Sunday, April 08, 2007

Pirates of Tehran

Former Tennessee Senator Fred Thompson writes:

Oil prices fell. The stock market rose. Video images of smiling British soldiers with Iranian President Ahmadinejad were everywhere. So were pictures of the 15 freed hostages embracing family members back home. The relief over the return of the Brits was so tremendous; you could almost hear birds singing.

Maybe it's because military action won't be needed or maybe it's just because the ordeal won't drag on and on, but the world is breathing easier now. A lot of folks are happy. The problem, as I see it, is that Ahmadinejad seems to be the happiest.


And why shouldn't he be? He has shown the world that his forces can kidnap British citizens, subject them to brutal psychological tactics to coerce phony confessions, finagle the release of a high-ranking Iranian terror coordinator in Iraq, utterly trash the Geneva conventions and suffer absolutely no consequences.

It is critical that we see this incident as part of a long pattern of behavior -- that will continue as long as the current leadership is in power. More importantly, it will escalate unimaginably if Iran achieves nuclear status, and with it the ability to hold millions rather than individuals hostage.

I have no idea if Ahmadinejad and those who put him in power really believe the Shi'a Twelver doctrine that they can spur the messiah to return by triggering Armageddon. You have to admit, though, that the possibility that they look forward to entering paradise as martyrs would make them a whole lot scarier as a nuclear power than the USSR ever was.

Fred Thompson... I think he's got it!

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

http://joeleonardi.wordpress.com/2007/03/18/a-republican-to-vote-for/">http://joeleonardi.wordpress.com/2007/03/18/a-republican-to-vote-for/

The above column was posted several weeks ago. It made me interested in looking at Thompson. I advise it as a good FYI.

Mia

Malott said...

Thanks Mia...

I particularly liked the quote:

“After two years in Washington, I often long for the realism and sincerity of Hollywood.”

Former Tennessee Senator Fred Thompson

janice said...

Outstanding analysis by Thompson.

I hope he jumps into the race, he's someone I'd eagerly vote for. It sure appears like he knows the middle east mindset, and more importantly, how to deal with them.

Malott said...

Janice,

I'd say he is definitely looking and sounding like a candidate.

Unknown said...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abeer_Qassim_Hamza_al-Janabi


Oh yeah, like any of you have ever been to the middle east. LOL.