| Topic: |
Religions > Bible |
| User: |
"Promises Promises" |
| Date: |
13 Jun 2007 07:26:43 PM |
| Object: |
Derailing Iran's Drive for Nukes |
Derailing Iran's Drive for Nukes
Related Audio/Video Downloads
http://breakpoint.org/media/dkContent/6578/061307_BP.mp3
Wielding an Economic Sword
To say that Iran poses a grave threat to world peace is an
understatement. We know Iran sponsors terrorism-from fomenting
chaos in Iraq to aiding Hamas's attacks on Israel and Lebanon. Iran's
President Ahmadinejad is a fanatical Holocaust denier who has vowed to
wipe Israel off the map and says he waits for the return of the Twelfth
Imam-that is, the end times. Now he's made it clear Iran is moving
forward with its nuclear program-a prospect, in the light of these
circumstances, that is terrifying.
So how can Iran's nuclear ambitions be derailed? What makes this
problem especially difficult-besides the stakes, obviously-is that an
American military attack on Iran would further destabilize the Middle
East. Iran has promised to retaliate in the case of an attack, and no one
doubts their capacity to do so-especially in places like Iraq, the Persian
Gulf shipping lanes, and against Israel.
What we need is meaningful pressure on Iran, like sanctions that really
bite. Iran, whose economy is in bad shape, might be vulnerable to the
kind of pressure created by sanctions. The resurging middle class is
already restless.
But there's a problem: the U.N. is the only body that can impose such
sanctions. And countries like China and Russia, each of whom has a veto
on the Security Council, have made it clear they won't allow these kinds
of sanctions.
So how do you get the impact of sanctions when you can't impose them?
Former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has an idea:
divestment, the same strategy used to put pressure on South Africa's
apartheid regime.
Netanyahu starts by noting Iran's economic vulnerability. As he told the
Wall Street Journal, "Iran is in desperate need of new investments for its
sagging oil industry," whose production has gone down by 7 percent in
each of the last three years. He also pointed to Iran's 20 percent
unemployment rate and the criticism directed at President Ahmadinejad
for the failure of his economic policies.
According to Netanyahu, only "several dozen companies" are "propping
up" Iran's economy. Should they cease doing business with Iran, its
economy would be "[stopped] dead in its tracks."
So, how do people concerned about Iran's nuclear ambitions get those
companies to curtail their activities? By selling off the stock of those
companies. This is known as divestment. There's no better way of
sending a message to these companies that their conduct is unacceptable.
As Netanyahu said, "Divestment depresses stock prices and immediately
forces reconsideration" of company policies. In turn, Iranian economic
elites, and their middle class, would put pressure on the government to
halt its nuclear program.
As I said, Netanyahu's idea is worth considering seriously. Missouri and
Florida have already taken steps to divest state funds from companies
that do business with Iran. California is considering the same thing. These
are positive steps we ought to be encouraging. Check and see where
your state's funds are being invested, and put pressure on the state.
Divestment helped rid the world of apartheid, a great evil. Its
appeal-don't do business with people propping up evil-was easy to
understand and implement.
There's no doubting the threat posed by Iran's sponsorship of terrorism
and its nuclear ambitions. The only question now is whether people of
good will will do the right thing-and turn their backs on companies that
do business with that murderous regime.
By Chuck Colson
6/13/2007
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For Further Reading and Information
James Taranto, "Dealing With Iran," Wall Street Journal, 26 May 2007.
"Iran Divestment Bill Passes," Sacramento Bee, 6 June 2007.
"Deterring Iran," Washington Times, 11 June 2007.
"Terror-Free Investing Gains Ground In U.S.," CBS News, 26 March
2007.
"Iran's President Says Nuclear Work Nearing 'Peak'," Reuters, 24 May
2007.
"Bush Pledges to Work With Allies on Iran Sanctions," Associated
Press, 24 May 2007.
"Iran's Nuclear Plans Are Advancing, Admits IAEA," TimesOnline, 23
May 2007.
"Rice Talks with Journal's Editorial Board," Wall Street Journal, 11 June
2007.
"Iran Seeks to Spread 'Thought of Ahmadinejad'," Agence France-
Presse, 10 June 2007.
"UN Nuclear Watchdog Urges Breakthrough on Iran Standoff," All
Headline News, 12 June 2007.
James Lewis, "Our Fleeting Chance to Stop Iran's Nukes without War,"
The American Thinker, 29 May 2007.
Breakpoint Commentary No. 060814, "Preparing for the Mahdi: What's
Really Scary About Iran's Nuclear Program."
Breakpoint Commentary No. 060512, "Why Iran Matters: Ahmadinejad
and the Mahdi."
Breakpoint Commentary No. 060929, "It's a Mad, Mad World:
Deafening Silence."
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| User: "Michael Gray" |
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| Title: Re: Derailing Iran's Drive for Nukes |
13 Jun 2007 09:34:38 PM |
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On Thu, 14 Jun 2007 00:26:43 +0000 (UTC), "Promises Promises"
<pp_aery_11@yahoo.com> wrote:
- Refer: <10mnh4.c80.19.1@news.alt.net>
Derailing Iran's Drive for Nukes
Related Audio/Video Downloads
http://breakpoint.org/media/dkContent/6578/061307_BP.mp3
Wielding an Economic Sword
To say that Iran poses a grave threat to world peace is an
understatement.
To say that Washington poses a grave threat to world peace is a
statement of undeniable fact.
--
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| User: "Al Klein" |
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| Title: Re: Derailing Iran's Drive for Nukes |
13 Jun 2007 08:49:11 PM |
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On Thu, 14 Jun 2007 00:26:43 +0000 (UTC), "Promises Promises"
<pp_aery_11@yahoo.com> wrote:
To say that Iran poses a grave threat to world peace is an
understatement. We know Iran sponsors terrorism-from fomenting
chaos in Iraq to aiding Hamas's attacks on Israel and Lebanon.
Have you heard that we have proof that Saddam was trying to buy
yellowcake?
Idiot.
.
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| User: "Michael Gray" |
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| Title: Re: Derailing Iran's Drive for Nukes |
14 Jun 2007 12:39:28 AM |
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On Wed, 13 Jun 2007 21:49:11 -0400, Al Klein <rukbat@pern.invalid>
wrote:
- Refer: <fi71739f1b8pumdph94se634aoet248bl5@4ax.com>
On Thu, 14 Jun 2007 00:26:43 +0000 (UTC), "Promises Promises"
<pp_aery_11@yahoo.com> wrote:
To say that Iran poses a grave threat to world peace is an
understatement. We know Iran sponsors terrorism-from fomenting
chaos in Iraq to aiding Hamas's attacks on Israel and Lebanon.
Have you heard that we have proof that Saddam was trying to buy
yellowcake?
Idiot.
Don't try to present reality to this Christbot cretin.
His brain may explode.
(On second thoughts, go "right" ahead...)
--
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