Posted by
Grampus on Thursday, December 07, 2006 12:43:56 PM
Robert Gates was confirmed as the new Secretary of Defense by the Senate 98-2, with the only no votes coming from 2 Republicans, Santorum of PA and Bunning of KY. First, I have to be suspicious and wary of anyone who receives all of the Democrat Senator’s votes. After reading Mr. Gates comments and answers during the hearing, he is already overdue to be fired.
Gates was asked about Iran's nuclear program and President Ahamdinejad's threats to wipe Israel off the map.
- His answer seemed to support Ahamdinejad by stating that greater forces in Iran are more interested in nuclear capability as a deterrent against nuclear force countries surrounding them than a desire to attack Israel. How many times must Ahamdinejad state that Israel has no right to exist before Mr. Gates sees the picture?
The senators asked Gates whether he could guarantee that if Iran possesses nuclear weapons it would not put its threats against Israel into action.
Gates answered that he did not believe anyone could guarantee such a thing.
- Gates then went on to say he would not recommend attacking Iran other than a “last resort”…what scenario constitutes a “last resort” for him? If he believes that nobody can guarantee an attack against Israel by an Iran with nuclear weapons…do we wait to see what would happen? He further stated that a U.S. attack on Syria would unleash a wave of anti-Americanism in the Middle East and complicate our relations there. Iran and Syria have created a “client” state with Hezbollah expressly for the purpose of waging war on Israel.
- Both Iran and Syria have rejected all attempts of negotiation and continue to rearm and support Hezbollah. It appears to be a question of “when” not “what if”…Hezbollah believes they won a great victory in their clash with Israel and now are just waiting for the green light to go on from Iran and Syria for another clash.
- He admitted that in the current situation, the US was not winning the war in Iraq, but made it clear that it was not fleeing Iraq and would withdraw in an organized manner after the Iraqi government and its security forces are able to control the situation and defend themselves.
Let’s see now:
- We now have a Secretary of Defense that thinks Iran should be allowed to build nuclear weapons, despite their hatred for the United States, their terrorist ties, and the fact that it's entirely possible that they'll nuke Israel. He's also afraid to take on Iran and even Syria, despite the fact that their actions are destabilizing Iraq and getting American soldiers killed. And, he thinks we're losing in Iraq. Michael Moore is probably toasting Mr Gates. Perhaps the new SecDef can get great advice from Jimmah C. or Dennis Kucinich.
- In the next 5 years or so, if Iran builds nukes and started nuclear war with Israel … provided nuclear weapons to terrorists … and another 4 to 6 Mid East nations have acquired nukes to defend themselves from Iran…Robert Gates’ approach is a recipe for total disaster.
We can only hope that the appointment of this insipid bureaucrat is not the first sign that President Bush has lost the will to fight terrorism.
Grampus