quote:

Originally posted by Sgt_Schlappy:
It will be interesting to see how many Jews and westerners riot in the streets and make public outcries for the assasinations of the cartoonists.

quote:

Originally posted by sargeant_green:
Question: Is a cartoon not a way of mocking something/someone, a parity, a joke and someone who mocks others is also considered a fool and are we warned about fools and their associates? Of course you might find this warning in the Bible, Koran, Torah, etc. So this appears to be a International *** for tat that violates the tenants of those religeons. Two or more wrongs don't make a right. But that aside yeah iran (with a lower case i) is looking for a ***** slapping. But that does sound a little sexist so why don't we take them out like a cheap date and drop'em like a bad date.

quote:

Originally posted by Sgt_Salaam:

quote:

Originally posted by Sgt_Schlappy:
It will be interesting to see how many Jews and westerners riot in the streets and make public outcries for the assasinations of the cartoonists.

Im certain that the mere fact that Im a Muslim, my response will be taken as "typical" and I will be called a tratior, anti-semite, Iran or terrorist supporter, etc... however, since none of that accurately describes me and some of you will have your ASSumptions anyway...

Why can't you see the difference? One makes a joke of historical events, much like the political cartoons, posted on this very site, that show the Iranian Pres as a Monkey, or Israel the defenders of babies and Hezbillah the killers of babies. The one that actually created protests, was the deliberate attack and mockery of a religion and the beliefs of billions of people. Two different things.

Personally, in either case, Im non effected or surprised.

quote:

Originally posted by Sgt_Schlappy:

quote:

Originally posted by Sgt_Salaam:

quote:

Originally posted by Sgt_Schlappy:
It will be interesting to see how many Jews and westerners riot in the streets and make public outcries for the assasinations of the cartoonists.

Im certain that the mere fact that Im a Muslim, my response will be taken as "typical" and I will be called a tratior, anti-semite, Iran or terrorist supporter, etc... however, since none of that accurately describes me and some of you will have your ASSumptions anyway...

Why can't you see the difference? One makes a joke of historical events, much like the political cartoons, posted on this very site, that show the Iranian Pres as a Monkey, or Israel the defenders of babies and Hezbillah the killers of babies. The one that actually created protests, was the deliberate attack and mockery of a religion and the beliefs of billions of people. Two different things.

Personally, in either case, Im non effected or surprised.

I'm not sure you understood my comment.

I was merely mocking the Iranians for such a juvenile antic and their stance that - "well, the west did it to us, so we'll do it to them and see how they like it" - and the fact that outside of some criticism from high ranking western officials, you probably won't see nearly the 'meltdown' over this cartoon fair that you did over the newspaper contest in Denmark.

quote:

Oh no, I understood what you meant. I was just giving my views on the subject. I think the responses in either case can't be compared, due to the nature of the events, I think if this cartoon would have been done in 1947 the reactions would be similar to the Denmark one. Given the state of affairs today and the fresh wounds that many in the Arab world feel and have, its not surprising that they would react differently then the world Jewry who are 60+ years removed from the incident and are in a much better position. People tend to be further removed with time and disposition.

quote:

Originally posted by Sgt_Schlappy:

quote:

Oh no, I understood what you meant. I was just giving my views on the subject. I think the responses in either case can't be compared, due to the nature of the events, I think if this cartoon would have been done in 1947 the reactions would be similar to the Denmark one. Given the state of affairs today and the fresh wounds that many in the Arab world feel and have, its not surprising that they would react differently then the world Jewry who are 60+ years removed from the incident and are in a much better position. People tend to be further removed with time and disposition.

So, basically, you're agreeing with me that the Iranians are not only acting juvenile, but weren't even smart enough to pick an equally offending subject in which to mock?

quote:

Iran says it won't suspend enrichment
By ALI AKBAR DAREINI, Associated Press Writer




Iran said Sunday that it will offer a "multifaceted response" Tuesday to a Western package of incentives aimed at persuading Tehran to rein in its nuclear program, but insisted it won't suspend uranium enrichment altogether.

Speaking after Iran's military test-fired 10 short-range missiles, Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi said at a news conference that a nuclear compromise would have to be reached during future negotiations.

"Everything has to come out of negotiations," Asefi said. "Suspension is not on our agenda."

The U.N. Security Council passed a resolution last month calling for Iran to suspend uranium enrichment by Aug. 31 or face the threat of economic and diplomatic sanctions.

"We have made clear that if Iran fails to comply with the Security Council's mandate, we will move quickly at the United Nations to impose sanctions," White House spokeswoman Emily Lawrimore said Sunday.

U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan said he expected Tehran's response to the incentives package to be positive.

"In a time of acute crisis in the Middle East, I believe that progress on the nuclear issue is essential for the stability not only of the region, but the international system itself. It is time to take steps in the right direction," he said in a statement.

Uranium enrichment produces reactor fuel, but it also can make fissile material for nuclear warheads, and the United States and other countries suspect Iran is trying to develop atomic weapons.

Iran, which claims it only wants reactors to generate electricity, has rejected the resolution as "illegal," saying it has not violated any of its obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Asefi said the world could not afford to join the United States in imposing sanctions.

"Iran's influence in the region is clear. A country like Iran has extensive political, economic and cultural capabilities. Will other countries ignore Iran's capabilities in their political and economic cooperation?" he said.

The incentives package, aimed at persuading Iran to suspend uranium enrichment, includes promises that the United States and Europe will provide civilian nuclear technology and that Washington will join direct talks with Iran.

Iran has said the package is an "acceptable basis" for a compromise. Asefi said part of the package was "convincing" but there were ambiguities that needed to be clarified in talks.

Earlier, Iran's state-run television reported the test-firing of 10 surface-to-surface Saegheh missiles Sunday, a day after large-scale military exercises began across the country.

The military exercises come as Iran faces heightened international scrutiny for its support of the Shiite Muslim militants of Hezbollah in Lebanon.

The White House condemned Iran's "show of military force" and said it "serves to remind us of the dangers of its nuclear ambitions."

"Iran sits at the nexus of weapons of mass destruction and terrorism," Lawrimore said. "We know that Iran is producing and developing delivery systems that could threaten our friends and allies in the Middle East and Europe and eventually the United States itself."

The Saegheh has a range of 50-150 miles, state TV said. It did not specify whether the missile is capable of carrying a nuclear warhead, but it isn't believed to be.

Iran already has the Shahab-3 missile, which is capable of carrying a nuclear warhead. An upgraded version of the ballistic missile has a range of more than 1,200 miles and can reach Israel and U.S. forces in the Middle East.

Last year, former Defense Minister Ali Shamkhani said Tehran had successfully tested a solid fuel motor for the Shahab-3, a technological breakthrough for the country's military.

Iran's military test-fired a series of missiles during large-scale war games in the Persian Gulf in March and April, including a missile it claimed was not detectable by radar that can use multiple warheads to hit several targets simultaneously.

___

Associated Press Writer Nasser Karimi in Tehran and Deb Riechmann in Washington contributed to this report.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060821/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iran_nuclear

quote:

Iran military exercises show danger of nuclear ambitions

The White House said that Iran's military exercises, which included a short-range missile test, was a reminder of the danger of the Islamic republic's nuclear ambitions.

President George W. Bush's administration also recalled that Iran has until August 31 to respond to a UN Security Council demand that it suspend uranium enrichment and warned that failure to comply could swiftly lead to sanctions.

"We have made clear that if Iran fails to comply with the Security Council's mandate we will move quickly at the United Nations to impose sanctions," Emily Lawrimore, a White House spokeswoman, said in a statement.

The White House statement came after Iran test-fired a short-range, surface-to-surface missile during the second day of nationwide military exercises in a demonstration of its readiness to "respond to any threat," state television reported, Iranian state television reported.

"Iran's show of military force while it continues to defy the international community's unanimous demands regarding its nuclear program serves to remind us of the dangers of its nuclear ambitions," Lawrimore said.

"Iran sits at the nexus of weapons of mass destruction and terrorism; we know that Iran is producing and developing delivery systems that could threaten our friends and allies in the Middle East and Europe and eventually the United States itself," she said.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060821/wl_mideast_afp/ira...itaryus_060820202605

quote:

U.S. says Iran proposal falls short
By BARRY SCHWEID, AP Diplomatic Writer




The Bush administration said Wednesday a proposal by Iran for nuclear negotiations falls short of U.N. demands that it cease uranium enrichment, and the U.S. began plotting unspecified "next moves" with other governments.

Those could include U.N. sanctions against Iran unless it reverses course and agrees to a verifiable halt to enrichment activities that can be central to making nuclear weapons.

The State Department, in a terse statement, acknowledged that Iran considered its proposal to be a serious one. "We will review it," the statement said in what appeared to be a conciliatory gesture to a government it regularly denounces as a sponsor of terror.

But the statement went on to say that Iran's response to a joint offer of U.S, and European trade and other benefits if the enrichment program was halted "falls short of the conditions set by the Security Council" — full and verifiable suspension of all uranium-enrichment activity.

"We are consulting closely, including with other members of the Security Council, on next steps," it said. The United Nations has set a deadline of next Thursday for a formal reply by Tehran.

President Bush met with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice at the White House and then discussed Iran's proposal in a telephone call with U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

The call was initiated by Annan, White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said.

The administration has cautioned Iran that it will seek sanctions in the Security Council if Tehran does not step enriching uranium.

Administration officials have refrained from outlining what punishment they might have in mind. It could include economic or political penalties, perhaps international curbs on trade.

Rice, meanwhile, telephoned Javier Solana, the senior European Union diplomat who oversees exchanges with Iran. No account of their conversation, nor of her meeting with the president, was provided.

By not rejecting Iran's proposal outright, the administration indicated there may be a basis for dealing with long-held concerns that Tehran is developing nuclear weapons, an allegation the Iranians deny.

"The diplomats are continuing to look at it," Perino said. "We're working with our allies."

France took a firm and quick stand. Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy said Iran must suspend uranium enrichment if it wants to return to negotiations.

Russia's foreign ministry, evidently ambivalent, said it would continue to seek a negotiated solution. And China appealed for dialogue, urging "constructive measures" by Iran and patience from the United States and its allies.

Iran met its self-imposed deadline Tuesday for responding to the U.S.-European offer, which includes the possibility of U.S. help for civilian nuclear programs — but only if Iran stops uranium enrichment.

On Capitol Hill, meanwhile, the House Intelligence Committee issued a report that concluded Iran was a strategic threat and a country focused on developing nuclear weapons capability. It also linked Iran to Hezbollah, Hamas and other terrorist groups.

"Iran's support of radical Islamists with weapons and money demonstrates in real terms the danger it poses to America and our allies," said the committee's chairman, Rep. Peter Hoekstra (news, bio, voting record), R-Mich. He said Iran "will not be satisfied until it poses a threat to the entire world."

The report also said there are gaps in the ability of U.S. intelligence agencies to keep up with developments in Iran's nuclear program and suggested hiring more intelligence agents who speak Farsi.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060824/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/us_iran_20