The Iran deal announced earlier today has drawn a lot of criticism from Republicans and cautious support from Democrats.
Congressman Raul Grijalva (D-CD3) joined his Congressional Progressive Caucus colleagues in praising the agreement:
The historic agreement struck today between the United States, our allies, and Iran is a triumph of international relations. President Obama, Secretary Kerry and our P5+1 partners have proven that there is a better paradigm for foreign engagement than the constant threat of military action: it’s called diplomacy. This deal is the responsible way to avert nuclear ambitions, and to ensure that we all share a safer and more peaceful world.
Meanwhile, Congresswoman Martha McSally (R-CD2) is critical of the proposal:
Iran is the world’s largest state sponsor of terrorism. They have the blood of Americans and our allies on their hands and show no signs of stopping their destabilizing actions in the region. During these negotiations, I joined my Arizona colleagues to outline specific requirements that needed to be included in any deal, such as “anytime, anywhere” inspections and the dismantling of infrastructure needed to cut off Iran’s pathway to a nuclear weapon. I have serious concerns those requirements were not met.
Instead of dismantling Iran’s nuclear program, as was the Administration’s stated goal, this deal seems to keep it intact. It naively assumes Iran simply will stop supporting terrorism across the Middle East and threatening our close ally Israel, things it has done for decades. By removing sanctions, it eliminates all pressure for Iran to curb its destructive actions, while hastening their acquisition of ballistic missiles and other weapons.
The dangers of a bad deal cannot be overstated. A nuclear capable Iran will bolster their influence, further decay regional stability, and present a greater and more destructive threat to our security and that of our allies than ever before. Over the next 60 days, I will review this agreement and take action along with my colleagues as needed to protect Americans from a dangerous deal.
This article appears in Jul 9-15, 2015.
Triumph of International Relations?
Did anybody tell him they are burning the US flag and chanting “death to America?”
Mr Grijalva I expected nothing less from you and the community organizer.
Democrats will have to vote to impeach the President to stop this.
Mr Grijalva, what did “diplomacy” get us? Iraq is being taken today as we speak. They are two steps closer to killing millions in Israel.
What did we get?
“Did anybody tell him they are burning the US flag and chanting “death to America?””
Same tune Raul’s been singing all his life. Except now with the help of terrorist Bill Ayers, he’s indoctrinating our children in TUSD.
“Iraq is being taken today as we speak.”
Really, apparently destabilizing Iraq with war has nothing to do with what is happening there today.
How long were we suppose to be there?
If I remember correctly the last administration stated that this was not going to be another Vietnam. I didn’t see much difference except fewer loss of American life. One loss is too much for the wrong reason.
Oh boy, We should call this the Terror Funding Agreement. What do you think the mullas are going to do with the billions of dollars they are going to get when we unfreeze Iran’s accounts?
Not good.
Hm. Let me see; who should I trust on this one, the former warrior who has seen combat in the region or the one who has never worn a uniform?
Okay, give me a few more minutes.
I’m still thinking.
This is a really tough call because we all know this simply delays the ability to arm up by 10~15 years. Let me see, we’ve had the money for 35 so in the realm of timelines it’s the blink of an eye. But the president says this is a good deal and as a politician he has NEVER lied to anyone.
Let me go a couple comments further back. Because you still hate Bush it’s fine with you if Iran develops ICBMs? This will create a middle eastern nuclear weapons race, the likes of which have never been seen. Did I mention Obama is funding it?
Why am I not suprised? Anything that hurts America Raul the fool is all for. I’ll bet if Mexico made a deal that bad he’d be pulling whats left of his hair out. Anybody wonder why Iranis are dancing in the streets and their leaders are calling it a great victory? I’m still waiting for someone to wake me and it turns out this really didn’t happen. God help us all.
How is Iran the largest state sponsor of terrorism? All the big terrorist groups threatening the U.S. (ISIL, alQaeda) are Sunni, not Shia. On 9/11 most of the terrorists were Saudi. Designating Iran as a state sponsor of terrorism has more to do with power politics, oil politics, and Israeli politics than with real threats to America.
The CIA overthrew the democratic government of Iran in 1957 and replaced it with a dictator (the Shah). Do you think they’ve forgotten? Is there any wonder they still shout “death to America”?
Also the comments above, and comments from GOP politicians, treat Iran as if it were a monolith. Iran is a nascent democracy. But instead of the moneyed elite picking the candidates (like in the U.S.) the mullahs pick them. However, there are real progressive (anti-theocracy, pro-freedom, pro-democracy) groups in Iran and they are becoming more powerful. Opening up trade and normalizing relations with the West may make those groups gain more power in Iran, a good thing for both Iran and the U.S.
Hmmm…. let’s think about WWRD? Yes, what would the great Ronald Reagan do? Yes….yes…. I remember…….he sold arms to Iran.
McSally lambasts the agreement, then goes on to say that over the next 60 days she will review it (translate: actually read it). She’s just another stooge for the Koch brothers, repeating the same garbage the rest of the bought members of Congress spew.
We have a choice……accept the deal and hope that it works out with the support of Russia, Germany, the UK and other world powers, all looking in on Iran, and bring Iran into the international sphere of nations. As a side benefit, Iranian oil will lower gas prices for American consumers. Refuse it because we don’t trust Iran? That means maintain the status quo, and Iran continues to develop weapons on the sly. Bush ignored Clinton intiatives with North Korea so they could push for tougher sanctions and make North Korea submit. The result of acting tough? North Korea became a nuclear power.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God…..support this treaty…and verify compliance over the next decade. The war mongers alternative is more war in the Middle East…and how is that working out?
Lemme see… I wonder what the wack jobs at the Weekly think about this.
It’s easy to glean; they run a photo of Grijalva but not one of McSally. Bias anyone?
Wes we’re not supposed to point that out any more. But that’s what keeps it from being a NEWSpaper. It is a blog for liberals.
MSNBC let a democrat criticize the POTUS this morning. This is a terrible deal. What did we expect from John Kerry?
From an NBC News article. here is what will happen, per them:
Saudi Arabia presents the most pressing issue. The Saudis’ most likely move, say officials and experts, will be to put political pressure on the U.S. to extend security protection to the Arabian peninsula. It will start, they say, with rhetoric that threatens, “You give us protection or we will build our own weapons.”
Looks like Obama has guaranteed more military action in the region. Just the opposite of what he promised.
@Rat T – “But that’s what keeps it from being a NEWSpaper. It is a blog for liberals.”
Perhaps, but it also gives you a platform for your daily skreeds, so you apparently LOVE the Tucson Weekly/Range Newsletters!
I really do.
…and mines a daily skreed? Wow. Did I mention Raul didn’t mention the American hostages left behind? International Relations with a terrorist state. Condolences to the families of those hostages that were hopeful.
So when and when is positive Iran exploits this deal everyone for it in congress are lined up and sent into that territory to fight against the policy which they championed to correct it with their own blood and sweat and not our soldiers. They can see just how civil Iran is
If you think you were going to get a realistic, non-party-centric, independent, well thought response from either of these two elected puppets – you need a reality check.
America created everything we are supposed to hate about Iran. Our CIA deposed the Shah and supported his replacement;s corruption and torture. We supplied Iraq with weapons and intel during the Iran-Iraq war.
If America concentrated on what goes on within her borders, maybe we wouldn’t have 10 articles a week on what is wrong with our schools and illegal immigration.
The best thing that can happen is to let the parties in the Middle East turn each other into nuclear glass.
McSally is a cipher, a blank slate ready for the Koch-sucking wing of the republiKlan right to use to advance their fascist, war mongering, corporate agenda…
That she apparently has little intelligence or ability to think for herself makes her a perfect stooge for them…
C’mon you guys. No matter the political bent the Weekly keeps it interesting. Thank goodness for the 1st Amendment.
Let me re quote myself from the first post:
What did we get?
U.S. and Iranian officials confirmed Thursday that no American nuclear inspectors will be permitted to enter the country’s contested nuclear site under the parameters of a deal reached with world powers this week, according to multiple statements by American and Iranian officials.
Impeach the President before the vote. How timely that an Kuwaiti transplant to the US and an ISIS tweeter just killed four Marines in TN? It’s the region folks, and if you ignore it, it will be at your own peril.