A Modest Proposal: Cripple Iran's Oil Industry

[Guest]

From the Strategy Page, an unusual op-ed piece, one that makes sense given the current state of affairs vis-a-vis Iran and its support of terrorrism worldwide.

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A Bold Proposal for Iran
July 20, 2006: Sometimes it pays to be bold. We should destroy the Iranian oil industry. By bombing all oil transportation facilities, pipelines, storage tanks, tanker trucks, refineries etc. we can cripple the funding of numerous terrorist organizations, Hezbollah, Hamas, Sadr's militia, Syria, as well as make it more difficult for Iran to buy missiles and such from North Korea, China, and Russia.

It would remove Iran's threat that if we attack they will shut off the oil. Making the threat ridiculous and demonstrating that they are a single product state and without oil, and no other product that the world wants, they are nothing. Additionally, by declaring that we will destroy any attempts to repair the oil facilities, as long as the Mullacracy remains in charge, we can focus the Iranian's blame for the situation, on the Theocracy and their support of Terrorism.

This will also bring home to all the other oil producing countries like Venezuela, Libya, Saudi Arabia, the Gulf States, etc. that they are very vulnerable to the same tactic.

In addition, this will gain us time for the Iraqis to stand on their own, and free up troops we would need if we have to go into Iran, North Korea or somewhere else.

Sure the price of gas will rise, but this will also demonstrate to the world that the United States is not in Iraq for the Oil, and the onus can be shifted on to the Democrats for not allowing more domestic production.

"It's not the control of the spice but the power to destroy the spice that is the real power."

It has recently been said that the nuclear production facilities in Iran are so deep that we can't reach them with conventional weapons. Perhaps so, but maybe we can starve those facilities of funds. Nuclear weapons are terribly expensive to build, and if Iran now needs all its money to repair vital civilian infrastructure, it may have to slow or stop its attempt to build an atomic bomb.

Finally, Iran is a state sponsor of terrorists, it must be punished, and it must be seen to be punished. Iran's continued sponsorship of terror is a slap in everyone's face, and it must be answered.

--Karl R. Maier

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I don't know who this guy is, but he's got some interesting ideas about how to deal with Iran, IMO

mh

"The mouse does not know life until it is in the mouth of the cat."

[mr2mk1g 10]

The proposal is also probably highly illegal under international law. Deliberate targeting of civilian infrastructure simply to cripple a county's economy will get you up before a war crimes tribunal just as fast as gassing Jews will – and that's where you have a justification such as open warfare.

Can you imagine what would happen if the US just started doing this with no further provocation other than Iran's continued research into subjects we don't want them to know about?

It's also really important to note that the very reason they want nuclear energy is because they recognize they're a single commodity state and want to be able to ensure the lights stay on when the wells run dry. Demonstrating that to them is hardly the way to change their mind about the need for an alternative energy source.

[PhreeZone 20]

I think you are forgetting who is buying a lot of that oil. China. Any attempt to cripple Iran's oil will be viewed as a threat against China and I'm pretty sure you don't want to stir that sleeping beast...

Yesterday is history
And tomorrow is a mystery

Parachutemanuals.com

[warpedskydiver 0]

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I think you are forgetting who is buying a lot of that oil. China. Any attempt to cripple Iran's oil will be viewed as a threat against China and I'm pretty sure you don't want to stir that sleeping beast...

China may well feel the same about the USA.

Do you know of any country that actually truly believes they would win in a war against us?

UK not part of this, as they are like our brothers, they will stick by us through thick and thin as we will for them always.

[Skyrad 0]

You've got to be joking. Thanks for the compliment but theres no way the UK would go to war against Iran.

When an author is too meticulous about his style, you may presume that his mind is frivolous and his content flimsy.
Lucius Annaeus Seneca

[idrankwhat 0]

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I don't know who this guy is, but he's got some interesting ideas about how to deal with Iran, IMO

mh

Yea, and they're all really bad ideas on so many different levels. I can't decide if I should address it from the international law approach or one dealing with arrogant imperialism, economic catastrophy, human rights, national security, or simple minded shortsightedness, holy crap. I was particularly taken aback by the notion of bombing Iran's infrastructure as a warning to all other oil producing nations that they'd better do what we tell them or we'll bomb the shit out of them. I wonder which country Jesus would bomb first. Let's hope this very scary person doesn't work for the PNAC.

[CanuckInUSA 0]

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I don't know who this guy is, but he's got some interesting ideas about how to deal with Iran

Cool ... let the bombing begin. But while we're at it, you don't mind if we bomb the shit out of America's financial institutions do you? I mean after all, by destroying America's economy, we will severely damage their ability to wage war on the rest of the world.

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Additionally, by declaring that we will destroy any attempts to repair the financial institutions, as long as the neo-cons remains in charge, we can focus the blame on America for the situation, on their Theocracy and their support for world conflict.

If you don't recognize that your own government has become one of the most dangerous regimes out there when it comes to world peace, then it's time to take your patriotic blinders off. I've got no issue with the average American citizen as I think American's as individuals are good people. But the people who are currently in charge of your country have made the world a much more dangerous place to be since they took power.

Plus it's funny that America wanted impeach Clinton for his sexual exploits but have no issues with GWB waging war, spying on his own people and holding people in prisons (or was that concentration camps) indefinitely without ever charging them for a crime.

Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

[SpeedRacer 1]

"a modest proposal"



yeah, we can always Initiate Aggression. Another country is giving you problems? Solve the problems by dropping bombs on it!

WTF, is this guy a retard or what???

so then, what would be an Immodest proposal??

Speed Racer
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[Skyrad 0]

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I don't know who this guy is, but he's got some interesting ideas about how to deal with Iran

Cool ... let the bombing begin. But while we're at it, you don't mind if we bomb the shit out of America's financial institutions do you? I mean after all, by destroying America's economy, we will severely damage their ability to wage war on the rest of the world.

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Additionally, by declaring that we will destroy any attempts to repair the financial institutions, as long as the neo-cons remains in charge, we can focus the blame on America for the situation, on their Theocracy and their support for world conflict.

If you don't recognize that your own government has become one of the most dangerous regimes out there when it comes to world peace, then it's time to take your patriotic blinders off. I've got no issue with the average American citizen as I think American's as individuals are good people. But the people who are currently in charge of your country have made the world a much more dangerous place to be since they took power.

Plus it's funny that America wanted impeach Clinton for his sexual exploits but have no issues with GWB waging war, spying on his own people and holding people in prisons (or was that concentration camps) indefinitely without ever charging them for a crime.

YOUR ATTITUDE HAS BEEN NOTED

When an author is too meticulous about his style, you may presume that his mind is frivolous and his content flimsy.
Lucius Annaeus Seneca

[Richards 0]

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But while we're at it, you don't mind if we bomb the shit out of America's financial institutions do you? I mean after all, by destroying America's economy, we will severely damage their ability to wage war on the rest of the world.

When you say "we" who are you refering to? I personally cannot see anyone other than someone wanting to become aquainted with 72 virgins being willing to risk bombing the US.

Richards

My biggest handicap is that sometimes the hole in the front of my head operates a tad bit faster than the grey matter contained within.

[CanuckInUSA 0]

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YOUR ATTITUDE HAS BEEN NOTED

What are you going to do, rat on me to the feds and have me thrown in Guantanamo for life without ever charging me with a crime? There are too many lemmings who are blindly letting their governments wage war without questioning why they are bringing so much instability to the world.

Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

[CanuckInUSA 0]

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When you say "we" who are you refering to? I personally cannot see anyone other than someone wanting to become aquainted with 72 virgins being willing to risk bombing the US.

JFC ... don't you people see the irony in what was written by this guy and what I said. If you take me serious that I am adovating bombing the US, then you're just not seeing the big picture. I do not want the USA's economy to be destroyed because I know it will be a negative impact for most of us. But why is destroying Iran a good thing? Do you people really want World War III? Well we know the hard core Christians do because it will bring Armagedon sooner and these nut cases actually view the end of the world as a good thing. But I would hope that most of us view World War III as a bad thing.

Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

[billvon 3,132]

>and the onus can be shifted on to the Democrats . . .

Perhaps you missed the Swiftian title. He's really not proposing that we eat Irish children bomb Iran to promote the GOP.

[GTAVercetti 0]

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>and the onus can be shifted on to the Democrats . . .

Perhaps you missed the Swiftian title. He's really not proposing that we eat Irish children bomb Iran to promote the GOP.

Well. At least someone caught that. Unfortunately, the writer of the article said 'a BOLD proposal.'

Why yes, my license number is a palindrome. Thank you for noticing.

[DJL 235]

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A Bold Proposal for Iran

Pretty short sighted. Why is anyone even seriously discussing this article?

"I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher

[billvon 3,132]

>the writer of the article said 'a BOLD proposal.'

If someone actually did propose starting a war in part to give the GOP a boost, then I seriously fear for the future of the US.

[Skyrad 0]

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YOUR ATTITUDE HAS BEEN NOTED

What are you going to do, rat on me to the feds and have me thrown in Guantanamo for life without ever charging me with a crime? There are too many lemmings who are blindly letting their governments wage war without questioning why they are bringing so much instability to the world.

WHAT DO YOU THINK THIS IS A DEMOCRACY? I THINK ORANGE WILL SUIT YOU BOY!

When an author is too meticulous about his style, you may presume that his mind is frivolous and his content flimsy.
Lucius Annaeus Seneca

[kallend 2,182]

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>the writer of the article said 'a BOLD proposal.'

If someone actually did propose starting a war in part to give the GOP a boost, then I seriously fear for the future of the US.

Happened in 2003. Of course, the outcome was not quite what was expected when "Mission Accomplished" was announced.

...

The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[rickjump1 0]

Stripes with pink underwear.

Do your part for global warming: ban beans and hold all popcorn farts.

[mr2mk1g 10]

hahahahaha, I totally missed the title!

You guys should google "a modest proposal" and let yourselves in on the joke.

[Zipp0 1]

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Do you know of any country that actually truly believes they would win in a war against us?

That's a mighty dangerous idea to let swim around your head for very long. See below:

“Our nation, this most powerful, wealthy, and dominant people on the face of planet Earth, shall shine on for millennia to come.” -Pericles, the ruler during the Golden Age of Ancient Athens

“Under God’s watch, we shall conquer and never fall!” -Emperor Constantine of Rome

“We French are the most populous of Europe, the most wealthy, and possess an army that has brought us virtually the whole of the continent! Viva la France! Our great nation will prosper forever as the most powerful nation on Earth.” -Napoleon

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Chuck Norris doesn't do push-ups, he pushes the Earth down.

[christelsabine 1]

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I think you are forgetting who is buying a lot of that oil. China. Any attempt to cripple Iran's oil will be viewed as a threat against China and I'm pretty sure you don't want to stir that sleeping beast...

China may well feel the same about the USA.

Do you know of any country that actually truly believes they would win in a war against us?

UK not part of this, as they are like our brothers, they will stick by us through thick and thin as we will for them always.

Holy Crab, megalomania needs special medication. It's not to "you", it's just to a "you".

Do your UK bro's know, they're doomed to be your bro's forever?

"Through thick and thin...." Reminds me on Rintintin.... LMAO

dudeist skydiver # 3105

[idrankwhat 0]

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Do you know of any country that actually truly believes they would win in a war against us?

That's a mighty dangerous idea to let swim around your head for very long. See below:

“Our nation, this most powerful, wealthy, and dominant people on the face of planet Earth, shall shine on for millennia to come.” -Pericles, the ruler during the Golden Age of Ancient Athens

“Under God’s watch, we shall conquer and never fall!” -Emperor Constantine of Rome

“We French are the most populous of Europe, the most wealthy, and possess an army that has brought us virtually the whole of the continent! Viva la France! Our great nation will prosper forever as the most powerful nation on Earth.” -Napoleon

From the book cover of my next read:
From ancient Rome to the British Empire, Phillips demonstrates that every world-dominating power has been brought down by an overlapping set of problems: a foolish combination of global overreach, militant religion, diminishing resources, and ballooning debt.

[billvon 3,132]

"Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud."

[warpedskydiver 0]

Maybe you don't understand it at all, I suppose it did not make sense to you.

The US and UK are unlike any two other nations, we fought against immense odds, had our backs to the wall and yet prevailed.

I guess that would be an alien idea to most people from other countries.

If it were not for the fact that we are inextricably connected in such a way maybe we would not have survived WWI, WWII, and the Cold war, which may have actually been WWIII.