Reply #19: While I applaud some of the sentiments... [View All]

[Gwerlain]

my problems with this individual are:
1. The policies his government uses (and he is the leader of it) with regard to his own people are oppressive of the population his government purports to represent, and particularly oppressive of women.
2. His government's negative characterization of the state of Israel, and refusal to recognize its bare right to exist, are at the heart of the dispute that has divided our countries for so long; better relations would have resulted long ago had his government not maintained this position continuously.

Now, that said, the current administration had the opportunity to engage in a dialog with Iran a long, long time ago. The groundwork had been laid, and the Iranians were prepared to come to the table. And at that time, the Iranian administration was considerably more liberal than it is now. It is possible, perhaps even likely, that skillful negotiations would have made Iran feel that it would be wise to abandon their negative characterizations of Israel; and with a stake in better relations with Iran, the US could easily make it clear to Israel that problematic practices needed to cease if Israel wished to participate in a better, more peaceful Middle East.

This administration rejected that opportunity, despite the fact that it had been carefully worked on for years. Their only reason was that it was the policy of the previous administration. This was selfish, unwise, and generally despicable. As a result, Iran elected a hard-line administration. So if this administration doesn't like what Iran is doing, they have only themselves to blame. And if WE don't like what Iran is doing, then we have no one to blame but the current US administration. They had the opportunity to do better, and they squandered it- just as they have squandered every other resource we had before * came into office. Including the money the middle class had. Including our military. Including our self-respect, and the respect of most other countries and peoples around the world. Including our good relations with our allies. Including our Constitution.