says military action a posssibility against Iran

AP ^ | February 4, 2006

[West Coast Conservative]

Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist said Saturday night that the United States must be prepared to take military action against Iran if nonviolent means don't deter the country from building nuclear weapons.

Iran has said it wants to enrich uranium only to make nuclear fuel for generating electricity. But concerns that it might misuse the technology led the International Atomic Energy Agency on Saturday to report Iran to the U.N. Security Council.

The United States has long advocated Security Council action against Iran, including possible political and economic sanctions, which have not yet occurred.

Asked whether Congress had the political will to use military force against Iran if necessary, First said: "The answer is yes, absolutely."

"We cannot allow Iran to become a nuclear nation," Frist told reporters at the Missouri GOP's annual Lincoln Days conference. "We need to use diplomatic sanctions. If that doesn't work, economic sanctions, and if that doesn't work, the potential for military use has to be on the table."

Frist also defended a program in President Bush's administration that allowed the government to eavesdrop, without warrants, on international calls and e-mails in the United States that were believed to be terrorist-related.

As Senate majority leader, the Tennessee senator said he was one of eight people in Congress who were "fully briefed" on the program. He said Democrats who criticize it do so at their own political peril.

"The program is constitutional, it is lawful and it is absolutely imperative for the safety and security of people in Missouri and people around this country," Frist said.

[Starboard]

the dem/lefties will be running against W for the rest of their lives. It's ALL THEY HAVE.

They are totally consumed by their hatred of Bush. It has, in effect, become a political jihad for them.

[guitfiddlist]

"We cannot allow Iran to become a nuclear nation," Frist told reporters at the Missouri GOP's annual Lincoln Days conference. "We need to use diplomatic sanctions. If that doesn't work, economic sanctions, and if that doesn't work, the potential for military use has to be on the table."

Yeah, Frist - but heaven forbid you ever pick it up off the table and use it. Just talk about it - and if that don't work - just retire and let somebody else do the heavy lifting. Have a fat and happy retirement at the taxpayer's expense - and just shut up about taking forceful action. You're the last person who has any credibility on the subject.

[Bush gal in LA]

What would it take to send in precision guided missiles to take out the sights where we know they are enriching the uranium? I thought I read somewhere we know where the sights are.And if some are underground they have bombs that can do that job also. Don't know if these missiles would be launched from a ship or dropped from a plane. But if its a surprise attack and they could do it without any risk to our guys ,this seems like a good way, if it comes to a showdown which is where it looks like its going fast......A liberal friend of mine told me today we should not attack Iran cause the President of Iran would go Insane.....I had to come back with .....He's ''INSANE NOW!''

[sheik yerbouty]

It might actually work..

[Travis McGee]

Yep. You can bank on the 'rats.

[Gordongekko909]

That... will come later. The concern right now is making sure that Iran doesn't go nuclear. We can't pull off another regime change right this second, and if Iran gets nuclear capability, we won't be able to do it ever.

Iranian regime change is definitely in the cards. The strikes against the nuclear facilities are to buy us some time.

[Peach]

Never.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Good time to draw a line in the sand, Doc.

[tomahawk]

It's a necessity.

Only force will work.

[USS Alaska]

Dems used to be very pro-Israel

Hey, dems used to be Pro-American, those days are long gone.

[Ptarmigan]

I can see Iran is ripe for regime change from within and that is a good thing.

[Gordongekko909]

I'm just worried about whether the pro-Western folks over in Iran have the scraps for that kind of thing. Last thing I'd want is another Bay of Pigs.

[Ptarmigan]

I don't want no Bay of Pigs fiasco either.