1 Being "capable" of striking U.S. forces doesn't really imply that some kind of threat is imminent. Soviet forces (yes, those "crazy" Soviets no one ever trusted) had nukes capable of reaching your backyard swingset, but obviously them having it doesn't mean shit. Hell, India and Pakistan have nukes and they've hated each other for decades, but I don't see any nuclear winters over either of their countries. While I'm always up for a little scare-mongering, this is a little over the top.

2 As unlikely as it may sound, Venom may be right. While I'm certain that there are elements within the mullahcracy that would love to see our troops nuked, there are larger elements within the regime that understand what such a strike would mean. Iran is seeking the nuke because nukes are the great equalizer of the modern era. Further, they have always wished to be a regional powerhouse. But just because Iran wouldn't use nukes does not mean that they should be stopped from having them. This would dramatically shift power relations in the region and considerably weaken US influence.

3 >>>Soviet forces (yes, those "crazy" Soviets no one ever trusted) had nukes capable of reaching your backyard swingset, but obviously them having it doesn't mean shit. Venom, there's only one problem with your analysis-- it's true we never trusted the Soviets, but nobody has ever considered them "crazy". I wish the same could be said about the mullahs. I hope that you're right that the mullahs are no more crazy than the Paki generals are.

4 OK, I think there is consensus that it's unlikely Iran would attack American troops, can the same be said for them not attempting first strike on Israel?

5 Yes. As much as they hate Israel, they know what would happen if they tried something like this. You're all missing the biggest point about Iran having nuclear weaponry. It's not about who Iran would attack; rather, it's with whom they'd share that technology. Dealing with a hardcase like Iran is hard enough. Imagine dealing with a dozen that hate America as much as the next. Control through fear would be their bigger accomplishment, not through ill-thought nuclear strikes.

6 >>>It's not about who Iran would attack; rather, it's with whom they'd share that technology. Venom, I was just thinking the same thing. When we or the Israelis get hit with a nuke, we won't know where those nukes orginally came from.

7 You're right, Venom, what was I thinking? Of course there's no reason to be apprehensive simply because a nation controlled by vicious, ignorant religious fanatics may soon acquire nuclear weapons and missile technology. It's not as if these exact same people would do something foolish like, oh, I don't know, violate every tenet of international law by invading an embassy and kidnapping the diplomats. Assclown.

8 Alright, the "Assclown" was gratuitous, but in my defenese, I spent a couple hours last night watching Sam Kinnison clips with my son.

9 No, YOU're right, Bluto. What was *I* thinking? Invading an embassy, and holding the power to sow destruction and receive likewise in an instant are SO similar! Tell us what country you're from that apples and oranges seem so similar to you. There's a BIG leap to having a few thousand students invade an embassy, and deciding by way of action to remove your country from the map. And please, they've had nuclear technology for years. You act as if they've suddenly stumbled upon the notion that an atom can actually be split. The articles you post talk more about the accuracy of their missles (read: they already had them). They're not nuclear neophytes.

10 I'm not sure the claim about not knowing where a Nuclear weapon came from is valid, not only do technician leave their own technique signatures, like forensics from conventional explosives, but Iran is mining it's own Uranium and as they already have samples of it, not to mention some of the techniques they use to enrich it, e.g centrifuge, laser separation and enrichment via hard water plants is not exactly technology that the taliban had. it shouldn't be to hard to track down.

11 Allah will protect them in their struggle to carry the jihad to the infidels. Allah will assure that the faithful are not harmed by the wickedness of the kafir.

12 dave, are you saying a nuclear blast has a signature than can be traced back to a particular nuclear facility in a particular country?

13 A bunch of silly booga booga! Nervous Nellies are going to ruin this world for us all.

14 >>>Nervous Nellies are going to ruin this world for us all. That's precisely the attitude that got us into the current predicament with N. Korea.

15 That's what Dave is saying, Carlos. I am not familiar with any technology that presently exists that would do just that. That is a new one on me. That said, my fear has always been that Iran would share nuclear technology and help terrorists with a bomb. I am of the opinion that Iran is stupid enough to share the technology but not smart enough to prevent its use, if that makes sense. Venom seems to think that Iran will act in a rational manner. I hope for the sake of the World that he is right, and he may be. But I also know that there are some Islamists who would like to return the World to the 7th Century Califate. What better way than to set off a nuclear exchange. Just saying.

16 Rusty, it's getting pretty annoying for Greg to keep interjecting his nonsense into the otherwise intelligent posts. Greg, the men in the white suits are coming to get you. You better hurry and get back over to the asylum at Indymedia. I think your buddy DSM is waiting for you. I'm sure you two boys have something you need to discuss.

17 Yep, that is exactly what I am saying:

18 the reason you're not familiar with the technology is that it is restricted. http://www.tonyrogers.com/news/fallout_studies.htm If it is published science, it is easy to evade the technique, to ensure it is not fingerprinted.

19 I will certainly bow to Dave on this, as I really don't know. But I wonder if he knows about it, then why don't the Iranians? And if it is easy to evade, why can't the Iranians just evade it, or worse yet, make it look like someone else did it? Just a thought.

20 Hey Seuss Lander, Do you really think your posts are intelligent? You're an illiterate imbecile!

21 It's Greg! Are you drunk, Greg, or have you been smoking that dope again? Better watch out, Greg, Osama's after you. I think you better spend your time trying to figure out how you're going to make it without your crack. I know, it's a bummer for you Greg, but we'll be praying for you. HeHe!

22 LEAVE MY CHILD ALONE! Opt out of the PentagonÂ’s illegal database here: http://www.leavemychildalone.org/index.cfm?event=showContent&contentid=37 Opt your children out of your schoolÂ’s military recruitment lists here (Both Opt Outs are necessary): http://www.leavemychildalone.org/index.cfm?event=showContent&contentid=13

23 Menezes: Did I miss something, does Iran's nuclear program have something to do with lefty websites?

24 Dave, the new idiot calling himself Memezes' Ghost is none other than the old idiot Greg. He is nothing more or less than an Indymedia troll. He is like a child. He doesn't work or do anything productive, he just trolls websites trying to make people think he has a brain. It's pretty obvious that he doesn't. Greg, we're going to get the government to cut out your welfare check. Then you'll have to post from a library, and the Patriot Act is sure to snare you. Now that would be rich! HaHa~

25 is it Greg? I'm not sure myself. What is it with sites like www.leavemychildalone.org, are lefties so scared they no longer trust their children to make decisions? They buy them violent video games, and DVD's but are terrified their children might choose the miltary for a career? Isn't that their child's choice to make?

26 To everyone but Gayrooster, please accept this apology for getting off the topic. I just need to reply to Chicken Little brain. YBP, Tell me how I do. I am trying to reform and became a better blogger such as yourself. You have to remember, that this is a response to g{r}ayrooster, which trying to be civilized to is really asking to much of everyone, but I am going to try. Mr. Rooster, Concerning your post from the Festival of the Forgotten Fatwas on July 18, I will have you know that it was not I who posted the fable boat post. Several reasons for this is: One: I truly believe that you being an occupant of one of Mississippi’s State run facility, I know you are not allowed to have boats, cars or any other vehicles. Two: Since you are an occupant of Mississippi’s State run facility, I know you are not allowed out except as forced team member to help beautify Mississippi. Three: I have only ever posted stuff as “Butch” on this blog. And why would I wish to debase myself claiming to be Racial, homicidal, ignorant, Klan participating volunteered same sex partner of Bubba. I am married to a beautiful 22 year old Blonde Ukrainian bomb shell with a gorgeous face, and a fantastic body, so why would I be jealous of an incarcerated “jigaboo” lover like you. Four: The only thing I will grant you, is that you may be financially better off then myself, due to the fact that the State run facility you currently are residing at uses cigarettes instead of U.S. Dollars as currency. Since I do not smoke and do not own any of the number one litter, then yes, you can consider yourself richer than me. Five: I can also see now why you are so concerned about ones parentage. Since you are nothing in and of yourself, you have to define your pitiful existence by that of your mother and father. Even if my mother, who was an OR nurse for the VA in Dallas for 28 years, or my father, who served 29 years in the Air Force, were not my parents, and I was a “Bastard” as you fantasies about, I would be 1 million times worth more that your sorry excuse. The only redeeming quality I have seen on this blog about you so far is that you have a patriotic son. But once again, that is defining your worth from your son and not from you. So you can take this for what it is worth. Six: The post about the boat actually made you sound like a likable fellow. Inviting people on to your boat and going fishing, sound like a very enjoyable person was issuing the invite. I am sure the only place you might want to invite some to is maybe a cross burning, that is if the State Officials would allow you out. Seven: If I ever did try to pretend to be you, I would login as your true self, Chicken little brain or fowl mouth gayrooster. (Which I will not do.) So in closing you individual with as much brain as you login, who really cares if always hit back, you hit like a two year old girl. As far as winning, what is there to win. This is not “Survivor” or “Who wants to be a millionaire.” As for my commenting on our government and our President, I have earned the right. I have served my country, I vote in the elections, and I allow fowl mouth bigots to spew trash from their lips because that is the American way. As for who is cowardly, which is worse, one who posts under someone else name (which I have never did), or one who goes out in white sheets and pillow cases to hide their faces? And now I will return you to your previous blogs. Thank you.

27 dave, if you know about it then so do the Iranians. They will simply take measures to conceal their nuke signatures and pass it on to terrorists to blow up in our cities.

28 Carlos: I'm sorry I gave you an impression that I know the methods used to identify the forensic evidence inside Nuclear fallout, I do not know the specifics of the analysis, the article does not mention specifics either, only how the data is collected, and points to analysis of radioactive particles I would assume it is classified data.

29 dave, I didn't say you know the methods, I said you know about it. So do the Iranians, presumably.

30 well doesn't the whole issue of faking evidence belie the belief these guys are so batshit they'd launch a preemptive attack against the 'great satan' or 'little satan'? if they would do that, and are as crazy as we're lead to believe, I'm sure they'd be the first to take credit, no? They might purchase fissile material from another location, but I am not sure that all the forensic science involved is just tracing the origin of the material, they could most likely trace the way a device was manufactured too.

31 Nuking Iran.. are you INSANE??!!

32 Perhaps we should just take what the Nazis in turbans themselves have said: TEHRAN 14 Dec. 2001 One of IranÂ’s most influential ruling clerics called friday on the Muslim states to use nuclear weapons against Israel, assuring them that while such an attack would annihilate Israel, it would cost them "damages only".

33 Oh! So does this "cleric" have his finger on the button? because from here it sounds like rhetoric if he doesn't.

34 I don't particularly think Iran would be so completely suicidal as to launch a nuclear strike on the United States our forces in Iraq, or Israel in the capacity as a State actor. That being said, I have no doubt they would pass a nuclear device (assuming they have the technological wherewithal to put together a minaturized nuke, or more likely, a "stolen" one from the former Soviet arsena)l into the hands of Hezbollah, Hamas, IJ, etc. If they believed it couldn't be traced back to them. The Mad Mullahs are devious and evil but not suicidal (so far)

35 Butch: You continue your stupidity and lies. You are so full of bullshit it drips out your ears. By the way last time you posted your father was in the military for 24 years. No mans memory is good enough to make him a good liar. And you are a liar with a sorry momory. You started the name calling. Quit crying you dumb assed, stupid liberal prick. And quit lying if you wish any respect. And those of us fortunate to have a few bucks didn't get it from screwing the likes of you. How can you get something from those who have nothing? And as I said before (de govment check) self admittedly both your so called parents worked fo de govment. You low life types wish to start shit and then cry when shit comes back your way. Fuck you. No one believes anything your liberal hate our government stupid ass says. Pieces of shit like you complain about our government but you sure accept those government checks. My advice for your black ass. Think twice before you start shit with someone. Now get back on de porch. Boy

36 Can't believe some think that the mad moolas intelligently think about the consequences of nuclear attack. These idiots actually think that allah will protect them from retaliation. Some can read that in their Quran. Why are they then developing them. We developed ours to use. And we did. We further developed them as a deterrent to the soviets. A civilized godless nation. Not one run by fanatics who believe in death and 72 virgins and all that other bullshit. I wouldn't trust Iran because it is run by fucking nut cases who are already so old they might just consider martyrdoom because they will soon die anyway. My problem is, I don't have an answer.

37 Incarcerated Rooster. If anyone is lying it is you. You are the one claiming to be a great American, but we all know you are nothing but a racist. As for memory, it is yours that is faulty. I know my father served in the Air Force for 29 years, because the booted him out 1 year shy of retirement because he was diagnose with type 2 diabetes. Also, your memory ,(not momory as you spell it), is failing again because you are the one who started the name calling and cussing, which I see you still haven’t cured. It was your sorry lame excuse of a post calling names and berating anonymous that started this feud. And I do admit proudly that both my parents work for our government. Are you saying to do so is bad? But at least my parents worked for the government. Where you are be provided for by Mississippi’s government while you are living in their fine facility. As far as my own government checks, I will tell you exactly how many I have had. I have cashed a total of 96 government checks. 24 payroll checks while I was in the army. 48 payroll checks while I was in the Marine Corp, 23 income tax checks (the last two years I was on the paying end,) and the one tax refund check that Bush tried to bribe people with. But now for you lets see, you get no checks because you are in the pen. Most likely while you were in the military, you were probably in the brig. Oh, don’t forget, you were probably in juvenile hall being provided for when you were a kid. I would suggest that you think twice before name calling and cussing at some one when they were only trying to expand your mental capabilities, but I know for you, you are lucky at all to think once. So now why do you sneak back to your cell and your husband, leave the “HONEST” folks here alone to talk.