What would you do given the enormous risks created by Iranian nukes?
I'm not in the party that says you are only permitted to criticize if you have an alternate program. So I don't see any reason to offer anything.
Having said that, however, I have a few thoughts.
1. To the Bush people. Don't threaten to use nuclear weapons and don't use nuclear weapons. The downside of that far outweighs any benefit that might be derived.
2. To the Bush people. Get good information. At the moment, we are offered information which says anything from it's only a short time until Iran has nuclear delivery capability to something like ten years. So we don't know how serious or how immediate the threat is. One wonders if they do.
If there is anything we now know about the folk who make policy in the Bush administration, it's that they are cherry pickers. They decide what they want to do and then go find the information to back it up. Stop. You don't have a prayer of persuading the level of public opinion you need unless you change that perception.
3. To the Bush people. The information that will make this threat credible to domestic and world political actors will not come via the US. It will have to come via more trusted sources.
It's only with good information that is reasonably believable that public opinion can address this issue.
4. To the Bush people. Don't assume that a nuclear bombing campaign would lead to a "regime change" in Iran. More likely the opposite would occur. A rallying around the present regime.
5. To the Bush people. Don't assume that you, George Bush, are the only president with the capability to tackle this issue. Future presidents will be. And will certainly do a better job. Could certainly not do a worse one.
6. To all of us. Relax. We are presently being bombarded by very questionable sources demanding action. Now. But we should take a deep breath. The worry, at the moment, is less about the Iranian nuclear capability, than the Bush administration's haste to go to war, once again. Let's wait for better information. And dare I suggest, a better, even much better, administration. |
