lifeofwylie

I am not one for conspiracy theories and such but there seems to be many events bubbling that should make us all very worried about the situation in Iran in 2006. Here are a few things to worry about (all have come out in the last month):

1) Military Intelligence Chief Aharon Ze'evi Farkash of Israeli intelligence says that Iran is within 1 or two years of having a functioning nuke. Iran has produced 45 tons of UF- 6 gas that is used in the centrifuge process for producing enriched uranium for nuclear weapons.

2) Iran acquired German-origin measuring instruments and propulsion and guidance systems for the Shihab-3, the German Magazine Focus has reported. The missile, designed to deliver a nuclear warhead, was said to have a range of 2,000 kilometers and could strike southern Europe. (This was done with the help of the Russians).

3) Russian Defense Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov said Monday that Russia was ready to supply Iran with modernized Tor-M1 anti-aircraft systems. The Defense Minster reports that "A contract has been signed with Iran on supplying Tor anti-aircraft systems."

4) Iran's space agency is trying to snap up technology from abroad as fast as possible for its satellite program, fearing the West will seek to impose restrictions like those put on the Iranian nuclear program. The Shihab-3 missle has a range of 1,240 miles so you have to wonder how much help it would be to a missle program of that type to have space technology (for guidance and tacking). There seem to be technical difficulties with adapting these for Nuke but they easily carry thickend VX (chemical weapon).

I could go on but it just scary quickly...

 
 

I know that the Democrats and left leaning side of the country just don't get why Bush never seems to get "trashed" for all he has "done". I will try to make it simple: We like what Bush is doing, we believe in what he is doing and he does what we think is the right thing even when everyone one else seems to be critising him.
Here are some examples:

1) "Bush Lied and Thousands Died" Boy, what a nifty saying to sink a President but it hasn't worked. Why? Because Bush doesn't think he lied and neither do his supporters. Going with the best intel you have at the time and making a decision is what we want from a leader and Bush did that. Every serious commission to look into this (there have been three (2 congressional and 1 British)) and found...nothing. Since President Bush did not think he lied, he doesn't come off as a liar and so it doesn't stick.

2) Now it is eavesdropping and violating our civil rights. Since President Bush doesn't think he like (and it looks like no serious legal minds think he did either) he will come out of this unscathed also. In fact, it will help him. Why? Because, in the end, he can say he has done everything in his power to protect us even things we do not know about. We like it when a leader takes positive action even when it won't get him any direct public credit. It is called character (you know, doing the right thing even when no one is looking).

3) The economy stinks and the tax cuts only help the rich. Kerry tried this in the election and it did not get him an inch. Well we have ad 30 months of real job growth, 10 consecutive quarters of GDP growth above 3%, overall tax revenues are UP since the tax cut (in fact they are at a record high of 2.15 trillion dollars) and the deficit is about 4% of GDP (very reasonable - it was over 6% in 1983). If you check the IRS, you will see that the top 50% of Americans pay 96% of all income taxes. If you give a tax break it goes to the top half of American tax payers because they are the only ones paying taxes ("The rich!").

I have tried to think of a post to put up for Christmas. I read in a blog a letter from a U.S.M.C. Capitan serving in Iraq. It's end is better than anything I could ever write:

"This holiday season, cherish what is yours, smell the trees, have fun with family, take walks, have some egg nog and a stoag for us and enjoy your holidays. Although we had rather be home, know that we will finish what needs to be done and you can rest in peace, your Marines are on guard this holiday season. Merry Christmas & Semper Fidelis"

If you want to read the entire thing it is here http://shepherdaway.blogspot.com/2005/12/holiday-season-i-finally-get-break.html

Peace be with you.

Here is the Patriot Act:

http://www.epic.org/privacy/terrorism/hr3162.html


Read it. It is not designed to rob anyone of their liberties. It is a solid tool for fighting the war on terrorism. If this had been in place before 9/11 then thousands of lives might have been saved.

We are fighting a war and this is a very minimal intrusion for what it get us.

Read it.

After watching the President last night and seeing the defeat of the Patriot Act, it seems to me things are coming to a head. It all comes down to what you believe:

If you believe we are truly at risk then everything Bush is saying and doing is right. If you truly believe we are truly at risk and you were President would not you authorize "eavesdropping" on the phones and email accounts found in terrorist possession. If you truly believe that we are at risk and you were President would not you want to have the Patriot Act. Wouldn't it be your duty?

I will take it further. If you even suspected that we were at risk and you were President wouldn't it be your duty to assume the worst and use every tool at hand to protect your citizens.

It seems to be that you would be a damned fool and a poor President if you did not do what President Bush has done.