Expert analyzes Iran's Revolutionary Guards

Pretext for war with Iran. Lord help us.

What kind of morons would think that we could invade and occupy Iraq and the Iranians, Saudi's, Syrians and everyone else in the region wouldn't get involved it?
ANSWER: BushCo

For a satirical take on this announcement:

"US May Label Iran Guards ‘Terrorist’, Earth ‘Round’

(2007-08-15) — Officials in the U.S. State Department are reportedly close to labeling Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps a “terrorist” organization. At the same time, sources also indicate that the State Department may soon label the Earth “round”.

“The Earth has all the hallmarks of a round or spherical object,” said one unnamed official at State. “The in-house debate is still vigorous and ongoing, but it’s not beyond the realm of possibility that we could come out with a definitive statement about the shape of our planet within the next year or so.”

Meanwhile, many in the State Department are still reluctant to use the “terrorist” label for an organization that equips, funds, and trains people to commit acts of terror against civilians and U.S. troops in Iraq because it could have “a chilling effect” on efforts to get Iran to halt its clandestine nuclear weapons program.

“The last thing in the world we want to do,” said one official, “is to offend people who are secretly plotting to destroy us.”

from scrappleface.com

The Cordesman report details Iranian and IRG support for terrorists in Lebanon, Iraq and elsewhere, including furnishing land mines to the "extremists" in Iraq, Hezbollah and the Taliban.

"Other elements of the IRGC can support proxy or covert use of CBRN weapons. They run some
training camps inside Iran for outside “volunteers.” Some IRGC still seem to be deployed in
Lebanon and actively involved in training and arming Hezbollah, other anti-Israeli groups, and
other elements.13 The IRGC has been responsible for major arms shipments to Hezbollah,
including large numbers of AT-3 anti-tank guided missiles, long-range rockets, and some
Iranian-made Mohajer unmanned aerial vehicles.14
Iran exported thousands of 122-mm rockets and Fajr-4 and Fajr-5 long-range rockets to
Hezbollah in Lebanon, including the Arash with a range of 21–29 kilometers. These reports give
the Fajr-5 a range of 75 kilometers with a payload of 200 kilograms. Iran seems to have sent
such arms to Hezbollah and some various Palestinian movements, including some shiploads of
arms to the Palestinian Authority.15
It has provided arms, training, and military technology to Shi’ite militias in Iraq and may have
provided such support to Sunni Islamist extremists as well, which led to attacks on U.S. and
Coalition forces. These transfers have included relatively advanced shaped charge and triggering
components, which have sharply increased the lethality of militia and insurgent attacks using
IEDs on U.S. and Coalition armor. There were also growing indicators that similar training,
weapons, and other aid were being provide to Shi’ite forces and Taliban elements in
Afghanistan in 2007."

Another leftist myth shot down.

Diplomacy 102: How NOT to Do It.
The Republican Commander Guy is now labeling Iran's Revolutionary Guard a terrorist group?
If history is any guide, he'll now spend the rest of his term not being able to find them.

Another leftist myth shot down.

I'm sorry, what myth are we talking about?

Just wondering, from all the "attack Iran" folks (who are apparently completely oblivious to the fact that, frankly, we don't have the military strength or political desire/ will to do so AND its far from clear that even if we did that those currently in charge of our armed forces would be more capable of successfully executing the mission in Iran more successfully than the one in Iraq), even if Iran is providing IED's to Iraqi insurgents, is that really a sufficient casus belli to invade another sovereign nation?

If a nation tried to execute regime change in Mexico, don't you think the United States would assert its regional might and try to effect the outcome of that conflict to our liking? Sorry guys, but we are occupiers in Iraq and have no legitimate claim to maintaining the permanent presence that apparently is what Bush & Co want. Seems to me that simply because Iran is not aiding our efforts, and may in fact be working against us, that is nonetheless not a sufficient grounds for attack.

But I guess if the logic is that we're the only superpower and the only arbiter of what is right and wrong, and the only thing that matters is that every one go along with everything we say, than yes, attacking Iran because they manufacture IED's seems perfectly reasonable.

Typo in the first graph: it should be "Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps".

Logic Prisoner, get a grip. There will be no war with Iran in the forseeable future.

I'm wondering if any numbnut is going to suggest that the IRG is not a terrorist group. It wouldn't surprise me.

The US is nowhere near done in Afghanistan & Iraq. Now they want to talk about Iran & spinning the revolutionary guard into some terrorist organization. To do what? Justify an invasion of Iran?

Brilliant strategy.

Snitramc, the very being of Loony Leftism is based in myth. Period.

"...SPINNING the revolutionary guard into some terrorist organization." [emphasis mine]

Posted by: RomanB | August 16, 2007 8:19 PM

BINGO!

RomanB

We do have three battleships now right outside Iran ready to strike. Not that it would make any sense...

Michael McFaul of Stanford University also urged more carrots. "If you want democratic regime change and to destabilize the regime, the best thing you could do is to make an offer about massive negotiations about everything -- human rights and state sponsorship in terrorism, as well as lifting [U.S.] sanctions and opening an embassy," he said. "Politically, this step doesn't help the administration undermine the regime -- it helps to consolidate the regime."

From Washington Post article this morning (Robin Wright)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/15/AR2007081502199.html?nav=hcmodule

In the Surreal Alternative UnReality World that is the Loony Left, Al Qaeda, Iran, Syria, Hamas, etc are not terrorists. The only terrorists to them is the U.S. military and the USA.

I think the Bush administration is putting far to much emphasis on Iran being our biggest problem in Iraq. Saudi Arabia is a bigger problem in my opinion. Check out my blog at: www.tiptopwebsite.com/danblog27 to learn more.

Padilla Convicted, Bill of Rights Overturned:

All officers of the U.S. government are hereby reminded of their duty to the oath they took to uphold and defend the U.S. Constitution, and are ordered by We the People to effect the immediate arrest of the traitor George W. Bush.

The Sixth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution reads:

"In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence."
The conviction of Jose Padilla means the administration has now enshrined the authority to pick you up off the street at any time, put you in a military prison, do anything they want to you, including torture, for 3 1/2 years, then release you if they feel like it to a civilian court, psychologically helpless to assist in your own defense, as long as the charge is "suspected of terrorism." According to AP Padilla did not look surprised. Why should he? His lawyer said he did not trust anyone and fully expected this would be another part of the long charade in which interrogators posed as lawyers, he was told he would never be released, and in general messed with his mind in ways that made him emerge not the same man.

This could now happen to anybody (ARE YOU LISTENING REPUBLICANS?). This is way bigger than the Iraq War. If is for the freedoms for which the Iraq War is supposedly being fought. George Bush has overturned the U.S. Constitution.

The only remedy now is impeachment on grounds that Bush violated his oath to uphold and defend the Constitution, the Law of the Land, legislation in Congress stating that previous precedents for the "enemy combatant" designation cannot apply to American citizens in a war that has no end, and the immediate release of Jose Padilla for grievous violation of his constitutional rights. If he "assisted" in terrorism, and he probably did not, as we can see from the government's incredibly weak case, so be it. Killers are released all the time because police did not read them their Miranda rights. The blame is on the government for blowing the case. It has been held in law that dismissal of a case is the only remedy which would instill proper respect by the authorities for the Law of the Land.

If the Padilla case stands, and GWB leaves office without being impeached, it will be as if the American Revolution had never been fought, as if the thousands of men who died at Normandy died for nothing. All officers of the U.S. government are hereby reminded of their duty to the oath they took to uphold and defend the U.S. Constitution, and are ordered by We the People to effect the immediate arrest of the traitor George W. Bush.

From May 8th, the date Jose Padilla was arrested.

Drumbeat On Iran Continues:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G46ggt0rpd4&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Edailykos%2Ecom%2Fstoryonly%2F2007%2F8%2F15%2F183735%2F533

The administrations current line on Iran: "Diplomatic talks with Iran are failing to stem the insurgency in neighboring Iraq, the U.S. State Department said".

The quote perfectly represents the Alice and Wonderland nature of the Bush administrations position. Talks with Iran are not halting attacks in Iraq? In other news, talks with North Korea have not slowed global warming. Seriously, though, the presentation makes an assumption, Iran is the main, or even a significant, backer of the violence in Iraq. Failure in Iraq is now being used as proof of Iran's perfidy. This is along the same lines as Saudi backed terrorists attack the US from bases in Afghanistan and so we invade Iraq. Now Iraqis are fightng US forces in Iraq so it turns out the problem is Iran. As of yet, no evidence of significant Iranian activity has been forthcoming and indeed the logic of the situation suggests Iran need do little directly to "win" in Iraq. The south of Iraq is rapidly consolodating as a confederation of Shia states. Interestingly, Maliki is in talks right now with Iran to INCREASE the presence of Iranian investment and support in Iraq.

If the Bush administration can continue to present this notion of Iran as the key driver of the Iraq insurgency, then at the very least they will have a scapegoat and everyone should fear where this rhetoric may lead.

Another leftist myth shot down.

I'm sorry, what myth are we talking about?

Posted by: snitramc | August 16, 2007 6:29 PM

I believe Mr. RNC is referring to the myth that Iran is not arming people to kill US soldiers in Iraq, but rather that the insurgents (Shiite, Sunni and al Qaeda) have been exclusively using weapons left over from Saddam's regime and rifles lost by Gen. Petraeus to do the killing. That would be the myth, I think.

Logic Prisoner, get a grip. There will be no war with Iran in the forseeable future.

Posted by: [INSERT CLEVER POST NAME HERE] | August 16, 2007 8:16 PM

I hope your right. Then again what if your not. After all there are ships and patriot missle batteries deployed to the region right now. Logic would dictate not going to war. But since when has the Cheney neo-con wing of the Bush administration acted responsibly??? Hopefully Sec Rice will rule the day with diplomacy. I here there is quite a dispute within the White House on the best course of action. Last time Colin Powell didn't fare as well.

The decline of Powell's fortunes is a tragic tale of politics: so much ambition derailed, so much accomplishment nullified.

http://www.slate.com/id/2095756/

Maybe the IRG is a terrorist group, the question is whether that's meaningful? The US government gave Iraq under Saddam Hussein chemical weapons while they were fighting with Iran in the 80s. So, so what if the IRG is a terrorist group? There are worse things you can do than "terrorism" with conventional weapons against military targets in Iraq.

lochnessmonster is a true sicko,wussy lib...

Don't strike Iran...they are lochnessmonsters friend!
They ship bombs to Iraq so terrorists can kill our soldiers...Iran is on the verge of having a Nuclear Weapon and they want to destroy Israel.
Makes no sense to attack,right nessy?
Grow a hair you lib-turd!

Paulo

Snitramc, the very being of Loony Leftism is based in myth. Period.

Posted by: John D | August 16, 2007 8:34 PM

The very being of the reject right is based in corruption and lies!

I'm just wondering, does this make the United States CIA and Military establishment a terrotist organization for supporting OBL when he was fighting the Soviets, When they were selling arms and intel to Saddam, when we aided the corrupt South Vietnamese regieme in the 1950's, 60's, and 70's? On man's freedom fighter is another man's terrorist.

Now the drums are beating for an attack on Iran.
More scare tactics and fearmongering.
By the very nature of his postings here, it is this John D. who is the looney one. He is a misfit, clueless, and a pathetic one. He spins and lies all the time, he doesn't know the truth.

Paulo, try to remember this is for discussion: not namecalling. Either play nice or go take a time out.

To the rational folks:

Let's face it, everyone, the mess in the Middle East is largely a creation of the USA, UK, France, India & Russia with all the tinkering, dictator installations (Shah of Iran & Saddam Hussein, just two of many examples) & then support of their overthrows later. Collectively, we've created a quagmire for the entire world.

That's what happens when you give 20th century technology to groups who govern based on 7th century principles and then be as nasty and duplicitous as we've been.

The various tribes and sects in the Middle East have hated and fought with each other since wars were recorded on stone. What we did in the 20th century is to heavily arm various groups when it served our short-term interests. These folks are not stupid: they can see us - all of us - for the rotten phonies and opportunists we are.

Now it's come back to bite us on the butt.

Paulo: almost all of the 9/11 hijackers were from Saudi Arabia, so why aren't we attacking them too? I can't wait to hear the pathetic excuse a "true sicko,wussy basement-dwelling Neocon" like you will try to use to avoid including Saudi Arabia in your rant's list.

If Bush&Cheny decide to attack Iran, you have to wonder if Iranians will defend themselves with weapons bought from Reagan during the Iran-Contra deal. Or, maybe they'll use some of the near 200,000 guns that US gave Iraqi's that are, according the the US Military, unaccounted for. Black markets can be interesting places for our enemies to purchase weapons the US hands-out.

In the Surreal Alternative UnReality World that is the Loony Left, Al Qaeda, Iran, Syria, Hamas, etc are not terrorists. The only terrorists to them is the U.S. military and the USA.

Funny how no conservative mentions Muammar Abu Minyar al-Gaddafi, dictator of Libya. A leader in an Arab nation that has done more to promote terrorism, bragged about it, & proven without out a doubt his ties to all sorts of terrorist organizations.

He's still in power, & Libya is earning billions with its sale of oil.

Proof you can support terrorism but not be held accountable, as long as you're worth something in the capitalistic world.

Ahhh, the left continues its defense and justification of our enenmies actions constantly giving them the benefit of the doubt. All while turning over every and any stone to make us, the military, Bush and co. look bad.

I'm always confused by this type of thought process. Is it just basic fear and denial? A form of Stockholm Syndrome on a macro level? BDS?

Reminds me of how you all rushed to the defense of Jose Padilla. Even the normally level headed C. Morris claimed "they have nothing on this guy"

Guess you were wrong. He was found guilty of plots against all of you. Even those who hate Bush. Imagine that.

Oh, but we would neeevver question your patriotism....just your level of intellectual honesty....and maturity for that matter.

I mean....have any of you actually read some of John E.'s posts?

All while turning over every and any stone to make us, the military, Bush and co. look bad.

Posted by: JD | August 17, 2007 1:26 PM

You're absolutley right Tony. Good thing the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth were around in 2004.

"I'm John Kerry and I'm reporting for DUTY!!!!!!"

Ha Ha

Posted by: JD | August 17, 2007 1:15 PM

So much hyprocrisy in such a short span of time.

Tell us JD, how attacking the record odf a decorated veteran and accusing the military of awarding medals inappropriately doesn't make the military look bad. Tell me how that doesn't call the validity of every single purple heart awarded into question.

"Oh, but we would neeevver question your patriotism....just your level of intellectual honesty....and maturity for that matter."

I think you've pretty well proven your intellectual dishonesty and you lack of maturity.

JD: I hope you didn't see my comment above as trying to justify all the terrorism and hatred towards the USA and some of our past allies, like France & the UK &, sometimes, India, plus Russia and some others.

Not justify: just partially put it in context.

I am outraged at seeing our people murdered, burned, bodies dragged through the streets, heads cut off, etc. I do believe that the Islamic leaders better start stepping up and geting their flock under control or we'll have full-fledged religious wars around the planet that make today look like a warm up. Witness all the ainti-christian, anti-jewish, anti-islamic, anti -.... already happening. As things get more tense, people are going to become less and less and less tolerant. Many say radical islam already is. I agree. Islam, overall, is not - but the leaders aren't doing their job of controlling their flocks and separating out the super radicals. If no Christian leader ever stood up and said, "It's wrong to blow up family planning clinics because judgement belongs to God and murder is a sin," where would we be?

To be clear: there is NO justification for murdering innocent people, regardless of what grievance you believe you have. Murder is murder is murder - as Gertrude Stein might have said.

Back in the early 20th century, most middle eastern armies were still riding horses and camels and had only rifles and swords. When a global need for oil (cars, manufacturing, etc.) came along AND we found the cheapest, easiest oil was in the middle east, we started taking sides. First against the Sunnis, then against the Shia, then against the Egyptians, then against the Syrians, then against the Iranians, etc. Within Saudi Arabia (the actual source of a great deal of hatred against us!), we installed the Wahabis (spelling?) who were the minority group but the ones with the most guns and were willing to do a deal with us. Not only that, we also started installing & then toppling government after government to suit our purposes. CIA-sponsored assassinations & coups - along with all the crap done by Russia, India, France, UK, etc.

All along the way we've sold arms to nearly all of them at one point or another and continue to do so.

After WW II and the creation of Israel, the partitioning of land was done without much regard to tribal, ethnic or religious ties. Iraq isn't really a natural country - it's an artificial creation of western powers forcing groups together to fit miltary and economic interests of the west back then.

Do you wnder why they mistrust and dislike us?

Our unwavering support for Israel is another reason we are so despised. Now, I think the who Arab-Israeli thing is a crime and tragedy of monumental proportions with both sides equally mean and nasty to each other. We've taken sides, though, thereby sewing the crops we're reaping today.

Again, the whole Arab-Israeli thing is stupid and hateful and wasteful and - apparently - almost genetically deep.

And ... as the gap between rich and poor grew, as the gap between educated and uneducated grew, so did the resentments. With the introduction of modern communications technologies, the general population saw what they were missing.

Into a leadership / power vaccuum will flow the zealots first. Zealots always lead the way. Zealots grabbed control in the 1970's and it's been downhill bigtime since.

So, yes, these terrorists and murderers are bad. The USA will not EVER be able to stop it. They must stop it themselves.

Imams, Mullahs, Teachers, Clerics, Chiefs, Sheiks .... all need to get control of their flocks and make them stop. We can't do it.

lochnessmonster is a true sicko,wussy lib...
...Grow a hair you lib-turd!

Paulo

Posted by: Paulo | August 17, 2007 2:15 AM

The thought of a President Hilary or Obama causes your balls to shrivel into raisins and you're calling someone else cowardly. It's risible.

In the Surreal Alternative UnReality World that is the Loony Left, Al Qaeda, Iran, Syria, Hamas, etc are not terrorists. The only terrorists to them is the U.S. military and the USA.

Posted by: RomanB | August 17, 2007 11:43 AM

I suppose an endless all out war with our many enemies is an option???

Get a clue!!!

In the Surreal Alternative UnReality World that is the Loony Left, Al Qaeda, Iran, Syria, Hamas, etc are not terrorists. The only terrorists to them is the U.S. military and the USA.

Posted by: John D | August 16, 2007 9:46 PM

"Tell us JD, how attacking the record odf a decorated veteran and accusing the military of awarding medals inappropriately doesn't make the military look bad. Tell me how that doesn't call the validity of every single purple heart awarded into question"

It doesn't,but throwing medals and ribbons over a fence does.

Does that story upset you Tony? Hypocrisy?

SBVT questioned HIS side of the story Tony, not the military's side.

Tony, your comment about Guilianni was thrown back in your face regarding a similar situation with Kerry. Hypocrisy?

Most voters weren't around when Kerry was doing his Sean Penn impression. SBVT told thier side of the story. They never challenged the military and how they give out medals. Nice try, but a swing and a miss.

Most voters today saw first hand how Gullianni handled 9/11 and looked at it favorably. Any group the left props up to attack him will backfire.

I'm glad I struck such a nerve with you Tony.
I see your haven't changed your style of totally changing the subject when backed into a corner.

I look forward to your typical response of trying to compare apples and oranges.

Your like the Bagdad Bob of the left on this board.

"Do you wnder why they mistrust and dislike us?"

snalag, I wasn't targeting you with my post. My only question to you is: so what?

I mistrust and dislike them too. whoopdee do.

If it weren't for the oil and the world's need for oil in the Mid East, they would still be in the 7th century and worse off than Africa.

This isn't a popularity contest and as you stated is a very complex situation.

I know most left wingers on this board want a clean cut and dry history to be applied to all of this, but it can't and won't ever be easy. Most left wingers are too immature in thier thought process to realize this.

They'll take any side just to Bush bash, USA bash, capitalism bash....etc.....
I'll ask again. Have any of you actually read what John E. writes? RomanB? Loon? Wienerdog?
Its a fair to question what makes them tick to constantly give our enemies the benefit of the doubt.

The left often says "one man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter"

Well, what "freedom" was Saddam,Al queda, Jose Padilla, and now Iran fighting for?

I know most left wingers...

Posted by: JD | August 18, 2007 12:57 PM

You don't know s**t about anything.

Glad to see I struck a nerve with you too John E.

Just stating the facts, dude.
Were you the victim of an alleged reverse discrimination thing or something? It would explain a lot.