More comment-preservation, re the Iran conflict.
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It's the Libs on this thread showing irrational paranoia. You want to celebrate Iran as the "good guys" in this geopolitical contest, simply because "they didn't attack first"-- even though Iran sent agents to assassinate a sitting US president, which in your world is not an "attack."
And then there's the rush to assume that whatever Iran says is an honest representation of the facts on the ground, that they control the Straits because they say they do. Here's what they control: drones that can attack cargo ships if those ships don't pay up. Can other European and Middle Eastern countries choose to fight? Sure, but apparently, according to Louis Vittert (on a recent O'REILLY SHOW), they won't because Euro insurance companies have already rolled over, stating that they won't pay for cargo ships being attacked, but they will pony up for extortion. Vittert has a refreshingly practical take that you Libs could benefit from-- don't assume that either Iran or the US is telling the unvarnished truth, but judge what happens from the actual results. The constant carping of the media, Vittert points out, has strengthened Iran's position, not anything Trump did, because thanks to the Menace of the Midterms, the Iranians feel they can ask for more stuff despite their having been the aggressors in the conflict. To Trump it's like, "I'll use American resources to protect American interests, but I'm not doing squat for Europe. They can roll over and show their bellies, or they can fight."
Agreed, that it's naive if not ignorant to assume either Iranian or US leadership (or any of the variously-agenda'd media) is "telling the truth".
ReplyDeleteOne important fact relating to the truthfulness of Iran, which no media I've read has noted, is the Islamic doctrine of of Taqiyya .
"'Taqiyya' is an Islamic term for concealing one's faith or practicing dissimulation to avoid imminent mortal danger, persecution, or severe harm. It is only justified under extreme duress or when a Muslim's life or property is in immediate, unavoidable danger...To protect oneself or the community from harm, allowing believers to survive in hostile environments."
Who decides when taqiyya is applicable and permissible? The Muslims. THEY interpret what is "imminent mortal danger, persecution, or severe harm" and what is necessary to to "protect" Muslim believers from "hostile" infidels.
Iranian extremists have considered the US to be "hostile infidels" since before 1979, the year they attacked and took hostage the US embassy in Tehran. For forty-seven years, they've considered us "imminent danger".
Copying and pasting Google AI here:
"As of April 2026, Iran has rejected US demands to dismantle key nuclear infrastructure and stop uranium enrichment, leading to a collapse in negotiations.
"Tehran maintains its right to a peaceful nuclear program, refusing to abide by restrictions on its enrichment levels or to send enriched materials out of the country.
"Talks between the U.S. and Iran collapsed after Iran refused to abandon its nuclear program, with both sides accusing each other of making 'excessive demands'. Iranian officials, including Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, stated that Tehran will not end its uranium enrichment program, despite warnings of increased US pressure and potential military action.
"The U.S. demanded the closure of major nuclear sites, including Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, which Iran rejected.
"While Iran claims its program is for peaceful purposes, observers note it has continued to increase its stockpile of enriched uranium, pushing forward with technical steps that could lead to a weapon."
When considering Iran's claim that its nuclear goals are "for peaceful purposes", keep in mind that, to extremist Islam, "peaceful purposes" encompasses "the peace which occurs after all infidels have been killed or subdued".
All evidencing that while, certainly, it's wise not to uncritically trust whatever our US leadership claims to be true, it's essential to understand that for Iran, lying in order to protect Islam is godfearing loyalty to "Allah".