GOP Senate leader: Obama ‘on the cusp’ of devastating deal with Iran

[DonViejo]

Source: Reuters

15 MAR 2015 AT 11:22 ET

U.S. Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said on Sunday that President Barack Obama was on the verge of making a “very bad deal” on Iran’s nuclear program and made clear that Congress will weigh in on any agreement.

“Apparently the administration is on the cusp of entering into a very bad deal with one of the worst regimes in the world that would allow them to continue to have their nuclear infrastructure,” McConnell said on CNN’s “State of the Union” program. “We’re alarmed about it.”

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry was resuming negotiations with the Iranians in Lausanne, Switzerland, on Sunday with the goal of reaching a framework agreement by the end of March and a final accord by June 30. Kerry said on Saturday he hoped “in the next days” it would be possible to reach an interim deal.

As negotiations between world powers and Iran intensified this month, opposition to the agreement in the works erupted in the U.S. Congress. An open letter sent last week to Iran’s leaders from 47 Republicans in the 100-member Senate warned that any nuclear deal reached with Obama may be undone after he leaves office in 2017.

-snip-

Read more: http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2015/03/gop-senate-leader-obama-on-the-cusp-of-devastating-deal-with-iran/

[spartan61]

1. So what would be "the very bad deal?"

The Repukes won't get another war for their military contractors and therefore won't be receiving millions of dollars for their campaigns? It's always about money for them. They don't care how many people will be killed.

[still_one]

2. Has there been one member of the press that has asked these republicans what they would do? The

press sure didn't push the question when the republicans were trying to defeat the ACA, and still are. I do not see any follow-up questions what is THEIR PLAN?

Funny how the lack of follow-up questions for the republicans has been prevalent within the mainstream media for sometime now. They obstruct at every opportunity, and the media for most part does not follow-up with their solution?

[Merrigay]

15. Exactly

I recreated an account just so I could agree with you. I think this says so much about the Republicans and the press. Neither should be taken seriously. This lazy reporting infuriates me. Thanks for your comment.

[litouch]

20. War

The press doesn't bother to ask the question because a review of modern or even long term history provides the obvious answer. First they will do everything they can to scare us more than they have already attempted. Meanwhilst their bullet making corporate friends fire up the factories to make bullets. With that engine running, they tell us how patriotic we will be by "saving" misguided citizens of Iran by introducing our bullets into their country. We start with the small bullets and gradually work our way up to the big bullets. That way USA citizens don't really see what's goin on, but hey, Americans are making money selling the bullets. Next, they argue that we need human resources to manage the situation and inject a few USA boys onto foreign soil. Just a few cuz we don't need to do "The Surge" just yet. However, that will come. Next we get Brian, Bill & Wolf, especially, right on the ground so they can redeem themselves with fiery explosions in the backround. Maybe fly a few American attack jets in the background showing how, once again, we are saving the misguided citizens of Iran. Some body bags come home but we are scared to not support our troops so we just keep going. Bear in mind the last engagement, still in process, is now over $1 trilion in costs. A majority of that flowing to the 1% who are owners of the bullet making factories. It's called War folks and that's where the GOP would like us to head to enact their "Plan". The sooner the better in their opinion.

There's really no need to be any more long winded with the picture of engaging the middle east in general. It's a historical repetition for 3000 plus years. The press is probably exhibiting superior intelligence by not even bothering to ask for the details. Dont' ya'll feel really good though about our saving misguided masses? May we live in interesting times......again. I'm finding this GOP clown circus rather boring.

[still_one]

22. One thing the press in this country does not have is superior intelligence

[underpants]

3. Let's see, opened up Cuba... this deal could possibly open up Iran...

Yeah no wonder they don't like it.

[randr]

4. A very bad deal for Republicans

is one that creates peace. They are so afraid that Obama will succeed they are willing to take down our nation for spite.
Hatred fosters heart disease.

[cilla4progress]

5. I was first inspired to vote for Senator Obama

when I heard him talking (in about 2007 or 08) about using diplomacy first. This was in the wake of the disaster we created in Iraq. His JESUS-like attitude of talking with your enemies was what got me interested in him to begin with.*

Don't the stupid rethugs realize the Iranians are going to have their "nuclear infrastructure" either way? With some observations an controls under a deal, or none, with no deal?

I suppose they think we can just go in and unilaterally bomb Iran - and anyone else we choose not to like this week - into submission.

Their interpretation of Christianity is going to bring us all down.

*anecdotally: I'm a pagan Unitarian agnostic, so, my appreciation for Jesus is as a historical figure of peace and anti-establishmentarianism.

[eggplant]

8. Wait, isn't HE running against Rahm? n/t

[cilla4progress]

13. huh?

[eggplant]

16. Jesus.

It was a (poorly constructed) joke.

[cilla4progress]

26. Hah

sorry for the slow uptake!

[Sunlei]

6. republicans would rather kick the dogs of war into action

contaminated winds will hit Dubai first

[Strelnikov_]

7. This has nothing to do with the deal, everything to do with doubling down

They screwed up with the letter, they know it, but at this point their best option, as they see it, is to amp up the rhetoric even more.

". . it is but their nature".

[tomsaiditagain]

9. "Masters of War" Bob Dylan

I say to those who call for war, send your children into that battle you are calling for. The rich and the all powerful sing the song for more cash and less poor living. The wealthiest among us who hold the puppet strings will be the demise of us all for their greed is all they see. Blinded by hate and lust and the fragments of bullet spattered brains, they "spread their wings and laugh."

[cilla4progress]

14. ^^^ this

[Jack Rabbit]

17. Refusal to fight in corporate imperialist wars must be part of the pushback against the 1%

There are very few "just" wars, and no war is really just in the last analysis. World War II is often cited as a just war, but in that case it was only just for the allies. Otherwise, it was a war started by a mad man who had no excuse, just his hate-filled delusions. The Japanese were more conventional villains than the Nazis. The Japanese went to war to expand into an empire, to subjugate nations and seize their natural resources. Control of natural wealth and trade routes are why most wars are really waged.

US wars since 1945 have been of that Japanese model. The war against Iraq most certainly was. It was a war for oil. All other rationales were just window dressing to make a war rooted in corporate greed more palatable to the American public as making it appear to be an altruistic effort to destroy a bloody tyrant and enhance national security. The only truth in that was that Saddam really was a bloody tyrant. That he was a threat to American security, or even to his weakest neighbor, were bald faced lies. That the world is a better and safer place without Saddam in power is a mantra that the architects of the war have continued to use to justify their actions as all the other reasons have fallen apart under even the slightest scrutiny. Yet even this justification is brought into question by the rise of the terrorist regime of the Islamic State, which makes Saddam look like an enlightened despot by comparison.

The fossil fuel industry is on life support. Coal and oil are dirty, polluting and unhealthy sources of energy, and this is true even before we start talking about anthropogenic climate change, something that most certainly not a hoax. Yet the private enterprises that extract these resources from the earth are given tax breaks and government subsides to do so. Renewable energy is ready to come online and supplant fossil fuels in a matter of years. There is no excuse not to begin the process to begin the process of supplementing and finally supplanting fossil fuels with solar and wind power immediately.

Therefore, there is no need to fight wars in the Middle East. There is no need to spill the blood of America's future to secure more supplies of oil for ExxonMobil or Chevron.

We must not give our lives or the lives of our children or grandchildren to be sacrificed on the alter of the fossil fuel industries. We Americans must avoid military service until a rational energy policy is adopted by the government that supposedly derives its power and authority from We, the people, not They, the pollution pimps.

[treestar]

10. I don't get why they oppose a deal

They'd rather no deal and Iran go ahead and have whatever nukes?

I asked my nearest right winger, and he said that "Israel was not invited" to the negotiations. Anyone know what the deal is with that. Strikes me it is likely Israel refuses. Though they are the ones who claim to be threatened, so why does Netanhaju not want a deal?

[Gregorian]

11. We'd be a far greater country without our massive war hardon.

[Turbineguy]

12. A Dangerous Idiot

An idiot who doesn't understand the forces he controls.

[El Shaman]

18. Don't buyt anthing this con person sells!!!

Keep the hate folks , keep the hate.

[Vinca]

19. Mitch's Plan B: War. Your kids, not his.

[quadrature]

21. how many centrifuges is acceptable?

10K
100K
?

edit.....
explain to me again why
20% enriched Uranium is
needed when
everyone else uses 5% enriched

[Bartlet]

23. And McConnells alternative is to what?

Is his alternative to bomb Iran? Start another war in the region? Why is diplomacy and negotiation so foreign to Republicans? Why are they so intent on killing people before talking to them? Why are Republicans so incredibly short sighted and thoughtless?

"An open letter sent last week to Iran’s leaders from 47 Republicans in the 100-member Senate warned that any nuclear deal reached with Obama may be undone after he leaves office in 2017. "

If Dems had stepped in and undermined negotiations during a Republican presidents term these self same "patriots" would have screamed treason and demanded they be hung.

[cstanleytech]

24. McConnells alternative is to try and milk the fear and terror of Iran getting a nuke

which is the same plan most republicans are following.
Mind you I dont believe Iran having a nuke is a good idea but I think diplomatic efforts should continue and that the republicans need to stfu and stop trying to stick a knife into Obamas back just because he beat them in 2 elections.

[heaven05]

25. F*** you mcconnell!!!!!!!!

May you and your party go down in flames...2016. Although american voters DON'T engender hope in my mind or spirit. Pretty lost and stupid these days.

[cilla4progress]

27. Here's what I don't get ...

Does anyone in the Bible thumping Evangelist blood thirsty Republican party ever even TRY to square their political posture with

LOVE THY NEIGHBOR?

I guess they are too stupid to see much less understand hypocrisy.