Posted on 12/16/2009 9:35:08 AM PST by SeekAndFind
The House voted overwhelmingly to implement new sanctions against Iran in retaliation for its saber-rattling over building a nuclear weapons arsenal.
By a 412-12 vote, lawmakers approved legislation that would penalize foreign companies that sell oil to Iran or help the country with its oil-producing capacity. While Iran is a major crude oil producer, its lack of ability to produce enough gasoline and other refined petroleum products is a major economic vulnerability.
With no Senate action on the legislation expected this year, the House vote was for the time being mainly a warning that the United States is ready to act on its own if the Tehran government doesn't respond to current international efforts to prevent Iran from becoming a nuclear power.
Some lawmakers who voted against the bill worried such economic consequences could harm impoverished Iranians.
Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg, in a letter to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee last week, said the Obama administration was "entering a critical period of intense diplomacy to impose significant international pressure on Iran." Sanctions legislation "might weaken rather than strengthen international unity and support for our efforts," Steinberg's letter said.
House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Howard Berman, D-Calif., said Iran has had ample time to respond to President Obama's efforts at engagement. "President Obama has offered Iran an outstretched hand, but regrettably, Iran has not unclenched its fist."
(Excerpt) Read more at foxsmallbusinesscenter.com ...
RON PAUL’S REASON FOR VOTING ‘NO’ :
“This will unify the Iranian people against us,” said Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas.
Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio, a leading critic of the bill, said it would antagonize the many Iranian people who oppose the Tehran government of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. "We're telling the Iranian people, 'we have feelings of friendship for you. we like you so much, but we're going to cut off your home heating oil."'
"This will unify the Iranian people against us," said Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas.
I included the previous paragraph from Kucinich for context.
I'm not a fan of Ron Paul. But, I think the attacks on him are wrong, because he's just about the only Congress Critter that doesn't just talk about limited government.
“lawmakers approved legislation that would penalize foreign companies that sell oil to Iran or help the country with its oil-producing capacity.”
Feckless group. How are they going to go after foreign corporations -
Any hardships it creates for Iran will be pushed down to the people there who are against Iran’s government. Anything the Iranian government needs, it can continue to get from Russia and China.
Alternate reality time!
Good sound reasoning/sarc/, history shows that they have been against for quite sime time now, maybe he should watch some news reels from the Carter Presidency...dumba$$
Talk, talk, talk. They will now send them a very harshly written letter. Mean while, Iran will continue doing what it is doing. Ignoring the world.
Because the Fed will get a nuke before Iran does.
Damn, what a moron.
Ron Paul doesn’t have a clue. Iranians want the Mullahs out. My Iranian friend gives me the inside scoop. Paul didn’t pay attention to the news from Tehran. The Iranians want us to support them, and sanctions would be seen as just that.
Ron Paul...clueless on foreign policy.
Congress getting tough with more sanctions. I’m laughing and so are many nations at our very tough Pelosi congress.
And you are delusional. There is no justification that anyone should use to allow a nuclear Iran. Since The One and the HildeBeeste want to use ‘diplomacy’ then sanctions are the only way to do that.
The fact that Dennis the Nutcase is on board with this reasoning should tell you everything you need to know.
Most of Ron Paul’s policies ( especially economic ones ) are spot on. I would have voted for him EXCEPT for one thing — Foreign Policy.
I keep asking myself one question -— Is there any reason Ron Paul would vote for to take ANY Military Action ?
I’m not even sure if he supported the military action to overthrow the Taliban for coddling Osama Bin Ladin.
Would Ron Paul have voted to go to war to defeat Hitler or the Japanese Imperial Army ? I’m not sure.
His foreign policy is VERY SIMILAR to that of another man who ran for president ( and thankfully lost ) — Pat Buchanan.
They used to use that excuse as an argument against standing up to the Soviets.
Someone pleeeeeease make him go away. What an embarassment this guy is.
Ron Paul has made it very clear we were wrong to get involved with either WW. He is a freakin’ America hating nut.
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